Table of Contents
Ichthyofauna of River Godavari and Toxicological Study on Puntius sophore by S. S. Kamble (2008)
Introduction
Freshwater ecosystems are vital to human survival and biodiversity, yet they are increasingly threatened by pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction. Among these, the Godavari River, India’s second-longest river, represents both a cultural lifeline and an ecological hotspot. It sustains numerous fish species, supporting local livelihoods, nutrition, and regional biodiversity.
S. S. Kamble’s 2008 thesis, Ichthyofauna of River Godavari: State of the Art and Toxicological Studies Involving the Detergent Rin on the Fish Puntius sophore Hamilton, provides a dual contribution to zoology. First, it catalogs the ichthyofaunal diversity of the Godavari, documenting fish species richness, taxonomy, and distribution. Second, it investigates the toxicological effects of household detergent Rin on the small cyprinid fish Puntius sophore, an ecologically and economically significant species.
The research highlights the impact of chemical pollutants—especially detergents—on freshwater ichthyofauna, with implications for public health, fisheries management, and aquatic ecology. By integrating field surveys, taxonomy, and laboratory toxicological experiments, Kamble’s work bridges biodiversity research with applied ecotoxicology.
This makes the thesis not only a reference for fish taxonomy but also a guide for understanding aquatic pollution risks, bioindicator species, and water quality management.
Ichthyofaunal Diversity and Pollution Studies in the Godavari
Verbatim Excerpt from Thesis (pp. 1–18)
India is one of the richest countries in fish diversity. Out of 25,000 species of fish recorded in the world, about 2,500 species are reported from India. Among them, freshwater species constitute about 930 species. Fish form an important group of vertebrates, which play a vital role in the economy of human beings. The protein value of fish is well known. It is the cheapest source of animal protein to man. India stands seventh in fish production in the world. Fish are the principal source of income to thousands of fishermen and their families. In India, most of the people are non-vegetarian. Therefore, fish is an important item in the diet of common people…
The Godavari River is the second longest river in India, covering a length of about 1,465 km. It originates from Trimbakeshwar in Nashik district of Maharashtra and drains into the Bay of Bengal. The Godavari basin supports a variety of fish fauna, many of which are endemic. Several workers have studied ichthyofauna of the river system in parts of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and other regions…
Pollution of aquatic ecosystems has become a serious problem. Various kinds of pollutants enter the water bodies through sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, and domestic wastes. Among these, detergents are the most common household pollutants, widely used for washing and cleaning. Detergents contain surface active agents (surfactants) which are toxic to aquatic organisms…
The present work has been undertaken with the following objectives:
- To survey ichthyofauna of River Godavari in selected regions.
- To study the effect of detergent Rin on fish Puntius sophore Hamilton.
- To evaluate biochemical and physiological responses of fish to detergent toxicity.
(Excerpt continues through Chapter 1 & 2 – fish taxonomy, detergent chemistry, ecological impacts, toxicological background – up to ~1,300 words)
Readability Disclaimer
The content presented here is a verbatim excerpt from the original thesis. Academic formatting and language have been preserved. If you find the text difficult to read, please consult the original PDF linked below.
Sources & Thesis Details
Title of Thesis: Ichthyofauna of River Godavari: State of the Art (2008) and Toxicological Studies Involving the Detergent Rin on the Fish Puntius sophore Hamilton
Researcher: S. S. Kamble
Supervisor: Dr. A. A. Bharambe
Institution: Department of Zoology, [University Name]
Year: 2008
Excerpt Pages: 1–18
FAQs About River Godavari Ichthyofauna and Toxicological Studies
Q1. Why is the ichthyofauna of the Godavari River important?
The Godavari hosts diverse fish species that support biodiversity, fisheries, and local food security.
Q2. Why was Puntius sophore chosen for the toxicity study?
It is a common freshwater fish, ecologically significant, sensitive to pollutants, and widely distributed.
Q3. How do detergents affect fish physiology?
Detergents damage gills, disrupt enzyme activity, alter metabolism, and can lead to mortality in aquatic species.
Q4. What conservation lessons emerge from this study?
Monitoring ichthyofauna and regulating detergent discharge are crucial for sustainable fisheries and water quality.
thesis pdf
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