• Dr. Prakash R Pandit

The results of all four rivers (viz. Kali, Bedti, Aghanashini and Sharavati) of Uttara Kannada District documented 29 species of Western Ghats endemics. This is 33 per cent of the total freshwater species richness of the districts. The endemism was highest in Aghanashini River with 37 per cent, followed by river Bedti with 33 per cent. Both Kali and Sharavati rivers were at par with each other reflecting 25 per cent of their species richness. Highest degree of endemism in Aghanashini river is due to pristine forest all along the river course and less human interference. The evergreen forest along the course of Aghanashini shows less fragmentation and provides more ideal habitats in the river. The good riparian vegetation might provide ample of food for those fishes. The low level of endemism in Sharavati and Kali rivers is due to the construction of dams across the rivers.

endemic fishes, western ghats,uttarakannada rivers,

"ENDEMIC FISHES OF WESTERN GHATS- A CASE STUDY OF RIVERS OF UTTARA KANNADA DISTRICT .", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.8, Issue 8, page no.e641-e646, August-2021, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2108565.pdf

"ENDEMIC FISHES OF WESTERN GHATS- A CASE STUDY OF RIVERS OF UTTARA KANNADA DISTRICT .", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.8, Issue 8, page no. ppe641-e646, August-2021, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2108565.pdf