Abstract
Vertebrate diversity is severely affected due to increased anthropogenic activities in aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Ecosystem changes result in changes to the habitats of vertebrate species and to water quality parameters. The present study was conducted from August 2017 to August 2019 for the evaluation of vertebrate fauna and associated threats in the selected areas of Sindh and Balochistan, Pakistan. Sampling was done twice per week in various fresh water, marine and terrestrial habitats of the study area. The variety of vertebrate fauna was determined by means of quadrate sampling, point count method, line transect method, counting of dung, footprints and other opportunistic methodologies. The fauna observed included 285 vertebrate species including 24 mammalian species belonging to 11 families, 30 reptilian species belonging to 12 families, 184 bird species belonging to 46 families. A total of 25 marine and euryhaline fish species belonging to 16 families were collected from Gharo Creek, China Creek, Khrararo Creek, and Hub River. 19 freshwater fish species belonging to 7 families were recorded from Keenjhar Lake. About 38.166 ± 5.9132 ppt of salinity was recorded in Hub River which is originally a freshwater habitat but has changed to saline water habitat. Accordingly, freshwater fish species have been declined due to high salinity. Some of the important fish species recorded during the present study included Acanthopagrus latus, Acanthopagrus berda, Lutjanus argentimaculatus, Lutjanus johnii and Lates calcarifer. Threats to vertebrate fauna recorded in the present study included habitat loss, pollution, deforestation, increased developmental activities in terrestrial and aquatic habitats and indiscriminate hunting.. It has been concluded that changes in habitats and increased frequency of threats has caused a decline in the vertebrate diversity compared with the previous studies. Conservation measures should be taken to mitigate the influence of anthropogenic activities and protect vertebrate fauna from further decline.
