Publication

Abstract : Nilotic tilapia, one of the important invasive alien species (IAS) of inland waters of Kerala, a southwestern state in India attracted attention due to many factors including beneficial as well as detrimental factors like its aquaculture potential and its invasive and/or destructive nature respectively. Nile tilapia is reared extensively due to its both, table and ornamental value especially in Palakkad district of Kerala state in which, one of the biodiversity hotspots in world, the Western Ghats and the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve are partially located. The bioreserve is an abode of many indigenous and rare species of ichthiyofauna, which are under threat due to invasive nature of hardy Nile tilapia along natural lentic habitats. The growth and its population were assessed through length weight relationship from a natural pond habitat in Palakkad district. 28 specimens were collected and assessed for its gender wise length weight relationship employing linear regression analysis. Results revealed that male (b = 2.636), female (b = 2.463) and total population (b = 2.618) shows allometric growth with out much difference between sex (P > 0.05). A good growth pattern and strong population in lentic habitat has