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Lower Anicut is one of the major fishing point in the Cauvery river system in Tamil Nadu which is
selected for the present study. The aim of the study is to find out the taxonomic diversity and biometric
characters differences in the genus Puntius from Lower Anicut (Kollidam river), Tamil Nadu. The
Kollidam river inhabits naturally ornamental and edible fishes like Puntius species. 50 indiduals of
Puntius species were collected from this site. The specimens are preserved and stored in laboratory.
Thereafter recorded the biometric (morphometric and meristic) characters of Puntius sophore, Puntius
filamentosus, Puntius sarana, Puntius ticto and Puntius conchonius. The morphometric measurements
and meristic counts of all individuals of the Puntius species were taken into account for identification. In
the present study, 45 - morphometric (Standard length =Nbc/SL*100 and Head length =HLc/HL*100)
and 31-meristic characters were recorded for five species of the genus Puntius. The various statistical
values were made by using Microsoft Office Excel.
Key words: Diversity of genus Puntius, Biometric study, Taxonomic characters.