Zoological fauna of Khurum Dam and Muhabbat Khel Dam of district Karak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

The present research was conducted to explore the vertebrate and invertebrate fauna in Khurum dam and Muhabbat Khel dam of district Karak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan during the period from April 2016 to December 2016. The Khurum dam and Muhabbat Khel dam having all the vertebrates including fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Fishes of both dams include Cyprinus carpio, Crossocheilus diplochielus, Ctenopharyngodon idella, Salmophasia bacaila, Aspidoparia morar Ompok pabda Labeo rohita, Cirrhinus cirrhosus, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix. The family Cyprinidae is dominant in both dams. The Amphibians of both dams include Rana tigrina, Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis, Duttaphrynus melanostictus and Rana tigrina. The Reptiles of Khurum dam are Chamaeleo zeylanicus, Saara hardwickii, Xantusia vigilis Lampropeltis getula and in Muhabbat Khel dam Xantusia vigilis Lampropeltis getula are present. In Khurum dam nine species of birds are present, which is following Passer domesticus, Acridotheris tristis, Anas crecca, Perdix Perdix, P. cristatus, Numida meleagris, Grus grus, Pycnonotus barbatus, Upupa epops. While in Muhabbat khel dam Passer domesticus, Acridotheris tristis, Anas crecca, Buteo jamaicensis, Cairina moschata, Dicrurus adsimilis. The family Bovidae of mammals is more abundant in both dams. The invertebrates found in Khurum dam are Sympetrum flaveolum, Pandinus imperator, Pterostichus melanarius, Anex junius, Solenopsis invicta, Hirudo medicinalis and Sceliphron caementarium Vespa velutina, Hirudo medicinalis, Pandinus imperator are present in Muhabbat Khel dam. So from the present study, it may be concluded that Khurum and Muhabbat Khel dams are very suitable for the growth of both vertebrates and invertebrates. Hence our present study will provide useful information about the diversity of vertebrates and invertebrates of the both dams that could be later valuable in systematic and conservation.