A Molecular Study on the Expression Profile of Stress-Responsive Gene/S Expression in Fish Species at Kolleru Lake Andhra Pradesh; a Comparative Analysis on Fish Diversity and Population

Kolleru Lake in Andhra Pradesh is one of the most significant biodiversity hot spots in India. The Lake is 6,121sq km long, with a flow of 65,000 to 1.1 lakh cusecs of water into the Lake. It offers habitat for a wide range of animal life, including wild animals, birds, and fishes. Over the recent past, a drastic decrease in fish population in the Lake is being reported, that not only adversely impacts biodiversity but also affects the food chain as well. Several risk factors involved in the reduced biodiversity of fish in the lake are under constant evaluation by researchers. Among these, some of the major ones identified are illegal fishing, a rise in water pollution, alien species of fishes and other aquatic animals. The growing concern, for now, is how to restore fish population and biodiversity. Scientists are working on a molecular level to understand water pollution and lack of nutrients on fish growth and development. Stress is a crucial physiological state which all living organisms face, and respondon either unique or a common modality. Several stress-responsive genes expressed during the unfavorable conditions, allow coping up with the drastic change in the surroundings. The expression of stress-responsive gene(s) also depends on environmental factors/triggers. The survival of fish in unfavorable conditions largely relies on how effective animals respond against the changing environment. We aimed to investigate significant risk factors for the reduced fish population in Kolleru Lake in Andhra Pradesh and the corresponding stress responsive genes.