First Record of the Southern Platy Fish Species Xiphophorus Maculatus (Gunther, 1866) (Cyprinodontiformes, Poeciliidae) from the Natural Waters of Anamalai Tiger Reserve, Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India

The present paper reports the occurrence of the freshwater ornamental fish Xiphophorus maculatus (Gunther, 1866) from the Anamalai hills of Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu. The specimens were collected from the streams of Pachamalai, Valparai, Anamalai Tiger Reserve and from the Karukundra river, Varattuparai, Manambolly range, Anamalai Tiger Reserve. This fish species belonging to the Order Cyprinodontiformes, Family Poeciliidae have been collected along with Haludaria fasciata (Jerdon) from these localities. Exotic species introduced purposefully or accidentally into natural water bodies can adversely affect local fauna through genetic pollution, disease introduction and ecological impacts, such as predation, competition and environmental modification. More precaution is essential while undertaking large-scale breeding programmes of exotic ornamental fish. Effective quarantine measures are required as a precaution to prevent the introduction of pathogens and parasites along with exotic species, and to reduce the resultant economic losses to the country.