Distribution of Common Coot (Fulica atra) Collected from Wet Lands of Punjab, Pakistan

Population survey was conducted to evaluate the population of common coot (Fulicaatra) and ten years population trend at Chashma Barrage (29883±6458), Taunsa Barrage (4198±515), Ucchali Lake (7253±1466), Head Qadirabad (2789±785), Head Marala (3226±984), Head Rasool (3261±84)), Khabbeki Lack (1486±230), Head Sulaimanki (1809±180), Jhalar Lake (526±206) and Head Islam (1779±257). The population atChashma barrage was statistically highly significant as compared to other wetlands. The overall year wise abundance and relative abundance of different wet lands were recorded. To evaluate the food preference, total weight of gut (63.98±3.946), total weight of gizzard (26.99 ± 1.325), weight of food material (3.59±0.187), gizzard weight without food material (23.39± 1.244), weight of seed (1.24± 0.075), weight of vegetation (1.65±0.103) and weight of other material (0.69±0.067) were calculated. The comparison between male and femalegave results that the total weight of gut, total weight of gizzard, weight of food material, Gizzard weight without food material and weight of other material was statistically highly significant and weight of seed, weight of vegetation was statistically significant.The richness, abundance, Shannon’s variety list, Simpson’s variety record and evenness for gizzard contents were calculated. Among the 40 samples, 19 samples were found infected in by parasites of seven types of Gastro-intestinal parasites were distinguished and recorded as Amidostomum anseris, Capillaria contorta, Strongyloides avium, Echinoparyphium recurvatum, Notocotylus attenuatus, and Giardia sp. D. balacea was recorded among the six wetlands. S. avium and N. attenuates wererecorded among the four wetlands, A. anseris, E. recurvatum and Giardia sp. wererecorded among the three wetlands, and C.contortawererecorded among the two wetlands.The current study provides the information for the management planning, conservation and improvement of habitat of common coot. The knowledge of parasites can be helpful to grasp the host-parasite interactions and give important standard data to the assessment of fitness and wellbeing status of this species