Wetland ecosystems are one of the most biologically productive ecosystems in the world providing the key habitat environments for mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. In recent times the wetlands are facing tremendous anthropogenic pressure, which can greatly influence the population structure. Sustainability of wetland ecosystem is necessary for various important functions such as food storage, water quality continuation and providing habitat for different species of flora and fauna. An inventory of wetlands of any region is a pre-requisite for their conservation and management. Ahiran Lake, a wetland of Murshidabad district, West Bengal, (approximately 400 hectare, 24° 26’ N to 24° 30’ S and 87° 58’ E to 88° 02’ W) serves as a habitat of large populations of resident and migrant water birds, fish, amphibian, reptiles and mammals. But information about the vertebrate diversity, composition and structure of the community in this wetland is scarce. In the present investigation documentation and assessment of the vertebrate diversity of Ahiran lake is conducted. Our study revealed 40 species of fishes, 56 species of birds, 6 species of amphibian, 8 species of reptiles, 2 species of mammals are frequently found at Ahiran wetland. The baseline documentation will provide useful data and new insights to establish and improve management systems for sustainable development of wetlands. 

Keywords: Vertebrate; Biodiversity; Ahiran Lake; Murshidabad; Wetland.