Spatial and temporal variation in the diversity of malacofauna from Aripal stream of Kashmir Himalaya, India

Abstract

This paper presents the spatial and temporal variation in the diversity of malacofauna in relation to the water chemistry of the Aripal stream of Kashmir Himalaya. A total of 12 species were reported which belong to four families, Lymnaeidae, Physidae, Planorbidae, and Bithyniidae from class Gastropoda, and two families, Cyrenidae and Pisidiidae from class Bivalvia. The family Planorbidae contributed 34% to the total annual molluscan population followed by Lymnaeidae (28%) and Bithyniidae (18%). During the collection, Gyraulus sp., Planorbis sp., and Bithynia tentaculata were prevalent at all sites, with predominance of Bithynia tentaculata. Species richness and abundance were observed maximum at site A3 (down-stream) and minimum at site A1 (up-stream) while in the case of temporal variation, species richness and abundance were maximum in summer and minimum in winter. Shannon-Wiener index, Simpson index, Margalef index, and Pielou evenness index were used to calculate the diversity, dominance, richness, and evenness of molluscan species, respectively. Physico-chemical parameters revealed a non-significant spatial variation (P >0.05) except pH, total hardness, and alkalinity while a significant temporal variation (P <0.05) was observed in the physico-chemical parameters except dissolved oxygen. A significant positive correlation was seen between the molluscan species and total hardness. In the present study, the stone mining, channel morphology of stream, habitat heterogeneity, and physico-chemical parameters were also found to promote the spatial and temporal diversity of malacofauna.

Diversity and conservation status of malacofauna from the river Teesta,West Bengal, India

“…Lowest Margalef richness index was recorded in monsoon season at both sites. Mir and Bakhtiyar (2022) found maximum Shannon diversity index and Evenness index in monsoon season. In winter season most of the molluscs remain in dormant state.…”

“…The lowest Dominance index was found in monsoon season and the highest in winter season at all sites (Table 2). Mir and Bakhtiyar (2022) found lowest Dominance index in monsoon season and highest in winter season. Maximum Shannon diversity index and Evenness index were recorded in monsoon season at both sites.…”

“…Sonowal et al (2001) recorded 45 freshwater molluscs from the upper Brahmaputra Basin, Assam. Mir and Bakhtiyar (2022) reported 12 species of malacofauna from the Aripal stream of Kashmir Himalaya, India.…”

Seasonal Variation in the Macrobenthic Invertebrate Densities of Aripal and Watalara Streams of Kashmir Himalaya, India

“…The study has been carried out seasonally from Aripal and Watalara streams located in the Tral subdivision between geographic coordinates 33.93°N and 75.10°E with an altitude of 1662 m a.s.l., in the district Pulwama of Kashmir valley, India 14 . These streams form the two right bank tributaries of River Jhelum in the district.…”