Faunal composition of macroinvertebrates associated with aquatic macrophytes in Chaliakkara River, Kerala, India

Abstract

Aquatic macrophytes provide habitat to several macroinvertebrates and also support sustaining water
quality. Studies have detailed that aquatic macrophytes maintain diversity and abundances of
macroinvertebrates. In this study, two species of aquatic macrophytes Lagenandra sp. and Carex sp. were
collected for an evaluation of their association with macroinvertebrate fauna in the Chaliakkara River (in
the Southern part of India). We identified 252 specimens belonging to 10 different families. Among the
collected specimens, 125 organisms were associated with Lagenandra sp. and 127 were associated with
Carex sp. The dominant families at upstream stations were Hydropsychidae and Philopotamidae; it
dominated midstream with Perlidae and Hydropsychidae. The downstream region is dominated by
Ampullariidae. The outcomes at the upstream, midstream and downstream sites of the Chaliakkara River
displayed strong differences among the diversity of macroinvertebrates. The highest species richness and
abundance of organisms were noted in S3 followed by S4, S1, S6, S5, and S2. The first two stations were
in the forest area and these sites were undisturbed. Regrettably, the downstream is defenseless to
anthropogenic activities such as bathing, waste disposal, bridge constructions, etc. Thus, the significance of
the conservation and protection of the freshwater ecosystems composed of aquatic macrophytes and
associated macroinvertebrates needed for the sustainability of freshwater life.