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Macrozoobenthic diversity of a rural pond near Naihati, West Bengal
Authors: Dr. Manika Biswas (Mukherji)

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In the present communication the macrozoobenthic diversity of a rural pond was studied. This study was conducted for a period of one year. The result revealed the presence of 25 species of macrozoobenthos belonging to 3 major phyla namely, Annelida, Arthropoda and Mollusca. Among the molluscans, gastropods represented the maximum diversity and density with 13 species followed by crustaceans (4 spp.), insects (3 spp.), bivalves (2 spp.) and oligochaetes (2 spp.). Gastropod species like Bellamya bengalensis, Gabbia orcula, Thiara granifera, Thiara tuberculata, Brotia costula, Lymnaea acuminata, Lymnaea luteola, Indoplanorbis exustus and Gyraulus convexiusculus, were found to favour the pond bottom and were predominantly present throughout the study period. The presence of oligochaetes, Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri and Branchiura sowerbyi in great abundance throughout the year was significant as they indicated the eutrophic nature of the pond. Chironomid larvae, known to be prevalent in low oxygen conditions, were also found abundantly in the pond substratum. Both Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri and chironomid larvae are well known potent bioindicators of pollution and eutrophication of an aquatic system.
Key Words: Macrozoobenthos, diversity, gastropods, oligochaetes, bioindicators.