AQUATIC INSECTS (ODONATA) DIVERSITY IN FLOATING AND EMERGENT MACROPHYTES IN SAHEED MATANGINI BLOCK (TAMLUK), WEST BENGAL (INDIA)
ANINDYA PATTANAYAK *
Department of Zoology, Magadh University, Bodh-Gaya, Gaya-824234, Bihar, India.
MINAKSHI KUMARI
Department of Zoology, Magadh University, Bodh-Gaya, Gaya-824234, Bihar, India.
PRITI R. PAHARI
Department of Zoology, Tamralipta Mahavidyalaya, Tamluk, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India.
S. N. P. YADAV DEEN
Department of Zoology, Magadh University, Bodh-Gaya, Gaya-824234, Bihar, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Geographical zone-wise biodiversity study of different species is of paramount importance to monitor and conserve the species diversity in an ecosystem. The objective of present study was to make a diversity database of macrophyte associated aquatic insects in Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India. The aquatic insects were collected from aquatic macrophytes, Ipomoea aquatica, Eichhornia crassipes and Nelumbo nucifera grown in 6 water bodies of Sahid Matangigi Block (Tamluk, 22.3°N 87.92°E), Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India. The results revealed that occurrences of 6 aquatic insect orders (Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Odonata, Diptera, Ephemenoptera and Trichoptera) in Ipomoea aquatica with maximum abundance of 3 odonate families (Libellulidae, Coenagrionidae and Platycnemididae). The present biodiversity study of aquatic insects indicate that Odonata especially prefer floating macrophyte as a favourable habitat and therefore higher species diversity therein. Further study is needed considering other aquatic macrophytes in this concern to develop a valid species specific database essential for biodiversity conservation in the rapidly changing present environment.
Keywords: Biodiversity conservation, aquatic macrophytes, aquatic insects, odonata, habitat, species diversity.