International Research Journal of Environment Sciences________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414Vol. 3(4), 51-63, April (2014) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 51 Studies on Qualitative and Quantitative Abundance of Aquatic Entomo-fauna in Glacial fed Mountainous Goriganga River of Kumaun Himalaya Uttarakhand, IndiaAshok Kumar Department of Zoology, Kumaun University, Soban Singh Jeena Campus Almora, Uttarakhand-263601, INDIAAvailable online at: www.isca.in, www.isca.me Received 30th March 2014, revised 1st April 2014, accepted 21st April 2014 AbstractThe present study was aimed to record the qualitative and quantitative abundance of aquatic entomofauna in glacial fed mountainous Goriganga River of Kumaun Himalaya from July, 2006 to June, 2008. Samples were collected from three sampling stations (sampling station 1-Jauljibi, 600msl; sampling station 2 -Baram 900msl and sampling station 3-Madkot 1300msl) which are extended in a river stretch of 44 Km. A total of 25 genera of aquatic insects (Ephemerella, Cinygmula, Baetisca, Ephemera, Iron, Megistocera, Tendipes, Antocha, Dixa, Simulium, Agabinus, stenocolus, Heterlimnius, Hydaticus, Laccobius, Hydropsyche, Hydroptela, Glossosoma, Perlomyia, Isoperla, Argia, Hagenius, Epicordulia, Argion, and Ophiogomphus) belonging to six orders (Ephemeroptera, Diptera, Coleoptera, Trichoptera, Plecoptera and Odonata) were recorded at all the stations during 2006 to 2008. Monthly, seasonal, yearly and site wise variations (qualitatively as well as quantitatively) in zoo-bentic population including similarity and dissimilarity index have also been recorded and discussed in the present paper. Keywords: Aquatic Entomo-fauna, qualitative, quantitative, abundance, goriganga, kumaun Himalaya.Introduction India is one of the mega diversity countries in the world and occupies ninth position in terms of fresh water megadiversity Mittermeier et.al. Fresh water makes up only 0.01% of world total water body and contains about 100000 species (8%) out of 3 million scientifically described species Dudgeon. Aquatic insects are extremely important in ecological systems for many reasons Merritt et.al and are primary bioindicators of fresh water bodies such as lakes, ponds, wetland, streams and rivers. They serve various purposes such as food for fishes and other invertebrates, as vectors of pathogens to both human and animals Foil and Chae et.al. The presence or absence of certain families of aquatic insects can indicate whether a particular water body is healthy or polluted. Aquatic entomofauna constitute an important part of the aquatic ecosystems. These are involved in nutrients recycling and form an important component of natural food web in aquatic ecosystem. Aquatic entomo-fauna possess very important position in structural studies of lotic systems, and hence can significantly be applied as biomonitor to access the degree of ecological impact caused by various sources because of their suitable properties. Various structural properties like density, diversity etc. of aquatic entomo-fauna, in respect of temporal and spatial variations with its seasonality have been studied by many workers6-12The study of benthic macro-invertebrates especially aquatic entomo-fauna, an important component of aquatic habitat, is of paramount importance in aquatic ecology and their community is an important component of river diversity, because its members are fundamental connectors among the different trophic levels of running waters. The macro-benthic biota principally consisted of almost all the fresh water taxonomic groups of animals which have attained maximum development and diversity in mountainous rivers indicating permanency of these animals in geological history. The benthic animals inhabiting glacial fed rivers constitute an extremely diverse assemblage, both taxonomically and ecologically. The aquatic insects and fishes by virtue of being relatively stationary and constantly exposed to changes are undergoing in overlying water and hence respond very well to pollution. As they live in river bed and attached to some objects, they are considered best indicator of water quality. Some of them constitute the food for fishes, while some others are predatory on fish larvae, fry and other aquatic biota. Some times the aquatic entomo-fauna are decimating the fish food in the river water. Therefore, a great deal of works on aquatic entomo-fauna and their biology have been made Hynes13. The effects of benthic fauna in aquatic ecosystems have been studied by many workers Gupta et.al.14; Mohan et.al.15; Welch16; Ward and Whipple17; Peenak18 and Tonapai19. In high altitude rivers, the ecology of aquatic insects has also been made by Sharma et.al.20; Dobriyal21; Sehgal22; Negi23; Jhingran24; Pathani et.al.25. The benthic populations are usually the first and most prominent beneficiaries Vass and Zultshi26. International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 3(4), 51-63, April (2014) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 52 Literature review suggested that there was no literature on aquatic entomofauna of Goriganga River, hence this is the first study on Qualitative and Quantitative abundance of Aquatic Entomo-fauna in glacial fed mountainous Goriganga River of Kumaun Himalaya Uttarakhand.” (India) investigated for two years from July-2006 to June-2008. Material and Methods After the preliminary survey of Goriganga river, three sampling stations were selected Fig. 1 which are situated at different altitudes, station-1 (Jauljibi- 600 msl); station-2 (Baram- 900 msl) and station-3 (Madkot- 1300 msl)and are extended in a river stretch of 44 Km. for monthly and seasonal sampling. The aquatic entomo-fauna samples were collected from a 1 X 1 m long study area falling with in the collecting site (a reach), chosen to be reasonably typical of the particular stretch of water. Methods described by Vollen Weider27, Hynes28 and Trivedy and Goel29 were employed. The collection procedure begins by washing and emptying rocks, stones / pebbles with the aid of basket sampler, forceps, qualitative devices such as dip net and hand screens. Most of the insects were found below the stones / pebbles, each stone / pebble was brushed with a stiff bristle brush to remove the clinging organisms. Other left materials such as sticks and leaves were also carefully checked before being discarded. Skillful hand picking can easily collect large size insects. The screened material was washed in a container, preserved in 5 % formalin and identified stereoscopically or with the help of optical microscope following standard literature. Index of Similarity and Dissimilarity: Similarity and dissimilarity index is used to record the similarity and dissimilarity among different taxa in different samples Odum30. Similarity and dissimilarity index can be determined by the following formulae: S = 2C A+B Where S = similarity index, A = taxa in A sample, B = taxa in B sample, C = taxa common in both the samples. Dissimilarity index = 1 – S. Where S = similarity index. Figure-1 Location Map Showing The Three Sampling Stations, Jauljibi (600 MSL), Baram (900 MSL) and Madkot (1300 MSL) in the Gorigana River of Kumaun Himalaya International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 3(4), 51-63, April (2014) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 53 Results and Discussion The results presented in the paper are based on the observations made on qualitative and quantitative studies of aquatic entomo-fauna. The data on aquatic entomo-faunal population have been surveyed and analyzed on monthly basis for qualitative and quantitative abundance from July, 2006 to June, 2008. The identified aquatic entomofauna has been tabulated in table 1. Qualitative Composition of Aquatic Entomo-fauna: During the period of study i,e from July 2006 to June 2008, some total 25 genera of aquatic insects (Ephemerella, Cinygmula, Baetisca, Ephemera, Iron, Megistocera, Tendipes, Antocha, Dixa, Simulium, Agabinus, stenocolus, Heterlimnius, Hydaticus, Laccobius, Hydropsyche, Hydroptela, Glossosoma, Perlomyia, Isoperla, Argia, Hagenius, Epicordulia, Argion, and Ophiogomphus) belonging to six orders (Ephemeroptera, Diptera, Coleoptera, Trichoptera, Plecoptera and Odonata) were recorded in the river table 1. During first year (2006-07), some 23 genera were recorded, being maximum 16 genera (64.00%) at spot-3 followed by 15 genera (60.00%) at spot-1 and minimum 13 genera (52.00%) were recorded at spot-2 table 1. While during second year (2007-08), some 25 genera were recorded; maximum 20 genera (80.00%) at spot-1 and spot-3 and minimum 19 genera (76.00%) were recorded at spot-2. An order wise distribution showed that maximum 5 genera (20.00%) were represented by Ephemeroptera, Coleoptera and Odonata followed by 4 genera (16.00%) by Diptera, 3 genera (12.00%) by Trichoptera and minimum 2 genera (8.00%) were represented by Plecoptera at all the three spots during 2006-07 and 2007-08 in the present study table 1. Table-1 Qualitative composition of aquatic entomofauna in the Goriganga river during 2006-07 and 2007-08 Order/Genera July 2006-June 2007 July 2007-June 2008. Jauljibi Spot-1 Baram Spot-2 Madkot Spot-3 Jauljibi Spot-1 Baram Spot-2 Madkot Spot-3 Ephemeroptera Ephemerella + + + + + + Cinygmula + + + + + + Baetisca + + + + + + Ephemera - - + + + + Iron - - - - - + Diptera Megistocera + + + + + + Tendipes + + - + + + Antocha + + + + + + Dixa + - + + + + Simulium + - + + + + Coleoptera Agabinus + - - + + - Stenocolus + + - + + - Heterlimnius - - + - + + Hydaticus - - + + + + Laccobius - - + - - + Trichoptera Hydropsyche + + + + + + Hydroptella + + + + + + Glossosoma - - - + - + Plecoptera Perlomyia + - - + - - Isoperla - + - + + - Odonata Argia + + + + + + Hagenius + - - + + + Epicordulia - + - - + - Argion - - + + - + Ophiogomphus - + + - - + Total 15 13 16 20 19 20 Annual percentage 60.00% 52.00% 64.00% 80.00% 76.00% 80.00% (+ = present and - = absent) International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 3(4), 51-63, April (2014) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 54 Monthly qualitative analysis of aquatic entomo-faunal diversity at three spots in the Goriganga river during 2006-07 and 2007-08 has been depicted in tables 2, 3 and 4. On perusal of table 2 and fig.2, it can be seen that maximum (15) genera of aquatic insects were recorded in the month of December followed by November (14), September, October, January and April (13), March (11), February (10), May (09), June (07). A minimum (06) genera was recorded in the months of July and August at spot-1 (Jauljibi); at spot-2 (Baram), the maximum (13) genera were recorded in the month of November followed by October, January, March, April and May (11), December (10), September and February (09), June (07) and minimum (05) genera were recorded in the months of July and August table 3 and figure 3, whereas at spot-3 (Madkot), the maximum (12) genera were recorded in the months of January, February and April followed by September and December (11), October and May (10), November and March (09), August (08) and minimum (07) genera were recorded in the months of June and July during first year (2006-07) table 4 and figure 4. During second year (2007-08), the maximum (17) genera of aquatic entomo-fauna were recorded in the month of December followed by October and January (15), March (14), February and April (13), September (12), November and May (11), August (08), July (06) and minimum (05) genera were recorded in the month of June at spot-1 (Jauljibi) table 2 and figure 2; at spot-2 (Baram), the maximum (13) genera were recorded in the months of September, November, and February followed by October and January (12), December, March and May (11), April (10), August and June (08) and minimum (07) were recorded in the month of July table 3 and figure 3, whereas at spot-3 (Madkot), the maximum (15) genera were recorded in the months of February and March followed by September and November (14), January and April (12), December (11), October and March (10), August and June (08) and minimum (06) genera were recorded in the month of June in the present study table 4 and figure 4. Table 2 Qualitative composition of aquatic entomo-fauna at spot-1 (Jauljibi) in the Goriganga river during 2006-07 and 2007-08 Order/Genera Monthly qualitative analysis of Aquatic entomo-fauna at spot-1 (Jauljibi) in the Groriganga river during 2006-07 and 2007-08. July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb March Apr May Jun Ephemeroptera I II I II I II I II I II I II I II I II I II I II I II I II Ephemerella + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + Cinygmula - + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + - + Baetisca + - - - + - + + + - + + - + - - + - + + - - - - Ephemera - - - - - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + + - + - Iron - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Diptera Megistocera - - - + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + - + + - + Tendipes + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + - Antocha - - - - + + + - + - + + - + - - - + + + - + - - Dixa - - - - - - - + - - + - + - - - - - - - - - - - Simulium - - - - + - + + + - + + + - + - + + - + - - - - Coleoptera Agabinus + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + - + + - + + - Stenocolus - - - - - + - + + - + - + + + - - + + + + + - + Heterlimnius - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Hydaticus - - - - - - - + - + - + - + - + - + - - - + - - Laccobius - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Trichoptera Hydropsyche - - - - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + - Hydroptella + + + + + - + - + - + + + - - + - + + + + + - - Glossosoma - - - - - + - + - + - - - - - + - + - + - - - + Plecoptera Perlomyia + - + - + - + - + + + + + + + - + - + + + + + - Isoperla - - - - - + - + - - - + - + - + - + - - - - - - Odonata Argia - + - + + - + + + - + + + - - + + - + - - - + - Hagenius - - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - - Epicordulia - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Argion - - - - - - - - + - + - + - - - - - + - - - - Ophiogomphus - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Total 06 06 06 08 13 12 13 15 14 11 15 17 13 15 10 13 11 14 13 13 09 11 07 05 {I = during first year- 2006-07; II = during second year-2007-08; + = present and - = absent) International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 3(4), 51-63, April (2014) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 55 Out of 25 genera of aquatic insects, 8 genera (Ephemerella, Cinygmula, Baetisca, Megistocera, Antocha, Hydropsyche, Hydroptella and Argia) were fairly common at all the spots table 1. The Ephemeroptera (mayflies) nymps, Coleoptera (water beetles) both larvae and adults and Odonata (dragonflies) formed the major bulk, the Diptera (true flies), Trichoptera (caddisflies) and Plecoptera (stoneflies) were next in the line. The aquatic insects were generally found concealed under stones, gravel and rocks. The stone flies (Plecoptera) were present exclusively in the riffles and Odonata (dragon flies) and Coleoptera (water beetles) in slow and stagnant conditions. Others such as mayflies (Ephemeroptera), Caddisflies (Trichoptera), trueflies (Diptera) were common to both the habitats.Table-3 Qualitative composition of aquatic entomofauna at spot-2 (Baram) in the Goriganga river during 2006-07 and 2007-08 Order/Genera Monthly qualitative analysis of Aquatic entomo-fauna at spot-2 (Baram) in the Groriganga river during 2006-07 and 2007-08. July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb March Apr May Jun Ephemeroptera I II I II I II I II I II I II I II I II I II I II I II I II Ephemerella - - - - - + + - + + + + + + - - - - - - - - - - Cinygmula + + + - + + + + + + + - + - + + + + + + + + + + Baetisca + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + - - + Ephemera - + - + - - - - - + - + - + - + - + - - - + - - Iron - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Diptera Megistocera - + - - - - + - + + + - + - - + - - + + + - - - Tendipes - - - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Antocha + + + + + - - - + + - - + - + + + + + - - - + - Dixa - - - - - + - + - + - - - + - + - - - - - + - - Simulium - - - - - + - + - + - + - + - - - - - - - - - - Coleoptera Agabinus - - - + - + - + - - - + - + - + - + - - - - - - Stenocolus + + + + + - + - + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + Heterlimnius - - - + - - - + - - - - - + - - - - - - - + - - Hydaticus - - - - - + - + - - - + - - - - - - + - + - + Laccobius - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Trichoptera Hydropsyche - + - - + + + - + + - + + + + + + + + + + - - + Hydroptella + - + + + + + + + - + - + + - - + - + - + + + - Glossosoma - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Plecoptera Perlomyia - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Isoperla - - - - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Odonata Argia - - - - - + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + - - Hagenius - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - + Epicordulia - - - - - + + + + + - - - + - - + + - + + + - - Argion - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Ophiogomphus - - - - + - - - + - + - - - + - + - + - + - + - Total 05 07 05 08 09 13 11 12 13 13 10 11 11 12 09 13 11 11 11 10 11 11 07 08 {I = during first year- 2006-07; II = during second year-2007-08; + = present and - = absent) International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 3(4), 51-63, April (2014) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 56 Table 4 Qualitative composition of aquatic entomo-fauna at spot-3 (Madkot) in the Goriganga river during 2006-07 and 2007-08 Order/Genera Monthly qualitative analysis of Aquatic entomo-fauna at spot-3 (Madkot) in the Groriganga river during 2006-07 and 2007-08. July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb March Apr May Jun Ephemeroptera I II I II I II I II I II I II I II I II I II I II I II I II Ephemerella - - - + + + + - + + - + - + + + + - + - - + + - Cinygmula + + + - + + + + - + + - + + + + + + + + + + - + Baetisca + + - + - + - + + + + + + - + + + + + + - + - - Ephemera - - + - - + + + + + + + - - - + + - + + + - + + Iron - - - - - + - - - - - - - + - + - + - + - + - - Diptera Megistocera + + + - + - - + + - + - + - + + - - + - + + + + Tendipes - - - - - + - + - + - + - - - - - - - - - - - - Antocha - - + + - - - - - + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + Dixa + - - - + + + + - + - - + + - + + - + - - + - - Simulium - - + + + + + - + + - + + - + + - - - - + + - - Coleoptera Agabinus - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Stenocolus - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Heterlimnius - + + + + + + - + + - + + + + - - + - + - + - - Hydaticus + - - - + + + + - - + - + + - + - - + + + - - - Laccobius - + + + - - - - + - + + + - + + + + + + + + + + Trichoptera Hydropsyche - - - + + + + + + + + - + - + - + - + - + + + - Hydroptella + - + - + - - - - + + + + + - - - + - + - - - - Glossosoma - + - + - - - - - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + Plecoptera Perlomyia - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Isoperla - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Odonata 21. Argia + - - - + + + + - - + - + + + + + + + + + + - - 22. Hagenius - - - - - + - - - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + 23. Epicordulia - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 24. Argion - - - - - + + - + + - + - - + + - - - - + - - - 25. Ophiogomphus - - - - + - - + - - + - - + + - - - + - - + + + Total 07 06 08 08 11 14 10 10 09 14 11 11 12 12 12 15 09 10 12 12 10 15 07 08 Quantitative Abundance of Aquatic Entomofauna: The quatitative estimates are based on numerical count of animals collected from per square meter of river bed. The tables 5, 6 and 7 shows the average number of animals/sq.m at spot-1, spot-2 and spot-3, respectively in Goriganga river during 2006-07 and 2007-08. The highest percentage (36.66% and 36.48) of entomofaunal density was noticed at spot-3 (Madkot) during both the years where as the lowest (31.33%) was recorded at spot-1 (Jauljibi) during first year (2006-07) and (28.13%) at spot-2 (Baram) during second year (2007-8), (tables 5, 6, and 7). On the yearly basis a slight difference in quality was recorded in the present study, but a sharp variation was observed in entomo-faunal population at different spots. It is also observed that Ephemeroptera were always high and Plecoptera were low than other groups of insects at all the collecting sites in the water. The annual percentage of aquatic insects during 2006-07 showed a relation i,e. Ephemeroptera (46.30%)� Diptera (17.56%) � Coleoptera (16.69%) � Trichoptera (10.32%) � Odonata (4.70%) � Plecoptera (4.41%) at spot-1 (Jauljibi) table 5; Ephemeroptera (47.14%) � Coleoptera (15.68%) � Diptera (14.30%) � Trichoptera (9.82%) � Odonata (6.92%) � Plecoptera (6.11%) at spot-2 (Baram) table 6 and Ephemeroptera (50.76%)� Diptera (17.02%) � Coleoptera (14.38%) � Trichoptera (10.92%) � Odonata (3.77%) � Plecoptera (3.13%) at spot-3 (Madkot) in the first year (2006-07) table 7, whereas during 2007-08 it was Ephemeroptera (51.28%)� Diptera (17.83%) � Coleoptera (17.45%) � Trichoptera (6.19%) � Odonata (3.91%) � Plecoptera (3.31%) at spot-1 (Jauljibi) table 5; Ephemeroptera (47.87%) � Coleoptera (15.47%) � Diptera (13.26%) � Trichoptera (11.10%) � Odonata (6.81%) � Plecoptera (5.42%) at spot-2 (Baram) table 6 and Ephemeroptera (48.73%)� Diptera (20.43%) � Trichoptera (12.16%) � Coleoptera (11.93%) � Odonata (4.22%) � Plecoptera (2.51%) at spot-3 (Madkot) table 7. The aquatic entomo-fauna both qualitatively International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 3(4), 51-63, April (2014) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 57 as well as quantitatively showed spot wise, monthly, seasonal and yearly fluctuations/variations in snow fed mountainous Goriganga river in the present study from July 2006 to June 2008 tables 1 to 8; figures 2, 3, 4, and 5. Generally, it was observed that increase in diversity and abundance of aquatic entomo-fauna depends on the type and size of particles comprising the substrate (substrate stability), minimum temperature and velocity of water, presence of organic detritus and occurrence of aquatic vegetation during winter season, hence winter time can be detrimental to aquatic entomo-fauna both in terms of quality and quantity. The diversity (quality) and abundance (quantity) of aquatic entomo-faunal population decreases during monsoon season may be because of maximum velocity (habitat destruction) and temperature of water, low turbidity and scarcity of aquatic vegetation in the Goriganga river during the entire course of study (i,e. from July 2006 to June 2008).  \n \r\r\r\n \n \r\r\r\n !"#$%&!  ' \r!\r\r %\r ( \r\r )%\r * \r\r + Figure-2 Monthly distribution of aquatic entomo-fauna at spot-1 (Jauljibi) in the Goriganga river during 2006-07 and 2007-08  \n \r\r\r\n \n \r\r\r\n !"#$%&!  ' \r!\r\r %\r ( \r\r )%\r * \r\r + Figure-3 Monthly distribution of aquatic entomo-fauna at spot-2 (Baram) in the Goriganga river during 2006-07 and 2007-08  \n \r\r\r\n \n \r\r\r\n !"#$%&!' \r!\r\r %\r ( \r\r )%\r * \r\r + Figure-4 Monthly distribution of aquatic entomo-fauna at spot-3 (Madkot) in the Goriganga river during 2006-07 and 2007-08  \n \r\r\r\n \n \r\r\r\n ,-.################################################################################################################.-/# \n0%#\r!"#$1%&!  ' \r!\r\r %\r ( \r\r )%\r * \r\r + Figure-5 Monthly distribution of aquatic entomo-fauna (combined at three spots) in the Goriganga river during 2006-07 and 2007-08 On the basis of similarity index it was observed that there were close similarity among the taxa of Trichoptera (s = 0.66) during 2006-07 and (s = 0.66) among the taxa of Diptera during 2007-08 (table 9, figures 6 and 7), while no similarity (s = 0.00) was observed among the taxa of Coleoptera and Plecoptera during 2006-07 and among the texa of Plecoptera during 2007-08 in the present study (table 9, figures 6 and 7). The similarity index showed variations of aquatic insects in the different regions of the river. In determining the diversity and abundance of aquatic entomo-fauna in glacial fed mountainous Goriganga river, differences among environmental conditions are much more important than differences in spatial location. International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 3(4), 51-63, April (2014) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 58 ,. %!% %#%+\r2#,-. %!% %#%+\r2#.-/ %!% %#%+\r2 \r!\r\r %\r ( \r\r )%\r * \r\r + Figure-6 Similarity index among different groups of aquatic entomo-fauna in the Goriganga river during 2006-07 and 2007-08 ,/%%!% %#%+\r2#,-.%%!% %#%+\r2#.-/ %%!% %#%+\r2 \r!\r\r %\r ( \r\r )%\r * \r\r + Figure-7 Dissimilarity index among different groups of aquatic entomo-fauna in the Goriganga river during 2006-07 and 2007-08 Table: 5 Quantitative abundance of aquatic entomo-fauna at Jauljibi (Spot-1) during 2006-07 and 2007-08 Months Quantitative abundance of aquatic entomo-fauna at Jauljibi (Spot-1). July 2006- June 07 July 2007- June 08 Ephemeroptera Diptera Coleoptera Trichoptera Plecoptera Odonata Total Ephemeroptera Diptera Coleoptera Trichoptera Plecoptera Odonata Total Jul 46 62.16% 10 13.51% 10 13.51% 6 08.10% 2 02.7% 0 0.00% 74 100% 10 18.18% 27 49.09% 8 14.54% 6 10.90% 0 0.00% 4 07.27% 55 100% Aug 12 33.33% 8 22.22% 8 22.22% 4 11.11% 0 0.00% 4 11.11% 36 100% 38 48.71% 18 23.07% 8 10.25% 6 07.69% 0 0.00% 8 10.2% 78 100% Sep 138 59.48% 62 26.72% 6 02.58% 12 05.17% 8 03.4% 6 02.58% 232 100% 146 56.37% 45 17.37% 24 09.26% 18 06.94% 6 02.31% 20 07.7% 259 100% Oct 226 42.00% 92 17.10% 132 24.53% 48 08.92% 14 02.6% 26 04.83% 538 100% 208 46.42% 82 18.30% 98 21.87% 32 07.14% 10 02.23% 18 04.0% 448 100% Nov 276 43.12% 110 17.18% 138 21.56% 76 11.87% 18 02.8% 22 03.43% 640 100% 298 44.74% 126 18.91% 148 22.22% 58 08.70% 8 01.20% 28 04.2% 666 100% Dec 388 44.90% 172 19.90% 126 14.58% 98 11.34% 42 04.8% 38 04.39% 864 100% 284 40.11% 156 22.03% 156 22.03% 74 10.45% 16 02.25% 22 03.1% 708 100% Jan 364 48.79% 118 15.81% 98 13.13% 86 11.52% 32 04.2% 48 06.43% 746 100% 334 46.64% 168 23.46% 112 15.64% 18 02.51% 54 07.54% 30 04.1% 716 100% Feb 218 41.44% 82 15.58% 122 23.19% 38 07.22% 38 07.2% 28 05.32% 526 100% 376 54.41% 85 12.30% 124 17.94% 42 06.07% 22 03.18% 42 06.0% 691 100% Mar 162 47.36% 52 15.20% 48 14.03% 42 12.28% 16 04.6% 22 6.43% 342 100% 218 52.91% 62 15.04% 92 22.33% 12 02.91% 16 03.88% 12 02.9% 412 100% Apr 184 46.00% 88 22.00% 62 15.50% 28 07.00% 22 05.5% 16 04.00% 400 100% 276 54.33% 96 18.89% 76 14.96% 26 05.11% 26 05.11% 8 01.5% 508 100% May 85 39.53% 32 14.88% 36 16.74% 38 17.67% 14 06.5% 10 04.65% 215 100% 216 79.41% 16 05.88% 18 06.61% 10 03.67% 8 02.94% 4 01.4% 272 100% Jun 126 65.62% 18 09.37% 16 08.33% 20 10.41% 6 03.1% 6 03.12% 192 100% 164 84.53% 12 06.18% 10 05.15% 8 04.12% 0 0.000% 0 0.00% 194 100% Total 2225 844 802 496 212 226 4805 2568 893 874 310 166 196 5007 Annual (%) 46.30% 17.56% 16.69% 10.32% 4.41% 4.70% 100% 51.28% 17.83% 17.45% 6.19% 3.31% 3.91% 100% International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 3(4), 51-63, April (2014) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 59 Table: 6 Quantitative abundance of aquatic entomofauna at Baram (Spot-2) during 2006-07 and 2007-08 Months Quantitative abundance of aquatic entomofauna (Unit/m) at Baram (Spot-2). July 2006- June 07 July 2007- June 08 Ephemeroptera Diptera Coleoptera Trichoptera Plecoptera Odonata Total Ephemeroptera Diptera Coleoptera Trichoptera Plecoptera Odonata Total Jul 52 60.4% 18 20.9% 12 13.9% 4 04.6% 0 0.0% 0 0.00% 86 10% 18 52.9% 8 23.5% 4 11.7% 4 11.7% 0 0.00% 0 0.00% 34 100% Aug 20 40.00% 10 20.00% 8 16.00% 12 24.00% 0 0.00% 0 0.00% 50 100% 12 30.00% 16 40.00% 6 15.00% 6 15.0% 0 0.00% 0 0.00% 40 100% Sep 62 32.63% 24 12.63% 46 24.21% 42 22.10% 6 03.1% 10 05.26% 190 100% 42 46.66% 8 08.88% 18 20.00% 12 13.3% 4 04.44% 6 06.6% 90 100% Oct 246 47.58% 72 13.92% 82 15.86% 38 07.35% 27 05.2% 52 10.05% 517 100% 192 45.71% 38 09.04% 92 21.90% 58 13.8% 18 04.28% 22 05.2% 420 100% Nov 348 50.07% 90 12.94% 100 14.38% 64 09.20% 48 06.9% 45 06.47% 695 100% 308 51.85% 76 12.79% 78 13.13% 62 10.4% 34 05.72% 36 06.0% 594 100% Dec 328 44.26% 126 17.00% 116 15.65% 88 11.87% 35 04.7% 48 06.47% 741 100% 322 48.64% 112 16.91% 96 14.50% 50 07.5% 38 05.74% 44 06.6% 662 100% Jan 336 49.26% 82 12.02% 108 15.83% 74 10.85% 44 06.4% 38 05.57% 682 100% 260 51.28% 50 09.86% 68 13.41% 44 08.6% 50 09.86% 35 06.9% 507 100% Feb 184 34.20% 108 20.07% 86 15.98% 38 07.06% 58 10.7% 64 11.89% 538 100% 122 28.37% 108 25.11% 54 12.55% 78 18.1% 20 04.65% 48 11.1% 430 100% Mar 266 54.06% 68 13.82% 60 12.19% 56 11.38% 18 03.6% 24 04.87% 492 100% 302 58.30% 36 06.94% 100 19.30% 50 09.6% 14 02.70% 16 03.0% 518 100% Apr 216 49.31% 32 07.30% 78 17.80% 34 07.76% 36 08.2% 42 09.58% 438 100% 202 50.00% 42 10.39% 66 16.33% 50 12.3% 16 03.96% 28 06.9% 404 100% May 162 54.72% 58 19.59% 32 10.81% 10 03.37% 22 07.4% 12 04.05% 296 100% 78 40.62% 22 11.45% 28 14.58% 20 10.4% 16 08.33% 28 14.5% 192 100% Jun 94 51.36% 14 07.65% 42 22.95% 22 12.02% 6 03.2% 5 02.73% 183 100% 48 53.33% 12 13.33% 6 06.66% 8 08.8% 6 06.66% 10 11.1% 90 100% Total 2314 702 770 482 300 340 4908 1906 528 616 442 216 273 3981 Annual (%) 47.14% 14.30% 15.68% 09.82% 06.1% 06.92% 100% 47.87% 13.26% 15.47% 11.1% 05.42% 06.8% 100% International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 3(4), 51-63, April (2014) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 60 Table-7 Quantitative abundance of aquatic entomo-fauna at Madkot (Spot-3) during 2006-07 and 2007-08 Months Quantitative abundance of aquatic entomo-fauna (Unit/m 2 ) at Madkot (Spot-3) July 2006- June 07 July 2007- June 08 Ephemeroptera Diptera Coleoptera Trichoptera Plecoptera Odonata Total Ephemeroptera Diptera Coleoptera Trichoptera Plecoptera Odonata Total Jul 68 73.91% 12 13.04% 5 05.43% 3 03.26% 0 0.00% 4 04.34% 92 100% 12 31.57% 8 21.05% 4 10.52% 14 36.84% 0 0.00% 0 0.00% 38 100% Aug 14 30.43% 18 39.13% 7 15.21% 7 15.21% 0 0.00% 0 0.00% 46 100% 18 20.00% 22 24.44% 32 35.55% 18 20.00% 0 0.00% 0 0.00% 90 100% Sep 182 55.82% 72 22.08% 42 12.88% 26 07.97% 4 0l.22% 0 0.00% 326 100% 162 47.09% 108 31.39% 42 12.20% 20 05.81% 4 01.16% 8 02.3% 344 100% Oct 222 49.55% 106 23.66% 32 07.14% 48 10.71% 22 04.91% 18 04.01% 448 100% 200 54.64% 56 15.30% 58 15.84% 26 07.10% 8 02.18% 18 04.9% 366 100% Nov 288 46.15% 82 13.14% 86 13.78% 118 18.91% 18 02.88% 32 05.12% 624 100% 248 38.27% 184 28.39% 74 11.41% 96 14.81% 14 02.16% 32 04.9% 648 100% Dec 404 45.59% 132 14.89% 172 19.41% 112 12.64% 38 04.28% 28 03.16% 886 100% 392 50.12% 172 21.99% 86 10.99% 84 10.74% 22 02.81% 26 03.3% 782 100% Jan 362 48.26% 110 14.66% 108 14.40% 92 12.26% 26 03.46% 52 06.93% 750 100% 372 49.6% 148 19.73% 70 09.33% 108 14.40% 18 02.40% 34 04.5% 750 100% Feb 318 50.31% 118 18.67% 138 21.83% 28 04.43% 12 01.89% 18 02.84% 632 100% 302 51.36% 102 17.34% 56 09.52% 96 16.32% 10 01.70% 22 03.7% 588 100% Mar 234 45.00% 92 17.69% 98 18.84% 44 08.46% 24 04.61% 28 05.38% 520 100% 332 50.15% 136 20.54% 88 13.29% 54 08.15% 20 03.02% 32 04.8% 662 100% Apr 320 56.43% 78 13.75% 65 11.46% 82 14.46% 10 01.76% 12 02.11% 567 100% 202 45.90% 46 10.45% 68 15.45% 82 18.63% 16 03.63% 26 05.9% 440 100% May 270 59.34% 85 18.68% 38 08.35% 32 07.03% 14 03.07% 16 03.51% 455 100% 258 66.83% 58 15.02% 28 07.25% 18 04.66% 10 02.59% 14 03.6% 386 100% Jun 172 62.31% 52 18.84% 18 06.52% 22 07.97% 8 02.89% 4 01.44% 276 100% 18 26.08% 15 21.73% 10 14.49% 12 17.39% 8 11.59% 6 08.6% 69 100% Total 2854 957 809 614 176 212 5622 2516 1055 616 628 130 218 5163 Annual (%) 50.76% 17.02% 14.38% 10.92% 03.13% 03.77% 100% 48.73% 20.43% 11.93% 12.16% 2.51% 4.22% 100% Discussion: Some 25 genera of aquatic insects belonging to Ephemeroptera (05, 20.0 %), Diptera (05, 20.0 %), Coleoptera (05, 20.0 %), Trichoptera (03, 12.0 %), Plecoptera (02, 8.0 %) and Odonata (05, 20.0 %) were recorded in Goriganga river during the course of study. The aquatic entomofaunal diversity and abundance in Goriganga river was accessed to be influenced by water movement and nature of surfaces available for colonization especially sediment particle size. The riverine ecosystem of Goriganga comprised of substrate ranging from small gravel to boulders. The structure of substratum is one of the main factors controlling aquatic insect population. The physical complex substrate type (leaves, gravel or cobbles, macrophytes, mose and wood) generally support more diversity than simple substratum such as sand and bedrock as also recorded by Angradi31 and Hawkes32. Whitton33 have reported that the biotic, physical and chemical parameters that integrate to form the environmental milieu to which diversity and abundance of plankton and aquatic insects depend, certain ones appear to be more direct in their mode of control. Excluding various degrees of human perturbation (such as abnormally high light intensities, low oxygen levels, or organic and inorganic nutrient loads), the availability of food, nature of sediment and current flow generally constitute the parameters of primary significance in determining the distribution and abundance patterns of plankton and aquatic insects. The benthic population affected by substratum in such conditions have been reported by Nautiyal34; Singh et.al.35; Upadhyay36 and Mahar37, similar to the present study on entomofauna. Aquatic insects population reached the abundance during winter and summer in the Goriganga river due to the reason that their population and distributional pattern were influenced by velocity, temperature, pH and substrate suitability. All these factors might have influenced the nature of surface available for colonization Cummins38. Balodi et.al.39have reported a maximum of 1144 units/meter in the Eastern Nayar at Dangal and 799 units/meter in the high altitude Western Nayar at Thalisain, while Negi40 reported a maximum of 566 units units/meter2 in snow fed stream Alaknanda. But in the present study a maximum of 404 and 392 units/meter have been recorded in the month of December during 2006-07 and 2007-08 respectively. International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 3(4), 51-63, April (2014) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 61 Mayflies (Ephemeroptera) dominated all other group of aquatic insects in abundance in Goriganga river as also supported by Dobriyal et.al. from river Nayar; Negi41 from Mandakini river and Rautela et.al.42 from river Khoh;. The maximum population of aquatic entomofauna was observed during winter season and minimum during the monsoon season. The low aquatic entomofauna population during monsoon might be due to high velocity of water and substratum of big stones which do not support aquatic entomofauna as also reported by Rautela et.al.42in Khoh river, Garhwal Himalaya, similar to the present study. Table: 8 Seasonal changes of aquatic entomofauna percentage to the total aquatic entomofauna population Order / Genera July 2006-June 2007 July 2007-June 2008 Monsoon Winter Summer Monsoon Winter Summer Ephemeroptera Spot-1 14.47% 56.35% 29.16% 13.94% 43.76% 42.28% Spot-2 9.85% 54.36% 35.78% 6.29% 56.76% 36.93% Spot-3 15.27% 44.70% 40.01% 8.34% 48.17% 43.48% Diptera Spot-1 11.61% 58.29% 30.09% 11.42% 59.57% 29.00% Spot-2 9.40% 52.70% 37.89% 8.33% 52.77% 39.39% Spot-3 16.09% 44.93% 39.39% 14.50% 53.08% 32.41% Coleoptera Spot-1 4.98% 61.59% 33.41% 5.72% 58.81% 36.38% Spot-2 14.02% 52.72% 33.24% 5.51% 54.22% 40.25% Spot-3 8.89% 49.19% 41.90% 14.28% 46.75% 38.96% Trichoptera Spot-1 8.46% 62.09% 29.43% 12.25% 58.70% 29.03% Spot-2 16.59% 54.77% 28.63% 6.78% 48.41% 44.79% Spot-3 9.44% 60.26% 30.29% 10.19% 50.00% 39.80% Plecoptera Spot-1 7.54% 50.0% 42.45% 3.61% 53.01% 43.37% Spot-2 4.0% 51.33% 44.66% 4.62% 64.81% 30.55% Spot-3 6.81% 59.09% 34.09% 9.23% 47.69% 43.07% Odonata Spot-1 7.07% 59.29% 33.62% 16.32% 50.00% 33.67% Spot-2 4.41% 53.82% 41.76% 5.86% 50.18% 43.95% Spot-3 3.77% 61.32% 34.90% 6.42% 50.45% 43.11% Table-9 Similarity and Dissimilarity Index among different groups of aquatic entomo-fauna in the Goriganga river during 2006-07 and 2007-08 Order/Group Similarity index Dissimilarity Index 2006-07 2007-08 2006-07 2007-08 Ephemeroptera 0.6 0.61 0.4 0.39 Diptera 0.33 0.66 0.66 0.34 Coleoptera 0.00 0.2 1.0 0.8 Tricoptera 0.66 0.57 0.33 0.43 Plecoptera 0.00 0.00 1.0 1.00 Odonata 0.28 0.4 0.72 0.6 International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 3(4), 51-63, April (2014) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 62 ConclusionThe present study concluded that Out of 25 genera of aquatic insects, 8 genera (Ephemerella, Cinygmula, Baetisca, Megistocera, Antocha, Hydropsyche, Hydroptella and Argia) were fairly common at all the spots. The Ephemeroptera (mayflies) nymps, Coleoptera (water beetles) both larvae and adults and Odonata (dragonflies) formed the major bulk, the Diptera (true flies), Trichoptera (caddisflies) and Plecoptera (stoneflies) were next in the line. The aquatic insects were generally found concealed under stones, gravel and rocks. The stone flies (Plecoptera) were present exclusively in the riffles and Odonata (dragon flies) and Coleoptera (water beetles) in slow and stagnant conditions. Others such as mayflies (Ephemeroptera), Caddisflies (Trichoptera), trueflies (Diptera) were common to both the habitats. 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