Lake 2008 - Conservation and Management of Lake and River Ecosystems

Theme 4 : Biodiversity
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Distribution and Seasonal Survey of Aquatic Angiosperms in Chikka Bidiru Lake of
Bannerghatta, Bangalore District, Karnataka State

HARIDASAN VK*, RAVI G**
*Selection Grade Lecturer, Department of Botany, St. Joseph’s College, No. 36,
Lalbagh Road, Banglore‐560027
**Department of Botany, Miranda Institute of Management Studies, Bangalore

Little or no information is available regarding the distribution of aquatic angiosperms of Chikka Bidiru lake which is around 2‐3 km from Sarala Birla Academy on Bannerghatta road, Bangalore. The present study was meant to fill the existing lacunae. The study is being conducted since the month of May‐June and December to January from 2005‐08. The study reveals a drop in the number of aquatic angiosperms from January 2007‐08 due to rampant sand mining and usage of soil for manufacturing bricks to meet the growing demand of construction materials in connection with the real estate boom in Bangalore and adjacent areas. Unique to this lake was the large distribution of Urticularia sp., an insectivorous plant which could not be located during the study period of 2007‐08. Other angiosperms which could not survive the onslaught of greedy human beings were Nymphaea sp. and Ottelia sp. However, Polygonum sp. and Ludwigia sp. have survived the challenging times but even their distribution has become scanty. Unless effective preventive measures are taken on a war‐footing, the aquatic angiosperm wealth, may have a very bleak future!

Theme 4 : Biodiversity
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Biodiversity of Aquatic Insects in Some Lakes In the Bangalore Region

Dineshkumar BP and Venkatesha MG*
Department of Zoology, Bangalore University, Jnana Bharathi, Bangalore 560 056, India
*venkatmelally@gmail.com

Among the invertebrates the insects dominate fresh water aquatic systems. They are important food sources for fish and birds and play significant roles in nutrient cycling and organic processing. The aquatic insects were quantitatively sampled at five perennial lakes (Byramangala, Hosakere, Lalbagh, Nelligodde and Madivala) existing in and around Bangalore once a fortnight from October 2003 to September 2006 to understand their relationships with water quality.
A total number of 24 different aquatic insect species (dragonflies ‐ 14 species, damselflies ‐ 05, hemipterans‐4 and coleopterans ‐ 01) belonging to eight families and three orders was recorded at five lakes. Total number of aquatic insect species recorded at Byramangala, Hosakere, Lalbagh, Madivala and Nelligodde lakes was 13, 13, 08, 11 and 04 respectively. Anisopteran species (dragonflies) recorded at the above five lakes were 09, 10, 06, 05 and 03 respectively. Anisopteran populations were high at Byramangala and Hosakere lakes. Among anisopteran, Brachythemis contaminata was dominant at all the lakes. Similarly, total number of zygopteran species (damselfies) recorded at Hosakere, Lalbagh, Madivala and Nelligodde lakes was 03, 01, 05 and 01 respectively. Zygopterans were not observed at Byramangala lakes. Among zygopterans, Ceriagrion coromandelianum was recorded at all the lakes except Byramangala. Likewise, total number of hemipteran species recorded at Byramangala, Lalbagh and Madivala lakes was 03, 01, and 01 respectively. Hempiterans were not observed at Hosakere and Nelligodde lakes. Hemipterans were abundant only in Byramangala and Madivala lakes. Coleopterans were absent in all the study lakes except Byramangala.
Rank abundance of species shows that dragonfly, B. contaminata was highly abundant among the recorded species at Hosakere, Nelligodde and Lalbagh lakes. Similarly, water bug, Diplonychus rusticus was highly abundant species at Byramangala, whereas water strider, Aquarius adelaidis was abundant at Madivala lake. The richness index for different orders and families based on Menhinick index revealed that Odonata was the richest order in all the five lakes. Of the various families, Libellulidae (Odonata: Anisoptera) was the richest at Byramangala and Madivala lakes, Coenagrionidae (Odonata: Zygoptera) at Hosakere and Nelligodde lakes and Gomphidae (Odonata; Anisoptera) at Lalbagh lake. Frequency index for different aquatic insect species at five lakes showed cent per cent frequency of water scorpion, Laccotrephes griseus at Byramangala lake, B. contaminata at Hosakere lake, damselfly, C. coromandelianum, Ischnura senegalensis and A. adelaidis at Madivala lake. Similarly, dominance index showed B. contaminata was the most dominant at Nelligodde (96.50%), Hosakere (57.50%) and Lalbagh (23.40%), while A. adelaids (77.10%) and Diplonychus rusticus (44.60%) were dominant at Madivala and Byramangala lakes respectively.
Comparison of aquatic insect populations belonging to different orders at five lakes showed that anisopterans (adult and naiad) were abundant at Byramangala and Hosakere lakes, while zygopteran (adult and naiad) at Madivala lake. Hemipterans were abundant at Byramangala and Madivala lakes, whereas coleopterans present only at Byramangala lake. Among the anisopteran adults, irrespective of the lakes B. contaminata was the most abundant, while Aethrimanta brevipennis was the least abundant species recorded during the study period.Similarly, among zygopteran species I. senegalensis was the most dominant, while Pseudagrion microcephalum was the least dominant species. Among the hemipteran species, irrespective of the lakes A. adelaidis was the most abundant, while Laccotrephes ruber was the least abundant species recorded during the study period.
The correlation matrix and cluster analysis of insect populations with physico‐chemical factors in the lakes showed that most of the aquatic insects especially odnoates (dragonflies and damselflies) are able to survive under wide range of fluctuating various physico‐chemical factors. In addition, two species of Hemiptera viz., water bug (D. rusticus) and water scorpions (Laccotrephes griseus and L. ruber) and a coleopteran species, Sternolophus rufipes were found only in highly polluted Byramangala Lake.

Theme 4 : Biodiversity
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Aquatic Birds of Various Lakes in Greater Bangalore Metropolitan City

Rajashekar S and Venkatesha MG*
Department of Zoology, Bangalore University,Jnana Bharthi , Bangalore‐ 560056, India
*venkatmelally@gmail.com

A study on water birds was conducted during February 2008 ‐ September 2008 at selected fifteen major lakes in Greater Bangalore Metropolitan City. The various species of aquatic birds present in the lakes were identified to the species level. The observations were made on the occurrence, activities and abundance of water birds in these lakes. During the studied period 21 species of aquatic birds belong to 11 orders and 11 families were recorded.
The highest percent of all species of water birds was found in Medahalli lake (26.52%) followed by Hebbala (12.18%), Varthuru (9.65%), Anekal (8.61%), Thippagondanahalli (5.54%), Nelamangala (5.46%), Chandapura (5.10%), Lake of Lalbagh Botanical Garden (4.81%), Kengeri (4.72%), Gottigere (3.88%), Jakkuru (3.77%), Hoskote (3.28%) and Somanahalli (3.01%) lakes. In other lakes viz., Ulsooru (0.99%) and Hesaraghatta (2.92%) represent very less percent of water birds. The variations in abundance of different species of water birds in these lakes are depending on the availability of sources such as food, water level and nesting sites.
Of the various recorded water birds in the lakes, Cattle egrets (Bubulcus ibis), Little egrets (Egretta garzetta), Common Coot (Fulica atra) and White breasted Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) were commonly found in most of the study lakes. The populations of water birds in the lakes were assessed using various biodiversity indices. The ecobiology of water birds in the lakes will be discussed.

Theme 4 : Biodiversity
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Fish diversity of Sogane and Santhekadur tanks, Shimoga, Karnataka.

Venkateshwarlu M*, Honneshappa K, Shahnawaz A** and Cinchana NV
Department of Applied Zoology, Kuvempu University, Shankarghatta‐577 451,
Shimoga, Karnataka.
E‐mail: *m_venkateshwarlu2003@yahoo.com
**shaan_b4u@rediffmail.com

The present investigation was undertaken to study the fish diversity of Sogane and Santhekadur tanks, Shimoga. About 17 fish species were identified in these tanks which were represented by 4 orders, 11 families and 14 genera. The family Cyprinidae dominated the other groups of fish in both the tanks. The study of fish fauna of an aquatic body is useful for planning of fisheries development. The water quality analysis of these tanks was analyzed to study its influence on fish.

Theme 4 : Biodiversity
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Modulation in Behavior of the Freshwater Fish, Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus) Under Chlorpyrifos Intoxication

Ramesh Halappa and Muniswamy David
Karnatak University’s Research Laboratory, Environmental and Molecular Toxicology
Division, Department of Zoology, Karnatak Science College,
Dharwad 580 001, Karnataka, India

Effect of chlorpyrifos at different concentrations and exposure tenures were investigated on the freshwater fish, Cyprinus carpio to elucidate inhibitory effect of chlorpyrifos on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Inhibition of AChE activity is considered to be a specific biomarker of exposure to organophosphorous compounds. Carp were exposed to one seventh (0.107 μl/L) and one twelveth (0.062 μl/L) of the lethal concentration (0.75 μl/L) of chlorpyrifos for 1, 7 and 14 days. And allowed to recover in toxicant free medium for seven days. AChE activity was determined spectrophotometrically using acetylthiocholine iodide as substrate in the tissues of brain, gill, liver and muscle. Time and dose dependent inhibition of AChE activity by chlorpyrifos in the tissues of the fish, C. carpio is evidenced in the present study. Maximum decrement in AChE activity of the exposed fish was recorded in brain followed by muscle, gill and liver on day 14 in both the sublethal concentrations of chlorpyrifos. Recovery tenures witnessed increment in AChE activity but significantly differed in comparison with control group. Carp in toxic media exhibited erratic, and darting swimming movements, hyperexcitability, and loss of equilibrium and these symptoms were persisted even under recovery tenures. And are due to inhibition of the brain AChE activity. Depression of AChE activity suggests decreased cholinergic transmission and consequent accumulation of acetylcholine (ACh) in the tissues. Excess accumulation of ACh lead to prolonged excitatory postsynaptic potential results in repeated, uncontrolled firing of neurons and cessation of nerve impulse. This has lead to behavioral and morphological changes due to impaired neurophysiology of the fish. Inhibition of AChE activity even under recovery tenures of both the sublethal concentrations can be viewed as higher half‐life of chlorpyrifos in vivo and biotransformation of sequestered chlorpyrifos in the storage organs.

Theme 4 :Biodiversity
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The Freshwater Fish Diversity in the Tributaries of River Ramganga in the Shiwaliks of the Western Himalaya

Atkore VM, Sivakumar K *, Johnsingh AJT**
Bombay Natural History Society, Hornbill House, Dr. Salim Ali Chowk (Opp. Lion Gate), Shaheed
Bhagat Singh Road, Mumbai, Maharashtra ‐ 400 001.
Email‐ vidyadhar.atkore@gmail.com
*Wildlife Institute of India, Post bag # 18, Chandrabani, Dehradun 248 001, Uttarakhand, India.
Email‐ksivakumar@wii.gov.in
**3076/5, IV Cross, Gokulam Park, Nature Conservation Foundation, Mysore,
Karnataka State, India.
Email‐ ajtjohnsingh@ncf‐india.org

A short study was undertaken from December 2004 to April 2005, to assess the species diversity and composition of freshwater fishes in three tributaries of Ramganga River in the foothills of Western Himalaya. One tributary was within a protected area (Corbett tiger reserve); the other two were outside the protected area. Cast nets were used for fish sampling. Sampling was done from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm.
In total, 43 species belonging to five orders and nine families were recorded. Family Cyprinidae was represented by the maximum number of species. Species richness and diversity was high in the protected area. Totally, 28 species were threatened. Similarity in fish composition varied from 60 to 70% across the tributaries. Dynamiting, poisoning, diverting water flows to collect fish are the major threats. Creating awareness, controlling illegal fishing and protecting the breeding grounds of fishes are some of the measures recommended to counter the threats.

Theme 4 : Biodiversity
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Ichthyodiversity of Meghalaya

Devi MM and Ramanujam SN
Fish Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology
School of Life Sciences, North Eastern Hill University
Shillong – 793022, India.

Meghalaya situated in the north‐eastern region of India, is endowed with a rich variety of flora and fauna. A survey on the icthyofauna in six districts of Meghalaya has revealed 48 species belonging to 32 genera, 17 families and 6 orders. Major percentage of species belonged to order Cypriniformes followed by the orders Siluriformes and Perciformes represented by 5 families each. The biodiversity of these fauna in different water bodies and their conservation aspects from different districts of Meghalaya are discussed.

Theme 4 : Biodiversity
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Plankton and Faunal Diversity in College Lake at Govt. Arts College, Kumbakonam (Autonomous), Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu

Victorraj* M, Selvam K**, Kannadhasan* C, Rajasekaran* N and Ramakrishnan N*
*Department of Zoology, Govt. Arts College (Autonomous), Kumbakonam – 612001
**Department of Botany, Govt. Arts College (Autonomous), Kumbakonam – 612001
E‐mail – nrk57@rediffmail.com

Present investigation was carried out in the College Lake situated in the College Campus of Government Arts College (Autonomous), Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu (between 10 º 57' and 26º 17' of the north latitude and 79º 22' and 51º 84' of the East longitude) to understand the biodiversity of the Lake. Department of Zoology utilized the lake fish culture over some years. The Phytoplankton population was dominated by 26 species during the study period, the zooplankton population was represented by 8 species, and two amphibian species was recorded in the lake during the study period. Macro benthos was represented by 3 species and 4 species of insect identified during the study period. The lake was occupied by six macrophytic species with four more species were recorded in the banks of lakes. The lake is more productive in terms of fish production. The water level was maintained by pumping the water from Kavery River. Nevertheless there is more close correlation among the plankton population in the experimental pond and the Kavery River. The fish population and the plankton population are negatively correlated. It is interesting to note that two grass species population was negatively correlated with fish population.

Theme 4 : Biodiversity
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Comparative Study on Floral Diversity of Kavery River and Five water bodies in and around Kumbakonam Town, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu

Selvam K**,Victorraj* M, Kannadhasan C*, Rajasekaran N* and Ramakrishnan N*
**Department of Botany, Govt. Arts College (Autonomous), Kumbakonam – 612001
*Department of Zoology, Govt. Arts College (Autonomous), Kumbakonam – 612001
E‐mail – nrk57@rediffmail.com

Comparative study on phytoplankton and macrophytic diversity was carried out in Kavery River (average width of 62.5m) from Swamimalai to Thiruvisannallur for a stretch of 15 Km and with five adjacent water bodies along the course of Kavery River study site (between 10 º 57' and
26º 17' of the north latitude and 79º 22' and 51º 84' of the East longitude) to evaluate the pollution level Kavery River as well as the adjacent water bodies by bio‐monitoring technique. The phytoplankton population of the Kavery River was represented by 42 species during the study period and only 14 species of Zooplankton was identified. Fish population was dominated by only 7 species and 2 amphibian species, 4 macro‐benthos and five insect species were recorded during the study period. Among the macrophytes 4 species identified in Kavery River was dominated by Ipomoea cornia this showed a luxuriant growth in some area of the experimental site and reduce the water flowing region up to 12m so the width of the Kavery River was drastically reduced in the Ipomoea sp dominated regions. The biodiversity data given by co‐investigators for other five water bodies were also utilized for further investigation. Among the five water bodies Karuppur Village Tank water is less polluted and during the
investigation period showed less turbid nature was achieved by the fish population and submerged Hydrilla sp dominance. In the same way Chetty Mandapam Liliy Lake also showed more clear water with less polluted nature dominated by macrophytes and fish community. The other three water bodies are more polluted nature showed high turbid nature than other two water bodies.

Theme 4 : Biodiversity
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Diversity of Freshwater Mollusc in the Western Ghats

Aravind NA* and Madhyastha NA**
*Suri Sehgal Centre for Conservation Science,
Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE),
No. 659, 5th 'A' Main Road, Hebbal, Bangalore‐ 560024.
aravind@atree.org
**Coordinator, Malacology Centre, Poorna Prajna College, Udupi‐ 576101.
na.madhyastha@gmail.com

The Western Ghats is hot spot not only for terrestrial biodiversity, but also for freshwater fauna such as molluscs, crabs and fishes. Indian region harbors nearly 214 species of freshwater mollusc belonging to Gastropoda and Bivalvia. The Western Ghats has 60 species belonging to 20 genera and 13 families. Freshwater mollusc inhabits both lentic and lotic systems. Number of species in the lotic system is high compared with lentic system. The species which are found in lentic systems such as Lymnaea, Indoplanorbis, Gyrullus etc are very generalist species occurring in polluted waters as well. The bivalves are highly habitat specialist and are sensitive to habitat disturbance. The Western Ghats also home for some zoo‐geographically interesting species such as Cremnoconchus syhadrensis and Pseudomulleria dalyi. The former belong to a marine family of Littorinidae, only this genus is invaded into freshwater systems and is confined to spray zones of the waterfalls. The latter is a one of the three cemented bivalve having origin from Gondwanaland. In this paper we review status, distribution and habitat requirements of freshwater molluscs of the Western Ghats.

Theme 4 : Biodiversity
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Plankton Diversity of River Sita, a Tributary of River Tunga in the Western Ghats, India

Shettigar Malathi* and Seetharamaiah Thippeswamy#
Department of Environmental Science, Mangalore University, Mangalagangothri, 574199,
Mangalore, India. #Email: stswamy@yahoo.com
*Corresponding author: Email: malthihemanth@yahoo.com

Plankton diversity and water quality parameters of river Sita, a tributary of river Tunga, at B. G. Katte near Koppa in the Western Ghats were monitored from January to December 2007. A total of 101 species of plankton belonging to 61 genera of 37 families were recorded. The plankton diversity included the species belonging to chlorophyceae (39 spp.), chysophyceae (34 spp.), rhodophyceae (2 spp.), cyanophyceae (6 spp.), protozoa (7 spp.), rotifera (2 spp.) nematoda (2 spp.) and arthropoda (7 spp.). Species diversity (H' loge) and evenness (J') ranged from 1.85 (January) to 2.89 (April) and 0.64 (December) to 0.92 (August) respectively. Principal component analysis between biological and environmental variables produced 8 components which accounted for 93.52% of total variance. The component 1 accounted for 32.90% of variance with 8 eigen vectors of both positive and negative correlations. The plots between components 1 and 2 revealed a total of 4 major groups of biological and environmental variables.

Theme 4 : Biodiversity
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A Preliminary study of Faunal and Floral Diversity in Two Man‐ made Ponds near Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District,
Tamil Nadu

Kannadhasan C* , Victorraj M* , Rajasekaran N* , Selvam K**and Ramakrishnan N**
*Department of Zoology, Govt. Arts College (Autonomous), Kumbakonam – 612001
**Department of Botany, Govt. Arts College (Autonomous), Kumbakonam – 612001
E‐mail – nrk57@rediffmail.com

The present investigation was undertaken to understand the biodiversity variation in a highly polluted man‐made tank (Manancherry village tank – 3392 sq. m area with an average depth of 2.30 m) and a less polluted man‐made pond (Karuppur village pond – 2544sq.m. area with an average depth of 2.12m) near Kumbakonam town (between 10 º 57' and 26º 17' of the north latitude and 79º 22' and 51º 84' of the East longitude) of Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu. Less polluted Karuppur village pond supports more number of submerged and floating hydrophytes than the highly polluted Manancherry village tank. Higher turbidity value was recorded in Manancherry village tank (polluted) support higher number of cyanobacterial population than the other pond (Karuppur village pond) with lower number of submerged species (2 species) and a floating species (only one species). The less polluted Karuppur village pond supports four larger bony fish species in most of the months of a year. So this pond is more productive than the other one. These results statistically proved.

Theme 4 : Biodiversity
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Comparative Study on Faunal and Floral Diversity in a pond and Thirumalairayan River in AdambarPadugai Village of Thiruvaruar District, Tamil Nadu

Moovendan N*, Selvam K** and Ramakrishnan N**
*Department of Zoology, Govt. Arts College (Autonomous), Kumbakonam – 612001
**Department of Botany, Govt. Arts College (Autonomous), Kumbakonam – 612001
E‐mail – nrk57@rediffmail.com

A comparative ecological study was undertaken in a small natural shallow Pond and Thirumalairayan River in Adambar Padugai Village for its Floral and Faunal diversity with reference to water quality. For microbiological characteristics analysis water samples collected from three zones in both the water bodies individually and all the samples were combined in both the water bodies and plankton analysis were carried out. On analyzing the combined sample the first water body (small natural shallow Pond in Adambar Padugai Village) showed less biodiversity than the River site (Thirumalairayan River in Adambar Padugai Village). The basic biota records were with the phytoplankton recorded the maximum number of species (28), zooplankton species (11), amphibian represented by two species, fish population represented by four species and with macrophytic species represented by 3 species in Thirumalairayan River at Adambar Padugai Village. However in experimental Pond in, Adambar Padugai Village the phytoplankton was dominating (16 species) than zooplankton (8 species) only one amphibian species, three fish species, macro invertebrates 4 species, three water insect species and six macrophytic species were recorded. Among the phytoplankton diatom species was dominated river ecosystem than the experimental pond in Adambar Padugai Village. However in the experimental pond ecosystem the blue green algae were dominated during the study period. Three biological pollution indexes were developed in the present investigation to determine the pollution level of the experimental lentic and lotic water bodies.