Abstract

The present communication is aimed at assessing the molluscan diversity and distribution under the impact of some physico-chemical variables on them in Gho-Manhasan stream (a distributory of Chenab), Jammu (J & K).  The study involved bottom sampling for 12 months (June, 2010 to July, 2011) from the banks of the stream and registered a total of 11 taxa of freshwater molluscs from class Gastropoda and Bivalvia representing 54.453 and 45.546% of the total population of molluscs. Numerically, Pissidium mitchelli (Bivalvia) was the most abundant taxa followed by Melanoides tuberculata (Gastropoda). Lymnea luteola, Bellamya bengalensis, Physella acuta, Gyraulus ladacensisshowed less frequent appearance whereas Lamellidens corrianus and Corbicula cashmeriensis were recorded as rare taxa. Analysis of the data revealed that the physico-chemistry of the stream exercised profound effect on the diversity and distribution of the malacofauna. Significant changes in molluscan assemblages were primarily due to changes in the stream water quality. Coefficient of correlation (r) between molluscs and physico-chemical parameters revealed significant relationship with bivalves.

Key words: Physico-chemical profile, distributory, gastropoda, bivalvia, malacofauna and correlation.