Temporal variation of mayfly community (Ephemeroptera) in response to ecological attributes in Gadana river, Tamilnadu, India

Abstract

In the study of diversity and distribution of Ephemeroptera in Gadana River and relationship between Ephemeropteran community and ecological factors, revealed a total of 2056 specimens belonging to 25 genera and 7 families. The diversity and distribution of Ephemeroptera were higher during the rainy season, contrasted with non-rainy period. The high scores of Shannon index and Simpson’s index indicate that Gadana River is hale and healthy and it bolsters more diverse taxa. The pH values accomplish greatest range in the months of January and August; it legitimately impacts on diversity of mayflies. Leptophlebiidae and Baetidae were the most ubiquitous families present in the Gadana River. Canonical  Correspondence Analysis (CCA) shows that rainfall, pH, DO and water temperature were to be the significant stressor in altering the community structure of mayflies.