A checklist of benthic macroinvertebrates of River Manuni, Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

Himachal Pradesh is drained by five main rivers and their tributaries. River Manuni originates from the southern slopes of the Dhauladhar range and joins River Baner on the rear side of the Kangra fort to finally meet the River Beas near Haripur in district Kangra of Himachal Pradesh. The present study was undertaken to investigate the benthic macroinvertebrate communities of River Manuni during March 2009 to February 2011. Monthly samples of benthic macroinvertebrates were collected from the three designated sampling sites within an altitudinal range of 610m to 1240m asl. A total of 67 taxa were identified in River Manuni during the study period. Out of which 44 insects were identified up to generic level which belonged to 8 orders and, 12 up to family level belonging to 5 orders. Among other benthic macroinvertebrates, 8 were identified up to generic level belonging to 5 orders. In addition, earthworm, leech and crab were also recorded in Manuni water. Of the taxa recorded, 44 were common in all reaches i.e. higher (1240m), middle (770m) and lower reach (610m) of the River Manuni, whereas some taxa were restricted to specific reach only i.e., 10 taxa were limited to higher reach, 03 taxa to middle reach and 01 taxon was present only in lower reach of River Manuni.