Diversity of Aquatic Beetles in Relation to Water Quality from Khadakwasla Dam, Pune

Abstract

Physicochemical factors like pH, temperature, conductivity, total dissolved solids, salinity, and dissolved oxygen, are important water quality parameters of freshwater ecosystems. The present study is focused on the diversity of aquatic beetles and assessing physicochemical parameters. Water samples for physio-chemical analysis and aquatic beetles were collected from the Khadakwasla dam monthly throughout 2022. Results showed that pH (7.6-8.1), temperature (30.5° C to 32.5° C), conductivity (210 to 232 µs), total dissolved solids (175 to 192ppm), salinity (130-146ppm) and dissolved oxygen (5.8 -6.8 mg/L) were good for the aquatic fauna according to WHO and Indian standard values. The findings revealed a total of 15 species belonging to 9 genera and 4 families. The family Dytiscidae is the most abundant followed by Hydrophilidae, Noteridae, and Gyrinidae. The high diversity of aquatic beetles indicates the availability of good physicochemical variables, food, and vegetation that serve as breeding sites.