ESSENCE - International Journal for Environmental Rehabilitation and Conservation
Parwate, B.P./VIII [2] 2017/43 – 46
Volume VIII [2] 2017 [43 – 46]
Studies on benthic macroinvertebrates in Saundad Lake, Distt. Gondia, (M.S.)
Parwate, B.P.
Received: July 14, 2017  Accepted: August 23, 2017  Online: December 31, 2017
Abstract
The benthos, an integral part of the food web
and production of important aspect of the
limnology. The relative abundance of benthic
macro invertebrates has been related to the
pollution sources, and their values have been
judged as indicators of eutrophication level
and water quality. Benthic variables are
particularly useful in measuring the water
quality and such biological monitoring can
provide resolution in space and time Benthic
macroinvertebrates diversity were studied
qualitatively by taking samples during the
period from June 2016 to May 2017, from
Saundad Lake. A total of 17 species of
benthic macroinvertebrates were recorded
from the major group were observed viz.
Annelida, Nematoda, Arthropoda, and
Mollusca. The benthic macroinvertebrates
population was recorded higher in two non-
polluted side of lake.
Keywords: Benthic macroinvertebrates |
Saundad Lake
For Correspondence:
Department of Zoology, M. B. Patel College, Sakoli,
Dist. Bhandara, Maharashtra
Email: bhaskar.parwate@gmail.com
[ISSN 0975 - 6272]
[www.essence-journal.com]
Introduction
Benthic macroinvertebrates are useful
bioindicators in pollution studies. The use of
bioindicators belonging mostly to profundal
benthic communities has so far given good
result in studies on the water quality of lakes
and reservoirs. Benthic animals are extremely
diverse, and are represented by nearly all
phyla from protozoans through large
macroinvertebrates and vertebrates. The food
chain of an aquatic ecosystem normally
consists of diverse organisms namely
Periphyton, Bottom flora, Bottom fauna,
Zooplankton and Fishes, who
interrelationship is depicted by a food
pyramid. Several investigators such as Bahura
(2001), Prasad and Shing (2003), Anitha, G.,
et al. (2004), Adarshkumar et al. (2006),
Padmanabh and Santhoshi, (2004), Gerg
(2009), Malik et al., (2010) worked on
macroinvertebrates present in fresh water
bodies of India.
Materials and methods
During the study period, monthly samples
from three sites were collected for qualitative
estimation of benthic fauna. The mud sample
was collected with Ekmann dredge and was
transferred to laboratory in polythene bags.
43 
 Parwate, B.P./VIII [2] 2017/43 – 46

Due to increase in the density in water, benthic
organisms will float on the surface and were
picked up and preserved in 4% formalin.
Identification is done by the following keys of
Edmondson (1959), Pennak (1978), Tonapi
(1988) and Mitra & Day (2005). The collected
benthos was identified with the help of key
given by earlier workers. The total area of
Saundad Lake is 80 hectare. It has catchment
area 100 sq.km. The catchment area of lake
occupied by forest. It has capacity to irrigate
100 hectare. The length of Embankment is 1.0
km. Lake divided in to two parts due to
crossing of national highway (Bombay-
Kolkata) No. 6.
In the Present investigation, total 17 Macro
benthic species were recorded, among which
8 species from Gastropoda, 05 species from
Arthropoda and only two species each from
Annelida and Nematoda. The results are
comparable with the earlier finding of Gupta
(1976). Ommachan and Belsare (1986)
observed rich bottom fauna mainly consisting
of gastropods, and chironomids in Bhopal
Lakes. Some studies have showed that the
organic enrichment of the bottm supports a
quantitative increase of oligochaets and
reduction of chironomids in the total benthic
fauna (Brinkhurst and Cook, 1974; Milbrink,
1980; Seather, 1979).

Results and Observations

S. No. NAME OF SPECIES S1 S2 S3
A) Annelida
1. Pristina aequiseta ++ ++ ++
2. Tubifex tubifex ++ ++ −−
B) Nematoda
1. Rhabdogaster minor −− ++ ++
2. Diplogaster fictor −− ++ ++
C) Arthropoda
1. Diptera larva ++ ++ −−
2. Notonecta glauca −− ++ ++
3. Limnodrillus hoffmiesteri −− ++ ++
4. Chironomous larva ++ ++ −−
5. Ophgomphus corixa ++ ++ −−
D) Mollusca (Gastropoda)
1. Pila globosa ++ ++ −−
2. Ligumia latissima ++ ++ −−
3. Indorplanorbis exutus −− ++ −−
4. Lymnaea accuminata ++ ++ −−
5. Thiara tuberculata ++ ++ −−
6. Faunnus ater ++ ++ −−
7. Heliosoma ancups −− ++ −−
8. Bellamya bengalensis −− ++ ++
The Diversity of Benthic Macroinvertebrates in Saundad Lake at different sites
During June 2012to May 2013

Gorai et al., (2005) reported 4 groups of Oligochaeta (08 species) and Nematoda (one
benthic organism consisting of Gastropoda species) from Rani Pond Dhanbad, Jharkhand.
(03 species), insects larvae (one species), Shrinivas Rao (2004) recorded 13 species of
44 
 Parwate, B.P./VIII [2] 2017/43 – 46
macrobenthic invertebrates belonging to three
major groups. Annelids, Arthropods and
Mollusca have been uncounted in the littoral
zone of Banjara lake. Similarly, Vikram
Reddy (1990) recorded 17 species from
Bhandarkali reservoir in Warangal, Khinchi
(2009) recorded 17 species of benthic
invertebrates from Junona Lake, Chandrapur
Dist. (M.S.). Chavhan and lonkar (2009)
recorded 41 species from Ramsagar Lake,
Armori, Dist. Gadchiroli (M.S.), India.
Reference
Adarshkumar, Qureshi T. A. and Parashar
Alka (2006): Biodiversity
assessment of macro invertebrates in
Ranjit Sagar Reservoir, Jammu J &
K, India. J. Aqua. Biol. 21 (2): 39 -
44.
Anitha G.; Kodarkar, M.S.; Chandrashekhar,
S.B.A. and Grace Nalini (2004):
Studies on macrozoo-benthos, Mir
Alam Lake Hyderabad, Andhra
Pradesh. J. Aqua. Biol. 19(1), 61-68
Brinkhurst, R.O. and Cook D. G. (1974):
Aquatic earthworms (Annelida-
oligochaete) in pollution ecology of
fresh water invertebrates (Ed Hart
and Fuller) Academic Press
London.
Chandrasekhar, S.V.A. and Kodarkar, M.S.
(1994): Biodiversity of zooplankton
in Saroornagar Lake, Hyderabad. J.
Aqua. Biol. 9 (1 & 2): 30-33
pp.Chavhan and lonkar (2012):
Study and analysis of Benthic
macroinvertebrate of Ramsagar lake,
Armori, Distt. Gadchiroli (M.S.),
India. J. Bionano Frontier Sp. Issue:
107-110.
D. Annadurai (2006): Gastropods diversity of
the Gulf of manner marine Biosphere
Reserve, Tamil Nadu, India. J. Aqua.
Biol. Vol. 21(1), 49-52.s
Edmondson, W. T. (1959): Freshwater
Ecology, 2nd Ed. John Wiley &
Sons, Inc. New York.
Edmondson, W. T. (1959): Freshwater
Ecology, 2nd Ed. John Wiley &
Sons, Inc. New York.
Gorai, A. C.; Gupta R.; Chattarjee P. And
Chatterjee, T. (2005): Studies on the
macro- zoobenthos of two fresh
water ponds, Dhanbad, Jharkhand,
India. J. of Aqua. Biol. 20 (2): 58-62.
Gupta, S. D. (1976): Macrobenthic fauna of
Loni reservoir. J. Ind. Fish. Soc.
India: (8): 49-59.
Kamble, S. M. and Kamble, A.H. (2009):
Biodiversity of some aquatic animals
(Crustacean, Molluscans and Fishes)
Ruti-Reservoir near Ashti, Dist.
Beed (M.S.) India. J.Aqua. Biol.24
(2), 2009: 67-72.
Khinchi, P. J. (2009): Seasonal variation of
flora and fauna in Junona lake of
Chandrapur Distt. (M.S.), India with
reference to physico-chemical
characteristics. Ph.D. thesis R.T.M.
Nagpur Uni. Nagpur.
Malik D. S.; Bharati, U. and Kumar, Pawan
(2010): Microbhentic diversity in
relation to biotic indices in Song
river in Deharadun, india.Env.
45 
 Parwate, B.P./VIII [2] 2017/43 – 46
conservation journal 11(1&2), 99-
104.
Milbrink, G. (1980): Oligochaete
communities in pollution ecology.
The curopian situation with the
special reference to lakes in
Scandinavian. In: Brinkhurst, R.O.
and Cook, D. G. (Eds.). Aquatic
Oligochaeta Biology. Plenum press:
433- 455.
Oomachan, L. and Belsare, D. K. (1986):
Bottom sediment and bathymetric
distribution of oligochaets in the
lower lake, Lake Bhopal J.
Hydrobiol. 2 (4): 57-62.
Pennack, R. W. (1978): Freshwater
invertebrates of United States. 2nd
ed. John Wiley and Sons
Pennack, R. W. (1978): Freshwater
invertebrates of United States. 2nd
ed. John Wiley and Sons
Saether, O. A. (1979): Chironomid
communities as water quality
indicators Holarct. Ecol. (2): 65-74.
Srinivas, Rao (2004): Studies on Benthic
Macroinvertebrates in Banjara
Lake, Hyderabad. Ph.D. Thesis
submitted, Osmania University,
Hyderabad
Tonapi, G. T. (1980): Fresh Water Animals of
India, an ecological approach,
Oxford and IBH `publishing Co.
New Delhi. Inc., Francisco., 108 pp.
Tonapi, G. T. (1980): Fresh Water Animals of
India, an ecological approach,
Oxford and IBH publishing Co. New
Delhi.Inc., Francisco., 108 pp.
Vikram, Reddy (1990): Seasonal community
Structure of benthic macro
invertebrates and some Limnological
characteristics of littoral Zone”
Badhrakali Reservoir in Warangal
Ph.D. thesis Kakatiya University.
46