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MACROINVERTEBRATE FAUNA OF ITHIKKARA RIVER, KERALA, INDIA

Abstract

Macroinvertebrate fauna was collected from Ithikkara river during the period from December 1995 to November 1996. A total of 28 species belonging to three phyla and six classes were seen. The most abundant group was Arthropoda followd by Mollusca. Crustaceans were predominant among the Arthropods. Insects was abundant in upstream region and Crustaceans and Molluscans were dominant in downstream region. Sand mining is a regular affair of Ithikkara river. Indiscriminate sand mining in Ithikkara river severely reduced the macroinvertebrate fauna which in turn adversely affected the riverine ecosystem.

S. SHEEBA AND N. RAMANUJAN

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