A Preliminary Survey of Aquatic Insects from Southern Western Ghats, Kerala, a Tropical Biodiversity Hotspot of India by Sreeletha Kumar ADEM Field Operations,

A Preliminary Survey of Aquatic A Preliminary Survey of Aquatic Insects from Southern Western Insects from Southern Western

Ghats, Kerala, a Tropical Ghats, Kerala, a Tropical  Biodiversity Hotspot of India Biodiversity Hotspot of India

byby

Sreeletha KumarSreeletha Kumar

ADEM Field Operations, ADEM Field Operations, Montgomery, AL 36110Montgomery, AL 36110

SWPBA, November 14, 2012SWPBA, November 14, 2012

Facts about KeralaFacts about Kerala• Kerala State is located on the western side of the southernmost Kerala State is located on the western side of the southernmost tip of India. tip of India. 

• The State has the highest literacy rate (97.5%) in India  and The State has the highest literacy rate (97.5%) in India  and perhaps in South Asia. perhaps in South Asia.

• Infant mortality is very low, the health sector is strong, and the Infant mortality is very low, the health sector is strong, and the standard of living is high.standard of living is high.

•It lies close to the equator but has a pleasant and equable It lies close to the equator but has a pleasant and equable climate throughout the year. climate throughout the year. 

• This is because of the land's proximity to the Arabian sea on This is because of the land's proximity to the Arabian sea on the west and the presence of the mountainous Western Ghats on the west and the presence of the mountainous Western Ghats on the east.  the east. 

•The Western Ghats of Kerala are formed mainly of pre-Cambrian The Western Ghats of Kerala are formed mainly of pre-Cambrian shield and basaltic lava of the Deccan Trap (northern part of shield and basaltic lava of the Deccan Trap (northern part of Kerala).Kerala).

•The climate is hot and humid tropical, with about 300 cm The climate is hot and humid tropical, with about 300 cm rainfall a year and temperatures ranging from 28°C to 32°C on rainfall a year and temperatures ranging from 28°C to 32°C on the plains to 20°C in the highlands.the plains to 20°C in the highlands.

•There are four seasons: summer (pre-monsoon), south-west There are four seasons: summer (pre-monsoon), south-west monsoon, north-east monsoon and mild winter (post-monsoon). monsoon, north-east monsoon and mild winter (post-monsoon). 

•Heavy precipitation from the south-west monsoon and favorable Heavy precipitation from the south-west monsoon and favorable edaphic factors create ideal conditions for luxuriant growth of edaphic factors create ideal conditions for luxuriant growth of plant life.plant life.

Facts contdFacts contd..• Kerala has 44 rivers, of which 41 are west-flowing and 3 east-flowing.

• These rivers originate from the Western Ghats.

• The rivers are clean in their headwaters and also in the upland forests and they are important biodiversity hotspots for a rich flora and fauna.

• Once the rivers reach the plains, the water in some places has become contaminated mainly due to anthropogenic interventions.

• The rivers of the uphill region and to some extent the plains are colonized by many species of aquatic insects and other invertebrates and vertebrates. 

• This region has a vast tropical flora and fauna, many species of which are new to science.

• A clear picture about the number of species of Invertebrates does not exist and information on aquatic insects is meager. 

• The clean and clear water, luxurious vegetation cover, ideal climatic conditions and minimal interference by humans make the Western Ghats of Kerala a likely hotspot for diveristy of aquatic insects.

• An initial survey in the rivers of this region is a primary step towards An initial survey in the rivers of this region is a primary step towards a detailed investigation of this group, whose diversity is potentially a detailed investigation of this group, whose diversity is potentially valuable in biomonitoring of water quality.valuable in biomonitoring of water quality.

Kerala – Rivers and LakesKerala – Rivers and Lakes

• Total No. of Rivers in Kerala : 44 Total No. of Rivers in Kerala : 44

• No. of west flowing Rivers : 41 No. of west flowing Rivers : 41

• No. of east flowing Rivers : 3 No. of east flowing Rivers : 3

• Longest River in Kerala : Longest River in Kerala : Periyar-151.62 milesPeriyar-151.62 miles

• No. of Lakes : 34No. of Lakes : 34– Freshwater lakes :2 Freshwater lakes :2 – Backwater lakes:32Backwater lakes:32

• Largest Freshwater Lake in Kerala : Largest Freshwater Lake in Kerala : Shasthankotta LakeShasthankotta Lake --1.44 sq m (3.73 sq 1.44 sq m (3.73 sq km²)km²)

• Largest Backwater Lake in Kerala: Largest Backwater Lake in Kerala: Vembanad Vembanad Lake-784.9 sq miles (2,033 Lake-784.9 sq miles (2,033 km²km²))

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Western Ghats Western Ghats • In the top 34 biodiversity hotspots In the top 34 biodiversity hotspots

worldwide;worldwide;• Many endemic and threatened Many endemic and threatened

spp. of flora and fauna; spp. of flora and fauna; • These hills cover 62,000 sq mi and These hills cover 62,000 sq mi and

form the catchment area for form the catchment area for complex riverine drainage systems complex riverine drainage systems that drain almost 40% of India.;that drain almost 40% of India.;

• Home of 4 Eco-regions: tropical Home of 4 Eco-regions: tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf and subtropical moist broadleaf forests and rain forests. forests and rain forests.

• Development Projects in the area:Development Projects in the area:

• River valley projects;River valley projects; -led to the submersion of large -led to the submersion of large

extent of forests; extent of forests;• Industrial establishments; Industrial establishments; • Expansion of agricultural activities;Expansion of agricultural activities; -large extent of natural forest -large extent of natural forest

cover was destroyed and cover was destroyed and degraded.degraded.

Beautiful view of Western GhatsBeautiful view of Western Ghats

Tea plantation - Munnar

Traditional log pulling by an elephant

Sampling of MacroinvertebratesSampling of Macroinvertebrates

• In July, 2007, a workshop on Aquatic Insects and their role in water In July, 2007, a workshop on Aquatic Insects and their role in water quality was conducted at the University of Kerala, quality was conducted at the University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram in collaboration with Clemson University, Thiruvananthapuram in collaboration with Clemson University, South Carolina.South Carolina.

• Following the course a week-long exploratory expedition was Following the course a week-long exploratory expedition was carried out in the southern half of the Western Ghats of Kerala.carried out in the southern half of the Western Ghats of Kerala.

• Larval specimens were captured with benthic nets and Larval specimens were captured with benthic nets and examination of stones and other substrates. examination of stones and other substrates.

• Adults were captured mainly by attraction to an ultraviolet light Adults were captured mainly by attraction to an ultraviolet light trap (15-watt) powered by a 12-volt automobile battery.trap (15-watt) powered by a 12-volt automobile battery.

Workshop participants taking off for the expedition

Collection sitesCollection sites

• Total collection sites : 17Total collection sites : 17

• Nature of collection sitesNature of collection sites– Protected reserve forests : 4Protected reserve forests : 4– Unprotected rural areas : 6Unprotected rural areas : 6– Water falls and cascades : 5Water falls and cascades : 5– Dam : 2Dam : 2– Polluted sites : 2Polluted sites : 2

Kallar – the first expedition site where participants are in action

Participants busy in their work in one of the unprotected areas

One of the participants very serious in business

Participants examining their collection materials

She got want she wanted

Ohhhhh ……………there is something which is very unique

Laboratory set up

Branch of Kallada River, one of the sites

Adimaali-another collection site in N.Kerala

Kallar upper reach – one of the collection sites

Dr. Morse in action near a cascade

Orders Represented in Reference Orders Represented in Reference sites:sites:

• EphemeropteraEphemeroptera

• PlecopteraPlecoptera

• TrichopteraTrichoptera

• OdonataOdonata

• HemipteraHemiptera

• ColeopteraColeoptera

• DipteraDiptera

• LepidopteraLepidoptera

• MegalopteraMegaloptera

The following families were The following families were collected from different reference collected from different reference

sites:sites:• BaetidaeBaetidae

• CaenidaeCaenidae

• EphemeridaeEphemeridae

• LeptophlebidaeLeptophlebidae

• PerlidaePerlidae

• CalamoceratidaeCalamoceratidae

• DipseudopsidaeDipseudopsidae

• EcnomidaeEcnomidae

• HelicopsychidaeHelicopsychidae

• HydropsychidaeHydropsychidae

• LepidostomatidaeLepidostomatidae

• LeptoceridaeLeptoceridae

• PhilopotamidaePhilopotamidae

• PolycentropodidaePolycentropodidae

• PsychomyidaePsychomyidae

• RyacophilidaeRyacophilidae

Families contdFamilies contd..

• CalopterygidaeCalopterygidae

• GomphidaeGomphidae

• LibellulidaeLibellulidae

• PlatystictidaePlatystictidae

• GerridaeGerridae

• HebridaeHebridae

• NaucoridaeNaucoridae

• VallidaeVallidae

• CorydalidaeCorydalidae

• DytiscidaeDytiscidae

• ElmidaeElmidae

• GyrinidaeGyrinidae

• HydrophilidaeHydrophilidae

• CulicidaeCulicidae

• SimulidaeSimulidae

• TabanidaeTabanidae

• CrambidaeCrambidae

Diversity of Aquatic insects in polluted Diversity of Aquatic insects in polluted sites:sites:

• Orders:Orders:• EphemeropteraEphemeroptera

• TrichopteraTrichoptera

• OdonataOdonata

• HemipteraHemiptera

• ColeopteraColeoptera

• DipteraDiptera

Families representing Polluted sites:Families representing Polluted sites:

• CaenidaeCaenidae

• HeptageniidaeHeptageniidae

• HydropsychidaeHydropsychidae

• StenopsychidaeStenopsychidae

• CoenagrionidaeCoenagrionidae

• PlatycnemididaePlatycnemididae

• ChlorocyphidaeChlorocyphidae

• BelostomatidaeBelostomatidae

• NepidaeNepidae

• GyrinidaeGyrinidae

• ChironomidaeChironomidae

• TipulidaeTipulidae

Genera of caddisflies from Ref sites:Genera of caddisflies from Ref sites:RhyacophilidaeRhyacophilidae

RhyacophilaRhyacophila sp. sp.

PhilopotamidaePhilopotamidae

ChimarraChimarra n. sp. nr. n. sp. nr. chiangmaiensischiangmaiensis Chantaramongkol Chantaramongkol & Malicky & Malicky

ChimarraChimarra n. sp. nr. n. sp. nr. allenialleni Chantaramongkol & Malicky Chantaramongkol & Malicky

PolycentropodidaePolycentropodidae

NyctiophylaxNyctiophylax sp. sp.

DipseudopsidaeDipseudopsidae

DipseudopsisDipseudopsis sp. sp.

EcnomidaeEcnomidae

EcnomusEcnomus n. sp. nr. n. sp. nr. silenosileno Malicky & Prommi Malicky & Prommi

EcnomusEcnomus n. sp. 2 n. sp. 2

EcnomusEcnomus n. sp. 3 n. sp. 3

EcnomusEcnomus n. sp. 4 n. sp. 4

PsychomyiidaePsychomyiidae

PaduniellaPaduniella n. sp. nr. n. sp. nr. dendrobiadendrobia Malicky & Malicky & Chantaramongkol Chantaramongkol

Genera ContdGenera Contd..

• HydropsychidaeHydropsychidae

• CheumatopsycheCheumatopsyche n. sp. n. sp.

• HydropsycheHydropsyche n. sp. nr. n. sp. nr. augeiasaugeias Malicky & Chantaramongkol Malicky & Chantaramongkol

• MacrostemumMacrostemum n. sp. nr. n. sp. nr. punctatumpunctatum (Betten) (Betten)

• LeptoceridaeLeptoceridae

• CeracleaCeraclea n. sp. nr. n. sp. nr. yangiyangi Mosely Mosely

• TriaenodesTriaenodes sp. sp.

• OecetisOecetis ( (OO.) n. sp..) n. sp.

• OecetisOecetis ( (PleurograptaPleurograpta) ) hayagrivahayagriva Schmid Schmid

• SetodesSetodes subhachitasubhachita Schmid Schmid

Future PlansFuture Plans

• Finish identification of mayflies and stoneflies to Finish identification of mayflies and stoneflies to the lowest level.the lowest level.

• To continue working toward a Center of To continue working toward a Center of Excellence for Freshwater Biology and Excellence for Freshwater Biology and Biomonitoring at University of Kerala. Biomonitoring at University of Kerala.

• Establishment of an active Indian Benthological Establishment of an active Indian Benthological Society.Society.

• Continuing the collaborative effort to document Continuing the collaborative effort to document the EPT fauna of India.the EPT fauna of India.

ConclusionConclusion

• Western Ghats is considered as one of the 34 biodiversity Western Ghats is considered as one of the 34 biodiversity hotspots of the world.hotspots of the world.

• With its complex, heterogeneous landscapes and high With its complex, heterogeneous landscapes and high levels of biodiversity, it forms an ideal ground for testing levels of biodiversity, it forms an ideal ground for testing and developing a biomonitoring methodology using aquatic and developing a biomonitoring methodology using aquatic macroinvertebrates for Kerala. macroinvertebrates for Kerala.

• Hill agro ecosystem in the southern Western Ghats today is Hill agro ecosystem in the southern Western Ghats today is dominated by estates, chiefly of tea, coffee, rubber, dominated by estates, chiefly of tea, coffee, rubber, coconut, teak, and cardamom.coconut, teak, and cardamom.

• The indiscriminate use of agricultural fertilizers and The indiscriminate use of agricultural fertilizers and pesticides in this pristine ecosystem is degrading its pesticides in this pristine ecosystem is degrading its biodiversity in an alarming rate. biodiversity in an alarming rate.

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Dr. John C. Morse, Professor Emeritus, Clemson Dr. John C. Morse, Professor Emeritus, Clemson University, USA, and Dr. V. Sobha, former Head, University, USA, and Dr. V. Sobha, former Head, Dept. of Environmental Science, University of Dept. of Environmental Science, University of Kerala, India are gratefully acknowledged for Kerala, India are gratefully acknowledged for conducting the workshop and reporting the new conducting the workshop and reporting the new bugs to the scientific world.bugs to the scientific world.