Microdistribution and Spatial Variation of Macroinvertabrate Populations in Sonamarg, Kashmir

Abstract

Present investigation attempted to explore the occurrence distribution and diversity of epigeal invertebrate fauna in the different micro-habitats of the Sonamarg 34 40 31 7 N latitude 74 71 29 E longitude Kashmir A checklist of epigeal invertebrate fauna was prepared and determines the effect of various micro habitats determined Six sites were selected in the study area A total of 34 species belonging to 11 different orders were reported The maximum number of species belonged to order Coleoptera 10 species followed by Araneida 5 species and Hymenoptera 5 species Hemiptera 3 species Dermoptera Diptera Oligochaeta and Scolopendramorpha 2 species each Dictyoptera Juliformia and Orthoptera 1 specie each Various relative parameters such as density relative-density frequency relative frequency abundance relative abundance and importance value index were computed It was concluded that the maximum abundance and diversity pertained to the habitat rich in organic matter followed by the forest area The epigeal fauna exhibited fairly good degree of variation both site as well as month wise