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.