Macroinvertebrate diversity of Veli and Kadinamkulam lakes, South Kerala, India.

The diversity and distribution pattern of benthic macroinvertebrates in two backwaters viz., Veli and Kadinamkulam of Kerala were assessed using diversity indices. The samples were collected once in three months for a period of two years from six sampling sites (K1, K2, K3, V1, V2 and V3) and community variations were analyzed. Overall, 24 families were identified represented by mollusca, annelida and arthropoda (crustaceans and insects). Among this, dominant taxon was Mytilidae of molluscan family and site-wise dominance was maximum in sites V1 and V2. Richness and abundance were highest in site V2 and lowest in site K2. Diversity index ranged from 0.27 (K2) to 2.33 (V1). The diversity and distribution patterns of certain species were clearly related to water quality as evident from the present study.