2016 Vol.22 No.2 PP 281-290

BIODIVERSITY AND THREATS TO NATIVE PELECYPODE (BIVALVES) MOLLUSCS ALONG THE SELECTED SITES OF GODAVARI RIVER OF WESTERN MAHARASHTRA

N.G. SHINDE

Department of Zoology,
K.J. Somaiya College, KOPARGAON
Dist. AHMEDNAGAR-423601 (M.S.) INDIA
*Corresponding Author
Email:dr.nitinshinde2012@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The river Godavari is one of the top rivers in India comprises diverse flora and fauna of the country. The present investigation has been undertaken to study impact of natural and anthropogenic activity on the molluscan diversity specially pelecypode of the Godavari river flowing through Nashik and Ahmednagar districts of Maharashtra. Pollution of the Godavari river directly affect the faunal diversity of the molluscan species. In India, studies on species diversity are very few, molluscs fishery comprises mainly by bivalves such as clams, mussels and oysters. Current investigation summarizes the ecological significance, water parameters, freshwater pelecypode molluscan diversity, problems and pollution of river Godavari flowing in the region. Following four bivalves were found along the selected sites of Godavari river, 1) Lamellidens corrianus 2) Laellidens marginalis 3) Pareysia corrugata and 4) Corbicula striatella. Only the shells of corbiculla predominantly observed at different sites and remaining three species rarely noticed.

Key words : Biodiversity, Godavari river, Pelecypode molluscs.