Spatial and temporal variation in the diversity of malacofauna from Aripal stream of Kashmir Himalaya, India

This paper presents the spatial and temporal variation in diversity of malacofauna relation to water chemistry Aripal stream Kashmir Himalaya. A total 12 species were reported which belong four families, Lymnaeidae, Physidae, Planorbidae, Bithyniidae from class Gastropoda, two Cyrenidae Pisidiidae Bivalvia. The family Planorbidae contributed 34% annual molluscan population followed by Lymnaeidae (28%) (18%). During collection, Gyraulus sp., Planorbis Bithynia tentaculata prevalent at all sites, with predominance tentaculata. Species richness abundance observed maximum site A3 (down-stream) minimum A1 (up-stream) while case variation, summer winter. Shannon-Wiener index, Simpson Margalef Pielou evenness index used calculate diversity, dominance, richness, species, respectively. Physico-chemical parameters revealed a non-significant (P >0.05) except pH, hardness, alkalinity significant <0.05) was physico-chemical dissolved oxygen. positive correlation seen between hardness. In present study, stone mining, channel morphology stream, habitat heterogeneity, also found promote malacofauna.