Community structure of mayflies (Insecta: Ephemeroptera) in tropical streams of Western Ghats of Southern India

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the community structure of the order Ephemeroptera in the Southern Western Ghats ecoregion along with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) from 2017 to 2018. Ecological parameters estimated at each collecting site were pH, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, hardness and alkalinity. This research investigation was carried out in 30 streams of Palni and Cardamom hills in Western Ghats of Southern India. With PCA examination, the sites like Dhobikana, Fern hill and Poomparai of Palni hills are plotted far apart and are not supported by the ecological parameters like in the other sites. Dhobikana of Palni hills is exceptionally contaminated in light of the fact that dhobis are associated with washing garments so cleanser contamination is prevalent around there. In cardamom hills, Santhamparai near bridge and Nayamakkadu are left far apart indicating they are not supported by physico-chemical parameters, mainly due to pollution. From to the CCA results, it is discovered that Baetis species favor β-mesosaprobic habitat and Indialis badia inclines toward high altitudinal region. From the outcomes, it is presumed that pH, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, hardness and alkalinity were the essential components administering the mayfly community and structure.