Benthic Macroinvertebrate Diversity In Borda Dam At Tahsil Wani, District Yavatmal, Maharashtra, India.

The benthic macroinvertebrate species play important role in energy transfer through food webs and are considered as a bioindicators of aquatic ecosystem. The physico-chemical properties of the water, the kind of sediment, and biological processes like food supply and predation all affect the distribution, density, and biomass of benthic species. However, the anthropogenic activities may threats the benthic macroinvertebrates that lead to loss and degradation of aquatic habitat. In present study benthic macroinvertebrate were collected from Borda Dam during June 2022 to May 2023. The aim of this study was to find out the variety of benthic fauna in Borda dam. In this investigation, a total of 22 benthic macroinvertebrate species were recorded belonging to the phylum Mollusca, 13 species, Arthropoda, 8 species, and Annelida, 1 species. The most prevalent benthic macroinvertebrates in the current study were molluscs from the classes Gastropoda and Pelecypoda, contributing 50% and 9%, respectively, whereas class Insecta from the phylum Arthropoda were moderately frequent with 36% and class Clitellata of Annelids were scarce with 5%. The macroinvertebrate abundance at site 4 was 72.72%, with sites 1, 3, and 2 following closely behind with 63.63%, 54.54%, and 40.90%, respectively. Mollusc concentrations are high at all four sampling stations, suggesting an abundant supply of suitable substrate and macrophyte flora. Chironomous larvae were found at Sites 3 and 4, which implies that human activity causes organic waste to mix with dam water.