Diving into diversity: aquatic beetles of Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandigarh, India

The Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the Shivalik Hills of Chandigarh, India, encompasses several freshwater ecosystems, including ponds, streams, and marshes. The objective of this study is to fill the current information void regarding the populations of aquatic beetles in the sanctuary. During the period from June to September 2023, a comprehensive study was conducted in the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary, resulting in the identification and documentation of 164 specimens of aquatic Coleoptera. These specimens belonged to six species, five genera, and two families in which the Dytiscidae family was found to be the most prevalent. The study findings offer significant insights into the population magnitude and geographical dispersion of aquatic beetles within the investigated settings and show the need for comprehensive surveys to understand the intricate interplay of factors governing beetle distribution.