B K Sharma

• D Sc. PhD. Course on Limnology (Austria)
• Professor (Full) Aug 1993-JULY 2017 at North Eastern Hill University

One hundred and sixteen species of Rotifera are recorded from seven floodplain lakes of the Brahmaputra basin (northeastern India), the highest rotifer biodiversity recorded from these biotopes in the Indian subcontinent to date. The Australasian Brachionus dichotomus reductus and Lecane batillifer; the Oriental Keratella edmondsoni, Lecane blachei...

The rotifer communities of 15 acidic – alkaline and soft – marginally hard water floodplain lakes of the lower Assam valley of the Brahmaputra river basin, characterized by low ionic concentrations, reveal 164 species (178 taxa) belonging to 39 genera and 20 families and represent the richest biodiversity known to date in these ecotones of the Indi...

The rotifer communities of Loktak lake (a Ramsar site), Manipur, N.E. India, contain 120 species belonging to 36 genera and 19 families and represent the richest biodiversity of Phylum Rotifera known from any aquatic ecosystem of the Indian subcontinent. Biogeographically interesting elements include one Australasian, three Oriental and seven Palae...

Ninety three species (97 taxa) of freshwater Cladocera are reported from India. Remarks are made on the nature and composition of the Indian cladoceran fauna and as well on the biogeography of various taxa.

The different species and infraspecific categories of the genus Brachionus, so far reported or described from India, are reviewed. Their distribution and taxonomic validity are discussed. Remarks are made on the ecology and epizoic nature of various species.

The authors analyze phytoplankton diversity of a small urban wetland of Meghalaya to assess biodiversity and limnology interest of small water bodies. This “slightly acidic-circumneutral, demineralized and soft water” subtropical wetland reveals diverse phytoplankton (64 species), indicates high desmid richness and highlights the speciose littoral...

The spatio-temporal variations of phytoplankton diversity of the 'de-mineralized' sacred Thadlaskein Lake of Meghalaya state of northeast India are monitored based on analyses of the littoral and limnetic assemblages. Our study reveals a total of 51 species, depicts notable desmid diversity, and records the speciose constellation of 49 species per...

Our assessment of Rotifera biodiversity of the floodplain wetlands of the Majuli River Island of the Brahmaputra basin in Assam state, northeast India (NEI) reveals a total of 175 species belonging to 39 genera and 19 families. The rich and diverse assemblages of the phylum categorize the Majuli as one of the megadiverse Rotifera region of India. T...

The tropical and subtropical floodplain lakes are hypothesized as one of the globally interesting rotifer rich ecosystems. Our study indicating the biodiverse Rotifera of ten 'slightly acidic to circum-neutral, moderately hard-water and de-mineralized' tropical floodplain lakes (beels) of the Majuli River Island of the Brahmaputra river basin of no...

Hydrobiological survey of a ‘soft-water’ and ‘highly de-mineralized’ reservoir of Meghalaya state of northeast India is undertaken to analyze zooplankton diversity with reference to the spatio-temporal variations and influence of abiotic factors. The littoral and limnetic zooplankton assemblages of this subtropical reservoir without aquatic vegetat...

This study analyzes zooplankton diversity of ‘soft water’ and ‘de-mineralized’ Thadlaskein Lake of Meghalaya state of northeast India (NEI) vis-à-vis the spatio-temporal variations. The littoral and limnetic zooplankton assemblages reveal a total of 60 species, the speciose constellations of 47-50 species per sample and the species-rich Rotifera. Z...

We assess biodiversity status of Rotifera known from India to-date based on our studies from various regions of this country and evaluation of other viable records, and highlight notable features of biogeography and richness. The Indian fauna reveals 434 valid species belonging to 68 genera and 25 families and thus indicates the most biodiverse Rot...

This study monitors the spa-tio-temporal variations of phytoplankton of a soft-water and de-mineralized reservoir of Meghalaya state of northeast India. Phyto-plankton assemblages of the littoral and limnetic regions reveal total 36 species and diverse desmids, and con-tribute dominantly to net plankton abundance. Our results record the quantita-ti...

Limnological survey of a small urban wetland of Meghalaya state of northeast India (NEI), undertaken at the littoral and semi-limnetic stations, reveals one of the biodiverse zooplankton assemblages (148 species belonging to 72 genera and 30 families) known from any lentic environ of the Indian sub-region. The speciose nature, peak constellation/sa...

The littoral and limnetic phytoplankton of ‘soft and de-mineralized water’ in the Nongmahir reservoir of Meghalaya state of northeast India (NEI) reveal a fairly diverse assemblage of a total of 52 species, depict a higher richness of Chlorophyta and desmids, and record a speciose constellation of 51 species per sample. Phytoplankton form a dominan...

The littoral and limnetic phytoplankton of ‘soft and de-mineralized water’ in the Nongmahir reser-voir of Meghalaya state of northeast India (NEI) reveal a fairly diverse assemblage of a total of 52 species, depict a higher richness of Chlorophyta and desmids, and record a speciose constellation of 51 species per sample. Phytoplankton form a domina...

The tropical and subtropical floodplain lakes are hypothesized as one of the globally interesting rotifer rich ecosystems. Our study indicating the biodiverse Rotifera of ten 'slightly acidic to circum-neutral, moderately hard-water and de-mineralized' tropical floodplain lakes (beels) of the Majuli River Island of the Brahmaputra river basin of no...

Limnological survey of a small urban wetland of Meghalaya state of northeast India (NEI), undertaken at the littoral and semi-limnetic stations, reveals one of the biodiverse zooplankton assemblages (148 species belonging to 72 genera and 30 families) known from any lentic environ of the Indian sub-region. The speciose nature, peak constellation/sa...

Nongmahir reservoir of Meghalaya state of northeast India (NEI), sampled at the littoral and limnetic regions, revealed fairly biodiverse zooplankton of total 56 species with peak consortium (52 species) in January collection from the littoral region. The richness indicated spatial monthly variations and heterogeneity at the two regions mainly infl...

Limnological survey (October 2013–September 2015) of Maghuri, Khamti Guali and No.11 floodplain lakes (beels) of the Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve (DSBR), upper Assam, northeast India (NEI) revealed 210 (184±4) species of zooplankton, belonging 78 genera and 32 families, with several species of global and regional distribution interest. The biod...

Rotifera assemblages of small floodplain wetlands (dobas or dubies) of lower and upper regions of the Brahmaputra river basin of Assam state of northeast India (NEI) reveal 157 species, belonging to 34 genera and 18 families, and highlight notable speciose constellation of up to 50 species/sample. One species, each is new to the Oriental region and...

Rotifera assemblages of small floodplain wetlands (dobas or dubies) of lower and upper regions of the Brahmaputra river basin of Assam state of northeast India (NEI) reveal 157 species, belonging to 34 genera and 18 families, and highlight notable speciose constellation of up to 50 species/sample. One species, each is new to the Oriental region and...

The biodiverse Rotifera of northeast India (NEI) revealed 303 species belonging to 53 genera and 24 families; ~96% of these species examined from seven states of NEI affirm the rotifer heterogeneity of our plankton and semi-plankton collections. This study documents the record number of species of global and regional biogeographic interest, highlig...

The present analysis of alpha diversity of Rotifera of the floodplain wetlands of Barak valley, south Assam, northeast India (NEI) reveals 170 species, belonging to 39 genera and 19 families, with three species new to the Indian sub-region and two species new to Assam state. The rich and diverse rotifer assemblages comprise ~70%, ~57% and ~39% of t...

The present assessment of Rotifera biodiversity of the eastern Himalayas reveals a total of 172 species belonging to 39 genera and 19 families from Arunachal Pradesh, the northeastern-most state of India. The richness forms ~59% and ~40% of the rotifer species known till date from northeast India (NEI) and India, respectively. Three species are new...

Our plankton and semi-plankton collections from the floodplain wetlands of the Kashmir valley reveal 140 rotifer species belonging to 43 genera and 22 families. The richness forms ~81% of 173 species, belonging to 51 genera and 23 families, recognized as validly known from Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) vide the present biodiversity evaluation. The rotife...

The plankton and semi-plankton samples collected at Loktak Lake in Manipur state of northeast India (NEI), between February 2015 and January 2017, revealed 180 rotifer species belonging to 42 genera and 22 families. Our report raises the total richness of the phylum known from this Ramsar site to 189 species and thus assigns this floodplain wetland...

The study aims to ascertain the hypothesis on the rich rotifer biodiversity of the fl oodplain lakes (beels) of the Brahmaputra river basin and to use these metazoans to assess trophic status or to characterize habitat variations of wetlands. The plankton samples collected from four beels of lower Assam revealed 160 Rotifera species belonging to 35...

Our plankton and semi-plankton collections from India revealed 14 species of Testudinella including two undetermined species yet awaiting descriptions. The Oriental endemic T. insinuata is a new record from India while the Australasian T. walkeri and the palaeotropical T. brevicaudata and T. greeni are other globally interesting species. Testudinel...

Small lentic ecosystems are hypothesized to be interesting habitats for metazoan diversity. This study is undertaken to document Rotifera of small freshwater bodies of south Andaman, India. A total of 112 species (S), belonging to 32 genera and 19 families, recorded in our intensive February 2017 collections, indicate rich and diverse assemblage of...

Small lentic ecosystems are hypothesized to be interesting habitats for metazoan diversity. This study is undertaken to document Rotifera of small freshwater bodies of south Andaman, India. A total of 112 species (S), belonging to 32 genera and 19 families, recorded in our intensive February 2017 collections, indicate rich and diverse assemblage of...

Phytoplankton of three floodplain lakes (beels) of the Majuli River Island of upper Assam, northeast India (NEI), sampled during September 2010–August 2012, revealed rich diversity (108 species) with Ghotonga > Holmari ≥ Bhereki beels; richness of Chlorophyta and of Cosmarium > Staurastrum > Euastrum in particular. The monthly richness and communit...

Northeast India (NEI), an interesting 'hot-spot' for metazoan diversity, is known for diverse aquatic habitats. This study is an attempt to document Rotifera diversity of the hill state of Nagaland of NEI vis-à-vis small lentic ecosystems. A total of 150 species belonging to 37 genera and 19 families observed in our collections comprise ~36.0 % of...

The biodiverse zooplankton of Bhereki, Holmari and Ghotonga beels of Majuli River Island, the Brahmaputra river basin of upper Assam, northeast India (NEI) revealed total richness of 141 (118±8) species and thus suggested habitat diversity of these floodplain wetlands. Low community similarities, monthly richness variations and the cluster grouping...

This study aims to assess ecosystem diversity of Rotifera of the floodplain lakes (beels) of the Brahmaputra river basin with reference to faunal diversity of the taxon in wetlands of conservation areas of India. We observed 141 rotifer species, belonging to 31 genera and 17 families, from three beels of the Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve (DSBR)...

Small lentic ecosystems are hypothesized to play a critical role in maintaining metazoan biodiversity. This study is undertaken to explore the rotifer diversity of two semi-urban wetlands of Dimapur district of Nagaland, northeast India (NEI) sampled during December, 2014-November, 2016. Our report of 110 species (S) belonging to 31 genera and 17 f...

The plankton samples collected from freshwater lentic ecosystems of south Andaman, India revealed 70 species of Rotifera belonging to 25 genera and 16 families. The reports of Australasian Lecane batillifer, the Oriental endemic L. bulla diabolica and three paleotropical species, and 68 new records of Eurotatoria from the Andaman and Nicorbar contr...

Phytoplankton of Khawiva reservoir of Mizoram, northeast India (NEI) revealed a total of 55 species; nearly concurrent mean monthly richness and high community similarities (vide Sørensen index) during two years affirmed homogeneity in its species composition. Phytoplankton comprised dominant component (61.1±14.3%) of net plankton and recorded wide...

The plankton and semi-plankton samples collected from four floodplain lakes (beels) of Barpeta district of lower Brahmaputra river basin, Assam state, northeastern India (NEI) revealed eighteen rotifer species of biodiversity and biogeographic interest belonging to five families and six genera. One species is new to the Indian Rotifera and one spec...

A total of 90 species, belonging to 29 genera and 15 families, observed from an urban wetland of Meghalaya is the species-rich Rotifera assemblage known till date from any subtropical ecosystem of the Indian sub-region. Total richness (S) merits biodiversity value as ~56.0, ~38.0 and ~23.0% of the species recorded from Meghalaya, northeast India (N...

The plankton and semiplankton samples examined from a subtropical wetland of Shillong, Meghalaya, Northeast India (NEI), revealed seven new records of rotifers belonging to six genera and six families. These include five species new to the Indian Rotifera and two species new to the rotifer fauna of NEI, thus meriting interest in terms of biodiversi...

total of 162 species (S) of Rotifera belonging to 40 genera and 20 families examined from Loktak Lake, an important floodplain lake of northeast India (NEI) that is one of the richest assemblages of the taxon known from the Indian sub-region. It merits biodiversity value as ~40.0% and ~62.0% of species recorded from India and NEI, respectively. One...

The plankton and semi-plankton samples examined from Mizoram state of northeast India (NEI) revealed speciose and diverse Rotifera assemblage including a total richness (S) of 162 species belonging to 19 families and 35 genera. The reports of six species new to India, four species new to NEI and 76 new records to Mizoram merit biodiversity interest...

The status of diversity of Lepadellidae of India is reviewed based on our studies and the published literature and 42 valid species are reported. These comprise ∼26.0 and 71.0% of the richness of the family known globally and from the Oriental region, respectively, and nearly 10.3% of the Indian Rotifera. One species is new to India and one species...

Plankton samples collected from Deepor Beel (a Ramsar site), during July 2011 to June 2013, revealed 155 species of Rotifera, belonging to 35 genera and 20 families. Of these, 16 species belonging to eight genera and seven families are new records to the rotifer fauna of this wetland of northeast India. Our observations raise the total richness of...

Our plankton and semi-plankton collections from twelve floodplain lakes (beels) of Majuli River Island, Upper Assam reveal 124 rotifer species (32 genera and 17 families); these merit biodiversity value as ~52.0% and ~30.0% of species, ~68.0 and ~45.0% of genera and ~74.0 and ~65.0% of the families of the Phylum known from northeast India (NEI) and...

Plankton and semi-plankton samples collected from twelve floodplain lakes (beels) of Majuli River Island of the Brahmaputra river basin, Upper Assam reveal rich Cladocera assemblage of 48 species belonging to 32 genera and 7 families. This report assumes biodiversity value as ~65.0% and ~37.0% of the species, and ~78.0% and ~72.0 of genera of the t...

Plankton samples collected from two sampling stations (station I and II) of Deepor Beel, a Ramsar site, during November 2002 to October 2003, revealed occurrence of 59 species of phytoplankton belonging to 55 genera with species rich Chlorophyta > Bacillariophyta. They indicated monthly richness varying between 34 - 53 (3916) species and 36 - 45 (3...

Two hundred and twenty rotifer species (21 families and 46 genera) observed in our collections from the Brahmaputra floodplains of Assam reveal the richest diversity of the taxon recorded from any part of the Indian sub-region and one of the richest known globally. These comprise -40.0 per cent of the Oriental rotifer species. Bio-geographically, i...

Two hundred and twenty rotifer species (21 families and 46 genera) observed in our collections from the Brahmaputra floodplains of Assam reveal the richest diversity of the taxon recorded from any part of the Indian sub-region and one of the richest known globally. These comprise -40.0 per cent of the Oriental ratifer species. Bio-geographically, i...

We evaluate diversity status of the Brachionidae of India and present an annotated checklist of 46 species excluding dubious and unconfirmed reports. These merit biodiversity value as ~27% of the global diversity of the taxon and ~81% of its Oriental species. We observed two Australasian elements, two Oriental endemics, one Indian endemic, one pale...

Our collections from the wetlands of Majuli, the largest river island of the world and a unique fluvial landform of the Brahmaputra river basin of northeast India, reveal 55 Cladocera species belonging to 36 genera. These represent ~46.0% and ~79.0% of the freshwater species and genera of the taxon known from India, respectively. The Indo-Chinese A...

Plankton samples collected from the floodplain lakes (beels) and small wetlands (dobas or dubies) of Majuli, the largest river island of the world and a unique fluvial landform of the Brahmaputra river basin of northeast India, reveal 131 Rotifera species belonging to 33 genera and 17 families. Two Australasian (Australian & Asian), four Oriental,...

This study extends our previous work to investigate the planktonic rotifers of floodplain lakes (locally called as beels or pats) of Northeast India (NEI) and reviews the known rotifer diversity from the seven states of this region. To do this we examined plankton samples from numerous sites from different states, including 30 floodplain lakes (bee...

Taxonomic status of the Lecanidae of India is evaluated based on our collections and the published reports, and an annotated check-list of 83 species is presented. These comprise nearly 41.0% of the global diversity of the taxon and ∼21.0% of the known species of Indian Rotifera. Biogeographically interesting lecanids include two Australian and Asi...

This study on zooplankton diversity from the state of Mizoram of northeast India, based on plankton samples collected from Khawiva reservoir during November 2005-October 2007, recorded a total of 46 species. Zooplankton indicated monthly richness ranging between 19-36 and 25-34 species; registered 52.8-88.9 and 60.0-89.3% community similarities (vi...

The zooplankton diversity of a floodplain lake of the Brahmaputra river basin of lower Assam is analyzed on the bases of net plankton samples collected from the littoral (station 1) and semi-limnetic (station 2) regions during January– December 2010. The species-rich zooplankton (143 species) hypothesized environmental heterogeneity of this wetland...

Study of the phytoplankton communities of Ghorajan Beel, a floodplain lake of lower Assam, from two sampling stations during January-December 2010 revealed a total of 52 species with richness maximum for Chlorophyta. Phytoplankton comprised 44.5 ± 10.9% and 36.7 ± 9.6% of net plankton abundance at stations 1 and 2 respectively. Chlorophyta showed q...

This study analyzed diversity and ecology of planktonic Rotifera of Ghorajan beel, a floodplain lake of the Brah-maputra river basin of lower Assam region of Northeast India. Plankton samples collected (January–December, 2010) from littoral (station 1) and semi-limnetic regions (station 2) of this tropical wetland revealed a fairly rich rotifer fau...

Plankton samples collected from Deepor Beel, a Ramsar site of India, during August 2008-July 2010, revealed six rare and interesting Cladocera belonging to four genera of the family Chydoridae. The globally important elements include the Australasian Disperalona caudata; the Asian Kurzia (Rostrokurzia) brevilabris; the Indo-Malayan Alona macronyx;...

This study analyzed biodiversity of planktonic Rotifera of Deepor Beel, a Ramsar site of India and an important floodplain lake of the Brahmaputra river basin of northeast India. Our report of total 154 species, belonging to 38 genera and 20 families, from this wetland is one of the richest ever known for Phylum Rotifera and hypothesized environmen...

Thirty-four species of Cladocera, belonging to 24 genera and seven families, documented from the Nokrek Biosphere Reserve of Meghalaya indicate fairly speciose and diverse taxocoenosis and comprise 57.7% of species known from this state. Coronatella anodonta is the first confirmed report from India and two species are new records from Meghalaya. Di...

Plankton samples collected (November, 2002 – October, 2004) from Waithou and Utra pats, two floodplain lakes in Manipur state of northeast India, revealed species rich zooplankton (121 species) with diverse nature of Rotifera (75 species). The individual pats exhibited rich species diversity (110 and 103 species) and high monthly richness (68±7 and...

Twenty-one species of Rhizopoda belonging to eight genera and six families were documented from Deepor Beel, an important floodplain lake of the Brahmaputra River basin, showing the richest diversity of testaceans known to date from any freshwater ecosystem in India. Two species are new records from Assam, while all species are new to this Ramsar s...

Zooplankton communities of Loktak Lake showed rich and speciose biocoenosis (162 and 142 species), high monthly richness (91 ± 13 and 80 ± 10 species) and by higher similarities (51.1–82.0 and 51.8–78.3 %) and peak richness during winter and autumn over two years of study. Zooplankton (267 ± 41 n/l) formed a significant quantitative component (56.0...

Limnological studies undertaken at two sampling stations of Deepor Beel (91° 35′ - 91° 43′ E, 26° 05′ - 260 11′ N) revealed the presence of 171 and 160 species of zooplankton at stations I and II, respectively. Species richness in different months ranged between 96 ± 11 and 97 ± 13 (mean ± SD) and community similarities across months between 48.9 -...

Plankton samples collected from the Nokrek Biosphere Reserve of Meghalaya (Northeast India) revealed 70 species of Rotifera belonging to 24 genera and 15 families. Eight species are new records from the state of Meghalaya. The Oriental Lecane blachei and the palaeotropical L. unguitata are biogeographically interesting elements. The Rotifera taxoco...

Plankton samples collected (April 2009 -March 2010) from Deepor Beel, a Ramsar site, revealed 21 species of the Phylum Rotifera belonging to 12 genera and eight families as new records. Amongst these, Brachionus durgae is a new record for northeastern India. The recorded species included the Australasian Brachionus dichotomus reductus and Notommata...

Plankton samples collected from two sampling stations of Deepor Beel (a Ramsar site in Assam, northeastern India) between November 2002 and October 2003, reveal 110 and 100 species of Rotifera, exhibit monthly richness ranging between 43-65 (56 plus or minus 6) and 38-60 (52 plus or minus 7) species and record 48.9-88.1 and 53.1-89.7% community sim...

Plankton samples examined from Assam reveal nine species of rare and interesting Cladocera belonging to four families and six genera. Diaphanosoma troplcum, Sarsilatona serricauda, Chydorus ventricosus and Alona verrucosa are new records from N.E. India. In addition, Streblocerus serricaudatus, Alonella clathratula, Alona guttata tuberculata, A. mo...

Microcrustacea of Loktak Lake (collected during Nov. 2002-Oct. 2004) reveal 57 species and show qualitative dominance of Cladocera (51 species). They indicate monthly richness ranging between 33�plus or minus 6 and 32� plus or minus 6 species, record 51.7-82.3 and 53.6-90.0% community similarities during two years respectively, and follow trimodal...

One hundred seventy-seven species (188 taxa) of Rotifera, belonging to 56 genera and 25 families recorded from Tamil Nadu exhibit the richest species and higher (generic and families) diversity known till date from any state of India. Amongst these, 139 species (149 taxa), spread over 38 genera and 20 families, are observed in our presently examine...

Phytoplankton communities of Loktak Lake (a Ramsar site), studied during November 2002-October 2004, reveal the occurrence of 75 and 71 species, indicate monthly richness ranging between 47±6 and 49±3 species and record 50.0-83.2 and 64.5-84.0 % community similarities during two annual cycles respectively. Chlorophyta (33±5 and 35±5 species) show q...

Plankton samples collected from two sampling stations of Deepor Beel, an important floodplain lake of Assam and a Ramsar site of India, revealed 51 species of Microcrustacea and showed qualitative dominance of Cladocera (45 species). Microcrustacea comprised a significant quantitative component (45.6 ± 5.8 and 50.8 ± 4.5 %) of zooplankton and exhib...

The rotifer communities of fifteen slightly acidic-circumneutral, soft water floodplain lakes (pats) of Manipur, with low ionic concentrations, revealed 151 species of Rotifera belonging to 42 genera and 22 families. Biogeographically interesting elements include two Australasian, four Oriental, eight Palaeotropical, one Holarctic and one Arctic-te...

Rotifera, the most diverse group of zooplankton of Loktak Lake (a Ramsar site), reveal 104 and 85 species, show monthly richness between 57 ± 10 and 48 ± 6 species and record 51.8-78.4 % and 52.0-81.6 % community similarities during two years of the study period respectively. Richness follows multimodal annual patterns and exhibits winter peaks. Ro...

Plankton samples collected from the Deepor beel, a Ramsar site, revealed 45 species of Cladocera belonging to 30 genera and 7 families, representing the highest biodiversity of these micro-crustaceans known till date from any individual aquatic ecosystem of the Indian subcontinent. The cladoceran taxocoenosis is characterized by the predominance of...

2816 September 2007 | ISSN 0973-2535 (Print edition); 0973-2551 (Online edition) www.zoosprint.org Loktak, a Ramsar site and one of the largest natural freshwater lakes of India, is experiencing severe environmental stress and serious habitat degradation. Attempts are being initiated for management of this important wetland as well as for biodivers...

During the course of the study on “Zooplankton diversity of the floodplain lakes of Assam”, the authors came across two rare and interesting species of chydorid Cladocera. These include a new record from Asia and a new record from the Indian subcontinent. The documented species are diagnosed, illustrated and remarks are made on their distribution....

A pioneering limnological investigation was carried out in Bhutan in a small peat bog in the Trashiyangtse district (1950 m above sea level) from February 2000 to January 2002. The sampled pond water had low transparency (55.0–95.0 cm), was typically acidic (pH 5.69–6.58) with soft water (alkalinity, 11.0–36.0 mg/l; total hardness, 10.0–34.0 mg/l),...

This pioneering taxonomic study on Rotifera of Ramsar sites of India deals with the analysis of plankton samples collected (from November, 2002 to October, 2003) from Deepor beel, a tropical floodplain lake of the Brahmaputra river basin oflower Assam (NE India). One hundred and ten species belonging to 35 genera and 20 families, documented in this...

A study of the rotifer communities of North-Eastern India, a global biodiversity ‘hot-spot’, reveals 188 species, comprising 53.2% of the Indian Rotifera, and reflects the highest species, generic and family richness recorded up till now from any region of this country. Cosmopolitan species (59.6%) show qualitative dominance while pantropical (14.9...

Eighteen species of monogonont rotifers (Rotifera: Eurotatoria), belonging to eight genera and seven families, are documented presently from North-Eastern India. Among these, seven species namely Brachionus kostei, Lepadella biloba, L. quinquecostata, Lecane thailandensis, L. superaculeata, Macrochaetus danneeli and Filinia brachiata are new to the...

Phytoplankton (52 species; Bacillariophyceae > Chlorophyceae > Cyanophyceae> Euglenophyceae = Dinophyceae) of Samuajan beel, a tropical floodplain lake, registered identical mean annual richness (30 ± 4 species) in littoral and limnetic regions and depicted 33.3 . 77.2 % and 31.4 . 81.1% community similarities respectively. Their abundance ranged b...