Diversity of the EPT complex (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera) in the Western and Eastern Ghats (South India) caused by the variations of landscape elements and mesohabitats

Abstract

The present study was carried out in 27 streams of the southern part of the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats from January to December 2018. The outcomes show that there is an increase in the percentage of Ephemeroptera (71%) in the first order and there was a negligible fall in the abundance of the fourth-ordered stream. LSE results show a gradual increase of Plecoptera and a gradual decrease of Trichoptera and no such variations in Ephemeroptera. Variations in mesohabitat richness were highest in the run (38.38%) and it was lowest in silt (0.5%). To compare the taxa composition in Western and Eastern Ghats taxa, five different types of river basins were classified. The species richness and abundance were higher in Tampiraparani East flowing and Vamanapuram River basin communities (Western Ghats) than in the Eastern Ghats and this shows mega diversity of Western Ghats compared to the Eastern Ghats. The results of both cluster and ordination analysis also strongly support the discrimination between Western and Eastern Ghats diversity and distribution of EPT taxa.