Study of Drifting behaviour of aquatic mites in the snow fed river Alaknanda from Garhwal Himalaya: Density, Diversity and Diel Pattern

Hydrachnida or water mites are most diverse group amongst Acari and they play an important role as bioindicator for their adjoining habitat. In the present study data for drift density, diversity and diel drift pattern was recorded from January 2018 to December 2018. Total 743 individuals belonging to 25 species were noted. Species Atractides panesari, Feltria gereckei, Feltria rubra and Lebertia glabra displayed nocturnal drift and species Torrenticola turkestanica, Monatractides garhwalensis, Sperchon indicus and Sperchon garhwalensis displayed both diurnal and nocturnal drift. Maximum 17 species exhibited diurnal drift throughout the course of the study. Presence of Hygrobates fluviatilis, a pollution tolerant species reflected the polluted condition of water.