Rotifer communities of religious water bodies of Haryana (India): Biodiversity, distribution and ecology

The rotifer communities of eight religious water bodies of Haryana characterized by different trophic status reveal 44 species belonging to 15 genera and 12 families, represent the richest biodiversity of rotifers. Brachionus, Asplanchna and Keratella genus were found to be pollution tolerant species and common at all the selected water bodies viz., Brahmsarovar and Jyotisar at Kurukshetra; Saraswati tirth, Pehowa; Kapalmochan, Yamunanagar; Phalgu tirth, Kaithal; Banganga tirth , Dayalpur; Pandu Pindara, Jind and Kultarn Tirth, Kirmach. whereas Gastropus, Testudinella, Monostyla clasterocerca, Lecane arcula, Filina terminalis were found to be specific at Brahmsarovar (site 1); Filinia longiseta at Phalgu (site 2); Lecane ploenensis, Euchlanis dilata at Pehowa (site 3); B. budapestinensis, B. nilsoni, Asplanchna brightwelli, Asplanchna sieboldii, Polyurthera were specific to Kirmach (site 4); Monostyla decipiens, Anauraepsis nevicula at Jyotisar (site 5); Trichocera porcellus at Kapal mochan (site 7); Keratella cochlearis, Trichocera capucina were found to be specific at the BanGanga (site 8,). However, no specific species appeared at Pandu Pindara (site 6). Seasonal variations were also observed at all the sites during spring, monsoon, post monsoon and in winters. A positive correlation of rotifer abundance was observed with temperature (r = 0.356, P < 0.05), BOD (r = 0.413, P < 0.05) and Ammonia (r = 0.378, P < 0.05) whereas a negative correlation was observed with DO (r = -0.385, P < 0.05) showing that these were the main factors affecting the richness, diversity and density of rotifers. The rotifer communities of each site can be reconstructed from the tables and figures making this inventory an important benchmark for evaluating future regional environment change.