Published Paper Details:

Abstract- Deviations in diversity with several diversity indices of freshwater snails Bellamya bengalensis, Mellanoides uberculata and Lymanea acuminata from Dedargaon reservoir in Dhule district were studied in summer, monsoon and winter seasons of the year. It was perceived that the diversity- density ( in the form of Shannon- Wiener index, Simpson�s index and Pielou�s index ) of the three snails species were highest in summer, lowest in monsoon and intermediate in winter. The population density of Bellamya bengalensis, was 13, 08 and 10 o/m2 in summer, monsoon and winter season respectively. In Mellanoides uberculata, population density was found 09, 05 and 07 o/m2 of snail species while in Lymanea acuminata, it was 06, 04 and 05 o/m2 in summer, monsoon and winter season espectively. The values of Shannon- Wiener diversity index at Dedargaon reservoir were 1.0511, 1.0551 and 1.0595 during summer, monsoon and winter season respectively. The values of Simpson�s index of diversity at Dedargaon reservoir were 0.6587, 0.6764 and 0.6709 during summer, monsoon and winter season respectively. The species richness at Dedargaon reservoir was 03. The values of Pielou�s index of evenness at Dedargaon reservoir were 0.9567, 0.9452 and 0.9604 during summer, monsoon and winter season respectively. A higher count of gastropods recorded during summer may be due to the effect of reproduction, presence of vegetation in the shallow depth, water quality, decaying vegetation, increased levels of organic matter in the sediment and higher abundance of bacteria in the water abundance of decomposers settled organic matter and macrophytes on the bottom of water body and, increased water temperature, activating the process of decomposition of these organic sediments.