Biodiversity assessment of Chironomids (Diptera: Chironomidae) in Rajsamand Lake (Rajsamand, Rajasthan, India)

Present study was performed for taxonomic identification, assemblage, richness, spatial distribution and abundance analysis of chironomid larvae in the benthic and lentic shoreline habitat of Rajsamand Lake, India. Chironomids play an important role in shallow water aquatic ecosystems, so this study will give an idea about ecology of this area. Topographical and environmental factors are strongly correlated with the composition of chironomid communities. No information is available regarding these organisms in this defined area, so this study would provide data for comparison with chironomid community present in nearby and other ar ea, where study on chironomids is already done or will be done. This study on chironomids was conducted for the first time in Rajsamand Lake, India. Specimens were collected at seven sampling sites along shoreline of the Lake. A total of four genera (viz. Chironomus, Cryptochironomus, Einfeldia and Polypedilum) were reported. Polypedilum was the most dominant genus reported followed by Chironomus, Einfeldia and Cryptochironomus. Genus Cryptochironomus was reported for the first time in Rajasthan