I am an ecologist and my research focuses on various aspects of aquatic invertebrates including species patterns, diversity of both taxonomic and functional. I am also concentrating on conservation, environmental and ecological assessment by combining basic and applied information on issues related to ecology and environment. Phone: 9003710292 Address: Tirunelveli Distrcit, Tamil Nadu
Climatic system has been quite recently regulated at various levels and is said to have impact in... more Climatic system has been quite recently regulated at various levels and is said to have impact in all the ecosystems globally. The freshwater systems amongst all are the most vulnerable due to various known and unknown factors. The resultant impact on aquatic life includes declining quality of habitats, shrinking distribution extent and loss of diversity. The mounting thrust of anthropogenic pressure on freshwater resources together with the effects of direct climate change is likely to accelerate the impacts. The impact of climate change on the aquatic insect diversity through a comprehensive review of publications made for the past two decades has been evaluated. The paucity of published work on changing climate and the likely effects on aquatic insects at regional level denotes a huge gap in research and adaptation. The ecological problems and challenges and adaptive strategies to mitigate the impact of climatic interferences on insect diversity and the aquatic systems are discussed.
A survey of fishes was conducted along the streams and tributaries of Cauvery river in the Dharma... more A survey of fishes was conducted along the streams and tributaries of Cauvery river in the Dharmapuri forest division, Tamil Nadu. Thirty three species representing 6 orders, 14 families and 26 genera were recorded during the study. Cyprinids formed the dominant group among the fishes. Introduced species and predatory fishes were more abundant than native fishes. Tourism induced habitat modifications and pollution are major threats to fish diversity. Fish species and the impacts of anthropogenic activities are discussed to improve the monitoring programmes and conservation measures.
Survey on butterflies was carried out in Dharmapuri Forest Division, and altogether 65 species re... more Survey on butterflies was carried out in Dharmapuri Forest Division, and altogether 65 species representing 5 families were recorded. Plant-pollinator interaction was observed and the available food and host plants for the butterflies were enumerated. Report on the threats to the butterfly diversity in the study area and suitable conservation and management recommendations are discussed for better forest management.
The heavy downpour and inundation in Tamil Nadu after about 114 years. India Meteorological Depar... more The heavy downpour and inundation in Tamil Nadu after about 114 years. India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials have said the exceptionally strong El Niño, along with a rare “coincidence of various factors”, has resulted in the heavy rain
Macroinvertebrate species owing to their wide variation of response to pollutants
have been exten... more Macroinvertebrate species owing to their wide variation of response to pollutants have been extensively utilized to evaluate quality of aquatic systems. Seasonal samples of the macroinvertebrate community can indicate the effects of pollutant sources which may not have been detected by either physico-chemical sampling or continuous monitoring of a restricted range of parameters. The aim of this paper is to summarize aspects of biomonitoring, utility of macroinvertebrates in predicting condition of aquatic systems and the need for research with emphasis on recent advances. Keywords: Aquatic ecosystem, benthic macroinvertebrates, indicators, pollution
Diversity and distribution of Ephemeroptera
larvae were studied in ten study sites of
Tamiraparan... more Diversity and distribution of Ephemeroptera larvae were studied in ten study sites of Tamiraparani river of southern Western Ghats, India. Twenty four species belonging to twenty genera and six families were recorded. Diversity (Simpson and Shannon's index) was governed by the heterogeneity of the substratum which in turn was influenced by catchment disturbances (anthropogenic impact, sewage mixing, inorganic agriculture and sand mining).
Adults and Þrst through Þfth instars of three species of Naucoridae in the subfamily
Laccocorinae... more Adults and Þrst through Þfth instars of three species of Naucoridae in the subfamily Laccocorinae were collected from localities in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka states in southern India. SpeciÞcally,Heleocoris indicus(Montandon) andHeleocoris vicinus(Montandon) were collected from the vegetated margins of streams that contained no congeners.Pogonocaudina indicaSites & Zettel was collected from vertical rock surfaces at the type locality. All instars of these three species are described here. First instars of both species ofHeleocorisare immaculate, whereas subsequent instars are densely punctate. The Þrst instar ofP. indicahas pronounced dorsal tubercles with stout spines, whereas subsequent instars lack these structures. All instars ofP. indicahave a deep terminal cleft and dense fringe of hairs on the perimeter of the posterior abdominal segments. Second through Þfth instars of these three species can be distinguished based on relative length of the mesonotal wing pad compared with the exposed part of the metanotal lateral margin.
KEY WORDS Nepomorpha, Naucoridae, Laccocorinae, India, nymph
Climatic system has been quite recently regulated at various levels and is said to have impact in... more Climatic system has been quite recently regulated at various levels and is said to have impact in all the ecosystems globally. The freshwater systems amongst all are the most vulnerable due to various known and unknown factors. The resultant impact on aquatic life includes declining quality of habitats, shrinking distribution extent and loss of diversity. The mounting thrust of anthropogenic pressure on freshwater resources together with the effects of direct climate change is likely to accelerate the impacts. The impact of climate change on the aquatic insect diversity through a comprehensive review of publications made for the past two decades has been evaluated. The paucity of published work on changing climate and the likely effects on aquatic insects at regional level denotes a huge gap in research and adaptation. The ecological problems and challenges and adaptive strategies to mitigate the impact of climatic interferences on insect diversity and the aquatic systems are discussed.
A survey of fishes was conducted along the streams and tributaries of Cauvery river in the Dharma... more A survey of fishes was conducted along the streams and tributaries of Cauvery river in the Dharmapuri forest division, Tamil Nadu. Thirty three species representing 6 orders, 14 families and 26 genera were recorded during the study. Cyprinids formed the dominant group among the fishes. Introduced species and predatory fishes were more abundant than native fishes. Tourism induced habitat modifications and pollution are major threats to fish diversity. Fish species and the impacts of anthropogenic activities are discussed to improve the monitoring programmes and conservation measures.
Survey on butterflies was carried out in Dharmapuri Forest Division, and altogether 65 species re... more Survey on butterflies was carried out in Dharmapuri Forest Division, and altogether 65 species representing 5 families were recorded. Plant-pollinator interaction was observed and the available food and host plants for the butterflies were enumerated. Report on the threats to the butterfly diversity in the study area and suitable conservation and management recommendations are discussed for better forest management.
The heavy downpour and inundation in Tamil Nadu after about 114 years. India Meteorological Depar... more The heavy downpour and inundation in Tamil Nadu after about 114 years. India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials have said the exceptionally strong El Niño, along with a rare “coincidence of various factors”, has resulted in the heavy rain
Macroinvertebrate species owing to their wide variation of response to pollutants
have been exten... more Macroinvertebrate species owing to their wide variation of response to pollutants have been extensively utilized to evaluate quality of aquatic systems. Seasonal samples of the macroinvertebrate community can indicate the effects of pollutant sources which may not have been detected by either physico-chemical sampling or continuous monitoring of a restricted range of parameters. The aim of this paper is to summarize aspects of biomonitoring, utility of macroinvertebrates in predicting condition of aquatic systems and the need for research with emphasis on recent advances. Keywords: Aquatic ecosystem, benthic macroinvertebrates, indicators, pollution
Diversity and distribution of Ephemeroptera
larvae were studied in ten study sites of
Tamiraparan... more Diversity and distribution of Ephemeroptera larvae were studied in ten study sites of Tamiraparani river of southern Western Ghats, India. Twenty four species belonging to twenty genera and six families were recorded. Diversity (Simpson and Shannon's index) was governed by the heterogeneity of the substratum which in turn was influenced by catchment disturbances (anthropogenic impact, sewage mixing, inorganic agriculture and sand mining).
Adults and Þrst through Þfth instars of three species of Naucoridae in the subfamily
Laccocorinae... more Adults and Þrst through Þfth instars of three species of Naucoridae in the subfamily Laccocorinae were collected from localities in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka states in southern India. SpeciÞcally,Heleocoris indicus(Montandon) andHeleocoris vicinus(Montandon) were collected from the vegetated margins of streams that contained no congeners.Pogonocaudina indicaSites & Zettel was collected from vertical rock surfaces at the type locality. All instars of these three species are described here. First instars of both species ofHeleocorisare immaculate, whereas subsequent instars are densely punctate. The Þrst instar ofP. indicahas pronounced dorsal tubercles with stout spines, whereas subsequent instars lack these structures. All instars ofP. indicahave a deep terminal cleft and dense fringe of hairs on the perimeter of the posterior abdominal segments. Second through Þfth instars of these three species can be distinguished based on relative length of the mesonotal wing pad compared with the exposed part of the metanotal lateral margin.
KEY WORDS Nepomorpha, Naucoridae, Laccocorinae, India, nymph
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have been extensively utilized to evaluate quality of aquatic systems. Seasonal samples of
the macroinvertebrate community can indicate the effects of pollutant sources which may
not have been detected by either physico-chemical sampling or continuous monitoring of a
restricted range of parameters. The aim of this paper is to summarize aspects of
biomonitoring, utility of macroinvertebrates in predicting condition of aquatic systems and
the need for research with emphasis on recent advances.
Keywords: Aquatic ecosystem, benthic macroinvertebrates, indicators, pollution
larvae were studied in ten study sites of
Tamiraparani river of southern Western Ghats,
India. Twenty four species belonging to twenty
genera and six families were recorded.
Diversity (Simpson and Shannon's index) was
governed by the heterogeneity of the
substratum which in turn was influenced by
catchment disturbances (anthropogenic impact,
sewage mixing, inorganic agriculture and sand
mining).
Laccocorinae were collected from localities in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka states in southern India.
SpeciÞcally,Heleocoris indicus(Montandon) andHeleocoris vicinus(Montandon) were collected from
the vegetated margins of streams that contained no congeners.Pogonocaudina indicaSites & Zettel
was collected from vertical rock surfaces at the type locality. All instars of these three species are
described here. First instars of both species ofHeleocorisare immaculate, whereas subsequent instars
are densely punctate. The Þrst instar ofP. indicahas pronounced dorsal tubercles with stout spines,
whereas subsequent instars lack these structures. All instars ofP. indicahave a deep terminal cleft and
dense fringe of hairs on the perimeter of the posterior abdominal segments. Second through Þfth
instars of these three species can be distinguished based on relative length of the mesonotal wing pad
compared with the exposed part of the metanotal lateral margin.
KEY WORDS Nepomorpha, Naucoridae, Laccocorinae, India, nymph
have been extensively utilized to evaluate quality of aquatic systems. Seasonal samples of
the macroinvertebrate community can indicate the effects of pollutant sources which may
not have been detected by either physico-chemical sampling or continuous monitoring of a
restricted range of parameters. The aim of this paper is to summarize aspects of
biomonitoring, utility of macroinvertebrates in predicting condition of aquatic systems and
the need for research with emphasis on recent advances.
Keywords: Aquatic ecosystem, benthic macroinvertebrates, indicators, pollution
larvae were studied in ten study sites of
Tamiraparani river of southern Western Ghats,
India. Twenty four species belonging to twenty
genera and six families were recorded.
Diversity (Simpson and Shannon's index) was
governed by the heterogeneity of the
substratum which in turn was influenced by
catchment disturbances (anthropogenic impact,
sewage mixing, inorganic agriculture and sand
mining).
Laccocorinae were collected from localities in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka states in southern India.
SpeciÞcally,Heleocoris indicus(Montandon) andHeleocoris vicinus(Montandon) were collected from
the vegetated margins of streams that contained no congeners.Pogonocaudina indicaSites & Zettel
was collected from vertical rock surfaces at the type locality. All instars of these three species are
described here. First instars of both species ofHeleocorisare immaculate, whereas subsequent instars
are densely punctate. The Þrst instar ofP. indicahas pronounced dorsal tubercles with stout spines,
whereas subsequent instars lack these structures. All instars ofP. indicahave a deep terminal cleft and
dense fringe of hairs on the perimeter of the posterior abdominal segments. Second through Þfth
instars of these three species can be distinguished based on relative length of the mesonotal wing pad
compared with the exposed part of the metanotal lateral margin.
KEY WORDS Nepomorpha, Naucoridae, Laccocorinae, India, nymph