Rotifers from some tropical ponds in Bihar: species composition, similarities and trophic indicators

Abstract

The rotifer communities of five fish ponds in Darbhanga City, North Bihar, contain 53 species (57 species and subspecies) belonging to 22 genera and 16 families and reflect a broadly troplcal character. Filinia longiseta saltator, Mytilina ventralis macracantha, Trichocerca bzcristata and T rattus cannata represent new records from India. Comments are made on species composition and similarities of the rotiter faunas of different ponds, their trophic status and on the distribution of various documented taxa. Some specimens of Brachionus falcatus infected by a rnicrosparid, Bertramia  asperospora, are also examined and these comprise the first report of parasitism of the rotifers from this country.