Freshwater molluscs are the integral part of every aquatic ecosystem and help not only in the ecosystem’s functioning but also enable the ecologists to judge the health of their abode. These shelled animals are used as the best biomonitoring tools worldwide. Gradually declining water quality of freshwater bodies owing to multiple factors, their biodiversity is also facing threat. Majority of the freshwater bodies near human vicinities are facing anthropogenic interventions, habitat destructions and overexploitation and the same is being reflected by the elimination of sensitive molluscan species and survival as well as abundance of other tolerant ones. The current study has been undertaken to understand the Malacofauna biodiversity in Morni hills, Panchkula, Haryana. During the study, total 359 gastropods both aquatic and land snails were collected. Pre-monsoon season witnessed greater molluscan abundance, 8.46 times, than post-monsoon. The molluscan biodiversity, 7 species, 7 Genera and 5 families, namely Filopaludina bengalensis, Melanoides tuberculata, Radix luteola, Gyraulus ladacensis, Indoplanorbis exustus, Ariophanta interrupta and Macrochlamys indica.Shannon-Weiner Index (H) and Simpson Diversity Index (D) for both seasons indicated higher species diversity during post monsoon season. Melanoides tuberculata was found to be dominant during pre-monsoon while Filopaludina bengalensis during post monsoon season.

The present study is the first attempt to study the taxonomy and diversity of molluscan fauna from freshwater bodies of Chandigarh (U.T.) and Ghaggar River flowing on its southeast border. A total of 24 molluscan species (17 gastropods, 3 bivalves and 4 land snails) were collected from the selected sites. Physa acuta was found showing ubiquitous occurrence along with its maximum abundance in all water bodies followed by Melanoides tuberculata. Less biodiversity and the presence of tolerant species indicated that majority of the water bodies under study are under a great threat of degradation. The results of this study will contribute to the knowledge of the regional malacofauna along with identification of the sites facing natural and human interferences.

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