Taxonomy and Diversity of Annelids in Two Jhelum Tributaries of Kashmir Himalaya, India

The present study represents the first record of photographic presentation of aquatic annelids in the Kashmir Himalaya. Based on the morphology and ecology, 13 species of annelids were identified belonging to 7 families (Tubificidae, Naididae, Almidae, Lumbriculidae, Lumbricidae, Hirudinidae, and Glossiphoniidae) and 2 classes (Oligochaeta and Hirudinea). Oligochaeta was represented by Branchiura sowerbyi, Tubifex tubifex, Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri, Nais communis, Glyphidrilus sp., Lumbriculus sp., and Eisenia fetida while Hirudinea was represented by Erpobdella octoculata, Haemopis indicus, Poecilobdella javanica, Helobdella stagnalis, Glossiphonia weberi, and Glossiphonia complanata. During the study, Lumbriculus sp., Erpobdella octoculata, and Haemopis indicus were present at all the sites while Tubifex tubifex and Glyphidrilus sp. were present at sites Chursoo (W3) and Aripal (A1) respectively. The maximum diversity was observed during summer and autumn seasons while minimum during winter and spring seasons in the streams. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to The National Academy of Sciences, India 2024.