Freshwater invertebrate diversity and distribution

Ecology and functional diversity

CORE AREAS OF RESEARCH

Integrative taxonomy and DNA reference laboratory

The lab is currently studying the diversity, distribution and ecology of freshwater invertebrates like large branchiopods, rotifers, cladocerans etc. in the semi-arid and Northern Western Ghats region of Maharashtra, India.

We are currently attempting to resolve taxonomic discrepancies and describe new species of invertebrates using morphological, molecular, and ecological approaches.

We are also involved in the generation and maintenance of libraries of DNA barcodes for these organisms.

We study how environmental factors drive diversity, abundance and distribution of freshwater invertebrates.

Correspondingly, we are also trying to understand how taxonomic and functional diversity changes in aquatic habitats due to human interference.

Sediment rehydration studies

We are also interested in understanding the richness, diversity and hatching patterns of these invertebrates using the sediment rehydration method.

The aim is to understand the optimal conditions wherein maximum species can be hatched in the laboraotry minimizing frequent visits to the localities.