Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.

org | 26 May 2015 | 7(6): 7196–7210

Communication

Documenting the fauna of a small temporary pond from

Pune, Maharashtra, India
ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) Mihir R. Kulkarni 1, Sameer Padhye 2, Avinash Isaac Vanjare 3, Shriraj S. Jakhalekar 4,
ISSN 0974-7893 (Print)
Yugandhar S. Shinde 5, Shruti V. Paripatyadar 6, Sayali D. Sheth 7, Siddharth Kulkarni 8,
Samadhan K. Phuge 9, Kalyani Bhakare 10, Aboli S. Kulkarni 11, Kalpana Pai 12 &
OPEN ACCESS Hemant V. Ghate 13

Department of Zoology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra 411007, India
1,2,5,9,10,12

Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society, 96 Kumudham Nagar, Vilankuruchi Road,

2

Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641035, India

3
Department of Zoology, Ahmednagar College, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra 414001, India
4,5,13
Department of Zoology, Modern College, Shivajinagar, Pune, Maharashtra 411005, India
6,7,11
Department of Biodiversity, M.E.S’s Abasaheb Garware College, Pune, Maharashtra 411004, India
8
Biome Conservation Foundation, Pune, 18, Silver Moon Apts.,1/2A/2, Bavdhan Kh.,Pune, Maharashtra 411021, India
1
[email protected], 2 [email protected], 3 [email protected], 4 [email protected],
5
[email protected], 6 [email protected], 7 [email protected], 8 [email protected],
9
[email protected], 10 [email protected], 11 [email protected],
12
[email protected], 13 [email protected] (corresponding author)

Abstract: Most of the limnological studies in India have focussed on a few taxa of large, permanent water bodies, and pond ecosystems,
and related temporary water bodies are neglected. We present here a faunal inventory, with representative photographs, for a single,
small temporary pond, reporting over 125 species of strictly aquatic fauna and 25 species of associated fauna, even though we did not
identify some groups such as Protozoa, Diptera and nymphs of Odonata, etc. The identified species belong to seven taxa of vertebrates and
invertebrates together. Arthropoda and Rotifera were the most species rich groups, observed with 83 and 45 representatives, respectively.
Coleoptera were the most numerous in terms of species number. Such a small water body holds some endemics as well as otherwise
very rare animals and so deserves better attention. We also highlight the potential and importance of such habitats for research and
conservation.

Keywords: Fauna, habitat conservation, pond ecosystem, temporary water body.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11609/JoTT.o4190.7196-210 | ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:3364BB83-0F9C-4CD3-9C78-CF733B26E207

Editor: B.A. Daniel, Zoo Outreach Organisation, Coimbatore, India. Date of publication: 26 May 2015 (online & print)

Manuscript details: Ms # o4190 | Received 26 November 2014 | Final received 17 February 2015 | Finally accepted 10 April 2015

Citation: Kulkarni, M.R., S. Padhye, A.I. Vanjare, S.S. Jakhalekar, Y.S. Shinde, S.V. Paripatyadar, S.D. Sheth, S. Kulkarni, S.K. Phuge, K. Bhakare, A.S. Kulkarni, K. Pai &
H.V. Ghate (2015). Documenting the fauna of a small temporary pond from Pune, Maharashtra, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 7(6): 7196–7210; http://dx.doi.
org/10.11609/JoTT.o4190.7196-210

Copyright: © Kulkarni et al. 2015. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. JoTT allows unrestricted use of this article in any medium, reproduction
and distribution by providing adequate credit to the authors and the source of publication.

Funding: MRK is supported by a CSIR-JRF; SP was supported by CSIR-SRF; AIV is funded by ATREE Small grants (2010-11) & BCUD-UoP (Proposal No 13SCI000001-
2013-15); YSS was supported by UGC-CAS Dept. of Zoology, Savitribai Phule Pune University; SVP and SDS are supported by UGC-JRF; KB is supported by UoP-UPE
(Life Sciences) grant; KP was funded by ISRO-UoP, UGC-CAS, BCUD-UoP and is currently funded by UoP-UPE (Life Sciences) grant.

Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Author Contribution: All authors contributed equally.

Author Details: See end of this article.

Acknowledgements: The authors acknowledge the Head, Dept. of Zoology, Savitribai Phule Pune University; The authorities of Ahmednagar College, Ahmednagar;
Modern College, Shivajinagar, Pune; Abasaheb Garware College, Pune for facilities and encouragement. We also thank Anand Padhye (Garware College) for all
the help and encouragement. We also acknowledge Reginald Victor, Sultan Qaboos Universiy, Oman (Ostracoda); K. Subramanian, Scientist D, Zoological Survey
of India, Kolkata (Odonata); Y. Ranga Reddy, Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur and Maria Holynska, Museum and Institute of Zoology, Poland (Copepoda);
A. Komarek, Austria and Andrew Short, U.S.A. (Hydrophilidae); and Mandar Datar, Agharkar Research Institute, Pune (aquatic macrophytes) for their help. We
thank Christopher Thorpe-Dixon, Plymouth University, UK and Nikhil Modak, Abasaheb Garware College, Pune, for literature; Sanjay Molur, Wildlife Information
Liaison Development Society, Coimbatore and Neelesh Dahanukar, IISER, Pune for their support. We especially thank Reginald Victor for his critical comments on
an earlier version of the manuscript.

7196
Fauna of a small temporary pond in Pune Kulkarni et al.

INTRODUCTION quarry, which supplied the stone for the construction of

the residence of the Governor (now the Main building
Ponds, as defined by Williams et al. (2004), are lentic of the Savitribai Phule Pune University). This quarry
water bodies (temporary or permanent, including both was excavated around 1864, during the time when
natural and man-made water bodies) with an area the construction of the Governor’s residence started.
typically ranging from 25m2-2ha. Temporary ponds are Rainwater accumulated in the quarry in addition to the
characterised by a recurrent dry phase and these occur natural groundwater streams, which was subsequently
everywhere, with hydroperiod varying from about a converted to a swimming pool by the British. One can
month to the better part of the year (Williams 2006). still see the remains of the diving board at the site, and
Despite their small size and unpredictable nature, these also the changing room which was constructed later.
temporary water bodies are known to harbour novel, (News article in newspaper DNA, November 2010). The
endemic, rare and/or threatened fauna (Blaustein & pond is still relatively undisturbed in terms of human
Schwartz 2001; Williams 2006; Oertli et al. 2007) and activity which is evident in other similar quarries around
their resting stages, thus acting as “local nature reserves” Pune, except a few instances of waste dumping.
or “hotspots” (Cereghino et al. 2008). The high beta This quarry is located at a mean elevation of 576m
diversity of these ponds is related to the high diversity and has a maximum depth of about 5m, the average
in habitat characteristics, such as hydroperiod, trophic depth being about 1m with an area of 0.457ha.
structure and macrophyte diversity (de Meester et al. Inundation starts with the monsoon (late June – early
2005). The physico-chemical properties of temporary July) and remains till late March, during which most of
ponds show large seasonal fluctuations (Williams 2006). the area dries up, except the deepest parts, which dry
The biota of these habitats is adapted to such highly up by the end of April.
fluctuating conditions, by means of rapid life-cycles,
production of resting eggs and diapause (Wiggins et al. Vegetation
1980; Wyngaard et al. 1991). However, there has been Submerged (Hydrilla sp., Ceratophyllum sp.),
a tendency to ignore and undervalue the biota of such emergent (Typha sp.), floating (Azolla sp., Lemna sp.),
water bodies (Boix et al. 2001). and semiaquatic (Ipomoea aquatica Forskal) vegetation
As is evident from the available published literature is observed, in addition to algae (Spirogyra sp., Chara sp.,
from India (Mukhopadhyay & Dewanji 2005; Kiran et al.
2007; Muthukumar et al. 2007; Garg et al. 2009; Santhala © M.R. Kulkarni
et al. 2009), recent studies on different groups of aquatic
biota are scarce, especially multi-taxa inventories on
fauna of ephemeral and seasonal water bodies are very
rare, as compared to those on permanent water bodies.
Even here, studies on permanent water bodies have
focussed on inventories restricted to particular groups.
A
Here, we present a multi-taxa biodiversity inventory
of a temporary pond situated within the campus of
the Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, focussing
mainly on the aquatic and associated invertebrate taxa,
although regularly visiting birds are also documented.

MATERIALS AND METHODS B

Study site
The study was carried out in a small seasonal pond
(Image 1 A,B) in the Savitribai Phule Pune University
campus, Pune (18033’18”N & 73049’27”E) mainly from
2009 to 2014; however one of us (H.V. Ghate) has been C D E
studying the fauna of the same water body since ca. 1975 Image 1. A–B - The study site in dry and wet seasons;
intermittently. This pond is actually an abandoned stone C–E - Threats to the habitat.

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Fauna of a small temporary pond in Pune Kulkarni et al.

Observed sponges were photographed in the field and

then small pieces with gemmules were scraped off
from the substrata with a scalpel and were preserved
dry. Spicules were isolated and permanent slides were
prepared as per Annandale (1911) and Jakhalekar &
Ghate (2013). Porifera species were identified following
Annandale (1911), and Penney & Racek (1968).
A B Bryozoan colonies were fixed and preserved in 4%
formaldehyde. For identification of bryozoans, colony
and polypide characters were studied and permanent
preparations of statoblasts were also made to confirm
the species. Identification was based on Annandale
(1911) and revised nomenclature was verified with the
experts.

C D Rotifera, Cladocera, Copepoda and Ostracoda

Horizontal sampling was done for Rotifera using a
53μm mesh size Nytex nylon Plankton Tow Net (Wildco,
USA). Sampling for Cladocera, Copepoda and Ostracoda
was done using Nylon Net (150μm). For benthic forms
F
the littoral sediment was scraped using a hand net.
Samples were immediately preserved in 4–5% formalin.
Specimens were identified in the laboratory, following
standard procedures and updated taxonomic keys for
E G each taxa, as given here: Rotifera (Koste 1978; Segers
Image 2. Vegetation. A - Azolla sp.; B - Typha sp.; C - Water lily; 2002, 2007); Cladocera (Goulden 1968; Smirnov 1971,
D - Hydrilla sp. bed in habitat; E - Ipomoea aquatica; F - Hydrilla sp.; 1992, 1996; Berner 1985; Michael & Sharma 1988;
G - Chara sp. © A - S.M. Padhye; B–G - M.R. Kulkarni.
Korovchinsky 1992; Dumont & Silva-Briano 2000; Orlova-
Bienkowskaja 2001; Sinev et al. 2005); Copepoda (Reddy
1994; Dussart & Defaye 2001; Holynska et al. 2003);
and infrequent Hydrodictyon sp., etc.) (Image 2 A–G). Ostracoda (Victor & Fernando 1979; Savatenalinton &
The surrounding area is dominated by Dalbergia Martens 2009, 2010).
sp., an introduced deciduous plant spread all over the
University campus. Additionally other species like Heteroptera, Coleoptera and Odonata
Gliricidia sp., Jatropha sp., Lantana camara are also Aquatic Heteroptera and Coleoptera were collected
observed on the periphery. using different hand held nets (25x25 cm, mesh size—
1mm and 500μm, respectively) by sweeping the net
Sampling and identification methods through submerged and emergent aquatic vegetation
Samples were collected from the 2009 to 2014 and as well as by disturbing the substratum. The specimens
identified using updated keys/descriptions for each were preserved in absolute ethanol.
group (see Appendix 1 for references). Whenever Coleoptera were identified following keys given
necessary, international experts were contacted for in recent as well as older references (Vazirani 1968,
verifying the identities of the species. Collection 1970a,b, 1984; Biström 1982; Brancucci 1983; Schödl,
methods for individual taxa are as follows: 1992; Pederzani 1995; Vondel 1998, 2011; Komarek
2003).
Porifera and Bryozoa Heteroptera identification was based on many
Porifera and Bryozoa were visually located and available papers (Anderson et al. 2005; Brooks 1951;
collected from peripheral shallow margins of the pond. Chen 1960; Lansbury 1968; Cheng & Fernando 1969;
Aquatic vegetation and submerged rocks were screened Thirumalai 1994; Cheng et al. 2001; Nieser 2002, 2004;
for their occurrence and surveys in the dry season Yang & Zettel 2005; Nieser et al. 2009; Polhemus &
were also carried out for a thorough search of sponges. Polhemus 2013).

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Fauna of a small temporary pond in Pune Kulkarni et al.

Odonata were sampled randomly with a nylon net Araneae

(ring diameter 30cm and rod length 100cm). Common Odonata

species of odonates were identified on the field and Hemiptera

unidentified species were collected and brought to the Coleoptera

laboratory for identification. Odonata were identified Ostracoda
following Fraser (1933, 1934, 1936) and Subramanian Copepoda
(2009). Branchiopoda
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Number of species in Arthropoda
Araneae Figure 1. Representation of the Arthropoda
Spiders in the vicinity of the pond were collected by
visually searching for them in the aquatic vegetation and
the area around the pond. Spiders were identified using
the following literature (Tikader 1980, 1982; Tanikawa Table 1. Ranges for some physico-chemical parameters.
1999; Jose et al. 2003; Gajbe 2008; Yoshida 2009; Parameter pH
Water Salinity Dissolved
Temperature (oC) (ppm) Oxygen (mg/L)
Alvarez-Padilla & Hormiga 2011).
Range 7.1–9.7 19–31.6 91–426 0.3–7

Mollusca
Snails were handpicked from the aquatic vegetation
and the margins of the pond and identified following (Bowerbank, 1863) and Radiospongilla cerebellata
Rao (1989). (Bowerbank, 1863) are common in occurrence,
while Dosilia plumosa (Carter, 1849) is relatively rare
Amphibia (Jakhalekar & Ghate 2013) (Images 4 A,B).
Anurans were collected by searching for them on Bryozoa: Asajirella gelatinosa (Oka, 1891) was
the margins of the pond and also located by their calls, previously reported from this site as Pectinatella
identified and released immediately. As these are fairly burmanica Annandale, 1908 (Tonapi & Vargese 1983).
common species and well known, none were preserved. We have also observed this species sporadically in the
Identification was done following Daniels (1997 I–III same pond. Recently, Jakhalekar (2012) had also noted
parts), Gururaja (2012). it in Pashan Tank, Pune, at a place about 5km away from
this pond.
Aves Rotifera: Vanjare & Pai (2010) reported 13 rotifer
Birds were observed with binoculars (Olympus species, including the biogeographically interesting
10X50) and identified following Grimett et al. (1999). sessile rotifer, Ptygura pedunculata Edmondson, 1939.
So far 45 species of rotifers belonging to two orders, 15
A handheld probe (Eutech, Singapore) was used families and 26 genera have been identified from this
for measuring pH, Temperature and Salinity of the pond (for details, see Vanjare & Pai 2010; 2013) (Images
water. Dissolved Oxygen (DO) was estimated using 3 A–P).
Winkler titration (Anonymous 1992). Other factors like Annelida: Hirudinea: A single specimen of a leech (of
vegetation, depth, etc. were also noted on the field (see the family Glossiphonidae) was also found but could not
Table 1). be identified. It was found attached to a tadpole.

Arthropoda
RESULTS Crustacea
Ostracoda: Twelve species belonging to the families
One hundred and fifty two species from seven Cyprididae (10 species), Candonidae (one species) and
invertebrate and vertebrate taxa were observed at the Ilyocyprididae (one species) were observed. Of these
study site and their full scientific names were tabulated eight are Oriental in distribution. Bradleycypris vittata
(see Tables 2,3; Fig. 1). (Sars, 1903), an Oriental endemic, which was the first
record for India, was also collected from this pond
Notes on some taxa (Shinde 2012) (Images 5 A–H).
Porifera: Occurrence of three species of sponges from Copepoda: One species of calanoid copepod and
this small pond was noted. Of these, Eunapius carteri two species of cyclopoid copepods were recorded.

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Fauna of a small temporary pond in Pune Kulkarni et al.

Table 2. Taxonomic checklist of all observed species.

PORIFERA Daphniidae Hydrometridae
Spongillina: Spongillidae Ceriodaphnia quadrangula s. lat. (O.F. Müller, Hydrometra greeni Kirkaldy, 1898
Dosilia plumosa (Carter, 1849) 1785) Veliidae
Eunapius carteri (Bowerbank, 1863) Simocephalus mixtus Sars, 1903 Microvelia douglasi Scott, 1874
Radiospongilla cerebellata (Bowerbank, 1863) Macrothricidae Odonata
BRYOZOA Macrothrix spinosa King, 1853 Aeshanidae
Phylactolaemata: Lophopodidae Moinidae Anax guttatus Burmeister, 1839
Asajirella gelatinosa (Oka, 1891) Moina micrura s. lat. Kurz, 1874 Coenagrionidae
ROTIFERA Chydoridae Agriocnemis pygmea (Rambur, 1842)
Asplanchnidae Chydorus parvus Daday, 1898 Ischnura senegalensis (Rambur, 1842)
Asplanchna brightwellii Gosse, 1850 Dunhevedia crassa King, 1853 Gomphidae
Asplanchnopus hyalinus Harring, 1913 Karualona cf. karua (King, 1853) Ictinogomphus rapax (Rambur, 1842)
Brachionidae Leberis punctatus (Daday, 1898) Libellulidae
Anuraeopsis fissa Gosse, 1851 Copepoda Acisoma panorpoides Rambur, 1842
Brachionus calyciflorus Pallas, 1766 Calanoida: Diaptomidae Brachythemis contaminata (Fabricius, 1793)
Brachionus caudatus Barrois & Daday, 1894 Heliodiaptomus cinctus (Gurney 1907) Bradinopyga geminata (Rambur, 1842)
Brachionus quadridentatus Hermann, 1783 Cyclopoida: Cyclopidae Crocothemis servilia (Drury, 1770)
Keratella tropica (Apstein, 1907) Thermocyclops sp. Diplacodes trivialis (Rambur, 1842)
Plationus patulus patulus (Müller, 1786) Mesocyclops sp. Orthetrum Sabina (Drury, 1770)
Platyias quadricornis quadricornis (Ehrenberg, Ostracoda Tramea limbata Rambur, 1842
1832) Cyprididae Trithemis festiva (Rambur, 1842)
Epiphanidae Bradleycypris vittata (Sars, 1903) Arachnida: Araneae
Cyrtonia tuba (Ehrenberg, 1834) Chrissia formosa (Klie, 1938) Araneidae
Epiphanes brachionus spinosa (Rousselet, 1901) Cypretta fontinalis Hartmann, 1964 Araneus mitificus (Simon, 1886)
Euchlanidae Cypris sp. Cyclosa hexatuberculata Tikader, 1982
Beauchampiella eudactylota (Gosse, 1886) Hemicypris pyxidata (Moniez, 1892) Eriovixia sp.
Euchlanis dilatata dilatata Ehrenberg, 1832 Plesiocypridopsis dispar (Hartmann, 1964) Neoscona mukerjei Tikader, 1980
Tripleuchlanis plicata (Levander, 1894) Pseudocypretta maculata Klie, 1932 Neoscona nautica (Koch, 1875)
Gastropodidae Pseudostrandesia calapanensis (Tressler, 1937) Neoscona theisi (Walckenaer, 1841)
Ascomorpha sp. Stenocypris derupta Vavra, 1906 Lycosidae
Lecanidae Stenocypris major (Baird, 1859) Hippasa sp.
Lecane arcula Harring, 1914 Candonidae Oxyopidae
Lecane bulla bulla (Gosse, 1851) Physocypria furfuracea (Brady, 1886) Oxyopes bharatae Gajbe, 1999
Lecane closterocerca (Schmarda, 1859) Ilyocyprididae Pisauridae
Lecane curvicornis (Murray, 1913) Ilyocypris dentifera Sars, 1903 Nilus albocinctus (Doleschall, 1859)
Lecane hamata (Stokes, 1896) Insecta: Coleoptera Salticidae
Lecane hornemanni (Ehrenberg, 1834) Dytiscidae Plexippus sp.
Lecane leontina (Turner, 1892) Copelatus mysorensis Vazirani, 1970 Tetragnathidae
Lecane ludwigii (Eckstein, 1883) Herophydrus musicus (Klug, 1834) Leucauge decorata (Blackwall, 1864)
Lecane luna (Müller, 1776) Hyphydrus intermixtus (Walker, 1858) Tetragnatha sp.
Lecane lunaris (Ehrenberg, 1832) Laccophilus flexuosus Aubè, 1838 Thomisidae
Lecane ohioensis (Herrick, 1885) Laccophilus inefficiens (Walker, 1859) Runcinia roonwali Tikader, 1965
Lecane quadridentata (Ehrenberg, 1830) Laccophilus parvulus parvulus Aubè, 1838 Uloboridae
Lecane ungulata (Gosse, 1887) Hydaticus fabricii fabricii (W.S. Macleay, 1825) Zosis geniculata (Olivier, 1789)
Lecane unguitata (Fadeev, 1925) Hydrovatus sp. Gastropoda
Lepadellidae Gyrinidae Indoplanorbis sp.
Colurella sp. Dineutus indicus Aubé, 1838 Lymnaea luteola Lamarck, 1822
Lepadella (Lepadella) ovalis (Müller, 1786) Haliplidae CHORDATA: Amphibia: Anura
Lepadella (Heterolepadella) ehrenbergii (Perty, Haliplus arrowi Guignot, 1936 Bufonidae
1850) Hydrophilidae Duttaphrynus melanostictus (Schneider, 1799)
Squatinella lamellaris (Müller, 1786) Amphiops sp. Dicroglossidae
Mytilinidae Berosus indicus (Motschulsky, 1861) Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis (Schneider, 1799)
Mytilina trigona (Gosse, 1851) Berosus pulchellus MacLeay, 1825 Hoplobatrachus tigerinus (Daudin, 1802)
Mytilina ventralis ventralis (Ehrenberg, 1830) Hydrobiomorpha spinicollis andromorpha Zakerana sp.
Notommatidae Mouchamps, 1959 Microhylidae
Monomatta sp. Sternolophus sp. Microhyla ornata (Dumeril & Bibron, 1841)
Synchaetidae Noteridae Reptilia: Squamata
Polyarthra vulgaris Carlin, 1943 Canthydrus laetabilis (Walker, 1858) Xenochrophis piscator (Schneider, 1799)
Trichocercidae Canthydrus luctuosus (Aube, 1838) Aves
Trichocerca similis similis (Wierzejski, 1893) Hemiptera: Heteroptera Alcedinidae
Trichocerca rattus (Müller, 1776) Belostomatidae Alcedo atthis (Linnaeus, 1758)
Trichotriidae Diplonychus rusticus (Fabricius, 1781) Ceryle rudis (Linnaeus, 1758)
Macrochaetus sericus (Thorpe, 1893) Corixidae Halcyon smyrnensis (Linnaeus, 1758)
Trichotria tetractis (Ehrenberg, 1830) Agrataptacorixa hyalinipennis (Fabricius, 1803) Anatidae
Flosculariidae Micronectidae Anas poecilorhyncha Forster, 1781
Ptygura tacita Edmondson, 1940 Micronecta scutellaris (Stal 1858) Ardeidae
Ptygura pedunculata (Edmondson, 1939) Nepidae Ardeola grayii (Sykes, 1832)
Hexarthridae Laccotrephes griseus (Guerin-Meneville, Egretta garzetta (Linnaeus, 1766)
Hexarthra mira (Hudson, 1871) 1835) Charadriidae
Testudinellidae Ranatra filiformis Fabricius, 1790 Vanellus indicus (Boddaert, 1783)
Testudinella patina (Hermann, 1783) Notonectidae Motacillidae
GASTROTRICHA Anisops barbatus Brooks, 1951 Motacilla cinerea Tunstall, 1771
Chaetonotus cf. similis Zelinka, 1889 Anisops cavifrons Brooks, 1951 Phalacrocoracidae
ARTHROPODA: Crustacea: Branchiopoda Anisops sardeus Herrich – Shaffer, 1850 Phalacrocorax niger (Vieillot, 1817)
Leptestheriidae Enithares ciliata (Fabricius, 1798) Podicipedidae
Leptestheria nobilis (Sars, 1900) Pleidae Tachybaptus ruficollis (Pallas, 1764)
Sididae Paraplea frontalis (Fieber, 1844) Rallidae
Diaphanosoma sarsi Richard, 1895 Gerridae Amaurornis phoenicurus (Pennant, 1766)
Latonopsis australis s. lat. Sars, 1888 Tenagogonus fluviorum (Fabricius, 1798)

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Fauna of a small temporary pond in Pune Kulkarni et al.

A B C D

E F G H

I J K L

M N O P

Image 3. Representatives of rotifers from the habitat. A - Asplanchna brightwelli; B - Brachionus calyciflorus; C - Polyarthra sp.;
D - Lecane bulla bulla; E - Lecane curvicornis; F - Lecane leontina; G - Lecane luna; H: Lecane lunaris; I - Lecane ungulata; J - Mytilina trigona;
K - Mytilina ventralis ventralis; L - Plationus patulus patulus; M - Platyias quadricornis quadricornis; N - Hexarthra sp.; O - Testudinella patina;
P - Trichotria tetractis. © A.I. Vanjare.

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Fauna of a small temporary pond in Pune Kulkarni et al.

Table 3. Faunistic overview.

Taxon Species

Porifera 3

Bryozoa 1

Rotifera 45
A B
Gastrotricha 1

Arthropoda 83

Mollusca 2

Chordata (Vertebrata) 17

Total 152

C D

© Y. S. Shinde

E F A B

G H
C D
Image 4. A–B - Freshwater sponges, Radiospongilla cerebellata and
Dosilia plumosa, respectively; C-D - Freshwater copepods, Cyclopoid
(Mesocyclops sp., female) and Calanoid (Heliodiaptomus cinctus,
female); E - Gastrotricha (Chaetonotus cf. similis);
F - Tardigrade; G - Indoplanorbis sp.; H - Lymnaea luteola.
Scales = C & D = 200µm; F = 50µm; G & H = 5mm. F
E
© A–B - S.S. Jakhalekar; C,D,F–H - M.R. Kulkarni; E - Y.S. Shinde.

The calanoid, Heliodiaptomus cinctus (Gurney, 1907)

occurs commonly in the region (Reddy 1994; M. Kulkarni
unpublished data), however, Thermocyclops sp. has G H
been observed for the first time in Pune (Images 4 C–D).
Branchiopoda: Leptestheria nobilis (Sars, 1900) Image 5. Representatives of Ostracoda from the pond.
(Branchiopoda: Spinicaudata) was seen during the A - Cypris sp.; B - Pseudostrandesia calapanensis; C - Ilyocypris
dentifera; D - Hemicypris pyxidata; E - Stenocypris major; F - Chrissia
monsoon season. This species is an Indian endemic formosa; G - Cypretta fontinalis; H - Plesiocypridopsis dispar.
commonly known from Western Maharashtra (Padhye Scales = A,B,C,D,G,H = 100μm; E,F = 200μm
et al. 2015). All the Cladocera found in the study were
circumtropical in distribution. Latonopsis australis Sars,
1888 sensu lato and Moina micrura Kurz, 1874 sensu Insecta
lato represent species groups with a number of cryptic Hemiptera: Heteroptera: The observed species were
species (Chatterjee et al. 2013; Petrusek et al. 2004). of oriental distribution, belonging to two infra-orders
Karualona cf. karua (King, 1853) may also represent a Nepomorpha and Gerromorpha and nine families namely
separate species but further detailed taxonomic study is Belostomatidae, Nepidae, Corixidae, Micronectidae,
needed (Images 6 A–I). Pleidae, Notonectidae, Gerridae, Hydrometridae and
Veliidae. The occurrence of so many families in a single,

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Fauna of a small temporary pond in Pune Kulkarni et al.

© S.M. Padhye

A B C

F
D E

G H I

Image 6. Representatives of Cladocera from the pond. A - Diaphanosoma sarsi; B - Latonopsis australis s. lat.; C - Ceriodaphnia quadrangula s.
lat.; D - Simocephalus mixtus; E - Macrothrix spinosa; F - Karualona cf. karua; G - Leberis punctatus; H - Dunhevedia crassa; I - Chydorus parvus.

relatively small pond habitat, is remarkable (Images 9 Chordata: Vertebrata

A–F). Amphibia: Anura: Six common species of anurans
Coleoptera: Members of the families Dytiscidae, were observed (both adults and tadpoles) (Image 11
Hydrophilidae, Gyrinidae, Haliplidae and Noteridae, all A–E). All species are widely distributed in India. These
known from India, were recorded in this habitat (Image are listed in Table 2. Members of the families Bufonidae,
8 A–H). Canthydrus sp. (Noteridae) or the burrowing Ranidae and Microhylidae were recorded. The Microhyla
water beetles and Laccophilus sp. (Dytiscidae) were ornata (Dumeril & Bibron, 1841) population was once
particularly abundant. Again, the presence of five severely damaged by invasive fish Gambusia, released
different families in such a small pond is remarkable. for mosquito control (see discussion), but it was possible
to see this frog again as the fishes have all gone during
Mollusca the dry phase.
Gastropoda: Two species, namely Indoplanorbis sp.
and Lymnaea luteola Lamarck, 1822, were common all Reptilia: Serpentes: A single species, Checkered
over and were breeding profusely. Both species occur Keelback Xenocrophis piscator (Schneider, 1799) was
commonly in and around Pune area (Image 4 G–H). noted occasionally.

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Fauna of a small temporary pond in Pune Kulkarni et al.

A B
A B

C D
C D

E E F

Image 7. Odonates from the pond.

A - Acisoma panorpoides; B - Brachythemis contaminata;
C - Bradinopyga geminata; D - Ictinogomphus rapax; E -
Crocothemis servilia. © A.S. Kulkarni.

Chelonia: Soft-shelled Turtles were observed basking

in the middle of the pond but were never caught and G H

identified. Image 8. Representatives of aquatic Coleoptera from the pond.

A,B - Laccophilus flexosus, DV & VV.; C,D - Canthydrus luctuosus, DV
& VV.; E,F - Haliplus arrowi, DV & VV.; G,H - Sternolophus sp. DV &
Aves VV. © H.V. Ghate and S.D. Sheth.
Locally migrating birds like Spot-billed Duck
Anas poecilorhyncha Forster, 1781, Dabbling Duck
Tachybaptus ruficollis (Pallas, 1764) and Little Cormorant
Phalacrocorax niger (Vieillot, 1817) were observed. The
nesting of dabbling ducks, Indian Moorhen Amaurornis 2007; Thakare & Zade 2011; Takhelmayum & Gupta
phoenicurus (Pennant, 1766) was also observed (Images 2011; Sehgal et al. 2013). Thus, although ubiquitous and
12 A–I). found in large numbers in suitable places, ‘the pond’ is
overlooked and understudied. We have attempted to
fill this lacuna about pond fauna, and have sampled less
DISCUSSION studied taxa. In spite of excluding some other species
rich taxa (like Protozoa - in classical sense and larval
Importance of study Diptera, nymphal Odonata, etc.), we have documented
This study is one of the few multi-taxa surveys of over 150 species from this small water body, which is a
temporary pond fauna in India. In fact, such water considerably large number.
bodies are neglected, in recent years, by biologists and This inventory also includes many taxa that have
abused by the public at large. There are scattered reports been neglected for decades in our area. For example
of aquatic fauna in recent years, but these have mostly freshwater sponges, in spite of a small number of
focussed on permanent water bodies (e.g. Deepa & Rao species found in India, have not been studied in detail

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Fauna of a small temporary pond in Pune Kulkarni et al.

A B

A B c D E

Image 10. Representatives of spiders from the pond.

A - Neoscona mukerjei; B - Neoscona nautica; C - Zosis geniculata;
C D D - Tetragnatha sp.; E - Runcinia roonwali. © S.S. Kulkarni

A B

C D
E F

Image 9. Representatives of aquatic Heteroptera from the pond.

A - Diplonychus rusticus; B - Agraptacorixa hyalinipennis;
C - Anisops barbatus; D - Enithares ciliata; E - Ranatra filiformis;
F - Tenagogonus fluviorum. © H.V. Ghate and S.V. Paripatyadar

and the biology of these organisms is poorly known; E

even morphological data using scanning electron
microscopy, at least for some species, became available
only recently (Jakhalekar & Ghate 2013). Freshwater
Bryozoa are being intensively investigated elsewhere
but we found hardly any detailed studies from India in
recent years, other than the classic work of Annandale
(1911). Aquatic beetles are quite diverse (and this small
Image 11. Amphibians from the habitat.
pond has representative of all the known families found A - Duttaphrynus melanostictus mating pair in amplexus; B -
in India!) and form an important group as scavengers Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis; C: Zakerana sp.; D - Microhyla ornata; E
and predators in the aquatic ecosystem; but no serious - Hoplobatrachus tigerinus. © A, C–E - S.S. Jakhalekar; B - K. Bhakare
taxonomical or biological work has been done in
Maharashtra since the pioneering work by Vazirani
(1968, 1970a,b, 1984) and Tonapi & Ozarkar (1969a,b). unstudied for a long period.
The same is true of aquatic Heteroptera or true bugs. Crustacea, especially Branchiopoda, found in such
Two spider species, Cyclosa hexatuberculata and temporary water bodies are equally neglected. One
Runcinia roonwali were described from Pune (the latter of the authors (SP) has completed a survey of many
from a locality very close to University campus) (Tikader such water bodies in and around Pune (Padhye 2013).
1980, 1982), however, both species have remained Further work in this regard led to the discovery of two

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Fauna of a small temporary pond in Pune Kulkarni et al.

A B C

D E F

G H I

Image 12. Birds from the pond.

A - Egretta garzetta; B - Vanellus indicus; C - Halcyon smyrnensis; D - Anas poecilorhyncha; E - Tachybaptus ruficollis; F - Motacilla cinerea;
G - Ardeola grayii; H - Alcedo atthis; I - Ceryle rudis. © S.S. Jakhalekar.

new species: (1) Streptocephalus sahyadriensis Rogers varying ecological roles ranging from primary producers
& Padhye, 2014; (2) Moina hemanti Padhye & Dumont, (diatoms, algae not identified here) and various
2014, of which the latter’s type locality is situated on the consumers (insects, tadpoles and birds). This diversity
university campus itself (Rogers & Padhye 2014; Padhye indicates a fully functional and healthy aquatic ecosystem.
& Dumont 2014). This shows that an extensive survey of The animal taxa observed occupy various feeding
entire Maharashtra and other regions of Western Ghats niches and modes. There are also some noteworthy
may reveal as yet unknown species and also highlights endemics and some are being reported for the first time
the fact that the crustacean fauna is not properly known from Maharashtra. It is evident that the habitat has a
(for example, see Padhye & Dumont 2015; Padhye et al. chemical composition suitable for establishment and
2015 - Branchiopods). growth of taxa like sponges, ostracods and molluscs,
Rotifer and ostracod fauna of Pune and its environs which require proper pH as well as certain minerals like
has also been investigated by some of us in detail, with silica and calcium in good proportion. There is a trend
many surprising finds as well (Vanjare & Pai 2013; Shinde observed in zooplankton appearance. The conditions
2012). are hypoxic soon after inundation (with rainwater), and
This pond, as the results show, harbours species with animals like chironomid larvae, mosquito larvae, Moina

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Fauna of a small temporary pond in Pune Kulkarni et al.

micrura, Thermocyclops sp. are observed as ‘blooms’. conservation of these important habitats. Similar
These disappear in a few days following which there is surveys have been carried out in the United Kingdom on
a growth of aquatic vegetation and subsequent increase a large scale (National Ponds Survey 1989) (cited in Biggs
in the dissolved oxygen content. The other physico- et al. 2005) and we need to take a leaf out of their books.
chemical parameters also change during this phase.
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Fauna of a small temporary pond in Pune Kulkarni et al.

Appendix 1. Taxon-wise list of references used for identification. Author Details: Mihir R. Kulkarni is a PhD student at the Department of
Zoology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune. He studies diversity and ecology
Taxon References of freshwater Diaptomidae (Copepoda) from the Western Ghats. Sameer Padhye
is a Research Associate, Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society,
Porifera & Bryozoa Annandale 1911 Coimbatore. He studies the taxonomy and ecology of branchiopod crustaceans
Koste 1978 from the Western Ghats. Avinash Isaac Vanjare is an Assistant Professor,
Rotifera Segers 2002 Department of Zoology, Ahmednagar College. He studies the taxonomy and
Segers 2007 diversity of Monogonont Rotifera from the Western Ghats. Shriraj S. Jakhalekar
worked as a Research Student at the Department of Zoology, Modern College,
Berner 1985
Pune and is now pursuing PhD at the CSIR - National Institute of Oceanography,
Dumont & Silva-Briano 2000
Dona Paula, Goa. He is interested in studies on sponges. Yugandhar Satish
Goulden 1968
Shinde is an Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, Modern College, Pune.
Korovchinsky 1992
Cladocera He is interested in the taxonomy and diversity of freshwater Ostracoda from the
Michael & Sharma 1988
Western Ghats. Shruti V. Paripatyadar is a PhD student at the Department of
Orlova-Bienkowskaja 2001
Biodiversity, Abasaheb Garware College, Pune. She studies aquatic bugs from the
Sinev et al. 2005
Western Ghats, and has a keen interest in Heteroptera in general. Sayali D. Sheth
Smirnov 1971, 1992, 1996
is a PhD student at the Department of Biodiversity, Abasaheb Garware College,
Dussart & Defaye 2001 Pune. She studies the taxonomy and ecology of aquatic beetles from Western
Copepoda Ranga Reddy 1994 Maharashtra. Siddharth Kulkarni is working on taxonomy of Araenomorph
Holynska et al. 2003 spiders. He is a country coordinator for the World Spider Catalog. Samadhan
Savatenalinton & Martens 2009 K. Phuge is a Technical Assistant at the Department of Zoology, Savitribai
Ostracoda Savatenalinton & Martens 2010 Phule Pune University, Pune. He is keen in studying sexual development and
Victor & Fernando 1979a behavioural ecology of frogs and their tadpoles. Kalyani Bhakare is an MPhil
Student at the Department of Zoology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune.
Mollusca Subba Rao 1989
She studies diversity of wetland birds and rotifers. Aboli S. Kulkarni is a PhD
Biström 1982 student at the Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research, Pune. She
Brancucci 1983 is interested in working on taxonomy of Odonata. Kalpana Pai is a Professor
Komarek 2003 at the Department of Zoology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune. She is
Pederzani1995 an immunologist, and is also interested in biodiversity of various aquatic taxa.
Coleoptera Schödl 1992 Hemant V. Ghate retired as an Associate Professor and Head, Department of
Vazirani 1968 Zoology, Modern College, Pune. He is interested in the taxonomy of insects,
Vazirani 1970a,b particularly aquatic beetles and bugs, Cerambycidae as well as pentatomid bugs
Vazirani 1984 and mantids. He has also worked on fishes and amphibians from the Western
Vondel 1998 2011 Ghats of India.
Anderson et al. 2005
Brooks 1951
Chen 1960
Cheng & Fernando 1969
Cheng et al. 2001
Hemiptera Lansbury 1968
Nieser 2002, 2004
Nieser et al. 2009
Polhemus & Polhemus 2013
Thirumalai 1994
Yang & Zettel 2005
Fraser 1933
Fraser 1934
Odonata
Fraser 1936
Subramanian 2009
Alvarez-Padilla & Hormiga 2011
Gajbe 2008
Jose et al. 2003
Arachnida Tanikawa 1999a
Tikader 1980
Tikader 1982
Yoshida 2009
Daniels 1997 I-III
Amphibia
Gururaja 2012
Reptilia Smith 1943

Aves Grimett et al. 1999

Threatened Taxa

7210 Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 May 2015 | 7(6): 7196–7210