A Preliminary Study of the Macroinvertebrate Fauna of Sharki Dam, District Karak, K.P. Pakistan

Abstract

A Preliminary survey of the macro-invertebrate fauna of Sharki Dam, District Karak was carried out from August to December 2011 with the aim to assess the health and productivity of the water body and to predict about its economic potential. A total of 10 species were identified belonging to phylum Arthropoda, Annelida and Mollusca. Two species each from genera Dytiscus and Gyrinus were identified from order Coleoptera. In Hemiptera, three species Gerris lacustris, Buenoa margoritacae and Naucorid sp. were identified. Order Odonta was represented by only one species Libellula quadrimaculata. Order Lepidoptera was also represented by only one species of Moth larvae. Among Annelids (Hirudinae) a single species Hirudo medicinalis was identified whereas phylum Mollusca was represented by only a single species, Lymnaea glabra, a common gastropod. It was concluded that the dam was quite productive and could harbour great density and variety of food fish and could help in uplifting the socio-economic conditions of the poor people of the area.