BIODIVERSITY OF WHEEL ANIMALS (ROTIFERA: EUROTATORIA: MONOGONONTA) FROM MATHURA BEEL, WEST BENGAL, INDIA - WITH A NEW RECORD TO THE STATE

Abstract

The present communication deals with taxonomic studies of the phylum Rotifera Cuvier, 1817 of Mathura beel at Kanchrapara, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India. 18 species belonging to 9 genera representing 8 families and 2 orders were recorded during March, 2015 to February, 2016 of the survey and are reported for the first time from this Ox-bow lake. Gastropus stylifer (Imhof, 1891) is reported first time for West Bengal. Taxonomic keys to the recorded orders, families, genera and species are given. Taxonomic notes of the recorded species and their distribution within India and bio-geography are also given.