Biodiversity and Occurrence of Freshwater Crabs in Pathankot Stream of District Loralai, Balochistan

Abstract

The present study was conducted during April 2017 to May 2019 at Pathankot stream, district Loralai, province Balochistan. The aim of the study was to determine the diversity and morphometric measurements of crabs. During the study, a total of five species were identified such as Ashtoret lunaris, Liotelphusa quadrata, Maydelliatelphusa lugubris, Metaplax indica and Portunus pelagicus. The most dominated family was Gecarcinucidae, contained two species. From the obtained data various ecological indices were calculated. The overall diversity ranged between (1.02 to 1.58), evenness varied from (0.19 to 0.45), the index of dominance ranged from (0.58 to 0.86) and species richness varied from (0.94 to 1.61). Morphometric measurements of selected five species were determined. These measurements are weight, carapace width and carapace length of species. The ecological indices showed significant correlation with environmental parameters.