Studies on freshwater crab population as influencedby physico-chemical attributes in Gho-Manhasanstream, a tributary of river Chenab

Crustaceans are distributed world-wide and are found in a variety of habitats. Freshwater crabs constitute one-fifth of the brachyurans all over the world. Freshwater crabs are the eminent indicators of good water quality. The present study was carried out with an aim to assess the influence of various physico-chemical parameters such as temperature, pH, depth, dissolved oxygen, free carbon dioxide, calcium, magnesium, bicarbonates and chlorides on the population of crabs in the Gho-Manhasan stream, a tributary of river Chenab. A comprehensive study of these parameters and a comparative analysis with those recorded in last eight years span gave a clear picture of the pollution stress due to anthropogenic activities in the water body that has led to a considerable decline in the population of crabs in this stream. This emphasizes the need to spotlight and improve measures of conservation before there is decline in the crab population to the levels from which they cannot recuperate.