Ecology of Freshwater Aquatic Oligochaetes in Water Sources of Bangbarn District Catchment Area, Ayutthaya Province
Keywords:
ไส้เดือนน้ำ; การกระจาย ; พื้นที่รับน้ำอำเภอบางบาล; จังหวัดพระนครศรีอยุธยาAbstract
This study investigated the ecology of freshwater aquatic oligochaetes in water sources within the water retention area of Bangbarn District, Ayutthaya Province, Thailand. The objectives were to examine the diversity, distribution, and density of aquatic oligochaetes, as well as the associated environmental quality factors. Samples were collected from 12 stations covering the Chao Phraya River, the Noi River, and the Bangbarn floodplain field during June 2020 (dry season), July and August 2020 (early rainy season), and September 2020 (late rainy season). The results revealed two oligochaete families: Naididae and Aeolosomatidae. The Naididae family was dominated by Branchiura sp., which exhibited the highest abundance, followed by Tubifex sp., Dero sp., and Branchiodrilus sp., respectively. The Aeolosomatidae family was represented by a single species, Aeolosoma sp. Oligochaete density significantly differed among sampling stations (p<0.05), with the highest density recorded during the early rainy season in August. Correlation analysis indicated that water depth, temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, sediment silt–clay content, and total organic matter in sediment were key factors influencing the distribution and density of aquatic oligochaetes. The findings suggest that the and increased density of dominant oligochaete taxa can serve as effective biological indicators of pollution and organic matter accumulation in sediment within the water retention area, as these organisms are highly tolerant of low dissolved oxygen conditions. This ecological information is useful for developing water management strategies and environmental quality monitoring programs in floodplain catchments.
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