Research Projects

Evolutionary and ecological drivers in structuring genes and communities of mayflies (Ephemeroptera) in “Sky islands” of the southern Western Ghats, a tropical biodiversity hotspot will be identified and their implications for conservation will be explored. The objectives include (i) to explore the diversity profile and community structure of mayflies in the context of their updated taxonomy and inventory of trait-based species assemblages in “sky islands” of the southern Western Ghats through intensive field survey; (ii) to identify evolutionary and ecological drivers and human impacts structuring genes and communities of mayflies; (iii) To examine from comprehensive distribution data the relative roles of Pleistocene glaciations, ecological gradients and geological processes e.g. formation of geological barriers in diversification at different spatial scales and (iv) to study the genetic diversity and conservation value of paleo- and neo-endemics, evolutionary relics and range restricted upland species in “sky islands” of the southern Western Ghats. There is practically no information in India on these aspects on aquatic insects especially mayflies which are one of the dominant components of macro zoobenthos in inland waters, and are ideal taxa of great phylogenetic, biogeographic and biomonitoring value, also sensitive indicators of climate change impacts with conservative dispersal habits. However, empirical evidences available for structuring genes and communities of mayflies along elevational gradient from “sky islands” of Sumatra (Gueuning et al., 2017). Employing a similar methodology, the present proposal aims to understand to what extent the elevation gradient acts as a global biodiversity shaping factor in similar “sky islands” in peninsular India, in other words, to further explore how elevation structures both species within communities and genes within species. This proposal will be crucial to prioritize conservation areas of montane benthic macroinvertebrate communities in general and those of aquatic insects like mayflies in particular along with their habitats of the Western Ghats.