Research Projects

The proposed project aims to assess the cryptic diversity, endemism, biogeography, and diversification patterns in three freshwater mollusc genera — Paludomus, Cremnoconchus and Paracrostoma — from the Western Ghats. The members of these genera are restricted to the lotic systems (flowing water) of the Ghats and show high levels of endemism. To date, except for two studies which looked at the phylogeny of freshwater molluscs of the lotic systems, the information on endemic radiation, diversification, and biogeography has yet to be studied. For the proposed project, the samples will be collected from the entire Western Ghats and subjected to DNA analysis using two mitochondrial (CoI and 16S) and one nuclear (28S) marker. The phylogenetic analyses will be carried out using maximum likelihood and Bayesian tree building methods. Species delimitation analysis will be carried out using three different approaches, and the molecular dating analysis will be done using BEAST using appropriate fossils for each genus. The biogeographic analysis will be done using BioGeoBears and RASP, while character evolution will be done using Mesquite. The study will help resolve the cryptic diversity and description of new species in the selected genera of freshwater molluscs. The study will also help understand the diversification patterns, and the role of river systems and geological barriers in the diversification and distribution of freshwater molluscs. This will be the first-ever large-scale study on the diversity, endemism, biogeography, and diversification patterns in the freshwater molluscs restricted to the lotic systems in the Western Ghats. Finally, the study will enhance the conservation value of the lotic systems in the Western Ghats, which are under tremendous pressure due to developmental activities.