LARGE BENTHIC AQUATIC ANIMALS IN CAVES ALONG THE SHOUCHANG RIVER AND ITS ADJACENT AREAS

Twelve species of the large benthic aquatic animals were collected in Lingqi caves, Lingshan caves and Yaolin caves along the Shouchang River and its adjacent areas, belonging to 2 phyla, 3 classes, 5 orders and 11 families. The dominant species included Semisulcospira libertina and Neocaridina palmata palmata in Lingqi caves, Bellamya lapidea, S. libertina, S. gredleri and aquatic insect larvae in Lingshan caves, and N. denticulata sinensis and Gyraulus compressus in Yaolin caves. The diversity index (0.983 2) and evenness index (0. 610 9) showed the highest in light belt and the highest dominance index (0. 625 0) was found in dark belt in Lingquan Cave ( one of Lingqi caves) . N. palmata palmata and S. libertina are found as dominant species in light belt, N. denticulate sinensis, N. palmata palmata and B. lapidea in reflection belt, and N. denticulate sinensis, N. palmata palmata and G. compressus in dark light belt in the cave. Tab 3, Ref 18