Journal of Biology and Nature

Freshwater molluscs are important components of aquatic ecosystems and provide useful baseline information for biodiversity assessment and regional conservation planning. The present study documents the freshwater malacofaunal diversity of the Jabalpur division, Madhya Pradesh, India, covering the districts of Jabalpur, Katni, Narsinghpur, Chhindwara, Seoni, Balaghat, Mandla, and Dindori. The work was based on specimens preserved in the National Zoological Collection of the Zoological Survey of India, Central Zone Regional Centre, Jabalpur, supplemented by relevant literature and collections made by the author. Specimens were examined using standard taxonomic literature, and valid names and synonymies were verified using current taxonomic information. A total of 19 freshwater mollusc species belonging to 16 genera, 10 families, and 5 orders were recorded. The assemblage comprised 13 gastropod species and 6 bivalve species, with Gastropoda as the dominant group. Distribution records indicated that Jabalpur and Mandla districts had comparatively higher representation of freshwater mollusc species than the other surveyed districts. Filopaludina bengalensis and Melanoides tuberculata were among the most frequently recorded species, whereas Gyraulus convexiusculus and Physella acuta had restricted occurrences. The study also documents the occurrence of the invasive snail Physella acuta in the Jabalpur region. This inventory provides an updated taxonomic account of freshwater molluscs from the Jabalpur division and contributes baseline information for future regional biodiversity studies.