ON THE ECOLOGY AND SPECIES DIVERSITY OF THE FRESHWATER GASTROPODS OF SPRINGS IN ANDIJAN REGION, UZBEKISTAN

Abstract

This study examines the species composition, biodiversity, zoogeography, and ecology of freshwater gastropods of 12 springs in Andijan region of Uzbekistan. The study used generally accepted malacological, faunistic, ecological, analytical, and statistical methods. As a result of research in the springs, 14 species of freshwater gastropods belonging to 2 subclasses, 5 families, and 10 genera were recorded. 7 of them are endemic to Central Asia. When indicators of biodiversity of mollusks were analyzed according to the Shannon index, it was found that the highest value was recorded in the springs besides the hills. According to the biotope of distribution and bioecological features, they were divided into cryophilic, phytophilic, pelophilic, and eurybiontic ecological groups. The mollusks, which are common in the springs, were divided into 3 groups according to their faunal similarity. The contribution of the Central Asian and European-Siberian species to the formation of the malacofauna in the springs of the Andijan region was significant.