Species Diversity and Distribution Pattern of Terrestrial Snails in Champadevi Hill Forest

Abstract

A total of 628 specimens representing ten families, 16 genera and 26 species were reported from Champadevi hill forests within an altitudinal range of 1400 to 2200m above sea level. Family Ariophantidae was the dominant group among all reported families containing 8 species following Cycloporidae (4), Helicarionidae (4), Diplommatinidae (2), Glessulidae (2), Camaenidae (2), Streptaxidae(1), Plectopylidae(1), Euconulidae(1) and Bradybaenidae(1). Bosan community forest occupied the highest number of species (17) than Champadevi (16) and Baghbhairab (15) Community Forest. The average number of specimens per plot was also highest (14) in Bosan Community Forest following Baghbhairab CF (7) and Champadevi CF (6). Reported land snail species shows that Bensonies sp. A and Macrochlamys subjecta were distributed throughout the altitudinal range from 1400m to 2200m. Many species were range restricted which were only confined to limited altitudinal range. Cryptaustenia ovata was found only at 1400m elevation range while Sinoennea stenopylis and Ganessela sp. were reported above 2200m elevation. The distribution range of Theobaldius phenotopicus was from 1600-2000m. But Alycaeus digitatus and Macrochlamys sp.B were reported about 1700m only, while Rishetia longispira and Plectopylis minor were not found above 1700m.