Paradip: In a first of its kind, a team from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) conducted a survey in the Mahanadi River mouth here and collected three different species of aquatic bugs, a report said Sunday.
The team which is conducting the survey has examined the sea waters in Kaudia River adjoining Mahanadi mouth for a long time and collected aquatic bugs of Gerridae family in the saline water inside the mangroves on the riverbank.
These insects which are commonly known as water striders are vital for marine bio-diversity as their survival is essential for prey and predator base. The team is also conducting surveys on the feasibility of maximum number of large buildings, industries and mega projects which could be built in the coastal region.
This was stated here by the team’s senior scientist Dr Swetapadma Dash. The team members, after collecting the insects, have stored them in glass jars for further examination.
The water strider has an appearance similar to that of mosquitoes. It takes birth from the foam which is created after saline water overflows small shrubs, plants and grass on the river mouth. These bugs in the sea water serve as food for the birds flying over the sea.
These insects are of light red in colour and survive on the marine fungus. The endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles visiting the Odisha coast feed on these insects.
The team before visiting Paradip conducted a similar survey in Dhamra of Bhadrak district. It is due to visit Astaranga, Gopalpur and Chilika.
The river mouth survey began in March and it is said to be the first of its kind in the country. The project has been named All India Coordinated Project on Capacity Building where science students in India participate and examine the water in the river mouth on the east coast.
PNN