Murugan Shanthakumar and Vidya Padmakumar

Freshwater habitats are home to a variety of benthic macroinvertebrates, which are small animals that inhabit the sediments or the surface of the substrates. These organisms have significant roles in the structure and function of freshwater ecosystems, as they contribute to energy flow, nutrient cycling, food web dynamics, and ecosystem services. India is a country with a high diversity of freshwater ecosystems, such as mangroves, estuaries, rivers, and lakes, that harbor a rich and varied benthic fauna. However, these ecosystems are under increasing pressure from human-induced disturbances, such as pollution, habitat degradation, overexploitation, climate change, and invasive species. This review provides an overview of the current state of knowledge on the distribution, diversity, ecology, and conservation of benthic macroinvertebrates in the freshwater ecosystems of India. It also identifies the knowledge gaps and research needs for future studies. This review aims to raise awareness and interest in this overlooked but vital group of freshwater biodiversity in India.

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