Tigers of Riverbanks: Ecological Patterns of Riparian Tiger Beetles along the Habitat Gradient in a Tropical Alluvial Plain

Although insects in general and tiger beetles in particular make up a large part of the river's biodiversity, their diversity and ecology are poorly understood from the Ramganga River. Diversity and habitat preferences of riparian tiger beetles in the alluvial plains of the Ramganga River was surveyed. Total 17 tiger beetle species from eight genera in the area. Among these two species originating exclusively from muddy habitat, seven species originating exclusively from sandy habitat, and eight species originating from multiple habitats such as grasslands, gravel and rocks, and shrubs. Similarity test (Anosim) and permutational multivariate analysis of variance (Permanova), indicated significant differences between tiger beetle communities in different habitats. By analysing the indicator value index, two species can be used as an indicator for gravel and rock habitats, three species as an indicator for muddy habitat, ten species as an indicator for sandy habitat, and one species as an indicator for shrub habitat. Market basket analysis using the apriori algorithm, showed two species were positively associated with muddy habitat and seven species were positively associated with sandy habitat.