BIODIVERSITY OF MACRO-BENTHIC INFAUNA COMMUNITY IN THE INSHORE WATERS OFF MANGALURU
Loading...
Date
2019
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
KARNATAKA VETERINARY, ANIMAL AND FISHERIES SCIENCES UNIVERSITY, NANDINAGAR, BIDAR-585 401
Abstract
Macrobenthos always play a significant role in the food web of any coastal environment. It also
used as a good aquatic ecosystem health module indicator. The abundance and distributions of
macrobenthos in off Mangalore were conducted in relation to hydrological parameters. The
present study was conducted to know the diversity and seasonal variations of macro-benthic
infauna and associated environmental factors influencing the benthic community in the inshore
waters of southern Indian coast during the period of 8 months from October 2018 to May 2019
at monthly intervals. Four stations were selected along off Mangaluru coast at 4
different depth contours viz., 2 m (St. 1), 4 m (St. 2) 8 m (St. 3) and 12 m (St. 4). Altogether, 64
infaunal samples (Van-veen grab 0.1 m2) were collected which revealed the occurrence of 38
species representing five diverse groups. Polychaetes were the dominant group (50.67%),
followed by Bivalves (31.34%), Gastropods (13.01%), Echinoderms (3.75%) and
Miscellaneous (1.55%). Among polychaetes Capitella Capitata, Paraprionospio pinnata,
Glycera alba, Nepthys spp., Nereis spp. and Cossura coasta were dominant in the coastal
waters have been recorded almost at all the depths of the sampling stations. Among bivalve
species Arca spp., Tellina spp., Cardium spp. and Bivalve spat were found to be dominant.
From this we can conclude that these species acts as indicator or opportunistic species for
monitoring of pollution in coastal environment. The highest density was recorded in May (St. 4)
while the lowest was recorded in January (St. 1). It is observed that the macrobenthic
population increased with increased depth and St. 4 (12m) had highest number of
macrobenthos. Seasonally higher species density, was recorded during pre-monsoon season
compared to post-monsoon month