| 1 | Macrobenthos in the mangrove ecosystem of Cochin backwaters, Kerala (southwest coast of India) Structure, composition and seasonal distribution of macrobenthic fauna in the intertidal areas of the mangrove ecosystem of Cochin backwaters were studied. Benthic fauna was mainly represented by Polychaeta, Crustacea and Mollusca. Faunal diversity was higher at st. 1 near Cochin barmouth than at interior 2 stations. Species diversity and richness varied from 0.52 to 3.03 and 0.38 to 4.50, respectively. Evenness varied from 0.43 to 1.03. Maximum macrofaunal density and dry weight recorded were 8970 m-2 and 57.86 g.m-2 respectively. Polychaetes constituted the bulk of fauna in the 3 stations studied. Significant similarity and strong association were noticed among macrobenthos. Detritivorous benthos were found to be common at all stations and well adapted to mangrove habitat Source: Sunilkumar, R. Indian J. Mar. Sci.. 24(2); 1995; 56-61. 0910. | ||
| 2 | Vertical distribution and abundance of sediment dwelling macro-invertebrates in an estuarine mangrove biotope - southwest coast of India Depth wise distribution of macro-invertebrates in sediments of intertidal areas of Cochin mangroves were studied. The fauna mainly composed of polychaetes, crustaceans and molluscs. At all tidal levels the macro-fauna tended to be concentrated at the top 0-5 layer substratum (65%) and they substantially decreased towards deeper levels. The polychaete, Marphysa gravelyi was abundant below 10 cm depth. The aggregation and coexistence of organisms were perceptible in the apex (0-5 cm) soil. Stability of the community structure of infauna was far pronounced in the surface layer zone than the deeper. Anoxic condition of the deep soil and the availability of food in the atop soil determines the vertical distribution of the fauna Source: Kumar, R.S. Indian J. Mar. Sci.. 26(1); 1997; 26-30. 0996.
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