Habitat Heterogeneity and Spatio-Temporal Distribution of Macrobenthos in in a Tropical Estuarine Mangrove Ecosystem

Jump To References Section

Authors

  • D. M.'s College and Research Centre, Assagao, Mapusa – 403507, Goa ,IN

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18311/jeoh/2018/21374

Keywords:

Abundance, Distribution, Environmental Parameters, Macrobenthos, Mangroves.

Abstract

This paper deals with spatio-temporal distribution of macrobenthos and their relationship with physico-chemical environment and sediment properties in estuarine mangrove ecosystem of Chorao, Goa. The complex mangrove habitats provide nutrient and play vital role in the establishment of healthy mangrove fauna. The mangrove of Chorao is inhabited by 14 species of mangrove and associated flora in different substrata. The macrofaunal density in the four study stations varied significantly. Total numerical count was 7960 at C1, 3300 at C2, 6705 at C3 and 7075 at C4. The wet weight biomass was 27.18 at C1, 17. 62 at C2, 15.85 at C3 and 24.30 at C4. There was strong seasonality in the occurrence of fauna in the study area. The average macrofaunaltaxa was dominated by polychaeta (55%), crustacea (26%) and mollusca (14%). The other groups like nematode, echiurida and nemertenea was insignificant. The epibenthic feeding forms of polychaetes and scavengers/browsers of crustacean were more common in the sandy substratum, while deposit feeders were common in muddy substratum at Chorao mangrove. The result of the present study suggests that mangrove ecosystem with different substrata and physico-chemical parameters supports varied fauna and had different effect on the benthic community.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

Downloads

Published

2019-01-30

How to Cite

Parvez Al Usmani, S. M. (2019). Habitat Heterogeneity and Spatio-Temporal Distribution of Macrobenthos in in a Tropical Estuarine Mangrove Ecosystem. Journal of Ecophysiology and Occupational Health, 18(3-4), 80–85. https://doi.org/10.18311/jeoh/2018/21374
Received 2018-05-29
Accepted 2019-01-30
Published 2019-01-30

 

References

Alongi DM, Christoffersen P. Benthic infauna and organismsediment relations in a shallow, tropical coastal area: Influence of out welled mangrove detritus and physical disturbance. Mar Eco Prog Ser. 1992; 81:229–45. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps081229

Ansari, ZA, Ingole BS, Banerjee G, Parulekar AH. Spatial and temporal changes in benthic macrofauna from Mandovi and Zuari estuaries, west coast of India. Indian J Mar Sci. 1986; 15:223–9.

APHA. Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater 20th Ed. Washington, DC: APHA; 1998.

Bandekar PD, Naik UG, Hara SB. Diversity status of benthic macro polychaetes species in estuarine region of Karwar, West Coast of India. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies. 2017; 5(1):216–9.

Bhat UG, Studies on Benthos of Kali estuary, Karwar. [Ph.D.Thesis]. Marine Biol, Karnatak University. 1984.

Borges SD, Shanbhag AB. Additions to the avifauna of Goa, India. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society. 2007; 104(1):98–101.

Chong VC, Sasekumar A, Leh MUC, Cruz RD. The fish and prawn communities of a Malaysian coastal mangrove system with comparisons to adjacent mud flats and inshore waters. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. 1990; 31:703–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/0272-7714(90)90021-I

El Wakeel SK, Riley JP. The determination of organic carbon in marine muds. J Cons Perm Int Explo Mer. 1956; 22:180–3. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/22.2.180

Folk RL. Petrology of sedimentary rock. Hemphills Ausdty in Texas. 1968. 170.

Jagtap TG, Chavan V, Untawale AG. Mangrove ecosystems of lndia: A need for protection. Ambio. 1993; 22(4):252–4.

Jagtap TG. Ecological studies in relation to the mangrove environment along the Goa Coast, India. [Ph. D. Thesis]. Shivaji University, Kolhapur. 1985.

Jagtap TG. Seasonal distribution of organic matter in mangrove environment of Goa. Indian Journal of Marine Sciences. 1987; 16:103–6.

Kathiresan K. A review of studies on Pichavaram mangrove, southeast India. Hydrobiol. 2000; 430:185–205. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1004085417093

Kathiresan K, Bingham BL. Biology of mangroves and mangrove ecosystems. Advances in Marine Biology. 2001; 40:81–251. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2881(01)40003-4

Khan AS, Murugesan P. Polychaete diversity in Indian estuaries. Indian J Mar Sci. 2005; 34(1):114–9.

Kumar RS. Distribution of organic carbon in the sediments of Cochin mangroves, south west coast of India. Indian J Mar Sci. 1996; 25:56–61.

Kumar RS. A review of biodiversity studies of soil dwelling organisms in Indian mangroves. Zoos Print. 2000; 15(13):221–7. https://doi.org/10.11609/JoTT.ZPJ.15.3.221-7

KUMAR RS. Macrobenthos in the mangrove ecosystem of Cochin backwaters, Kerala (Southwest coast of India). Indian J Mar Sci. 1996; 24:56–61.

Kumar RS. Intertidal zonation and seasonality of benthos in a tropical mangrove. Int J Ecol Environ Sci.2001; 2:199– 208.

Kumar RS. Vertical distribution and abundance of sediment dwelling macro invertebrates in an estuarine mangrove biotope, southwest coast of India. Indian J Mar Sci.1997; 26:26–30.

Kumar PS, Khan AB. The distribution and diversity of benthic macroinvertebrate fauna in Pondicherry mangroves, India. Aquatic Biosystem. 2013; 9:1–15. https://doi.org/10.1186/20469063-9-15 PMid:23937801 PMCid:PMC3751066

Onuf CP, Teal JM, Valiela L. Interactions of nutrients, plant growth and herbivory in a mangrove ecosystem. Ecology. 1997; 58:514–26. https://doi.org/10.2307/1939001

Parulekar A. Benthic fauna of mangrove environment. Conservation of Mangrove Forest Genetic Resources: A training manual. Sanjay VD, Balaji V, eds. CRSARD; Chennai, 128. 1994.

Patra KC, Bhunia AB, Mitra A. Ecology of macrobenthos in a tidal creek and adjoining mangroves in West Bengal, India. Environ Ecol. 1990; 118:539–47.

Saravanan KR, Ilangovan K, Khan AB. Floristic and macro faunal diversity of Pondicherry mangroves, South India. TroEco. 2008; 49(1):91–4.

Samidurai K, Saravanakumar A, Kathiresan K. Spatial and temporal distribution of macrobenthos in different mangrove ecosystems of Tamil Nadu Coast, India. EnviroMoni Asses. 2012; 184(7):4079–96. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-011-2245-x PMid:21833734

Thilagavathi B, Varadharajan D, Babu A, Manoharan J, Vijayalakshmi S, Balasubramanian T. Distribution and diversity of macrobenthos in different mangrove ecosystems of Tamil Nadu Coast, India. J Aquaculture Research Development. 2013; 4:6–12.