Seasonal variation of benthic fauna in marine zone of Coleroon estuary and inshore waters, south east coast of India

Abstract

The occurrence and abundance of benthic fauna in the marine zone of Coleroon estuary (st 1) and inshore waters (st 2) have been studied for a year. The maximum density of fauna were recorded at st 1 and st 2 during premonsoon and summer respectively. In both stations polychaetes were the dominant taxa and followed by crustacea. In st 2, the population density was lower (1325.m-2) than st 1 (2788.m-2). The nature of the bottom sediment and organic carbon in st 1 were favourable for higher density of fauna.