Ecology of marine fouling organisms in Karapad Creek, Tuticorin Bay, southeast coast of India

Abstract

Settlement of marine fouling organisms at Karapad Creek in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, India has been studied for 1 yr by exposing an array of test panels. Composition of the community and major groups of foulers are described. Nature of fouling assemblages over 3 series of test panels is recorded. Barnacles, sponges, bivalves and ascidians are the dominant fouling organisms of the area. Occurrence, relative abundance and periods of peak settlement of the major groups and, intensity of fouling during different months and for varying durations are determined. Interrelationships of different fouling organisms and the impact of environmental factors on fouling are briefly discussed.