Meiofaunal distribution and abundance from the intertidal seagrass patches of Chidiyatapu, Port Blair

Abstract

Study on the meiofaunal distribution and abundance on the leaf blades of three sea grasses viz. <em>Thalassia hemprichii, Halophila ovalis </em> and <em>Halodule uninervis </em> was conducted during December 2012- February 2013. During the study period, total of 15 different meiofaunal taxa were recorded of which <em>Harpacticoida </em> was the most diverse group and comprised of 18 different species followed by <em>Foraminifera </em> with 15 and <em>Polychaeta </em> with 7 species. <em>Halodule</em> <em>uninervis</em> and <em>Thalassia hemprichii</em> leaf blades (6.0±0.2 cm) with flat surface area supported a large no of associated fauna compared to <em>H. ovalis</em> (2.1±0.3 cm)<em>. </em> Low diversity and more equitability in the harpacticoid population in <em>H.ovalis </em> (avg. length) were found compared to that of <em>Thalassia Hempirichii </em> and <em>Halodule uninervis. </em> The species in <em>Thalassia Hempirichii </em> and <em>Halodue uninervis </em> leaf blades formed one cluster and less diverse and more evenly distributed copepod species in <em>Halophila ovalis </em> formed a separate cluster.