L - Cochin University of Science and Technology
L - Cochin University of Science and Technology
L - Cochin University of Science and Technology
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changes in the hydrographical <strong>and</strong> textural features. Harkantra <strong>and</strong> Parulekar (1981)<br />
also reported distinct seasonal changes in the benthos in the shallow depths <strong>of</strong>f Goa.<br />
Present study showed an average meiobenthic biomass <strong>of</strong> 0.99 mg/lO cm2<br />
during post-monsoon <strong>and</strong> 4.77 mg/IOcm2 during pre-monsoon which is within the<br />
range <strong>of</strong> the earlier reports from the coastal waters <strong>of</strong> India (Damodaran, 1973;<br />
Parulekar et al., 1976; Rodrigues et al., 1982). Sajan (2003) studied the meiobenthos<br />
<strong>of</strong> west coast <strong>of</strong> India <strong>and</strong> reported a biomass <strong>of</strong> 1.27 mg/l0cm 2 in the northwest<br />
coast, which is more or less similar to the post-m on soon biomass value obtained in<br />
the present study. Average meiobenthic density in the present study was 169/IOcm 2<br />
during post-monsoon <strong>and</strong> 88611 Ocm 2 during pre-monsoon. Ansari et al., (1980)<br />
reported a density <strong>of</strong> 250-2925110cm 2 , which is higher than the present report. Sajan<br />
(2003) reported a density <strong>of</strong> 225/lOcm2 in the northwest coast <strong>of</strong> India which is<br />
closely similar to density <strong>of</strong> the post-m on soon season.<br />
Present study revealed high meiobenthic biomass <strong>and</strong> density in the shallow<br />
depths <strong>of</strong> all transects during post monsson season <strong>and</strong> at a few transects (<strong>of</strong>T<br />
Monnugao <strong>and</strong> Mumbai) during pre-monsoon season. High occurrence <strong>of</strong> mei<strong>of</strong>auna<br />
in the shallow depths was in agreement with earlier reports (Parulekar et al., 1976;<br />
Ansari et ai., 1980;Rodrigues et al., 1982; Ansari <strong>and</strong> Parulekar, 1998; Sajan, 2003).<br />
Rodrigues et al., (1982) attributed the high meiobenthic biomass in the near shore<br />
region to the enrichment <strong>of</strong> coastal waters due to riverine flow <strong>and</strong> l<strong>and</strong> run<strong>of</strong>(<br />
Fluctuations in the mei<strong>of</strong>aunal density <strong>and</strong> biomass at some stations may probably be<br />
as a result <strong>of</strong> graizing by macro fauna, or presumably because <strong>of</strong> the predator-prey<br />
relationship existing among meiobenthos itself (Mare, 1942).<br />
Present study showed that among meiobenthos, nematodes contributed more<br />
to the total biomass <strong>and</strong> population density. Mc Intyre (1969) suggested that<br />
nematodes were generally the dominant taxon in marine mei<strong>of</strong>auna. Parulekar et al.,<br />
(1976) found that biomass was mainly represented by nematodes <strong>and</strong> density by<br />
foraminifers <strong>and</strong> nematodes. Ansari er al., (1980) reported dominance <strong>of</strong> nematodes<br />
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