Abstract
The distribution and abundance of subtidal meiofauna in Mandovi estuary of Goa were studied from June 1983 to June 1984. Monthly faunal abundance ranged from 491 to 2791/10 cm2 and dry weight biomass from 0.16 to 2.80 mg 10 cm2. Free living nematodes were the dominant group contributing over 75% of the total density and 30 to 42% of the total biomass. Among nematodes the deposit feeders were more abundant in fine muddy substratum while epigrowth feeders dominated in sandy substratum.
Harpacticoids were next, comprising 6.9 to 8.7% of the total meiofauna number, followed by turbellaria (3.8–4.5%), polychaeta (2.8–3.2%) and ostracods (1.6–4.5%) The contribution of other groups to faunal density was 4.5–6.2%. In the biomass the ostracods contributed most (29.8–54.7%), followed by nematodes (23.8–34.6%). Over 60% of the fauna occurred in the top 2 cm of the sediment and the faunal density reduced significantly with increasing depth in the sediment. The vertical distribution of meiofauna was positively correlated to the vertical distribution of Eh, chlorophyll a and interstitial water. Seasonality was greatly influenced by the south-west monsoon and the fauna quickly repopulated after the monsoon. Salinity, temperature and food influenced the faunal abundance.
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Ansari, Z.A., Parulekar, A.H. Distribution, abundance and ecology of the meiofauna in a tropical estuary along the west coast of India. Hydrobiologia 262, 115–126 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00007512
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00007512