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Indian Journal of Geo-Marine Sciences (IJMS) >
IJMS Vol.30 [2001] >
IJMS Vol.30(4) [December 2001] >
| Title: | Population fluctuation and vertical distribution of meiofauna in a tropical mudflat at Mandovi estuary, west coast of India |
| Authors: | Ansari, Azra
Rivonkar, C U
Sangodkar, U M X |
| Issue Date: | Dec-2001 |
| Publisher: | CSIR |
| Abstract: | A study was conducted to observe the meiofaunal community structure and its temporal and spatial fluctuation and a profile of vertical distribution of a mudflat in relation to sediment temperature, grain size, organic carbon and sedimentary chlorophyll a. The sampling was carried out for three seasons viz. Pre-monsoon (summer), monsoon and post-monsoon. The faunal density (no/10 cm2) ranged between 945-2063/10 cm2 and 704-1549/10 cm2 at stations 1 and 2 respectively. The fauna was dominated by nematodes, turbellarians and harpacticoid copepods. The fauna fluctuated seasonally. A vertical zonation in the distribution of fauna was significantly correlated with interstitial water, chlorophyll a and sediment organic carbon. It is suggested that meiofauna in mudflats serve as food for the higher trophic levels. |
| Page(s): | 237-245 |
| ISSN: | 0975-1033 (Online); 0379-5136 (Print) |
| Source: | IJMS Vol.30(4) [December 2001]
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