Ecology of ascidians in the macrofouling community of New Mangalore Port

Abstract

Ascidians constitute a major component of macrofouling community at the New Mangalore Port during the premonsoon season (February-May). The presence of ascidians in these waters is being reported for the first time. Ascidian recruitment was not observed during monsoon season (June-September). At this locality salinity does not drop substantially during monsoon months and hence the absence of ascidians during monsoon cannot be attributed to salinity stress. The only striking change in the environmental parameters during monsoon months was the increased suspended load (turbidity) and this may be one of the controlling factors in the recruitment of ascidians in this area