Benthic fauna of Kakinada bay and backwaters, east coast of India

Abstract

Quantitative distribution of macro and meiofauna from Kakinada Bay and backwaters was studied. Total macrofauna abundance (no.m/2) ranged from 67 to 116 and 94 to 186 in the backwaters and near-shore environment respectively. Polychaetes and crustaceans constituted the bulk of macrofauna in the backwaters while polychaetes and molluscs in the near-shore bottom deposits. Meiofaunal density (no. 10 cm/2) ranged from 346 to 603 and 674 to 1099 in the backwaters and near-shore region respectively. Nematodes, polychaetes, foraminifera and turbellarians were the major groups constituting the bulk of meiofauna, both in the backwaters and near-shore region. Macrofaunal diversity was higher in the near-shore region. Impoverishment of fauna in the backwaters was related to lowering in salinity and poor oxygenation.