Ecological studies of Ulva reticulata Forsskal in Chapora bay (Goa)

Abstract

The patchy occurrence of Ulva reticulata Forskal along the west coast of India lead to its ecological studies. The total annual yield of . reticulata calculated for 3800 sq. m. area of the bay amounts to 6.74 tonnes wet weight and 0.932 tonnes dry weight. Anatomical structure and development of lacunae which are typical of this species have been discussed. Benthic fauna in the algal bed showed dominance of edible bivalves Meretrix casta (Cheminitz), Crassostrea gryphoides (Gmelin) and Mytilus viridis Linne. M. casta showed highest population density. Average clam landings of this bay was 6.3 tonnes a year