Studies on the intertidal macrofauna of the sandy beach at Kavarati atoll (Lakshadweep)

Abstract

The distribution of macrofauna in Kavaratti Atoll is studied in the intertidal region for over a period of 13 months. Several diversity in the faunal composition was not observed. The polychaete Scoloplos sp. and the bivalve Mesodesma glabratum were abundant in the middle zone. The settlement of the crustacean Hippa adactyla is almost throughout the year. Settlement of Mesodesma glabratum was in the premonsoon months, but some occurred in the postmonsoon months also. In the total biomass, polychaetes form a major constituent when compared to the bivalve M. glabratum and H. adactyla which occupy second and third position in the order of abundance. Mean biomass value during premonsoon was comparatively low than in the postmonsoon months. The high values are in accordance with the large number of specimens present in a particular season i.e. during postmonsoon in this context. The total biomass value varied seasonally. Physical and chemical parameters are discussed in relation to the occurrence and abundance of the macrofauna