Benthos off Cochin, Southwest coast of India

Abstract

Macro-invertebrate benthic fauna off Cochin mainly composed of polychaeta (82.45%), crustacea (7.62%), mollusca (5.92%), sipuncula (2.25%), nemertinea (0.96%) and echinodermata (0.80%). The maximum population density and biomass values were 304 plus or minus 25 m-2 and 2.37 plus or minus 0.32 g.m.-2 respectively. The fauna were relatively rich in medium size particles than the finer particles. The population density and biomass decreased with increase in depth. It seems that depth, sediment characteristics, dissolved oxygen and availability of food are important factors in the distribution and abundance of sediment dwelling macro-fauna in the sub-littoral region off Cochin