Macrobenthic assemblage in the soft sediment of Marmugao Harbour, Goa (central west coast of India)

Abstract

Survey of the macroinvertebrate fauna in soft sediment of 18 stations in the Marmugao Harbour revealed spatial heterogeneity based on environmental parameters and benthic assemblage. Based on the presence/absence of the families five associations were identified. The communities were not discrete and there was some overlap in the occurrence of the families. Influence of anthropogenic disturbances and environmental factors such as sediment type and availability of food were responsible for spatial heterogeneity