Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

POLYCHAETES ASSOCIATED WITH THE BROWN ALGA SARGASSUM SP. IN KUDANKULAM WATERS, EAST COAST OF INDIA

S. Satheesh and S.Godwin Wesley

Abstract

Species diversity, density and seasonal abundance of polychaetes associated with Sargassum sp in Kudankulam waters was investigated for a period of one year from May 2003 to April 2004. A total of 13 species belonging to 6 families were recorded. Platynereis tiumerili and Perinereis nigropunetata were the abundant species. Seasonal variation in density and species composition was observed. During the study period the Shannon-Weiner diversity index (H1) ranged from 0.178 to 0.669 and the evenness index (J,) varied between 0.373 and 0.98.