The temporal changes in community structure of benthos were assessed using advanced statistical tools in the marine zone of Vellar estuary (11⁰ 29'N lat.; 79⁰ 46'E long.). The data were compared with the one collected three decades before. At present 54 species of macro fauna have been recorded as against 43 of the earlier study. Among the benthic groups, polychaetes were the most abundant in the present study while crustaceans were dominant in the previous study. The diversity values were found comparable to the earlier work. There are changes in the species mix, but the benthic biodiversity is within safe level.

Benthos, temporal changes, community structure, Vellar estuary