Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Polychaetes of Porto Novo waters

Volume 29 Issue 1&2

B. Srikrishnadhas, K. Ramamoorthi and K. Balasubramanyan

Abstract

The Vellar Estuary and nearshore waters of Parangipettai were surveyed for the polychaete fauna during 1973-78. Polychaetes were collected from the plankton, sediments from intertidal region and subtidal region, bivalve and gastropod shells and other hard substrates like stones, cement boulders, wooden piers, boat hulls, oyster beds, floating logs and seaweeds. One hundred and twenty-three species in 94 genera under 44 families have been identified. Their distribution in the neritic waters and in the Vellar Estuary has been studied in relation to salinity and nature of substrate. Depending. on their distribution and salinity preference, they are classified into four groups such as (1) Species which are purely marine, (2) Species which are marine, but enter into the marine and gradient zones of the estuary in high saline conditions, (3) species which are estuarine, but rarely found in the nearshore waters and in areas of high saline waters and (4) Species which are purely estuarine.

Date : 31-12-1987