Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Temporal and spatial differences in species diversity in the intertidal region of south Mumbai

Volume 50 Issue 1

S. N. Datta, S. K. Chakraborty, A. K. Jaiswar and K. Venkateshvaran

Abstract

A study was carried out to examine the biodiversity and ecological health status of the intertidal region of rocky shores of NCPA (National Centre for Performing Art), Nariman Point, Mumbai. A total of 49 intertidal species was recorded of which Euchelus asper was the most dominant with density of 200/m2 and biomass of 179.4 g/m2 in November. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) revealed that organisms did not vary according to transects though the variation was seen in different months and quadrates. Shannon's diversity index, Simpson?s diversity index, Margalef richness index and Pielou?s index indicated ecological variations in different months. Dendrogram from Bray - Curtis similarity matrix and Non metric Multi - Diamentional Scaling (MDS) indicated maximum similarity and closeness between Nerita oryzarum and Tectarius malaccanus. Abundance/biomass comparison (ABC) curve revealed moderately polluted status of the shore. However, in spite of such condition, this shore still supports a rich intertidal faunal biodiversity that must be conserved.

Keywords

Diversity indices, abundance, molluscs, intertidal, rocky shore, biomass

Date : 25-05-2009