Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Kerala- an abode of taxonomically challenging permanent meiofauna, Gastrotricha

Volume 54 Issue 2

G. Priyalakshmi and N. R. Menon/doi: 10.6024/jmbai.2012.54.2.01724-10

Abstract

Interstitial faunal survey of the interstices of the sandy beaches of Kerala,India revealed the presence of gastrotrich, an aberrant phyla of invertebrates in large numbers. The paper reports eight species of gastrotrichs,belonging to four macrodasyds and four chaetonotids, the two major orders of the group. Genus Halichaetonotus is reported for the first time from the Indian coast. All the eight species reported here are premier records from the coast of Kerala. Distinct discontinuity in occurrence and abundance was a striking feature of these animals.

Keywords

Kerala, meiofauna, Gastrotricha, abundance.

Date : 01-02-2013