Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Survey of Meiofauna in the Gautami-Godavari estuary

Volume 29 Issue 1&2

K. V. Ramana Murty and B. Konadalaro

Abstract

The survey of meiofauna in the Gautami-Godavari Estuary yielded 12 groups of meiobenthic organisms. Nematoda (90.5%) was the most dominant group followed by harpacticoid copepoda (3.7%). Maximum and minimum (2,292 and 267 Nos./lOcm') densities were recorded in the lower and upper reaches of the estuary respectively. Significant positive correlation was observed between salinity and meiofaima density from mouth to head end of the estuary. 27 species of harpacticoid copepods belonging to 11 families and 22 genera were recorded. An attempt has been made to recognize ecologically equivalent meiobenthic harpacticoid copepod species in the estuarine systems.

Date : 31-12-1987