Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

The phytal fauna of Sargassum off Visakhapatnam Coast

Volume 16 Issue 3

A. L. N. Sarma

Abstract

In the foreshore region of Visakhapatnam Coast, the phytal animals of Sargassum (S. turneri ?) were studied during the period January, 1967 to December, 1968. The standing crop of the alga ranged between 1.80 and 4.60 kg/m» of rock surface. The maximum growth was observed during November in both the years and minimum in March-May period. The total non-sessile faunal density ranged from 894.2 to 2225.S.0/100 g of alga with the maximum numbers in February-March period and the minima in January, 1967 and November, 1968. The fauna of Sargassum Was not dominated by any single group throughout the year. The maximum total faunal density occurred when the algal thalli were declining and degenerating and the ambient hydrographical conditions (like salinity and temperature) were steady. Bivalves, gastropods and halacarines were abundant when the alga was prolific and while withering, foraminiferans, nematodes, polychaetes, chironomids, copepods and amphipods were high in numbers. The phytal faunal density of the present area compares favourably with those from other areas.

Date : 31-12-1974