Intertidal distribution of zooxanthellate zoanthids (Cnidaria: hexacorallia) along the coastal Saurashtra, Gujarat, India
Trivedi, J.N.; Vachhrajani, K.D. (2014). Intertidal distribution of zooxanthellate zoanthids (Cnidaria: hexacorallia) along the coastal Saurashtra, Gujarat, India. European J. Zool. Res. 3(1): 1-8
In: European Journal of Zoological Research. Scholars Research Library: India. ISSN 2278-7356, more
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Abiotic factors, Gujarat, Intertidal distribution, Saurashtra coast, Zoanthid biodiversity |
| Authors | | Top |
- Trivedi, J.N.
- Vachhrajani, K.D.
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| Abstract |
Distribution of zooxanthellate zoanthids Palythoa mutuki, Palythoa tuberculosa and Zoanthus sp. was studied on rocky Intertidal areas at Vearval, Sutrapada, Dhamlej and at Kodinar along the coastal Saurashtra, Gujarat, India. The Intertidal area was divided into four zones based on extent of exposure. Distribution and population quantification were studied using belt transects and quadrates. All the species exhibited habitat preference and were confined to large tide pools of mid - lower intertidal area. Palythoa mutuki and Zoanthus sp. were dominant in zones 3 and 4, respectively at Sutrapada, Dhamlej, and Kodinar while Palythoa tuberculosa was absent at Veraval. Ecological attributes like abundance, density and frequency of occurrence of species exhibited significant spatiotemporal variations. Seasonal variability of sea water parameters was correlated with ecological attributes of species; where pH showed significant correlation with mean seasonal abundance of P. mutuki (R2= 0.79, p<0.01) and P. tuberculosa (R2= 0.64, p<0.01) at different study sites. |
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