Author/Authors :
Deepa، S. نويسنده , , Sathish، T. نويسنده Andaman and Nicobar Centre for Ocean Science and Technology, Earth System Science Organisation (ESSO)-National Institute of Ocean Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, Port Blair 744103, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India , , Vinithkumar، N. V. نويسنده Andaman and Nicobar Centre for Ocean Science and Technology, Earth System Science Organisation (ESSO)-National Institute of Ocean Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, Port Blair 744103, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India , , Limna Mol، V. P. نويسنده ESSO-National Institute of Ocean Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, Pallikaranai, Chennai 600100, Tamil Nadu, India , , Kirubagaran، R. نويسنده ESSO-National Institute of Ocean Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, Pallikaranai, Chennai 600100, Tamil Nadu, India ,
Abstract :
Flora and fauna of rocky coastal habitats are versatile in adapting to the prevalent tidal fluctuations.
The current study was undertaken to evaluate the diversity of fouling and associated species around the
Port Blair coastal areas of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Except TSS, the hydrographical parameters (temperature,
salinity, pH and dissolved oxygen) did not significantly vary among the 5 selected stations. Fifty one
species of macrofoulers were recorded belonging to macroalgae (8 species), porifera (1 species), cnidaria (9
species), bryozoa (3 species), polychaete (5 species), crustacea (6 species), mollusca (15 species), echinoderm
(2 species), and tunicate (2 species). The species Balanus amphitrite, Tetraclita squamosa and Saccostrea
cuccullata were dominant in all the stations. The maximum macrofoulers density was observed at Chatham (95
± 0.81 individuals/m2) and the minimum (30 ± 4.49 individuals/m2) at Minnie Bay. Cluster analysis and principal
component analysis indicated that arthropds and molluscs are predominant in the fouling community.
