DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTION OF CRUSTACEAN FAUNA IN MANGROVE ECOSYSTEM OF KALI ESTUARY, KARWAR, WEST COAST OF INDIA

Abstract

The present study was carried out in the mangrove ecosystem of Kali estuary. Samples were collected from the three fixed stations for the period of thirteen months from January 2020 to January 2021 at regular monthly interval to study the diversity, distribution, the abundance & relative ratio of crustacean.  In the present study Crustacean group comprised by two major groups prawns (penaeid) and crabs (portunidae). During the study period, crustacean showed marked variation in their density at all study stations.  Among the three study stations, maximum crustacean population was recorded at Sunkeri  (stn 2) whereas minimum density was seen at Mavinhole creek (stn 1) and Kinnar (stn 3) respectively.  Among the three seasons, the maximum crustacean population was recorded during the post monsoon season (610.8/10m²) and minimum during the south west monsoon season (142/10m²) respectively.