FISH DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTION OF MANAKUDY MANGROVES, KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT, TAMILNADU SOUTHWEST COAST OF INDIA IN RELATION TO ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABLES

V. RAMAMURTHY; R. L. ABHINAND; R. RAJAKUMAR

Volume : V, Issue : VIII, August - 2016

FISH DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTION OF MANAKUDY MANGROVES, KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT, TAMILNADU SOUTHWEST COAST OF INDIA IN RELATION TO ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABLES

V. Ramamurthy, R. L. Abhinand, R. Rajakumar

Abstract :

This paper deals with the spatial distribution and diversity of fish and their relationships between physico-chemical parameters of the water and soil. Among the different ecosystems of mangrove fish faunal diversity, density and richness were the highest dominance index at Manakudy mangrove community. The similarities among the fish at different water parameters were determined using correlation coefficient. The diversity of fish fauna the total number of 43 species belonging to 23 families have been identified in the waterways at the study area. The presence of species like Lates calcarifer, Mugil cephalus, Etroplus suratensis, Hilsa ilisha and Chanos chanos is an indicator of the productive well being of mangrove ecosystem especially with Mugil cephalus which occurs only in mangrove waters. The species density was high during monsoon and pre-monsoon periods and low during summer and post-monsoon periods. Seasonal variation of environmental variables was observed, with high Air temperature, water temperature, salinity and Biological oxygen demand from summer season, whereas high Dissolved oxygen, nutrients like nitrate and nitrite from monsoon season. Fish species richness (36), density (2.5�0.2) and diversity (0.04�0.01) were recorded higher during monsoon season. In general high fish species diversity was recorded during post monsoon season. Water temperature and salinity were best influencing the fish assemblage of mangroves. The study depicted Manakudy mangrove habitat was endowed with diverse fisheries which were significantly influenced by environmental variables. Thus it is recommended that the habitat to be utilized with proper planning for better conservation and sustainable fishery potential.