Journal of Environmental Biology

A comparative study on intertidal faunal biodiversity of

selected beaches of Mumbai coast

 

S.N. Datta*¹, S.K. Chakraborty¹, A.K. Jaiswar¹ and G. Ziauddin²

 

¹Fisheries Resource Management Division, Central Institute of Fisheries Education

(Deemed University), ICAR, Versova, Andheri (West), Mumbai - 400 061, India

 

²Fishery Science Division, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Central Research

Institute for Jute and Allied Fibres (ICAR), Budbud, Burdwan - 713 403, India

 

(Received: August 11, 2009; Revised received: January 22, 2010; Accepted: February 26, 2010)

 

Abstract: Comparative study has been done to examine the biodiversity and ecological status of the intertidal region of Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Bandstand and National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) rocky beaches in Mumbai, West coast of India. A total of 50 species of intertidal organisms were recorded from these shores. Shannon and Simpson?s diversity index, Margalef?s richness index and Pielou?s evenness index indicated different level of ecological state of the shore in different months. Dendrograms and 2-D non metric MDS ordination from Bray-Curtis similarity matrix of occurrence of intertidal organisms from these sites showed highest similarity and combination pattern of occurrence between Nerita oryzarum and Planaxis sulcatus? in TIFR and Bandstand shore. Nerita oryzarum and Tactarius malaccanus at NCPA shore.? Abundance/ biomass comparison (ABC) method of determining level of disturbance also pointed towards the polluted status of these shores. Study concludes that though these beaches are highly disturbed due to anthropogenic activities, they still support a rich intertidal biodiversity which need immediate attention for protection and conservation.

Key words: ABC curve, Abundance, Dendrogram, Diversity, Intertidal, Molluscs, Non metric-MDS, Rocky shore?

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