Diversity and Distribution of Sea Grass Associated Macrofauna in Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, Southern India

The diversity, distribution, occurrence and abundance of sea grass associated macrofauna were studied in the Mandapam group of Islands of the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve (GOMBR) during January to April 2012. A total of 150 species of macrofauna under the five groups Cnidaria, Crustacea, Mollusca, Echinodermata and Pisces were encountered. Of these, Mollusca and Pisces were predominantly found in the sea grass ecosystem of the Gulf of Mannar. The diversity of fishes was high in all islands during the study period. In general, the diversity, abundance and species richness were high in Manoli and Manoliputti Islands of GOMBR.