Biodiversity assessment of crabs, gastropods and bivalves in Chinnapalam creek, of the southeast coast of India

Abstract

Biodiversity assessment of crabs, gastropods and bivalves in the Chinnapalam creek of Southeast coast of India was carried out between February 2012 and April 2012. The species present on the substratum were recorded by 5m2 quadrant subdivided by 1m2 quadrants. Crab burrow density was recorded by using 1m2 quadrant randomly. There are about three crab species (belonging to the family Ocypodidae, Portunidae and Varunidae), five species of gastropod (belonging to the family Ellobiidae, Muricidae and Potamididae) and six species of bivalves (belonging to the family Trochidae, Veneridae and Mactridae) were recorded. Different numbers of burrow density were measured; fiddler crab (Uca) is one of the most conspicuous burrowing organisms found maximum number (48) in mouth region. Soil parameters like pH, nitrogen content, phosphorus, potassium and organic carbon content of Chinnapalam creek was also recorded.