Influence of Environmental Parameters on the Distribution and Diversity of Molluscan Composition in Pondicherry Mangroves, Southeast Coast of India

Abstract

Seasonal variation in the distribution of mollusks in relation to environmental parameters was studied at four mangrove stations on the Pondicherry coast during September 2008-August 2009. A total of 37 species of molluscs were recorded, among them 16 species of bivalves belonging to 7 families and 12 Genera, and 21 species of gastropods belonging to 14 families and 19 Genera, with the Cereithedia cingulata being the dominant group. An increase of species density and diversity in the Post monsoon season was observed, with the highest values for both indexes at stations 1 and 2, and the lowest at stations 3 and 4 fine where the sand assemblage was dominated by a few gastropods. Pollution indicator species Cassidula nucleus, Melampus ceylonicus, Sphaerassiminea minuta were found only in highly polluted regions near stations 3 and 4; they were totally absent in moderately polluted areas near stations 1 and 2. From a stepwise multivariate analysis of the different environmental parameters regarding molluscan density, it was found that in all 10 parameters govern the density variation of benthic mollusks in Pondicherry mangroves and that the organic matter of sediment and sulphide, DO, and salinity were the highly significant ones.