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Distribution of Polychaetes in Manakkudy Backwater, South West Coast of India


 Background: Polychaetes are an important component of the estuarine and mangrove ecosystem especially in fisheries perspective. The polychaete fauna of the Manakkudy estuary barmouth and mangrove was examined for species composition and taxonomic classification. A total of 27 species belonging to 16 genera under 12 families were collected. Results: Of these 27 species, 16 are new records to Manakudy estuary. Out of which, those coming under the group Errantia were dominant (9 species) when compared to Sedentaria group (7 species). Among the 12 families identified, the species diversity of Nereidae and Capitellidae were found to be high. Conclusions: Salinity and nature of substrata, two main factors which govern the distribution of polychaetes, are also given along with species description.