Vertical Distribution of Recent Benthic Ostracoda at Pullivasal and Kurusadai Islands, Gulf of Mannar, Southeast Coast of India

Abstract

Two core samples were collected during April 2017 from the territorial zone of two islands in the Gulf of Mannar; Pullivasal and Kurusadai for a length of about 1.05 and 0.87 m respectively, at a low tide of the day. Calcium carbonates, organic matter, type of substrate were determined at a resolution of 2.5 cm for both cores. A total of thirty-six Recent Benthic Ostracoda species were identified. The species as well as their assemblage were found and compared with the parameters determined. The vertical distribution of species and their diversity, abundant species and the occurrence of cosmopolitan species within the region of study were discussed. The study is based on the environmental parameters that promotes Ostracoda diversities as well as for their abundance, in order to create an information system on the resources of Gulf of Mannar.