Seasonal Variability of Biofouling Community Structure in the Gulf of Mannar,Southeast Coast of India:A Multivariate Approach

In this research,an Underwater Biofouling Panel(UWBFP)system was erected for the qualitative and quantitative estimation of macro fouling organisms in the Gulf of Mannar.Forty-four biofoulers were identified from four types of selected test panels.Among these biofoulers,Amphibalanus amphitrite(Darwin,1854)was the dominant one.The concrete panel encouraged the highest barnacle density compared to the other panels.Three series of test panels were used to assess the seasonal density of biofouling communities.The overall variation in barnacle count in the seaward and shoreward sides of all these three series were tested.They were found to be significantly different from each other.The greater variations in the barnacle density observed in this study in A-series of test panels could be due to the lack of or absence of other foulers to compete within the fortnight.The Shannon-Wiener species diversity index showed the highest diversity in wood substratum among the three series with greater accumulation of different types of fouling organisms.Multivariate analyses were also performed to understand the seasonal variation as well as the settlement pattern on the different directions of test panels based on validated data.PCA showed a strong variability(PC1 between 70.8%and 98.6%variance)between the directions of the panels in connection with barnacle density.The shade plot and CAP analysis segregated the short-term A-series test panels from the long-term(B-and C-series)test panels.Hence,the output was helpful in understanding the recruitment status of various faunal resources involved in the biofouling processes.

Trend in Coral-Algal Phase Shift in the Mandapam Group of Islands, Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve, India

The present study revealed proliferation of macro-algae modifying coral reef ecosystems in a different manner due to diseases and sedimentations in the Mandapam group of islands in the Gulf of Mannar. Benthic surveys were conducted with major attack of seven coral reefs diseases with high sedimentation rate, nine species of fleshy macro-algae(Turbinaria ornata, Turbinaria conaides, Caulerpa scalpelliformis, Caulerpa racemosa, Kappaphycus alvarezii, Padina gymnosphora, Sargassum wightii, Ulva reticulata and Calurpa lentillifera) proliferation against major corals life forms(Acropora branching, Acropora digitate, Acropora tabulate, coral massive, coral submassive, coral foliose and coral encrusting). The results confirm that diseased corals most favor to macro-algae growth(15.27%) rather than the sedimentation covered corals(8.24 %). In the degradation of coral life forms, massive corals were more highly damaged(7.05%) than any other forms. Within a short period of time(May to September), coral coverage shrank to 17.4% from 21.9%, macro-algae increased 23.51% and the average sedimentation rate attained 77.52 mg cm^(-2) d^(-1) with persisting coral reef diseases of 17.59%. The Pearson correlation showed that the coral cover decreased with increasing macro-algae growth, which was statistically significant(r =-0.774, n = 100, P < 0.0005). The proliferation of the various macro-algae C. scalpellifrmis, T. ornata, C. racemosa, T. conaides, U. reticulata, S. wightii, K. alvarezii, P. gymnosphora and C. lentillifera increased with percentages of 6.0, 5.8, 5.7, 4.9, 4.2, 3.7, 2.7 and 1.9, respectively. If this trend continues, the next generation of new recruit corals will undoubtedly lead to a phase shift in Gulf of Mannar corals.

Exhibition of Bleaching Resistance Via Adaptive Bleaching Pattern by Coral Reefs of the Gulf of Mannar during Massive Bleaching Event 2019

Coral reefs in the Gulf of Mannar(GoM)and Palk Bay regions are facing potential threats from climate change,sedimentation and anthropogenic activities.Considerably,coral reefs in these two regions are highly damaged due to frequent bleaching events caused by increased sea surface temperature(SST)recorded over the past two decades.Recently,during February to May 2019,mass bleaching event of corals was documented again in GoM and Palk Bay regions due to increased sea surface temperatures ranged between 32°C to 36°C.Despite of completely bleached corals,some coral colonies of the same bleached coral species have displayed adaptive bleaching pattern(ABP)for survival.This incidence is displayed by the symbiotic zooxanthellae to protect coral polyps from environmental stress such as elevated temperatures.These observations infer that coral colonies with preferential bleaching pattern ability would serve as environmental stress resisting coral colonies which can be used for restoration activities and cryopreservation.Further studies are needed to explain the potential mechanisms or specific environmental drivers responsible for ABP.

Comparative studies on biochemical analysis of some economically important marine gastropods along Gulf of Mannar region,southeast coast of India

Objective:To signify the economic importance of molluscan-gastropod food by estimating its biochemical composition.Methods:Samples were collected from the trawl net bycatch at the fish landing center of Mandapam coast of the Gulf of Mannar region.The total protein,carbohydrate,lipid,ash and moisture contents were estimated from nine gastropods i.e.Phalium glaucum,Tonna dolium,Hemifusus pugilinus,Babylonia spirata,Xancus pyrum,Chicoreus ramosus,Harpa articularis,Ficus ficus and Babylonia zeylanica.Results:The percentages of protein(41.2%),carbohydrate(17.5%)and lipid(6.6%)contents were found highest in Babylonia spirata,followed by other gastropods.The maximum ash content was observed in Chicoreus ramosus(1.21%)and the maximum moisture content was observed in Phalium glaucum(83.71%).Conclusions:The results show that all the nine gastropods contain good sources of protein and other biochemical constituents and can be used for edible purposes to prevent starvation.