Distribution of Polychaete Species in Uppanar Estuary, Southeast Coast of India

Background/Objectives: Macrobenthos are of special interest because of them are sessile or have a limited mobility and thus directly depend on environment conditions. They are showings marked response to environmental changes depending on their specific sensitivity and tolerance level. Among the macrobenthic forms, the polychaetes are dominant group which are important food source for higher trophic levels of most estuarine and near shore environment. Methods/Statistical Analysis: Sediment samples were collected from Uppanar estuary, Cuddalore coast for a period of one year from Jan’ 2011 – Dec’ 2011 to collect and analyze the distribution and diversity of polychaete species during the study period. Findings: The distribution and diversity of polychaete species, the total numbers of 36 species were recorded belonging to 19 families during the study period in this station. The maximum 32 species of polychaetes were recorded in summer and minimum of 23 species were recorded at monsoon. Among them five species of polychaetes (Capitella capitata, Nereis virens, Polydora ciliata, Perinereis cultrifera and Glycera Alba) were dominated in all the seasons. Application/Improvements: They are playing an important role in ecosystem process such as nutrient cycling, pollutant metabolism and dispersion. They are also considering as an important secondary production of among the macrobenthos. Polychaetes are also play a important role of pollution indicator.