DIVERSITY AND SEASONAL VARIATION OF CRUSTACEANS IN TRAWLING GROUND OFF MANGALURU COAST OF KARNATAKA

Present study was done to assess the crustacean's assemblage in multiday trawls during August 2016 to April 2017 at Mangaluru fishing harbour, Southwest coast of India. Studies regarding the identification, comparison of the species along with their seasonal variation were carried out. A total of 26 species belonging to 2 orders, 7 families and 16 genera were recorded from 16 sampling multiday trawls. Family wise Penaeidae (Fenneropenaeus indicus) was found to be dominant followed by Portunidae (Portunus pelagicus), Palinuridae (Panulirus versicolor), Squillidae (Oratosquilla nepa), Solenoceridae (Solenocera choprai), Calappidae (Calappa lophos) and Lysiosquillidae (Lysiosquillina maculate). Based on diversity indices the maximum values were recorded during the Post-monsoon and Pre-monsoon seasons and minimum during the monsoon season.