Environmental influence on the Meretrix casta and Anadara granosa biomass and population density in the Muthupet and Adhirampattinam coast of South India

M. Ramasamy; T. Anandaraj; U. Balasubramanian

Volume : III, Issue : VI, June - 2014

Environmental influence on the Meretrix casta and Anadara granosa biomass and population density in the Muthupet and Adhirampattinam coast of South India

M. Ramasamy, T. Anandaraj, U. Balasubramanian

Abstract :

The marine mollucs Meretrix casta and Anadara granosa were edible bivalve that burrows into bottom sediment to protect itself from environmental fluctuations and predation. This study examined the relationship between clam population and abiotic environmental condition in order to develop an understanding of the biological and ecological process that could be used to improve their management and exploitation. This study was conducted in Muthupet and Adirampattinam coasts during Jan.2011 to Dec.2011. The results showed that salinity and total suspended solids were the water quality parameters closely related to population density of bivalves. The combination of those variables gave the strongest correlation to bivalve densities (F = 153.670) and available biomass (F = 51.711) between stations.