A Study On Seasonwise Variation In The Diversity Of Plankton And Benthic Organisms In Great Vedaranyam Swamp, Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary, Southern India

The seasonal variation in the diversity of plankton and benthos were assessed across the period between 2004 and 2006 at Great Vedaranyam Swamp of Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary, Southern India. Plankton were identified in foraging areas of Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber roseus). Totally 38 species of phytoplankton comprising of 28 species of diatoms, 5 species of blue green algae, 3 species of green algae, stoneworts and 1 species of dinoflagelloids were recorded. These phytoplankton belonged to 12 families under 8 orders viz., Nostocales, Oscillatoriales, Chlorellales, Zygnematales, Centrales, Pennales, Dinophysiales and Charales. Totally 27 species of zooplankton were identified. Among them 18 species belonged to class Maxillipoda and 9 species were in class Malacostracea. Totally 28 species of benthic organisms belonged to 5 classes viz., Insecta, Spionida, Malacostra, Ostrocoda and Adenophorea were identified in different habitats during the study period.