Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Diversity of meiobenthic polychaetes along the Tamil Nadu coast, India

Volume 68 Issue 1

Sasmita Swain, R. Raguna and P. Murugesan

doi:10.6024/jmbai.2026.68.1.2644-11

Abstract

This study investigates the spatial and temporal variations of meiobenthic polychaete assemblages along the Tamil Nadu coast from April 2021 to November 2024. Benthic sampling at eight transects, each with near-shore and offshore stations with two replicate samples, revealed that Spionidae, especially Prionospio polybranchiata, dominated the community. Nearshore sites exhibited significantly higher diversity compared to offshore locations, correlating with environmental factors such as total organic carbon (TOC), sediment silt content, and dissolved oxygen. Of the total transects, Mahabalipuram stations displayed a unique community composition, characterised by the absence of Spionidae and presence of Syllidae and Sigalionidae, reflecting localised habitat heterogeneity linked to sediment characteristics and low TOC. Overall, the findings highlight the critical role of organic matter and sediment texture in shaping meiobenthic polychaete distribution and thereby emphasise the ecological significance of these taxa in coastal ecosystems. The study underscores the importance of integrated long-term monitoring to distinguish and
also to ascertain the inter-annual variability from anthropogenic impacts along this dynamic coastline.

Keywords

Meiobenthic polychaetes, Spionidae, Prionospio polybranchiata, spatial variation, temporal variation, total organic carbon

Date : 27-05-2026