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- Title
GRAZING INTERACTION BETWEEN SOME SELECTED GASTROPODS AND SEAWEEDS AT ALIBAG AND SRIVARDHAN COAST, MAHARASHTRA.
- Authors
Singh, Veerendra; Deshmukhe, Geetanjali; Khileri, R. A.; Kumawat, Tarachand; Lende, S. R.; Ram, R. K.; Bhatt, A. J.
- Abstract
Grazing interaction between gastropods and seaweeds eventually form a key component of intensified grazing ecosystem in rocky intertidal area. Grazing gastropods suppresses the abundance of canopy forming algal species, thus lead to a reduced algal diversity in the long term. We conducted feeding trials with single and mixed diet during a 28-Days indoor experiment to examine the grazing intensity among green, red and brown algae namely Ulva lactuta, Enteromorpha flexuosa and Sargassum cinerium following a comparative analysis of gut content of both Euchelus sp. and Nerita sp. show the occurrence of semidigested seaweed diet in their gut. About 70% of Euchelus sp. consumes Enteromorpha sp. 40% feeds on Ulva and 20% on Sargassum sp. whereas about 13% Nerita sp. consumes Ulva sp. and Enteromorpha sp. equally during the study period. Maximum numbers of Euchelus sp. are recorded with semidigested seaweed feed in gut compared to Nerita sp. Nonselective feeding habit of Euchelus sp. may pose a threat to nature in terms of reduction of biodiversity and ecological balance. This pioneer work on intertidal grazing relationship in India may help in deciding the feeding strategy in molluscan culture and taking some preventive measure in seaweed culture.
- Subjects
GASTROPODA; MARINE algae; MARINE plants; ALGAL growth; ALGAL populations
- Publication
Journal of Experimental Zoology India, 2018, Vol 21, Issue 1, p315
- ISSN
0972-0030
- Publication type
Article