Mangrove macrofaunal diversity and community structure in Mundra and Kharo, Kachchh, Gujarat

Mangrove associated macrofauna in the two mangrove formations at Mundra and Kharo in Kachchh, Gujarat were studied from September 2009 to August 2011. Mangrove stands of two study stations harboured 51 species of macrofauna in 44 genera. Mangrove faunal assemblage in general was composed of 5 major groups. By far, gastropods and crustaceans dominated the faunal assemblage with 14 and 15 species in 24 genera. Faunal composition was higher during summer. Only 9 species were common in the two studied stations. Group-wise density ranged from 305/m(2) to 7931/m(2). Shannon diversity index for the entire study period ranged from 1.45 to 2.88 with both the values recorded at Kharo. Diversity values were marginally higher during winter and summer than monsoon and post monsoon. Poor rainfall and high aridity of the coast, uniform vegetation structure composed of single species and other abiotic factors were attributed for the uniform macrofaunal community structure in the Kachchh mangroves.