ECOLOGY OF INTERSTITIAL MEIOFAUNA AT KALPAKKAM COAST, EAST-COAST OF INDIA

Interstitial meiofauna was studied for 25 months (December 1988 to December 1990). Meiofaunal populations mainly composed of harpacticoids (57%), nematodes (24.7%) turbellids (6.7%) and polychaetes (3.3%). The observed maximum and minimum meiofaunal population densities (no. 10 cm-2) were 5276 and 484 respectively. Seasonal variation in the meiofaunal densities showed an increasing trend from post monsoon (Dec.-Feb.) to premonsoon months (March-June) and the maximum was recorded during April. Low density was recorded during monsoon (Aug.-Oct). Spatially the meiofaunal groups were more abundant at the mid water mark than at higher and lower levels.