Seasonal occurrence of juvenile prawn and environmental factors in a Rhizophora mangal, southeast coast of India

Abstract

Juvenile penaeid prawn distribution, composition and density were assessed, along with environmental factors at three hour intervals during 24-h in four different seasons in a Rhizophora mangal at Pichavaram, southeast India. Eight species of penaeid prawns were recorded. Metapenaeus monoceros and M. brevicornis were dominant during all seasons. Total prawn catch exhibited diel variation and their length showed seasonal variation. Of the environmental factors, salinity significantly correlated with 1. short-term diel variation in prawn density (r = 0.345), and 2. long-term seasonal variation in prawn size (r = −0.33 to −0.65). Management practices for conserving and enhancing the prawn resources in the mangrove creeks are suggested.