Taxonomic List of Macro Benthic Polychaetes of Kanyakumari Coast

Abstract

Polychaetes are one of the most important macro-invertebrate species found in marine benthic habitats. India is foremost in terms of polychaete fauna biodiversity, followed by the Kanyakumari coast. According to the whole study's findings, the sandy, rocky and muddy substratum the establishment of benthic polychaete species appears to be most favorable in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea area. The distribution of polychaetes along the Kanyakumari coast reveals the diversity of large species identified 27 species in east coast and 31 species in estuaries on the southwest coast. About 58 species of polychaetes belonging to 22 families and 46 genera are known to transpire. An attempt was made to identify the polychaete species found in the study area between 2021 and 2023. The families Eunicidae and Nereidae were found to have higher diversity than Nephtyidae, Spionidae, and Capitellidae. Around 58 distinct polychaete species such as Nereis indica, Capitella capitata, Heteromastus similis, Paraprionospio pinnata, and Malacocerous indica were seemed as prevalent species and plays as pollution indicator as well. These diverse marine invertebrates’ habitats widely in sediments (Capitella capitata, Heteromastus similis, Paraprionospio pinnata) and Malacocerous indica certain were found in both muddy and rocky environments (Nereis indica). It consumes dead matters of marine creatures as primary feed and this distinct five species can be used as indirect pollution monitors of hydrocarbon and heavy metal pollution of harbor sites as well estuaries near by the coconut coir retting area hence found dominantly found in pollution sites further helps to surveying the coastal health moreover can also be used for bio-remediation of organic and inorganic pollutants.