Diversity and Distribution of Seaweed at Port “Okha” in Winter Season Vala R. B.1, Vadher K. H.1, Patel M. R.2,*, Parmar A. M.3, Pampaniya N. A.3, Pushp Anjali4 1Dept. of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries Science, JAU, Veraval-362 265 2Dept. of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries, MPUAT, Udaipur-313 001 3Dept. of PHT, College of Fisheries Science, JAU, Veraval-362 265 4Dept. of Fisheries Resource Management, College of Fisheries, CAU, Tripura-799001 *Email: mika.patel9@gmail.com
Online published on 15 December, 2016. Abstract Port Okha coast, which is known for its luxuriant growth of a diverse assemblage of seaweeds on Saurashtra coast, is found tohave abundant quantities of seaweeds being drifted and washed ashore every year. The present study was conducted in seaweed rich moist coastal zone of Port “Okha” of Saurashtra coast, Gujarat, India in winter (December, January and February) during the year 2015 & 2016 consecutively to document the seaweed diversity of the area. A total of 76 species belonging to27 families and 47 genera were recorded from the study area. The Chlorophyceae, Phaeophyceae and Rhodophyceae were represented by a total of 25, 16 and 35 species, respectively. Total 28 families recorded, 7 were represented by single species, 6 by two species, 5 by three species and 6 with more than 3 species. Dictyotaceae was the dominant family with 15 species, followed by Sargassaceae and Ulvaceae with 8 species each. The maximum species richness was found to be in the month of February in comparison to December and January. This paper presents the current status of seaweed wealth of different beachfronts of ‘Okha’. Top Keywords Seaweed Diversity, Distribution Okha Port, Gulf of Kutch, Seasonal Variations. Top |