STUDIES ON THE OCCURENCE AND GROWTH RATE OF TWO INTERTIDAL FOULING BRYOZOANS IN THE MATTANCHERRY CANNEL OF COCHIN HARBOUR, SOUTH- WEST COAST OF INDIA

Abstract

Occurrence and growth rates of two species of intertidal
fouling bryozoans namely Electra bengalensis (Stoliczka) and
Electra crustulanta (PaHas) are presented in this paper. The former
was a typically marine form, settling on panels only during the
high saline conditions of the premonsoon period and were absent
during the low salinity conditions of the monsoon period, while the
latter appeared to be a typical brackish water form settling on
panels during the Jow saline conditions existing during the monsoon
and postmonsoon periods and were totally absent during the
premonsoon months. Regression co-efficient of the former was
higher th~m that of the latter suggesting more pronounced growth
in Electra bengalensis. Maximum growth for this species was
noticed during March, April and May (pre-monsoon) while for
the other species growth was more or less similar during monsoon
and postmonsoon months (June-January) showing that the species
was at home in oHgohaHne and mesohaHne waters.