Spatiotemporal Variations in the Species Diversity, Distribution Pattern and Population Ecology of the Intertidal Asteroidea From the Rocky Shores of Gujarat, India

Abstract

Present study was aimed to study the ecology of intertidal Asteroidea from the rocky shores of Gujarat state of India. For this study, eight rocky shores viz., Okha, Shivrajpur, Dwarka, Mangrol, Veraval, Dhamlej, Simbor and Diu of the Gujarat coastline were selected and surveyed extensively from January to December 2021. Though the shores studied are situated along a continuous coastline, significant spatiotemporal variations in their diversity, distribution and density were observed. Four intertidal Asteroidea Echinaster purpureus, Anthenea rudis, Aqulionastra lorioli and Aqulionastra burtoni were identified and studied. The present study revealed that species diversity and density of Asteroidea were varied over temporal and diverse spatial scales. The distribution pattern of different asteroid species was also found to be varied in the rocky shores studied. It is possible that along with the prevailing climatic conditions of the study period and the intertidal faunal composition therein, coastal structure and various microhabitats might have played a vital role in the observed differences. Empirical data provided in this study offers a better understanding of intertidal Asteroidea and provides the baseline for future field and experimental studies on predation, interspecific and intraspecific competition and coexistence in intertidal communities.