Seasonal distribution of six newly recorded marinepolychaetes from Karachi Coast

Abstract

Polychaetes are one of the most abundant group of macrobenthos at tropical beaches and considered as important tools to monitor physical health of intertidal systems. A total of 96 sediment samples were collected in duplicate from four stations at Sandspit and Hawksbay beach during 2013-2014. At each station 2 replicate quadrates of 0.25 m2 were excavated up to a depth of 10 cm and the collected sand was immediately sieved by using 0.5 mm mesh sieve. Six polychaete species Cossuracoasta, Magelonacincta, Ophelinacylindricaudata, O. norvegica, Glyceralongipinnis and Glycindeoligodon are recorded for the first time from coastal sediments of Karachi coast. Highest abundance of polychaeteworms were recorded during northeast monsoon season.