Abstract:
The present study describes the benthic production in terms of macrofaunal density, biomass (dry weight) and production along Agatti, Kalpeni and Kavaratti atolls of Lakshadweep in relation with physico-chemical parameters. The macrofauna comprised of Polychaeta, Amphipoda, Decapoda, Bivalvia, Isopoda, Pelecypoda, burrowing fish and other groups. Total faunal density ranged from 448 to 1,852 per square metre with higher values at Agatti and lower values at Kavaratti. Polychaeta (41.85 percent) were the most dominant, whereas Amphipoda (2.68 percent) contributed least to the total population density. Among the three atolls, Agatti was found to be the most productive.
