Present Status of Intertidal Biodiversity in and around Mumbai (West Coast of India)

During the present investigation, Girgaon, Marine Drive, Haji Ali and Gorai Creek in Mumbai were selected for biodiversity assessment following a protocol for natural geography in shore areas. Fifty nine macrobenthic molluscs, arthropods, coelenterates and echinoderms at these sites were recorded. The maximum density of gastropods and clams was observed at Marine Drive shore. At Gorai Creek, there were plentiful Telescopium telescopium, Potamidus cingulatis, mudskipper and fiddler crabs. Studies shows that the biodiversity status of the selected sites varies with respect to location, type of substratum and season. Pollution was observed to have a noticeable effect on clams at Girgaon coast, where many Paphia textile shells were observed to be filled with mud and coated with black colour.