2017 Vol.23 No.1 PP 09-19

POPULATION STATUS OF MUDSKIPPERS IN MANGROVE AND NONMANGROVE AREA OF GHOGHA COAST, BHAVNAGAR, GUJARAT, INDIA

JIGNESH KANEJIYA, DEVENDRA SOLANKI AND ^*BHARATSINH GOHIL

Department of Life Sciences,
Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji
Bhavnagar University, BHAVNAGAR (GUJARAT)
*Corresponding Author E-mail: bhratsinhgohil@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Population studies on three species of Mudskippers have been carried out during 2015-16 from the mangrove and non-mangrove areas of Ghogha coast, Bhavnagar. Ghogha is small coastal town situated on west coast of India, Gulf of Khambhat. Periopthalmus waltoni, Boleophthalmus dussumeiri and Scartelaos histophorus reported in the study area. Mangroves play an important role to maintain the population of mudskipper and to prevent the reduction of mud layer. The thickness of mud layer also plays an important role in mangrove and non-mangrove habitat. Highest population density, frequency and abundance of Boleophthalmus dussumeiri, Periopthalmus waltoni and Scartelaos histophorus recoerded respectivly.

Key words : Distribution, Mangroves, Mud reduction, Mudskipper, Population status.