Diversity and Abundance of Pteropods Along the Saint Martin’s Island and Its Effects on Ecology of Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh

Abstract

The study deals with pteropods which is an important group of Holoplanktonic mollusks belonging to the class Gastropod. The study attempted to disclose the available pteropods in this region and to attain a clear concept of their abundance and diversity in and around Saint Martin’s Island. The study also attempted to establish pteropods as another significant environmental indicator along with other microfossils in this region. Among the 41 identified species included both Thecosomata and Gymnosomata orders with having a total of 17 families and 19 genera were described. The study was conducted from the ferry ghat to Uttar para and Dakkshin para and covering to the southernmost part of Chera Dwip of the Saint Martin’s island. The study also reveals the diversity and variation of the species with the gradual distance and water depth from land to ocean area. The study identified both the freshwater and Pelagic pteropods. Abundance of Thecosomes was a significant finding which can boost in further studies on ocean acidification in Saint Martin’s island of Bay of Bengal.

Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 45(1): 15-33, June 2019