Cochin University of Science and Technology Doctor of Philosophy
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MACROBENTHOS OF THE NORTH WESTERN CONTINENTAL MARGIN (200-1000M) OF INDIA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO POLYCHAETES Thesis submitted to Cochin University of Science and Technology in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Under the Faculty of Marine Sciences By Anilkumar P. R. REG. No. - 3291 DEPARTMENT OF MARINE BIOLOGY, MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY SCHOOL OF MARINE SCIENCES COCHIN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY KOCHI –682 016, INDIA July 2017 MACROBENTHOS OF THE NORTH WESTERN CONTINENTAL MARGIN (200-1000M) OF INDIA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO POLYCHAETES Ph.D. Thesis under the Faculty of Marine Sciences Author Anilkumar P. R. Research Scholar Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry School of Marine Sciences Cochin University of Science and Technology Kochi – 682 016 Supervising Guide Prof. (Dr.) R. Damodaran Professor (Retd.) Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry School of Marine Sciences Cochin University of Science and Technology Kochi – 682 016 July 2017 DDeeddiiccaatteedd ttoo…… My Wiiffe….... I hereby declare that the thesis entitled “Macrobenthos of the north western continental margin (200-1000m) of India with special reference to polychaetes” is a genuine record of research work done by me under the supervision and guidance of Dr. R. Damodaran, Retired Professor, Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, Cochin University of Science and Technology and no part thereof has been presented for the award of any other degree, diploma or associateship in any University or Institution earlier. Kochi - 682 016 Anilkumar P. R. July 2017 This Ph. D. thesis is the final destination of a long journey of uncertainty and unexplainable emotions. It was always filled with the fragrance of curiosity as well as clouds of ambiguity. I take this opportunity to thank those who were behind me, besides me and with me throughout this tumultuous journey. I would like to express my deep sense of gratitude to (Prof.) Dr. R. Damodaran, my mentor and supervising guide, who introduced me to the fascinating world of marine sciences, and dispelled the darkness of thoughts with rays of knowledge. I am always obliged to him for sharing his vast knowledge, for inspiring discussions, valuable suggestions, critical evaluation, constant encouragement, and unfailing moral support throughout the course of research. Without his support, this work would never have been possible. Words cannot express my gratitude to (Prof) Dr. Rosamma Philip, Head of the Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology & Biochemistry, CUSAT and Principal Investigator, MoES Project and former co-guide. Her valuable contributions in all turning points of my life will always be remembered with immense gratitude. Her ability to transform the vexed and frustrated mind to one blooming with confidence and creativity through academic and emotional guidance was the driving force that enabled me to surpass all hurdles. This work forms part of the project “Benthic fauna of continental slope from 200-1000m depths of Arabian sea and Bay of Bengal” funded by the Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE), Ministry of Earth Science, Government of India. I would like to express my sincere thanks to present and former Heads of the Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, for all the help and support extended throughout the period of work. I also express my deep felt gratitude to the Dean, Faculty of Marine Sciences and Director, School of Marine Sciences, CUSAT for all the help rendered and facilities provided for research. I am ever thankful to all teachers of the Department for their support and encouragement. I thank Prof. (Dr.) C. K. Radhakrishnan, Prof. (Dr.) Babu Philip, Prof. (Dr.)A.V. Saramma, Prof. (Dr.) A. A. Mohamed Hatha, Prof. (Dr.) Aneykutty Joseph and Prof. (Dr.) Bijoy Nandanfor their valuable advice and support. Prof. (Dr.) I. S. Bright Singh (Rtd.) and Prof. (Dr.) Mohandas (Rtd.) are specially acknowledged for the generous support at critical points of my life. I am grateful to Dr. Abdul Jaleel K. U. (Scientist, CSIR-NIO), for the constant support, friendship and brotherliness. His help and guidance has been invaluable in structuring my thesis. I express deepest gratitude to him for his presence of mind and tenacity which motivated me to complete my thesis, and for his valuable comments and suggestions which greatly improved this thesis. I acknowledge all administrative and technical staff of the Dept. of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry for their kind co-operation and timely help during the tenure of my work. I am also grateful to the library staff, especially Manuel Sir, and Balan Chettan for extending necessary facilities. All the technical staffs of School of Marine Sciences are also acknowledged with great sense of gratitude at this time. The collection of samples for this work would not have been possible without the support and cooperation of the scientific and non-scientific crew of FORV Sagar Sampada (Cruise no 219,228 and 254) as well as the Vessel Management Team at CMLRE, Kochi. I thank them for this and for making sample collection smooth and comfortable. I am extremely thankful to my wonderful classmates who made my student years fruitful and memorable with I am overwhelmed by the unconditional love and support of Dr. Sini Binoj, Mrs. Beena and Dr. Bineesh K. K. and Mr. Pradeep K Word fails to express my love, affection and deep gratitude towards the team members of the Benthic project, Dr Abdul Jaleel K, U., Mr. Nousheer Khan, Mrs. Jini Jacob and Dr. Smitha C. K. Besides them, I thank all the present and past Research scholars of Molecular Biology, Marine Biology, especially Dr. Selvan Subramanyan, Dr. Harikrishnan E., Dr. Neil Scolastin Correya, Dr. Sajeevan T. P., Dr. Nandini N. Menon, Dr. Padmakumar K.B., Dr. Anit M. Thomas, Dr. Bindhya Barghavan, Dr. Sanilkumar M. G.,Dr. Anupama Nair, Dr. Roja Naveen, Dr. Simi Joseph, Dr. Sreedevi N. Kutty, Dr. Mujeeb Rahman, Ms. Sreedevi O. K., Mr. Akhilesh Vijay. The AMP team (Dr. Swpana P. Antony, Dr. Naveen Sathyan, Dr. Afsal V. V., Mrs. Chaithanya Anish, Mrs. Sruthy Anand and Mrs. Aishwarya Ajith are always gratefully acknowledged for the cherished friendship. I express special thanks to Ms. Deborah Alexander for the warm friendship and generous help offered to me. Timely help offered by Mrs. Chaithanya Anish, Dr.Usha Parameswaran, Mr.Vinu Jacob for correction and proof-reading this thesis, as well as their constant support are also acknowledged. I treasure the support and friendship of Ms. Aiswarya Gopal and Mr. Arun C. N. Friends at CMLRE also acknowledged with gratitude. I also express my sincere thanks to all my colleagues Dr. Naveen Sathyan, Mrs. Sarika Mohan and Mr. Jijith S. S. as well as Administrative staff at IISER for all their kind cooperation and support while writing this thesis. I have been molded by my years in the Cochin University Marine Science (CUMS) hostel, which is not just a hostel but instead an emotion. That is the place where we transform to men from boys, where we celebrated colorful and colorless nights, where we shared happiness and sorrows. Fond memories of my CUMS life will be treasured always. All friends of CUMS are remembered with love and gratitude at this moment, especially Dr. Prajith K. K., Dr. Jayesh P., Dr. Rajish Kumar, Dr. Sunish Thampi, Dr. Shyju, Dr. Girishkumar, Dr. Deepu and Dr. Sudheer. Above all, I would like to share this moment of happiness with my family. No words of gratitude suffice when acknowledging my wife, Mrs. Jini Anil, my classmate, my love and at last mother to my son (Alev J Anil), because I cannot conceive the completion of this thesis without her constant support and encouragement. She is my most ardent motivator as well as staunchest critic always. This thesis is the fruit of grace, hard work and prayers of my parents. I thank my brother Mr. Aneesh, sister-in-law Ms. Najina Aneesh, sisters Anitha and Anila and all family members for their love. It is their support that enabled me to walk to this milestone in my research career. I strongly believe that everything happens for a reason, but reasons are unknown at the time of incidence. Only the turning wheels of time have the power to reveal these reasons to us. I thank all the reasons and the creator of all these reasons…the Almighty. CONTENTS 1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION ............................................................ 1 1.1 Introduction ................................................................................ 1 1.2. Physical environment of the deep sea ......................................... 3 1.3. Food supply to the deep sea ........................................................ 7 1.4. Deep sea biodiversity ................................................................. 8 1.5. Benthos ........................................................................................ 9 1.6. Background of the study ............................................................12 1.7. Objectives ..................................................................................21 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS ..............................................23 2.1. Study area ..................................................................................23 2.2. Sampling locations ....................................................................25 2.3. Methodology ...............................................................................27