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| Last Updated:: 30/01/2017

Vellar Estuary

 

 

Name of the River
Vellar
Place
Parangipettai
District
Cuddalore
State
Tamil Nadu
Latitude
11° 29’N
Longtitude
79° 46’E
Important Land Marks
Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology
Length
16 km
Width
600 m
Average Depth
2.5 m
Tidal amplitude
1 m
Nature of the Substratum
Sandy-Muddy
pH
8.2
Type of the Estuary
Bar-built
Water Temperature
31.2°C
Salinity
28.13 ppt
Dissolved oxygen
4.5 ml/l
Predominant benthic fauna
Polychaete, Tanaids, Bivalves, Gastropods, Nematodes
Predominant phytoplankton
Coscinodiscus centralis, Planktoniella sol, Bellerochea malleus, Odontella sinensis, Thalassiothrix frauenfeldii, Thallassionema nitzschiodes, Ceratium furca, Trichodesimium erythraeum
Predominant Zooplankton
Cyclopoid nauplii, Polychaete, Larvae, Molluscan Veligens
Commercially important shellfishes
Meretrix casta
Commercially important Finfishes
Mugil cephalus, Etroplus suratensis, Chanos chanos
Sewage dishcharges
Local Panchayat Sewage
Municipal solid waste dumping
Local Panchayat Solid Waste

 

Image

 

Map

 

Photos

 

Physico-chemical parameters

 

 

Seasonal  variations  in  physico-chemical  parameters  of  neritic (Station-1)  and  estuarine  waters  (Station-2)  of  Parangipettai  coast  from  September 1998 to August 2000

 

 

Season  Rain-

fall (mm)

Atmospheric temperature (oC)

Surface water temperature

(oC)

Salinity (ppt)

pH

 

DO

(ml-1)

 

Nitrate (IJM)

 

Nitrite (IJM)

 

Phosphate (IJM)

Silicate (IJM)

Y-1

 

St.1

St.2

St.1

St.2

St.1

St.2

St.1

St.2

St.1

St.2

St.1

St.2

St.1

St.2

St.1

St.2

St.1

St.2

M

355

±183

29.8

±2

29.83

±1

27.6

±2

29.5

±2

29.5

±1

22.6

±7

7.6

±0

7.6

±0

6.13

±1

7.03

±1

27.4

±5

33

±5

4.5

±0

5.53

±1

1.26

±0

1.7

±0

69.9

±32

75

±35

PM

3.4

±3

32.3

±1

31.3

±2

30.6

±1

31

±.8

33.16

±2

29.6

±2

8.46

±0

8.26

±0

3.66

±0

3.9

±0

20.06

±15

22.7

±18

2.93

±2

3.63

±2

0.83

±0

1.16

±0

15.9

±7

15.1

±8.1

s

16.1

±17

30.5

±1

30.5

±1

29.5

±1

30.5

±1

34.83

±0

33.3

±2

8.16

±0

8.46

±0

3.60

±0

3.93

±0

6.96

±2

9.26

±3

1.13

±0

2.03

±0

0.80

±0

1.2

±0

9.70

±2

11.8

±2.3

PRM

34.3

±10

29.8

±1

30.86

±0

29.16

±1

29.93

±1

34.5

±1

32

±1

7.33

±0

7.8

±0

4.0

±0

5.46

±0

5.1

±0

5.6

±0

1.70

±0

2.2

±0

1.13

±0

1.36

±0

17.5

±3

21.3

±2.7

Y-2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

M

333.5

±290

29.5

±1

28.6

±1

27.33

±2

28.5

±1

27.83

±4

15

±9

7.40

±0

7.4

±0

6.73

±1

7.43

±1

27.96

±16

39.3

±21

5.0

±2

6.2

±2

1.9

±1

2.9

±0

70.4

±16

80.3

±63

PM

101.1

±130

30.8

±1

30.83

±1

30.5

±1

30

±1

33

±2

25.83

±7

8.03

±0

8.2

±0

4.9

±0

5.23

±2

19.33

±8

29.3

±14

2.8

±1

3.46

±1

1.50

±0

2.56

±0

19.1

±11

23.5

±14

s

40.4

±9

29.6

±1

30.33

±1

29.5

±1

28.6

±0

33

±1

30.0

±1

7.46

±0

8.4

±0

3.4

±0

3.93

±0

9.03

±6

9.46

±5

1.70

±0

2.23

±0

1.23

±0

2.2

±0

13.9

±1

15.3

±1.6

PRM

36.1

±25

31.8

±1

31.5

±1

31.1

±0

29.9

±0

33.9

±2

30.6

±1

8.13

±1

8

±1

3.66

±0

4.26

±0

9.66

±0

11.5

±10

1.66

±0

2.53

±1

1.40

±0

2.4

±1

19.7

±8

23.1

±10

Y-1:  1st   year;  Y-2:  2nd   year;  M:  Monsoon;  PM:  Postmonsoon;  s:  summer;  PRM:  Premonsoon

 

 

Biological entities

 

Seasonal distribution of eggs

 

 

S.No.

Name of the Species

Post-monsoon

Summer

Pre-monsoon

Monsoon

 

Clupeidae

 

 

 

 

1

Anadontostomachacunda

+

+

+

+

2

Sardinellafimbriata

+

+

+

+

3

Sardinellagibbosa

+

+

+

+

4

Sardinellaleiogaster

+

+

+

+

5

Sardinellalongiceps

+

+

+

-

6

Sardinellaclupeoids

+

+

+

+

7

Nematalosanasus

+

+

+

+

8

Opisthopterustardoore

-

+

-

+

9

Pellonaditchella

+

+

+

-

10

Escualosathoracata

+

+

+

+

 

Engraulidae

 

 

 

 

11

Engraulisencrasicholas

+

+

+

-

12

Stolephorusheterolobus

+

+

+

+

13

Stolephorus indicus

+

+

+

-

14

Stolephorusmacrops

+

+

+

+

15

Stolephoruspunctifer

+

+

+

+

16

Stolephorus tri

+

+

+

+

17

Setipinnataty

+

+

+

+

18

Setipinnabreviceps

+

+

+

+

19

Thryssadussumieri

+

+

+

+

20

Thryssahamiltonii

+

+

+

+

21

Thryssamystax

+

+

+

+

 

Mugilidae

 

 

 

 

22

Mugilcephalus

+

+

+

+

23

Liza dussumieri

+

+

+

+

24

Liza tade

+

+

+

+

 

Carangidae

 

 

 

 

25

Carangoidesmalabaricus

+

+

+

+

26

Caranxmelampygus

+

+

+

+

27

Caranx sp.

+

+

+

+

 

Synodontidae

 

 

 

 

28

Sauridagracilis

+

+

+

+

29

Sauridatumbil

+

+

+

+

30

Saurus sp.

+

+

+

+

 

Cynoglossidae

 

 

 

 

31

Cynoglossusarel

+

+

+

+

32

Cynoglossuspuncticeps

+

+

+

+

 

Ambassidae

 

 

 

 

33

Ambassiscommersoni

+

+

+

+

 

Chirocentridae

 

 

 

 

34

Chirocentrusdorab

+

+

+

+

 

Ophichthidae

 

 

 

 

35

Ophichthyssp.

+

+

+

+

 

Gerridae

 

 

 

 

36

Gerresoblongus

+

+

+

+

 

Atherinidae

 

 

 

 

37

Pranesuspinguis

+

+

+

+

 

Leiognathidae

 

 

 

 

38

Secutorruconius

+

+

+

+

 

Teraponidae

 

 

 

 

39

Teraponjarbua

+

+

+

+


Species of phytoplankton recorded during January to December 1999

 

Sl. No.

Name of the species

Station 1

Station 2

Bacillariophyceae (Diatoms)

1

Asterionella japonica

+

+

2

Amphiprora brevipes

+

3

Achnanthes brevipes

+

4

Amphora ovalis

+

+

5

Bacillaria paradoxa

+

6

Bacteriastrum cosmosum

+

7

B. delicatulum

+

8

B. hyalinum

+

9

Bellerochea malleus

+

+

10

Chaetoceros affinis

+

+

11

C. didymus

+

12

C. diversus

+

13

C. peruvianus

+

14

C. lorenzianus

+

15

Coscinodiscus centralis

+

+

16

C. eccentricus

+

+

17

C. gigas

+

+

18

C. jonesianus

+

+

19

C. radiatus

+

20

Cyclotella stelligera

+

21

C. meneghiniana

+

22

Ditylum brightwellii

+

23

D. sol

+

+

24

Eucampia zoodiacus

+

25

Fragillaria oceanica

+

26

Gyrosigma balticum

+

27

Hemidiscus hardmannianus

+

+

28

Lauderia annulata

+

29

Leptocylindrus danicus

+

30

Lithodesmium undulatum

+

31

Melosira sulcata

+

+

32

Navicula granulata

+

+

33

N. longa

+

34

N. indica

+

+

35

Nitzschia closterium

+

36

N. longissima

+

37

N. paradoxa

+

+

38

N. sigmoidea

+

39

Odoentella mobilinesis

+

+

40

O. sinensis

+

+

41

O. heteroceros

+

42

O. aurita

+

43

Planktoniella sol

+

+

44

Pleurosigma destuerii

+

+

45

P. elongatum

+

46

P. angulatum

+

47

Rhizosolenia alata

+

+

48

R. cylindricus

+

49

R. hebetata

+

50

R. imbricata

+

51

R. robusta

­–

+

52

Skeletonema costatum

+

+

53

Stephanopyxis palmeriana

+

54

Thalassionema nitzschioides

+

55

Thalassiothrix frauenfeldii

+

56

T. longissima

+

57

Triceratium favus

+

58

T. reticulatum

+

+

 

Dinophyceae (Dinoflagellates)

 

 

59

Am phisolenia bidentata

+

60

Ceratium furca

+

+

61

C. fusus

+

62

C. macroceros

+

+

63

C. trichoceros

+

64

C. tripos

+

+

65

C. breve

+

66

Ceratium lineatum

+

67

Dinophysis caudata

+

+

68

D. miles

+

69

D. hastata

+

70

Gymnodinium breve

+

+

71

Gonyiaulax digensis

+

+

72

Noctiluca scintillans

+

+

73

Ornithocercus steinii

+

74

O. thumii

+

75

Protoperidinium conicum

+

76

P. depressum

+

77

P. oceanicum

+

78

P. pentagonum

+

79

P. pellicidum

+

80

P. venustum

+

81

Prorocentrum rostratum

+

82

P. micans

+

+

83

Peridinium excentricum

+

84

Pyrocystis fusiformis

+

85

P. noctiluca

+

86

P. lunicila

+

Cyanophyceae (Blue-green algae)

 

87

Trichodesmium erythraeum

+

88

Anabaena sp.

­–

+

89

Spirulina major

+

+

90

Arthospira sp.

+

91

Oscillatoria sp.

+

+

92

Microcystis sp.

+

+

93

Gloeocapsa sp.

­–

+

94

Phormidium fragile

+

95

Schizothrix sp.

+

96

Nostoc paludosum

+

+

97

Lyngbya matensiana

+

+

98

Merismopedia elegans

+

+

Chlorophyceae (Green algae)

99

Chlorella sp.

+

+

100

Pediastrum simplex

+

+

101

Spirogyra sp.

+

102

Volvox sp.

+

103

Protococcus vulgaris

+

104

Desmidium swartzii

+

+

105

Scenedesmus acuminatus

+

+

 

+ Present; – Absent

 

 

A list of identified phytoplankton species in the study area during 2009-10

 

 

Sl. No.

 

Phytoplankton species

 

Stations

 

1

Vellar river

 

2

Vellar estuary

 

3

P. coastal area

1

Scenedesmus sp.

+

+

-

2

Pediastrum duplex

+

-

-

3

Mycrocystis

+

+

-

4

Cymbella leptoceros

-

-

+

5

Nitchia obtuse

+

-

-

6

Pinnularia sp.

-

+

+

7

Gomphonema sp.

-

+

+

8

Melosira sp.

-

+

+

9

Navicula cyphocephala

-

+

+

10

Navicula capsidala

-

+

-

11

Navicula viridula

+

-

-

12

Chytridium

-

+

-

13

Oscillotoria curricess

+

+

-

14

Oscillotoria limosa

+

-

+

 

 

+ = presence; - = absence

 

A list of identified Zooplankton species in the study area during 2009-10

 

S.No

Zooplankton Species                                                                       

 

Stations                                                     

 

 

1

Vellar river

2

Vellar estuary

3

P. Coastal area

Protozoa

1

Arella discoidae

-

+

+

2

Arella  vulgaris

-

+

+

3

Difflugia sp.

-

-

+

4

Euglypha sp.

+

+

+

5

Vorticella sp.

+

-

+

Rotifers

6

Anuracopris fissa

-

+

+

7

Brachionus sp.

+

+

+

8

Brachionus calciflorus

+

+

+

9

Brachionus quadridentanus

+

-

+

10

Brachionus rubens

+

+

+

11

Euchlanis dilita

+

+

+

12

Filina longiseta

+

+

+

13

Kertalla cochlearies

+

-

+

14

Lecane bulla

+

+

+

15

Lecane luna

-

+

+

16

Monostyla bulla

+

-

+

17

Synchacta sp.

-

+

+

18

Mytilina sp.

 

+

+

Copepods

19

Nauplius larva

+

-

+

20

Cyclops sp.

+

+

+

21

Diatoms sp.

+

+

-

22

Mesocyclops hyaliners

+

-

+

23

Oneaca venusta

-

+

+

24

Oithona brevicornis

+

+

+

25

Oithona simplex

-

+

+

                Cladocerans

26

Alona quadrangulars

+

+

-

27

Bosmina longirasttris

+

+

+

28

Cerioda pheriereticulata

-

+

+

29

Chyderinae sp.

-

-

+

30

Chydornus sp.

-

+

+

31

Daphnia carinata

+

+

+

32

Moina micrura

+

-

+

33

Moina brachiata

-

+

+

Cladocerans

 

34

Cypridapsis dispar

-

+

+

 

35

Cypris protubera

+

-

+

 

36

Cypris sp.

+

-

+

 

37

Eucypris bispinosa

+

+

+

 

38

Halocypris brerirostris

-

+

+

 

39

Hetero cypris

-

+

+

 

40

Postomocypris sp.

 

+

+

 

                Insecta

 

41

Culex sp.

+

+

+

 

42

Corixa sp.

-

+

-

 

43

Helocharus lividus

-

+

+

 

44

Tipula sp.

-

+

-

 

 

+ = presence, - = absence


Finfish species recorded in Vellar Estuary

 

 

Sl. No.

Species

Order

Family

1

Freshwater species

 

Anguilla bicolor bicolor

Anguilliformes

Anguillidae

 

Catla catla

Labeo rohita

Cirrihinus mrigala

Cyprinus carpio

Oreochromis mossambicus Wallago attu

Anabas testudineus

Cypriniformes Cypriniformes Cypriniformes Cypriniformes Perciformes Siluriformes Perciformes

Cyprinidae Cyprinidae Cyprinidae Cyprinidae Cichilidae Siluridae Anabantidae

2

Truly estuarine species

 

Elops machnata

Megalops cyprinoides Nematalosa nasus

Chanos chanos

Etroplus suratensis

Lates calcarifer

Scatophagus argus

Siganus javus 

Siganus canaliculatus

Elopiformes Elopiformes Clupeiformes Gonorynchiformes Perciformes Perciformes Perciformes Perciformes Perciformes

Elopidae Megalopidae Clupeidae Chanidae Cichilidae Latidae Scatophagidae Siganidae Siganidae

3

Marine species

 

Stolephorus commersonnii

Clupeiformes

Engraulidae

 

Sardinella fimbriata

Clupeiformes

Clupeidae

 

Sardinella sindensis

Clupeiformes

Clupeidae

 

Sardinella longiceps

Clupeiformes

Clupeidae

 

Eleutheronema tetradactylum

Perciformes

Polynemidae

 

Sphyraena barracuda

Perciformes

Sphyraenidae

 

Sphyraena jello

Perciformes

Sphyraenidae

 

Scomberomorus commerson

Perciformes

Scombridae

 

Pampus chinensis

Perciformes

Stromatidae

 

Cynoglossus lida

Pleuronectiformes

Cynoglossidae

 

Cynoglossus puncticeps

Pleuronectiformes

Cynoglossidae

 

Cynoglossus arel

Pleuronectiformes

Cynoglossidae

4

Estuarine cum marine species

 

Thryssa dussumieri

Clupeiformes

Engraulidae

 

Thryssa malabarica

Clupeiformes

Engraulidae

 

Thryssa mystax

Clupeiformes

Engraulidae

 

Thryssa vitrirostris

Clupeiformes

Engraulidae

 

Coilia dussumieri

Clupeiformes

Engraulidae

 

Setipinna taty

Clupeiformes

Engraulidae

 

Opisthopterus tardoore

Clupeiformes

Pristigasteridae

 

Ilisha kampeni

Clupeiformes

Pristigasteridae

 

Ilisha melanostoma

Clupeiformes

Pristigasteridae

 

Escualosa thoracata

Clupeiformes

Clupeidae

 

Hilsa kelee

Clupeiformes

Clupeidae

 

Anodontostoma chacunda

Clupeiformes

Clupeidae

 

Arius subrostratus

Siluriformes

Ariidae

 

Arius arius

Siluriformes

Ariidae

 

Plotosus canius

Siluriformes

Plotosidae

 

Mugil cephalus

Mugiliformes

Mugilidae

 

Chelon parsia

Mugiliformes

Mugilidae

 

Chelon planiceps

Mugiliformes

Mugilidae

 

Chelon macrolepis

Mugiliformes

Mugilidae

 

Chelon subviridis

Mugiliformes

Mugilidae

 

Valamugil cunnesius

Mugiliformes

Mugilidae

 

Hemiramphus far

Beloniformes

Hemiramphidae

 

Hyporhamphus limbatus

Beloniformes

Hemiramphidae

 

Ambassis gymnocephalus

Perciformes

Ambassidae

 

Ambassis  ambassis

Perciformes

Ambassidae

 

Epinephelus tauvina

Perciformes

Serranidae

 

Apogonichtyoides niger

Perciformes

Apogonidae

 

Sillago sihama

Perciformes

Sillaginidae

 

Alectis cilliaris

Perciformes

Carangidae

 

Alectis indica

Perciformes

Carangidae

 

Carangoides malabaricus

Perciformes

Carangidae

 

Caranx ignobilis

Perciformes

Carangidae

 

Alepes kleinii

Perciformes

Carangidae

 

Caranx heberi

Perciformes

Carangidae

 

Caranx sexfasciatus

Perciformes

Carangidae

 

Scomberoides tol

Perciformes

Carangidae

 

Lutjanus argentimaculatus

Perciformes

Lutjanidae

 

Lutjanus fulviflamma

Perciformes

Lutjanidae

 

Lutjanus johnii

Perciformes

Lutjanidae

 

Lutjanus russellii

Perciformes

Lutjanidae

 

Secutor ruconius

Perciformes

Leiognathidae

 

Secutor insidiator

Perciformes

Leiognathidae

 

Eubleekeria splendens

Perciformes

Leiognathidae

 

Leiognathus equulus

Perciformes

Leiognathidae

 

Photopectoralis bindus

Perciformes

Leiognathidae

 

Lethrinus nebulosus

Perciformes

Lethrinidae

 

Pomadasys kaakan

Perciformes

Haemulidae

 

Pomadasys maculatus

Perciformes

Haemulidae

 

Gerres filamentosus

Perciformes

Gerreidae

 

Gerres erythrourus

Perciformes

Gerreidae

 

Gerres methueni

Perciformes

Gerreidae

 

Gerres limbatus

Perciformes

Gerreidae

 

Lobotes surinamensis

Perciformes

Lobotidae

 

Drepane punctata

Perciformes

Drepanidae

 

Upeneus sulphureus

Perciformes

Mullidae

 

Kathala axillaris

Perciformes

Sciaenidae

 

Johnius carutta

Perciformes

Sciaenidae

 

Dendrophysa russelii

Perciformes

Sciaenidae

 

Terapon puta

Perciformes

Terapontidae

 

Terapon jarbua

Perciformes

Terapontidae

 

Parastromateus niger

Perciformes

Carangidae

 

Acanthurus mata

Perciformes

Acanthuridae

 

Acanthocepola abbreviata

Perciformes

Cepolidae

 

Mugil cephalus

Mugiliformes

Mugilidae

 

Chelon parsia

Mugiliformes

Mugilidae

 

Chelon planiceps

Mugiliformes

Mugilidae

 

Chelon macrolepis

Mugiliformes

Mugilidae

 

Chelon subviridis

Mugiliformes

Mugilidae

 

Valamugil cunnesius

Mugiliformes

Mugilidae

 

Hemiramphus far

Beloniformes

Hemiramphidae

 

Hyporhamphus limbatus

Beloniformes

Hemiramphidae

 

Ambassis gymnocephalus

Perciformes

Ambassidae

 

Ambassis  ambassis

Perciformes

Ambassidae

 

Epinephelus tauvina

Perciformes

Serranidae

 

Apogonichtyoides niger

Perciformes

Apogonidae

 

Sillago sihama

Perciformes

Sillaginidae

 

Alectis cilliaris

Perciformes

Carangidae

 

Alectis indica

Perciformes

Carangidae

 

Carangoides malabaricus

Perciformes

Carangidae

 

Caranx ignobilis

Perciformes

Carangidae

 

Alepes kleinii

Perciformes

Carangidae

 

Caranx heberi

Perciformes

Carangidae

 

Caranx sexfasciatus

Perciformes

Carangidae

 

Scomberoides tol

Perciformes

Carangidae

 

Lutjanus argentimaculatus

Perciformes

Lutjanidae

 

Lutjanus fulviflamma

Perciformes

Lutjanidae

 

Lutjanus johnii

Perciformes

Lutjanidae

 

Lutjanus russellii

Perciformes

Lutjanidae

 

Secutor ruconius

Perciformes

Leiognathidae

 

Secutor insidiator

Perciformes

Leiognathidae

 

Eubleekeria splendens

Perciformes

Leiognathidae

 

Leiognathus equulus

Perciformes

Leiognathidae

 

Photopectoralis bindus

Perciformes

Leiognathidae

 

Lethrinus nebulosus

Perciformes

Lethrinidae

 

Pomadasys kaakan

Perciformes

Haemulidae

 

Pomadasys maculatus

Perciformes

Haemulidae

 

Gerres filamentosus

Perciformes

Gerreidae

 

Gerres erythrourus

Perciformes

Gerreidae

 

Gerres methueni

Perciformes

Gerreidae

 

Gerres limbatus

Perciformes

Gerreidae

 

Lobotes surinamensis

Perciformes

Lobotidae

 

Drepane punctata

Perciformes

Drepanidae

 

Upeneus sulphureus

Perciformes

Mullidae

 

Kathala axillaris

Perciformes

Sciaenidae

 

Johnius carutta

Perciformes

Sciaenidae

 

Dendrophysa russelii

Perciformes

Sciaenidae

 

Terapon puta

Perciformes

Terapontidae

 

Terapon jarbua

Perciformes

Terapontidae

 

Parastromateus niger

Perciformes

Carangidae

 

Acanthurus mata

Perciformes

Acanthuridae

 

Acanthocepola abbreviata

Perciformes

Cepolidae

 

References

Santhanam, P., P. Perumal, S. Ananth and A. Shenbaga Devi, 2012. Copepod population in Vellar estuary, Parangipettai coast in relation to environmental conditions. J. Environ. Biol., 33: 1003–1010.

Arockiamary, A., S. Vijayalakshmi and T. Balasubramanian, 2011. Occurrence of different types of eggs and the physio-chemical parameters of Vellar estuary, Parangipettai, South East Coast of India. Archives of Applied Science Research, 3(6): 41–49.

Prabhahar, C., K. Saleshrani and K. Tharmaraj, 2011. Hydrobiological Investigations on the Planktonic Diversity of Vellar River, Vellar Estuary and Portonovo Coastal Waters, South East Coast of India. International Journal of Pharmaceutical & Biological Archives, 2(6): 1699–1704.

Ajmal Khan, S., 2015. Variations in the diversity of commercially important finfishes in Vellar Estuary, south-east coast of India. Indian J. Fish., 62(4): 116–119.

Nedumaran, T., V. Ashok Prabu and P. Perumal, 2001. Ecology of phytoplankton of Vellar estuary, Southeast coast of India. Seaweed Research Utilization, 23(1&2): 157–162.