Habitat Preference of Phaeophyceae Species: Iyengaria stellata (Børgesen) Børgesen (1939) in Gujarat Coast (India)

Abstract

Many species of phaeophyta are found at Dwarka and at the Bet-Shankhodhar coast, Gujarat, India. For the study of Iyengaria stellata, the shore platform and reef flat were divided into three sections: Dwarka in i) North, ii) Centre and iii) South sections and Bet-Shankhodhar in i) West, ii) Centre and iii) East sections. I. stellata was monitored based on systematic random sampling for two years (April, 2013 to February, 2015). In the months of December and February, I. stellata was recorded with high frequencies of reef, flat zones and shore platforms. When compared to shore platform, the frequency of I. stallata was highest in coral reef and flat zones. This study supports that reef flat is very suitable for growth of I. stellata. I. stellata’s growth cycle corresponds with local winter season.