Ecological studies on the Fauna Associated with Economic Seaweeds of South India.3. Food preferences of selected Algivorous Gastropods

The importance of algivorous animals in the ecology of economic seaweeds has been recognised by many workers (Tilden, 1927; Leighton, 1960; Chapman, 1962; North, 1962, 1963; Boney. 1966). In recent years many studies have been made to ascertain the food and feeding habits of major algivores, the important among which are by Barkman ( 1955), van Dongen (1956), Bakker (1959), Satio and Nakamura (1961). Leighton and Boolootian (1963), Leighton (1966), Paine (1963) and Paine and Vadas (1969). In order to study the role of algivores in the ecology of cultivatable marine algae and to ascertain the nature of discri_ mination in the choice of algal food by them, a study was undertaken during 1968- '71 at tbe Marine Algal Researcb Station, Mandapam. This paper presents tbe findings pertaining to the cbief algivorous gastropods in tbe Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay region.