~ 268 ~ International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies 2015; 3(2): 268-272 ISSN: 2347-5129 (ICV-Poland) Impact Value: 5.62 (GIF) Impact Factor: 0.352 IJFAS 2015; 3(2): 268-272 © 2015 IJFAS www.fisheriesjournal.com Received: 24-08-2015 Accepted: 25-09-2015 G Mahadevan Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology Faculty of Marine Sciences Annamalai University, Parangipettai – 608 502 Tamil Nadu - India. V Ravi Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology Faculty of Marine Sciences Annamalai University, Parangipettai – 608 502 Tamil Nadu - India. Correspondence G Mahadevan Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology Faculty of Marine Sciences Annamalai University, Parangipettai – 608 502 Tamil Nadu - India. Distribution of mudskippers in the mudflats of Muthupet, Southeast coast of India G Mahadevan, V Ravi Abstract The relationship between mudskipper abundace and physico-chemical parametrs of Muthupet mangrove forest was studied during April 2012- March 2013. In the present study, impact of different enviornmental parameters on mudskipper population was investigated. The mudskippers population varied from place to place depending upon the enviornmental parameters. The parametrs such as clay, DO, TOC, pH, and soil moisture was found to have significant relationship with the mudskipper distribution. The estuarine and mangrove area was found more diverse then the riverine and marine areas. The genus periophthalmus was found dominant over other genus. Keywords: Mudskippers, physico-chemical parametrs, population density, PCA and Muthupet. Introduction Mudskippers (Gobiidae: Oxudercinae) the only fishes which are known to burrow and reside in the intertidal mudflats or mangrove swamps of the Indo-West Pacific region. [1] There are about 40 species belonging to the genera namely Periophthalmus, Boleophthalmus, Periopthalmodon, Scartelaos and etc. In India occurrence of Boleophthalmus boddarti (Pallas), B. dussumieri (Valenciennes), Periophthalmus variablis (Pallas), Periophthalmodon schlosseri (Pallas) and Scartelaos viridis (Hamilton) are reported from various coastal places. [2-4] Mudskippers are on the verge of declining trend and are threatened to a combination of anthropogenic and natural calamities like tsunami. Rema Devi [5] listed a few species of mudskippers of India as Endangered (B. dussumieri and S. viridis) and Vulnerable (B. boddarti and Ps. koelreuteri) which is based on the habitat loss and other pollution status. Muthupet mangrove wetland of Vedaranyam area is located (Lat.10˚46’N Long.79˚ 51’E) in the southernmost tip of the Cauvery delta, the total area of the lagoon is 13.32 km 2 and it has a volume of 9.6 x 106 m 3 (as estimated for Nov-Dec 2003). It is a part of a large coastal wetland complex called the great Vedaranyam Swamp. This area has a gentle slope towards Palk Strait of Bay of Bengal. The distributaries of Cauvery viz., Paminiyar, Koriyar, Kandaparichanar, Kilaithangiyar and Marakkakoraiyar discharge their water into the wetlands and form a large lagoon before reaching the sea. It is highly productive and rich in fishes, prawns, crabs, hermit crabs and bivalves. The seasonal climate in study area may be conveniently categorized into postmonsoon (January-March), summer (April- June), premonsoon (July-September) and monsoon (October-December). Muthupet mangrove is bounded by vast industrial activities like aquaculture, fishing, agriculture and tourism which add their effluents. The present study is a pathfinder to analyze the anthropogenic and natural changes in the hydrological and sediment parameters and their relationship with abundance and distribution of mudskippers. These data may serve as benchmark for future researches and development of appropriate management action plans. 2. Materials and methods 2.1. Physico- chemical analysis On seasonal basis the water samples were collected in pre-cleaned polypropylene containers. Sediment samples were collected using corer and transferred to clean polythene bags and transported to the laboratory. The samples were air-dried and the plant root and other debris were removed and stored for further analysis. The physical parameters like pH, temperature and salinity were measured in-situ in field condition. The temperature was measured with a mercury thermometer having 0.02 C accuracy and the pH of water was measured by a