A Comparative Study on the Allometric Relationship of Black Clam (VILLORITA CYPRINOIDES) in Cochin Estuary with a Special Emphasis on the Impact of Thanneermukkom Bund

Regular tidal flow, estuarine circulation and other allied hydrographic parameters in the Cochin Estuary has changed due to regular closure and opening of bund. Among different hydrographic parameters temperature, salinity and bottom sediment texture are the important factors found to be significant for the growth and survival of bivalves. The environmental condition on either side of the bund, Zone A on south of bund and Zone B on north of bund showed a clear and distinct variation in all the hydrographical parameters due to the existence of Thanneermukkom bund in between them. At Zone A the frequency of temperature fluctuation was high and the dominant environment was freshwater when compared with Zone B. Sediment texture at Zone A was sandy silt and at Zone B was silty sand. The fitted regression was highly significant (P