Anila Kumary KS
The present paper depicts the dynamics of meiobenthic assemblages in relation to environmental variables along the coast of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala on the southwest coast of India. Meiobenthic community consisted of 11 taxa in which nematodes, foraminifers and copepods dominated. Considerable temporal variations are identifiable for all meiofaunal taxa. The ambient physico-chemical conditions of water and physical changes in sediment are responsible for the temporal distribution of meiobenthos. Vertically a downward migration of meiofauna has been observed in the sand column due to better drainage, high atmospheric temperature and exposure.