Abstract
The distribution and abundance patterns of marine animals were studied at Fish Harbour along Manora channel,
Karachi on quarterly basis for a period of two years from March 2008 to December 2009. Fifty-three species were
found belonging to following phyla: Coelenterates (2 species), Arthropods (Brachyuran crabs, 6 species; shrimps, 2
species), molluscs (3 species) and Chordate (finfishes; 40 species). The molluscs formed the major component in 7 out
of 8 samples. The other animal groups, in order of abundance, were finfish and brachyuran crabs. Forty species of
finfish belonging to 26 families were recorded during the study period. There are 8 families that were represented by 2
to 5 species whereas 18 families were represented just only one species. The largest family in terms of number of
species is Sciaenidae that comprised of 5 species. Most abundant species were Perna viridis, Penaeus semisulcatus,
Metapenaeus monoceros, Charybdis cruciata, Scylla serrata, Portunas pelagicus, Thalmita pyrmna, Johnius elongates
and J. belangeri. The average values of species richness (2.09), Hill diversity N1 (3.96) and N2 (2.71) values were low.
Species were, however, more evenly (Hill ratio, E5 = 0.721) distributed at Fish Harbour.
