Numeric abundance in three tidal zones and transects: The overall estimation of numeric abundance in three tidal
zones showed highest number of animals (1278 individuals m-2), in mid tidal zone (Table 2) and lowest abundance
was observed in low tidal zone 549 individuals / m-2., respectively. The representations of macrofaunal crustaceans
were observed in almost all three tidal zones except Scylla serrata not found in low tidal zone, Pagurus sp. not found
in mid and tanaids were absent from high tidal zone. The most dominant crustacean, Balanus amphitrite showed
highest abundance i.e., 800 individuals / m-2. I n mid tide and lowest numeric abundance was observed in low tidal
zone (324 / m-2). Amphipods were the next abundant found in all three tidal zones with maximum density in mid tidal
zone (383 individuals / m-2) and lowest in low tidal zone (47 individuals / m-2). However, the ocypodid crabs,
Macropthalmus depressus showed dominance in low tidal 83 individuals / m2) zone and Uca (Leptuca) annulipes
were studied in greater numeric abundance in high tidal zone (and 7 individuals / m2). Isopods were in greater density
in the mid tidal zone (38 individuals / m2). Metapenaeus monoceros was found in low density, alyhough they were
observed in all three tidal zones. Crustacean fauna observed at the three transects studied at Sandspit backwaters
showed variations in composition (Table 3). Maximum fauna was observed at Transect 1 (2181 individuals / / m2),
wheras the lowest at transect 3 (127 individuals / m2). Variations in their composition was possibly due to that the