International Science Community Association International Research Journal of Environmental Sciences 2319-1414 10 3 2021 07 22 A study on benthic community structure in a backwater canal (T.S. Canal, Thottapally), Kerala, India 1 8 EN Bharghavan S. Jaishinimol 1 Department Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, University of Kerala, India > Research Paper 2020 8 19 2021 07 22 Benthos give indications to the environmental status of any aquatic system and are excellent bio indicators of ecosystem changes especially the sediment. The bottom fauna is represented by a wide spectrum of animal groups and exhibits wide diversity. The benthic community in T.S canal in particular the benthic groups and their relative abundance was studied. The benthos in the T.S. Canal was represented by 12 groups, nematodes were the most abundant groups, followed by polychaetes and oligochaetes. Seasonally, the highest density of benthos in T.S. Canal was during pre-monsoon season and the lowest during the monsoon season. The density of benthos was positively correlated with bottom water and sediment temperatures. The high density of total benthos at stations close to the sea indicates that the majority of benthic groups present in the canal prefer saline condition. Copyright@ International Science Community Association