473-488In most of the statistical models judgment
from experts’ opinion has been required for the selection of predictor
variables and functional relationships. Ecology, as in other branches of
science, involves a complex mechanism of influence on data and its analysis is
usually based on sound statistical principles. It is possible to construct
realistic ecological models that explain the complex data and could provide the
basis for further inference. In this study, an attempt has been made to
estimate the prevalence of <span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-IN;
mso-bidi-font-style:italic">Meiofaunal population based on the data collected
in five stations (Adyar, Marina, Napier, Pulicat and Royapuram) of Chennai
coast and the elicited information that would form a basis for constructing
realistic priors. Further data pertaining to foraminiferans, a rare group of
meiofauna from the five stations of Chennai coast is subjected to Bayesian
analysis and the results are discussed.
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