Distribution of Zooplankton from Arabian Sea, along Southern Kerala (Southwest Coast of India) During the Cruise

• Main Authors: K Chandrasekar, R S Robin, M Srinivasan, Niot, Chennai
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: Calanus finmarchicus; Copepods
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.1083.6064; http://maxwellsci.com/print/crjbs/%283%29155-159.pdf

Abstract: Among different groups of zooplankton copepods contributed maximum numerical abundance contributed up to (31.93%). 26 species of copepods constituted by 20 species of calanoida, 3 species of harpatocoida and 3 species of cyclopoida. The predominant species of copepods were Acartia spinicuda, Calanus finmarchicus, Paracalanus parvus, Acrocalanus gracilis, and Euterpina acutiferons. Less number of Ichthyoplankton encountered during present study is an indication of anthropogenic hydrographical changes in coastal waters and its adverse impact on fishery potential of these transects. Salinity showed a significant positive correlation with zooplankton density. Relatively low zooplankton density in the near shore stations compared to offshore may be attributed to salinity variations and marginal stress from the fresh water input. Thus the present attempt is made to study the distribution of zooplankton recorded in Arabian Sea along Southern Kerala. Among the stations, the highest zooplankton population of 366 NomG 3 was recorded at Neendakara 5km offshore and Veli near shore (EDP) recorded the lowest density of 60 Nom G3 . The minimum zooplankton density encountered at Veli transect might be due to constant exposure to precipitate, severe drop in pH, low dissolved oxygen leading to asphyxiation and death of large population.