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

K. Chandrasekar

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

2009

K. Chandrasekar

Among different groups of zooplankton copepods contributed maximum numerical abundancecontributed up to (31.93%). 26 species of copepods constituted by 20 species of calanoida, 3 species ofharpatocoida and 3 species of cyclopoida. The predominant species of copepods were Acartia spinicuda,Calanus finmarchicus, Paracalanus parvus, Acrocalanus gracilis, and Euterpina acutiferons. Less number ofIchthyoplankton encountered during present study is an indication of anthropogenic hydrographical changesin coastal waters and its adverse impact on fishery potential of these transects. Salinity showed a significantpositive correlation with zooplankton density. Relatively low zooplankton density in the near shore stationscompared 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 alongSouthern Kerala. Among the stations, the highest zooplankton population of 366 NomG3 was recorded atNeendakara 5km offshore and Veli near shore (EDP) recorded the lowest density of 60 NomG3. The minimumzooplankton density encountered at Veli transect might be due to constant exposure to precipitate, severe dropin pH, low dissolved oxygen leading to asphyxiation and death of large population.

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