Ecology of the neritic and oceanic cyclopoid copepods along the southwest coast of India and the Laccadive Sea

Abstract

The qualitative species wise numerical abundance and seasonal distribution of cyclopoid copepods were studied for the first time based on 153 zooplankton samples collected during December, 1966 to October, 1967 from 40 fixed stations in the area covering 71°31 'E to 76°10'E and 09°30'N to 12°00'N. The results of synoptic and ecological studies on the distribution pattern of cyclopoid copepod species from the neriticand oceanic waters of southwest coast of India and Laccadive Seas are presented and the influencing role of hydrographic parameters and water circulation on their distribution discussed. The results of the investigation on the qualitative spatial distribution of 40 species of cyclopoid copepods during Northeast monsoon. Transition, and Southwest monsoon period is presented. The occurrence of cyclopoid copepod species during day and night collections were also studied. Based on the characteristic pattern of spatial distribution, the occurrence of twenty-four species were studied in relation to Temperature-Salinity—Plankton diagrams to ascertain the range in which each species occurs. Based on the T-S-P diagrams two group of species were seen, one group occurring in a wide range, and the other group occurring in a narrow range.