Distribution of Siphonophores along the West Coast of India and the Laccadive Sea

Abstract

A study has been made of the occurrence and distribution of siphonophores of the west coast of India and the Laccadive Sea based on 331 epipelagic zooplankton samples collected during the cruises of R. V. Varuna. A total of 47 species have been identified and their distribution pattern along the coast and in the oceanic regions determined. Based on their distribution in space, the species are broadly classified into neritic forms, oceanic forms and the species occurring both in the neritic and oceanic waters. Six species belong to the neritic region, fifteen to the oceanic region and twenty six species are distributed in both the oceanic and the neritic waters. The meso and bathy pelagic siphonophores Marrus orthocannoides, Bargmania elongata. Rosacea plicata, Lensia lelouveteau, Abyla haeckeli and Heteropyramis maculata were encountered in the upper 200 m layer and their occurrence in the epipelagic region is of interest.