Studies on the infestation of an isopod crustacean, Cirolana fluviatilis in some parts of the Cochin backwaters, Kerala

Abstract

In July 1994 reports appeared in the media about the large scale occurrence of a tiny 'antlike fish killer' in the Kumbalangi-Perumpadappu area of the Cochin backwaters causing threat to the aquatic living resources.The CMFRI initiated an investigation on the problems. The isopod C.Jluviatilis is a commonly occurring organism in the Cochin backwaters and elsewhere. It is a voracious carnivore which if present in very large numbers can cause a threat to the living resources in the estuarine water area. Population explosion of this isopod has now taken place in the Kumbalangi - Perumpadappu area. The reason for the unprecedented population explosion of this isopod in the Kumbalangi- Perumpadappu area is the recent changes taken place in the ecosystem there.