Distribution, abundance and species diversity of copepods from dandi creek west coast of India

Abstract

In the present study total five stations were selected for collection of zooplankton (copepods) out of these, 3 stations were within the creek and 2 stations were in offshore region. Copepods formed the most dominant group of zooplankton sample at all the stations, at station 1 their population was in the range of 5845 to 54472 / 100m3 (av.36882.8 / 100m3), at station 2 12166 to 65700 / 100m3 ( av. of 32472.38 /100m3) , at station 3 17263 to 67652/ 100m3 (av.35385.2 /100m3), at station 4 12064 to 48990/ 100m3 (av. 31924.73/ 100m3) and at station 5 7060 to 41528 / 100m3 (av.25657.47/100m3). Species composition of copepods was evaluated based on analyses of sample from station 1 and 5, representing the outer and interior zone respectively. A total of 61 species belonging to the 20 genera and 11 families at station 1 and 48 species belongs to 15 genera and 8 families at station 5. Calanoida became the most dominant group in copepod population.