Distribution of ostracoda in waters off Tuticorin, southeast coast of India

Abstract

The mean values of temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen determined during four different months (January, April, July and October) are as follows: 26.6 degrees C, 30.24 x 10(-3) and 3.1 ml/l; 32.3 degrees C, 34.24 x 10(-3) and 6.7 ml/l; 29.2 degrees C, 35.25 x 10(-3) and 5.3 ml/l; 28.2 degrees C, 32.7 x 10(-3) and 5.7 ml/l. The mean density of ostracod population during these four months is 226, 341, 283 and 148 respectively. It is inferred that an increase in temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen content of the bottom water is favourable for a comparative abundance of ostracod population in the study area.