Seasonal abundance and breeding cycles of meiobenthic copepods at Parikud island in Chilka lagoon (Bay of Bengal)

Abstract

Seasonal abundance and breeding cycles of 15 dominant species of meiobenthic harpacticoid copepods inclusive of ovigerous females inhabiting the littoral sediments of Parikud island in Chilka lagoon (Bay of Bengal) are presented here. Copepoda constituted on an average 22% of the total meiofauna. The minimum and maximum densities (nos. cm(-2)) ranged from 152(November 1978) to 368 (March 1979). The correlation coefficient values determined for most of the species, in relation to ambient salinity and temperature, suggest the lagoonal copepods are highly euryocious and independent of ambient salinity and temperature. The ,dominant species were noted to be in reproductive state throughout the year whereas the less dominant had restricted breeding periods and are well spaced.