Biomass and Seasonal Distribution of Planktonic Tintinnids of Pullavazhi Estuary, Southeast Coast of India

Abstract

Seventeen species of tintinnids were recorded from Pullavazhi Estuary, Gulf of Mannar. While much of the agglomerated species were associated with salinities of 29.5 x 10-3, all the non-agglomerated species were with salinities of 31.5 x 10-3. At sts 1 and 2 counts (no.m-3) of tintinnids ranged from 5000 to 148000 and from 0 to 112000 and the plasma volume (mm3.m-3) from 0.35 to 55.98 and from 0 to 18.96 respectively. The net tintinnids dominated over nanotintinnids and their percentage contributions by counts and plasma volume were 72 and 75U+0025 (st 1) and 71 and 88U+0025 (st 2) respectively. By counts both the stations registered primary and secondary peaks. The non-agglomerated species and the agglomerated species were responsible for the primary peak at st 1 and st 2 respectively. Seasonal variations in plasma volume were masked by the size differences of the species. The values of plasma volume presently recorded were of the highest order compared to other Indian localities studied.