Zooplankton abundance in the Laccadive Sea (Lakshadweep)

Abstract

Zooplankton abundance from the samples collected during the 31st cruise of <i>R V Gaveshani</i> (March-April 1978) in the Laccadive Sea (Lakshadweep) was studied. Major planktonic groups showed patchy distribution of abundance in the surveyed region. Copepods were dominant constituents of zooplankton population at all stations. Two harpacticoid copepod species, viz. <i>Microsetella norvegica</i> (Boeck) and Miracia efferata Dana, were associated with the blue green alga <i>Trichodesmium erythraeum</i>. Decapods were better represented in the oceanic region. The gravid females of red bathypelagic prawns, <i>Acanthepyra sanguinea</i>, adults and juveniles of <i>Gennadas</i> sp. and <i>Parapenaeus</i> sp. were recorded in greater numbers around Kalpeni, Androth and Minicoy islands. Zooplankton biomass values at the oceanic stations varied from 4.5 to 37.5 ml/200 m³. These values were compared with the zooplankton biomass values reported for some regions of the Indian Ocean.