Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Diversity of microzooplankton in Parangipettai coastal waters, southeast coast of India

Volume 47 Issue 1

V. Ashok Prabu, P. Perumal and M. Rajkumar

Abstract

Species composition, density and diversity of microzooplankton along with hydrographical parameters in Vellar Estuary and Killai backwaters (Lat. 11⁰29' N; Long. 79⁰46' E) were studied from September 1998 to August 1999. Fifty six microzooplanktonic species including 6 larval forms representing diverse taxonomic groups such as Tintinnida (39); Rotifera (5); Foraminifera (3); Radiolaria (2); Ciliata (1) and Metazoa (6) were recorded. Species like Tinfinnopsis cylindricn, T. tribulosa, T. tocnntinesis and Favella philippinensis were found to be dominant. The observed maximum population density of microzooplankton (37520 ind./l) during summer season could be due to the higher levels of salinity (35%₀) and dissolved oxygen (5.63 ml/l) as a result of rich phytoplankton production.

Keywords

Microzooplankton, Vellar estuary, Killai backwaters

Date : 30-06-2005