Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Seasonal variation of zooplankton abundance and composition in Gopalpur creek: a tropical tidal backwater, east coast of India.

Volume 55 Issue 1

Biraja Kumar Sahu, S. K. Baliarsingh, S. Srichandan and K.C. Sahu

doi: 10.6024/jmbai.2013.55.1.01715-10

Abstract

Zooplankton abundance and composition was studied in Gopalpur creek in premonsoon, monsoon and post monsoon season with some hydrographic parameters. Water temperature, salinity and chlorophyll a has shown significant variation (p<0.01) among seasons while pH has shown significant
variation (p<0.01) among stations. A total of 45 zooplankton groups/taxa were observed in which the copepods formed the dominant group in all seasons. The average biomass was higher in premonsoon but no significant variation of biomass was observed among seasons and stations. Zooplankton biomass correlated positively with water temperature and salinity. No correlation was found between chlorophyll a and zooplankton biomass. Zooplankton composition was found dissimilar in the three seasons. Cumaceans, a hyperbenthic fauna were found only in post monsoon season.

Keywords

Zooplankton, seasonal, Gopalpur creek, east coast of India.

Date : 30-05-2013