Physico-chemical properties, seasonal variations in species composition and abundance of micro zooplankton in the Gulf of Mannar, India

摘要

Detailed study on the abundance, distribution and species composition of microzooplankton from the Gulf of Mannar regions were carried out from March 2006 to May 2008. Seasonal variations of different parameters were investigated. A total of 72 species belonging to 41 genera were encounted. Conspicuous seasonal variation was noticed both in species composition as well as population density of microzooplankton in the Gulf of Mannar regions. Protozoan ciliates and microcrustaceans have emerged as the dominant groups in the microzooplankton part. Population density ranged from 1400-23200 m~(-3). Salinity, temperature and DO were found as the key factors controlling the qualitative and quantitative distribution of microzooplankton. The ANOVA and Correlation co-efficient were calculated for the interpretation of the results.