International Journal of Zoology and Applied Biosciences

Volume (1) - Issue (1), 2016 pp 40-45

Title

Influence of seasons on copepods of Agniyar estuary, Palk Strait, Tamil Nadu, India

Author

J. Sugumaran

Abstract

Seasonal variations of copepod diversity, density and physicochemical properties of Agniyar estuary was studied during 2014 and 2015. Physicochemical characteristics such as temperature, salinity, calcium and nitrite were high during premonsoon, while dissolved oxygen (DO) and nitrate were high during monsoon season. Copepods showed seasonal variations in diversity and density. Nineteen species of copepods belonging to 3 orders and 15 genera were reported. Density (1868 numbers/m3) was high during Postmonsoon, low diversity (948 numbers/m3) was recorded during monsoon. The marine and brackish water forms dominated during dry seasons while, the freshwater forms dominate rainy season. The study may serve as a basic platform for future studies and monitoring programmes of Agniyar estuary.

Keywords

Agniyar Estuary, Zooplankton, Copepods, Seasonal changes.

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Article History

Received on 02/02/2016, Accepted on 28/02/2016, Published on 20/03/2016