Distribution of meiobenthic harpacticoid copepods in Gautami Godavari estuarine system

80-84Thirty two species of harpacticoid copepods were recorded, and Pseudostenhelia secunda was an ubiquitous species in the intertidal mudflats of the estuary. Mean highest density of harpacticoid copepods was recorded at a station in a mangrove biotope. The diversity in the copepod communities was high in the lower reaches and low in the upper reaches of the estuary. The similarity in the harpacticoid copepod fauna between various stations in the estuary is discussed

Distribution of phytoplankton in the coastal waters of east coast of India

262-268In the present study qualitative and quantitative distribution of phytoplankton with regional and seasonal variations in the coastal waters of east coast of India are presented out of the pooled data of 292 stations sampled during 12 cruises of FORV Sagar Sampada from 1999 to 2002. The study recorded 131 species of dinoflagellates, 111 species of diatoms and 7 species of Cyanophyta. Southeast coastal region has more endemic forms (34 species) than the northeast region (29 species). Quantitatively very low mean densities (1 to 367 nos l⁻¹) are observed. Regionally, 143 species are present at all the latitudes between 11ºN and 20ºN. Seasonally, monsoon season recorded more number of phytoplankton (193) species. The study indicates the high diversity and low production of phytoplankton in the coastal waters of east coast of India

Ecology of Intertidal Meiofauna of the Kakinada Bay (Gautami-Godavari Estuarine System), East Coast of India

40-47The survey of intertidal meiofauna in the Kakinada Bay yielded 13 groups and 22 species of harpacticoid copepods (18 genera and 8 families). The meiofauna ranged between 30.2 and 5924 no. (10 cm2)-1 with relatively high densities in a mangrove biotope. The distribution of meiofauna is discussed in relation to the prevailing environmental parameters. Spatially high diversity in harpacticoid copepods was recorded in silt-free fine sand sediments, while seasonally the diversity was low during flood period. Two harpacticoid copepod communities, namely, (1) a mangrove, detritic, clayey-silt copepod assemblage characterized by Pseudostenhelia secunda and Stenhelia (Delavalia) longifurca and (2) a coastal silt-free fine sand copepod assemblage characterized by Amphiascoides sp. and Hastigerella sp. have been identifie