G. Padmavati et Sc. Goswami, ZOOPLANKTON ECOLOGY IN THE MANDOVI-ZUARI ESTUARINE SYSTEM OF GOA, WEST-COAST OF INDIA, Indian journal of marine sciences, 25(3), 1996, pp. 268-273
Seasonal variability in the physico-chemical features, zooplankton sta
nding stock (biomass) and faunal composition in the Mandovi-Zuari estu
arine system of Goa during January to December 1990 were studied. Hydr
obiological characteristics were influenced by the southwest monsoon.
Salinity fluctuations were drastic (0.1 to 36.6 x 10(-3)). This appear
ed to cause variations in plankton production and heterogeneity of var
ious taxa. Zooplankton biomass and total numerical counts varied signi
ficantly between seasons and estuaries. Highest biomass values (1.9 ml
/m(3)) were recorded in the Zuari estuary but the maximum counts (2570
0/m(3)) were obtained in the Mandovi estuary. Crustaceans particularly
copepods predominated (54.9 to 70.6%). Invertebrate larvae, luciferid
shrimps, cladocerans and chaetognaths were the other common zooplankt
on groups. Diustribution and abundance of majority of constituent grou
ps and species were influenced by various hydrographical characteristi
cs of the environment.