DISTRIBUTION OF OSTRACODA IN WATERS OFF TUTICORIN, SOUTHEAST COAST OFINDIA

The mean values of temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen determin ed during four different months (January, April, July and October) are as follows: 26.6 degrees C, 30.24 x 10(-3) and 3.1 ml/l; 32.3 degrees C, 34.24 x 10(-3) and 6.7 ml/l; 29.2 degrees C, 35.25 x 10(-3) and 5. 3 ml/l; 28.2 degrees C, 32.7 x 10(-3) and 5.7 ml/l. The mean density o f ostracod population during these four months is 226, 341, 283 and 14 8 respectively. It is inferred that an increase in temperature, salini ty and dissolved oxygen content of the bottom water is favourable for a comparative abundance of ostracod population in the study area.