DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF COPEPODS IN THE POLLUTION GRADIENT ZONES OF BOMBAY HARBOR THANA CREEK BASSEIN CREEK, WEST-COAST OF INDIA

Forty six species of copepods were identified, of which, 40 belonged t o Calanoida with an overall dominance of Acartiidae. Acartia spinicaud a, A. centrura and Centropages dorsispinatus were the common species t hroughout the year at all locations. Eucalanus subcrassus and Paracala nus aculeatus were more abundant in the outer zone, while A. tropica w as very common in the interior region. Hyposaline species, Pseudodiapt omus binghami malayalus was recorded from the interior locations parti cularly during the monsoon months (June-September). Diversity indices (Shannon-Weaver's H' and Margalef's D) were higher in the outer coasta l waters than in creek zone indicating lethal or sublethal effects of industrial and domestic wastes on the general faunistic composition as well as water quality of the creek stations.