Distribution and abundance of copepods in the pollution gradient zones of Bombay Harbour-Thana Creek-Bassein Creek, west coast of India

Abstract

Forty six species of copepods were identified, of which, 40 belonged to Calanoida with an overall dominance of Acartiidae. Acartia spinicauda, A. centrura and Centropages dorsispinatus were the common species throughout the year at all locations. Eucalanus subcrassus and Paracalanus aculeatus were more abundant in the outer zone while A. tropica was very common in the interior region. Hyposaline species, Pseudodiaptomus binghami malayalus was recorded from the interior locations particularly during the monsoon months (June-September). Diversity indices (Shannon-Weaver's H' and Margalefs D) were higher in the outer coastal waters than in creek zone indicating lethal or sublethal effects of industrial and domestic waster on the general faunistic composition as well as water quality of the creek stations.