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dc.contributor.authorGauns, M.
dc.contributor.authorMochemadkar, S.
dc.contributor.authorPatil, S.
dc.contributor.authorPratihary, A.K.
dc.contributor.authorNaqvi, S.W.A.
dc.contributor.authorMadhupratap, M.
dc.date.accessioned2015-10-27T03:50:06Z
dc.date.available2015-10-27T03:50:06Z
dc.date.issued2015
dc.identifier.citationJournal of Oceanography, vol.71(4); 2015; 345-359
dc.identifier.urihttp://drs.nio.org/drs/handle/2264/4812
dc.description.abstractSeasonal abundance, composition and grazing rates of microzooplankton (20–200 µm) in the Zuari estuary were investigated to evaluate their importance in food web dynamics of a tropical monsoonal estuary. Average abundances of microzooplankton (organisms × 10<sup>4</sup> l<sup>-1</sup>) during the three seasons were 0.44 (southwest monsoon), 1.13 (post-monsoon) and 0.96 (pre-monsoon). Protozoan (ciliates, heterotrophic dinoflagellates and sarcodines) accounted for most (96 %) of the microzooplankton community, with micrometazoan (nauplii and copepodid stages of copepods, fish eggs, etc.). being far less abundant. Among protozoans, ciliates (loricates and aloricates) were most numerous (69 % of the total microzooplankton). Statistically significant (p < 0.001) co-variations of microzooplankton with other biological parameters such as chlorophyll a and bacterial biomass were observed. Salinity influenced microzooplankton distribution, with an optimum range of 15–20. Microzooplankton formed a large organic carbon pool, accounting for 24–40 % of the total carbon in the living matter. Seasonally averaged microzooplankton biomasses were 22.3, 36.1 and 24.6 mmol C m<sup>-3</sup>, respectively, during the southwest monsoon, post-monsoon and pre-monsoon periods, and were largely supported by non-living particulate carbon (detritus) particularly during the non-monsoon seasons. Experimental studies revealed significant microzooplankton grazing on phytoplankton standing stock, mainly (>60 %) by the pico and nano fraction (<20 µm) for most of the year. Phytoplankton growth rates (day<sup>-1</sup>) ranged between 0.69 and 1.24. Microzooplankton grazing was estimated to consume 30–82 % of the phytoplankton standing stock, and 58–97 % of the daily primary production. Results of the present study highlight the role of the microzooplankton as an important consumer of phytoplankton production
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherSpringer
dc.rightsAn edited version of this paper was published by Springer. This paper is for R & D purpose and Copyright [2015] Springer
dc.subjectAQUATIC COMMUNITIES::Zooplankton
dc.subjectAQUATIC COMMUNITIES::Phytoplankton
dc.subjectAQUATIC COMMUNITIES::Habitat community studies
dc.subjectPOPULATION STUDIES::Nutrition and feeding habits
dc.subjectAQUATIC ECOLOGY, PRODUCTIVITY::Biological productivity
dc.subjectAQUATIC ECOLOGY, PRODUCTIVITY::Species interactions
dc.titleSeasonal variations in abundance, biomass and grazing rates of microzooplankton in a tropical monsoonal estuary
dc.typeJournal Article


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