Studies on planktonic decapoda and stomatopoda (Crustacea) from the Arabian Sea

Abstract

An account of a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the planktonic decapoda and stomatopoda collected during R.V Gaveshani Cruises 10, 12, 13 in the Arabian Sea is given. Area surveyed lies between latitudes 07 degrees 00' and 20 degrees 00'N and longitudes 66 degrees 00' and 78 degrees 00'E and depths ranging from 25 to 500 m. Only 40 samples out of 93, contained planktonic decapods and stomatopods. Maximum number of larvae (1501/100 m3) was obtained from Station 228 (Ga. Cr. 13), a very shallow, coastal station, north off Cochin. The maximum number of species found was (11) collected from Station 219 in the same cruise, off Trivandrum. Large concentrations of larvae were also noted in and around the coasts off Saurashtra and Bombay. A total number of 7000 larvae/100m3 belonging to more than 30 species were obtained during these cruises. The larvae comprised mainly of the decapoda groups viz. Penaeidea, Caridea, Stenopidea, Thalassinidea, Anomura, Brachyura and Stomatopoda. Majority of the larvae (80%) belonged to the super family Penaeidea