Distribution of penaeid prawn larvae in the coastal waters of Goa

Abstract

Larval and postlarval distribution of 4 commercially important penaeid prawns was studied in the coastal waters of Goa extending up to 40 m depth zone during Jan. - Dec. 1981. Larval stages of Metapenaeus dobsoni and Metapenaeus affinis were mostly distributed within the 20 m depth zone whereas those of Penaeus merguiensis and Parapenaeopsis stylifera, between 20 and 30m depth zone. Larval abundance also showed species specific seasonal variation.Statistical analysis indicated that larval and postlarval stages of Metapenaeus dobsoni and Parapenaeopsis stylifera were significantly dominant in that order and that 20 and 30 m depth zones had significantly high density of larval stages. Larval abundance in the coastal waters has been related to the breeding behaviour of individual species