Distribution of calanoid copepods in the Arabian sea and Bay of Bengal

Abstract

The distribution of calanoid copepods from the northern Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal is discussed in relation to thermocline. The inshore offshore zonation of a neritic, shelf an oceanic communities was traced based on the species composition. Numerical abundance was high in the shelf stations. Secondary production considered in terms of copepod density showed the ratio 2:1 between the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. The water column from the top layer of thermocline to surface was dominated by Acrocalanus spp. Paracalanus spp., Eucalanus spp., Undinula vulgaris and Euchaeta spp. In the discontinuity layer Eucalanus attenuatus, Scolecithricella ctenopus, Haloptilus longicornis and Lucicutio flavicornis were encountered. In the deeper collections from the Bay of Bengal bathypelagic copepods viz. Heterostylitis longicornis, L. clausi, Amallothrix indica and Euaugaptilus nudus have been recorded here for the first time