Zooplankton standing stock and diversity along an oceanic track in the western Indian Ocean

Abstract

Zooplankton samples were collected from 13 stations situated in the oceanic realm between latitudes 8 degrees 49 minutes N and 19 degrees 48 minutes S in January-February, 1981. Standing stock varied between 1.6 and 10.4 ml/100 m@u3@@ and was generally poor. Higher biomass was associated with area of higher nutrient concentration. Standing stock is compared with earlier observations from oceanic and coastal waters. Species diversity was fairly high and comparisons show an increasing diversity from estuaries to coastal environments and oceanic areas