Production and Associations of Zooplankton in Estuarine and Nearshore Waters of Goa

Abstract

Zooplankton production in the Zuari and Mandovi estuaries indicated 2 peaks-one in November and another in March/April. In the nearshore waters very high value of zooplankton biomass was observed in April associated with Trichodesmium bloom. Mean rate of production in Mandovi, Zuari and nearshore waters was 51, 69 and 136 mgC/m2/day respectively. Crustaceans contributed to the major part of the phytophagous and euryphagous populations while chaetognaths and coelenterates formed an appreciable part of the predators. In the estuaries higher diversity of zooplankton was associated with predominance of carnivores. In the nearshore waters community at the initial stages was dominated by filter feeders and omnivores and later by a high ratio of predators