Studies on Copepod Fauna and its Abundance in Muttukadu Backwater, Tamilnadu, India

Among zooplankton, copepod community in Muttukadu backwater was investigated in detail during February 2004 and May 2006. A total of 41 species of copepoda belonging to 22 genera under three suborders Calanoida (17), Cyclopoida (15) and Harpacticoida (09) along with nauplii and copepodites were recorded. In this paper, the monthly and seasonal abundance of copepod fauna is reported from four locations of Muttukadu backwater and total mean abundance was compared among those locations. The seasonal data showed higher abundance during pre-monsoon season. The fluctuations in abundance of copepoda observed during the study were discussed in detail.