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Abstract Submission No. | ABS-2022-09-0366 |
Title of Abstract | Spatio-temporal variation in the distribution of the ichthyoplankton community of Off Kochi coastal waters, southwest coast of India |
Authors | Parvathy R.*, P. Kaladharan, Ratheesh Kumar R, Shelton Padua, Vineetha G, Lavanya Ratheesh, Reena V Joseph, Keziya James, Akhil Babu |
Organisation | Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi |
Address | 'Chaithanya', I. N. Menon Lane, N.F. Gate, Tripunithura, Ernakulam Ernakulam, Kerala, India Pincode: 682301 Mobile: 8129130086 E-mail: parvathyr95@gmail.com |
Country | India |
Presentation | Oral |
Abstract | Coastal waters owing to high productivity and rich biodiversity are known for its high fisheries yield globally. However, in the recent decades the tertiary productivity and the fishery yield from these critical coastal habitats are impacted by the threats arising from both natural and anthropogenic sources. Ichthyoplankton community are considered to be suitable indicators of habitat changes as they respond rapidly to alterations in their ambient environment thus affecting their spawning and recruitment. Hence, a critical understanding of the distribution of the ichthyoplankton community in response to the habitat changes is a prerequisite for assessing the fishery potential of the coastal waters. In the present study, the spatio-temporal variations in the distribution of ichthyoplankton community of the off Kochi coastal waters were evaluated by sampling at five locations positioned at varying depths (5m, 10m, 20m, 30m and 40m) extending from the inlet to offshore regions during pre-monsoon (February - May) and monsoon (June - September) in 2021. Zooplankton and associated hydrographic variables such as temperature, salinity and chlorophyll a were analyzed on a monthly scale. The ichthyoplankton community were sorted from the zooplankton samples and identified using standard taxonomic manuals. The study revealed a marked seasonality in the ichthyoplankton distribution along depths and with seasons. Among seasons, higher ichthyoplankton abundance was observed during pre-monsoon compared to monsoon. Spatially, the near-shore locations (5m and 20m) had higher ichthyoplankton density than offshore locations (30m and 40m). Among the hydrographic variables temperature, salinity and chlorophyll a exerted a prominent influence on the distribution and abundance of this ecologically significant taxa in the coastal waters of off Kochi, southwest coast of India. |