Supiyanit Maiphae and Phannee Sa-ardrit

pp. 641 - 651

Abstract

The taxonomic composition, abundance and spatio-temporal distribution of copepods were analyzed from bimonthly
zooplankton samples collected at Mo Ko Thale-tai, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. Sixteen copepod genera in families
Calanoida (9), Harpacticoida (4), Poecilostomatoida (2), and Cyclopoida (1) were identified. This number accounted for 59% of
the recorded Thai marine copepods (27 genera). The most common genera were Oithona, Euterpina, Acrocalanus, Corycaeus,
and Microsetella. Copepod blooms were observed in October 2006 (103,044 individuals/m³
) and July 2007 (73,579 individuals/
m³
). Their abundance was consistently high around Ko Tan where seaweeds, seagrasses ,and corals dominated the area. This
evidence indicated that the prevalence of these microhabitats that most likely provide food and nursery grounds for the
larval stages might be one of the key factors that determine the occurrence, abundance and distribution of copepods.