Spatial distribution of copepods along the salinity gradient of Perai river estuary, Penang, Malaysia

Investigation on copepod communities in Perai river estuary was conducted from November 2005 to May 2006. Five stations were established for monthly sampling and were located from the river mouth to the upper reaches of the river. Copepod samples were collected from vertical tows using a standard zo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Pakistan journal of biological sciences 2012-07, Vol.15 (13), p.647-652
Main Authors: Johan, I, Maznah, W O Wan, Mashhor, M, Abu Hena, M K, Amin, S M N
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acartia spinicauda
Acartiidae
Animals
Brackish
Calanidae
Centropagidae
Clausidiidae
Copepoda - growth & development
Copepoda - physiology
Corycaeidae
Cyclopidae
Eucalanidae
Euterpina acutifrons
Freshwater
Hemicyclops
Malaysia
Microsetella norvegica
Oithona nana
Oithona simplex
Oithonidae
Paracalanidae
Paracalanus
Paracalanus crassirostris
Paracalanus parvus
Pontellidae
Pseudodiaptomidae
Pseudodiaptomus
Sodium Chloride
Tortanidae
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Summary:Investigation on copepod communities in Perai river estuary was conducted from November 2005 to May 2006. Five stations were established for monthly sampling and were located from the river mouth to the upper reaches of the river. Copepod samples were collected from vertical tows using a standard zooplankton net. The Perai river estuary was slightly stratified and salinity decreases significantly from the mouth of the river towards the upper reaches of the river. A total of 28 species of copepods were recorded and comprised of 14 families, Paracalanidae, Oithonidae, Corycaeidae, Acartiidae, Calanidae, Centropagidae, Eucalanidae, Pontellidae, Pseudodiaptomidae, Tortanidae, Ectinosomatidae, Euterpinidae, Clausidiidae and Cyclopidae. A total of 10 species showed high positive affiliation towards salinity (R > 0.60), Acartia spinicauda, Euterpina acutifrons, Microsetella norvegica, Oithona nana, Oithona simplex, Paracalanus crassirostris, Paracalanus elegans, Paracalanus parvus, Pseudodiaptomus sp. and Hemicyclops sp. The copepod species Pseudodiaptomus dauglishi were negatively affiliated towards salinity (R = -0.71). The copepod assemblages classified into two distinct groups according to salinity regimes, euryhaline-polyhaline group (25 marine affiliated species) and oligohaline-mesohaline group (3 freshwater affiliated species).
ISSN:1028-8880
1812-5735
DOI:10.3923/pjbs.2012.647.652