Spatio-temporal Distribution of Zooplankton along Paradeep, Gahirmatha and Dhamra coastal Stretch, North Odisha Coast

Unveiling the intricacies of the critical habitat during era of Anthropocene the conservation and management purpose needs long term ground monitoring with suitable sentinel organisms. Zooplankton is such a group of faunal community that is considered as the primary consumers and plays pivotal role in marine food chain. However, least research attention has-been paid on the population dynamics diversity aspect and pollution indicator related at Paradeep- Gahirmatha - Dhamra coastal waters of North western Bay of Bengal. Therefore, regular sampling to this coastal stretch being carried out during 2013 to 2022 by the Coastal Management Cell of Odisha State Pollution Control Board, Bhubaneswar. This has been carried out in order to understand the spatio-temporal distribution pattern and species community structure of zooplankton. Obtained study results reveals the preponderance of 145 species of which holoplankton and meroplankton groups represents 112 and 33 species respectively. Copepoda becomes most diverse and seasonal dominant group represented with 79 species accounts for more than 50 % of the total zooplankton bulk. Copepod predominating in the study area are Canthocalanus pauper, Paracalanus parvus, Acrocalanus gibber (calanoid group), Oithona rigida, O. brevicornis, Corycaeus danae etc (Cyclopoida group) while harpacticoid copepods are prevailed with Euterpina acutifrons, Clytemnestra scutellata, Microsetella rosea etc. Seasonally the zooplankton abundance exhibits sharp remarkable peak during post-monsoon season while monsoon exhibit the lowest. So far numerical abundance and diversity of zooplankton is concerned it was more in the Paradeep nearshore waters. Certain noteworthy pollution indicator species observed during this study are Temora turbinata, Acartia spinicauda, Euterpina acutifrons, Oithona nana. Meroplankton was found more in the Gahirmatha region. Water quality parameters were also recorded on seasonal basis. Present observation is preliminary to draw any valid conclusion. Rather it requires prolonged scientific monitoring towards conservation and management of coastal habitat along Odisha coast.