Biomass and composition of zooplankton from Pitchavaram mangroves, southeast coast of India

111-113Distribution and abundance of zooplankton in the Pitchavaram mangroves were studied. Standing stock of zooplankton varied from 0.35 to 1.8 ml.m -3. The average density of zooplankton other than the copepods varied from 1618 to 3806 organisms m -3. Copepods formed the major constituent contributing 70.98 to 94.2% of total population. Two peaks of biomass were encountered during the study period, one in premonsoon (July-September) and another in the postmonsoon (January-March) season