Distribution of Plankton Communities in Penaeus monodon (Fabricius) Culture Systems Of Kerala

S. Lekshmy; W. Soumya; M. Mini; Tresa Radhakrishnan

Volume : III, Issue : XI, November - 2014

Distribution of Plankton Communities in Penaeus monodon (Fabricius) Culture Systems Of Kerala

S. Lekshmy, W. Soumya, M. Mini, Tresa Radhakrishnan

Abstract :

Quantitative distribution of plankton communities in extensive and modified extensive Penaeus monodon culture systems on the southwest coast of Kerala, was studied during three shrimp culture seasons. Phytoplankton constituted the major component in both systems, 84.9% – 93.5% in extensive and 88.5% – 90.8% in modified extensive system. Among phytoplankton, Bacillariophyceae dominated throughout in both extensive (56.8% – 67.0%) and modified extensive (70.2% – 75%) system. Zooplankton constituted only a small portion of the plankton in both systems. In extensive system densities of Chlorophyceae and Myxophyceae were negatively correlated with salinity (P < 0.05). A significant positive relation (P < 0.05) between density of Chlorophyceae and DO was observed. In modified extensive system, densities of Myxophyceae (P < 0.01) and zooplankton (P < 0.05) were negatively correlated with water temperature. Negative correlation was registered between density of Myxophyceae and H2S, alkalinity (P < 0.05) and NH3 (P < 0.01), also between zooplankton density and NH3 and alkalinity (P < 0.05). In extensive and modified extensive system, natural food contributed significantly to the growth of P. monodon and proper assessment of this food in the pond may help reduce the use of supplementary feed