Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Copepods in the Straits of Malacca

The distribution of planktonic copepods was analyzed from samples collected at 13 to 20 stations during 4 oceanographic cruises along the Straits of Malacca (05°59 , N, 99°59 , E and 01°10 , N, 103° 29 , E). Samples were taken in vertical hauls using a NORPAC net (140 μm mesh size and 45 cm mouth diameter). Univariate (number of species and diversity indices) as well as multivariate (clustering, ANOSIM, and SIMPER) techniques from the PRIMER software package were employed. In total, 117 copepod species were identified. Of these, 9 species are new records for the Straits of Malacca. Thirteen species accounted for 69.7% of the total copepod abundances on average for all cruises. Two characteristic copepod communities in the northern and southern parts of the Straits were distinguished. The shallow southern part was characterized by high abundance values, a low species diversity index (H , of 2.967), and the dominance of a few coastal species such as Euterpina acutifrons, Oithona simplex, and Paracalanus parvus s.l.. The deeper waters of the northern part were characterized by low abundances, a relatively high species diversity index (H , of 3.632), and the presence of epipelagic species belonging to neritic and near-coastal areas of the oceanic communities. Areas of high abundance were the near-coastal waters of Lumut and Port Klang in the northern and the central parts of the straits, respectively. Mean abundance estimates (2927 ± 1085 individuals/m3) of copepods showed a maximum peak during the pre-southwest monsoon period. Although ANOVA showed no significant differences in copepod abundances between different parts of the straits and among cruises, ANOSIM applied to the average of all 4 cruises revealed that the communities of the northern and southern parts of the straits spatially differed.

並列關鍵字

Zooplankton ； Malaysia ； Tropical copepod ； Composition ； Diversity

國際替代計量

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