Tintinnid swarms of Porto Novo waters

Abstract

Eleven species of tintinnids (Protozoa: Ciliata) were found to cause 'swarms' in the neritic, estuarine, backwater and mangrove biotopes. The biomass of tintinnids was expressed in terms of both numbers and plasma volume. The maximum number and higher frequency of occurrence was observed in the case of species belonging to agglomerated group of tintinnids. Four species were found to swarm in a wide range of salinity. Most of the swarms occurred during pre-monsoon season on the east coast of India. The swarms were correlated with diatom blooms. Food chain relations have also been discussed