Oncaeidae (Copepoda: Poecilostomatoida) in the Indian Ocean with comments on the species of Lubbockia and Conaea

Abstract

Conaea, Lubbockia and Oncaea are three genera of the family Oncaeidae encountered in the International Indian Ocean Expedition (IIOE) collections. Conaea, represented by a single species Conaea rapax was observed at 13 stations. The two species of Lubbockia, Lubbockia aculeata and Lubbockia squillimana were widespread in the Indian Ocean; the former was present at 43 stations and the latter in 53 stations. The mean temperature of the positive stations ranged from 14 to 24 degrees C. C. rapax and L. aculeata showed affinity to lower temperature and the highest density observed was at 14 to 16 degrees C, whereas Lubbockia squillimana was abundant at stations with higher mean temperature. Maximum density for the genus Oncaea was observed in the northern and equatorial Indian Ocean. Oncaea populations diminished towards the subtropical and southern latitudes