Occurrence and abundance of Sagitta bedoti Beraneck (Chaetognatha) in a tidal creek of Sagar Island, Sunderbans

Abstract

Distribution of Sagitta bedoti Beraneck with reference to prevailing hydrological conditions was studied at two stations in a tidal creek of Sagar Island, Sunderbans, West Bengal, India, during July, 1977 to June, 1978. Salinity ranged from 1.5 to 22.8 ppt and the water temperature varied from 20 to 31.5 degrees C. Maximum population density of this species was encountered in March (355/m(to the power -3)) at station 2. The abundance was found to be related with higher salinity. The population was poor during the monsoon months (July to October) at both the stations