K. Balamurugan, P. Sampathkumar, P. Ezhilarasan, A. Kannathasan
Vertical distributions of chaetognaths (or Chaetognatha) were investigated during cruise along the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea in relation to hydrographical parameters. The sampling was carried out onboard by FORV "Sagar Sampada" during November, 2008 (Cruise No.259). In the present investigation, 19 species of chaetognaths were sampled and of which, 15 species belongs to family Sagittidae, 2 species of family Krohnittidae, 1 species of family Pterosagittidae, and 1 species of family Eukrohniidae. The mean standing stock of the chaetognaths was contributed about 30-50% in the total zooplankton biomass. The chaetognaths were densely distributed in the isothermal and thermocline layer at all the stations of Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea. In all the stations, Sagitta enflata was the dominant species.
