ABSTRACT

Studies on the morphology of the male, female and postembryonic development of estuarine cyclopoid copepod A. dengizicus were carried out. Zooplankton samples were collected from Adyar estuary A. dengizicus were sorted and subjected to taxonomic and postembryonic development studies. The adult male and female of A. dengizicus measure 677±23mm and 700±mm in length respectively. In ovigerous female a clutch of eggs undergo embryonic development in the ovisacs and the mean numbers of eggs recorded are 38±5. Postembryonic development of A. dengizicus includes six naupilar and six copepodid stages. The different post embryonic stages are described using photomicrographs and camera lucida diagrams. Morphological details of different stages and structure of their appendages are discussed in comparision with other copepods.the dimensions and durarions of different stages of postembryonic development of A. dengizicus are documented.multiple generations of A. dengizicus can be raised in the laboratory using yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) as food, which suggest that A. dengizicus can be mass cultured. Different stages of postembvryonic as well as adults of A. dengizicus can be used as live food for many commercially important marine cultivable species. Importance of production of indigenous live food aquahatcheries and the role of copepod naupili in promoting the production of marine fish larvae from marine fish culture point are discussed.

Keywords :Estuarine cyclopoid copepod A.dengizicus; Taxonomic and postembryonic development; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Copepod naupili.