STUDY ON THE PRAWNS OF ASHTAMUDI BACKWATERS IN KERALA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO PENAEIDS

Abstract

Fifteen species of prawns were recorded from Ashtamudi backwater system
whicli included one species of sergesitid, five species of carideans and nine species of
penaeids. The penaeid prawns were chiefly represented by juveniles of Penaeus
semisulcatus, P., indicus, P. latisulcatus, Melapenaeus dobsoni and M. monoceros.
While M dobsoni and P. indicus were the dominant species in most parts of the
backwaters, P. semisulcatus occurred more abundantly in some of the deeper areas
having relatively higher salinities (9.42-32.11% ). P. latisulcatus formed one of
the common components of the catches taken during the post-monsoon period.
Parapenaeopsis styltfera, the most dominant sepcies contributing to the marine
fishery of this area, was encountered only in stray numbers.
Commercial exploitation and population characteristics of the juvenile
penaeid prawns in these nursery areas are briefly discussed