DISTRIBUTION OF DECAPOD LARVAE IN THE BOMBAY HARBOUR-THANA- BASSEIN CREEK REGIONS

Abstract

Variations in the abundance and composition of larval decapods were studied from a
90 km stretch of the Bombay harbour-Thana creei<-Basscin creek (B.HTCBC) system for a
period of 15 months. The larvae belonged to Penaeidea, Caridea, Anomura and B.-achyura.
Among these, brachyunms were the most abundant in the entire study area indicating good
potential for cmb fishery. Penaeus, Metapenaeus and Parapenaeopsis were the genera recorded
in the family Penacidae of which Metapenaeus spp. were the most common. Generally there
was a higher abundance of Penaeus and Metapenaeus du1·ing monsoon probably indicating·
intense br(.,'Cding. A few genera of decatwds showed patchy occurrence in this system. Results
of this first investigation ·were quantitatively and <1ualitativcly evaluated ·with comments on
fishery potential of the commercially im1>oriant groups of dccapods.