Composition, abundance distribution and diversity of zooplanton in the offshore waters of Pahang-Terennganu and Sabah

Abstract

Zooplankton plays crucial roles in food web, nutrient cycling, microbial loop and often used as an indicator for environmental health. However, zooplankton study, especially in the offshore area of Malaysian waters is scarce and limited. Thus, this study aimed to determine the abundance, distribution and diversity of zooplankton community in Pahang – Terengganu and Sabah offshore waters and their relation with environmental parameters (physical parameters measured in-situ, nutrients, total suspended solids and chlorophyll a). Moreover, detailed description on the morphological characteristics of the abundant genus, Paracalanus sp. and Acartia sp. (Class Copepoda) were carried out through the use of schematic drawing.