| Summary: | The taxonomic composition, abundance and spatio-temporal distribution of copepods were analyzed from bimonthlyzooplankton samples collected at Mo Ko Thale-tai, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. Sixteen copepod genera in familiesCalanoida (9), Harpacticoida (4), Poecilostomatoida (2), and Cyclopoida (1) were identified. This number accounted for 59% ofthe recorded Thai marine copepods (27 genera). The most common genera were Oithona, Euterpina, Acrocalanus, Corycaeus,and Microsetella. Copepod blooms were observed in October 2006 (103,044 individuals/m3) and July 2007 (73,579 individuals/m3). Their abundance was consistently high around Ko Tan where seaweeds, seagrasses ,and corals dominated the area. Thisevidence indicated that the prevalence of these microhabitats that most likely provide food and nursery grounds for thelarval stages might be one of the key factors that determine the occurrence, abundance and distribution of copepods.
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