Distribution of Thecosomatous Pteropods off the Central Coast of Western Australia

Abstract

A series of surface plankton tows was made along eight transects in the Indian Ocean off the central coast of Western Australia during June 1976. The transects were spaced 1º 30' apart latitudinally from 24º 30'S. to 35º 00'S. and stretched from the coast westward to 105º E. Fifteen species and subspecies of the cosomatous pteropods were collected during the survey. The mean total the cosome density was 5.61 per 10³ m³ of water filtered. Four species (Cavolinia inflexa, Clio pyramidata, Cuvierina columnella and Styliola subula) together constituted 87.3 % of all the cosomes collected. The results of this survey are placed into the general context of our knowledge of the zooplankton off Western Australia.