322
V. R. NAIR and T. S. S. RAo:
4. Sagitta bipunctata
Both at Kavaratti and Kalpeni it was present at 2 stations only, maximum 11 per
100 m 3 and 18 per 100 m\ respectively. At Kavaratti mature specimens at stages I and II
were taken while at Kalpeni all the specimens were immature.
5. Sagitta enflata
The dominant species in most of the samples taken around the lagoon except at
stations 28 and 30 at Kavaratti and station 67, 68, 72, 73 and 74 at Kalpeni. Maximum
was 8531 per 100 m 3 at Kavaratti and 6462 per 100 m 3 at Kalpeni (highest densities at
both atolls). Within the Kavaratti lagoon the species was second in abundance; present
at stations 36, 44 and 45. Comparatively higher representation at Kalpeni lagoon where it
was absent only at station 61. Sagitta enflata was the dominant species in the Kalpeni
lagoon (average number 414 per 100 m 3 ) but at Kavaratti 53 per 100 m 3 • AilS maturity
stages, especially stage IV and immature forms were very common. In a few samples
taken around the atoll representatives of 3 different maturity cycles were encountered.
The size at maturity varied from 7 - 21 mm and the ovary extended to about 2/3 of the
extent of the posterior fins on the trunk in the first cycle, slightly beyond the posterior
fin in the second cycle and to the posterior part of the anterior fin in the third cycle.
The length range was: 7 - 9 mm for the first cycle, 13 -16 mm in the second and
18 - 21 mm in the third cycle. There were also specimens about 11 mm in length having
one ovary extending upto about the anterior part of the posterior fins, and 17 mm
specimens with ovaries reaching just behind the anterior fins.
6. Sagitta £erox
Present in most of the samples taken around the Kalpeni lagoon (maximum 217 per
100 m 3 ). Three of the lagoon collections also contained this species (average number
11 per 100 m 3 ). Mature specimens were encountered in only a few collections and the
majority were immature forms.
7. Sagitta hexaptera
Not very common around the atolls, the maximum number at Kavaratti being 13 per
100 m 3 and at Kalpeni 32 per 100 m 3 . It was taken only from the Kalpeni lagoon (average
number 9 per 100 m 3 ). Stage IV predominated at Kavaratti, at Kalpeni, immature
individuals.
8. Sagitta neglecta
Very common in the seas around Kavaratti and Kalpeni. At Kavaratti it dominated
the samples at station 30 (821 per 100 m 3 ), the maximum number at Kalpeni was at
station 65 (2154 per 100 m 3 ). The species was represented at only 2 lagoon stations
(33 and 34) at Kavaratti, but more abundant at Kalpeni, even dominating the collections
at stations 57 and 58. The average number in Kavaratti lagoon was 14 per 100 m 3 and in
Kalpeni lagoon 282 per 100 m 3 • All maturity stages were present.
9. Sagitta pacifica
Very common in the waters at Kavaratti and Kalpeni: maximum representation at
Kavaratti 1511 per 100 m 3 and at Kalpeni 2226 per 100 m 3 • At Kalpeni they dominated
at stations 67, 72, 73 and 74. Rare in Kavaratti lagoon, average number at Kavaratti atoll
V. R. NAIR and T. S. S. RAo:
4. Sagitta bipunctata
Both at Kavaratti and Kalpeni it was present at 2 stations only, maximum 11 per
100 m 3 and 18 per 100 m\ respectively. At Kavaratti mature specimens at stages I and II
were taken while at Kalpeni all the specimens were immature.
5. Sagitta enflata
The dominant species in most of the samples taken around the lagoon except at
stations 28 and 30 at Kavaratti and station 67, 68, 72, 73 and 74 at Kalpeni. Maximum
was 8531 per 100 m 3 at Kavaratti and 6462 per 100 m 3 at Kalpeni (highest densities at
both atolls). Within the Kavaratti lagoon the species was second in abundance; present
at stations 36, 44 and 45. Comparatively higher representation at Kalpeni lagoon where it
was absent only at station 61. Sagitta enflata was the dominant species in the Kalpeni
lagoon (average number 414 per 100 m 3 ) but at Kavaratti 53 per 100 m 3 • AilS maturity
stages, especially stage IV and immature forms were very common. In a few samples
taken around the atoll representatives of 3 different maturity cycles were encountered.
The size at maturity varied from 7 - 21 mm and the ovary extended to about 2/3 of the
extent of the posterior fins on the trunk in the first cycle, slightly beyond the posterior
fin in the second cycle and to the posterior part of the anterior fin in the third cycle.
The length range was: 7 - 9 mm for the first cycle, 13 -16 mm in the second and
18 - 21 mm in the third cycle. There were also specimens about 11 mm in length having
one ovary extending upto about the anterior part of the posterior fins, and 17 mm
specimens with ovaries reaching just behind the anterior fins.
6. Sagitta £erox
Present in most of the samples taken around the Kalpeni lagoon (maximum 217 per
100 m 3 ). Three of the lagoon collections also contained this species (average number
11 per 100 m 3 ). Mature specimens were encountered in only a few collections and the
majority were immature forms.
7. Sagitta hexaptera
Not very common around the atolls, the maximum number at Kavaratti being 13 per
100 m 3 and at Kalpeni 32 per 100 m 3 . It was taken only from the Kalpeni lagoon (average
number 9 per 100 m 3 ). Stage IV predominated at Kavaratti, at Kalpeni, immature
individuals.
8. Sagitta neglecta
Very common in the seas around Kavaratti and Kalpeni. At Kavaratti it dominated
the samples at station 30 (821 per 100 m 3 ), the maximum number at Kalpeni was at
station 65 (2154 per 100 m 3 ). The species was represented at only 2 lagoon stations
(33 and 34) at Kavaratti, but more abundant at Kalpeni, even dominating the collections
at stations 57 and 58. The average number in Kavaratti lagoon was 14 per 100 m 3 and in
Kalpeni lagoon 282 per 100 m 3 • All maturity stages were present.
9. Sagitta pacifica
Very common in the waters at Kavaratti and Kalpeni: maximum representation at
Kavaratti 1511 per 100 m 3 and at Kalpeni 2226 per 100 m 3 • At Kalpeni they dominated
at stations 67, 72, 73 and 74. Rare in Kavaratti lagoon, average number at Kavaratti atoll