PLANS FOR THE YEAR AHEADPLANS FOR THE YEAR AHEAD

CMarZ IN INDIAN OCEANCMarZ IN INDIAN OCEAN

ByBy

Vijayalakshmi R. Nair Vijayalakshmi R. Nair ConsultantConsultant

National Institute of Oceanography National Institute of Oceanography Kochi Kochi

Digitized inventoryDigitized inventory

• Inventories for major groups of zooplankton. Inventories for major groups of zooplankton. Chaetognaths, Copepods, Ostracods, Mysids and Fish larvaeChaetognaths, Copepods, Ostracods, Mysids and Fish larvae

• All species recorded from Indian Ocean will be digitized by specialistsAll species recorded from Indian Ocean will be digitized by specialists

• Each inventory will cover complete morphological descriptions of Each inventory will cover complete morphological descriptions of species, known biological distribution and a comprehensive species, known biological distribution and a comprehensive bibliographybibliography

• Can be part of CMarZ species pageCan be part of CMarZ species page

CMarZ related cruise for Indian Ocean and BarcodingCMarZ related cruise for Indian Ocean and Barcoding

• Scanty data on zooplankton from western side of IndonesiaScanty data on zooplankton from western side of Indonesia

• Deep water collection for central and southern Indian Ocean (south of Deep water collection for central and southern Indian Ocean (south of Equator) lackingEquator) lacking

• To initiate cruise for above sectors of Indian OceanTo initiate cruise for above sectors of Indian Ocean

• Species from Indian Ocean to be identified and preserved for DNA Species from Indian Ocean to be identified and preserved for DNA barcodingbarcoding

Community structureCommunity structure

• Biodiversity of Andaman waters. Inshore zones harbour new Biodiversity of Andaman waters. Inshore zones harbour new and endemic speciesand endemic species

• Variability in vertical disposition of species between Arabian Variability in vertical disposition of species between Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. Sea and Bay of Bengal.

• CMarZ samples to be studied for chaetognathsCMarZ samples to be studied for chaetognaths

Species listSpecies list

• To compile list of species recorded from Indian OceanTo compile list of species recorded from Indian Ocean

CMarZ NetworkCMarZ Network

• More zooplankton experts from India will be encouraged to join More zooplankton experts from India will be encouraged to join CMarZ CMarZ network. network.

• Prepare a list of Taxonomists from Indian OceanPrepare a list of Taxonomists from Indian Ocean

• Training for basic sorting at NIOTraining for basic sorting at NIO

• Species level identification for chaetognaths, copepods, mysids, Species level identification for chaetognaths, copepods, mysids, fish larvae and other groups fish larvae and other groups

• Workshop on taxonomy of Indian Ocean zooplanktonWorkshop on taxonomy of Indian Ocean zooplankton

TrainingTraining

New generation taxonomistsNew generation taxonomists

• Several Research Fellows work at NIOSeveral Research Fellows work at NIO

• Encourage them to do Ph.D on biodiversity of major groups of Encourage them to do Ph.D on biodiversity of major groups of zooplankton zooplankton

• Available expertise to be utilizedAvailable expertise to be utilized

Public awarenessPublic awareness

• Appreciation for marine life (zooplankton) though popular articles Appreciation for marine life (zooplankton) though popular articles and handouts to studentsand handouts to students

• Press coverage on CMarZ goal and activitiesPress coverage on CMarZ goal and activities

• Participation in relevant workshops/ symposia on zooplankton to Participation in relevant workshops/ symposia on zooplankton to popularise CMarZ activitiespopularise CMarZ activities