Species Composition and Distribution of Acetes in Tuyong Canal, Thepha District, Songkhla Province, Thailand

Abstract This research aimed to study species composition and water characteristics affecting Acetes distribution in Tuyong canal, Thepha district, Songkhla province, Thailand. Based on 790 samples were collected from the five stations located along the canal by using the scoop net during October 2020 to March 2021. The result showed that Acetes erythraeus and Acetes japonicus were found in the Tuyong canal, Thepha district, Songkhla province. A. erythraeus was the dominant species found and had exhibited a peak season in January 2021 which happen to be after the monsoon season. It was found overall station and month, whereas A. japonicus was not found on November and December. Acetes spp. were found in abundance at the stations close to the mouth of the canal, compared to the stations located to inside canal. The Pearson correlation indicated that Acetes distribution was positively related to pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), total dissolved solids concentration (TDS), temperature, conductivity and salinity. The regression model showed a significant relationship between parameter of species, time, station, pH and temperature with Acetes distribution. Acetes had a mean weight of 42.27 ± 32.51 mg and a body length of 15.25 ± 5.31 mm A. erythraeus was found to be larger than A. japonicus. In both species of Acetes, males were larger than females. Acetes-sex ratio was favorite in females. Keywords: Acetes, Distribution, Thepha district, Songkhla