Marine phytoplankton, which regulates the oceanic food chain by controlling the first trophic level, was
studied along the coastal waters of South Eastern Arabian Sea. The description and photographs included
in this monograph is based on specimen collected from off Kochi waters, South Eastern Arabian Sea
during the period 2010 to 2013. The book covers general introduction, materials and methods of
collecting and preparing phytoplankton samples for identification, how to enumerate their abundance,
identification keys and temporal variability of each phytoplankton. The identification key is provided with
colour photographs which make the visual identification better. The photographs taken under LeicaTM
Generic microscope by the authors are provided for visual reference. Each photograph is provided with
description on how to identify the phytoplankton and their taxonomic position. The monthly variability of
phytoplankton in the coastal waters of Arabian Sea was also provided for a period of 3 years. This
monograph is the first comprehensive reference of its kind for the South Eastern Arabian Sea. The
temporal variation of phytoplankton along coastal waters off Kochi will provide an insight to the species
contributing the chlorophyll concentration in the region. This monograph will be beneficial for the higher
secondary science students, College students (Botany and Zoology), research scholars, teachers and
scientists working in the area.