Ecology and diversity of zooplankton in relation to physico-chemical characteristics of water of Santragachi Jheel, West Bengal, India

Abstract

In the present study efforts have been made to ascertain the seasonal abundance and population dynamics of zooplankton community and its relationship with physico-chemical factors of the water bodies of Santragachi Jheel in the District Howrah, W.B., INDIA. The zooplankton abundance showed distinct seasonal or temporal variation in the Jheels. A total of 18 species belonging to 12 families and 15 genera were recorded. The population density of total zooplankton showed summer maxima in the Jheel. Maximum abundance of rotifer fauna was recorded during summer season in sewage sites whereas Cladocera population showed maximum density at non-sewage sites. Copepods showed postmonsoon maxima in sewage sites in the Jheels. Some species i.e., Polyarthara vulgaris were quite abundant in the polluted water of the Santragachi Jheel. Out of 15 genera of Zooplankton, Brachionus, Keratella, Polyarthra, Diaphanosoma, Ceriodaphnia, Bosmina, Heliodiaptomus and Mesocyclops were found to be dominant in Santragachi Jheel. Highest percentage of similarity was recorded between S1 and S3 sites of the Jheel. Results of ANOVA (2 - way) indicated that zooplankton population differs significantly in relation to stations and seasons of the Jheel. Population of Rotifera, the most dominant group was found to be positively influenced by Biological Oxygen demand (BOD), Free Carbon-di-oxide FCO2), CaCO3 hardness (CaHa), Total suspended solid (TSS), Chloride(Cl) and Phosphate (PO4) in the Jheels. Total Cladocera showed positive correlation with PO4 in the Jheel. The Copepods expressed positive correlation with BOD and ammonia. Increment of population density of several zooplankton organisms (i.e., Keratella tropica, Polyarthra vulgaris) and low value of community indices especially species diversity and species richness indicated the rise of pollutional stress on the Santragachi Jheel. Keywords: Zooplankton; Rotifera; BOD; COD; Shannon - Wiener index; Evenness index DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jowe.v5i0.4595 J Wet Eco 2011 (5): 20-39

Distribution of Medical Flies along Wadi El-Rayan Protected Area

“…Flies species richness in investigated area is a key measure not only for biological status but also for ecosystem stability (Ciss et al, 2013). Patra et al (2011) showed that the species richness ranges between 1 and 5 shows moderate pollution, where larger index indicates more healthy water body but when it tends towards 1 means increase pollution and damage should be suspected.…”

Water quality affects the structure of copepod assemblages along the Sfax southern coast (Tunisia, southern Mediterranean Sea)

“…In the present study, we focused on copepods that, according to Rajagopal et al (2011) and Ekpo (2013), play an integral role and serve as bioindicators of water pollution (Mukhopadhyay et al 2000). Indeed, species variation, distribution and abundance of zooplankton highly depend on the chemical and physical properties of water (Patra et al 2011). The species diversity index is a relevant tool for water quality assessment and a basis for biomonitoring by evaluating the structural complexity of zooplankton assemblages (Jafari et al 2011;Patra et al 2011).…”

“…Indeed, species variation, distribution and abundance of zooplankton highly depend on the chemical and physical properties of water (Patra et al 2011). The species diversity index is a relevant tool for water quality assessment and a basis for biomonitoring by evaluating the structural complexity of zooplankton assemblages (Jafari et al 2011;Patra et al 2011). In the present study, the Shannon-Wiener index (H 0 ) for copepods was fairly low: H 0 was ,1.5 bits individual À1 for 55% of stations, including most northern stations (S1-10), except S3, S5 and S10, which had pioneer communities at the colonisation stage, and ranging between 1.5 and 2.5 bits individual À1 for the other stations, demonstrating a transition ecosystem at the diversification stage (Shannon and Weaver 1963).…”

The diversity, abundance and seasonal distribution of planktonic microcrustacean (Copepoda, Cladocera) in Kayalıköy Reservoir (Kırklareli/Turkey)

“…These taxa include littoral, pelagic and benthic species, which perform key roles in the food web. The changes in population density, species richness and community structure of microcrustaceans (Cladocera and Copepoda) are mostly affected by physicochemical conditions and biological factors of the freshwater in which they live (Patra et al, 2011).…”