OCCURANCE OF ZOOPLANKTON (ROTIFERA AND CLADOCERA) IN SOME WATER BODIES NEAR JAMSHORO

Abstract

Freshwater zooplankton (Rotifera and Cladocera) occurrence was studied during September-October 2009 in natural and artificial water bodies situated in Jamshoro area. Sampling area included seven water bodies with different water qualities. A total of 46 rotifer and 15 cladoceran species were identified. Among rotifers five species namely Asplanchnopus syrinx, Branchinous leydigi f. Tridentatus, B. leydigi f. Tridentatus var. rotundus, Dipleuchlanis propatula and Polyarthra dolichoptera were first time recorded. Brachionus was most diverse genus having eleven species while Lecane contributed with seven species. Monostyla and Polyarthra were having five species each. The majority of cladoceran occurred were benthic in nature however, Ceriodaphnia cornuta contributed with higher populations at different stations. The occurrence of zooplankton species in relation to the water quality id discussed