Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine the species diversity and abundance of net zooplankton in samples collected from Bhoj wetland, Bhopal, India. A total of 82 species of zooplankton were identified, among them, 66 species were recorded during the first year (2008-09) and 70 species were documented during the second year (2009-10) of the study period. In the first year, Rotifera recorded the highest number of species (53%) followed by Cladocera (29%), which in turn was followed by Copepoda (8%), Protozoa (6%) and Ostracoda (5%) in the second year of study, Rotifera recorded the highest number of species (47%) followed by Cladocera (37%), which in turn was followed by Protozoa (7%), Copepoda (6%) and Ostracoda (3%). Cumulative 24 months density in the present study ranged from 760 to 11050 Ind.l^-1, with an overall mean of 3307 Ind.l^-1. A major peak of 11050 Ind.l^-1 was observed in June 2009, with 47 and 43% contribution from Copepoda and Rotifera. Among Copepoda, Cyclops sp. and nauplii were major contributors to this peak while amongst Rotifera, Brachionus caudatus and Keratella tropica were dominant contributors. Cladocera was comparatively less represented group, being chiefly represented by Diaphanosoma sp. Shannon-index ranged between 0.96 and 2.75 during the two years of study period.

Key words: Zooplankton, diversity, Cyclops, Brachionus, Keratella, Shannon-Wiener index, Bhoj wetland.