Studies on Seasonal Variation of Zooplankton Population in Elanthakulam, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli District, India
Ananth Kumar *
Department of Biotechnology, Arulmigu Pannirupidi Ayyan College, Vagaikulam, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India.
Manikandaraja
Department of Zoology and Research Centre, Aditanar College of Arts and Science, Trichendhur, Tamil Nadu, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
A study of the zooplankton population in Elanthakulam pond, Tirunelveli District, and the plankton samples were collected during the winter season (August 2017–October 2017). Seasonal changes in the pattern of the zooplankton population have been driven by a combination of abiotic and biotic factors. Hence, the present study was undertaken to assess the zooplankton population in the Elanthakulam pond. The results indicate that 10 species belonging to four genera were recorded during the period of study. Out of 10 species, 4 belonged to rotifers, 3 belonged to caldoserans, 2 belonged to copepods, and one species belonged to Ostracoda. The present study concludes that zooplankton were not at their maximum in the monsoon season because of unfavourable environmental conditions, and they also slightly declined in August and September and increased again in October.
Keywords: Elanthakulam, cladiceran, moina, daphnia, ostracoda