Seasonal variations and biodiversity of zooplankton in Harsool-Savangi dam, Aurangabad, India.

ABSTRACT

The present study concerns seasonal variations, correlation coefficient and biodiversity indices of zooplanktons during January – December, 2008 in the Harsool-Savangi dam, Aurangabad, India. A total of 25 genera were recorded of which 10 were Rotifers, 8 Cladocerons, 5 Copepods and 2 Ostracods. Present study revealed maximum percentage wise compositions of Rotifers at north site were 58.28%, Cladocerons at south site were 29.78%, Copepods at east site were 16.59% and Ostracods at south site were 4.20%, respectively. Minimum percentage wise compositions Rotifers at south site were 51.54%, Cladocerons at west site were 26.71%, Copepods at north site were 11.03% and Ostracods at north site were 1.36%, respectively. Margalef’s index (R1) and Menhinick index (R2) values (3.58 and 0.87) were found to be the highest at south site and lowest at (3.16 and 0.56) north site. Simpson’s index (l) values (0.43) were found to be the highest at north site and lowest (0.37) at south site. Shannon – Weiner index (H’) values (1.06) were found to be the highest at south site and lowest values (0.94) at north site. Maximum species evenness was recorded at south site while minimum species evenness was recorded at north site. Maximum population density of Rotifers, Cladocerons, Copepods and Ostracods (799, 350, 163 and 18) were recorded at north site in summer and minimum (58, 35, 22 and 13) were recorded at south site in monsoon, respectively.