International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies 2015; 3(2): 456-462 ISSN: 2347-5129 (ICV-Poland) Impact Value: 5.62 (GIF) Impact Factor: 0.352 Structure and diversity of cladoceran communities in IJFAS 2015; 3(2): 456-462 © 2015 IJFAS two lakes with varying nutrient compositions in the www.fisheriesjournal.com Jhelum River Basin, Kashmir Received: 15-09-2015 Accepted: 18-10-2015 Mushtaq Ahmad Ganie Mushtaq Ahmad Ganie, Muni Parveen, MH Balkhi, MI Khan Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University Abstract of Kashmir, Srinagar- 190006, J Comparative studies on cladocera were carried in 2 lakes with varying nutrient compositions in the & K, India. basins of the Jhelum River, Kashmir: Lake Manasbal and Lake Anchar. Samples were taken monthly at 5 stations in each lake from March 2012 to February 2014 and a total of 22 and 15 taxa of cladocera were Muni Parveen recorded in Lake Manasbal and Lake Anchar, respectively. Shannon-Wiener, Margalef and evenness Department of Zoology, Faculty indices indicated that cladocera were more diverse in Lake Manasbal than in Lake Anchar. Overall of Biological Sciences, University average density of cladocera was higher in Lake Anchar as compared to Lake Manasbal: 267 vs 134 of Kashmir, Srinagar- 190006, J & K, India. individuals/litre respectively. The present investigation revealed that the distribution and abundance of plankton species depend upon the physico-chemical parameter of the environment. MH Balkhi Faculty of Fisheries, Sher-e- Keywords: Cladocera, Community structure, Diversity indices, trophic status, Lakes, Kashmir. Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and 1. Introduction Technology of Kashmir, The fresh water lakes of the Kashmir Himalayas have been playing a great role in the socio- Srinagar, India -190006. cultural and economic status of the valley since ancient times. Besides being a source of MI Khan attraction for tourists from all over the world, the valley lakes are a great source of natural Department of Zoology, Faculty products like fish, fodder and a variety of economically aquatic plants. However, the ecology of Basic Sciences, Bundelkhand of these lakes has changed considerably in the last few decades due to unplanned urbanization, University Jhansi -284 128, illegal encroachments, deforestation, soil erosion, reckless use of pesticides for horticulture U.P., India. and agriculture and other human activities, which has resulted in decreased water quality. Consequently, these factors are expected to have an adverse effect on aquatic biota of these lakes. In this scenario, limnologists as well as aquatic biologists in this part of world are concerned about the ecological impact of deteriorating environmental conditions on aquatic fauna. To deal with these threats and associated problems (e.g chemical contamination, loss of diversity) it is necessary to implement adequate restoration measures. However, the first step towards ecological rehabilitation is to assess the status of these lakes, by analysing the structure of its biological communities. Among freshwater communities, of particular importance is the zooplankton which consists of different taxonomic groups, among which cladocera are of crucial importance. Cladocerans (Crustacea: Branchiopoda) commonly known as water fleas are an important component of most freshwater lakes. In addition to providing an important food source for planktivorous fish and invertebrates, they are important grazers on algae and detritus (Balayla and Moss, 2004) [2] and can play a crucial role in the recycling of nutrients in aquatic ecosystems (Hudson et al., 1999 [20]; Urabe et al., 2002) [58]. Because of their intermediate trophic position, they often help in the transfer of energy through aquatic food webs, as well as in regulating the transfer of contaminants and pollutants to higher trophic levels (Hall et al., 1997) [15]. To obtain a better understanding of the functional significance of cladocera, a basic knowledge of community structure, population dynamics and trophic dominance is required. Correspondence Mushtaq Ahmad Ganie Cladoceran species composition can differ markedly between lakes, even when situated close Department of Zoology, Faculty together, particularly when physically isolated, or when the trophic degree is very different, or of Biological Sciences, University when in different stages of ecological succession. The relationship between the composition of Kashmir, Srinagar- 190006, and abundance of cladocera and the trophic state of lakes has been studied elsewhere in the J & K, India. world (De Bie et al, 2008 [8]; Neves et al 2003; Pinel-Allou and Mimouni 2012 [41]; Sweetman, ~ 456 ~ International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies 2010) [55] but similar investigations are scarce in Kashmir The lake inflow is chiefly derived from underground springs, valley lakes. The purpose of the present study is to compare in addition to which a small irrigation stream (Laar Kuhl) on community structure, population dynamics of cladocera in two the eastern side also drains water into the lake during spring- different types of lakes in Kashmir, India and to discuss the autumn. The Laar kuhl stream takes off water from the Sindh effects of environmental influences on cladoceran Nallah (a tributary of river Jhelum) and irrigates the communities. The data can be used to assist in the agricultural fields throughout its course in the neighbourhood management of lake fishery resources and inform of the lake, thus bringing in allochthonous material into the environmental protection policies for aquatic ecosystems. lake including major and minor nutrients, polythene, bottles and other material. The lake is connected to the river Jhelum 2. Materials and Methods by a permanent channel which leaves the lake on its western 2.1 Study Area side and runs in southwest direction to join the river at a place The valley of Kashmir is situated in the middle of the about 0.7 km below the village Sumbal. It is semi drainage, Himalayas between the northwest and southeast (33°01′– warm monomictic lake, which receives stratification from 35°00′N latitude and 73°48′-75°30′ E longitude) at an altitude March till November, followed by mixing in early December ≥1500 m above sea level. The study was carried out in 2 valley (Yousuf, 1979 [67]; Zutshi and Khan, 1978) [68]. lakes, viz., Manasbal Lake (34°15′ N, 74°40′E) and Anchar Anchar Lake, a shallow basin lake with fluviatile origin is Lake (34°01′ N, 74°02′ E). situated at an altitude of 1,583 m above m.s.l, within the Manasbal lake, the deepest freshwater valley lake of Kashmir, geographical coordinates of 34º 20´ to 34º 26´N latitude and is located at the mean geographical coordinates of 74° 39′ 07” 74º 28´ to 74º 85´E longitude, at a distance of 12 km to the E longitude and 34° 14′ 38” N to 34° 15′ 26” N latitude at an North-west of Srinagar city. The lake is mono-basined with altitude of 1584 m amsl, at a distance of about 32 km to the surface area of 6.6 km2 of which about 1.69 km2 at present north-north west of Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu represent open water and the remaining portion has been and Kashmir state. It is a semi drainage rural lake, having an transformed into a marshland due to increased human area of about 2.83 sq. km, oblong in outline and extends in perturbations of the ecosystem. The lake receives water from northeast- southwest direction with the maximum length and the Sind stream on the northern side and a channel from breadth of 3.5 km and 1.5 km, respectively. It is the deepest of Khushalsar Lake on its southern side. The excess water of the all valley lakes with a depth of 12.5m. lake flows through Shalabugh wetland into the Jhelum river. Fig 1: Map showing location of two lakes (Manasbal and Anchar) in Jhelum river basin, Kashmir ~ 457 ~ International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies 2.2 Methods for Chemical and Physical Analyses 3. Evenness was calculated using the formula: e = H′/ ln S Water samples from 10 sites of two lakes were collected at (Pielou, 1966) [40] Where, H′ = Shannon-weiner index; S = 0.5m (a depth representative of the mixed water columns) on species richness. the basis of monthly intervals between March 2012 and Febuary 2014. The samples were kept in 2 L polyethylene 3. Results and Discussion plastic bottles which had been previously cleaned with metal 3.1 Physicochemical parameter free soap, rinsed repeatedly with distilled water, soaked in Fluctuations in the average value of the various 10% nitric acid for 24 h, and finally rinsed with ultrapure physicochemical parameters at two selected lakes during study water. All water samples were maintained at 4 °C first during period are shown in Table 1. transportation to the laboratory, and then later for processing and analysis. As shown in Table 1, the measurements of water Table 1: Mean of Physico-chemical Parameters in the surface waters quality parameters are summarized on the basis of standard of Manasbal and Anchar Lakes, Mar 2012-Feb 2014 methods established for surface water monitoring in India S. No P. C parameter Manasbal Anchar [1] [APHA, 1998] . The temperature and pH of each water 1 AT (0C) 19.00±9.36 19.98±9.74 sample were measured in situ by field instruments including a 2 WT(0C) 15.75±8.68 16.50±8.98 digital mercury thermometer and digital pH respectively. All 3 Depth (m) 3.75±4.27 1.19±0.33 water samples were analyzed for different physico-chemical 4 Trans (m) 1.68±1.79 0.55±0.16 parameters within 48 h of collection. Total hardness was 5 DO (mg/L) 8.12±1.46 4.05±1.68 measured by EDTA complexometry titration. Total alkalinity 6 F.CO2 (mg/L) 10.03±5.18 16.10±8.75 was determined by acid titration using methyl-orange as 7 pH 8.07±0.48 8.22±0.32 endpoint, and chloride by silver nitrate (AgNO3) titration using 8 T.