International Journal of Int. J. of Life Science, 2019; 7 (2):236-248 Life Science ISSN:2320-7817(p) | 2320-964X(o) International Peer Reviewed Open Access Refereed Journal Original Article Open Access Zooplankton diversity of freshwater lakes of Chennai, Tamil Nadu with reference to ecosystem attributes K. Altaff* Department of Marine Biotechnology, AMET University, Chennai, India *Corresponding Author: [email protected] Manuscript details: ABSTRACT Received: 18.04.2019 Zooplankton diversity of twelve water bodies of Chennai with reference to Accepted: 05.05.2019 variation during pre-monsoon, monsoon, post-monsoon and summer Published: 20.06.2019 seasons is investigated and reported. Out of 49 zooplankton species recorded, 27 species belonged to Rotifera, 10 species to Cladocera, 9 Editor: Dr. Arvind Chavhan species to Copepoda and 3 species to Ostracoda. The Rotifers dominated compared to all other zooplankton groups in all the seasons. However, the Cite this article as: diversity of zooplankton varied from season to season and the maximum Altaff K (2019) Zooplankton diversity was recorded in pre- monsoon season while minimum was diversity of freshwater lakes of observed in monsoon season. The common and abundant zooplankton in Chennai, Tamil Nadu with reference these water bodies were Brachionus calyciflorus, Brchionus falcatus, to ecosystem attributes, Int. J. of. Life Brachionus rubens, Asplancna brightwelli and Lecane papuana (Rotifers), Science, Volume 7(2): 236-248. Macrothrix spinosa, Ceriodaphnia cornuta, Diaphnosoma sarsi and Moina micrura (Cladocerans), Mesocyclops aspericornis Thermocyclops decipiens Copyright: © Author, This is an and Sinodiaptomus (Rhinediaptomus) indicus (Copepods) and Stenocypris open access article under the terms major (Ostracod). The density of the zooplankton was high during pre- of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial - No monsoon and post-monsoon period than monsoon and summer seasons. Derives License, which permits use Ecological indices for zooplankton of twelve water bodies showed variation and distribution in any medium, with regard to dominance, diversity and evenness in different lakes and provided the original work is different seasons. Results of present study indicated lower diversity and properly cited, the use is non- density of zooplankton compared to previous reports which indicate commercial and no modifications or decline of their ecological attributes. adaptations are made. Key Words: Freshwater, biodiversity, zooplankton, lakes Available online on http://www.ijlsci.in ISSN: 2320-964X (Online) INTRODUCTION ISSN: 2320-7817 (Print) The phytoplankton and zooplankton constitute primary producers and primary consumers of the aquatic ecosystem, respectively and play a vital role in determining the productivity of the water bodies. The diversity of plankton, apart from contributing towards the sustenance of the ecosystem attributes also serves as indicators of water quality and pollution. Considering the important role the zooplankton play in the aquatic ecosystem, there are many recent reports on the diversity and seasonal © 2013-2019 |IJLSCI www.ijlsci.in | 236 Zooplankton diversity of freshwater lakes of Chennai, Tamil Nadu with reference to ecosystem attributes distribution of this group (Sharma and Uchchariya, 1973; Battish, 1992; Dussart and Defaye, 1995; 2018; Adhikari et.al., 2017; Rao 2017; Sharmila and Dhanapathi,2000). For quantitative analysis 100 l of Shameem, 2017; Sinha and Singh 2016; Pawar 2016; water from the water bodies was filtered through the Das and Kar ,2016; Manickam et. al., 2015). zooplankton net and preserved in 5% formalin and different groups were enumerated using Sedgwick- In Chennai, water from the lakes and wetland Rafter chamber and number of individuals per liter constitute bulk of the city water supply system. They (ind/l) was calculated. Zooplankton ecological indices control urban flooding by storing large quantities of i.e. index of diversity; dominance and evenness were storm water runoff. Further, they support biodiversity calculated applying the method of Shannon and by providing habitats/ nursery grounds for the Weaver (1949), Simpson (1949) and Pielou (1966), juveniles of aquatic and semi-aquatic organisms. These respectively. The data was statistically analyzed by water bodies are also rich in aquatic floral vegetation SPSS 10.0 and Statistica 6.0. that maintains the micro environment necessary for the inhabitation of the fauna (Altaff et. al., 2016). RESULTS Review of literature on the zooplankton diversity of freshwater bodies in and around Chennai city reveals Diversity of Zooplankton that there is no published report on this subject in A total 49 zooplankton species were recorded during recent time and also considering the importance of the present study. Out of 49 species, 27 species study of plankton from environmental monitoring belonged to Rotifera, 10 species to Cladocera, 9 species point of view, the present study aims to update the list to Copepoda and 3 species to Ostracoda. Class Rotifera of zooplankton species and their seasonal variation in was dominated among all the zooplankton groups in the fresh water bodies in and around Chennai city. all the seasons. However, the diversity of zooplankton varied from season to season and the maximum MATERIALS AND METHODS diversity was recorded in pre- monsoon season while minimum was observed in monsoon season (Table 1). Studies on diversity of zooplankton of 12 freshwater During pre-monsoon period maximum contribution bodies (Chetpet Lake, Padi Lake, Kilkattalai Lake, was made by class Rotifera and minimum was by Narayanapuram Lake,Velachery Lake,Madhavaram Ostracoda. Class Rotifera contributed 63% of species Lake, Chembarambakkam Lake, Puzhal Lake, Porur while Class Cladocera and Copepoda contributed 15% Lake-I, Porur Lake-II, Retteri Lake and Pallikaranai of species each and Ostracoda only 7% species during Wetland) in and around Chennai (13.0827° N, pre-monsoon season. During monsoon period over all 80.2707° E) have been conducted from July 2014 to percentage of zooplankton species of different group June 2015. The lakes and wetland investigated for contributed was Class Rotifera 64%, Cladocera 12%, zooplankton diversity situated within 50 km of Copepoda 15% and Ostracoda 8%. During post- Chennai city are described earlier by Altaff et al monsoon period over all percentage of zooplankton (2016). Zooplankton diversity and density was species of different group contributed were Class investigated to record variation during pre-monsoon Rotifera 56%, Cladocera 21%, Copepoda 14% and (July- September), monsoon (October- December), Ostracoda 9%. During summer period over all post-monsoon (January- March) and summer (April- percentage of zooplankton species of different group June) seasons. Zooplankton samples were collected contributed was Class Rotifera 60%, Cladocera 15%, from these water bodies on 4th and 5th September Copepoda 17% and Ostracoda 8%. The overall 2014 for pre-monsoon, on 14th and 15th November percentage contribution species of different groups of 2014 for monsoon, 15th and 16th February 2015 for zooplankton from twelve water bodies in all the four post-monsoon and 26th and 27th May 2015 for summer seasons was Class Rotifera 61%, Cladocera 16%, season. Zooplankton samples were collected from the Copepoda 15% and Ostracoda 8%. water bodies by towing plankton net made up of bolten silk with a mesh size of 100 µm from surface On the basis of qualitative study during pre-monsoon water to 3 ft. depth and preserved in 5% formalin period, among the rotifers, Brachionus rubens, (Goswami 2004). Diversity of zooplankton was studied Brachionus calyciflorus, Brchionus falcatus, Brachionus following the taxonomic key characters described in ureceolaris, Brachionus angularis, Asplancna the standard literature (Edmondson, 1959; Michael, brightwelli, Lecane papuana and Lepadella acuminate www.ijlsci.in Int. J. of Life Science, Volume 7 (2) April-June, 2019 | 237 Altaff K., 2019 were the most common species. During this period and 28 species and maximum diversity was recorded Macrothrix spinosa, Ceriodaphnia cornuta and in Narayanapuram Lake while minimum was recorded Diaphnosoma sarsi were the common cladoceran in porur-I Lake. In post-monsoon season diversity of species. All the four cyclopoid copepods,viz. zooplankton ranged between 18 and 30 species and Mesocyclops aspericornis, Mesocyclops maximum diversity was recorded in Narayanapuram thermocyclopoides, Thermocyclops decipiens and Lake while minimum diversity was recorded in Thermocyclops hyalinus occurred commonly while Kilkattalai and Puzhal Lakes. In summer season Cypris protubera and Stenocypris major were common diversity of zooplankton ranged between 19 and 24 ostracods. During monsoon period, among the rotifers, species and maximum diversity was recorded in Brachionus calyciflorus, Brchionus falcatus, and Pallikaranai wetland while minimum was recorded in Asplancna brightwelli, were the most common species. Madhavaram and Chembarambakkam Lakes. During this period Ceriodaphnia cornuta and Moina micrura were the common cladoceran species. Among Density of Zooplankton copepods Mesocyclops aspericornis, Mesocyclops The mean density of zooplankton of 12 water bodies of thermocyclopoides, and Thermocyclops decipiens Chennai during pre-monsoon ranged between 66.30 occurred commonly while Cypris protubera was the ind/ l to 317.66 ind/l. During this season minimum common ostracod. During post-monsoon period,