Seasonal Variations of Zooplankton Diversity in a Perennial Reservoir at Thoppaiyar, Dharmapuri District, South India

  

    
Diversity Indices 
    
Zooplankton diversity indices 
  
  

    
Post Monsoon
    
Summer
    
Pre-Monsoon
    
Monsoon
  
  

    
Dec-10
    
Jan-11
    
Feb-11
    
Mar-11
    
Apr-11
    
May-11
    
Jun-11
    
Jul-11
    
Aug-11
    
Sep-11
    
Oct-11
    
Nov-11
  
  

    
Rotifera 
    
Density (ind./l)
    
862
    
1036
    
1269
    
1537
    
1769
    
2170
    
1920
    
1763
    
1569
    
1156
    
772
    
870
  
  

    
Dominance_D
    
0.0867
    
0.0796
    
0.0776
    
0.0707
    
0.0659
    
0.0624
    
0.0646
    
0.0644
    
0.0648
    
0.0692
    
0.0853
    
0.0828
  
  

    
Shannon_H
    
2.624
    
2.689
    
2.707
    
2.768
    
2.813
    
2.846
    
2.825
    
2.823
    
2.817
    
2.786
    
2.63
    
2.656
  
  

    
Simpson_1-D
    
0.9132
    
0.9204
    
0.9223
    
0.9293
    
0.9341
    
0.9376
    
0.9354
    
0.9356
    
0.9352
    
0.9308
    
0.9147
    
0.9172
  
  

    
Evenness_e^H/S
    
0.7257
    
0.7748
    
0.7888
    
0.8386
    
0.8767
    
0.9062
    
0.8876
    
0.8855
    
0.8803
    
0.8537
    
0.7304
    
0.7497
  
  

    
Menhinick (R2)
    
0.6471
    
0.5903
    
0.5334
    
0.4846
    
0.4517
    
0.4079
    
0.4336
    
0.4525
    
0.4797
    
0.5588
    
0.6838
    
0.6442
  
  

    
Margalef (R1)
    
2.663
    
2.592
    
2.519
    
2.453
    
2.407
    
2.343
    
2.381
    
2.408
    
2.446
    
2.552
    
2.707
    
2.659
  
  

    
Cladocera 
    
Density (ind./l)
    
546
    
665
    
777
    
874
    
969
    
1108
    
941
    
798
    
690
    
535
    
400
    
524
  
  

    
Dominance_D
    
0.1112
    
0.1055
    
0.0987
    
0.0976
    
0.0942
    
0.0923
    
0.0935
    
0.0959
    
0.0981
    
0.0992
    
0.1066
    
0.0913
  
  

    
Shannon_H
    
2.326
    
2.372
    
2.413
    
2.423
    
2.445
    
2.456
    
2.451
    
2.436
    
2.417
    
2.411
    
2.363
    
2.461
  
  

    
Simpson_1-D
    
0.8888
    
0.8945
    
0.9012
    
0.9024
    
0.9058
    
0.9076
    
0.9065
    
0.904
    
0.9019
    
0.9008
    
0.8934
    
0.9086
  
  

    
Evenness_e^H/S
    
0.7878
    
0.8249
    
0.859
    
0.8674
    
0.8868
    
0.8967
    
0.892
    
0.8793
    
0.8629
    
0.8573
    
0.8168
    
0.9016
  
  

    
Menhinick (R2)
    
0.5563
    
0.5041
    
0.4664
    
0.4397
    
0.4176
    
0.3905
    
0.4238
    
0.4602
    
0.4949
    
0.562
    
0.65
    
0.5679
  
  

    
Margalef (R1)
    
1.904
    
1.846
    
1.803
    
1.772
    
1.745
    
1.712
    
1.753
    
1.796
    
1.836
    
1.91
    
2.003
    
1.916
  
  

    
Copepoda 
    
Density (ind./l)
    
697
    
844
    
1007
    
1120
    
1302
    
1426
    
1255
    
1148
    
881
    
739
    
598
    
682
  
  

    
Dominance_D
    
0.0993
    
0.0929
    
0.0870
    
0.0851
    
0.0848
    
0.0828
    
0.0856
    
0.0878
    
0.0905
    
0.0937
    
0.0989
    
0.0918
  
  

    
Shannon_H
    
2.455
    
2.51
    
2.551
    
2.57
    
2.572
    
2.588
    
2.566
    
2.543
    
2.526
    
2.496
    
2.455
    
2.511
  
  

    
Simpson_1-D
    
0.9007
    
0.9071
    
0.913
    
0.9149
    
0.9152
    
0.9171
    
0.9143
    
0.9122
    
0.9094
    
0.9062
    
0.901
    
0.9081
  
  

    
Evenness_e^H/S
    
0.7763
    
0.8202
    
0.855
    
0.871
    
0.8729
    
0.8868
    
0.8675
    
0.8482
    
0.8335
    
0.8091
    
0.7761
    
0.8212
  
  

    
Menhinick (R2)
    
0.5682
    
0.5163
    
0.4727
    
0.4482
    
0.4157
    
0.3972
    
0.4234
    
0.4427
    
0.5054
    
0.5518
    
0.6134
    
0.5744
  
  

    
Margalef (R1)
    
2.138
    
2.078
    
2.025
    
1.994
    
1.952
    
1.928
    
1.962
    
1.987
    
2.065
    
2.12
    
2.19
    
2.146
  
  

    
Ostracoda 
    
Density (ind./l)
    
264
    
292
    
353
    
393
    
418
    
501
    
447
    
318
    
211
    
148
    
104
    
136
  
  

    
Dominance_D
    
0.1429
    
0.1382
    
0.1375
    
0.1347
    
0.1339
    
0.1364
    
0.1382
    
0.1378
    
0.1444
    
0.1452
    
0.1572
    
0.1419
  
  

    
Shannon_H
    
2.006
    
2.026
    
2.031
    
2.041
    
2.045
    
2.035
    
2.03
    
2.028
    
1.999
    
1.996
    
1.942
    
2.01
  
  

    
Simpson_1-D
    
0.8571
    
0.8618
    
0.8625
    
0.8653
    
0.8661
    
0.8636
    
0.8618
    
0.8622
    
0.8556
    
0.8548
    
0.8428
    
0.8581
  
  

    
Evenness_e^H/S
    
0.9293
    
0.9477
    
0.9523
    
0.9625
    
0.9659
    
0.9568
    
0.9515
    
0.9502
    
0.9231
    
0.9198
    
0.8719
    
0.933
  
  

    
Menhinick (R2)
    
0.4924
    
0.4682
    
0.4258
    
0.4035
    
0.3913
    
0.3574
    
0.3784
    
0.4486
    
0.5507
    
0.6576
    
0.7845
    
0.686
  
  

    
Margalef (R1)
    
1.255
    
1.233
    
1.193
    
1.172
    
1.16
    
1.126
    
1.147
    
1.215
    
1.308
    
1.401
    
1.507
    
1.425
  

Table 3:  Seasonal diversity indices of zooplankton in perennial reservoir (Thoppaiyar), Dharmapuri District, South India during December-2010 to November-2011.

Rotifera

In the present study, 19 species of rotifers belonging to 5 families and 8 genera were recorded (Table 2). The recorded population density of rotifers was ranged from 772 to 2170 ind./l with the minimum population recorded in October and maximum in May (Table 3). The dominance of species was found to be higher (0.086) in December and lower (0.062) in May. The Shannon diversity index was found to be the maximum (2.846) in May and minimum (2.630) in October. Simpson's diversity index was maximum (0.937) in May and minimum (0.914) in October. The species evenness was higher (0.906) in May and lower (0.725) in December. The Margalef species richness was recorded to be maximum (2.707) in October, while minimum (2.343) was noticed during May. The Menhinick index value was found to be maximum (0.683) during October and minimum (0.407) during May (Table 3). The rotifera species were play an important role as suspension feeders within the zooplankton community. The differences in periodicity and population density of different rotifera species are due to biotic interactions and nutritional content of the lake and reservoir. The rotifera species exhibit marked differences in their tolerance and adaptability to changes in physico-chemical and biological parameters of freshwater ecosystem. In the present investigation 19 different species are recorded due to interplay of above said parameters in summer months, while less species are recorded in monsoon season. They were found in maximum numbers of species in summer months. 21 species of genus Brachionus are known from India [10]. The species of B. calyciflorus considered to be a good indicator of eutrophication [22,29]. According to Goel and [30] the species of B. calyciflorus are the pollution tolerant species and indicate accumulation of organic matter. The population of genus Keratella was recorded at all the stations during June and July. [31] mentioned that along a trophic scale, the number of planktonic rotifer species successively increased up to mesotrophic condition after which the number declined till hypereutrophic stage. This generalization applied well to the Rotifers of reservoir, because agricultural wastewater usually enters into this reservoir during August-November which increases the fertility of reservoir water. However, the lower Thoppaiyar reservoir water is not polluted but Brachionus species rotifers were observed during the study period indicated the presence of organic matter.

Cladocera

This group was represented by 4 families 6 genera and 13 species (Table 2). have recorded 15 species of cladocera from the Hub Lake. Baig and Khan (1976) also described the 4 genera of Cladocera. Manickam et al., (2012b) have reported 7 species of Cladocera in the Haledharmapuri lake, Dharmapuri Town. Sivakumar and Altaff (2004) recorded 7 species of Cladocera from the Dharmapuri District, Tamil Nadu. The maximum population (1108 ind./l.) of cladocera was noticed in May and minimum (400 ind./l.) in October (Table 3). The dominance of species was found to be higher (0.111) in December, while lower (0.062) in May. The Shannon diversity index was found to be maximum (2.456) in May and minimum (2.326) in December. Simpson's diversity index was found to be maximum (0.907) in May and minimum (0.888) in December. The species evenness was higher (0.901) in November and lower (0.787) in December. The Margalef index species richness was maximum (2.003) in October and minimum (1.712) in April. The Menhinick index value was found to be maximum (0.650) in October and minimum (0.390) in April (Table 3). Cladocera were found maximum in summer months might be attributed to favorable temperature and availability of food [22]. The genus Diaphanosoma occurred throughout the year while higher population was found during post-monsoon and summer months (March, April & May) at reservoir. Among the cladocera, Diaphanosoma occurred throughout the year, with the maximum population in summer in the Gandhisagar reservoir [32]. In the present study, species Diaphanosoma sarsi was first ordered in higher population throughout the study period for the cladocera in reservoir. The genus Ceriodaphnia was found as second highest population in summer months especially the species Ceriodaphnia cornuta. [33] have also reported that the Ceriodaphnia cornuta was present only in oligotrophic lakes. Our study was agreeable with earlier reports. In this study, the genus Daphnia and Moina were the third and fourth dominant order respectively. Among these, Moina micrura was observed in summer with high population followed by Moina brachiata.

Copepoda

The species of copepoda group was represented by 3 families 10 genera and 15 species (Table 2). The copepod density was found to be maximum (1426 ind./l.) in May and minimum (598 ind./l.) in October (Table 3). The species dominance was recorded to be higher (0.099) in December and lower (0.082) in May. Shannon diversity index was found to be maximum (2.588) in May and minimum (2.455) in December and October. Simpson's diversity index was maximum (0.917) in May and minimum (0.900) in December. The species evenness was higher (0.886) in May and lower (0.776) in October. The species richness of Margalef index was minimum (1.928) in May and maximum (2.190) in October. The Menhinick index was recorded in the range between 0.397 and 0.613. The population of cyclopoida was observed throughout the year at all sampling sites. The lowest number was observed in monsoon months, while higher population was found in summer. A peak was observed in May [34] opines that cyclopoida production shows strong evidence of association with abundance of diatoms and blue green algae. Each phytoplankton group is more important resource for all the developmental stages of cyclopoida copepods. Copepoda domination may also be due to their feeding on diatoms, Rotifera and Cladocera, [35] and high reproduction capacity. In the present study, Mesocyclops sp. found to be dominant due to the fact that it tolerates a wide pH range.

Ostracoda

Totally, 8 species of Ostracoda were recorded in this study (Table 2). The population of 501 ind./l. was recorded during the month of May whereas minimum of 104 ind./l was noticed during October (Table 3). The dominance of species was maximum (0.157) in October and minimum (0.133) in April. Shannon diversity index was found to be maximum (2.035) in May and minimum (1.942) in October. The Simpson's diversity index was found to be maximum (0.866) in April and minimum (0.842) in October. The maximum species evenness (0.965) was found in April and minimum (0.871) in October. The Margalef species richness was maximum (1.507) in October and minimum (1.126) in May. The Menhinick index was found to be maximum (0.784) during October and minimum (0.357) during May (Table 3). Higher population was observed during summer months. Earlier researchers found ostracoda maximum population in the month of May and minimum during the monsoon month at HaledharmapuriLake, Dharmapuri Town [22]. However, during monsoon months population was recorded lower when compared to the summer months. Sunkad and Patil (2004) recorded maximum Ostracoda population in summer at Fort Lake in Belgaum (Karnataka). Ostracoda observed maximum population in summer months and minimum in monsoon months. Similar results were reported [36].

Conclusion

Rotifers are the predominant groups of zooplankton found in the majority of reservoir, constituting more than 60% of the total zooplankton present. Zooplanktons of all major groups were observed in the summer season. The summer population maximum of zooplankton was higher temperatures, lower transparency and a high standing crop of primary producers leading to greater availability of food. The current study area in the population of zooplankton was found to be higher during summer and lower during monsoon months. The presence of four Rotifera species (Brachionus angularis, B. calciflorus, B. falcatus and Filinia longiseta), and two Cladocera species (Diaphanasoma sarsi, Ceriodaphnia cornuta) reveal that the reservoir is being eutrophicated and polluted. It is understood that the various anthropogenic activities such as entry of agricultural runoffs (eg. insecticides, pesticides) from surrounding agricultural field seem to be the major cause of eutrophication. Huge diversity of zooplankton in Thoppaiyar reservoir indicates the fact that this water body is least polluted and suggested for prevalence of proper biogeochemical cycles. Therefore, it is considered to be a suitable one for natural fin-fish and shell-fish (pisciculture) practices.

Acknowledgement

The authors were thankful to Crustacean Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, South India, for providing necessary facilities in laboratory. The first author express his sincere thanks to former Principal, Dr. K. Altaff, The New College, Chennai, for providing the species identification and then again author express sincere thanks to Dr. M. Arumugam, Professor and Head, Department of Zoology, University of Madras, Chennai, for his timely help and encouragement to my research publication.

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