community structure of crustacean zooplankton of Ekpan Creek, A Perturbed tributary of Warri River,Niger Delta , Nigeria

lmoobe, T. O. T. and Tawari-Fufeyin, P. and Ejoh, Akpoyovware S. (2008) community structure of crustacean zooplankton of Ekpan Creek, A Perturbed tributary of Warri River,Niger Delta , Nigeria. African Scientist, 9 (4). pp. 123-134.

PDF Download (2718Kb)

Abstract

Crustacean zooplankton community along a stretch of Ekpan Creek, a perturbed tributary of Wani River was investigated at selected sites from November, 2002 to JuJy, 2003. Field sampling was carried out with a 55J.lm mesh Hydrobios plankton net, and concentrated samples were examined and sorted under a binocular dissecting microscope, while identification was done using an Olympus Vanox Research Microscope. Twenty-two species made up of nine species of Cladocera, eight species of cyclopoid Copepoda, three species of calanoid Copepoda, two species of harpacticoid Copepoda, and an unidentified Ostracoda and six different larvae stages of both copepods and decapods were encountered. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in species diversity among the stations. The crustacean zooplankton community was dominated by the large sized cyclopoid and calanoid Copepoda, cladocerans and larval stages of decapod crustaceans. The dry season period recorded the highest abundance of zooplankton than the wet season period. By comparison, species richness was much lower 1han that of Wani River; this may be due to the low mean concentration of dissolved oxygen and elevated level of BOD, temperature and phosphate reported in this study. The pollution level is what has influenced zooplankton species composition and structure in Elcpan Creek. Therefore, restoration and monitoring surveys of both environment and biological parameters is necessary to keep track of ecosystem changes in the creek because of the negative impact it has had on the fisheries potential of the creek

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Crustacean zooplankton, Perturbed, Ekpan Creek, Niger Delta, Nigeria.
Subjects:	Q Science > Q Science (General) Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology
Divisions:	Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences > School of Biological Sciences
Depositing User:	Mrs Patricia Nwokealisi
Date Deposited:	12 Sep 2018 11:19
Last Modified:	12 Sep 2018 11:19
URI:	http://eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/id/eprint/11551

Actions (login required)

View Item