community structure of crustacean zooplankton of Ekpan Creek, A Perturbed tributary of Warri River,Niger Delta , Nigeria
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Description
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
Keywords
Q Science (General), QH301 Biology