STUDY ON ZOOPLANKTON DIVERSITY DURING SPRING SEASON IN CHASHMA LAKE, PAKISTAN

The present study was conducted to know the zooplankton species diversity in Chashma Lake during spring (March 2016 to May 2016). Various physico-chemical parameters like Temperature, PH, Salinity, conductivity, Total dissolved solids (TDS), Turbidity, Dissolved Oxygen, Alkalinity, Chloride and Carbon dioxide which effect the distribution of zooplankton were also analyzed during this study. Zooplankton community was dominated by different species of rotifers. Those rotifers were Asplanchna herricki, Asplanchna brightwelli, Polyarthra remata, Brachionus angularis, Keratella cochlearis, Keratella tecta and Keratella valga tropica. Among these Keratella valga tropica was most common. Some species of copepods were recorded such as, Diacyclops thomasi, Acanthocyclops robustus, Mesocyclops edax, Tropocyclops prasinus mexicanus and Orthocyclops modestus. Among these Diacyclops thomasi was most abundant. Among copepods some nauplii and copepodid stages were also observed. Different species of cladocerans such as, Bosmina longirostris, Daphnia pulex, Chydorus sphaericus, Alona bicolor, Alonella exigua and Simocephalus serrulatus were also recorded.

Influence of inorganic nitrogen cycling on the δ15N of Lake Ontario biota

The seasonal variability in the δ15N of biota at the base of the pelagic food chain in Lake Ontario was studied during the period 1995-1997. Strong seasonal patterns were observed in the δ15N of dissolved inorganic nitrogen, different size fractions of particulate organic matter, and zooplankton split into size fractions of 110-210, 210-295, and >295 µm. Similar patterns were reflected in the δ15N of individual species: Diacyclops thomasi, Bosmina longirostris, Daphnia spp., and calanoid copepods. The seasonal fluctuation of primary producers was a function of the nitrogen enrichment of dissolved inorganic nitrogen during photosynthetic uptake and the δ15N of NH4+ and NO3- used by the algae. The large range in δ15N of primary producers suggests that recycling of nitrogen is an important determinant of δ15N at the base of the food web. The δ15N of individual species of zooplankton reflected the known feeding strategies and dietary preferences.

Zooplankton Seasonal Dynamics and Community Structure in Severn Sound, Lake Huron

The limnetic zooplankton of Severn Sound, a eutrophic embayment, were studied between 1978 and 1989. Forty-one species of zooplankton were identified from samples collected in the sound. Total zooplankton biomass ranged seasonally from a minimum of 3.9 mg/m3 at less eutrophic stations to over 1,625 mg/m3 at the most eutrophic sites. Annual means ranged from 38 to 373 mg/m3. At the most eutrophic sites the zooplankton community was dominated by the cladoceran Bosmina longirostris. Cyclopoid and calanoid copepods increased in dominance as conditions approached mesotrophy. Calanoid copepods were insignificant contributors at the eutrophic sites, averaging less than 3% of the total zooplankton biomass. Total zooplankton biomass declined with distance from shore and phosphorus point sources as conditions became less eutrophic. Significant empirical relationships (r>0.79) were measured between zooplankton biomass and total phosphorus and phytoplankton biovolume. Densities of several species, Eubosmina coregoni, Daphnia retrocurva and Diacyclops thomasi declined by over 50% during the 11-year period of study and may be related to a shift in fish community structure.

Factors associated with interannual and intraannual variation in nutrient limitation of phytoplankton growth in Castle Lake, California

In a 3-year study of Castle Lake, California, potential nutrient (N,P) limitation of phytoplankton growth occurred rapidly (within 1–4 d of ice-out). Both N and P acted as potential limiting factors to phytoplankton growth in short-term (4–5 d) bioassays. Phytoplankton responded strongly to single additions of N or P in 1990 and 1992 but weakly so in 1991. This difference was associated with low inorganic N concentrations during spring 1991. In 1990 and 1991, variation of the primary limiting element correlated with the N:P ratio of the zooplankton community; phytoplankton tended to be N limited when the zooplankton was dominated by species with high N:P ratios (Diaptomus novamexicanus and Diacyclops thomasi: N:P ratios, by mass = 10.6–12.5) but limited by P when low N:P taxa (Daphnia rosea, N:P = 4.7) dominated. However, N vs. P limitation and zooplankton elemental data for 1992 did not fit the 1990–1991 pattern and there was no correlation for the 3-year data set. A field experiment demonstrated that the inorganic N:P ratio (NH4/SRP) increased dramatically with elevated Daphnia grazing but declined significantly with increased Diaptomus; this supported the 1990–1991 correlation between phytoplankton N/P limitation status and zooplankton community elemental ratio.

Phosphorus Regeneration by the Predatory Copepod Diacyclops thomasi

The effects of temperature, prey density, and hunger state on phosphorus regeneration rates of the predatory copepod Diacyclops thomasi were estimated while they fed on the limnetic rotifer Synchaeta pectinata. Regeneration rates increased linearly from 2.0 to 7.0 nmol P∙mg dry wt−1∙h−1 over a temperature range of 5–20 °C. When offered a prey density range of 100–500∙L−1, satiated Diacyclops increased their regeneration rates to a maximum of 5.0 nmol P∙mg dry wt−1∙h−1. Given the same prey density range, starved Diacyclops had regeneration rates that increased to a maximum rate of 8.0 nmol P∙mg dry wt−1∙h−1. Predation rates were in all cases directly proportional to regeneration rates. Although a predator, Diacyclops regenerates phosphorus at rates within the ranges of many herbivorous zooplankton species.