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ABSTRACT
The composition, distribution and diversity of zooplankton of River Orhue, Edo state was studied alongside the physico-chemical parameters of the River. The aim of the study was to investigate the zooplankton community structure of River Orhue. Water samples were collected in sterile capped containers (2.0L plastic bottles) and analysed for selected physical and chemical parameters using both instrumental and non-instrumental methods following standard procedures. Both quantitative and qualitative zooplankton samples were also recovered using 50μm plankton net. Statistical analyses (Margalef, Simpson and Shannon-Weiner indices) were also carried out to calculate diversity. Percentage abundance and correlation of physic-chemical parameters and zooplankton were also calculated. The analysis revealed temperature range of 30-310C, conductivity 10-36μS/cm, pH 5.63-5.7, flow rate 0.2-0.55m/s, nitrate 0.80-1.66mg/l, alkalinity 4.66-6.66mg/l, dissolved oxygen 5.13-5.86mg/l and BOD 2.1-3.13mg/l. A total of seven (7) species belonging to the three (3) major groups of zooplankton (Copepoda, Cladoceran and Rotifera) were recorded. The family Eucyclopoidae was dominant. All physico-chemical parameters showed no significant difference (p>0.05) with the exception of Depth and flow rate (p<0.05). Air temperature, hardness and magnesium correlated positively with all recorded species while dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), suspended solids and alkalinity correlated negatively with all recorded species. The observed trends show stability in water parameters and should thus favour zooplankton survival.
