Checklist of zooplankton of Mkpume stream in Agulu, Anambra state, Nigeria

Abstract

The abundance and composition of zooplankton species in the Mkpume Stream was studied from March – October 2017 using plankton net of 60 μm mesh size. Zooplankton samples collected were preserved with 10 % formalin and transported to laboratory for analysis. With the aid of a compound microscope the zooplankton were identified to species level using the relevant taxonomic keys. Twenty species of zooplankton belonging to four taxonomic groups namely Digononta, Crustacea, Sarcodina and Ciliata were recorded in the study. Digononta (50 %) was the dominant taxonomic group, while Ciliata (5 %) was the least taxonomic group recorded in the study.

Keywords: Zooplankton, Abundance, Composition, Stream, Nigeria