Checklist of plankton of Forcados River, Niger Delta, Nigeria

Abstract

A survey was conducted to determine the composition and abundance of plankton species in the Forcados River. Plankton samples were collected monthly from the Lower Forcados River from January to April, 2014 using plankton net of 60 μ mesh size. The plankton was preserved in Lugol’s iodine and 10% buffered formalin and stored high density polyethylene containers and taken to laboratory for further analysis. Plankton identification was done under a microscope with the aid of appropriate keys for the identification of freshwater plankton. The numbers of identified plankton species were then systematically counted with the aid of a hand – held manual tally counter and recorded according to their taxonomic status. Thirty two species of phytoplankton belonging to five taxonomic groups were recorded. These were Bacillariophyta (12 species), Chlorophyta (10 species), Cyanophyta (six species), Xanthophyta (three species) and Euglenophyta (one species). Zooplankton was represented by 12 species belonging to two taxonomic groups – Rotifera (seven species) consisting of 55.84% by composition and Cladocera had five species representing 44.15%. Further studies should be carried out all year round to ascertain the complete structure and seasonal dynamics of plankton in the river