Isolation and Identification of Zooplankton in a Tropical Stream in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

An investigation of zooplankton in a tropical stream in Akwa Ibom State was carried out at three different stations between April and June, 2019. From the study it is revealed that the zooplankton species were wide spread and abundant in all the studied stations with station 3 recording the highest total abundance of 124 ind. / l. Eight species of zooplankton were identified during the study which include; Arcella sp, Askenasia faurei and Difflugia acuminate for protozoa while Brachionus sp., Lindia torulose, Rotaria sp., Trichotria pocillum, Polyyarthra sp., belong to the phylum Rotifera. Rotoria sp was present in high numerical abundance during the study period with low numerical abundance recorded for Arcella sp which was attributed to variation in physicochemical parameters of the study area and duration of the study period. However, the physico-chemical parameters studied were within the standard recommended by WHO for portable water exception of Turbidity which was slightly higher the recommended 5 NTU. Conclusively, this study will provide baseline information as regards the zooplankton community and water quality of Uruk-Uso Stream.