ASSESSMENT OF ZOOPLANKTON DIVERSITY AT PERIYA SADAYAMPALAYAM POND, IN ERODE DISTRICT, TAMILNADU, INDIA

Planktons are the basic food source of aquatic ecosystem. The zooplanktons diversity is one of the most important ecological indicators for the assessment of water quality. This study was designed to identify zooplankton diversity of Periyasadayam pond in Erode District, in relation to the diversity of zooplanktons from the period of May to November 2019 and the results were recorded periodically. The populations of zooplanktons were positively correlated. The results revealed that the diversity of Total of 37 species of zooplanktons were identified. Among zooplankton belongs to 5% of Protozoa, 35%, Rotifera 22%, Cladocera 24%, of Copepoda and 14% Ostracoda were recorded. Rotifera was found to be the most dominant group and Protozoa was the least dominant group. The zooplanktons are also very useful as biological indicators of water quality.