Comparative Study on Seasonal Zooplankton Diversity in Two Urban Reservoirs of Warangal District, Telangana, India
Lakan Singh Jarupala
*
Department of Zoology, Pingle Government College for Women(A), Waddepally, Hanmakonda, Telangana, 506 370, India.
G. Ganesh
Department of Aquaculture, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, P.V. Narsimha Rao Telangana Veterinary University, Mamnoor, Warangal, Telangana, 506 166, India.
P. Subhashini
Department of Zoology, Pingle Government College for Women(A), Waddepally, Hanmakonda, Telangana, 506 370, India.
G. Suhasini
Department of Zoology, Pingle Government College for Women(A), Waddepally, Hanmakonda, Telangana, 506 370, India.
P. Raju
Department of Zoology, SKNR Government Arts and Science College, Jagitial, Telangana, 505 327, India.
B. Raveendar
Fisheries Research Station, P.V. Narsimha Rao Telangana Veterinary University, Palair, Khammam, Telangana, 507 157, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The present study assessed seasonal diversity, abundance and composition of zooplankton in two urban freshwater reservoirs, Bhadrakali and Waddepally, in Warangal city, Telangana, India, from June 2022 to May 2024. Monthly zooplankton sampling at four fixed stations per reservoir yielded 15 species in Bhadrakali and 13 in Waddepally, spanning Copepoda, Cladocera, Rotifera, and Ostracoda. Copepoda (Cyclops, Diaptomus) and Cladocera (Scapholeberis, Diaphanosoma) dominated across seasons, with peak abundance in summer and lowest densities during the monsoon. Bhadrakali consistently showed higher species richness and abundance than Waddepally, likely due to its relatively stable hydrological and physicochemical profile.
Statistical analysis revealed significant correlations between zooplankton abundance and water quality parameters particularly total alkalinity, ammonia, nitrate, and phosphate with nutrient enrichment negatively affecting sensitive taxa like rotifers. Regression models confirmed these parameters significantly influenced population dynamics, underscoring the role of zooplankton as sensitive bio indicators of ecosystem health. The presence of genera such as Brachionus and Keratella indicates moderate eutrophication, especially in Waddepally. This study highlights the ecological importance of long-term zooplankton monitoring for managing urban freshwater ecosystems and provides baseline data for conservation and water quality assessment in semi-arid regions.
Keywords: Zooplankton diversity, Copepoda, cladocerans, rotifer, Ostracoda, physicochemical parameters