Seasonal Occurrence of Zooplankton in Lentic Water Bodies of Chikmagalur and Shivamogga Districts, Karnataka

Zooplankton play an important role as primary consumers. The present investigation was carried out selecting few lentic water bodies of Chikmagalur and Shivamogga districts during February 2009 to January 2010. During the study presence of 18 different species belonging to 4 different groups namely 33.33% Rotifera, 33.33%, Cladocera, 22.22% Copepoda and Protozoa 11.11% of total zooplankton recorded. Seasonal abundance status of the zooplankton groups were also recorded. Among the 4 zooplankton groups the Cladocera was represented by 5 genera and 6 species. Rotifers was represented by 4 genera and 6 species. However, Copepoda represented by 4 genera and 4 species and protozoan by 2 genera and 2 species respectively. Occurrence of Paramecium and Vorticella species in Lakkavalli and Tarikere tanks indicated that the water bodies are eutrophicated.