Density, diversity and abundance of Copepods in a pond

ABSTRACT The present study was conducted to determine the density, diversity and abundance of copepods in a pond. Study was carried out in pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon (May 2012 to October 2012). During the study period temperature ranged from 27.97 o C to 32.98 o C, pH ranged from 6.97 to 7.15, DO ranged from 5.93 mg/l to 7.37 mg/l, conductivity ranged from 339.67 µS/cm to 574 µS/cm, total hardness ranged from 269.34 mg/l to 246.25 mg/l and total dissolved solids ranged from 1404.5 mg/l to 1541.3 mg/l. Sixteen species of copepods were found, among which Mesocyclop edax was dominant in pre-monsoon and post-monsoon and Eucyclop agilis was dominant in monsoon. Density of Skistodiaptomus pallidus, Microcyclop varicans and Skistodiaptomus oregonesis was low in premonsoon, monsoon and postmonsoon respectively. Density of copepods was positively correlated with temperature, conductivity, total hardness and TDS while negatively correlated with pH and DO