Checklist of Zooplanktons in Different Rivers of Bajwat Area

Abstract

Zooplanktons are important fish and waterfowl food. Limnological studies of Marala Wetlands, a complex created by three rivers, i.e., Jammu Tawi, Chenab and Manawar Tawi, entering Bajwat area located 25 km from North of Sialkot city from state of Jammu and Kashmir, were carried out between October, 2000 to September 2001. This survey was carried out to create a checklist of zooplanktons existing in the study site which would help in future studies relating to aquatic biodiversity and ecological studies of wetlands. A minimum of 25 species of zooplanktons were present in the wetland area, which can be included into 4 major animal groups. Amoeba, Paramecium, Opalina and Euglena were the dominant species. Crustaceans were represented by Daphnia, Moina, Cyclops. Insects observed at river Jammu included mosquito larvae, water spider and dragonflies of unidentified species. The Maximum number of zooplanktons were recorded in March, April, May & then in September and October as observed throughout study period.