Diversity and composition of zooplankton in rice fields during a crop cycle at Pathum Thani province, Thailand

Abstract

A study of zooplankton communities in three rice fields (RF1, RF2 and RF3) at Pathum Thani province was carried out from August to November 2005. A total of 88 taxa were identified. Of these, 74 belonged to Rotifera, 11 were Cladocera and 3 were Copepoda. The highest number of zooplankton species was recorded in RF1 (75 species), followed by RF2 (55 species) and RF3 (51 species). The highest average H’ was registered in RF2 (1.83), followed by RF3 (1.59) and RF1 (1.52). The highest average zooplankton abundance was reported from RF3 (22,630.7 indL-1), followed by RF2 (1,756.8 indL-1) and RF1 (1,519.5 indL-1). The main zooplankton components in the three areas were nauplii, rotifers and Cladocera. Cladoceraplayed a major role in structuring rotifer communities in rice fields.

Keywords

• Rotifera
• Cladocera
• Copepoda
• biodiversity
• rice field fields