Diversity and Spatiotemporal Variations of Microcrustaceans Zooplankton within Samarra Reservoir

What is it about?

This research is considered the first of its kind in this sector of the river and aimed to evaluate the diversity, abundance, richness and spatiotemporal variations of microcrustaceans (Copepoda and Cladocera) within Samarra Reservoir water. The samples of these crustaceans were collected from three sites in the impoundment every two months between February 2023 and December 2023. We identified 36 microcrustaceans taxa belonging to 8 families (Chydoridae, Bosminidae, Daphniidae, Sididae, Moinidae, Diaptomidae, Cyclopidae, and Ameiridae); nineteen taxa for Cladocera and seventeen taxa for Copepoda. The densities fluctuated spatially, ranging between 15376.7 and 477.4 Ind./m³ at sites 2 and 3, respectively. The abundance index revealed that all species ranked between the less abundant and the rare class. The average values for richness, evenness, and diversity indices were 3.8, 3.85 and 3.17; 0.50, 0.63 and 0.57; 1.187, 1.69 and 1.35 bits/ind. at sites 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The values of the ecological indices changed with the seasons, reflecting variations in environmental conditions. Furthermore, the similarity analysis indicated the highest value between the species of site 3 and site 1, reaching 67.07%

Featured Image

Photo by Suhara Malik on Unsplash

Photo by Suhara Malik on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The purpose of this study is to explore the qualitative and quantitative composition, along with the spatiotemporal variations, of microcrustacean zooplankton in the Samarra reservoir.

Perspectives