THE ZOOPLANKTON OF OJOFU LAKE IN ANYIGBA, DEKINA L.G.A., KOGI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Zooplankton in the littoral zone of Ojofu Lake, Anyigba, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State of Nigeria were studied between April to August of 2008. A total of eleven species were identified in the lake. This includes six species of rotifers, (Kerafella sp, Conochilus sp, Ascomorpha sp, Brachinus sp, Gastropus sp, Asplainchina sp, Bosmina sp, Holopedium sp.) Cladocera include Daphinia sp and four genera of copepods. All identified species were found in all three stations. The zooplankton community showed abundance distribution and some of the physico-chemical factors that may be responsible for this distribution were measured under each group of organisms. This includes water temperature, dissolved oxygen, PH and water transparency. Rotifers species among others zooplankton recorded the highest population with means percentage of 51.2%.