Seasonality of micro inhabitants and abiotic parameters of perennial pond of Jammu

The present study aimed to analyse the seasonal variations and Zooplankton composition of a lentic water body located at Kathua district of UT Jammu and Kashmir. The main water source of this perennial pond is rain. In the present study, 27 species of Zooplankton were recorded, out of which, group Rotifera was represented by 15 species, Cladocerans by 6 species and Protozoa and Copepoda both were represented by 3 species each. During present investigation, the rotifer count was found to be the highest and constituted around 62.99% of total Zooplankton reported, followed by cladocerans, protozoa and copepoda. The peak in the Zooplankton population density was observed during summer season while the lowest density was recorded during the spring season. Among all the Zooplankton studied, Brachionus calyciflorus, belonging to group Rotifera, outnumbered others. Different abiotic parameters were also analysed seasonally, of which the highest value of dissolved oxygen was obtained in winter season while carbonates were recorded only during autumn season. The concentrations of sulphates remained negligible throughout the study period and all parameters (biotic and abiotic) showed seasonality.