Effect of Climate Change on Copepods Diversity in a Subtropical Pond of Jammu

The prevalence of copepods that constitute an important role in food chain of aquatic ecosystem and act as indicators of productivity were examined in Kunjwani pond, Jammu. Five copepod species, Cyclops vicinus, Mesocyclops hyalinus, M. leukarti, Paracyclops fimbriatus and Neodiaptomus diaphorus were recorded along with their different level of developmental stages like nauplius, metanauplius and copepodite. These exhibited trimodal peaks during March, June and October. The data revealed that their distribution is correlated with physico-chemical factors. January to June higher density may be influenced by temperature (19.89–34.5°C), suspended matter (50.0–112.5 mg/l.), pH (7.58–9.98), DO (2.68–11.0 mg/l.), Ca⁺⁺ (12.49–31.30 mg/l.) and Mg⁺⁺ (2.64–8.68 mg/l.). The species diversity index ranged between 0.9583–1.6539.