Quantitative and qualitative study on zooplankton in restored southern Iraqi marshes

Abstract

The Zooplankton assemblages of the restored marshes was dominated by Rotifera, Coprpoda, Cladocera and free nematode respectively. Monthly changes were noticed in densities of these groups.Highest densities were recorded with temperature range 10-20 °C and salinities 1.5-2.0 ppt. dynamic seasonal fluctuations were noticed between zoo. Eighty seven species of zooplankton were identified, including 53 species of Rotifera, 24 of Cladocera, 4 Copepoda, and 6 other belong to Insect, Ostercoda and Nematode.Rortifera contain more species than other groups in all surveyed stations (plankton and phytoplankton).