Avinash Kedar and Khobragade Kshama
Abstract
The research is intended to determine the taxonomic diversity and distribution of zooplankton population in the Lonar Crater Lake. Zooplankton are important biological bio-indicator of the water quality in any water body. The analysis was conducted on zooplankton population in the pre- and post-monsoon 2024. This research discussed samples obtained in four sampling points in the Lonar Crater Lake. The analysis shows that the Rotifers are overpowering in the aspects of species among Copepods, Cladocera, and Ostracods. The following are the species listed: Rotifer: Anuaeropsis fissa, Ascomorpha ovalis, Asplachnabrightwelli, Brachionus plicatilis, Brachionusurceolaris, Lepadella ovalis, Lepadella acuminata, Nothaolca acuminata, Philodina Rotifer, Polyarthra Vulgaris, Keratella tropica, Cladocera: Daphnia magna, Ceriodaphnia sp., Daphnia magna, Ostracoda: Alona sp., Copepod: Calanoida sp, Cylopoida sp. Among the determined taxa, Brachionus plicatilis was observed in all the sampling stations, and these taxa could be used as one of the main factors indicating salty conditions and organic pollution. Cylopida copepoda occurred in three sampling stations too. Copepods will also play a role in the environmental impact of contaminants with any aquatic environment. The identified species of zooplanktons can be explained by the excessive organic load and constant flow of freshwater, which altered the quality of the lake water and altered the prey-predator mechanism.