Diversity and Community Structure of Zooplankton in Homestead Ponds of a Tropical Coastal Area

As an intermediary connection between primary producers and higher trophic levels, zooplankton are important component of the aquatic food chain, contributing significantly to biological productivity. This study describes diversity community structure, as well their relationships with ecological factors, in homestead ponds a coastal district along northern Bay Bengal region. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were detected mean values temperature, pH, DO, TDS, transparency, phosphates from during December 2020, but no significant found nitrate levels. However, variances parameters months due taking place same season. Sixteen species, representing four groups, area, highest abundance 301.19 ± 40.55 ind./L recorded February 2021 lowest 293.02 21.13 2020. The (H’), evenness (e), richness (J), dominance (D) ranged 2.49 2.12, 0.93 0.84, 2.05 1.56, 0.13 0.09, respectively. Based on SIMPER analysis, Diaptomus gracilis Brachionus calyciflorus be contributors (>10%) structure different months. ANOSIM results revealed that 10 species based average dissimilarity. canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) identified nitrates, have impact area.