Zooplankton Community of the Cross River Estuary in Association with Some Physical Environmental Factors

The zooplankton community in association with some physical environmental factors was studied for six (6) months. A total of 5,303 individuals made up 17 species belonging to 3 families was recorded. Rotifers had the highest species composition of 41.06%, followed by Copepods and Ciliates with 29.41% and 23.53% respectively. There was no significant relationship in zooplankton composition across the stations and between seasons (P<0.05). Significant positive relationship occurred between the zooplankton abundance and temperature (r = 0.619), DO (r = 0.572), salinity (r = 0.481), Silicate (r = 0.462) and ammonium (r = 0.475). For a proper management of our water bodies, further studies on the relationships between the zooplankton community and the environmental factors should be promoted.