Neelakanth S Wali¹, Basawarajeshwari Indur¹, D. Vishwajit², V. Prashant^2,, V. Ambrish³

Zooplanktons are tiny organisms that play a crucial role in aquatic ecosystems and are considered bio indicators of water quality and purity. In this study, the composition and diversity of zooplankton in Bhosga Lake of Kalaburagi District were assessed using a standardized methodology. Sampling was carried out at six selected stations from July 2020 to June 2021, and monthly variations and biodiversity indices of zooplankton were observed. The study revealed a total of 27 species of zooplankton, with Phylum Rotifers comprising 16 species, Cladocera 6, Copepoda 3, and Ostrocoda 2 species. A season-wise analysis showed the highest number of species during summer and the lowest number of species during the rainy season. Among rotifers, Branchionuscaudatus was the most abundant species. Bhosga Lake is home to many migrating bird species, fish, aquatic plants, and other insects, but is surrounded by human settlements and is prone to pollution due to various activities such as washing clothes, bathing animals, and dumping domestic waste. The physicochemical profile and zooplankton diversity indicate that Bhosga Lake is eutrophicated, and therefore, the conservation of faunal diversity and water quality requires serious attention and reclamation efforts.

Keywords: zooplankton, aquatic ecosystems, bio indicators, Water Quality, Bhosga Lake, Kalaburagi District