International Journal of Scientific Research in Knowledge (IJSRK), 1(9), pp. 325-342, 2013 Available online at http://www.ijsrpub.

com/ijsrk ISSN: 2322-4541; 2013 IJSRPUB http://dx.doi.org/10.12983/ijsrk-2013-p325-342

Full Length Research Paper Effects of Tide on Zooplankton Community of a Tributary of Upper Bonny Estuary, Niger Delta, Nigeria
Onome Augustina Davies1*, Obih Alex Ugwumba2
1

Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Environment, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, Nigeria 2 Hydrobiology and Fisheries Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria * Corresponding Author: e-mail: daviesonome@yahoo.com
Received 4 June 2013; Accepted 31 July 2013

Abstract. Okpoka Creek is a tidal tributary of the Upper Bonny Estuary in the Niger Delta receiving organic anthropogenic effluents from Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout and the waterfront communities. The study investigated the influence of tide (low and high) on the species composition, diversity, abundance and distribution of zooplankton. The surface water and zooplankton samples were collected monthly from May 2004 April 2006 at low and high tides from ten stations according to APHA methods. Zooplankton was identified microscopically. Species diversity was calculated using standard indices. Data analyses were done using analysis of variance, Duncan multiple range and descriptive statistics. Phosphate and ammonia exceeded FEPA and USEPA acceptable levels of 0.10 mg/L and 0.10 mg/L respectively for natural water bodies. Phosphate had significant tidal variations (P<0.05). A total of 85 species of zooplankton were identified. Copepods (43.4%) dominated the zooplankton. Diversity indices of copepods were: 1.00.03 (Margalef) and 0.50.02 (Shannon). Most of the species were more abundant at low tide than high tide, suggesting retention and settlement in the Okpoka Creek at low tide. The presence of dominant copepods and high levels of nutrients (ammonia and phosphate) indicate organic pollution and stress. Increasing anthropogenic wastes especially dredged materials, slaughter effluents and raw human faeces lead to high organic loads. Concerted environmental surveillance on Upper Bonny Estuary is advocated to reduce the inflow of pollutants from the Bonny Estuary into this Creek caused by tidal influence. Key words: Microheterotrophs, species, nutrients, community, tide, Okpoka Creek

1. INTRODUCTION The Bonny Estuary is one of the several estuaries in the Niger Delta swamps through which the Lower Niger and Benue Rivers flow into the ocean. The estuary is richly endowed with abundant aquatic resources (creeks, distributaries, flood plains and mangrove swamps with fin/shell fish resources, etc). The estuary, its creeks and tributaries consist of rich collection of flora and fauna constituting a unique tropical biodiversity. The vegetation of Bonny Estuary is dominated by the red mangrove Rhizophora racemosa and R. mangle (Wilcox, 1980). The mangrove provides nurseries and feeding grounds for commercially important species of finfish and shellfish (Barletta-Bergan et al., 2002). Despite its good environment for aquatic life forms, the area is prone to pollution resulting from industries located along the shore of Bonny Estuary which are concentrated in this zone and they discharge their effluents directly into the estuary. However, the vegetation is rapidly changing and nypa palm is gradually becoming the dominant plant as the mangroves are withering due to the increasing pollution. The flushing action of the tidal flows

contributes to moving these pollutants down into the coastal zones. Okpoka Creek of the Upper Bonny Estuary in Port Harcourt, Rivers State is a tidal creek and one of the tributaries of the Bonny Estuary. It is under the influence of tide; twenty-four (24) hours of alternate six (6) hours of low and high tides. The stretch of the coastal front of the creek has very high population density without waste management facilities. All the industries and companies in the Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout discharge their wastes and also serve as toilet for many riverine dwellers. TransAmadi Creek connects hinterland through many river channels and create settlements for waterfront dwellers. There are many communities along the main water course namely: Oginigba, Azubiae, Woji, Okujagu, Okuru-ama, Ojimba, Abuloma, Oba-ama and Kalio-ama. Urban runoff from the whole industrial area and these communities/towns find their way into this creek. The zooplankton are so closely linked to the environment and they tend to respond to changes more rapidly than do larger aquatic animals such as fish, thus these organisms have proved valuable indicators of apparent and subtle alterations in the

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quality of aquatic environments (MBO, 2007a). They are useful indicators of future fisheries health because they are a food source for organisms at higher trophic levels (Godhantaraman, 2001). Zooplankton biomass, abundance and species diversity are used to determine the conditions of the aquatic environment (MBO, 2007b). Generally, copepods dominate the zooplankton community in most aquatic ecosystems (Davies et al., 2008 and Ekwu and Sikoki, 2005). Tides play a major role in the functioning of many coastal systems. They are responsible for obvious mid-term (spring-neap cycles) and short-term (lowhigh water cycles) variations in the abiotic and biotic characteristics of these systems (Villate, 1997). Tidal flushing is one of the main bottom-up factors controlling zooplankton biomass in estuaries besides nutrients (Villate, 1997; Ali et al., 2011 and Trigueros and Orive, 2000). These short/medium-term patterns of zooplankton abundance probably determine the availability of food for their predators and may thus have significant implications for the foraging strategies of juvenile fish preying upon zooplankton. On tidal coasts, the zooplankton community has to cope with continual changes in water level, and current strength and direction (Krumme and Liang, 2004). Quite a number of works had been conducted to evaluate tidal control of animal communities in different systems. These include: tidal influence on bacteria, microphytoplankton and microzooplankton abundance in a coastal lagoon of Baja California, Mexico (Morales-Zamorano et al., 1991), effects of seasonality on zooplankton community dynamics in the macrotidal coastal zone of the Amazon region (da Costa et al., 2001), tidal-induced changes in a copepod-dominated zooplankton community in a macrotidal mangrove channel in northern Brazil (Krumme and Liang, 2004) and tidal influence on zonation and occurrence of resident and temporary zooplankton in Mundaka Estuary, Bay of Biscay (Villate, 1997). There are many mans activities going on around and in the creek such as slaughtering of animals, transportation (boating, navigation), fishing and waste disposal. However, there has been no information on the influence of tide on the zooplankton and nutrients of the Okpoka Creek, a tributary of Upper Bonny Estuary. In order to bridge the existing gap in knowledge of the biotic and abiotic features of this estuary, there is therefore the need to provide useful information on the tidal variations of zooplankton and water nutrients of this Creek. The study evaluated the influence of low and high tides on the species

composition, species diversity, abundance and distribution of the zooplankton as well as nutrients. 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS 2.1. Study Area The Trans-Amadi Creek is located between longitudes 7o00E and 7o15N and latitudes 4o28E and 4o40N. It is a tributary of the Upper Bonny Estuary in the Niger Delta, South -South of Nigeria (Fig.1). The vegetation is dominated by nypa palm (Nypa fructican) and mangroves, red mangrove (Rhizophora racemosa) and white mangrove (Avecennia nitida). It passes through many communities namely: Oginigba, Woji and Azubiae, Many mans activities going on within and around this creek include dredging, fishing, boating, navigation, washing, disposal of excreta, bathing and swimming, to mention but a few. This aquatic body receives effluent discharges from the many industries (Snig, Far East paints, RIVOC, General-agro, Michelin tyres, Cocacola, Hallibuton, Schlumberger, Acorn, etc) and main abattoir house sited close to it. 2.2. Sampling stations A total of ten stations were chosen at least 500 metres apart along the main creek course. These stations were Station 1 (Oginigba), Station 2 (Trans-Amadi by Schlumberger), Station 3 (by main abbatoir house), Station 4 (Azubiae), Station 5 (Woji), Station 6 (Okujagu), Station 7 (Okuru-ama), Station 8 (Ojimba), Station 9 (Oba-ama) and Station 10 (Kalioama). There are many industries sited close to the river shore discharging effluents into the creek. The dominant vegetation is nypa palm (Nypa fructican) followed by drying up red mangrove. Patches of water hyacinth were seen during the rainy season. Manual dredging of sand is constantly going on. 2.3. Collection of phytoplankton samples and analyses Samplings were done at low tides and high tides. Plankton net of 55m mesh was used to collect zooplankton sample in each station. It is the most efficient device for concentrating zooplankton (Boyd, 1981). The net was towed on a slow-moving engine boat for five minutes and the filtrate was kept in a one-litre wide mouth plastic container and fixed with few drops of 10% formalin.

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Fig. 1: Study Area Map

In the laboratory, the filtrate was made to form a uniform volume of 100ml. The sample was properly agitated and 1ml of sub sample was collected from it and transferred into a SedgwickRafter counting chamber using a stampel pipette. Identification and enumeration (standing crop estimation) was carried out under a binocular compound microscope with magnification 40 x 400.Three replicates of the subsamples were analysed. For each sample, each solitary cell or group of cells were counted as one unit except for the diatoms which were counted in a cell by cell base. Results were expressed in a number of organisms per ml of sample. The Sedgwick-Rafter counting chamber contains exactly 1ml (50mm long x 20mm wide x 1mm deep) and has a surface area of 1000mm2. The exact area viewed within the ocular

micrometer grid is also known. The following formula was used for the calculation of plankton density: Density of plankton (Number of plankters per ml)
= (T) 1000 x AN Volume of concentrate ml Volume of sample (ml) (Eq. 1)

Where: T = Total number of plankters counted A = area of grid in mm2; N = number of grids employed 1,000 = area of counting chamber in mm2 (Boyd, 1981). Identification and characteristics of planktonic species were made by the descriptive keys by Needham and Needham (1962); Newell and Newell (1963); Patrick and Reimer (1966), Han (1978),

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Durans and Leveque (1980), Prescott (19982); Kadiri (1988) amongst others. Margalef species diversity index was estimated by this formula: H=S1 InN (Eq. 2) Where S = the number of species (or other taxonomic group); N = total number of plankers (Boyd, 1981). Index of dominance (C) was determined by the formula: = (Eq. 3) Where ni= importance value for each species (number of individual, biomass, production, etc) N = total of importance values. Importance values were assigned to the zooplankton species based on the contribution of each species to total net primary production (Odum, 1971) and also to pollution. Table 1: Important values assigned to ith species abundance
Range 1-10 11-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 61-70 71-80 81-90 91-100 100 and above Importance value 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

water samples for physico-chemical parameters at each station. All the kegs containers were kept in icechest box for laboratory analyses. Nitrate was determined by the Brucine method (APHA, 1985). Spectrophotometer (Spectronic 21D) was used to measure the nitrate at 410nm wavelength. Sulphate determination was carried out by turbidimetric procedure (APHA, 1985). This involved the use of spectrophotometer (Spectronic 21D). The concentration of sulphate (mg/l) was measured thus:
Sulphate = mgSO4 x 1000 Volume of sample used (ml) (Eq. 6)

Phosphate-in-water levels were determined by standard test (APHA, 1985). It involved the use of spectrophotometer (Spectronic 21D). The concentration of phosphate (mg/l) was measured thus:
Phosphate = mgPO4 x 1000 Volume of sample used (ml) (Eq. 7)

Other indices of species diversity calculated are as follows: (1) Shannon index of general diversity (H) was calculated thus.

Ammonia concentrations in water samples were determined by the indophenol or phenate (Phenolhypochlorite) method. It was spectrophotometrically measured at 630nm wavelength with Spectronic 21D. The concentration of total ammonia in the samples was computed from the equation. C1 = A1 C2 = A2 Where A1 = the absorbance of the total ammonianitrogen standard: A2 = the absorbance of the sample; C1 = the concentration of the total ammonia-nitrogen standard; C2 = the concentration of total ammonianitrogen in the sample (Boyd, 1981). 2.5. Data analyses SAS (2003) was used to analyse data for analysis of variance (ANOVA), Duncan multiple range (DMR) and descriptive statistics. 3. RESULTS 3.1. Zooplankton The study recorded 30,742 zooplankton made up of 7 taxa, 66 genera and 85 species. They included Rotifera (29 species), Copepoda (26 species), Cladocera (12 species), Protozoa (11 species), Ostracoda (5 species), Euphausiacea (1 species) and Branchiura (1 species).

ni N

ni N

(Eq. 4)

Where ni = importance value for each species: N = total of importance values; Pi = importance probability for each species = ni (2) Evenness index (e)

(Eq. 5) Where H = Shannon index; S =number of species 2.4. Physico-chemical parameters of the water The following parameters were measured in-situ and in laboratory following standard methods (APHA, 1985). One litre clean containers were used to collect

H log e S

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3.2. Rotifera (Rotifers) Rotifers represented 9.05% of the zooplankton abundance with a mean of value of 789.11 124.12 org/ml in the study area (Fig. 2). Tide had no significant effects on parameters (P>0.05). At high tide, lower values were observed except Shannon and Evenness indices (Figs. 3 to 7). High and low tides density ranged from 460.0261.10 org/ml and 919.70170.49 org/ml, Margalef 0.400.06 and 0.410.04; Shannon 0.220.03 and 0.230.02; Evenness 0.190.02 and 0.240.04 and Dominance 0.210.02 and 0.230.03. Ten genera and 29 species of rotifers recorded (Fig. 8). The prominent species

were: Cryptochrysis commersalis (56.7833.70%) Vorticella sp (60.2411.14%), Condonella uncinata (53.9712.03%), Rotaria rotatoria (55.117.74%), Cephalodella catellina (56.256.25%), Branchionus angularis (46.314.91%), Notonunata aurita (32.566.55%), Dicranophonus forcipatus (33.223.95%), Linda torulosa (26.0510.51%) and Diurella porellus (24.775.14%). Cryptochrysis commersalis and Rotaria rotatoria were only present at low tide (Fig. 9). C. catellina was higher at high tide than low tide. Other rotifer species had higher distribution percentage at low tide.

Fig. 2: Overall mean values of zooplankton density in Okpoka Creek

Fig. 3: Variation of zooplankton density in relation to tide in Okpoka Creek

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Davies and Ugwumba Effects of Tide on Zooplankton Community of a Tributary of Upper Bonny Estuary, Niger Delta, Nigeria

Fig. 4: Variation of zooplankton Margalef index in relation to tide in Okpoka Creek

Fig. 5: Variation of zooplankton Shannon index in relation to tide in Okpoka Creek

0.45 0.4

Zooplankton evenness index

0.35 0.3 0.25 0.2 0.15 0.1 0.05 0 Low High

Protozoa

Branchiura

Cladocera

Zooplankton class

Fig. 6: Variation of zooplankton Evenness index in relation to tide in Okpoka Creek

Figure 36d:Tidal variation of zooplankton Evenness 330 index in Okpoka Creek

Euphausia

Copepoda

Ostracoda

Rotifera

International Journal of Scientific Research in Knowledge (IJSRK), 1(9), pp. 325-342, 2013

0.3

0.25

Dominance index

0.2

0.15

Low High

0.1

0.05

Branchiura

Cladocera

Euphausia

Copepoda

Ostracoda

Protozoa

Zooplankton class

Fig. 7: Variation of zooplankton Dominance index in relation to tide in Okpoka Creek

100 90

Figure 36e:Tidal variations of zooplankton Dominance index in Okpoka Creek

Percentage distribution (%)

80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Species

(1=Mesocyclops leukarti; 2=Temora longicornis; 3=Anomalocera patersoni; 4=Centropages typicus; 5=Metridia lucens; 6=Oithona similis; 7=Pseudocanus elongatus; 8=Candacia armata; 9=Acartia loniremis; 10=Acartia sp; 11=Onchocamptus sp; 12=Paracyclops affinis; 13=Paracyclops 1=Mesocyclops sp; leukarti;2=Temora longicornis;3=Anomalocera patersoni;4=Centropages typicus;5=Metridia lucens;6=Oithona fimbriatus; 14=Calanus 15=Macrocyclops distinctus; 16=Schmackeria inopinus; 17=Onchocamptus mohammed; 18=Eurytemora hirundoides; similis;7=Pseudocanus elongatus;8=Candacia armata;9=Acartia loniremis;10=Acartia sp;11=Onchocamptus sp;12=Paracyclops 19=Acanthocyclops bicuspidatus; 20=Pareachaeta norvegica; 21=Candacia sp; 22=Microcalanus sp; 23=Paracalanus sp; 24=Parapontella sp; 25=Temora affinis;13=Paracyclops fimbriatus;14=Calanus sp;15=Macrocyclops distinctus;16=Schmackeria inopinus;17=Onchocamptus sp; and 26=Cyclops strenus) mohammed;18=Eurytemora hirundoides;19=Acanthocyclops bicuspidatus;20=Pareachaeta norvegica;21=Candacia sp;22=Microcalanus
sp;23=Paracalanus sp;24=Parapontella sp;25=Temora sp;and 26=Cyclops strenus}

Fig. 8: Overall mean values of rotifer species of Okpoka Creek Figure 37a: Overall mean values of Rotifera zooplankton species of Okpoka Creek

3.3. Copepoda (Copepods) Copepods density ranged between 3249.63286.92 org/ml (low tide) and 5582.42438.45 org/ml (high tide) with a mean of 3783.80248.33 org/ml (Figs. 2 and 3). This accounted for 43.40% of zooplankton population and the highest among the zooplankton. Copepods had the highest species diversity indices: Margalef (0.980.03), Shannon (0.500.02), Evenness (0.350.01) and Dominance (0.250.01). The effect of tide on copepods diversity indices were significant

except on Dominance index (P<0.001, DMR). Tide had significant effect on density and diversity indices except Dominance. Twenty-three genera and 26 species of copepods were recorded (Fig. 10). The 10 abundant species include Temora longicornis (22.843.06%). Cyclops strenus (16.071.94%), Centropages typicus (16.240.94%), Anomalocera patersoni (14.57 1.48%) Acartia longiremis (12.521.59%), Paracyclops fimbriatus (12.681.82%), Acanthocyclops bicuspidatus.

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Rotifera

Davies and Ugwumba Effects of Tide on Zooplankton Community of a Tributary of Upper Bonny Estuary, Niger Delta, Nigeria
100 90
Percentage distribution (%)

Low High

80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Rotifera zooplankton Species

Fig. 9: Percentage distribution of rotifer species inzooplankton relation to tidespecies in Okpoka Figure 37c: Tidal percentage distribution of Rotifera of Creek
1=Mesocyclops leukarti;2=Temora longicornis;3=Anomalocera patersoni;4=Centropages typicus;5=Metridia lucens;6=Oithona similis;7=Pseudocanus Okpoka Creek elongatus;8=Candacia armata;9=Acartia loniremis;10=Acartia sp;11=Onchocamptus sp;12=Paracyclops affinis;13=Paracyclops fimbriatus;14=Calanus {1=Mesocyclops leukarti;2=Temora longicornis;3=Anomalocera patersoni;4=Centropages typicus;5=Metridia lucens;6=Oithona similis;7=Pseudocanus elongatus;8=Candacia armata;9=Acartia sp;15=Macrocyclops distinctus;16=Schmackeria inopinus;17=Onchocamptus mohammed;18=Eurytemora hirundoides;19=Acanthocyclops loniremis;10=Acartia sp;11=Onchocamptus sp;12=Paracyclops affinis;13=Paracyclops fimbriatus;14=Calanus sp;15=Macrocyclops distinctus;16=Schmackeria inopinus;17=Onchocamptus bicuspidatus;20=Pareachaeta norvegica;21=Candacia sp;22=Microcalanus sp;23=Paracalanus sp;24=Parapontella sp;25=Temora 26=Cyclops mohammed;18=Eurytemora hirundoides;19=Acanthocyclops bicuspidatus;20=Pareachaeta norvegica;21=Candacia sp;22=Microcalanus sp;23=Paracalanus sp;24=Parapontella sp;25=Temorasp;and sp;and 26=Cyclops strenus} strenus

45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Species

Percentage distribution (%)

Figure 38a: Overall mean values of Copepod species in Okpoka Creek (1=Mesocyclops leukarti; 2=Temora longicornis; 3=Anomalocera patersoni; 4=Centropages typicus; 5=Metridia lucens; 6=Oithona similis; 7=Pseudocanus elongatus; 8=Candacia armata; 9=Acartia loniremis; 10=Acartia sp; 11=Onchocamptus sp; 12=Paracyclops affinis; 13=Paracyclops fimbriatus; 14=Calanus sp;1 5=Macrocyclops distinctus; 16=Schmackeria inopinus;17=Onchocamptus mohammed;18=Eurytemora {1=Mesocyclops leukarti;2=Temora longicornis;3=Anomalocera patersoni;4=Centropages typicus;5=Metridia lucens;6=Oithona similis;7=Pseudocanus elongatus;8=Candacia armata;9=Acartia loniremis;10=Acartia sp;11=Onchocamptus sp;12=Paracyclops affinis;13=Paracyclops fimbriatus;14=Calanus sp;15=Macrocyclops distinctus;16=Schmackeria inopinus;17=Onchocamptus hirundoides;19=Acanthocyclops bicuspidatus;20=Pareachaeta norvegica;21=Candacia sp;22=Microcalanus sp;23=Paracalanus sp;24=Parapontella mohammed;18=Eurytemora hirundoides;19=Acanthocyclops bicuspidatus;20=Pareachaeta norvegica;21=Candacia sp;22=Microcalanus sp;23=Paracalanus sp;24=Parapontella sp;25=Temora sp;and sp;25=Temora sp;and 26=Cyclops strenus) 26=Cyclops strenus}

Fig. 10: Overall mean values of copepod species in Okpoka Creek

(13.550.65%), Onchocamptus sp (12.111.89%), Metridia lucens (12.041.30%) and Mesocyclops leukarti (12.800.22%). Out of the 26 species identified, 15 species were calanoid copepods and others were cyclopoid copepods. M. leukarti and A. bicuspidatus were absent at high tide. T. longicornis

and C. typicus had higher percentage distribution at high tide (30.419.99% and 17.482.92%) than at low tide (21.633.19% and 15.920.94%). Others were more at low tide than high tide (Fig. 11). Tidal effect was higher at low tide than at high tide.

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45 40
Percentage distribution (%)

35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Low High

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
Species

Fig. 11: Percentage distribution of copepod species in relation to tide in Okpoka Creek Figure 38d:Tidal percentage distribution of Copepodan zooplankton species of (1=Mesocyclops leukarti; 2=Temora longicornis; 3=Anomalocera patersoni; 4=Centropages typicus; 5=Metridia lucens; 6=Oithona similis; Okpoka Creek 1=Mesocyclops leukarti;2=Temora longicornis;3=Anomalocera patersoni;4=Centropages typicus;5=Metridia lucens;6=Oithona similis;7=Pseudocanus elongatus;8=Candacia armata;9=Acartia

7=Pseudocanus elongatus; 8=Candacia armata; 9=Acartia loniremis; 10=Acartia sp; 11=Onchocamptus sp; 12=Paracyclops affinis; 13=Paracyclops loniremis;10=Acartia sp;11=Onchocamptus sp;12=Paracyclops affinis;13=Paracyclops fimbriatus;14=Calanus sp;15=Macrocyclops distinctus;16=Schmackeria inopinus;17=Onchocamptus fimbriatus; 14=Calanus sp; 15=Macrocyclops distinctus; 16=Schmackeria inopinus; 17=Onchocamptus mohammed; 18=Eurytemora hirundoides; mohammed;18=Eurytemora hirundoides;19=Acanthocyclops bicuspidatus;20=Pareachaeta norvegica;21=Candacia sp;22=Microcalanus sp;23=Paracalanus sp;24=Parapontella sp;25=Temora sp;and 26=Cyclops strenus} 19=Acanthocyclops bicuspidatus; 20=Pareachaeta norvegica; 21=Candacia sp; 22=Microcalanus sp; 23=Paracalanus sp; 24=Parapontella sp; 25=Temora sp; and 26=Cyclops strenus)

3.4. Cladocera Mean density of cladocera ranged from 696.4667.96 no/ml (low tide) to 1059.57104.89 org/ml (high tide) with a mean value of 810.96 57.93 org/ml (9.30% abundance). Mean value of Margalef, Shannon, Evenness, and Dominance species diversity indices were: 1.040.07, 0.220.02, 0.250.02 and 0.250.02 respectively. The ANOVA of these parameters were significant (P<0.01, 0.001) except Margalef index. The effects of tide on fauna

parameters were significant (P<0.05, DMR). Tidal variation was significant (P<0.05, DMR). Eight genera and 12 species of cladocera were recorded (Fig. 12). The most abundant species was Bosmina sp (55.502.05%) followed by Alona affinis (48.725.92%) Simocephalus serrulatus (19.025.54%) and Penilia avirostris (44.874.18%). Tidal influence was pronounced at low tide than at high tide. All the species of cladocera except P. avirostris had higher distribution percentage at low tide (Fig. 13).

P polyphemoides; 27.71% Penilia avicostris; 44.87% Simocephalus serrulatus; 49.02% Podon evadne; 24.73%

Daphnia carinata; 16.79%

Podon evadne P polyphemoides Latonopsis australissar Daphnia carinata D cristata Bosmina sp B longirotris

Latonopsis australissar; 29.9%

Evadna nordmanni; 24.83% A quadragularia; 53.33%

Alona affinis
Bosmina sp; 55.5% B longirotris; 33.76% D cristata; 20.68%

A quadragularia Evadna nordmanni Simocephalus serrulatus Penilia avicostris

Alona affinis; 48.72%

Fig. 12: Overall mean values of cladocera species in Okpoka Creek

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100 90
Percentage distribution (%)

80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Low High

10

11

Low
12

Fig. 13: Percentage distribution of cladocera species in relation to tide in Okpoka Creek (1=Podon evadne;2=P. polyphemoides;3=Alatonopsis australissar;4=Daphnia carinata;5=D. cristata;6=Bosmina sp;7=B. Figureaffinis;9=A. 39d: Tidalquadragularia;10=Evadne percentage distribution of Cladoceran zooplankton longirostris;8=Alona nordmanni;11=Simocephalus 1=Podon evadne;2=P. polyphemoides;3=Alatonopsis australissar;4=Daphnia carinata;5=D. cristata;6=Bosmina sp;7=B. longirostris;8=Alona affinis;9=A. serrulatus ;and 12=Penilia quadragularia;10=Evadne nordmanni;11=Simocephalus serrulatus ;andof 12=Penilia avirostris;} Creek species Okpoka avirostris;

3.5. Protozoa Tide had significant effect on density (P<0.05). Density varied between 315.1944.01 org/ml (high tide) and 573.8792.14 org/ml (low tide) with a mean of 529.3723 org/ml (6.07%). Seven genera and 11 species of protozoa were observed (Fig. 14). The abundant species were Strobilidium gyrans (63.476.74%), Halteria sp (48.569.86%) Tintinnopsis wangi (40.448.40%) and T. sinensis (22.763.56%). All the observed species except Halteria sp occurred higher at low tide than at high tide (Fig. 15). 3.6. Ostracoda

by Heterocypris sydneia (64.000.00%). Low tide had higher influence on species distribution than high tide except on H. sydneia (Fig. 17). 3.7. Euphasiacea Euphasiacea was the second dominant zooplankton fauna (21.76%), copepods being the highest (43.10%). Tidal density of euphasiacea varied between 1654.67162.91 org/ml (low tide) and 2571.41277.91 org/ml (high tide) with a mean value of 1897.34142.72 org/ml (21.76%) in Okpoka Creek. Only 1 species (Meganyctiphanes norvegica) was observed. Species diversity indices were zero. 3.8. Branchiura

High tide mean density was 724.23170.06 org/ml and mean low tide was 626.08144.47 org/ml. Ostracoda have a mean of 674.37110.57 org/ml and this represented 7.73% of the zooplankton community in the study area. High tide had more influence on the density of organisms. Four (4) genera and 5 species of ostracoda were identified (Fig.16). The most abundant was Conchoecia spinirostris (94.623.90%) followed

Branchiura density varied between 153.8325.98 org/ml (high tide) and 280.6744.52 org/ml (low tide) with a mean of 234.5431.47 org/ml). Branchiurans were 2.69% of the zooplankton community. Only 1 species Argulus macropterus was identified thus species diversity indices were zero.

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100 90

Percentage distribution (%)

80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

Strobilidium gyrans

Tintinnopsis wangi

Pempholyx salcata

T strigosa

Leprotintinnis sp

Protozoan species

Fig. 14: Overall Percentage distribution of protozoa species in Okpoka Creek

Figure 40a: Overall percentage distribution of Protozoan zooplankton species of Okpoka creek
11
0 10 1.86 46.62 68

9
Protozoan species

16.67 17.03 14.88 0

0 0

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

Rhabdonella sp

Trinema sp

Halteria sp

T sinensis

T conicus

T spp

73.95 9.3 0 100 23.19 42.23 65.35 20.59 38.06

Low High
0

35.29

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Percentage distribution (%) Fig. 15: Percentage distribution of protozoa species in relation to tide in Okpoka Creek
(1=Mesocyclops leukarti;2=Temora longicornis;3=Anomalocera patersoni;4=Centropages typicus;5=Metridia lucens;6=Oithona similis;7=Pseudocanus Figure 40d: Tidal percentage distribution of Protozoan zooplankton species of elongatus;8=Candacia armata;9=Acartia loniremis;10=Acartia sp;and 11=Onchocamptus sp)

Okpoka Creek

{1=Mesocyclops leukarti;2=Temora longicornis;3=Anomalocera patersoni;4=Centropages typicus;5=Metridia lucens;6=Oithona similis;7=Pseudocanus elongatus;8=Candacia armata;9=Acartia loniremis;10=Acartia sp;and 11=Onchocamptus sp}

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Davies and Ugwumba Effects of Tide on Zooplankton Community of a Tributary of Upper Bonny Estuary, Niger Delta, Nigeria
Heterocypris sydneia; 64% Conchoecia spinirostris; 94.62% Condona sp; 50%

Metacypris sp; 407%

Philomedes sp; 50% Conchoecia spinirostris Condona sp Philomedes sp Metacypris sp Heterocypris sydneia

Fig. 16: Overall means values of percentage distribution of ostracoda species in Okpoka Creek

100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

Percentage distribution (%)

Figure 41a: Overall mean values of percentage distribution of Ostracodan zooplankton species of Okpoka creek

Low
92.84 95.21

High
57.45 32.33 64 50 50

High Low

2 3 4 Ostrcodan zoopankton species

Fig. 17: Percentage distribution of ostracoda species in relation to tide in Okpoka Creek

(P<0.001, DMR). Low tide phosphate level (0.770.05 mg/L) was higher than that of high tide Figure 41d:Tidal percentage distribution of High tide ammonia level (0.190.02 mg/L) was (0.290.07 mg/L) with a mean of 0.700.05 mg/L. Ostracodan zooplankton species of Okpoka higher than low tide ammonia (0.170.01 mg/L) with The effect of tide was significant (P<0.05, DMR). Creek Tide influence on the sulphate concentrations was a mean of 0.170.01 mg/L (Table 2). Tidal variations were significant (P>0.05). Nitrate concentration significant (P<0.05). Low tide mean sulphate level 1=Mesocyclops leukarti;2=Temora longicornis;3=Anomalocera patersoni;4=Centropages typicus and 5=Metridia lucens} (0.680.02 mg/L) was high at low tide and low was 586.1136.42 mg/L (higher) and high tide level (0.480.04 mg/L) at high tide with a mean of was 459.0933.89 mg/L (lower) with a mean value of 0.640.02 mg/L. Tidal effect was highly significant 560.0528.87 mg/L. 3.9. Nutrients of surface water from Okpoka Creek Table 2: Variations of water nutrients in relation to tide in Okpoka Creek
Tide Low High Ammonia (mg/L) 0.17 0.01a 0.19 0.02a Nitrate (mg/L) 0.68 0.02a 0.48 0.04b Phosphate (mg/L) 0.77 0.05a 0.29 0.07b Sulphate (mg/L) 586.11 36.42a 459.09 33.89a

Means with the same letter in the same column are not significantly different (P>0.05)

4. DISCUSSION The recorded density and species of zooplankton in this study were higher than the previous works

observations. This supports the report of Knott (2013) that zooplankton densities are usually greater in estuaries than in other aquatic habitats thus reflecting the generally higher productivity of an estuarine

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environment. Olaleye and Akinyemiju (1999) reported a total of six (6) zooplankton species (rotifers, 3 species; copepods, 3 species) from Abiala Creek, Niger Delta; da Costa et al. (2011) recorded forty eight (48) taxa from the macrotidal coastal zone of the Amazon region and copepods were 48%. This present observation of higher zooplankton density and species possibly indicates high nutrients status of Okpoka Creek. The copepoda was the dominant zooplankton class. This observation is consistent with other studies on the aquatic ecosystem (Oronsaye and Okaka, 2000; Kolo et al., 2001; Aminu and Ahmed, 2000; Kemdirim, 2000; Krumme and T. Liang, 2004; Ekwu and Sikoki, 2005; Davies et al., 2008 and da Costa et al., 2011). The report of Okayi et al. (2001) of dominant cladocera disagrees with the present observation. That study recorded 20 species of zooplankton which is far lower than the observed zooplankton in this study. The dominance of copepods in terms of abundance indicates pollution according to Ruivo (1972). Falomo (1998) reported the dominance of copepods in the Oil Refinery-Axis of the Okrika Creek and their absence in the NAFCON-ONNE axis of the creek. Edoghotu (1998) recorded copepods as the dominant zooplankton in Okpoka Creek. The observed tidal variations of the zooplankton abundance might be traced to the varied nutrients concentrations. The low species diversity values might be associated with environment under stress. It is agreed by pollution biologists that species diversity declines as pollution effects are more severe. Lower dominance denotes higher species diversity of the zooplankton. Tidal cycles had significant effects on the zooplankton density, species diversity indices, composition (species richness) and distribution. The recorded higher densities of rotifera, protozoa and branchiura at low tide might indicate that these zooplankters were true residents of Okpoka Creek. Tides induce flow and transport of sediments, animals, plants, other organisms and suspended particles at high tides and leave the sediments and suspended particles behind but the biota go with the ebbing tide back to the sea (Blondeaux and Vittori, 2005; SlideShare Inc., 2009). At high tide, it is expected to have increased abundances of these zooplankters but the opposite was observed. It could be that these zooplanktons had vertically migrated downward into the sea before the high tide thus they were not drifted into Okpoka Creek. In addition, it could be that they did not respond as other zooplankton taxa to the high tide. On the other hand, they might have vertically migrated further down into the creek in response to high salinity induced by the influence of the sea at high tide hence they could not leave with the ebbing tide to the sea. This might

signify that these taxa were low-salinity, lowsediment load and low-turbidity friendly. Vertical migration is an aspect of zooplankton behaviour. It may be affected by abundance of both food items and predators and other environmental cues such as light, tide, salinity and temperature (Avent et al., 1998). The vertical migration of these taxa could be traced to abundant of food items (autotrophs) and absence of predators. High light intensity or transparency at low tide leads to high primary productivity and this might indicate that these zooplankters feed on microphytoplankton. Zooplanktons respond selectively to various physical and chemical factors such as tide, water current, salinity to mention but a few and can exert some influence on the ultimate outcome of their transport (Knott, 2013). Some planktonic species may be distributed only within restricted zones in coastal waters, such as the low-salinity regions of estuaries, while others may reside only in the coastal waters and the high-salinity reaches near the estuary mouth. Retention and settlement of the true resident taxa into the creek might be the possible reasons for their low density at low tide. Zooplankton samples were collected within few centimeters of the water column (surface water). Retention mechanism was hypothesized by Krumme and Liang (2004) for copepods resident in the Furo do Meio (a macrotidal mangrove channel in northern Brazil) so this could be used to give possible reason for the observed higher densities of rotifera, protozoa and branchiura species and densities at low tide. Little settlement will occur during periods of stronger flow (Villate, 1997) thus strong settlement at low tide might be a factor for the present observation. Migration of non-resident species of cladocera, copepoda, euphausia and ostracoda from the sea into the Okpoka Creek at high tide and moving out with the ebbing tide into the sea at low tide could be the possible explanation for the higher densities of these taxa at high tide. This present observation corresponds to Roberson et al. (1988) (in mangrove and other nearshore habitats in tropical Australia) and Wang et al. (1995) (in a megatidal estuary (Seine, eastern English Channel) who found higher densities and total abundances of copepods at high tide than low tide. In contrast, Krumme and Liang (2004) reported greatest abundance and biomass of copepods at low water when the number of species was lowest and lowest at high water when the number of species was greatest. However, this study recorded higher number of copepod species at low tide which disagrees with the report of Krumme and Liang (2004). Furthermore, these taxa might be high-salinity friendly thus their high density at high tide. Villate (1997) reported that estuarine zooplankton populations move towards

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more saline waters from spring to neap tides especially the copepods. Higher abundances of heterotrophic protists such as ciliates and dinoflagellates than autotrophs at high tide indicate that these zooplankters are omnivores. At high tide, the sediment load is high hence high turbidity and this favours the growth of heterotrophic protists and not autotrophs. Salinity affects the distribution pattern and relative abundance of organisms (Sharipova, 2005; Frankovich et al., 2006). The observed higher densities of copepoda, cladocera, ostracoda and euphasiacea at high tide could be attributed to the high inflow of water from the sea containing estuarine zooplankton. These organisms moved out from the Okpoka Creek at ebb tide hence the observed low densities at low tide. At high tide, current velocities are high exceeding 1.5m/s and at low tide, these zooplankton species were apparently not carried into the creek because of low tide current speeds that might not be sufficient to suspend and transport them into it. These zooplankton assemblages at low tide demonstrated a rather uniform structure due to low tidal turbulence. Species diversity indices provide important information about rarity and commonness of species in a community (http://www.tiem.utk.edu/~gross/bioed/bealsmodules/ shannonDI.html). Zooplankton species diversity indices of this present study were generally low. Low species diversity suggests relatively few successful species in the habitat, the environment is quite stressful with relatively few ecological niches and only a few organisms are really well adapted to that environment, food webs which are relatively simple and change in the environment would probably have quite serious effects. Branchiura and euphausia were represented by only one species thus their species diversity indices were zero. This could mean that the species diversities of these taxa were very low. The recorded Margalef index for rotifera, cladocera and protozoa at low tide than high tide could signify higher species diversity due to retention and high settlement of these species before the period of strong flow at high tide. Also, high river discharge at low tide is pronounced and might account for this observation as these taxa species might be lowsalinity lovers. High solar radiation and light penetration denoting high temperature are high at low tide thus the high abundance of microphytoplnakton or autotrophs. The observed higher Margalef index for copepoda and ostracoda at high tide than low tide could possibly be explained by the strong flow from the sea at high tide carrying estuarine species and high amount of sediments. Also, it might be these taxa can withstand the high tidal turbulence. These taxa are

suspended by tidal turbulence and omnivorous feeding on heterotrophic protists and detritus. Shannon Index is a measurement of both species richness or abundance and evenness; it gives an informative description of a site's biodiversity. It is particularly useful when comparing similar ecosystems or habitats, as it can highlight one habitat as more species rich or more even than another. Evenness is the relative abundance with which each species is represented in an area (https://www.boundless.com/biology/communitydynamics/trophic-structure-and-biologicaldiversity/species-diversity/). Generally, the present study Shannon and evenness indices were low for all the taxa. They were below 1. This signified that these taxa had low species richness and evenness. Typically, the value of the Shannon index ranges from 1.5 (low species richness and evenness) to 3.5 (high species evenness and richness), though values beyond these limits may be encountered (https://www.boundless.com/biology/communitydynamics/trophic-structure-and-biologicaldiversity/species-diversity/). An ecosystem in which all species are represented by the same number of individuals has high species evenness. An ecosystem in which some species are represented by many individuals and other species are represented by very few individuals has low species evenness. In this study, all species were not represented by the same number of individuals or some species were represented by many individuals and other species by very few individuals. The higher Shannon and evenness indices for cladocera, copepoda, ostracoda and rotifera at high tide than at low tide might be traced to high sea discharge, bringing in temporary species of these taxa therefore increased the equitable distribution (evenness) of these individuals. Protozoa could have retained and settled before the strong flow of the sea thus their low Shannon and evenness indices at high tide. Dominance index was generally low and it denoted higher species diversity. Dominance index was higher at low tide than high tide for copepoda, protozoa and rotifera. These taxa could be the dominant and true resident zooplankton in Okpoka Creek. This observation might further be attributed to retention and settlement at low tide. Villate (1997) stated the models that predict that little settlement will occur during periods of stronger flow. These zooplanktons sink to the ground level at low tide and could not move out with the receding tide at low tide. This is retention and settlement at weaken flow. Dominance index was higher for cladocera and ostracoda at high tide than low tide. It might be that these zooplanktons could withstand turbidity caused by the high tide turbulence. The recorded high species distributions at

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low tide might be linked to high nutrients (nitrate, phosphate and sulphate) status. Low tidal turbulence, turbidity, sediment suspension or load, decreased salinity and current velocities could be linked to this observation. Higher concentration of ammonia at high tide favoured the observed zooplankton (cladocera, copepoda, euphausia and ostracoda) especially the dominant copepod at high tide. Dominance of copepods in terms of abundance and species composition indicates pollution (Krumme and Liang, 2004). This shows that copepods are resilent to the increased anthropogenic input and high turbidity. The lower concentration of ammonia at low tide favoured the other zooplankton groups (rotifera, protozoa and branchiura) and this further shows that these zooplankters are autotrophs. High turbidity is not limiting to reduced visual ranges in predators but also to high concentrations of detritus and associated microbes that provide an important source of energy for copepods (Krumme and Liang, 2004). Ammonia is one of the nutrients required by phytoplankton for primary productivity. Others are nitrate, phosphorus and sulphate (Yamamaro et al., 1993). Furthermore, ammonia is a source of nitrogen and contributes to the fertility of water since nitrogen is an essential plant nutrient. Nitrate-nitrogen and ammonia-nitrogen determine community productive levels. The lower concentrations of sulphate, nitrate and phosphate at high tide might signify low primary productivity and support the possible reason that cladocera, copepoda, euphausia and ostracoda are omnivores and detritus feeders. The higher concentration of nitrate, phosphate and sulphate at low tide might be attributed to the higher abundance of rotifera, protozoa and branchiura at low tide. These nutrients signify high primary productivity and that these zooplankters are microphytoplankton feeders. Nutrients availability especially phosphorus structures the algae community (Frankovick et al., 2006). In addition, primary productivity (phytoplankton productivity) is expected to be high at low tide as turbidity is low and solar and light penetrations are high. High primary productivity will enhance the high abundances of these zooplankters at low tide. The observed assemblage ammonia possibly indicated increased anthropogenic inputs at high tide. The highest nitrate recorded at low tide might be indicative of high human excrement and industrial discharges. Stabilization period might be the possible reason for this observation. It occurs during slack tides or slow currents and results in increased rates of nutrient uptake (Zimmerman, 2013). The higher phosphate at low tide could be due to high decomposition of organic matter and stabilization

period. The recorded sulphate values at low and high tides could be attributed to the higher biological oxygen demand and stabilization period at low tide than at high tide. Oxidation of the organic materials and burning of fossil fuel used up oxygen thereby exerting higher biological oxygen demand in the Okpoka Creek. 5. CONCLUSION Tide affects the zooplankton community of Okpoka Creek in terms of species composition, diversity, abundance and distribution. Copepods are the dominant taxa and euphasiacea being the second dominant zooplankton fauna. They are sensitive to both low and high tides. Rotifera, protozoa and branchiura densities are higher at low tide while copepoda, cladocera, ostracoda and euphasiacea recorded higher densities at high tide. Branchiura and euphausia are represented by only one species thus their species diversity indices are zero. The presence of dominant copepods as well as euphasiacea and branchiura being represented by one species indicate organic pollution or stress in Okpoka Creek. The two alternate tidal cycles of six (6) hours of low and high tides within twenty-four (24) hours contribute to the stress condition of Okpoka Creek. Phosphate and ammonia (nutrients) exceeded FEPA and USEPA acceptable levels of 0.10 mg/L and 0.10 mg/L respectively for natural water bodies. These nutrients indicate also organic pollution in Okpoka Creek. The flushing action of the tidal flows contributes to moving these potential pollutants from the Bonny Estuary down into this creek. REFERENCES Ali M, Al-Yamani F, Polikarpov I (2011). The effect of tidal cycles on the community structure of plankton (with emphasis on copepods) at AFMED Marina in winter (a preliminary study). Crustaceana, 84(5-6): 601-621. American Public Health Association (APHA) (1985). Standard method for the examination of water and wastewater. A.P.H.A.16th ed. Washington D.C.:McGraw-Hill. Aminu R, Ahmed KS (2000). Plankton periodicity and some physico-chemical parameters of the Take Channel of Lake Chad. Journal of Aquatic Sciences, 19(2):10411. Avent SR, Bollens SM, Troia SP (1998). Diel vertical migration in zooplankton: experimental investigations using video-microscopy and plankton mini-towers. In American Geophysical Union (ed). 1998 Ocean Sciences Meeting, 9-13 February 1998, San Diego, CA.

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Wang Z, Thiebaut E, Dauvin JC (1995). Short-term variations of zooplankton in a megatidal estuary (Seine, eastern English Channel). Proc. of the 20th Symp. Union des Ocenographes de France, Paris, 24-25 Nov. 1994; Spatial and temporal scales of the ocean. Methods and problems. Paris: Union des Oceanographes de France. J. Rech. Oceanogr., 20:152. Wilcox BH (1980). Angiosperm flora of the Niger Delta mangal. Ataxonomic review. Proceedings of Workshop on the Niger Delta mangrove ecosystem. 19-21st October 1980, Port Harcourt, pp 19-23. Yamamuro M, Kioke I, Iizuumi H (1993). Partitioning of nitrogen stock in the vicinity of a Fijian seagrass bed dominated by syingodium iosettifolum (Ascherson) Dandy. Australia Journal of Marine and Freshwater Resources, 44: 101-115. Zimmerman L (2013). Phytoplankton . Available at nerrs.noaa.gov/doc/siteprofile/acebasin/html/bi ores/phy) Online References Species Diversityhttps://www.boundless.com/biology/communit y-dynamics/trophic-structure-and-biologicaldiversity/species-diversity/ Diversity indices: SHANNON'S H AND Ehttp://www.tiem.utk.edu/~gross/bioed/bealsmo dules/shannonDI.html

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Dr. Davies, Onome Augustina is a visible Senior Lecturer in the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Environment, Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Port Harcourt, Nigeria. She obtained B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D degrees in Zoology from University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria in 1991, 1994 and 2008 respectively. She is a hydrobiology and fisheries consultant.

Prof Obih Alex Ugwumba has a B.Sc Zoology, 1979; Ph. D Zoology 1984 and was made Professor of Zoology in 1999 in the Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. He is a Marine Biologist and an Environmental Pollution Consultant.

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