| Zooplankton being the foremost trophic link in food chain play an important role in aquatic ecosystems by transferring energy in the food web, energy transfer from primary producer to secondary consumers and cycling of organic materials in the aquatic ecosystem. The diversity of zooplankton reflects the water quality of an aquatic environment. The zooplankton is cosmopolitan in all aquatic habitat. They respond quickly to any changes in water quality because they are strongly affected by environmental conditions. They are considered as good bio indicators and are also helpful for monitoring polluted waters. In the present study efforts have been made to ascertain the abundance of Cladocera in the 11 water bodies of Kalakad Mundenthurai Tiger Reserve,Tamil Nadu, India. A total of 16 species of Cladocerans belonging to 13 genera, 2 orders under 6 families were recorded from the Tiger Reserve. All the Cladoceran species are reported for the first time from this area.
Keywords: Zooplankton, Ecosystem, Habitat, Cladocera, Kalakad Mundenthurai Tiger Reserve.
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