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Spatial distribution of zooplankton in relation to some selected physicochemical water quality parameters of Lake Hawassa, Ethiopia

While scientific information on spatial variation of freshwater zooplankton is relevant to limnological studies, little information is available from the Ethiopian Rift Valley lake: Lake Hawassa. This study aimed at understanding the spatial distribution of the dominant zooplankton taxa in Lake Hawassa, Ethiopia. Collection of samples and in situ measurements of physico-chemical parameters were carried out at four sites for five consecutive months from April to August in 2019. Twenty-two species of zooplankton were identified. Among these, rotifers were the most important with regard to both species richness and abundance. Copepods were the second most important group in terms of species richness and abundance, whereas cladocerans were the least abundant taxa. All zooplankton groups were very rare at the inlet of the Tikur Wuha River, which could be mainly due to stress, associated with extreme turbidity. Rotifers were predominant at the inlet of influents from referral hospital revealing their adaptation to less clear water and pollution. Copepods attained their highest abundance at the macrophyte zone indicating their preference for water with high clarity and refuge. We concluded that the spatial variation of the zooplankton density in relation to water quality parameters has implications for the applicability of zooplankton as a cost-effective water quality assessment tool in lakes.