Int. j. Adv. Lif. Sci., Available online on at www. Int. J. Adv. Lif. Sci., Available online on at www. ijals.com Page 44 International Journal of Advanced Life Sciences (IJALS) ISSN 2277 – 758X Karuthapandi et al., IJALS, Volume (6) Issue (1) Feb - 2013. RESEARCH ARTICLE Introduction Zooplankton are one of the most important biotic components influencing all the functional aspects and plays a vital role in food chain, nutrient recycling and energy flow in the aquatic ecosystem (Park and Shin, 2007 and Datta, 2011). Its composition and community can be used as an indicator of changing trophic status of an aquatic ecosystem (Blancher, 1984). They are very sensitive to environmental changes and thus are considerable potential value as water quality indicators (Pejler, 1981, 1983). It may serve as bio- indicators and it is a well suited tool for understanding water pollution status (Contreas et al., 2009). Freshwater zooplankton comprises of rotifers, cladocerans, copepods and ostracods of which rotifers and cladocerans are relatively abundant Vanjare et al., (2010). Although, only very few studies were made on zooplankton composition and its ecological significance in urban water bodies of Hyderabad. Hyderabad is one of the major urban cities in India, it holds with 169 freshwater bodies (Saxena, 2007). Among these Safilguda tank is situated in Malkajgiri municipal area, Secunderabad. There was no earlier study conducted on the basis of zooplankton composition and diversity in this tank. This preliminary study aims to assess the zooplankton composition, diversity and trophic status of Safilguda tank along with physicochemical profile of the habitat. Abstract Freshwater zooplankton plays a vital role in food chain, nutrient recycling and energy flow in the aquatic ecosystem. The preliminary study carried out between 2010 - 2012 for assessing the zooplankton composition and diversity in Safilguda tank along with the physicochemical profile. In all, 17 species of various zooplankton groups were recorded viz. 13 spp. of rotifers, 03 spp. of cladocera, and 01sp. of copepoda. The zooplankton density (736-2437 No/L), diversity index (H′ 0.61-0.76) and sladecek quotient ratio (5) were also observed. The nutrient content such as phosphate (0.6-4.02mgl -1 ), nitrate (20-30mgl -1 ) and ammonia (4.8-7.9mgl -1 ) were also recorded. Further the study observed few zooplankton species, Brachionus angularis, B. budapestinensis, and Moina micrura which are widely adapted and numerical abundance of these individuals are considered as eutrophic indicators. These could be used as biological tool for further biomonitoring and assessing trophic status of the water bodies. The physicochemical profile and zooplankton diversity shows the Safilguda tank is eutrophicated. Hence, the reclamation of the tank needs serious concern for conservation of the faunal diversity and the water quality. Keywords: Zooplankton, diversity, eutrophication, bioindicators and conservation. Zooplankton diversity and trophic status of Safilguda tank, Hyderabad M. Karuthapandi * , D.V. Rao*, B. Xavier Innocent** and J. Deepa * *Zoological Survey of India, Freshwater Biology Regional Centre, Hyderabad-500 048 **Department of Zoology, St, Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Palayamkottai- 627 002 Email : kpandi83@gmail.com Corresponding Author M. Karuthapandi, Zoological Survey of India, Freshwater Biology Regional Centre, Hyderabad-500 048, India, Email : kpandi83@gmail.com Article History Received on 23 November, 2012; Revised in revised form 18 December, 2012; Accepted 24 January, 2013