Zooplankton Tintinnopsis dominance in the Estuary of Polong River, Pangkep Regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract

Genus Tintinnopsis is a microzooplankton from the protozoa (ciliate) group that lives in various habitats in marine waters. Like other zooplankton, Tintinnopsis holds important roles in the food chain. An investigation on the zooplankton community focusing on species composition had been conducted in July 2020 in Polong River estuary, Pangkajene District, South Sulawesi. Sampling was carried out at four stations, each with three replications. Seventy-five liters of seawater were filtered using a plankton net 25 (0.06 mm) into a 100 mL sample bottle and added with 2mL of 1% Lugol. Zooplankton species were counted and identified by putting 1ml of water sample on a Sedgwick Rafter counter and observed on a microscope. Zooplankton identification followed Identification of Marine Plankton and Marine Plankton A Practical Guide. The number of zooplankton differences amongst stations was analyzed statistically by using a one-way ANOVA. Results showed that Tintinnopsis were found in all stations, and were most abundant in station 2, followed by stations 1, 3, and 4. There were two other zooplankton species found in the area, i.e. nauplii Copepoda (stations 1, 3, and 4) and Apocyclops sp (station 2). Each species composition was 80.60%, 18.62% and 0.78% for Tintinnopsis sp., nauplii copepods and Apocyclops sp., respectively. One-way ANOVA also showed no significant differences in the individual abundances amongst station (CI 95%; (p>0.05).