Research ArticlesNutrition & Management

DRIVERS OF ZOOPLANKTON DIEL VERTICAL MIGRATION

Oyedapo, F. A., Akpa, L.E., Mohammed M. Y, Oshibanjo, D. O.

Oyedapo, F. A. — University of Jos (Unijos)

Akpa, L.E. — University of Jos (Unijos) (akpa@gmail.com)

Mohammed M. Y — University of Jos (Unijos)

Oshibanjo, D. O. — University of Jos (Unijos)

Abstract

Vertical migratory behavior, a daily synchronized up-and-down movement practiced by zooplankton shaping the availability of zooplankton to fish as food, was studied in Liberty Reservoir in the Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State in August 2018, November 2018 and March 2019. The distribution of zooplankton at different times of the day was investigated alongside some physicochemical parameters. Water samples were collected at three hours intervals from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on sampling days. Data on zooplankton abundance was analyzed using the SPSS statistical package. A two-way analysis of variance showed that water temperature, pH, water transparency, and dissolved oxygen varied significantly (P<0.05) significantly during the daytime. Pearson correlation analysis showed that zooplankton abundance correlated positively with air temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen. Variation in zooplankton abundance at different depths and times of the day revealed that vertical migration is taking place in these reservoirs. Abundance is more at the top by 6 a.m. and at 3 p.m. at the reservoir’s bottom. Temperature, water transparency, pH, and water transparency were attributed to the drivers of daytime migration in these reservoirs.

Keywords

Zooplanktonvertical migrationabundancediel and physicochemical parameters

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Publication Info

Published in: Vol. 1, No. 1 (2026)

Pages: 44 - 53

DOI: 10.xxxxx/jjaases.2026.aa988478

License: CC-BY-4.0

OA
Open Access (CC-BY 4.0)

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.

Submitted: 7/19/2026

Accepted: 7/19/2026

Published: 9/19/2026

Disclosures

Funding:

No specific funding was declared for this work.

Conflict of Interest:

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest.