The Second Study on Zooplankton in the Tigris River in Misan Province, Iraq Since 1921: Evidence to Include Zooplankton in Ecosystem Monitoring

The present study was conducted in one of the most significant water sources in Iraq, the Tigris River in Misan Province. The aim was to examine the zooplankton community, specifically Cladocera, Copepoda, and Rotifera. Samples were collected 30cm below the water surface using a plankton haul net with a mesh size of 64μm from September 2023 to February 2024. Sampling took place at three stations: the first in Kumait, located in the north of Misan Province; the second in Amarah City, the capital of Misan Province, and the third about 20km south of Amarah City. The results revealed seventeen species of zooplankton, belonging to two phyla, three classes, four orders, and eight families. A comparison between the historical and current status in the study area indicated a noticeable shift in zooplankton composition toward species more tolerant of pollution. For instance, the appearance of the family Brachionidae and its common species Brachionus sp. in the study area, alongside the absence of Daphnia species, suggests ecological degradation in the inland waters of Iraq, particularly in Misan Province. This study recommends incorporating zooplankton into water quality monitoring programs (WQMPS) in Iraq.