ABSTRACT
Cladocera is a crucial bio-indicator of water quality and trophic status of the aquatic environment they inhabit. This study was carried out from August 2021 to January 2022 using standard methods to investigate the species composition, abundance, distribution and diversity of Cladocera community of Okhuaihe River at Ikpe, Benin city, Edo state, Nigeria. A total of 22 physicochemical parameters were determined. Results show that flow rate, width and phosphate were significantly higher across the sampling stations, while temporally, air temperature, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, chloride, iron, zinc and manganese showed high significance difference.The physicochemical parameters measured were within the Federal Ministry of Environment and WHO permissible limits except electrical conductivity, ammonium, chloride, turbidity, iron, copper, manganese and chromium. A total of 6 families comprising 75 individuals were recorded. Abundance was highest in station 4 contributing 64 individuals and lowest at station 1 which accounted for 3 individuals of total individuals.
