Physico-chemical indices of breeding sites of Simulium damnosum in the lower Cross River Basin, Nigeria

Article type: Research Article

Authors: OPARA, K.N. | FAGBEMI, B.O.

Affiliations: Department of Zoology, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria | Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

Note: [] Corresponding author. E-mail: nkopara@yahoo.com

Abstract: To determine the factor influencing the abundance development and distribution of Simulium damnosum (S. I) immature stages in the lower Cross River Basin, Nigeria, the physico-chemical characteristics of water at breeding sites were analysed longitudinally over a 12 month period. Analysis of the water samples showed that water current correlated positively and significantly (p < 0.05), with dissolved oxygen (r = 0.95 vs 0.10); conductivity (r = 0.95 vs 0.81); hydrogen ion concentration (r = 0.03 vs 0.46); and biochemical oxygen demand (r = 0. 80 vs 0.64); from Agbokim Waterfalls and Afi River respectively. The result indicates that these parameters and Iow ionic concentration are the most essential requirement for the development of S. damnosum pre-imaginal stages. Amplitudes of annual variability as measured by co-efficient of variation varied between the parameters. From the trends in hydrological variables it was deduced that the integrated impact of precipitation, input of surface runoff and municipal effluents played an overriding role in determining the absolute levels and temporal pattern in the water quality attributes. Of the 3578 pre-imaginal stages of S. damnosum collected, 52.52% and 47.4% were collected from Agbokim Waterfall and Afl River respectively. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the number of pre-imaginal stages collected from both sites. The highest number of pre-imaginal stages of S. damnosum collected were at the peak of rain (July-September) indicating that S. damnosum in the River Basin is a wet season breeder. The need for long term laboratory colonization of blackfly immature stages becomes imperative especially how these parameters could be exploited in control programme through the testing of larvicides without adverse ecological damage to the aquatic habitat.

Keywords: blackflies, Simulium damnosum physico-chemical parameters, lower Cross River Basin, Nigeria

Journal: Journal of Environmental Sciences, vol. 17, no. 3, pp. 511-517, 2005