THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATIC FACTORS ON THE DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF MOSQUITOES IN PHYTOTELMATA
O.J., Afolabi and I.S., Ndams
Department of Biology, Salem University, Lokoja
Department of Biological Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria
jideafo@yahoo.co.uk
ABSTRACT
Climatic factors have been associated with abundance and distribution of mosquito-borne diseases in many parts of the world, especially in warm and tropical climatic regions. The main objective of this research is to determine the distribution and abundance of mosquitoes in phytotelmata in Zaria, Northern Nigeria. The sites were in three locations with five replications of Delonix regia including the control. Habitat evacuation method as described by Service (1993) was used to sample mosquito larvae and pupae in all the locations. The pre-adults collected were concentrated on a fine sieve in a white enamel bowl and later identified into specie level using X50 microscope and Hopkins manual. The Volume of water was measured using measuring cylinder and temperature was measured in situ using portable thermometer. T-test analysis of the results showed significant difference between the larvae and pupae population (p<0.05) with population of larvae (74.5%) higher than that of the pupae (25.5%). Two –way ANOVA showed significant difference (p<0.05) in the percentage composition and distribution of pre-adults with highest population (29.8%)) recorded in August and lowest population (4.2%) recorded in October. Two –way ANOVA of the species compositions showed significant difference (p<0.05) with Aedes aegypti having the highest percentage composition (48.8%) and Toxorhynchite brevipalpis having the lowest percentage composition (1.2%). The temperature range in which breeding was found is 24.7oC -28.3oC. In conclusion, the composition and distribution of mosquitoes in this habitat is significant enough to be of socio-economical and medical importance. Therefore we recommend that the phytotelmata should be considered in any mosquito-borne disease control programmes and tree that support mosquito breeding should not be planted closed to residential areas.
Keywords: Phytotelmata, climatic factors, Delonix regia, Aedes aegypti, Zaria.