Survey of Aquatic and Terrestrial Arthropods in Hawan Kibo, Plateau State, Nigeria
Ubulom, P, M. E., Imandeh, G. N., Umohata, I. A. and Oboho, D. E
NJE Vol. 34: 77-86, 2018
DOI: 10.36108/NJE/8102/43(0190)
Abstract: Arthropods by their abundance and diversity have greatly attracted the attention of entomologists worldwide. This study was carried out to identify arthropod taxa in Hawan Kibo, Plateau State, Nigeria. Surveys of both the aquatic and terrestrial habitats of the study area were conducted from January to June, on a monthly basis. Hydrobiological nets were used for aquatic surveys while sticky traps, pit fall traps and a sweep net were used for the terrestrial surveys. A total number of 1,538 arthropods were collected (1,232 from aquatic habitats and 306 from terrestrial habitats). Arthropods collected were members of the classes Arachnida, Crustacea and Insecta. The class Insecta had the highest number of specimens (1461) and they were members of the orders Hymenoptera, Diptera, Trichoptera, Coleoptera, Homoptera, Hemiptera, Neuroptera, Plecoptera, Odonota, Ephemeroptera, Anoplura and the arthropod group Collembola. Data obtained from the study were analyzed using t-test. In both the aquatic and terrestrial habitats there was significant difference (p<0.05) in intra as well as inter season abundance of arthropods. Hawan Kibo provides suitable habitat for diverse arthropod taxa, some of which are of public health and agricultural importance.
Keywords: Arthropods, Hawan Kibo, Survey, Aquatic, Terrestrial.