Benthic Macroinvertebrates Composition, Diversity and Distribution of Daberam Reservoir, Katsina State, Nigeria

Abstract

Study’s Novelty/Excerpt This study offers insight into the diversity and distribution of benthic macroinvertebrates in the Daberam Reservoir, Katsina State, highlighting their role as bioindicators for assessing aquatic health. By identifying and analyzing 1,483 individuals across various taxa, with Melanoides tuberculata being the most prevalent species, the research underscores the correlation between low diversity in certain sampling stations and high pollutant levels. These findings contribute valuable data to the understanding of aquatic ecosystem dynamics in the region and emphasize the need for stringent environmental protection measures to mitigate human impact. Full Abstract Macrobenthic invertebrates are significantly considered to be bioindicators by providing a key concept in understanding the dynamics in aquatic conditions rather than chemical and microbiological data, which at least give short-term fluctuations. Recent trends in hydrobiological research show a drastic decline in the aquatic fauna. However, this research aimed to identify the benthic macroinvertebrates’ diversity and distribution in the Daberam reservoir of Katsina State. The reservoir serves multiple purposes for different individuals, ranging from domestic to economic activities such as fishing and irrigation farming around the reservoir. The water samples were collected from four (4) different sampling stations (A, B, C and D). Collection of the Bethic Macro invertebrates was conducted around 8:00 am monthly for 10 months from each sampling station using a circular framed sieve (250µm mesh size). The samples collected were fixed in the field with 10% formalin and subsequently preserved in 70% ethyl alcohol for further analysis. A standard identification chart (Identification guide to freshwater macroinvertebrates) was used to classify the Benthic Macro invertebrates into various taxa and species. The abundance and distribution of macro benthic invertebrates were compared using One Way ANOVA) and significant differences between the sampling stations were tested using chi-square at 5% level of significance. The present study has identified 1483 individuals of benthic macro invertebrates in the Daberam Reservoir of Katsina state. Mollusca (29.63%) is the most dominant group, followed by Diptera (22.22%), Coleoptera (14.81%), Oligochaetae (14.81%); Hemiptera (11.11%), Ephemeroptera (3.70%): and Odonata (3.70%) are the least prevalent with only one specie each. Melanoides tuberculata was found to have the highest number of occurrences, with a total number of 332 individuals across all the sampling sites representing (22.25%). The highest number of benthic macro invertebrates recorded was in Site D, with a cumulative total number of 603 (40.42%) organisms. Site B recorded the least total number of benthic macro invertebrates with a cumulative total number of 250 (16.76%) organisms. The low diversity of macrobenthic invertebrates in some sample stations in the study area was an indication of the presence of high levels of pollutants in the water bodies. Strict environmental protective measures are required to reduce human stressors within the study area.