Effect of physicochemical parameters on Anopheles mosquitoes larval composition in Akure North Local Government area of Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

BackgroundA lot of factors contribute to the breeding of Anopheles mosquitoes, especially vectors of malaria parasites. This indirectly contributes to the transmission of these parasites. The physicochemical parameters associated with the population of Anopheles larvae were studied for the period of twelve months in five selected communities in Akure North Local Government area of Ondo State. This study was carried out to understand the relationship between selected physicochemical parameters and the population of Anopheles larvae in the study area.ResultsElectrical conductivity was significantly correlated with the abundance of An. gambiae and An. funestus in the area (r = 0.840 and 0.843, respectively). Abundance of Anopheles larvae follows a positive linear regression with electrical conductivity (R2 = 0.691). The pH was not significantly different in all the communities (P > 0.05); pH was negatively correlated with the abundance of An. gambiae and An. funestus larvae, r = − 0.530 and − 0.470, respectively. Anopheles larvae population decreases as pH increases (R2 = 0.292). Total dissolved solid was positively correlated with the abundance of Anopheles larvae, though the correlation was weak (r = 0.21). There was slightly increase in Anopheles larvae population as total dissolved solid increases (R2 = 0.048). The abundance of Anopheles larvae increases as the dissolved oxygen, R2 = 0.552. Dissolved oxygen was not significantly correlated with Anopheles larvae population (r = − 0.734 and − 0.789 , respectively), there was no significant difference across the study area (P > 0.05). Temperature was significantly correlated with the abundance of Anopheles larvae (r = 0.74). Anopheles larvae increase as the temperature increases (R2 = 0.582).ConclusionsThe study revealed the important physicochemical parameters that influence the abundance of Anopheles larvae in the study area. Manipulation of these important parameters could help in reducing the population of the immature stages of this vector.