Physicochemical Parameters of Anopheles Mosquitoes Breeding and Non-Breeding Habitats in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Anopheles mosquitoes prefer to oviposit in certain water bodies while avoiding other water bodies with similar physicochemical parameters within the same locality. Understanding the physicochemi­cal composition of these water bodies may provide answers. In this study, we analysed Anopheles mosquito larvae breeding and non-breeding water bodies within the same locality in relation to their physicochemical composition in Ado, Oye, and Ikole Local Government Areas of Ekiti State. Methods: Thirty-six samples comprising eighteen water and eighteen soil samples were collected from breeding and non-breeding sites across the study areas and analysed. Temperature, Conductivity, Dissolved Oxygen, and pH were measured in situ, while magnesium, sodium, potassium, and calcium were deter­mined in the laboratory for both water and soil samples. Results: Findings from this study showed that there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the physico­chemical parameters of soil and water samples from both breeding and non-breeding sites in the study LGAs, except in the silt (p=0.02) and sand (p=0.04) content of soil from breeding and non – breeding sites from Ikole LGA where there was a significant difference compared to the other LGAs. Conclusion: Therefore, there is a need to carry out more studies to provide more information on the breed­ing habitat preferences of these mosquitoes