EVALUATION ON MOSQUITO DIVERSITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS IN MINNA’S RICE FIELDS, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA
Abstract:
This study investigated mosquito species diversity and habitat characteristics in four selected rice fields located in Fadikpe, Bosso, Maitumbi, and Chanchaga areas of Minna, Niger State, Nigeria. The research aimed to understand the ecology of rice field mosquitoes as a prerequisite for developing effective control measures. Data was collected between August and October 2012, including mosquito larvae and water samples from the sampled habitats, and soil samples in November of the same year. Immature mosquitoes were reared to adulthood and identified in the laboratory using standard morphological keys.
The study identified ten mosquito species, listed in descending order of abundance: Culex pipiens pipiens (21.9%), Culex quinquefasciatus (14.2%), Anopheles gambiae (13.5%), Anopheles funestus (11.2%), Culex restuans (10.0%), Anopheles maculipalpis (6.3%), Anopheles quardrimaculatus (6.0%), Aedes dorsalis (5.8%), Aedes aegypti (5.7%), and Aedes vexans (5.5%). Species density was significantly higher during the rainy season compared to the dry season.
The results of water quality analyses indicated variations in physicochemical parameters among the rice fields in different locations. While some parameters such as temperature, pH, turbidity, alkalinity, hardness, phosphate, ammonia, carbon dioxide, chloride, dissolved oxygen, and biochemical oxygen demand were not significantly different among rice fields (P>0.05), conductivity, sodium, potassium, and nitrate varied significantly (P<0.05).
Dry season soil analyses revealed variations in physicochemical parameters among rice fields, with mean values as follows: nitrogen=0.14%, phosphorus=5.6mg/kg, sodium=600mg/kg, potassium=442.5mg/kg, conductivity=224µS/cm, pH=7.61, organic matter=1.59%, sand=62.1%, clay=30.1%, and silt=7.8%. Statistically, the soil physicochemical parameters varied significantly (P<0.05) among rice fields.
The fluctuating asymmetry of rice field mosquitoes indicated a high vectorial fitness. Significant correlations were observed between mosquito abundance and physicochemical parameters of breeding habitats for all species in both rainy and dry seasons. The mosquito species encountered in this study are of public health importance, and the findings should guide the implementation of adequate vector control measures in rice fields.
EVALUATION ON MOSQUITO DIVERSITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS IN MINNA’S RICE FIELDS, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA. GET MORE, ACTUARIAL SCIENCE PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS