Qualitative Study Of Anopheles Species In Konduga Lake Area Of Borno State, Nigeria

Abstract

The investigation on Anopheles species in Konduga lake area, Borno State of Nigeria, was carried out to identify various Anopheles species prevalent in the area and to determine their relative population densities. Six Anopheles species were recorded, namely, A. gambiae, A. funestus, A. ziemanni, A. squamosus, A. pharoensis, and A. maculipalpis. The relative population densities o various species were higher during rainy season than during the dry season. The population densities of female Anopheles were higher than those of the males. With the exemption of A. maculipalps, all the other Anopheles species recorded during the study are known transmitters of human malaria. A. gambiae of the A. gambiae complex was dominant in the study area. The periodic occurrence of Anopheles explains periodicity of malaria epidemiology in the study area. The high population of the female Anopheles predisposes inhabitants of the study area to incessant contact with the malaria vectors. Lake Konduga and its environments seem to satisfy the basic requirements of Anopheles mosquitoes growth and survival.

Keywords: Tropical lake, Anopheles species, Malaria vectors

Animal Research International Vol. 4 (2) 2007 pp. 673-676