Spatiotemporal distribution of benthic Macroinvertebrate of Kafin Gana Dam, Jigawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

The seasonal distribution and composition of benthic Macro invertebrates in Kafin Gana wetland Jigawa State, Nigeria were documented  over a one-year period from September 2020 to August 2021. Soft bottom sediment samples were collected from the five sampling  station using a FUD grab sampler with a 0.063m² area. The sediment was sieved through a 0.5 mm mesh using reservoir water, and benthic macro invertebrates were preserved in 10% formalin solution. In the lab, preserved specimens were sorted, identified, counted,  and enumerated on a clean white tray. The findings reveal species from three phyla namely: Mollusca, Annelida, and Arthropoda and five  classes (Bivalve, Gastropoda, Clitellata, Insecta, and Malacostraca). A total of 826 individuals across the phyla were recorded with Melanoids tuberculata being the most frequently recorded species with 52% frequency of occurrence. The least occurring were Elmidae  sp and Hydrophylus triangularies having (0.5%) occurrence each. Only Chironomus showed significant (p>0.05) spatial and seasonal  variation in Kafin Gana Dam. This study reveals the changes in abundance and community structure across the stations. This study also clearly revealed that Kafin Gana Lake has a moderate health status, an indication that the water quality has not been compromised.