Macro Invertebrate Fauna of Udu-Ughievwen Wetlands, Southern Nigeria

Abstract

Macro invertebrate fauna of Udu-Ughievwen wetlands, Southern Nigeria with emphasis on the species composition, diversity and distribution is discussed. A total of 62 macro-invertebrate taxa distributed into 27 families were recorded. Coleoptera and Odonata made up 16.13% by species respectively, while Arachnida and Mollusca had the least of 1.61% by species each. Taxa richness computed varied spatially, diversity index (d) and Shannon-Weiner diversity (H) were highest in station 5 and the least recorded in station 2. Evenness index (E) was highest in station 3 and least in station 5. Monthly variations in most groups were similar in all stations in which they were present. Among species encountered, Illinobdella sp. Meyer (a leech) was encountered for the first time in the Niger Delta.


Key Words: Macro, Invertebrate, Fauna, Wetlands


(Journal of Aquatic Sciences: 2003 18(1): 1-8)