Species composition of leaf litter arthropods in the gallery forest of the Jos Wild Life Park, Jos Plateau State

Abstract

Arthropods play a major role in the function and stability of terrestrial ecosystems. Thus, a study was designed to document the diversity and abundance of leaf litter arthropods in relation to some physiochemical parameters in the Jos Wildlife Park. Two sites (Edge and Interior Points) reflecting different levels of disturbances and land use were selected within the gallery forest for arthropods collection. Arthropods were collected between the months of June and July 2021 using the pitfall trap method. A total of 681 leaf litter arthropods distributed into 3 Classes, 12 Orders, 31 Families and 38 Species were collected and identified. There was a significant difference in the abundance of Species of leaf litter arthropods. Loxosceles reclusa was the most abundant species of leaf litter arthropods. There was also a significant difference in the abundance of leaf litter arthropods in relation to Classes, Orders and Families. The Class Insecta, Order Araneae and Family Sicaridae were the most abundant taxa of leaf litter arthropods identified. There was a significant difference in the mean abundance of leaf litter arthropods in relation to the Edge and Interior Points of the Gallery Forest. The abundance of leaf litter arthropods was significantly influenced by soil pH and marginally influenced by soil temperature and organic matter respectively. The overall diversity Index values of H´ = 2.69 in the forest edge and H´ = 2.56 in the interior point. It is therefore recommended that adequate protection of the gallery forest be ensured to curtail anthropogenic activities.