Preliminary checklist of macrozoobenthos of Bodo Creek in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

Abstract

Macrozoobenthic samples were obtained monthly from intertidal platforms in Bodo Creek, eastern Niger Delta, for two years (May 2006 – April 2008) to generate baseline biotic records for future monitoring of environmental quality in the creek basin. Twelve taxa were recorded on mangrove stems and stilt roots, dominated by malacostraca crustaceans. A total of 601 individuals were encountered on the tidal flats. The epifaunal density ranged from 4 m^-2 to 660 m^–2. Diversity was greatest for the infauna zoobenthos which had 47 species from 29 families. Polychaeta was the dominant class, constituting 60% of the infaunal composition, followed by Bivalvia and Malacostraca (17.8% each). The zoobenthic community assemblages are discussed within the framework of key parameters that govern distribution of the constituent taxa, and the usefulness of the data in future assessment of environmental quality.