Pan African Journal of Life Sciences(PAJOLS)

A publication of Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences and Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences,
Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso

PAN AFRICAN JOURNAL OF LIFE SCIENCES
e-ISSN: 2672-5924
Volume 6, No. 1, April 2022
Pages 423-429

DOI: 10.36108/pajols/2202/60.0170

Physicochemical Parameters of Anopheles Mosquitoes Breeding and Non-Breeding Habitats in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Hilary I. Okoh1*, Adedapo O. Adeogun2, Ahmed I. Omotayo2, Helen B. Olawumi1, Cathe­rine B. Afolayan1, Hammed O. Mogaji1, Abiodun K. Olakiigbe3, Tolulope A. Oyeniyi3, Olubunmi B. Awe4

1Entomology Unit, Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Federal University, Oye – Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria

2Molecular Entomology & Vector Control Unit, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria

3Monitoring and Evaluation Unit, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria

4Ekiti State Ministry of Health and Human Services, Ado – Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Anopheles mosquitoes prefer to oviposit in certain water bodies while avoiding other water bodies with similar physicochemical parameters within the same locality. Understanding the physicochemi­cal composition of these water bodies may provide answers. In this study, we analysed Anopheles mosquito larvae breeding and non-breeding water bodies within the same locality in relation to their physicochemical composition in Ado, Oye, and Ikole Local Government Areas of Ekiti State.

Methods: Thirty-six samples comprising eighteen water and eighteen soil samples were collected from breeding and non-breeding sites across the study areas and analysed. Temperature, Conductivity, Dissolved Oxygen, and pH were measured in situ, while magnesium, sodium, potassium, and calcium were deter­mined in the laboratory for both water and soil samples.

Results: Findings from this study showed that there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the physico­chemical parameters of soil and water samples from both breeding and non-breeding sites in the study LGAs, except in the silt (p=0.02) and sand (p=0.04) content of soil from breeding and non – breeding sites from Ikole LGA where there was a significant difference compared to the other LGAs.

Conclusion: Therefore, there is a need to carry out more studies to provide more information on the breed­ing habitat preferences of these mosquitoes

Keywords: Anopheles mosquitoes, Physicochemical parameters, breeding habitats, non-breeding habitats

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