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