Ecological Survey of Aquatic Snails in Man-made and Natural Water bodies in Benue State.

Abstract

The epidemiological implications of fresh water snails have continued to pose serious challenge to schistosomiasis control. A survey was conducted to ascertain the species diversity and abundance of aquatic snails in man-made and natural water bodies in Benue state, Nigeria. Eight sites were sampled for the presence of snails using the sweep net and handpicking method. Snails captured were carefully placed into pre- labelled specimen bottles and transported to Benue State University Zoology Laboratory for identification. Plants commonly known to be suitable for snail attachment were collected and brought to the Botany laboratory for identification. The physiochemical parameters of the water were also documented. Data was processed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). A total of 1038 snails belonging to 3 species were identified; Melanoides tuberculata, 468 (45.1%), Lanistes libycus 210 (20.2%), Bulinus species 360 (34.7%). Northbank dam harboured 2 (Bulinus and Melanoides) out of the 3 species recorded, making it the most favourable habitat sampled. Bulinus species was the most abundant in the natural habitats while it was replaced by Melanoides tuberculata in the man-made water bodies. ANOVA revealed a significant difference in relation to snail species encountered, and species abundance in habitats sampled (P< 0.05). The predominant aquatic flora encountered were Ipoemoea aquatic and Nelsonia species. The study revealed that natural and man-made water bodies in Makurdi and Ochobo support the breeding of snail species that have serious epidemiological implications.