Diversity and Distribution of Benthic Macroinvertebrate Fauna of Obazuwa Lake in Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

Obazuwa Lake is located in Ovia North East Local government area of Edo state. This study was conducted for a period of six (6) months from January to June, to evaluate the benthic macroinvertebrate structure, abundance, distribution and diversity. The Fauna were collected seasonally and three (3) sites were sampled fortnightly. A total of 748 benthic macroinvertebrates composing of 46 taxa, 13 groups and 25 families were recorded. Dominant taxonomic taxa varied considerably; Diptera (64.77%), Hemiptera (64.56%), Coleoptera (48.43%), Mollusca (29.06%), Oligocheata (19.28%), Nematoda (16.03%) and Odonata (15.83%). The variations in taxa and number of individuals between stations were not significantly different (P>0.05). Sorenson’s quotient (Q/S) indicates similarities in the species composition between the sites.

Keywords: Benthic fauna, lake, water quality, Benin City, taxa