The Abundance and Diversity of Aquatic Invertebrates in Uwa - West / Ikot Ebak River, Essien Udim, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
[1]
Esenowo I. K., Department of Zoology, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
[2]
Akpabio E. E., Department of Zoology, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
[3]
Adeyemi-Ale O. A., Department of Zoology, University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
This study was conducted to evaluate the diversity and abundance of aquatic invertebrates in Uwa - west / Ikot Ebak River, Akwa Ibom State. Samples were collected twice in a month from September through November 2012, using standard entomological methods. A total of 306 individuals representing 11 orders were encountered. The most dominant insect order was Orthoptera, followed by Hemiptera with a relative abundance of 90 (29.4%) and 78 (25.5%) individuals respectively, while the least abundant groups Odonata, Lepidoptera, Diptera, and Plecoeptera accounted for less than 2% each. The community structure, species diversity and abundance of the indigenous aquatic insects may give a clue on the ecological integrity of this river, which could be qualified as one maintaining moderate ecosystem integrity.
Aquatic Invertebrate, Abundance, Diversity, Ecosystem
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