ASSESSMENT OF MACROBENTHIC INVERTEBRATES OF GUBI DAM, GANJUWA – BAUCHI STATE.

Abstract

Macroinvertebrates of Gubi dam, Ganjuwa Local Government Area, Bauchi state, Nigeria was studied with the aim of understanding their diversity and abundance. Macrobenthic samples were randomly collected in the month of January, 2018 at three different locations: Head water (Tatumari station), Middle water (Polo station station) and Tail water (Spill way station) using standard method. The samples collected were identified with the aid of microscope in a well illuminated laboratory and later referred to monograph for comfirmation. The individual abundance was expressed in percentages and biodiversity indices were determined. The results showed that 105 individual benthic invertebrates belonging to 7 orders and 8 families were identified. Hemiptera had two families while Neotaenioglossa, Diptera, Plecoptera, Coleoptera, Odanata, and Ephemeroptera had one family each. Aquarius remigis (43) and Goniobasis livescens (29) were the most abundant benthic invertebrates caught in Gubi dam while the least abundant species were Ranatra elongata (2.86), Dytiscus marginalis (2.86) and Tanytarsus sylvaticus (0.95). Spillway had more individuals benthic fauna (40) than Tatumari (33) and Polo (32). The benthic invertebrates were evenly distributed (E=0.75). It is recommended that physicochemical parameters of the dam be studied. Also similar research should be carried out in more water bodies in Nigeria.