Impact of Human Disturbance on the Abundance, Diversity and Distribution of Odonata in the University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria

• K.A. Kemabonta

  Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State, Nigeria

  Author

• B.W. Adu

  Department of Biology, Federal University of Technology, Akure. Ondo State. Nigeria

  Author

• A.C. Ohadiwe

  Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State, Nigeria

  Author

Odonata fauna inhabiting University of Lagos (Unilag), Akoka, Southwestern Nigeria was investigated for a period of 7 months (March to September) 2015. At the time of this study a portion of the University forest was cut down and burnt. The three study sites investigated were: Distance Learning Institute (DLI), High Rise Area and Lagoon Front Area. Data collected from the study sites were subjected to diversity indices, descriptive statistics and diversity t-Test. A total of 787 individuals of Dragonflies and Damselflies from 13 genera, 3 families and 21 species were sampled. The three families include Coenagrionidae (62%), Libellulidae (36%) and Platycnemididae (2%). The most dominant species was Ceriagrion glabrum (42%) followed by Acisoma panoipoides (10%). The DLI study site had the richest odonate fauna (Shannon Wiener index (H' = 1.94), Simpson’s Dominance index (C = 0.85); while the least was the High Rise study site (Shannon Wiener index (H' = 1.91), Simpson’s Dominance index (C = 0.85). The distribution of the fauna was highest at DLI study site (Evenness = 0.99), followed by Lagoon front (0.98) and High rise (0.97). Degree of concentration at different study sites, was highest at DLI (0.85) and least at High rise (0.85). Most of the odonates sampled in this study are ubiquitous damselflies. When compared with the study on odonates at same study sites a year before, It is obvious that the human disturbance experienced at the study sites is detrimental to the assemblage of localized Odonata species of the forest. Hence, there is a strong need to preserve the Odonata community of the University of Lagos.

1. K.A. Kemabonta, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State, Nigeria

   Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State, Nigeria

2. B.W. Adu, Department of Biology, Federal University of Technology, Akure. Ondo State. Nigeria

   Department of Biology, Federal University of Technology, Akure. Ondo State. Nigeria

3. A.C. Ohadiwe, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State, Nigeria

   Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State, Nigeria

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