Abundance and Diversity of Snails in Relation to Physicochemical Parameters along Kwadom Stream, Gombe State, Nigeria

Aims: The aim of the study is to investigate the abundance and diversity of snails along Kwadom stream, Gombe state, Nigeria.

Study Design: Snails were collected using a benthic scoop net with mesh size of 0.2 mm and hand picking from three sampling stations (home, farmlands, and fishponds sites) along Kwadom stream; between 6:30 am to 11:00 am weekly. In addition, physicochemical parameters (temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, alkalinity, water depth and pH) were measured fortnightly to determine their effect on the diversity of snail species.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted along Kwadom stream in Yamaltu Deba Local Government Area of Gombe State, Nigeria from March to July 2021.

Methodology: Snails were collected from each of the three stations and identified to species level using hand lens and taxonomy keys. Water physicochemical parameters: temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, alkalinity, water depth and pH were measured using standard method. General linear models (GLM) were used to compare the abundance and diversity of the snails across the sampling station, as well as the effect of physicochemical parameters on the diversity of snails.

Results: 160 individual snails were recorded from 11 species, including Biomphalaria pfeifferi– the intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni. The result showed there was a significant difference in the abundance of snails (p<0.01) across the three study sites – home site 68 (42.5%), farmlands site 56 (35%) and fishpond site 36 (22.5%). The home site had a higher diversity of snail species (p<0.01) relative to the farmlands and fishponds sites. Temperature, conductivity, and alkalinity had a significant effect on the diversity of snails.

Conclusion: Overall, Kwadom stream harbors many individual snail species, suggesting the need for educating the public on the mode of transmission of diseases that are caused by these snails.