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ABSTRACT
The study was carried out to ascertain the population dynamics and species distribution of freshwater snails with emphasis on their distribution and abundance in Ovia River at Ikoro, Benin City, Edo State.Freshwater snails are crucial in assessing the ecological status of water bodies beside their economic, public and veterinary health importance. Hence, investigation pertaining to their abundance and distribution has become paramount. The study identifies and determine the species composition at this community and the relative abundance, the morphemetric differences between species and determine the morphological features of the different species or/and between sexes. Morphometric measurement was performed with the help of vernier calliper and life weight was recorded using analytical balance. The data from the field was coded and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences students (SPSS version 26.0) software. Statistical difference was analyzed using Anova and Duncan multiple range test at probability less than 0.05. A total of 572 snails of the sub-class Prosobranchia, belonging to the family Ampullariidae was collected during the sampling period. The monthly variation in the population and abundance of this species- Pila africana showed that it was the only species during the sampling period. Results showed that the first and second data collection had the highest gastropod count and this was recorded during October and November while the lowest was recorded during December and January. The effect of much rain during the month of October may have increased the availability of feed in the habitat, access to breeding and making it suitable for molluscan population and abundance. The sample site Ikoro was observed to have rich plant species composition and abundance, this could be a result of the favourable environmental conditions at this sampling point during October, such as the plant species richness and abundance. These plants provide surface for egg deposition and shelter for snail species. In this study, shell morphology was used in describing, identifying, characterizing and recognizing intraspecific morphological variation. It was concluded that the population of these snailsvaried monthly and spatially, in relation to biotic and abiotic factors.
