ABSTRACT
The distribution of macroinvertebrate in Ugha stream, in Awele Community, Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State was studied from December, 2016 to May, 2017. This study was carried out in three stations. Station 1, 2 and 3 have a unidirectional flow with ecological barrier (Bridge) between station 2 and station 3. Some physico-chemical parameter such as temperature, depth, width, flow rate, total dissolve solids (TDS), pH, turbidity, alkalinity, biological oxygen demand, Conductivity, Phosphate and Nitrate were also recorded. Air and water temperature was taken insitu while other parameters were transported under quality assurance to the laboratory for analysis. Three phyla of macroinvertebrates (Arthropoda, Mollusca and Annelida) prevail in the study area, with quantitative variations. A total of 353 macroinvertebrate individuals were recorded. Phylum Arthropoda recorded a total of 309 (87.54 %), while Mollusca was represented by two genera with a total of 34 (9.63%), and Annelida with a total of 10 (2.83 %). A high diversity of macroinvertebrate fauna was recorded especially among the class insect of the phylum Arthropoda. In the Insect population, Chironomus sp.was the most abundant with 74 individuals (20.96%), Naididae (2.26%) in the Annelid has 8 individuals, Lanistes ovum in Mollusc has 26 individuals (9.06%). Taxa richness shows that Station 1 recorded the highest taxa in the month of May while the least taxa were recorded I the month of March. In station 2, April recorded the highest taxa while the least taxa were recorded in the month of February. In station 3, the highest taxon was recorded in the month of March while the least were recorded in the month of May. It was observed that the Ugha Stream supports diverse macroinvertebrate fauna. As a result of reduced flow rate, increased number of Chironomus sp. and reduced number of Ephemeroptera and absence of Trichoptera, this indicate that station 3 is more polluted than the other two stations. More assessments using various biometric indices are recommended in order to fully ascertain their consistency with the physico-chemical parameters of the stream.
