Relationship between Physico-Chemical Parameters and the Population Distribution of Fresh Water Snails in Amassoma Community and Niger Delta University Campuses, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Evaluating the presence of fresh water snails in a location is germane in establishing a snail-borne disease control program. The purpose of the study was to see how physicochemical parameters influenced the population distribution of four fresh water snails (Lymnaea natalensis, Bulinus globosus, Biomphalaria pfeiffer, and Melanoides spp.) in the Amassoma community and Niger Delta University between March, 2021 and May 2021. Snails were gathered by plucking and scooping them by hand. Snail was identified using standard pictorial keys. Physicochemical of the water of the snail habitat were measured using standard in-situ apparatus across eight sites. Physico chemical measured were temperature, pH, conductivity, BOD, turbidity, salinity, and alkalinity. A total of 258 snails were gathered from the eight (8) different sites. In all sites, Lymnaea natalensis was more abundant. Bulinus globosus, Biomphalaria pfeiffer, and Melanoides spp. were among the other snails discovered. Lymnaea had negative correlation with pH, conductivity, BOD, and alkalinity and a positive correlation with salinity and temperature. Bulinus had a positive relationship with pH, salinity, and conductivity and a negative correlation with temperature, turbidity, BOD, and alkalinity. Biomphalaria had a positive correlation with temperature, pH, salinity, turbidity, and alkalinity Melanoides had positive correlations with Temperature, pH, salinity, BOD, and alkalinity and a negative correlation with turbidity and concentration. The was correlation between snails and snails. The presence of these snails suggests that the Amassoma village and Niger Delta University campuses are potential hotspots for a variety of snail-borne diseases.