Community structure and composition of terrestrial macro-invertebrates in relation to bird and flora abundance at inselberg’s ecosystem in Zaria, Nigeria
Tanko D and Shitta KB
Species composition and abundance of terrestrial macro-invertebrates associated with Dumbi inselberg and its surrounding woodland was studied for 24 months. Inselbergs’s ecosystems if not tampered with, could play important role in biodiversity preservation. The value of diversity of an ecosystem is viewed in terms of numbers of species interacting among themselves and the abiotic environment. Primary and secondary instruments were used for data collection. Primary data was done through field visits using pitfall traps, sweep net and direct search techniques for collection of the invertebrates. The secondary instrument was data adapted from existing data on vegetation and avifauna of the site. A total of 78 species of invertebrates belonging 43 families were collected. The woodland surrounding the inselberg had more species diversity (75) compared to the inselberg. Families Formicidae, Pieridae, gryllidae and pentatonidae had the highest number of species of 5 each. Zonocerus variegatus with 204 individuals had the highest population. Shannon-Wiener diversity and equitability indices of woodland macro-invertebrates were higher than those of the inselberg. Highly significant negative correlation was observed between the macro-invertebrates abundance and the bird’s abundance on the woodland. However, this relationship was not significant in the inselberg’s plot. The tree density of the woodland correlated positively with the invertebrates. Similarity index (60%) showed the woodland and the inselberg’s invertebrates to be similar. The higher density and diversity of invertebrates at the woodland may be due to high density of vegetation in the woodland than the inselberg. Significant negative correlation between birds and invertebrates is expected because a greater number of bird species encountered at the site were insectivorous. It is recommended that a complete inselberg ecosystem should be set aside for in-situ conservation of their biodiversity.
Tanko D, Shitta KB. Community structure and composition of terrestrial macro-invertebrates in relation to bird and flora abundance at inselberg’s ecosystem in Zaria, Nigeria . J Entomol Zool Stud 2018;6(5):966-971.