Microhabitat Ecology of Mosquitoes in Port Harcourt Metropolis and Environs

Abstract

The relative abundance of the of three mosquito groups namely Anopheles, Culex and Aedes distribution was studied within Port Harcourt Metropolis (latitude 4°43’E – 4°50’ E and longitude 6o 57’N – 7°05’N). Collections of mosquitoes and the volume of water were from twenty three microhabitats. The microhabitats were subdivided into Human_Use micro-habitats (HUM) and Vegetation microhabitats (VDM). The results show the dominance of three mosquito groups belonging to three genera (Anopheles, Culex and Aedes species. From a total of 2101 mosquito larvae, Vegetation derived microhabitats showed 526 (10.6%) were from Paw-Paw Stems; 485 (9.7%) from Flower Pots; 406 (8.2%) from Coconut husks; 317 (6.4%),from Palm tree trunk; 110 (2.2%) from tree trunks; 65 (1.3%) from Pine Apple axils; 61 (1.2%) from Banana axils; 53 (1.1%) from Cocoyam axils; 46 (0.9%) from Plantain axils and 32 (0.7%) from mushrooms. From a total of 3357 mosquito larvae the mosquito abundance from human-derived microhabitats shows a total of 637 (12.4%) were from Septic tanks, 485 (9.7%) from flower pots, 455 (9.2%) from Refuse Dumps, 410 (8.2%) from Cups, 340 (6.8%) from Containers, 291(5.9%) from Earthenware Pots, 287 (5.8%) from Plastic Chairs, 125 (2.5%) from Plastic shoes, 110 (2.2%) from leather shoes, 93 (1.6%) from Sachet water, 66 (1.6%) from Plastic plates, 30 (0.6%) from Spoons, 19 (0.4%) from Canvas shoes and 10 (0.3%) from Cream Containers. No marked significant difference among the microhabitats (p < 0.05) were shown from an ANOVA analysis between the Human_Use derived micro-habitats (HUM) and Vegetation derived microhabitats (VDM). The likely adaptation to diversity of habitats is adduced as a function of oxygen availability with the right physicochemical conditions especially for the Anopheles group. Further studies on a geographic scale are needed to identify the inherent risk of any emerging ecological adaptations and potential threat to public health.