TERMITE SPECIES RICHNESS, RELATIVE ABUNDANCE, DISTRIBUTION AND DIVERSITY IN ENUGU STATE, SOUTHEAST NIGERIA

Abstract

Termites, hemimetabolous - insects of the infra-order Isoptera and order Blattoptera are adjudged the most dominant soil macro-arthropods of tropical and subtropical regions and a very important bio -indicator of soil health. A survey was conducted in 18 communities, from six selected local government areas in Enugu state, to evaluate Termite species richness, relative abundance and distribution in Enugu state, Nigeria. Termite abundance and distribution were studied using the transect method and the number of encounters of a particular species within the transect was taken as relative abundance of the species. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using GenStat. Results revealed that out of 1613 encounters, six different species of termites were identified belonging to two families, four sub - families and five genera. These encounters were made on different microhabitats including mound types (canopy, cone, dome, cathedral, capless), tree base, dead stumps. The Odontotermes fomosanus species of the Termitidae family were the most commonly encountered while the Nasutitermes spp also of the family Termitidae was the least. This results portrays that Enugu state is highly infested with termite species especially the Odontotermes species.