Diversity of Earthworms in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka

Abstract

Studies reveal that not up to 50% of earthworm species have been described in the world and the understanding of earthworm diversity is finite in most countries including Nigeria. The study was aimed at evaluating the diversity of earthworms and environmental factors affecting their abundance. Earthworms were collected from three (3) different sampling locations in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Descriptive statistics and estimation of species abundance, dominance and diversity were used to analyze the data obtained from the study. From the study, four (4) species of earthworms were identified and recorded from the three sampling locations. Eudrilus eugeniae (54.9%) was the most abundant species followed by Hyperidrilus africanus (20.3%), Libyodrilus violaceous (19.6%) and Alma millsoni (6.3%) with the least abundant species. The result of the diversity indices showed Science village (1.13) as the most diverse habitat followed by Emelda hostel (0.86) and Boys’ hostel (0.84) with the least diversity of species. Soil pH ranged from 2.25 to 4.06 and total organic matter ranged from 14.10 to 16.36%. Soil temperature was uniform with an average value of 27°C for the three sampling locations. The soil moisture content ranged from 11.19 to 14.12%. The conductivity recorded the lowest value (25.60μS/cm) in Emelda Hostel and highest value (111.8 μS/cm) in Science village. The study provided understanding into the patterns of earthworm populations in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and the need for the conservation of earthworm diversity. Better understanding about habitat and living conditions of earthworms is required to provide suitable and enhanced production of vermicompost in different geographic conditions.

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“…and fire ants ( Solenopsis geminata ) were not found in all the monoliths at this initial stage, although they were later seen in subsequent quarterly macrofauna collections. Earthworm ( Eudrilus eugeniae ) was also not found in this initial macrofauna set, reflective of the nature of this specie which are usually more active during the rainy season (Owa et al 2003 ; Okoye et al 2019 ), as against the peak dry season (January, 2021) when this initial macrofauna observation was conducted. With the exception of red velvet mites, fire ants, and earthworms, all the macrofauna species were present in the top layer (0–10 cm depth) of the monoliths, in at least one of the distances away from the center reference.…”