Following a preliminary investigation a study was carried from
April to October, 2019 to establish more information on the abundance
and distribution of freshwater snails in relation to physiochemical
factors of Warwade dam. Four sampling sites; human activity, vegetation
cover, lentic and lotic were selected for the study along the bank of
the dam. Freshwater snails were collected in each of the four sampling
sites using long handled scoop net with mesh 0.2mm and hand picking
methods. Water samples from the sampling sites were analyzed in the
laboratory using standard procedures. A total of 2,027 of fresh water
snails belonging to ten species were identified with Bulinus globosus
12(0.6%) and Lymnaea natalensis 12(0.6%) having the lowest abundance
while Melanoides tuberculata 1553(76.6%) had the highest. Snail
abundance was highest in site characterized by human activities (670)
followed by vegetation (482), lotic (442) and lentic (433) waters. Most
of the physico-chemical factors measured appeared to favour the growth
and survival of fresh water snails. pH (p = 0.01), water current (p =
<0.01) and magnesium ion concentration (p = < 0.01)
varied significantly across the four sites. Only calcium ion
concentration was significantly associated with snail abundance (p =
0.04). Snail abundance showed weak positive relationship with water
temperature, color, turbidity and concentration of magnesium ion. The
dominance of M. tuberculata over all species particularly those of
medical and veterinary importance could have positive implication for
their control in the dam.
Keywords: Abundance, Distribution, Fresh Water Snails, Physico-chemical,
factors