African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 5 (19), pp. 1813-1818, 2 October 2006   

ISSN 1684–5315 © 2006 Academic Journals        

Full Length Research Paper

Cytospecies identifications of vectors of human onchocerciasis in south eastern Nigeria

O. O. IBEH¹, B. E. B. NWOKE², J. A. ADEGOKE³ and H. B. MAFUYAI⁴

¹Department of Animal and Environmental  Biology, Abia State University Uturu, Nigeria.

²Department of Animal and Environmental  Biology, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.

³Department of Zoology, Obafemi  Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

⁴Department of  Zoology, University of Jos, Nigeria.

*Corresponding authors E-mail: solaibeh@yahoo.co.uk.  Phone: 2348028533732.

Accepted 23 May, 2006

Cytogenetic studies were carried out on the larvae of the members of the Simulium damnosum complex from 10 sites across the different bioecological zones in Southeast Nigeria. A total of 334 identifications belonging to 3 cytospecies (S. squamosum, S. yahense and S. damnosum) were made. The ICb variant of S. squamosum was observed for the first time in Nigeria. The seasonal abundance and geographical distribution of the sibling species generally conformed to that which had been observed further west in the OCP area, with the exception of S. damnosum, which was generally more plastic in its distribution.

Key words: Simulium damnosum complex, S. squamosum, S. yahense, cytogenetics, sibling species, cytospecies.