Abundance and Distribution of Macroinvertebrates of the Affon River in Bénin

Abstract

This study focuses on the biodiversity of macroinvertebrates of the Affon River. To reach this goal, eight stations were sampled and physical parameters such as temperature, pH, conductivity, transparency, depth, total dissolved solids (TDS) and dissolved oxygen were measured. Chemical parameters such as ammonium nitrite and phosphate were measured in the laboratory. We identified 9755 macroinvertebrates belonging to 4 classes, 14 orders, and 49 families. Chironomidae were the most abundant family whereas other sensitive insect’s orders such as Ephemeroptera, Trichoptera, and Plecoptera were rarely found, suggesting a poor water quality of the Affon River. The principal components analysis yielded three groups of stations: the first group (Teneka 2 and 3) characterized by high values of ammonium and phosphate and low values of conductivity and TDS; the second group (Taneka 1 and Kolokonde 1) with low values of pH, transparency, ammonium and phosphate; and the third group of stations (Kolokonde 2, Kpebouko1, Kpebouko 2, and Affon) marked by high values of conductivity, TDS, transparency, depth and temperature. This study is a crucial step for any management and monitoring of the Affon River.