DISTRIBUTION AND GROWTH CONDITIONS OF NIGERIA LEECH (Aliolimnatis michaelseni) FOUND IN MINNA, NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA

Abstract

Leeches have been used extensively for commercial purposes and in different medical fields for the treatment of various disorders. Aliolimnatis michaelseni distribution was examined using two trapping devices, a metal funnel trap and burlap sacks and the effect of different culture conditions on the growth and mortality rates using 2 aquaria. Results showed that leeches were found in sites S112 (1.04%), S3 484(41.87%), S5 456(39.47%), S7 7(0.61%), S8 7(0.61 %), S9 185(16.00%) and S10 5(0.43%) out of 1156 sampled. All sites with leeches have both submerged vegetation and littoral rock cover. There was a positive correlation between the number of leeches and mean pH, while a negative correlation exists among leeches number and mean conductivity, turbidity and temperature. Also, culture condition C1with 15 cm depth of non-chlorinated water showed a combined growth rate of 40.78% while C2with five 5cm of sand from the leeches habitat and 10 cm of non-chlorinated water was 59.29%for the 3 months respectively. There was a significant difference in the growth rate at p<0.05 between the two conditions. C2 showed a better growth condition than C1 . Mortality rate for C1 was 76.74% and C2 18.25%. There was a significant difference in the mortality rates at p< 0.05 of the two culture methods. Physico chemical parameters were constant throughout the study period. Therefore, this study revealed that leeches are available in our environment and can be cultured artificially in aquaria for commercial purposes. Keywords: Leech distributio