No 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.

Species that share dietary resources can segregate into different spaces at time scales.It has, however, been proposed that species have to co-evolve to achieve such segregation; otherwise, competition might result. We explored the strategies that support the coexistence among avian scavengers at urban slaughterhouses in Nsukka.A total of 41 field observations were conducted across five slaughterhouses at two diurnal time scales, and the avian scavengers utilising the butchery wastes therein were estimated using the point-count method. In addition, interaction among the species was monitored. Hooded vultures [Necrosyrtes monachus (Temminck, 1823)] and pied crows [Corvus albus (Müller, 1776)] were common at the slaughterhouses with the abundance of the latter being significantly higher than the former. The two species relatively exhibit different active feeding times although not exclusively amidst the regular available resources. The two species coexist, and no antagonistic behaviour was recorded. Generalised linear mixed models showed that the number of animals slaughtered on daily basis and percentage vegetation cover positively influenced abundance of hooded vulture and vice versa for pied crow. Our results highlight that intraguild species can coexist if resources are in constant supply and the species involved maintain some sort of inverse diurnal population variance at the foraging sites.