Survey of Mosquito Species Diversity and Abundance in Wetland Ecosystems of Rivers State, South South Nigeria

Mosquitoes represent one of the most medically significant insect groups globally, serving as vectors for malaria, dengue fever, and lymphatic filariasis. Despite the public health burden they impose, baseline data on mosquito species composition across wetland habitats in Rivers State remains limited. This study aims to survey the diversity and relative abundance of mosquito species in selected wetland ecosystems within Rivers State, South South Nigeria. Adult mosquitoes will be collected using CDC light traps and human landing catches at six wetland sites over a twelve-month period. Larvae will be sampled from stagnant water bodies using standard dipping methods. Morphological identification will follow established taxonomic keys, and species richness indices will be calculated. Environmental variables including temperature, rainfall, and vegetation cover will be recorded alongside collection data to determine ecological correlates of abundance. Preliminary reviews indicate that Anopheles gambiae sensu lato and Culex quinquefasciatus are likely dominant species in the region. This study will provide updated distributional data critical for informing mosquito control programs operated by the Rivers State Ministry of Health. The findings will contribute to the growing body of literature on vector ecology in Nigeria's Niger Delta region. Recommendations for integrated mosquito management relevant to wetland communities will be provided based on observed species abundance patterns. Keywords: mosquito diversity, wetland ecology, Rivers State, vector surveillance, species abundance