Ethiopian Journal of Environmental Studies & Management 12(2): 158 – 166, 2019. ISSN:1998-0507 doi: https://ejesm.org/doi/v12i2.4 Submitted: January 31, 2019 Accepted: April 15, 2019

A SURVEY OF FAUNA IN THE SACRED GROVE OF UMUAJA FOREST, SOUTHERN OJIANWUNA, C. C. 1 AND *AMUSAN, B. O.2 1Department of and Environmental Biology, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria 2Department of Zoology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria *Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract Sacred groves in Africa have been widely adopted as an important strategy to assuage the loss of . This has led to the protection of sacred groves (which are virgin forest with rich diversity) for their cultural, religious beliefs and taboos. This study represents the first butterfly survey of the Umuaja sacred grove and this was done with the aim of determining the diversity and abundance of in the grove as an estimate of the ecological status of the protected area. Sweep nets, fruit and rotten fish-baited traps were used to sample the butterflies from March – May, 2017. A total of 72 individuals, representing 14 species in 3 families ( and Lyacenidae) were recorded in this study. Nymphalidae (92%) was the highest in terms of species richness (78.6%) and abundance (91.7) while Lycaenidae was the least (3%). boueti (a typical bamboo forest species) was dominant with relative abundance of 30.6. Several forest indicator species such as the leda, evadne elionas, , , Eurema hecabe and chloris were also recorded. Therefore, Umuaja sacred grove was considered to be in stable ecological condition based on the species composition, diversity and the species richness.

Key Words : Butterfly, Diversity, Sacred Grove, Forest, Ecological Status

Introduction Also, butterflies have been used as Butterflies belong to an important important ‘model’ organisms used for order of () studied and centuries, to investigate many areas of documented globally since the 18 th biological research, including such century (Ghazoul, 2002). They are diverse fields as navigation, pest control, generally considered as surrogate mimicry, evolution, genetics, population representatives of environmental quality dynamics and biodiversity conservation changes (Amusan et al., 2014). These (Widhiono, 2015). In Tropical Africa, insects, especially the endemic species especially in Nigeria, conservation of have been widely used as indicators of biodiversity in degrading forests have habitat biodiversity, because they respond been a major concern where a lot of forests quickly to environmental changes and have been lost to deforestation and human taxa diversity (Ghazanfar et al., 2016). activities (Onyekwelu and Olusola, 2014).

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A Survey of Butterfly Fauna in the Sacred Grove of Umuaja Forest...... Ojianwuna & Amusan

For instance, statistics from global forest and Ahmed (2014), Amusan et al . (2014) assessment revealed that Nigeria lost and Ogedengbe et al. (2014). However, about 410,000 ha (3.7%) of its natural information on the ecological value of forest due to deforestation between 2000 sacred/protected forests in terms of its and 2010 (FRA, 2010; FAO, 2011). This biodiversity is limited because it is has led to reduction in the abundance and difficult to access some of these sites. species richness or extinction of forest Comprehensive and long term studies are dwelling species. required to assess the diversity of insects One of the indirect ways that in sacred groves and other protected areas biodiversity has been preserved in local in the country to assess the diversity of communities is the establishment of insects in the areas in order to understand sacred groves. Sacred groves are usually the important role which the groves play virgin forest with multi diversity that has in the conservation of biodiversity. This been protected by the local people for a study is therefore aimed at providing a very long time for their cultural and checklist of species of butterflies religious practices (Onyekwelu and inhabiting the Umuaja sacred grove which Olusola, 2014). These protected forests is a unique bamboo-dominated riparian are usually associated with traditional forest in the Delta area of Southern regulations such as taboos, totems and Nigeria. The abundance and diversity of myths that limit human exploitation the species of butterflies will serve as a within the areas. These regulations have good indication of the health of the long preserved the ecological integrity of environment in and around the grove. the sacred forests and appear to play an important role in the conservation of Materials and Methods biodiversity in the groves. In some regions Study Area in this country, sacred groves represent Umuaja sacred grove is located in probably the only remaining examples of Ukwuani Local Government Area in Delta old forest vegetation which retain rare and State. The grove covers Longitude 006o endangered species. As such many of the 14 ′ - 006 o 19 ′ E and Latitude 05o 56 ′- 5 o groves are described as “biodiversity 63 ′ N (Fig. 1). River Ethiope (a very hotspots” (Myers et al. 2000). As a result, important river in the Niger Delta Area) these sacred groves clearly deserve takes its source from the grove and it flows conservation attention and this is from the foot of a huge silk-cotton tree necessitated by the declining cultural (Ceiba pentandra ). This river is believed practices, taboos and the increased to be the deepest Inland waterway in pressure for agricultural land. Africa. The river flows through different The enormous importance of towns such as Abraka, Eku and Sapele and butterflies has made its study receive empties into the River which global attention and several research eventually empties into the Atlantic Ocean efforts have revealed high diversity of at Koko. butterflies in various forests and The area is rich in green vegetation landscapes (Larsen, 1995; Gaude and and the grove contains varieties of tree Janarthanam, 2015). Some of the few species which include mainly Bamboos available studies on butterflies in Nigeria (Bambusa vulgaris ), Palm tree ( Elaeis include; Perveen and Fazal (2013), Zarim guineensis ), Raphia palm ( Raphia

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Ethiopian Journal of Environmental Studies and Management Vol. 12 no.2 2019 hookeri), Bush mango (Irvingia indigenes of Umuaja community are gabonensis ), Teak ( Tectona grandis ) and farming and fishing. However, these a host of grasses of the Poacea family. activities are not allowed in the grove Although, the main occupations of the because of its sacred nature.

Fig. 1: The location of Umuaja sacred grove in Delta State and Nigeria.

Sampling of Butterflies banana to aid fermentation process. This Intensive sampling of butterflies was mixture was placed in an air-tight carried out three times a week for 12 container for three days to allow for weeks (March – May 2017) using aerial fermentation before use. The fish bait was nets, fish and banana-baited traps. also prepared in the same manner. A total Sampling of butterflies was usually of Eighteen (18) traps i.e nine (9) with carried out between 7:00am and 10:00am each bait type were used. The traps were in the morning and between 4:00pm and placed 10m apart from each other and 6:00pm in the evenings when the about 2m above ground under patches of butterflies are expected to be most active sunlight (Aduse-Poku and Doku-Marfo, (Zarim and Ahmed, 2014; Ojianwuna, 2007). 2015). The banana bait was prepared by Species Handling and Identification mashing the banana into smaller pieces. Standard field handling of specimens Thereafter, a heap spoon of sugar, yeast was ensured by killing (pinch on the and 1 litre of Beer were mixed with the thorax) and taken to the Laboratory where

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they were set with entomological pins (No Results 3) on a setting board and kept in a dark A total of 72 individuals were place to dry for one week (CSIRO, 2004). recorded in this study. This comprised 14 The butterfly specimens were identified species distributed in 3 families (Table 1). using appropriate standard taxonomic Nymphalidae was the highest in terms of keys and guides (Larsen, 2005). After the species richness (78.6%) and abundance specimens have been identified, they were (91.7) while Lycaenidae had the least kept in a display case and preserved with percentage of species and individuals (Fig. naphthalene (Youdeowei, 1977). 2).

Table 1: Composition and abundance of butterflies in Umuaja sacred grove Family Sub-family Species Common Names Relative Abundance Nymphalidae Charaxinae Charaxes boueti (Feisthamel, 1850) Bamboo charaxes 30.6 Charaxes ameliae doumeti Blue-spotted 2.8 (Henning, 1989) charaxes Charaxes tiridates tridates Splendid common 16.7 (Cramer, 1777) blue charaxes Charaxes varanes vologeses Pearl charaxes 5.6 (Linnè, 1876) (Linnè, 1758) Common evening 13.9 brown Melanitis libya (Distant, 1882) Velvet eyed 2.8 evening brown Gnophodes betsimena parmeno Yellow banded 2.8 (Doubleday, 1849) evening brown Bicyclus sandace (Hewitson, 1877) Dark vulga bush 2.8 brown Bicyclus evadne elionas (Hewitson, Small stately bush 8.3 1866) brown Limenitinidae Euphaedra medon medon Widespread 2.8 (Linnè, 1763) forester Nymphalinidae Precis milonia milonia (Felder & Broad banded 2.8 Felder, 1867) commodore Pieridae Pierinae Mylothris chloris chloris Dotted boarder 2.8 (Fabricius, 1775) Coliadinae Eurema hecabe solifera Common grass 2.8 (Butler, 1875) yellow Lycaenidae Liphyrinae Aslauga vininga vininga Central aslauga 2.8 (Hewitson, 1875)

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Nymphalidae Pieridae Lycaenidae

Fig 2: Abundance of butterflies (families) in the Umuaja grove, Delta State, Nigeria.

The identified species are distributed are; Charaxes amelia, Gnophodes in 7 Subfamilies namely; Charaxinae, betsimena, Eurema medon, Bicyclus Satyrinae, Limentidinae, Nymphalinae, sandace, Precis milonia, Mylothris Pierinae, Coeliadinae and Liphyrinae. chloris, Eurema hecabe and Aslauga Analysis of the relative abundance of the vininga . The diversity indices showed that recorded species showed that Charaxes species richness and diversity was highest boueti was dominant in the grove with a in March while May had the least species relative abundance of 30.6. Species which diversity and richness (Table 2). occurred with the least relative abundance

Table 2: Diversity of Butterflies in Umuaja grove, March –May, 2017. Months Simson’s Index Margalef Menhinicks March 9.35 1.95 1.33 April 6.21 1.40 1.00 May 2.13 0.84 0.67

Discussion be considered fairly rich in terms of According to Larsen (2005), about species diversity when compared with 1500 butterfly species have been recorded other similar studies such as Ramesh et al. in West Africa and about 1000 species of (2010), Addai and Baidoo (2013) and have been reported in Nigeria. This Saikia (2014). The fairly rich fauna may implied that the estimated abundance of be attributed may be attributed to the butterflies in this study accounted for homogeneity nature of the vegetation about 0.93% of butterflies recorded in (mainly bamboo) in the groove. Vu and West Africa and about 1.4% of total Vu (2011) had reported that forests butterflies that have been reported in dominated by bamboo usually have low Nigeria. This suggested that the grove can species diversity compared to natural

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A Survey of Butterfly Fauna in the Sacred Grove of Umuaja Forest...... Ojianwuna & Amusan undisturbed forests. Another factor that Therefore, the high number of could have contributed to the low species Nymphalidae recorded in this study may diversity is the reduced light penetration be attributed to the presence of rotten as a result of dense canopy formed by the fruits, carrions, human sweat and bamboo vegetation in the groove. Studies availability of host plants. Another have shown that light is an important possible reason is that members of this factor which limit butterfly diversity and family have been known to be strong assemblage as they are known to be most active fliers and this enables them to active during sunny weather (Hill et al ., search and locate food over a long 2001). distance and large area (Lodh and However, the high number of Agarwala, 2012). The low occurrence of individuals may be attributed to the members of the Pieridae and Lycaenidae presence of River Ethiope which served as may be attributed to the fact that they are a source of water within the grove. not easily attracted to traps. Their small Another possible reason for the high size and host specificity may also be number of individuals recorded in the responsible for their low occurrence in the grove is the nature of the habitat which grove (Perveen and Khan, 2014). The supports lower story and undergrowth members of these two families have been vegetation, muds and sands with minerals. known to have preference for sunny All these are potential food sources for weather but the amount of solar radiation butterflies and thus could have been in the grove was greatly reduced by the responsible for the high number of dense canopy formed by the riparian butterflies resident in the grove. bamboo vegetation (Nair et al. 2014). The occurrence of Nymphalidae as the The higher species richness and most abundant and diverse family abundance of the butterflies in March corroborate the existing body of data that compare to the other months may be reported Nymphalidae as the most diverse attributed to convergence at water source and abundant family in forests in Southern and rate of capture. During the dry part of Nigeria (Nganso et al ., 2012; periods, butterfly are known to aggregate Amusan et al ., 2014). Other studies in around water source for drink and which Nymphalidae occurred with the nourishment unlike the wet season when highest abundance and diversity include; water is available in all the microhabitats Jothimani et al. (2014), Kurmar and in the grove (Nair et al ., 2007; Nganso et Murugesan (2014) and Widhiono (2015). al ., 2012; Kumar and Murugesan, 2014). Although, Nwosu and Iwu (2011) reported Butterflies are also known to avoid heated a very low number of butterflies in the environment, so they tend to move family Nymphalidae in a similar forest towards cooler areas. Hence, the ease of area. The low number recorded in the capture and the greater number of study was attributed to low density of host individuals collected in that particular plants and nectar plants (Tiple, 2009). The month. Similar observations were high number of butterflies in reported by Janzer and Schoener (1968) Nymphalidae has implications for and Vu and Vu (2011) in which greater pollination in this area because these abundance and diversity of butterflies species have been known to be were reported around riparian vegetation exceptional fruit-feeding butterflies. in dry seasons than the wet season.

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Although, the occurrence of indicator Aduse-Poku, K. and Doku-Marfo, E. species such as; Melanitis leda, Melanitis (2007). A rapid survey of butterflies libya , Charaxes varanes , Eurema hecabe in the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, and Mylothris chloris could be an . In: A Rapid Biological indication of threatened ecosystem but the Assessment of the Atewa Range numbers recorded suggested that the Forest Reserve, Easteren Ghana threat is apparent. These species have (Eds J. McCullough, E.I ,Alonso, .P, been reported to only be comfortable in Naskrecki, E.H, Wright and Y, Osei- close forest condition in low numbers Owusu) Conservation International (Bossart et al ., 2006; Boafo, 2010 and Arlington, V.A U.S.A. Nganso et al ., 2012) but the occurrence of Amusan, B. Ojianwuna, C., Kehinde, T. high numbers of individuals could be an and Akanbi, A. (2014). Butterfly indication of habit fragmentation (Larsen diversity in Obafemi Awolowo 2005). However, findings in this study University, Ile-Ife, Southwest revealed that only M. leda occurred with a Nigeria. The Zoologist , 12: 1-7. reasonable number of individuals (relative Bossart, J.L., Opuni-Firimpong, E., abundance = 13.9) while the other Kuudar, S. and Nkrumah, E. (2006) indicator species were recorded in very Richness, abundance and low numbers (relative abundance = 2.8). complementarities of fruit-feeding butterfly species in relict sacred Conclusion forest reserves of Ghana. The preliminary assessment of the Biodiversity and Conservation, butterfly fauna of the Umuaja grove has 15:333-359. contributed to the booming body of CSIRO (2004). Butterflies of Australia. knowledge that sacred groves are potential Collecting and preserving adult biodiversity hotspots. The protected land butterflies pp1-6 supports the resident populations of forest www.publish.csiro.au (assessed 14 th indicator species which was an indication January, 2017). of the stability of the ecological status of Food and Agricultural Organization the forest. However, the occurrence of (FAO), (2011). State of the World’s certain tolerant species suggested forest 2011. Food and Agricultural potential sources of threat to the protected Organization of the United Nations. area. Integrated approach to the Gaude, K. and Janarthanam, G. (2015). management of the sacred grove and the The butterfly (Insecta: Lepidoptera) resources there-in is strongly diversity of four sacred groves of recommended. Goa, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 7(12):7927-7932. References Ghazanfar, M.M., Faheem, M., Mubashar, Addai, G. and Baidoo, P.K (2013). The H., Razia, Iqbal and Misbah, Y. effects of forest destruction on the (2016). Butterflies and their abundance, species richness and contribution in ecosystem. Journal diversity of butterflies in the of Entomology and Zoology Studies, Bosomkese Forest Reserve, Brong 4(2):115-118. Ahafo Region, Ghana. Journal of Ghazoul, J. (2002). Impact of logging on Applied Bioscience, 64: 4763-4772. the richness and diversity of

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