Macrobenthic invertebrates of a perturbed stream in Southern Nigeria

Macrobenthic invertebrates of a perturbed stream in Southern Nigeria were studied. Nine taxa were recorded and this low diversity is attributed to stress caused by human activities. Responses of invertebrates to stress, as reflected by their species diversity and abundance, were different in the three study stations. Substrate obliteration, poor water quality and microhabitat availability appear to be factors controlling macroinvertebrates. Chironomid larvae, baetid nymphs and naidid oligochaetes were indicative of perturbational stress.