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Zoology and entomology.

Article Excerpt
Chair: Julius Ikenga, Mississippi Valley State University

Vice-chair: Alex D. W. Acholonu, Alcorn State University

THURSDAY MORNING

Elm

O13.01

9:00 DISTRIBUTION OF BROWN RECLUSE SPIDERS IN MISSISSIPPI

Gail Stratton (1), Pat Miller (2), Rick Vetter (3)

(1) University of Mississippi, (2) Northwest Mississippi Community College, (3) University of CA, Riverside

Early records from the USDA publication, the Cooperative Economic Insect Report suggested that the brown recluse spider, Loxosceles reclusa, is found in all 82 counties of Mississippi. However, similar reports and more extensive sampling in Georgia (Vetter et al, MS in prep) and Alabama (Vetter, unpublished data) indicate that the brown recluse is mostly limited to the Piedmont region in the northern third of each of those states. In order to clarify the distribution of brown recluse in Mississippi, we have initiated a project that includes checking museum collections, personal collections and other records as well as doing extensive sampling throughout Mississippi. In addition, we have initiated a standardized sampling protocol of out-buildings to determine the abundance as well as the presence of these spiders in different regions of the state. We have examined specimens from the Mississippi Entomological Museum and the American Museum of Natural History. We currently have specimens from 25 of the 82 counties in Mississippi. Brown recluse spiders are found as far south as Clarke County and they are abundant in the northern third of the state. Requests for brown recluse specimens from the southern portion of the state resulted in few spiders but many tales of the supposed presence due to alleged envenomations. We welcome contributions of specimens of brown recluse for this study.

O13.02

9:20 WATER QUALITY STUDIES OF NWORIE RIVER IN OWERRI, IMO STATE, NIGERIA

Alex D. W. Acholonu (1), Peter U. Okorie (1)

(1) Alcorn State University, (2) Imo State University, Nigeria

Nworie River is a first order stream that runs about a 5km course across Owerri metropolis, Imo State, Nigeria before emptying into another river, the Otamiri River. Its watershed is subject to intensive human and industrial activities resulting in the discharge of a wide range of pollutants. The river is used for various domestic applications by inhabitants of Owerri. When the public water supply fails, the river further serves as a source of direct drinking water, especially for the poorer segment of the city. Studies of water quality parameters are therefore necessary to determine extent of pollution so as to monitor likely danger, not only to the human population but also to the aquatic...

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