STM Article Repository

Population of Potamon ebonyicum was visibly decreasing at alarming rate around Ebonyi river basin. Apparent increase in catching efforts due to various economic reasons and other causes of the decline associated with environmental degradation necessitated verification of habitat and morphometric characterization of the crab species. Population survey and micro habitat verification were therefore conducted in rural and periurban areas of the river basin. The habitat variables were measured with existing and innovated instruments. There was insignificant difference in the population of female and male crab, 49% and 51% respectively. The males were more abundant in the periurban than in the rural habitat. Conversely, population percentage of the females was more than that of the males in the rural habitat, 59.5% and 40.5% respectively. The females from rural habitat were heavier than the males, while the males from the periurban habitat were heavier than the females. Carapace width of the males from the periurban was almost the same as that of the females from the rural habitat, 4.2± 0.18 cm and 4.2±0.11 cm respectively. There was a significant difference between carapace length of the males from rural and periurban habitat, 4.8±0.37 cm and 5.2±0.23 cm respectively. The difference in carapace length of the females from the habitats was not noticeable, 4.0±0.33 cm and 4.2± 0.14 cm respectively. Geometric variables of the two habits were not significantly correlated. Abundance and distribution of P. ebonyicum appeared to be driven by rapid loss of forest and variable catching efforts. Proper implementation of habitat regulation in the river basin might improve the environment and enhance the economy.