Comparison of soil arthropod diversity in natural forests and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus sp.) plantations in Napajoring village, Nassau district, Toba Regency, North Sumatra, Indonesia

Wesri Martua Silaen, Binari Manurung — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study aims to compare the diversity, abundance, dominance, and evenness of soil arthropod communities between natural forests and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus sp.) plantations in Napajoring Village, Nassau District, Toba Regency, as well as to analyse the relationship between environmental factors and these communities. The study was conducted from January to March 2026 using an exploratory survey method with purposive sampling techniques and pitfall traps in four replicates. The results showed a total of 685 soil arthropod individuals consisting of 23 species, 11 families, 9 orders, and 3 classes. The most frequently found species was Odontomachus rixosus (124 individuals), while the least frequent was Lampyris noctiluca (1 individual). The indices of diversity, abundance, and evenness were moderate, with higher values in the natural forest compared to the eucalyptus plantation, whereas the dominance index was low in both habitats. The t-test showed no significant difference between soil arthropod communities in natural forests and eucalyptus plantations (t calculated 0.068 < t table 1.96), indicating that the environmental conditions in both habitats are relatively similar in supporting soil arthropod life.

Seasonal carriage of Plasmodium falciparum in selected rural communities in Adamawa State, Nigeria

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Plasmodium falciparum, the prevalent malaria parasite in Nigeria, is transmitted by anopheline mosquitoes that has fully adapted to Nigerian ecosystems. However, limited data on this malaria parasite transmission is few in the country, requiring additional data for decision making. This study hence, investigated the seasonal carriage of P. falciparum among individuals in selected rural communities in Adamawa State, Nigeria, assessing how transmission varies with weather conditions. Cross-sectional surveys were conducted during the peak rainy and dry seasons to determine the parasite prevalence. A total of 1152 blood samples was collected from people residing in three communities, namely Bazza, Mboi, and Yebbi, were examined for the presence or absence of Plasmodium falciparum parasite using microscopy. Results revealed the Prevalence of Plasmodium infection in the study communities were 56.77%, 78.39%, and 76.82%, respectively. The prevalence of malaria infection was higher during the wet season than the dry season. There was a significant (P<0.05) difference across seasons for infection and non-infection. carriage rates during the rainy season compared to the dry season, emphasizing the influence of seasonal dynamics on malaria epidemiology. These findings underscore the need for seasonally tailored control strategies to reduce malaria transmission and morbidity in rural Nigerian communities. Exposure to malaria bites and proliferation factors for malaria transmission were identified. Sustainable prevention practices and intervention measures to mitigate these problems are crucial, especially among dwellers in the study communities.

Journal of Applied Entomologist

Comparison of soil arthropod diversity in natural forests and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus sp.) plantations in Napajoring village, Nassau district, Toba Regency, North Sumatra, Indonesia

Seasonal carriage of Plasmodium falciparum in selected rural communities in Adamawa State, Nigeria