Abundance Distribution and Soil Amendment by Macrotermes Bellicosus

Studies were conducted to determine the abundance distribution and soil amendment by Macrotermes bellicosus and their potential as protein supplement in poultry feed. Four Local Government Areas of Kebbi State namely; Danko/Wasagu Bagudo Shanga and Augie were selected for the studies. Mound-building termites were collected randomly from mounds within the study area for identification. Mounds were counted manually; while height basal circumference distance between neighboring mounds was measured with measuring tape and shapes of mounds were observed. Soil properties were equally analyzed using standard methods. Termite population was estimated by counting individual termites per mound. Feeding trials were conducted; a commercial diet was compared with two other diets; fishmeal diet and termite supplemented diet. Each treatment was replicated four times in a Complete Randomized Design (CRD). Mounds between 0-1.49m heights in dry land had more termites with average of abundance of 10874 termites when compared with wet land having mean abundance of 8.875.5 termites per mound. Mound soils have more calcium (1.01mg) and phosphorous (1.23mg) than surrounding soils (0.96mg).