Diversity and distribution patterns of insects in Nigeria

Diversity and distribution patterns of insects in Nigeria | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL Ecology and Evolution This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 12 May 2026 V1 Latest version Share on Diversity and distribution patterns of insects in Nigeria Authors : Emelie Obi 0009-0009-2879-4459 [email protected] , Mikaelison da Silva Lima [email protected] , Kelechi Amadi [email protected] , and Maduamaka Cyriacus Abajue [email protected] Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/authorea.15003176/v1 65 views 19 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Insects provide essential ecosystem services and are key indicators of ecosystem health. Their diversity in Africa is estimated to be high, but they are poorly documented in many African countries, such as Nigeria. In this study, we used insect occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) database to investigate and examine insect diversity and patterns across Nigeria’s major biomes. We analysed 49,854 records from the GBIF and found 19 orders, 305 families, 2,515 genera, and 5,880 species. However, the richness estimator suggests that current records only represent ~21% of the true insect diversity in Nigeria. We also show that diversity differs between biomes and follows a latitudinal pattern. Overall, our findings reveal geographic and taxonomic gaps and highlight the need to prioritize under-represented taxa and locations to improve biodiversity assessment and conservation planning. We suggest that the current state of Nigeria’s insects reflects a dire situation that needs addressing through local and international collaboration facilitated by extensive government support. Supplementary Material File (appendix 1.pptx) appendix 1 Download 659.29 KB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 12 May 2026 Collection Ecology and Evolution Authors Affiliations Emelie Obi 0009-0009-2879-4459 [email protected] View all articles by this author Mikaelison da Silva Lima [email protected] Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany, 01062 View all articles by this author Kelechi Amadi [email protected] Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany, 01062 View all articles by this author Maduamaka Cyriacus Abajue [email protected] Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany, 01062 View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 65 views 19 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Emelie Obi, Mikaelison da Silva Lima, Kelechi Amadi, et al. Diversity and distribution patterns of insects in Nigeria. Authorea . 12 May 2026. 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