Simuliidae of the Buganda, Eastern and Western Provinces of Uganda

Abstract

Five years ago, when a study was commenced of the Simuliid fauna of Uganda, 24 species were known from the whole of Africa. To-day, Uganda can claim more than that number within its own boundaries. In fact 30 species are known to occur in the country. And yet it is probable that many more species remain to be discovered, particularly as the investigation has not included the Northern Province, which will undoubtedly prove to be one of the richest in Simulium, since within its confines are the River Nile and its many subsidiary tributaries. Quite a number of species found in Uganda occur in other parts of the African continent. Some extend their distribution over to the west and also to the east coast, while other species do not confine their range to the tropics and are found as far afield as the Transvaal and Natal in the Southern Hemisphere. Early observations (1934) indicated a specialised Simuliid fauna on each of the high mountains in Uganda, and while this may still be true in the case of some species, subsequent investigations have shown that several have a wider distribution.