Abstract Effects of high stocking densities (HSDs) were evaluated for Nile tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus) under culture to determine its influence on plasma cortisol and whole blood glucose concentration. Plasma cortisol levels (ng/ml) were assayed by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Whole blood glucose levels were determined using a hand-held one touch ultraglucose meter (MD-300) and test strips. Plasma cortisol and whole blood glucose level determinations were replicated th...
Abstract Background Nile tilapia has a variety of phenotypes suitable for aquaculture farming, yet its entire gene pool with potential for breeding climate ready strains in resource-limited settings remains scanty and poorly documented. SNP calling has become increasingly popular in molecular genetic studies due to their abundance and precision in estimating and identifying an organism’s genetic makeup. SNPs are versatile in trait-specific breeding, which, in contrast to pedigree breeding,...
Abstract Exposure to microcystin poses a potential health hazard to humans and other living organisms. This results from eutrophication and warrants an investigation into the problem of microcystin toxicity in Lake Victoria. This study was conducted in Homa Bay, Kisumu, Siaya and Busia counties to understand the effects of microcystin toxicity among fisherfolk and lake riparian communities. Data collection involved 90 semi-structured questionnaires, 11 key informant interviews and seven focu...
Abstract Riverine ecosystems in the Lake Victoria Basin (LVB) significantly contribute to the lake’s water budget and aquatic biodiversity. Despite their significance to the lakes fisheries, only limited biodiversity studies have been carried out, particularly in the smaller riverine ecosystems. This study investigated the fish species composition, diversity and distribution in two small riverine ecosystems (Rivers Awach Seme and Kisian) draining the Kenyan Lake Victoria Basin. Sampling wa...
Abstract Woody debris accumulations are important ecological components in low order forested streams. They provide forage and refuge for a macroinvertebrates, which are key trophic components for riverine fish. The occurrence of woody debris in tropical streams is however threatened by large scale destruction of catchment forests thereby threatening the riverine biodiversity. Despite their importance, the current status of woody debris accumulations in tropical forested streams is unknown. ...
Abstract: This study exposes the untold success story of Zimbabwe's ecotourism projects. Literature is awash with publications on the failure by Zimbabwe to come up with, and run sustainable ecotourism projects that significantly benefit the community with very little or no effort being put on telling the positive side of the ecotourism story. It is against this background that the researchers, using an exploratory design, investigated the story of the Ngamo CAMPFIRE project in Tsholots...
Abstract: Myrmarachne melanotarsa, an ant-like jumping spider (Salticidae) from East Africa, is an accurate mimic of Crematogaster sp. and associates unusually closely with its models. M. melanotarsa is remarkable in that it forms dense aggregations and builds large nest complexes (numerous individuallyoccupied nests connected to each other by silk).Other salticids (Pseudicius spp., Menemerus spp.) live with M. melanotarsa in the same nest complex.These aggregations, which can exceed 50 cons...
Abstract: Instances are documented of finding individuals of Portia africana in the field living aggregated in the webs of other spiders, in the nest complexes of other salticids, around solitary nests of other salticids, and around the nests of oecobiid spiders. Aggregation members included all active juvenile stages of P. africana, as well as adult males and females. More than one individual of P. africana sometimes fed on the same prey. Small juveniles of P. africana were more often than ...
Abstract: Background: Zoophilic mosquitoes play an important role in the transmission of arboviruses of medical importance at human-wildlife interfaces, yet arbovirus surveillance efforts have been focused mostly on anthropophilic mosquitoes. Understanding the diversity of zoophilic mosquitoes and their associated feeding patterns and arboviruses can inform better vector control strategies. Materials and Methods: We morphologically identified mosquitoes collected from two game reserves in Ke...
Abstract: Adamski, David, Robert S. Copeland, Scott E. Miller, Paul D. N. Hebert, Karolyn Darrow, and Quentin Luke. A Review of African Blastobasinae (Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea: Coleophoridae), with New Taxa Reared from Native Fruits in Kenya. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology, number 630, vi + 68 pages, 62 figures, 13 maps, 2 tables, 2010. — Twenty-five species of African Blastobasinae (Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae) are reviewed; 12 species are redescribed, and 13 species are described a...
Abstract Nigeria has a high burden of vector borne diseases such as malaria and lymphatic filariasis (LF). This study aimed to determine the species composition of mosquitoes in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria as well as determine their role in malaria and LF transmission. Adult mosquitoes were collected by Pyrethrum Spray Catch (PSC) and identified and graded according to their abdominal conditions. The mosquitoes were dissected to determine the parity status and to check for microfilariae of Wuc...
Abstract Metallothionein-1 (MT-1), cytochrome P450-2A (CYP2a) and other genes are involved in the detoxification of xenobiotics such as heavy metals and toxins. Changes in their expression precede overt toxic effects and can serve as a marker for exposure to pollutants. We used a mouse experimental system and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction to determine changes in gene expression and the direction of change, in response to exposure to lead acetate (LA) and waste ...
ABSTRACT Background: MSP1 processing-inhibitory antibodies bind to epitopes on the 19 kDa C-terminal region of the Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP119), inhibiting erythrocyte invasion. Blocking antibodies also bind to this antigen but prevent inhibitory antibodies binding, allowing invasion to proceed. Recombinant MSP119 had been modified previously to allow inhibitory but not blocking antibodies to continue to bind. Immunization with these modified proteins, therefore,...
Abstract Background: Effective control and management of severe malaria cases depends on a clear understanding of the local epidemiological factors and specific clinical manifestations of the disease in the different endemic regions. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of severe malaria and epidemiological factors that affect the development of malaria anaemia. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among children below 5 years of age, at the Adeoyo State Maternity Hospital,...
Abstract Worsened perinatal outcomes and increased rates (If maternal morbidity are consequences of co-infection of HI V and Plasmodium falciparum in pregnant-women. This study was designed to ascertain the proportion of co-infection of both diseases in pregnant mothers and babies born to HIV-infected mothers. A total of 149 pregnant mothers and 30 babies of HIV-infected mothers were engaged in a longitudinal study for III months in the endemic area of Saki and Ibadan. Only babies born to HI...