Eco-morphological diversity of fish fauna in a tropical man-made lake, Southwestern Nigeria

Eco-morphological studies seek to understand the interconnection between the morphology of an organism and its ecology. It is the only way to determine if morphometric data can be used as an informative proxy for ecological variables of interest. This study, therefore, investigated fish diversity and its eco-morphological features for sustainable fish production in the Oyan Dam. The ichthyofauna of the Oyan Dam was surveyed from November 2021 to April 2022, and data on the abundance, diversity, and ecomorphological traits were obtained following standard procedures. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Bootstrap resampling, and Multivariate statistics. A total of 466 piscine specimens were sampled which belonged to seven orders, 13 families, and 26 species. Four families including Cichlidae, Mormyridae, Schilbeidae, and Ariidae were dominant and constituted 66.74% of the total catches. Margalef (3.50.02) and dominance (0.470.01) index values suggest that Oyan Dam is highly diverse with abundant fish species. The assemblage of fish species in Oyan Dam is ecomorphologically structured. However, the main ecomorphological traits verified in this study were compression index (CI), aspect of pectoral fin ratio (APFR), and caudal peduncle compression index (CPCI). These ecomorphological attributes indicated the relationship between the morphology of the species and their potential niches

Dietary Feed Additive Microencapsulation Synbiotic on Physical Quality of Broiler Chicken Meat

This research aimed to investigate the microencapsulation of synbiotics that combine probiotics, Bacillus subtilis, with prebiotic MOS for poultry diet to influence the physical quality of poultry meat. The material used in this study was 100 one-day-old unsexed broilers Cobb 500. The birds were randomly divided into the following 4 experimental groups, with five replications: The treatments were (T1) basal diet (control) without microencapsulation Synbiotic, T2, T3, and T4 supplementation basal diet with 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75% of microencapsulation synbiotics of Bacillus subtilis and MOS, respectively. The variables were physical qualities of poultry meat, including acidity (pH), cooking losses, water holding capacity (WHC), and hardness. The basal diet was formulated to meet completely the nutrient requirements broilers based on NRC (1994) recommendations. The dietary treatments were based on corn grain-soybean meal and balanced with other nutrients. The data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) using the Statistical Package for Social Science or IBM SPSS Statistics version 26, significant differences among the means were determined by using Duncans multiple range test at P0.05. The results showed that the treatment groups did not have a significant effect (P value0.05) on the physical qualities of broiler meat, which are acidity (pH), cooking losses, water holding capacity (WHC), and tenderness. To conclude, supplementation of microencapsulation synbiotic has no negative effects on the physical qualities of the meat reflected in the value of all variables, which are in the normal range of the physical quality of broiler meat

Immunostimulant effect of Chaetomorpha sp in Tilapia infected with Aeromonas hydrophila

Chaetomorpha sp is a type of green marcoalgae that is rich in bioactive compound that function as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and can increase fish immunity. This study aims to determine the immunostimulating effect of Chaetomorpha sp macroalgae extract on the leukocyte profile of Tilapia infected with A. hydrophila. The experimental method used a completely randomized design (CRD) with four extract dose treatments (0, 25, 50, 75 mL/kg feed) and three replicates. The test fish used were 2.63 0.26g, reared in black tanks with a size of 60x30x30 cm, a volume of 80 L with a stocking density of 1 fish/4 L, and a recirculation system. Maintenance was carried out for 60 days with a frequency of feeding three times a day, namely 08.00 AM, 01.00 PM, and 05.00 PM, as much as 5% of body weight. The parameters observed were total leukocytes, leukocyte differentiation, and phagocytosis index. The results showed that the administration of Chaetomorpha sp extract significantly increased total leukocytes, lymphocyte differentiation, and phagocytosis index (p0.05). The dose of 50 mL/kg feed is the optimal dose that affects the leukocyte profile of Tilapia. T0 (without extract) experienced 100% mortality, while the treatment group showed increased resistance to infection. Bioactive compounds such as sulfated polysaccharides and flavonoids in Chaetomorpha sp are thought to play a role in stimulating the innate immune system. This study highlights the potential of Chaetomorpha sp as an alternative to antibiotics in sustainable tilapia aquaculture

Impact of Antidepressant Fluoxetine on Female Fertility Using Zebrafish (Danio rerio) as an Experimental Model

Aquatic ecosystems are increasingly contaminated by pharmaceutical pollutants, including antidepressants such as fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Detected in water-bodies, wastewater, and fish, fluoxetine poses potential risks to environmental and reproductive health. This study investigates the impact of fluoxetine exposure on zebrafish fertility, as SSRIs are known to influence reproductive function in humans. Five adult male-female zebrafish pairs were maintained in 10-litre tanks at 28C under a 14-hour light and 10-hour dark cycle and fed a high-protein diet thrice daily. To establish baseline fertility, each pair was initially spawned once, and the resulting eggs were discarded. The experiment was conducted over three cycles. In Cycle-1, pairs were separated for five days with daily water changes and allowed to spawn on Day-6. Total eggs and live eggs (clear and transparent) were recorded, with dead eggs (cloudy and opaque). In Cycle-2, both sexes were exposed to 3.2 g/L fluoxetine daily for five days before spawning. In Cycle-3, the same protocol as Cycle-1 was repeated without fluoxetine to observe delayed effects. Mean egg-counts were 231(14) in Cycle-1, 427(57) in Cycle-2, and 442(31) in Cycle-3. Significant difference (p0.05) between Cycle-1 vs Cycle-2 and Cycle-1 vs Cycle-3 was observed, while no significant difference was found between Cycle-2 and Cycle-3 (p0.05). Similarly, the proportion of live eggs declined across cycles: 47%(543/1155) in Cycle-1, 33%(704/2139) in Cycle-2, and 29%(641/2212) in Cycle-3. The decline was statistically significant between Cycle-1 vs Cycle-2 and Cycle-1 vs Cycle-3 (p0.05), but the difference between Cycle-2 and Cycle-3 was not significant (p0.05). A strong negative correlation was observed between total egg output and the proportion of live eggs. These findings suggest that fluoxetine enhances egg production while reducing egg viability. This underscores the reproductive toxicity of environmental fluoxetine exposure in aquatic species, with potential implications for human health. The study highlights pharmaceutical pollutions interconnected ecological and reproductive impacts

Effectiveness of Green Feed and Tofu Dregs Mixture on Rectal Temperature, Heart Rate and Respiratory Frequency of Sheep

Sheep feed sources can be provided in the form of forage and tofu dregs, and the most important thing is feed that meets the needs of protein, carbohydrates, fat, and vitamins and minerals. This study aims to determine the effect of feeding between forage and tofu dregs on rectal temperature, respiratory rate and heart rate. This study was conducted from October to November 2024. The design used in this study was a Randomized Block Design (RAK) with 4 treatments and 3 replications. The results of the study can be concluded that the effect of providing different forage and tofu dregs showed no significant difference (P 0.05) on rectal temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate of sheep. The highest average rectal temperature was seen in treatment D, which was 37.740C and the lowest average was in treatment B, which was 37.640C. The highest average heart rate was seen in treatment D, which was 64.84 times/minute and the lowest average was in treatment B, which was 58.04 times/minute. The highest average respiratory frequency was seen in treatment D, namely 71.93 times/minute and the lowest average was seen in treatment A, namely 66.49 times/minute

Substrate Complexity Drives Hermit Crab (Diogenidae) Diversity and Ecological Flexibility Across Sand, Rubble, and Coral Habitats in Tarahan Island, Indonesia

Research on the role of benthic substrates in shaping hermit crab communities along coastlines remains relatively limited, despite the important role this group plays in coastal benthic ecosystems. This study counducted in April 2025, aimed to examined the relationship between substrate characteristics sand, coral rubble, and coral reefs and the distribution and community structure of hermit crabs of the family Diogenidae along the northwestern coast of Tarahan Island, Indonesia. A total of 58 individuals consisting of 9 hermit crab species were identified across the three habitat types, with the highest species richness and abundance found in the rubble habitat, which exhibited high porosity and microhabitat heterogeneity. Community analysis using ANOSIMS showed R value of -0.002 and a p-value of 0.48 revealed an overlap in species composition among habitat types however, SIMPER analysis certain species such as Clibanarius striolatus consistently dominated habitats with high structural complexity, while others like Clibanarius signatus showed a specific preference for coral-sand habitats. This variation in habitat preference reflects a spectrum of ecological strategies, ranging from specialists to generalists, within the hermit crab community studied. The findings highlight the importance of substrate diversity and integrity in supporting the ecological flexibility, stability, and sustainability of hermit crab communities in dynamic coastal ecosystem

Effect of Fermented Cassava Peel with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens in the Diet on the Performance of Indigenous Chicken

oai:jurnal.usk.ac.id:article/48964Feed cost is a major challenge in poultry production, prompting the need for alternative feed resources to reduce dependency on conventional ingredients. Cassava peel, an abundant agro-industrial by-product, offers potential as a feed ingredient. This study aimed to determine the effect of fermented cassava peel (FCP) flour using Bacillus amyloliquefaciens on the growth performance of indigenous chickens. A total of 100 day old chicks were allocated to five dietary treatments with four replications in a completely randomized design (CRD): Control (T0) (0% FCP), T1 (15% FCP), T2 (20% FCP), T3 (25% FCP), and T4 (30% FCP). Data on feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were collected over eight weeks and analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Duncans Multiple Range Test at 5% significance. Results show that the inclusion of FCP up 40% had no significant effect (P0.05) on FI, BWG, and FCR. These findings indicate that FCP flour can replace conventional feed ingredients in indigenous chicken without compromising growth performances. Further research is recommended to optimize feed formulation by balancing nutrient content and selecting effective fermenting microorganisms to fully harness the benefit of FCP in poultry production systems

Organochlorine pesticide residues in water and Silver Catfish (Bagrus bajad Fabricius, 1775) from a tropical man-made lake, Northwestern, Nigeria

Organochloride pesticides remain widely used in Africa, despite their potential public health issues. This study assessed the organochloride pesticides (OCPs) residues in water and silver catfish from Ajiwa Reservoir. The concentrations of OCPs in water and fish samples were determined using GC analysis, while One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the means for each parameter among the selected stations (Kadaji, Gamji and Kundu waje). Significantly higher concentrations of Aldrin (2.660.44ngL-1), Diedrin (1.710.38ngL-1), Endrin aldehyde (2.310.22ngL-1), Endrin ketone (2.560.22ngL-1), beta-BHC (1.700.66ngL-1), gamma- BHC (0.850.30ngL-1) and delta- BHC (1.190.47ngL-1) were found in the gills of fish from Kadaji. Also, significantly higher Endosulfan (2.240.70 gL-1), Methoxychlor (2.630.95gL-1) and p,p'-DDE (1.770.34ngL-1) were found in the muscles of fish from Gamji. In contrast, Diedrin (2.1110.59ngL-1) and Endrin aldehyde (3.840.86ngL-1) were significantly higher in the fish muscles from Kadaji. The OCPs in the water were not significantly different among the stations except Alpha-BHC (1.500.63 ngL-1). The study revealed the presence of various organochlorine pesticides in the fish tissues and the water, indicating a possible bioaccumulation in the fish. Although all the organochlorines were not above the safety level, however, it is not impossible that this might lead to possible health issues in the futur

The Effect of Different Pure Natural Honey On Betta Fish Seed Production (Betta splendens) Male

Only around 40% of male betta fish are typically produced under normal conditions. Honey, a natural substance containing potassium and flavonoids, has the potential to alter fish sexuality from female to male. Potassium plays a key role in regulating testosterone and supporting androgen function, which promotes male characteristics in fish. This study aimed to identify the type of pure natural honey that most effectively increases the production of male betta fish fry. A completely randomized design (CRD) was used, consisting of four treatments with three replications each. The treatments were: (1) control (no honey soaking), (2) soaking eggs in Forest honey solution at a dose of 5 mL/L, (3) soaking eggs in Multiflora honey solution at 5 mL/L, and (4) soaking eggs in Randu honey solution at 5 mL/L. Sex identification was carried out at 60 days through morphological observation of the urogenital organs, and confirmed at 70 days using gonad histology with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The results showed that the highest percentage of males was obtained in Treatment 3 (Multiflora honey), at 59.59% 1.65, while the lowest was in the control group (Treatment 1) at 43.30% 1.70. The survival rate differed significantly among treatments, ranging from 40.00% to 66.67%, and the hatching rate ranged from 70% to 90%. Water quality parameters including temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen (DO) remained within the optimal range for betta fish maintenance throughout the study. In conclusion, Multiflora honey was the most effective in increasing the production of male betta fish fry

Nutrition Relieving Strategies to Relieve Negative Effect of Heat Stress on Livestock and Poultry

Heat stress induces systemic inflammatory responses that severely compromise the growth and health of livestock and poultry. Gradual climate change poses escalating threats to the economic viability of animal husbandry through increasingly frequent extreme heat events. Under thermal stress, persistent inflammation in muscles and tissues disrupts metabolic processes, impairing muscle growth and fat deposition, which translates to reduced yield and quality in farmed animals. Understanding the mechanisms of heat stress-induced inflammation facilitates the implications of intervention strategies. This review synthesizes characteristic changes in key biochemical indicators triggered by heat stress and reviews nutritional strategies aimed at restoring normal physiological parameters, thereby providing references for mitigating heat stress in livestock and poultry and ultimately enhancing productivity and economic sustainability