Species of Clarias anguillaris Linnaeus, 1758 in River Galma, Zaria, Northern Nigeria

The study is an icthyological survey of River Galma. the study was carried out to confirm or other wise the finding that there was no species of Clarias anguillaris in the river. The paper morphologically described the different species of Clarias found in the river and concluded that one of the species with gill rakers count ranging from 78 to 103 is clarias anguillari

Effects of the Inclusion of Chicken Egg Shells in the Meals of Captive Archachatina marginata (Giant West African Snail) on the Growth and Fecundity of the Species

Eighteen giant West African land snails (Archachatina marginata) were collected and identified. The snails  were put in a single cage and allowed to acclimatize. The snails were then randomly selected and put in two cages, each containing 9 snails. The experimental samples  and control were both fed with the same food. To the experimental samples however, egg shell was added to test for its effect on growth and fecundity of snails. Measurements of weight, shell length and shell width were taken for a period of seven weeks. These readings were subjected to One-way Analysis of Variance (One-way ANOVA). The difference in shell length gained was not statistically significant (P>0.05) between the control and the experimental samples. Shell width gain however, was significantly different (P<0.05) between the control and the experimental samples. Snail weight gain was similar to that of shell length and the difference in shell length gained by the control and experimental samples was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Snails in the experimental group laid five clutches of eggs with a total of 27eggs, 3 eggs hatched. However, those in the control did not lay any eggs. The result obtained from the experimental group shows that the chicken egg shells had positive influence on the fecundity of the snails. This result has implication for snail farmers and for snails as intermediate hosts where they can have access to chicken egg shells in their environment. Keywords: Archachatina marginata, Fecundity, Egg shell, Inclusion, Congo mea

Gastrointestinal helminths of the domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica gmelin, 1789 aves:columbidae) in Zaria, northern Nigeria.

The gastro-intestinal tracts of 240 Columba livia domestica were examined parasitologically for helminths aimed at providing information on their species composition, prevalence and distribution in Zaria area, northern Nigeria. Of these, 116 (48.3%) were infected by 9 species of helminths, comprising 6 species of cestodes and 3 species of nematodes. The infection with cestode species was in the order Raillietina tetragona 65 (27.1%), R. echinobothrida 26 (10.6%), Hymenolepis cantaniana 4 (1.7%), Hymenolepis carioca 3 (1.3%), R. cesticillus 1 (0.45%), and Amoebotaenia cuneata 2 (0.83%). Raillietina tetragona was the most prevalent cestodes recovered throughout the 12 months of the survey period. The three nematodes encountered were Ascaridia columbae 27 (11.3%), A. galli 8 (3.3%) and Heterakis gallinarum 8 (3.3%). Ascaridia columbae which was the most prevalent nematode was recovered in 9 out of the 12 months of the year. Single infection was more common (37.5%) than double 24 (10%) and triple infections (0.83%). More infection was observed during the wet season (June and September). Keywords: Helminths, Prevalence, Domestic Pigeon, Columba livia domestica, Zaria, Nigeria

Ectoparasites and intestinal helminths of speckled pigeon (Columba guinea Hartlaub and Finsch 1870) in Zaria, Nigeria.

A total of 30 (20 males and 10 females) Speckled Pigeons trapped from the wild in Zaria and its environs, Nigeria, were examined for ectoparasites and intestinal helminths, to determine the prevalence, intensity and mean intensity of infestation and infection. The plumages of the birds were brushed onto a white sheet of paper placed in a tray for the collection of ectoparasites, while the gastrointestinal tracts of the birds were examined for helminths. Eighteen (60.0%) of the birds were infested by three species of ectoparasites. The ectoparasites comprised of lice: 17 (56.7%) Menopon gallinae Linnaeus 1758, 18 (60.0%) Columbicola columbae Linnaeus 1758 and flies: 9 (30.0%) Pseudolynchia canariensis Macquart 1840. Single, double and triple infestations were found in 1(3.3%), 8(26.7%) and 9(30.0%) respectively, though the difference was not significant (P>0.05). The sex-specific infestation rate was 12(60.0%) in males and 6(60.0%) in females. Seventeen (56.7%) birds were infected by helminths represented by four species of cestodes recovered from the gastrointestinal tract. The cestodes were represented by Raillietina tetragona Molin, 1858 1(3.3%), Raillietina cesticillus Molin, 1858 8(26.7%), Amoebotaenia cuneata Linstow, 1872 4(13.3%) and Hymenolepis carioca Magalhaes, 1898 4(13.3%). Single infection was the only infection type observed. The sex-specific rate of infection was 11(55.0%) in males and 6(60.0%) in females. This study portrays the Speckled Pigeons as a probable definitive host of some ectoparasites and helminths. Keywords: Ectoparasites, Gastrointestinal helminths, Prevalence, Speckled Pigeon, Columba guinea, Zaria, Nigeri