The complete mitochondrial genome of Epomophorus gambianus (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) and its phylogenetic analysis

The Gambian epauletted fruit bat, Epomophorus gambianus, is widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa. Its assembled and annotated mitochondrial genome (GenBank accession no. KT963027) is 16,702 bases in length, containing 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes and two non-coding regions: the control region (D-loop) and the origin of light-strand replication (OL). The average base composition is 32.2% A; 27.6% C; 14% G; and 26.1% T. The mitogenome presented a structural composition greatly conserved between members of the Pteropodidae family

Phylogeography and demographic history of Epomophorus gambianus: contrasting nuclear and mitochondrial DNA

The Gambian epauletted fruit bat (Epomophorus gambianus) is an abundant species that roosts in both urban and rural settings. The possible role of E. gambianus as a reservoir host of zoonotic diseases underlines the need to better understand the species movement patterns. So far, neither observational nor phylogenetic studies have identified the dispersal range or behavior of this species. Comparative analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear markers from 20 localities across the known distribution of E. gambianus showed population panmixia, except for the populations in Ethiopia and southern Ghana (Accra and Ve‐Golokwati). The Ethiopian population may be ancestral and is highly divergent to the species across the rest of its range, possibly reflecting isolation of an ancient colonization along an east–west axis. Mitochondrial haplotypes in the Accra population display a strong signature of a past bottleneck event; evidence of either an ancient or recent bottleneck using microsatellite data, however, was not detected. Demographic analyses identified population expansion in most of the colonies, except in the female line of descent in the Accra population. The molecular analyses of the colonies from Ethiopia and southern Ghana show gender dispersal bias, with the mitochondrial DNA fixation values over ten times those of the nuclear markers. These findings indicate free mixing of the species across great distances, which should inform future epidemiological studies

The Gambian Epauletted Fruit Bat Shows Increased Genetic Divergence in the Ethiopian Highlands and in an Area of Rapid Urbanisation

The Gambian epauletted fruit bat (Epomophorus gambianus) is an abundant species that roosts in both urban and rural settings. The possible role of E. gambianus as a reservoir host of zoonotic diseases underlines the need to better understand the species movement patterns. So far, neither observational nor phylogenetic studies have identified the dispersal range or behavior of this species. Comparative analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear markers from 20 localities across the known distribution of E. gambianus showed population panmixia, except for the populations in Ethiopia and southern Ghana (Accra and Ve‐Golokwati). The Ethiopian population may be ancestral and is highly divergent to the species across the rest of its range, possibly reflecting isolation of an ancient colonization along an east–west axis. Mitochondrial haplotypes in the Accra population display a strong signature of a past bottleneck event; evidence of either an ancient or recent bottleneck using microsatellite data, however, was not detected. Demographic analyses identified population expansion in most of the colonies, except in the female line of descent in the Accra population. The molecular analyses of the colonies from Ethiopia and southern Ghana show gender dispersal bias, with the mitochondrial DNA fixation values over ten times those of the nuclear markers. These findings indicate free mixing of the species across great distances, which should inform future epidemiological studies

Pharmacognostic characterization and development of standardization parameters for the quality control of aidia genipiflora (dc.) dandy

The stem bark and leaves of Aidia genipiflora (DC.) Dandy (Rubiaceae) have several ethnomedicinal uses and are recently being commercialized by some traditional healers in Ghana, as anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agents. This study sought to establish pharmacognostic parameters for the stem bark and leaves of the plant in order to set standards for identification and quality control. The organoleptic, macro-morphological, qualitative and quantitative micro-morphological features were analysed for the whole and powdered leaves and stem bark. Fluorescence, physicochemical and phytochemical analysis and thin layer chromatography (TLC) were also performed using standard methods. The leaf is elliptical in shape with acuminate apex, entire margin, acute base, reticulate venation and pubescent on both the adaxial and abaxial surfaces. The leaf has wavy-walled epidermal cells with uniseriate clothing trichome. The midrib and petiole have concave-shaped vascular bundles. Starch grains, fibres, cork cells, stone cell, prismatic calcium oxalate crystals and uniseriate clothing trichomes were present in the leaves and stem bark powder. Physicochemical constants for ash content, solvent soluble extractives and pH revealed differences between the stem bark and leaves. The plant materials contained lead, cadmium and arsenic but below the limit values. They also contained varying levels of copper, zinc, calcium and potassium. Fluorescence analysis, Thin layer chromatography and UV-vis fingerprint also revealed notable differences in the stem bark and leaves. This result provides important diagnostic features to aid the correct identification and authentication of Aidia genipiflora for research and commercial purposes. &nbsp

Roosting behavior and roost selection by Epomophorus gambianus (Pteropodidae) in a west African rural landscape

AbstractUrbanization is driving many species to inhabit modified landscapes, but our understanding of how species respond to this remains limited. Bats are particularly vulnerable due to their life‐history traits but have received little attention. We describe the roosting behavior and roost site selection, including maternity roosts, for the Gambian epauletted fruit bat (Epomophorus gambianus) within a modified forest‐savannah transition ecological zone in Ghana, West Africa. We compared characteristics of roost and non‐roost sites to test the hypotheses that roost site selection is non‐random and that maternity roost site selection differs from non‐maternity roosts. Male bats were more likely to switch roost (mean = 0.49 ± 0.23 bat days, N = 23) than females (mean = 0.33 ± 0.18 bat days, N = 7) while linear distances between roosts used by males (255 ± 254 m) were significantly longer than for females (102 ± 71 m) (t = 4.50, df = 86, p &lt; .0001). Roost trees were more likely than non‐roost trees to be bigger, taller, occur closer to buildings, and be in relatively open and less mature plots; maintaining such trees in modified landscapes could benefit the species. Lactating bats selected a subset of roost trees but significantly, those that contained a greater number of bats, a strategy which may reflect predator avoidance, or other social co‐operation benefits. Although there was a preference for five tree species, other trees with preferred characteristics were also used. Our findings contribute to the understanding of how species utilize modified landscapes, which is important in the management of biodiversity in the Anthropocene.</jats:p

Evaluation of the Microbial Load and Heavy Metal Content of Two Polyherbal Antimalarial Products on the Ghanaian Market

The use of herbal products has increased and become more popularized globally; however, limited studies coupled with questions related to the quality and safety of these herbal products have been raised. Herbal products with hope of their nontoxicity may play a role of alternative to overcome the problems of multi-drug resistant pathogens. Medicinal plants used as raw materials for production may have quality and safety issues due to proximity to wastewater application of fungicides and pesticides, which may be directly deposited superficially or absorbed by the plant system. Therefore, possible contamination of some Ghanaian herbal products cannot be ignored, as it may severely affect human life in the process of treatment. Aim. To evaluate the microbial load and the presence of toxic heavy metals in Mist Amen Fevermix and Edhec Malacure, two polyherbal products used in the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in Ghana. Methods. Thermo Elemental M5 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) fitted with graphite furnace and an auto sampler was used to determine the heavy metal contents of the herbal products. The herbal samples were evaluated for the microbial load by using the appropriate culture media. Results and Analysis. Mist Amen Fevermix and Edhec Malacure complied with the safety limits evaluated for all different microbial counts and contamination. The following heavy metals were present in Mist Amen Fevermix and Edhec Malacure Mixture: Fe, Ni, K, Zn, Hg, Cu, Mn, Cr, Cd, Pb, Fe, Cu, K, and Na. Ni was below detectable limit in Edhec Malacure. Conclusion. Mist Amen Fevermix and Edhec Malacure may be assured of safety. The products contained heavy metals, but all were within acceptable limit established by the FAO/WHO. The levels of microbial contamination were below the maximum acceptable limit

Erythroivorensin: A novel anti-inflammatory diterpene from the root-bark of Erythrophleum ivorense (A Chev.)

The stem- and root-bark of Erythrophleum ivorense (A Chev., family, Fabaceae) are routinely employed in the West African traditional medicine to treat inflammation and a variety of other disease conditions. Although the chemistry and pharmacology of cassaine-type diterpene alkaloids isolated from the stem-bark of the plant are fairly established, the root-bark has not yet been investigated. In the present study, the crude aqueous-alcohol extract of the root-bark was demonstrated to display a time- and dose (30–300 mg/kg p.o.)-dependent anti-inflammatory effect in chicks. Comprehensive chromatographic analysis coupled with spectroscopic and X-ray study further allowed the assignment of one of the major anti-inflammatory constituents as a novel cassaine-type diterpene, erythroivorensin. The other major constituents were known anti-inflammatory compounds: a triterpene, betulinic acid and a flavonoid, eriodictyol. The dose (10–100 mg/kg p.o.)-dependent anti-inflammatory effects of the three compounds were either comparable or more significant than the positive control, diclofenac

Mosquito larvicidal activity of Cassia tora seed extract and its key anthraquinones aurantio-obtusin and obtusin

Abstract Background The edible and medicinal leguminous plant Cassia tora L. (Fabaceae) is known to possess insecticidal properties against a wide range of plant-feeding insects. However, the bioactivity of extracts of this plant and their constituents against vectors of medical importance has been largely unexplored. We investigated the mosquito larvicidal activity of the seed extract and its major anthraquinones against larvae of the African malaria vector Anopheles gambiae (s.s.). Methods Third-fourth instar larval mortality was observed after 24, 48, 72 and 96 h of exposure to varying doses of the extracts, and two anthraquinones isolates identified using liquid chromatography- quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (LC-QtoF-MS). The mosquito larval mortality was evaluated relative to the natural insecticide azadirachtin. Results Fractionation of the crude extract decreased mosquito larvicidal activity, however, larvicidal activity increased with increasing dose of the treatment and exposure time. The known anthraquinones aurantio-obtusin and obtusin were identified as key larvicidal compounds. Aurantio-obtusin and obtusin, exhibited similar toxicity to larvae of A. gambiae (s.s.) with LD50 values of 10 and 10.2 ppm, respectively. However, the two anthraquinones were four- and ~ six-fold less potent than that of the crude seed extract and azadirachtin, which had comparable LD50 values of 2.5 and 1.7 ppm, respectively. Conclusion Both aurantio-obtusin and obtusin showed mosquito larvicidal activity which were comparable to their respective fractions although they were less potent relative to the crude extract and azadirachtin. Further studies need to be conducted on C. tora for its exploitation as a potential eco-friendly tool in mosquito larval source reduction