Phylogenetic analyses to uncover the evolutionary relationship of a newly sequenced mitochondrial genome from an Eastern spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris).

The Eastern spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris), a passerine bird in the family Meliphagidae (honeyeaters), a dominant group of birds in Australia and New Guinea. The aim of this study was to sequence the complete mitochondrial genome of the Eastern spinebill and use its sequence to better define the phylogeny of this species. The complete mitogenome sequence of A. tenuirostris was circular and 16,614 bp in length, and its architecture was conserved in comparison to other mitogenome sequences under the family Meliphagidae. The Eastern spinebill mitogenome had the highest sequence identity with mitogenome sequences of two other honeyeaters, the white eared honeyeater, Nesoptilotis leucotis, (84.9%) and the white-plumed honeyeater, Ptilotula penicillata (85.5%). The maximum-likelihood topology distinctly discriminated the Eastern spinebill sequence against all other species of the Meliphagidae with significant bootstrap supports. We suggest the widespread sampling and complete mitogenome sequencing would be valuable in establishing the most accurate phylogenetic taxonomy of the family Meliphagidae

An analysis of savings among rural poor households in Rwanda

The household’s savings are considered the primary source of the investment, which is in turn the driver of economic growth and development. This study attempted to identify the determinants of private savings among the rural poor households in Rwanda. We used the 5th round of the Integrated Household Living Conditions survey data conducted in Rwanda every four years. A simultaneous-equations model was specified and estimated using the 2SLS method to account for endogeneity and simultaneity bias, complemented with t test and correlation analysis. The results from the t test show that savings among rural poor households is significantly positive. The econometric estimates showed farm income is not among the determinants of saving while consumption is among the most significant drivers of saving of the rural poor in Rwanda. We recommend that socioeconomic development programs, projects and/or policy that aim at improving the level of income and thus affecting the savings among rural poor households should be enhanced

An analysis of savings among rural poor households in Rwanda

peer reviewedA household’s savings are considered a primary source of investments which drive economic growth and development. This study identifies the determinants of private savings among poor rural households in Rwanda. It uses data from the 5th round of the Integrated Household Living Conditions surveys conducted in Rwanda every 4 years. It specifies a simultaneous equations model and does the estimations using the 2SLS method to account for missing variables and a possible correlation between some covariates and the error term, which is complemented with a T-test and correlation analysis. The results of the T-test show that savings among poor rural households are significantly positive. The econometric estimates show that in contrast with existing literature, income and all other forms of wealth are factors which do not influence the savings of poor rural households, while consumption is positively correlated with savings. We recommend that socioeconomic development programs, projects, and policies that aim at improving income and consumption levels thus affecting savings among poor rural households should be enhanced