Impact Of Lamda Cyhalothrin Pyrethroid Insecticide On The Uptake Of Cations And Anions By The Gills Of Freshwater Catfish Hybrid Juvenile

The impact o acute exposure of karate (Lambda cyhalothrin pyrethroid) insecticide was evaluatedin a 4 – day exposure period at 20, 40, 60 and 80 ppm to Heterobranchus bidosals(+) X Clarias gariepinus(&#9794;) fngerlingsshowed the 96-hlc 50 as 25.11 ppm. The threshold value was 25. 11 ppm. The gills of the exposed fish analyzed showed a significant decrease in all major cations and anions(C1-, Ca2+, Na+, K+, Mg2+) at P < 0.05). There was no inhibion of upake of the catons and anions (C1-, Ca2+ Na+, K+, Mg2+). Their uptakeincreased rapidly during the 24 hr period and dropped at 48hr and 72 hr and gradualy increased at the end of 96 hr showing that it was time dependent. During the exposure period the fish stood in upright position with their snouts above the water surface gasping for air. Other behavioral characteristics of the exposed fish were peeling of the skin, initial increase in opercula movement, curvature of the body, loss of balance, erratic swimming and quietness Based the outcome of this research and under similar experimental condition it is the recommendation of this research that this pyrethroid will affect the uptake of the major cations and anions. It further advises environmental officers, crop farmers and insecticides habitual users to be cautious on the use of thisinsecticide because of the resultant consequences of the misuse. Keywords: Karate, Uptake, Cations, Anions, Gills, Catfish, Toxicity Animal Research International Vol. 4 (1) 2007 pp. 591-59

Food and Feeding Habits of Campylomormyrus tamandua in Anambra River, Nigeria

The food and feeding habits of 417 samples of Campylomormyrus tamandua (Osteichthyes Mormyridae) in Anambra River, Nigeria were studied from October 2002 to March 2004. Fish samples were collected monthly at Otuocha and Ogurugu river ports along the Anambra river using a fleet of gill nets of various mesh sizes, traps and hook and lines. Out of the eight (8) categories ofood consumed, the most dominant group was benthic invertebrates (IFS = 4492) followed by alochthonous invertebrates (IFS = 33.40) whe the least was mud/sand (IFS = 10.02). Variaton in the stomach fullness condition showed that 82 (19.66%) ofthe stomachs studied were empty 40 (9.59%) were full while 295 (7074%) were partially filled Food richness and diet breadth showed no significant difference between the seasons and sex respectively (P > 0.05). The trophicvariations and flexibility in C. tamandua are discussed. Keywords: Anambra river, Campylomormyrus tamandua, Food, Feeding habitsAnimal Research International Vol. 3 (1) 2006 pp. 410-41

Ecological risk estimation of heavy metal pollution in roadside dust of Ado-Odo Ota, Southwestern Nigeria

Increased industrial, commercial and transport activities have constantly introduced air pollutants such as heavy metals in the atmosphere. Roadside dust samples were collected from 10 locations along Ota-Benin road, analysed for Cr, Cd, Co, Ni, Pb, Fe, Mn, Cu, As and Zn, and the ecological risk was evaluated for the heavy metals’ concentration in the roadside dust particles using the Hakanson method. The results revealed that Cd (3.103 mg/kg) and Cu (mg/kg) surpassed the threshold effect level. Pollutant source identification analysis revealed possible origin from motor oil, plastics, metalliferous extraction, dyes, and paints industries. The contamination factor for Ni was found to be at a moderate level in location SM8, SM9 and SM10 and a similar category was observed for Pb in location SM7, SM8, SM9 and SM10. Zn concentration in location SM5, SM6, SM7, SM8, SM9 and SM10 fell within the moderate contamination factor zone as well. Furthermore, the mean i r E of the individual metals in the sample region followed the order of Cd > Ni > Pb > As > Cu > Zn > Cr indicating a high risk associated with cadmium within the sample region

Glyphosate does not substitute for glycine in proteins of actively dividing mammalian cells

Glyphosate (N-phosphonomethyl glycine) and its commercial herbicide formulations have been shown to exert toxicity via various mechanisms. It has been asserted that glyphosate substitutes for glycine in polypeptide chains leading to protein misfolding and toxicity. However, as no direct evidence exists for glycine to glyphosate substitution in proteins, including in mammalian organisms, we tested this claim by conducting a proteomics analysis of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells grown in the presence of 100 mg/L glyphosate for 6 days. Protein extracts from three treated and three untreated cell cultures were analysed as one TMT-6plex labelled sample, to highlight a specific pattern (+/+/+/−/−/−) of reporter intensities for peptides bearing true glyphosate treatment induced-post translational modifications as well as allowing an investigation of the total proteome

Population structure and evolutionary history of the greater cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus) from the Guinean Forests of West Africa

Grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) is a large-body old world rodent found in sub-Saharan Africa. The body size and the unique taste of the meat of this major crop pest have made it a target of intense hunting and a potential consideration as a micro-livestock. However, there is insufficient knowledge on the genetic diversity of its populations across African Guinean forests. Herein, we investigated the genetic diversity, population structures and evolutionary history of seven Nigerian wild grasscutter populations together with individuals from Cameroon, Republic of Benin, and Ghana, using five mitochondrial fragments, including D-loop and cytochrome b (CYTB). D-loop haplotype diversity ranged from 0.571 (± 0.149) in Republic of Benin to 0.921 (± 0.013) in Ghana. Within Nigeria, the haplotype diversity ranged from 0.659 (± 0.059) in Cross River to 0.837 (± 0.075) in Ondo subpopulation. The fixation index (FST), haplotype frequency distribution and analysis of molecular variance revealed varying levels of population structures across populations. No significant signature of population contraction was detected in the grasscutter populations. Evolutionary analyses of CYTB suggests that South African population might have diverged from other populations about 6.1 (2.6–10.18, 95% CI) MYA. Taken together, this study reveals the population status and evolutionary history of grasscutter populations in the region

Length-Weight Relationship And Condition Factor Of Distichodus Species Of Anambra River

The length-weight relationships (LWRs) and condition factor of Distichodus 169 Distichodus rostratus, 167 D. brevipnnis and 163 D. engycephalus from Anambra river were investigated from November 2004 to October 2005. LWRs showed that the b-values for the combined sexes were 3.051, 3.114 and 3.040 for D. rostratus, D. brevipinnis and D. engycephalus respectively. Thus, all the Dstichodus species exhibited isometric growth with high, positive and significant correlations. The mean condition factor for the combined sexes was 1.12+-048, 1.06 +- 022 and 0.94+- 0.33 for D. Rostratus, D. brevipinnis and D. engycephalus respectively. Except for D brevipinnis, there was no significant difference (P > 005) in the condition facor (K) between the males and females of other species The condition factor also demonstrated interseasonal variability in all the species. The importance of condition factor in the breeding activities o Distichodus species is discussed. Keywords: Distichodus, Length-weight relationships, Condition factorAnimal Research International Vol. 3 (2) 2006 pp. 461-46

Comparative studies on the growth and survival of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) juveniles reared in cages suspended in concrete tank and earthen pond in Umudike, Abia State

No Abstract.Bio-Research Vol. 5 (1) 2007: pp. 210-21

Sex Discrimination Among Four Mormyrid Species Of Anambra River System Nigeria

Sex discriminating characters of four mormyrid species caught from Anambra river basin, Nigeria were investigated. Sexual dimorphism occurred in only one transformed character – dorsal fin base length and in four raw morphometric characters namely totallength, standard length, dorsal fin base length and anal fin base length. These characters are recommended as key characters in mormyrid taxonomy. Keywords: Mormyridae, sex dimorphism, Anambra river Animal Research International Vol. 1 (3) 2004 pp. 169-17

Length-Weight Relationship And Condition Factor Of Four Mormyrid Species Of Anambra River

The length-weight relatonship and condition factor of four mormyrid species namely Mormyrus rume, Hyperopisus bebe, Campylomormyrus tamandua and Gnathonemus petersii from Anambra river were investigated from October 2002 to March 2004. In al400 species M. rume, 384 H. bebe417 C. tamandua and 335 G. petersii were sampled for the study Length-weigh relationship showed that the exponent “b,\' were 3.067, 2.459, 3.201 and 3.114 for M. rume, H. bebe, C. tamandua and G. petersii respectively. The mormyrid species studied with exception of H. bebe exhibited isometric growth and the correlation coefficients were positive and highly sgnificant (P < 0.05). The condtion factor (k) varied from 0.69 ± 0.22 in G. petersii to 1.17 ± 0.59 in M. rume. There were no significant difference in the mean condition facor between themales and females inall the mormyrid species. The importance of condition factor in the breeding activities o the mormyrid species revealed that not much energy s diverted into gonad synthesis and maturation during the breeding cycle season. Keywords: Mormyrids, Length-weight relationship, Condition factorAnimal Research International Vol. 3 (1) 2006 pp. 426-43