The Interactive Role of Hydrocarbon Seeps, Hydrothermal Vents and Intermediate Antarctic/Mediterranean Water Masses on the Distribution of Some Vulnerable Deep-Sea Habitats in Mid Latitude NE Atlantic Ocean

In this work, we integrate five case studies harboring vulnerable deep-sea benthic habitats in different geological settings from mid latitude NE Atlantic Ocean (24–42° N). Data and images of specific deep-sea habitats were acquired with Remoted Operated Vehicle (ROV) sensors (temperature, salinity, potential density, O2, CO2, and CH4). Besides documenting some key vulnerable deep-sea habitats, this study shows that the distribution of some deep-sea coral aggregations (including scleractinians, gorgonians, and antipatharians), deep-sea sponge aggregations and other deep-sea habitats are influenced by water masses’ properties. Our data support that the distribution of scleractinian reefs and aggregations of other deep-sea corals, from subtropical to north Atlantic could be dependent of the latitudinal extents of the Antarctic Intermediate Waters (AAIW) and the Mediterranean Outflow Waters (MOW). Otherwise, the distribution of some vulnerable deep-sea habitats is influenced, at the local scale, by active hydrocarbon seeps (Gulf of Cádiz) and hydrothermal vents (El Hierro, Canary Island). The co-occurrence of deep-sea corals and chemosynthesis-based communities has been identified in methane seeps of the Gulf of Cádiz. Extensive beds of living deep-sea mussels (Bathymodiolus mauritanicus) and other chemosymbiotic bivalves occur closely to deep-sea coral aggregations (e.g., gorgonians, black corals) that colonize methane-derived authigenic carbonates.Versión del edito

Effets de l’amprolin-300 Ws sur quelques paramètres de croissance et de reproduction chez le lapin mâle (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Objectif : L’objectif de la présente étude a été de rechercher les effets de l’Amprolin-300, un anticoccidien largement utilisé en médecine vétérinaire, sur quelques paramètres de croissance et de reproduction chez le lapin mâle de race locale. Méthodologie et résultats : Vingt-quatre (24) lapins âgés de 5 mois environ et pesant entre 2,01 et 2,78 kg ont été répartis en 4 lots comparables de 6 lapins chacun. Ils ont été traités pendant 60 jours avec différentes doses d’Amprolin-300 ws via l’eau de boisson : 0 ; 30 ; 60 et 110 mg/kg de poids corporel. Les résultats obtenus ont révélé que la consommation d’eau a significativement (p<0,05) diminué chez les lapins traités aux doses 60 et 110 mg/kg de poids corporel par rapport aux témoins. Le gain de poids et le gain moyen quotidien ont diminué de manière significative (p<0,05) chez les animaux traités aux doses 30 et 60 mg/kg de poids corporel par rapport aux animaux du lot témoin. Par contre, l’indice de consommation a diminué de façon significative (p<0,05) chez les animaux témoins et chez ceux qui ont ingéré la plus forte dose d’Amprolin-300 ws (110 mg/kg de poids corporel) comparé aux lapins traités avec les doses 30 et 60 mg/kg respectivement. Le pH de la semence a significativement (p<0,05) augmenté chez les mâles traités aux doses 30 et 60 mg/kg de poids corporel par rapport Aux mâles du lot témoin. La motilité individuelle et la concentration des spermatozoïdes ont diminué de manière significative (p<0,05) chez les lapins qui ont ingéré la plus forte dose d’anticoccidien par rapport aux lapins témoins. Conclusion et application des résultats : Ainsi, à la dose de 110 mg/kg de poids corporel, l’Amprolin-300 ws a réduit la consommation alimentaire, le gain de poids, le gain moyen quotidien, le poids spécifique et le pH de la semence. Cette dose a également inhibé la spermatogenèse et réduit le pourcentage de spermatozoïdes mobiles. Son usage devrait donc être règlementé.Mots clés : Amprolin-300 ws, lapin mâle, production et fertilité.Objective: In this study, the effects of Amprolin-300 ws, an anticoccidiostat abundantly used in veterinary medicine, on some growth and reproductive parameters in male rabbits were investigated. Methodology and results: Twenty four (24) rabbits aged 5 months and weighing between 2.01 and 2.78 kg were divided into 4 comparable groups of six rabbits each and treated for 60 days with different doses of Amprolin-300 ws from drinking water: 0, 30, 60 and 110 g/kg of body weight. The results showed that water consumption was significantly (p<0.05) decreased in rabbits treated with 60 and 110 mg/kg of body weight of Amprolin-300 compared to control rabbits. Body weight gain and average daily gain decreased significantly (p<0.05) in animals treated with 30 and 60 mg/kg of body weight compared to control rabbits. On the other hand, feed efficiency decreased significantly (p<0.05) in control animals and those who ingested the highest dose (110 mg/kg of body weight) compared to rabbits treated with 30 and 60 mg/kg of body weight respectively. The pH of semen increased significantly (p<0.05) in animals treated with 30 and 60 mg/kg of body weight compared to control animals. Individual motility and sperm concentration decreased significantly (p<0.05) in rabbits who received the highest dose of Amprolin-300 compared to control rabbits. Conclusion and application of results: Thus, at the dose of 110 mg/kg body weight, Amprolinws-300 reduced in male rabbit, food consumption, body and average daily weight gain, specific weight and pH of semen. It inhibited spermatogenesis and reduced sperm mobility. Therefore its use should be regulated

A relict oasis of living deep-sea mussels Bathymodiolus and microbial-mediated seep carbonates at newly-discovered active cold seeps in the Gulf of Cádiz, NE Atlantic Ocean

Extensive beds of the deep-sea mussel Bathymodiolus mauritanicus (currently also known as Gigantidas mauritanicus) linked to active cold seeps related to fissure-like activity on Al Gacel mud volcano, Gulf of Cádiz, were filmed and sampled for the first time during the oceanographic expedition SUBVENT-2 aboard R/V Sarmiento de Gamboa. Al Gacel mud volcano is one of up to 80 fluid venting submarine structures (mud volcanoes and mud volcano/diapir complexes) identified in the Gulf of Cádiz as result of explosive venting of hydrocarbon-enriched fluids sourced from deep seated reservoirs. This mud volcano is a cone-shaped edifice, 107 m high, 944 m in diameter constituted by mud breccias and, partially covered by pavements of seep carbonates. Extensive beds of this deep-sea mussel were detected at the northern flank at 810–815 m water depth associated with bacterial mats around intermittent buoyant vertical bubble methane plumes. High methane concentrations were measured in the water column above living mussel beds. Other chemosymbiotic species (Siboglinum sp., Solemya elarraichensis, Isorropodon sp., Thyasira vulcolutre and Lucinoma asapheus) were also found in different parts of Al Gacel mud volcano. Al Gacel mud volcano may currently represent one of the most active mud volcanoes in the Gulf of Cádiz, delivering significant amounts of thermogenic hydrocarbon fluids which contribute to foster the extensive chemosynthesis-based communities detected. This finding is of paramount importance for linking extremophile bivalve populations along the North Atlantic, including cold seeps of the Gulf of México, hydrothermal vents of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and now, detailed documented at the Gulf of Cádiz.Versión del edito

Micro-morphologies, habitats and associated biodiversity in a fluid venting submarine structure using ROV underwater images: Mercator mud volcano (Gulf of Cádiz)

Mercator mud volcano has been explored by direct visual observations using a ROV at 350 to 370 m depth. Underwater images, taken mainly at the summit, have allowed characterizing the fluid venting environment, where different microforms, habitats and associated biota, with typical seepage components have been identified. Chemosynthetic bacterial communities were detected and sampled at the northeastern side of the summit at 350 m, next to pockmark-like depressions with diameters ranging 1 to 3 m, bioturbation marks, sediment mounds and authigenic carbonates of different sizes (0.1-5m length). Chemosynthesis-based communities were mainly composed by bacterial mats (patch diameter 10-30 cm), however some remains of cold seep chemosymbiotic bivalves (Lucinoma asapheus) were also found on the sediment. Habitat types at Mercator MV are influenced by oceanographic and sedimentation processes deposition and favouring fauna colonizing diverse substrate types, such as large sponges on slabs and sea-pens and annelids on soft bottoms

Goat production research in Africa: a sign post review for research in the new millenium

This review examines some of the major studies carried out on goat production in Africa during the past forty years. It covers research work in goat management, feeding and nutrition, and reproduction. Not surprisingly, none of these topics has been investigated in a coherent and sustained manner. Results often vary, not only between reports and breed, but also within breeds. The review highlights the gaps in our knowledge which need to be filled in order to develop a coherent problem-solving package for sustained goat production. Increased research is needed to adapt forage production system for sustainable development of specific breeds, as well as in the area of nutrition, reproduction, environmental stress and their possible interactions. Greater knowledge is also required about the understanding of the farmers, the characteristics of their enterprises and their available resources.International Journal of Biological & Chemical Sciences Vol. 1 (1) 2007: pp. 76-8

Effects of increasing levels of <em>Tithonia diversifolia</em> leaves in multinutrient blocks on the intake and <em>in vivo</em> digestibility of diets based on <em>Brachiaria ruziziensis</em> straw in Djallonke ewes

The effect of three levels of inclusion of Tithonia diversifolia leaves substituted for wheat bran in multinutrient blocks on the intake and in vivo digestibility of diets based on Brachiaria ruziziensis straw was studied in Djallonke ewes. T. diversifolia leaves replaced 0 (MNB0), 50 (MNB50), or 100% (MNB100) wheat bran. Three groups of three ewes each were placed in metabolic cages, and received one of the three following diets: straw+MNB0, straw+MNB50, or straw+MNB100. The inclusion of T. diversifolia leaves tended to increase the levels of total crude proteins of the blocks. Dry matter intakes of diets MNB0, MNB50, and MNB100 were not significantly different (p > 0.05) although they tended to increase with the increasing levels of T. diversifolia leaf inclusion (580, 594, and 647 grams per day per animal, respectively

In Vivo Digestibility of Molasses-Treated Fresh Banana Leaves (Musa sp.) in West African Dwarf Sheep (Ovis aries)

A study on the intake and in vivo digestibility of untreated and 10% molasses-treated fresh banana leaves in West African Dwarf sheep was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm and Animal Nutrition Laboratory of the University of Dschang between August and September 2009. For this, six sheep were used and assigned to two groups of three animals each. The control (group 1) received untreated fresh leaves and Group 2 received fresh leaves treated with 10% molasses. Samples of untreated fresh banana leaves and those treated with 10% molasses were collected and taken to the laboratory for analysis of their chemical composition. The sheep were kept in individual digestibility cages. Every morning, before providing a new ration, refusals of each ration were weighed. Similarly, the amounts of feces and urine of each sheep were evaluated and samples were collected and taken to the laboratory for analysis. The results of this study showed that molasses treatment did not affect the crude protein content, and that crude fiber content of untreated leaves was higher (p &lt;0.05) than that of leaves treated with 10% molasses. Dry matter intake was significantly improved by molasses treatment. In addition, the treatment of fresh banana leaves with 10% molasses did not improve the apparent digestibility of dry matter and crude fiber. However, digestibility of nitrogen in fresh banana leaves treated with 10% molasses (75.54%) was significantly higher (p &lt;0.05) than that of untreated fresh banana leaves (69, 55%). Molasses-treated fresh banana leaves therefore improve MS intake and nitrogen digestibility in West African dwarf sheep.Keywords: West African dwarf sheep, molasses, fresh banana leaves, intake, digestibility

A study of anthelmintic property of fresh cassava (Manihot esculenta) leaves incorporated in the diet of West African Dwarf Goats.

No Abstract. BAHPA Vol. 54 (3) 2006: pp. 230-23

Acaricidal Effect of Foam Soap Containing Essential Oil of Ocimum gratissimum Leaves on Rhipicephalus lunulatus in the Western Highland of Cameroon

Acaricidal effect of foam soap containing essential oil of Ocimum gratissimum leaves was tested on Rhipicephalus lunulatus in western highland of Cameroon. Five doses of essential oil (0.00; 0.04; 0.06; 0.08; 0.10 μl/g) with four replications for each dose were tested in vitro. Each replication consisted of 10 ticks in Petri dish with filter paper impregnated uniformly with the foam soap on the bottom. Four of those doses (0.00; 0.06; 0.08; 0.10 μl/g) in three replications were used in vivo. In this case, each replication was made up of 10 naturally ticks infested goats. Results of this study indicated that foam soap containing essential oil of O. gratissimum leaves is toxic to R. lunulatus. The in vitro mortality rate was observed to vary from 0 to 30.00% during the treatment with the controls as compare to 80.00% with the lowest dose (0.04 μl/g) on day 8 and 100.00% with the highest dose on day 6. Meanwhile, the in vivo mortality rate was observed to be 22.69% with control on day 8 after treatments whereas the highest dose killed 93.87% of the tick by this day 8. The LD50 of the foam soap containing essential oil was 0.061 μl/g for in vitro and 0.066 μl/g for in vivo on day 2. This indicates that this medicated soap is potentially highly efficient on this parasite.Keywords: foam soap, essential oil, Ocimum gratissimum, Rhipicephalus lunulatus, Cameroo

The Effect of Molybdenum Fertilization on Arachis Glabrata Biomass and Nodule Number in Different Mowing Periods in Western Cameroon

The effect of molybdenum fertilization on biomass and the number of nodules of Arachis glabrata was assessed at the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Dschang in 2011 at different periods of mowing. A factorial design comparing four doses of molybdenum as ammonium molybdate (0, 0.75, 1.5 and 2.25 kgMo / ha) and six (6) periods of mowing in tubs of 0.0346 sq.m each repeated three times, representing a total of 72 experimental tubs used. At each mowing period, the plants were cut into two: the visible part and nodulated roots. The nodules are then separated from roots by placing the tubs in a water basin. The water then slowly disolves the earth coming off the roots. The nodules were then collected and counted. The nodules in the three tubs per level of fertilization and visible parts were weighed and then dried in a 60 ° C ventilated oven to constant weight to determine biomass in kg MS/ha and tMS/ha for nodules and visible parts respectively. The results showed that molybdenum fertilization had little influence on leaf biomass from Arachis glabrata. The highest value (9.21 tMS / ha) was obtained at 180 days from mowing, with a fertilization level of 0 kgMo/ha, while the lowest value (1.07 tDM/ha) was obtained at 30 days from mowing, with a level of fertilization of 1.5 kgMo/ha. A highly significant (p&lt;0.01) linear relationship (R2 = 0.88) was observed between leaf biomass and mowing periods. The data on nodular biomass and number of nodules variably changed according to the different levels of molybdenum fertilization. The highest values 91.62 kgMS/ha and 322.33 were noted at 180 days from mowing at a dose of 0 kgMo/ha for nodular biomass and nodule number respectively. The lowest values 1.25 kgMS/ha and 22.00 were obtained at 30 days from mowing at doses of 0.75 and 1.50 kgMo/ha respectively. In this study, highly significant (p &lt;0.01) logarithmic relations (R2 = 0.8 and R2 = 0.64) between nodular biomass and mowing period on the one hand and between nodule biomass and leaf biomass on the other hand were observed. However, no relationship was observed between the number of nodules and the mowing period. Thus, the results show that under the conditions of this experiment, the parameters studied were more influenced by the age of the plant rather than by molybdenum fertilization. However, doses of 0.75; 1.5 and 0 kgMo/ha achieved the highest above-ground biomass, nodular biomass and number of nodules of Arachis glabrata respectively.Keywords: Arachis glabrata, Molybdenum, mowing period, nodules and biomasse