Preliminary Evaluation of Storage Behavior of Cola lepidota (K. Schum) Seeds

A preliminary study was conducted to provide information on the behaviour of C. lepidota seeds in storage prior to a proper investigation into different storage temperature regimes, methods and their effect on the viability and subsequent germination of the seed. C. lepidota seeds used in the study were collected from the Swamp Forest Research Station, Onne, Rivers State small plantation. Two storage methods, bare storage and storage in closed container and two temperature regimes, 4º C (refrigeration) and room temperature (30ºC) were applied on the seed. There were a total of eighty-six (86) seeds allocated disproportionately to the treatments in a completely randomized design experimental layout. Data collected were number of decaying seeds and duration of decay (days). Due to non-normality of data after the Shapiro-Wilk test was conducted; the Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA was used for analysis, while Mann-Whitney test was used for pair wise comparison. The results showed that C. lepidota seeds decayed or dried up at an average rate of 1 seed/week when stored bare at room temperature (30ºC); storage in closed container accelerated the rate of seed decay to 6 seeds/week; while refrigeration at 4º C significantly reduced rate of seed decay to 1 seed in 29 weeks. This shows that storage by refrigeration is the best way to keep C. lepidota seeds fresh for a longer duration of time, the worst storage condition is in closed container at room temperature (30ºC), while, storage of the seeds bare at room temperature (30ºC) could only sustain the seeds for a few days. This information will serve as a guide for seed storage and handling when C. lepidota seeds are collected for later propagation or when there is the need to transport the seed a long distance

Mammalian and reptilian species expected and observed in roadside wildlife markets of southwest Nigeria and the implications for conservation

Wildlife provides both consumptive and non-consumptive utilities to human beings around the world. Under wild animal utilization as food and medicine, some wildlife species have been overharvested. Coupled with environmental degradation affecting wildlife species in their habitats, the need to evaluate wildlife populations in Southwest Nigeria is therefore essential. Twenty-three wildlife markets along five highways in Southwest Nigeria were surveyed for two years to determine the pattern of mammalian and reptilian species occurrence; wild animal species assessed were freshly dead and roasted ones. The species named by literatures were tagged Expected while those found in the sales points were referred to as Observed. The names of species found were matched with literatures that established them. Indirect method of species of identification was questionnaire use among stakeholders of wildlife marketing (hunters, traders and farmers) selected through Systematic Random Sampling (Odd Method). This approach firstly identified the wildlife species being sold in the markets and their vernacular (Yoruba) names. These names were linked with literatures that confirmed their scientific names. Results revealed that twelve mammalian and three reptilian species were absent in all road markets. Implication of results is that mammals and reptiles which were absent in all market Roads are those whose populations have reduced in the wild. Recommendations for Government sensitisation on animals absent in the Sales Points about hunting pressure reduction through print and electronic media were first made. Conservation education among forest exploitation professionals, campaign against forest degradation and establishment of more forest reserves and National parks by Nigerian Government were made too

Wildlife species diversity indices and seasonal distribution assessment in road-side markets of South-west Nigeria

Wildlife species are under serious exploitation by the rural populace in Nigeria because hu­man beings have understood their ecology. The need to update the existing knowledge of wildlife population is therefore essential. Twenty-three games markets along five Roads in South-west Nigeria were visited to document the wildlife displayed for sale. Two hundred and fifty copies of structured questionnaire were administered using systematic random sampling (odd) method for wildlife species information from market stakeholders. Direct method was counting for species and their numbers. Data generated were analysed through Species Diver­sity Indices Assessment. All emergent species were compared with International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) abundance rating. Road seasonal distribution of the marketed wildlife was determined by percentages, standard deviation, standard error of mean, mean differences, t-test, and tests of significance and Diversity Indices. Results revealed that 69,398 wild animals were displayed. Also more wildlife were sold during rainy than dry seasons. Appropriate recommendations of government sensitization of rural and urban settlers against over-utilization of wildlife resources, encouragement of the public towards animal domesti­cation and others were made

Readings on Religion and Culture in Africa

This is a book of reading on religion and culture in Africa comprising ten papers by experts in religion and cultural matters and an introductory note by the editor himself. Covered in the volume are papers covering: the impact of secularisation and urbanisation on a most cherished socio-cultural practice of the extended family system of the Isoko people in Nigeria; the traditional medical practices in Urhobo with particular focus on the use of local herbs to treat ailments; the socioreligious as well as the political significance of Obiri (family hall) in Ikwerreland; the rationale behind the use of the concept 'Dunamis' in the Gospel According to Staint Mark. Although his paper does not focus on African (traditional) religion, its inclusion here is based purely on the theological significance of the concept of 'Dunamis'; the extent to which evil spirits and mysterious forces have influenced the religion and culture of the Urhobo people of Nigeria; the significance of festivals in the traditional African society; John Wesley's innovations in Christendom and their implications for Africa; the recent unprecedented upsurge in the assumed use of religious powers to cast out evil spirits as well as for prayer healing among Muslims in Nigeria; the culture of alienation, anxiety and violence, drawing inspiration from the Fall Story of Genesis 3; and the widowhood practices of some areas in Nigeria

Inventory of parasitic plants (mistletoes) host range in forest and plantation community of Humid Forest Research Station Umuahia, Nigeria

The host range assessment was investigated in Humid Forest Research Station Umuahia between the year 2019 and 2020 with the view of documenting the host range species in the station premises. The visual method of counting was adopted in this study. Both angiosperm and gymnosperm tree species were examined. Out of 21 families that were investigated, 14 families were infected with parasitic plants. The remaining 7 families were found not being harbored mistletoes. These were Moraceae, Sapotaceae, Ebenaceae, Clusiaceae, Steculiaceae, Bombacaceae and Cupressaceae. At generic levels, 20 genera belonging to 25 tree species were infected with parasitic plants. The total number of individual trees harboring mistletoes were 84, out of which Tectona grandis took 28.56 %. The identified mistletoes species during the study were Agelanthus pungu, Phragmenthera incana and Phragmenthra capitata. They were parasitized 29.2%, 12.5% and 58.3% of infected tree species respectively. The study actually highlighted the host range species among gymnosperm and angiosperm tree species in the forest and plantation community of the study locality