La Flore Ptéridologique de Quelques Endroits Humides de la Région de Kédougou (Sénégal)

The study of the Pteridophyte flora of some wetlands in the Kedougou region of the Senegal Republic is the subject of this study. This analysis is based on the herbarium material of the pteridological flora harvested in this region and preserved in the herbaria of various institutions of IFAN, Dakar and Paris (P) also on the bibliographic data. This leads to a field mission to re-evaluate pteridophyte flora in this region. The results obtained show that the diversity of pteridophyte in the region of Kedougou is 11 species except for the very young species whose identification could not be made. These species grouped into 7 genera belong to 5 families of which the best represented are the Pteridaceae with 4 species. All the harvested and identified species were encountered in the Herbarium visited. Thus, in order to facilitate access to their identification, it is necessary to propose the tool which means that the document conforms to the identification key on the paper and the vegetative characters have been favored. Most of the pteridophyte were harvested at the Dindefelo cascade with an abundance of the species Adiantum philippense L. which is a species with large distribution because it is found in almost all the prospected places. All of these species are restricted to wetlands and shaded areas with occupation of all habitats (terrestrial, aquatic, saxicolous and epiphytic)

Participatory Varietal Selection and Agronomic Evaluation of African Eggplant and Roselle Varieties in Mali

African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum L. and S. macrocarpon L.) is one of the most commonly consumed fruit vegetables in tropical Africa, in quantity and value probably the third after tomato and onion. Commercial production for supply to the cities is increasing. Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) is another important vegetable crop in sub-Saharan Africa; its leaves, seed, and calyces are eaten. Roselle leaves and calyces are nutritious and rich in iron, β-carotene, and ascorbic acid. Although there is a market for African eggplant and Roselle, farmers have been slow to adopt new improved varieties due to use of traditional breeding method. To increase adoption rates of new varieties, we used a participatory varietal selection process to identify new varieties of both plants based on fruit yield, leaf, calyx traits, and consumers’ preference. Fifteen lines and varieties of each species from several African countries were evaluated in Bamako, Mali during the 2008 hot rainy season. A randomized complete block design with three replications was used for the selection process. Twenty-two vegetable farmers and traders (or users) from Bamako rated the African eggplant and Roselle varieties based on visual characteristics (fruit color, fruit shape, number of fruits per plant, fruit size, number of secondary branches per plant, leaf size, leaf shape, leaf color, number of calyces per plant, calyx shape, and calyx color). Using a scale from 0 (least preferred) to 5 (most preferred), the varieties and the criteria were ranked, to identify the best variety and the most important criteria. In addition, agronomics data of African eggplant (number of fruits per plant, marketable yield, fruit weight, fruits shape and fruit color) were collected. Agronomics data were also collected on Roselle calyces (number of calyces per plant, fresh calyces yield, dry calyces yield, dry matter and calyces color based on stem color) and leaves production (leaf length and width, economic yield, leaf shape and stem color). African eggplant line L10, varieties Soxna and Locale Gaya were highly rated for their visual appeal and have the potential to out-yield the local Malian variety. The fruit color and fruit shape, classified top two criteria through participatory selection criteria are important in the choice of users. For leafy entries of Roselle, leaf size was the most important trait. Samandah and line L28 were rated higher than the local check variety (Dah Rouge) for all traits. For calyx varieties of roselle, the number of calyces per plant was the most important trait. For leafy and calyx varieties, the agronomic evaluation show that yield is not a very important criterion in the choice of the users

Village Baseline Study: Site Analysis Report for Kaffrine – Kaffrine, Senegal

The village baseline study of Toune Mosquée village in the CCAFS benchmark site Kaffrine in Senegal took place from June 2 to 4, 2011. Natural resources in the village are in a progressive state of degradation. The ‘protected’ forest has almost disappeared, the soils have low fertility and are degraded, and crop production is not sufficient to meet the food needs of a family throughout the year. Families must buy food to fill the gap in production. For that they harvest and sell forest products, which creates a vicious cycle of resource degradation. The male and female groups identified 35 organisations operating in the village including informal groups, state services, associations, NGOs and Muslim brotherhoods. While 18 of those work on food security issues, only 4 are involved in the management and protection of natural resources. Very few agricultural extension and training opportunities target women despite the women’s significant role in agriculture and livestock production. Women obtain information on livestock feeding techniques from people and organisations such as the horticultural project, women’s associations, and water and forest services. Men get information on soil inputs and soil fertility management from other farmers, organisations, radio and television, and from community leaders, notably the office of the village chief and the mosque on Fridays. The radio is the form of media most commonly used by the women but few women own a radio

Phylogenetic relationships and molecular delimitation of Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) species in the Afrotropical region: interest for the subgenus Avaritia

Phylogenetic relationships of Culicoides species of the Afrotropical region are problematic as different authors disagree on the placement of species into specific subgenera or groups. In this study we sequenced two mitochondrial (COI and 16S rDNA) and two nuclear (CAD and 28S rDNA) gene fragments to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships within the Avaritia, Remmia and Synhelea subgenera and the Milnei, Neavei and Similis groups of Culicoides using both Bayesian inference and maximum-likelihood approaches. Based on phylogenetic trees, we used the bGMYC (Bayesian General Mixed Yule Coalescent model) and the PTP (Bayesian Poisson Tree Processes) to investigate species boundaries. All species relationships within the studied subgenera and groups were well-supported by using morphological characters and molecular analyses. The subgenus Avaritia includes (i) all of the species of the Imicola group, as well as the putative new species, C. sp. #22, and we confirmed the monophyly of this group; (ii) the Dasyops group includes C. kanagai and C. sp. #54 Meiswinkel (new species), shown to be monophyletic; (iii) the C. sp. #20 belongs to the Orientalis group; (iv) C. grahamii, C. gulbenkiani and C. kibatiensis. Our results also show that subgenus Remmia is monophyletic. Relationships of species of the Milnei group were well-supported and demonstrate the monophyly of this group. Borkent's classification for Similis group is confirmed. In addition, C. neavei and C. ovalis (Neavei group) are placed in the subgenus Synhelea. (Résumé d'auteur

A phylogenetic framework of the legume genus Aeschynomene for comparative genetic analysis of the Nod-dependent and Nod-independent symbioses

Background : Among semi-aquatic species of the legume genus Aeschynomene, some have the property of being nodulated by photosynthetic Bradyrhizobium lacking the nodABC genes necessary for the synthesis of Nod factors. Knowledge of the specificities underlying this Nod-independent symbiosis has been gained from the model legume Aeschynomene evenia but our understanding remains limited due to the lack of comparative genetics with related taxa using a Nod factor-dependent process. To fill this gap, we combined different approaches to perform a thorough comparative analysis in the genus Aeschynomene. Results: This study significantly broadened previous taxon sampling, including in allied genera, in order to construct a comprehensive phylogeny. In the phylogenetic tree, five main lineages were delineated, including a novel lineage, the Nod-independent clade and another one containing a polytomy that comprised several Aeschynomene groups and all the allied genera. This phylogeny was matched with data on chromosome number, genome size and low-copy nuclear gene sequences to reveal the diploid species and a polytomy containing mostly polyploid taxa. For these taxa, a single allopolyploid origin was inferred and the putative parental lineages were identified. Finally, nodulation tests with different Bradyrhizobium strains revealed new nodulation behaviours and the diploid species outside of the Nod-independent clade were compared for their experimental tractability and genetic diversity. Conclusions: The extended knowledge of the genetics and biology of the different lineages sheds new light of the evolutionary history of the genus Aeschynomene and they provide a solid framework to exploit efficiently the diversity encountered in Aeschynomene legumes. Notably, our backbone tree contains all the species that are diploid and it clarifies the genetic relationships between the Nod-independent clade and the Nod-dependent lineages. This study enabled the identification of A. americana and A. patula as the most suitable species to undertake a comparative genetic study of the Nod-independent and Nod-dependent symbioses

Malar J

BACKGROUND: Resistance to all available anti-malarial drugs has emerged and spread including artemisinin derivatives and their partner drugs. Several genes involved in artemisinin and partner drugs resistance, such as pfcrt, pfmdr1, pfK13 or pfpm2, have been identified. However, these genes do not properly explain anti-malarial drug resistance, and more particularly clinical failures observed in Africa. Mutations in genes encoding for Plasmodium falciparum proteins, such as P. falciparum Acetyl-CoA transporter (PfACT), P. falciparum UDP-galactose transporter (PfUGT) and P. falciparum cyclic amine resistance locus (PfCARL) have recently been associated to resistance to imidazolopiperazines and other unrelated drugs. METHODS: Mutations on pfugt, pfact and pfcarl were characterized on 86 isolates collected in Dakar, Senegal and 173 samples collected from patients hospitalized in France after a travel in African countries from 2015 and 2016 to assess their potential association with ex vivo susceptibility to chloroquine, quinine, lumefantrine, monodesethylamodiaquine, mefloquine, dihydroartemisinin, artesunate, doxycycline, pyronaridine and piperaquine. RESULTS: No mutations were found on the genes pfugt and pfact. None of the pfcarl described mutations were identified in these samples from Africa. The K784N mutation was found in one sample and the K734M mutation was identified on 7.9% of all samples for pfcarl. The only significant differences in ex vivo susceptibility according to the K734M mutation were observed for pyronaridine for African isolates from imported malaria and for doxycycline for Senegalese parasites. CONCLUSION: No evidence was found of involvement of these genes in reduced susceptibility to standard anti-malarial drugs in African P. falciparum isolates

Colonization of the Mediterranean Basin by the vector biting midge species Culicoides imicola: an old story

Understanding the demographic history and genetic make-up of colonizing species is critical for inferring population sources and colonization routes. This is of main interest for designing accurate control measures in areas newly colonized by vector species of economically important pathogens. The biting midge Culicoides imicola is a major vector of Orbiviruses to livestock. Historically, the distribution of this species was limited to the Afrotropical region. Entomological surveys first revealed the presence of C. imicola in the south of the Mediterranean basin by the 1970's. Following recurrent reports of massive bluetongue outbreaks since the 1990s, the presence of the species was confirmed in northern areas. In this study, we addressed the chronology and processes of C. imicola colonization in the Mediterranean basin. We characterized the genetic structure of its populations across Mediterranean and African regions using both mitochondrial and nuclear markers, and combined phylogeographical analyses with population genetics and approximate Bayesian computation. We found a west/east genetic differentiation between populations, occurring both within Africa and within the Mediterranean basin. We demonstrated that three of these groups had experienced demographic expansions in the Pleistocene, probably because of climate changes during this period. Finally, we showed that C. imicola could have colonized the Mediterranean basin in the late Pleistocene or early Holocene through a single event of introduction; however we cannot exclude the hypothesis involving two routes of colonization. Thus, the recent bluetongue outbreaks are not linked to C. imicola colonization event, but rather to biological changes in the vector or the virus

Willingness to use and distribute HIV self-test kits to clients and partners: a qualitative analysis of female sex workers' collective opinion and attitude in Cote d'Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal

Background: In West Africa, female sex workers are at increased risk of HIV acquisition and transmission. HIV self-testing could be an effective tool to improve access to and frequency of HIV testing to female sex workers, their clients and partners. This article explores their perceptions regarding HIV self-testing use and the redistribution of HIV self-testing kits to their partners and clients. Methods: Embedded within ATLAS, a qualitative study was conducted in Côte-d’Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal in 2020. Nine focus group discussions were conducted. A thematic analysis was performed. Results: A total of 87 participants expressed both positive attitudes toward HIV self-testing and their willingness to use or reuse HIV self-testing. HIV self-testing was perceived to be discreet, confidential, and convenient. HIV self-testing provides autonomy from testing by providers and reduces stigma. Some perceived HIV self-testing as a valuable tool for testing their clients who are willing to offer a premium for condomless sex. While highlighting some potential issues, overall, female sex workers were optimistic about linkage to confirmatory testing following a reactive HIV self-testing. Female sex workers expressed positive attitudes toward secondary distribution to their partners and clients, although it depended on relationship types. They seemed more enthusiastic about secondary distribution to their regular/emotional partners and regular clients with whom they had difficulty using condoms, and whom they knew enough to discuss HIV self-testing. However, they expressed that it could be more difficult with casual clients; the duration of the interaction being too short to discuss HIV self-testing, and they fear violence and/or losing them. Conclusion: Overall, female sex workers have positive attitudes toward HIV self-testing use and are willing to redistribute to their regular partners and clients. However, they are reluctant to promote such use with their casual clients. HIV self-testing can improve access to HIV testing for female sex workers and the members of their sexual and social network

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

Investment in SARS-CoV-2 sequencing in Africa over the past year has led to a major increase in the number of sequences generated, now exceeding 100,000 genomes, used to track the pandemic on the continent. Our results show an increase in the number of African countries able to sequence domestically, and highlight that local sequencing enables faster turnaround time and more regular routine surveillance. Despite limitations of low testing proportions, findings from this genomic surveillance study underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic and shed light on the distinct dispersal dynamics of Variants of Concern, particularly Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron, on the continent. Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve, while the continent faces many emerging and re-emerging infectious disease threats. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century