Ectoparasites infesting livestock in three Local Government Areas (LGAS) of Nasarawa state, Nigeria

No Abstract

Multi-criteria evaluation of suitable sites for termite mounds construction in a tropical lowland

© 2019 Elsevier B.V. Termite mounds influence ecosystem heterogeneity and contribute to the stabilization of the system under global change. A number of environmental factors influence the distribution, height, diameter and designs of termite mounds but these factors are not only poorly understood, they cannot be extrapolated for everywhere. In this study, we employed a ground based survey and Geographical Information System (GIS) technique to map 156 km 2 study area in Keffi, Nigeria. The aims were to (1) estimate the density and area covered by termite mounds, (2) sample and identify species types and how they are distributed, and (3) use five environmental factors (elevation, geology, surface water drainage, land use/land cover and static water level) to model suitable sites for mounds construction. A total of 361 mounds were mapped representing a density of about 0.8 mounds ha −1 and covering only about 0.31% of the studied area. Next, the effect of the five chosen environmental factors on the geographic distribution, life status, height and diameter of mounds and species diversity were analysed and their relationships plotted in pairwise comparison matrices using the Saaty's Analytical Hierarchy Process. Normalized rates for classes in each factor and corresponding weights were computed and aggregated using the Weighted Linear Combination method. The result depicted that moderate to low elevation (270–330 m amsl), rock cover types that are more susceptible to weathering (schist), cultivated areas and shallow water table zones are most favourable for termites to build mounds. The result obtained in this study shows a promising correlation between the environmental factors and termite mounds distribution. The proposed model can easily be replicated in a different but similar multi-land use and rock cover types

Effects of Azadirachta indica (Neem) seed extract on larvae and adult Anopheles mosquitoes in Nasarawa Local Government Area, Nasarawa State Nigeria.

Abstract Over the years, the use of agrochemicals has been one of the reasons for resistance of mosquitoes to insecticides, a negative trend that has been on the increase. This study was carried out to determine the effect of Azadirachta indica (neem) seed extract on the larvae and adult Anopheles mosquitoes in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa state as a possible alternative to already existing insecticide against the parasite. The research was carried out at the insectary laboratory of Nasarawa state university Keffi. Impregnated papers of neem seed oil were used for adult Anopheles mosquitoes and the larviciding effect was also determined. Adult Anopheles mosquitoes exposed to impregnated papers of neem seed extract at different concentrations of 20%, 40%, 80% and 100% showed   5%, 29%, 66% and 91% respectively. Mortality rate was recorded at 24h of exposure with LC50 (Lethal concentration) of 4.45ml.  The larvae were also exposed to different concentration of neem seed extract of   1%, 4%, 8% and 10% for 72h and the mortality rate was 100% with LC50 value (Lethal concentration) of 4.16ml. This implied that adult Anopheles mosquitoes will required more of the extract to achieve 100% mortality than larvae. Using Azadirachta indica (neem) seed extract as an anti-mosquito agent was more effective on the larvae of Anopheles mosquitoes than the adult Anopheles mosquitoes