Indicators and vectors related to malaria transmission in the Kozah and Doufel gou (Kara region, North Togo)

Malaria is a vector-borne disease transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes, in particular Anopheles gambiae s.l. To identify malaria vectors and establish a link between the presence of malaria vectors and malaria prevalence, a study was carried out in 7 localities of the Kara region: Lassa-Bas, Sarakawa, and Kpindi in the Kozah prefecture and Siou, Défalé, Ténéga and Broukou in the Doufelgou prefecture. Two malaria indicators were evaluated including the prevalence rate as well as consultation rate among children aged under 5 and pregnant women in the above-mentioned areas. Additionally, adult mosquitoes were collected using Human Landing Catch and Spray Catch techniques in the following localities: Lassa-Bas, Sarakawa, Siou, and Ténéga. Malaria prevalence rate was globally > 70%, the consultation rate was also > 50% among children under 5 years in the two prefectures. In pregnant women, the prevalence was > 60% while the consultation rate was 45%. A total of 592 mosquitoes were collected, divided into 3 genera: Anopheles, 521 (88%); Culex, 54 (9%); and Aedes, 17 (3%). Of the overall Anopheles mosquitoes collected, Anopheles gambiae s.l. represented 100% in all the localities (Lassa-Bas, 140; Sarakawa, 62; Ténéga, 303; and Siou, 16), followed by Aedes aegypti, Aedes sp, and Culex spp. The high rate of malaria prevalence could be potentially linked to the abundance of Anopheles mosquitoes

SPECIES RICHNESS AND VARIATION IN THE COMMUNITY COMPOSITION OF AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES IN FOUR SITES OF THE DAHOMEY GAP IN BENIN, WEST AFRICA

In order to analyze the community composition of herpetofauna in the Dahomey Gap area in West Africa, we studied the amphibians and reptiles of distinct sites in Benin. Our aims were to highlight whether these communities are homogeneous (as can be predicted by the fact that the Dahomey Gap is a relatively homogeneous vegetation zone) or whether there are remarkable site-specific differences. In particular, we tested the hypothesis that there should be significant differences in community composition between savannah and the open forest remnants or gallery forests along the riverine sites, by applying a Visual Encounter Survey protocol. We found that the herpetological species were typically those of the West African savannahs, with no species belonging to another ecosystem different from the Guinean and Sudanian savannahs. Anthropophilic species were also frequently observed. Our study also documented that the community composition may vary considerably in terms of species richness by site within the Dahomey Gap main habitats, whereas the bulk of the communities of both taxa remain the same

Effets d’extrait hydroéthanolique de feuilles de neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) sur Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera : Plutellidae) et Lipaphis erysimi (Hemiptera : Aphididae) dans la production du chou au Sud du Togo

L’utilisation des pesticides botaniques dans le contrôle des insectes ravageurs des cultures constitue de nos jours, une alternative à l’utilisation abusive des pesticides de synthèse. L’objectif de cette étude est d’évaluer l’efficacité d’extrait hydroéthanolique de feuilles de neem dans la lutte contre Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera : Plutellidae) et Lipaphis erysimi (Hemiptera : Aphididae), deux principaux insectes ravageurs du chou en milieu maraîcher au Sud du Togo. L’efficacité de cet extrait botanique a été comparée à celles de deux insecticides de synthèse, le Conquest Plus 388 EC et le Cydim Super, très utilisés par les producteurs en maraîchage au Togo. Les essais ont été effectués en zone maraîchère sur des parcelles de chou disposées en blocs complets randomisés et équilibrés. Les traitements à base d’extrait ont significativement réduit les populations de P. xylostella par rapport aux insecticides de synthèse. Les plants des parcelles traitées, ont tous été exemptes d’infestation de L. erysimi par rapport à ceux du témoin. Les rendements moyens en pomme de chou ont été compris entre 1,72 ± 0,77 t / ha pour le témoin et 14,48 ± 1,30 t/ha pour des parcelles traitées avec l’extrait de neem. Le taux de perte en feuilles pommées perforées a varié entre 32,31 ± 8,94% sur des parcelles traitées avec l’extrait de neem et 49,56 ± 8,99% sur les parcelles traitées avec le Cydim Super. Cette étude montre que l’extrait de feuilles de neem peut être utilisé dans la gestion intégrée de P. xylostella et de L. erysimi au sud du Togo.© 2016 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Mots clés: Plutella xylostella, Lipaphis erysimi, neem, chou, Sud du TogoEnglish Title: Effects of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) leaves hydroethanolic extract on Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) and Lipaphis erysimi (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in cabbage production in Southern TogoEnglish AbstractThe use of botanical pesticides against insect pests is nowadays an alternative to the abusive use of synthetic pesticides. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of hydroethanolic extract of neem  leaves against Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) and Lipaphis erysimi (Hemiptera: Aphididae), two main insect pests of cabbage in gardening field in Southern Togo. The effectiveness of this botanical extract was compared to those of two synthetic insecticides, Conquest Plus 388 EC and Cydim Super, very used by producers in gardening in Togo. The trials were conducted in vegetable area on cabbage plots arranged in randomized complete blocks. Treatments containing extract significantly reduced the populations of P. xylostella compared to synthetic insecticides. The plants of plots treated, were all free of L. erysimi infestation compared to control’s. Cabbage yields were in average between 1.72 ± 0.77 t / ha for the control and 14.48 ± 1.30 t / ha for plots treated with neem extract. The loss rate of perforated cabbage leaves varied between 32.31 ± 8.94% in plots treated with the extract of neem and 49.56 ± 8.99% in plots treated with Cydim Super. This study shows that the extract of neem leaves can be used in the integrated management of P. xylostella and L. erysimi in Southern Togo.© 2016 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Plutella xylostella, Lipaphis erysimi, neem, cabbage, Southern Tog

Diversity and Relative Abundance of Ungulates and Other Medium and Large Mammals in Flooded Forests in the Dahomey Gap (Togo)

"The Dahomey Gap" is a human-derived mostly savannah region that separates the Guineo-Congolian rainforest block into two major units: the Upper Guinean and the Lower Guinean Forest blocks. Several forest patches are distributed throughout this savannah-dominated habitat. The mammal communities in the Dahomey Gap region have been poorly studied. In this paper we analyse the species richness and abundance of, as well as conservation implications for, medium and large mammals (especially ungulates) inhabiting a complex of flooded forests near the Mono river in south-eastern Togo. We use several field methods to describe the species richness of mammals in this area, including camera-trapping, recce transects, Kilometric Index of Abundance (KIA) estimates, examination of hunters' catches and face-to-face hunter interviews. Overall, we directly recorded 19 species that coexist in these forests. Based on interviews, nine other species were confirmed as present in the study area. Only five species were common: Cephalophus rufilatus, Tragelaphus scriptus, Chlorocebus aethiops, Atilax paludinosus and Herpestes ichneumon. The area still contains various threatened species such as Tragelaphus spekii and Hippopotamus amphibius. We stress that to ensure the protection of the Dahomey Gap mammals, it is important to seriously consider protecting not only the forest patches but also the surroundings, mainly savannah landscapes