Influence du braconnage sur le comportement de fuite du bubale (Alcelaphus buselaphus major Pallas, 1766) dans la zone de Warigué en Côte d\'Ivoire: implication pour l\'organisation d\'une chasse sportive

Le bubale Alcelaphus buselaphus major est une grande antilope fréquemment rencontrée dans la zone de Warigué, au nord de la Côte d\'Ivoire. Le comportement de fuite, un indicateur de l\'état de frayeur des animaux a été décrit dans différentes zones à intensités de braconnage variables.. Il en ressort que les bubales ont une plus grande distance de fuite dans les zones de forte pression de braconnage que dans les zones non braconnées ou de faible pression de braconnage. Par contre dans les zones d\'intense activité de braconnage les bubales sont observables beaucoup plus près (120 mètres) que dans les zones de faible pression de braconnage (plus de 240 mètres). Pour échapper au braconnage, les bubales se laissent plus facilement découvrir en zones très braconnées, mais fuient très loin à la vue des observateurs. Dans ce contexte, la pratique de la chasse sportive sur le site requiert un équipement approprié, notamment des armes de longue portée et une approche de chasse à l\'affût.Hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus major) is a big antelope frequently met in the zone of Warigué in the north of Ivory Coast. Flight behaviour an indicator of fear in animals, was described in various zones with variable poaching intensity. Our results reveal that hartebeests have a longer flight distance in areas with huge poaching pressure than areas without or with low pressure. On the other hand in areas with intense poaching activity, these animals are observed much closer (120 meters) that in areas of low pressure (more than 240 meters). To avoid poaching, hartebeests are more easily let discover in poaching areas but flee very far human presence is detected. That is why practice of hunting game on the site will require suitable equipments in particular weapons with long range, and an approach of hunting by shooting from hides. Keywords: Hartebeest, flight behaviour, poaching, safary game, Warigué.Sciences & Nature Vol. 5 (2) 2008: pp. 145-15

Caractérisation botanique et agronomique de trois espèces de cucurbites consommées en sauce en Afrique de l'Ouest : Citrullus sp., Cucumeropsis mannii Naudin et Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl

Botanical and agronomical characterisation of three species of cucurbit consumed as sauce in West Africa: Citrullus sp., Cucumeropsis mannii Naudin and Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl. There are in Côte d'Ivoire at least five species of cucurbit incorrectly called ""pistaches"" in town and cultivated at small scale by women for their oleaginous seeds that are a great importance in the sociocultural live of several peoples. Nevertheless, few studies aimed at the improvement of these plants (related notably to taxonomy, genetic resources collecting missions, genetic characterisation, agronomic evaluation, and selection) have been carried out. In order to set up a list of reliable traits that should be examined easily during and after collecting missions, we carry out in the present study, for three species (Citrullus sp., Cucumeropsis mannii Naudin and Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl) a botanic description and an analysis of eleven agronomic traits: 100-seeds weight, germination rate, seedlings emergence time, matured fruit weight, matured fruit decomposition time, mean number of seeds per fruit, seeds shape, fruit diameter, fruit interior cavity diameter, flowering time, and fruiting time. Statistical analyses using nine of these traits showed that the three species can be completely distinguished with six traits whereas the three other traits allowed partial distinction. Low yields have been observed for the three species: 11.41 kg/ha of decorticated seeds for C. mannii, 18.51 kg/ha for Citrullus sp. and 75.14 kg/ha for L. siceraria. From the observed yield components, the possibilities to improve the production of these cucurbits are discussed

Molecular characterization of intestinal protozoan parasites from children facing diarrheal disease and associated risk factors in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire

Diarrheal diseases are very common in children under 5 years and may lead to a delay of physical and mental development. Despite this knowledge, data on diarrheal diseases and socioeconomic determinants are still scarce in Côte d’Ivoire. This study is then conducted with the objective to fill part of this gap and specifically assess link between infant diarrhea occurrence and some major socioenvironmental factors. Stool samples were collected from children less than five suffering from diarrhea at Yamoussoukro Regional Hospital in central Côte d’Ivoire. Molecular species specific diagnosis was used to detect Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia intestinalis and Entamoeba histolytica, three major protozoan parasites which cause diarrhea. Out of 306 stool samples examined, 62.75% were detected as positive at least for one of the protozoan parasite studied. Species specific prevalence was 36.93% for C. parvum, 20.92% for G. intestinalis and 22.55% for E. histolytica. Infection was more prevalent in children whose mothers were not educated although the difference was not statistically significant. No link was found between gender and infection while sanitation infrastructures, mother and children ages and water sources were found significantly associated with diarrhea occurrence. Awareness is then needed for women on lack of hygiene rules that could lead to diarrheal diseases burden.Key words: Diarrheal diseases, children development, parasitic protozoan, molecular characterization, socioenvironmental factors

The effect of pesticides and aqueous extracts of Azadirachta indica (A. Juss) and Jatropha carcus L. on Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Homoptera: Aleyrididae) and Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner)(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) found on tomato plants in Côte d’Ivoire.

Objective: The objective was to evaluate the effects of foliar application of Jatropha and neem aqueous extracts compared to a conventional insecticide treatment on the number of whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) and bollworm Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), yield of tomatoes in plots and the potentials of using any of these aqueous extracts to control these insect pests.Methodology and results: the study was conducted in the region of Moronou (Bongouanou, Koffikro, CBC Kangandissou). The insecticides Décis 12 EC® and Cypercal 50 EC®, and neem and jatropha aqueous extract were used for tomato foliar treatment (neem and jatropha seeds 80 and 50g/L, neem leaves 67 g/L). The treatments of tomato plant plots with pesticides Decis® and Cypercal® showed similar yields of biopestcide made of neem and jatropha in Ahorosso (P=0.00), Bongouanou (P=0.07) and CBC Kangandissou (P=0.01) plots. All of these treatments reduced the number of Bemisia tabaci adults, reduced the number of Helicoverpa armigera larvae on tomato plants and increased number of fruits per plant, the fruit weight per plant and the yield.Conclusion and application of findings: Statistical analysis shows that aqueous extract of jatropha and neem seed 80 g/L and 50 g/L, and of neem leaves 67 g/L are as effective as pesticides Décis® and Cypercal® on Bemisia tabaci and Helicoverpa armigera. Consequently, these biopesticides increased the number of fruits per plant and yield. This result should enable use of aqueous extract of neem and jatropha seed and of neem leaves to protect tomato plants against Bemisia tabaci and  Helicoverpa armigera at farm.Keywords: Bemisia tabaci; Helicoverpa armigera; tomato crop; aqueous extract; biocontro

Evaluation de l’exposition de la population aux métaux traces (cadmium, mercure, plomb) à travers la consommation des viandes et abats de boeuf et de porc importés

Cette etude a pour objectif dfevaluer le niveau de contamination en  elements traces metalliques (ETM) toxiques (Cd, Hg, Pb) dans les viandes et abats importes en vue de calculer lfexposition a long terme de la  population ivoirienne. Pour ce faire, 192 echantillons preleves sur la viande et les abats importes ont ete analyses par spectrophotometrie  dfabsorption atomique. Il ressort que les traces des differents metaux existent dans les matrices a des taux variables avec un depassement des criteres de comestibilite au niveau du plomb. Le rognon avec 66,32 µg/kg de Cd, 21,00 µg/kg de Hg et 235,60 µg/kg de Pb, est lforgane le plus contamine. Dans lfensemble, les doses journalieres dfexposition (DJE) (0,0035 µg/kg pc/j de Cd, 0,002 µg/kg pc/j de Hg et 0,017 µg/kg pc/j de Pb) sont inferieures aux doses journalieres tolerets (DJT) respectives. Aussi le risque peut-il etre ecarte pour la population generale. Les traces metalliques existent dans les viandes et abats importes. Si les niveaux restent dans lfensemble inferieurs aux seuils limites, dans le rognon, les teneurs en plomb sont elevees, augmentant le risque dfintoxication. En effet, il suffit de consommer quotidiennement 100g de rognon pour que le risque soit a plus de 150% de la DJT au niveau de certains elements metalliques.Mots cles : Viande, abats, contamination metallique, exposition, Cote dfIvoire

Estimation de l\'apport en mercure à partir de la consommation de poisson en Côte d\'Ivoire

L\'objectif de cette étude est d\'estimer l\'apport en mercure à partir des concentrations en cet élément de différentes espèces de poissons les plus consommées et les plus vendues en Côte d\'Ivoire. Pour ce faire, 18 espèces de poissons couramment consommées et quelques prédateurs ont été échantillonnées selon la méthode du panier de la ménagère, dans des stocks de production locale et d\'importation de 1999 à 2002. Les échantillons, après minéralisation par voie humide, ont été analysés par pectrophotométrie d\'Absorption Atomique selon la technique des vapeurs froides. Les concentrations en mercure retrouvées varient entre 8 et 2454 μg/kg avec une moyenne de 239 μg/kg. Sur la base des concentrations et de la consommation annuelle de poissons estimée à 16 kg/habitant en Côte d\'Ivoire, l\'apport moyen calculé est égal à 73 μg de mercure par semaine; soit 25% de la dose hebdomadaire tolérable provisoire (DHTP) fixée à 300 μg par le comité mixte FAO/OMS. Cependant, pour une population lagunaire, consommant essentiellement des poissons (consommation quotidienne de 1,08 kg selon l\'OMS), le risque apparaît beaucoup plus élevé car l\'apport en mercure est égal à 1703 μg/semaine; soit 7 fois la DHTPThe aim of this study is to determine mercury content in different species of fishes in order to estimate the daily mercury intake in adult Ivorian. Eighteen fish species were sampled in stocks. of Ivorian fish production and importation during four years (1999-2002). The mercury concentrations were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer according to the cold vapours method. The mercury average level is 239±196 μg/kg (2-2454 μg/kg) in fishes. The intake value estimated is 73 μg per week. This value represents 25% of Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake recommended by the World Health Organization (300 μg per week). However, for an inhabitant in costs, the risk appears much higher because the intake value estimated is 1703 μg per week; which represents 7 times the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake. Keywords: apport, mercure, consommation, poissons, Côte d\'Ivoire/mercury, intake, fish, Côte d\'IvoireSciences & Nature Vol. 4 (2) 2007: pp. 171-17

Investigation of rodent reservoirs of emerging pathogens in Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa

Background: One of the main health problems in West Africa remains upsurge of emerging pathogens. Ebola virus disease outbreak occurred in 2014 in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, Monkeypox virus in Nigeria in 2017 and most recently Lassa virus in Nigeria, Togo and Benin in 2018.  These pathogens have animal reservoirs as vectors for transmission. Proper investigation of the pathogens in their rodent vectors could help  reduce and manage their emergence and spread. Methodology: This study was conducted with an approval from the Côte d’Ivoire Bioethics Community. Small mammal trappings were carried out in  9 sites within three zones namely, peri-urban, peri-rural and protected areas. Liver, lung and kidney tissues from trapped small mammals were  sampled in accordance with the recommended conditions of biosafety and bioethics. The organs were transported in liquid nitrogen to the  laboratory. Molecular tests were used to detect pathogens. Orthopoxviruses and Monkeypox virus were detected in the organs by PCR using  consensus primers targeting the virus surface membrane haemagglutinin (HA) genes, while Leptospira species were detected by PCR using primers  targeting the rrs and lfb1 genes. Results: Out of 4930 night-traps, 256 (5.19%) small mammals were trapped including Crocidura, Rattus, Lophuromys, Praomys, Mus and Mastomys.  Leptospira species were detected in 6 genera from 7 study sites and the infected small mammals accounted for 13.3%. Leptospira sp was detected  mainly in the rodent vector genera Rattus (32.3%), Lophuromys (29.0%), and Praomys (16.1%). Three species of Leptospira were detected and  Leptospira interrogans was the most common frequent species (74.2%). Monkeypox virus was not detected from studied small mammals. Conclusion: The initial data from our investigation indicates the presence of Leptospira sp in rodent vectors, Rattus, Lophuromys and Praomys,  which are the potential small mammalian reservoirs of this pathogen in Cote d’Ivoire

Induction et prolifération de cals à partir de l’axe embryonnaire du Voandzou [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc. Fabaceae] : effet de la segmentation de l’explant, des phytohormones, de la source de carbone et du génotype

Le Voandzou [Vigna subterranea, (L.) Verdc.], occupe une place importante dans les stratégies élaborées pour assurer la sécurité alimentaire en Afrique subsaharienne. Le développement de systèmes de régénération in vitro de plantes, préalable au transfert de gènes nécessite l’établissement de conditions optimales de la callogenèse. Au cours du présent travail, l’étude des facteurs influençant l’induction et la prolifération des cals chez le Voandzou a été réalisée. L’axe embryonnaire issu de graines matures a été placé sur le milieu de base de Murashige et Skoog (1962) additionné avec les vitamines B5 et supplémenté avec différentes concentrations et combinaisons de phytohormones. Après quatre semaines de culture, les résultats ont montré que l’induction et la prolifération de cals ont été favorisées avec le 2,4-D (0,5 mg/l). La partie basale de l’axe embryonnaire a été la zone la plus favorable à la callogenèse. La meilleure source de carbone a été le saccharose à la concentration optimale de 84 mM. Les meilleurs taux d’induction (100 %) et de prolifération de cals (3) ont été exprimés avec les écotypes Ci2, Ci3, Ci4, Ci5, Ci6, Ci7, Ci10 et Ci21.Mots-clés : voandzou, axe embryonnaire, callogenèse, phytohormones.Callus induction and proliferation from embryonic axis in Bambara groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc. Fabaceae]: effect of explants section, plant growth regulators, carbon source and genotypeBambara groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc. ] contributes to food security in sub-Saharan Africa. Development of efficient systems of in vitro plant regeneration a prerequisite to gene transfer requires establishment of optimal conditions for callus formation. In this work, factors influencing callus induction and proliferation in Bambara have been studied. Embryonic axis derived mature seeds were placed on Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium supplemented with vitamins B5 (MSB5), including different concentrations and combinations of plant growth regulators. After four weeks of culture, results showed that 2,4-D (0.5 mg/L) exhibited the best frequency and proliferation index of callus. Basal part of embryonic axis was the explants of choice for callus induction and proliferation. Sucrose at optimum concentration of 84 mM was favorable to the process of callus formation. Highest callus induction frequency (100 %) and proliferation index (3) were expressed by ecotypes Ci2, Ci3, Ci4, Ci5, Ci6, Ci7, Ci10 and Ci21.Keywords : bambara groundnut, embryonic axis, callogenesis, plant growth regulators