A study of the prevalence of ecto and endo parasites of Nile Rat Arvicanthis niloticus Dismarest (1822) in rural areas of Benue State, Nigeria for successful domestication of the species

This study examined the type and abundance of Ecto and Endo parasites of Nile rat (Arvicanthis niloticus) in rural areas of Benue State. A total of 400 rats (average of 100 for each location) were systematically captured from the wild in four locations namely, Makurdi, Gwer West, Guma and Kwande Local Government Areas (L.G.A) of Benue State for the entire studies on the captive rearing of Nile rats. However, only 10 % of the captured rats from each location were subjected to parasite isolation procedures in accordance with standard methods. The number of each parasite isolated and identified from each location were recorded and documented as findings of the study. Results revealed that four ecto parasites (Lice,Termite, Soft Tick and Hard Tick) were prevalent in all the locations considered. Similarly, three endo parasites (Hook Worm, Tape Worm and Myosis) were isolated from the rats in all locations. In general Lice (17%) and Tick (13%) were observed to be dominant ecto parasite for each location, while Tape worm (21%) and Myosis (7%) were observed to be the dominant endo parasites of feral Nile rats in the study area. For successful and healthy domestication of the Nile rats, the present study concludes that adequate attention must be given towards the control of both the ecto and endo parasites of captive reared Nile rats.Keywords: Nile rats, Ecto parasite, Endo parasite, prevalence, wild, Benue stat

Assessment of Population Density and Disparity of Village Weaverbirds ( Ploceus cucullatus ) Along Three Selected Road Axis in Ogun State, Nigeria

Study of Village weaverbirds Ploceus cucullatus along the roads was necessary in order to provide prospect of their population, density and platform for monitoring their distribution. Data were collected through on-site observations and pointcount method at thirty-four (34) point-count stations. Collected data were subjected to descriptive statistics and one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). 58.8% of the point-count stations were recorded along Abeokuta/Ibadan road axis, 26.5% along Abeokuta/Shagamu road axis and 14.7% along Ijebu-Ode/Ibadan road axis. Twelve different tree species representing ten families were found colonized by the bird but Cassia spp , Mangifera indica and Terminalia catappa were most preferred for habitation. Habitat use classifications indicated that Village weaverbirds predominantly nested in human settlements (94.2%). Total population of 1269 Village weaverbirds were recorded along the three road axis and highest population of it was from Abeokuta-Ibadan road axis. Overall, population density for the three road axis was 18 Village weaverbirds per kilometre and among the roads; Abeokuta-Ibadan road axis recorded the highest density. The total population mean Village weaverbirds was 223\ub113 Village weaverbirds while the total nest population was 129\ub1nest. Total elevation value was 141\ub16 asl and the mean total of the tree species was 5\ub11 tree species. Maximum and minimum values of Village weaverbirds population, nest counts, elevation and tree species were recorded along Abeokuta/Ibadan road axis than other road axis. Elevation of point-count station was significantly different (P< 0.05). Elevation of the study locations contributed to Village weaverbirds population, density and population disparity along the road axis

Egg laying and albumen gland composition of archachatina marginata during growth phases

The egg laying pattern and albumen gland composition in three growth phases of Archacha- tina marginata: snailet, juvenile and adult were investigated in this study. The juvenile stage laid the highest number of snails (9.3) followed by the adult stage (4.7), while no egg was laid by the snailet phase. However, the eggs laid by the adult phase were significantly (p<0.05) heavier than those laid by the juvenile stage. The adult stage had the biggest albumen gland (7.30±0.1cm) and the highest lipase, proteinase, α-glucosidase, amylase and cellulase activities followed by the juvenile stage, while the snailet had the least values. However, results of organic composition of the albumen gland show that juvenile phase has a statistically higher protein, glucose and lipid composition than the other two growth phases. Correlation analysis showed a strong positive relationship between egg number and albumen gland glucose, protein and lipid composition It can thus be inferred that juvenile stage of A. marginata has the best reproductive capability and potential.Se analizó el modelo de puesta y la composi- ción de las glándulas del albumen de Archachatina marginata en tres fases de crecimiento: cría, juvenil y adulto. La puesta fue mayor en la etapa juvenil (9,3) seguida de la adulta (4,7), no hubo puesta de huevos en las crías. Los huevos de la etapa adulta fueron más pesados (p<0,05) que los de la juvenil. Los adultos tuvieron las glándulas de albumen más grandes (7,30 cm) y las mayores actividades lipasa, proteinasa, α−glucosidasa, amilasa y cellulasa, seguidas en orden decrecien- te por juveniles y crías. En la fase juvenil hay mayor concentración de proteína, glucosa y lípidos en la glándula del albumen. Se registraron fuertes rela- ciones positivas entre número de huevos, y glu- cosa, proteína y lípidos de la glándula del albumen. Puede inferirse que en la etapa juvenil de A. marginata, son mayores el potencial y la capaci- dad reproductiva

Circadian variation in locomotor and feeding periods of two land snail species

Fueron investigadas la actividades diarias de locomoción, alimentación y periodos activos de dos especies de caracoles Archachatina margi- nata y Achatina achatina, en un hábitat artificial. Se realizaron análisis químicos de la hemolinfa durante un periodo de 24 horas. Se encontraron diferencias (p<0,05) entre las actividades de las dos especies. La distancia media recorrida por A. marginata osciló entre 1,9 y 32,6 cm, mientras que para A. achatina fue entre 1,0 y 18,9 cm. El máximo de la actividad alimenticia se registró a las 24:00 horas para ambas especies mientras que la acti- vidad mínima se registró entre las 4:00 y las 20:00 horas. Las dos especies, estuvieron más activas entre las 22:00 y las 24:00 horas y la actividad fue mínima entre las 11:00 y las 17:00 horas. Hubo diferencias (p<0,05) en la concentración de Cl - y lípidos de la hemolinfa durante las 24 horas

Epidemiological evaluation of onchocerciasis along Ogun River System, southwest Nigeria

Background & objective: Epidemiological studies were carried out to assess the prevalence and communitymicrofilarial load (CMFL) of onchocerciasis after repeated annual treatment with ivermectin along Ogun riverSystem, southwest Nigeria.Method: Skin snips were taken from consented participants in 11 selected communities along the River system.The microfilarial load of the community was estimated.Results: The prevalence and CMFL varied significantly in the communities (p <0.05). The prevalence ofonchocerciasis ranged from 19.1 to 45.6%, while the CMFL ranged from 0.11 to 1.03 microfilariae per skinsnip. The CMFL recorded was <5 microfilariae per skin snip, i.e. recognized by WHO as threshold value incertifying the communities to be free of onchocerciasis as public health problem, thus, signifying the possibilityof onchocerciasis elimination in the study area.Conclusion: Efforts should therefore be intensified to achieve improved ivermectin coverage and compliance inannual ivermectin treatment in order to completely eliminate onchocerciasis as a public health problem in thestudied communities