Synthèse des résultats acquis en matière de recherche sur le karité au Burkina Faso de 1950 à 1958

Les études portant sur le karité (Butyrospermum parkii) ont été entreprises par l'IRHO de 1950 à 1958 à la station de recherches de Niangoloko, à l'extrême Sud-Ouest du Burkina Faso. Les travaux ont porté sur la biologie de l'arbre, la répartition des peuplements dans le territoire, la recherche de techniques possibles d'amélioration notamment par multiplication végétative, les plantations, en ayant pour base les données et résultats obtenus par Halff sur la station agricole de Ferkessedougou quelques années auparavant. Ces travaux ont porté également sur les différents aspects de la technologie à savoir la conservation et la préparation des produits, l'extraction des matières grasses, avec mise au point de méthodes et de matériel facile à mettre en oeuvre, dans un cadre artisanal. (Résumé d'auteur

Flexibility along the Neck of the Neogene Terror Bird Andalgalornis steulleti (Aves Phorusrhacidae)

BACKGROUND: Andalgalornis steulleti from the upper Miocene-lower Pliocene (≈6 million years ago) of Argentina is a medium-sized patagornithine phorusrhacid. It was a member of the predominantly South American radiation of 'terror birds' (Phorusrhacidae) that were apex predators throughout much of the Cenozoic. A previous biomechanical study suggests that the skull would be prepared to make sudden movements in the sagittal plane to subdue prey. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We analyze the flexion patterns of the neck of Andalgalornis based on the neck vertebrae morphology and biometrics. The transitional cervical vertebrae 5th and 9th clearly separate regions 1-2 and 2-3 respectively. Bifurcate neural spines are developed in the cervical vertebrae 7th to 12th suggesting the presence of a very intricate ligamentary system and of a very well developed epaxial musculature. The presence of the lig. elasticum interespinale is inferred. High neural spines of R3 suggest that this region concentrates the major stresses during downstrokes. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The musculoskeletal system of Andalgalornis seems to be prepared (1) to support a particularly big head during normal stance, and (2) to help the neck (and the head) rising after the maximum ventroflexion during a strike. The study herein is the first interpretation of the potential performance of the neck of Andalgalornis in its entirety and we considered this an important starting point to understand and reconstruct the flexion pattern of other phorusrhacids from which the neck is unknown