Animal Research International

892 – 895

Authors: IGBOKWE, Ikechukwu Onyebuchi., HASSAN, Shehu Usman., FAIVE, Zirrah Tariminge., ILIYA, Yohanna., DAGARE, Musa Jonathan., RABO, Jude Sammani., MOHAMMED, Ali and IGBOKWE, Nanacha Afifi

Populations of exotic and indigenous domestic chickens and guinea fowls in northeastern Nigeria were surveyed for Plasmodium sp by examining their stained blood samples. The packed cell volumes of all blood samples were estimated. During the period of study (March to September 2006), rainfall data were collected. The prevalence of Plasmodium infection in 575 domestic poultry examined was 9.4 % and the prevalence among the difference poultry types (exotic broilers and layers, indigenous chickens and guinea fowls) did not differ significantly (P > 0.05).There was a significant (P < 0.05) positive correlation between the monthly prevalence and rainfall, with mean prevalence higher (P < 0.05) in the rainy than dry months. Packed cell volume (PCV) of uninfected and infected domestic chickens did not differ significantly (P > 0.05), but the infected guinea fowls had lower (P < 0.05) mean PCV than the uninfected ones. In conclusion, Plasmodium sp infection was prevalent among the domestic poultry; and whereas the infection did not cause anaemia in chickens, mild anaemia was observed in infected guinea fowls.

900 – 903

Authors: EKE, Felicia Nkechi., EKECHUKWU, Nkiru Esther and ONAH, Ikechukwu

A four months research survey of arthropod pests infesting dried fish sold in a tropical urban community market (Ogige), Nsukka, Nigeria showed that 10 genera of dried freshwater fish (Synodontis, Hemisynodontis, Oreochromis, Hepsetus, Gymnarchus, Labeo, Protopterus, Heterobranchus, Alestes, Heterotis) and two species of cod fishes sold in the market were arthropod infested. The pests were extracted by illumination and cracking methods and identified using relevant taxonomic keys. Voucher specimens were kept in the Museum of Natural History, Department of Zoology, University of Nigeria. Each of the fish genera harboured at least one of the following arthropods: Dermestes maculatus, Necrobia rufipes, Lardoglyphus konoi, Theridion saxatile and Tribolium castaneum. T. castaneum was found only in fish bones in the stall. Besides the resident pests, Periplaneta americana, Lucilia spp, Calliphora spp and Musca domestica were visiting pests of the dried fish sampled. D. maculatus was the dominant resident pest accounting for 57.07 % of the collected arthropods while Necrobia rufipe was next in importance, accounting for 21.54 %. The pests were identified using keys and voucher methods.

908 – 912

Authors: EWUIM, Sylvanus Chima and OSONDU, Anulika

A study of ants associated with two synanthropic environments in Awka was carried out in 2008 using pitfall and bait traps. The study yielded a total of 561 ants with 409 obtained from the hemisynanthrophic environment while 192 ants were collected from the endophilic environment. The percentage occurrence, total distribution and average numbers of trapped individual species of Paratrechina, Acantholepis, Pheidole and Camponotus in the hemisynanthrophic environment are (16.9%, 2,6), (35.3%, 150, 12.5), (40.1%, 170, 14.2) and (7.6%, 23, 2.7) respectively. The percentage occurrence, total ant distribution and average number of trapped species of Acantholepis and Pheidole sp. using honey as bait are (47.19%, 49, 2.3) and (52.9%, 55, 13.8) respectively whereas Paratrechina, Acantholepis and Pheidole sp. shows (43.8%, 21.5, 3), (31.40%, 15, 3.8) and (25%, 12, 3) respectively when sugar was used as bait. The study further reveals different dispersion patterns and degree of variability between species in the hemisynanthrophic environment. Pheidole sp. and Acantholepis were also trapped in high numbers. The paucity in the collection of Paratrechina and Camponotus is possibly suggestive that these species are not attracted to honey baits. The attraction of more Paratrechina species to sugar bait indicated that these species are sugar loving ants.

917 – 922

Authors: EKECHUKWU, Nkiru Esther and ELUWA, Michael

In West Africa, the foliage of both wild and cultivated varieties of Amarnathus species is used widely as vegetable and as fodder for cattle. This widely cultivated vegetable is severely attacked by the snouted beetle, Gastreoclisus rhomboidalis. A comprehensive study on some aspects of the biology of G. rhomboidalis has been carried out. The full life cycle of the beetle (from copulation and oviposition through the various immature stages to the emergence of adult beetles) was investigated. It took on the average 40 days for the adult beetle to emerge from the day of oviposition. Studies on the feeding habit of the beetles revealed that the beetles fed heavily on the leaves and can inflict an enormous destruction on the host plant over a short period of time. Generally; the studies have been able to confirm that the larva and adult beetles are the most potent destroyers of the host plant. While the adult beetle fed heavily on the leaves and tender plant stem, the larva when hatched in the plant stem, destroyed the host plant (particularly during the tender ages of between 2 - 3 weeks) with its boring activities causing the plant to wilt and die.

928 – 931

Authors: ONYECHI, Uchenna Agatha and OKOLO, Adaeze Christiana

A study of the prevalence of obesity among undergraduate students was conducted at University of Nigeria Nsukka campus, Enugu, State, in the South Eastern part of Nigeria. A total of 620 male and female students were randomly selected for the study. A structured and validated questionnaire and anthropometry were used for data collection. The study elicited information on the sex distribution of the subjects who were obese, their marital status, dietary pattern, activity pattern and their health status. Information obtained was analyzed using frequency distribution, percentages, means and cross tabulation. The result revealed that 21% of the participants were obese, (8.1% are males and 13.1% are females). Most of the participants who were obese were unmarried, a total of 93.4% of the of the study population. The result of the eating pattern showed that 40.6% of the subjects purchased their foods from eating houses within the campus, 46.6% cooked their meals with foods brought from their homes; 28.2% and 26.7% consumed fruits and vegetables daily respectively. Food choice was based on taste of the food, cultural demands and easy to prepare foods. Information on the activity level showed that 85.5% of the obese subjects occasionally engaged in physical activity. Assessment of the health status indicate that 6.1% had cardiovascular disease; 2.3% were diabetics, 3.8% had gall bladder disease and 51% had other illness like ulcer, irregular menstruation, fever and stomach ach.