Animal Research International

1-6

Authors: EZENWAJI, Henry Maduka Godfrey

Length-weight relationships (LWR) and standard-total length relationships (STR) were estimated for 87 populations of fishes in Anambra river belonging to 18 families. 33 genera and 45 species The exponent, b , ranged from 2.007 to 3.750 and had a mean of 2.764 ± 0.338, which is significantly less than 3, indicating negative allometric LWR forthe multispecies populations studied. The distributions of b and In a were normal and the correlation between them was negative (r = -0.864) and highly significant. STR permits conversion of standard to total length of each population.

12-15

Authors: IDOWU, Rachel Toyisi., INYANG, Nicholas Matthias and EZENWAJI, Henry Maduka Godfery

Heavy metal concentrations were investigated over a period of 12 months in five stations in Alau reservoir, Maiduguri, in the North – east sahel zone of Nigeria. The mean concentrations of zinc, copper, lead, iron and manganese were 0.17 + 0.02 mg/l (range 0.14+ 0.03 - 0.19+ 0.02 mg/l), 0.56 + 0.06 mg/l (range 0.52+ 0.01 - 0.64+ 0.01 mg/l), 0.56 + 0.02 mg/l (range 0.54+ 0.03 - 0.58+ 0.06 mg/l), 0.09 + 0.02 mg/l (range 0.07+ - 0.12+ 0.01 mg/l) and 0.19 + 0.27 mg/l (range 0.04+ 0.01 - 0.66+ 0.01 mg/l) respectively. Except for lead, mean concentrations varied significantly between stations (P<0.05). The concentrations of heavy metals were below contamination levels and fall within the limits reported for other West African small sahel reservoirs.

23-30

Authors: UBACHUKWU, Patience Obiageli

Local disease perception and treatment of onchocerciasis were studied in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to ascertain the level of understanding of the aetiology of onchocerciasis and the management of the disease in the area. Different sampling methods including cluster sampling and random sampling were used in the selection of the sample units. Data collection methods included the use of questionnaires and interviews. From the study, it was found that the people of the area are aware of the presence and nuisance value of Simulium flies, commonly called the blackly, but do not associate the bite with the manifestations of onchocerciasis which are common in their communities. It was discovered that ignorance was at the root of many problems associated with Onchocerca volvulus disease such as discrimination against people with oncho-rashes, lack of proper treatment of the disease and abuse of the choice drug for treatment of onchocerciasis (ivermectin). Poverty is also a contributory factor to lack of adequate treatment of the disease in the area. The result also showed that nodulectomy is a common and accepted treatment method in the area for Onchocerca nodule. On the basis of the result, it is recommended that enlightenment programme is needed in the area together with a campaign for nodulectomy. In the enlightenment programme, use should be made of Community Directed Distributors already trained by World Health Organization (WHO) for the distribution of ivermectin under the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC).

36-41

Authors: EYO, Joseph Effiong and INYANG, Nicholas Mathias

Coefficient of difference in 54 morphometric characters was studied using 258 Clarias species from Anambra river, Nigeria. There were no differences between C. ebriensis and C. albopunctatus for all the 54 characters studied. The coefficient of difference in morphometric characters of C. ebriensis vs. C. gariepinus indicated that about 90 % of C. ebriensis were significantly different from about 90 % of C. gariepinus in about 34 morphometric characters. Thirty seven differentiating morphometric characters occurred between C. ebriensis and C. anguillaris. Considering the discriminating characters between C. albopunctatus and C. gariepinus, 90 % of C. albopunctatus differed from 90 % of C. gariepinus in about 32 characters. Furthermore, about 90 % of C. albopunctatus differed from 90 % of C. anguillaris in about 35 characters. Differentiating of C. gariepinus from C. anguillaris based on the coefficient of difference was impossible for all the 54 characters studied. The coefficients of difference among all clariids studied were almost identical in 10 characters namely: maximum body depth, pectoral spine height, anal fin base length, inner mandibular barbel length, outer mandibular barbel length, maxillary barbel length, premaxillary teeth band depth, vomerine teeth band depth, prenasal length and nasal - nasal barbel space, with exception of C. ebriensis vs. C. albopunctatus and C. gariepinus vs. C. anguillaris. These characters thus represent “key characters” for differentiating between the “small” and “large” clariids.

47-51

Authors: EZENWAJI, Henry Maduka Godfrey and OBAYI, Nichodemus Sunday

Oviposition, fecundity and development of Dermestes maculatus in Clarias ebriensis with different moisture contents (14%, 36%, 41%, 56%, 66%, 73%, 77%) were investigated from January to April, 2003. Catfish of different moisture content and a pair of male and female D. maculatus constituted a treatment and each of the seven treatments was replicated thrice. The treatment with fish of 14% moisture content served as the control. Generally, the pre-oviposition period, egg incubation period, oviposition peak, percentage number of eggs hatching to larvae, duration of larval emergence, larval developmental period and duration of pupal emergence were all moisture-dependent. At 290 C and 58% RH, fecundity ranged from 54-598 eggs. The eggs measured 3.38±0.44 mm in length. The larvae had five larval instars which measured 3.28±0.71, 6.06±0.82, 8.04±0.75, 10.83±0.97 and 13.0±0.29 mm in length respectively. Larval developmental period was 16-23 days and larvae fed voraciously and bored into the flesh and head capsule of fish. Pupae measured 7.65±0.29 mm in length and adults emerged from > 50% of pupae in all treatments. Total developmental period was 59 days.

57-63

Authors: UBACHUKWU, Patience Obiageli

A study on the epidemiology and effects of human onchocerciasis on productivity and social lives of rural communities in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State was carried out between 1998 and 2000. The objectives of the study were to assess the level of endemicity of onchocerciasis in the 16 communities that make up the local government area and to ascertain the effects of the disease on the pattern of social interactions and the age of marriage of the infected individuals. The work also involved the local disease perception and treatment of the disease in the area and histopathological studies of the Onchocerca nodules. In the course of the studies, interviews were conducted for individuals and various groups in the communities including the Community Directed Distributors (CDDs) of ivermectin in the area. During these interactions, a number of problems that beset the control of onchocerciasis in the area became obvious. This paper reports on the community participation in the control of the disease, the problems encountered by these rural people in their efforts (which include lack of funds, late arrival of drugs, transportation and communication problems) and makes recommendations on how to overcome some of these problems.