Animal Research International

133-139

Authors: UGWU, Lawrence Linus Chukwuma and MGBENKA, Bernard Obialo

Sixteen experimental diets were formulated to include four groups of inorganic phosphorus (P) sources {monosodium phosphate (MSP), monopotassium phosphate (MPP), monocalcium phosphate (MCP), and dicalcium phosphate (DCP) at four levels {A(0.40%), B(0.60%), C(0.80% and D(1.20%)}. Two controls of a non-phosphorus supplemental diet (CD) and a purified diet (PD) were fed along with the other 16 experimental diets to the fry of Heterobranchus bidorsalis X Clarias gariepinus hybrid (mean weight, 1.5 ± 0.12 g) at 5% body weight per day for 70 days. The results showed that the feed intake (FI), the protein intake (PI), the food conversion ratio (FCR) and the phosphorus gain/loss (PGL) varies significantly among the 18 diets tested (P < 0.001). The effect of the inorganic P sources on FI, PI, FCR and PGL was also significantly different (P < 0.001). The MSP supplemented diets appeared to elicit better responses in the fish than any of the other P-supplemented (MCP, MPP and DCP) diets. A comparatively higher quantity of protein was consumed by the fish fed the MSP diets (15.28%) than other P-supplemented diets. A loss in the percent phosphorus content of fish flesh fed MSP diet was observed (-0.04%).Based on the above, MSP diets were the best for enhancing growth.

144-147

Authors: OKORIE, Peter Ugochukwu and IBEAWUCHI, Innocent Izuchukwu

Observations were made on ‘gigantism’ and albinism in the giant snail, Archachatina marginata. Gigantic snails were initially about twice the size of normal snails of same age. However this growth superiority of ‘gigantic’ snails apparently slowed down with age. Albinism in the snails was expressed in form of creamy-white bodies instead of the normally brownish colour. Albino snails however retained normal shell colouration. All offspring of these albinos maintained these same characteristics. There was no difference in mortality rates of albino and normal snails. ‘Gigantism’ and albinism have serious implications for commercial snail farming.

153-154

Authors: OKAYI, Gabriel and IORKYAA, Atsehe

Length-weight parameters (a and b) of the equation: W = aLb were estimated for two freshwater shrimp species Atya gabonensis and Macrobrachium felicinium caught bimonthly from October 2001 to March 2002 using brush traps in the Mu river. The mean b values were 2.989 ± 0.328 and 3.003 ± 0.318 for A. gabonensis and M. felicinium respectively. The values did not differ significantly (P < 0.05) from 3, showing that their growths were isometric, M. felicinium where in better condition than A. gabonensis.

160-163

Authors: IKPEZE, Obiora Osegboka and EBENEBE, Cordelia Ifeyinwa

Physical body traits of nine grasscutters (Thryonomys swinderianus Temminck) were characterized using body weights (BW), body length (BL), heart girth (HG), and height-at-withers (H). Simple linear correlation matrix showed high, positive and significant values among the parameters studied (P < 0.01). The highest coefficient was obtained for body weight and body length (r = 0.9956). The very high associations for body length and heart girth (r = 0.9821) and between body length and height r = 0.9905) indicate that frame size and absolute height were complementary. Selection for increased measurement in any of the parameter would mean positive significant influence on the other and would lead to increased skeletal stature with concomitant increases in other absolute body measurements. Regression equations from this study could be used to estimate live body weights of grasscutters aged between 2 -10 months.

169-172

Authors: NWANI, Christopher Didigwu, INYANG, Nicholas Mathias and EYO, Joseph Effiong

Sex discriminating characters of four mormyrid species caught from Anambra river basin, Nigeria were investigated. Sexual dimorphism occurred in only one transformed character – dorsal fin base length and in four raw morphometric characters namely total length, standard length, dorsal fin base length and anal fin base length. These characters are recommended as key characters in mormyrid taxonomy.

176-180

Authors: IKPEZE, Obiora Osegboka and EBENEBE, Cordelia Ifeyinwa

Overall mean body weights (0.138 ± 0.06 and 0.513 ± 0.03 kg), body lengths (17.24 ± 0.30 and 21.68 ± 0.65 cm), heart girths (12.57 ± 0.18 and 16.83 ± 0.90 cm), and height-at-withers (7.39 ± 0.14 and 9.86 ± 0.52 cm) of the grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus Temminck) at birth and 60 days of age, respectively, were recorded. Litter size and sex significantly influenced body weight and linear body measurements in the grasscutter. Mean birth weight (0.173 ± 0.02 kg) of rats born singles was significantly different from that of twin births (0.135 ± 0.08 kg) and triplets (0.135 ± 0.09 kg) (P < 0.05). Male grasscutters with a mean birth weight of 0.148 ± 0.01 kg were heavier (P < 0.05) than the females, which weighed 0.128 ± 0.02 kg. Average daily weight gain for the first 60 days for males (0.007 kg/d) was significantly different from that of females (0.005 kg/d) (P < 0.05). Parity had no significant effect on the rat’s birth weight, weight at 60 days of age, and average daily weight gain for the first 60 days. Litter size, sex and parity did not have significant effect on the linear body measurements of the grasscutter at birth (P > 0.05). However litter size and sex had significant influence on body length and heart girth of the grasscutter at 60 days of age (P < 0.05). At 60 days the mean body length (23 ± 0.28 cm) and heart girth (18.13 ± 0.23 cm) of rats born singles were longer and larger than those of twins (21.66 ± 0.89 and 16.82 ± 0.76 cm) and triplets (21.59 ± 0.96 and 16.71 ± 0.80). Males also have longer body length and larger heart girth than females at that age.

190-199

Authors: EZENWAJI, Henry Maduka Godfrey

The biology of the West African clariid, Clarias macromystax, was studied in Anambra river basin, Nigeria. The clariid occurred more abundantly and frequently in forest floodplain ponds than in other habitats, and was totally absent in the river systems. Length ranged from 9.7 to 30.2 cm TL and weight from 9 to 168 g; females were heavier, but not longer, than males. The b-values (2.4190-2.5209) of the total length-weight relationships exhibited negative allometric function. Mean relative condition, Kn, was better in females than males but showed a definite cycle in both sexes. Over 50% of both sexes were mature at 15.1-20.0 cm TL in their first year of life. Fecundity ranged from 2.136 x 103 to 37.250 x 103 (mean 14.942 x 103  11.248 x 103) and correlated highly and positively with length, body weight and ovary weight. Ovary weight was the best predictor of fecundity. Communal spawning involving C. macromystax and C. agboyiensis occurred. Feeding was carried out throughout the day with higher feeding intensity at night. Food of primary importance were Caridina niloticus, Sudanonautes africanus, Odonata naiad, terrestrial Orthoptera, formicoid Hymenoptera, Dytiscidae, Oreochromis niloticus, Parachanna obscura, fruits and seeds, plant detritus and mud. Diet breadth was season-dependent. The clariid fed by foraging, shoveling and surface feeding. E. clarias, Procamallanus laevichonchus and a larval spiruroid parasitized various organs. C. macromystax is a new host record for these helminth parasites.

203-207

Authors: EKWUNIFE, Chinyelu Angela and OKAFOR, Fabian Chukwuemeka

Investigation was made to reveal the state and level of Schistosomiasis haematobuim infection in the whole of Agulu town in Anaocha local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria where a lake (Agulu lake) is implicated in the transmission of the disease. Urine sample was collected from 3029 children for Schistosoma egg identification. This was used to calculate the level of infection in the different schools. Schistosomiasis prevalence was highest (55.2%) in Umuowelle primary school and lowest (4.1%) in Obeagu primary school. Males had higher infection rate than females in the endemic schools. In Umuowelle, Community and Nneogidi primary schools, infection rates in males were 36.4%, 13.3%, 11.3% respectively while infection rates in females were 25.2%, 11.7% and 6.8% respectively. However, the sex differences were not statistically significant at 5% confidence level (t-test = 2.179, df = 12). Infection levels investigated in all the schools revealed that the age group 10-14 years recorded the highest level while 0- 4 years had the lowest. There was also shifts in peaks of infection within the various age groups, for instance, in the 10 - 14 years age group of Ifiteani primary school, infection peak was in 14 years while in Nneogidi primary school it was in 13 year old pupils.