International Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics

International Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics Vol. 8 (10), pp. 001-005, October, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A comparative morphometric analysis of the stomach in rat Rattus norvegicus, Bat Eidolon helvum and pangolin Manis tricuspis

*Ofusori D. A¹, Enaibe B.U², Falana B. A³, Adeeyo O. A⁴, Yusuf U. A⁴, and Ajayi S.A³

¹Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Igbinedion University, Okada, P.M.B 0006, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.

²Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.

³Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

⁴Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Ladoke    Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Accepted 10 February, 2019

Abstract

The difference in the feeding habits of these three mammals necessitated this study, (pangolin being insectivorous, bat frugivorous and rat omnivorous). This study compared the macro and micro-morphometric adaptations adopted by the stomach of the three mammals to cope with their feeding habits. The study was carried out using sixteen rats, sixteen bats and eight pangolin of both sexes randomly divided into two equal groups each that is, A and B. The animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and the stomachs were quickly excised following abdominal incision. Those in group A were subjected to macro-morphometric analysis while those in group B have their excised stomach fixed in 10% formol saline and following histological processes, where subjected to micro-morphometric analysis. The results revealed that the stomach of the three mammals have a great deal of correlation with their feeding pattern; with that of the pangolin being significantly different (p<0.05) compared to the other two mammals due to their high chitinous diet. It is therefore concluded that the differences in the morphometric assessment is due to the different feeding pattern in the three mammals.

Key words: Feeding habit, morphometric, analysis, mammals, stomach, pangolin, bat, rat.

International Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics Vol. 8 (10), pp. 001-003, October, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of replacement of cocoa bean shell for maize on growth, carcass characteristics and organoleptic properties of growing snail (Archachatina marginata)

A. O. Owosibo¹, R. A. Hamzat²*, A. M. Raji¹, S. B. Fasoyiro³ and L. O. Obisesan¹

¹Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, I.A.R. and T., Ibadan, Nigeria.

²Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Idi-Ayunre, Ibadan, Nigeria.

³Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Accepted 14 May, 2019

Abstract 

In a completely randomized design, a total of 120 growing snails of mean weight 156.69 ± 3.4 g were used to investigate the effect of partial replacement of maize with cocoa bean shell (CBS) for growing snail for 20 weeks. There were five treatments and three replicates of 8 snails each. The diets contained 0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0% CBS in partial replacement of maize and designated T₁, T ₂, T₃, T₄ and T₅ respectively. The parameters taken were weight gain, feed intake from which feed conversion ratio was calculated. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) in the values obtained for mean weekly weight gain and mean weekly feed intake. Meanwhile, the values for 10.0% CBS based diets were comparable to control. The feed conversion ratio was similar across the treatments. Values obtained for mean weekly shell length increment, mean weekly shell width increment and mean weekly shell thickness increment were not affected by inclusion of CBS in the diets of snails. The values obtained for carcass characteristics of snail were not significantly different (P > 0.05) and so not affected by the treatment. Values obtained for organoleptic properties revealed no difference in flavour, after taste, mouth feel and general acceptability at 10% replacement level in comparison to control except for colour and texture. The inclusion of CBS up to 10% in the diets of snail had no detrimental effect on the performance, carcass characteristics and general acceptability of the snails. Based on the present results, cocoa bean shell could replace maize in the diet of snail up to 10%.

Keywords: growth, carcass values, organoletic properties, snail, cocoa bean shell.

International Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics Vol. 8 (9), pp. 001-009, September, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of season and farming system on the quantity and nutritional quality of scavengeable feed resources and performance of village poultry in central Tanzania

E. H. Goromela^1,*, R. P. Kwakkel², M. W. A. Verstegen² and A. M. Katule³

¹Natonal Livestock Research Institute, P. O. Box 202 Mpwapwa, Tanzania.

²Animal Nutrition Group, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands.

³Sokoine University of Agriculture, P. O. Box 3004 Morogoro, Tanzania.

Accepted 19 February 2019

Abstract

A 2 x 2 factorial study was conducted to assess the effect of season and farming system on the quantity and nutritional quality of scavengeable feed resources and the performance of village poultry in central Tanzania. A total of 648 scavenging chickens purchased from farmers were slaughtered and the crop contents were subjected to physical and chemical analysis. The mean fresh weights of the crop contents were higher (P<0.05) in the dry season (34.5 g) than in the rainy season (28.4 g) and there were no significant differences between the farming systems. Visual observations of the crop contents revealed that kitchen/brew wastes, sand and grit, oil seeds and cakes, cereal bran, cereal grains, and other feed materials were the main physical components and varied (P<0.05) with seasons and farming systems. The overall chemical compositions (% dry matter) of the crop contents showed that crude protein (9.24), ash (21.6), magnesium (0.22), nitrogen free extract (58.8) and metabolizable (11.5 MJ/kgDM^-1) contents varied (P<0.05) with seasons and farming systems. The mean live body weights at slaughter of chickens were higher (P<0.05) in the dry season (1238 g) than in the rainy season (890 g). The study showed that quantity and nutritional quality of scavengeable feed resources varied considerably between the seasons and farming systems; and the nutrient contents were below the birds’ requirements for high productivity.

Key words: Season, farming system, scavengeable feed resources, village poultry, crop contents, chemical composition, Central Tanzania.

International Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics Vol. 8 (9), pp. 001-008, September, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Laboratory studies of the biology of Helopeltis schoutedeni Reuter (Hemiptera: Miridae), a major sucking pest of cashew (Anacardium occidentale Linn.)

E.A. Dwomoh^1*, J.V.K. Afun² and J.B. Ackonor¹

¹Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, P. O. Box 8, New Tafo-Akim, Ghana.

²Faculty of Agriculture, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.

Accepted 10 March 2019

Abstract

Cashew (Anacardium occidentale Linn.) has become a very important non-traditional tree crop in Ghana. Several insect pests, however, have been recorded on cashew and prominent among which is the cashew mosquito, Helopeltis schoutedeni Reuter (Hemiptera: Miridae). The biology of H. schoutedeni was studied in the laboratory at 24.9 to 33^oC and 72.4 to 88.5% Relative humidity (R.H.). Females pre-dominated males in the ratio of 0.7:0.3. The mean pre-oviposition, oviposition and post-oviposition periods were 3.6 ± 0.1, 10.2 ± 0.6 and 6.6 ± 0.4 days, respectively. The life cycle from egg to adult emergence lasted 24.0 days. There were five nymphal stages and the mean durations ranged from 2.7 ± 0.10 days for the 3^rd instar to 3.5 ± 0.10 days for the 4^th instar. The incubation averaged 8.2 ± 0.05 days. The mean pre-copulation period was 2.6 ± 0.1 days. Peak copulation activity occurred between 1400 H and 1700 H. Copulation did not take place until both sexes were at least 2 days old. Males older than three days also did not mate, no matter the age of their companion.

Key words: Biology, Helopeltis schoutedeni, cashew, Ghana.

International Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics Vol. 8 (8), pp. 001-007, August, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The dynamics of Desmidacean populations in Ologe lagoon, Lagos, Nigeria

Clarke, Edwin*, Olarinmoye, Oluwatosin, M.¹, Owodeinde, Fatai, G., Adeboyejo, Akintade, O., Jimoh, Abayomi¹, Akintola, Shehu, L.¹, and Aderinola, Oluwatoyin, J.²

¹Department of Fisheries Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos State, Nigeria.

²Department of Zoology Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos State, Nigeria

Accepted 15 February, 2019

Abstract

An investigation into the dynamics of Desmidacean populations in Ologe lagoon was carried out for a period of 24 months. It covered identification, diversity and elucidating the influence of some physical and chemical parameters on temporal abundance and spatial distribution of the Desmidacea. Five villages around the lagoon were sampled using standard techniques. Data obtained were statistically analyzed using linear regression and hierarchical clustering. Eight Desmidacean populations were identified. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient showed that positive correlation occurred between the Desmidacea and Salinity (r = 0.043) and with surface water dissolved oxygen (r = 0.300). Regression plots further revealed positive influence with surface water temperature (Rsq = 0.798) and conductivity (Rsq = 0.602) . The correlations were positive with NO₃-N at Ibiye (Rsq = 0.022) and Gbanko (Rsq = 0.013), PO₄-P at Ibiye (Rsq = 0.259), K at Idoluwo (Rsq = 0.296) and SO₄-S at Oto (Rsq = 0.934) and Gbanko (Rsq = 0.457). The most dominant species was Staurastrum species followed by Micrasterias species. Proximities transcended the borders of genera. The Desmid populations in Ologe lagoon, were patchy in spatial distribution, undergo seasonal perturbations and were highly influenced by nutrient inputs from Agbara industrial estate and surrounding farmlands.

Keywords: Desmidaceae, dynamics, dominance, perturbations.