Advanced Science Journal of Zoology

Protection of grains and cereals

2016-09-25T02:35:44+00:00

The protection of stored grains against insectswas reviewed. The various sources of insect infestation of stored grains and the type of insects infesting grains were identified. It was observed that poor handling of the crop products during harvesting and processing prior to storage among others were identified as sources of insect infestation of stored grains and this result in poor quality and loss in market value of the grains. It was established that susceptibility of the grains to attack by insects was influenced by their moisture content. Hence, long â€“ term storage, grains must be dried to safe moisture content. As preventive measures, good sanitation practice will help farmers reduce pest population. Grains can be sun dried when insect presence is noticed, during sunny weather. Mixing of local plants with grains for example dried neem leaves, dried pepper among others, the use of fumigants and the knowledge of the biology of the insect pests will help to reduce the menace of insects from our stored grains. In order to minimize the problems of insect pests on stored grains, harvesting methods be improved upon as to reduce grain losses due to injury which attract insects. Design ofÂ warehouses should be done in such a way thatÂ effective storage of grains will be achieved (good site location, proper ventilation etc), stored products chemicals manufacturing company be set up in Nigeria while research institutes and universities in the country be given sufficient fund to execute research programmes on effective crop storage.

A STUDY OF SOME SERUM BIOCHEMICAL VALUES OF Japanese Quails (Coturnix coturnix Japonica) FED GRADED LEVELS OF ENERGY DIETS IN NORTHWESTERN NIGERIA.

2016-09-25T02:35:52+00:00

Study involving six weeks feeding trials was conducted at the college experimental farm, college of agriculture, Hassan Usman katsina polytechnic, katsina to determined the effect of different energy levels (2400kcal/kg and 2600kcal/kg) diets on the serum biochemical parameters of Japanese quails (coturnix coturnix japanicum).Â Fifty (50) day old Quails chicks were procured and divided randomly into two treatment groups designated as T1 and T2. Each treatment was replicated three times with eight birds per replicate. Both treatments indicate no significances difference (P>0.05) in the biochemical parameters of quails. Both T1 and T2 showed an increase in the value of sodium and total protein and the values of urea, T bilirubin, direct bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate transaminase (AST) and albumin were lower than the references values. Feed and water were givenÂ ad libitumÂ daily. At the end of the trial period two birds were chosen randomly and blood sample were collected through the jugular vein. Two milliliters of blood was collected from the bird in sterile test tubes without anticoagulant and allowed to clot. The samples were processed and analyzed at Rahusa Medical Diagnostic laboratory katsina. From the result obtain in the study, it was deduced that different energy levels as included in these diets of Japanese Quails have no adverse effect on the serum biochemical parameters of the birds.

New records of darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae: Coleoptera) from Himachal Pradesh, India

2016-09-25T02:36:12+00:00

The present paper is based on the faunal explorationsÂ carried outÂ mainly in 11 districts of Himachal Pradesh state viz; Bilaspur, Chamba, Hamirpur,Â Kangra, Kinnaur, Lahul-Spiti, Mandi, Solan, Shimla, Sirmour and Una.The paper containsÂ 24 new records to the fauna Â Â of Himachal Pradesh stateÂ which belong to 24 species under17genera of 08 tribes and03 subfamilies of the family Tenebrionidae. All the speciesÂ are registered and deposited in National Zoological Collection of Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata and registration numbers are also provided for each species.

Bioaccumulation of Chromium, Lead and Cadmium in the bones and tissues of Oreochromis niloticus and Clarias camerunensis from Ikoli creek, Niger Delta, Nigeria

2016-09-25T02:36:19+00:00

Â The discharge of wastes materials into the aquatic ecosystem could alter the physicochemistry of the water. This study evaluated the bioconcentration of heavy metals against two fresh water fish (i.e Clarias camerunensis and Oreochromis niloticus) from Ikoli Creek, Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, Nigeria. Samples were obtained from the creek between April and May 2012. The samples were analyzed using standard protocol. Results showed that in Clarias camerunensis, the concentration in bone and tissue are 0.028Â±0.001mg/kg and 0.018Â±0.000mg/kg respectively (cadmium), 0.625Â±0.004mg/kg and 0.218Â±0.006mg/kg (lead) and 7.776Â±0.006 mg/kg and 0.793Â±0.002mg/kg (chromium). While in Oreochromis niloticus the concentration in bone and tissue were 0.044Â±0.002mg/kg and 0.016Â±0.001mg/kg (cadmium), 0.525Â±0.001mg/kg and 0.486Â±0.006 mg/kg (lead) and 3.628Â±0.001mg/kg and 2.520Â±0.008mg/kg (chromium). The bioconcentration were in the order; cadmium<lead<chromium, which were highest in bones. The concentrations in this fishes were above the limit recommended by WHO. The high concentration of chromium in these heavy metals in the fishes suggests the occurrence in the Ikoli Creek.

Plastral shape isometry in Western Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni hermanni)

2016-09-25T02:36:29+00:00

Elliptical Fourier Analysis is a good technique for characterizing the shape of complex biological and non-biological morphologies. The current investigation aimed to study plastral pigmentation contour (black areas of the ventral shell) changes, according to body size (plastral length), in Western Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni hermanni), using Elliptical Fourier Analysis. For this goal, 52 domestic pure tortoises from authorized private breeders were selected, ventral pictures were individually taken and their contour automatically digitized and straight-line plastron length obtained. Straight-line plastron length ranged from 83.6 to 150.6 mm (for males) and from 78.9 to 171.8 mm (for females).. A regression was performed for second and third harmonics as dependent variables, against plastral length (log transformed) as independent variable. Based on this sample, it is demonstrated that plastral pigmentation design does not change along animalsâ€™ life-history. Therefore, a plastral pigmentation shape isometry can be supposed, at least for this subspecies.

PRELIMINARY CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS FOLLOWING INTRAVEINOUS BLOOD TRANSFUSION IN LOCAL DOMESTIC MONGREL CATâ€™S IN SOKOTO, NIGERIA

2016-09-25T02:36:54+00:00

In this study an attempt was made to look into intravenous blood transfusion. In this part of the country it is rarely performed, neither in the few veterinary teaching hospitals, nor in our local veterinary clinics. However, several clinical cases are regularly lost due to problems of anaemia, and several other situations of blood insufficiencies. Eighteen (18) adult stray cats were used. Six as donors, six as recipients, and six as control receiving normal saline. Blood was collected from the jugular vein of cats under sedation, and transferred to sedated recipients. Vital parameters (temperature, pulse, heart beat rate and respiratory rate.), packed cell volume (PCV) and clinical reactions to the infusions were observed. The PCV of the recipients increased between 5-10% while the temperature was seen to be increasing as the transfusion was taking place. There was an average increase of 6-10c. In the body temperature .clinical signs observed during the initial blood transfusion includes, salivation, urination, muscular tremors, vomiting, lacrimation, and bloat. While the signs were more severe after the repeat transfusion two weeks afterwards, indicating serious transfusion reactions such as severe salivation, urination, muscular tremors, vomiting, lacrimation, mydriasis, lethargy, convulsions, facial oedema, opisthotonus and death. These experiments showed that blood transfusion in the local mongrel cats in northwest Nigeria can be performed to save the live of a cat with problems of blood insufficiency. However, with some adverse reactions, a repeat blood transfusion is not recommended because it can come with attendant severe transfusion reactions, including death. The findings were discussed in the paper.