Zoologist (The)最新文献

{"title":"Anthropogenic impact on environmental variables and macroinvertebrates community of River Eme, South-East, Nigeria","authors":"Emeka Donald Anyanwu, P. Etusim, S. Umeham","doi":"10.4314/tzool.v20i1.9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/tzool.v20i1.9","url":null,"abstract":"Macroinvertebrates are good bioindicators of water quality and ecosystem health and are often used to study anthropogenic effect on aquatic ecosystems. Consequently, some environmental variables and macroinvertebrates of Eme river were studied to understand the impact of human activities on this socio-economically important ecosystem. Six stations (reflecting different anthropogenic activities) along the reaches of the river were sampled and analyzed monthly from December, 2017 to November, 2018 using standard methods. The results showed that water temperature varied from 22.00, station 1 to 28.5oC, station 6, turbidity (0.50-9.40 NTU, station 4), flow velocity (0.21, station 1-0.85m/s, station 3), pH (4.30, station 2-6.30, station 1), electrical conductivity (45.20, station 2-168.40µS/cm, station 5), dissolved oxygen (1.60, station 4-6.10mg/l, stations 3 and 4), biochemical oxygen demand (0.80-4.30mg/l, station 4), nitrate (1.10, station 3-5.6mg/l, station 4) and phosphate (0.40, station 3-4.6mg/l, station 4). Flow velocity, electrical conductivity, biochemical oxygen demand, nitrate and phosphate varied significantly between stations (p<0.05). A total of 584 individuals from 5 taxonomic groups and 23 species of macroinvertebrates were recorded. Aquarius remigis was the most abundant species (8.7%). The macroinvertebrate community was dominated by tolerant and very tolerant species, such as Aquarius remigis, Caridina africana, Pseudocloen sp. nymph, Hydrometra sp and Belostoma sp. The dominance of tolerant species, high turbidity, biochemical oxygen demand, nitrate and phosphate values and low dissolved oxygen values are strong indications of anthropogenic effect. It is suggested that adequate management attention should be paid to the river in order to prevent further deterioration.","PeriodicalId":426223,"journal":{"name":"Zoologist (The)","volume":"22 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122066810","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison of avian species diversity and abundance in relation to habitat structure: toward using birds as indicators of ecosystem health at zone 8, Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria","authors":"D. Tanko, N.S Okwu, J. B. Kachi, B. Adejoh","doi":"10.4314/tzool.v20i1.16","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/tzool.v20i1.16","url":null,"abstract":"Avian species in relation to plant community can be used to determine the health status of the ecosystem. Habitat destruction can lead to extinction of many bird species as well as other plant communities. The study was conducted for three (3) months to determine the variation in avian species diversity and abundance in four different adjacent habitat structures: Farmland, Gallery Forest, Rocky Outcrops and Uncultivated Grassland, all located at Zone 8 area of Lokoja, Kogi State. The Line Transect method was used to collect data from the entire study area where 2000 m transect was marked and further divided into short sections of 100m with 50m distance apart. Each marked section was sampled ten (10) times from 6:30 am to 10:00 am. Birds’ species encountered were  identified using the field guide and songs. Species diversity was determined using the Shannon-Weiner diversity index (H). The study recorded a total number of 4,490 individuals of 110 species belonging to 32 families. Farmland had the highest number of individuals with a total of 1,228 individuals belonging to 92 species, followed by the Gallery Forest with a total of 652 belonging to 95 species, followed by uncultivated grassland with a total of 339 individuals belonging to 65 species and the Rocky outcrop with a total of 122 individuals belonging to 55 species. Bird species abundance between the habitat types differ significantly (p<0.05). The Gallery Forest was the most diverse in bird species with a mean diversity index (H=3.55), though diversity between the habitat was not statistically different (p>0.05). The findings from this study indicate that Zone 8 is rich in avian species diversity. Therefore, there is need to conserve this area from activities that might contribute to habitat loss, which can lead to extinction of some bird species and possibly plants community in the nearest future.","PeriodicalId":426223,"journal":{"name":"Zoologist (The)","volume":"24 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"123733164","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Population dynamics of the mona monkey, Cercopithecus mona (Schreber, 1774) and anthropogenic threats in selected areas of Lagos State, Nigeria","authors":"F. Olaleru, M. Emmanuel, J. S. Agbaosi, H. C. Agidi, O. Tijani","doi":"10.4314/tzool.v20i1.14","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/tzool.v20i1.14","url":null,"abstract":"The mona monkey (Cercopithecus mona) is the major non-human primate adapted to swamp forests that characterizes Lagos State. It is useful in ecological services as seed disperser and reforestation. Efforts to legally conserve this species have been ineffective due to non-enforcement of conservation laws. This study determined the population estimate and threats to C. mona in order to provide useful information for its conservation in Lagos State. Using total head count and questionnaires, the occurrence, abundance, population composition, and the anthropogenic threats to the C. mona in three Local Government Areas (LGAs) viz: Eti-Osa, Ibeju-Lekki and Kosofe were determined. Population surveys were conducted during the wet and dry seasons from September, 2021 to April, 2022. Data were collected through field surveys and administration of questionnaires. The data were analysed descriptively and inferentially. Significant differences were at p<0.05. Mona monkeys were sighted in all the three LGAs. The estimated population was 466 individuals. The highest wet and dry season’s population of 206 and 196, respectively were recorded in Ibeju-Lekki LGA. The juveniles (185) and adult females (104) were the most abundant in the three LGAs. There was a significant difference (Chi-square = 16.18, p< 0.05) in the population of infants in Ibeju-Lekki and Kosofe LGAs. A decline in C. mona population was indicated by 54.4% of the respondents, while 50.8% showed that high rate of urbanization was a major threat to the monkeys. Most respondents (74.7%) indicated that decline in forest cover over the years was affecting the monkeys’ population. The need for conservation of C. mona is critical in Lagos State. This could be achieved through the effective enforcement of existing conservation laws and promulgation of new efficient ones.","PeriodicalId":426223,"journal":{"name":"Zoologist (The)","volume":"105 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"124742275","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of environmental degradation on biodiversity conservation in Nigeria","authors":"C. Mafiana, O. A. Jayeola, E. Iduseri","doi":"10.4314/tzool.v20i1.6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/tzool.v20i1.6","url":null,"abstract":"Biodiversity is critical for sustainability but it is being increasingly threatened by anthropogenic activities, such as  abitats’ degradation through deforestation, unsustainable shifting cultivation and draining of wetlands; as well as industrialisation and overexploitation of flora and fauna which includes unsustainable fishing, excessive consumption of fuel wood and overharvesting of medicinal plants. Human modification of the ecosystems does not only lead to biodiversity loss but can also cause a continuous shift in earth’s ecological equilibrium, resulting in degradation and environmental stress. Notably, the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 15 (SDG 15) is aimed at averting this impending crisis. This article examines the impact of environmental degradation and conservation on biodiversity in Nigeria and espouses suggestions towards the attainment of sustainable development goals.","PeriodicalId":426223,"journal":{"name":"Zoologist (The)","volume":"81 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-11-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"115666357","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bird feathers as a non-invasive method for ecotoxicological monitoring; a rapid review","authors":"A. Adeogun, A. Chukwuka, A. Fadahunsi, K. D. Okali, P. G. Oluwakotanmi, O. R. Ibor, P. Emasoga, T. U. Egware","doi":"10.4314/tzool.v20i1.5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/tzool.v20i1.5","url":null,"abstract":"The decline in animal population with resulting risk of eventual disruption of ecosystem functioning has necessitated moves towards non-invasive sampling methods for ecotoxicological studies. These efforts have focused on developing sampling methodologies geared towards prioritizing conservation of biodiversity. Using a rapid review approach, 106 articles covering peer-reviewed studies, theses, and manuscripts under peer-review quantifying contaminants in feathers were examined. Meta-analysis of extracted information (n=91) revealed that most studies on feather contaminants originate from Europe (47.6 %) and Asia (32.9%), with a higher occurrence of such studies between 2015 and 2020. The most utilized feather-type across studies were body feathers (28.6%) and tail feathers (20%). Majority of the studies (60.5%) used feathers alone to estimate contaminant exposure and uptake; 14.8% used feathers and blood, while 12.3% used feathers and soft tissues (liver, kidney, muscle etc.). Inferences from the review reveal that feathers as a non-invasive sampling method provide advantages by having contaminant concentrations that are relatable with internal organs of birds, captures information on ambient contaminant concentrations based on exogenous contributions and application for historic studies. However, some available data indicate that selective uptake of some metals in organs of species could significantly reduce the number of contaminants stored in feathers and may limit its accuracy for biomonitoring. Furthermore, the different degrees of external deposition of persistent organic contaminants (PCBs, PBDEs, etc) onto the feather surface due to differential degradability/metabolization may limit the use of feathers to estimate exogenous effects. Nonetheless, while feathers have been used successfully as a non-invasive method for ecotoxicological monitoring of metals, metalloids and organic pollutants, knowledge on bird ontogeny and contaminant-specific trends in feathers could improve the accuracy of monitoring. Further efforts towards broadening the impact and advancement of this field method in future studies of avian research especially in developing countries is recommended.","PeriodicalId":426223,"journal":{"name":"Zoologist (The)","volume":"51 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-11-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"128207122","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Observations on the feeding activities of the West African Manatee, Trichechus senegalensis Link, 1795 in a semi-wild environment","authors":"E. Egwali, A. Akpan, I. K. Esenowo, A. Nelson, M. Chukwu, O. A. Adeyemi-Ale","doi":"10.4314/tzool.v20i1.4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/tzool.v20i1.4","url":null,"abstract":"The presence of the West African manatee, Trichechus senegalensis in a semi-wild holding facility in Little Stream Farm, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, presented an opportunity to study directly, aspects of their biology, which hitherto were little known. This study was conducted to identify their plant food preferences and feeding behaviour as a reflection of what may approximate their activities in the wild. The selected plants were weighed (wet weight in kg) with spring balance in batches of 3kg per plant species and offered in batches to the manatee for a specified period (initially for 24 hours, then 4 hours and 10 hours). Of the 15 plant species presented, Emilia sonchifolia, Commelina diffusa, Nymphaea sp., Panicum laxum, Eleusine indica and Rhynchosia sp. had high preference levels while the quantity of Chromolaena sp. consumption was minimal. Bambusa sp., Heliotropium indicum, Ludwigia abyssinica and Hyptis lanceolata were ignored by the animal on repeated presentations. Studies on day-time and night-time feeding showed little difference in quantities of food consumed. However, the maximum consumption of 7kg was observed at daytime feeding on day 4 of the 14 days trial. The result showed that in the event of West African manatee rescue and fostering in temporary holding facilities, these plants’ checklists may come in handy as food materials. They may also come for important considerations as plants whose natural growth and propagation should be encouraged in areas designated for West African manatee conservation.","PeriodicalId":426223,"journal":{"name":"Zoologist (The)","volume":"9 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-11-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133684152","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessment of benthic macroinvertebrate fauna as bio-indicator and physicochemical characteristics in the Gulf of Guinea off western Nigerian shor","authors":"B. O. Bassey, O. Olapoju, A. Yakub, J. Igbo, B. Bello, O. A. Abiodun, E. Nosazeogie, M. A. Izge, A. Haruna","doi":"10.4314/tzool.v20i1.3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/tzool.v20i1.3","url":null,"abstract":"Benthic macroinvertebrates are helpful bio-indicators providing better understanding of modified and perturbed aquatic ecosystems. This study seeks to determine the ecological status and diversity of the macroinvertebrate community in relation to environmental variables in western Nigerian offshore waters within the Gulf of Guinea. Macroinvertebrate samples were collected from five (5) sampling stations using a Van-veen grab following standard protocols. Water samples were collected and the physico-chemical parameters measured onboard using a multi-parameter checker, HORIBA-U53. The physico-chemical parameters of the water varied significantly (p<0.05) between stations. Macoma litoralis (13.71%), Tellina gilchristi (13.71%), and Tellina trilateri (11.71%) were the dominant macroinvertebrate species, while Nassarius cuvierii, Oxystele tigrina Tritia lanceolata Turritella communis, Turritella communis and Orbinia angrapequensis (0.33% each) were the least abundant. Axis 1 (63.73%) and axis 2 (22.32%) of the Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) explained macrobenthic fauna-environmental variables association. Gastropoda showed strong relationship with salinity, silicate, sulphate, TDS and conductivity in Stations 1, 2 and 3. Bivalvia and Scaphopoda showed strong relationship with pH, BOD, water temperature, phosphate and nitrate in Stations 4 and 5. The AZTI Marine Biotic Index (AMBI, 0.85), multivariate AZTI Marine Biotic Index (M-AMBI, 0.80), Bentix Index (5.46) and Biotic Index (BI, 1.00) showed that this section of the Gulf of Guinea is undisturbed.","PeriodicalId":426223,"journal":{"name":"Zoologist (The)","volume":"81 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-11-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133235018","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Environmental degradation and biodiversity","authors":"A. Ugwumba","doi":"10.4314/tzool.v20i1.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/tzool.v20i1.1","url":null,"abstract":"No abstract","PeriodicalId":426223,"journal":{"name":"Zoologist (The)","volume":"22 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-11-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134416132","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Biological invasion: evidence from a tropical reservoir (Eleiyele, South West Nigeria","authors":"F. Oluwale, A. Ugwumba","doi":"10.4314/tzool.v20i1.2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/tzool.v20i1.2","url":null,"abstract":"The encroachment of freshwater territories by invasive species is a global issue with its associated co-existence, displacement and facilitation of native species. The blackchin tilapia, Sarotherodon melanotheron is one of the most successful biological invasive species. Data on its apparent ecological consequences on native species are rare in Nigerian inland waters. Based on stomach contents analyses, diets, feeding strategies, and dietary niche breadths of two sympatric invasive S. melanotheron and native Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus populations in a tropical domestic water supply were assessed for possible convergence. Both species exhibited generalist feeding strategies subsisting mostly on algae but fish eggs and larvae were conspicuous preys of S. melanotheron. Dietary niche of S. melanotheron was wider than that of O. niloticus. Dietary niche overlap was high and significant between these sympatric species. These findings imply that competitive feeding interactions-including predations on vulnerable early life stages may potentially promote invasion success of S. melanotheron in Eleiyele Reservoir. ","PeriodicalId":426223,"journal":{"name":"Zoologist (The)","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-11-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132406912","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Heavy metals concentrations in water, sediment, water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and Frillfin Goby (Bathygobius soporator, Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1837) from Ologe Lagoon, Southwest, Nigeria","authors":"P. Ndimele, F. G. Owodeinde","doi":"10.4314/tzool.v19i1.5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/tzool.v19i1.5","url":null,"abstract":"The level of heavy metals in water, sediment, water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and frillfin goby (Bathygobius soporator) from Ologe Lagoon and its tributaries were monitored because of the importance of the water bodies to the socio-economic well-being of the rural population. Physico-chemical parameters and selected heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd) contents of water, sediment, E. crassipes and B. soporator from six sampling stations in Ologe Lagoon were measured monthly from February to November, 2015. The range of concentration of heavy metals in sediment are: Fe (454±112-2756±1213mg/kg), Zn (3.89±3.08-18.7±6.83mg/kg), Cu (7.68±5.65-36.8±16.9mg/kg), Pb (6.24±2.56-11.2±4.45mg/kg) and Cd (0.42±0.17-0.92±0.42mg/kg). Heavy metal concentration in E. crassipes were 68.5±16.5-987±86.8mg/kg, 13.2±6.40-162±46.2mg/kg, 0.56±0.25-6.54±1.45mg/kg, 5.06±2.41-12.2±4.71mg/kg and 0.28±0.22-1.21±0.49mg/kg for Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd respectively. The concentrations of heavy metals in the muscle of B. soporator in wet season were: Fe, 8.30±2.29 mg/kg; Zn, 0.78±0.28 mg/kg; Cu, 16.20±6.20 mg/kg; Pb, 2.21±0.33mg/kg; Cd, 0.16±0.05mg/kg while in dry season, they were: Fe, 27.19±7.28 mg/kg; Zn, 24.47±6.27 mg/kg; Cu, 0.18±0.16 mg/kg; Pb, 1.72±0.07mg/kg; Cd, 0.19±0.03mg/kg. Hardness and turbidity showed significant (p<0.05) spatial variation. Concentrations of Fe, Zn and Cu in sediment varied significantly (p<0.05) among the sampling sites but Pb and Cd did not. The heavy metal content of water hyacinth from the six sampling stations exhibited significant (p<0.05) spatial variation except Cd. The concentrations of Fe, Zn and Cu in B. soporator were significantly (p<0.05) affected by season but Pb and Cd were not. Although only Pb exceeded the FAO/WHO maximum permissible limits in the tissue of B. soporator, regular monitoring of Ologe Lagoon is advocated in order stern further deterioration of the ecosystem and to protect the rural population that depend on it for sustenance.","PeriodicalId":426223,"journal":{"name":"Zoologist (The)","volume":"4 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"114121082","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}