Department of Animal Biology and Conservation Science (DABCS)
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Item Tolerance of Different Maize Varieties and Wood Species used in Maize Storage Structures in the Volta Region, Ghana to the Larger Grain Borer, Prostephanus Truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae)(University of Ghana, 1994) Addo, S.prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae), the Larger Grain Borer (LGB) has become a serious pest of stored maize and dried cassava chips since it was first seen in Ghana in 1989. Studies on the tolerance of maize varieties and wood species used in the construction of maize storage structures in the Volta Region of Ghana to P. truncatus were made under laboratory and field conditions. Varietal resistance of maize to insects could be of great help to farmers, especially those who have not got money for chemical treatment. In field studies of farmers' barns, maize cobs with longer, tighter and stronger husks had much lower levels of LGB damage than others in the same barn. Selected cobs from farmers barn also showed that good husk is important in resisting penetration of LGB. In no-choice laboratory trials, weight losses for local and improved maize varieties due to LGB were determined. The most susceptible improved variety had 6 times the weight loss (19% in 40 days) of the most resistant local variety Hardness (that is seed coat) of grain showed no obvious relationship to resistance in dehusked cobs. Husk cover was significantly related to resistance (p= 0.005) in a laboratory trial on degree of husk penetration by LGB. This is likely due to physical qualities rather than biochemical factors as ground-up husks sent to the Natural Resources Institute (NRI), Chatham, England, showed no evidence of antifeedant properties. A survey of maize storage facilities used in the Volta Region, showed that the platform, inverted cone and kitchen stores were the most widely used (51%, 18% and 12% respectively of total stores surveyed). Other store types were the katchalla (grass mat store), room store and basket. The survey identified 19 wood species used as components of these stores with bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris L.) and oilpalm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) fronds being the most widely used in all the agro-ecological zones. The six most important woods (Bambusa vulgaris, Elaeis guineensis, Borassus aethiopium, Raphia hokerri, Azadirachta indica A. Juss., Chlorophora excelsa and Triplochiton sclerexylon K. Schum.) were chosen for further testing. None of these supported breeding of LGB in laboratory trials. However, adult LGB survived in all woods for 7 weeks. Farmers with LGB in their storage platforms may not be able to replace the wood before stacking the new maize. Two possible alternative strategies were explored: (a) leaving the platform long enough for the adult LGB to die or (b) smoking the empty platform to disinfest it. Adult LGB survived in infested -ii- platform left in the open air for 3 months after removal of maize. Smoking of LGB-infested bamboo platforms resulted in disinfestation of woods within 3 days with intense smoking and within a week when smoking was done to simulate farmer's cooking time of 7 hours a day alongside an oilpalm mat screened fireplace. However, without screen, smoking was ineffective: some live LGB were recorded even after 7 weeks.Item A Case Study on Parasitic Infectious Diseases in Pregnant Women in Four Hospitals in Ghana.(University of Ghana, 1996) Achoribo, V.The prevalence o f parasitic infectious diseases among pregnant women in some communities within rural and urban settlements in Ghana was investigated. The study was conducted in Adabraka and Mamobi Polyclinics in the Greater Accra Region, Nsawam and St. Martin’s Hospital in the Eastern Region. The aim o f this study was to compare incidence o f parasitic diseases in pregnant women, and to find out how these infections are related to the age o f expectant mothers from these hospitals, also whether there had been an increase or decrease in the incidence o f these parasitic diseases over the past few years. Parasitological examinations "were carried out on blood urine and stool samples from pregnant women within ages 11-45 years. These samples were collected from 98, 515, 280 and 400 women from Adabraka, Mamobi Polyclinics, St. Martin’s and Nsawam Hospitals respectively. Results show that many pregnant women within ages 1 6 - 2 5 years were positive for parasitic infections. Intestinal flagellates infestation was high at Adabraka (90%), Mamobi (77%), and Ascaris infestation (87%) at Nsawam Hospital. Candidiasis and Trichomonas vaginalis infections were also high (80% and 20% respectively). Malaria infection was significantly higher at Mamobi Polyclinic (64%), followed by St. Martins Hospital (55%), and Adabraka Polyclinic (27%). Incidence of parasitic diseases also decreased slightly over the years whilst T. vaginalis and Candidiasis infections increased for ages 16-25. This evidence shows that parasitic diseases may be a public health problem and effective control measures must be employed to control it. Improvements in water supply, sewerage disposal and general environmental hygiene through human behavioural changes and health education may be used.Item A review of afrotropical rheotanytarsus thienemann et bause, 1913 (Diptera: Chironomidae)(Tijdschrift voor Entomologie, 2000-01) Kyerematen, R.A.K.; Saether, O.A.Twelve new Afrotropical species are described, R. kjaerandseni sp. n., as male, female, pupa and larva; R. longicornus sp. n. and R. transversus sp. n. as female and pupa; R. acuminatus sp. n., R. plerunguis sp. n., R. remus sp. n., R. bufemoratus sp. n., R. abonae sp. n., R. aquilus sp. n., R. atrius sp. n., R. digitatus sp. n. and R. jongkindi sp. n. as males only. Eight species are redescribed, R. rioensis Langton et Armitage, as male, female, pupa and larva; R. guineensis Kieffer as male, female and pupa; R. ororus Lehmann, as male, pupa and larva; R. fuscus (Freeman) as male and pupa; R. angustus (Freeman) comb. n. and R. ceratophylli (Dejoux) as male and female; R. samaki Lehmann, as male and pupa; R. montanus Lehmann, as male only. R. buculicaudus Kyerematen described in Kyerematen, Sæther and Andersen (2000) is illustrated. The genus has been recently divided into 21 species groups of which 10 have Afrotropical representatives, namely the pentapoda, acuminatus, photophilus, globosus, pellucidus, guineensis, trivittatus, ororus, thermae and phaselus groups. Keys to males, females and pupae of Rheotanytarsus from the Afrotropical region are given and the zoogeography discussed. The genus as a whole probably originated at the very end of the fragmentation of Pangaea. The Afrotropical species show warm / eurythermic vicariant Gondwanan patterns with multiple sister group relationships between the Afrotropical and the Sino-Indian region, African - West Palaearctic vicariance patterns, and limited evidence for West African - Brazilian vicariance patterns.Item Herpetofaunal communities at Muni lagoon in Ghana(Biodiversity and Conservation, 2000-01) Raxworthy, C.J.; Attuquayefio, D.K.A herpetofaunal survey of Muni-Pomadze Lagoon, during the main rainy season (May-June), recorded a total of 32 species (13 amphibians and 19 reptiles). Three species are the first records for coastal habitats in Ghana: Kinixys homeana, Calabaria reinhardti, and Bothrophthalmus lineatus. None of the surveyed species are restricted to Ghana. The most diverse herpetofaunal community occurs in grassland thicket, with 26 species (81% of the sampled herpetofauna). Freshwater ponds include 12 species, while only three species (all amphibians) occur in brackish lagoons. Herpetofaunal conservation efforts at these sites should focus on protecting and monitoring grassland coastal thicket and freshwater ponds. Currently, freshwater pond habitats appear to be stable, but coastal thicket is being lost to provide new agricultural land at Muni. Hyperolius reedfrogs, pythons (Python regius) and monitor lizards (Varanus exanthematicus and V. niloticus) appear to offer the greatest potential for undertaking long-term monitoring of the coastal lagoon herpetofauna, because they can be more readily surveyed, and are likely to be sensitive to a broad range of environmental stressors.Item Effect of some Ghanaian plant components on control of two stored-product insect pests of cereals(Journal of Stored Products Research, 2000-01) Owusu, E.O.In an attempt to find natural and cheaper methods for the control of stored-product pests of cereals, some traditionally useful Ghanaian plant materials were evaluated. Hexane+isopropyl alcohol extract of leaves of Ocimum viride proved most effective in the control of Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and Sitophilus oryzae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), followed by that of Chromolaena odorata. O. viride showed strong repellent activity and thus deterred the insects from feeding. It reduced survival of both insect pests to less than 25% after 10 days of treatment at concentrations of 0.1 mg ml-1 and above. The results show the potential of O. viride and C. odorata in the control of stored-product insects. © 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd.Item Terrestrial birds of the Muni-Pomadze Ramsar site(Biodiversity and Conservation, 2000-01) Ntiamoa-Baidu, Y.; Owusu, E.H.; Daramani, D.T.This study was undertaken as part of the environmental baseline studies designed under the Ghana Coastal Wetlands Management Project to collect data for the description of the ecological character of selected coastal wetland sites in Ghana and provide baseline data for long-term monitoring of the sites. We provide data on the species richness, species composition, relative abundance and conservation status of terrestrial avifauna of the Muni-Pomadze Ramsar site. The terrestrial bird study was concentrated in the two reserved forest blocks, Yenku Blocks A and B within the Ramsar site. A total of 114 species belonging to 25 families were recorded. Of this, the Yenku Block A site contributed 57 species belonging to 16 avian families, while the Yenku Block B reserve contributed 91 species belonging to 24 families. The most dominant group at both sites was the Muscicapidae. Encounter rates ranged from 12.0 to 28.7 species per km and 34.7 to 141.3 individual birds per km at Yenku Block A; and 14.0 to 26.0 species per km and 45.3 to 172.7 birds per km at Block B. Mist net catch rates were 1.9 to 2.2 birds per 100 mnh and 1.8 to 4.9 birds per 100 mnh at Block A and Block B respectively. The Little Greenbul was the dominant species in the transect counts at Block A, accounting for 16% of bird sightings, and five species, Grey-backed Camaroptera, Blue-bill, Olive Sunbird, Yellow-whiskered Greenbul and Grey-headed Bristle-bill accounted for nearly 60% of the mist net captures at the site. At Block B the dominant species in transect counts was the Barbary Shrike while the Yellow-mantled Whydah dominated the mist net captures. The status of the vegetation at the sites influenced the species composition and bird communities found. The Yenku Block A site had the greatest number of forest associated species and the highest proportion of rare/uncommon bird species (10.5% of total number of species recorded). Moulting was observed in 11 species of birds and evidence of breeding activity was observed in 13 species. The site supported seven species of birds listed as wholly protected on Ghana's list of protected species and 20 biome restricted species, comprising 19 Guinea-Congo forest biome restricted species and one Sudan/Guinea savannah biome restricted species. Despite the degraded nature of the Muni forest, the terrestrial bird species richness and composition is of sufficiently high conservation value for the site to merit more effective protection and management.Item Insects of the Muni-Pomadze Ramsar site(Biodiversity and Conservation, 2000-01) Gordon, I.; Cobblah, M.A variety of collection methods were used to inventory the insect diversity of the Muni-Pomadze Ramsar site along the Ghana coastline. A total of 75 butterfly species in five families were collected and identified. Twenty-six percent of the butterfly species were open country species. The butterflies were all typical of the coastal zone and no endangered or narrowly endemic species were recorded. The Muni-Pomadze site was also rich in other insect species (67 insect species belonging to 15 orders) as a result of the diverse terrestrial habitats surrounding the lagoon. Butterfly species composition changed with habitat indicating a fine-grained response by the butterfly communities to habitat changes. Data from long-term monitoring of butterfly communities at Muni-Pomadze could prove useful as indicators of habitat quality.Item Trends in the use of a small coastal lagoon by waterbirds: Muni Lagoon (Ghana)(Biodiversity and Conservation, 2000-01) Ntiamoa-Baidu, Y.; Nyame, S.K.; Nuoh, A.A.This paper presents data from a twelve-year (1986-98) monitoring of waterbird populations at Muni Lagoon, and discusses the ornithological importance of the lagoon and trends in the use of the site by waterbirds. The small brackish lagoon forms part of the Muni-Pomadze Ramsar site situated on the Ghana coast. A total of 48 species of waterbirds were recorded at the site comprising of 29 species of waders, eight species of terns, two species of gulls, seven species of herons and egrets, one species each of duck and cormorant. The most abundant waterbirds species recorded on the site were the Curlew Sandpiper, Ringed Plover, Greenshank, Black-winged Stilt, Common Tern, Black Tern, Royal Tern and the Sandwich Tern. Three species of waders, Black-winged Stilt, Pratincole and Little Tern were observed to breed at the site. The highest numbers of waterbirds occurred on the site in the period September to March. The site remains an internationally important wetland site by virtue of supporting internationally important numbers of four species of terns: Royal Tern, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern and Black Tern. The value of Muni lies more in its use as a feeding/staging site for migrating waders that spend the non-breeding season in Ghana or pass through to winter further south, and as a roosting site for terns which feed mainly at sea. The use of the site by waterbirds has increased by some 400% between 1986 and 1998. This is attributed to improved prey availability resulting from the opening of the lagoon into the sea during the 1994 floods, and reduced disturbance of feeding and roosting birds. This would imply that the value of the site as waterbird habitat could improve considerably with appropriate habitat management interventions and continued protection.Item Avifauna of two upland evergreen forest reserves, the Atewa range and Tano Offin, in Ghana(Ostrich, 2000-03) Ntiamoa-Baidu, Y.; Asamoah, S.A.; Owusu, E.H.; Owusu-Boateng, K.Data are presented on the avifauna of two Upland Evergreen forest reserves in Ghana: Atewa Range Forest Reserve and the Tano Offin Forest Reserve. The data obtained for the two reserves using three survey techniques: transect counts, timed species counts and mist-netting are compared. A total of 105 species were recorded for the Atewa Range Forest Reserve while the Tano-Offin Forest Reserve yielded 110 species. Mean species encounter rate in the transect counts at Atewa was 24.2 per km while individual bird encounter rate was 52.6 per km; encounter rates at Tano Offin were 31.2 per km. and 98.2 per km for species and individual birds respectively. The most common species encountered in Atewa was the Yellow-whiskered Greenbul Andropadus latimstris (7.1% of observations in transect counts and 6.7% in spot counts), while the Green-crested Touraco (6.6% of transect counts) and Green Hylia (5.7% of spot counts) were the most abundant at Tan0 Offin. The records for Atewa included four globally threatened species while Tano yielded three threatened species. Two species of birds, the Equatorial Akalat Sheppardia aequatorialis and the yellow-bellied Greenbul Phyllastrepus flavostn’atus were recorded for the first time in Ghana from the two reserves. The bird community at Tan0 Ofin was significantly more diverse than that at Atewa. In both reserves, spot counts yielded more species (67.6% and 74.5% of total recorded at Atewa and Tan0 respectively), than transect counts and mist nets. 31 species recorded in both spot counts and transect counts at Atewa were not captured in mist nets, while nine species caught in mist nets were not recorded by the two methods. The figures for the Tano Offin reserve were 43 and six respectively. We conclude that of the three survey techniques, the timed species counts offer the most comprehensive results for rapid assessment of forest avifauna, but a combination of all three methods is necessary for complete coverage. The need for management of the two reserves to maintain their unique biodiversity in the face-of threats from mining and logging is discussed. © 2000, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.Item Biodiversity and ecology of coastal wetlands in Ghana(Biodiversity and Conservation, 2000-04) Ryan, J.M.; Ntiamoa-Baidu, Y.Coastal wetlands are transition zones between terrestrial marine and aquatic habitats; consequently they exhibit relatively unique habitat and species diversity. Estuaries, deltas, and lagoons are among the most biologically productive but least understood ecosystems in the world. In the recent past, the world’s coastal wetlands have been drained and destroyed by conversion to agricultural land, or by industrial and urban development. Wetlands have often been overlooked or misunderstood, but scientists and coastal managers are learning that these ecosystems provide essential services. Such services include the storage of runoff, denitrification and detoxification of polluted water, prevention of shoreline erosion, and they serve as important breeding and feeding grounds for fish, shellfish, and birds. Ghana’s 550 km of coastline includes over one hundred estuaries and lagoons. These coastal wetlands are on the boundary of two major migration corridors for waterbirds: the East Atlantic Flyway and the Mediterranean Flyway. Studies by the Save the Sea Shore Birds ‐ Project and the Ghana Wildlife Society dating back to the early 1980s, have shown that significant numbers of waterbirds use Ghana coastal wetlands as staging areas and wintering grounds. At least 15 species of waterbirds occur here in internationally important populations (Ntiamoa-Baidu 1991). Five coastal lagoons and their watersheds along the Ghana coast have been proposed as Ramsar sites (internationally important wetlands) under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention). In 1992, the government of Ghana received support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for the protection of these sites (Muni-Pomadze, Densu delta, Sakumo, Songor, and Keta) under the Coastal Wetlands Management Project (CWMP), which is implemented by the Ghana Wildlife Department. The CWMP seeks to preserve the ecological integrity of these five coastal wetlands, and to enhance the socio-economic benefits that these wetlands provide to the local communities (Ntiamoa-Baidu and Gordon 1991; Piersma and Ntiamoa-Baidu 1995). To fulfil the CWMP’s goals, baseline information on the ecological health and integrity of these wetland ecosystems is required before sound management decisions can be made. Toward that end, the CWMP has implemented a series of baseline ecological studies aimed at characterizing the current status of theseItem The Muni-Pomadze Ramsar site(Biodiversity and Conservation, 2000-04) Gordon, C.; Ntiamoa-Baidu, Y.; Ryan, J.M.The Coastal Wetlands Management Project (CWMP), funded by the Global Environment Facility and implemented by the Ghana Wildlife Department, seeks to preserve the ecological integrity of coastal lagoons that serve as important sites for migratory waterbirds. This report describes the geomorphology, hydrology, soils, water chemistry, and vegetation of the Muni-Pomadze Ramsar site. Muni lagoon is a saline, shallow water lagoon separated from the sea by a sand bar which may be breached occasionally. The bulk of the rainfall in the catchment evaporates or flows as surface runoff into three streams that empty into Muni lagoon. Open water in the lagoon varies seasonally from 100 ha in the dry season to over 1000 ha in the wet season. The natural flora of the site can be divided into four main types; flood plain (including mangrove and wetland vegetation), dune vegetation, riverine vegetation, and terrestrial vegetation on elevated ground. The latter consists of a combination of grasslands, thickets, and Eucalyptus plantations. Fifty-three percent of the site is classified as natural vegetation. An additional 32.5% is agricultural land and 12.6% is residential area for the 11 communities within the site. The main source of employment are farming or fishing. The area surrounding Muni lagoon is used extensively for bushmeat hunting and as the tribal hunting grounds of the Efutu people. Apart from the global importance of the Muni-Pomadze site for biodiversity, management of the site is further justified by its considerable potential for development as an income-generating and educational nature reserve with an eco-cultural theme, managed by the local communities in partnership with the governmental and non-governmental conservation agencies.Item Mammal fauna of the Muni-Pomadze Ramsar site, Ghana(Biodiversity and Conservation, 2000-04) Ryan, J.M.; Attuquayefio, D.A survey of the terrestrial mammal fauna of Muni-Pomadze Ramsar site along the Ghana coastline recorded 13 species, with 9 additional species reported by local villagers. Small mammal communities are most diverse in the grassland-thicket habitats surrounding the lagoons. Less diverse communities were present in and around managed Ecalyptus plantations or near villages. Duikers, antelope, bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus), and cane rats (Thryonomys swinderianus) are hunted (or trapped) for bushmeat. Bushbuck, in particular, play an important role in certain cultural ceremonies at Muni-Pomadze. Conservation efforts at these localities should focus on the management of bushmeat species and the establishment of a long-term monitoring program using small mammal communities as bioindicators of the health of the terrestrial habitats bordering Muni Lagoon.Item Effect of temperature on the development and predatory behaviour of culex (lutzia) tigripes (grandpre and charmoy)(Insect Science and its Application, 2000-06) Appawi, M.A.; Quartey, S.Q.To study the effect of temperature on the development and predatory behaviour of Culex (Lutzia) tigripes, immature stages of the predatory mosquito Cnlex (Lntzia) tigripes were reared at temperatures ranging from 12-37°C and provided Cnlex qiiinqnefasciatns larvae as prey. Larval developmental duration decreased with an increase in rearing temperature until an optimum temperature of 30°C was reached. Above this temperature, the. immatures developed slower. In contrast, pupal developmental duration decreased at temperatures above 30°C, being shortest at 32°C. The lower and upper threshold temperatures for larval development were around 12°C and 34°C respectively. Fourth instars were the most voracious and had the longest developmental time. The daily rate of prédation increased with temperature, with more prey larvae being consumed at 30°C. Although they consumed more prey, Cx. tigripes larvae and pupae were smaller at high temperature. The increase in prey consumption during the entire larval developmental period at 20°C was attributed to a longer larval duration at this temperature. Developmental period and growth of male and female larvae reared at a particular temperature were not significantly different. Depending on temperature, each larva consumed between 160 and 229 Cx. quinqiiefasciatiis larvae during its development. The implications of these findings to the possible use of Cx. tigripes for mosquito control are discussed. © 2000 ICIPE.Item Some aspects of the biology and control using botanicals of the rice moth, Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton), on some pulses(Journal of Stored Products Research, 2000-08) Allotey, J.; Azalekor, W.The life cycle of Corcyra cephalonica was studied under ambient laboratory conditions (temperature range 27.5-30°C and 60-73% r.h.) on groundnut, bambara groundnut and cowpea. The mean developmental period ranged from 33.2 ± 0.2 to 45.3 ± 1.8 days on whole, broken and powdered forms of the food media. Egg hatchability was found to be 83%, while adult longevity ranged from 1.5 ± 0.5 to 11.9 ± 1.3 days for males and 1.5 ± 0.5 to 16.5 ± 1.2 days for females. Sex ratio (♂:♀) of emerged adults ranged from 1:1 to 1:2.1. Mean fecundities ranged from 128 ± 5 to 157 ± 8 on the food media. In experiments to assess the insecticidal potential of three plant materials against C. cephalonica, Eichhornia crassipes powder showed a higher efficacy than both Citrus sinensis peel powder and the leaf powder of Chromolaena odorata at dosages of 0.5-2.0 g per 40 g of legume seed. At the higher dosage of 2.5 g, C. sinensis was more effective and reduced the population of C. cephalonica by half when compared to the population in control jars over a period of 1.5 months. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd.Item Studies on the feeding behaviour of larvae of the predaceous mosquito culex (LUTZIA) tigripes grandpre and chamoy (üIPTERA: CULICIDAE)(Insect Science and its Application, 2000-12) Appawu, M.A.; Dadzie, S.K.; Quartey, S.Q.Experiments were carried out to determine the factors that influence the feeding behaviour of Cnkx tigripes, a mosquito whose larvae are predators of other mosquito larvae. The results indicated that the efficiency of predatory activities of Cx tigripes larvae increased as they developed from 1st to 4th instar with regard to the number of mosquito prey larvae they consumed in a given period of time. Fourth instars of Cx tigripes are the most voracious of all the stages and are better adapted for catching and consuming all stages of mosquito larvae. The mean number of mosquito larvae consumed in 24 hours increased with increasing prey density. When offered a mixture of different prey species and larval stages, Cx tigripes larvae consistently selected 4th instars of mosquitoes over pupae and preferred Acdes negypti larvae to the larvae of Cx qiiinquefasciatns and Anopheles gambiae. Prey size, density and mobility were also found to influence prey selection by Cx tigripes. ©2000ICIPE.Item Towards phylogeny and zoogography of the genus rheotanytarsus thienemann et bause, 1913 (diptera: Chironomidae)(Tijdschrift voor Entomologie, 2001-01) Sæther, O.A.; Kyerematen, R.A.K.Additions and corrections to the generic diagnosis of the genus Rheotanytarsus Thienemann et Bause is given. A list of all described species is given. Tanytarsus apenninicus Rossaro (1993: 233) is a junior synonym of Rheotanytarsus nigricauda Fittkau (1960: 397). R. kwangungensis Ree (1989: 211) probably is a junior synonym of Tanytarsus thermae Tokunaga (1940: 304), but not formally synonymized. The genus can be divided into four groups based on pupa alone, the 'ceratophylli', 'pellucidus', 'nigricauda', and 'curtistylus' groups. The first three appear to be clearly monophyletic, while the 'curtistylus' group is not. In order to determine the phylogeny of the genus all previously described species were re-examined from specimens available or from the literature. Different parsimony analyses were performed. The preferred tree using constraints based on the pupal types and species pairs repeatedly found in parsimony analyses yielded 15 groups: The aestuarius group consisting of 2 species only, the acerbus group with 6 species, the muscicola group with 13 species, the monotypic pentapoda group, the pellucidus group with 9 species, the sessilipersonatus group with 3 species, the globosus group with 5 species, the ororus group with 7 species, the aquilus group with 6 species, the thermae group with 5 species, the trivittatus group with 7 species, the curtistylus group with 3 species, the exiguus group with 6 species, the orientalis group with 4 species, and the guineensis group with 17 species. The preferred tree has the aestuarius group as the sister group of the remaining species with the following sequence (aestuarius gr. ((acerbus gr., muscicola gr.) (pentapoda gr. ((pellucidus gr. (sessilipersonatus gr. ((globosus gr., ororus gr.) (aquilus gr. (thermae gr., trivittatus gr.))))) (curtistylus gr. ((exiguus gr., orientalis gr.) guineensis gr.)))))). Geographic coevolutionary analyses were performed using Brooks Parsimony Analysis (BPA). Based on the area cladogram ancestral area analyses using the methods of Bremer (1992) and a modification of Ronquist (1994) and Michelsen (1994) counting terminal shifts only were also done. The genus Rheotanytarsus likely originated in Pangea prior to the final split between Africa and South America, but much later than the first break-up of the continents in the south. The ancestral area probably included Northeast Africa and South Asia. The genus shows a warm / eurythermic vicariant Gondwanan pattern with multiple sister group relationships between the South Asia subregion and the Afrotropical regions. The East Asia - North America linkage is likely of post-Miocene origin. African - West Palaearctic and South Asian - West Palaearctic vicariance are found in several groups. The evidence for West African - Brazilian vicariance is present, but very limited. Correspondence: O. A. Sæther, Museum of Zoology, Department of Zoology, University of Bergen, N-5007 Bergen, Norway. E-mail: ole.sather@zmb.uib.no.Item Twinning rates in Ghana(Twin Research, 2001-08) Mosuro, A.A.; Agyapong, A.N.; Opoku-Fofie, M.; Deen, S.The incidence of twin births in Accra and Kumasi, the two major cities in Ghana, was investigated. In Accra, data were collected from the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital while data were collected and analyzed from the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi. Both hospitals are the leading teaching hospitals in Ghana. The data consisted mainly of single and twin births recorded in the hospitals over a period of 12 years in Accra (1988-1999) and 15 years in Kumasi (1985-1999). The study revealed an incidence of 33.4 twin births per thousand live births for Accra and 26.6 twin births per thousand live births for Kumasi. Though these values are not as high as those reported among the Yoruba tribe of southwest Nigeria, who are reported to have the highest twin birth rates in the world, the present values still rank among the highest recorded twin birth rates. © 2001 Cambridge University Press.Item A community-based feasibility study of National Health Insurance Scheme in Ghana(African journal of health sciences, 2002-01) Edoh, D.; Brenya, A.In a community based study at Legon in 1997, a valuation method was used to assess the willingness of students on study leave to pay a percentage premium of their income towards a National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). Thirty-five percent of the respondents were aged 30-40 years, 97% were males, 45% were resident in Accra, 17% in Kumasi and 12% in Cape Coast. Respondents were 84% in formal public employment with 44% majority as teachers. Their monthly income was distributed as 33% earned below currency 200,000, 50% between currency 200,000-currency 400,000 and 7% above currency 400,000. More than 74% were willing to contribute to the scheme with 38% and 37% willing to pay 1% and 2 of their income as monthly premium respectively. Those willing to pay 2% premium, 14 (n=33) earned below currency 200,000, 18 (n=50) between currency 200,000-currency 400,000, and 5 (n=17) above currency 400,000. Malaria was the commonest disease with 86% incidence, however 30%of respondents revealed they did not spend money on hospital services except 39% who spent currency 20,000-currency 100,000 on hospital laboratory services. Over 65% of respondents indicated they self financed their health expenditure. The premium level was found to be influenced positively by financier, sex, age, income, and negatively by health expenditure, but not occupation. In an elite community with inadequate infrastructure and water supply problems but probably with better personal hygiene and sanitation, although respondents hardly spend on health services they were willing to contribute 2% of their incomes as premium towards an insurance scheme.Item Influence of biomedical sciences on National Health Insurance Scheme in Ghana(African journal of health sciences, 2002-01) Edoh, D.; Toku, F.Health insurance becomes a viable alternative for financing health care amidst the high cost of health care. This study, conducted in 1997, uses a valuation method to assess the willingness of individuals from the working sector in Accra, Ghana, to join and pay premium for a proposed National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). Over 97%of the respondents agreed to join the scheme and 62. 8% were willing to contribute 2%of their income as premium. Respondents were mostly aged 30-50 years and 68% in the formal sector with 77% having monthly incomes ranging from currency 100,000 to currency 500,000 ($1=currency 2,400). Only 23.6% had their health care expenditure financed by their employers. Most, 83% indicated they visited hospitals more regularly than laboratories and a 14.5% of the irregular hospital visitors admitted spending over currency 100,000 per year on self-medication. Respondents revealed they spent on the average currency 100,000 and currency 50,000 per year for hospital and laboratory services respectively. The estimated individual health expenditure by biomedical methods was nearly currency 10,000 per month. Estimating individual health expenditure is necessary to set meaningful premiums and biomedical science as laboratory services provided could be a useful tool for such a purpose.Item Rapid assessment of a National Tuberculosis (TB) Control Programme in Eastern Ghana(African journal of health sciences, 2002-07) Edoh, D.; Adjei, R.Rapid assessment of a National Tuberculosis Control Programme (NTP) that provides free treatment for TB patients was conducted at Koforidua in eastern Ghana. In 1997, 540 people were clinically suspected with TB and 148 tested positive by laboratory diagnosis. Likewise in the first quarter of 1998, 223 people were suspected and 25 tested positive. Thus, coverage rate increased from 45 in 1997 to 74.5 in 1998. TB incidence was highest (29.7%) in age group 31-40 years and lower (2.2%) in children below 10 years. More males (64%) had TB than females. In 1996, 196 pulmonary TB patients were receiving treatment at Koforidua Central Hospital (KCH). Outcome assessments revealed 40.6% were cured, 5.6% had treatment failure, 6.7% were transferred out, 1.1% died, but most 46.1% defaulted. Defaulters were mostly men (46.3%) and those residing in Koforidua suburbs (47.2%) but this was statistically insignificant. The treatment regimen was effective since most cases were new (70%) with few relapses and treatment failures, 1.2% each. Knowledge of the reason for defaulting is important for the success of the NTP programme.