Department of Animal Biology and Conservation Science (DABCS)
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Item Abundance and prey capture success of Common Terns (Sterna hirundo) and Pied Kingfishers (Ceryle rudis) in relation to water clarity in south-east coastal Ghana(Avian Research, 2018-12) Holbech, L.H.; Gbogbo, F.; Aikins, T.K.Background: Water clarity may negatively influence rate of plunge diving and prey capture success of piscivorous plunge-diving birds, and therefore has implications for their conservation in polluted urban wetlands. We studied the relationship between water clarity and the abundance and prey capture success of Pied Kingfishers (Ceryle rudis) and Common Terns (Sterna hirundo) in two polluted coastal waters of south-east Ghana—the Weija Lake and Densu Delta Ramsar Site.Methods: On each wetland, data on abundance and prey capture success of plunge-divers were collected in four spatio-temporal quadrats of 100 m × 100 m and analysed with concurrent measurements of water quality parameters using GLM regression with Pearson’s correlation coefficients.Results: Mean prey capture success of Pied Kingfishers (34.7± 13.1%) and Common Terns (35.3± 11.0%) were similar but the two species responded differently to water clarity. The abundance of Common Terns was significantly higher in less transparent/more turbid water while that of Pied Kingfishers showed no significant relationship with turbid-ity and transparency. In contrast, the prey capture success of Common Terns was neither related to transparency nor turbidity, as opposed to that of Pied Kingfishers which was significantly higher in more turbid/less transparent waters. Correlations between capture success and bird abundance, as well as capture attempts were insignificant, suggest-ing that increased fish abundance associated with cloudy water may not necessarily promote higher abundance and capture success of foraging birds. Thus, when foraging in less transparent water, capture success may depend more on predator avoidance by fish prey than lower prey detectability of foraging birds.Conclusion: Within a gradient of 15–51 cm transparency studied, lower water clarity did not constrain prey capture success of Common Terns and Pied Kingfishers. Further studies on the foraging ecology of plunge-divers in coastal Ghana are however required to make firm conclusions on the relationship between water clarity and foraging birds and fish prey abundances, as well as capture success.Item Administrative practices of health professionals and use of artesunate-amodiaquine by community members for treating uncomplicated malaria in southern Ghana: implications for artemisinin-based combination therapy deployment(Tropical Medicine and International Health, 2011) Kwansa-Bentum, B.; Ayi, I.; Suzuki, T.; Otchere, J.; Kumagai, T.; Anyan, W.K.; Asahi, H.; Akao, N.; Wilson, M.D.; Boakye, D.A.; Ohta, N.Objective: To investigate the use of artemisinin-based combination and monotherapy by community members and the administrative practices of health professionals in treating malaria in Ghana. Method: This study is a community-based cross-sectional survey in 11 rural and urban areas in southern Ghana. Using the interviewer method, close-ended questionnaires were administered to community members. Similar questionnaires were also administered in health facilities, community pharmacies and licensed chemical shops. Results: A total of 1085 individuals comprising 959 non-health professionals and 126 health professionals were interviewed. Fifty-seven per cent of the community members visit pharmacies/drug stores as the first point of call when they suspect malaria. According to the participating drug sellers, artemether-lumefantrine (AL) is the most prescribed/sold anti-malarial drug (59.2%), followed by dihydroartemisinin (35%), sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (33.0%) and artesunate-amodiaquine (AS-AQ) (27.2%). The majority of customers who visit pharmacies or drug stores without prescription have their anti-malarial drug selected by the shop attendant; in situations like that, dihydroartemisinin and artesunate monotherapies are sold just as AS-AQ and AL. Chloroquine is still sold by some drug vendors, 5years after its proscription. Conclusion: Whereas the use of AS-AQ and AL are acceptable, the frequent use of dihydroartemisinin and artesunate monotherapy threatens the future of ACTs.Item Anthelmintic Effect of Moringa oleifera Lam. in Wildcaught Achatina achatina Linnaeus, 1758 from the Sefwi Wiawso District, Ghana(Rutgers Press, 2015) Aboagye, I.F.; Mensah, D.; Boadu, F.Parasitic infection in edible snail species such as Achatina achatina has the potential of reducing growth and requires investigation. This study assessed the anthelmintic effect of Moringa oleifera in A. achatina. Using dissecting and microscopic techniques, the proportion of parasitic infection in A. achatina group fed with M. oleifera was significantly lower than that of the control group (χ²(1) = 14.97; P = 0.0001). The mean parasite intensity recorded for the kidney of both treated (2.17) and control (3.33) groups of snails were significantly different (bootstrap t = 2.31; P = 0.041). Similar observation was made in the lung of treated (1.43) and control (3.14) snail groups (bootstrap t = 3.54; P = 0.005). However, no significant mean parasite intensity in the spermoviduct of treated (1.80) and control (1.96) snail groups was observed (bootstrap t = 0.475; P = 0.627). The results generally highlight anthelmintic value of M. oleifera in the control of parasites in A. achatina. Fresh foliage of M. oleifera may serve as useful addition to the feed of reared edible snails.Item Aspects of the ecology of rodents in the Owabi Wildlife Sanctuary, Ghana: sex-ratio, age structure and reproductive characteristics(Asian Journal of Applied Sciences, 1 (4): 134-140, 2013) Garshong, R.A; Attuquayefio, D.KThis study investigated aspects of the ecology (sex-ratio, age structure and reproductive characteristics) of four rodent species in the Owabi Wildlife Sanctuary (OWS). Collapsible Sherman live traps (22.5 x 8.8 x 7.5 cm) were used to capture the rodent species in 12 grids, measuring 20 × 20 m and covering different habitat types identified in the sanctuary from October, 2009 to April, 2010. Trapping effort covered 1,500 trap-nights and 119 individuals belonging to four species were captured. There were 77 individuals of Praomys tullbergi (Tullberg’s soft-furred rat), 16 were Lophuromys sikapusi (Rusty-bellied brush-furred mouse) and 13 were Hybomys trivirgatus (Temminck’s hump-nosed mouse) and Malacomys edwardsi (Edward’s long-footed rat), with male-to-female ratios of 1.5:1, 1.7:1, 1:1.6 and 2.3:1 respectively. Adults dominated in the age structure of all the rodents captured. All the 50 adult males of the four rodents were in reproductive condition. Of the adult females, 5.6% of P. tullbergi, 33.3% of M. edwardsi and 25.0% of H. trivirgatus were pregnant while 22.2% of P. tullbergi and 50% of H. trivirgatus were lactating. The reproductive characteristics indicated a stable and thriving rodent community at the OWS. It is however recommended that a whole-year study be conducted to provide a sounder basis for the conclusions of this study.Item Aspects of the ecology of the Tullberg’s soft-furred Mouse (Praomys tullbergi: Thomas 1894) in Mount Afadjato, Ghana.(Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences, 1 (5): 398-404, 2013) Ofori, B.Y; Attuquayefio, D.K; Owusu, E.HThe relative abundance, age-structure, sex-ratio, biomass and breeding activity of Praomys tullbergi (Tullberg’s soft-furred mouse) were studied over an eight-month period (June 2008 to January 2009) at Mount Afadjato Conservation Area in the Volta Region of Ghana. The methodology involved the use of live-trapping techniques using Sherman collapsible traps. There were 183 captures of 80 individual mice in 3,360 trap-nights, giving overall trapping success and relative abundance of 5.4% and 2.4%, respectively. Adults constituted about 93% of the total number of individuals captured, while the remaining 7% were all sub-adults. Majorities (59%) of the individuals recorded were males, and these were generally slightly heavier than their non-pregnant female counterparts. Breeding activity was evident throughout the study period, peaking during the wet season. All the captured female individuals showed evidence of breeding activity (perforate vaginas, enlarged nipples, pregnancy), whereas 84% of the males had scrotal testes. The highest number of individuals was recorded in August. The year-round breeding activity of P. tullbergi may, to a large extent, account for their dominance in most forests in Ghana.Item Aspects of the feeding ecology of wintering waterbirds on the Densu Delta site, Greater-Accra Region, Ghana(Ghana Journal of Science (67):, 2008) Attuquayefio, D.K.; Gbogbo, F.; Suapim, R. H.; Krobea-Asante, A.; Owusu, E.H.This work describes daily feeding rhythms and water depth selection of waterbirds at the Densu Delta in March and April, 2005, using direct observation and still photography. The results indicted that Densu Delta Ramsar Site is an important habitat for 31 species of migratory birds. Specific feeding areas of the various waterbird species were dependent on long length. Foraging time was related to bird size with small birds species spending more time on feeding than larger birds. Analysis of feeding patterns of the waterbirds suggest the occurrence of six functional guilds at the site.Item Assessing municipal solid wastes (MSW) for composting programs in rapidly urbanizing area: a case study from Accra, Ghana(International Journal of Environment & Waste Management (IJEWM)1/2(6): 25-40, 2009) Attuquayefio, D.K.; Fobil, J.N.; Carboo, D.; Rodrigues, F.K.; Sory, S.A complete understanding of all physico-chemical and biochemical attributes of waster stream materials is necessary for successful implementation of waste management programmes in a given context because of their influence on the behaviour of these materials in the natural environment. This paper discusses these properties of Municipal Solid Waster (MSW) to guage its suitability compositing programmes in Accra, a rapidly urbanizing city. The results showed that the MSW was very wet at 60% moisture content by weight. Additionally, the proportion of the biological originated carbon was considerably high compared with nitrogen thus giving high values of carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratios (i.e., roughly 27:1-100:1). The percentage composition of materials ranged between 55-65% and 40-45% for compostable and combustible materials, respectively. In conclusion, the MSW in the metropolis could be a good candidate for successful compositing programmes if social and economic factors were conductive.Item Assessing the Knowledge and Awareness Among Selected Tertiary Students in the Accra Metropolis on Zoonotic Infections(Environmental Health Insights, 2023) Barimah, A.J.; Ofosua, T.Y.; Addo, H.O.; et al.Background: Zoonotic infections are a serious threat to human health and a direct risk that could potentially be fatal. Animals both domestic and wild serve as reservoirs for zoonotic infections. Thus, frequent contact with animals might occasionally result in the transfer of infections from animals to people. Ghana is especially susceptible to the effects of zoonotic infections due to the increase in the household human-animal ratio. This study assessed the awareness and knowledge level of tertiary students in a selected tertiary institution on zoonotic infections. Methods: A quantitative research method was employed making use of a descriptive cross-sectional study design. The target population chosen for the research was mainly students from the University of Ghana. A stratified sampling technique was used in selecting participants for the study. 440 participants were selected for the study. The university’s four primary colleges served as the strata for the basis of data collection. Results: The study revealed a moderate knowledge level among students. The term “zoonoses” was understood by the majority (70%) of the respondents. Respondents knew at least one route of transmission of zoonotic infection. For the spread of zoonotic infections, close con tact with infected animals and consumption of contaminated food were seen as ways of spread by a majority. Conclusion: Although the basic strategies required for the control and elimination of the zoonotic diseases in such tertiary institutions are well known and practiced as per the study findings, zoonoses still persists and this can be attributed to low education on the subject. Knowledge and awareness level on zoonoses especially in tertiary institutions such as the University of Ghana could be improved if relevant authorities create adequate enlightenment programs on improving the knowledge of zoonotic diseases through a variety of media including seminars, workshop, television, radio, newspaper and social mediaItem Assessment of Ectoparasitic Infestation In Chickens (Gallus Gallus Domesticus) In The Sunyani West District, Ghana(Journal of Science and Technology, 2014) Aboagye, I.F.; Korang, E.; Offeh, A.; Davis, H.E.Assessment of ectoparasitic infestation in chickens raised under intensive care system was undertaken to determine their prevalence in three poultry farms in the Sunyani West District of Ghana from December, 2011 to April, 2012. With the aid of a magnifying glass, various body areas of chickens were examined for the presence of ectoparasites. All matured chickens aged 72 to 82 weeks harboured lice species identified to be Menacanthus stramineus and Menopon gallinae. Co-infestations with chicken mite, Dermanyssus gallinae, in 43.8% and 36.5% of matured chickens from Farms 2 and 3 respectively were observed. However, lower lice infestation in growers aged 24 to 40 weeks from Farms 1 (72%), 2 (62.7%) and 3 (73.3%), and no mite infestation were observed. All growers from the three farms had significantly higher prevalence in the ventral, wing, cloacal and tail areas compared with femoral, head and neck areas of their bodies. In Farm 1, the cloacal and tail areas of chickens had significantly higher prevalence than the head and neck areas (χ² (1) = 176.74, p< 0.001). The study revealed high prevalence of ectoparasitic infestation in chickens of all age groups in all the poultry farms. This threatens their health and productive potential as well as the viability of the poultry industry. Regular examination of the highly infested body areas may help poultry farmers detect and control ectoparasitic infestation or re-infestation early to maintain good health and increase the productive potential of chickens in the Sunyani West District.Item Assessment of Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) Infestation Levels on Citrus in Abura Asebu Kwamankese District, Ghana(African Entomology, 2017-09) Bawa, S.A.; Ofori, E.S.K.; Yawson, G.; Billah, M.K.; Nuamah, K.A.Citrus spp. (Rutaceae), is a major cash crop inGhana and is cultivated in the semi-deciduous for-est zone, which covers parts of the Ashanti,Brong-Ahafo, Eastern, Western, Central and Voltaregions of the country (Anno-Nyarko 1998). Cur-rent production as at 2013 is estimated at over700 000 t annually (FAO 2013). One of the majorthreats to the citrus industry is fruit fly infestation.Fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) are among themost important insect pests of fruits, especiallymangoes (Lux et al. 2003; Vayssières et al. 2008;Ekesi et al. 2009). Female fruit flies lay eggs underthe skin of the fruit, which hatch into larvae thatfeed in the decaying flesh of the crop. Infestedfruits quickly rot and become inedible or drop onthe ground, thus causing direct loss to the farmer.Besides the direct damage to the fruit, indirect lossis associated with quarantine restrictions that areimposed by fruits and vegetable importing coun-tries.Item Assessment of Helminth Infections in Goats Slaughtered in an Abattoir in a suburb of Accra, Ghana(West African Journal of Applied Ecology, 2015) Futagbi, G.; Abankwa, J.K.; Agbale, P.S.; Aboagye, I.F.A cross-sectional study to evaluate parasitic infections in small ruminants was conducted in an abattoir in a suburb of Accra from January to March 2015. Samples from various sections of the gut of 35 goats, either reared in Ghana or imported from Burkina Faso, were analyzed using the Kato-Katz technique. The overall prevalence was 100%. The proportions of goats infected with each parasite type were 100%, 94.4%, 88.6%,80.5%, 68.6 62.8% and 44.4% respectively for Strongyloides sp., tapeworms, Ascaris sp., Fasciola hepatica, Trichuris sp., Haemonchus contortus and Schistosoma haematobium. The proportion of animals infected with Haemonchus contortus was significantly higher in imported goats than those reared locally (p<0.05). The mean intensity of infection was low for all the parasites. However, high diversity of parasites with 80% of goats having at least four parasite types was observed. The data show high multiple infections in the goats brought to the slaughter house and suggest the need to institute appropriate measures to curb the problem.Item Assessment of Patterns of Climate Variables and Malaria Cases in Two Ecological Zones of Ghana(Open Journal of Ecology, 2014) Klutse, N.A.B.; Aboagye-Antwi, F.; Owusu, K.; Ntiamoa-Baidu, Y.Climate change is projected to impact human health, particularly incidence of water related and vector borne diseases, such as malaria. A better understanding of the relationship between rainfall patterns and malaria cases is thus required for effective climate change adaptation strategies involving planning and implementation of appropriate disease control interventions. We analyzed climatic data and reported cases of malaria spanning a period of eight years (2001 to 2008) from two ecological zones in Ghana (Ejura and Winneba in the transition and coastal savannah zones respectively) to determine the association between malaria cases, and temperature and rainfall patterns and the potential effects of climate change on malaria epidemiological trends. Monthly peaks of malaria caseloads lagged behind monthly rainfall peaks. Correlation between malaria caseloads and rainfall intensity, and minimum temperature were generally weak at both sites. Lag correlations of up to four months yielded better agreement between the variables, especially at Ejura where a two-month lag between malaria caseloads and rainfall was significantly high but negatively correlated (r = −0.72; p value < 0.05). Mean monthly maximum temperature and monthly malaria caseloads at Ejura showed a strong negative correlation at zero month lag (r = −0.70, p value < 0.05), with a similar, but weaker relationship at Winneba, (r = −0.51). On the other hand, a positive significant correlation (r = 0.68, p value < 0.05) between malaria caseloads and maximum temperature was observed for Ejura at a four-month lag, while Winneba showed a strong correlation (r = 0.70; p value < 0.05) between the parameters at a two-month lag. The results suggest maximum temperature as a better predictor of malaria trends than minimum temperature or precipitation, particularly in the transition zone. Climate change effects on malaria caseloads seem multi-factorial. For effective malaria control, interventions could be synchronizedItem An assessment of the effects of some aspects of water quality on amphibian reproduction(Ghana Journal of Science (48): 55-64, 2009) Attuquayefio, D.K.; Gbogbo, F.As a result of their quasi-terrestrial lifestyle, adult amphibians are generally believed to be less-affected by water quality compared to completely aquatic organisms. This study investigated the effects of sewage pollution on the early developmental stages of anurans or tail-less amphibians (frogs and toads). The methodology involved a field survey of anurans in varied ranges of water quality, and monitoring of anuran eggs and tadpoles in controlled water media in the laboratory. The results indicated that turbidity and dissolved oxygen content of water severely affected the survival of tadpoles (anuran larvae) and the ability of anuran eggs to hatch. LD50 values indicated that the eggs failed to hatch when dissolved oxygen and turbidity levels were below 2.9 mgl-1 and above 22 NTU respectively. At dissolved oxygen and turbidity values of 2.3 mgl-1 and 35 NTU respectively, 50% of tadpoles survived. The level of pollution in the urban stream used in the experiment required 87% dilution to support the hatching of anuran eggs and 82% dilution to support survival of the tadpoles. These required dilution levels could only be obtained after heavy rains, suggesting that in addition to preventing dessication of eggs and tadpoles, the anuran strategy of breeding after rains has an added advantage of minimizing the effects of pollutants on their early developmental stages.Item Association of TNF-Alpha, MBL2, NOS2, and G6PD with Malaria Outcomes in People in Southern Ghana(Genetics Research, 2022) Fugtagbi, G.; Otu, P.S.; Abdul-Rahman, M.; Aidoo, E.K.; Lo, A.C.; Gyan, B.A.; Afrane, Y.A.; Amoah, L.E.Background. One major issue that has set back the gains of the numerous malaria control interventions that national malaria control programs have implemented is asymptomatic malaria. Certain host genetic factors are known to influence symptomatic malaria; however, not much is known about how host genetics influences the acquisition of asymptomatic malaria. Methods. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood collected from 60 symptomatic and 149 nonfebrile (asymptomatic, N 109, and uninfected, N 40) volunteers aged between 2 and 69 years from a high (Obom) and a low (Asutsuare) malaria transmission setting in Southern Ghana. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was used to determine polymorphisms at the MBL2 54, TNF-α 308, NOS2 954, and G6PD 202/376 gene loci. Results. Polymorphisms at the MBL2 54 and TNF-α 308 loci were significantly different amongst the three categories of volunteers in both Asutsuare (p 0.006) and Obom (p 0.05). I Asutsuare, a low malaria transmission area, the allele G has significantly higher odds (3.15) of supporting asymptomatic malaria as against symptomatic malaria. )ere were significantly higher odds of TNF-α genotype GA being associated with symptomatic malaria as against asymptomatic malaria in both sites, Obom (p 0.027) and Asutsuare (p 0.027). )e allele B of the G6PD gene was more prevalent in symptomatic rather than asymptomatic parasite-infected individuals in both Obom (p 0.001) and Asutsuare (p 0.003). Conclusion. Individuals in Southern Ghana carrying the TNF-α 308 GA genotype are more likely to exhibit symptoms of malaria when infected with the malaria parasite as opposed to harboring an asymptomatic infection. Also, the B allele of the G6PD gene is likely to prevent a P. falciparum-infected person from exhibiting symptoms and thereby promote asymptomatic parasite carriage.Item Associations between Red Cell Polymorphisms and Plasmodium falciparum Infection in the Middle Belt of Ghana(PLoSONE 9(12): e112868., 2014) Amoako, N.; Asante, K.P.; Adjei, G.; Awandare, G.A.; Bimi, L.Red blood cell (RBC) polymorphisms are common in malaria endemic regions and are known to protect against severe forms of the disease. Therefore, it is important to screen for these polymorphisms in drugs or vaccines efficacy trials. This study was undertaken to evaluate associations between clinical malaria and RBC polymorphisms to assess biological interactions that may be necessary for consideration when designing clinical trials. In a cross-sectional study of 341 febrile children less than five years of age, associations between clinical malaria and common RBC polymorphisms including the sickle cell gene and G6PD deficiency was evaluated between November 2008 and June 2009 in the middle belt of Ghana, Kintampo. G6PD deficiency was determined by quantitative methods whiles haemoglobin variants were determined by haemoglobin titan gel electrophoresis. Blood smears were stained with Giemsa and parasite densities were determined microscopically. The prevalence of clinical malarial among the enrolled children was 31.9%. The frequency of G6PD deficiency was 19.0% and that for the haemoglobin variants were 74.7%, 14.7%, 9.1%, 0.9% respectively for HbAA, HbAC, HbAS and HbSS. In multivariate regression analysis, children with the HbAS genotype had 79% lower risk of malaria infection compared to those with the HbAA genotypes (OR P 0.21, 95% CI: 0.06–0.73, p 5 0.01). HbAC genotype was not significantly associated with malaria infection relative to the HbAA genotype (OR P - 0.70, 95% CI: 0.35–1.42, p - 0.33). G6PD deficient subgroup had a marginally increased risk of malaria infection compared to the G6PD normal subgroup (OR 5 1.76, 95% C ; 0.98–3.16, p - 0.06). These results confirm previous findings showing a protective effect of sickle cell trait on clinical malaria infection. However, G6PD deficiency was associated with a marginal increase in susceptibility to clinical malaria compared to children without G6PD deficiency.Item Associations of IL13 gene polymorphisms and immune factors with Schistosoma haematobium infection in schoolchildren in four schistosomiasis-endemic communities in Ghana(2021) Sarpong-Baidoo, M.; Ofori, M.F.; Asuming-Brempong, E.K.; Kyei-Baafour, E.; Idun, B.K.; Owusu-Frimpong, I.; Amonoo, N.A.; Quarshie, Q.D.; Tettevi, E.J.; Osei-Atweneboana, M.Y.Schistosomiasis remains a major public health issue with over 90% of the prevalence rates recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa. In this study, the relationships between different interleukin gene polymorphisms (IL-13-591A/G, IL-13-1055C/T, IL-13-1258A/G) and Schistosoma haematobium infection levels were evaluated; as well as the host plasma antibodies and cytokine profiles associated with schistosomiasis infection. A total of 469 school children aged 6 to 19 years from four schistosomiasis-endemic communities in Ghana were involved. Single urine and stool samples were obtained from each pupil, processed via sedimentation and Kato-Katz, and examined via microscopy for Schistosoma and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) eggs. Next, venous blood samples were drawn from 350 healthy pupils, and used to measure antibody and plasma cytokine levels by ELISA. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the IL-13 gene were genotyped on 71 selected blood samples using the Mass Array technique. Principal findings and conclusion The overall prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis was 21.11%. Community-level preva lences were 17.12%, 32.11%, 20.80%, and 15.32% for Asempaneye, Barikumah, Eyan Akotoguah, and Apewosika respectively. Generally, higher S. haematobium infection preva lence and intensity were recorded for participants with genotypes bearing the IL13-1055C allele, the IL13-591A, and the IL13-1258A alleles. Also, higher S. haematobium infection prevalence was observed among participants in the 12-14-year age group with the IL13- 1055C, IL13-591A, and IL13-1258A alleles. Interestingly, higher STH prevalence was also observed among participants with the IL13-1055C, IL13-591A, and IL13-1258A alleles. Fur thermore, the age-associated trends of measured antibodies and cytokines of S. haemato bium-infected school-children depicted a more pro-inflammatory immune profile for pupils aged up to 1l years, and an increasingly anti-inflammatory profile for pupils aged 12 years and above. This work provides insight into the influence of IL-13 gene polymorphisms on S. haematobium, and STH infections, in school-aged children (SAC).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 Bacteriological quality of ready-to-eat foods sold on and around University of Ghana Campus(Research Journal of Microbiology 2(5):130-136, 2009) Bimi, L.; Yeboah-Manu, D.; Kpeli, G.; Akyeh, M.L.The aim of this study was to determine the microbial quality of ready-to-eat foods being sold in the open (street foods) and those from restaurants on the university of Ghana campus. A total of 27 foods were sampled from the 5 sites. Four microbiological parameters, namely Aerobic Colony Count (ACC), total Enterobactereacea (EC), presence of Escherichia coli and other Enterobacteriaceae and the presence of Salmonella sp. and Shigella sp. were used. Forty eight percent (13/27) of the foods sold had ACC values within acceptable limits, that is <104 cfu g-1 whiles 52% (14/27) had ACC values above acceptable limits and therefore, unsatisfactory for consumption, 59.3% had EC values within the acceptable limits whiles 40.7% had EC above the limit. Nine different bacterial species were isolated from the foods sampled. These were E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus sp., Enterobacter cloacae, Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus sp., Streptococcus agalactiae and Enterococcus faecalis. On comparing the microbial qualities from the two sectors we found no difference in their microbiological qualities using student's t-test analysis (t-test< t-value: 0.397<2.06). The level of microbial contamination in some food samples both the open market and restaurants were above the acceptable limits. Therefore, present findings call for a more stringent supervision by the public health department of the university to protect the university community from future occurrence of food poisoning.Item Basic Developmental Characteristics of the Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Reared under Laboratory Conditions(Psyche: A Journal of Entomology, 2023) Marri, D.; Mensah, S.A.; Kotey, D.A.; Abraham, J.; Billah, M.K.; Osae, M.Te life cycle of the invasive alien insect pest, fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), was studied using a colony established from feld-collected larvae. Eggs, neonate larvae, and newly emerged adult moths were used in experiments to investigate the basic biology of the FAW. Adult females laid up to 1184 eggs with a mean of 469 ± 22 eggs per female. Te incubation period of eggs and percentage hatchability were 2-3 days and 80–87%, respectively. Te mean larval lengths from the frst to the sixth instar were 4.63, 6.60, 9.76, 15.86, 25.13, and 27.81 mm, respectively. Te mean larval weights were 0.003, 0.019, 0.045, 0.050, 0.060, and 0.067 g, respectively, for the six instars. Te mean width of the head capsule of the sixth instar larva was 2.76 mm. Te total larval duration throughout the six instar stages was 16–18 days, while the mean pupal weight was 0.25 ± 0.001 g and 0.35 ± 0.011 g for males and females, respectively. Te mean pupal length was 14.3 ± 0.16 mm for males and 17.2 ± 0.14 mm for females. Pupal duration ranged from 8 to 14 days, with a mean of 10.35 ± 0.26 days, while the pupal emergence rate ranged from 60 to 94%, with a mean of 80.25 ± 1.28%. Te life cycle of males lasted 33–44 days and that of females lasted 36–49 days under laboratory conditions. Adult copulation occurred between 8 and 11 pm, with the peak occurring at 9 pm. Tis study provides baseline information about the biology of the FAW. Apart from being an important reference point for future research on the FAW, the data provided would aid FAW management decision-making.Item Behavioral Repertory of Adult Cylas formicarius (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Brentidae)(Coleopterists Bulletin, 2018-03) Starr, C.K.; Wilson, D.D.; Kays, S.J.Adult female and male sweetpotato weevils, Cylas formicarius (Fabricius), have repertories of at least 19 and 21 behavior patterns, respectively. These are described and named, including eight self-grooming patterns. Consistent with the species' slight sexual dimorphism, few behavior patterns are peculiar to one sex. The sequence of self-grooming movements is analyzed for each sex. Comparative assays of vagility and overall activity do not show any difference between the sexes.