Scientific Reports in Life Sciences

Reproductive biology of the invasive Coptodon zillii in the Shadegan International Wetland, Iran

2024-09-08T03:23:51+03:00

This study explores the reproductive biology of the redbelly tilapia (Coptodon zillii, Gervais, 1848) in the Shadegan International Wetland, southwest Iran. An acceptable number of samples were examined, revealing significant differences, with males averaging 156.17 mm in total length and 78.19 g in weight, compared to females' 144.23 mm and 63.66 g. The sex ratio was skewed in favor of males. The highest Gonadosomatic Index (GSI) values were recorded in April (4.35) and June (2.76), correlating with the reproductive peak and water temperatures of 25.87°C and 34.06°C, respectively. The absolute fecundity ranged from 1,274 to 8,299 eggs per female, with an average of 3,091.25 eggs in the spring and summer months. This study provides essential baseline data for managing and controlling C. zillii, an invasive species threatening the biodiversity of the Shadegan Wetland.

Assessing the effect of aspect on carbon stock and biodiversity in community forests of Kavrepalanchok and Kathmandu, Nepal

2024-09-20T21:23:02+03:00

Estimation of carbon stock is essential for understanding the global carbon cycle. Community Forest is one of the leading renewable resources which had provided safety nets for poor and vulnerable people. This study was rigorously conducted to thoroughly evaluate the effect of the aspect on carbon stock and biodiversity in three Community Forests, namely Jyalachity community forest of Kavrepalanchok and Bosan Danda and Pataleban community forest of Kathmandu district. As a primary source of data, a total of forty-five nested pattern blocks having 12.61m, 5.64m, and 2.82m for tree, pole, and sapling, respectively, have been installed in inventory. GPS, DBH, and height were recorded. Descriptive and statistical test like ANOVA, Tukey’s b was performed in case of normal distribution with calculation of biomass, carbon stock, and the Importance Vegetation index. The North-East aspect was found maximum amount of carbon stock in trees, poles, and saplings. Schimma wallichii was the dominant species with the highest carbon stock mean of 29.56 tons/ha, species richness was 7, and Simpson’s Diversity Index was 0.76 in the tree in Pataleban community forests. The highest tree Shannon-Weiner diversity index values were 1.01 in Jyalachity community forests, where Bosan Danda and Pataleban community forests bore 1.3 same value of index. Evenness of trees in the South-East aspects of Jyalachity community forests was 0.9, while Bosan Danda and Pataleban community forests bore 1 same value of evenness. One-way ANOVA showed no significant difference in the carbon pool in trees in Jyalachity, Bosan Danda community forests, but showed a significant difference in Pataleban community forests, where Bosan Danda community forests showed a significant difference (p=0.008) in poles at a 95% confidence level. Carbon storage is notably higher in the Northeast aspect, underscoring the need to protect these areas to mitigate deforestation-related carbon emissions. This research will provide significant insights and benefits to both the scientific community and policymakers.

Prevalence of Campylobacter and Brucella species isolated from a diversity of rodents in Kasulu District, Tanzania: A public health risk indicator

2024-05-12T09:50:45+03:00

Rodents reserve and transmit zoonotic bacteria, including Campylobacter and Brucella, to susceptible species. However, the prevalence of bacterial species they reserve remains unclear in Kigoma. This study aims to assess the prevalence of Campylobacter and Brucella species with reference to rodents as their reservoir species in Kasulu, Kigoma, Tanzania. A cross-sectional study was carried out in three villages of Kasulu district in Kigoma region. Rodents were captured from households, cultivated, fallow land, and wild areas using baited traps, then counted and identified to species level with a morphological key. Rectal swabs were collected for the isolation of Campylobacter and Brucella species. Conventional microbiological methods were employed for the initial isolation of bacterial species. Further identification was done by using conventional PCR. Sanger sequencing was also employed to generate sequences whose phylogenetic reconstructions were obtained with the aid of MEGA X software. A one-way ANOVA test was employed for statistical inference. A total of 182 rodents from 11 species were captured in the study. Mastomys natalensis was the most abundant species (54/182), while Lophuromys and Arvicanthis species were the least abundant. Rodent species diversity was highest in wild areas (H’ = 1.83) and lowest in households (H’ = 0.28). No statistical significance was observed between diversity and habitats (p-value>0.05). The prevalence of Campylobacter and Brucella species was 1% (2/182) and 2% (4/182), respectively. Campylobacter jejuni and Brucella pseudogrignonensis strains were identified. These results revealed that Mastomys natalensis and Rattus rattus are species harboring the pathogens of interest in this study. These two species are distinguished from others by their closer proximity and interactions with human habitats, where they are most abundant. This close association between a reservoir and a susceptible host positively influences the chain of transmission between the two.

Diet and feeding ecology of Double-Spurred Francolin (Pternistis bicalcaratus) in Olabel farms, Ilaro, Southwest Nigeria for sustainable ecotourism development

2022-03-18T02:04:45+03:00

The study investigated the diet and feeding ecology of the Double-spurred Francolin (Pternistis bicalcaratus) at Olabel Farms, Ilaro, in southwestern Nigeria, with the aim of promoting sustainable ecotourism development. The primary objective was to gain a comprehensive understanding of the species' ecological role, behavior, and conservation needs within its natural habitat, thereby supporting ecotourism initiatives. The farm's land use was categorized into three blocks: arable farmlands, plantation fields, and fallow lands. The study was conducted over 12 months (October 2023 to October 2024), during which data were collected on 16 pairs of francolins, with group sizes ranging from one to four individuals. A direct observation method was employed for data collection. Field data were entered into an Excel spreadsheet (version 20) for subsequent analysis using descriptive frequency, percentage frequency, and graphical representations (including graphs, pie charts, and bar charts), as well as analytical statistical methods. The findings revealed that the omnivorous diet of Pternistis bicalcaratus enables them to thrive in diverse habitats with varying food availability, making them highly adaptable foragers. Plant species constituted 70% of their diet, insects accounted for 22%, and small vertebrates made up 8%. Among plant resources, tubers were the most consumed, with Colocasia esculenta contributing 10.6%, followed by Zea mays at 7.6%, and Elaeis guineensis at 6.6%. Insect consumption was dominated by Macrotermes natalensis (5.8%), followed by Anapha venata (2.6%) and members of the Termitidae family (1.7%).

H₂O and CO₂ volatiles degassing during Proterozoic igneous activity in Kirana Hills, Punjab, Pakistan

2024-12-06T12:12:48+03:00

Tecto-magmatic activity had curved the land of the Rodina Supercontinent during the Proterozoic EON. These processes ejected dissolved gases along with other internal material onto the surface. Besides numerous other impacts, atmospheric fugacity is an important aspect of volcanic eruptions, resulting in both long-term and short-term effects on the atmosphere and environment. The present research is an attempt to estimate atmospheric fugacity during igneous activity in Kirana Hills, located in Punjab, Pakistan. H₂O and CO₂ volatile concentration is measured by FTIR at the National Center of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar. These results are then calculated with the estimated volume of Kirana Hills to estimate the total atmospheric loading of H₂O and CO₂ during Proterozoic igneous activity. However, Kirana hills have a total volume of about 2642906332.30 cubic meters. It was calculated through x, y, and z values of each pixel of the Digital Elevation Model (DEM). It was then converted into Kilograms, which is 4.61 × 10¹²Kg. It was estimated that the prehistoric eruptions at Kirana Hills had released about 1.75 × 10⁷ Kg of H₂O and 4.33 × 10⁷ Kg of CO₂, equal to 1.75 × 10⁴ and 4.33 × 10⁴ tons of H₂O, CO_2, respectively. It is found that the Hachi volcanic group released more gases into the atmosphere than the Taguwali formation. It is also found that the estimated amount of CO₂ is greater than the released amount of CO₂ during the formation of the Deccan traps. Thus, it is concluded that the released amount of greenhouse gas (CO₂) would contribute to climate change by altering atmospheric physical and chemical properties. And climate change would result in drastic environmental changes on this planet.

A review of the tiger state - Madhya Pradesh

2024-10-16T12:08:43+03:00

The biodiversity of Madhya Pradesh has rich and diverse fauna and flora. Madhya Pradesh is located on the genetic highway that connects two biodiversity hotspots in India, i.e., the Western Ghats and the North-East regions of India. The Biodiversity of Madhya Pradesh has great biological diversity. The Biodiversity of Madhya Pradesh includes the diversity of ecosystems, including plateaus, ravines, ridges, valleys, and flat plains. Madhya Pradesh has become the Tiger State of the Country with 526 Tigers. The paper presents the results of the Tiger counting survey of Madhya Pradesh. This review aims to understand the protection measures, counting of tigers with respect to the protection of the forest and our ecosystem, with the objective is to strengthening patrolling and surveillance of the endangered tiger.