Browsing by Author "Omonona, A. O."

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Biotechnology tools in disease surveillance and monitoring in free ranging wildlife: A review
(Wildlife Society of Nigeria, 2018) Omonona, A. O.; Oko, P. A.; Adetuga, A. T.; Coker, O. M.
Diseases have become an important challenge, with more than 60% of recent emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) increasingly originating from wildlife due to increasing urbanization, hunting, globalized trade, habitat loss and other environmental changes. This continuous treat of EIDs to biodiversity represents a major crisis and challenge for public health, though there is an international agreement to slow down or halt this menace. Therefore, wildlife disease monitoring and surveillance has been increasing in recent years in an effort to identify and characterize emerging zoonoses. However, traditional monitoring techniques remain problematic due to detection of new disease events, identification of the level and distribution of diseases endemically present in a population, and the invasive nature of some survey techniques. Hence, there is an urgent need for alternative and efficient techniques for large-scale biodiversity monitoring. The disciplines of molecular biology, genomics and evolutionary biology, in particular, are providing insights into the origin of the outbreak, transmissibility, implications and virulence of the pandemic strain. This review therefore, highlights improved free ranging wildlife disease surveillance using biotechnological techniques and highlights genetic tools which could have important socio-economic benefits, including reducing long-term disease management costs, protecting biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Genetic structure of wild and domesticated grasscutters (Thryonomys swinderianus) from south-western Nigeria
(Informa UK Limited, 2017) Coker, O. M.; Omonona, A. O.; Fagbohun, O. A.; Pylant, C.; Austin, J. D.
Grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) is a large rodent distributed across sub-Saharan Africa that is highly valued as a source of protein. There has been little effort to evaluate the genetic structure of grasscutters despite long-term harvesting pressure and over 40 years of grasscutter domestication in West Africa. Our objectives were to quantify the genetic structure of wild grasscutters, and to compare genetic variation from wild samples to those from various farmed samples within south-western Nigeria. We genotyped 145 wild and 88 domesticated individuals at 11 microsatellite loci and present results quantifying regional genetic structuring and the relative patterns of diversity among wild and domesticated grasscutter populations. Our data reflect high differentiation between wild and domesticated grasscutters, and significantly greater allelic richness and gene diversity in the former. Despite this, domesticated populations appear to have similar levels of observed heterozygosity and comparable levels of differentiation among domesticated samples relative to wild samples. This may be the result of high turnover within captive colonies, or frequent infusion of new animals. More detailed molecular and quantitative genetic studies are recommended on this species to be able to understand their natural variation, degree of connectivity and to improve strategies for domestication.
Internal and external morphometry of Thomas's rope squirrel (Funisciurusanerythrus) and Gambian Sun Squirrel (Heliosciurus Gambianus) In Ibadan, Nigeria
(University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 2020) Coker, O. M.; Jubril, A. J.; Isong, O. M.; Omonona, A. O.
Currently, no information exists regarding internal and external morphometrics and their correlations in Funisciurus anerythrus and Heliosciurus gambianus. Therefore, this study examined the relationships among the internal and external morphometrics of the two species in University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. Samples of adult F. anerythrus (n = 20) and H. gambianus (n = 13) were trapped from the wild at various locations within the campus. Live weights (LW), external measurements and weights of internal organs were taken. Comparisons within and between both species were carried out using T-tests and Pearson's correlation coefficient at p<0.05. H. gambianus was significantly bigger than F. anerythrus for all the measured parameters, except in ear and snout lengths. Male F. anerythrus was significantly bigger than female in LW, body length (BL) and shoulder to tail length (STL) while, female H. gambianus was significantly bigger than male in trunk circumference (TC). In male F. anerythrus, BL significantly correlates with STL (r = 0.85). In female F. anerythrus, LW correlates significantly with hind limb length (r = 0.62) and both kidneys. In male H. gambianus, LW correlates significantly with head length (r = 0.79), tail length (r = 0.81), BL (r = 0.97), STL (r = 0.87), and the weights of lungs and kidneys. In female H. gambianus, LW correlates significantly with TC (r = 0.99) and right lung weight (r = 0.92). Both species show some levels of sexual dimorphism and substantial positive correlations among the external and internal measurements.
Wildlife market and predisposition to zoonotic disease in Ibadan, South-Western Nigeria.
(Society for Public Health Professionals of Nigeria (SPHPN), 2020) Omonona, A. O.; Jubril, A. J.; Salami, K. K.; Coker, O. M.; Olumide, A. O.; Omobowale, M. O.; Azeez, A.; Adetuga, A. T.; Ayegboyin, M.; Oyetunde, O. I.
Background: Recent cases of global epidemics rooted in zoonotic diseases' transmission engendered the exploration of wildlife beliefs and practices toward disease transmission among vendors in wildlife markets. Objectives: The study explored the wildlife market practices in order to understand how the markets, attitudes and behaviours of traders can potentially influence the transmission of zoonotic diseases in Nigeria. Methods: The study employed a qualitative research method, involving non-participant observation and interviews of 22 consented vendors from five wildlife markers in Ibadan, Nigeria. Results: Wildlife vendors were neither grounded about animal-human transmission of diseases, nor hardly suspected their stock as a route or gateway for zoonoses' transmission to humans. They also embraced metaphysical explanation of disease aetiology among them. Conclusion: Holistic and culturally-designed sensitisation about zoonoses targeting the wildlife vendors could facilitate the adoption of healthy practices when handling wildlife among them.
Wildlife market and predisposition to zoonotic diseases in Ibadan, south-western Nigeria
(Samdavies Publishers, 2020) Omonona, A. O.; Jubril, A. J.; Salami, K. K.; Coker, O. M.; Adesolaoluwafunmilolaolumide, A.; Omobowale, M. O.; Abolajiazeez, A.; Adetuga, A. T.; Ayegboyin, M.; Oyetunde, O. I.
Background: Recent cases of global epidemics rooted in zoonotic diseases’ transmission engendered the exploration of wildlife beliefs and practices toward disease transmission among vendors in wildlife markets. Objectives: The study explored the wildlife market practices in order to understand how the markets, attitudes and behaviours of traders can potentially influence the transmission of zoonotic diseases in Nigeria. Methods: The study employed a qualitative research method, involving non-participant observation and interviews of 22 consented vendors from five wildlife markers in Ibadan, Nigeria. Results: Wildlife vendors were neither grounded about animal-human transmission of diseases, nor hardly suspected their stock as a route or gateway for zoonoses’ transmission to humans. They also embraced metaphysical explanation of disease aetiology among them. Conclusion: Holistic and culturally-designed sensitisation about zoonoses targeting the wildlife vendors could facilitate the adoption of healthy practices when handling wildlife among them.