FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE
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Item REPRODUCTIVE RESPONSE OF RABBITS FED SUPPLEMENTALMoringaoleifera (Lam) LEAF MEAL(2014) Adeyemi, A. A.Reproductive inefficiency is a major challenge in rabbit production. Leaf meals such as Moringaoleiferarich in phytochemicals have been used to enhance reproductive performance in cattle and catfish. Information on the use of MoringaoleiferaLeaf Meal (MoLM) to enhance reproductive efficiency in rabbits and its effect on organs has not been adequately documented. Therefore, the reproductive response of rabbits to supplemental MoLM was assessed.In a 24-week trial, sixty rabbits were allotted to four diets containing supplemental MoLM : 0 (control), 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5%with 10 does and 5 bucks per treatment. Dry Matter Intake (DMI, g) and Daily Weight Gain (DWG, g) were determined. Blood (5.0 mL) was sampled from bucks and does for Haematology (Erythrocytes, x103mm-3, Packed Cell Volume (PCV, %), haemoglobin, g/100 ml), Alanine amino Transferase (ALT, IU/L) and hormonal (testosterone, oestrogen) assay using standard procedures.Bucks were assessed for semen characteristics and then assigned to does on each treatment at 2 does/buck for mating trial using standard procedures. Blood (3mL) was sampled from pregnant does at third trimester for progesterone determination using standard procedures. Conception Rate (CR), Gestation Length (GL), Litter Size (LS) and Litter Weight (LW) were determined using standard procedures. Testes and epididymides were removed, weighed and processed for sperm reserves (x106sperm cells/ml). Histopathology (no visible lesion, mild, moderate, severe and very severe) of liver, kidney and ileum was assessed using standard procedures. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, polynomial regression and ANOVA at α0.05. The DMI was not significantly different among the treatments. The DWG of rabbits on control (6.3±0.8), 2.5% (5.2±0.4) and 5.0% (5.2±0.5) MoLM were higher than those fed 7.5% (4.4±0.4). Erythrocytes (6.8±0.2), PCV (40.2±1.6) and Hb (13.0±0.5) were higher in rabbits fed 2.5% MoLM. The ALT of rabbits on control (19.2±2.0) was significantly lower than those on MoLM diets (38.7±4.2 – 48.2±2.7). Oestrogen values ranged from 16.5±1.2 to 25.8±2.0 ng/L and was higher in rabbits fed MoLMthan those on control (10.0±0.8ng/L). Progesterone levels were higher in rabbits on MoLM diets ranging from 1.8±0.4 to 2.8±0.4 ng/L than those on the control (0.63±0.1ng/L). Serum testosterone level was not significantly different among the treatments. Sperm motility (90.3±0.2%), mass activity (3.0±0.01), live sperm cells (88.5±3.4%) and CR (100.0%) of rabbits fed 2.5% MoLM were higher than those rabbits on other treatments. The GL, LS, and LW were not significantly different among the treatments. Testicular sperm reserves ranged from 14.0±1.5 to 53.0±11.1,while epididymal sperm reserves were not significantly different among the treatments. Histopathology of liver, kidney and ileum indicated moderate necrotic lesions at 5.0 and 7.5 % MoLM. Regression of sperm motility on MoLM levels in bucks indicated an optimum inclusion level of 2.7% (R2=0.56) while regression of conception rate on MoLM levels in does showed an optimum inclusion level of 2.5% (R2=0.61).Item Stem Distributions and Height-Diameter Allometries for Two Species of Irvingiaceae (Exell And Mendonça) in a Tropical Moist Forest of Southern Nigeria(2013) Adeyemi, A. A.; Jimoh, S. O.The study investigated stem distributions and height-diameter relationships of two Irvingiaceae species in Oban Forest, Cross River State, Nigeria with a view to suggesting appropriate management strategies for their conservation in the area. Using systematic sampling technique, six 2km-transect was cut in each of the primary and secondary forests in the area. Four 50m×50m plots were laid alternately along each transect. Thus, twenty-four plots were used in each of the two forest types, making a total of 48 sample plots for the study. On each of the sample plots, Irvingia wombulu and Klainedoxa gabonensis were identified and their growth parameters measured on the trees with DBH≥10cm. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The result reveals that there were average of 3 and 4 I. wombulu and K. gabonensis stems/ha respectively in the area. About 47% of I. wombulu fell in the height class 10-20m, about 36% of K. gabonensis fell in the height class 21-30m. Both species have fewer stems in the height class of >40m. Tree diameter distributions reveal that about 33% of I. wombulu were in the class 10-39cm. Only 16% of K. gabonensis belong to this class. About 20% of K. gabonensis encountered fell in the diameter class ≥100cm. There were significant differences between most of the tree growth parameters for the two species. However, the species were found to exhibit similar growth patterns in the two forest types. All the height-diameter models presented in the study were significant. In all I. wombulu gave better models than the K. gabonensis, going by their modeling efficiencies and tests of bias. The models were therefore recommended for predictions in the study areaItem Local depletion of two larger Duikers in the Oban Hills Region, Nigeria(Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2012) Jimoh, S. O.; Ikyaagba, E. T.; Alarape, A. A.; Adeyemi, A. A.; Waltert, M.Across West and Central Africa, duikers are important for trade and consumption; their populations are expected to become depleted. Reliable data on their status are scanty in Nigeria. We assessed duiker populations in the Oban Sector of Cross River National Park through diurnal and nocturnal surveys along 32 transects of 2 km each. After 508-km survey effort, only Ogilby’s duiker (Cephalophus ogilbyi) and blue duiker (Philantomba monticola) were recorded. Using habitat as a covariate in modeling detection probability in DISTANCE 6.0, we estimated densities for the blue duiker ranging from 15.5 (95% CI: 7.8–30.9) in the core, 5.8 (CI: 2.6–12.9) in the buffer and 0.9 (CI: 0.09–10.1) km² in farm fallow to no duikers in the plantation. For Ogilby’s duiker, densities ranged from 1.6 (95% CI: 0.7–3.7) km² in the core, 2.0 (CI: 0.8–5.1) in buffer to no duikers in farm fallow and plantation. The apparent absence of yellow-backed and Bay duikers may indicate local depletion. We call on all stakeholders to rise up to the challenge of rescuing this biological hotspot in Nigeria from further degradation and species loss through improved funding for well-equipped field staff and institutionalized community wildlife managementItem The Role of Traditional Laws and Taboos in Wildlife Conservation in the Oban Hill Sector of Cross River National Park (CRNP), Nigeria(2012) Jimoh, S. O.; Ikyaagba, E. T.; Alarape, A. A.; Obioha, E. E.; Adeyemi, A. A.Efforts to integrate rural people into biodiversity conservation through community-based conservation programs is an old tradition. These efforts were largely based on economic incentives, with little or no attention given to the role of culture and traditions in building support for conservation. Although these strategies are useful in promoting conservation and local empowerment, they are still fragile. Scholars suggest that incorporation of traditional values which reflect locally important cultural practices of the people into the management of conservation areas in Africa will help in their successful conservation. There is a strong need to assess cultural practices; traditional laws and taboos of the people in protected areas, and how they have assisted conservation in the past. To understand how such practices could be strengthened and incorporated into natural resources management and conservation strategies, there is a need to have a general overview of existing practices. The study analyzes the ways in which cultural practices and value systems of the people of Oban Sector of Cross River National Park Nigeria, have aided conservation in the past and how such practices can be encouraged, strengthened and replicated for sustainable natural resources management in the study area and possibly proposed for adoption elsewhere. Ten cultural institutions and seven laws and taboos which regulate the use of resources were recorded in the area. These laws and taboos were respected by all indigenes. Eleven animal species were found to be forbidden by the people. Some of the tabooed animals were for spiritual reasons while some were for medicinal purposes. Every community had sacred forests, called Mgbe forest (Eten Mgbe) The social organizations in the area ensured that these taboos are obeyed. Presence of other tribes, new religions/westernization, use of modern hunting equipments and poverty pose a threat to the effectiveness of these taboos as a conservation tool. Adaptation of some aspects of these taboos may be valuable for wildlife conservation, particularly in protected areasItem Forest Structure Analysis in the Oban Division of Cross River National Park, Nigeria(David Publishing Company, 2012) Jimoh, S. O.; Adesoye, P. O.; Adeyemi, A. A.; Ikyaagba, E. T.Information on forest structure is important for forest management decisions. This is inadequate in many situations, especially where timber is not of primary interest. We analyzed the structure of two forest types in the Oban Division of Cross River National Park, Nigeria. Systematic sampling technique was used to establish two transects measuring 2,000 x 2 m, at 600 m interval in the two forest types in four locations. Four 50 m x 50 m plots were located alternately at 500 m intervals along each transect, constituting 32 plots per forest type and 64 plots in all. Diameters at breast height (DBH), base; middle and top; crown diameter; total height and crown length were measured on all trees with DBH > 10 cm. There were 159 stems/ha in the close-canopy forest and 132 stems/ha in the secondary forest. The mean DBH were 34.5 cm and 33.62 cm respectively. The mean heights were 24.79 m and 23.97 m, respectively. Basal area/ha were 41.59 m2 ha'1 and 27.38 m2 ha'1 for the two forest types. Majority of the trees encountered in the two forest types belonged to the middle stratum which has implication for small mammals’ populations. Emergent trees which are otherwise scarce in other parts of the country were recorded, which also has implications for density thinning and seed supplies