Sociosexual behavior of a free-ranging Cebuella pygmaea (Callitrichidae,platyrrhini) troop during postpartum estrus of its reproductive female

The sociosexual behavior of a free-ranging Cebuella pygmaea troop containing two adult males was studied throughout a postpartum periestrous period of its reproductive female. A clear-cut male-initiated six-day behavioral estrous period occurred from the 13th through 18th day postpartum, with a two-day peak of mating activity on the 15th and 16th days. Both adult males attempted to mate with the female, but the dominant male maintained exclusive mating access to her by guarding behavior and aggression toward the subordinate male. Estrus-related changes in the daily activity pattern included constant following of the female by the male, increased huddling and grooming between the consorts, a decrease in infant carrying, and suppression of insect foraging in the consorting male. Behaviors seen only during the periestrous period included genital presenting by the female, intensive licking and sniffing of her genitalia by the males, female-guarding by the dominant male, anogenital scent-marking on the male's body by the female, tongue protrusion and “tongue vibrating” by the male, and copulations, play chasing, and “consort walking” by the couple. Within the Callitrichidae, genital presenting and tongue vibrating in sexual context have been observed only in Cebuella.     

Efficacy of a simply resting box baited with crude fruit and leaf ethanol extracts of Phytolaccadodecandra (L’ Herit) in capturing and killing of indoor mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) at Korando,Western Kenya

Effective capture and elimination of indoor resting mosquito population is important in the fight against mosquito borne diseases. This study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of a simply resting box baited with crude fruit and leaf ethanol extracts of Phytolacca dodecandra in attracting and killing indoor mosquitoes at Korando, Western Kenya. The study was conducted in three phases: pre-intervention, intervention and post intervention. Simple resting boxes made from galvanized wire frame measuring 30 cm × 30 cm × 30 cm, covered in blue and black tunic in and out and lined with carton boards were used. The boxes were baited with socks with strong human odour and 80 ml/100mls (e/w) solution of either crude ethanol fruit or leaf extracts of P. dodecandra, ethanol leaf extracts of Azadiracta indica or Deltamethrin. Deltamethrin and Azadiracta indica were used as positive and water as negative control. The treatments were applied at the intervention phase only. The boxes were left overnight in the houses and mosquitoes collected by 6.30 h. It was observed that more Culicines than Anopheline were captured irrespective of phase or treatment used. Mosquito densities reduced with phase of activity. P. dodecandra leaf extracts killed more mosquitoes than fruit or A. indica leaf extracts though the number were less than that of Deltamethrin or WHO threshold of >80% mortality. In conclusion, the simple resting boxes were effective in collecting and killing indoor mosquitoes though lethality did not matched the WHO threshold. With improved structural set up and use of pure extracts of P. dodecandra, the resting boxes can serve as effective tools for capture, elimination and management of mosquito borne diseases.