Dual phylogenetic origins of Nigerian lions (Panthera leo)

Lion fecal DNA extracts from four individuals each from Yankari Game Reserve and Kainji‐Lake National Park (central northeast and west Nigeria, respectively) were Sanger‐sequenced for the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. The sequences were aligned against 61 lion reference sequences from other parts of Africa and India. The sequence data were analyzed further for the construction of phylogenetic trees using the maximum‐likelihood approach to depict phylogenetic patterns of distribution among sequences. Our results show that Nigerian lions grouped together with lions from West and Central Africa. At the smaller geographical scale, lions from Kainji‐Lake National Park in western Nigeria grouped with lions from Benin (located west of Nigeria), whereas lions from Yankari Game Reserve in central northeastern Nigeria grouped with the lion populations in Cameroon (located east of Nigeria). The finding that the two remaining lion populations in Nigeria have different phylogenetic origins is an important aspect to consider in future decisions regarding management and conservation of rapidly shrinking lion populations in West Africa.     

红树科植物的化石记录及植物地理史

红树科植物化石种类有红树属Rhizophora、秋茄属K andelia、角果木属Ceriops和木榄属Bruguiera等4属,主要分布于亚洲、欧洲、非洲、大洋洲和美洲的古新世至全新世地层中。红树科植物化石记录显示:该科植物很可能于古新世至始新世早期起源于环特提斯海沿岸,中始新世开始从这一起源中心迅速向世界其它地方包括亚洲、欧洲、非洲、大洋洲和美洲等地扩散;渐新世在上述地区继续这一扩散历程,但在欧洲的化石记录消失;中新世时在亚洲、非洲、大洋洲和美洲达到了极盛期;上新世开始分布范围有所缩小,更新世则进一步缩小;一直到全新世才又重新繁盛起来。红树科植物的这一分布格局和地史演变是与地质时期大陆漂移、洋底扩张、第四纪冰川活动、古气候和古地理的变迁紧密相连的     

Mapping quantitative trait loci for downy mildew resistance in pearl millet

Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for resistance to pathogen populations of Scelerospora graminicola from India, Nigeria, Niger and Senegal were mapped using a resistant x susceptible pearl millet cross. An RFLP map constructed using F₂ plants was used to map QTLs for traits scored on F₄ families. QTL analysis was carried out using the interval mapping programme Mapmaker/QTL. Independent inheritance of resistance to pathogen populations from India, Senegal, and populations from Niger and Nigeria was shown. These results demonstrate the existence of differing virulences in the pathogen populations from within Africa and between Africa and India. QTLs of large effect, contributing towards a large porportion of the variation in resistance, were consistently detected in repeated screens. QTLs of smaller and more variable effect were also detected. There was no QTLs that were effective against all four pathogen populations, demonstrating that pathotype-specific resistance is a major mechanism of downy mildew resistance in this cross. For all but one of the QTLs, resistance was inherited from the resistant parent and the inheritance of resistance tended to be the result of dominance or over-dominance. The implications of this research for pearl millet breeding are discussed.     

Detection and characterization of citrus tatter leaf virus (CTLV) and citrus yellow vein clearing virus (CYVCV) in citrus trees from Cyprus

Citrus tatter leaf virus (CTLV) was firstly reported of in California. After that, it reported in Australia, Korea, Nigeria, Japan, South Africa, and China. The transmission of this virus from plant to plant is very easy with mechanically. Citrus yellow vein clearing virus (CYVCV) was reported on lemon trees in India, Pakistan, Turkey and China. Foliar distortion, necrotic spots, chlorosis and wrinkling symptoms were observed in young lemon orchards in newly established orchards with trees imported from abroad. Therefore, surveys of citrus trees in Cyprus were performed for CTLV and CYVCV from 2013 to 2016. A total of 64 leaf samples from symptomatic citrus trees (41 lemon, 10 orange, 10 mandarin and three grapefruit samples) were collected for total nucleic acid extraction and RT-PCR with CTLV primers to amplify a 309 bp and a 614 bp fragment, respectively, of the 5′ end (100%) and high nucleotide sequence identity (99%) with isolates BJNM-2 and QC4 from China and isolate BDZ-1 from Australia. To our knowledge, this is the first report of CTLV from Europe.     

Child height and intergenerational transmission of health: Evidence from ethnic Indians in England

A large literature documents a widespread prevalence of small stature among Indian children as well as adults. We show that a height gap relative to a richer population such as whites in England also exists, although substantially reduced, among adult immigrants of Indian ethnicity in England. This is despite positive height selection into migration, demonstrated by ethnic Indian adults in England being on average 6–7 cm taller than in India. However, the difference between natives and ethnic Indians in England disappears among their younger sons and daughters, although it re-appears among adolescents. We estimate that, conditional on age, gender and parental height, ethnic Indian children of age 2–4 in England are 6–8% taller than in India. Such degree of catch up in one generation is remarkable, also because in England children of ethnic Indians have much smaller birthweight than whites, by about 0.4 kg on average.     

Review of the green lacewing genus Chrysacanthia Lacroix with a new species from Nigeria (Neuroptera,Chrysopidae)

The genus Chrysacanthia Lacroix (Chrysopidae: Belonopterygini) is reviewed and a new species is described from Nigeria. With the addition of the new species described herein, the genus contains four Old World species known from Madagascar, Nigeria, India, Thailand and China.     

Comparative analysis of genetic variation among <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xanthomonas axonopodis pv manihotis</Emphasis> isolated from the western states of Nigeria using RAPD and AFLP

Xanthomonas axonopodis pv manihotis is the causal agent of cassava bacterial blight (CBB) worldwide. CBB disease is a major constraint to cassava cultivation, and losses can be extremely severe in regions where highly susceptible cultivars are grown. To develop an efficient disease management policy, the genetic diversity of the pathogens population must be known. There is dearth of information on the genetic diversity of X. axonopodis pv manihotis population in Nigeria. We used RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) and AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism), a PCR-based technique, to characterize the X. axonopodis pv manihotis isolates from the western States of Nigeria. Thirteen strains Xam and 2 reference strains were tested with eight primers combination of AFLP and 4 RAPD primers. RAPD amplified DNA fragment data showed four major clusters at 80 % similarity coefficient level and two strains were not clustered by this analysis. Strains Kwa76A and Ond48A were also separated in the principal component analysis of the same data. Numerical analysis differentiated the AFLP patterns into four distinct clusters and grouped two strains separately at 66 % similarity. PCA assembly grouped the bacterial strains into 4 and one of the strains was singled out from the others. The two DNA analyses techniques seem to be complimentary to one another and informative on the genomic structure of Xam population in Western Nigeria. The genetic analysis presented here contributes to understanding of the Xam population structure in Western Nigeria.     

Genetic distinctness of African, Asian and South American local chickens

The genetic variability of various local chicken populations derived from Bolivia, India, Nigeria and Tanzania was evaluated with 22 microsatellites. Between two and 11 alleles per locus were detected. All populations showed high levels of heterozygosity with the lowest value of 45% for the population named Aseel from India and the highest value of 67% for Arusha from Tanzania. A dendrogram was constructed based on CHORD distance by upgMa analysis. Within this tree the populations were assorted according to their geographical origin. Bootstrapping values within the dendrogram were between 37 and 99%. The contribution of the determination of genetic variability with genetic markers to the decision on conservation and/or further use of the populations in crossbreeding programs designed to create genetic stocks with improved adaptability and productivity in tropical countries is discussed.     

When it just won’t go away: oral artemisinin monotherapy in Nigeria,threatening lives,threatening progress

Background

Oral artemisinin monotherapy (AMT), an important contributor to multi-drug resistant malaria, has been banned in Nigeria. While oral AMT has scarcely been found for several years now in other malaria-endemic countries, availability has persisted in Nigeria’s private sector. In 2015, the ACTwatch project conducted a nationally representative outlet survey. Results from the outlet survey show the extent to which oral AMT prevails in Nigeria’s anti-malarial market, and provide key product information to guide strategies for removal.

Results

Between August 10th and October 3rd, 2015 a total of 13,480 outlets were screened for availability of anti-malarials and/or malaria blood testing services. Among the 3624 anti-malarial outlets, 33,539 anti-malarial products were audited, of which 1740 were oral AMT products, primarily artesunate (n = 1731). Oral AMT was imported from three different countries (Vietnam, China and India), representing six different manufacturers and 11 different brands. Availability of oral AMT was highest among pharmacies (84.0%) and Patent Propriety Medicine Vendors (drug stores, PPMVs) (38.7%), and rarely found in the public sector (2.0%). Oral AMT consisted of 2.5% of the national anti-malarial market share. Of all oral AMT sold or distributed, 52.3% of the market share comprised of a Vietnamese product, Artesunat^®, manufactured by Mekophar Chemical Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company. A further 35.1% of the market share were products from China, produced by three different manufacturers and 12.5% were from India by one manufacturer, Medrel Pharmaceuticals. Most of the oral AMT was distributed by PPMVs accounting for 82.2% of the oral AMT market share. The median price for a package of artesunate ($1.78) was slightly more expensive than the price of quality-assured (QA) artemether lumefantrine (AL) for an adult ($1.52). The median price for a package of artesunate suspension ($2.54) was three times more expensive than the price of a package of QA AL for a child ($0.76).

Conclusion

Oral AMT is commonly available in Nigeria’s private sector. Cessation of oral AMT registration and enforcement of the oral AMT ban for removal from the private sector are needed in Nigeria. Strategies to effectively halt production and export are needed in Vietnam, China and India.

     

The molecular grouping of Fusarium isolates on cassava in Nigeria

The Fusarium isolates molecularly grouped in this experiment were isolated from the roots of three cassava genotypes (TMS 30572, TMS 4(2)1425 and TME-1) harvested in Ibadan derived savanna, Sabongidda-Ora humid forest and the Onne humid forest regions of Nigeria in 2004 and 2005. Isolates were previously identified using conventional morphological characters at the Plant Pathology Laboratory of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan. Molecular grouping was done using amplified fragment length polymorphism at the Fusarium Laboratory of the Kansas State University, Kansas, USA. The molecular groupings agreed with the conventional morphological identification. Ten distinct amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) groups of Fusarium were distinguishable, each group probably a distinct species, and many of them might represent previously undescribed Fusarium species. The two largest of the AFLP groups correspond to F. oxysporum and F. solani species complex. F. solani is an important root rot pathogen of cassava Nigeria.     

Other Issues

Other Issues: Unauthorized clinical trials in Nigeria; Female foeticide in India; South African biochemical warfare specialist relieved of duties; Fake anti-malaria drugs in Cambodia; Free medical education in Cuba; Ethiopia receives donation from Japan; Sudanese leaders tackle AIDS; Zambian children dying from curable diseases; Healthcare ethics conference in Dubai     

Half century of botany publishing in Revista de Biologia Tropical

Over its first half century the Revista de Biología Tropical published many papers and supplements dealing with the botany. However, the Revista is not a primary botanical journal. A wide variety of topics and geographic sources have been included, taking into consideration species from the Neotropics, but also from India and Nigeria. A complete index of botanical papers is presented.     

Two Renowned Nigerian Scholars: Ikenna Nzimiro and Victor Chikesie Uchendu

The article honors two Nigerian anthropologists of Igbo background who recently passed away. Both scholars made major contributions to a broad range of scholarly thought in anthropology and in general social science to crucial issues in Nigerian politics, society and life. Nzimiro is considered in terms of his traditional anthropological training in Germany and England, through which he investigated four Niger River basin communities, and then his emergence as a Marxist anthropologist for the rest of his life in Nigeria, where he consistently critiqued neocolonialism in Nigeria. He explored issues of ethnicity, the Nigerian civil war, militarism, the state of the social sciences, the environment, Oguta culture, where he was born, ethnic conflicts, conditions at Nigerian universities, and other issues. Nzimiro generally rejected the post-colonial world, arguing that it was not revolutionary enough. Uchendu dealt with many of the same issues, but in contrast to Nzimiro he did so by accepting the existence of post-colonial Nigeria, though suggesting many ways to improve education, the environment, cultural and national transition, dependency theory, and to study urbanization and ethnicity, while also writing a major work on Igbo culture. Both authors are honored for their critiques of Nigerian society, as well as their contributions to Igbo ethnology.     

Albert Howard and the mycorrhizal association

Albert Howard worked as an imperial agronomist for the British Government in India. Following his retirement in 1931, he returned to England and embarked on a passionate global campaign to reform agricultural practices. Central to Howard's project was the mycorrhizal association, a symbiotic relationship between plant roots and subterranean fungi, believed to play an important part in plant nutrition. I show that there are a number of close parallels between Howard's work in India and his portrayal of the mycorrhizal association, and argue that Howard used these fungi to naturalise his imperial project. Understood in this way, these mycorrhizal and imperial associations reveal ways that Howard was able to negotiate the boundaries between the local and global, England and India, science and agriculture, institute and village, and soil and plant. In contrast to Thomas Gieryn's work on hybridisation at the cultural boundaries between science and non-science, I concentrate on Howard's use of intermediaries to negotiate and articulate specific boundaries within his imperial project. Arguing that this approach reveals limitations in Gieryn's hybrid framework, I suggest that a focus on Howard's dependence on intermediaries draws attention to the discontinuities between entities, besides the dynamic ways that they might be coupled.     

Elihu Yale and the medicine he promoted: the government general hospital and Madras Medical College, India

Much has been written about the philanthropist Elihu Yale and his life in the Americas and England, where he spent his beginnings and end. Less publicized is his life in India, where he spent the majority of his adult life and where he raised his family. A major contribution of Elihu Yale to medicine in India was his promotion of a local hospital in the major Indian trading port city of Madras. This essay briefly describes the history of that hospital and the medical college that grew out of it.     

Epidemiological typing of Bacillus cereus by amplified fragment length polymorphism

A simple amplified fragment length polymorphism method was developed for the epidemiological typing of Bacillus cereus. The method was applied to 21 cultures from seven food poisoning and eight non-food poisoning incidents. Results were compared with those obtained by conventional serotyping using flagellar antigens and assessed in relation to epidemiological data. Amplified fragment length polymorphism was found to be highly reproducible and 16 different profiles (each unique to the 15 incidents) were recognized. The method was also able to discriminate three subtypes within serotype H1, which is responsible for the majority of the emetic type of B. cereus food poisoning in England and Wales.     

Impact of forest fragment size on between-group encounters in lion-tailed macaques

Between-group encounters are an obvious outcome of intergroup competition. Between-group encounters in primates range from avoidance to fatally aggressive. The prevailing hypotheses explain such encounters as mate defense strategy by males and resource defense strategy by females. However, the rate and nature of between-group encounters may also be influenced by habitat and demographic characteristics. We studied the effect of forest fragment size on group encounters in lion-tailed macaques in the Western Ghats of southern India. The encounter rate decreased as the fragment size increased. Group density and home range overlap correlated positively with the encounter rate. The aggressive encounters were more in the relatively medium-sized fragment where the observed frequency of between-group encounters was higher than the expected frequency than in the small fragment and the large forest complex. Together, these results indicate a complex pattern of effects of fragment size on between-group encounters in primates.     

X chromosome restriction fragment length polymorphisms in five racial groups: rare variant detected with the RC8 (DXS9) probe in the Marathi population, India

Restriction fragment length polymorphisms were investigated in five racial groups using the X chromosome probes DXS9 and DXS7. The allele frequencies of these polymorphisms showed significant differences and both DNA fragments were found to be highly polymorphic in the populations of south and southeast Asia. In the Marathi population of India, a rare allele B*3 (3 kilobases; kb) and an altered 7-kb fragment instead of the 6.6-kb constant band were found with DXS9. This is the first time that the rare B*3 allele is found in a non-European population.     

The continuing lack of ornithological research capacity in almost all of West Africa

West Africa has high bird diversity and is a crucial non-breeding area for over one-third of European breeding species, yet local capacity for ornithological research and so targeted bird conservation is perceived to be limited. I reviewed all the published literature on the Web of Science^? classified as ‘ornithology’ with an accompanying keyword of a country’s name, over the last three decades, from the 16 countries within West Africa and compared it with that from 16 Western European countries. Inclusion of the country’s name as a search term identified any papers produced by local authors, and so should provide an index of local ornithological capacity. Overall only 129 papers were produced from 1987 to 2016 with West African authors (range: zero Burkina Faso to 45 Nigeria), significantly fewer compared with 12 380 with European authors (range: 71 Greece to 2 745 England). The number of papers produced increased significantly at similar rates over the three-decade period in both continents. The number of papers produced by local authors in West Africa and Europe approximately doubled each decade, but variation between countries was large, particularly in West Africa. The results are broadly the same when paper output is adjusted for the population of each country. Of the three West African countries that showed a consistent increase in numbers of locally authored ornithological papers, only Nigeria showed a highly significant increase and this increase was down to a single ornithological research institute established there in 2002. The results confirm that there is little local ornithological capacity in West Africa and this is not changing except in Nigeria, where even a single new research institute can make a significant difference because of the very low baseline.     

Stressful life events preceding the acute onset of schizophrenia: A cross-national study from the World Health Organization

This study reports on the findings from a WHO sponsored cross-national investigation of life events and schizophrenia. Data are presented from a series of 386 acutely ill schizophrenic patients selected from nine field research centers located in developing and developed countries (Aarhus, Denmark; Agra, India; Cali, Colombia; Chandigarh, India; Honolulu, USA; Ibadan, Nigeria; Nagasaki, Japan; Prague, Czechoslovakia; Rochester, USA). On a methodological level, the study demonstrates that life event methodologies originating in the developed countries can be adapted for international studies and may be used to collect reasonably reliable and comparable cross-cultural data on psychosocial factors affecting the course of schizophrenic disorders. Substantive findings replicate the results of prior studies which conclude that socioenvironmental stressors may precipitate schizophrenic attacks and such events tend to cluster in the two to three week period immediately preceding illness onset.The paper was prepared by these authors on behalf of the collaborating investigators listed on page 196.