Adams A. Chaskda

Bio: Adams A. Chaskda is an academic researcher from University of Jos. The author has contributed to research in topics: Predation & Ecology. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 6 publications receiving 16 citations.

Managing human disturbance: factors influencing flight-initiation distance of birds in a West African nature reserve

Abstract: Escape behaviour in response to perceived predators can be employed as a guide when designating protected areas around sensitive bird species to minimise the impact of human disturbance. A key meas...

Bird species use of Tapinanthus dodoneifolius mistletoes parasitising African locust bean trees Parkia biglobosa in Amurum Forest Reserve, Nigeria

Abstract: The relationship between mistletoes and their host trees constitutes one of the unique host–parasite interactions in ecosystems. Most West African studies have reported on the parasitic nature of the relationship between Tapinanthus dodoneifolius mistletoes and Parkia biglobosa trees. However, there is little on bird species’ use and subsequent dispersal of the mistletoe on P. biglobosa, and consequently, we investigated aspects of this relationship in the present study. We conducted our study in Amurum Forest Reserve, located in the central part of Nigeria, from May to September 2017. The study area consists of a mosaic of savanna, gallery forest, and rocky outcrops. Of the bird community in this area, the yellow-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus chrysoconus had the highest number of visits to T. dodoneifolius fruits, while the Senegal Eremomela Eremomela pusilla spent the most time foraging on the fruits. Four sunbird species were recorded feeding on T. dodoneifolius flowers for nectar; all but the Copper Sunbird Cinnyris cupreus were observed opening the flowers of T. dodoneifolius. Other bird species were recorded foraging on insects on T. dodoneifolius, and some simply perching on twigs or pecking on mistletoe fruits. This was a mutualistic relationship between the respective bird species and the mistletoe. This indirectly benefitted the parasitised host by attracting potential pollinators, seed dispersers, and insectivores for the host, hence, improving the rate of visitation to the host. These patterns of visitation behaviours highlighted the ecological importance of T. dodoneifolius within the reserve, particularly in enhancing the survival of other taxa within the reserve. Findings from this study contribute to developing more-nuanced conservation strategies for mixed high savannah habitat types across the tropics.

Assessment of potential sources of protozoan contamination between two avian feeding guilds in a conservation area

Abstract: Occasional screening of food and water quality available to organisms in protected areas could be beneficial to their successful conservation. This is important for areas receiving regular human visitors and exhibiting activities that may be detrimental to ecosystem health. This study determined the intestinal protozoan species harboured by insectivorous and granivorous birds within the Jos Wildlife Park, Nigeria and whether the two avian feeding guilds are more susceptible to protozoan infection through water or food (grass seeds and insects). Special boxes were used to collect faecal samples from trapped birds. Samples were later analysed in the laboratory for protozoans. Both food and water utilised by the birds in the area were microscopically screened. The composition and abundance of intestinal protozoans between the two feeding guilds did not show significant differences. However, considering parasite species individually, the degree of infection by protozoans such as Giardia lamblia was highly related to the range of infection sources that a feeding guild was exposed to. The composition of parasites observed in the two feeding guilds was strongly linked to both water bodies and avian diet obtainable in the Park. These observations showed that birds in the Park are orally susceptible to infection with protozoans, some of which have been reported to cause health implications in birds. Thus, any measure to curtail environmental contamination by the parasites may improve ecosystem health and survival of avian species in the Park.

Patterns in Avian nest predation in North-Central Nigeria: An experimental study

Abstract: This study investigated the nest predator community and factors contributing to avian nest predation in the Amurum Forest Reserve and some surrounding farmlands, north-central Nigeria, May 2015. A total of 240 artificial nests were randomly and equally placed; elevated in shrubs and on ground vegetation within different habitats. Of this total, 160 nests were visited every third day (visited nests) while 80 nests were only visited on the last day of the experiment to determine their fate (unvisited nests). We tested the effect of vegetation parameters on the Daily Survival Rate (DSR) of visited nests as well as the influence of visitation on the predation probability of the two groups of nests. Overall, 69% of the artificial nests were predated and the potential predators captured on camera traps were the African Giant Pouched Rat Cricetomys gambianus, Tantalus Monkey Chlorocebus tantalus and Black Rat Rattus rattus. DSR was significantly influenced by nest position only in the rocky outcrop and savannah, although it seemed higher for the elevated nests in all the habitats. We found no significant effect of the vegetation parameters on DSR. The significantly lower predation probability recorded for visited compared to unvisited nests suggests that nest predators in the study area tend to avoid areas that are frequently visited by humans, an indication of anthropogenic impacts and anti-predation strategy. The findings of this study can enhance our understanding of potential nest predators in the study area as well as how nesting behaviour of bird species can influence predation risk. Key words: Daily Survival Rate, nest predation, model egg, camera trap, predation probability

Effects of nest site selection and nest concealment on nest survival of Gosling's Bunting (Emberiza goslingi)

Abstract: ABSTRACT Selecting nest sites that provide access to resources and reduce predation risk is crucial to maximizing fitness in breeding birds. Therefore, understanding what habitat features influence nest site selection and nest success is a key component of avian conservation because it allows for identification and protection of habitat that will promote population growth. We examined drivers of nest success in Gosling's Bunting (Emberiza goslingi) by evaluating variables that influence nest site choice and nest survival at 23 nests and an equal number of random, paired, non-nesting locations in a tropical savannah landscape in north-central Nigeria. Gosling's Buntings exhibited a nonrandom nest-placement pattern. Nests were either on or in proximity to large rock surfaces with nesting probability increasing when the immediate nesting area (100 m radius around the nest) consisted of 30–60% bare rock. Compared to random non-nesting sites, buntings selected areas that were low in litter cover and/or had short grass height. Daily nest survival probability was high (0.96) and was positively associated with the proportion of bare rock around the nest but negatively with the amount of litter cover. Although hatching success was 56.9%, only 30% of all nesting attempts successfully fledged a chick suggesting that nest failure occurred mostly at advanced stages of nesting (nestling phase) when renesting is less likely. Nest survival was higher at low concealment, but only significantly higher than nest failure within a restricted concealment range of 45–54%. Our findings show that microhabitat features could benefit reproduction and daily nest survival. Furthermore, by linking nest-site attributes with fitness indices, we highlight the potential importance of fitness measures as a key component of habitat quality assessment for these buntings in tropical savannahs.

Atlas of Medical Helminthology and Protozoology

Abstract: A solution to get the problem off, have you found it? Really? What kind of solution do you resolve the problem? From what sources? Well, there are so many questions that we utter every day. No matter how you will get the solution, it will mean better. You can take the reference from some books. And the atlas of medical helminthology and protozoology is one book that we really recommend you to read, to get more solutions in solving this problem.

Serosurvey of Toxoplasma gondii, Sarcocystis sp. and Neospora caninum in geese (Anser sp.) from urban parks and captivity.

Abstract: Geese, ducks, mallards, and swans are birds of the order Anseriformes, which are found in the wild, in zoos and parks, and raised for meat consumption. Toxoplasma gondii, Sarcocystis sp., and Neospora caninum are protozoans of several species of animals. Wild and domestic birds can serve as intermediate hosts, disseminators and potential sources of infection of these protozoa to humans through contaminated meat. The aims of this study were: (i) to perform a serological survey of T. gondii, Sarcocystis sp. and N. caninum in geese (Anser sp.) from public parks and from captivity and (ii) to compare seroprevalence between these two locations. Antibodies were detected by Immunofluorescence antibody test using the serum of 149 geese. Antibodies to Sarcocystis sp., T. gondii, and N. caninum were detected in 28.18%, 18% and 0.67% of geese, respectively; 57% of geese from urban parks and 26.53% of geese from captivity were seropositive for at least one protozoa. The results indicate environmental contamination, particularly for the occurrence of antibodies against T. gondii – a zoonosis that causes toxoplasmosis and is transmitted through oocyte ingestion. This is the first serological survey of T. gondii, Sarcocystis sp. and N. caninum in geese from urban parks in Curitiba, Brazil.

Mistletoe specialist frugivores: Latterday “Johnny Appleseeds” or self-serving market gardeners?

Abstract: Many plants use birds to disperse their propagules, but mistletoes are especially reliant on their services. As aerial parasites, mistletoe seeds need to be deposited upon branches of suitable hosts, and mistletoe specialist frugivores (from eight different avian families) have long been regarded as their coevolved dispersers. Like the pioneer Johnny ‘Appleseed’ Chapman who established nurseries that helped open up land for settlement, these birds are considered benevolent dispersers of this keystone resource and often invoked as illustrative examples of mutualistic interactions. We have compared recent research on these specialists with studies of other birds with broader diets (generalists) which also disperse mistletoe seed. Rather than mutualists, we suggest that mistletoe specialist frugivores are better considered exploitative, with multiple lineages evolving independently to capitalize on this reliable, nutritious resource. Although mistletoe specialist frugivores are quantitatively important seed dispersers in some regions, their specialized diet restricts them to areas with high mistletoe densities, resulting in contagious dispersal patterns. By intensifying existing infections, mistletoe specialist frugivores increase their own medium-term food security—akin to market gardeners profiting from intensive cultivation. Exploring the ecological and evolutionary implications of this proposition, we evaluate the consequences of different dispersal patterns on mistletoe fitness and highlight the neglected role of dietary generalists in the stabilization of plant–animal interactions.

Anthropogenic food availability and body mass maintenance in urban Red-winged Starlings Onychognathus morio

Abstract: Anthropogenic food availability is influenced by short-term fluctuations in human presence, especially in core urban areas Few studies have explored responses to such day-to-week fluctuations, spe