CABI

About: CABI is a nonprofit organization based out in Wallingford, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Introduced species. The organization has 789 authors who have published 1759 publications receiving 73843 citations. The organization is also known as: Centre for Biosciences and Agriculture International.

Climate change adaptation among poultry farmers: evidence from Nigeria

Abstract: Though climate events pose increasing challenges for crop and animal production in Africa, most climate adaptation studies focus on staple food crops. Few studies have examined climate adaptation for livestock with even fewer looking at small animals such as poultry. Heat stress associated with climate change is a severe challenge to poultry farmers due to its negative effect on chicken growth and productivity. As poultry plays an important food security role across Africa (being a source of livelihood and an important source of animal protein), understanding how farmers deal with the realities of poultry production due to climate change is critical. This study explores the level and determinants of the adoption of climate change adaptation strategies among poultry farmers in Nigeria. A multivariate probit analysis (which allows for the possibility that the decision to adopt various practices are jointly made) reveals that while poultry farmers are adapting to climate change, there is a clear heterogeneity of adaptation strategies at different production scales. Small farms tend to invest in traditional strategies such as the stocking of local breeds while medium and large farms adopt modern technologies such as air and water ventilation as well as the use of low energy bulbs that emit less heat. Our study finds that farmers who have experienced heat-related losses are more likely to adopt modern practices and more likely to adopt multiple adaptation strategies concurrently.

Observations on the biology of Afrotropical Hesperiidae (Lepidoptera) principally from Kenya. Part 4. Hesperiinae: Aeromachini and Baorini

Abstract: Partial life histories for two Afrotropical Aeromachini and seven Afrotropical Baorini (Hesperiidae: Hesperiinae) are described and illustrated: Ampittia capenas (Hewitson), A. kilombero Larsen & Congdon, Zenonia zeno (Trimen), Pelopidas mathias mathias (Fabricius), P. thrax (Hubner), Borbo borbonica borbonica (Boisduval), B. fatuellus fatuellus (Hopffer), B. lugens (Hopffer) and Gegenes niso brevicornis (Plotz). Distinctive features of the pupa of Ampittia spp. (Aeromachini) are noted. Amongst Baorini, the pupae of Pelopidas spp., Borbo spp., Gegenes spp. and Zenonia spp. are all similar, being elongate, green, with a frontal spike, while the pupae of Parnara spp. are brown, rounded, and have no frontal spike. We hypothesise that the pupae of the first four genera reflect a common need for camouflage in an open or partially open shelter made from a single leaf of grass, while the pupa of Parnara spp. are formed in a closed shelter using several leaves as needed. This may also explain the similarity of the camouflaged pupae to those of many other genera in other tribes, which also feed on grasses, palms etc., and pupate in partially or completely open situations.

International Commission on the Taxonomy of Fungi (ICTF). Code of practice for systematic mycologists.

Abstract: Fourteen points which mycologists dealing with the systematics of fungi (including yeasts) are encouraged to adhere to in their work are presented as a Code of Practice for Systematic Mycologists. Adoption of these will encourage both stability in nomenclature and uniformity in approaches to the descriptions of fungi.

First Report and Distribution of the Papaya Mealybug, Paracoccus marginatus, in Kenya1

Abstract: The papaya mealybug, Paracoccus marginatus Williams and Granara de Willink (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), a serious invasive pest affecting horticultural crops, was first reported in Kenya in 2016 at Kwale, Mombasa, and Kilifi Counties of the coastal region. A study was conducted to establish its identification, distribution and host ranges at the coastal region. This is the first report of P. marginatus distribution and crops attacked in Kenya. The papaya mealybug was found to infest papaya (Carica papaya), cassava (Manihot esculenta), chili pepper (Capsicum annuum), guava (Psidium guajava), mango (Mangifera indica), and eggplant (Solanum melongena) in this study. An average yield loss of 91% on papaya crop was reported in the affected farms. Only 7.2% of the farms surveyed were found to have management strategies in place against the papaya mealybug. Additional surveys should be conducted to determine pest migration and potential endemic or unintentionally introduced natural enemies.

Biogeographical comparison of the invasive Lepidium draba in its native, expanded and introduced ranges

Abstract: Invasive plants are expected to perform better and consequently be more abundant in their introduced compared to their native ranges. However, few studies have simultaneously compared plant and population traits along with biotic and abiotic environmental parameters for invasive and native plant populations. We compared 17 native Eastern European, 14 expanded Western European and 31 introduced US populations of the invasive Lepidium draba over 2 years. Most parameters were similar between the two European ranges, but differed for the US. Density, cover, and biomass of L. draba were greater in the US while cover of other vegetation was lower. Bare-ground and litter cover were greater for US populations in 1 year, as was L. draba shoot height and seed output. Availability of labile soil nitrogen was also greater in the US range. Endophagous shoot herbivory was greater in Western Europe compared to the US in 1 year. As expected, specialist herbivores were only found in Europe. Differences between ranges were not explained by varying environmental conditions (climate, altitude and latitude). In summary our results indicate that lower interspecific competition, higher resource availability and the lack of specialist natural enemies may all contribute to the increased performance of L. draba in its introduced US range. Additionally, L. draba is well adapted to disturbance events, which may further benefit its competitiveness at degraded sites. In general our results were consistent between years, which reinforces their validity. However, some of the differences were only significant in one of the 2 years, which, on the other hand, emphasizes the importance to ideally conduct biogeographic comparisons over multiple years.