Rivers State University of Science and Technology

About: Rivers State University of Science and Technology is a education organization based out in Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Threatened species. The organization has 1826 authors who have published 1833 publications receiving 15183 citations.

Composition and Food Potential of African Oil Bean (Pentaclethra macrophylla) and Velvet Bean (Mucuna uriens)

Abstract: Fatty acids, protein and amino acids of African oil bean seed (Pentaclethra macrophylla) and velvet beans (Mucuna uriens) were studied. Crude protein of the defatted seeds were 341g and 196g per kilogram dry matter and the ether extract was 46 and 8%, respectively, for oil bean seed and mucuna. Essential amino acids composition compared fairly with that of isolated soybean protein. Lysine was high at 66.5 and 66.4g/kg crude protein (nitrogen × 6.25) for oil bean seed and mucuna, respectively. Methionine was low but cystine was high. The fat had a high content of saturated fatty acids. It is suggested that the seeds may be a potential source of protein and oil.

Some physical properties of African nutmeg (Monodora myristica)

Abstract: Physical and some frictional properties of African nutmeg (Monodora myristica), a wild perennial edible plant, were investigated at a moisture content level of 4.93% dry basis. Measured values for sphericity, unit volume, average geometric diameter, unit mass, true density, bulk density, surface and pro- jected areas were 0.74 0.064, 1008 mm 3 169, 12.42 mm 0.70, 0.89 g 0.14, 830, 488 kg m -3 , 483 and 1216 mm 2 , respectively. The average values for coefficient of static friction on four test surfaces ranged from 0.502 (for galvanized iron sheet) to 0.702 (for rubber). Thus, the technical data obtained from this study may be useful in the design of process machines.

Relevance of rural poultry production in developing countries with special reference to Africa

Abstract: Poultry plays an important role in the livelihood of rural communities in developing countries. Rural poultry (RP) accounts for about 80% of the world's poultry stocks in many developing countries....

Is there any interspecific competition between dwarf crocodiles (Osteolaemus tetraspis) and Nile monitors (Varanus niloticus ornatus) in the swamps of central Africa? A study from south-eastern Nigeria

Abstract: Aspects of coexistence between the dwarf crocodile Osteolaemus tetraspis and the Nile monitor lizard Varanus niloticus were studied in swamp rain forests of south-eastern Nigeria, central Africa. Crocodiles were significantly smaller than monitor lizards. There was no significant sexual size dimorphism in the examined sample of Varanus, whereas the female size exceeded the male size in Osteolaemus. The food niche breadth was narrower in young than in adults of both species, and V. niloticus showed a narrower niche breadth than O. tetraspis. Crabs constituted the main prey type category for both species, whereas vertebrates were more rarely preyed upon. The diet composition of males and females was similar in V. niloticus, but it was different in O. tetraspis. The general diet composition of the two species was similar (78.2% of overlap), and even the habitats where these two species were found were similar. These interspecific similarities suggest that O. tetraspis and V. niloticus could be potential competitors in the freshwater ecosystems of the Nigerian rainforest. However, it is suggested that the main prey type for these species (crabs) is not limited in the environment, which may minimize interspecific competition. Interference competition can also occur between these species, as suggested by one case of direct predation of the one species (V. niloticus) towards the other species (O. tetraspis). A case of cannibalism was observed in V. niloticus. This could indicate that intraspecific competition can be important for regulating the dynamics of monitor populations in the rainforests of south-eastern Nigeria.