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.

The impact of land use conversion on a residential district in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract: This paper examines the changes in land use and economic activities between 1986 and 2005 in a residential development in Port Harcourt that was originally developed for senior civil servants and military personnel. It shows how land ownership has changed and also the rapid expansion of commercial activities within what was exclusively a residential development. With no enforcement of land use regulations, this has led to a decline in the quality of life for the residents.

Parasitic infections of anurans from a freshwater creek community in Delta State, Niger Delta of Nigeria

Abstract: Summary The parasitic infections of 125 anurans belonging to 13 taxa from Ase community in Delta State in the Niger Delta of Nigeria was investigated. An overall prevalence of 77.6% was recorded and the 32 parasites recovered included one pentastomid, four cestode, four monogenean, ten digenean and thirteen nematode taxa. Among the anurans examined, Ptychadena bibroni harboured the highest number of parasites. Most of the parasites encountered were adults but some occurred as larvae, which either used the amphibians as intermediate or transport hosts. Hylarana galamensis is considered an accidental host for the larval brachylaimid trematode and, a new host record for the larval strigeiod while Polystoma galamensis infection of this frog is made for the first time outside the savannah biotope. Hymenochirus sp. is a new host record for Progonimodiscus colubrifer. Two Foleyellides spp., one occurring in Hyperolius concolor, Afrixalus fulvovitattus and Sclerophys regularis and the other in H. galamensis occur in the study area.

Insights into the status and distribution of pangolins in Togo (West Africa)

Abstract: Pangolins are considered among the most threatened mammal species, both globally and also in Africa. However, almost nothing is known on their status and distribution across wide areas of their range, particularly in West African countries. Here, we assess the status and distribution of pangolin species in Togo. Fieldwork was carried out in five localities around the Fazao Malfakassa National Park, five sites around the Togodo Protected Areas Complex (Togodo North and Togodo South National Parks), ‘Les Deux Bena’ and Missahohe Forest Reserves, Yikpa‐Dzigbe, Evou and Afagnan Community Forests. In all of these protected areas and forest islands, only one pangolin species was recorded: the white‐bellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis); we found no evidence of the giant ground pangolin (Smutsia gigantea), a species that now appears unlikely for Togo. Due to their nocturnal behaviour, we searched for pangolins by spotlighting and estimated their relative abundance using the Kilometric Index of Abundance. Our results show that P. tricuspis is still relatively abundant in suitable habitats in Fazao‐Malfakassa National Park, in Togodo North National Park and in the Assoukoko Forest Reserve. These habitats are dense remnant forest patches where numerous termite mounds and ant nests occur. The present study provides unprecedented information on the status of pangolins in Togo to help inform the development of a conservation programme for this species in this country.

Melon seeds (Citrullus vulgaris) as a possible substrate for the production of tempe

Abstract: Melon seeds were used as substrate for tempe preparation using three strains of Rhizopus. Melon seed tempe or tempe produced from a mixture of melon seed and soybeans took longer periods than soybean tempe when strains NRRL 2710 (R. oligosporus) and NRRL 1477 (R. stolonifer) were used; strain NRRL 1527 (R. arrhizus) did not result in tempe after over 48 hours. None of the strains could ferment the shelled melon seeds with the membraneous covering even in the presence of 1% (w/w) glucose or soybeans. Changes in temperature and pH, as a result of fermentation, were as expected. Sensory evaluation of melon seed tempe or tempe produced from a mixture of dehulled melon seeds and soybeans showed no significant (p > 0.05) difference in taste, texture, aroma and color compared with soybean tempe. Melon seeds could, therefore, be used as a substrate for tempe production and the tempe so produced be acceptable just as soybean tempe. This could be an additional or better way of utilizing melon seeds which are abundant in Nigeria.

Pasting, Color, and Granular Properties of Starches From Local and Improved Cassava Varieties in High Rainfall Region of Nigeria

Abstract: This study investigated the pasting, color, and granule properties of starches produced from 39 different cassava varieties (36 varieties resistant to cassava mosaic disease and three checks, TMS 3