Browsing by Author "Omotoriogun, Taiwo C."
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Item Density and diversity of birds in the wetlands of Yankari Game Reserve, Bauchi, Nigeria(Journal of Wetlands Ecology, 2011-12-30) Omotoriogun, Taiwo C.; Onoja, Joseph Daniel; Tende, Talatu; Manu, Shiiwua; Ottosson, UlfThe biological, chemical, and physical operations and attributes of wetlands are vital in facilitating food resources, water, and shelter, which many terrestrial bird and waterbird species rely on for their daily requirments. Wetlands in Yankari Game Reserve, Nigeria are key stone ecosystem that provides a stopover, breeding and/or foraging platform for migratory and resident birds. This study determined the density and diversity of birds in the wetlands of Yankari Game Reserve. Ten wetlands within the reserve were identified and surveyed. The sizes (kilometer square) and isolation distances (kilometer) of the wetlands were measured (using GPS and Map Source) to determine their effects on bird density and diversity. Point count survey method was used to count birds. One hundred and twenty three species of birds belonging to 51 families were recorded in the wetlands. Significant patterns in the densities of birds were observed across the wetlands (Kruskal-Wallis H, X2=167.116, P=0.001) and also sizes of wetlands (Wilcoxon test: Z= -2.803, P=0.005). There was differences in mean number of birds in survey time (Kruskal-Wallis, X2=15.784, P=0.045). Evenings were probably most preferred in bird-wetland utilization.Item Evolution of female promiscuity in Passerides songbirds(BMC Ecology and Evolution, 2019-08-14) Lifjeld, Jan T.; Gohli, Jostein; Albrecht, Tomáš; Garcia-del-Rey, Eduardo; Johannessen, Lars Erik; Kleven, Oddmund; Mark, Petter Z.; Omotoriogun, Taiwo C.; Rowe, Melissah; Johnsen, ArildBackground: Female promiscuity is highly variable among birds, and particularly among songbirds. Comparative work has identified several patterns of covariation with social, sexual, ecological and life history traits. However, it is unclear whether these patterns reflect causes or consequences of female promiscuity, or if they are byproducts of some unknown evolutionary drivers. Moreover, factors that explain promiscuity at the deep nodes in the phylogenetic tree may be different from those important at the tips, i.e. among closely related species. Here we examine the relationships between female promiscuity and a broad set of predictor variables in a comprehensive data set (N = 202 species) of Passerides songbirds, which is a highly diversified infraorder of the Passeriformes exhibiting significant variation in female promiscuity. Results: Female promiscuity was highly variable in all major clades of the Passerides phylogeny and also among closely related species. We found several significant associations with female promiscuity, albeit with fairly small effect sizes (all R2 ≤ 0.08). More promiscuous species had: 1) less male parental care, particularly during the early stages of the nesting cycle (nest building and incubation), 2) more short-term pair bonds, 3) greater degree of sexual dichromatism, primarily because females were drabber, 4) more migratory behaviour, and 5) stronger premating sexual selection. In a multivariate model, however, the effect of sexual selection disappeared, while the other four variables showed additive effects and together explained about 16% of the total variance in female promiscuity. Female promiscuity showed no relationship with body size, life history variation, latitude or cooperative breeding. Conclusions: We found that multiple traits were associated with female promiscuity, but these associations were generally weak. Some traits, such as reduced parental care in males and more cryptic plumage in females, might even be responses to, rather than causes of, variation in female promiscuity. Hence, the high variation in female promiscuity among Passerides species remains enigmatic. Female promiscuity seems to be a rapidly evolving trait that often diverges between species with similar ecologies and breeding systems. A future challenge is therefore to understand what drives within-lineage variation in female promiscuity over microevolutionary time scales.Item First photographs of Grey Ground Thrush Zoothera princei for Nigeria, from Omo Forest Reserve(ABC Bulletin, 2018) Omotoriogun, Taiwo C.; Temidayo, Omogbemi; Adeyanjub, Taiye A.; Ottosson, U.; Lifjeld, Jan T.Item Incidence of heavy metals in feathers of birds in a human‐ impacted forest, south‐west Nigeria(Wiley, 2019-04) Bada, Adeola A.; Omotoriogun, Taiwo C.Hazardous wastes and heavy metal are detrimental to all life forms (Dixit et al., 2015; Sharma, Katnoria, Kaur, & Nagpal, 2015). Organic forms of heavy metals such as mercury and lead can accumulate in living tissues; the health implication ranges from low immunocom‐ petence, failed reproduction to high mortality in a number of taxa (Falq et al., 2011; Fritsch et al., 2010; Hollamby et al., 2004; Kerby, Richards‐Hrdlicka, Storfer, & Skelly, 2010; Scheifler et al., 2006; Webb & Leake, 2006). Unprecedented levels of heavy metals and their neg‐ ative role in biodiversity loss and habitat degradation pose major eco‐ logical concerns (Ayangbenro & Babalola, 2017; Kibria, 2016; Sharma et al., 2015). Despite this fact, less attention is focused on monitoring the levels and impact of heavy metals in the western part of Nigeria. Birds are promising biomonitoring species for heavy metals and xenobiotic based on their use in nondestructive avian matrices, for ex‐ ample feather, blood and egg; and bioavailability, and biotransference in dose‐dependent responses (Becker, 2003; Furness & Greenwood, 1993; Roux & Marra, 2007; Swaileh & Sansur, 2006). Also, as feathers grow in birds, heavy metals are sequestered in the sulfhydryl group of the keratin; the metal residues remained resistant to change in older feather as blood supply stops (Burger, 1993). We investigated the inci‐ dence of heavy metals in passerine birds inhabiting a human‐impacted forest in Ilara‐Mokin, south‐west Nigeria.Item Large mammals and wetland utilisation: A case study in Yankari Game Reserve, Nigeria(Wiley, 2019-04-28) Omotoriogun, Taiwo C.; Tende, Talatu; Adeiza, Zainab O.; Onoja, Joseph D.; Karau, Shomboro; Mwansat, Georgina S.; Ottosson, Ulf; Manu, Shiiwua A.Item Large Mammals and Wetland utilization: a case study in Yankari Game Reserve Nigeria(Wiley, 2019-04-10) Omotoriogun, Taiwo C.; Tende, Talatu; Adeiza, Zeinab O.; Onoja, Joseph D.; Karau, Shomboro; Mwansat, Georgina S.; Ottosson U, Ulf; Manu, Shiiwua A.The African plain harbours high abundance and diversity of mammals, most of which are confined to protected areas (PAs) due to anthro‐ pogenic threats (Craigie et al., 2010; Dirzo et al., 2014; Estes, 1999; Kingdon, 1997). Also, PAs face problems of hunting, logging and live‐ stock grazing, conflict of interest and poor management (Caro, 2001; Dharmaratne, Sang, &Walling, 2000; Gardner et al., 2009; Geldmann et al., 2015; Geldmann et al., 2015; Hall, Harris, Medjibe, & Ashton, 2003; Pressey, 1994; Salum, Eustace, Malata, & Mbangwa, 2017; Thuiller, 2007), consequently disrupting conservation goals, effective monitor‐ ing and understanding of habitat utilisation dynamics of mammals. Although wetlands are important habitats for sustaining animal populations, there is a widespread trend of increasing degradation of these habitats (Fynn, Chase, & Rӧder, 2014) and dearth of infor‐ mation pertaining to wetland utilisation in most PAs. While this is integral for effective conservation practice, few studies focus on this area in Africa (Arzamendia, Cassini, & Vila, 2006; Kumar, Mudappa, & Raman, 2010; Rahman et al., 2017). Here, we investigated the wet‐ land utilisation dynamics of large mammals in Yankari Game Reserve (YGR). The objective was to determine abundance, density and di‐ versity of large mammals and whether these variables were associ‐ ated with wetland size and time of dayItem Occurrence of two common forest bird species in Amurum Forest Reserve on the Jos Plateau, Nigeria(Malimbus, 2011-10-27) Omotoriogun, Taiwo C.; Sengohol, Grace T.; Stevens, Matthew C.; Cox, Daniel T. C.Item Ornithology and conservation activities in Elizade University: promoting bird and habitat conservation in Nigeria(Proceeding of FBASCON2019, 2019-06) Omotoriogun, Taiwo C.Ornithology has a strong impact on the effective conservation of biological diversity; and, the protection of birds and their habitats extend refuge to other species. Although birds have been an integral component of the environment, there is limited public understanding of this bird-environmental relationship and the need for its sustainability. An effective way to sustain this relationship can be through the engagement and integration of the general public including individual, groups, communities, academic institutions and government and nongovernment institutions, in ornithological activities. This enhances individual understanding of the ecological values of birds, help mitigate non-sustainable human threats to birds, and motivate environmental friendly consciousness. Field training, building capacity, conservation education and awareness creation in ornithology and related fields are usually fundamental steps in this approach; and scientists need to acknowledge the significance of this aspect of their research activities. At the Department of Biological Sciences Elizade University, part of our research activities focused on the conservation and ecology of birds. The objectives are to assess and monitor bird abundance and diversity within the forest and surrounding habitats; embark on conservation education to create awareness for birds and habitats protection and; train individuals and students in ornithology and conservation research skills.Item Phylogeny and Prevalence of Haemosporidian Parasites of Free-ranging Domestic Birds in Northwestern Uganda(International Journal of Livestock Research, 2019-12-26) Nakayima, Jesca; Arinaitwe, Eugene; Kabasa, William Microse; Kasaija, Paul Davies; Agbemelo-Tsomafo, Constance; Omotoriogun, Taiwo C.Infection of avian malaria parasites is a general problem for both wild and domestic birds. Most infected birds exhibit suppressed immunity, poor productivity and high mortality. Despite this concern, there are limited studies on haemosporidian parasites in free-ranging domestic birds in Africa and its subregions. The aim of this study is to investigate the distribution, prevalence and diversity of haemosporidian parasites among free-ranging domestic birds in Uganda. Blood samples were collected from free-ranging chickens (n=304), ducks (n=70), turkeys (n=14), and guinea fowl (n=19) and screened for haemosporidian parasites. Microscopy and PCR approaches were used to detect and identify parasites based on morphological characteristics and a 600-900 bp amplified fragment of Cytochrome b (cyt b). We detected haemoproteus (17.25%, n=69), plasmodium (22%, n=88) and leucocytozoon (1.75%, n=7) in the sampled birds. The sequences from these genera were nested within their respective clades in a phylogenetic tree constructed using sequences from the MalAvi database. Our study showed that free-ranging domestic birds habour haemosporidian parasites in Uganda thus providing insight for more conscious management practice in poultry systems to prevent widespread infection of the parasites.Item The Physicochemical Characteristics of Ibiekuma River Ekpoma, Nigeria(African Journal of Ecology, 2012-11-10) Omotoriogun, Taiwo C.; Uyi, Osariyekemwen O.; Egbon, Ikponmwosa N.The Ibiekuma River is an important source of livelihood to its catchment. It contributes enormously to research success and living standard of students and staffs of the Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, Nigeria. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of anthropogenic activities on the physicochemical properties of Ibiekuma River. Twenty seven water samples were collected at four stations during the study period and analyzed accordingly. The results obtained shows that the physicochemical parameters of the river were in conformity with the World Health Organization (WHO), National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) safe limits, except for pH values which ranged from 4.69 to 4.81. The heavy metal concentrations were found to be within the limit of the guidelines prescribed by WHO and NAFDAC. Also, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the concentrations of the physicochemical parameters across the four stations sampled along the Ibiekuma River. Water obtained from Ibiekuma River will be fit for domestic use, only if purified.Item Sperm competition in tropical versus temperate zone birds(Royal Society Publishing, 2012-11-21) Albrecht, Toma´sˇ; Kleven, Oddmund; Kreisinger, Jakub; Laskemoen, Terje; Omotoriogun, Taiwo C.; Ottosson, Ulf; Reif, Jirˇı´; Sedla´cˇek, Ondrˇej; Horˇa´k, David; Robertson, Raleigh J.; Lifjeld, Jan T.Sperm competition represents an important component of post-copulatory sexual selection. It has been argued that the level of sperm competition declines in birds towards the equator. However, to date, sperm competition estimates have been available mainly for avian species inhabiting the northern temperate zone. Here we apply a novel approach, using the coefficient of between-male variation (CVbm) in sperm size as an index for sperm competition risk, in a comparative analysis of 31 Afrotropical and 99 northern temperate zone passerine species. We found no difference in sperm competition risk between the two groups, nor any relationship with migration distance. However, a multivariate model indicated that sperm competition risk was highest in species with a combination of low body mass and few eggs per clutch. The effect of clutch size was most pronounced in tropical species, which indicates that sperm competition risk in tropical and temperate species is differently associated with particular life-history traits. Although tropical species had lower sperm competition risk than temperate zone species for overlapping clutch sizes, the idea of a generally reduced risk of sperm competition in tropical birds was not supported by our analysis.Item Total Immunoglobulin Y Detection in Avian Malaria-infected Domestic Birds from Uganda(Academic Journals, 2018-02-09) Kouakanou, Léonce; Agbemelo-Tsomafo, Constance; Nakayima, Jesca; Omotoriogun, Taiwo C.; Dieter, Kabelitz; Baba-Moussa, LamineBackground and Aim: The use of microscopy-based and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods have offered considerable insights in detecting avian blood malaria infection in domestic and wild birds. The infection has a significant impact on the immunity of birds. However, some observations concerning the role of immune system in controlling the infection continue to question the extent of immune factors involved. To address this, the current study hypothesized that avian malaria infection may influence the humoral response of domestic birds. Materials and Methods: The prevalence of avian malaria parasites (both Plasmodium and Haemoproteus spp.) in free-ranging domestic birds from Uganda was evaluated using PCR and the level of Immunoglobulin Y (IgY) antibody in malaria-infected and uninfected birds was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Result: The results showed that 10 (15.15%) of 66 individually tested birds were infected with avian malaria parasites. Interestingly, an increase in the level of IgY associated with the infection was found. Of note, the uninfected birds exhibited a consistent level of IgY, however, less than in malaria-positive birds. It is likely that avian malaria-independent factors may have been involved in this induction in uninfected birds. Conclusion: The data obtained in this study suggest that avian malaria infections influence the production of IgY in domestic birds, therefore indicating the potential of IgY as an immune biomarker for screening avian malaria infection in domestic birds. However, these observations are subject to further investigation with larger sample size.