Scientific Reports in Life Sciences

Avifaunistic study in mangrove forest stretch along the lagoon Epe Lagos Nigeria for sustainable tourism

Okosodo Ehi Francis, P.M. Sarada — Sun, 28 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0300

This study investigated the avifauna within the mangrove forests along the Epe lagoon in Lagos, Nigeria, with a focus on promoting sustainable tourism. Its primary objective was to establish a foundational knowledge base for future research endeavors and to aid in the development of conservation strategies aimed at safeguarding bird diversity. The research site was divided into three zones: undisturbed forest, secondary forest, and wetland areas. Bird species diversity was assessed using the line transect method, with a total of 30 transect lines randomly distributed across the study area, with 10 in each zone. These lines were surveyed three times a week over a three-month period, encompassing both wet (May, July, and September) and dry (November, January, and March) seasons in 2023. Surveys were conducted from 6:00 to 10:00 in the morning and from 16:00 to 18:00 in the afternoon, during which all birds observed on the ground, in vegetation, or in flight were identified and counted. The findings revealed a total of 198 bird species belonging to 44 families and 18 orders, with an abundance of 481 individual birds recorded in the study area, highlighting its significance in supporting bird species diversity. Analysis of the family composition of bird species identified Pycnonotidae as the most abundant with 13 species, followed by Muscicapidae and Accipitridae, each with 12 species.

The species composition of the terrestrial Gastropods in Tehran Province

Sun, 28 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0300

Tehran province as a diverse habitat for different animal species, has the potential to support many land molluscs species. However, a little glimpse of the research on malacology shows that Tehran province is probably the least well-studied area for land snails in Iran. Herein, the very first comprehensive study about the land snails collected from Tehran province in addition to the previous scientific document is presented. The data included here are based on the field investigations and the published records by different authors from 2008 to 2023 This checklist is collectively composed of 22 species belonging to 16 genera under nine families from different parts of Tehran province. However, some areas of Tehran province have not been investigated in terms of the diversity of snail species. The outcome of this report shows that more research is needed on the species diversity of terrestrial snails in Tehran province

Isolation and identification of fungal diseases of broad bean (Vicia faba L.) in Ain-Zara region, Tripoli, Libya

Youssef Azzu, Afaf A. Sawei, A.M. Abughnia , Alya HB. Duzan — Sun, 28 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0300

This study was conducted to determine the incidence of fungal plant diseases on faba beans in some fields located in the Ain–Zara region - Tripoli and to identify the causal agents. A total of one- hundred plants of faba bean were collected during 2020-2021 season from some local farms in Ain–Zara region Tripoli (February – April). Fungal pathogens associated with leaves, stems, pods and roots of faba bean have been isolated and identified. The most important and widespread fungal diseases observed: Chocolate leaf spot, Root rot, Anthracnose, Alternaria blight, Ascochyta blight and Sclerotinia stem rot caused by Botrytis fabae, Fusarium solani F. oxysporum, Colletotrichum spp, Alternaria alternata, Ascochyta fabae and Sclerotinia sp respectively.

Insects’ monthly abundance and habitation behavior observed in Palamalai region, Tamil Nadu

J. Sornapriya Priya, Lekeshmanaswamy M — Sun, 28 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0300

Insects are one of the most successful organisms of the tropics and have survived many geological changes in the past and play crucial roles in ecosystem functioning. The present study examined insects’ monthly abundance and habitation behavior in the Palamalai region, Periyanaickenpalyam road from November 2020 to JULY 2021. The order Hymenoptera was rich in our area .n=6, Genera (n=13) and species (36) followed by the Lepidoptera family (n=10), genera (n=17), and species (n=21). According to the species diversity, Orthoptera were less in number (n=2). In monthly observation Hymenoptera were abundant in May (n=268) followed by Lepidoptera in July (82spp), coleopterans were rich in February moth (n=65), and Orthoptera abundant in June n=18. The Hemiptera (n=8, march), Odonata (n=8, December) and Diptera (n=6, march) were less in our area. The habitation behaviors of insects were observed in different areas like residential, open fields and agricultural areas. In the Simpson calculation, open fields were rich in diversity (n=1.24) agriculture (n=1.16) and residential fields (n=1.13). The diurnal and nocturnal behaviours were also noted. It can be concluded this study provides clue information on insects’ monthly abundance with habitation behavior. Statistical works are also made for the accurate assessment of the data by using Alpha diversity measures such as the Simpson index, Shannon index, Margalef's richness index Relative dominance etc. Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera were the most dominant orders in this area. The order Diptera was less in our area. The month-wise and nocturnal and diurnal habitats analysis also made by this study, the months of April and May stood out with maximum diversity.

A survey of butterfly species at the University of Uyo Main Campus, Nigeria

Sun, 28 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0300

The research aimed to survey the different types of butterflies present in the main campus of the University of Uyo. The specific objectives were to determine the diversity of butterfly species in the study area, assess the abundance of butterfly species, and examine their distribution. The study area was divided into three sections, and a known length permanent transect line of 10m width was established in each section (500m, 500m, and 300m). Over a period of two months, adult butterflies were collected and their features and classification were observed and recorded weekly. Statistical and ecological models, such as total population density, frequency relative abundance, and Simpson's diversity, were used to analyze the data collected. The results showed a total of 1222 butterflies were collected, with an average frequency of 20.33 per week. The density per hectare was 15.63, and the total population density was 22.56. The overall diversity of butterfly species was found to be 0.1643, with mean totals of butterflies in the three sections ranging from 6.67 to 8.17. The species richness values were 0.99, 0.83, and 0.86 in the first, second, and third sections respectively. The study concluded that the diversity of butterfly species in the study area was low, with only 8 identified species. It was recommended that efforts should be made to improve the vegetation, including planting more flowering plants and fruit trees, to enhance the butterfly diversity. Overall, the study emphasized the need for conservation measures to protect the butterfly species in the University of Uyo main campus.

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Seasonal Population structure and size variation of the harlequin mantella Endangered frog from east Betsileo, Madagascar

Sun, 28 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0300

We studied the harlequin mantella along 18 transects from Fohisokina and Soamasaka during three different seasons of the year. Transects were installed in three dominant habitats at both sites. In total, we encountered the target species 62 times from all of our surveys. Number of encountered animal varies between sites and seasons. No frog was observed during the winter. However, frog size is significantly different between sexes which females are larger than males.