Research Papers/Topics in Zoology

The Population Dynamics of the Cassava Green Spider Mite, Mononychellus Tabajoa 9Bondar) (Acarina : Tetranychidae) in Relation to its Predators and Environmental Factor in Western Kenya

Description: A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Science in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Zoology, Kenyatta University.

Vector potential of Aedes (Stegomyia) spp. populations and risk of dengue and yellow fever virus transmission in three Kenyan cities

Abstract: Dengue (DENV) and Yellow fever (YFV) viruses are medically important flaviviruses that are transmitted by Aedes mosquito vectors of the subgenus Stegomyia especially Aedes aegypti and Aedes bromeliae, respectively, in East Africa.Urbanization has been identified as a major driver in the emergence of these diseases because of the permissive environment it creates promoting the convergence of susceptible human hosts and local vectors. However, while dengue outbreaks have mainly been ...

Studies on Native Trichogramma (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) for Biocontrol of Selected Lepidopteran Pests in Kenya

Abstract: Trichogramma species parasitise eggs of Lepidoptera and have been extensively used in augmentative biological control. Studies were conducted during 1997-2001 on the native egg parasitoids occurring in Kenya. The objectives of the study were (i) to identify the native egg parasitoids that attack Helicoverpa armigera and Plutella xylostella, (ii) to study the conventional and molecular taxonomy of the native Trichogramma species, (iii) to evaluate the response of two native Trichogr...

Bio-ecological studies of Amaranth’s Lepidopteran Defoliators and Development of IPM Technologies for their Management

Abstract: One of the most important and largely consumed African Indigenous Vegetables (AIV) is amaranth. It is known to have a high nutritional value, agronomical assets and economic attributes. Amaranth production is however constrained by numerous biotic factors such as insect pests, occurring as a complex of species among which lepidopteran defoliators are found to be the most destructive. Investigations on their bio-ecological and control options were conducted. Field experiments were c...

Induction of Resistance to Rhipicephalus Appendiculatus Neumann in New Zealand White Rabbits through Immunisation with Commercial Moulting Hormones and Tick-Derived Haemolymph

Abstract: This study was conducted to assess the possibility of immunising rabbits against Rhipicephalus appendicuatu Neumann, the vector for East Coast fever and Corridor disease, the most important tick-borne diseases in East and Central Africa. The antigens whose efficacy in the control of this vector were assessed included commercially available insect moulting hormone, beta-ecdysone and tick haemolymph components. However, since antibodies play a major role in the acquisition of tick re...

One Health approach to vector biology and epidemiology of arboviruses, Rickettsia,and protozoain smallholder livestock systems in western Kenya

Abstract: Background:Vector-borne pathogens (VBP) present a seriousthreat to both animal and humanhealth globally due to their zoonotic potential.‘One Health’ epidemio-surveillance systems that integrate human, animal, and arthropod vector facetsof VBP transmission enhance detection and can give rise to informed effective multi-sectoral vector-borne disease control options. The most important vectors are ticks and mosquitoes, which have a cosmopolitan distribution due to their ecological...

Molecular Phylogenetics and Phylogeography of sand lizards, Pedioplanis (Sauria: Lacertidae) in southern Africa

Abstract: The present study aims to determine the phylogenetic relationships among the sand lizards, Pedioplanis. In addition, a single mitochondrial gene is used to investigate the geographic genetic structure of the widey distributed P. burchelli. With 11 species, Pedioplanis is the most speciose genus among the southern African genera of the family Lacertidae. All the species are restricted to the subcontinent with the exception of three (P. namaquensis, P. undata and P. benguellensis), w...

Lectin Expression Associated with Plasmodium Infections in Anopheles

Abstract: The variation of the mannose-binding protein (MBP) gene and the role of lectins during infection in mosquitoes were investigated using genomic DNA approach based on sequencing of the gene and the levels of its expression determined using semi-quantitative Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) approach. Using shotgun cloning ~trategy, sequences were determined from cloned PCR products obtained from genomic DNA of An.gambiae, s.s, An. arabiensis and An. funestus an...

Effect of Controphic Species on Natural Population Dynamics of Malaria Mosquito larvae on Rusinga Island

Abstract: Controphic species are organisms that share the same trophic levels within an ecosystem.Ecological theory and empirical research show that controphic species affect mosquito larval populations through predation or competition. The goal of this study was to identify controphic species that may serve as potential biological control agents for malaria mosquito larvae. A baseline survey of the abundance and diversity of malaria mosquito larvae (target species) and assemblages of their ...

Effects of Larval Age at Grafting and Supplemental Feeding on Morphometrics and Oviposition in Honeybee Queen (Apis mellifera scutellata, Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Karura Forest, Kenya

Abstract: In Africa, honeybees provide critical pollination services, nutrition and income for smallholder farmers. However, because of pests and pathogens honeybees are under threat of population decline. Moreover, lack of adequate research on the existing queen rearing technologies has led to decline in honeybee queen quality. The honeybee queen is the repository of a colony’s heritable genetic traits, its superiority determines the productivity and resilience of the colony. Effects of f...

Interspecific Competition Between Xanthopimpla Stemmtaor Thunberg and Dentichasmias Busseolae Heinrich (Hymenoptera: Inchneumonidae) pupal Parasitoids of Chilo Partellus Swinhoe (Lepidoptera:

Abstract: Chilo partellus Swinhoe (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is an exotic cereal stem borer that was accidentally introduced into Africa from South Eastern Asia early 20th century. It is now widespread in most of the lowland areas of the Eeastern and Southern parts of the African continent. The invasive stem borer C. partellus, has proved to be a highly competitive colonizer in many of the areas it has invaded in eastern and southern Africa, often becoming the most serious stem borer.

Sampling African Malaria Vectors Using Limburger Cheese and 'milk cream' as Odour Baits

Abstract: The efficacy of Limburger cheese as an odour bait for sampling African malaria vectors was evaluated. Studies were done in Suba district, Western Kenya at Lwanda Nyamasare village and in a screen house set up at the Thomas Odhiambo campus of the International Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE). Preliminary investigations compared mosquitoes caught by a Counter Flow Geometry (CFG) trap baited with Limburger cheese, a standard centres for disease control (COC) light trap...

Evaluation of Modified Collection drums and light emitting Diode Bulbs for Trapping the Edible Long-hornedgrasshopper, Ruspolia differens (serville) in Uganda

Abstract: The long-horned grasshopper (Ruspolia differens) is a delicacy in Uganda and many African countries. It is traditionally trapped at night during the swarming seasons using mercury bulbs that consume a lot of electric energy and pollute the environment. In addition, thecollection drums used in the traditional trappingtechnique are non-selective,trapping non-target insects, some of which are allergenic to humans. Further, these traps areinefficient in retaining the insects.The Intern...

Microbial contaminants in wild Harvested and trade Dedible long-horned Grasshopper, Ruspolia differens (orthoptera: tettigoniidae) Inuganda

Abstract: Edible insects are now globally recognisedas alternative sources of food and feed. Currently, over 470 spp of insects are consumed in Africa alone, with Ruspolia differensbeing the most common in central Uganda.Harvesting and trading of these insects is done informally andthe post-harvest handling, processingand marketing involvesseveral people. These coupled with other factors increase the risk of microbial contamination of R. differens. This study identifiedand characterisedbacte...

EFFECTS OF WATER HYACINTH, Eichhornia crassipes (Laubach, 1883) ON THE DIVERSITY OF THE ROTIFER FAUNA IN OVIA RIVER, EDO STATE, NIGERIA.

ABSTRACT  Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is a dominant aquatic macrophyte found in tropical rivers, which has a relationship with the food web, and surrounding environment. This study aimed to investigate the influence of Eichhornia crassipes on the seasonal abundance and distribution of members of the phylum Rotifera in Ovia River, Edo State. Four stations of the river were selected along the river, and samples were collected monthly from April to September, 2019. Quantitative sample...


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