Habitat destruction and poaching has been a major threat to wildlife species. In Kainji Lake National Park, the present population of Pangolin (Phataginus tetradactyla) is not certain. Therefore, this study documents the distribution and abundance of Pangolin in Borgu Sector of Kainji Lake National Park. Data were collected using the line transect method for a period of five (5) months. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and displayed in the form of tables, chart and graphs. The findings show that Awwal Ibrahim tract had the highest percentage (29.7%) of observation of pangolin during the five month period of study (March– July, 2018), and the least observation was sighted in Gilbert child and Mamud Lapai tracks - with 16.2%, respectively. The month of March had the highest number of observation (10) and the month of June had the least number of observations (5). The Population structure of pangolin (P. tetradactyla) revealed that adult recorded the highest observation (26) and the least observation was recorded among young individuals (11). The vegetation distribution of pangolin revealed that riparian forest recorded the highest percentage (29.7%) of sightings, followed by Isoberlina doka woodland and Acacia complex (18.9%, respectively) while the least was Detarium microcapum areas - with (16.2%). Our study also revealed that in the different activities carried out by pangolin, running recorded the highest observation (14), followed by feeding (11) and the least was resting (4). The study recommended that, the park authority should intensify anti-poaching patrols so as to stop humans from entering the park and to minimize indiscriminate deforestation, bush burning and farming activities in the area, so as to allow wildlife to have enough cover and feed for survival.
The importance of trees in the environment cannot be overemphasized. This present study, therefore, deals with the distribution and relative density of trees species in Kainji Lake National Park. Data were collected using plot sampling techniques. Therein, a 50 by 50 m2 plot was randomly laid. Within each sample plot, data on all trees ≥ 10 cm in diameter at breast height were enumerated. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The result shows that different types of plants species were enumerated in the selected plots. This included six families of trees: Fabiaceae, Caesalpiniaceae, Rubiaceae, Maliaceae, Annonaceae and Mimosaceae. The percentage score of tree species in the four plots reveals that Afzelia africana recorded the highest with a total number of 60 species, followed by Detarium macrocarpium with 47 species, while Anogeissus leiocarpus and Azadirachta indica recorded 31 and 17 species, respectively. Gardenia aqualla was the least species recorded. The density and relative density of Afzelia africana recorded the highest, with 1.2ha and 26.9%, followed by Detarium microcarpiuum with 0.94ha and 21.1%, respectively, while Gardenia aqualla was the least with 0.02 ha and 0.4%. In terms of mean height, Daniela oliveri recorded the highest, with 28.1m, followed by Afzelia africana with 21.8%, while Azadirachta indica was the least with 5.8%. The mean DBH of Entada africana and Anogeissus leiocarpus recorded was 28.7cm and 28.1cm, while Prosopis africana and Accacia gournmaensis recorded 14.0 and 13.4, respectively, which were the least. The Types of wild animal species that are associated with the tree species includes Baboon, Kob, Grim duiker, Francolin, Patas monkey etc. Relative abundance of the animal species shows that Papio anubis recorded the highest with 40.5 individuals, while Erythrocebus patas recorded the least with 2.5 individuals.
Studies was undertaken to derive information on the abundance, as well as the distribution of African elephants in the Sambisa-Amshaka Game Reserve. For the purposes of the study, the reserve was divided into zones that were then compared. The results reveal that Sambisa-Amshaka Game Reserve holds an ample population of both resident and migratory elephant throughout the year. A total number of 132 elephant groups were sighted during a drive of 29350 m. There is, therefore, a 95% certainty that the true population size lies between 60 and 70 confidence limits, and there is no significant difference P>0.05 between the zones in both elephant composition and distribution. In addition, 190 species woody plants were found browsed by elephant in the study area. Other grasses and forbs were also browsed. The problem facing elephants in the study area includes farming activities during the dry season that block the route the migratory elephants pass through, and also the drying up of rivers. We conclude that if the elephant herd is maintained in the reserve, eco-tourism based on elephant watching will yield economic benefits to the game reserve, the state and the Nation at large. Adequate protection of the elephant species in the reserve is therefore recommended.
The present study is on the spider fauna of Barasat and Basirhat of North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India. A total of 23 species belonging to 20 genera and 11 families are sampled during the period August 2016 to July 2017. These include the newly recorded species, Anepsion maritatum (O.P. Cambridge) from the state. The dominant guild is constituted by the Orb web weavers (30.43%). Analysis of their zoogeographical distribution reveals that the fauna apart from being Oriental also includes some Australian (23%), Palaearctic (21.73%) and Ethiopian, Nearctic and Neotropical (each 17.39%) elements. Spiders are mostly prevalent during Postmonsoon (82.60%), followed by Premonsoon (60.86%) and Monsoon (47.82%) which is in conformity with the incidence of the insect species. Two species namely Eriovixia excelsa (Simon) and Leucauge decorata (Blackwall) are recorded throughout the period of survey. All the diversity indices are higher in case of Basirhat as compared to Barasat. An overall negative impact of urbanization on spider diversity, distribution and abundance is evidenced from the present study. Ranking sequence of the most abundant species (six) in descending order are: Leucauge decorata (25.68%) > Eriovixia excelsa (19.13%) > Pholcus phalangioides (11.48%) > Plexippus paykullii (8.74%) > Anepsion maritatum (7.10%) > Cyrtophora cicatrosa (6.56%). Sex ratio (♀ : ♂) is about 12 : 1. Availability of food/season and/or cannibalism may be the factors for female dominated society.
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