Sites In West Africa Research Articles

Defining a chronological framework for the Middle Stone Age in West Africa: Comparison of methods and models for OSL ages at Ounjougou (Mali)

Ounjougou is the name of a large complex of archaeological sites, that were extensively studied between 1997 and 2008 by the international team of the “Human settlement and palaeoenvironment in West Africa” project. This complex is important because well stratified Palaeolithic sites in West Africa are rare, and because it covers a long period of time (most of the Upper Pleistocene and Holocene) and exhibits a wide set of technical cultures. Therefore, for the first time it is possible to propose a chronological framework for the human settlement in this region that can be related to other technical cultures in Africa and to palaeoenvironmental data.The purpose of this paper is to present the OSL dating results obtained from 57 sediment samples that led to this framework. Measurements were first performed between 2004 and 2006 in Oxford (School of Geography), using micro-aliquots (2–10 grains) OSL and ICP-MS for determination of equivalent doses and beta-dose rates, respectively (gamma dose rates being deduced from field gamma spectrometry). More recently, new measurements were done on 28 samples of this former set at the IRAMAT-CRP2A laboratory in Bordeaux, where “true” single quartz grain OSL and high resolution gamma spectrometry measurements were performed. Both sets of results are, for all but two samples, statistically consistent with each other. A consistent chrono-stratigraphic framework can thus be deduced, covering the Upper Pleistocene. It suggests that the region was regularly visited during this time interval and more particularly during Marine Isotope Stage 3, when groups with different technical cultures followed each other relatively rapidly.

Precipitation chemistry and wet deposition in a remote wet savanna site in West Africa: Djougou (Benin)

In the framework of the IDAF (IGAC/DEBITS/AFrica) international program, this study aims to study the chemical composition of precipitation and associated wet deposition at the rural site of Djougou in Benin, representative of a West and Central African wet savanna. Five hundred and thirty rainfall samples were collected at Djougou, Benin, from July 2005 to December 2009 to provide a unique database. The chemical composition of precipitation was analyzed for inorganic (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, NH4+, K+, NO3−, Cl−, SO42−) and organic (HCOO−, CH3COO−, C2H5COO−, C2O42−) ions, using ion chromatography. The 530 collected rain events represent a total of 5706.1 mm of rainfall compared to the measured pluviometry 6138.9 mm, indicating that the collection efficiency is about 93%. The order of total annual loading rates for soluble cations is NH4+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+. For soluble anions the order of loading is carbonates > HCOO− > NO3− > CH3COO− > SO42− > Cl− > C2O42− > C2H5COO−. In the wet savanna of Djougou, 86% of the measured pH values range between 4.7 and 5.7 with a median pH of 5.19, corresponding to a VWM (Volume Weighed Mean) H+ concentration of 6.46 μeq·L−1. This acidity results from a mixture of mineral and organic acids. The annual sea salt contribution was computed for K+, Mg2+, Ca2+ and SO42− and represents 4.2% of K+, 41% of Mg2+, 1.3% of Ca2+, and 7.4% of SO42−. These results show that K+, Ca2+, SO42−, and Mg2+ were mainly of non-marine origin. The marine contribution is estimated at 9%. The results of the chemical composition of rainwater of Djougou indicates that, except for the carbonates, ammonium has the highest VWM concentration (14.3 μeq·L−1) and nitrate concentration is 8.2 μeq·L−1. The distribution of monthly VWM concentration for all ions is computed and shows the highest values during the dry season, comparing to the wet season. Identified nitrogenous compound sources (NOx and NH3) are domestic animals, natural emissions from savanna soils, biomass burning and biofuel combustions. The second highest contribution is the calcium ion (13.3 μeq·L−1), characteristic of dust aerosols from terrigenous sources, Calcium contributes up to 46% of the precipitation chemistry in Djougou. Finally, these results are compared to those obtained for other selected African sites representative of other main natural ecosystems: dry savanna and forest. The study of the African ecosystem transect indicates a pH gradient with more acidic pH in the forested ecosystem. Nitrogenous contribution to the chemical composition of rain in Lamto, wet savanna, (24%) is equivalent to the one estimated in Djougou (24%). The last contribution concerns organic acidity, which represents 7% of total ionic content of precipitation at Djougou. The relative particulate contribution PC and the relative gaseous contribution GC are calculated using the mean chemical composition measured in Djougou for the studied period. The comparison with other African sites gives 40% and 43% PC in wet savannas of Lamto (Côte d’Ivoire) and Djougou (Benin) respectively, 20% PC in the equatorial forest of Zoetele (Cameroon) and 80% PC in dry savanna of Banizoumbou (Niger). The results shown here indicate the existence of a North-South gradients of organic, marine, terrigenous and nitrogenous contributions along the transect in West and Central Africa.

Preoperative halo-gravity traction for severe spinal deformities at an SRS-GOP site in West Africa: protocols, complications, and results.

Retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected single-center database. We describe a modified halo-gravity traction (HGT) protocol for patients with severe spinal deformities in West Africa, and assess the clinical and radiographic outcomes. Three-column osteotomies are frequently used in the correction of severe spinal deformities; however, these can be associated with high complication rates and significant risk for neurological injury. Preoperative traction is one modality used to obtain a partial correction prior to definitive fusion. Low numbers and variability of traction protocols, however, have limited previous reports of sustained HGT. All patients who underwent HGT in Ghana from April 2012 to August 2013 were reviewed. HGT was started at 20% body weight and increased by 10% per week until 50% body weight was reached by 4 weeks or thereafter as tolerated. Demographic variables, operative data, radiographic parameters, and health-related quality of life scores were collected. A deformity reduction index was calculated at each time point by summing the scoliosis and abnormal kyphosis for each patient and reported as a percentage of the preoperative deformity. Twenty-nine patients underwent HGT for an average 107 days prior to definitive posterior spinal fusion (24 patients) or placement of growing rods (5 patients). The major curve improved from an average 131° to 90° (31%) after HGT, and to an average 57° (56%) postoperatively. Pure kyphotic curves were rigid (flexibility 22% after traction), with a correction index of 3.88, which is similar to historical controls. Deformity correction with HGT plateaued at 63 days. Overall Scoliosis Research Society-22 questionnaire scores improved significantly pretraction versus postoperatively, but there was no change after traction versus before traction. There were 11 pin tract infections, with no neurological complications. HGT is a safe method to partially correct severe spinal deformities prior to a definitive procedure, and may reduce the need for higher risk 3-column osteotomies. Importantly, kyphosis secondary to infection with spontaneous apical ankylosis is relatively resistant to HGT. 4.

Recent trends in aerosol optical properties derived from AERONET measurements

Abstract. The Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) has been providing high-quality retrievals of aerosol optical properties from the surface at worldwide locations for more than a decade. Many sites have continuous and consistent records for more than 10 years, which enables the investigation of long-term trends in aerosol properties at these locations. In this study, we present the results of a trend analysis at selected stations with long data records. In addition to commonly studied parameters such as aerosol optical depth (AOD) and Ångström exponent (AE), we also focus on inversion products including absorption aerosol optical depth (ABS), single-scattering albedo (SSA) and the absorption Ångström exponent (AAE). Level 2.0 quality assured data are the primary source. However, due to the scarcity of level 2.0 inversion products resulting from the strict AOD quality control threshold, we have also analyzed level 1.5 data, with some quality control screening to provide a reference for global results. Two statistical methods are used to detect and estimate the trend: the Mann–Kendall test associated with Sen's slope and linear least-squares fitting. The results of these statistical tests agree well in terms of the significance of the trend for the majority of the cases. The results indicate that Europe and North America experienced a uniform decrease in AOD, while significant (>90%) increases in these two parameters are found for North India and the Arabian Peninsula. The AE trends turn out to be different for North America and Europe, with increases for the former and decreases for the latter, suggesting opposite changes in fine/coarse-mode fraction. For level 2.0 inversion parameters, Beijing and Kanpur both experienced an increase in SSA. Beijing also shows a reduction in ABS, while the SSA increase for Kanpur is mainly due the increase in scattering aerosols. Increased absorption and reduced SSA are found at Solar_Village. At level 1.5, most European and North American sites also show positive SSA and negative ABS trends, although the data are more uncertain. The AAE trends are less spatially coherent due to large uncertainties, except for a robust increase at three sites in West Africa, which suggests a possible reduction in black carbon. Overall, the trends do not exhibit obvious seasonality for the majority of parameters and stations.

Preoperative Halo-Gravity Traction for Severe Spinal Deformities at an SRS-GOP Site in West Africa: Protocols, Complications and Results

Preoperative Halo-Gravity Traction for Severe Spinal Deformities at an SRS-GOP Site in West Africa: Protocols, Complications and Results

Post-Breeding Migration of Dutch-Breeding Black-Tailed Godwits: Timing, Routes, Use of Stopovers, and Nonbreeding Destinations

Conservation of long-distance migratory shorebirds is complex because these species use habitats spread across continents and hemispheres, making identification of critical habitats and potential bottlenecks in the annual cycle especially difficult. The population of Black-tailed Godwits that breeds in Western Europe, Limosa limosa limosa, has declined precipitously over the past few decades. Despite significant efforts to identify the root causes of this decline, much remains unclear. To better understand the migratory timing, use of stopover and nonbreeding sites, and the potential impact of breeding success on these parameters, we attached 15 Argos satellite transmitters and 10 geolocation tracking devices to adult godwits nearing completion of incubation at breeding sites in southwest Friesland, The Netherlands during the spring of 2009. We successfully tracked 16 adult godwits for their entire southward migration and two others for part of it. Three migration patterns and four regions of use were apparent. Most godwits left their breeding sites and proceeded south directly to stopover sites in the Mediterranean — e.g. Spain, Portugal, and Morocco — before flying on to non-breeding sites in West Africa. Other individuals spent the entire nonbreeding season in the Mediterranean. A third pattern included a few individuals that flew nonstop from their Dutch breeding sites to nonbreeding sites in West Africa. Tracking data from this study will be immediately useful for conservation efforts focused on preserving the dispersed network of sites used by godwits during their southward migration.

FAO-56 Penman-Monteith DailyETofrom Linear Regression Calibrated Hargreaves Equation with Wind Terms in Tropics with Limited Data

Hargreaves equation (HG), which lacks a wind speed (u2) term, was modified, through a linear regression calibration method, into LHGu which hasu2terms. LHGu is effectively a simplified method for approximating FAO-56 Penman-Monteith equation (FPM) daily reference evapotranspiration (ETo) in tropics with only temperature data. In LHGu, the “0.0023” constant term in HG was calibrated as a shifted power function ofu2, and the calibration constant was parametrized as a quadratic function ofu2. LHGu was developed using simulated constantu2data and historical temperature data for four sites in West Africa: Abidjan, Accra, Daloa, and Lome. LHGu matched FPMETobetter than HG over a wide range ofu2: for Accra, foru2range 0.5–6.0 m/s, the modified coefficient of efficiency,E1, varied narrowly (0.83–0.98) for LHGu but widely (0.14–0.95) for HG optimized foru2=2.0 m/s; the corresponding MBE ranges were −0.05–0.01 mm/d for LHGu and 0.02–0.63 mm/d for HG which cannot respond to varying dailyu2. LHGu is useful for quickly computing practically accurate estimates of FPMETofor varying dailyu2where only temperature data are available.

The influence of lunar cycles on crop‐raiding elephants; evidence for risk avoidance

AbstractLong‐term solutions to crop raiding by elephants (Loxodonta africana) should be based on an understanding of their behaviour and ecology. The real and perceived risks from humans have been shown to affect elephant behaviour. This is evidenced by elephants predominantly raiding crops at night, avoiding the height of human activity. If such human avoidance behaviours are apparent, it might also be expected that elephants avoid risks associated with higher visibility and increased human activity as may occur during the full moon. However, elephant nocturnal crop‐raiding behaviour in relation to lunar cycles has largely been a neglected factor in studies of human–elephant interactions. In this study around Mikumi National Park, Tanzania, we apply circular statistics in this context for the first time to show a significant decrease in crop raiding during the full moon and apply this method retrospectively to data from another site in West Africa with similar results. Additionally, a greater proportion of farms raided was guarded during the full moon than any other moon phase. Our results indicate that variations in crop raiding with lunar phase could be a general feature of elephant behaviour and thus could be used to design and time mitigation efforts.

Early outcomes and complications of posterior vertebral column resection

Background contextHyperkyphosis confers a significant risk for neurologic deterioration as well as compromised cardiopulmonary function. Posterior vertebral column resection (PVCR) is a challenging but effective technique for spinal cord decompression and deformity correction that even under the setting of limited resources can be performed to reduce the technical difficulties, the operating time, and possibly the complications of the traditional two-staged vertebral column resection (VCR). PurposeTo report on the results of VCR performed through a single posterior approach (PVCR) in the treatment of severe rigid kyphosis in a series of patients treated and followed at a Scoliosis Research Society Global Outreach Program site in West Africa. Study designRetrospective case series. Patient sampleForty-five consecutive patients treated with PVCR for correction of severe rigid kyphosis. Outcome measuresClinical and radiographic outcomes and complications; Scoliosis Research Society outcome instrument (SRS-22). MethodsFrom 2002 to 2009, 45 patients (20 male and 25 female) underwent PVCR for kyphosis from congenital deformity (nine) or secondary to tuberculosis of the spine (36). Preoperative demographics, preop and postop neurologic status, SRS-22 scores and complications were recorded; upright full spine X-rays were available in all patients. Mean age was 14 years (6–47 years); mean follow-up 27 months (2–79 months). Mean preoperative kyphosis measured 108°. The deformity apex was resected via a costotransverse (thoracic) or posterolateral (lumbar) approach; neurosurveillance with sensory (somatosensory-evoked potentials) and motor (motor-evoked potentials) potential was used in all cases. Posterior instrumentation was used in all patients, and anterior structural cage was used in 32 patients. ResultsIntraoperative monitoring changes occurred in 10 patients (22%), and one patient progressed to complete spinal cord injury. Average preoperative local kyphosis was 108° and corrected to 600 postoperatively. Postoperatively, no additional patient showed neurologic deterioration; of the 11 patients with preoperative gait disturbances, 4 improved to normal gait, 5 remained the same, and 2 showed deterioration of their walking ability to nonambulating level. Total SRS-22 scores improved from 3.18 to 3.54 (p=.01), primarily self-image domain. ConclusionsPosterior vertebral column resection was successfully undertaken for the management of thoracic and thoracolumbar hyperkyphosis, demonstrating improvements in overall kyphosis and clinical outcome. Neuromonitoring provided the required safety to perform these challenging complex spine deformity procedures.

Evaluation of soil thermal diffusivity algorithms at two equatorial sites in West Africa

<p>This study presents comparisons between six algorithms used in the calculation of apparent thermal diffusivity (K<sub>h</sub>) of the topsoil during measurement campaigns conducted at two equatorial sites. It further investigates the effects of transient and seasonal variations in soil moisture content (theta) on the estimation of K<sub>h</sub>. The data used comprise soil temperatures (T) measured at depths of 0.05 m and 0.10 m, and theta within the period of transition from the dry season to the wet season at Ile Ife (7.55˚ N, 4.55˚ E), and for the peak of the wet season at Ibadan (7.44˚ N, 3.90˚ E). The thermal diffusivity, K<sub>h</sub>, was calculated from six algorithms, of: harmonic, arctangent, logarithmic, amplitude, phase, and conduction-convection. The reliability of these algorithms was tested using their values to model T at a depth of 0.10 m, where direct measurements were available. The algorithms were further evaluated with statistical indices, including the empirical probability distribution function of the differences between the measured and modeled temperatures ([delta capitalized]T). The maximum absolute values of [delta capitalized]T for the six algorithms investigated were: 0.5˚C, 0.5˚C, 0.5˚C, 1˚C, 1˚C and 1˚C, respectively. K<sub>h</sub> showed an increasing trend as theta increased from the dry season to the peak of the wet season, with R<sup>2</sup> = 0.70 for the harmonic algorithm. The accuracy of all of the algorithms in modeling T reduced with transient variations of theta. The harmonic, arctangent and logarithmic algorithms were the most appropriate for calculating K<sub>h</sub> for the region of study. The empirical relation between theta and K<sub>h</sub> and the values of K<sub>h</sub> obtained in this study can be used to improve the accuracy of meteorological and hydrological models.</p>

Initial Encounters: Seeking traces of ancient trade connections between West Africa and the wider world

The long-standing, more mythical than fact-based assumptions about ancient trade contacts between West Africa and the wider world prior to the Arab conquest of North Africa have only been substantiated by archaeological evidence in recent years. Although the number of imported items known to have been brought into West Africa during late Roman and Byzantine times just started growing, the mechanisms of their diffusion are still far from being understood. This can mainly be set down to the dearth of convincing material evidence from other archaeological sites in West Africa, the Sahara and North Africa — the result of a lack of research and, perhaps too, of trade in “invisible” merchandise Previous archeological studies on this topic are discussed; and the preliminary findings of recent research in the eastern Niger Bend, presented.

Breakdown in the process of incipient speciation in Anopheles gambiae.

Understanding genetic causes and effects of speciation in sympatric populations of sexually reproducing eukaryotes is challenging, controversial, and of practical importance for controlling rapidly evolving pests and pathogens. The major African malaria vector mosquito Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto (s.s.) is considered to contain two incipient species with strong reproductive isolation, hybrids between the M and S molecular forms being very rare. Following recent observations of higher proportions of hybrid forms at a few sites in West Africa, we conducted new surveys of 12 sites in four contiguous countries (The Gambia, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, and Republic of Guinea). Identification and genotyping of 3499 A. gambiae s.s. revealed high frequencies of M/S hybrid forms at each site, ranging from 5 to 42%, and a large spectrum of inbreeding coefficient values from 0.11 to 0.76, spanning most of the range expected between the alternative extremes of panmixia and assortative mating. Year-round sampling over 2 years at one of the sites in The Gambia showed that M/S hybrid forms had similar relative frequencies throughout periods of marked seasonal variation in mosquito breeding and abundance. Genome-wide scans with an Affymetrix high-density single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) microarray enabled replicate comparisons of pools of different molecular forms, in three separate populations. These showed strong differentiation between M and S forms only in the pericentromeric region of the X chromosome that contains the molecular form-specific marker locus, with only a few other loci showing minor differences. In the X chromosome, the M/S hybrid forms were more differentiated from M than from S forms, supporting a hypothesis of asymmetric introgression and backcrossing.

Optical and SAR sensor synergies for forest and land cover mapping in a tropical site in West Africa

The classification of tropical fragmented landscapes and moist forested areas is a challenge due to the presence of a continuum of vegetation successional stages, persistent cloud cover and the presence of small patches of different land cover types. To classify one such study area in West Africa we integrated the optical sensors Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) and the Advanced Visible and Near Infrared Radiometer type 2 (AVNIR-2) with the Phased Arrayed L-band SAR (PALSAR) sensor, the latter two on-board the Advanced Land Observation Satellite (ALOS), using traditional Maximum Likelihood (MLC) and Neural Networks (NN) classifiers. The impact of texture variables and the use of SAR to cope with optical data unavailability were also investigated. SAR and optical integrated data produced the best classification overall accuracies using both MLC and NN, respectively equal to 91.1% and 92.7% for TM and 95.6% and 97.5% for AVNIR-2. Texture information derived from optical images was critical, improving results between 10.1% and 13.2%. In our study area, PALSAR alone was able to provide valuable information over the entire area: when the three forest classes were aggregated, it achieved 75.7% (with MCL) and 78.1% (with NN) overall classification accuracies. The selected classification and processing methods resulted in fine and accurate vegetation mapping in a previously untested region, exploiting all available sensors synergies and highlighting the advantages of each dataset.

Water-balance approach for assessing potential for smallholder groundwater irrigation in Sub-Saharan Africa

Strategies for increasing the development and use of groundwater for agriculture over much of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are urgently needed. Expansion of small-scale groundwater irrigation offers an attractive option to smallholder farmers to overcome unreliable wet-season rainfall and enhance dry-season production. This paper presents a simple, generic groundwater-balance-based methodology that uses a set of type-curves to assist with decision making on the scope for developing sustainable groundwater irrigation supplies, and to help understand how cropping choices influence the potential areal extent of irrigation. Guidance to avoid over-exploitation of the resource is also provided. The methodology is applied to 2 sites in West Africa with contrasting climatic and subsurface conditions. At both sites the analysis reveals that there is significant potential for further groundwater development for irrigation whilst allowing provisions for other sectoral uses, including basic human needs and the environment.

Megalithic monumentality in Africa: from graves to stone circles at Wanar, Senegal

The World Heritage Site of Wanar in Senegal features 21 stone circles, remarkable not least because they were erected in the twelfth and thirteenth century AD, when Islam ruled the Indian Ocean and Europe was in its Middle Ages. The state of preservation has benefited the exemplary investigation currently carried out by a French-Senegalese team, which we are pleased to report here. The site began as a burial ground to which monumental stones were added, perhaps echoing the form of original funerary houses. Found in a neighbouring field were scoops left from the cutting out of the cylindrical monoliths from surface rock. While the origins of Wanar lie in a period of state formation, the monuments are shown to have had a long ritual use. The investigation not only provides a new context for one of the most important sites in West Africa but the precise determination of the sequence and techniques used at Wanar offers key pointers for the understanding of megalithic structures everywhere.

Nitrogen compounds emission and deposition in West African ecosystems: comparison between wet and dry savanna

Abstract. Surface emission and deposition fluxes of reactive nitrogen compounds have been studied in five sites of West Africa during the period 2002 to 2007. Measurements of N deposition fluxes have been performed in IDAF sites representative of main west and central African ecosystems, i.e., 3 stations in dry savanna ecosystems (from 15° N to 12° N), and 2 stations in wet savanna ecosystems (from 9° N to 6° N). Dry deposition fluxes are calculated from surface measurements of NO2, HNO3 and NH3 concentrations and simulated deposition velocities, and wet deposition fluxes are calculated from NH4+ and NO3− concentration in samples of rain. Emission fluxes are evaluated including simulated NO biogenic emission from soils, emissions of NOx and NH3 from biomass burning and domestic fires, and volatilization of NH3 from animal excreta. This paper is a tentative to understand the eventual impact of the monsoon variability from year to year, with the natural variability of local sources, on the emission and deposition N fluxes, and to compare these evolutions between dry and wet savanna ecosystems. In dry savanna ecosystems where the rain season lasts mainly from June to September, the occurence of rain correlates with the beginning of emission and deposition fluxes. This link is less obvious in wet savanna ecosystems (wet season mainly from May to October), where the surface is less submitted to drastic changes in terms of water content. Whatever the location, the natural variability of rain from year to year does not exceed 15 %, and the variability of emission and deposition magnitude ranges between 15 % and 28 %. While quasi providing the same total N budget, and due to the presence of different types of soils and vegetation, wet and dry savanna do not present the same distribution in emission and deposition fluxes contributions: in dry savanna, the emission is dominated by ammonia volatilization, and the deposition is dominated by the dry contribution. In wet savanna, emission is equally distributed between ammonia volatilization, emissions from biomass burning and natural NO emissions from soils, and wet and dry deposition are equivalent. Due to the scarcity of available data on the African continent, and despite the numerous uncertainties resulting from the different calculations and assumptions, this work is a combination of data from different origins (surface measurements, satellite and modelling) to document the atmospheric Nitrogen cycle in tropical regions.

Directional Effects on Land Surface Temperature Estimation From Meteosat Second Generation for Savanna Landscapes

Structured canopies can show pronounced directional effects which influence land surface temperature (LST) estimates from thermal infrared satellite data. The effects depend on illumination and viewing geometries, because changes in these two geometries effectively cause the sensor to “see” different fractions of the canopy and the “background” surface (bare soil or low vegetation). Furthermore, parts of these two components will be in shadow, depending on the specific geometry of the canopy and its structure. This paper investigates these directional effects for a specific savanna site in West Africa and extends the findings to areas with denser tree crown cover. This is achieved by modeling the combined effects of the structured surface with a geometric optics model. The model assumes that the surface consists of four components: shaded and sunlit tree canopies and shaded and sunlit backgrounds. The brightness temperatures of these four surface components are provided by in situ measurements at the validation site, and emissivities are taken from the Land Surface Analysis Satellite Applications Facility (LSA-SAF) project. The LST modeling is performed for the geometry of the geostationary Meteosat Second Generation and for nadir geometry. Analyses of the temperature differences between the LST estimates for the two geometries show that, in many cases, the directional effects exceed 1°C within a day and that the timing and the sign of the effects change with season. Directional errors due to structured canopies are currently not considered in error estimates of operationally available LST products, e.g., the LSA-SAF LST product or the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) LST/emissivity products.

Transcriptome sequencing, and rapid development and application of SNP markers for the legume pod borer Maruca vitrata (Lepidoptera: Crambidae).

The legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is an insect pest species of crops grown by subsistence farmers in tropical regions of Africa. We present the de novo assembly of 3729 contigs from 454- and Sanger-derived sequencing reads for midgut, salivary, and whole adult tissues of this non-model species. Functional annotation predicted that 1320 M. vitrata protein coding genes are present, of which 631 have orthologs within the Bombyx mori gene model. A homology-based analysis assigned M. vitrata genes into a group of paralogs, but these were subsequently partitioned into putative orthologs following phylogenetic analyses. Following sequence quality filtering, a total of 1542 putative single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were predicted within M. vitrata contig assemblies. Seventy one of 1078 designed molecular genetic markers were used to screen M. vitrata samples from five collection sites in West Africa. Population substructure may be present with significant implications in the insect resistance management recommendations pertaining to the release of biological control agents or transgenic cowpea that express Bacillus thuringiensis crystal toxins. Mutation data derived from transcriptome sequencing is an expeditious and economical source for genetic markers that allow evaluation of ecological differentiation.

The stopover behaviour of the Garden Warbler Sylvia borin in Obudu, southeast Nigeria

The Garden Warbler breeds in the Palaearctic and migrates to sub-Saharan Africa for the non-breeding season. We studied its passage, body mass and moult at the Obudu Plateau in southeast Nigeria in October–December 2005 and December 2007–January 2008. In Nigeria, Garden Warblers in the Guinea savanna have been shown to increase body mass in October–November, preparing for migration to wintering sites further south. They begin to arrive at Obudu from mid-October and the numbers gradually increase with time; median date of passage was 3 December. This influx is clearly different from that which has been recorded for other sites in West Africa. The patterns in wing length and size-corrected body mass of individuals suggest a difference in the migration time of individuals of different sizes in the two years. Average fuel loads were lower at Obudu than has been reported in Central Nigeria. This, and the capture of moulting individuals, suggests that Garden Warblers may not embark on a longer journey southwards in mid winter, and possibly may even winter at Obudu.

Lytic failure in cross-inoculation assays between phages and prokaryotes from three aquatic sites of contrasting salinity

Little is known about the ability of phages to successfully colonize contrasting aquatic niches. We conducted experimental cross-infections between viruses and prokaryotes from three tropical sites of West Africa, with distinct salinities: a freshwater reservoir, a marine coastal station and a hypersaline lake. A cellular poison-based method (potassium cyanide) revealed that the addition of native viruses (regardless of the water type) consistently stimulated viral production. Conversely, in all incubations conducted with allochtonous (non-native) viruses, their overall production was not promoted, which suggests a lytic failure. Prokaryotic heterotrophic production increased in fresh and marine water supplemented with native viruses, but not in the hypersaline water. These results point to the role of the viral shunt in low-salinity environments, where the release of bioavailable lysis products might be of high nutritional value for the noninfected prokaryotes. In contrast, in hypersaline water where glycerol is a major carbon and energy source for the heterotrophic community, dissolved organic matter (DOM) of lytic origin may represent a less important DOM source for prokaryotes. Finally, our results suggest that cosmopolitan phages capable of moving between biomes are probably rare in aquatic habitats, supporting the common idea that most wild phages are relatively limited in their host range.