ABSTRACT
The families Lamiaceae and Verbenaceae comprise several closely related species that possess high morphological synapomorphic traits. Hence, there is a tendency of species misidentification using only the morphological characters. Herein, we evaluated the discriminatory power of the universal DNA barcodes (matKand rbcL) for 53 species spanning the two families. Using these markers, we inferred phylogenetic relationships and conducted species delimitation analysis using four delimitation methods: Automated Barcode GapDiscovery (ABGD), TaxonDNA, Bayesian Poisson Tree Processes (bPTP) and General Mixed Yule Coalescent(GMYC). The phylogenetic reconstruction based on the matK gene resolved the relationships between thefamilies and further suggested the expansion of the Lamiaceae to include some core Verbanaceae genus, e.g.,Gmelina. The rbcL marker using the TaxonDNA method displayed high species delimitation resolutions, whilethe ABGD, GMYC, and bPTP generated different number of Operational Taxonomic Units/genetic clusters.Our results underscored the efficiency of the matK and rbcL genes as reliable markers for resolving phylogenetic relationships and species delimitation of both families, respectively. The current study provides insightsinto the DNA barcode applications in these families, at the same time contributing to the current understandingof genetic divergence patterns in angiosperms.
ABSTRACT
The need for improved livestock waste management in developing countries has been emphasized by various researchers. Consideration has been given globally to advocacy for a transition from fossil energy system to Renewable Energy (RE), based on several socio-economic and environmental advantages. Green House Gas (GHG) from agricultural sector of Anambra State, with appropriate waste management strategy such as Anaerobic Digestion (AD) will definitely mitigate Methane emission hazards and will as well supply the much needed energy for domestic and industrial uses. An investigation was carried out in this study to estimate the Methane Emission Potential (MEP) of the study area as a result of poor livestock waste management system practiced in the area. This was achieved by incorporating Geographical Information System (GIS) capability to the Methane estimation. The result of the study shows that two Local Government Areas (LGA) which are Anambra West and Anambra East were the least in MEP with virtually none and 0.000646 Gg/year respectively. Idemili North LGA with MEP of 0.017962 Gg/year was observed to be the highest in Methane emission. On incorporating spatial density mapping on MEP, Onitsha North and Idemili North LGA were identified as the highest risk LGAs, with MEP of 0.00018 Gg/year and 0.000272 Gg/year respectively. The study suggests that an improved livestock waste management system using AD should be incorporated in the study area especially in the high risk zones of Onitsha and Idemili North LGA.
ABSTRACT
Questions have been raised about the quality of roof harvested rainwater which has been shown to be temporally and spatially variable and at times not in compliance with drinking water guidelines. This study is therefore an investigation on the quality of roof harvested rainwater consumed by rural communities in parts of Anambra State Nigeria. The physicochemical and microbiological parameters of the rainwater samples collected in the study area were analyzed with the view of determining the level of contamination as a result of anthropogenic activities in the study area. Roof harvested rainwater were collected from three stations, and a free-fall harvested rainwater sample was used as a control. The result shows that the physico-chemical parameters were all within permissible water quality standard as recommended by National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) except for the presence of particles and for the micro-biological properties which were found quite unsatisfactory. Pearson Correlation Matrix of physicochemical properties conducted indicated a strong positive correlation between Zinc and Iron which emphasizes common pathway and origin. The water samples were assessed using Water Quality Index (WQI), the WQI for the station 1, 2 and 3 were 71.68%, 60.19%, and 77.55% respectively. Low-cost microbial disinfection such as solar disinfection and pre-filtration or otherwise the proper maintenance of the entire Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) system could make the harvested roof rainwater potable for the study area.