Browsing by Author "Osiemo, Zipporah L."
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Item Diversity and Abundance Patterns of Amphibians in Rehabilitated Quarries of Bamburi Near Mombasa (Kenya)(Research, 2013-11) Ong'oa, Dominic O.; Ng'endo, Rossa N.; Muya, Shadrack M.; Nyoike, Mathew M.; Malomz, Patrick K.; Osiemo, Zipporah L.Amphibians are sensitive to changes in the environment and are, therefore, excellent indicators of success in restoring degraded habitats. As such, a clear understanding on how amphibian populations respond to changes in the environment is required. In order for conservationists to establish if the declining trends are changing, biodiversity recovery studies are essential especially in reclaimed habitats. This study focused on the recovery of amphibians, particularly on frogs, in reclaimed quarries of the Bamburi Cement Plant near Mombasa whereby the diversity, species abundances and composition at different stages of quarry re-establishment were assessed. The study area was divided into three zones based on the 13-year interval since the beginning of the rehabilitation process. Transect surveys and time-constrained search and size method were used for sampling 20 randomly selected sites. Sampling was done during the rainy and the dry seasons, with searches conducted between 900 and 1,600 hours during the day and between 1,800 to 2,100 hours at night. Recording of basic morphological data of collected specimens was done in the field to aid in grouping specimens before voucher materials were preserved in 10% formalin and stored in 70% alcohol. Further identifications and confirmations matching specimens to species were carried out using specialized classification keys from the National Museum of Kenya. Twelve species were encountered across the three zones, with Ptychadena anchietae and Phrynobatrachus acridoides, respectively, the most abundant. It was also noted that amphibian diversity across the quarries was independent of the age of ecological re- establishment (r = -0.5). This is indicated by the higher amphibian diversity in the south and north quarries (N = 1050 and 506 respectively) despite their relatively younger age since re- establishment compared to the central quarry (N = 438). Lower diversity in the central quarry, although the oldest, may be largely attributed to human disturbance. Additionally, exotic plantations across the study area are poor in species since they are monocultures and, thus, not heterogeneous enough to support higher anuran diversity. Since amphibians act as one of the best measure of environmental health, rehabilitation process in the quarries need to embrace mechanisms that support maximum biodiversity recovery such as replanting of more indigenous tree species as opposed to only exotic monocultures.Item Isolation and characterization of some gut microbial symbionts from fungus-cultivating termites (Macrotermes and Odontotermes spp.)(Academic Journals, 2016-07) Muwawa, Edith M.; Budambula, Nancy; Osiemo, Zipporah L.; Boga, Hamadi I.; Makonde, Huxley M.Microbiota of termites is crucial for nitrogen cycle activities and degradation of recalcitrant components of plant biomass that influence soil structure and carbon mineralization in tropical and subtropical regions. The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize gut bacteria that may be potentially associated with nitrogen metabolism from two fungus-feeding termites (Macrotermes and Odontotermes spp.). Twenty termites from the intact colony of each termite species were aseptically degutted. Gut homogenate was inoculated and cultured on selective media for the isolation of pure bacteria. Pure bacterial isolates were characterized using their morphological, biochemical and molecular characters. DNA was extracted from the isolates, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified and sequenced. The 16S rDNA gene sequences were blastn analyzed against the Genbank database and phylogenetic analysis was performed using MEGA 5 software. All forty-six isolates reacted positive for the ammonifying, nitrate, catalase and nitrogenase tests. Phylogenetic analysis grouped the isolates into three phyla: Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria. Isolates were affiliated with the genera Pseudomonas, Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Proteus, Klebssiella, Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Rhodococcus and Micrococcus. The results confirm that termites harbor diverse gut bacterial groups that have different physiological/enzymatic activities and might have functional implications in the termitemicrobe symbiotic association.Item Isolation and characterization of some gut microbial symbionts from fungus-cultivating termites (Macrotermes and Odontotermes spp.)(2016-07) Budambula, Nancy; Muwawa, Edith M.; Osiemo, Zipporah L.; Boga, Hamadi I.; Makonde, Huxley M.Microbiota of termites is crucial for nitrogen cycle activities and degradation of recalcitrant components of plant biomass that influence soil structure and carbon mineralization in tropical and subtropical regions. The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize gut bacteria that may be potentially associated with nitrogen metabolism from two fungus-feeding termites (Macrotermes and Odontotermes spp.). Twenty termites from the intact colony of each termite species were aseptically degutted. Gut homogenate was inoculated and cultured on selective media for the isolation of pure bacteria. Pure bacterial isolates were characterized using their morphological, biochemical and molecular characters. DNA was extracted from the isolates, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified and sequenced. The 16S rDNA gene sequences were blastn analyzed against the Genbank database and phylogenetic analysis was performed using MEGA 5 software. All forty-six isolates reacted positive for the ammonifying, nitrate, catalase and nitrogenase tests. Phylogenetic analysis grouped the isolates into three phyla: Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria. Isolates were affiliated with the genera Pseudomonas, Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Proteus, Klebssiella, Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Rhodococcus and Micrococcus. The results confirm that termites harbor diverse gut bacterial groups that have different physiological/enzymatic activities and might have functional implications in the termitemicrobe symbiotic association.Item Morphological variation of Ridged Frogs of the Taita Hills, Kenya(Firenze University Press, 2011-12) Ng'endo, Rossa N.; Kairu, Eunice; Osiemo, Zipporah L.; Ogol, CallistusComparing of morphological character variation within taxa continues to play an important role in improving species inventories. Using morphometrical and non-meristic morphological adult characters, the diversity of the genus Ptychadena in Taita Hills was studied. Comparative material from elsewhere was not used, and therefore species names were only provisionally allocated to the taxa identified. Available names were discussed on the basis of comparisons with morphological data from other regions. The results revealed that female species are larger in size than males. Two species were identified and for each a standardized diagnosis of 32 characters is provided. Comparison of results with morphological data from related studies done elsewhere reveals that certain characters are of critical importance in differentiating the two Ptychadena species. The power of these morphological characters is discussed, especially for the background of rapid and easy identification of Ptychadena species in the field for conservation purposes.