Articles: Department of Biological Sciences: Recent submissions

Now showing items 121-140 of 285

Mating Strategies in Solitary Aphid Parasitoids: Effect of Patch Residence Time and Ant Attendance

Nyabuga, Franklin N.; Völkl, Wolfgang; Schwörer, Ulrich; Weisser, Wolfgang W.; Mackauer, Manfred (Springer, 2012-01)

Mate finding and dispersal from the natal patch in parasitoid Hymenoptera are influenced by the availability of host resources and interactions with other organisms. We compared the mating behavior of three solitary aphid ...
Spatial population dynamics of a specialist aphid parasitoid, Lysiphlebus hirticornis Mackauer (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae): evidence for philopatry and restricted dispersal

Nyabuga, Franklin N.; Loxdale, Hugh D.; Heckel, David G.; Weisser, Wolfgang W. (Macmillan Publishers Limited, 2010-01)

Within insect communities, the population ecology of organisms representing higher trophic levels, for example, hymenopterous parasitoids, may be influenced by the structure of their insect hosts. Using microsatellite ...
Effects of pea aphid secondary endosymbionts on aphid resistance and development of the aphid parasitoid Aphidius ervi: a correlative study

Nyabuga, Franklin N.; Outreman, Yannick; Simon, Jean-Christophe; Heckel, David G.; Weisser, Wolfgang W. (2010-05)

In order to reduce parasite-induced mortality, hosts may be involved in mutualistic interactions in which the partner contributes to resistance against the parasite. The pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris (Hemiptera: ...
Temporal genetic structuring of a specialist parasitoid, Lysiphlebus hirticornis Mackauer (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) attacking a specialist aphid on tansy

Nyabuga, Franklin N.; Loxdale, Hugh D.; Heckel, David G.; Weisser, Wolfgang W. (The Linnean Society of London, 2011)

In insect species characterized by inbreeding, limited dispersal, and a metapopulation structure, high genetic differentiation and reduced genetic diversity within local populations are expected. Using the model ...
Field Abundance Patterns and Odor-Mediated Host Choice by Clover Seed Weevils, Apion fulvipes and Apion trifolii (Coleoptera: Apionidae)

Nyabuga, Franklin N.; Carrasco, David; Ranaker, Lynn; Andersson, Martin N.; Birgersson, Ran; Larsson, Mattias C.; Lundin, Ola; Rundlo, Maj; Svensson, Glenn P.; Anderbrant, Olle; Lankinen, Anda Sa (2015-02-05)

The clover seed weevils Apion fulvipes Geoffroy, 1785 and Apion trifolii L., 1768 (Coleoptera: Apionidae) cause major losses to seed production of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense ...
Bacteria and Archaea diversity within the hot springs of Lake Magadi and Little Magadi in Kenya

Mwirichia, Romano K.; Kasili, Remmy W.; Karanja, Edward N.; Makonde, Huxley M.; Boga, Hamadi I.; Kambura, Anne K. (BioMed Central, 2016-06)

Background: Lake Magadi and little Magadi are hypersaline, alkaline lakes situated in the southern part of Kenyan Rift Valley. Solutes are supplied mainly by a series of alkaline hot springs with temperatures as high as ...
Isolation and characterization of some gut microbial symbionts from fungus-cultivating termites (Macrotermes and Odontotermes spp.)

Muwawa, Edith M.; Budambula, Nancy; Osiemo, Zipporah L.; Boga, Hamadi I.; Makonde, Huxley M. (Academic Journals, 2016-07)

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 ...
Diversity of fungi in sediments and water sampled from the hot springs of Lake Magadi and Little Magadi in Kenya

Mwirichia, Romano K.; Kambura, Ann K.; Kasili, Remmy W.; Boga, Hamadi Iddi; Karanja, Edward N.; Makonde, Huxley M. (2016-02)

Lake Magadi and Little Magadi are saline, alkaline lakes lying in the southern part of Kenyan Rift Valley. Their solutes are supplied by a series of alkaline hot springs with temperatures as high as 86°C. Previous ...
Hepatitis B infection is highly prevalent among patients presenting with jaundice in Kenya

Ochwoto, Missiani; Kimotho, James H.; Oyugi, Julius; Okoth, Fredrick; Kioko, Henry; Mining, Simeon; Budambula, Nancy; Giles, Elizabeth; Andonov, Anton; Songok, Elijah; Osiowy, Carla (2016-02)

Background:Viral hepatitis is a major concern worldwide, with hepatitis A (HAV) and E (HEV) viruses showing sporadic outbreaks while hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) viruses are associated with chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis ...
Metabolic traits of an uncultured archaeal lineage -MSBL1- from brine pools of the Red Sea

Mwirichia, Romano K.; Intikhab, Alam; Mamoon, Rashid; Manikandan, Vinu; Wail, Ba-Alawi; Kamau, Anthony A.; Ngugi, David K.; Göker, Markus; Klenk, Hans-Peter; Bajic, Vladimir; Ulrich, Stingl (2016-01)

The candidate Division MSBL1 (Mediterranean Sea Brine Lakes 1) comprises a monophyletic group of uncultured archaea found in different hypersaline environments. Previous studies propose methanogenesis as the main metabolism. ...
Effect of Human Activities and Seasonal Variation on Water Quality of Nkenye (Chikuu) Stream in Chuka, Kenya

Ombaka, O.; Gichumbi, J.M.; Mukono, Simon K.; Kibara, D. (2013-02)

Composite water and sediment samples were taken from Nkenye stream at five different sampling stations during wet and dry seasons. Water quality parameters were analyzed using standard methods to ascertain the effect of ...
Disappearing medicinal plants in mt. kenya forests, kenya: a case study of east african green heart (Warburgia ugandensis sprague)

Kairu, Anne; Gichuki, Nathan; Kanya, James; Kindt, Roeland (2013-07)

Natural disturbances and human activities are significantly affecting indigenous trees species in forests. Warburgia ugandensis is a plant highly valued for its medicinal properties, timber and fuel among other uses. Many ...
Characterization, Enzymatic Activity, and Secondary Metabolites of Fungal Isolates from Lake Sonachi in Kenya

Ndwigah, Ireri F.; Bogai, Hamadi I.; Wanyoike, Wanjiru; Mwirichia, Romano K. (2015-03)

The soda lakes of Kenya provide an extreme environment where diverse groups of microorganisms thrive. They are characterized by great variation in temperature, halophillic and alkaliphilic- extreme conditions. Lake Sonachi ...
Morphological characterization of soil bacteria in Ngere tea catchment area of Murang'a County, Kenya

Wafula, Eliud N.; Kinyua, Johnson K.; Kariuki, Daniel; Muigai, Anne; Mwirichia, Romano K.; Kibet, Tom (2015-02)

Bacteria are a very diverse group of organisms in soil, and major taxonomic groups are represented in most soils. The extent of the diversity of microorganisms in soil is seen to be critical to the maintenance of soil ...
Is leaf pubescence of Cape Proteaceae a xeromorphic or radiation-protective trait?

Skelton, R. P.; Midgley, J. J.; Nyaga, Justine M.; Johnson, S. D.; Cramer, M. D. (CSIRO Publishing, 2012-03)

Although pubescence has traditionally been considered to be related to the water economy of plants, the results are ambivalent and vary between different species. We tested two contrasting hypotheses for the functional ...
The Contribution of Occult Precipitation to Nutrient Deposition on the West Coast of South Africa

Nyaga, Justine M.; Neff, Jason C.; Cramer, Michael D. (2015-05)

The Strandveld mediterranean-ecosystem of the west coast of South Africa supports floristically diverse vegetation growing on mostly nutrient-poor aeolian sands and extending from the Atlantic Ocean tens of kilometers ...
Distribution of indigenous strains of atoxigenic and toxigenic Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus in maize and peanuts agro‑ecological zones of Kenya

Okun, Daniel O.; Kenya, Eucharia U.; Khamis, Fathiya M.; Muluvi, Geoffrey M.; Ngeranwa, Joseph J.; Ombura, Fidelis O.; Yongo, Moses O. (Springer (BioMed Central Ltd), 2015-09)

Background Grains of important food and export crops in Africa are susceptible to contamination by toxin-producing moulds. Aflatoxins are mycotoxins associated with liver damage and cancer in humans and animals. These ...
Human Immunodeficiency Virus -1 and Hepatitis B Virus Co-Infections among Injecting Drug Users in Malindi, Kenya

Budambula, Nancy; Kerosi, Danvas O.; Odari, Eddy; Lihana, Raphael; Osman, Saida; Omire, Agnes; Langat, Hillary; Aman, Rashid; Lwembe, Raphael (IISTE, 2015-12)

Currently no published data addressing the burden of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) co-infection among injecting drug users (IDUs) in Kenya exists. These two viruses share similar routes of ...
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of the Community towards Malaria Prevention and Control Options: A case study of Meru South District, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya.

Kiania, Nahashon Mugao; Duba, Mohamed; Garama, Nimrod; Anjili, O. Christopher (2014-05)

Abstract: Background: Malaria is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in Kenya. The diseases displays varying degrees of endemicity in different regions in the country, however the knowledge, attitudes and ...
Larvicidal efficacy of Mundulea sericea (Leguminosae) plant extract against Anopheles gambiae (Giles) and Culex quinqefasciatus (Say) (Diptera: Culicidae)

Kiania, Nahashon Mugao; Mueke, Jones; Rukunga, Geoffrey; Anjili, Chris (2014-02)

Background: Anopheles gambiae is the main carrier for parasites that cause malaria and filariasis as well as viruses that cause yellow fever, dengue fever, dengue haemorrhagic fever, chikungunya and encephalitis. Culex ...

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