Physical parameters and nutrient contents of the whole seeds and seed nuts of Tamarindus indica L. 1753 were determined. Crude protein was between 21.25-22.20%, carbohydrate ranged from 8.9-17.10%, crude fibre was 2.33-3.82 %, crude lipid 6.94-11.43 %, in seed nuts and whole seeds respectively. Moisture contents were higher in the seed nuts 19.90 %. Removal of the seed coat increased the mineral elements in the seeds. Sodium to Potassium ratio (Na/K) was 0.1 and 0.09 while Calcium to Phosphorus ratio (Ca/P) was 0.39-1.24, with calorie values of 210.90 and 122.41 kcal/100g for whole seeds and seed nuts respectively. The length of pod (LOP) was 7.30 ± 1.31 cm (n=50), breadth of pod (BOP) was 3.05 ± 1.20 cm. T. indica seed nuts were found to be potential sources of mineral elements while the whole seeds were richer in other proximate components with the exception of moisture and ash contents.

A survey of biting dipterans was conducted in Kaura LGA of Kaduna State between November 2000 and October 2001. Fifteen species of biting flies were caught in two families, Tabanidae and Muscidae distributed in the following 4 genera: Tabanus 10, Haematopota 2, Chrysops 1 and Stomoxys 2. The genus Stomoxys represented by Stomoxys calcitrans Linnaeus and S. nigra Macquart had the highest abundance (62.5%), followed by the Tabanus (34.6%), Haematopota (1.8%) and Chrysops (1.1%). Generally, more flies were collected during the wet (1431 ; 85.1%) than the dry season (250; 14.9%) with some species occurring all year round. The widespread presence of haematophagous dipterans in the study area suggest that they could be playing a greater role in disease transmissions than previously thought. O ptimum temperatures that stimulate rapid reproduction appear to fall between mean temperatures of 22.8-24.1 o C. The species showed a general increase in relative abundance during the wet season and a decline in the dry season. No new country record was found.

A survey was undertaken to determine the prevalence of trypanosome infection in Glossina species in Kaura Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State, Southern Guinea Savanna, Nigeria, aimed at identifying areas to be prioritized for area-wide tsetse eradication. The flies were trapped from a relic forest and also from 22 locations spread within the LGA and dissected to determine infection rates and infection types. Glossina palpalis palpalis Robineau-Desvoidy 1830 was the only tsetse species encountered both within the relic forest and the 22 locations sampled; its distribution was strictly riverine. Out of the 409 non-teneral flies dissected in the relic forest, 18.1 ± 0.02%, were infected with trypanosomes, with infections of the vivax-group dominating (76.92%) over the congolensegroup (23.01%). Of the 690 flies caught from 22 locations, 9.9 ± 1.0% were infected, 69.12% with vivax-group and 30.88% with congolense-group. Infections of the brucei-group were not encountered throughout the investigation period. The high prevalent figure of 12.64% recorded in the flies from both the relic forest and other locations portray the area as highly risky, with Bondong, Manchok and Kadarko districts being highly endemic, followed by a region of medium prevalence at Kukum district and a region of low endemicity within the mountain ranges of Zankan district. A well articulated vector eradication programme that will target G. p. palpalis and the various species of other biting dipterans is recommended as the solution to the recurring nagana problem in the area.

ResumoUma população peridoméstica de moscas tsetse Glossina palpalis palpalis Robineau-Desvoydy, 1830 (Diptera: Glossinidae) na cidade de Kontagora, estado de Niger, Nigéria -O artigo aborda alguns aspectos das populações peridomésticas das moscas tse-tsé Glossina palpalis palpalis Robinezu-Desvoidy, 1830 em Kontagora, Nigéria. Foi caracterizado um comportamento anormal deste vetor e que é de importância epidemiológica significante. Dados sobre a ecologia foram obtidos em 1995 e 1999. Os resultados indicam que esse vetor ocorre durante as estações seca e chuvosa; aproximadamente 30% dos exemplares estavam repletos de sangue, resultando em um MHS de 2,4, indicando uma população bem alimentada. Dissecação de pares inseminados indicam uma porcentagem de fertilidade de aproximadamente 30% e 70% nas estações seca e chuvosa e, a presença de todos os 4 estágios de fertilidade sugere que os criadouros se mantém em ambas as estações. A longevidade das moscas é de aproximadamente 16 dias na estação seca e 25 dias na chuvosa. Os resultados mostram que a relação vetor/hospedeiro é alta e que a população das moscas tem se adaptado, se desenvolvendo ativamente na área estudada. O índice de infecção de 18,2% consiste de uma tipo-brucei e 5 tipo-vivax. São discutidas as implicações na saúde pública da grande proximidade dos hospedeiros AbstractThe present article considers some aspects of a peridomestic population of the tsetse fly Glossina palpalis palpalis Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 in Kontagora, Nigeria. This situation characterizes an abnormal behaviour of the vector, and it is of significant epidemiological importance. Data on the ecology of this species were collected in 1995 and 1999. The results indicated that the species exists during both dry and wet seasons; approximately 30.0% of the catches were gorged with blood giving a MHS of 2.4, indicating a well-nourished population. Dissection of inseminated pars indicated pregnancy rates of approximately 30.0% and 70.0% in the dry and wet seasons and the presence of all 4 stages of pregnancy, suggesting that breeding occurs at both seasons. Longevity of flies was approximately 16 days in dry season and 25 days in the wet season. Overall results indicated that vector/host contact was high and the fly population has adapted and actively breeding in the area. Trypanosome infection rates of 18.2% consist of 1 brucei-type and 5 vivax-type infections. The public health implications of the close proximity of the wild natural reservoir hosts of the human T. b. gambiense Dutton, 1902 parasites at the Kainji Wild Life park is discussed.

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