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Honey collection is a long aged traditional activity throughout most parts of Africa. Melissopalynological analysis is widely used to verify geobotanical origin of honeys. Although continuous destruction of forest and different vegetation as a result of incessant demand for land is affecting the population of honey bee, pollination, honey yield, and loss of gene pool. Investigations were carried out on melissopalynological analysis of honey produced by Apis mellifera Adansoniilatereille (West African honeybee) in guinea savanna zone of Nigeria. Fresh honey samples from two sites were analyzed for pollen spectra and composition (abundance of pollen). The result showed that pollen grains of syzygium guinense recorded the most abundant pollen grains in honey samples collected from Nassarawa State (40.06) and Plateau State (16.55). The most frequent pollen grains of different plant species identified in Nassarawa include Parkia biglobosa, Dicranolepsis usambarica, Syzygium guinense, Bridelia ferruginea, Eucalyptus spp, Nauclea latifolia and Pterocarpus spp while Dicranolepsis usambarica, Ixora spp and Syzygium guinense were most frequent in plateau State. Relative abundance of pollens of these plant species is an indication of the plants foraged on by the bees and it is therefore important that planting and regeneration of these forest species be intensified, protected and conserved within apiaries or farms in the Guinea Savanna zone of Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Snake habitat is reducing rapidly due to anthropogenic factors. Information on snake habitats and distribution in Kainji Lake National Park (KLNP) is scarce despite their socio-economic importance. Therefore, snake habitats preferences in KLNP Nigeria were investigated. Ten transect strips of 2 km x 10 m each were laid in five ranges (Oli, Ibbi, Kuble, Doro and Kali) randomly selected from seven ranges in KLNP. Visual Encounter Survey was conducted along each transect to assess snake diversity and relative abundance in various vegetation structures along transects during the day (09.00 - 12.00hrs) and at night (19.00 - 21.00hrs). Visit was replicated twice in each month both in dry (December - April) and wet (June - October) seasons in two consecutive years (2013 - 2014). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Most Vipers (90.0%) were usually found on the ground resting or waiting for their prey while the rest (10.0%) of them were found hidden in the hole. Pythons utilize the holes (50.0%) and were equally found on the land (50.0%). The Culubrids, among which were water snakes were uniquely found in water (56.0%) while some were found on the ground (38.0%). The Elapids were found on the ground (48.0%), on the trees (27%) and in the hole (25.0%). Pythons were found mostly in the riparian forest (50.0%) and woodland vegetation (50.0%) of the study area. In contrast, culubrids were mostly found in the grassland (70.0%) while others (30.0%) were found in the woodland. Elapids were found in both the grassland (50.0%) and the woodland (50.0%) while all vipers (100.0%) were found in the grassland of the study area. The study highlighted the Checklist of snake species in Kainji Lake National Park. Abundance and distribution of snake species in KLNP were established and basic information that will enhance ecotourism management plan for snake View in the study area were provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]