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There is a growing interest in examining of economically important fish species with excellent mariculture potentials in lagoons of coastal states. Members of the family Mugilidae, which are permanent residents in Lagos Lagoon form a mainstay of fish protein source and are potential candidates for such investigations. Lengthfrequency distribution, length-weight relationship, condition factor and molecular characteristics of two grey mullets, Mugil cephalus and Liza falcipinnis were investigated in Lagos Lagoon. A total of 52 samples (26 specimens of each species) of the fish were collected from the Lagos Lagoon. The standard length ranged from 10.0 - 19.2 cm and 12.0 - 18.2 cm for M. cephalus and L. falcipinnis respectively, with corresponding weights of 13.90 - 105.00 g and 36.00-129.00 g respectively. It is concluded that the growth pattern of the species showed negative allometric, b = 0.32 and 0.65 respectively. The condition factors were 1.81 and 2.16 respectively and this means both species were in good condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aspects of the growth pattern, reproductive biology, and molecular characteristics of two cichlids, Sarotherodon melanotheron and Coptodon zillii were investigated in Lagos Lagoon. A total of twenty-nine samples were collected from the Lagos Lagoon. Blood samples were obtained for DNA extraction and analysis from 9 specimens of each species. The morphometric data of S. melanotheron varied from 2.5-4.5cm (head length), 13.5-18.0cm (total length) and 35.00-135.00g (body weight), while that of C. zillii were 2.0-4.5cm, 12.0-21.5cm and 39.00-228.00g respectively. The growth pattern of S. melanotheron showed a positive allometric, b= 3.324, while that of C. zillii showed a negative allometric pattern (b= 2.715). The condition factors of S. melanotheron and C. zillii ranged from 4.15-4.55 and 4.12-5.07 respectively. The sex ratio for S. melanotheron (males, 11; females 2) was 1: 0.18, while C. zillii (males, 12; females 4) had a sex ratio of 1:0.33, and these were statistically significant (p< 0.05). From the molecular characterization analysis, the DNA concentration ranged from 374-765 ng/µl and 48-1265 ng/µl, while DNA purity ranged from 1.56-1.82 and 1.49-1.81, for S. melanotheron and C. zilli respectively. These findings form baseline information for conducting further investigations on the taxonomy, ecology, conservation of the genetic purity of these fisheries resources in Lagos Lagoon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytogenotoxicity effects of aqueous extract of Datura stramonium leaves and seeds were investigated on root cells of Allium cepa by employing Allium cepa assay. A. cepa roots were treated with the aqueous extracts of both the leaves and seeds at five different concentrations (12.5, 25, 50, 75, and 100 p.p.m) each for 72h. Exposure of aqueous extracts of both the leaves and seeds increased mitotic index, and total chromosomal aberrations by the Allium test. While chromosome laggards, stickiness, disturbed anaphase--telophase and anaphase bridges were observed in anaphase--telophase cells, c-metaphase and binuclear cells were observed in other cells. These results indicate that aqueous extracts of both the leaves and seeds exhibits genotoxic activity in A. cepa root meristematic cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Garcinia kola is an important indigenous fruit tree that has a huge medicinal and economic value in Nigeria. It is often referred to as 'wonder plant' because all its parts have specific medicinal properties and have been employed traditionally for the treatment of diverse ailments. This study is aimed to determine the genetic variation that exists between and within G.kola species in selected states of Southern part of Nigeria using morphological and morphometric markers. Phenotypic traits were measured on site according to descriptors of tropical fruits by Bioversity International in the course of an exploration. The geographical positioning system (GPS) data of individual trees were also documented. Measurements were taken with the aid of a meter rule and direct observations. Data obtained were subjected to one-way analysis of variance and revealed F-value of 58.49 and a corresponding p-value ?0.000. The result of the descriptive statistics also shows that diameter at breast height (DBH), crown diameters (CD-) ranged from 2-8m, while leaf related traits revealed that leaf length (LL), leaf width, average petiole length (APTL) and index of leaf length and leaf width ranged from 2.8-1, 1.66-6.66, 0.6-1.48, 1-7.12 respectively. Also mean and standard deviation of DBH, CD, APTL, LL, LW, LL/LW are 4.63±1.44, 1.95±0.59, 1.04±0.33, 11.51±3.39, 1.85±1.77 and 2.78±0.36 respectively. The study revealed high variability between and within the different G.kola individuals sampled from Southern Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]