I studied biology for my undergrad school. My areas of interest are ecology, species conservation, ornithology, entomology, herpetology and any other field that catches my fancy. I am currently a graduate student studying multiple aspects of ecology and wildlife conservation. I am a citizen scientist, hiker and wildlife photographer. I love reading, bird-watching, travels and adventure. Supervisors: Professor Tanko Dauda, Professor Adang Lucas Kombe, and Dr. Fidelis Akunke Atuo Phone: +234810547256
The research aimed to survey the different types of butterflies present in the main campus of the... more The research aimed to survey the different types of butterflies present in the main campus of the University of Uyo. The specific objectives were to determine the diversity of butterfly species in the study area, assess the abundance of butterfly species, and examine their distribution. The study area was divided into three sections, and a known length permanent transect line of 10m width was established in each section (500m, 500m, and 300m). Over a period of two months, adult butterflies were collected and their features and classification were observed and recorded weekly. Statistical and ecological models, such as total population density, frequency relative abundance, and Simpson's diversity, were used to analyze the data collected. The results showed a total of 1222 butterflies were collected, with an average frequency of 20.33 per week. The density per hectare was 15.63, and the total population density was 22.56. The overall diversity of butterfly species was found to be 0.1643, with mean totals of butterflies in the three sections ranging from 6.67 to 8.17. The species richness values were 0.99, 0.83, and 0.86 in the first, second, and third sections respectively. The study concluded that the diversity of butterfly species in the study area was low, with only 8 identified species. It was recommended that efforts should be made to improve the vegetation, including planting more flowering plants and fruit trees, to enhance the butterfly diversity. Overall, the study emphasized the need for conservation measures to protect the butterfly species in the University of Uyo main campus.
1. The specific factors that influence spatial community or population dynamics are often elusive... more 1. The specific factors that influence spatial community or population dynamics are often elusive, and even less known is the impact of tropical urban landscapes on diverse species community assemblages. 2. To address this knowledge gap, we used a survey data set with 510 fruit-feeding butterflies comprising 20 species across two heterogeneous habitats within a city in Nigeria. Next, we constructed generalised linear mixed models to understand the differential responses of the butterfly community to changes in environmental conditions across habitats. 3. Butterfly species community assemblages significantly differed between the two urban habitats, with butterfly species significantly higher in the savannah woodland compared with the gallery forest due to the optimal daily temperatures of the savannah woodland. However, butterfly richness was lower in the gallery forest due to extreme environmental conditions. 4. This study highlights that butterfly community changes in tropical urban landscapes are possibly responding to local microclimates and spatial heterogeneity across habitats. 5. For evidence-based conservation management of tropical butterfly biodiversity, there would be need for a long-term, extensive and systematic insect monitoring programme for butterflies across disturbed and undisturbed fragmented habitats harbouring diverse insect species.
Interest in citizen science, notably biodiversity mapping, has soared recently in Africa, owing t... more Interest in citizen science, notably biodiversity mapping, has soared recently in Africa, owing to several converging factors. First, is the growing recognition that biodiversity is threatened, and second, there is a need for collective effort among the public to improve the state of biodiversity, driven by human activities. Amongst the important biodiversity components is Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) which underpin crucial roles in the ecosystem. Although Lepidoptera has been a major field of study for the past decades, its ecology and distribution have only recently gained important attention among the public, particularly in West Africa. This paper reports on the number of butterflies and moths recorded for Nigeria on the LepiMap database. The database contains 1578 records from January 2010 up to August 2021, from 98 quarter-degree grid cells of the 1306 grid cells in Nigeria (7.5% of grid cells). There are 1219 recorded identified to species level (77%), with 359 awaiting identifications, mostly moths. The number of Lepidopterans recorded was 219 species belonging to 16 families. The most frequently recorded species were Catopsilia florella (28 grid cells, 64 records), Telchinia serena (27 grid cells, 61 records), and Danaus chrysippus alcippus (23 grid cells, 49 records). One of the most important successes of LepiMap during the last three years in Nigeria was the increase in the number of observers and coverage by 600%, which is crucial to gathering lepidopteran mapping data for conservation action. It is recommended that data collection be geared toward areas having no or low coverage, yet refreshing old records are also important for understanding changes in species composition across grid cells.
Interest in citizen science, notably biodiversity mapping, has soared recently in Africa, owing t... more Interest in citizen science, notably biodiversity mapping, has soared recently in Africa, owing to several converging factors. First, is the growing recognition that biodiversity is threatened, and second, there is a need for collective effort among the public to improve the state of biodiversity, driven by human activities. Amongst the important biodiversity components is Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) which underpin crucial roles in the ecosystem. Although Lepidoptera has been a major field of study for the past decades, its ecology and distribution have only recently gained important attention among the public, particularly in West Africa. This paper reports on the number of butterflies and moths recorded for Nigeria on the LepiMap database. The database contains 1578 records from January 2010 up to August 2021, from 98 quarter-degree grid cells of the 1306 grid cells in Nigeria (7.5% of grid cells). There are 1219 recorded identified to species level (77%), with 359 awaiting identifications, mostly moths. The number of Lepidopterans recorded was 219 species belonging to 16 families. The most frequently recorded species were Catopsilia florella (28 grid cells, 64 records), Telchinia serena (27 grid cells, 61 records), and Danaus chrysippus alcippus (23 grid cells, 49 records). One of the most important successes of LepiMap during the last three years in Nigeria was the increase in the number of observers and coverage by 600%, which is crucial to gathering lepidopteran mapping data for conservation action. It is recommended that data collection be geared toward areas having no or low coverage, yet refreshing old records are also important for understanding changes in species composition across grid cells.
Infrastructural development alters landscapes and in turn limits biodiversity which at the
long r... more Infrastructural development alters landscapes and in turn limits biodiversity which at the long run negatively affects conservation efforts. Thus, a study on the abundance and diversity of reptiles in a rapidly changing environment of a higher institution of learning in Central Nigeria was carried out from April to May 2016. Line transects were randomly laid in each of the four habitats surveyed namely, woodland savannah, grassland savannah, gallery forest and open habitats. Field guides were used to identify the various species collected. A total of 33 reptiles were recorded in which the most abundant genera was Agama (Agama) 23 (70%) followed by Trachylepis (Skink) 6 (18%) then Naja (Balck-necked Spitting Cobra) 3 (9%) while the least was Bitis (Garboon Viper) 1 (3%). Thus, variations in the population of reptiles in relation to species showed a very high significant difference (χ2 =110.09, df=3, P<0.0001). The abundance of reptiles between habitat types showed a significant different (χ2 =10.758, df=3, P=0.01311) due to the preponderance of reptiles in the woodland habitat 14 (42%) over gallery forest 10 (30%), open habitat 8 (24%) and grassland area with just 1 (3%) reptile. Species richness was dominant in gallery forest habitat while it was very low in grassland habitat. Trachylepis maculilabris was the only species present in all the four habitat types, followed by Agama agama in three habitats then Naja nigricollis in two habitats whereas Bitis gabonica was found in only a particular habitat. The abundance of reptiles between disturbed and undisturbed sites showed a high significant difference (χ2 =6.8182, df=1, P=0.009023). The diversity status of reptiles in the area was relatively low (H´ = 0.8). In conclusion, this is the first reptiles’ baseline survey in Federal University of Lafia (FULafia) Permanent Site. The relatively few number of reptiles and low diversity level encountered calls for proactive protection of reptiles in the Zoological garden area of FULafia so as to positively contribute to ex-situ conservation efforts.
The complex public health challenge associated with the symbiotic relationship between humans and... more The complex public health challenge associated with the symbiotic relationship between humans and companion animals tend to alter the physiological attributes of humans and their pets. Thus, a study on the prevalence of blood parasites in dogs of FCT, Abuja, Nigeria was carried out from August to October, 2019. Blood samples were collected from 99 dogs and examined using thin smear microscopy. Also, the packed cell volume (PCV) of each sample was measured. Out of the 99 dogs screened, 48 (48.5%) were infected with one or more blood parasites. Exotic breeds had higher prevalence of infection 41 (48.9%) than the local breeds 7 (46.7%), but the difference was not significant (P = 1). Dirofilaria species was the most prevalent blood parasite. Variations in prevalence between blood parasite species was highly significant ( 2 = 30.698, df = 5, P < 0.0001). Parasitic infection in relation to dog varieties varied significantly ( 2 = 123.94, df = 9, P < 0.001). Cane corso was the most infected 2 (100.0%). Dogs from Wuse area were the most infected 10 (71.4%). Hence, blood parasitic infection in dogs in relation to locations showed a high significant difference ( 2 = 11.898, df = 3, P < 0.01). Adult dogs were more infected 34 (53.1%) than puppies 14 (40.0%), nevertheless, the difference was not significant ( 2 = 1.0793, df = 1, P = 0.2989). Prevalence of blood parasites in dogs was higher in male dogs 27 (54.0%) than in females 21 (42.9%) but the difference was not significant ( 2 = 0.82454, df = 1, P = 0.3639). The mean PCV level was significantly low in infected dogs compared to uninfected dogs. The four zoonotic parasites recorded in this study are of public health importance and calls for an urgent need for a One Health survey.
The research aimed to survey the different types of butterflies present in the main campus of the... more The research aimed to survey the different types of butterflies present in the main campus of the University of Uyo. The specific objectives were to determine the diversity of butterfly species in the study area, assess the abundance of butterfly species, and examine their distribution. The study area was divided into three sections, and a known length permanent transect line of 10m width was established in each section (500m, 500m, and 300m). Over a period of two months, adult butterflies were collected and their features and classification were observed and recorded weekly. Statistical and ecological models, such as total population density, frequency relative abundance, and Simpson's diversity, were used to analyze the data collected. The results showed a total of 1222 butterflies were collected, with an average frequency of 20.33 per week. The density per hectare was 15.63, and the total population density was 22.56. The overall diversity of butterfly species was found to be 0.1643, with mean totals of butterflies in the three sections ranging from 6.67 to 8.17. The species richness values were 0.99, 0.83, and 0.86 in the first, second, and third sections respectively. The study concluded that the diversity of butterfly species in the study area was low, with only 8 identified species. It was recommended that efforts should be made to improve the vegetation, including planting more flowering plants and fruit trees, to enhance the butterfly diversity. Overall, the study emphasized the need for conservation measures to protect the butterfly species in the University of Uyo main campus.
1. The specific factors that influence spatial community or population dynamics are often elusive... more 1. The specific factors that influence spatial community or population dynamics are often elusive, and even less known is the impact of tropical urban landscapes on diverse species community assemblages. 2. To address this knowledge gap, we used a survey data set with 510 fruit-feeding butterflies comprising 20 species across two heterogeneous habitats within a city in Nigeria. Next, we constructed generalised linear mixed models to understand the differential responses of the butterfly community to changes in environmental conditions across habitats. 3. Butterfly species community assemblages significantly differed between the two urban habitats, with butterfly species significantly higher in the savannah woodland compared with the gallery forest due to the optimal daily temperatures of the savannah woodland. However, butterfly richness was lower in the gallery forest due to extreme environmental conditions. 4. This study highlights that butterfly community changes in tropical urban landscapes are possibly responding to local microclimates and spatial heterogeneity across habitats. 5. For evidence-based conservation management of tropical butterfly biodiversity, there would be need for a long-term, extensive and systematic insect monitoring programme for butterflies across disturbed and undisturbed fragmented habitats harbouring diverse insect species.
Interest in citizen science, notably biodiversity mapping, has soared recently in Africa, owing t... more Interest in citizen science, notably biodiversity mapping, has soared recently in Africa, owing to several converging factors. First, is the growing recognition that biodiversity is threatened, and second, there is a need for collective effort among the public to improve the state of biodiversity, driven by human activities. Amongst the important biodiversity components is Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) which underpin crucial roles in the ecosystem. Although Lepidoptera has been a major field of study for the past decades, its ecology and distribution have only recently gained important attention among the public, particularly in West Africa. This paper reports on the number of butterflies and moths recorded for Nigeria on the LepiMap database. The database contains 1578 records from January 2010 up to August 2021, from 98 quarter-degree grid cells of the 1306 grid cells in Nigeria (7.5% of grid cells). There are 1219 recorded identified to species level (77%), with 359 awaiting identifications, mostly moths. The number of Lepidopterans recorded was 219 species belonging to 16 families. The most frequently recorded species were Catopsilia florella (28 grid cells, 64 records), Telchinia serena (27 grid cells, 61 records), and Danaus chrysippus alcippus (23 grid cells, 49 records). One of the most important successes of LepiMap during the last three years in Nigeria was the increase in the number of observers and coverage by 600%, which is crucial to gathering lepidopteran mapping data for conservation action. It is recommended that data collection be geared toward areas having no or low coverage, yet refreshing old records are also important for understanding changes in species composition across grid cells.
Interest in citizen science, notably biodiversity mapping, has soared recently in Africa, owing t... more Interest in citizen science, notably biodiversity mapping, has soared recently in Africa, owing to several converging factors. First, is the growing recognition that biodiversity is threatened, and second, there is a need for collective effort among the public to improve the state of biodiversity, driven by human activities. Amongst the important biodiversity components is Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) which underpin crucial roles in the ecosystem. Although Lepidoptera has been a major field of study for the past decades, its ecology and distribution have only recently gained important attention among the public, particularly in West Africa. This paper reports on the number of butterflies and moths recorded for Nigeria on the LepiMap database. The database contains 1578 records from January 2010 up to August 2021, from 98 quarter-degree grid cells of the 1306 grid cells in Nigeria (7.5% of grid cells). There are 1219 recorded identified to species level (77%), with 359 awaiting identifications, mostly moths. The number of Lepidopterans recorded was 219 species belonging to 16 families. The most frequently recorded species were Catopsilia florella (28 grid cells, 64 records), Telchinia serena (27 grid cells, 61 records), and Danaus chrysippus alcippus (23 grid cells, 49 records). One of the most important successes of LepiMap during the last three years in Nigeria was the increase in the number of observers and coverage by 600%, which is crucial to gathering lepidopteran mapping data for conservation action. It is recommended that data collection be geared toward areas having no or low coverage, yet refreshing old records are also important for understanding changes in species composition across grid cells.
Infrastructural development alters landscapes and in turn limits biodiversity which at the
long r... more Infrastructural development alters landscapes and in turn limits biodiversity which at the long run negatively affects conservation efforts. Thus, a study on the abundance and diversity of reptiles in a rapidly changing environment of a higher institution of learning in Central Nigeria was carried out from April to May 2016. Line transects were randomly laid in each of the four habitats surveyed namely, woodland savannah, grassland savannah, gallery forest and open habitats. Field guides were used to identify the various species collected. A total of 33 reptiles were recorded in which the most abundant genera was Agama (Agama) 23 (70%) followed by Trachylepis (Skink) 6 (18%) then Naja (Balck-necked Spitting Cobra) 3 (9%) while the least was Bitis (Garboon Viper) 1 (3%). Thus, variations in the population of reptiles in relation to species showed a very high significant difference (χ2 =110.09, df=3, P<0.0001). The abundance of reptiles between habitat types showed a significant different (χ2 =10.758, df=3, P=0.01311) due to the preponderance of reptiles in the woodland habitat 14 (42%) over gallery forest 10 (30%), open habitat 8 (24%) and grassland area with just 1 (3%) reptile. Species richness was dominant in gallery forest habitat while it was very low in grassland habitat. Trachylepis maculilabris was the only species present in all the four habitat types, followed by Agama agama in three habitats then Naja nigricollis in two habitats whereas Bitis gabonica was found in only a particular habitat. The abundance of reptiles between disturbed and undisturbed sites showed a high significant difference (χ2 =6.8182, df=1, P=0.009023). The diversity status of reptiles in the area was relatively low (H´ = 0.8). In conclusion, this is the first reptiles’ baseline survey in Federal University of Lafia (FULafia) Permanent Site. The relatively few number of reptiles and low diversity level encountered calls for proactive protection of reptiles in the Zoological garden area of FULafia so as to positively contribute to ex-situ conservation efforts.
The complex public health challenge associated with the symbiotic relationship between humans and... more The complex public health challenge associated with the symbiotic relationship between humans and companion animals tend to alter the physiological attributes of humans and their pets. Thus, a study on the prevalence of blood parasites in dogs of FCT, Abuja, Nigeria was carried out from August to October, 2019. Blood samples were collected from 99 dogs and examined using thin smear microscopy. Also, the packed cell volume (PCV) of each sample was measured. Out of the 99 dogs screened, 48 (48.5%) were infected with one or more blood parasites. Exotic breeds had higher prevalence of infection 41 (48.9%) than the local breeds 7 (46.7%), but the difference was not significant (P = 1). Dirofilaria species was the most prevalent blood parasite. Variations in prevalence between blood parasite species was highly significant ( 2 = 30.698, df = 5, P < 0.0001). Parasitic infection in relation to dog varieties varied significantly ( 2 = 123.94, df = 9, P < 0.001). Cane corso was the most infected 2 (100.0%). Dogs from Wuse area were the most infected 10 (71.4%). Hence, blood parasitic infection in dogs in relation to locations showed a high significant difference ( 2 = 11.898, df = 3, P < 0.01). Adult dogs were more infected 34 (53.1%) than puppies 14 (40.0%), nevertheless, the difference was not significant ( 2 = 1.0793, df = 1, P = 0.2989). Prevalence of blood parasites in dogs was higher in male dogs 27 (54.0%) than in females 21 (42.9%) but the difference was not significant ( 2 = 0.82454, df = 1, P = 0.3639). The mean PCV level was significantly low in infected dogs compared to uninfected dogs. The four zoonotic parasites recorded in this study are of public health importance and calls for an urgent need for a One Health survey.
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Papers by Atabo O . Lucky
long run negatively affects conservation efforts. Thus, a study on the abundance and diversity of reptiles in a rapidly changing environment of a higher institution of learning in Central
Nigeria was carried out from April to May 2016. Line transects were randomly laid in each
of the four habitats surveyed namely, woodland savannah, grassland savannah, gallery forest and open habitats. Field guides were used to identify the various species collected. A total of 33 reptiles were recorded in which the most abundant genera was Agama (Agama) 23
(70%) followed by Trachylepis (Skink) 6 (18%) then Naja (Balck-necked Spitting Cobra)
3 (9%) while the least was Bitis (Garboon Viper) 1 (3%). Thus, variations in the population
of reptiles in relation to species showed a very high significant difference (χ2 =110.09, df=3,
P<0.0001). The abundance of reptiles between habitat types showed a significant different
(χ2
=10.758, df=3, P=0.01311) due to the preponderance of reptiles in the woodland habitat
14 (42%) over gallery forest 10 (30%), open habitat 8 (24%) and grassland area with just
1 (3%) reptile. Species richness was dominant in gallery forest habitat while it was very
low in grassland habitat. Trachylepis maculilabris was the only species present in all the
four habitat types, followed by Agama agama in three habitats then Naja nigricollis in
two habitats whereas Bitis gabonica was found in only a particular habitat. The abundance
of reptiles between disturbed and undisturbed sites showed a high significant difference
(χ2
=6.8182, df=1, P=0.009023). The diversity status of reptiles in the area was relatively
low (H´ = 0.8). In conclusion, this is the first reptiles’ baseline survey in Federal University
of Lafia (FULafia) Permanent Site. The relatively few number of reptiles and low diversity
level encountered calls for proactive protection of reptiles in the Zoological garden area of
FULafia so as to positively contribute to ex-situ conservation efforts.
long run negatively affects conservation efforts. Thus, a study on the abundance and diversity of reptiles in a rapidly changing environment of a higher institution of learning in Central
Nigeria was carried out from April to May 2016. Line transects were randomly laid in each
of the four habitats surveyed namely, woodland savannah, grassland savannah, gallery forest and open habitats. Field guides were used to identify the various species collected. A total of 33 reptiles were recorded in which the most abundant genera was Agama (Agama) 23
(70%) followed by Trachylepis (Skink) 6 (18%) then Naja (Balck-necked Spitting Cobra)
3 (9%) while the least was Bitis (Garboon Viper) 1 (3%). Thus, variations in the population
of reptiles in relation to species showed a very high significant difference (χ2 =110.09, df=3,
P<0.0001). The abundance of reptiles between habitat types showed a significant different
(χ2
=10.758, df=3, P=0.01311) due to the preponderance of reptiles in the woodland habitat
14 (42%) over gallery forest 10 (30%), open habitat 8 (24%) and grassland area with just
1 (3%) reptile. Species richness was dominant in gallery forest habitat while it was very
low in grassland habitat. Trachylepis maculilabris was the only species present in all the
four habitat types, followed by Agama agama in three habitats then Naja nigricollis in
two habitats whereas Bitis gabonica was found in only a particular habitat. The abundance
of reptiles between disturbed and undisturbed sites showed a high significant difference
(χ2
=6.8182, df=1, P=0.009023). The diversity status of reptiles in the area was relatively
low (H´ = 0.8). In conclusion, this is the first reptiles’ baseline survey in Federal University
of Lafia (FULafia) Permanent Site. The relatively few number of reptiles and low diversity
level encountered calls for proactive protection of reptiles in the Zoological garden area of
FULafia so as to positively contribute to ex-situ conservation efforts.