DETERMINATION OF DIETARY CHOICE IN RELATION TO SOME BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER (MIEGEN, 1830) IN SAMARU, ZARIA
DETERMINATION OF DIETARY CHOICE IN RELATION TO SOME BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER (MIEGEN, 1830) IN SAMARU, ZARIA
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Date
2018-01
Authors
EJIGAH, Timothy Junior
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Abstract
Dietary choice in relation to some biological characteristics of Drosophila melanogaster
(Miegen, 1830) (Diptera, Drosophilidae) in Samaru Zaria, were investigated. Sixty
Drosophila melanogaster used for the experiment were identified morphologically
using the hand lens, dissecting and light microscope. The fruit flies were left to select a
diet of Banana, Orange and Pineapple and some number of combinations based on
ratios 1:1 and 2:1. The number of Drosophila melanogaster found on each diet were
observed and counted. The diet introduced to the fruit flies was covered with a fine
mesh cloth and left to breed. The numbers of progenies found on each substrate was
observed and recorded. The fecundity of fruit flies found on each of the substrate was
estimated based on the number of progenies that emerged. From the result obtained,
Banana food substrates recorded the highest preference (8.67) P>0.05 which was the
most preferred fruit diet. Followed by Pineapple fruit substrates (6.00) and Orange food
substrate with (3.67) which was the lowest, combination of food substrate based on
equal proportion (1:1) indicates that Banana-Pineapple combination (7.33) was the most
preferred diet amongst the various combinations. The (2:1) combination indicates that
Banana-Pineapple (8.00) was the most preferred diet. Banana fruit diet recorded the
highest number of progeny with (18.00). Pineapple fruit substrates (10.33) did not differ
significantly (P>0.05). Orange fruit substrates recorded (9.67). The average progeny
observed in each individual fruit substrates was (12.67) which was higher than Orange-
Pineapple but lower than Banana fruit substrates. Similar trend was observed in various
combinations based on ratios 1:1 and 2:1.
Description
A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF SCIENCE (M.Sc.) DEGREE IN ZOOLOGY FACULTY OF LIFE SCIENCES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, NIGERIA
Keywords
DETERMINATION,, DIETARY CHOICE,, BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS,, DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER,, MIEGEN, 1830, SAMARU,, ZARIA,, NIGERIA