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.
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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
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