Journal of Biodiversity, Bioprospecting and Development

Yams (Dioscorea spp.), especially the non-domesticated wild types, are orphan food resources in Kenya. There is minimal documentation on wild yam diversity in Kenya, despite the fact that they are harvested for a variety of uses, and are threatened with rapid disappearance due to habitat loss. To contribute to their conservation and preserve indigenous knowledge for potential development of new cultivars and future research, the identity and diversity of wild yams in some parts of Kenya was investigated. Sixty (60) wild yam accessions from thirteen (13) surveyed, selected and georeferenced localities including Kombosang (KB1), Moigutwo (MB1), Kasaka (KB2), Mormorio (MB2a and MB2b), Kapkwang (KB3a, KB3b and KB3as) and Katimok Forest (KB4a and KB4b), Kolol (KEa, KEb and KEc), Turesia (TE, TEs1 and TEs2), Kapseret Forest (KUa, KUb and KUc), Chepsangor (CN1a), Chepkomiat (CN2a and CN2b), Nyakomisaro Stream (NK) and Lugusi (LKa) were collected, dried and identified using taxonomic available keys/information. The identities of twelve (12) yam-like accessions from Katimok Forest (KB4c*), Chepsangor (CN1b*), Chepkomiat (CN2c*) and Lugusi (LKb*) were also determined. A questionnaire was employed to collect data on indigenous knowledge and the proportion of the locals who could identify and name wild yam was calculated. The distribution of wild yams in North Rift, South Nyanza and Western regions of Kenya, was described. The sixty wild yam accessions belonged to three species, thus: Dioscorea schimperiana Kunth. (KB1, MB1, MB2, KB3a, KE1, TE, KUa, CNa, NK and LKa), Dioscorea bulbifera L. (KB4a, KEc and KUb) and Dioscorea quartiniana A. Rich. (KB2, MB2b, KB3b, KEb, KUc and CN2b). Accessions KB3as and TEs1 were considered Dioscorea schimperiana Kunth.sub-species 1 while TEs2 was considered as sub-species 2. On the average, only smaller proportions (below 40%) of respondents in all the localities could identify and give the local name of the wild yams. Dioscorea schimperiana Kunth was widespread in North Rift, South Nyanza and Western Kenya while D. quartiniana and D. bulbifera were limited to North Rift. This study is the first to contribute to classification of wild yams found in Kenya. The results show that diverse wild yam species exist in various geographical locations in Kenya, but only a few members of local communities are knowledgeable about these wild yams.

The abelian sandpile model is used to explain in a new way-the Cambrian explosion, continuous speciation, speciation bursts, mass Extinctions and extinction bursts. The sandpile model explains why continuous speciation exist however speciation bursts seem more common a pattern. Moreover, it explains how Cambrian explosion may have been a result of a small environmental change.

Non-commercial rearing of fagara silkworm (Attacus atlas L.) for their silk is done in India for the purpose of substituting conventional silks with 'fagara silk'. The silk has been shown to have the potential to replace ordinary silk due to the quality of the thicker cocoons, less strenuous rearing conditions, and effective fiber characteristics. It is primarily found in the tropical and subtropical rainforests of the Asian continent. The A. atlas is a multivoltine (2 generations/year-3 generations/year). It completes its life cycle from egg to adult within 62 days-100 days. The larvae is highly polyphagous and folivorous in nature. They feed on over 80 species of host plants, of which 6 species (Meyna laxiflora, Terminalia catappa, Sapium insigne, Ficus carica, Juglans regia, and Moynalaxi flora) can be considered as primary food plants based on rearing performance. Depending on the types of leaves the caterpillars consume, the yarns and fabrics can be golden brown or darker brown in color. The A. atlas has immense importance for ecosystem services as well as biomedical applications. Therefore, commercial exploration of A. atlas is need of the hour for the Vanya silk industry and other by-product development. It can enhance the livelihoods and sustainability of the many tribal peoples in the forest areas of India. Hence, the review article provides comprehensive and updated information on fagara silkworm and its sericulture.

The identification and categorization of species-family districts provide a structured framework for analyzing the intricate patterns of lowland grasses, facilitating a comprehensive understanding of their ecological significance. In the current and ecological trend study, rarefaction is applied to estimate species richness. Technically it applies in cases where the sampling effort, number of individuals or samples, is not consistent across different locations. Extrapolation may be used to predict how a population or species might behave beyond the observed data range. This research aims to address this gap by employing extrapolation techniques, shedding light on the spatial and temporal variations of lowland grasses and their relationships with the Warpramasi lowland ecosystem. Methods had done by employing field research in four districts i.e. Warmare, Prafi, Masni, Sidey. Using quadrant 1 × 1 m2 and resulting 25 plots and ended up with total 100 plots were the technique of research done. All plants identified using field guide book and numerical data analyzed using software iNEXT. The finding shows that 195 species distributed around Warpramasi lowland valley as well as 428 families. Species plants found in Sidey district, i.e. 41 (21.03%), Masni district 43 species (22.05%), Prafi district 53 species (27.18%), and in Warmare district, i.e. 58 species (29.74%). The distribution of family around the districts consist of 23.36% found in Sidey district, 21.03% found in Masni district, and the last two districts subsequently Prafi and Warmare are 28.04% and 27.57%. From analysis of intraplotion and extrapolation using rareflaction and extrapolation, the flat curve of species and family richness shows identified and calculated and it is able to reach its detection limit with a horizontal graphic location and position. It is recognized that there are other plant species that have not been detected and are still present in the Warpramasi lowland ecosystem.