Alternative Development Strategies of Clinostomum chabaudi (Digenea) Metacercariae in Frog Hosts (Hyperolius spp.)

Clinostomum metacercariae are common endoparasites of fish and frogs. In this study, we examine taxonomic identity and developmental strategy of Clinostomum metacercariae infesting reed frogs Hyperolius kivuensis and H. viridiflavus in Rwanda. Moreover, we evaluate the impact of infestation on demographic and morphological life-history traits of the hosts. Morphological and molecular features, particularly genital morphology and COX1 sequences, provided evidence that the metacercariae belong to C. chabaudi Vercammen-Grandjean, 1960. Depending on the host’s defensive behavior and the availability of resources, metacercariae develop either as sedentary “yellow grubs” encysted in the lymphatic sacs or mouth of the host or as initially encysted, but later free-ranging individuals invading the host´s body cavity. Nutrition on lymphatic fluid within the cyst leads to yellow-colored gut content, feeding on blood or host tissue, to brownish green gut content in free-ranging individuals. Almost all metacercariae opted for the first developmental strategy in H. kivuensis, whereas the second strategy dominated in metacercariae infesting H. viridiflavus. Hyperolius kivuensis suffered significant morphological modifications, when infested with encysted metacercariae. Both developmental modes permitted a coexistence with the host of less than one year. We hypothesize that the presence of alternative development modes is an adaptation of C. chabaudi to cope with resource limitation within host-produced cysts.

Covid 19 The Environmental Wake up Call

The COVID-19 crisis has thrown the world upside down. While many theories may have been postulated regarding the nature of its origin, one theory that needs to be explored is the casual factor of mankind’s own destructive actions on nature that may have attracted the evolution of the deadly COVID-19. This article is an attempt to explore the linkage between the deteriorating environmental conditions across the globe and the genesis of the COVID-19. The article will also try to implore upon the world community to remodel its developmental strategy to complement the need of the hour.

Mental Decolonization: A Pathway to Sustainable Development in Africa

With most African countries gaining independence by the1960s, there were widespread expectations that Africans were now matureenough to chat their course. However, the later play out of events sawthose dreams fade away like a mirage. Instead of moving ahead, mostAfrican countries are plagued by massive under development. Africanswere their problem. The constant dependence on the colonial masters andthe mentality of seeing everything foreign as superior hindered thenecessity of looking inward to device her own developmental strategy,hence the need for mental decolonisation. Decolonisation is the act ofundoing or freeing oneself from the bondage of colonialism. Mentaldecolonisation, therefore, is the changing of our orientation toward theimpact of colonialism. This paper seeks to examine how changing the waywe reason/think as Africans can open the gate for sustainable developmentin Africa. This work, therefore, argues that decolonisation in its entiretywill yield the expected result only when there is a deliberate decision todecolonise Africa mentally. It is firmly believed that doing this will pavethe way for sustainable development. In this work, we shall adopt the expository, analytic andevaluative methods.

Analysis of entrepreneurship perception and business developmental strategy of silk in Wajo Regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the entrepreneurship perception and business developmental strategy of silk business in Wajo Regency, South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. Design/methodology/approach The study subject was the silk industry located in Wajo Regency, South Sulawesi Province. The study population was 544 silk weavers running the business of silk weaving. The study sample consisted of 235 respondents. To prove the hypothesis stated by the author, the canvas business model analysis method was used to identify entrepreneurship perception, and SWOT (strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis was conducted to understand the potential of the strategy of weaving business development in Wajo Regency, South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. Findings Business model canvas (BMC) is a complex business model that becomes simple through a canvas approach, drawing a sheet of the canvas containing a map of nine elements (box), allowing businessmen to identify the business potential. The nine elements of the canvas that should be understood and considered for running a business are customer segment, value proportion, channel, customer relationship, revenue steam, key resource, key activities, key partnership and cost structure. To improve farmers’ entrepreneurship perception, it would be nice for the weavers who run the silk business should constantly consider the nine elements of BMCso that in running their businesses, they can understand different considerations and create a progressive and developing silk industry. Originality/value This research is about merger two concept of business development in entrepreneurship to increase revenues, with the location of study as originality (no previous research for this relationship): Auditor in Wajo regency South Sulawesi Province in Indonesia. Based on the background stated above, this study aims to analyze entrepreneurship perception and silk industry developmental strategy in Wajo Regency, South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia.