A5037149934- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Malaria Research and Control
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Freshwater macroinvertebrate diversity and ecology
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Aquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton Dynamics
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Hemiptera Insect Studies
- Plant and animal studies
- Gut microbiota and health
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Soil erosion and sediment transport
- Venomous Animal Envenomation and Studies
- Insect Pest Control Strategies
- Aquatic Ecosystems and Biodiversity
- Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy
- Orthoptera Research and Taxonomy
- Diptera species taxonomy and behavior
- Fossil Insects in Amber
- Insect behavior and control techniques
- Hydrology and Sediment Transport Processes
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
National Museums of Kenya
2015-2024
Society for Invertebrate Pathology
2024
Box (United States)
2024
Duke University
2023
Kenya Medical Research Institute
2011-2023
American Mosquito Control Association
2023
Ministry of Health
2023
Moi University
2023
John Wiley & Sons (United States)
2018
Ecological Society of America
2018
Abstract The Anopheles stephensi mosquito is an invasive malaria vector recently reported in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria, and Ghana. World Health Organization has called on countries Africa to increase surveillance efforts detect report this institute appropriate effective control mechanisms. In Kenya, the Division of National Malaria Program conducted entomological counties at risk for An. invasion. addition, Kenya Medical Research Institute molecular all sampled mosquitoes...
Animals can be important vectors for the movement of resources across ecosystem boundaries. add to ecosystems primarily through egestion, excretion, and carcasses, stoichiometry bioavailability these inputs likely interact with characteristics recipient determine their effects on function. We studied influence hippopotamus excretion/egestion wildebeest interactions discharge, in Mara River, Kenya. measured nutrient dissolution decomposition rates wildlife inputs, concentrations limitation...
Abstract Anopheles stephensi is an invasive malaria vector that endemic to south Asia and the Arabian Peninsula. It was recently reported in Horn of Africa countries including Djibouti (2012), Ethiopia, Sudan (2019), Somalia (2019) most Nigeria (2020). This mosquito a competent for both Plasmodium falciparum P. vivax. characterized by high degree behavioral plasticity ability reproduce various types breeding sites containers therefore has potential propagate transmission rapidly urbanizing...
The blood-feeding patterns of mosquitoes are directly linked to the spread pathogens that they transmit. Efficient identification arthropod vector bloodmeal hosts can identify diversity vertebrate species potentially involved in disease transmission cycles. While molecular analyses rely on sequencing cytochrome b (cyt b) or oxidase 1 gene PCR products, recently developed host based high resolution melting (HRM) cyt products is more cost-effective. To resolve diverse may feed sub-Saharan...
The Mara River Basin in East Africa is a trans-boundary basin of international significance experiencing excessive levels sediment loads. Sediment this river are extremely high (turbidities as 6,000 NTU) and appear to be increasing over time. Large wildlife populations, unregulated livestock grazing, agricultural land conversion all potential factors loads the semi-arid portion basin. well-known for its annual wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) migration approximately 1.3 million...
Abstract All animals carry specialized microbiomes, and their gut microbiota are continuously released into the environment through excretion of waste. Here we propose meta-gut as a novel conceptual framework that addresses ability microbiome from an animal to function outside host alter biogeochemical processes mediated by microbes. We demonstrate this dynamic in hippopotamus (hippo) pools they inhabit. used natural field gradients experimental approaches examine fecal pool water microbial...
Both large-wildlife loss and climatic changes can independently influence the prevalence distribution of zoonotic disease. Given growing evidence that wildlife often has stronger community-level effects in low-productivity areas, we hypothesized these perturbations would have interactive on disease risk. We experimentally tested this hypothesis by measuring tick abundance tick-borne pathogens ( Coxiella burnetii Rickettsia spp . ) within long-term, size-selective, large-herbivore exclosures...
The Lake Baringo and Victoria regions of Kenya are associated with high seroprevalence mosquito-transmitted arboviruses. However, molecular identification potential mosquito vector species, including morphologically identified ones, remains scarce. To estimate the diversity, abundance, distribution vectors on mainland shores adjacent inhabited islands in these regions, we collected adult immature mosquitoes obtained corresponding sequence variation at cytochrome c oxidase 1 (COI) internal...
Abstract Anopheles stephensi is an invasive malaria vector recently reported in Djibouti (2012), Ethiopia, Sudan (2019), Somalia (2019) and most Nigeria (2020). The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on all countries to scale up surveillance efforts detect report invasion by this institute appropriate effective control mechanisms. In Kenya, the Division for National Malaria Program (DNMP) conduct entomological counties at risk of An. invasion. These were supported molecular sampled...
Even as novel technologies emerge and medicines advance, pathogen-transmitting mosquitoes pose a deadly accelerating public health threat. Detecting mitigating the spread of Anopheles stephensi in Africa is now critical to fight against malaria, this invasive mosquito poses urgent unprecedented risks continent. Unlike typical African vectors An. breeds both natural artificial water reservoirs, flourishes urban environments. With beginning take hold heavily populated settings, citizen science...
Abstract Although studies have explored how habitat structure and disturbance affect arthropod communities, few explicitly tested the effects of both level across trophic levels phyla. We present here results a study conducted in Arabuko‐Sokoke Forest (ASF) coastal Kenya, which abundance arthropods one their avian predators, East Coast Akalat Sheppardia gunning sokokensis was compared relatively undisturbed (outside elephant roaming areas) disturbed (inside areas). Vegetation areas measured...
A new species of order Zoraptera, Zorotypus asymmetristernum Mashimo, n. sp., is described from Kakamega, Kenya, with its major diagnostic features and characteristics the egg illustrated. The represents sixth zorapteran Afrotropic ecozone. brief discussion on vestigial eye spots apteron individuals a key to ecozone are provided.
The biological condition gradient (BCG), a scientific framework that describes the change in ecosystem characteristics response to human-induced levels of stressors, was modified and used characterize watershed habitats Upper Tana River watershed, Kenya. inbuilt utilities BCG, including its simplicity, versatility, robust nature, allowed use by seven taxonomic groups macroinvertebrates, diatoms, fish, herpetofauna (amphibians reptiles), plants, macrofungi, birds assess monitor landscape...
We hereby record a zorapteran insect from Kenya. The species is easily distinguishable other described African of Zoraptera because its distinct sexual dimorphism and male characteristics. Males have hairy patch on the head an asymmetric with different types setae last sternite, whereas females no patch. These conspicuous characteristics not been for any known to date. fauna were investigated until 1970s thoroughly studied since that time. To accumulate knowledge this enigmatic order...
The genus Phaeophilacris Walker, 1871 (Grylloidea: Phalangopsidae), endemic to Africa, currently encompasses 80 species grouped into 11 subgenera. Over half of these inhabit subterranean environments. This study introduces the description two novel discovered in distinct caves Kenya: P. (Taenacris) kereita n. sp. and papiophagus described herein are assigned subgenus Gorochov, 2020, based on male genitalia characteristics. Additionally, we provide first pictorial key for (Taenacris).
We revise the Afrotropical Agabus raffrayi species group, motivated by discovery of new diversity in Kenya and South Africa. Whilst is mainly a holarctic genus, group restricted to high altitude regions eastern Africa temperate parts Africa, from where we describe southernmost world. The following are introduced: anguluverpus sp. nov. Mount central Kenya, austellus widespread riberae Kamiesberg northeastern Cederberg ranges Northern Western Cape Provinces agulhas Agulhas Plain, Province,...
Abstract All animals carry specialized microbiomes, and their gut microbiotas in particular are continuously released into the environment through excretion of waste. Here we propose meta-gut as a novel conceptual framework that addresses ability microbiome from an animal to function outside host potentially alter ecosystem processes mediated by microbes. An example considered here is hippopotamus (hippo) pools they inhabit. Hippo pool biogeochemistry fecal water microbial communities were...
The species richness of flora and fauna in the Nzoia River drainage basin is documented through a study museum specimens, catalogues databases. catchment area covers 2.2% (12900/580367 km2) Kenya's total land with an altitudinal range 1140 to 4300 m varied ecosystem uses. We recorded approximately 9.3% (3239/34677) current known vascular plants, invertebrates (insects spiders), fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds mammals. Bird made up highest proportion 58.3% (650/1114) national followed by...