Khalid O. Adekoya

Partitioning and distribution of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) variation among eggplant Solanum L. in Southwest Nigeria

Solanum L., the largest genus of the Solanaceae family, vary morphologically, is diverse in number and is ecogeographically distributed. In Nigeria, previous studies had focused mainly on chromosome morphology, genome description and medicinal values, which are insufficient for genetic affinities. This study used four highly polymorphic random amplified polymorphic DNA primers to describe both the genetic relatedness and variability among 25 accessions of eggplant from Southwestern Nigeria. At a truncated line of 65%, five clusters and two ungrouped samples are distinguishable from the dendrogram. The data reveals that Solanum dasyphyllum Schum. & Thonn. is more closely related to Solanum macrocarpon L. than to Solanum melongena L. The relatedness between Solanum incanum L. and Solanum melongena, a probability of being progenitors from a common ancestral lineage was also shown. Occurrence of Solanum scabrum L. and Solanum nigrum L. in the same clusters different from S. melongena, is an indication of distant relatedness to S. melongena but close relatedness between them. High level of polymorphism was observed in this study going by the coefficient of variation which exhibited a good separation from a conserved region of the genome. This study, therefore, reveals a wide and diverse genetic base in Nigerian eggplant Solanum. Key words: Eggplant, genome, synonymy, polymorphism, phylogenetic.

Genetic diversity in Nigerian brinjal eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) as revealed by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers

The taxonomy of Solanum melongena L., also known as brinjal eggplant, has remained difficult because previous studies to establish genetic relationships among taxa are mainly based on morphological features, which are insufficient to establish genetic affinities. In the present investigation, five highly polymorphic random amplified polymorphic DNA primers were used to describe the genetic similarity and diversity among its accessions in Nigeria. The results show a high level of polymorphism based on the banding patterns among the samples. This indicated a wide and diverse genetic base. Four distinct clusters were equally noticeable at a coefficient of 0.80 from the dendrogram generated. Generally, the grouping pattern clearly indicates that irrespective of variations in fruit traits among samples, they were still grouped together in different clusters with a high similarity coefficient value. This probably showed some genetic relatedness/closeness among the samples concerned. The study also revealed that there is no association between RAPD pattern and the geographic origin of accessions. These agreed with previously published data on the characterization of eggplant. The study disclosed that molecular methods coupled with morphological analyses could make proper classification of S. melongena and other Solanum species in Nigeria possible to achieve. Keywords: Eggplant, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), Data, polymorphism, taxonomy African Journal of Biotechnology , Vol 13(21) 2119-2126

Population data of 21 autosomal STR loci in the Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba people of Nigeria

The three major ethnic groups of Nigerian population namely the Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba make up 29, 21 and 18% of the total population, respectively. To provide genetic information necessary for forensic analysis, this study was carried out to determine STR allele frequencies in 102 Hausa, 128 Igbo and 134 Yoruba individuals in Nigeria using 21 STR loci including the 20 CODIS (Combined DNA Index System) loci plus SE33.

Correction to: Population data of 21 autosomal STR loci in the Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba people of Nigeria

In the original paper author Alani Sulaimon Akanmu was erroneously omitted from the author list. Prof. Akanmu has now been added as 4th author. Prof. Akanmu acted as an academic supervisor of the study and additionally contributed to the publication by reading, commenting and editing the manuscript.

Exposure to radio-frequency electromagnetic waves alters acetylcholinesterase gene expression, exploratory and motor coordination-linked behaviour in male rats

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