Climate related histological changes in the stomach papillae of Cephalophus Niger (Gray 1846). Implications of climate dynamics and prolonged drought

This study surveyed selected tissue samples obtained from the stomach compartments of the Cephalophus niger including, rumen, reticulum, omasum and abomasum. We utilized 40 antelope's stomach compartments, comprising of 20 males and females respectively; half of the total samples were taken during the peak period of wet seasons and the other half in dry seasons. The relative dimensions of the papillae at various locations within the fore and glandular stomach, observed under a light microscope at magnifications of x100 and x400, revealed significant variations in heights (h), curved surface area (pi rs), base area (pi r2) being a factor which determines the size of other dimensions, total surface area (pi r2 + pi rs) and cross sectional diameters between the seasons. Because prolonged drought may force the species to migrate further hinterland with risks of exposure to predators and reduced survivability of the young, the observed morphological reductive changes may be ecoadaptation for survival in the habitat in prolonged drought since they predispose the compartments to reduce fermentation capability and production and bioutilization of volatile fatty acids. They may also contribute to the occurrence of dental abnormalities and influence disease epidemiology. The results may be used as a model for the assessment and determination of optimal season food bioutilization index, a parameter relevant to remedial interventions for the conservation of less adaptive feeders.