African ZoologyPub Date : 2023-01-02DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2023.2173433
S. Stuart, F. Magige, O. Hamerlynck, W. Newmark, Flora Stephano, Steven Spawls, C. Nahonyo, Y. Mgaya, D. Moyer, C. Msuya
{"title":"Tribute to Kim Monroe Howell (1945–2022)","authors":"S. Stuart, F. Magige, O. Hamerlynck, W. Newmark, Flora Stephano, Steven Spawls, C. Nahonyo, Y. Mgaya, D. Moyer, C. Msuya","doi":"10.1080/15627020.2023.2173433","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15627020.2023.2173433","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":55548,"journal":{"name":"African Zoology","volume":"58 1","pages":"iii - v"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2023-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46476382","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
African ZoologyPub Date : 2023-01-02DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2023.2188121
André FA Lira, Stênio ÍA Foerster, A. Badry
{"title":"Living in a Desert: Examining Scorpion Beta Diversity in Egyptian Drylands from a Macroecological Perspective","authors":"André FA Lira, Stênio ÍA Foerster, A. Badry","doi":"10.1080/15627020.2023.2188121","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15627020.2023.2188121","url":null,"abstract":"Drylands correspond to ca. 40% of the world's land surface. Because of their ecological importance, these areas are regularly considered for agricultural purposes. Scorpion assemblages often exhibit higher levels of species diversity in dry habitats and are beneficial indicators in ecological studies in such environments. In this study, we investigated the effects of climatic and spatial predictors on beta diversity patterns among scorpion assemblages distributed in the drylands of Egypt. Scorpion occurrences were compiled from the scientific literature. For each location, we created a set of climatic variables related to precipitation, temperature, and solar irradiation, as well as spatial predictors. A total of 134 scorpion occurrences were obtained, comprising 21 species grouped into three families. Climatic and spatial variables together influenced the patterns of scorpion diversity in Egyptian landscapes. Species replacement accounted for 69% of the total beta diversity. In addition, species replacement was positively affected by climatic and spatial variables. Our results suggest a reciprocal link between the region's ecological history and the patterns of beta diversity observed in scorpion assemblages from Egyptian drylands.","PeriodicalId":55548,"journal":{"name":"African Zoology","volume":"58 1","pages":"18 - 28"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2023-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47470806","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
African ZoologyPub Date : 2022-12-09DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2022.2154169
P. Tibihika, H. Meimberg, M. Curto
{"title":"Understanding the Translocation Dynamics of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and Its Ecological Consequences in East Africa","authors":"P. Tibihika, H. Meimberg, M. Curto","doi":"10.1080/15627020.2022.2154169","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15627020.2022.2154169","url":null,"abstract":"The Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is the second-most economically important fish species in East African countries (EAC), surpassed only by the Nile perch (Lates niloticus). It is the most-farmed freshwater fish species in EAC and the second-most-farmed worldwide. Currently, in EAC, through direct stocking activities and likely indirectly via aquaculture escapees, Nile tilapia are present in waterbodies where it is not native and where it is thought to have contributed to the fish biodiversity loss observed in recent decades. Introduced Nile tilapia may hybridise with native, congeneric species, promoting genetic introgression that can be detrimental to the sustainability of biodiversity. Moreover, the translocation dynamics and escapes from aquaculture can contribute to artificial geneflow between Nile tilapia stocks, compromising their gene pool and the sustainability of the species as a fishery resource. In the current work, we review some examples of these phenomena in EAC. Additionally, we explore the importance of collecting genetic data to define baseline knowledge for native and non-native Nile tilapia populations that can be used in monitoring programmes for development, management and conservation of tilapia genetic resources.","PeriodicalId":55548,"journal":{"name":"African Zoology","volume":"57 1","pages":"171 - 179"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2022-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45843767","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
African ZoologyPub Date : 2022-12-01DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2022.2132119
N. Mabika, M. Barson, C. van Dyk, A. Avenant‐Oldewage
{"title":"Endohelminth Parasites of Male and Female Tigerfish, Hydrocynus vittatus (Castelnau, 1861), from the Sanyati Basin in Lake Kariba","authors":"N. Mabika, M. Barson, C. van Dyk, A. Avenant‐Oldewage","doi":"10.1080/15627020.2022.2132119","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15627020.2022.2132119","url":null,"abstract":"Tigerfish (Hydrocynus vittatus Castelnau, 1861) is of considerable importance in both the commercial and recreational fishery activities of Lake Kariba. In our previous paper (Mabika et al. 2019) we provided information on the seasonal occurrence of metazoan parasites of H. vittatus. This communication provides endohelminth infection statistics of male and female H. vittatus across two seasons not previously included. A total of 80 H. vittatus individuals consisting of 56 females and 24 males were examined for endohelminth parasites during the period October 2014–July 2015 in the Sanyati basin, Lake Kariba. Parasites were recovered from the abdominal cavity, mesentery and intestines. Most of the parasites were harboured in the abdominal cavity in both sexes. Parasite infection was more prevalent during the dry season in comparison to the rainy season for both sexes. Contracaecum larval infection was significantly higher in female (84%) than in male tigerfish (24%), whereas larval cestode infections were significantly higher in male tigerfish (59%) than female fish (16%). The mean condition factor of the male tigerfish (1.68) was not significantly higher than that of the female (1.64). The results of the study indicate that female tigerfish were more suitable hosts to Contracaecum larval infection than the male fish. Further parasitological and histopathological research on tigerfish is recommended to contribute to knowledge on endohelminth diversity and conservation.","PeriodicalId":55548,"journal":{"name":"African Zoology","volume":"57 1","pages":"195 - 201"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2022-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45900909","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
African ZoologyPub Date : 2022-11-30DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2022.2138722
A. Howard, A. Monadjem, D. MacFadyen, C. Chimimba
{"title":"Testing the Efficacy of Bat Monitoring Methods for Identification and Species Surveys in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa","authors":"A. Howard, A. Monadjem, D. MacFadyen, C. Chimimba","doi":"10.1080/15627020.2022.2138722","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15627020.2022.2138722","url":null,"abstract":"Multi-method sampling approaches are becoming increasingly popular for investigating species occurrence at specific sites, as there is a need to accurately monitor species with limited time and resources. In this study, a multi-method comparative approach was used to survey bat species in the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountain range in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. We used historical museum records and species distribution modelling (SDM) to predict which species would likely occur in our study area. We then compared physical capture (by deploying mist nets) with acoustic surveys (using an Anabat bat detector) to assess the bat species assemblages present. Species distribution models predicted eight bat species to occur from the historical checklist of 28 species recorded in the broader region, as no museum records existed for the specific study area. Species detection by acoustic data yielded the highest number of detected species (n = 11) while active trapping yielded nine species from 54 individuals of four families, namely, Laephotis botswanae, L. capensis, Myotis tricolor, Pipistrellus hesperidus, Rhinolophus clivosus, and Tadarida aegyptiaca with molecular confirmation required for Miniopterus fraterculus, R. darlingi and R. swinnyi. These complementary sampling methods may be necessary for accommodating the limitations of each individual method for a more inclusive assessment of bat species richness in a targeted landscape. The present study could be used as a model approach to assess the biodiversity and demographics of other taxa and in other habitats.","PeriodicalId":55548,"journal":{"name":"African Zoology","volume":"57 1","pages":"180 - 194"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2022-11-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47625718","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
African ZoologyPub Date : 2022-10-21DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2022.2132120
A. Truter, N. Mgqatsa, D. Parker
{"title":"An Assessment of the Medium-Term Reproductive Success of an Extralimital White Rhinoceros Population","authors":"A. Truter, N. Mgqatsa, D. Parker","doi":"10.1080/15627020.2022.2132120","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15627020.2022.2132120","url":null,"abstract":"The white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) is threatened primarily due to continued poaching for its horns. In South Africa, partly to promote the conservation of the species, white rhinos have been introduced into areas where they did not occur historically (i.e. where they are considered extralimital). Few studies have investigated the conservation contribution of extralimital white rhinos to the overall national herd. We aimed to determine whether the white rhinos introduced to a private game reserve in the Eastern Cape province have been successful from a reproductive perspective. We calculated inter-calving intervals, age at first calving, sex ratios of calves, and recruitment rates for white rhinos at a single site between 1992 and 2019. The average net annual population growth rate for the population was 10%, which is higher than the recommended 5% by the Biodiversity Management Plan for white rhinos. Trends in density-dependent parameters such as age at first calving and inter-calving intervals also indicated that the study population is still well below the density at which ecological constraints may manifest. We demonstrate that an extralimital white rhino population in the Eastern Cape can be successful from a reproductive perspective.","PeriodicalId":55548,"journal":{"name":"African Zoology","volume":"57 1","pages":"145 - 153"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2022-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49585717","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
African ZoologyPub Date : 2022-10-21DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2022.2115859
M. Chammem, Hicham Seri, R. Bastos, M. Santos, J. Vicente, T. Khorchani, J. A. Cabral
{"title":"Habitat Selection and Foraging Preference of the Endangered Addax (Addax nasomaculatus) in a Fenced Wildlife Reserve within Its Historic Range: Insights for Supporting Effective Reintroduction","authors":"M. Chammem, Hicham Seri, R. Bastos, M. Santos, J. Vicente, T. Khorchani, J. A. Cabral","doi":"10.1080/15627020.2022.2115859","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15627020.2022.2115859","url":null,"abstract":"Reintroduction of species should be based on ecological knowledge, which is fundamental to enhancing the probability of success, but also in predicting the response to future changing landscapes. The addax (Addax nasomaculatus), an endangered antelope whose ecology is mostly unknown, was released in a fenced area of the Jbil National Park, Tunisia. Considering the extreme desert conditions of the area, seasonal changes should affect both habitat and diet selection. Addax occurrence, habitat selection and diet were assessed using an integrative approach, and analysed with multivariate statistics. During the wet season, preferred and avoided plant species abundance were highly correlated with addax occurrence; while in the dry season, preferred plant species abundance were positively correlated with addax presence. Micro-histological analysis of faecal samples indicated differences in diet between seasons. The integrative approach proposed represents a useful contribution for decision-making in the scope of reintroduction programmes and habitat restoration measures, by facilitating the assessment of habitat suitability for endangered antelopes in arid environments.","PeriodicalId":55548,"journal":{"name":"African Zoology","volume":"57 1","pages":"133 - 144"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2022-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42162010","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
African ZoologyPub Date : 2022-10-21DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2022.2137432
Jacco J Leemans, Birthe Linden, F. van Langevelde
{"title":"Crested Guineafowl and Samango Monkey Associations","authors":"Jacco J Leemans, Birthe Linden, F. van Langevelde","doi":"10.1080/15627020.2022.2137432","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15627020.2022.2137432","url":null,"abstract":"Associations between animals of different species have been observed for a large variety of taxa. These polyspecific groups are thought to provide advantages to at least one of the species involved, especially foraging benefits or reduced predation risk. In the case of primate-bird associations, both foraging benefits and reduced predation risk have been suggested. We investigated whether flocks of Crested Guineafowl (Guttera edouardi) join groups of samango monkeys (Cercopithecus albogularis schwarzi) and examined benefits to the birds. Using behavioural data, we tested (1) whether Crested Guineafowl associate with samango monkeys for a longer period of time than can be expected by chance, using a movement simulation model, and (2) whether Crested Guineafowl show differences in foraging and predation risk behaviour and habitat selection in relation to vegetation cover in the presence of samango monkeys. Observations were done in the Soutpansberg Mountain Range, South Africa. We found that (1) Crested Guineafowl join samango monkeys for a longer period of time than expected by chance, and (2) Crested Guineafowl show significantly less sentinel behaviour with samango monkeys present. These findings suggest that the birds experience reduced predation risk in the presence of the monkeys. Our study is the first to report association between Crested Guineafowl and samango monkeys and contributes to understanding why birds and primates associate.","PeriodicalId":55548,"journal":{"name":"African Zoology","volume":"57 1","pages":"154 - 164"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2022-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43643513","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
African ZoologyPub Date : 2022-10-21DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2022.2110386
G. Malan, E. Harris, T. Harris, A. Monadjem
{"title":"A Bat Hawk Macheiramphus alcinus Pair Preyed Primarily on Bats and Birds that Forage in Clutter-Edge and Open-Air Habitat Groups","authors":"G. Malan, E. Harris, T. Harris, A. Monadjem","doi":"10.1080/15627020.2022.2110386","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15627020.2022.2110386","url":null,"abstract":"This study aimed to analyse the diet of a pair of Bat Hawks Macheiramphus alcinus, based on regurgitated pellets, and the associated habitat-foraging groups that the prey species belonged to. A total of 908 regurgitated pellets were collected from underneath one nest tree in north-eastern South Africa, over a 24-month period. A total of 26 prey species were identified, of which 17 comprised bats and nine were birds. Seven prey species qualified as common in the diet (≥11 individuals): Pipistrellus hesperidus, Tadarida aegyptiaca, Scotophilus dinganii, Zosterops virens, Chaerephon pumilus, Afronycteris nana and Laephotis capensis. Most prey individuals were clutter-edge foragers: 41 individuals (67%) were birds, and 181 (42%) were bats. The Bat Hawks therefore foraged predominantly adjacent to vegetation. Future studies should examine the environmental factors that drive the abundance of insects in these habitats and the foraging techniques that birds and bats employ to prey upon them, to ultimately increase our understanding of the foraging framework that flying Bat Hawks exploit when hunting these flying animals.","PeriodicalId":55548,"journal":{"name":"African Zoology","volume":"57 1","pages":"165 - 169"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2022-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43605164","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
African ZoologyPub Date : 2022-04-03DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2022.2078167
A. Acosta, K. A. Hadfield, Nico J. Smit
{"title":"First Record from the Southern Hemisphere: Significant Range Extension, New Host Record and Molecular Characterisation of Ligophorus minimus Euzet et Suriano, 1977 (Monogenea: Dactylogyridae)","authors":"A. Acosta, K. A. Hadfield, Nico J. Smit","doi":"10.1080/15627020.2022.2078167","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15627020.2022.2078167","url":null,"abstract":"The gill monogeneans from the genus Ligophorus Euzet et Suriano, 1977 are parasites strictly host specific to mugilid fishes, occurring on a number of mullet species. In South Africa, monogeneans from marine and estuarine teleost fishes are still poorly known. During 2020, five individuals of the South African mullet Chelon richardsonii (Smith) were collected from the Groot River estuary on the south coast of South Africa (south-western Indian Ocean). Monogeneans collected from the gills were preserved for morphological and phylogenetic analyses. The monogeneans found were morphologically identified as Ligophorus minimus Euzet et Suriano, 1977. This study provides the first record of L. minimus from South Africa and the first record on the host C. richardsonii. Furthermore, sequences of the partial 28S rRNA gene and the entire ITS1 region for this species were obtained from the sampled locality in the south-western Indian Ocean for the first time. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed the morphological identification of L. minimus in the present study. The phylogenetic relationships of L. minimus with its congeners corroborate previous studies, providing more insights into the monophyly of the genus, routes of new host colonisation, and distribution patterns.","PeriodicalId":55548,"journal":{"name":"African Zoology","volume":"57 1","pages":"111 - 120"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2022-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43653980","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}