African Journal of Ecology最新文献

{"title":"Diversity, Distribution and Habitat Suitability Assessment of Solanum Species of the Leptostemonum Clade in Uganda","authors":"Carol Kawuma,&nbsp;Brita Stedje,&nbsp;Esther Katuura,&nbsp;Perpetua Ipulet,&nbsp;John Wasswa Mulumba,&nbsp;Esezah Kakudidi,&nbsp;Felly Tusiime Mugizi,&nbsp;Anifat Olayemi Bello,&nbsp;Mary Namaganda","doi":"10.1111/aje.70021","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70021","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The diversity and distribution of <i>Solanum</i> species of the <i>Leptostemonum</i> clade in Uganda was updated based on field surveys, herbarium collections and literature. Distribution maps were generated using ArcMap software and Spatial Distribution Models generated using maximum entropy software (version 3.3.3). Predictions were based on five environmental variables, namely: temperature, rainfall, slope, soil and land use/cover. Model evaluations were based on Area Under Curve. Jack knife test assessed the importance of each environmental variable in predicting species occurrence. Twenty-one species were recorded with <i>Solanum chrysotrichum</i> as a new record for Uganda. The highest species richness was recorded in southwestern Uganda. Karamoja had unique diversity with four species restricted to the region, thus: <i>S. forskalii, S. lanzae</i>, <i>S. coagulans</i> and <i>S. hastifolium</i>. Most of the species occur in disturbed habitats in the land use/cover areas defined as croplands, tree cover and grasslands. Temperature and rainfall were the most useful variables in predicting occurrence of <i>Solanum</i> species. Karamoja and South western sub regions are hotspots for conservation of the spiny <i>Solanum species</i>. Periodic field surveys should be carried out in order to monitor changes in the occurrence of <i>Solanum</i> particularly in the identified hotspots.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143423941","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Leopard (Panthera pardus) Density and the Impact of Spotted Hyaena (Crocuta crocuta) Occurrence on Leopard Presence in the Maasai Mara Ecosystem, Kenya","authors":"Eve Hills,&nbsp;Samuel Penny,&nbsp;Elena Chelysheva,&nbsp;Patrick Omondi,&nbsp;Shadrack Ngene,&nbsp;Anthony J. Giordano,&nbsp;Bryony A. Tolhurst","doi":"10.1111/aje.70025","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70025","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The African large predator guild is one of the last intact large predator guilds globally, and interactions between its members influence ecosystem functioning. We conducted camera-trapping in the Maasai Mara Ecosystem (MME) to estimate leopard (<i>Panthera pardus</i>) population density and investigate whether lion (<i>Panthera</i> <i>leo</i>) and hyaena (<i>Crocuta crocuta</i>) impact leopard presence, while accounting for potential prey presence and habitat. In 2019, we deployed cameras at 34 stations in the Mara Triangle within the MME for 63 nights. We estimated leopard density using a closed population spatially explicit capture–recapture (SECR) framework and examined potential predictors of leopard presence using generalised linear mixed modelling. We recorded 725 leopard images and estimated population density at 1.90 ± 0.56 individuals 100 km²⁻¹, relatively low compared to other areas and only slightly higher than previous MME estimates of cheetah, an ecologically subordinate competitor. The best model predicting leopard presence contained hyaena occurrence and showed a positive association, indicating ‘co-occurrence’. Hyaenas commonly kleptoparasitise leopard kills in MME; that is hyaenas may follow leopards for this reason. Although our preliminary results indicate that hyaena populations may limit leopard populations in the MME, further work is required to explicitly test hypotheses relating to hyaena–leopard interactions.</p>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aje.70025","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143404574","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Population Dynamics of the Endemic and Vulnerable Grauer's Swamp Warbler (Bradypterus graueri): Insights From Long-Term Monitoring in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda","authors":"D. Tuyisingize,&nbsp;E. Faida,&nbsp;V. Musemakweli,&nbsp;Y. van der Hoek","doi":"10.1111/aje.70016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70016","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Wetland-dwelling birds are indicators of wetland health. We investigated the population dynamics and conservation implications of the endemic and Vulnerable Grauer's swamp warbler (<i>Bradypterus graueri</i>; GSW) across three wetlands (Rugezi, Kabatwa, and Malalo) of varying sizes and elevations within Volcanoes National Park (VNP), Rwanda. We collected visual and auditory count data over 13 years from 19-point count stations systematically located across the wetlands and applied distance analysis to assess the abundance and distribution of GSW across years and wetlands. Then, we employed Generalised Additive Mixed Models (GAMM) to assess the relationship between GSW abundance and specific factors known to impact wetlands: trampling by large mammals, the presence of non-wetland plant species, or the absence of water. Additionally, we investigated how wetland sizes influenced this relationship. We found that the focal wetlands within VNP support an approximate mean of 3.143 (95% CI: 2.578–3.831) clusters of GSW per hectare, hosting a mean of 3.634 (95% CI: 2.960–4.462) individuals per cluster. Nonetheless, there were instances of GSW extirpation occurring in Malalo and Kabatwa VNP wetlands. Mammal trampling and non-wetland plants negatively impacted the GSW population (trampling: estimate = −2. 126, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.043; non-wetland plants: estimate = −0.735, <i>p</i> = 0.05), while GSW abundance is positively associated with the presence of water (estimate = 0.862, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.002). GSW density also increased with wetland size, though this trend was not significant (<i>p</i> &gt; 0.05). Generally, despite fluctuations in GSW densities within the studied wetlands, VNP remains a crucial habitat for this globally threatened species: wetlands that might require actions highlight the need for efforts to avoid desiccation.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143396915","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Understory Diversity Affects Monodominance of Anogeissus leiocarpa","authors":"Abdel-Aziz B. Yarou,&nbsp;Jacob K. Moutouama,&nbsp;Orou G. Gaoue","doi":"10.1111/aje.70023","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70023","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The persistence of monodominant communities in tropical ecosystems, known for their high diversity, has challenged tropical ecologists. Species diversity could influence the persistence of monodominance by limiting the competitive edge of the monodominant species particularly in the forest understory. However, the role of stand diversity or demographic structure in maintaining monodominance particularly in early life stage in forest understory remains elusive. We studied <i>Anogeissus leiocarpa</i> in monodominant stands in West Africa. We used generalised linear mixed effect models to test the effect of stand species diversity on stem density and dominance of <i>A. leiocarpa</i> in the understory and how this effect changes from the stand centre to the edge. <i>Anogeissus leiocarpa</i> density and dominance decreased from the stand centre to the periphery. <i>Anogeissus leiocarpa</i> dominance in the understory was below 50% on average, suggesting that monodominance emerges during the transition from the understory to the canopy. Increase in community diversity had negative effects on <i>A. leiocarpa</i> seedlings density perhaps due to increased diversity in competition mechanisms. Contrary to our expectation for a pioneer species, <i>A. leiocarpa</i> lacked vigorous recruitment and did not exhibit the expected negative exponential population structure. The diameter- and height-based size class distributions were not correlated across populations, indicating that using the population structure as an ecological diagnostic tool could lead to suboptimal conservation decisions.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143404512","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Feathered Frontiers: How Land-Use Changes Shape Diversity of Bird Communities in an East African Global Biodiversity Hotspot","authors":"Jasson John,&nbsp;Emmanuel Mgimwa,&nbsp;Edwin Kamugisha,&nbsp;Akshita Rabdiya","doi":"10.1111/aje.70024","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70024","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study investigates the impact of land-use changes on avian diversity in an agricultural landscape ecosystem in the Usambara Mountains, northeastern Tanzania. The East Usambara Mountains have lost a significant part of their original natural forests. On its southern part, the main forest block is found in Amani Nature Forest Reserve, while the rest of the landscape is fragmented into agricultural mosaics. The study, conducted from 2020 to 2023 using point count observations, documents the avian diversity in different habitats within agricultural landscapes, considering rainy seasons' effects. A total of 4107 individual birds representing 121 species from 39 families were recorded, with notable variations in species diversity across different habitats. Agroforestry systems demonstrated higher avian diversity than forest remnants, agriculture, tea plantations and shrubland. Proximity to forest positively influenced bird diversity, with a significant proportion of true forest species highlighting the importance of intact forest ecosystems. Seasonal variations were evident, with the short rainy season exhibiting higher species richness in certain habitats. The findings of this study underscore the need for conservation strategies that prioritise forest protection and restoration while promoting sustainable agroforestry practices.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143404513","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Seeds of Sustainability: Unveiling the Population Dynamics of Carapa procera, Lophira lanceolata, and Pentadesma butyracea for Adaptive Oilseed Value Chains","authors":"Fanta Reine Sheirita Tiétiambou,&nbsp;Dimobe Kangbéni,&nbsp;Kolawolé Valère Salako,&nbsp;Benjamin Lankoandé,&nbsp;Amadé Ouédraogo","doi":"10.1111/aje.70020","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70020","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p><i>Carapa procera, Lophira lanceolata</i>, and <i>Pentadesma butyracea</i> are important non-timber forest products providing species with promising value chains of their oils. To assess whether traditional uses of these species are sustainable, this study analysed their population structure and regeneration patterns in non-protected sites. Three sites where the fruits of these species are exploited for oilseed production and trade were selected for each species, and 135 plots with 665 subplots were established for adults and regenerations inventories, respectively. The population structure and regeneration patterns were assessed using dendrometric characteristics (tree diameter at breast height—dbh and height), population density, and metrics of stability. <i>C. procera</i> had the highest dendrometric values at Diossogo and Koloko for adult individuals. Its populations were generally stable across all sites. For <i>L. lanceolata</i>, the highest dendrometric values were observed at Natindougou. However, populations at both Natindougou and Nafanasso showed signs of disturbance and instability. For <i>P. butyracea,</i> the highest values for mean diameter and Lorey's height of adult individuals were recorded at Sokouraba. Population densities were highest at Nafanasso, but populations were disturbed at Sokoroni and Sokouraba, with stability observed across all sites. Given the current condition of the stands of each species, implementing management actions tailored to site-specific conditions is essential to ensure the long-term sustainability and productivity of these valuable species in their natural habitats.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143397122","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An Integrative Approach of Taxonomic, Morphometric and Ecological Research to Solve the Status of Cryptic Chelonian Taxa—A Case Study With Pelomedusa kobe in Rwanda","authors":"Christella Umulisa,&nbsp;Marko Djurakic,&nbsp;Drew Bantlin,&nbsp;Anke Müller,&nbsp;Melita Vamberger","doi":"10.1111/aje.70006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70006","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Using genetic data, we confirm for the first time the presence of the Tanzanian helmeted terrapin <i>Pelomedusa kobe</i> in Akagera National Park, Rwanda, extending their known distribution. Our study provides the first natural history observations, population and morphological data for this species from a wild population. As species in the genus <i>Pelomedusa</i> are morphologically difficult to distinguish, we gain the first insights into intraspecific and interspecific patterns of size and shape variation of plastron morphology between two morphologically-similar species living in Eastern Africa, <i>P. kobe</i> and <i>P. subrufa</i>, using geometric morphometrics. Species affiliation, rather than sex, is the dominant factor influencing size and shape variation. <i>P. kobe</i> exhibits female-based sexual size dimorphism (SSD), while <i>P. subrufa</i> shows a tendency toward male-based SSD. Furthermore, sexual shape dimorphism (SShD) was observed in <i>P. kobe</i> but not in <i>P. subrufa</i>. Our results provide the first integrative data (genetic, morphological and natural history) on <i>P. kobe</i>, however further information on their distribution in the park is needed for effective conservation of this data-deficient species. Our findings lay the groundwork for future ecological studies on <i>P. kobe</i>, potentially revealing unique adaptations and conservation needs previously overlooked due to its cryptic nature.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143379913","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Wild Meat Value Chain Integration Systems: Opportunities for Value Chain Formalisation and Scaling in Africa","authors":"Wiseman Ndlovu,&nbsp;Sungeni Karonga,&nbsp;Francis Vorhies","doi":"10.1111/aje.70017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70017","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Establishing legal, safe and sustainable wild meat sector promises to potentially reduce demand for illegally sourced meat, support livehoods, and contribute to conservation goals. However, institutional mechanisms and systems to champion sustainable wild meat value chains are underdeveloped, making it a challenge for the sector to formalise and scale. This study investigated how value chain systems are/can be organised and integrated. Also, transitional pathways to value chain formalisation and scaling were evaluated. Literature data (<i>n</i> = 96) on plains game wild meat value chains in Africa from 2000 to 2023 was subjected to thematic analysis to identify patterns and linkages in the value chain systems. The results show that while rural and poor communities are the largest recipients of illegal wild meat, they are structurally excluded from the legal game meat value chains. Illegal and legal wild meat value chain systems show three levels of integration: fully, partially and independently integrated systems. Each system presents a unique opportunity for scaling up enterprises and developing institutional governance to deliver well-managed wild meat value chains embedded with system-specific sustainable harvesting and use practices.</p>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aje.70017","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143121257","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Red Listing African Goliath Beetles: Assessing Threats and Conservation Needs","authors":"Luca Luiselli,&nbsp;Julia E. Fa,&nbsp;Olivier Le Duc,&nbsp;Edem A. Eniang,&nbsp;Sery Gonedele-Bi,&nbsp;Gabriel Hoinsoudé Segniagbeto,&nbsp;Mathias Behangana,&nbsp;Stephanie N. Ajong,&nbsp;Emmanuel M. Hema,&nbsp;Drissa Koné,&nbsp;Gift Simon Demaya,&nbsp;Mirco Morani,&nbsp;Giovanni Amori,&nbsp;Patrick K. Malonza,&nbsp;Morris N. Mutua,&nbsp;Michele Marina Kameni Ngalieu,&nbsp;Caleb Ofori-Boateng,&nbsp;Charles Kojo Amponsah,&nbsp;Christian Opoku-Kwarteng,&nbsp;Sieny O. Togba,&nbsp;Markfred Mensah,&nbsp;Michele De Palma,&nbsp;Nic Pacini,&nbsp;Daniele Dendi","doi":"10.1111/aje.70018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70018","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The loss of biodiversity is one of the most critical global environmental challenges, driven by deforestation, habitat fragmentation and overexploitation. This study focuses on the biodiversity crisis in Africa, with particular emphasis on the conservation status of the giant Goliath beetles (genus <i>Goliathus</i> Lamarck, Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae). These beetles, renowned for their large size and striking colouration, are endemic to sub-Saharan Africa. They face significant threats from habitat loss and, potentially, from intensive harvesting for the entomological trade. The conservation status of Goliath beetles needs to be better understood. In this paper, we perform a Red List assessment based on our research carried out opportunistically for 30 years (1994–2024). We present critical data on four taxa of the genus <i>Goliathus</i>: <i>Goliathus goliatus</i> (Linnaeus), <i>Goliathus meleagri</i>s Sjöstedt (currently classified as a well-differentiated subspecies of <i>G. goliatus</i>), <i>Goliathus regius</i> Klug and <i>Goliathus cacicus</i> Olivier. Two additional species, <i>Goliathus orientalis</i> Moser (endemic of Tanzania and Northern Mozambique) and <i>Goliathus albosignatus</i> Boheman (broadly distributed in Southern and Eastern Africa), were not assessed due to a lack of original field data. From data gathered opportunistically through incidental observations and field encounters, we analyse habitat preferences, the impact of deforestation and seasonal activity patterns. Our findings highlight the vulnerability of Goliath beetles to ongoing human-induced threats and underline the need for more targeted conservation efforts. However, using Salafsky's standard classification, there were different threats affecting the various species, and the needed conservation actions should, therefore, be species-specific. We applied the 2024 International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria to each species to inform future conservation strategies and support the survival of these remarkable beetles in the wild. Our assessment indicates that <i>G. cacicus</i> should be listed as Critically Endangered due to its catastrophic decline over recent decades, whilst <i>G. regius</i> qualifies as Endangered. Both species inhabit forest habitats in Western Africa. The other taxa assessed were found to be of lesser concern and evaluated as Near Threatened. This study contributes to our broader understanding of biodiversity loss in Africa, stressing the urgency of protecting critical insect populations. In particular, we present a salient example of how multiple overlapping threats endanger biodiversity across large parts of Africa, and in particular forest species in West Africa.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143120750","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of Individual Host Characteristics on Host Selection in Oxpeckers","authors":"Kath Forssman,&nbsp;Brianna Beechler,&nbsp;Anna Jolles","doi":"10.1111/aje.70019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.70019","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Symbiotic interactions between oxpeckers (<i>Buphagus</i> spp.) and African buffalo (<i>Syncerus caffer</i>) are influenced by both host characteristics and ectoparasite load. This study investigates how individual traits, such as body size, age and tick load, impact oxpecker foraging decisions. To investigate what impacts whether or not oxpeckers choose to forage on a buffalo, we used candidate generalised linear models. Our results show that oxpeckers preferentially select larger buffalo with higher-than-expected tick loads, particularly in the perianal region. These findings highlight the role of host size and parasite abundance in shaping oxpecker foraging behaviour within the savannah ecosystem.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"63 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143119869","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}