African Journal of Ecology最新文献

{"title":"Population Expansion but Limited Gene Flow in Kuhl's Blue-Spotted Maskray Along the Tanzanian Coast","authors":"Alex Nehemia,&nbsp;Maulidi Shabani,&nbsp;Allen Lewis Malisa","doi":"10.1111/aje.13340","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.13340","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The blue-spotted maskray <i>Neotrygon kuhlii</i> (Müller &amp; Henle, 1841) is a member of the Dasyatidae family of stingrays which grows slowly. Members of this group mature late and have a low fecundity rate. The ICUN Red List of Threatened Species lists <i>N. kuhlii</i> species as data deficient (DD) because information on its ecology and life history is not readily available. The purpose of this study was to determine the genetic diversity, demographic history and population structure of <i>N</i>. <i>kuhlii</i>, all of which are critical information for efforts aimed at conserving the species. The investigation was carried out along Tanzania's coastline using 595 base pairs of partial mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) sequence. The haplotype diversity ranged between 0.37 and 0.70 and nucleotide diversity between 0.11% and 0.50%. The findings show that samples from Unguja had higher mean molecular diversity indices than those from other sampling sites. Nonetheless, samples from Mafia and Unguja were found to have the largest effective population size. Genetic variations were found between the subpopulations under study, suggesting limited genetic connectivity among the studied subpopulations. The COI sequences of <i>N</i>. <i>kuhlii</i> from most subpopulations studied showed signs of past population expansion, which are typical for most Western Indian Ocean (WIO) fauna. The findings highlight the need for enhanced management and conservation strategies for <i>N</i>. <i>kuhlii</i> and other coastal stingray species in Tanzania, particularly in areas where sampling sites showed low levels of genetic diversity and effective population size.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"62 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-11-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142641309","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":"Long-Term Impacts of Selective Logging in a Tropical Rainforest in the East Region of Cameroon","authors":"S. E. Mokake,&nbsp;G. B. Chuyong,&nbsp;E. A. Egbe","doi":"10.1111/aje.13341","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.13341","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Although selective logging has become the primary cause of degradation in many African countries, little is known about its long-term effects. This study investigated the long-term effects of selective logging on forest tree species diversity and dynamics in the East Region of Cameroon. Six permanent monitoring plots of 1 ha each in unlogged and logged forests were established in 2005 and a recensus in 2011. Each 1 ha plot was divided into 25, 20 × 20 m quadrats. Each 20 × 20 m quadrat was further divided into 16, 5 × 5 m subquadrats, where the diameter at breast height (DBH) of all trees ≥ 2 cm was measured. There was a decrease in plant species density and richness in all forest types. <i>Sloetiopsis usambarensis</i> was the most important species in the unlogged forests and forests logged 21 years ago. The most important family was Putrangivaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Violaceae in the unlogged forests and forests logged 11 and 21 years ago, respectively. The frequency distribution of stem size classes indicated a reversed J-shape of tropical forests. The above ground biomass (AGB) recovered more than 50% in all forests, and the unlogged forest had the highest AGB (961.8 Mg/ha). Larger stems indicated a forest at a stage of recovery from disturbance. Silvicultural management should be considered.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"62 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142541000","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":"Killer Whale Predation on a Giant Manta Ray (Mobula birostris), a Sicklefin Devil Ray (Mobula tarapacana) and a Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) in the Southwest Indian Ocean","authors":"Maeva Terrapon,&nbsp;Stephanie K. Venables,&nbsp;Anthony Lokker,&nbsp;Nils Bertrand,&nbsp;Sascha K. Hooker,&nbsp;Andrea D. Marshall","doi":"10.1111/aje.13342","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.13342","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Knowledge of killer whale (<i>Orcinus orca</i>) feeding ecology in tropical waters is scarce. In the southwest Indian Ocean, opportunistic sightings provide a valuable source of information to better understand their behaviour, diet and distribution. Here, we compile existing records of killer whale predation on elasmobranchs in the southwest Indian Ocean, including sightings of three undescribed prey species regionally: a giant manta ray (<i>Mobula birostris</i>), a sicklefin devil ray (<i>Mobula tarapacana</i>) and a tiger shark (<i>Galeocerdo cuvier</i>). Documenting such observations is important to increase knowledge on killer whale ecology in the tropics and the cascading impact they might have on prey populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"62 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aje.13342","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142555322","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":"First Photographic Evidence of the Central African Oyan in Uganda","authors":"Emmanuel Akampurira,&nbsp;Eustrate Uzabaho,&nbsp;Robert Bitariho,&nbsp;Jennifer F. Moore","doi":"10.1111/aje.13343","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.13343","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Arboreal camera trap photographs were captured of the Central African Oyan <i>Poiana richardsonii</i> in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. In total, 10 photographs were obtained from three sites in the park in 2019. This is likely the furthest east record of this species.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"62 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142541001","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":"Diurnal Activity Budgets and Feeding Habits of Grivet Monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops aethiops) in Fragmented Moist Afromontane Forest","authors":"Chalachew Alemneh,&nbsp;Zerihun Girma","doi":"10.1111/aje.13339","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.13339","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Grivet monkeys (<i>Chlorocebus aethiops aethiops</i>) are opportunistic omnivores and extremely adaptable in both rural and urban environments. A study was conducted out in human-dominated fragmented moist Afromontane forest of wondo genet to investigate the diurnal activity budgets and feeding habits of grivet monkey. Data collection was carried out from February to September 2022 covering both wet and dry seasons. During each scan, individuals were recorded as performing one of the following activities: feeding, moving (searching for food), resting, grooming, playing and others such as drinking, vocalisation and defecation, or aggression and sexual activity. Dietary composition and preferences were assessed using scan sampling method. Proximate analysis was conducted to examine the nutritional makeup of feeding food items. The greatest proportion of the activity time budget of the grivet monkey was devoted to feeding, resting and moving, with relatively higher time devoted to feeding and moving and less time devoted to resting when compared with grivet monkeys inhabiting natural habitats. Grivet monkey utilised 42 food items grouped into 41 plant species and 1 insect. <i>Psidium guava</i> and <i>Desmodium intortum</i>, relatively with higher crude protein and less fibre, were the most preferred plants consumed. The study has pointed out that grivet monkeys in the human-dominated landscape of Wondo Genet remnant moist afromontane forest tend to prefer to consume on fruit tress such as <i>Persea americana, Mangifera indica</i> and <i>Psidium guava</i>, which contain high nutritional content that are planted and managed around homesteads. It is recommended to plant and sustainably manage grivet monkeys' natural foods in human-dominated landscape of Wondo Genet remnant moist afromontane forest to sustainably conserve the species and avoid/reduce human-grivet monkey conflict.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"62 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142524957","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":"Diversity, Composition and Distribution Patterns of Spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) in Sand Forest, South Africa","authors":"Zabentungwa Thakasile Hlongwane,&nbsp;Thinandavha Caswell Munyai,&nbsp;Olwethu Majola,&nbsp;Anna Sophia Dippenaar-Schoeman,&nbsp;D. D. Georgette Lagendijk","doi":"10.1111/aje.13334","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.13334","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Spiders are the dominant representative of the top predator guild in many terrestrial ecosystems, but their diversity and distribution in forests in South Africa are still understudied. This study aimed to determine ground-dwelling spider diversity, composition and distribution patterns in both sand forest and savanna (and their ecotone) using pitfall traps and to provide a spider species checklist for these three habitats in Phinda Private Game Reserve. A total of 410 individuals from 64 species and 21 families were recorded from the three habitat types. The Lycosidae family and <i>Pardosa crassipalpis</i> were the most dominant family and species. Spider abundances were similar between sand forest and the ecotone, but lower in savanna. However, species richness was similar across habitats. Spider species assemblages were similar between sand forest and the ecotone, but differed from the species assemblages in savanna. Spiders play an important role in food webs both below- and aboveground. Therefore, determining their diversity and distribution contributes to the overall understanding of the ecosystem in addition to promoting conservation efforts of key habitats such as the critically endangered sand forest.</p>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"62 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aje.13334","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142449062","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":"Effect of Aspect and Elevation on the Degree of Aggregation and the Functional Traits in Phlomis floccosa D. Don (Lamiacae) Populations","authors":"Abd El-Nasser S. Al Borki,&nbsp;Abdulhamid K. Alzerbi,&nbsp;Hanan F. Kabiel,&nbsp;Ahmad K. Hegazy","doi":"10.1111/aje.13328","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.13328","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p><i>Phlomis floccosa</i> D. Don populations are distributed in different microhabitats within Al-Akhdar mountainous landscape, in Libya. Five populations were selected for the study. Spatial relationships among individuals were investigated using the spatial point pattern analysis. Functional traits were recorded at the vegetative, flowering and fruiting stages. Seeds were collected at the dispersal stage to estimate the regeneration potential. Greater degree of aggregation was found at higher elevations on both northern and southern sides of the mountain but with different demography and traits. On the northern side, greater degree of aggregation was accompanied by absence of large adults and greater percentage of seedlings, and it was positively associated with the reproductive output, while negatively associated with the size and regeneration indices. On the southern side, greater degree of aggregation was accompanied by greater contribution of large adults and greater percentage of seedlings, and it was positively associated with the size and regeneration indices, while negatively associated with the reproductive output. On the other hand, the population in the wadi (valley) microhabitat showed coarse-scale clumped pattern, higher values for most of the functional traits and higher contribution of seedlings but with lower facilitation offered by adults. The variations in the degree of aggregation and the functional traits trade-offs in <i>P. floccosa</i> populations ensured successful survival and regeneration in the heterogeneous microhabitats. Meanwhile, stressed conditions greatly affect the survival and regeneration of the species suggesting the need for conservation measures to overcome the adverse effects of climate change.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"62 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142449061","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":"How African Ungulates Respond to Tourist Vehicles in Kruger National Park","authors":"Andrea Romero,&nbsp;Brian J. O'Neill,&nbsp;Kristen Rauch,&nbsp;Ashley Roscoe","doi":"10.1111/aje.13335","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.13335","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Managers of protected areas need to balance how they use or preserve their resources, especially regarding ‘road ecology’. This study focuses on Kruger National Park's (KNP) common ungulates’ response to tourist vehicles. We answered the following questions for impala, zebra, giraffe, blue wildebeest, greater kudu and steenbok: What mediates animal flight and flight distance from a vehicle? How much of KNP is affected by roads? Are ungulates using or avoiding roads? We sampled 55.9% of KNP's tourist roads, where we approached animals and determined whether and how far they fled. We georeferenced sightings and estimated the amount of land area along KNP's tourist roads where animals would be expected to flee from vehicles. Of 517 animal sightings, Impala were sighted most (263) and steenbok least (32). Impala had the highest flight propensity (42.6%) and wildebeest lowest (13%). Steenbok were found closest to the road (22.13 m) and wildebeest furthest (77.6 m). Impala had the closest tolerance distance (16.63 m), with zebra furthest (44.74 m). Impala fled the least distance (9.93 m) and zebra fled furthest (24.52 m). Binary logistic regressions (BLRs) showed that all species fled more consistently when closer to the road. The amount of KNP affected by animal flight based on BLRs was largest for zebra (2.32% of the park) and smallest for kudu (0.84%). Impala used the first 10 m of the roadside more than expected and 10–20 m from the road less. KNP's ungulates are habituated to vehicles since flight propensity was low, distribution analysis showed no-road avoidance, flight distance was short, and animals &gt; 50 m from the road generally do not flee. Given the amount of KNP that is already affected by vehicle traffic, as tourism increases, the land solely devoted to wildlife will necessarily decrease. This study aims to provide information for the best management of roads and traffic in KNP.</p>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"62 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aje.13335","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142451287","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":"Modelling Tree Allometries to Understand the Impact of African Savannah Elephant Herbivory Dynamics on the Vegetation Structure and Tree Cover Change in a Protected Area","authors":"Nobert Tafadzwa Mukomberanwa,&nbsp;Phillip Taru,&nbsp;Beaven Utete,&nbsp;Patmore Ngorima","doi":"10.1111/aje.13336","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.13336","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In landscapes with high elephant density, trees often exhibit more open canopies with fewer branches and foliage due to browsing pressure. This can result in altered tree morphology, with trees exhibiting stunted growth, multiple stems or unusual branching patterns in response to repeated damage from browsing. The objectives of this research were to (i) model the vegetation structure allometries, (ii) assess the impact of African savannah elephant (<i>Loxodonta africana</i>) herbivory on the vegetation structure and (iii) assess tree cover change and vegetation performance over time in Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe. We established 26 plots of 30 × 30 m size. Selection of sampling plots was done following several steps. First, a fish net grid with 30 × 30 m polygons was created and projected on the polygon of Mana Pools National Park. The polygons for exclusion zones were then clipped from the fish net grid using the clip tool in ArcGIS Pro 3.0. Then, selection of sampling plots was done initially by stratified random sampling using the Sampling Design Tool add in for ArcGIS Pro 3.0. Landsat images for the years 2003, 2013 and 2023 were used to assess land use land cover (LULC) time series and to calculate Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) for the period. A generalised linear model (GLM) was used to analyse tree allometries. Further statistical investigations were performed using Bayesian piecewise regression (BPR) and Bayesian regression modelling (BRM). Basal area, number of stems, height, long canopy, diameter and basal circumference were all significantly different (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05) across all sampled plots. The change in growing conditions occurring as a tree grows beyond the reach of the African savannah elephant browsing indicates a natural system breakpoint. The best-fitting models were a simple linear model and a two breakpoint model for the plant population exposed to elephant herbivory. LULC, NDVI and SAVI confirm evidence of high tree regeneration over 2 decades. Understanding the dynamics in vegetation and LULC changes is critical for effective conservation and management of the habitats for African savannah elephants, as well as for maintaining the health and resilience of forest ecosystems.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"62 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142449064","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":"The Devils in the Details—but So Are the Angels: Linear Density Estimates of Harpagophytum zeyheri (Devil's Claw) From the Zambezi Region, Namibia","authors":"Peter Low Cunningham Sr,&nbsp;Peter Low Cunningham Jr,&nbsp;Dagmar Honsbein","doi":"10.1111/aje.13337","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.13337","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p><i>Harpagophytum zeyheri</i> (devil's claw) tubers are manually harvested for its pharmaceutical properties (anti-inflammatory) in the sandier regions, especially the communal areas in north-eastern Namibia, with various authors having questioned the sustainability and viability of current harvesting practices. Although regulation in the form of a quota system is implemented, this is not based on scientifically established density estimates or sustainable harvesting quotas. There is a dearth of published data regarding density estimates for <i>H. zeyheri</i> from Namibia. The average linear density from the Zambezi Region (all areas; this study) is 22.4 plants/km while other estimates from Namibia for <i>H. procumbens</i> vary between &lt; 1 and 2000 plants/ha. The aim of this study was to contribute to the poorly known distribution and density of <i>H. zeyheri</i> from the Zambezi Region where most of Namibia's resource for the export market originates from and to highlight the potential threat of not conducting scientifically based preharvest counts on sustainability of this valuable resource.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7844,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Ecology","volume":"62 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142435257","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}