Pub Date : 2021-01-02DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2021.1879675
A. Mayamba, R. M. Byamungu, H. Leirs, I. Moses, R. Makundi, D. Kimaro, A. Massawe, David Kifumba, A. Nakiyemba, M. Mdangi, B. Isabirye, L. Mulungu
Multimammate mice (Mastomys natalensis) are a key rodent pest species to cereal crop production in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed at generating information on the population fluctuation and breeding patterns of M. natalensis in a maize dominated agro-ecosystem in the Mayuge district, Eastern Uganda. The area is characterised by a bimodal rainfall pattern with rains in the periods March to May and August to November. A Capture–Mark–Recapture study was established in cultivated and fallow field habitats with, in each habitat, two plots of 60 m by 60 m with 49 evenly spaced trapping points. Trapping was conducted monthly for three consecutive nights, and the study extended from January 2016 to June 2018. A Generalised Linear Mixed Model analysis showed significantly higher population density estimates (β = 0.69, p < 0.0001) in fallow land compared to cultivated fields, and also significantly higher density estimates(β = 0.75, p = 0.006) in the first wet season and lowest in the first dry season. The percentage breeding females differed significantly across months (χ2 = 27.05, df = 11, p = 0.003) and seasons (χ2 = 17.64, p = 0.0003). Breeding females occurred throughout all the months of trapping, but with significantly higher percentages in the months of March to July (i.e. first wet season extending to second dry season) and generally lowest in the first dry months (i.e. January and February in 2017, and February 2018). The results of this study have important consequences for the timing of control efforts, and recommends that control should be initiated during the dry seasons prior to wet seasons to counteract potential damaging population build up in later wet seasons when crop planting is expected.
{"title":"Population and Breeding Patterns of the Pest Rodent: Mastomys natalensis in a Maize Dominated Agroecosystem in Lake Victoria Crescent Zone, Eastern Uganda","authors":"A. Mayamba, R. M. Byamungu, H. Leirs, I. Moses, R. Makundi, D. Kimaro, A. Massawe, David Kifumba, A. Nakiyemba, M. Mdangi, B. Isabirye, L. Mulungu","doi":"10.1080/15627020.2021.1879675","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15627020.2021.1879675","url":null,"abstract":"Multimammate mice (Mastomys natalensis) are a key rodent pest species to cereal crop production in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed at generating information on the population fluctuation and breeding patterns of M. natalensis in a maize dominated agro-ecosystem in the Mayuge district, Eastern Uganda. The area is characterised by a bimodal rainfall pattern with rains in the periods March to May and August to November. A Capture–Mark–Recapture study was established in cultivated and fallow field habitats with, in each habitat, two plots of 60 m by 60 m with 49 evenly spaced trapping points. Trapping was conducted monthly for three consecutive nights, and the study extended from January 2016 to June 2018. A Generalised Linear Mixed Model analysis showed significantly higher population density estimates (β = 0.69, p < 0.0001) in fallow land compared to cultivated fields, and also significantly higher density estimates(β = 0.75, p = 0.006) in the first wet season and lowest in the first dry season. The percentage breeding females differed significantly across months (χ2 = 27.05, df = 11, p = 0.003) and seasons (χ2 = 17.64, p = 0.0003). Breeding females occurred throughout all the months of trapping, but with significantly higher percentages in the months of March to July (i.e. first wet season extending to second dry season) and generally lowest in the first dry months (i.e. January and February in 2017, and February 2018). The results of this study have important consequences for the timing of control efforts, and recommends that control should be initiated during the dry seasons prior to wet seasons to counteract potential damaging population build up in later wet seasons when crop planting is expected.","PeriodicalId":55548,"journal":{"name":"African Zoology","volume":"56 1","pages":"76 - 84"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2021-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/15627020.2021.1879675","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49204521","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}
Pub Date : 2021-01-02DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2020.1842803
Y. Yapi, F. Enjalbert, T. Gidenne
The cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus) is a wild animal recently domesticated in Africa for meat production. The effect of dietary fibre levels on the digestive health and growth in the young cane rat remains largely unknown. Dietary fibre intake, however, seems to play an important role in its digestive functioning. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary fibre intake on young cane rats. The estimated optimal dietary fibre content of pelleted diets, which optimised growth without impairing health in young T. swinderianus was examined. The feed intake, growth and health of young cane rats were assessed for four diets with dietary fibre levels set at 7, 12, 20 and 24% acid detergent fibre (ADF) on four groups of 18 animals each. Growth was best with the 12% ADF diet followed by 20% ADF diet, with average live weights reaching 1 404 g and 1 325 g, respectively, at 114 days of age. In contrast and compared with the 12% ADF diet, the 24% ADF diet resulted in a 9% weight reduction. Additionally, the 7% ADF diet led to a 33% mortality rate due to enteritis (without diarrhoea), but was associated with inflammation in the stomach and small intestine. We conclude that the optimal fibre content for growing cane rats fed on complete pelleted diets would be between 12% and 20%.
{"title":"Dietary Fibre Level Influence on Young Cane Rat Thryonomys swinderianus Growth and Digestive Health","authors":"Y. Yapi, F. Enjalbert, T. Gidenne","doi":"10.1080/15627020.2020.1842803","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15627020.2020.1842803","url":null,"abstract":"The cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus) is a wild animal recently domesticated in Africa for meat production. The effect of dietary fibre levels on the digestive health and growth in the young cane rat remains largely unknown. Dietary fibre intake, however, seems to play an important role in its digestive functioning. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary fibre intake on young cane rats. The estimated optimal dietary fibre content of pelleted diets, which optimised growth without impairing health in young T. swinderianus was examined. The feed intake, growth and health of young cane rats were assessed for four diets with dietary fibre levels set at 7, 12, 20 and 24% acid detergent fibre (ADF) on four groups of 18 animals each. Growth was best with the 12% ADF diet followed by 20% ADF diet, with average live weights reaching 1 404 g and 1 325 g, respectively, at 114 days of age. In contrast and compared with the 12% ADF diet, the 24% ADF diet resulted in a 9% weight reduction. Additionally, the 7% ADF diet led to a 33% mortality rate due to enteritis (without diarrhoea), but was associated with inflammation in the stomach and small intestine. We conclude that the optimal fibre content for growing cane rats fed on complete pelleted diets would be between 12% and 20%.","PeriodicalId":55548,"journal":{"name":"African Zoology","volume":"56 1","pages":"10 - 16"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2021-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/15627020.2020.1842803","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42049654","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}
Pub Date : 2021-01-02DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2020.1850350
Shimelis Aynalem Zelelew, George W. Archibald
Birds select breeding habitats based on biotic and abiotic environmental factors, resulting in a non-random spatial distribution of nests. This study investigated the onset of nesting, nest location, the relationship between nest height and water depth, nest materials, and the structure and characteristics of Black Crowned Crane nests in the Lake Tana region, Ethiopia. A total of 52 nests were recorded in four wetlands from 2014 to 2015. Nesting activity predominantly took place from September to October. There was a significant difference in the distance from nests to the edge of the wetland (χ 2 = 24.843, n = 46, df = 3, p < 0.001). However, in all study areas the distance between nests, which indicates the degree of territoriality, did not show any significant difference (χ 2 = 6.016, n = 34, df = 3, p = 0.111). In addition, nests were constructed in the wetland where the water depth ranged from 80 to 220 cm. Nest height (H 2i) and water depth (WD i) at nesting sites were highly correlated, and the regression equation (H 2i = 13.77 + 1.03WD i) indicated that when the water depth increases, the nest height also increases. The shallowest depth where a nest was constructed was 80 cm. Vegetation type varied, but cranes used Leersia hexandra, Oryza longistaminata, and Cyprus rotundus plants as their selected nesting material. The average vegetation height observed at nests with eggs, measured one metre away from the nest rim, ranged from 20 to 90 cm (44.83 ± 2.397), n = 48. The vegetation height at each study site showed no significant difference (F (3) = 2.527, p = 0.07). The mean nest length, width, and height from the surface of the water between nests were not significantly different. Nesting density was variable depending on the size of the wetland, water depth, and vegetation type and cover.
{"title":"Nest characteristics and morphometry of Black Crowned Cranes Balearica pavonina ceciliae in Lake Tana area wetlands","authors":"Shimelis Aynalem Zelelew, George W. Archibald","doi":"10.1080/15627020.2020.1850350","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15627020.2020.1850350","url":null,"abstract":"Birds select breeding habitats based on biotic and abiotic environmental factors, resulting in a non-random spatial distribution of nests. This study investigated the onset of nesting, nest location, the relationship between nest height and water depth, nest materials, and the structure and characteristics of Black Crowned Crane nests in the Lake Tana region, Ethiopia. A total of 52 nests were recorded in four wetlands from 2014 to 2015. Nesting activity predominantly took place from September to October. There was a significant difference in the distance from nests to the edge of the wetland (χ 2 = 24.843, n = 46, df = 3, p < 0.001). However, in all study areas the distance between nests, which indicates the degree of territoriality, did not show any significant difference (χ 2 = 6.016, n = 34, df = 3, p = 0.111). In addition, nests were constructed in the wetland where the water depth ranged from 80 to 220 cm. Nest height (H 2i) and water depth (WD i) at nesting sites were highly correlated, and the regression equation (H 2i = 13.77 + 1.03WD i) indicated that when the water depth increases, the nest height also increases. The shallowest depth where a nest was constructed was 80 cm. Vegetation type varied, but cranes used Leersia hexandra, Oryza longistaminata, and Cyprus rotundus plants as their selected nesting material. The average vegetation height observed at nests with eggs, measured one metre away from the nest rim, ranged from 20 to 90 cm (44.83 ± 2.397), n = 48. The vegetation height at each study site showed no significant difference (F (3) = 2.527, p = 0.07). The mean nest length, width, and height from the surface of the water between nests were not significantly different. Nesting density was variable depending on the size of the wetland, water depth, and vegetation type and cover.","PeriodicalId":55548,"journal":{"name":"African Zoology","volume":"56 1","pages":"58 - 64"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2021-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/15627020.2020.1850350","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48633599","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}
Pub Date : 2021-01-02DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2020.1848457
A. Hodgson, F. Smith, Peter Smith, L. Claassens
The alien invasive mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis, forms biogenic habitats in the embayment of Knysna Estuary. Invertebrate macrofauna inhabiting mussel beds were sampled from six sites in the embayment. In addition, mussel cover, mussel bed depth, density and size of mussels were recorded. With the exception of two sites (The Heads and Featherbed) where some Perna perna was present, we confirmed that the mussel beds were composed of the invasive species M. galloprovincialis. At The Heads, mussel beds were single-layered and in patches, whereas at other sites they were multi-layered with 100% cover. Bed depth, mussel density and shell size varied among sites. A total of 65 taxa (mainly Crustacea and Mollusca) were identified across all sites with species richness and diversity being significantly different among sites. Forty-three percent of taxa were new records for the estuary. Macrofaunal richness and diversity were highest at the two sites (The Heads and Featherbed) closest to the mouth of the embayment. There were negative relationships between species diversity and mussel density, and diversity and macroinvertebrate abundance. At most sites macrofaunal abundance was dominated by one or two species. Multivariate analysis revealed a significant difference in species composition among sites. Where wave action was present (The Heads, Featherbed and Leisure Isle) only a few deposit feeders were present in the mussel beds. At sites where wave action was minimal (Thesen Wharf, Marina and Railway Bridge) fine silt was present in the mussel matrix and there was an increase in the number of deposit feeding species.
{"title":"Macrofauna Associated with Intertidal Mussel Beds in the Knysna Estuarine Embayment, South Africa","authors":"A. Hodgson, F. Smith, Peter Smith, L. Claassens","doi":"10.1080/15627020.2020.1848457","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15627020.2020.1848457","url":null,"abstract":"The alien invasive mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis, forms biogenic habitats in the embayment of Knysna Estuary. Invertebrate macrofauna inhabiting mussel beds were sampled from six sites in the embayment. In addition, mussel cover, mussel bed depth, density and size of mussels were recorded. With the exception of two sites (The Heads and Featherbed) where some Perna perna was present, we confirmed that the mussel beds were composed of the invasive species M. galloprovincialis. At The Heads, mussel beds were single-layered and in patches, whereas at other sites they were multi-layered with 100% cover. Bed depth, mussel density and shell size varied among sites. A total of 65 taxa (mainly Crustacea and Mollusca) were identified across all sites with species richness and diversity being significantly different among sites. Forty-three percent of taxa were new records for the estuary. Macrofaunal richness and diversity were highest at the two sites (The Heads and Featherbed) closest to the mouth of the embayment. There were negative relationships between species diversity and mussel density, and diversity and macroinvertebrate abundance. At most sites macrofaunal abundance was dominated by one or two species. Multivariate analysis revealed a significant difference in species composition among sites. Where wave action was present (The Heads, Featherbed and Leisure Isle) only a few deposit feeders were present in the mussel beds. At sites where wave action was minimal (Thesen Wharf, Marina and Railway Bridge) fine silt was present in the mussel matrix and there was an increase in the number of deposit feeding species.","PeriodicalId":55548,"journal":{"name":"African Zoology","volume":"56 1","pages":"44 - 57"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2021-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/15627020.2020.1848457","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43988046","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}
Pub Date : 2021-01-02DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2020.1845794
Tamryn S Venter, M. Robertson, D. L. Saccaggi, Kate Faulkner
Biological invasions by agricultural pests can have serious negative impacts, including decreases in crop yield and economic losses. The MT-1 and MT-8 genotypes of the wheat curl mite (Aceria tosichella) (hereafter ‘WCM’ refers to these two genotypes) are globally distributed pests of wheat and maize that have not been recorded in South Africa. This study examined whether WCM could be introduced to, and establish in, South Africa. Trade data were used to determine whether viable pathways of introduction are present. A species distribution model and data on wheat and maize production were used to determine whether WCM could establish where its hosts are grown. WCM is most likely to be introduced to South Africa as a contaminant of maize from Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and USA; on live plant imports from China and Germany; and on seed imports from Brazil and Australia. Some of these pathways are not currently prominent, but could increase in the future. Parts of South Africa were predicted by the species distribution model to be climatically suitable for WCM, and within some of these areas the host crops are grown. Therefore, if WCM is introduced, it is likely to establish and cause extensive damage to agriculture. We recommend that WCM be considered for inclusion in South Africa's import conditions as a quarantine pest.
{"title":"The Wheat Curl Mite (Aceria tosichella, Prostigmata: Eriophyidae) Could Establish in South Africa","authors":"Tamryn S Venter, M. Robertson, D. L. Saccaggi, Kate Faulkner","doi":"10.1080/15627020.2020.1845794","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15627020.2020.1845794","url":null,"abstract":"Biological invasions by agricultural pests can have serious negative impacts, including decreases in crop yield and economic losses. The MT-1 and MT-8 genotypes of the wheat curl mite (Aceria tosichella) (hereafter ‘WCM’ refers to these two genotypes) are globally distributed pests of wheat and maize that have not been recorded in South Africa. This study examined whether WCM could be introduced to, and establish in, South Africa. Trade data were used to determine whether viable pathways of introduction are present. A species distribution model and data on wheat and maize production were used to determine whether WCM could establish where its hosts are grown. WCM is most likely to be introduced to South Africa as a contaminant of maize from Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and USA; on live plant imports from China and Germany; and on seed imports from Brazil and Australia. Some of these pathways are not currently prominent, but could increase in the future. Parts of South Africa were predicted by the species distribution model to be climatically suitable for WCM, and within some of these areas the host crops are grown. Therefore, if WCM is introduced, it is likely to establish and cause extensive damage to agriculture. We recommend that WCM be considered for inclusion in South Africa's import conditions as a quarantine pest.","PeriodicalId":55548,"journal":{"name":"African Zoology","volume":"56 1","pages":"17 - 24"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2021-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/15627020.2020.1845794","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46386734","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}
Pub Date : 2021-01-02DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2020.1858343
Alain Simeu-Noutchom, S. Kekeunou, Alain Christel Wandji, Marcelle Mbadjoun Nzike, Philene Corinne Aude Um Nyobe, Alfiery Laurel Djomnang Nkwala, Linda Gaelle Guiadem Simo
Three species of the africana-group of the Genus Gryllotalpa (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae) were recorded from Cameroon during an investigation from March 2016 to March 2018: Gryllotalpa africana Beauvois from Buea and Tombel, and two new species, Gryllotalpa tombelensis Simeu-Noutchom and Kekeunou sp. nov. from Tombel and Gryllotalpa babetensis Simeu-Noutchom and Kekeunou sp. nov. from Babété. Gryllotalpa tombelensis is characterised by short wing morphology, vestigial hind wings, small phallic complex, short internal processes, and dorsoventrally flattened body. Gryllotalpa babetensis is distinct from other species of the africana-group by the mesoscutum being more exposed between the pronotum and the base of the fore wings, having a very large phallic complex, with very long internal processes of ectophallus (3 mm long). Both new species were collected in crop fields, but which differ in their habitat characteristics, such as soil moisture, pH and granulometry. A key and comments on the africana-group species of the genus Gryllotalpa and their habitat characteristics are also provided. The finding of the present study aims to help species identification and will help future taxonomists concerned with biodiversity of this group from Cameroon.
{"title":"Description of Two New Species of the Africana-Group of the Genus Gryllotalpa, with a Redescription of Gryllotalpa africana Beauvois (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae)","authors":"Alain Simeu-Noutchom, S. Kekeunou, Alain Christel Wandji, Marcelle Mbadjoun Nzike, Philene Corinne Aude Um Nyobe, Alfiery Laurel Djomnang Nkwala, Linda Gaelle Guiadem Simo","doi":"10.1080/15627020.2020.1858343","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15627020.2020.1858343","url":null,"abstract":"Three species of the africana-group of the Genus Gryllotalpa (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae) were recorded from Cameroon during an investigation from March 2016 to March 2018: Gryllotalpa africana Beauvois from Buea and Tombel, and two new species, Gryllotalpa tombelensis Simeu-Noutchom and Kekeunou sp. nov. from Tombel and Gryllotalpa babetensis Simeu-Noutchom and Kekeunou sp. nov. from Babété. Gryllotalpa tombelensis is characterised by short wing morphology, vestigial hind wings, small phallic complex, short internal processes, and dorsoventrally flattened body. Gryllotalpa babetensis is distinct from other species of the africana-group by the mesoscutum being more exposed between the pronotum and the base of the fore wings, having a very large phallic complex, with very long internal processes of ectophallus (3 mm long). Both new species were collected in crop fields, but which differ in their habitat characteristics, such as soil moisture, pH and granulometry. A key and comments on the africana-group species of the genus Gryllotalpa and their habitat characteristics are also provided. The finding of the present study aims to help species identification and will help future taxonomists concerned with biodiversity of this group from Cameroon.","PeriodicalId":55548,"journal":{"name":"African Zoology","volume":"56 1","pages":"1 - 9"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2021-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/15627020.2020.1858343","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47811900","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}
Pub Date : 2020-10-01DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2020.1842241
S. Mitchell, C. Sole, R. Lyle
Teratology is the science that deals with the causes and patterns of deformities, abnormalities and defects in the physical development of animals. Teratological occurrences can be due to genetic or environmental conditions. Ocular teratologies are common in hypogean spiders. This communication reports on the occurrence of ocular teratologies of the South African endemic spider family, Stasimopidae. A total of 212 spiders from various museum collections were examined for cases of ocular teratologies. Six females and one male were found to display some form of teratology. The species found to exhibit these were Stasimopus patersonae, S. robertsi, S. insculptus peddiensis, S. griswoldi, and three unidentified specimens. The teratologies range from reduced eye size to numerous additional eyes. The exact cause of the teratologies is unknown. They could, however, be linked to embryonic trauma or developmental issues, juvenile injury, or unusual environmental conditions during embryonic development. The spiders all survived to adulthood, as in hypogeal spiders eye sight is not the most relied on sense. Understanding the causes of teratologies is important as it may enable researchers to predict the effect of increasing chemical use and global climate change on the embryology of spiders.
{"title":"Teratological Cases of the Ocular Patterns in the South African Endemic Trapdoor Spider Genus Stasimopus Simon (1892) (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Stasimopidae)","authors":"S. Mitchell, C. Sole, R. Lyle","doi":"10.1080/15627020.2020.1842241","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15627020.2020.1842241","url":null,"abstract":"Teratology is the science that deals with the causes and patterns of deformities, abnormalities and defects in the physical development of animals. Teratological occurrences can be due to genetic or environmental conditions. Ocular teratologies are common in hypogean spiders. This communication reports on the occurrence of ocular teratologies of the South African endemic spider family, Stasimopidae. A total of 212 spiders from various museum collections were examined for cases of ocular teratologies. Six females and one male were found to display some form of teratology. The species found to exhibit these were Stasimopus patersonae, S. robertsi, S. insculptus peddiensis, S. griswoldi, and three unidentified specimens. The teratologies range from reduced eye size to numerous additional eyes. The exact cause of the teratologies is unknown. They could, however, be linked to embryonic trauma or developmental issues, juvenile injury, or unusual environmental conditions during embryonic development. The spiders all survived to adulthood, as in hypogeal spiders eye sight is not the most relied on sense. Understanding the causes of teratologies is important as it may enable researchers to predict the effect of increasing chemical use and global climate change on the embryology of spiders.","PeriodicalId":55548,"journal":{"name":"African Zoology","volume":"55 1","pages":"363 - 367"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2020-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/15627020.2020.1842241","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48153776","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}
Pub Date : 2020-10-01DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2020.1811152
I. Badamasi, R. Odong, C. Masembe
The first evidence of the impact of environmental contamination on populations of Protopterus aethiopicus (Heckel, 1851) in terms of body indices, cellular development (histology) and intersex condition in Lake Victoria, Uganda is provided. Specimens were obtained from the more polluted swampy areas receiving wastes from residential and industrial settings (Ggaba, n = 11; Port Bell, n = 10; and Jinja, n = 7), and rural, less polluted areas (Bukakata, n = 3; Kasensero, n = 4; and Bale, n = 2), and gonadosomatic indices, growth condition factor and the morphometric body characteristics were determined. Fish specimens in less polluted sites had better condition and shapes, regardless of sex, compared with those in more polluted sites of the lake. Most lungfish collected had a total length of 45–55 cm. Irrespective of sex of fish and level of pollution at collection sites, samples (n = 26) collected inshore (1 063.42 g ± 109.32 SE) were heavier than those collected (n = 11) offshore (680.09 g ± 108.85 SE), F(1, 35) = 6.288, p = 0.019. Mean values of gonadosomatic indices were significantly higher in less polluted sites, compared with chemically contaminated urban sites (F(5, 31) = 2.783, p = 0.034), suggesting better growth performance in the former. Spermatogenic cell development progressed as spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa among males. For oogenic cells, development was through chromatin nucleolar, perinucleolar, cortical alveolar, early vitellogenic and late vitellogenic oocytes. Histological examinations revealed group asynchronous gonadal development and intersex condition among P. aethiopicus populations in Lake Victoria.
{"title":"Gonadal Development and Intersex Condition of Marbled Lungfish, Protopterus aethiopicus (Heckel, 1851), in Contaminated Sites in Lake Victoria, Uganda","authors":"I. Badamasi, R. Odong, C. Masembe","doi":"10.1080/15627020.2020.1811152","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15627020.2020.1811152","url":null,"abstract":"The first evidence of the impact of environmental contamination on populations of Protopterus aethiopicus (Heckel, 1851) in terms of body indices, cellular development (histology) and intersex condition in Lake Victoria, Uganda is provided. Specimens were obtained from the more polluted swampy areas receiving wastes from residential and industrial settings (Ggaba, n = 11; Port Bell, n = 10; and Jinja, n = 7), and rural, less polluted areas (Bukakata, n = 3; Kasensero, n = 4; and Bale, n = 2), and gonadosomatic indices, growth condition factor and the morphometric body characteristics were determined. Fish specimens in less polluted sites had better condition and shapes, regardless of sex, compared with those in more polluted sites of the lake. Most lungfish collected had a total length of 45–55 cm. Irrespective of sex of fish and level of pollution at collection sites, samples (n = 26) collected inshore (1 063.42 g ± 109.32 SE) were heavier than those collected (n = 11) offshore (680.09 g ± 108.85 SE), F(1, 35) = 6.288, p = 0.019. Mean values of gonadosomatic indices were significantly higher in less polluted sites, compared with chemically contaminated urban sites (F(5, 31) = 2.783, p = 0.034), suggesting better growth performance in the former. Spermatogenic cell development progressed as spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa among males. For oogenic cells, development was through chromatin nucleolar, perinucleolar, cortical alveolar, early vitellogenic and late vitellogenic oocytes. Histological examinations revealed group asynchronous gonadal development and intersex condition among P. aethiopicus populations in Lake Victoria.","PeriodicalId":55548,"journal":{"name":"African Zoology","volume":"55 1","pages":"292 - 302"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2020-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/15627020.2020.1811152","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45688999","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}
Pub Date : 2020-10-01DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2020.1799720
V. Wepener, N. Degger
More than 65% of the South African coastline is threatened as a result of pollution, a large proportion of which is land derived. To date the majority of published data on metal monitoring has been on limited regions or once-off sampling events. In this paper, we present the first data on metal exposure at sites along the eastern seaboard of South Africa in resident brown mussels (Perna perna) from six harbour sites (Cape Town, Durban, East London, Mossel Bay, Port Elizabeth and Richards Bay Harbours) over a two-year period (2008 and 2009). These data do not represent historical or the current metal exposure levels, but rather an indication of the degree of metal exposure fluctuations over two years at the same site. Metal accumulation of aluminium, arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, lead, selenium, strontium, uranium and zinc was determined by thermo-inductive coupled plasma mass spectrophotometry. The results showed marked fluctuations in metal concentrations between years and identified Cape Town, Mossel Bay and Port Elizabeth Harbours as those sites where mussels had the highest metal levels. Statistically significant variations in metal concentrations were observed between the two sampling periods and the six harbours. Metal concentrations decreased from 2008 to 2009, which was largely attributed to changes in ambient metal concentrations, as a result of variable non-point discharges of metals into the harbours and larger-scale oceanographic changes in upwelling events. The results further emphasise the necessity for annual monitoring of the South African marine environment.
{"title":"Monitoring Metals in South African Harbours between 2008 and 2009, Using Resident Mussels as Indicator Organisms§","authors":"V. Wepener, N. Degger","doi":"10.1080/15627020.2020.1799720","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15627020.2020.1799720","url":null,"abstract":"More than 65% of the South African coastline is threatened as a result of pollution, a large proportion of which is land derived. To date the majority of published data on metal monitoring has been on limited regions or once-off sampling events. In this paper, we present the first data on metal exposure at sites along the eastern seaboard of South Africa in resident brown mussels (Perna perna) from six harbour sites (Cape Town, Durban, East London, Mossel Bay, Port Elizabeth and Richards Bay Harbours) over a two-year period (2008 and 2009). These data do not represent historical or the current metal exposure levels, but rather an indication of the degree of metal exposure fluctuations over two years at the same site. Metal accumulation of aluminium, arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, lead, selenium, strontium, uranium and zinc was determined by thermo-inductive coupled plasma mass spectrophotometry. The results showed marked fluctuations in metal concentrations between years and identified Cape Town, Mossel Bay and Port Elizabeth Harbours as those sites where mussels had the highest metal levels. Statistically significant variations in metal concentrations were observed between the two sampling periods and the six harbours. Metal concentrations decreased from 2008 to 2009, which was largely attributed to changes in ambient metal concentrations, as a result of variable non-point discharges of metals into the harbours and larger-scale oceanographic changes in upwelling events. The results further emphasise the necessity for annual monitoring of the South African marine environment.","PeriodicalId":55548,"journal":{"name":"African Zoology","volume":"55 1","pages":"267 - 277"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2020-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/15627020.2020.1799720","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44901756","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}
Pub Date : 2020-10-01DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2020.1835534
Birthe Linden, D. Dalton, Taryn M. C. Ralph, Isabel Silva, A. Kotzé, P. Taylor
The taxonomy and number of Cercopithecus monkey radiation events in southern Africa are still debated. To date, genetic studies have largely been limited to single specimens per taxon and a scattered geographical distribution. A recent study focusing on South African Cercopithecus monkeys showed that populations can be divided into three distinct genetic entities. Our current study aims to add new mtDNA and microsatellite data from a coastal population (Vamizi Island) in Mozambique to compare to existing data from South Africa. Our additional data allowed analysis of the number and timing of radiation events of Cercopithecus monkeys in southern Africa. Here we propose the occurrence of a single, north-south radiation event during the mid-Pleistocene along the Afromontane forest belt and that after the Last Glacial Maximum, samango populations reradiated into (re)established coastal forests on a more local scale. Our population genetic data support this pattern for both Mozambican, as well as South African samango monkey populations. By including mtDNA sequence data from Cercopithecus across Africa, we also discuss the hypothesis that the ‘Kingdon Line’ may explain the divergence of two major species in Africa within the C. mitis/nictitans group: C. albogularis and C. mitis.
{"title":"Adding Another Piece to the Southern African Cercopithecus Monkey Phylogeography Puzzle","authors":"Birthe Linden, D. Dalton, Taryn M. C. Ralph, Isabel Silva, A. Kotzé, P. Taylor","doi":"10.1080/15627020.2020.1835534","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15627020.2020.1835534","url":null,"abstract":"The taxonomy and number of Cercopithecus monkey radiation events in southern Africa are still debated. To date, genetic studies have largely been limited to single specimens per taxon and a scattered geographical distribution. A recent study focusing on South African Cercopithecus monkeys showed that populations can be divided into three distinct genetic entities. Our current study aims to add new mtDNA and microsatellite data from a coastal population (Vamizi Island) in Mozambique to compare to existing data from South Africa. Our additional data allowed analysis of the number and timing of radiation events of Cercopithecus monkeys in southern Africa. Here we propose the occurrence of a single, north-south radiation event during the mid-Pleistocene along the Afromontane forest belt and that after the Last Glacial Maximum, samango populations reradiated into (re)established coastal forests on a more local scale. Our population genetic data support this pattern for both Mozambican, as well as South African samango monkey populations. By including mtDNA sequence data from Cercopithecus across Africa, we also discuss the hypothesis that the ‘Kingdon Line’ may explain the divergence of two major species in Africa within the C. mitis/nictitans group: C. albogularis and C. mitis.","PeriodicalId":55548,"journal":{"name":"African Zoology","volume":"55 1","pages":"351 - 362"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2020-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/15627020.2020.1835534","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48369267","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}
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