African Journal of Ecology最新文献

This study examines the diversity of terrestrial isopods across Algeria's bioclimatic gradient, from the humid north to the arid south, over 2 years (2015–2017). Monthly sampling using pitfall traps, hand searching and microhabitat exploration yielded 712 individuals (217 males, 343 females, 152 juveniles) from four families, five genera and 12 species. Porcellionidae was the most abundant family (76.25%), with Porcellionides pruinosus (Brandt, 1833), Porcellio laevis Latreille, 1804 and Armadillidium vulgare (Latreille, 1804) as dominant species. The highest abundance was recorded in Hamda (Laghouat) (342 individuals), followed by the olive grove (62) and degraded oasis (46) stations in El Menea. A latitudinal gradient was observed, with increasing species richness toward the south. Canonical correspondence analysis showed a negative correlation with temperature and a positive correlation with precipitation. Humid bioclimatic stations supported P. laevis Latreille, 1804, Porcellio sp.1, Porcellio sp.2 and Ligidium hypnorum (Cuvier, 1792), whereas Saharan stations, characterised by low precipitation, were associated with Porcellio variabilis Lucas, 1849, Porcellio sp.3 and Porcellio sp.4.

We investigated the microhabitat use and foraging behaviour of Agama aculeata in a semi-arid region of Botswana. We observed 33 individuals (17 females, 5 males and 11 juveniles) over a 10-day period, recording their foraging events, movements and microhabitat preferences. Our findings reveal significant differences in foraging and movement behaviours among age and sex classes. Females primarily relied on a sit-and-wait strategy near excavations, while males exhibited more frequent movements and a wider range of foraging tactics. Juveniles were more active foragers, often capturing prey through approaches rather than snaps. Microhabitat use also varied, with females preferring excavations and juveniles opting for arboreal positions. Our results indicate that A. aculeata exhibit distinct behavioural adaptations related to their age, sex and reproductive status. Further research is needed to explore the underlying factors driving differences, such as predation pressure, competition for resources and thermoregulation.

The continuous expansion of global road networks, driven by increasing human populations, poses an emerging threat to animal populations through vehicle collisions. This study identifies the causal factors and hotspots of animal roadkill along a 72 km stretch of the Nairobi–Mombasa Highway (from Kyumvi to Sultan-Hamud) and recommends appropriate mitigation measures to enhance wildlife conservation. Data on roadkill incidents were collected from 2013 to 2018 through road patrols conducted by field scouts. Environmental variables, including water points, corners, vegetation, culverts, migratory routes, settlements, slopes, land use, and fences, were gathered using Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques. A presence-absence binary logistic regression model within a GIS environment was employed to identify significant environmental drivers of roadkill and to map hotspots. A total of 408 roadkill incidents (0.944 roadkill km⁻¹ y⁻¹) were recorded, comprising 51 species from six animal groups. Wild herbivores (13 species) and carnivores (14 species) constituted the majority of the documented wildlife, with a density of 0.204 and 0.157 fatalities per kilometre of road per year, respectively. Roadkill incidents for all species combined were significantly higher in areas near migratory routes, settlements, culverts, and corners, while they were lower in grassland, dwarf shrub grassland, open shrub areas, and near fences. However, the roadkill of different animal groups was influenced by distinct sets of factors. Most roadkill hotspots were located between Konza Center and Salama Town, with birds having the shortest stretch and herbivores and carnivores having the longest stretches. Roadkill can be mitigated by establishing road signs, fences, speed bumps, overpasses, and underpasses, and maintaining a cleared vegetation zone along the road. These findings can assist wildlife managers and infrastructure engineers in incorporating wildlife welfare and the concerns and attitudes of local communities when planning and developing linear infrastructure projects.

Here, we document the immediate aftermath of a lion predation event on a juvenile elephant in a private concession near the southeastern border of the Moremi Game Reserve (Okavango delta, Botswana). The carcass was monitored over a four-week period to assess patterns of defleshing and scavenger activity. Lions were the primary consumers, rapidly defleshing most anatomical regions within the first week, with minimal evidence of early hyena involvement. Hyenas appeared later but had little impact on the bone assemblage, likely due to food abundance in the ecosystem. Remarkably, soft tissue structures like podal pads remained intact after a month. These observations have implications for paleoanthropology, suggesting that bulk meat from megafaunal carcasses would only have been accessible to early hominins under confrontational scavenging scenarios. Additionally, the data provide ecological insight into carnivore competition and resource use in high-biomass landscapes.

Terminalia leiocarpa (DC.) Baill is a tree species widely used in ethnoveterinary practices, human medicine, furniture and charcoal making. Our study aimed to (i) map the favourable areas for the species in Benin, both currently and in the future, and (ii) analyse the biotic and abiotic factors affecting the structure and availability of T. leiocarpa. To achieve this goal, a dendrometric inventory of 141 plots across the three climate zones of Benin was carried out. This included the collection of soil type and insect attack data at the plot level, as well as climate data downloaded from the WorldClim 2 platform. Dendrometry parameters, such as basal area, tree height and diameter, Lorey height and importance value index (IVI) were calculated, and generalised linear mixed models, were established to determine the effects of biotic (diameter of heterospecific trees, density and diameter of conspecific trees) and abiotic (mean of daily temperature variation (bio2) and annual precipitation (bio12)) factors on these parameters. The future distribution areas of T. leiocarpa in Benin were projected under SSP 2–4.5 and SSP 5–8.5 scenarios using Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt). The results predicted a decrease in the suitable areas of 22% and 33% under the SSP 2–4.5 and SSP 5–8.5 scenarios, respectively. Our results also showed that conspecific tree diameter (β = 0.34; p = 0.000) and conspecific tree density (β = 0.02; p = 0.036) were positively associated with the tree height, while bio2 (β = −0.32; p = 0.039) and bio12 (β = −0.01; p = 0.004) had a negative effect on T. leiocarpa diameter. These results should help us to understand the ecological niche and to take the necessary steps upstream to contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of T. leiocarpa. Future studies could focus on analysing the impact of environmental factors on juvenile growth and survival.

The influence of habitat heterogeneity and rainfall on small mammal diversity and reproduction was studied in Chimit Kola. Data were collected using a grid and line trapping design in six representative habitats. Species identification and data analysis were performed using molecular techniques and R programming software. A total of 11 species were captured with an overall trap success of 25.6%. Mastomys awashensis was the most abundant, followed by Acomys louisae, and the least was Crocidura parvipes. Species richness and diversity were the highest in the riverine forest and the least in the fallowland habitats. The riverine forest had the highest abundance, followed by grassland and the least was in the forest. The abundance and reproductive activities of most small mammals were significantly higher during the wet season than during the dry season. Pregnancy was biased towards the right uterine horn compared to the left. The diversity and reproduction of small mammals are influenced by habitat productivity, which in turn is associated with seasonal rainfall, reflecting the significance of habitat heterogeneity and seasonal resource availability for the conservation of species.