Patterns in the Distribution of Southern African Terrestrial Tortoises (Cryptodira: Testudinidae)

Distribution maps for the ten southern African species of land tortoise have been prepared using published sources and recent museum records. Three hundred and thirty-six new records have been added to these maps by a recent Cape Province tortoise survey, and a further 65 of the older records have been re-confirmed. A relatively clear picture of the range of each species is now available, although the records in South West Africa are not yet adequate enough to resolve the problems posed by the vague localities published at the beginning of the century. The Cape Province of South Africa clearly stands out as the world's richest area in terrestrial testudinids.     

Additions to the barnacle (Crustacea: Cirripedia) fauna of South Africa

The purpose of this paper is to document recent additions to the South African barnacle (Cirripedia) fauna. New species records were obtained by examining accumulated collections of unidentified material in the Iziko South African Museum, as well as via material collected directly by the authors. Fourteen species, none of which are new to science, are added to the known fauna, raising the total number of barnacle species recorded from South Africa by over 20%, from 69 to 83 species. Ten of the additional species are offshore benthic forms and represent deep-water taxa whose ranges are extended into South African waters. The remaining four are coastal inshore or surface-dwelling species, of which three are considered recent anthropogenic introductions. The large number of additions to the fauna can be attributed to a long absence of taxonomic expertise on this group in the region and consequent accumulation of unidentified samples. A high proportion of the deep-water samples examined contained previously unreported species, suggesting that additional sampling of hard abyssal substrata in the region is certain to yield yet more new cirripede records.     

Assessing legumes indigenous to South Africa,Lesotho and Swaziland for their pasture potential

In contrast to the exploration and use of southern African grass plant genetic resources over the past century, only a few indigenous legume species are currently used as forages, notwithstanding the vast untapped legume diversity available in southern Africa. The aim of this study was to assess legumes, indigenous to South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland and propose a list of species with pasture potential for further evaluation. Towards this end, legume species documented as being cultivated, grazed or browsed as well as plant collection data from the National Herbarium, South Africa, were used. The majority of cultivated, grazed or browsed species were recorded in the Central Bushveld, Lowveld and Mopane Bioregions, the Drakensberg Foothill and Coastal Region, Savanna Group and Northern Mistbelt leguminochoria and is largely enclosed by the Wolkberg Centre of Plant Endemism. The Phaseoleae tribe was found to contain the highest percentage of cultivated legume species. Legume species adapted to low soil phosphorus levels were identified, with 22 of these species previously noted for their pasture potential. It is suggested that the results of this study be used in the continued search for alternative indigenous legumes species for eventual integration into local and international pasture systems.     

Molecular species identification and population genetics of chondrichthyans in South Africa: current challenges,priorities and progress

Molecular genetic techniques, such as DNA barcoding and genotyping, are increasingly being used to assist with the conservation and management of chondrichthyans worldwide. Southern Africa is a shark biodiversity hotspot, with a large number of endemic species. According to the IUCN Red List, a quarter of South Africa's chondrichthyans are threatened with extinction. South Africa's commercial shark fisheries have increased over the last decade and there is a need to ensure sustainable utilisation and conservation of this fisheries resource. Here, we give an overview of the molecular techniques that are used to assist in the identification of species, cryptic speciation and possible interspecific hybridisation, as well as the assessment of population structure and reproductive behaviour of endemic and commercially important chondrichthyan species of southern Africa. We discuss the potential application of these techniques for management and conservation of several species affected by South African fisheries. Acquiring baseline barcode data of all chondrichthyans in southern African waters and assessing the population structure of exploited species on a local and greater regional scale are recommended as research priorities. Future prospects should also include high-throughput molecular marker development and investigation of intraspecies functional variation using next generation sequencing technology.     

A new species of Lipoptena (Diptera:Hippoboscidae) from southern Africa.

A new species of Lipoptena Nitzsch, 1818 was found on springbok Antidorcas marsupialis Zimmerman, 1780 in the Cape Province and the Orange Free State, South Africa. The flies, for which the name Lipoptena annalizeae is proposed, can be differentiated from the closely related Lipoptena sepiacea Speiser, 1905 on size, palps, chaetotaxy, pulvilli, and the shape of the posterior genital plates of the males. The morphology of the puparium of the new species is also described and compared with that of the puparia of Lipoptena paradoxa Newstead, 1907 and Lipoptena binocula (Speiser, 1908). A revised key to the southern African species and a summary of host records and distributional information is also presented.     

Causes of admissions to a raptor rehabilitation centre in KwaZulu-Natal,South Africa

With many species of southern African raptors becoming increasingly threatened, records from rehabilitation centres can give an indication of the threats faced by birds of prey in particular areas and to particular species. Thus, admissions records from a raptor rehabilitation centre in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, were analysed for trends. Over eight years (2004–2011), 547 birds from 39 raptor species were admitted to the centre. The majority of individuals were spotted eagle-owls (16.6%), western barn owls (15.2%) and yellow-billed kites (9.7%). The most frequent known causes of injury to raptors were motor vehicle accidents and injuries caused when birds flew into buildings. There was no significant difference in admissions of motor vehicle collision cases between seasons. People generally waited 3.8 days before bringing injured raptors in to the centre, and approximately half of the birds admitted were fed within that time, highlighting a need for public education regarding the general diets of raptors and the benefits of prompt medical attention.     

Afrotropical Culicoides: C (Avaritia) miombo sp. nov., a widespread species closely allied to C. (A.) imicola Kieffer, 1913 (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

Culicoides (Avaritia) miombo sp. nov. is described and illustrated from both sexes collected in northern Malawi. Two references in the literature have previously referred to this new species as either C. brosseti Vattier & Adam or C. imicola Kieffer. A further 4 references are discussed that most likely deal with C. miombo sp. nov. and not C. brosseti. C. miombo sp. nov. is apparently widespread in subtropical and tropical Africa and is now recorded from Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa, Nigeria and the Ivory Coast. There are also probable records from Angola, Burkina Faso, Zambia and eastern Madagascar. On the African mainland, both north and south of the equator, the pattern of distribution of C. miombo sp. nov. correlates strongly with that of drier Guineo-Congolian rainforest, and Sudanian and Zambezian woodlands, the latter known as miombo in southern Africa. These phytochoria and associated biota are sensitive to frost and experience relatively high temperatures and rainfall-3 factors that appear to limit the distribution of C. miombo sp. nov. to north of the 20-22 degrees C mean annual temperature isotherms in southern Africa. The new species is a member of the Imicola group which consists of 6 species confined to the Afrotropical (including Madagascar), Oriental and eastern Palaearctic regions. One species has in historic times spread to Australia. The worldwide distribution of each species is briefly discussed. It is suggested that the Imicola and Orientalis groups are separate lineages within the subgenus Avaritia. Culicoides miombo sp. nov. is compared with its closest African congeners C. imicola, C. pseudopallidipennis Clastrier and C. bolitinos Meiswinkel; 15 character states are used to separate C. miombo sp. nov. and C. imicola. The female antennal and palpal measurements of C. miombo sp. nov. are subjected to statistical analysis to highlight their taxonomic usefulness. The larval habitat of C. miombo sp. nov. is unknown.     

Intestinal helminths of four species of skinks (Mabuya) (Sauria: Scincidae) from southern Africa

Intestinal helminths are reported from four species of scincid lizards from southern Africa: Mabuya occidentalis, Mabuya spilogaster, Mabuya striata and Mabuya variegata. The helminth fauna consisted of one species of Cestoda, Oochoristica truncata and five species of Nematoda, Abbreviata paradoxa, Maxvachonia dimorpha, Parapharyngodon rotundatus, Spauligodon petersi and Thubunaea fitzsimonsi. All findings represent new host records. Ascarid larvae were also found. It appears that Mabuya is infected by generalist helminths that occur in other species of African lizards.     

Cryptic diversity in the common flap-necked chameleon Chamaeleo dilepis in South Africa

The spatial genetic structure of a species, and whether distinct genetic lineages are present, is strongly influenced by their biology and habitat requirements. Given habitat specificity and low vagility, many herpetofaunal species are reservoirs for high levels of cryptic diversity; chameleons are a case in hand. The common flap-necked chameleon Chamaeleo dilepis has a large range that spans much of sub-Saharan Africa. Within South Africa, the species is largely confined to the north-eastern and central areas of the country, and occurs from the coastal forests in southern KwaZulu-Natal westwards into Namibia. Their large range, together with anecdotal evidence that there is considerable morphological and phenotypic diversity across the range, suggests a questionable taxonomy with possible cryptic lineages. The aims of the present study were to investigate whether C. dilepis is genetically structured across parts of its South African range, and whether this species (as it currently stands) might include cryptic lineages. To this end, 72 C. dilepis individuals sampled from four localities across South Africa (Gauteng, n = 2; KwaZulu-Natal, n = 2) were sequenced for two mitochondrial markers (ND4 and 16S). The phylogenetic results suggest that C. dilepis is indeed spatially structured. In addition, the large sequence divergence values between groups strongly suggests the presence of cryptic lineages and, pending the inclusion of more data from a larger geographic range, the group may be in need of a taxonomic revision.     

Retrospective genetic characterisation of Encephalomyocarditis viruses from African elephant and swine recovers two distinct lineages in South Africa

Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) outbreaks are rare in southern Africa. Only two have been reported to date from South Africa, both coinciding with rodent irruptions. The first outbreak manifested as acute myocarditis in pigs in 1979, whilst the second, occurring from 1993 to 1994, was linked to the deaths of 64 free-ranging adult African elephants (Loxodonta africana). The P1 genome region, inclusive of the flanking leader (L) and 2A genes, of three South African isolates, one from swine and two from elephants, was characterised by PCR amplification and sequencing of up to 11 overlapping fragments. In addition to the resulting 3329 nucleotide dataset, the 3D region that is widely used in molecular epidemiology studies, was characterised, and three datasets (P1, VP1/3 and 3D), complemented with available homologous EMCV data, were compiled for analyses. Phylogenetic inferences revealed the near-identical elephant outbreak strains to be most closely related to a mengovirus from rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) in Uganda, differing from the latter by between 11% (3D) and 15% (VP3/1). The South African pig isolate differed by 4% (3D) and 11% (VP3/1) from available European and Asian pig virus sequences. This study confirms the presence of two genetically distinct EMCV lineages recovered from sporadic outbreaks in wild and domestic hosts in southern Africa, and provides valuable baseline data for future outbreak eventualities in the sub-region.     

Anuran distribution,diversity and conservation in South Africa,Lesotho and Swaziland

The distributions of 96 anuran species in South Africa were mapped using published locality records, and the collections of the South African and Port Elizabeth museums. Centres of richness, endemism and Red Data Book (RDB) richness were identified, and compared with currently protected areas, using a geographical information system (GIS). Maputaland and the Kwazulu/Natal coast were identified as centres of species richness. Endemic ‘hotspots’ occur in the vicinity of Pietermaritzburg, Durban and Ihe fynbos region of the Western Cape, The Western Cape was also identified as a centre of RDB species richness. A large portion (95,8%) of South African anuran species are found in protected areas. The effective long-term viability of populations of many of these species within these areas, must be assessed. Currently four South African frog species are not found within protected areas. The Karoo biomes were identified as being under-represented, both in the species database and in the proportion of conserved areas. While a large proportion of the fynbos biome is contained in reserve areas, the low-lying fynbos habitats have almost disappeared as a result of urbanization and agriculture. Remnants of the sandy coastal fynbos and renosterveld veld types require urgent conservation. Several areas in the Western and Eastern Cape were identified as requiring additional research and conservation measures. A GIS proves a useful tool in the analysis of species distributions and the prioritization of areas and species for conservation. The importance of accurate collection data, for incorporation into species databases, and the regular publication of reserve species lists is emphasized.     

A new galago species for South Africa (Primates: Strepsirhini: Galagidae)

The primate fauna of South Africa has historically been viewed as comprising three diurnal cercopithecoid taxa – chacma baboons (Papio ursinus), vervet (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) and samango monkeys (Cercopithecus albogularis) – and two nocturnal lorisoid species – the thick-tailed greater galago (Otolemur crassicaudatus) and the southern lesser galago (Galago moholi). Here we report the positive identification of a third galago species within South Africa’s borders: the Mozambique dwarf galago or Grant’s galago, Galagoides granti (Thomas and Wroughton, 1907). The taxon was previously held to be restricted to Mozambique, eastern Zimbabwe, Malawi and Tanzania, but we have also observed it in the sand forest of Tembe Elephant Park and the Tshanini Community Reserve, near the Mozambique border. The species was formerly mistaken for Galago moholi, erroneously (we believe) extending the range of the latter species into northern KwaZulu-Natal. In South Africa the two small galagos are unlikely to have overlapping ranges: Galago moholi prefers dry savanna woodlands, whereas Galagoides granti is apparently confined to dry sand forest. However, both species may coexist with the larger and more widespread Otolemur crassicaudatus, an inhabitant of moist savanna, forest edge and thicket. The true South African ranges of both small galago species need to be ascertained.     

Plant poisonings and mycotoxicoses of importance in horses in southern Africa

Well-known plant poisonings such as 'dunsiekte' (seneciosis) and 'jaagsiekte' (crotalariosis) of horses in southern Africa are briefly reviewed. Relatively unfamiliar mycotoxicoses such as stachybotryotoxicosis and perennial rye grass staggers and potentially occurring exotic intoxications such as equine nigropallidal encephalomalacia and ergot alkaloid poisoning are also discussed. This article is aimed at informing the southern African equine practitioner about probable poisonings that might occur locally in horses.     

isiXhosa name for leopard

The confusion among some speakers of isiXhosa concerning the meaning of ingwe can probably be traced to John Ayliff’s dictionary of the language published in 1846. There he gives ‘tiger’ as ingwe and ‘leopard’ as ihlozi. He clearly treats the two as distinct species. This is contrary to South African usage in English and Afrikaans in which tiger/tier is an alternative name for leopard/luiperd. The confusion does not appear in twelve other languages in which ingwe (or a cognate) means leopard in southern Africa, and not another species.     

Quarantine requirements for the importation of black rhinoceros from Zimbabwe into Australia

SUMMARY The proposal by the Zoological Parks Board of New South Wales to import 10 southern black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) from Zimbabwe as part of an international project for conservation of the species presented the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) with a unique challenge. This importation is, at least in the modern era, the first importation of live herbivores from the African continent. Many of the serious animal diseases in the world are endemic in parts of Africa. Knowledge of which of these diseases infect wild species and may be transmitted from the wild species to domesticated species, is limited. This paper describes the strategies adopted by AQIS to facilitate the importation of rhinoceros while maintaining protection of Australian consumers, rural industries, domestic livestock and fauna against the entry and spread of unwanted pests and diseases.     

Effect of nose ringing and stocking rate of pregnant and lactating outdoor sows on exploratory behaviour, grass cover and nutrient loss potential

Nose ringing of outdoor sows is practiced to reduce grass sward damage for environmental reasons but conflicts with natural behaviour considerations. We investigated effects of ringing pregnant and lactating outdoor sows on foraging and explorative behaviour, grass cover and nutrient deposition. The experiment included both ringed and unringed sows. For unringed sows the paddocks were either used continuously throughout the experiment or divided into two and sows were moved half way through the experimental period leaving the first used paddock for regrowth. Ringing did not prevent the sow's rooting, but rooting was less pronounced, when sows were ringed. On average, ringing increased grass cover from 14% to 38% and from 64% to 81% in paddocks with pregnant and lactating sows, respectively. In paddocks with unringed sows kept at a double density and followed by a resting period, the grass cover in autumn was restored to a high degree in paddocks with pregnant sows. In lactating sow paddocks the level of inorganic N was high but with no significant relation to extent of grass cover. In pregnant sow paddocks the soil inorganic N content was significantly reduced by increased grass cover and at 60% grass cover soil inorganic N content was at a low level. From the experiment it was evident that although ringing did have a positive environmental effect, it was not the main factor influencing potential losses. Management choices in terms of feeding, animal density and nutrient distribution are considered to be at least as important.     

The epidemiology of African swine fever: the role of free-living hosts in Africa

The known distribution of African swine fever (ASF) virus in Africa is reviewed in relation to the distributions of its free-living hosts as are the infection rates of these species in different localities in southern Africa. Mechanisms by which ASF virus is maintained in its sylvatic state and ways in which the infection may enter domestic pig populations are discussed.     

Turritella declivis Adams & Reeve,in Reeve, 1849 (Mollusca: Gastropoda) – a South African not an Australian species,and a characteristic component of the Agulhas Bank benthos

The name Turritella declivis, as described by Adams and Reeve in the ‘The Zoology of the Voyage of HMS Samarang’ (Adams & Reeve 1848-1850), is currently used for two distinct species of turritellid gastropod, one inhabiting the Agulhas Bank off South Africa and the other occurring off the Australian coast. Examination of the type material clearly shows that the name is referable to the southern African species. The Australian species must henceforth be known as Turritella captiva Hedley, 1987, a name previously regarded as a junior synonym of T. declivis. The original type locality ‘China Seas’ is erroneous, as was often the case with material collected during the voyage of the Samarang. It is emended to be the Agulhas Bank, over much of which T. declivis is common and may, in places, be hugely abundant, forming Turritella-dominated benthic communities. Such communities have been recorded in other parts of the world and are frequently associated with seasonal upwelling events, but have not previously been documented off South Africa.     

A krimpsiekte-like syndrome in small stock poisoned by Ornithogalum toxicarium Archer & Archer

Krimpsiekte (the syndrome associated with chronic cardiac glycoside poisoning) was purportedly induced by Ornithlogalum toxicarium in the Karas mountains area of Keetmanshoop, Namibia. This chinkerinchee species was previously linked to a condition known as 'kwylbek' krimpsiekte in small stock in the Beaufort West district of the Western Cape Province, South Africa. In a dosing trial, respiratory distress, tachycardia and sternal recumbency were observed in 2 sheep drenched with fresh plant material. A fluorescence polarisation immunoassay (FPIA) detected the presence of a substance that cross-reacted with digoxin antibodies in some of the plant material collected at Keetmanshoop and Beaufort West. This is the first time that apparent cardiac glycoside poisoning was induced by a southern African chinkerinchee species. The presence of the cardiac glycoside-like substance in O. toxicarium requires further chemical verification.     

West Nile virus infection of Thoroughbred horses in South Africa (2000-2001)

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: West Nile virus (WNV) infection is endemic in southern Africa. With the recent emergence of WNV infection of horses in Europe and the USA the present study was performed to estimate the risk of seroconversion to WNV in a cohort of 488 young Thoroughbred (TB) horses. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the risk of seroconversion to WNV among a cohort of South African TB yearlings sold at the 2001 National Yearling Sales (NYS) and to determine whether the risk varied geographically. Two horses were also infected with a recent South African isolate of WNV to evaluate its virulence in horses. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from the cohort of 488 TB yearlings at the 2001 NYS. Serum samples that were collected from the same horses at the time that they were identified were sourced from our serum bank. Sera from 243 of the dams that were collected at the time that the foals were identified were also sourced from our serum bank. These sera were subjected to serum neutralisation (SN) tests for antibody to WNV. RESULTS: Approximately 11% of yearlings seroconverted to WNV on paired serum samples collected from each animal approximately 12 months apart. Studfarms with WNV-seropositive yearlings were widely distributed throughout South Africa and SN tests on sera from their dams indicated that exposure to WNV was even more prevalent (75%) in this population. Neurological disease was not described in any of the horses included in this study and 2 horses inoculated with a recent lineage 2 South African isolate of WNV showed no clinical signs of disease after infection and virus was not detected in their blood. CONCLUSIONS: Infection of horses with WNV is common in South Africa, but infection is not associated with neurological disease. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: In contrast to recent reports from Europe, North Africa, Asia and North America, the results of our field and experimental studies indicated that exposure of horses to the endemic southern African strains of WNV was not associated with neurological disease.