Occurrence of avian Schistosomatidae (Trematoda) in South African birds as determined by a faecal survey

The abundance, prevalence and distribution of avian Schistosomatidae in South African birds has been estimated by means of a survey for parasite eggs in faecal samples. Eight types of eggs were recovered, mostly from members of the Anatidae and Laridae and these have been assigned to the following schistosome genera: Austrobilharzia (1), Gigantobilharzia (1), Trichobilharzia (5) and Ornithobilharzia (1).     

高原鼢鼠干扰对高寒草甸植物群落特征的影响

高原鼢鼠的采食造丘活动影响草地植被群落组成和结构,造成草地植被的空间异质性——土丘和植被斑块。本研究以冬季牧场中不同高原鼢鼠种群密度干扰下的植被性状为研究对象,探索植被群落组成结构对高原鼢鼠不同种群密度干扰的功能性响应。结果表明:植被高度随着鼢鼠种群密度的增加呈显著增加趋势(P<0.05),群落盖度和禾草丰富度呈显著下降趋势(P<0.05),而物种丰富度及杂类草丰富度随鼢鼠种群密度的增加表现出单峰曲线格局。地下总生物量随鼢鼠种群密度的增加呈显著下降趋势(P<0.05),杂类草生物量则表现出相反的趋势,而禾草类生物量表现出先降低后增加的趋势。由此可见,适宜密度的鼢鼠干扰有利于物种丰富度的提高,而低密度和高密度的鼢鼠干扰有利于草地中禾草生物量的提高。     

火烧对黄土高原典型草原地上植被和繁殖更新的影响

火烧影响着草地植物种群的繁殖策略和形成过程,控制着群落的组成、外貌特征、动态变化和演替进程。本文通过对比黄土高原典型草原未火烧区和火烧区火后第一年地上植被特征、群落结构、物种组成和繁殖更新,探讨了黄土高原典型草原地上植被和繁殖更新对火烧的响应机制。结果表明,火烧显著降低了群落盖度、枯落物厚度与生物量,显著提高了群落的密度。火烧对物种丰富度影响不显著,却显著降低了4个物种多样性指数(Margalef指数、Shannon-Wiener指数、Simpson指数和Pielou指数)。火烧干扰明显改变了植物群落结构和物种组成。火烧显著提高了草地的繁殖更新密度和无性繁殖密度,而对有性繁殖密度和草地繁殖更新的物种丰富度影响不显著。火烧显著提高根茎型和分蘖型植物的密度,而对根蘖型、分枝型和匍匐型植物密度影响不显著。黄土高原典型草原是以多年生克隆植物为主的草原生态系统,地上植被的繁殖更新更依赖于无性繁殖。植物繁殖更新贡献高低与火烧无关,而与草地群落物种组成相关。     

Movement patterns of Lichia amia (Teleostei: Carangidae): results from a long-term cooperative tagging project in South Africa

Understanding fish movement patterns and migrations is important for fisheries management as well as the identification and conservation of critical habitats. Data collected by the Oceanographic Research Institute's Cooperative Fish Tagging Project (ORI-CFTP) were used to describe the large-scale movement patterns of Lichia amia along the South African coastline. A total of 10 762 L. amia were tagged between 1984 and 2012, of which 744 (7%) were recaptured. Most tagging effort, mainly on juvenile and subadult individuals, took place along the south-eastern (i.e. Eastern Cape) and south-western (i.e. Western Cape) regions of the country during summer. Conversely, more L. amia were tagged and recaptured (mostly adults) during winter and spring (July to November) along the north-east coast (i.e. KwaZulu-Natal). Movements (dispersal distance in kilometres) by juveniles were restricted and largely confined to estuaries within the south-eastern and south-western regions of the country. There was a significant effect of fish size on distance moved (ANOVA: p<0.001), with evidence of a distinct seasonal (winter) longshore migration by adults to KwaZulu-Natal. The consequences of juvenile residency in estuarine habitats and high recapture rate of adults during a directed, seasonal spawning migration are discussed in light of improving current fisheries management.     

Native and exotic seed dispersal by the stone marten (Martes foina): implications for the regeneration of a relict climactic forest in central Portugal

The stone marten (Martes foina) is a carnivorous mammal that often consumes fleshy fruits, thus potentially promoting seed dispersion. The present study was developed in Bussaco National Forest, central Portugal, and aimed to assess the potential role of the stone marten in dispersing native and exotic plants in different forest landscape types. Seeds from stone marten scats and fleshy fruits were collected monthly and were thereafter identified and sowed in a nursery, following a randomized experimental setup. Plant emergence was monitored fortnightly. Generalized linear models were used to test for differences in time and success of emergence between seeds from scats and fruits of 3 native species (Rubus ulmifolius, Arbutus unedo and Celtis australis) and 1 exotic plant species with invasive behavior (Prunus laurocerasus). Fruit consumption by the stone martens significantly increased and accelerated the germination of the native R. ulmifolius but had no effect on the other 2 native species or on the invasive species. This suggested that stone martens contribute to gene flow and forest regeneration by dispersing native plant seeds. However, although the germination was not enhanced in the invasive species, the preference of stone martens for these fruits may potentially contribute to the proliferation of P. laurocerasus. Our study represents a contribution to better understanding the fauna and flora interactions, enabling for a more conscious and effective decision‐making in forest management.     

Investigation of the primary cause of hypoadrenocorticism in South African angora goats (Capra aegagrus): a comparison with Boer goats (Capra hircus) and Merino sheep (Ovis aries)

Our objective was to identify the primary site of the reduced adrenal function in South African Angora goats (Capra aegagrus) that causes a decrease in cortisol production and leads to severe losses of Angora goats during cold spells. Angora goats, Boer goats (Capra hircus), and Merino sheep (Ovis aries) were assigned to three intravenous treatments: 1) insulin, 2) corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), and 3) ACTH. Blood cortisol concentrations were determined over a 90-min period to determine any differences in the response of the experimental animals to these treatments. For both the insulin and ACTH treatments, cortisol concentrations were less in Angora goats than in the other experimental animals. The adrenal gland was subsequently investigated as a possible cause for the observed hypoadrenocorticism. Primary adrenal cell cultures were prepared from these species, subjected to different treatments, and the cortisol production determined. Upon pregnenolone (PREG) addition, all the experimental animals' cortisol production increased significantly, with the production in Boer goats higher (P<.01) when compared with that in the other species. The stimulation of cortisol biosynthesis by ACTH was only obtained for Boer goats and Merino sheep. The stimulation of cortisol production by forskolin and cholera toxin were compared with ACTH, and, for Angora goats, only cholera toxin caused a significant increase in cortisol production. For Boer goats, no difference (P>.05) between the PREG, ACTH, forskolin, or cholera toxin treatments were observed. The Merino adrenal cells were increasingly stimulated in the following order: PREG, ACTH, forskolin, and cholera toxin (forskolin and cholera toxin stimulated cortisol production to the same extent). This investigation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis, therefore, identified the adrenal gland as the primary site of the Angora's hypoadrenocorticism.     

高原鼠兔干扰对青海湖流域高山嵩草草甸植物多样性及地上生物量的影响

采用堵洞法设置高原鼠兔干扰区和非干扰区,然后在干扰区和非干扰区内利用样方法研究了高原鼠兔干扰对青海湖流域高山嵩草草甸植物多样性和地上生物量的影响。结果表明,植物物种多样性和不同植物功能群多样性对高原鼠兔干扰的响应并不一致,其中干扰增加了杂类草功能群丰富度指数与物种丰富度指数,降低了物种均匀度指数、莎草科功能群丰富度指数和禾草科功能群均匀度指数(P<0.05)。干扰区内物种均匀度指数、物种丰富度指数和杂类草功能群丰富度指数随干扰强度增加而呈增加趋势,但禾草科功能群均匀度指数却呈显著降低趋势。虽然高原鼠兔干扰显著降低了植物群落总生物量,莎草科、禾草科和豆科功能群生物量(P<0.05),但显著增加了杂类草功能群生物量(P<0.05)。干扰区随干扰程度增加,莎草科功能群和豆科功能群生物量逐渐降低,杂类草功能群生物量逐渐增加,而禾草科功能群生物量则先增加后降低。鉴于高山嵩草草甸植物群落物种多样性和功能多样性对高原鼠兔干扰的响应不一致,植物物种多样性和功能群多样性之间不能互相替代。     

Disentangling the identities and distribution patterns of the introduced beachfleas Orchestia gammarellus and Platorchestia platensis (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Talitridae) in South Africa

Two introduced beachfleas, Orchestia gammarellus and Platorchestia platensis, have been recorded from South Africa, but have been misidentified by some earlier researchers and, prior to this study, each was also known from just a few, scattered observations, such that their true distributions remained obscure. We illustrate both species to clarify the features that identify and distinguish them and determine their true distributions by re-examining historical samples and by collecting new material from estuaries and lagoons along the west and south coasts of South Africa. Adult males of O. gammarellus have slender antennae and characteristic expanded, flattened, oar-like distal segments on pereopod 7. Adult males of P. platensis have the peduncle of antenna 2 strongly swollen and have bulbous, but not flattened, distal segments on pereopod 7. Both species occur under wrack and other debris along the banks of estuaries and sheltered lagoons. Orchestia gammarellus is found only along the south-west coast, in the Berg River Estuary, Langebaan Lagoon and the Diep River Estuary. Previous records from Knysna were misidentifications of P. platensis. Platorchestia platensis is found at one west coast site, Langebaan Lagoon, but is widely distributed from Cape Point eastwards to at least Algoa Bay. Both species share the same habitats as several other native beachfleas and competitive interactions between native and introduced species merit investigation.     

Effects of daily management changes on behavioral patterns of a solitary female African elephant (Loxodonta africana) in a zoo

This study investigated the effects of changes in daily management on behavior of a solitary female elephant in a zoo. The activity budget and space utilization of the subject and the management changes were recorded for 1 year after the conspecific male died. The observation days could be categorized into five clusters (C1–C5) by the characteristic behavioral pattern of each day. C1 had the highest percentage of resting of all clusters, and was observed after the loss of the conspecific and the beginning of use of the indoor exhibition room at night. C2, which had the highest percentage of stereotypy of any cluster, was observed after the beginning of habituation to the indoor exhibition room. Also, when the time schedule of management was changed irregularly, the subject frequently exhibited stereotypic pacing (C2, C4). The subject tended to rest when exhibiting lameness in the left hind limb (C3). In C5, activity reached a high level when she could utilize a familiar place under a stable management schedule. These results indicate that management changes affected the mental stability of an elephant in the early stage of social isolation.     

Notes on the biology of juvenile Sparodon durbanensis (Pisces: Sparidae) from tidal pools in the Eastern Cape,South Africa

The length/frequency distribution, length/mass relationship, seasonal occurrence, growth and diet of Sparodon durbanensis from tidal pools in the Eastern Cape was investigated over a two-year period. The fish were predominantly small (mean length of 53 mm TL) with the smallest specimens being found in summer. Juveniles were found to be omnivorous, consuming algae, crustaceans and polychaetes, although, with the acquisition of adult dentition (ie. crushing molars), hard-shelled molluscs became important in the diet.     

First account of the metazoan parasite fauna of oilfish Ruvettus pretiosus Cocco, 1829 (Perciformes: Gempylidae) in South African waters

Parasites are an important but neglected component of ecosystems that can be used as indicators of host biology and ecology. In the present study, the metazoan parasite assemblage of Ruvettus pretiosus, an understudied but widely distributed predatory gempylid, caught off South Africa was surveyed. A total of seven parasite taxa, including four new infection records (Bolbosoma capitatum, Rhadinorhynchus sp., Hepatoxylon trichiuri and Anisakis sp.), two new locality records (B. capitatum and Rhipidocotyle sp.) as well as the ectoparasitic copepod Sagum foliaceus and the cestode Tentacularia coryphaenae were recovered from the eight specimens examined.     

高原鼠兔干扰对达乌里秦艽繁殖特征的影响

高原鼠兔(Ochotona curzoniae)通过掘土和采食等行为对高寒草甸产生广泛的影响,从而影响高寒草甸植物的繁殖特征。本研究以高山嵩草(Kobresia pygmaea)草甸达乌里秦艽(Gentiana dahurica)为对象,采用野外调查法研究了高原鼠兔干扰对其繁殖特征的影响。结果表明,随着高原鼠兔干扰水平的增大,达乌里秦艽的地上生物量、株高、茎叶比、生殖枝数、营养枝数、花序数、花序生物量和单株种子产量均呈增加态势。干扰水平为Ⅰ(112±32)个·hm-2和Ⅱ(192±48)个·hm-2时,达乌里秦艽所同化的物质主要分配于同化器官叶中,以保证种群的生存;当干扰水平增大到Ⅲ(352±64)个·hm-2和Ⅳ(608±48)个·hm-2时,达乌里秦艽将其所同化的物质更多地分配于生殖生长,形成更多的生殖枝数、花序数和单株种子产量,从而提高了达乌里秦艽的繁殖能力,一定程度上解析了高原鼠兔过度干扰劣化高山嵩草草甸放牧品质的途径。     

Afrotropical Culicoides: C. (Avaritia) loxodontis sp. nov., a new member of the Imicola group (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) associated with the African elephant in the Kruger National Park, South Africa.

Culicoides (Avaritia) loxodontis sp. nov., is described and illustrated from both sexes collected in South Africa. It is the 5th species of the Imicola group of the subgenus Avaritia to be described from the Afrotropical Region, and is presently known only from the Kruger National Park where it has been collected in light-traps and reared from the dung of the African elephant (Loxodonta africana) on various occasions. A number of character states, and statistical analyses of antennal and palpal measurements, are used to separate the new species from its taxonomic congeners C. imicola Kieffer, 1913, C. pseudopallidipennis Clastrier, 1958, C. bolitinos Meiswinkel, 1989 and C. miombo Meiswinkel, 1991. It is suggested that the occurrence of the African elephant is the primary factor that determines the distribution of Culicoides loxodontis sp. nov., and that this close association, coupled with the fact that C. loxodontis sp. nov. can be locally abundant, may result in the cycling of certain arboviruses between this biting midge and the elephant.     

Observations on the attachment of a piscine gill parasitic ergasilid (Crustacea: Copepoda)

The attachment of the piscine gill parasite, Ergasilus mirabilis Oldewage & van As, 1987 is described by means of scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy. A variety of sensory structures occur on and around the host contact surface of the parasite and proliferation of gill tissue occurs at the site of attachment. It would appear that this proliferation of host tissue results from the feeding behaviour of the parasite rather than the actual attachment thereof.     

Updated distribution and host records for the argasid tick Ornithodoros (Pavlovskyella) zumpti: A potential vector of African swine fever virus in South Africa

African swine fever virus (ASFV) causes a lethal and contagious disease of domestic pigs. In South Africa, the virus historically circulated in warthogs and ornithodorid ticks that were only found in warthog burrows in the north of the country. Regulations implemented in 1935 to prevent transfer of infected animals or products to the south initially proved effective but from 2016 there have been outbreaks of disease in the south that cannot be traced to transfer of infection from the north. From 1963 there were widespread translocations of warthogs to the south, initially from a source considered to be free of ornithodorid ticks. We undertook to determine whether sylvatic circulation of ASFV occurs in the south, including identification of potential new vectors, through testing extralimital warthogs for antibody and ticks for virus. Results of testing warthogs for antibody and other species of ticks for virus will be presented separately. Here we report finding Ornithodoros (Pavlovskyella) zumpti ticks in warthog burrows for the first time. This occurred in the Eastern Cape Province (ECP) in 2019. Since African swine fever was recognised in the ECP for the first time in 2020 and outbreaks of the disease in domestic pigs continue to occur there, priority should be given to determining the distribution range and vector potential of O. (P.) zumpti for ASFV.     

A survey of mutations in the Cochliomyia hominivorax (Diptera: Calliphoridae) esterase E3 gene associated with organophosphate resistance and the molecular identification of mutant alleles

Cochliomyia hominivorax (Calliphoridae) is one of the most important myiasis-causing flies and is responsible for severe economic losses to the livestock industry throughout the Neotropical region. In Brazil, C. hominivorax has been controlled mainly with organophosphate (OP) insecticides, although the inappropriate use of these chemicals can result in the selection of resistant flies. Changes in carboxylesterase activity have been associated with OP insecticides in some arthopodan species. In this work, we isolated and characterized part of the E3 gene in C. hominivorax (ChE7), which contained the same substitutions responsible for the acquisition of OP hydrolase activity in Lucilia cuprina (Calliphoridae). Digestion of the polymerase chain reaction products with a restriction enzyme that specifically recognized the mutation site unambiguously differentiated wild and mutated esterase alleles. The PCR-RFLP assay therefore provided a fast, reliable DNA-based method for identifying C. hominivorax individuals with a mutation in the esterase gene. Further bioassays to determine the association of this mutation with OP resistance in C. hominivorax should allow the development of more effective strategies for managing this species.     

Factors affecting the breeding success of the African Black Oystercatcher (Haematopus moquini): a perspective on protection and food availability

Breeding success (fledglings pair^?1 y^?1) of the Red-listed African Black Oystercatcher (Haematopus moquini) is highly variable, both spatially and temporally. Despite a diversity of natural factors causing this variability, there is evidence that two anthropogenic factors, i.e. disturbance and an introduced mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis), are having an impact on the local breeding success of this species. Using a data set comprising 87 site-years of nest-monitoring data across most of the species’ breeding range, we analysed the extent and causes of variability in breeding success. Breeding success differed across three population categories defined by varying levels of human disturbance: island populations, protected mainland populations, and unprotected mainland populations. Differences in breeding success between island populations and protected mainland populations were likely due to differing exposure to predators; however, differences between protected and unprotected mainland populations were unlikely caused by this as both experience equivalent predation levels (although from different predators). Protection only improved the breeding success of oystercatchers in very high-quality habitats (with a high biomass of alien mussels), and where populations were ‘released’ from high levels of human disturbance. In unprotected mainland areas, human activity impacted on the breeding success of local populations primarily through predation of small chicks by uncontrolled dogs, and by rising tides drowning chicks that were hiding from human disturbance. The findings of this study note the potential conservation dilemma resulting from an invasive species improving the conservation status of a Red-listed species, and encourage the implementation of restricted sites in high-quality habitats with high breeding pair densities.     

Ophthalmomyiasis (interna posterior) of the posterior segment and central nervous system myiasis: Cuterebra spp. in a cat

A unilateral ophthalmomyiasis posterior in a 5-year-old female spayed Domestic Long-haired cat of a third or fourth stage instar Cuterebra spp. larvae is reported. The cat was presented for depression and anorexia. The organism was found on physical examination at presentation. The cat was euthanized because of the worsening systemic condition. The larva was demonstrated by histopathology with coagulation necrosis and hemorrhage of the optic nerve, retina and choroid, and anterior uveitis. No significant cerebrum and anterior brain stem lesions were found.     

DNA barcoding for identification of cryptic species in the field and existing museum collections: a case study of Aethomys and Micaelamys (Rodentia: Muridae)

DNA barcoding has been proposed as a method for species identification. However, this method has been criticised for its over-reliance on a single mitochondrial gene. In this study, four mitochondrial gene regions and one nuclear gene region were used to investigate their different abilities to identify tissue associated with museum specimens of Aethomys chrysophilus, Aethomys ineptus and Micaelamys namaquensis. Aethomys chrysophilus and the more recently elevated A. ineptus are indistinguishable on morphological grounds; however, their ranges are largely parapatric with only one syntopic locality currently known. All of the mitochondrial gene regions were able to separate M. namaquensis from A. chrysophilus and A. ineptus, but they varied in their abilities to resolve differences between A. chrysophilus and A. ineptus. The sequence results identified a specimen from KwaZulu-Natal that was misclassified and should have been identified as A. ineptus. Seven specimens that had not been reclassified following the elevation of A. ineptus to species level were identified as A. ineptus. Individuals of A. chrysophilus from Malawi could not be classified as either A. chrysophilus or A. ineptus, and may be a hybrid or a new, distinct species. This study indicates that DNA barcoding may be used to separate M. namaquensis from A. chrysophilus and A. ineptus, and although it was not able to separate A. chrysophilus and A. ineptus, it did indicate specimens from Malawi may be a new cryptic species.