Abstract: Invasive species are generally problematic where they occur, especially in terms of ecology, economy and disease. Members of the genus Rattus Fischer, 1803 particularly, are known as one of the most destructive invasive species to date since they cause widespread damage on terrestrial and island ecosystems. Two Rattus species have historically been reported as invasive species in South Africa, Rattus rattus Linnaeus, 1758, which has a widespread distribution throughout the country ...
Abstract: As a contribution to the existing knowledge of grooming in primates five and a half years of grooming data were examined from a group of free-living chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) in the Budongo Forest, Uganda, to investigate various functional significances of grooming behaviour within the context of social reinforcement. The fission–fusion social structure of chimpanzees results in group members not moving around as a single unit, but forming temporary units as the need arises. ...
Abstract: Mole-rats from the family Bathyergidae are endemic to Africa, this family exhibits a continuum of sociality, comprising both solitary and social species. Sociality is related to the degree of aridity and the distribution of the underground food resource. All the members of the bathyergid family are strictly subterranean, and occur in a niche which is devoid of light cues and thermally buffered from ambient and surface extremes. Since vision is redundant in a lightless environment, ...
Abstract: Please read the abstract on p1 of the document 00dissertation
Abstract: The small size of nectarivorous birds is associated with high mass-specific metabolic rates and energetic lifestyles. Their energy balance is likely to be strongly influenced by environmental factors. Firstly, nectar varies in sugar concentration between different food plants and birds must adjust their consumption to maintain a constant energy intake. Secondly, unfavourable weather conditions, such as storms and heavy rains, may prevent birds from feeding, and they must increase t...
Abstract: Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document
Abstract: Clearly established conservation priorities are urgently required for taxa and ecosystems in critical need of conservation. This helps to identify and document taxa most in need of conservation attention, and provides an index of the state of degeneration of biodiversity. Including as much relevant information as possible in a prioritisation assessment will deliver the most accurate classification, yet these variables should not overly complicate the prioritisation process. Conserv...
Abstract: Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document
Abstract: The restricted geographic range and tenuous conservation status of wild dogs in South Africa were the motivating factors behind this study. Wild dogs have been extirpated from most of their historic range in South Africa, and now occur in three limited distributions: a) one viable population in Kruger National Park; b) a protected meta-population, consisting of 1 packs in six sub-populations (four on state owned reserves – Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park, Madikwe Game Reserve, Marakele Na...
Abstract: This thesis reports on the number of individuals in Macrotermes natalensis (Hav.) colonies, their biomass and food consumption in the northern Kruger National Park (KNP). The ecology of M. natalensis is largely undocumented despite the abundance of colonies in southern African savannas. New approaches to mound excavation, sub-sampling and data management are introduced. Via the intracolonial demography of colonies the contribution of each caste in number or proportion is determined...
Abstract: All previous taxonomic studies on the Ectemnorhinus group of weevils have been based primarily on morphological data. While these studies are invaluable, some questions can only be addressed adequately through molecular studies. This is especially true when studying the genetic relationships and phylogeograpic patterns of taxa endemic to the South Indian Ocean Province (SIP) biotas that have long been controversial. The Ectemnorhinus group of genera is a monophyletic unit of weevil...
Abstract: Despite an IUCN conservation status of critically endangered, Juliana’s golden mole (Neamblysomus julianae) has received no ecological research attention to date. The species urgently requires conservation attention, but a poor understanding its biology, ecology and distribution makes effective conservation planning almost impossible. In light of this, a thorough understanding of the habitat requirements for this habitat specific species was needed. Additionally, the cryptic life...
Abstract: This study focused on the dispersal and dispersion of southern elephant seals, Mirounga leonina, at Marion Island in relation to their natal site, and to their site of first reproduction. Movements from the natal site to terrestrial haulouts used for reproduction, and between successive reproductive sites, were defined as dispersal, while movements from the natal site to sites used for purposes other than reproduction, were defined as dispersion. Some 33000 records collected over 1...
Abstract: No abstract available.
Abstract: Methods used to estimate the prey consumption by large carnivores include direct continuous observation, stomach content analysis, carcass observations and scat analysis. Continual observations are widely considered the best approach to estimate large carnivore diets, with lions (Panthera leo) being no exception. Continual observation allows the recording of all prey encounters and biases inherent in the other approaches are minimised. However, continuous observations are not alway...