Twelve species of ptyctimous mites (Acari: Oribatida) are recorded from Ghana for the first time. Two new species are described and illustrated: Phthiracarus bicarinatus sp. nov. and Austrophthiracarus lacunosus sp. nov. Three species are recorded from West Africa for the first time.

To evaluate the impact of climatic change on rodent sahelian communities, we analysed the contents of over 2500 barn owl (Tyto alba) pellets collected along the Senegal river between 1989 and 2003, and from the Ferlo sahelian area in 2003. These results are compared with data from the 1970s and 1980s in the same zones. Rodents were the most common prey (over 90%). Gerbillinae were most common in dry areas (84 to 96%) whereas in wetlands and rice fields murines were most common (77 to 88%). Nowadays, the genus Gerbillus constitutes the main prey in dry areas (77% to 88%). The genus Taterillus, which was the most abundant rodent in the Ferlo in the 1970s, now represents only 7% of rodents. Gerbils were not present in Senegal before the 1980s: G. tarabuli and G. henleyi were trapped for the first time in 1989 at the northern border of Senegal, and G. nigeriae 10 years later at the same place. The latter is now present a hundred kilometres southwards and as abundant in owl pellets as the two other gerbils.

The giant mole-rat, Fukomys mechowii is a cooperatively breeding subterranean mole-rat exhibiting a reproductive division of labour in which usually one, or occasionally two, females are responsible for procreation. In a field study that involved complete excavation of 32 burrow systems, mean colony size was 9.9 individuals (range 7–16). Pregnant reproductive females were found throughout the study period (September 2005 until June 2006), supporting preliminary evidence that reproduction occurs throughout the year. Of the 32 colonies sampled, 10 of 14 in which the reproductive female could be identified as pregnant contained a single reproductive female, while four had two females breeding simultaneously (plural breeding). The population sex ratio was skewed towards females at 1:1.46. Autopsy of pregnant reproductive females (n = 18) revealed that the production of two (10/18 pregnancies) or three (7/18) offspring was the norm, with one case of four embryos being present. These new data increase our fragmentary knowledge of the natural history of this little-studied species.

A new freshwater eutardigrade, Dactylobiotus luci sp. nov., is described from a permanent marsh pool (Zaphania's Pool) at 4225 m elevation in the Alpine zone of the Rwenzori Mountains, Uganda. The new species is most similar to D. dervizi Biserov, 1998 in the shape of the egg processes, absence of papillae and absence of eyes, but differs from it mainly by a different appearance of macroplacoids, by having tips of the egg processes usually sharp, not divided and more slender, and by several morphometric characters of eggs and adults. The new species was found in fairly acidic (pH < 6) Sphagnum-Carex fens bordering/extending into the pool. So far, it has only been recorded in one other high-elevation water body in Rwenzori in a similar habitat.

Coarse-scale studies that focus on species distributions and richness neglect heterogeneity that may be present at finer scales. Studies of arthropod assemblage structure at fine (1 × 1 km) scales are rare, but important, because these are the spatial levels at which real world applications are viable. Here we investigate fine-scale variation in spider assemblages, comparing five representative vegetation types in the western Soutpansberg, Limpopo Province, South Africa. We assess these vegetation types in terms of their family and species composition, as well as levels of endemicity, relating these differences with vegetation structure. We inventoried 297 species (49 families) in an area less than 450 ha, as part of South African National Survey of Arachnida. Analysis of the results suggests that endemic taxa are associated with Tall Forest and, to a lesser extent, Woodland. The Woodland had the highest species diversity, and much of the variation observed in spider assemblage structure is explained by these two vegetation types. Based on vegetation structure variables that explained significant variation in spider assemblages, human influence through bush encroachment will result in a change of spider assemblages to that of Short Forest and Mosaic Woodland vegetation types, with implications for biodiversity maintenance and heterogeneity.

Infestation of fish by the crustacean ectoparasite Lernaea cyprinacea Linnaeus, 1758 was investigated to establish the extent of infestation, potential effects of the parasite and its ecological adaptations. Fish samples were collected from impoundments in the Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve in the southeastern lowveld of Zimbabwe and these included the cichlids Oreochromis mossambicus, Oreochromis placidus and Tilapia rendalli, the cyprinids Labeo altivelis and Barbus paludinosus, the clariid Clarias gariepinus, the centrarchid Micropterus salmoides and the characid Hydrocynus vittatus. All the cichlids and one cyprinid (L. altivelis) were infested with L. cyprinacea. The two Oreochromis species exhibited prevalence as high as= 100% and mean intensity up to 149 parasites per fish. Lernaea cyprinacea exhibited an aggregated distribution in host populations and were attached mostly to the ventral and caudal regions of hosts, while the head was the least preferred attachment site. With a few exceptions, there was no significant correlation between parasite prevalence and intensity with host size, sex, condition factor, gonadosomatic index or fecundity.

We employed patch use theory to evaluate how several environmental factors influence the foraging behaviour of two rodent species: Grammomys dolichurus and Acomys cahirinus. Foraging efficiency was determined by measuring the remaining food in artificial food patches (giving-up densities: GUDs) from two experiments. In the first experiment, we placed patches in different microhabitat types (cover vs open) and at varying distances from cover. This experiment was conducted during three moon stages (waxing, full, waning). We found that the rodents had higher GUDs (lower foraging efficiency) in the open microhabitat. The distance from nearest shelter had a marginally significant positive effect on GUDs. GUDs were higher in both microhabitat types during the waxing and full phases, but decreased sharply once the moon began to rise after sunset. These results are likely due to higher predation risk away from cover and in more illuminated environments. In the second experiment, we examined mouse responses to seeds impregnated with plant toxins. Seeds impregnated with oxalic acid were avoided by the rodents, while seeds soaked in tannic acid did not differ significantly from control seeds. Our results highlight important ecological factors affecting the foraging behaviour of these rodents.

The extent to which sexual dimorphism in snout-vent length, tail length and head shape (length, width and height) manifests itself in the legless fossorial skink subfamily Acontiinae was investigated in representatives of all four of its genera, Acontias, Microacontias, Acontophiops and Typhlosaurus. Where data were available fecundity selection and diet partitioning (ecological causation) were tested as possible proximate causes for dimorphisms found. The possibility of a relationship between head shape and microhabitat density was also investigated. The data showed that significant sexual dimorphism in snout-vent length and head shape was present in only a minority of taxa and that it was absent with respect to tail length. There are indications of a relationship between head shape and microhabitat density, and head shape seems to become increasingly more pointed as SVL increases. A serious impediment to placing the findings of this study into a firm evolutionary context is the general lack of information about the ecology, social organization and behaviour of the taxa.

The population dynamics of the estuarine isopod, Exosphaeroma hylocoetes, was investigated monthly from February 2006 to August 2007 in three temporarily open/closed Eastern Cape estuaries, the East and West Kleinemonde and Kasouga Estuaries. Mean isopod abundances and biomasses ranged between 0 and 4791 ind/m² and 0 and 9.65 mg/dwt/m² in the West Kleinemonde Estuary and between 0 and 108 ind/m² and 0 and 0.318 mg/dwt/m² in the nearby East Kleinemonde Estuary. In the Kasouga Estuary, the values ranged between 0 and 3650 ind/m² and 0 and 5.105 mg/dwt/m². Temporal changes in the abundance and biomass of E. hylocoetes within the three systems was primarily linked to mouth phase, with populations crashing when the mouth was open and to a lesser extent, seasonality. In all three estuaries maximum abundance and biomass was recorded in the middle reaches, which could be ascribed to the presence of submerged macrophytes. E. hylocoetes demonstrates strong sexual dimorphism, with males being significantly larger than females (P < 0.05). Sex ratios were skewed in favour of females in all three estuaries. Females were encountered carrying young from an overall length of 2.5 mm throughout the year

There is much debate surrounding the impact of feral cats (Felis catus) on wildlife. Conservancies are usually areas where indigenous flora and fauna are protected and aliens excluded or managed. The University of KwaZulu-Natal's Howard College campus (HCC) is an urban conservancy containing feral cats that are presently not managed, and little is known about their ecology and behaviour. Consequently a feral cat population census was conducted, and their home range investigated. Estimates of the overall campus feral cat population numbers ranged between 23.4–40.0 cats/km² with a minimum of 55 identified as resident. They were not randomly distributed in the study area, with spacing patterns being related to resource availability. Home range area and core distribution of eight radio-collared cats were determined over 13 months. Total home range areas were relatively small, with considerable overlap between them. Home ranges were clustered in areas with permanent feeding stations and these were also within the cats' core ranges. Supplemental food resources appear to have a major influence on numbers, home and core range area, and behavior of cats. It is clear that cat densities grow to high levels with reliable and abundant food supply and only ad hoc sterilization. This has implications for their management in the HCC urban conservancy.

The reproductive biology of a pride of lions (Panthera leo) was studied on the 8500 ha Karongwe Game Reserve from 1999 to 2005. Over this period, the pride consisted of between four and 11 lions with a paired coalition of adult males during the first three years and a single adult male for the next three years. We recorded shorter than normal interbirth intervals, high birth rates of 1.3 cubs/lioness/year, very high cub survival rates, and subadults leaving the pride at young ages. This translated into substantially faster growth rates than are typical in large lion populations in ecologically similar circumstances such as Kruger National Park, but are similar to those of lions in Serengeti National Park. These demographic characteristics were probably induced initially by a lack of intense intraspecific competition and high prey availability, but population stability was maintained through the removal of young subadults by management. Interestingly, variability in conception rates between lionesses resulted in lower growth rates than have been found in other similar reintroduced lion populations. These demographic traits characterize many of the small reintroduced lion populations, and call for appropriate management to avoid the consequences of high predator densities.

This study documents the fauna associated with two common comatulid crinoid species, Comanthus wahlbergi and Tropiometra carinata, in False Bay, South Africa, and describes the patterns of infestation of obligate associate species. A total of 11 invertebrate species was found associated with one or both crinoids. Of these, three were considered obligate: the myzostomidans, Myzostomafuscomaculatum and Myzostoma n. sp., and the shrimp, Hippolyte catagrapha, all of which only occurred on T. carinata. Both frequency and density of infestation were higher for the two myzostomes than for the shrimp. The majority of crinoids infested with myzostomes hosted two or more individuals, while H. catagrapha usually occurred singly. A total of 67.5% of all T. carinata collected were infested by symbionts. Of these 45% hosted only one species, 17% hosted two species and 5.8% hosted all three. Most M. fuscomaculatum (85.2%) and H. catagrapha (82.1%) matched their hosts' colouring, while Myzostoma n. sp. were all yellowish in colour. Infestation by Myzostoma n. sp. increased in both frequency and density with depth. All three obligate symbiont species are new to science, illustrating the biodiversity that can still be uncovered by investigating new niches.

Juliana's golden mole (Neamblysomus julianae) occurs in three isolated populations in the northeastern parts of South Africa. This cryptic species is not evenly distributed throughout its restricted range and appears to have very specific habitat requirements. Its endangered status reflects the necessity for a conservation management programme, which to date has not been comprehensive. A primary hindrance to such initiatives has been the lack of information pertaining to its habitat requirements. We assessed various soil and vegetation parameters, at each population site, in areas where the animals were found to be present or absent. A multiple logistic regression model highlighted the importance of soil hardness (governed by soil particle size distribution), in combination with the cover provided by trees, as the two ecological factors that best explained habitat suitability for Juliana's golden mole at the three localities. An IndVal analysis failed to identify any plant species that could reliably act as an indicator of habitat suitability for this fossorial mammal. These results have important implications for the conservation of the species.

This work describes the utilization of shallow, subtidal bays, associated with rocky shores, by the late-stage larvae and early juveniles of some common inshore fishes. Larval and early juvenile fishes were collected in seven small bays (30–50 m wide) between Port Alfred (33°36′S, 26°53′E) and Hamburg (33°17′S, 27°29′E), using a modified, beach seine net (500μm mesh). Four bays were sampled weekly during peak fish spawning (September-November 2004) to firstly assess whether larval fishes occur in these previously-unstudied habitats and secondly, to assess the extent of this utilization in terms of species occurrence, abundance and potential nursery function. An additional three replicate bays, situated > 50 km away near Bira were used for comparison. In total, 14 fish families represented by 26 taxa were recorded but the catch was dominated by a small suite of common species. Bays were extensively utilized by Sparidae (Diplodus capensis and Sarpa salpa), and to a lesser extent by Clinidae (Clinus superciliosus), Mugilidae (Liza spp.) and Kyphosidae (Neoscorpis lithophilus). Mean CPUE of larvae was high and exceeded 900 individuals per seine haul. Larval abundance peaked at 4000 larvae per haul and at these times, was dominated only by the two sparid species. Abundance of sparid larvae exceeds that recorded for these species in surf zones, estuaries or the shallow nearshore habitats sampled to date in temperate South Africa by an order of magnitude. Larval abundance was significantly higher during new moon sampling throughout the study period, but was not significantly different between repeated samples collected per site on each fieldtrip. The length-frequency of larvae utilizing the bays was dominated by postflexion stages ranging 7–14 mm SL. Length-frequency distribution of Diplodus, Sarpa, Clinus, Sparodon, Neoscorpis was indicative of grow-out and use of bays as interim nurseries. The nursery function of these bays is supported by gut analysis of a sub-sample of the dominant species, Diplodus capensis, which showed that these larvae were actively feeding in the area, predominantly on copepods. This work prompts further research on shallow habitats associated with rocky shores particularly the shelter and feeding role that these under-studied habitats are playing in the early life history of coastal fishes.

Three species of African chameleons (Chamaeleo gracilis, C. jacksoni and C. johnstoni) were examined for helminths. Two species of Cestoda (Oochoristica truncata and tetrathyridia of Mesocestoides sp.) and four species of Nematoda (Oswaldocruzia chamaeleonis, Parapharyngodon kenyaensis, Raillietnema chamaeleo, and Strongyluris elegans) were found. Four new host records are reported.

Bushclumps are scattered islands of thicket-like vegetation within a matrix of more open vegetation. We investigated the role of bushclumps as refugia for small mammals, and examined the effect of a limited number of abiotic and biotic factors on their richness, diversity and abundance. Small mammals were surveyed using Sherman small mammal traps at two sites in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa (Mountain Zebra National Park and Kwandwe Private Game Reserve). Soil hardness and seed abundance, inside and outside bushclumps, were determined. Trap success was significantly higher inside bushclumps than in areas outside, and species diversity and the abundance of small mammals were greater within bushclumps compared to outside. Bushclumps also had significantly softer soil and a higher concentration of seeds. We conclude that bushclumps provide a concentrated source of food and protection from predators for small mammals, and are thus used significantly more than adjacent open areas. The conservation of bushclumps is therefore important for the overall maintenance of ecosystem functioning.

Juvenile Oreochromis mossambicus in the 25 ha, temperate, intermittently open, East Kleinemonde Estuary in the Eastern Cape, South Africa (33°32′S, 27°03′E), showed a seasonal shift in distribution, occupying all areas of the estuary in summer and, subsequently, being limited to the upper reaches in winter. The young of the year in the littoral zone were rapidly depleted and resultant estimates of the instantaneous rate of total mortality (Z) ranged from 5.4/yr to 6.9/yr. High annual rates of juvenile mortality and small adult populations imply that stock recovery after a reduction in adult population numbers, through activities such as fishing, may be slow. This work adds to the knowledge base of O. mossambicus ecology and population dynamics in temperate estuaries at the limit of its natural distribution