Helminth parasites of amphibians from the Gelegele Forest Reserve, a pristine forest in southwestern Nigeria, were investigated. Amphibians encountered included Amietophrynus maculatus, Hoplobatrachus occipitalis, Aubria subsigillata, Ptychadena longirostris, Ptychadena oxyrynchus, Ptychadena bibroni, Ptychadena pumilio, Chiromantis rufescens, Leptopelis hyloides, Hyperolius fusciventris and a Phrynobatrachus sp. Nineteen helminth parasites, including two cestodes, three monogeneans, six trematodes and eight nematodes were recorded from these amphibians. Contrary to the earlier assumption that monogeneans in Nigeria were preferentially parasites of amphibians in drier environments such as the savanna, this study has shown that these parasites also infect amphibians in highly humid environments such as the rainforest. Monogeneans recorded included Metapolystoma cachani and two unidentified Polystoma species. Haematoloechus aubriae, Mesocoelium monas, a Halipegus sp. and a Physalopteroides sp. are new geographical records for Nigeria.

Aliwal Shoal is a subtropical, algal-dominated reef in a marine protected area located south of Durban, South Africa. The shoal has historically been heavily utilized by fishermen and SCUBA divers. In this study, a survey was undertaken to describe and zone the reef and its benthic communities in terms of topography, habitat types, species diversity, species richness and benthic cover. Data were collected using underwater photography and analysed by point intercept analysis. Three distinct benthic communities were identified using multivariate non-metric statistics. Benthic communities appeared to be influenced by topography, sediment cover and wave energy. The highest abundance of zooxanthellate hard corals and the encrusting zooxanthellate sponge, Suberites kelleri were found on the large shallow areas of the shoal. This suggested that light penetration to the elevated areas on the reef was adequate for photosynthesis and played a role in the distribution of its biota. The encrusting morphology of the sponge Suberites kelleri, and the branching morphology of the hard corals Stylophora pistillata and Pocillopora spp., appeared to be tolerant of the high-energy environment near the surface. A second community was found only on steep edges of the Shoal and was characterized by a large abundance of Polychaeta and the soft coral Eleutherobia aurea, while a third community was found deeper on the offshore side of the shoal and consisted primarily of coralline and red foliose algae.

Communities exposed to intermediate disturbances have been shown to be more diverse than more stable or unstable systems. We recorded the diversity pattern of zooplankton in the Okavango Delta, Botswana, a system which include water bodies with different stability with regard to water levels and wet-dry phases, from permanent rivers and lagoons to seasonal floodplains and temporary water-filled rain ponds. The yearly flood pulse caused a gradual shift in aquatic parameters on seasonal floodplains, which promoted zooplankton diversity. Species composition differed between temporal and permanent habitats, but highest diversity was recorded on floodplains. Diversity on floodplains showed a distinct seasonal trend, being low during increasing flood, to highly diverse during high water periods. Density and hatching sequence of major cladoceran species suggested that the bank of resting eggs in the soil is the major source of species occurrence during flooding. We propose that seasonal floodplains, which have significant higher diversity and abundance, serve as source areas for the cladoceran diversity in the Okavango Delta. From these habitats ephippia are dispersed into the other four habitats. The dominant vectors for such dispersal are probably wind and mammals.

Lions rarely prey on elephants. Botswana's Savuti lions, however, switch to preying on elephants during the late dry season (August-November), and the frequency of this has increased in the last two decades (1985–2005). An opportunity to document this phenomenon was made possible with infrared viewing and filming equipment. A pride of 30 lions killed one elephant every three days. Seven of eight elephants killed were between four and 11 years old, as deduced from molar teeth ageing, and this age group represented over half the kills recorded by Joubert (2006). It is suggested that this weaned, maternally less dependent age class, may be more vulnerable to lion predation. Lions prey on elephants since the density of conventional ungulate prey is reduced as a result of an annual migration, and artificial water provisioning has prompted an increasingly sedentary population of elephants. Notes are presented on the lion's behaviour in hunting elephants and the evolutionary significance of this.

Developmental plasticity results from environmental influences on the phenotype of an organism during its development, and its effects are irreversible. The phenomenon of phenotype-genotype uncoupling (plasticity) causes problems in species delineations, and has been suggested as a cause underlying a mismatch between morphology and genetics between the Natal Midlands dwarf chameleon (Bradypodion thamnobates) and the KwaZulu dwarf chameleon (Bradypodion melanocephalum). The two species are morphologically distinct, but are very poorly distinguished genetically. It has been hypothesized that B. melanocephalum and B. thamnobates may be phenotypically plastic populations of the same species, since environmental conditions, the driving force behind developmental plasticity, varies between the distributions of these two allopatric taxa. We raised juveniles of both species under identical controlled laboratory conditions. Two treatments were used. These varied in both habitat structure and temperature, each approximating conditions that one of the species would encounter naturally. Although not specifically controlled or monitored, all other environmental factors (e.g. humidity, light and wind) were standardized since chameleons were raised in the artificial conditions created in environmental chambers. If taxa are developmentally plastic, phenotypes would reflect treatment conditions, irrespective of specific associations. Neither B. thamnobates nor B. melanocephalum were phenotypically plastic over the environmental differences tested; species developed into the expected phenotypes, irrespective of treatment conditions. The low genetic difference between B. thamnobates and B. melanocephalum may indicate their recent divergence from a common ancestor or the mitochondrial gene fragments (ND2 and 16S) used in previously published phylogenetic analyses of the genus may not be representative of divergence for the genome as a whole.

We investigate mitochondrial DNA and craniometric variation in southern African and Malagasy populations of the small and morphologically variable, house-roosting molossid bat, Chaerephon pumilus in relation to Malagasy populations of the related, smaller-sized species, C. leucogaster. Both cytochrome b and D-loop sequences show C. leucogaster to be nested within C. pumilus sensu lato, with Malagasy C. pumilus forming a sister group to African C. pumilus and Malagasy C. leucogaster. Four distinct D-loop clades are found in southern African populations, all of which occur sympatrically in the greater Durban area of KwaZulu-Natal Province, whilst two of the Durban clades also characterize 1) northern KwaZulu-Natal and low-lying (<600 m) areas of Swaziland, and 2) ‘inland’ populations comprising the Kruger National Park and higher-lying (>600 m) areas of Swaziland. Clades from low-lying areas show evidence of historical demographic expansion around 3300–13 000 years ago (KwaZulu-Natal coastal clade, Clade A1) to 14 700–60 000 years ago (Durban clade, – Clade B1), whilst the inland clade (Clade B2a) was demographically more stable. The origin of these clades can be explained by sea level and vegetation changes hypothesized to follow the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) after 18 000 years ago. Sympatric clades are shown to differ significantly in the proportional width of the braincase, and ongoing work will test evidence for acoustic and other morphological differences between them.

Parrots are generally considered monogamous, forming strict pairs when breeding. Echo parakeets are unusual in that, although traditional breeding pairs occur, there are also multi-male breeding groups. This raises questions about the potential for extra-pair copulations. Genotype data were obtained from the dominant male and female in eight breeding groups (including three with profiles of attendant auxiliary males) and their 36 offspring. A further 34 offspring were available from eight breeding groups where profiles were available for a single parent. This study utilized four microsatellite genetic markers, originally developed for the African grey parrot. Parentage testing was undertaken using genotype comparisons with the dominant pair within the breeding group as well as auxiliary males where available. Although four markers were insufficient to provide conclusive evidence they do suggest that extra-pair copulation occurs in this species. The echo parakeet is classified as endangered (<500 birds) and understanding its mating system would be valuable in its future conservation.

The composition, abundance and distribution of larval fishes from nine south and west coast estuaries from South Africa was investigated by plankton tow once per season between June 2003 and March 2004. A total of 49 274 early stage fishes were caught, comprising nine orders, 20 families, 29 genera and 47 taxa. Seven species accounted for 93.4% of the total catch in these estuaries, namely Gilchristella aestuaria (78.8%), Caffrogobius gilchristi (6.2%), Psammogobius knysnaensis (3.5%), C. nudiceps (2.5%), Parablennius sp. (2.4%), Omobranchus woodi (2.1%) and Atherina breviceps (1.9%). The majority (70%) of identified species are endemic to southern Africa and 96.4% of the larvae caught were estuary-resident species. Larval fish assemblages in the sampled estuaries exhibited the same seasonal and spatial patterns described for temperate estuaries both in South Africa and worldwide. Larval fish were more abundant in summer and in the mesohaline zone. The assemblages were less diverse and dominated by fewer species than temperate estuaries along the south east coast of South Africa. The differences found in composition and density of the larval fish assemblages from south and west coast estuaries result from the biogeography of the area and the differences in freshwater inflow.

This study presents an assessment of the establishment success of smallmouth yellowfish, Labeobarbus aeneus (Burchell 1822), in the Great Fish River (GFRI), where they were introduced by the Orange-Fish River interbasin water transfer scheme and in the Glen Melville Reservoir (GMR), where the species was subsequently introduced from the GFRI. Edge Analysis of asteriscii validated an annual deposition rate of one growth increment per year and sampled fish were aged at between 0 and 10 years old. Combined sex length-at-age (L_t) was described by L_t = 650(l - e^{-066(t 4.22)}) mm FL for GMR and L_t = 498(l - e^{-0.23(t -0.373)}) mm FL for GFRI. Natural mortality rate was estimated at 0.56/yr in GFRI and 0.96/yr in GMR. Condition factor was significantly higher in the GFRI than in GMR. In comparison with other populations, the GFRI population had reproductive and growth traits that were similar to those in its natural riverine range. Reproductive assessment showed ripe male and female fish in October to December in the GFRI, while in the GMR, ripe male fish but few ripe female fish were recorded. This was attributed to the lack of spawning cues in the reservoir. As a result, L. aeneus were considered established in the GFRI, but were not established and likely dependent on introductions in the GMR.

Sugar preferences and digestion of sugars in artificial fruit of different sugar types and concentrations were investigated in a South African facultative frugivore, the Cape white-eye (Zosterops virens). We studied sugar preferences, daily food and energy intake, and digestive efficiencies and transit times with birds that were fed artificial fruit diets comprising 6.6, 12.4 and 22% glucose and sucrose, respectively. Digestive transit rates of birds fed artificial fruit diets were faster for glucose compared with sucrose diets, irrespective of concentration. Birds showed increased food intake with decreasing glucose concentration, but showed no significant differences in these intake amounts with differing sucrose concentrations. Apparent assimilation efficiencies were lower than most nectar studies, and were generally higher for glucose fruit (79.3–85.6%) compared with sucrose fruit (69.0–78.4%). In choice tests, birds preferred sucrose over glucose of equivalent weight, irrespective of concentration. It appears likely that the Cape white-eye has high levels of sucrase activity, although further study is needed to verify this.

Urinary testosterone concentrations in males and urinary progesterone and oestradiol concentrations in females were measured in the Cape mole-rat (Georychus capensis) and compared for the summer and winter periods. The Cape mole-rat breeds seasonally, with sexual activity and subsequent pregnancy recorded during the winter months in the southern hemisphere. Despite the fact that it has a distinct breeding season, seasonal differences in urinary hormone concentrations of both male and female Cape mole-rats were not statistically significant. This finding supports the notion the Cape mole-rat may have the opportunity to operate as an opportunistic breeder if fortuitous environmental conditions arise, such as unseasonal rainfall, occurring at these normally non-favourable times of the year.

Barlow's lark is one of southern Africa's least known lark species. This study is the first to report on the structure and dimensions of this species' nest and aspects of the nestling period. The ontogenetic development of the nestling is described with regard to plumage development, increase in mass and growth of the head and tarsus. The parameters of the logistic growth curve for the increase in mass and growth of the tarsus are also provided. The nestling period lasted 13 days and both sexes contributed to feeding nestlings exclusively on invertebrates.

A new spider species from Zambia belonging to the poorly-known genus Asemonea, is described. It appears to be related to Asemonea maculata from the Ivory Coast.