Two coexisting species of African molossids, the little free-tailed bat, Chaerephon pumilus, and the Angolan free-tailed bat, Mops condylurus, were studied in the lowveld of Swaziland. Nine C. pumilus and five M. condylurus, all non-lactating females, were radio-tracked in order to investigate their habitat utilization. The results confirmed that both of these species selected to forage over sugarcane fields instead of over the other habitats available in the area: savanna, riparian forest and urban areas. Foraging ranges were relatively large with C. pumilus travelling on average a maximum of 4.2 km from the roost and M. condylurus covering 4.8 km. The mean activity areas ranged from 976 ha (minimum convex polygon) to 1319 ha (95% kernel) for C. pumilus and from 1190 ha (MCP) to 1437 ha (95% kernel) for M. condylurus. Interspecific differences in the mean activity area or maximum distance travelled were not found. The results of this study suggest that these species have a potential role as pest-controlling agents over sugarcane fields.

Increasing urbanization and industrialization along the coastal areas of False Bay in South Africa can endanger coastal ecosystems because of increasing metal pollution. To obtain base-line data on contamination levels in the intertidal zone, cadmium (Cd) body loads of four invertebrate species were measured seasonally over a period of 15 months from different sites within the bay. Specimens of Tetraclita serrata (barnacle), Oxystele sinenses (periwinkle), Cymbula oculus (limpet) and Choromytilus meridionalis (mussel) were collected and analysed to determine temporal changes in Cd body burdens. Cd concentrations were also measured in water and sediments. Cd concentrations in the intertidal animals varied considerably between sampling sites and between seasons and also occasionally between species. All four species accumulated Cd in their bodies to levels several times higher than environmental concentrations. No significant difference could be shown between the Cd concentrations in the gastropod grazers and the filter-feeders. The highest mean body load of Cd (70.67 µg/g dry weight) for a single sampling occasion was measured in the sessile barnacles (T. serrata) collected at Rooi-Els. The highest mean Cd concentration (11.95 µg/g) for the bay as a whole was measured in the limpet C. oculus. Two-way analysis of variance indicated that spatial (location) rather than temporal (seasonal) factors affected Cd concentrations in the invertebrates. Cd concentrations in False Bay sometimes exceeded the norms or water quality standards.

We studied the breeding ecology, parental care and nesting success of the pink-billed lark, Spizocorys conirostris, in an agricultural landscape in the Limpopo Province of South Africa, from October 2008 to October 2010. The results are compared with data in Birdlife South Africa's Nest Record Card Scheme. Nesting was observed between February and May, with peak activity in April and May. Fifty-three nests were found and the nest structure, dimensions and microhabitat characteristics are described. Egg mass and dimensions showed no regional variation but there was evidence of geographical variation in clutch size. There was no significant difference (P ≥ 0.05) in the rate of food delivery by males and females, but the results suggest there may be inter-sexual differences in the type of food delivered to nestlings. Invertebrates comprised two-thirds of the diet of nestlings while seed made up the remainder. The growth and development of nestlings are described for the first time. The incubation period was 12 days and the nestlings fledged after 10–13 days. Breeding success was very low, averaging 12.8% over the two years of this study.

The present study deals with the survey of endoparasites from Schilbe intermedins (silver catfish) at the Nwanedi-Luphephe Dams from July 2009 to May 2010. The hosts (n = 60) were collected using gill nets and examined for endoparasites. The following parasites were recorded: three species of trematodes, i.e. Clinostomum metacercariae in the body cavity (prevalence 40%), an unidentified adult digenean in the small intestine (prevalence 33.3%) and Diplostomum metacercariae from the eye (prevalence 1.7%), and two species of nematodes, i.e. Contracaecum larvae in the body cavity (prevalence 95%) and Paracamallanus cyathopharynx from the intestine (prevalence 63.3%). None of the fish examined during this study was in a notably poor state of health due to parasitism. Correlations between endoparasite infection and host size, as well as seasonal variation in their infection dynamics associated with environmental changes, were detected.

Pelusios spp. procured from four locations in southern Nigeria were investigated for polystomatid infection. None of the P. niger examined haboured monogeneans. Pelusios castaneus from Sapele, Ossisa and Abeokuta were infected with P. bourgati in the urinary bladder. The morphometrics of the parasites from the infected Nigerian terrapins were in the same range as those previously described from Togo and Senegal, except that the Senegalese specimens were slightly smaller with respect to the body size. While the testes of the specimens recovered from Ossisa and Abeokuta were ovoid to round in shape, those in parasites recovered from turtles purchased from Sapele were lobed and laterally elongated. Two of the parasite specimens recovered from turtles purchased in Ossisa had seven haptoral suckers. This is the first report of such an occurrence among polystomes.

The study of endoparasites (helminths and coccidians) in the Algerian (Atelerix algirus) and desert (Paraechinus aethiopicus) hedgehogs was performed between July 2008 and October 2009. The helminth species found included two cestodes, Mathevotaenia erinacei (Anoplocephalidae) and an unidentified cestode larva in the mesentery, eight species of nematodes: Aonchotheca erinacei (Trichuridae) in the intestine, spirurids (Spiruridae) in the intestine, Crenosoma striatum (Crenosomatidae) in the lungs, Gongylonema mucronatum (Gongylonematidae) in the oesophagus, Physaloptera clausa (Physalopteridae) in the stomach, Physaloptera sp. larvae (Physalopteridae) in the mesentery, Pterygodermatites plagiostoma (Rictulariidae) in the stomach, Spirura rytipleurites seurati (Spiruridae) in the intestine; and two acanthocephalans, Moniliformis moniliformis (Moniliformidae) in the intestine and larvae of an unknown acanthocephalan species in the mesentery. The general prevalence was high in both hosts, 92% in Atelerix algirus and 94.12% in Paraechinus aethiopicus. Physaloptera clausa was the most prevalent species (64.0% in Atelerix algirus and 64.7% in Paraechinus aethiopicus). Polyparasitism of helminths was 68% in Atelerix algirus and 52.9% in Paraechinus aethiopicus. Two coccidian species were detected in both hedgehogs, Isospora sp. and Eimeria sp. We provide the first complete parasitological data from Africa for these two hedgehogs.

Many studies have examined the effect of caudal autotomy on speed and behaviour of lizards escaping over horizontal surfaces, but there have been few studies on lizards escaping over vertical surfaces and, in particular, species that jump between surfaces. We examined jumping by the Cape dwarf gecko (Lygodactylus capensis) in terms of individuals' varying states of tail autotomy and regeneration. Although longer jumps were less likely to be successful (i.e. the animal would not successfully grip the surface and fell to the ground), there was no difference in the distance over which animals with full and partial tails would attempt to jump. Both recently autotomized individuals and individuals with intact tails successfully jumped up to nine times their body length (snout—vent length). The jumping ability of L. capensis was therefore clearly not negatively impaired by tail loss, presumably because the geckos are using their hind legs to propel their jump. Their tails may, however, be important to control their landing as well as their locomotion on vertical surfaces. The high observed frequency of tail loss, coupled with rapid and complete regeneration (including the scansorial tail tip), suggests that caudal autotomy is an important survival tactic in this species.

The species richness and calling activity of an anuran community inhabiting an agricultural wetland area at 1645 m a.s.l. near Butare, Rwanda, was assessed using visual and acoustic transects. The community included 15 species which were readily distinguishable using morphological, bioacoustic and molecular features. Eight species (Xenopus victorianus, Amietophrynus regularis, Ptychadena anchietae, P. poroshsima, Kassina senegalensis, Afrixalus quadrivittatus, Hyperolius kivuensis, H. lateralis) were taxonomically identified. The remaining seven species (three species of Hyperolius, two Phrynobatrachus, one Amietia, one Ptychadena) represent undescribed or currently unrecognized taxa, suggesting a significant magnitude of overlooked amphibian diversity in Afromontane communities. Acoustic niche analysis of the 14 species producing airborne advertisement calls integrated the spatial dimension, i.e. the microhabitat used for calling, the temporal dimension, i.e. the time of day when calling takes place, and the call structure dimension, i.e. the physical features of the advertisement call. Average standardized acoustic niche breadth was narrow (measured: 0.08, predicted: 0.07) and showed low variability (0.04–0.16) among species, which means that empirical data are in full agreement with the predictions of stochastic niche theory for species-saturated communities. Niche segregation was mainly based on advertisement call features, whereas spatial and temporal niche dimension contributed less. Measured average niche overlap (0.30) was intermediate between random overlap (0.51) and minimum possible overlap (0.11), indicating significant acoustic resource partitioning. The only taxon group with widely overlapping acoustic niches were Ptychadena spp., which might indicate a recent invasion of the community by one or two of the three species.

Measuring rates of self-scratching provides a powerful index of anxiety in non-human primates, and investigating the relationship between self-scratching and dominance rank can shed light on the ‘emotional costs’ of holding different positions in the hierarchy. Here we explored the relationship between self-scratching rates and rank in wild adult female Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus) in Morocco. We found a significant correlation between rank and females' mean self-scratching rates over the study period, with subordinates showing higher rates of self-scratching. Analysis of temporal variation in females' self-scratching rates indicated that while these rates were related to measures of both grooming and aggression, the relationship between rank and self-scratching remained significant even after controlling for these effects. Our data suggest that lower ranked female Barbary macaques suffer higher levels of anxiety than more dominant individuals, and hence that there is an emotional cost associated with having low social status in this species.

The current study set out to investigate the potential effects of olfactory stimuli on the basal circulating levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and the response of the pituitary to an exogenous gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) challenge in two mole-rat species with induced ovulation but contrasting mating and social systems. Females were either kept in isolation, allowed only olfactory and auditory contact or in physical contact with a male. Basal LH as well as pituitary challenged LH blood samples were collected after six hours. Post-challenge LH levels were significantly elevated compared to baseline levels in both species. However, neither basal nor post-challenge LH levels differed significantly between treatments for females of either species. At the same time, while baseline LH was comparable between the two species, post-challenge levels were significantly greater for the solitary species. Our findings negate a modulatory role of male cues on LH levels but suggest increases in pituitary sensitivity in the solitary species. This could enhance reproductive success in species with only sporadic encounters between the sexes and merits further studies in other species.

The life history of an endemic riverine African cyprinid, Labeo capensis, that dominates the larger ichthyofauna in a large impoundment in the Orange River Basin four decades after damming, was investigated. Both sexes grew at a similar rate until the onset of maturation, after which male growth and survival rates declined. Male mortality rate was significantly higher than estimated for females explaining both the older ages attained by females (12 years) compared to males (9 years) and a female-dominated adult population. Maturation proceeded faster in males than in females, but was considerably delayed in both age and length. Female reproductive contribution was double that of males despite males maturing a year earlier. Intraspecific life history comparisons with riverine and early impoundment populations suggest that L. capensis has largely maintained its riverine life history characteristics. These characteristics are common in large fishes that are well-adapted to seasonal riverine environments, but often show high vulnerability to damming or overfishing. The absence of a directed fishery and the availability of periodic floodplains that form when marginal vegetation is inundated by either the unregulated inflow of the Orange River or local erratic rains is suggested to have played a vital role for the successful establishment of L. capensis within the impoundment.

We studied the phylogeographical structure of Praomys misonnei (Rodentia: Muridae) in west-Central Africa based on 113 individuals from 31 localities and the sequencing of two mitochondrial genes (Cytb and CO1). Two clades can be identified through maximum likelihood, bayesian and network analyses: the first one is limited to the Korup National Park, while the second one has a broad geographical distribution in west-Central Africa. The second clade can be further divided into three sub-clades. The results of neutrality tests and mismatch distributions indicate that a population expansion occurred in these sub-clades. During the middle or upper Pleistocene, the west-Central African populations of P. misonnei may have been isolated in four different forest refugia, followed by population expansion and secondary contact during more humid periods. High genetic diversity was observed in the region of the Bakossi highlands, and the Cameroon Volcanic Line limits the geographical distribution of clades. Thus it seems likely that this volcanic line has in the past constituted a barrier that prevented the east—west exchange between P. misonnei populations through the expansion of the montane forest habitat. Our results also highlight the role of the Sanaga and Ogooué-Ivindo rivers in shaping P. misonnei genetic structure.

Four lacertid lizards, Pedioplanis laticeps, P. lineo-ocellata, Meroles knoxii and Nucras tessellata, occur sympatrically on the arid plains of the Tankwa Karoo Basin in South Africa. The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of foraging strategy in resource partitioning among the four species, allowing them to co-occur in a structurally simple system with a limited number of potential niches. Previous workers already identified P. lineo-ocellata and M. knoxii as sit-and-wait foragers and N. tessellata as an active forager. We recorded data on three foraging variables: movements per minute, proportion of time spent moving, and proportion of attacks on prey whilst moving, for juveniles and adults of P. laticeps. By comparing the foraging data obtained for P. laticeps to those for other lacertid species, we were able to demonstrate that adult P. laticeps are ambush foragers. We also noted a significant ontogenetic shift in foraging behaviour in P. laticeps, and, due to a significantly higher frequency of short brief movements, we classified juveniles as mixed foragers. The sharing of an ambush foraging strategy by at least three of the four lacertid species co-occurring on the Tankwa plains, suggests considerable overlap along the trophic dimension of ecological space. This overlap presumably promotes occupation of separate microhabitats by the three ambush foragers in the Tankwa Karoo Basin.

The prevalence of haemoparasites, leptospirosis and Yersinia pestis was investigated in rodents and shrews from Tanzania, Namibia and Swaziland. Blood smears originating from rodents and shrews from the three countries indicated the presence of Trypanosoma lewisi (72.7%; n =950), Bacillus spp. (25.6%; n =950), Borrelia sp. (0.01%; n =950) and bipolar coccobacilli (0.01%; n =950). The blood smears from Namibia (n =26) had no haemoparasites while only 1.33% (n =75) of those from Swaziland showed presence of T. lewisi. Leptospira interrogans was found in rodent blood sera from Tanzania in the following serogroup proportions (n =350): Icterohaemorrhagiae (10.29%), Pomona (2.86%), Hardjo (1.14%), Bullum (0.86%), Grippotyphosa (1.43%) and Canicola (1.14%). Serodiagnosis of antibodies against the F1 antigen of Y. pestis using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was negative for all the serum samples from central Tanzania, while two samples of serum from two species of rodents, Rhabdomys pumilio and Gerbilliscus leucogaster, collected in the Kavango Region of Namibia were positive. These results suggest an enzootic plague activity in this region in Namibia. It is concluded that zoonotic agents, that are infectious to humans, are prevalent in rodents and shrews in the three countries, and that local communities should apply rodent control measures to reduce the risk of human infections.

The breeding dynamics of three species of rodents, Mastomys natalensis, Aethomys chrysophilus and Gerbilliscus vicina were investigated in a seasonal environment (wet versus dry) in Berega in the eastern parts of central Tanzania. Berega has a distinct unimodal rainfall pattern, with most rainfall from November to April/May. We hypothesized that breeding of rodents in central Tanzania would be confined to the wet season, when unlimited resources would be available for reproduction. We provide evidence of breeding discontinuity in the three species, showing that breeding was seasonally restricted to the wet season and early in the dry season. The observed discontinuity could largely be ascribed to variation in primary productivity between the wet and dry seasons. Reproductively active females were found in the population as early as November, a month into the rainy season, but when early rains occurred, some individuals were already breeding in October. Breeding was more intensive in the latter part of the wet season (March–May) and completely ceased during the dry season. For M. natalensis, survival was highest in the wet period and low in the dry season. The study provides knowledge on the breeding dynamics of rodents in central Tanzania, which can help farmers to take proactive rodent management decisions to prevent high rodent densities and reduce crop damage in the fields. Application of control measures by the community early in the season when populations of reproductive females is lowest will be most rewarding.

The relative population numbers of rodents were studied in nine habitats in and outside the N'washitshumbe enclosure site, Kruger National Park, before and after burning the firebreaks that surround the enclosure. Trap success was exceptionally high, and the field work is suspected to have coincided with a Mastomys population explosion. This genus dominated the small mammal communities before and after the burn, and never disappeared from the burnt patches. Its numbers also did not crash directly after the burn, as have been reported in most other studies. Movement from the burnt areas was observed, which may have had a significant impact on the numbers of rodents caught both inside the enclosure and in the more natural areas outside. Our study suggests that fire can be investigated as a tool to keep rodent densities down in areas where they are nuisance animals, especially when used in conjunction with models that forecast outbreaks of Mastomys. It also emphasizes the value of long-term studies informing management strategies for animal damage control and biodiversity and ecosystem conservation.

The Congo forest mouse, Deomys ferrugineus, occurs readily in natural and human-altered habitats in the region of Kisangani (Democratic Republic of Congo). We studied survival and movement patterns of D. ferrugineus in both habitats. Capture-mark-recapture was used to study the effects of habitat on rodent life history both in primary rainforest and fallow land. Survival analyses taking into account trap-happiness effects were conducted using the program MARK. Abundance of D. ferrugineus was generally low within all our study grids, but it was lowest in fallow land compared to primary rainforest. Numbers of reproductively active females captured were not different between habitats but were larger during the rainy seasons. Daily movements of females, but not of males, were smaller in fallow land. Capture-mark-recapture analyses showed recapture probabilities to vary highly between grids and years. Survival probability in the primary forest was higher than in fallow land with a difference of 0.084 over a period of four weeks. This is possibly linked to the higher abundance of the main food source (insects and termites); however, other explanations are discussed in the text.

Freshwater snails and environmental variables were studied at seven stations along the Banco River (Ivory Coast; West Africa) from March to October 2008. Two species (Physa marmorata (Physidae) and Bulinus forskalii (Planorbidae) were recorded only at one sampling site. This station which received domestic sewage from the neighbouring cities was characterized by the highest conductivity and pH and the lowest values of dissolved oxygen. Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that snail densities were probably influenced by conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and canopy cover. Also, snail dynamics showed a seasonal pattern, with peak population densities and recruitment of young generations during rainy periods. This study highlighted the impacts of sewage on snail diversity and distribution in the Banco River. Overall, this paper strengthens the viewpoint that the Banco River management should be implemented to lessen the impact of anthropogenic activities on the ecology of the Banco National Park.

The warthog (Phacochoerus aethiopicus) is a grazer and hindgut fermenter with an apparent unique population of protozoa; however, only a limited number of specimens have been studied to date. In addition to having a very low number of protozoal species, little is known about temporal (seasonal) variation and geographic variation in protozoan diversity. Forty-one warthogs were harvested over a two-year period (2003–2005) from a wildlife area owned by the South African Air force (Ditholo). Additional samples were obtained from three animals at a farm near Northam (2004), plus three animals from a game ranch (Knapdaar) near Ellisras (2010). Several physical parameters of the digestive tract were measured, i.e. pH, temperature, organ length, weight of organ contents, dry matter, density and digesta in vitro gas production. Samples were collected from the caecum and colon for protozoal counts. In the animals from Ditholo and Northam, Telamodinium onyx was present in 42 of the 44 animals and was the predominant species. Megadinium aethiopicum was observed in 33 animals and Teratodinium sphaeredon was present in 10 of the warthogs. Blepharoconus krugerensis was present in four animals. A single species of both Cyclopostidae and Isotricha were present in two separate animals. In the warthogs harvested at Knapdaar, T. onyx, M. aethiopicum and B. krugerensis were present in all three animals, while M. sphaeredon was present in only two. Unexpectedly, the species Blepharosphaera intestinalis and Charonina equi were found in all three animals. Concentration of protozoans in caecum/colon fluid averaged about 25 × 10³ per ml. In conclusion, the larger number of animals studied established that there can be considerable protozoan diversity among animals and that both seasonal and geographic variation occur.

The Pacific echiuran species Anelassorhynchus porcellus (Fisher, 1948) was collected from the intertidal rocky shores at Perriers Rock and Isipingo Beach on the KwaZulu-Natal coast. This is the first known record of this species from South African waters. Anelassorhynchus porcellus, originally described by Fisher (1948) from several specimens collected in tidal pools south of Honolulu Harbour, Hawaii was later recorded and described by Edmonds (1960) from specimens collected from Heron Island, Queensland. The discovery of this species from the east coast of southern Africa considerably extends its geographical range. After closer examination of additional specimens of Anelassorhynchus gangae Biseswar, 1984 collected from the Kwazulu-Natal coast it is proposed that this species be recognized as a junior synonym of A. porcellus. Anelassorhynchus porcellus is redescribed and some of the taxonomic characters are reviewed.

The Lufubu River is the largest tributary to the southern Lake Tanganyika and its upper reaches are separated from the lake by rapids that prevent upstream movement of lacustrine fish. Thus, the ichthyofauna of the upper Lufubu River is clearly distinct from Lake Tanganyika and shows more similarities to the upper Congo and Zambezi systems. The phylogenetic relationships of three haplochromine cichlid species from the upper Lufubu River were analysed in the context of the phylogeographic structure of haplochromine cichlids from the surrounding hydrological systems. Patterns of genetic distances between the Lufubu fish and their sister taxa from the upper Congo system indicate that the headwaters of the Lufubu River were colonized from drainages pertaining to the Upper Congo system during extreme flooding or river capture events (at least several 100 000 years ago), possibly even three times independently. This study exemplifies how phylogeographic data from an understudied region might help to unravel unrecognized historical connections between separate water bodies and drainage systems in a geologically/hydrologically unstable region.

The dearth of information on caecilian amphibians is most likely due to a lack of directed field studies. Here we report the rediscovery of a population of Boulengerula denhardti nearly a century after its description by Nieden in 1912. Morphological examination of seven specimens suggests that they are closer to the type of B. denhardti than to any other member of the genus. Nieden's type locality has been widely interpreted as the Tana River Delta, although searches there have not revealed specimens of this species. The locality of the material described herein comes from Ngaia Forest, Meru County, Kenya, approximately 420 km, northwest of the Tana Delta. We discuss dispersal in caecilians and their likely use of riverine corridors. We speculate that more species in this genus are likely to be found in Kenya.