Providing Education to Enhance Wildlife Conservation in South Africa Through the First Wildlife School for Game Rancers - A Grassroots Effort by Government Authorized Conservationists

The establishment of the game ranching industry in South Africa has resulted in the conversion of 20 million hectares of marginal agricultural land to an economically viable and conservation oriented industry. The single biggest driving factor in the growth of the game ranching industry in South Africa was the promulgation of the Game Theft Act 105 of 1991 which conferred private ownership of game. Due to the Act, wildlife became economically viable and were managed according to the creation of this new market. The growth in game animals has reached its highest point since 1850 with over 20 million animals. In 1992, South Africa signed the International Convention on Biodiversity whereby the country committed itself to a goal of 12% of the country would be preserved for wildlife biodiversity by 2021. By 2016, the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) had determined that South Africa’s terrestrial protected area fell far short of the 12% agreed upon by the country. The DEA had determined that South Africa would have to depend on the assistance and conservation of the game ranching industry in order to meet the 12% target. In 2017it was realized that a wildlife school for game farmers was needed, to address utilizing natural resources in a manner that supports sustainability and improves economic prospects while upholding conservation ethics. To help unify the industry and address the unknowns, the first Wildskool was developed to provide direct face to face education

Developing Alternatives to Protect Domestic Sheep from Predation in South Africa

South Africa has approximately 8,000 commercial small livestock farms and 5,800 communal/subsistence farmers throughout the country. Reported rates of small livestock loss to predation range from 3-13% and 0.5-19% from communal farming areas. A range of predators exist on the African continent, but in southern Africa major livestock losses are primarily due to black-backed jackal and caracal. South Africans have been managing caracals and jackals for over 300 years with no elimination of predation. During the aforementioned time frame, producers have used and/or developed a number of techniques including lethal, nonlethal, and integrated predator damage management to address predation losses. In the Karoo area of South Africa, one producer decided that a new way needs to be developed after losing over 60 lambs in a month, while practicing continuous removal of caracal and black-backed jackal. His integrated predator damage management system includes using a prototype nonlethal collar system for sheep and lambs. The collars are used to train dominant pairs of predators to avoid predation while maintaining their territories and keeping transient predators out of the area. The system has now gone into production in South Africa and is being distributed by its inventor

Mass Mortality of Adult Male Subantarctic Fur Seals: Are Alien Mice the Culprits?

Background: Mass mortalities of marine mammals due to infectious agents are increasingly reported. However, in contrast to previous die-offs, which were indiscriminate with respect to sex and age, here we report a land-based mass mortality of Subantarctic fur seals with apparent exclusivity to adult males. An infectious agent with a male-predilection is the most plausible explanation for this die-off. Although pathogens with gender-biased transmission and pathologies are unusual, rodents are known sources of male-biased infectious agents and the invasive Mus musculus house mouse, occurs in seal rookeries. Methodology / Principal Findings: Molecular screening for male-biased pathogens in this potential rodent reservoir host revealed the absence of Cardiovirus and Leptospirosis genomes in heart and kidney samples, respectively, but identified a novel Streptococcus species with 30 % prevalence in mouse kidneys. Conclusions / Significance: Inter-species transmission through environmental contamination with this novel bacterium, whose congenerics display male-bias and have links to infirmity in seals and terrestrial mammals (including humans)

The bii4africa dataset of faunal and floral population intactness estimates across Africa’s major land uses

Sub-Saharan Africa is under-represented in global biodiversity datasets, particularly regarding the impact of land use on species’ population abundances. Drawing on recent advances in expert elicitation to ensure data consistency, 200 experts were convened using a modified-Delphi process to estimate ‘intactness scores’: the remaining proportion of an ‘intact’ reference population of a species group in a particular land use, on a scale from 0 (no remaining individuals) to 1 (same abundance as the reference) and, in rare cases, to 2 (populations that thrive in human-modified landscapes). The resulting bii4africa dataset contains intactness scores representing terrestrial vertebrates (tetrapods: ±5,400 amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals) and vascular plants (±45,000 forbs, graminoids, trees, shrubs) in sub-Saharan Africa across the region’s major land uses (urban, cropland, rangeland, plantation, protected, etc.) and intensities (e.g., large-scale vs smallholder cropland). This dataset was co-produced as part of the Biodiversity Intactness Index for Africa Project. Additional uses include assessing ecosystem condition; rectifying geographic/ taxonomic biases in global biodiversity indicators and maps; and informing the Red List of Ecosystems

The caracal, Felis caracal caracal Schreber, 1776, as predator in the West Coast National Park

Thesis (M. Sc.) -- University of Stellenbosch, 1993.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Small mammals were sampled in eight different plant communities in the West Coast National Park and on two farms adjacent to the Park, and along various slopes in the Postberg Nature Reserve section. Rhabdomys pumilio was by far the most abundant species at all sites, although its density varied between plant communities and seasons. Species diversity, absolute and relative density, cover preference and breeding activity of some small mammals and density, group size and habitat preference of the main bird prey species are also discussed. A low incidence of larger prey, e.g. antelope, hyrax and hares in caracal scats probably reflects their low densities in the study area. Together with caracal, the diet of four other sympatric carnivore species was also examined by analysis of scats collected over a 14-month period in the West Coast National Park. Dietary patterns of all predators studied correlated with fluctuations in densities of main prey species, as well as group size of certain prey species. Food niche widths accordingly changed seasonally, being widest during spring and then contracting gradually towards winter. A considerable amount of food niche overlap existed between carnivore species pairs. The main prey item of all the carnivores examined were rodents (mainly Rhabdomys pumilio and Otomys unisulcatus), which were utilized heavily throughout the year, despite marked declines in rodent numbers towards winter. Habitat use by five transmitter-equipped caracal (Felis caracal Schreber 1776) indicated that they spent most of their time active in specific areas where highest rodent density and species diversity were found. Males were active for 45-180 min. in a given area (patch) before moving, without stopping, to another patch; females covered their ranges more uniformly in space. The mean home range size (26.97 ± 0.750 km2) of two males inhabiting the same area, but at different times, was 3.6 times larger than that of each of three females (7.39 ± 1.68 km2). Home ranges overlapped both within and between sexes. Caracal were mostly nocturnal, but were also active during daytime in the colder winter. No correlation was found between degree of activity and cloud cover, full or dark moon, wind speed, or rain, but a significant correlation existed between degree of activity and temperatures above 22°c or below 20°c. Mean litter size was 2.25 ± 0.96, with kittens staying ca 120 days with their mother in her territory. This four-month period coincided with the time when most springbok were predated on and when the highest stock losses were reported on farms in the surrounding Swartland Divisional Council. The impact of caracal on introduced springbok at Postberg Nature Reserve section of the West Coast National Park was studied to aid in the decision of whether springbok can be kept in that section of the Park or not. This study contributes to the conservation and control of caracal in the West Coast Strandveld.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Getalle van klein soogdiere is gemonster in agt verskillende plantgemeenskappe in die Weskus Nasionale Park, op twee plase aangrensend aan die Park, en teen verskillende hange in die Postberg Natuurreservaat gedeelte van die Park. Rhabdomys pumilio was by verre die volopste spesie by alle vangplekke, alhoewel digthede verskil tussen plantgemeenskappe en oor seisoene. Spesiediversiteit, absolute en relatiewe digthede, voorkeure vir skuiling en voortplantingsaktiwiteit van klein soogdiere, asook digthede, groepgroottes en habitatsvoorkeure van die vernaamste voel-prooispesies word ook bespreek. Lae voorkoms van groter prooi, bv. antilope, dassies en hase in rooikat mis weerspleel hul lae digthede in die studie area. Die dleet van vier ander simpatriese roofdiersoorte is saam met die van die rooikat oor 'n 14-maande periode in die Weskus Nasionale Park bestudeer m.b.v. misontledings. Dieetpatrone van al die roofdiere bestudeer is gekorrelleerd met fluktuasies in digthede van al die hoof prooispesies en met fluktuasies in groepgroottes van sekere prooispesies. Voedselniswydte van hierdie roofdiere verander ook seisoenaal en is die wydste gedurende lente en neem geleidelik af tot en met die winter. 'n Groot mate van voedselnisoorvleueling kom voor tussen die onderskeie roofdierspesiespare. Die hoof . prooi item van al die roofdiere bestudeer, was knaagdiere (hoofsaaklik Rhabdomys pumilio ·en Otomys unisulcatus) wat in groot getalle reg deur die jaar benut is ten spyte van geweldige afname in muisgetalle voor die winter. Vyf rooikatte (Felis caracal Schreber, 1776), met radio-nekbande voorsien, spandeer meeste van die tyd wanneer aktief is in spesifieke gebiede met hoogste knaagdierdigthede en waar hoogste spesies-diversiteit voorkom. Mannetjies bet vir 45-180 minute in so 'n gegewe area (kol) voorgekom voordat hulle feitlik reguit, en sonder om te stop, na die volgende kol beweeg bet; wyfies bet hul hele loopgebied meer eweredig benut, maar nog steeds meer voorgekom in gebiede met hoer knaagdierdigthede. Die gemiddelde loopgebiedgrootte (26.97 ± 0.750 km2) van twee mannetjies gevestig in dieselfde gebied op verskillende tye was 3.6 keer groter as die gemiddelde loopgebiedgrootte van drie wyfies (7.39 ± 1.68 km2). Loopgebiede oorvleuel beide binne en tussen geslagte. Die rooikatte was meestal riaglewend, maar was ook bedags aktief, veral gedurende die kouer winter. Geen korrellasie is gevind tussen die mate van aktiwiteit en wolkbedekking, volmaan of donkermaan, windspoed, of reen nie, maar wel tussen die mate van aktiwiteit en temperature bo of onder 20°c - 22°c. Die gemiddelde werpselgrootte was 2.25 ± 0.96 en jong katjies bly ongeveer 120 dae by hul ma in haar gebied. Hierdie vier-maande periode kom ooreen met die tyd wanneer daar die meeste op springbokke deur rooikatte gevoed word en wanneer die meeste veeverliese gerapporteer is op plase in die omringende Swartland Afdelingsraad. Die invloed van die rooikat op die eksotiese springbokpopulasie in die Postberg Natuurreservaat-gedeelte van die Park is ook bestudeer om te help met die besluitneming of springbokke in die Postberg-gedeelte van die Weskus Nasionale Park aangehou kan word of nie. Hierdie studie lewer 'n bydrae tot besluitnemings aangaande die bewaring en beheer van rooikatte in die Weskus Strandveld.Maste

Actual and perceived collision risk for bird strikes at Namibian airports

At Namibia’s two major airports, Hosea Kutako International and Eros (domestic), 117 bird strike collision incidents were recorded between 2006 and 2010. A risk assessment, which included a proposed risk weighting methodology, was conducted at Hosea Kutako and Eros airports, which estimated the probability of an accident/collision as well as the consequence of such a collision. The assessment included surveys of bird occurrence frequencies as well as pilot interviews. The results of the risk assessments were compared with actual bird strike incidences for each species, frequency of occurrence of birds and pilot perceptions of species risk, in order to find whether risk assessment and pilot perception are reliable measures of potential bird strike incidence. White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus and Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris were the highest risk species at both airports. They were also, after Crowned Lapwing Vanellus coronatus, the species most often observed by pilots. Bird strike records showed that Crowned Lapwing and Helmeted Guineafowl were also the most frequently struck birds at both airports. The study illustrates how combining risk assessment, pilot perception and bird strike history can benefit bird strike minimisation plans at airports through the rapid identification of priority bird species.Keywords: airport, avifaunal survey, bird strike, risk assessmen

Gnathia pilosus Hadfield, Smit & Avenant-Oldewage, 2008, sp. nov.

Gnathia pilosus sp. nov. Material examined. Holotype. Male, 1.9 mm, 14 September 2006, Sheffield Beach (29 ° 29 ’09.63”S, 31 ° 15 ’ 24.64 ”E), South African Museum, Cape Town (SAM A 45580). Paratypes. 7 males, 5 females, 5 larvae, 14 September 2006, Sheffield Beach (29 ° 29 ’09.63”S, 31 ° 15 ’ 24.64 ”E), South African Museum, Cape Town (SAM A 45581). Other material. 4 males, 17 females, 50 larvae, 16 February 2007, Tinley Manor (29 ° 27 ’09.25”S, 31 ° 17 ’ 11.11 ”E), in the collection of the author. Type host. Scartella emarginata (Günther, 1861). Other hosts. Abudefduf sordidus (Forsskål, 1775), Acanthurus triostegus (Linnaeus, 1758), Antennablennis bifilum (Günther, 1861), Diplodus sargus capensis (Smith, 1844), Epinephelus marginatus (Lowe, 1834), Halichoeres nebulosus (Valenciennes, 1839), Istiblennius dussumieri (Valenciennes, 1836), Istiblennius edentulus (Forster & Schneider, 1801), Omobranchus banditus Smith, 1959, Plectroglyphidodon leucozoncus (Bleeker, 1859), Psammogobius knysnaensis Smith, 1935, Pterois miles (Bennett, 1828), Terapon jarbua (Forsskål, 1775), and Thalassoma purpureum (Forsskål, 1775). Sparidae 14 Diplodus sargus capensis (Smith, 1844) 54–109 (87.8) 4 1 25 2 ± 1 (0–2) 15 Rhabdosargus sarba (Forsskål, 1775) 210 1 0 0 0 Terapontidae 16 Terapon jarbua (Forsskål, 1775) 59–109 (86.8) 6 3 50 3.7 ± 2 (0–2) Diagnosis. Eyes large, bulbous. Slightly produced frontal border, superior frontolateral process and inferior mediofrontal process. Mandibles short, curved inwards with dentate blade. Numerous tubercules and setae over cephalosome and pereon. Male description (Figs 1 –3, 10) Description. Body (Fig. 1 A) length 1.6–2 mm, approximately 2.2 times as long as wide. Cephalosome (Fig. 1 A) rectangular, twice as wide as long, deep dorsal sulcus, narrower than width of median process, extending almost half length of cephalosome, lateral margins convex, densely covered in tubercles and short simple setae on dorsal and lateral surfaces as well as numerous small sensory pits covering entire cephalosome surface (Fig. 10 A), posterior margin concave. Well developed oval-shaped, bulbous, sessile compound eyes on lateral margin of cephalosome, length of eye slightly more than two thirds of cephalosome. Short simple setae around eye and no para-ocular tubercles. Numerous simple setae covering dorsal cephalosome (Fig. 1 B). Frontal border (Fig. 1 C) slightly produced, small rounded superior frontolateral process, with three long simple setae on outer border and two on inner border. Row of tubercles extends from superior frontolateral process, posteriorly along edge of dorsal sulcus (Fig. 10 B). Mediofrontal process inferior forming one distinct rounded lobe, no frontolateral process. Lamina dentata visible. External scissura shallow. Supraocular lobe slightly produced. Pereon (Fig. 1 A) one and two thirds times as long as wide, short simple setae on all pereonites, densely covered with small sensory pits. Pereonite 1 fused with cephalosome, dorsally visible, not reaching lateral margins, anterior border convex, posterior margin slightly concave, numerous tubercles covering dorsal surface. Pereonite 2 and 3 of similar shape and length but pereonite 3 slightly wider, lateral margins pointing anteriorly, numerous tubercles covering dorsal surface. Pereonite 4 anterior border convex with an anterior constriction medially separating it from pereonite 3, median groove present, longer than pereonite 3 and narrower then previous pereonites. Pereonite 5 with areae laterales and dorsal sulcus as thick groove, widest part of body. Pereonite 5 and 6 not fused. Pereonite 6 at least twice as long as other pereonites, narrowest part of body, anterior border concave, posterior margin deeply concave, with lobi laterals with at least five simple setae and pectinate scales on posterior point, no lobuii. Pereonite 6 almost separates pereonite 5 into two triangular sections. Pereonite 7 dorsally visible, small with rounded posterior margin, overlapping first pleonite. Pleon and pleotelson less than half of total length (Fig. 1 A). Pleonites subequal, epimera dorsally visible, short simple setae and pectinate scales on all pleonites. Antenna 1 (Fig. 2 A) with first two peduncle articles similar in shape and size both with plumose setae, first article with pectinate scales and simple setae. Flagellum with article 3 largest, article 3 and 4 each with one aesthetasc and one simple seta on article 3, article 5 terminating in one aesthetasc and four simple setae, no setae on second article. Antenna 2 (Fig. 2 B) slightly longer than antenna 1. Antenna 2 with first article base covered with pectinate scales, article 3 and 4 largest with several simple and at least two plumose setae and six or seven simple setae on each, flagellum with seven articles, article 1 largest, article 7 terminating in six simple setae. Mandible (Fig. 2 C, 10 A) short, half the length of cephalosome, twice as long as wide, broad basal neck, curved inwards with dentate blade and short tufts of setae between teeth. Apex conical with rounded point, distally slightly raised in lateral view. Incisor present with tubercles present on posterior area. Single simple mandibular seta present. Carina armed, forming ridge on lateral margin extending from basal neck to a third along mandible. Small sensory pits on dorsal and ventral surface of blade. Maxilliped (Fig. 2 D) five-articled, proximal article largest with two simple setae and mediodistal endite reaching article 3. Outer margin of proximal article densely setose. Distal four articles bearing plumose setae on lateral margins in order of 3–7 – 5–7. Distal article with three short simple setae. Palp 1.2 times as long as wide. Pylopod (Fig. 2 E) with three articles, slightly convex and overlapping. First article greatly enlarged, convex mesial border fringed with 28–33 plumose setae, fine setae on other borders, a pair of simple setae near lateral border and four short simple setae distally on posterior surface. Three large areolae. Second article, as long as wide, margins setose, three simple setae distally on posterior surface. Third article small with fringing setae and single simple seta, twice as long as wide. Pereopod 2 (Fig. 3 A) basis elongated with a strip of distinct tooth-like tubercles running the length of the basis, oval-shaped with 10 to 13 simple setae and two plumose setae on posterior margin, outer section of anterior margin densely covered with short setae and posterior margin densely covered with longer setae, pectinate scales on anterior border. Ischium with tooth-like tubercles on distal part, up to 12 simple setae scattered over the segment, pectinate scales on anterior border. Merus with anterior bulbous protrusion, three simple setae and tubercles on bulbous protrusion, posterior margin with simple setae, pectinate scales covering anterior border. Carpus with slight anterior bulbous protrusion, posterior margin with tooth-shaped tubercles, simple setae and an elongated denticulated compound spine, pectinate scales covering anterior border. Propodus with two tooth-shaped tubercles on proximal posterior margin terminating in a sharp point, only a few short simple setae anteriorly with one plumose seta distally, pectinate scales covering posterior margin. Dactylus terminates in sharp posterior pointing unguis, prominent spine on posterior side proximal to unguis (Fig. 3 A). Pereopods 3 to 6 (Figs 3 B–E) basic shape similar to pereopod 2, but setation as well as distribution of tubercles differ. Dorsal surface of all pereopods covered with pectinate scales which are not shown in illustrations. Pleopod 2 (Fig. 1 E) with endopod slightly longer than exopod. Endopod ending distally in at least two short simple setae and exopod distally fringed with at least four simple setae, two short simple setae on interior posterior margin of sympodite and one simple setae on front lateral margin. Sympodite with retinaculae on medial margin. Basis with pectinate scales on lateral margin. Pleopod 2 endopod with appendix masculina, appendix masculina one third length of rami. Other pleopods similar to pleopod 2 but without appendix masculina. Pleotelson (Fig. 1 D) triangular, base slightly wider than long, lateral margins slightly concave, dorsal surface with three pairs of short simple setae and many pectinate scales, distal apex terminating in pair of simple setae. Uropodal (Fig. 1 D) rami extending beyond apex of pleotelson, endopod slightly longer and wider than exopod, pectinate scales covering both uropods. Four plumose setae and six simple setae on exopod, five plumose and seven simple setae on endopod. Uropodal basis covered with pectinate scales and single simple seta. Penis prominent with two contiguous papillae, wider than long. Pigmentation light brown in live specimens, occurring between eyes on anterior-dorsal surface of the cephalosome and in a T-shape over the medial dorsal sulcus. Pereonites 4, 5 and 6 have dark brown pigmentation with pereonite 4 being the darkest of the pereonites. Pleon also coloured with dark brown randomly distributed pigmentation. Adult female (Figs 4 –6, 10) Description. Body (Fig. 4 A) length 1.8–2.5 mm, approximately 1.2 times as long as wide. Cephalosome (Fig. 4 A) broadened and short. Rectangular, 1.2 times as wide as long, short simple setae on dorsal, lateral and ventral cephalosome, posterior margin straight. Well developed oval-shaped, bulbous, compound eyes on lateral margin of cephalosome, length of eye two thirds of cephalosome. No paraocular ornamentation, only four to six short simple setae. Entire cephalosome covered with fine setae (Fig. 10 C). Frontal border (Fig. 4 A) broadly rounded, produced, slightly concave anteriorly, covered with pectinate scales. Pereon (Fig. 4 A) swollen round, sutures between pereonites 5–7, 1.2 times as long as wide, wider than cephalosome, short simple setae covering the entire dorsal surface and margins. Pereonites 5–7 form thin plate-like oostegites, enclose brood pouch, oostegites overlapping (Fig. 10 D). Pereonite 7 dorsally visible, small with rounded posterior margin, overlapping first pleonite. Ventral area of pereonite 6 with slit which appears to be genital opening. Pleon (Fig. 4 A) and pleotelson less than a third of total length. Pleonites subequal, epimera not distinct, short setae and pectinate scales covering pleonites. Single simple seta on each posterior lateral side of pleonite and two pairs of simple setae on the posterior margins of each pleonite. Antenna 1 (Fig. 4 B) with three peduncle articles increasing in length distally with third article as long as first and second articles combined. Few short simple setae on distal end of articles 1 and 2 with a single plumose seta on distal end of article 2, two to five short simple setae on article 3. Flagellum with five articles, article 2 largest, articles 1 and 2 with short simple setae, articles 3 and 4 with one aesthetasc seta and one simple seta each, article 5 terminating in one aesthetasc and three simple setae. Antenna 2 (Fig. 4 C) longer than antenna 1. Antenna 2 with five peduncle articles, article 5 largest, short simple setae on distal end of articles 1 to 3, three to four short simple setae on distal ends of with two and four plumose seta on articles 4 and 5 respectively. Flagellum with seven articles, short simple setae on distal end of each article, article 7 terminating in three to five simple setae. Peduncle articles of both antennae covered with pectinate scales and very short, fine simple setae on the peduncle of antenna 2. Mandible and maxillae absent. Maxilliped (Fig. 5 A) consists of basis, oostegite and four articled palp. Endite long, setose, reaching article 2 of palp. Lateral margins of basis fringed with two long plumose setae. Palp bearing plumose setae on lateral margins in order of 1–5 – 5–8. Distal article of palp with three to four short simple setae. Oostegite broader and almost as long as palp, with two simple setae on posterior border. All borders of basis, palp and oostegite densely setose. Pylopod (Fig. 5 B) with four articles, articles 1 and 2 not fused. Article 1 broad, robust, curved anteriorly, with two simple setae on lateral border. Article 2 with four to five simple setae distally. Article 3 with two to four simple setae distally. Article 4 small with one to two simple setae. Surface of articles 2 and 3 covered with pectinate scales and lateral borders with short fine simple setae. Oval-shaped oostegite, 2 times longer than broad, covers mouthparts ventrally, not surpassing frontal border, lateral borders and surface of oostegite with short fine simple setae. Article 1 and 2 covered with pectinate scales and short fine simple setae. Pereopod 2 (Fig. 6 A) basis elongated oval shaped with four to five short simple setae anteriorly, two to three posterior simple setae. Ischium two to five anterior short simple setae, five short simple setae posteriorly. Merus with anterior bulbous protrusion, one long simple seta on bulbous protrusion, posterior margin with two to three large tooth-shaped tubercles as well as three short and a single long simple seta. Carpus without anterior bulbous protrusion, posterior margin with three to four large tooth-shaped tubercles, single simple setae and a single plumose seta. Propodus with two elongated denticulated compound spines ending in sharp points situated on middle and distal part of posterior margin respectively, two simple setae anterio-distally. Dactylus terminates in sharp posterior pointing unguis, prominent spine on posterior side proximal to unguis, two simple setae on dorsal and ventral sides of spine (Fig. 6 A). Pereopods 3 to 6 similar to pereopod 2 in basic form, differ in setation, shape and number of tubercles (Figs 6 B–E). Dorsal surface of ischium, merus, carpus and propodus of all pereopods covered with pectinate scales but not shown in illustrations. Pleopod 2 (Fig. 4 D) with endopod longer and wider than exopod. Both fringed distally with seven to eight long plumose setae and short simple fine setae on all borders. Sympodite with retinacula, single simple seta on lateral margin. Other pleopods similar to pleopod 2. Pleotelson (Fig. 4 E) triangular, base slightly wider than length, lateral margins slightly concave, dorsal surface with three pairs of simple setae and pectinate scales, distal apex terminating in pair of short simple setae. Uropodal (Fig. 4 E) rami extending beyond apex of pleotelson, endopod longer and wider than exopod, both with long simple setae, pectinate scales on dorsal area of uropods and basis. Endopod with six to eight simple setae on dorsal and posterior surfaces and five plumose setae on posterior margin. Exopod with four plumose setae and six long simple setae. A single short simple seta on uropodal basis. Pigmentation lightly coloured, dark brown speckles distributed over the cephalosome, pleon and pereonites with denser pigmentation around pereonite 4. Prominent red / brown eyes. Third-stage praniza (P 3) (Figs 7–10) Body length of first praniza 1–1.4 mm, second praniza 1.3–1.9 mm, third praniza 1.8–3 mm. Cephalosome (Fig. 7 A, 10 E) posterior margin concave, wider than anterior margin, wider at the base, lateral margins convex, few setae on dorsal posterior cephalon, posterior margin straight, triangular-shaped cephalosome. Many sensory pits distributed randomly over dorsal surface of cephalosome (Fig. 10 E), two pairs of short simple setae on eye margins. Compound eyes large, triangular-shaped, bulbous, length of eye almost same as cephalosome. Medio-anterior margin of cephalosome straight with lateral concave excavations to accommodate first articles of antennae (Fig. 10 E). Labrum (Figs 7 A, 10 E) prominent, almost same length as cephalosome, triangular shaped with apical process, truncated posterior margin, anterior margin concave. Ventral part of labrum gutter-like with central groove, covers mandibles dorsally and laterally. Pereon (Fig. 7 A) almost twice as long as wide, wider than cephalosome. Pereonite 1 fused with cephalosome, dorsally visible, anterior border convex, posterior border straight. Pereonite 2 with anterior constriction separating it medially from pereonite 1. Pereonite 4 twice as wide as long, lateral sides tapering towards rounded posterior margin, posterior margin stretching over pereonite 5, lateral shields at leg attachment. Pereonite 6 rectangular, posterior margin slightly concave, lateral shields at leg attachment. Pereonite 7 dorsally visible, small with rounded posterior margin, overlapping first pleonite. Pleon (Fig. 7 A) and pleotelson half length of pereon. Pair of short simple setae in the middle of each pleonite and single short simple setae on each posterior lateral side of each pleonite. Many sensory pits distributed over pereonites and pleonites. Antenna 1 (Fig. 7 B) with third article largest, short simple setae on both anterior and posterior borders and pectinate scales on articles 1 and 2. Flagellum first article with two short simple setae, article 2 largest, articles 2 and 3 with one aesthetascs setae each, article 4 terminating in one aesthetascs and three simple setae, few setae on each article. Antenna 2 (Fig. 7 C) longer than antenna 1. Antenna 2 with article 4 largest and short simple setae on bor- der and pectinate scales on articles 1 and 2. Flagellum with article 1 largest, article 7 terminating in three to four simple setae, few setae on distal end of each article. Mandible (Fig. 8 A) stout, swollen at base, distal margin styliform with eight teeth on inner mesial margin, triangular and backwardly directed, increasing in size from anterior to posterior. Paragnath (Fig. 8 B) elongated, gutter-like, terminates in sharp point, no teeth. Maxillule (Fig. 8 C) long, slender, swollen base, stretching past distal margin of labrum. Seven to eight teeth on distal inner margin. Maxilla not visible. Maxilliped (Figs 8 D, 10 F) large, cylindrical, elongated base, endite almost reaching palp with a single long simple seta and coupling hook. Palp with three articles, first article acute with three to four small teeth and a single simple seta mesially, articles 3 with five to six simple setae. Gnathopod (Figs 8 E, 10 F) smaller than pereopods, seven articles fused, dactylus strongly hooked, only few simple setae, many pectinate scales on inner and lateral sides. Pereopod 2 (Fig. 9 A) basis elongated with pectinate scales and three to four simple setae anterior, one or two simple seta posteriorly. Ischium with single simple setae anteriorly and posteriorly. Merus with anterior bulbous protrusion, single serrated spine, tubercules and two simple setae on bulbous protrusion, posterior margin with simple setae. Carpus without anterior bulbous, tubercles present and single plumose seta on posterior margin. Propodus with two short denticulated spines ending in sharp points situated on middle and distal part of posterior side respectively, only a simple setae anteriorly. Dactylus terminates in sharp posterior pointing unguis, prominent spine on posterior side proximal to unguis, few simple setae on dorsal and ventral sides of spine (Fig. 9 A). Pereopods 3 to 6 (Figs 9 B–E) similar to pereopod 2 in basic shape, differ in setation and number and presence of spines and tubercules. Pereopods also differ in direction, pereopods 4 to 6 directed posteriorly and pereopods 2 and 3 anteriorly. All articles of pereopods with pectinate scales and short fine setae and dominant pointed tubercules when present. Pleopod 2 (Fig. 7 D) with exopod and endopod almost the same size and covered in pectinate scales. Both fringed distally with eight to nine long plumose setae, short fine setae on all margins. Plumose setae almost as long as pleopod. Sympodite with retinacula, single simple seta on lateral margin and pectinate scales. Other pleopods similar to pleopod 2. Pleotelson (Fig. 7 E) triangular, base slightly wider than length, anterior half of lateral margins slightly convex, posterior half straight. A pair of simple setae on posterior dorsal surface, distal apex terminating in pair of simple setae, dorsal surface covered with pectinate scales, slight depression medially. Uropodal (Fig. 7 E) endopod extending beyond apex of pleotelson, exopod reaching pleotelson apex. Endopod longer and wider than exopod, endopod with distal five setae plumose, exopod with distal four setae plumose, remainder of setae simple. Uropodal basis with single simple setae and pectinate scales. Both endopod and exopod covered by pectinate scales. Pigmentation slight with few markings. Zuphea larvae with dark brown pereon, specifically pereonites 4 and 5, with pereonites 1 to 3 light with light brown speckles randomly distributed. Pleon and cephalosome of zuphea with light brown pigmentation, dense on cephalosome. Praniza larvae with light brown pigmentation on pleon and cephalosome. Cephalosome densely pigmented with darker borders on the anterior margins near the mouthparts. Brown colouration on lateral margins of the pereon and dense around the anterior pereonite 4, lateral margins of pereonite 5 and the posterior margin on pereonite 6. Etymology. The species name is derived from the Latin word, pilosus, meaning “hairy”, in reference to the large quantity of setae covering the body and especially the cephalosome of the male giving it a hairy appearance. Remarks. The broad, three articled pylopods, frontal border processes, a straight frontal border and nonelongate mandibles with dentate blades place this new species in the genus Gnathia. Gnathia pilosus sp. nov. can clearly be distinguished from other South African species in h

The Need to Address Black-backed Jackal and Caracal Predation in South Africa

Prior to 1990, the four provincial governments of South Africa had a variety of programs in place to manage predation by black-backed jackals and caracals through lethal and nonlethal manage-ment in close cooperation with livestock farmers. During the 1990s the official programmes were phased out due to a multitude of factors including lower predation rates. Today, thousands of livestock (primari-ly sheep and goats, but also cattle and wildlife) are lost each day in South Africa due to black-backed jackal and caracal predation. The actual numbers are not known because not all losses are accounted or reported. It also does not account for the scores of cattle and wildlife lost to black-backed jackals and caracals, nor does it include livestock predation from other predators. To address the losses, the major producer organizations including the National Wool Growers’ Association of South Africa, the South Af-rican Mohair Growers’ Association, the Red Meat Producers Organization, and Wildlife Ranching SA formed the Predation Management Forum in 2009. The overall goal of the Predation Management Forum is to address predation by black-backed jackals and caracals by reestablishing a national program to in-clude the national government of South Africa, provincial governments, and producers. Currently, the Predation Management Forum is actively engaging in initiatives to address predation in South Africa to ensure food security, biodiversity, and jobs

Habitat characteristics and species interference influence space use and nest-site occupancy: implications for social variation in two sister species

International audienceNest-site selection is an important component of species socio-ecology, being a crucial factor in establishment of group living. Consequently, nest-site characteristics together with space-use proxies may reveal the social organization of species, which is critical when direct observation of social interactions is hindered in nature. Importantly, nest-site choice is expected to be under strong selective pressures and the object of intra- and inter-specific competition. Although the bulk of research on sociality focuses on its ecological drivers, our study introduces interspecific competition as a potential factor that could influence social evolution. We investigated the influence of habitat and interspecific competition on the social organization of two sister species of the African four striped mouse (Rhabdomys dilectus dilectus and Rhabdomys bechuanae) in a similar macroenvironment. These species diverged in allopatry and occupy distinct environmental niches. We radiotracked 140 adults to identify their nest-sites, determine nest characteristics and record groups that shared nest-sites. Group cohesion was estimated from nest-site fidelity, group association strength, and home range overlap within versus between group members. We compared the two species in sympatry versus parapatry to determine the impact of species interference on sociality. In parapatry, the two species selected distinct nest-site types, interpreted as different anti-predator strategies: R. bechuanae selected fewer, spaced, less concealed nest-sites whereas R. d. dilectus selected clumped and less visible nest-sites. Rhabdomys bechuanae also showed more cohesive and stable social groups than R. d. dilectus. In sympatry, compared to R. bechuanae, R. d. dilectus occupied similar nest-sites, however slightly more exposed and clumped, and displayed similar nest-site fidelity and group association strength. We conclude that although habitat selection may be an important driver of social divergence in Rhabdomys, species interference, by limiting R. d. dilectus movements and forcing nest-site sharing may induce new ecological pressures that could influence its social evolution