A New Species of Boubou (Malaconotidae: Laniarius) from the Albertine Rift

We describe Laniarius willardi, a new species of boubou shrike (Malaconotidae) from the Albertine Rift of Africa. The most conspicuous, distinguishing morphological feature of the species is a gray to blue-gray iris. This and external morphometric data indicate that L. willardi is diagnosable from other black or sooty boubous. Further, L. willardi is genetically diagnosable, and its closest relative is the Mountain Sooty Boubou (L. poensis camerunensis) from Cameroon. The Crimson-breasted Bush-shrike (L. atrococcineus) and the Lowland Sooty Boubou (L. leucorhynchus) are together the sister clade to L. willardi—L.p. camerunensis. Laniarius willardi and the geographically codistributed L. p. holomelas differ by 11.5% in uncorrected sequence divergence, and elevational data taken from museum specimens suggest the possibility of elevational segregation of the species at ∼2,000 m, withL. willardi occurring at lower elevations. Our broad sampling of black and sooty boubou taxa indicate that (1) races of Mountain Sooty Boubou (L. poensis) do not form a monophyletic clade; (2) L. p. camerunensismay represent multiple, nonsister lineages; and (3) at least one race of Fülleborn\u27s Black Boubou (L. fuelleborni usambaricus) is genetically distinct from other races of that species

The significance of Ruzizi Delta: Rusizi Burundian Delta and Ruzizi Congolese Delta, in the Great Lakes Region, for the Conservation of Birds

ABSTRACT The significance of the Ruzizi Delta: Rusizi Burundian Delta (RBD) and Ruzizi Congolese Delta (RCD), in the Great Lakes Region for bird conservation was investigated from April 2019 to November 2021 in five sites of the RBD and five sites of the RCD. The investigation was conducted by direct observation on transects counts, counting points and on bird species recognition routes using binoculars and two telescopes. Travels were facilitated by the motorized fiberglass boat and the double cabin field vehicle of the Centre for Research in Hydrobiology (CRH) in Uvira, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). At the end of our investigations, we drew up the list of 490 species divided into 84 families and 18 orders. The following groups were listed: (i) 359 species of resident birds, of which 74 (21%) were recorded in the RCD, 148 (41%) in the RBD and 137 species (38%) were recorded both in the RCD and the RBD; (ii) 131 migrant bird species, of which 24 (18%) were recorded only in the RCD, 44 (34%) in the RBD and 63 species (48%) were recorded both in the RCD and the RBD; (iii) 176 water bird species, of which 26 (15%) were only recorded in the RCD, 49 (28%) in the RBD and 101 (57%) were recorded both in the RCD and the RBD; (iv) 238 (49%) Ramsar bird species for the criteria A1, A2, A3, A4i, A4ii and A4iv, among them, 29 (12%) species were only recorded in the RCD, 107 ( 45%) in the RBD and 102 species (43%) recorded in both the RCD and the RBD; (v) 21 species (4%) of birds with IUCN (International Union for Nature Conservation) status, of which only one species (Limosa limosa, Black-tailed Godwit) was recorded only in the RCD, 13 (62%) were only recorded in the RBD and 7 species (33%) were recorded both in the RCD and the RBD; Finally, the research pinpointed 60 newly recorded bird species in the Ruzizi Delta, of which four 4 (7%) were recorded only in the RCD, 37 (61%) in the RBD and 19 species (32%) were recorded in both the RCD and the RBD. The sustainability of all these species and their groups in the Ruzizi Delta requires the protection of the wetlands of the Ruzizi Congolese Delta as a community reserve and potential Ramsar site which will be submitted by the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN) to the Ramsar Secretariat for designation as a Ruzizi Congolese Delta Ramsar site. Keywords: Significance of the Ruzizi Delta; Ruzizi Congolese Delta; Rusizi Burundian Delta; Bird conservation; Great Lakes region. References Bashonga, A. B., Sande, E., Kahindo, C., & Ntakimazi, G. (2023). Checklist of the Bird Species from the Ruzizi Delta, Northern End of lake Tanganyika, in Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Biolife 11 (2);115-129. Chimatiro, S., & al, e. (2021). The African Great Lakes Regional Food System; the contribution of fisheries- the case of small pelagic fishes. A Discussion Paper. . Penang Malaysia: World Fish & Natural Resources Institute (NRI), 43 pages. www.fish.cgiar.org 23/8/2023. Cousin, P. H., Sinclair, L., Alain, J. F., & Love, C. E. (1993). Larousse & Collins Pratique; Dictionnaire Francais-Anglais/Anglais-Francais Voyages-Correspondance, 70000 mots et expressions. Londrs-Glasgow: Harper Collins Publishers, No 9 782850 36 140 1, 358 pages. Demey, R., & Louette, M. (2001). Democratic Republic of Congo. In Fishpool L.D.C.& Evans M.I eds Important Bird Areas in Africa:Priority Sites for Conservation. Pisces Publications and BirdLife International, 199-218. Dowset, & Dowset-Lemaire. (1993). A contribution to the Distribution and Taxonomy of Afrotropical and Malagasy birds Tauraco Research Report . Liège, Belgium.: Tauraco Press, Jupille No. 5 pp195-204. Fishpool, L., & Evans, M. (2001). Important Bird Areas in Africa and Associated Islands, Priority Sites for Conservation. Newbury and Cambridge, UK: BirdLife International, 1144 pages. www.birdlife.net. Gaugris, Y. (1979). Les oiseaux aquatiques de la plaine de la basse Rusizi (Burundi) (1973-1978). Belgium: l’Oiseau et la Revue française d’ornithologie, volume 49 n° 21:33-153. Guggisberg, C. (1986). Birds of East Africa. Supra Safari Guide No 6 Volume II. Nairobi: Mount Kenya Sundries, 196 pages. Guggisberg, C. (1988). Birds of East Africa. Supra Safari Guide No 6 Volum I. Nairobi: Mount Kenya Sundries, 198 pages . MEEATU, Ramsar, C., & WWF. (2014). Atlas of Burundi's four Ramsar sites: Location and Resources. Bujumbura, Burundi: Ministry of Water, Environment, Land Use Planning and Town Planning (MEEATU), 44p. Nkezabahizi, L., & Bizimana, D. (2008). Burundi’s Important Bird Areas, Status and Trends. Bujumbura-Burundi: Association Burundaise pour la protection des Oiseaux, 58 pages. Nkezabahizi, L., & Manirambona, A. (2011). Burundi’s Important Bird Areas Status and Trend 2010. London: BirdLife International & RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (UK), 36 pages

Assessment of knowledge of acute kidney injury among non-nephrology healthcare workers in North-Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Background: Assessment of knowledge of acute kidney injury (AKI) among healthcare workers (HCWs) is necessary to identify areas of deficiency and key topics to focus on while organizing educational programs to improve AKI care. The objective of this study was to assess AKI knowledge and practice among health care providers in North Kivu province, the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Material and methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in six public hospitals in North Kivu province using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: A total of 158 HCWs completed the survey, among them 66 (41.78%) were physicians. The mean age of respondents was 36.07 ± 10.16 years and the male gender was 56.33%. Only 12 (7.59%) of the respondents had a good knowledge of the definition and classification of AKI. The respondents’ mean scores were 6.76 out of a total of 18 about risk factors for AKI and 6.29 out of a total of 11 with regard to nephrotoxic drugs. Regarding practices, 28.48% of the respondents assess the risk of AKI in their patients in their daily practices; 31.65% report AKI in the patients’ medical history, and 33.54% call on a nephrologist specialist to get specialized advice. Conclusion: This study found considerable gaps in knowledge and practice regarding AKI among most of HCWs in North Kivu province.&nbsp

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Acute Kidney Injury in Sub-Saharan African Adults: A Review of the Current Literature

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a complex condition that can occur in both community and hospital settings and has many aetiologies. These aetiologies may be infectious, toxic, surgical, or related to the different management methods. Although it is a major public health problem worldwide, it must be emphasised that both its incidence and mortality rate appear to be very high in sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries compared to developed countries. The profile of AKI is very different from that of more developed countries. There are no reliable statistics on the incidence of AKI in SSA. Infections (malaria, HIV, diarrhoeal, and other diseases), nephrotoxins, and obstetric and surgical complications are the main aetiologies in Africa. The management of AKI is costly and associated with high rates of prolonged hospitalisation and in-hospital mortality

Genetic structure offers insights into the evolution of migration and the taxonomy of the Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo Cercococcyx montanus species complex

Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo (Cercococcyx montanus) currently comprises two morphologically distinct subspecies, one resident in the Albertine Rift (montanus) and one in east and southeast Africa (patulus) in which there are migrations that are poorly understood. Based on nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences, we find that two specimens collected in relatively low-elevation forest in the Albertine Rift were correctly identified from plumage as the migratory subspecies whose closest known breeding area is > 800 km to the east. We discuss ways in which this unique migratory pattern could have evolved and argue that migration was gained and then lost in the C. montanus complex. Based on consistent morphological and genetic differences, we suggest that Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo is best treated as two species, one of which (C. montanus) is a nonmigratory Albertine Rift endemic

CommentariesA need for continued collecting of avian voucher specimens in Africa: why blood is not enough

Ostrich 2004, 75(4): 187–19