Breeding season and breeding potential of the greater cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus) in captivity in South Africa

The cane rat, Thryonomys swinderianus, is an aseasonal breeder. It has a very low fecundity rate with an average litter size of 2.9 (range 1-5), producing a maximum of two litters per annum. The low annual fecundity is the direct result of the extended gestation period of the cane rat which exceeds 150 days in duration

A SOLUTION-BUILDING METAPHORICAL CONCEPT FOR DIRECT SOCIAL WORK WITH CHILDREN: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

As a practicing social worker the researcher was interested in a specific metaphorical conceptthat was used in a private practice context during direct social work intervention with children.The metaphbrlcal concept was subjected to methodological analysis to determine and describeits applicability with the aim of adding to the body of knowledge regarding the use ofmetaphors in direct work with children from a solution-focused perspective. The underlyingmetatheory was social constructionism with specific reference to solution-focused andstrengths-based social work practice.It was found that the particular metaphorical concept had specific functions that could belinked to solution-building questions and play actions. Adaptations to the basic metaphor wereobserved when it was used as part of sensory play, biblioplay and to enhance posttraumaticplay

Polytocy in the Cape serotine bat Eptesicus capensis (A. Smith 1829) from the Southern African subregion

Polytocy is described in the Cape serotine bat, Eptesicus capensis,and discussed in relation to the occurrence of multiple births in other microchiropteran bat species in the southern African subregion. Although twins appear to be characteristic of the Cape serotine bat, triplets and even the occasional quadruplets occur

Reproductive biology of the cape serotine bat, Eptesicus capensis in the Transvaal, South Africa

The reproductive biology of the Cape serotine bat, Eptesicus capensis, was investigated histologically. The study was based on 67 specimens collected over a six-year period. This species is seasonally monoestrous, normally giving birth to twins during November. Spermatogenesis peaks during autumn (March-May) when masses of spermatozoa are released into the epididymides, and spermatozoa are present in the epididymides from March to October. Copulations are initialed during this period from the end of March to the beginning of April, with the first ovulations occurring during August. During the pre-ovulation period leucocytes are commonly found within the uterine lumen and uterine glands of females

Schizamniogenesis in the rusty bat, Pipistrellus rusticus

Rusty bats are seasonally monoestrous, carrying a single foetus in each of the two uterine horns. Implantation is superficial with amniogenesis initiated very early during embryogenesis. Contrary to most other bat species where the amnion is formed by folding, it is formed by cavitation in the rusty bat

Short CommunicationsVestigial teeth in the genus Scotoecus (Mammalia: Chiroptera): adapted dental formulae for vespertilionids with vestigial teeth

Some members of the genus Seoloeeus Thomas, 1901 have an inconspicuous vestigial tooth which occurs on both sides of the upper jaw between the canine and following premolar. This tooth is regarded as permanent premolar pl in vestigial form.S. Afr. J. Zool. 1997,32(3

Foetal growth curves and seasonal breeding in the Natal clinging bat Miniopterus schreibersi natalensis

Growth of the foetus of Miniopterus schreibersi natalensis is described. The gestation period in this subspecies is 240 days of which 120 days is the period of delayed implantation. Birth mass is taken as 2,7 g from measurements of near-term foetuses. Foetal growth follows a typical J-shaped curve during the last half of the gestation period. Young of M. s. natalensis are proportionately lighter at birth than many other mammals.Fetale groei in Miniopterus schreibersi natalensis word beskryf. Die dragtigheidsperiode in hierdie subspesies is 240 dae, waarvan 120 dae 'n periode van vertraagde implantering is. Geboortemassa is 2,7 g en is bereken uit gegewens verkry van fetusse net voor geboorte. Fetale groei volg 'n tipies J-vormige kurwe gedurende die laaste helfte van die dragtigheidsperiode. Die kleintjies van M. s. natalensis is proporsloneel llgter by geboorte as baie ander soogdiere

Amniogenesis in Schreiber’s long-fingered bat Miniopterus schreibersii natalensis

Schreiber’s long-fingered bat, Miniopterus schreibersii natalensis is seasonally monoestrous, carrying a single foetus in the right uterine horn. Implantation is superficial, the amnion being a pleuramnion. Lateral folds, originating from the ends of the caudal and cephalic folds, are the main contributors in the formation of the definitive amnion. The formalion of the amnion by folding is preceded by the development of a primitive amniotic cavity within the inner cell mass which eventually disappears

The Use of Learning Support Materials in Rural Schools of Maputaland, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

The African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme (ACEP) was established in 2002 after the discovery of a colony of coelacanths off the Maputaland coast at Sodwana Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. The environmental education and awareness sub-programme developed learning support materials for use in schools and the materials were disseminated annually through teacher education workshops. This study aimed to uncover the use of these learning support materials in the rural schools of Maputaland. The active learning framework, originally proposed and developed by O’Donoghue (2001), was used to analyse the materials. Collectively, the ACEP materials cover a range of active learning aspects; however alignment with the curriculum has resulted in an increased focus on experiments, accompanied by a loss of environmental content and a narrowing scope for active environmental learning. Workshop questionnaires and four school case studies revealed the patterns of practice of use of materials in schools. The stated use of materials by teachers is not fully realised in the actual classroom practice which centres on learning content and concept definitions. There is no culture of use of materials in the schools following the annual introduction of ACEP materials. It was also found that the marine and coastal knowledge holding power is outside the realm of the teachers’ practice and control. The findings of this study come at a time when there is uncertainty over the future of South African education and the curriculum. This research may inform the environmental education and coastal and marine education field as to their role in education and more specifically the development of learning support materials

Variants within the MMP3 gene are associated with achilles tendinopathy: possible interaction with the COL5A1 gene

Objectives: Sequence variation within the COL5A1 and TNC genes are known to associate with Achilles tendinopathy. The primary aim of this case-control genetic association study was to investigate whether variants within the matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3) gene also contributed to both Achilles tendinopathy and Achilles tendon rupture in a Caucasian population. A secondary aim was to establish whether variants within the MMP3 gene interacted with the COL5A1 rs12722 variant to raise risk of these pathologies. Methods: 114 subjects with symptoms of Achilles tendon pathology and 98 healthy controls were genotyped for MMP3 variants rs679620, rs591058 and rs650108. Results: As single markers, significant associations were found between the GG genotype of rs679620 (OR = 2.5, 95% CI 1.2 to 4.90, p = 0.010), the CC genotype of rs591058 (OR = 2.3, 95% CI 1.1 to 4.50, p = 0.023) and the AA genotype of rs650108 (OR = 4.9, 95% CI 1.0 to 24.1, p = 0.043) and risk of Achilles tendinopathy. The ATG haplotype (rs679620, rs591058, and rs650108) was under-represented in the tendinopathy group when compared to the control group (41% vs 53%, p = 0.038). Finally, the G allele of rs679620 and the T allele of COL5A1 rs12722 significantly interacted to raise risk of AT (p = 0.006). No associations were found between any of the MMP3 markers and Achilles tendon rupture. Conclusion: Variants within the MMP3 gene are associated with Achilles tendinopathy. Furthermore, the MMP3 gene variant rs679620 and the COL5A1 marker rs12722 interact to modify the risk of tendinopathy. These data further support a genetic contribution to a common sports related injur