An African heritage of fishes : inaugural lecture delivered at Rhodes University

Inaugural lecture delivered at Rhodes UniversityRhodes University Libraries (Digitisation

The role of hydraulic strategies in understanding the response of fynbos to drought

Includes bibliographical references.This dissertation is an investigation into the relevance of the hydraulic framework (sensu McDowell et al., 2008) in understanding the response of diverse communities to drought. This framework distinguishes species that respond to dehydration by rapidly decreasing stomatal conductance (gs) (isohydric), thereby maintaining relatively constant midday minimum water potential, from those that maintain relatively high gs (anisohydric), thereby maintaining carbon assimilation albeit at the cost of hydraulic dysfunction. However, currently, the importance of the hydraulic framework in explaining drought response in diverse communities is poorly understood. Drought-related plant mortality is of particular concern in South Africa’s fynbos biome, a global biodiversity hotspot. This Mediterranean-type region is predicted to experience an increase in drought, with unknown consequences for the endemic flora. We asked whether drought affected this diverse ecosystem in a predictable manner and if these patterns fit with existing frameworks of plant drought-mortality mechanisms

Fifty years of ichthyology in Grahamstown

In July 1946, the fledgling Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) awarded Dr J.L.B. (James Leonard Brierley) Smith of Rhodes University College a research fellowship of £800 to enable him to devote his energies to ichthyology. The university responded by providing accommodation, equipment and appointing Smith a research professor. These actions marked the beginning of what has become a major academic development in Grahamstown as represented by the J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology, the Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science (DIFS), and the Freshwater Fish Section at the Albany Museum. At present more than 40 people are employed in one way or other in these organizations, more than 20 of them professionals, in addition to whom there are 41 postgraduate students currently studying ichthyology or fisheries science through DIFS at Rhodes University. Altogether this represents a concentration of ichthyological expertise probably unmatched anywhere else in the world. It is opportune therefore to highlight a few of the more significant milestones in the history of ichthyology in Grahamstown and so illuminate some of the key factors behind this achievement

Allopatric differentiation in the Marcusenius macrolepidotus species complex in southern and eastern Africa: the resurrection of M. pongolensis and M. angolensis, and the description of two new species (Mormyridae, Teleostei)

We critically compared local populations of the bulldog fish, Marcusenius macrolepidotus (Peters 1852), from different watersheds, from the furthest south (28° South, South Africa) to the Equator in Kenya. We ascertained allopatric differentiation from topotypical M. macrolepidotus from the Lower Zambezi River (Mozambique) in morphology, electric organ discharges, and molecular genetics for: (1) samples from the Okavango and Upper Zambezi Systems (Botswana and Namibia), (2) samples from South Africa's rivers draining into the Indian Ocean, and (3) samples from the East African Tana River (Kenya). Significant genetic distances in the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and differing ISSR-PCR profiles corroborate differentiation between the four taxa. We resurrect M. pongolensis (Fowler, 1934) for South Africa (sample 2), and M. angolensis (Boulenger, 1905) for the Quanza River/Angola. We recognize M. altisambesi sp. n. for the Upper Zambezi/Okavango specimens (sample 1), and M. devosi sp. n. for those from Kenya (sample 3)

New Audiences for the Arts: The New Audiences Programme Report

This 269 page report gives a detailed overview of a £20 million funding programme ‘New Audiences’, designed to foster new practice in audience development by arts organisations in England. It was the culmination of a five-year scheme which supported 1200 audience development initiatives across the country. Glinkowski was one of a team of seven researchers who compiled the report: ACE Research Officers, Clare Fenn, Adrienne Skelton and Alan Joy compiled the statistical information for the report appendices; the main body of the report, from Executive Summary to Conclusions, was written by a team of three consultant researchers, Glinkowski, Pam Pfrommer and Sue Stewart, working under the supervision of the ACE Head of New Audiences, Gill Johnson. The report was a summary, compilation and interpretation of key themes emerging from the material contained within around 1150 evaluations of projects funded by the £20 million ‘New Audiences’ programme during the 5-year period from 1998-2003. The interpretative work and writing up was undertaken collaboratively by the consultant researchers and Glinkowski’s particular input was to the Executive Summary; Introduction; General Audiences; Disability; Social Inclusion; Rural; Older People; General Findings; and Conclusion sections of the report. He was also the principal author (although in keeping with ACE practice on advocacy material, not formally credited) of the ‘New Audiences Advocacy Document’ (ISBN 0728710331), produced in conjunction with the main report with introduction by Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State, Department of Culture, Media and Sport and Peter Hewitt, Chief Executive of Arts Council England. The full report is published online, with a companion volume summarising all projects undertaken within the ‘New Audiences’ programme. Additionally, Glinkowski was commissioned to contribute case studies to the ‘New Audiences’ website (http://www.newaudiences.org.uk/index.php), including 'Open Studios/Artists Presentation Research' (http://www.newaudiences.org.uk/project.php?id=680)

Ichthyological Bulletin of the J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology; No. 56

A neotype for Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) is designated and described. Data from 41 specimens from the type locality are also presented. The geographical distribution of the species is discussed.Rhodes University Libraries (Digitisation

Karyology of the redfin minnows, genus Pseudobarbus Smith, 1841 (Teleostei: Cyprinidae): one of the evolutionarily tetraploid lineages of South African barbines

The karyotypes of six species of Pseudobarbus Smith, 1841, namely P. afer (Peters, 1864), P. asper (Boulenger, 1911), P. burchelli Smith, 1841, P. burgi (Boulenger, 1911), P. phlegethon (Barnard, 1938) and P. tenuis (Barnard, 1938), were examined by conventional Giemsa staining and described. All six karyotypes have 2n = 100 chromosomes, dominated by biarmed chromosomes, as does the only other member of the genus, P. quathlambae (Barnard, 1938). Sex-related intraspecific karyotype variation was not found. The shared chromosome numbers and general similarity of the karyotypes (FN = 186–192) provide a new synapomorphy to support their monophyly, which is already indicated by anatomical and mtDNA markers. Karyotype evolution within the genus has been accompanied by chromosomal inversions and centromeric shifts. Comparison of the diploid number found in Pseudobarbus with other African barbine cyprinines, which have in the region of 2n=50 and lower FNs, suggests a tetraploid evolutionary origin of the genus, possibly by allotetraploidy

Systematics and biogeography of the redfin Barbus species (Pisces : Cyprinidae) from Southern Africa

Resumé: This study deals with the systematics and biogeography of a group of minnowlike Barbus species which, as adults, are characterized by bright red fins. The species are found in the coastal rivers of the fold belt region of the southern and south-western Cape Province. A closely related species, Oreodaimon quathlambae, inhabits certain high altitude streams of the Drakensberg mountains. Traditional methods were employed to revise the taxonomy of the species. Characters studied included morphometric and meristic measurements, and several qualitative anatomical features, several of which were studied in these species for the first time. A new species, Barbus erubescens Skelton, was described during the course of the study (Appendix 3). The taxonomic status of other species are endorsed or revised (B.afer and B.asper). Each species is redescribed and figured. The complete osteology of one redfin species, B.burchelli, is described and illustrated. Comparisons are made with all other redfin species and various osteological characters of systematic value are discussed. The phylogeny of the redfins is studied using Hennigian methods. Comparative data from other southern African Barbus species and pertinent literature were used to determine and evaluate synapomorphic characters and character sequences. The redfins sensu lato are shown to be diphyletic. Barbus calidus Barnard and B.erubescens were found to be sister species not closely related to the other redfin species. Oreodaimon quathlambae (Barnard) is shown to be monophyletic with the second redfin lineage. Barbus burgi Boulenger is placed as the plesiomorph sister species in this lineage and consecutive dichotomies derive Barbus burchelli (Smith); Barbus afer Peters, and Barbus asper Boulenger; Barbus phlegethon Barnard; Barbus tenuis Barnard and Oreodaimon quathlambae. The classification of the redfins is reviewed in the light of their phylogeny and recommendations for an infonnal hierarchy are made. The generic status of each lineage is considered and a new genus, Pseudobarbus, erected for all the redfin species except B.calidus and B.erubescens, but including O. quathlambae. The distributions of redfin species are recorded. A hypothesis is given to explain this distribution, based on a comparison of distribution patterns of a number of plant and animal species and a consideration of the geological and geographical history of southern Africa. Vicariance is suggested to be the major factor which influenced redfin distribution. A theory of dispersal explains the distribution of P.tenuis. The biogeography suggests the redfins are relatively ancient (possibly Miocene?) southern African fishes. Suggestions are made on future studies on the redfins. Attention is drawn to possible implications of the redfin study on systematic study of southern African freshwater fishes

Direct surface analysis coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry reveals heterogeneous composition of the cuticle of Hibiscus trionum petals.

Plant cuticle, which is the outermost layer covering the aerial parts of all plants including petals and leaves, can present a wide range of patterns that, combined with cell shape, can generate unique physical, mechanical, or optical properties. For example, arrays of regularly spaced nanoridges have been found on the dark (anthocyanin-rich) portion at the base of the petals of Hibiscus trionum. Those ridges act as a diffraction grating, producing an iridescent effect. Because the surface of the distal white region of the petals is smooth and noniridescent, a selective chemical characterization of the surface of the petals on different portions (i.e., ridged vs smooth) is needed to understand whether distinct cuticular patterns correlate with distinct chemical compositions of the cuticle. In the present study, a rapid screening method has been developed for the direct surface analysis of Hibiscus trionum petals using liquid extraction surface analysis (LESA) coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry. The optimized method was used to characterize a wide range of plant metabolites and cuticle monomers on the upper (adaxial) surface of the petals on both the white/smooth and anthocyanic/ridged regions, and on the lower (abaxial) surface, which is entirely smooth. The main components detected on the surface of the petals are low-molecular-weight organic acids, sugars, and flavonoids. The ridged portion on the upper surface of the petal is enriched in long-chain fatty acids, which are constituents of the wax fraction of the cuticle. These compounds were not detected on the white/smooth region of the upper petal surface or on the smooth lower surface.The authors acknowledge support by the ERC grant 279405.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.5b0249

Housing Intervention and Neighbourhood Development: Harnessing Change in West Broadway

During the period leading to the early 1990s the West Broadway area of inner city Winnipeg experienced many signs of neighbourhood decline, such as residential fires, housing abandonment and structural deterioration. From the mid 1990s considerable amounts of volunteer energy, public funding and philanthropic resources were devoted to turning the neighbourhood around, focusing efforts through community development, employment training, arts programs, housing upgrading and other themes. Many individuals and organizations combined their capabilities in the attempt to create an inclusive and diverse community. The study Housing Intervention and Neighbourhood Development was grounded in the need to take stock of changes in the neighbourhood and to relate these to knowledge of the nature of neighbourhood change. It was intended that this would enable an informed assessment of whether dynamics such as gentrification, disinvestment and stabilization appear to be in operation in parts of the neighbourhood. This assessment, in turn, would support discussion of strategies that could be implemented to help guide how the neighbourhood would unfold