Morphology, development, and reproduction of Eyprepocnemis plorans ibandana (Orthoptera: Acrididae) in South Cameroon rainforests

Eyprepocnemis plorans ibandana is a very common grasshopper species in open environments and agricultural systems of tropical Africa. It is a pest that significantly benefits from forest degradation in southern Cameroon, hence the need to study the bioecology of this subspecies. We studied the reproduction as well as the morphological characteristics and development times of the post-embryonic instars of E. p. ibandana. Sixty-one adult pairs were obtained from sixth instar nymphs caught in grassy vegetation in the Nkolbisson area (Yaoundé) and bred in the laboratory. After hatching, the first instar nymphs were individually placed in cages and fed every two days using fresh leaves of Manihot esculenta. The postembryonic development of E. p. ibandana took six instars in the male and six to seven instars in the female. Mean nymphal development took 79.16 ± 0.51 days in males, 89.93 ± 0.58 days in 6 instar females and 94.96 ± 1.22 days in 7 instar females. The survival rate of the first instar was low (53%). However, from the second instar on the survival rate was very high (> 87%). Sexual dimorphism is distinct in adults, fifth and sixth nymphal instars. Adults of E. p. ibandana took on average 32.57 ± 3.88 days to start mating, and mating lasted 2.12 h on average (1–3 h). Oviposition took place on average 52.03 ± 5 days after first mating; each female deposited one to eleven oothecae with an average of 34.93 ± 2.37 eggs per ootheca. Our study provides important information for the control of this subspecies in southern Cameroon

Genomic analyses reveal poaching hotspots and illegal trade in pangolins from Africa to Asia

<p>Reducing the illegal wildlife trade requires an understanding of its origins. Here we present a genomic approach for tracing confiscated scales from the world's most trafficked mammal, the white-bellied pangolin (<em>Phataginus tricuspis</em>), to their geographic origins. Analyzing scales seized in Hong Kong SAR, China from 2012–2018 revealed intense poaching along Cameroon's southern border. Poaching pressures shifted over time from West to Central Africa. Using data from seizures representing nearly one million African pangolins, we identified Nigeria as a significant hub for trafficking, where scales are amassed and shipped to Vietnam and Hong Kong SAR, China, with final transit to markets in Guangdong and Guangxi, China. This origin-to-destination approach offers new opportunities to disrupt the illegal wildlife trade and to guide anti-trafficking measures.</p><p>Funding provided by: Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs<br>Crossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100021610<br>Award Number: S-INLEC-17-GR-1006</p><p>Funding provided by: National Geographic Society<br>Crossref Funder Registry ID: https://ror.org/04bqh5m06<br>Award Number: NGS-418C-18</p><p>Funding provided by: National Science Foundation<br>Crossref Funder Registry ID: https://ror.org/021nxhr62<br>Award Number: 2208955</p><p>Funding provided by: Research Grants Council, Hong Kong*<br>Crossref Funder Registry ID: <br>Award Number: R7021-20</p><p>Funding provided by: EU-ACP ECOFAC VI Convention*<br>Crossref Funder Registry ID: <br>Award Number: FED/2018/403-718</p><p>Funding provided by: Idea Wild<br>Crossref Funder Registry ID: https://ror.org/03078b858<br>Award Number: EBONCAME0221</p&gt