Impact of gold mining on Cordylus giganteus and recommendations for conservation and management

Student Number : 0316126G - MSc dissertation - School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences - Faculty of ScienceI investigated whether inorganic contaminants associated with gold mining waste discharges in the Free State Province, South Africa, were accumulated by a threatened species of lizard, Cordylus giganteus; if the route of exposure could be dietary, and whether accumulation of contaminants could be associated with potential physiological costs. I compared elemental concentrations in tissue and blood samples between populations of this species, from four sites around the province. Inorganic contaminants were known to be elevated in soils, water, sediments and vegetation of the first mining site, and to a lesser extent at the second mining site. The third site was not known to be contaminated by mining discharges, but was selected because of its potential to be contaminated by wind-blown contaminants. This site was also heavily overgrazed. The fourth site was both uncontaminated by mining and relatively undisturbed. Lizards from the most contaminated site had significantly higher blood concentrations of Li, Na, Al, S, Ca, P, Si, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, W and Bi when compared with all the other sites investigated. Based upon a comparison of elemental concentrations in selected lizard prey items found at these sites (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) I did not find conclusive evidence for a dietary route of exposure to contaminants. I tested for significant differences in body condition among populations. Lizards from the heavily grazed site were in similar condition to lizards from the most contaminated site, and all these lizards were in significantly poorer condition than lizards from the undisturbed site. The adult sex ratio of the population inhabiting the most contaminated site also deviated significantly from an expected 1:1 ratio in favour of females. The reason for this deviation is not understood, but may be a consequence of sexes being differentially affected by inorganic contaminants. My research demonstrates that the disposal of gold and uranium mine waste has resulted in the accumulation of contaminants by a representative resident vertebrate, and that this accumulation is potentially associated with poorer body condition which might affect fitness. It highlights the potential threat of mining-waste discharges to lizards, shows the need for site remediation measures, and also highlights the need for further investigation into the potential effects of environmental contaminants from gold and uranium mine waste on exposed vertebrates in South Africa

Animal telemetry : tagging effects

The 12 June Reviews by R. Kays et al. (“Terrestrial animal tracking as an eye on life and planet,” p. 1222) and N. E. Hussey et al. (“Aquatic animal telemetry: A panoramic window into the underwater world,” p. 1221) highlight some challenges to the future of terrestrial and aquatic telemetry studies, respectively, focusing on issues related to global collaboration and data sharing. Kays et al. also mention the need to continually improve animal-mounted sensors to minimize impacts of tags on animals. However, the gaps in our understanding of impacts associated with attaching instruments to animals are not given substantial consideration in either Review.http://www.sciencemag.orghb2016Mammal Research InstituteZoology and Entomolog

Stakeholder perceptions of human–predator conflict in the South African fly-fishing industry

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT : Copies of the anonymised data set may be requested from the authors.Human–wildlife conflict in African aquaculture and fisheries is poorly understood. We investigated this conflict through a questionnaire aimed at owners and managers of fly-fishing properties in South Africa. While perceptions of losses varied, all respondents reported losses to predators. Resulting mitigation measures, including lethal control, were employed mostly against cormorants (Phalacrocorax spp.) and otters (Aonyx capensis and Hydrictis maculicollis). Given that fly-fishing properties potentially provide valuable habitat for protected species such as otters, our results highlight a need for improved mitigation measures and exploring alternative options of potentially generating income from tourism associated with the presence of charismatic predators.http://www.wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/ajeMammal Research InstituteZoology and Entomolog

Slow to change? Individual fidelity to three-dimensional foraging habitats in southern elephant seals, Mirounga leonina

Long-term fidelity to foraging areas may have fitness benefits to individuals, particularly in unpredictable environments. However, such strategies may result in short-term energetic losses and delay responses to fast environmental changes. We used satellite tracking data and associated diving data to record the habitat use of nine individual southern elephant seals over 34 winter migrations. By assessing overlap in two- and three-dimensional home ranges we illustrate strong long-term (up to 7-year) fidelity to foraging habitat. Furthermore, a repeatability statistic and hierarchical clustering exercise provided evidence for individual specialization of foraging migration strategies.We discuss the possible influences of stable long-term foraging migration strategies on the adaptability of individual elephant seals to rapid environmental change. Our results further illustrate the need for more long-term longitudinal studies to quantify the influence of individual-level site familiarity, fidelity and specialization on population-level resource selection and population dynamics

Inventory Locating with Quuppa: The Design and Development of a Real-Time Process Monitoring Web Application Solution

Viasat, Inc. requires precise inventory tracking at their production facility in San Diego, CA. Viasat has installed the Quuppa indoor real-time locating system (RTLS), which it uses to track the real-time position of high-value work-in-process items. In its current state, the system only displays in-the-moment location information, with no available functionality for storing historical data for review, analysis, or visualization. In addition, the data displayed is noisy and prone to significant random error. This paper provides an overview of RTLS methods and technologies, assesses alternative solutions to Viasat’s issue, demonstrates our RTLS integrated web app solution, analyzes its impact, and offers recommendations for future development

Effect of ultrafiltration during hemodialysis on hepatic and total-body water: an observational study.

Background The hepatic circulation is involved in adaptive systemic responses to circulatory stress. However, it is vulnerable to both chronic hypervolemia and cardiac dysfunction. The influence of hemodialysis (HD) and ultrafiltration (UF) upon liver water content has been understudied. We conducted a detailed pilot study to characterize the effects of HD upon liver water content and stiffness, referenced to peripheral fluid mobilization and total body water. Methods We studied 14 established HD patients without liver disease. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) together with ultrasound-based elastography and bioimpedance assessment were employed to measure hepatic water content and stiffness, body composition, and water content in the calf pre- and post-HD. Results Mean UF volume was 8.13 ± 4.4 mL/kg/hr. Fluid removal was accompanied with effective mobilization of peripheral water (measured with MRI within the thigh) from 0.85 ± 0.21 g/mL to 0.83 ± 0.18 g/mL, and reduction in total body water (38.9 ± 9.4 L to 37.4 ± 8.6 L). However, directly-measured liver water content did not decrease (0.57 ± 0.1 mL/g to 0.79 ± 0.3 m L/g). Liver water content and IVC diameter were inversely proportional (r = - 0.57, p = 0.03), a relationship which persisted after dialysis. Conclusions In contrast to the reduced total body water content, liver water content did not decrease post-HD, consistent with a diversion of blood to the hepatic circulation, in those with signs of greater circulatory stress. This novel observation suggests that there is a unique hepatic response to HD with UF and that the liver may play a more important role in intradialytic hypotension and fluid shifts than currently appreciated

Fur seal populations facilitate establishment of exotic vascular plants

The cessation of seal harvesting has prompted a recovery of previously decimated fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella and Arctocephalus tropicalis) populations across the Southern Ocean region. Although the associated increase in seal-related soil disturbance is known to impact indigenous vegetation, the effect of increasing fur seal numbers on exotic plant species is not yet clear. Here, we compare plant species composition and cover between 26 sites with high fur seal impact paired with nearby control sites on sub- Antarctic Marion Island. Seal-affected sites had a significantly higher number and cover of exotic plants, specifically of the widespread sub-Antarctic invaders, Poa annua and Sagina procumbens, than control sites. Furthermore, some of the native species, most notably the disturbance-sensitive species, Blechnum penna-marina, were significantly less abundant in seal-affected sites compared to controls. We propose that this is a result of both physical trampling, which opens up niches for exotics by damaging natives, and nutrient enrichment of the soils, giving exotic species a competitive advantage over natives. While other studies have noticed associations between exotic plant species and indigenous animal disturbance, this is, to the best of our knowledge, the first study to empirically show that the successful recovery of fur seal populations can have undesirable side-effects such as the enhanced persistence of exotic plant species. We recommend that alien plant management plans specifically include areas of increased animal disturbance into their programmes.http://www.elsevier.com/ locate/bioconhb201

An assessment of spatial and temporal variation in the diet of Cape clawless otters (Aonyx capensis) in marine environments

We studied the diet of Cape clawless otters (Aonyx capensis) at three sites along the eastern and southern coast of South Africa to assess possible spatial variation along a community species richness and biomass gradient associated with rocky shores.A total of 309 spraints representing two seasons (summer 2013/2014 and winter 2014) were collected and subsequently analysed. The percentage occurrence and percentage dry mass of numerous prey categories were compared between sites and seasons. Variation in the importance of prey items was found between sites, whilst no variation was found between seasons within the same site. Crab was the most important prey item in the southernmost study area (Tsitsikamma National Park) and at the northernmost study site (KwaZulu-Natal Coast), whilst lobster was the most important prey item in the central area (Mkambati Nature Reserve). Fish was the second most important prey item at all three sites. Our results suggest that otters are opportunistic feeders that are likely able to adapt to potential prey species and abundance changes associated with current and future anthropogenically driven changes. Furthermore, long-term, site-specific stability in diet suggests that monitoring the diet of otters could provide some useful information on the status of shoreline communities.The South African Department of Science and Technology through the National Research Foundation, and by a University of Pretoria Research Development Programgrant (T. McIntyre).am201

Referencing practices in physical geography : how well do we cite what we write?

Accurate citation practices are important, from both an ethical and a scientific point of view. Using an easily reproducible, previously published method, we assess citation accuracy in 120 articles published in the first half of 2011 and listed under ‘Physical Geography’ in Thomson Reuters’ ISI Web of Knowledge Science Citation Index. Our results indicate that at least 19% of citations in physical geography do not provide clear support for the statements they are meant to support. These results are in line with previously published findings for ‘field-orientated’ sciences. We propose that both authors and editors help remedy this problem, by employing more rigorous writing and editing practices.University of Pretoria Research Development Programme (RDP) grant (grant number AOT380).http://ppg.sagepub.com/hb201