Argulus izintwala n. sp. (Crustacea: Branchiura) from Lake St Lucia,South Africa

During surveys of the fish parasites of Lake St Lucia on the coast of northern KwaZulu-Natal, specimens of an hitherto undescribed argulid were found on the skin of the kelee shad Hilsa kelee (Cuvier). This, only the fourth argulid species to be found in South African coastal waters, is here described as Argulus izintwala n. sp.     

Record of Blue tilapia Oreochromis aureus (Steindachner, 1864) in the Eerste River catchment,Western Cape province,South Africa

Oreochromis aureus was imported from Israel into South Africa in 1959 but data on its current status in South Africa are lacking. Genomic DNA was extracted and the COI gene amplified at the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity. The identity of the sequences and specimens was determined using the Barcode of Life Data Systems and GenBank. Morphological and genetic assessment demonstrated that 11 specimens collected from two farm dams in the Eerste River System, Western Cape province, were Oreochromis aureus. A MaxEnt model compiled using global distribution, rainfall and temperature data predicted that large areas of southern Africa were climatically suitable for this species, indicating considerable invasion debt in southern Africa. As a result, surveys to assess for the extent of the invasion in South Africa and eradication of existing populations, if feasible, are recommended management actions.     

A NOTE ON THE REINTRODUCTION OF BARBUS TREURENSIS GROENEWALD 1958 (PISCES: CYPRINIDAE) INTO TIIE TREUR RIVER,MPUMALANGA, SOUTH AFRICA.

Summary

The Treur River Barb (Barbus treurensis) was reintroduced into the Treur River after being extinct in this river for about twenty years. During March 1995, 504 individuals were released at a carefully selected site. Recent surveys have shown that, within only five years, Barbus treurensis has successfully repopulated about seven kilometres of the Treur River.     

The abundance of an invasive freshwater snail Tarebia granifera (Lamarck, 1822) in the Nseleni River,South Africa

The invasive freshwater snail Tarebia granifera (Lamarck, 1822) was first reported in South Africa in 1999 and it has become widespread across the country, with some evidence to suggest that it reduces benthic macroinvertebrate biodiversity. The current study aimed to identify the primary abiotic drivers behind abundance patterns of T. granifera, by comparing the current abundance of the snail in three different regions, and at three depths, of the highly modified Nseleni River in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Tarebia granifera was well established throughout the Nseleni River system, with an overall preference for shallow waters and seasonal temporal patterns of abundance. Although it is uncertain what the ecological impacts of the snail in this system are, its high abundances suggest that it should be controlled where possible and prevented from invading other systems in the region.     

Distribution and habitats of Bulinus natalensis and its role as intermediate host of economically important helminth parasites in South Africa

This article focusses on the geographical distribution and habitats of Bulinus natalensis, as reflected by the samples taken from 244 collection sites on record in the database of the National Freshwater Snail Collection (NFSC) at the Potchefstroom campus of the North-West University. This snail species is experimentally susceptible to Schistosoma haematobium and is incriminated in the natural transmission of S. margrebowiei, S. bovis and Calicophoron microbothrium elsewhere in Africa. The 78 different loci (1/16 degree squares) on record reflect a geographical distribution that is largely limited to the KwaZulu-Natal Province. Details of each habitat as described by collectors during surveys, as well as altitude and mean annual air temperature and rainfall for each locality, were processed and chi-squared and effect size values calculated. A decision tree constructed from all the available data indicated that temperature and altitude, followed by the type of water body, seemed to be the more important factors that significantly influenced the distribution of this species in South Africa. The possible role of this species as intermediate host of economically important helminth species is briefly examined. The need to clarify its relationships with B. tropicus and B. depressus, and to update the geographical distribution in South Africa, is also emphasised.     

Re-occurrence and bioindication status of the netted dog whelk <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nassarius reticulatus</Emphasis> (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Western Baltic Sea (Mecklenburg Bight,Germany)

The netted dog whelk Nassarius reticulatus (Linnaeus, 1758), considered as an extinct benthic species in German Baltic waters, was found again alive in the Mecklenburg Bight during several macrozoobenthic surveys since 1997. All data indicate that the establishment of this marine prosobranch species is connected with the more frequent intrusions of highly saline water from the North Sea into the Baltic that have been observed over the past few years. It is proposed that N. reticulatus is a good bioindicator for the hydrographic status in the western Baltic rather than for other existing potential conditions. Since 1998 a second extinct marine species, the polychaete Scalibregma inflatum Rathke, 1843 was found alive here, too.Original English Text Copyright © 2005 by Biologiya Morya, Nehring.This article was submitted by the author in English.     

Reappearance of Eumarcia fumigata (G.B. Sowerby II, 1853) (Bivalvia: Veneridae) into the Swan River,Western Australia

ABSTRACT

The venerid bivalve Eumarcia fumigata was a common species in Western Australia (WA) during the Pleistocene, where it was distributed as far north as Shark Bay. It became extinct in WA as the climate changed several thousand years ago but remains common in eastern Australia from southern Queensland to South Australia and Tasmania. The species has recently reappeared in the Swan River, probably due to shipping movements. Of the > 60 marine and estuarine species introduced into WA it is only the third confirmed introduction from eastern Australia, and the first that is a reappearance in the Swan River of a species present in the geological past. The present reappearance of E. fumigata, and the introduction of other species, has been made possible by the removal of a rocky bar at the mouth of the estuary and the creation of more marine conditions in the lower Swan estuary.     

The long unknown: Rediscovery of the long sunskink,Lampropholis elongata (Squamata: Scincidae)—After almost a decade,and after 50 years of data deficiency

Conservation management cannot proceed in the absence of the basic ecological data necessary to develop conservation strategies for a species. Species considered Data Deficient and possibly extinct are poorly known, and are often overlooked in conservation planning. This is despite a growing body of evidence indicating that Data Deficient species are more likely to be threatened by extinction compared to well-studied taxa. Hence, there is an immediate need to resolve data deficiency, and to search for species that are possibly extinct. Here, we conducted the first systematic search for a Data Deficient Australian skink, Lampropholis elongata (long sunskink), which prior to our study, had not been seen for approximately 9 years. A combination of pitfall trapping and active searches was used in attempt to detect the species. We rediscovered L. elongata at four sites within its known distribution on the southern edge of the New England Tablelands Bioregion in New South Wales, Australia. Our findings suggest that the species can be detected relatively easily using active survey methods, especially by inspecting tussock bases. We further highlight that areas of high canopy openness and high cover of Poa sieberiana (grey tussock-grass) appear to be key habitat for the species.     

Genetic diversity of rodent species sold in South African pet shops

Murid rodents are considered globally important invasive species, yet they are still sold in the pet trade. Little is known about the genetic diversity of traded rodents, and many species are incorrectly identified in the pet trade. We used mitochondrial gene regions to assess the taxonomy and genetic diversity of 149 rodents sold in pet shops across eight South African provinces. We identified a total of 112 specimens as Mus musculus, while 31 were Rattus norvegicus, and six were identified as the southern African endemic, southern multimammate mouse Mastomys coucha. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the three species were monophyletic. Mus musculus and R. norvegicus showed higher levels of genetic diversity, with 19 unique mtDNA haplotypes recovered for M. musculus and eight haplotypes for R. norvegicus. KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape and Gauteng Provinces had the most unique haplotypes than other provinces. Our findings showed that non-native species are widely distributed in the South African pet trade industry, while M. coucha was not widely traded, although recorded in three provinces. This suggests that most provinces comply with the trade regulations on native species, but the threat of invasive rodents to South Africa's unique biodiversity is highlighted.     

Distribution and status of the declining garden dormouse Eliomys quercinus

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Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus and African White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus nesting at the Olifants River Private Nature Reserve,Limpopo province,South Africa

Basic ecological information is still lacking for many species of African vultures. The Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus is known as a rare breeding resident in north-eastern South Africa. This study set out to monitor the nests of Hooded Vultures and, secondarily, White-backed Vultures Gyps africanus in the Olifants River Private Nature Reserve over two breeding seasons in 2013 and 2014. A total of 12 Hooded Vulture nests, placed mostly in the tree Diospyros mespiliformis, were found along the Olifants River, with an average inter- nest distance of 0.76 km. Nest success was estimated to be between 0.44–0.89 offspring pair?1 y?1 in 2013 and 0.50–0.67 offspring pair?1 y?1 in 2014, which are the first estimates for Hooded Vultures in South Africa. It is thought that nests of this species have been under-reported due to the fact that they are placed within or below the canopy of densely leafed trees and hence difficult to view from aerial surveys. African White-backed Vultures also bred along the Olifants River, with nests placed in clusters of up to six. Nesting density of this species ranged from about 1.0 to 1.2 nests km?1 and nests were predominantly placed in Ficus sycomorus trees.     

The Orange River avifauna: abundance,richness and comparisons

Like many other southern African rivers, the avifaunal richness and abundance of the Orange River, southern Africa's longest, remains virtually unknown. Given that the Orange River runs through hyper-arid regions in its lower reaches, its linear oasis effect and its role as a reservoir for Red Data bird species is likely but has not been quantified. Two surveys either side of the border town of Noordoewer, in the rainy and dry seasons of 1996 and 1997 deter-mined that species richness was higher in riverine habitat (71 species) than in the surrounding Nama Karoo (46 species) confirming the linear oasis effect. Surveys revealed five Namibian Red Data species. Peregrine Falcons, Falco peregrinus, and African Fish Eagles, Haliaeetus vocifer, were relatively common while the endangered Cape Eagle Owl, Bubo capensis, occurred sporadically. Among wetland Red Data bird species, Black Storks, Ciconia nigra, occurred in less disturbed areas, and White-backed Night Herons, Gorsachius leuconotus, were an unexpected species at this locality. The overall species richness of 103 birds and a density of riparian birds of 31 -3 4 birds/10 km, makes the lower Orange River avifauna similar to the Cunene River but tenfold less abundant than Namibia's other perennial rivers. Despite the low diversity, the arid habitats of the lower Orange River support greater diversity than more easterly regions when all current surveys of richness and abundance from Lesotho to the mouth on the Namib coast are combined. This east-west trend may be explained by the slower flow and warmer water of the lower Orange River but natural turbidity and regulation may explain the generally low diversity and abundance indices. Major rivers in southern Africa appear to have been over-looked as wetland habitats, and further avifaunal surveys of all of them are recommended.     

The Population Decline and Extinction of Darwin’s Frogs

Darwin’s frogs (Rhinoderma darwinii and R. rufum) are two species of mouth-brooding frogs from Chile and Argentina. Here, we present evidence on the extent of declines, current distribution and conservation status of Rhinoderma spp.; including information on abundance, habitat and threats to extant Darwin’s frog populations. All known archived Rhinoderma specimens were examined in museums in North America, Europe and South America. Extensive surveys were carried out throughout the historical ranges of R. rufum and R. darwinii from 2008 to 2012. Literature review and location data of 2,244 archived specimens were used to develop historical distribution maps for Rhinoderma spp. Based on records of sightings, optimal linear estimation was used to estimate whether R. rufum can be considered extinct. No extant R. rufum was found and our modelling inferred that this species became extinct in 1982 (95% CI, 1980–2000). Rhinoderma darwinii was found in 36 sites. All populations were within native forest and abundance was highest in Chiloé Island, when compared with Coast, Andes and South populations. Estimated population size and density (five populations) averaged 33.2 frogs/population (range, 10.2–56.3) and 14.9 frogs/100 m² (range, 5.3–74.1), respectively. Our results provide further evidence that R. rufum is extinct and indicate that R. darwinii has declined to a much greater degree than previously recognised. Although this species can still be found across a large part of its historical range, remaining populations are small and severely fragmented. Conservation efforts for R. darwinii should be stepped up and the species re-classified as Endangered.     

Genetic divergence between the South Korean and Mongolian populations of the dung beetle,Gymnopleurus mopsus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) based on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences

The locally extinct dung beetle, Gymnopleurus mopsus Pallas, 1781 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), has not been found in South Korea since the 1970s. This research was conducted to understand the genetic divergence between the South Korean and Mongolian populations of G. mopsus as a part of its reintroduction program in South Korea. The genetic distance and diversity were determined using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequence (658 bp ) corresponding to the DNA barcode region. The mitochondrial COI gene sequences of 64 individuals of G. mopsus collected in South Korea (7 individuals) and Mongolia (57 individuals) showed a relatively high level of genetic diversity (nucleotide diversity, 0.0078 ± 0.0007; Haplotype diversity, 0.965 ± 0.017). The genetic distances between the South Korean and Mongolian populations lay within the intraspecific level and the phylogenetic reconstruction using the neighbor‐joining (NJ) method showed that all individuals belonged to a single clade. This result indicates that the current Mongolian population of G. mopsus is a good candidate source population to restore the locally extinct population of the species in South Korea.     

Rediscovery of Leptopanchax splendens (Cyprinodontiformes: Aplocheilidae): a seasonal killifish from the Atlantic Forest of south-eastern Brazil that was recently considered extinct

A recent collection of the seasonal killifish found Leptopanchax splendens c. 5 km from the type locality, 74 years after its last record. The species was historically common in its type locality, the Estrela River basin in south-eastern Brazil, until 1950, after which it was not encountered and thought to have become extinct due to widespread deforestation and urbanization in the region. Despite the rediscovery, this study finds that other recently published reports of L. splendens are misidentifications.     

Climate constrains the establishment and proliferation of Anthonomus santacruzi,a flower-feeding biological control agent of the invasive weed Solanum mauritianum in South Africa

The flowerbud-feeding weevil Anthonomus santacruzi Hustache (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) was released in South Africa in 2008 for the biological control of the invasive tree Solanum mauritianum Scopoli (Solanaceae). The weevil was widely deployed throughout KwaZulu-Natal province, which supports large S. mauritianum infestations, and has become well established in its warmer coastal regions. The aim of this study was to provide field evidence that climate is constraining the weevil’s distribution in South Africa. Solanum mauritianum populations were sampled at 23 sites across an altitudinal gradient in KwaZulu-Natal to determine A. santacruzi densities in relation to food availability and climatic variables. Despite significantly higher amounts of floral material on S. mauritianum at the higher altitude inland sites, A. santacruzi numbers were significantly higher at the lower altitude coastal sites. There was thus a significant negative relationship between A. santacruzi numbers and altitude and significant positive relationships between A. santacruzi numbers and both temperature and humidity. Neither rainfall nor food availability influenced A. santacruzi numbers, although lower amounts of floral material at the coastal sites may well have been caused by higher weevil densities at these sites. Anthonomus santacruzi was absent at only three sites, all at higher altitudes, further demonstrating that conditions in coastal or low-altitude regions are favourable for establishment and population proliferation. Future release efforts in KwaZulu-Natal, but also in other South African provinces, should thus be focused on coastal regions and inland regions that are below 1000 m above sea level.     

First records of Atyoida serrata (CS Bate, 1888) from South Africa (Crustacea: Caridea: Atyidae)

Collections of Atyoida serrata (CS Bate, 1888) are reported from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa for the first time. This species is currently known only from the lower reaches of the Mgeni, Vungu and Mtamvuna river systems where it occupies rocky cascades and rock crevices in torrential habitats.     

Aspalathus abbottii (Fabaceae: Crotalarieae), a new species from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

A new species Aspalathus abbottii C.H. Stirt. & Muasya, is described. The species is known only from Oribi Flats, KwaZulu-Natal, where it grows in grassland vegetation. The new species is characterised by its rigid spreading habit, densely and shortly villous branches, glabrous bracts and bracteoles, and 1(2) bright yellow flowers borne on short lateral shoots. It is most similar to other grassland species, A. frankenioides DC. and A. gerrardii H. Bol., all from the summer rainfall area of South Africa but differs in its rigid spreading habit, few bright yellow flowers per flowering branchlet, glabrous bracts and bracteoles, villous yellowish-green seasonal shoots, and its pale brown to tan over-seasonal branches with a blackish lattice of peeled bark.     

Inferred hybridisation,sympatry and movements of Chorister Robin-Chat Cossypha dichroa and Red-capped Robin-Chat C. natalensis

Inferred hybrid Chorister Robin-Chat Cossypha dichroa and Red-capped Robin-Chat C. natalensis have previously only been recorded from the Eastern Cape province, South Africa. We extend the occurrence of inferred hybrids with ringed and photographed examples from KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo provinces. Sympatry at a fine scale was investigated at Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, using observational data over 30 years (1978–2008) and intensive mist-netting during two field-trips in June and October 2010. Both robin-chat species were found throughout the year and occurred in the same forest patches. Inferred hybrids are known from five different forest patches in Vernon Crookes, three with photographic evidence. During winter an increase in Chorister Robin-Chat numbers was detectable both from mist-netting and checklist data. An increase of Red-capped Robin-Chats was observed from mist-netting and more equivocally from checklist data in spring. Red-capped and Chorister Robin-Chats are sympatric along the eastern escarpment of South Africa, with co-occurrence in 96 quarter degree squares from Southern African Bird Atlas Project 1 data. During the breeding season, co-occurrence was recorded in 62 quarter degree squares and in nine grid-cells evidence of breeding by both species is available. Hybridisation may be more common along the extensive area of sympatry than currently realised.     

Rediscovery of ‘lost’ treefrogs from the Oaxacan highlands of Mexico

The Oaxacan highlands of Mexico boast an exceptional diversity of stream-breeding treefrogs (Hylidae). Recent surveys in these regions have reported dramatic declines for entire stream-breeding communities, and many endemic species have not been seen in several decades and are feared to be extinct. In 2007 we conducted a rapid survey in two focal regions that were surveyed in 1970 and 2000; both prior to and subsequent to reported population declines. We report on extant populations of six species missing from recent surveys following declines, one of which (Plectrohyla thorectes) had not been seen in over 28 years and was feared to be extinct. We document new populations of Exerodonta abdivita, a species previously known only from its type locality and currently listed as data deficient. We make comparisons with historical records and note changes in species composition and abundance with recent work. Differences in species compositions among studies may reflect population declines and rebounds over relatively short periods. However, we argue that aspects of species natural history in combination with the variable nature of brief surveys may account for some of the observed differences, and are important factors to consider when inferring species declines.