Census of the Kafue lechwe by aerial stratified sampling

The Kafue lechwe population of the Kafue Flats, Zambia, was counted four times within a 26-month period (April 1970-June 1972) by aerial stratified random sampling. The censuses gave good agreement which did not differ statistically. By combining the data for the three most precise surveys, the estimated population is 93 975 with 95% confidence limits of ± 8563 (or ± 9-1%). A method of sampling was used which is based on calculation of animal densities on a linear basis, instead of on densities per unit area. This method has several advantages and is discussed in relation to the problems involved in aerial census. The past and present status of the Kafue lechwe population is reviewed.     

RELATIVE ABUNDANCE OF CRANES (GRUIDAE) IN THE CAPE PROVINCE

Siegfried, W. R. 1985. Relative abundance of cranes (Gruidae) in the Cape Province. Ostrich 56:101-103.

The results of monthly roadside counts of Crowned Cranes Balearica regulorum, Wattled Cranes Grus carunculatas and Blue Cranes Anthropoides paradisea show that Blue and Crowned cranes occurred most abundantly and densely in the eastern part of the Cape Province in 1965–1966. The Blue Crane's average relative abundance was approximately four times that of the Crowned Crane whose population occupied tend to breed in summer, the Blue Crane slightly earlier than the Crowned Crane. The population of the Wattled Crane was a small relict, occurrin in East Griqualand. Based on a rough estimate, there were about 1000–1500 Crowned Cranes and about 7000–10000 Blue Cranes in the Cape Province in the mid-1960s.     

The World Crane Action Plan: implications for conservation of cranes and wetlands in Africa

Beilfuss, R.D., Meine, C.D., & Archibald, F.W. 2000. The World Crane Action Plan: implications for conservation of cranes and wetlands in Africa. Ostrich 71 (1 & 2): 227.

The IUCN Species Survival Commission recently published The Cranes: Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan. Prepared over the past three years by the IUCN Crane Specialist Group, the document reviews the status of the world's cranes (Family: Gruidae) and their habitats, summarises recent crane conservation actions, and specifies priority measures for the future. Eleven of the 15 crane species are now proposed for inclusion on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals, and several subspecies and populations are critically endangered. Africa supports six species of cranes in 39 countries. The Black Crowned Crane Balearica pavonina, national bird of Nigeria, is resident in western and central Africa. The Grey Crowned Crane B. regulorum, national bird of Uganda, spans eastern and southern Africa. The Wattled Crane Bugeranus carunculahrs, largest and. rarest of Africa's cranes, ranges from Ethiopia to South Africa. The Blue Crane Anthropoides paradiseus, national bird of South Africa, is endemic to South Africa and Namibia. The Demoiselle Crane A. Virgo and Eurasian Crane Grus grus are winter visitors. Cranes have been the focus of intensive captive propagation and reintroduction programs as well as extensive habitat protection efforts. They are also excellent umbrella species for ecosystem-level conservation efforts. Wetlands that provide a home for cranes include the floodplains of the great river systems of Africa, such as Kafue Flats and Zambezi Delta of the Zambezi River system, the Okavango River Delta, the Sudd of the Upper Nile River, the Bangweulu Basin and swamps of the Zaire River system, the Senegal River Delta, and the Inner Niger River Delta, and the wetlands of Lake Chad. Small, isolated wetlands provide vital breeding habitat. This presentation will provide an overview of the action plan for those interested in cranes in particular, as well as those working in ecosystems and regions where cranes occur.     

A note on group sizes of oribi (Ourebia ourebi, Zimmermann, 1783) from two contrasting sites in Zambia, with and without predation

The oribi (Ourebia ourebi, Zimmermann, 1783) is a small species of antelope widely represented across open grasslands of sub‐Saharan Africa. Although largely territorial, differences in group size and mating systems (monogamy/polygamy), have been linked to habitat conditions and population density. At high population densities, additional males are recruited to assist in territorial defence. Other factors which might impact on group size, include predation threat, especially at low population densities. In this study (1995–98), we recorded group sizes of oribi across two contrasting areas (c. 300 km² each) of Zambia with (Kafue), and without (Bangweulu), large vertebrate predators. A total of 412 groups was recorded across the two sites, with mean sizes of 2.31 (n = 217) at Bangweulu and 2.33 (n = 195) at Kafue. The modal group size was two throughout (range 1–6). Groups were more variable in size and sex composition at Kafue than at Bangweulu, but there was no significant difference in estimates of population density between sites. Mean estimates were 2.02 and 1.90 km^?2 for Bangweulu and Kafue, respectively. Sex ratios (males : females) were biased towards females (1 : 1.72 and 1 : 3.55, respectively) at both sites. Adult males were particularly scarce at Kafue. However, values of density and group size, were both unexceptional for the species. Whilst a modal group size of two is consistent with a monogamous mating system, variations in group composition and size were more difficult to explain. Adult females appeared to retain or recruit additional animals to groups, irrespective of the needs of territorial defence. This suggests that vigilance is an important function of groups on large open plains, especially in the presence of predators. By extension, reversed sexual dimorphism in oribi could reflect increased selection for vigilance duties in females. Predators had no apparent effect on population density, but oribi groups were more variable in size and sex composition in their presence. Adult males may be particularly vulnerable to predation when defending territorial borders at low population densities. However, further work is needed to define group dynamics in this species and to identify causes of mortality amongst adult males.     

The introduction,spread and ecology of redclaw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus in the Zambezi catchment

Two of the four crayfish species brought to Zambia for aquaculture since 1979 are now naturalised. Procamburus clarkii occurs in the Maramba River at Livingstone, close to a former fish farm, whereas Cherax quadricarinatus, deliberately introduced to a number of sites in the Zambezi and Kafue River catchments since 2001, is now widespread and highly invasive. High rates of dispersal, up to 111 km y?1 downstream, might be the result of passive transport on floating vegetation. Significantly more synodontid Synodontis sp. catfish were caught in Fladen traps in the Kafue River in crayfish-free areas compared with crayfish-infested areas, but the possibility that synodontids became trap averse in the presence of crayfish was not ruled out. No difference was found in the numbers of Single-spined River Crab Potamonautes unispinus caught in crayfish-free and infested areas. Alien temnocephalans, commonly found on crayfish, are now also present on crabs P. unispinus on the Kafue Flats. The artisanal gill net fishery has been harmed by the introduction of C. quadricarinatus and no significant commercial fishery has developed. However, without more information on the adverse impacts, and stronger fisheries regulation, there is a high risk C. quadricarinatus and P. clarkii will be introduced to uninfested catchments with irreversible consequences for artisanal fishermen and the environment.     

Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA tests (RAPDs) cannot be used for paternity testing in South African cranes

The three South African crane species — the Blue Crane (Anthropoides paradisea), the Wattled Crane (Bugeranus carunculatus) and the Grey Crowned Crane (Balearica regulorum regulorum) — are listed as threatened by the IUCN. This study investigated the suitability of Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA markers in paternity testing in these species. RAPD primers were tested for polymorphism and RAPD profiles were scored and screened for sex linkage. The average Band Sharing Coefficient (BSC) of unrelated individuals was 0.665 (±0.103) for Blue Cranes, 0.745 (±0.060) for Grey Crowned Cranes and 0.736 (±0.056) for Wattled Cranes. Comparisons of these BSC values for unrelated individuals with BSC values of parent:offspring combination within the Blue Crane and the Grey Crowned Crane gave inconsistent results, with some parent:offspring BSC values being lower than the BSC of unrelated individuals. The results indicate that RAPDs are inappropriate for use in paternity testing in South African cranes. In the future, microsatellites should be investigated as an alternative paternity-testing technique to RAPD analysis.     

Geese and Red-knobbed Coot on the Kafue Flats in Zambia, 1970–1974

The occurrence, chronology of breeding and wing-moult, and feeding habits of the Pigmy Goose Nettapus auritus, Knob-billed Goose Sarkidiornis melanotos, Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis, Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca and Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata on the Kafue Flats in Zambia are described based on observations made between October 1970 and January 1974 at Lochinvar National Park and, from the air, over the central section of the Flats. The Pigmy Goose, Knob-billed Goose, Egyptian Goose and Red-knobbed Coot fed largely by grazing. They were most abundant between March and June, occurring in greatest numbers at Lochinvar. Egyptian Geese occasionally nested on the flood-plain at Lochinvar between August and January, but there was no proof of the other species nesting there. Many Pigmy Geese and male Knob-billed Geese moulted on the lagoon at Lochinvar between March and June; small numbers of Egyptian Geese and Red-knobbed Coot also moulted in the Park, the former between February and May, the latter in June and July. The Spur-winged Goose fed mostly by grazing and grubbing. Numbers on the Flats were greatest between June and November when 60,000–90,000 moved downriver as the floods subsided. Many bred between January and March in the fringing zone and moulted on the floodplain between May and July. A hydroelectric scheme, completed in 1975, may benefit the Pigmy Goose and Red-knobbed Coot but harm the Spur-winged Goose.     

MORTALITY OF RINGED YELLOW-BILLED DUCK

Davenport, L.B.Jr. &; Urban, E.K. 2000. Time budgets for Captive Wattled Cranes Bugeranus carunculatus. Ostrich 71 (1 &; 2):136-138.

Time budgets for six pairs of captive Wattled Cranes were recorded in the years 1989–1991 at St. Catherine's Island, Georgia, U.S.A., using instantaneous sampling at 30 s intervals. Data were obtained to cover one complete day, from earliest light to obscuring dusk, for each month of the year. When not nesting, these cranes spent slightly more than half of their time standing, preening, and/or walking, and most of the rest of their time eating, searching, or sleeping. When nesting, both sexes engaged equally in nest building, egg turning, and arranging nest material with the female devoting 45% of her time to incubating, the male about 40%. Males spent about 13% and females 8% of their time during the nesting period confronting neighboring cranes or other large species such as Great Blue Herons. It is concluded that instantaneous sampling at 30 s intervals with one person watching and another recording one or two individual cranes is a reasonably satisfactory method for recording time budgets in captive and probably wild populations of Wattled Cranes.     

Genetic diversity of two Southern African cichlids (Oreochromis andersonii and O. macrochir) in the Zambezi and Congo River basins

Oreochromis andersonii and O. macrochir are two important cichlid species native to Southern Africa. We describe in this paper their genetic population structure in the Upper Zambezi River, Kafue River, and Lake Bangweulu representing part of the Congo and Zambezi River Basins. Microsatellite genetic markers were employed to analyse the genetic population structure of the two species using 177 tissue samples. The average allele richness of O. andersonii was higher in the Zambezi River (10.500) than in the Kafue River (9.583) though not statistically different. For O. macrochir, it was highest in the Zambezi River (11.170) followed by the Kafue River (9.781) and least in Lake Bangweulu (7.067) and their differences were significant. The gene diversity indices; gene diversity (hs), observed heterozygosity (H_O), expected heterozygosity (H_E) were high and similar in O. andersonii populations. However, in O. macrochir H_E was significantly lower in Lake Bangweulu (0.678) compared to the Kafue River (0.799) and Zambezi River (0.802) populations. Population differentiation estimated by R_ST and D_EST revealed high differentiation in both species (R_ST = 0.598, D_EST = 0.777 for O. andersonii; R_ST = 0.379, D_EST = 0.710 for O. macrochir). The highest source of variation was among populations (84.71%) for O. andersonii and within populations (67.09%) for O. macrochir. Comparisons of population pairs revealed a close genetic similarity between the Zambezi River and Lake Bangweulu populations of O. macrochir. Bottlenecks were observed in both species using the Two-Phase Model (T.P.M.) indicative of a recent genetic loss or reduction in effective population size. Though our results indicate that the populations of both species still maintain sufficiently high levels of genetic diversity in the sampled areas, the bottlenecks observed are a source of concern. We recommend a more robust study of genetic diversity of these species in all sections of these river systems and that some key conservation sites should be identified to protect the gene pool of these native species.     

Land use patterns within Wattled Crane (Bugeranus carunculatus) home ranges in an agricultural landscape in KwaZulu-Natal,South Africa

There The Wattled Crane Bugeranus carunculatus is one of the top five most threatened bird species in South Africa, with the main threat being the loss of undisturbed breeding habitat. A basic understanding of this species' use of its environment is needed to implement conservation action. This quantitative study focused on determining the home range size of active breeding pairs in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands of South Africa, and assessing the land use composition of these home ranges. Wattled Cranes were found to have an average home range size of 16.64km², consisting mostly of open natural grassland (mean of 75.5% of the overall home range of pairs). Other significant land use contributions to the home ranges were temporary irrigated and dryland cultivated agriculture. The core breeding area (wetland) of the home range constituted only 2.3% of the overall home range size, consisting of similar proportions of both wetland (48.9%) and grassland (51.8%) habitat. This indicates the dependence of Wattled Cranes on specific wetland habitats, surrounded by natural grassland. Wattled Cranes show home range sizes larger than other similar-sized crane species, suggesting that this may be as a result of their large body size and their occupation of highly transformed and fragmented habitats in an agricultural landscape. However, the occurrence of transformed land use types in home ranges suggests that breeding pairs tolerate some degree of disturbance within their home ranges. The home ranges do not appear to be currently restricted by surrounding land use types, indicating that factors other than habitat loss may be contributing to breeding site losses. The study has therefore indicated the need for closer working relationships between conservationists and agricultural communities to promote the conservation of valuable natural grasslands surrounding wetlands.     

FILTER-FEEDING DUCKS OF THE KAFUE FLATS, ZAMBIA, 1971–1973

The occurrence, chronology of breeding and wing-moult, and feeding habits of seven commonly occurring species of filter-feeding ducks on the Kafue Flats in Zambia are described, based on 20 aerial surveys over the central section of floodplain and intensive observations on the ground at Lochinvar National Park, between October 1970 and January 1974. At high flood levels ducks were almost restricted to areas heavily utilized by lechwe; this association persisted until the floodplain became dry, but during the dry season ducks were also found on vegetated lagoons. Five species—Dendrocygna bicolor, Dendrocygna viduata, Thalassornis leuconotus, Netta erythropthalma and Anas erythrorhyncha—were most abundant between June and September; a sixth—Anas punctata—was most abundant between December and March, while the seventh—Anas undulata—was probably resident. At times the numbers of D. bicolor, D. viduata and A. erythrorhyncha probably exceeded 25 000; those of N. erythropthalma reached 6500, but the numbers of T. leuconotus, A. punctata and A. undulata were much lower and at Lochinvar did not exceed 500. Small numbers of D. bicolor, N. erythropthalma, A. punctata and A. undulata nested on the floodplain in the vicinity of Lochinvar between March and July. All seven species completed their wing-moult between April and October in the area; large numbers, particularly of A. erythrorhyncha and D. bicolor, were involved. At Lochinvar, A. punctata fed mainly on aquatic invertebrates; the remaining species fed largely on shed fruits and seeds. The most important food plants were a terrestrial herb, Ambrosia maritima (January–April), two aquatic herbs, Nymphaea capensis and Nymphoides indica (May–August), and two aquatic grasses, Echinochloa stagnina and Vossia cuspidata (September–December). The herbs grew where grassland had been suppressed by lechwe; fruits of the aquatic grasses were found where lechwe had removed the overlying mat of stems. Despite similarities in diet the ducks differed from each other in feeding behaviour and/or preferred habitat. Five other species of filter-feeding ducks, Anas capensis, Anas smithii, Anas clypeata, Anas acuta and Anas querquedula, have been recorded from the Flats, but all are rare.     

“We are Zambians—Don’t Tell Us How to Fish!” Institutional Change,Power Relations and Conflicts in the Kafue Flats Fisheries in Zambia

Many scholars claim that open access due to the effective absence of state control is the major reason for the overuse of common-pool resources such as fisheries. Based on data from the Kafue Flats fisheries in Zambia, we argue that the main problem in open-access situations is the paradox of a state that is simultaneously absent and present: present in actions that dismantle local fishery institutions but absent when it comes to the ability to enforce the laws that might protect the resources. Thus, the state is present in the voice of immigrants from other parts of the country who use their Zambian citizenship to legitimize free access to the fisheries. But it is absent when the Department of Fisheries is not able to enforce its own formal rules or control these immigrants’ activities. Local groups are unable to act collectively to reinstall new institutions due to the absence of formal law enforcement. This paper analyses this historic process of institutional change within the theoretical framework of New Institutionalism. We test the hypothesis that the main reason for the lack of local collective action in the Kafue Flats is ideology (the notion of citizenship) strengthening the bargaining power of external actors, who profit most from open access constellations.

Reproductive seasonality in Kafue lechwe antelope

Kafue lechwe antelope ( Kobus leche kufuensis ) inhabit a wetland area of the Kafue Flats in southern Zambia and have seasonal peaks in mating and calving. The construction of a hydroelectric scheme has recently altered the time of year when flooding starts, and there has been a corresponding change in peak mating and calving dates. In this study, Kafue lechwe mated mainly during the dry part of the year when grass quality and quantity was at its lowest and when water levels were increasing and thus inundating any potential food. As rising water levels corresponded with increases in numbers of oestrous females on leks (both before and after dam impoundment), and with increased mating rates in two other subspecies of lechwe (the black and red lechwe), floods appear to act as a proximate cue for the initiation of mating. Mating during rises in water levels results in most calving occurring seven months later (the gestation period) when the floodwaters are receding and exposing optimal forage, irrespective of the time of year, and this increases the survival of the lactating mothers and their calves.     

Mimosa pigra in eastern and southern Africa: Distribution and socio‐ecological impacts

The semiaquatic weed Mimosa pigra has negative impacts on biodiversity, fishing, crop and livestock production, and tourism in most places where it has been introduced, established and proliferated. Many of the ecological impacts are well known, but its impacts on rural livelihoods are less well documented, especially in Africa. We mapped the distribution of M. pigra in eastern and southern Africa, and then compared that with its potential distribution based on an ecoclimatic niche model. Household interviews were conducted to assess the impacts of this weed on local livelihoods. Mimosa pigra was found to be invasive in western Ethiopia, around the shores of Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika, and along the Tanzanian coastline, northern Malawi, parts of Mozambique and along the Kafue River and in the Barotse floodplain on the Zambezi River in Zambia. According to respondents living along the Kafue River floodplains in Zambia, it has a negative impact on biodiversity, wildlife, livestock, crop production, fishing and mobility. Dense stands prevented the movement of people and livestock, limiting access to croplands, grazing lands and fishing areas. Fish catches have been reduced and fishing equipment damaged. All respondents agreed that their livelihood options would be considerably enhanced if M. pigra was removed from the landscape. Based on its current and potential impact, we therefore recommend that an integrated management plan be developed and implemented, including the appropriate use of biological control agents to reduce the negative impacts of the weed.     

Phylogeography and speciation in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudocrenilabrus philander</Emphasis> species complex in Zambian Rivers

Haplochromine cichlids form the most species-rich lineage of cichlid fishes that both colonized almost all river systems in Africa and radiated to species flocks in several East African lakes. The enormous diversity of lakes is contrasted by a relatively poor albeit biogeographically clearly structured species diversity in rivers. The present study analyzed the genetic structure and phylogeographic history of species and populations of the genus Pseudocrenilabrus in Zambian rivers that span two major African drainage systems, the Congo- and the Zambezi-system. The mtDNA phylogeny identifies four major lineages, three of which occur in the Congo-system and one in the Zambezi system. Two of the Congo-clades (Lake Mweru and Lunzua River) comprise distinct albeit yet undescribed species, while the fish of the third Congo-drainage clade (Chambeshi River and Bangweulu swamps), together with the fish of the Zambezi clade (Zambezi and Kafue River) are assigned to Pseudocrenilabrus philander. Concerning the intraspecific genetic diversity observed in the sampled rivers, most populations are highly uniform in comparison to lacustrine haplochromines, suggesting severe founder effects and/or bottlenecking during their history. Two bursts of diversification are reflected in the structure of the linearized tree. The first locates at about 3.9% mean sequence divergence and points to an almost simultaneous colonization of the sampled river systems. Subsequent regional diversification (with about 1% mean sequence divergence) occurred contemporaneously within the Kafue River and the Zambezi River. The clear-cut genetic biogeographic structure points to the dominance of geographic speciation in this lineage of riverine cichlid fishes, contrasting the importance of in situ diversification observed in lake cichlids.     

Investigating effects of parasite infection on body condition of the Kafue lechwe (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Kobus leche kafuensis</Emphasis>) in the Kafue basin

Background

The Kafue lechwe (Kobus leche Kafuensis), a medium-sized semi-aquatic antelope, is endemic to the Kafue basin of Zambia. The population of the Kafue lechwe has significantly dropped in the last decades leading to its subsequent inclusion on the red list of endangered species. In order to save the remaining population from extinction, it has become increasingly important that the impact of parasite infection and infestation on the Kafue lechwe is investigated.

Findings

Endoparasites accounted for the majority of parasites observed from a study of 40 Kafue lechwe occurring in the the Kafue basin. Amphistoma spp. were present in all animals examined, while Fasciola gigantica had a prevalence rate of 0.525 (95% CI: 0.36 to 0.69) and species of Schistosoma 0.3 (95% CI: 0.15 to 0.45). Among the ectoparasites, Strobiloestrous vanzyli, had a prevalence rate of 0.15 (95% CI: 0.03 to 0.27), while Rhipicephalus appendiculatus had a prevalence of 0.075 (3/40). Our findings indicate that body condition was not influenced by the parasitic infestation in Kafue lechwe. There was no association between sex and parasitic burden (odds ratio = 0.3, 95% CI: 0.8-1.3). However, an association between age and parasitic burden was observed as older animals above 15 years were more likely to get parasite infections than those aged between 1-5 years (odds ratio = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1-2.4).

Conclusion

Overall, there was no evidence that parasitic infections and infestations adversely affected the lechwe population on the Kafue basin. These findings indicate that ecto- and endo-parasite infestation might not play a significant role in reducing the Kafue lechwe population on the Kafue basin.

     

Usurpation of a Crowned Lapwing Vanellus coronatus nest by African Wattled Lapwings V. senegalensis

I report an instance of usurpation of a Crowned Lapwing Vanellus coronatus nest by a pair of African Wattled Lapwings Vanellus senegalensis. The nest, which originally contained a single Crowned Lapwing egg, eventually contained an additional three Wattled Lapwing eggs, before it was predated. Although parents of both species were observed in the vicinity of the nest, video monitoring showed that the Wattled Lapwings incubated all four eggs. Detection of embryonic heart rate suggested that all the eggs were probably viable up until the nest was destroyed. Nest usurpation in shorebirds is rare, and given the easily accommodated nest requirements and minimal costs of nest construction in these species, is difficult to explain. I speculate that the occurrence described here may represent a case of mistaken identity by the female Wattled Lapwing when choosing a nest scrape, since there seems to have been little benefit to the usurping species of taking over an already occupied nest.     

The ecology of the Kafue lechwe population of Zambia before the operation of hydro-electric dams on the Kafue River

Aerial surveys from 1970 onwards suggest a stable Kafue lechwe population of 94 000±9% on the Kafue Flats. The present distribution shows a contraction in dry and wet season range in comparison with 1953/54. Sex ratios of populations on both the North and South banks of the Kafue river do not differ significantly from unity. North bank males have a higher survival rate than South bank males. Survival curves for males and females on the South bank show the same pattern. For both the 1971 and 1972 breeding seasons 73% of South bank females older than 1½ years are expected to have bred successfully. The peaks of conceptions for both seasons are from mid-December to mid-March, suggesting a main lambing period from mid-July until mid-October. Present sex ratio, age structure, reproductive status and the reproductive cycle have been compared with 1961/62 data. Variation in physical condition, based on monthly measurements of the kidney fat percentage, dressing-out percentage and live weight, although influenced by the physiological demands of rut and pregnancy, is correlated with the availability of flood-plain grazing. The lowest values of condition parameters are found during the period of maximum flood, after the end of the rains (April/May), until the receding flood makes flood-plain grazing available, usually in early June. A high level of tuberculosis, lungworm infection and many other pathogens amongst the South bank population are reported. Animals from the North bank are thought to be in better physical condition. The Kafue Gorge dam, completed in 1971, and the Iteshi-teshi dam, at present under construction, will prolong the high flood period in wet years and prevent most flooding in dry years, both of these effects will reduce the carrying capacity of the flood plain for lechwe and a large reduction of the size of the population is expected to result from the operation of the dams.     

Nothobranchius cooperi (Teleostei: Cyprinodontiformes): a new species of annual killifish from the Luapula River drainage,northern Zambia

Nothobranchius cooperi, Nagy, Watters and Bellstedt, new species, is described from seasonal streams and ephemeral pools associated with the upper Mansa River system in the middle Luapula drainage and systems draining into the low-lying area marginal to the southwestern part of Lake Bangweulu, in the Luapula province of northern Zambia. It belongs to the N. brieni species group. Males of Nothobranchius cooperi are distinguished from congeners by the following unique combination of characters: body scales with broad orange posterior margin, forming a highly irregular cross-barred pattern; anal fin fairly uniform orange-red with irregular to regular, light blue-green zone close to the base; caudal peduncle length 1.2–1.3 times its depth; prepelvic length 48.8–51.9% SL; and head depth 75–77% of head length. Genetic divergence of the mitochondrial COI and ND2 genes and nuclear S7 gene support the distinction of the new species from its closest known relative, N. rosenstocki and confirms its position in the N. brieni species group.     

A review of diseases of parasites of the Kafue lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis).

The diseases of the Kafue lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis) are reviewed in this paper. Kafue lechwe are an important natural resource for Zambia. Bovine tuberculosis is widespread within the lechwe population and they are host to many parasites, especially the warble Strobiloestrous vanzyli.