A method to estimate body mass and relative age of exotic lagomorphs in the southern Neotropics

Exotic prey species can dramatically alter trophic interactions by functionally replacing native prey species. This pattern has been observed in the southern Neotropics, where introduced haresLepus europaeus Pallas, 1778 and rabbitsOryctolagus cuniculus (Linnaeus, 1758) have become the staple prey for native predators. Despite their importance as prey, no data are available on the mass and relative age of the lagomorphs on which native predators feed. We used linear regression models to predict the mass of lagomorphs from their hind-foot length, and investigated the influence of sex, season, and collection site on this relationship. Hind-foot length was a good predictor of body mass for both species and accounted for 58.4 and 71.6% of the variability in body mass for hares and rabbits, respectively. Sex and season significantly influenced the relationship, whereas the effect of collection site was negligible. Hind-foot length was also a good predictor of age class for hares and rabbits, allowing the discrimination between nonreproductive and reproductive classes for both species. Future research can use this method to determine the biomass and age class of exotic lagomorphs consumed by predators.     

Metal accumulation in two contiguous eutrophic peri-urban lakes,Chivero and Manyame,Zimbabwe

Concentrations of aluminium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, nickel and zinc were determined in surface water, benthic sediments, and the gills, liver and stomach muscle tissues of Oreochromis niloticus and Clarias gariepinus in peri-urban lakes Chivero and Manyame, Zimbabwe. Five sites were sampled in each lake once per month in November 2015, February, May, August and November 2016. Pollution load index detected no metal contamination, whereas the geo-accumulation index reflected heavy to extreme sediment pollution, with Fe, Cd, Zn, Cr, Ni and Cu present in both lakes. Significant spatial temporal variations were detected for Al, Cr, Cu and Pb across sites within and between the two lakes. High Fe, Al and Cr concentrations in water and sediments in lakes Chivero and Manyame derive from geogenic background sources in addition to anthropogenic loads and intensity. Elevated concentrations of Al, Pb, Cu, Cd, Fe and Zn detected in gills, liver and stomach tissue of catfish corroborate concentrations in water and sediments, and pose the highest ecological and health risk for hydrobionts in lakes Chivero and Manyame. Contiguity of peri-urban lakes exposes them to similar threats, necessitating creative water management strategies, which ensure ecological continuity.     

Edge effects: impact of anthropogenic activities on vegetation structure and diversity in western Umfurudzi Park,Zimbabwe

Understanding the patterns and intensity of anthropogenic impacts on habitats is important in the conservation of tropical ecosystems. The aim of the study was to establish the associated edge effects of anthropogenic disturbances on vegetation in western Umfurudzi Park, Zimbabwe. Three study strata were established using distance from the boundary into the park. Vegetation attributes and anthropogenic disturbance levels data were collected in 2012. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were noted on tree and shrub density, woody plant height, woody plant diversity, grass height and grass sward width across the three strata. Land clearing, livestock grazing and firewood collection were the most frequent and pronounced disturbances occurring along the park boundary. These disturbances decreased in intensity as distance from the boundary increased. We recommend the following: (i) the need to revisit the buffer zone concept and policy measures associated with ecosystem services and goods provision for communities surrounding protected areas, (ii) engaging neighbouring communities on sustainable ways of deriving ecosystem goods and services from buffer zones and protected areas and (iii) further studies on the regeneration and recovery of cleared patches along the boundary and their use by wildlife species in the park.     

First record of an entomopathogenic fungus of tomato leafminer,Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) in Tanzania

Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) is a destructive pest causing adverse environmental and economic effects globally. Management of T. absoluta by synthetic chemicals is of diminutive achievement due to resistance trick of the pest. Harnessing of biocontrols is currently fascinating and efficient for management of the tremendous pests. This study isolated an entomopathogenic fungus from dead larvae of T. absoluta on tomato leaves from farmer’s field Tanzania. Two Aspergillus fungal isolates were isolated and tested against larvae and adults of T. absoluta under conditions of 19.5°C and 50%RH, 30.4°C and 70% RH, respectively, in the laboratory. Sequence analysis of Aspergillus isolates that we referred as A-Tz1 and A-Tz2 were analysed with the BLAST program available at the National Center for Biological Information (NCBI). The two isolates (A-Tz1 and A-Tz2) showed 100% similarity with Aspergillus oryzae of GeneBank accession numbers EF121337.1 and MG519722.1. Such similarity implied that both A-Tz1 and A-Tz2 isolates were A. oryzae. To confirm pathogenicity, bioassays were conducted against the larvae, pupa and adults of T. absoluta. Results showed that at 1.0?×?10⁸?conidia/mL, fungal isolates caused up to 70% larval mortality 3 days post inoculation and consequently inhibited pupation by 84.5% and adult emergence by 74.4%. The identified A. oryzae reduced the life span of adult T. absoluta up to 5 days post inoculation at 1.0?×?10⁸?conidia/mL whereas in control T. absoluta survived up to 25 days. This study found that isolates of Aspegillus species have the potential to be used as active ingrediennt for the formulation of a new bioinjections for application by farmers to control the pest in fields.     

Competition and coexistence in host-parasite systems: the myxomatosis case

Co-circulation of several strains of parasites has been observed in many host-parasite systems. However, simple epidemiological models cannot sustain this coexistence. In this work we study the coexistence of viral strains in the myxomatosis case. Myxomatosis, a highly lethal disease of the European rabbit, has been used in Australia and Europe as a biological control of rabbit populations. A few years after its introduction, the original highly virulent strains were almost completely replaced by field strains covering a wide range of virulence. Here, we study several mechanisms that may explain the field observations. First we considered spatial heterogeneity. The establishment of any strain over regions occupied by host populations may delay the spread of any superior competitive virus strain, producing global coexistence in the long term. On the other hand, sub-populations with different resistance levels in epidemiological contact, as observed in the field, can maintain several different virus strains co-circulating. The second class of mechanism introduces diversity among hosts of a local population sharing a territory. We considered different classes of host resistance to myxomatosis: belonging to a resistance class is a random fact. Host age-dependent resistance is also especially considered. These types of population heterogeneity can sustain local coexistence for many years, although exclusion takes place for long enough periods. The concurrent action of both types of mechanisms could explain why the diversity of virus strains is sustained, and the local coexistence. Finally, we briefly discuss the influence of host genetic dynamics in the coevolution of the system.     

An analysis of threats,strategies, and opportunities for African rhinoceros conservation

The complexity and magnitude of threats to black (Diceros bicornis) and white (Ceratotherium simum) rhinoceros conservation in Africa have triggered global concerns and actions. In this study, we analyzed (i) threats to rhinoceros conservation including external shocks, (ii) historical rhinoceros conservation strategies in Zimbabwe and Africa, more broadly, and (iii) opportunities for enhanced rhinoceros conservation in Zimbabwe and Africa. A literature search from 1975 to 2020 was carried out using a predefined search protocol, involving a number of filters based on a set of keywords to balance search sensitivity with specificity. A total of 193 articles, which were most relevant to key themes on rhinoceros conservation, were used in this study. The common threats to rhinoceros conservation identified in this paper include poaching, habitat fragmentation and loss, international trade in illegal rhino products, and external shocks such as global financial recessions and pandemics. Cascading effects emanating from these threats include small and isolated populations, which are prone to genetic, demographic, and environmental uncertainties. Rhinoceros conservation strategies being implemented include education and awareness campaigns, better equipped and more antipoaching efforts, use of innovative systems and technologies, dehorning, and enhancing safety nets, and livelihoods of local communities. Opportunities for rhinoceros conservation vary across the spatial scale, and these include (a) a well‐coordinated stakeholder and community involvement, (b) strategic meta‐population management, (c) enhancing law enforcement initiatives through incorporating real‐time surveillance technologies and intruder detection sensor networks for crime detection, (d) scaling up demand reduction awareness campaigns, and (e) developing more certified wildlife crime and forensic laboratories, and information repository for international corporation.