Browsing Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology by Issue Date
Now showing items 1-20 of 168
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A comparative study of degeneration of the posterior limbs and girdles of some scelotes species.
(University of the Western Cape, 1981)The genus Scelotes was instituted by Fitzinger in 1826 and is represented by nineteen species and subspecies in Southern Africa (Fitzsimons, 1943) . Valuable contributions have been made to our knowledge of the Lacertilia ... -
Evaluation of quantitative motility and zona pellucida binding of human spermatozoa in an assisted reproductive programme
(University of the Western Cape, 1994)Male factor disorders affect more than 30% of infertile couples. Thus, it has become important to perform a andrological consultation and a basic semen evaluation in all male partners of couples consulting for infertility. ... -
The effect of maternal nicotine exposure on the quantity and quality of neonatal rat lung connective tissue
(University of the Western Cape, 1994)The infants of smoking mothers (compared to non-smoking mothers) have been shown to have a lower birth mass, a lower brain mass, an increased perinatal mortality rate as well as a predisposition to respiratory abnormalities ... -
The reproductive physiology of The south african pilchard.
(UWC, 1995)Epipelagic fish species form an integral component of the world's supply of protein. The most abundant of these fish belong to the order Clupeiformes (clupeoids) which include sardine, pilchard, sardinella, sprat, and ... -
Detection of phycotoxins along the South African coast: a comparison of three different biological assay systems and instrumental analysis by high performance liquid chromatography
(University of the Western Cape, 1998)In recent years, harmful algal blooms have been of growing concern in many parts of the world. These blooms often result in deterioration in water quality, large-scale mortalities in marine life, and shellfish poisonings ... -
Characterisation, Isolation, Purification and Toxigenicity ofDiplodiatoxin produced by Stenocarpella maydis in Maize
(University of the Western Cape, 2002)Mycotoxins attract worldwide attention because of the significant economic losses associated with their impact on human health, animal productivity, domestic and international trade. Over 300 mycotoxins have been discovered, ... -
Chytridiomycosis in amphibian populations in the Western Cape, South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2002)There have been many cases reported of amphibian populations declining. These are often due to anthropogenic factors such as habitat destruction and pollution. However, some declines have not had an obvious cause and many ... -
Studies of foraminifera associated with gelidium pristoides (turner) keutzing (gelidiales: rhodophyta)
(University of the Western Cape, 2002)Our understanding of the macrofauna of hard intertidal substrata around South Africa is fairly comprehensive, and we have a good understanding of the environmental factors responsible for structuring macrofaunal communities ... -
The effect of exogenous growth regulators on salinity tolerance in Erucastrum strigosum
(University of the Western Cape, 2003)Randomized block experiments were conducted to examine the putative amelioratory effects of kinetin or gibberellic acid at concentrations (0, 4, 12.5, 40, and 125 μM) in Erucastrum strigosum plants subjected to a salinity ... -
Specias delimitation and assessment of genetic variability in Carpobrotus (Alzoaceae): evidence from amplified fragment length polymorphisms
(University of the Western Cape, 2004)Species of Carpobrotus (Aizoaceae: Ruschioideae) are widely spread throughout South Africa and are commonly used for their medicinal properties. The genus consists of 13 species of which seven occur in South Africa, five ... -
Salt tolerance and modification of wheat salt resistance by plant hormones
(University of the Western Cape, 2004)The history of salt tolerance and the factors effecting salt resistance of plants were literature surveyed, and it was concluded that ion concentration, salt accumulation, compatible solutes and the genetic traits play a ... -
The water quality and ecological status of the Diep river catchment, Western Cape, South Africa
(University of Western Cape, 2004)The study illustrates the current ecological integrity of the Diep River system, based on the recent river health assessment using the South African Scoring System version 5 (2000-2003) and the water quality data ... -
Species delimitation and assessment of genetic variability in Carpobrotus (Aizoaceae): evidence from amplified fragment length polymorphisms
(University of the Western Cape, 2004)During the course of this thesis, AFLP technique was successfully applied to the Aizoaceae taxa. This study involved a substantial component of laboratory work including generating and analysing AFLP data, the operation ... -
The relationship between sediment composition and infaunal polychaete communities along the southern coast of Namibia
(University of the Western Cape, 2005)This study examined the relationship between sediment structure and infaunal polychaete communities off the southern coast of Namibia from two separate sets of data, and a total of ninety-two samples. It also examined ... -
Adequacy of existing protected areas in conserving biodiversity at global and regional levels in relation to socio-economic conditions
(University of the Western Cape, 2005)At a meeting of worl leaders at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, it was recognized that because of the tremendous increase in the size of the global populations (which ... -
Seasonal movement and activity patterns of the endangered geometric tortoise, psammobates geometricus
(University of the Western Cape, 2005)Due to the critical status of Psammobates geometricus and the vulnerability of their habitat, there is a need to allocate areas for their protection. The aim of this study was to provide information on the space requirements ... -
Rehabilitation as a method of understanding vegetation change in Paulshoek, Namaqualand
(University of the Western Cape, 2005)Heavy grazing of rangelands in the succulent karoo has placed the biodiversity of these areas at risk. In Paulshoek, overgrazing has resulted in the removal of much of the palatable vegetation from low lying areas. The ... -
Monitoring of heavy metals in the Bottelary River using Typha capensis and Phragmites australis
(University of the Western Cape, 2005)The aim of this study was to use plants to determine the degree of heavy metal contamination in water and sediments in order to effectively monitor and provide possible recommendation to improve the water quality in the ... -
A global revision of the nongeniculate coralling algal genere Porolithon Foslie (defunct) and Hydrolithon Foslie (Corallinales, Rhodophyta)
(University of the Western Cape, 2005)The purpose of this thesis was to provide a revision and characterization of the species of nongeniculate coralline algae previously ascribed to the now defunct genus Porolithon; to provide a modern account of selected ... -
The effect of copper on the growth, development and chemical composition of some dryland wheat cultivars
(University of the Western Cape, 2005)Heavy metal accumulation in arable land as a result of mining activities, pesticides and fertilisers has become a global concern. Steinkopf and Concordia in the Northern Cape are well-known for subsistence farming, but ...
