Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology: Recent submissions
Now showing items 61-80 of 167
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Foraging ecology of Naja nivea and Dispholidus typus
(University of the Western Cape, 2019)It is widely reported that snakes can be major predators of avian nests, but the use of a single avian prey type by competing species has rarely been examined. This study aimed to investigate predation of a single food ... -
The evaluation and development of diagnostic tools for the detection of ichthyophonus hoferi in fish host tissue samples
(University of the Western Cape, 2019)Ichthyophonus hoferi is a highly pathogenic histozoic parasite that has low host specificity capable of producing mass mortalities of epizootic proportions in marine commercial fish populations. Currently in Southern Africa, ... -
Characterizing native palatable legume and non-legume species in the rangelands of the Overberg area
(University of the Western Cape, 2020)The Overberg renosterveld rangelands of the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) has become well associated with commercial and communal agricultural practices, namely crop and livestock production. This Mediterranean region is ... -
Abalone nutrition – growth performance of Haliotis midae in relation to variable artificial feeds
(University of Western Cape, 2020)Abalone are among the most expensive and sought-after seafood subjects. In South Africa, Haliotis midae is the only commercially significant abalone species and it has become increasingly sold on the global market. The ... -
The effects of anthropogenic disturbance upon African penguin colonies
(University of Western Cape, 2020)African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) mainland colonies are a popular tourist attraction in the Western Cape of South Africa. The African penguin population is in decline and the species is listed as endangered on the ... -
Detecting patterns of upwelling variability in Eastern Boundary Upwelling Systems with special emphasis on the Benguela region
(University of Western Cape, 2020)Coastal upwelling is one of the most important oceanographic processes relating to ecosystem function at local and global spatial scales. To better understand how changes in upwelling trends may occur in the face of ongoing ... -
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 ... -
Changes in communities of Hydrozoa (Siphonophorae and Hydromedusae) across the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean
(University of the Western Cape, 2020) -
Epiphytic diatom assemblages associated with South African kelps: Ecklonia maxima and Laminaria pallida
(University of Western Cape, 2020)Kelp forests are dynamic and productive ecosystems which host large biodiversity of sessile fauna and flora, including diatoms. These microalgae occur at the base of coastal marine food webs and contribute substantially ... -
The effects of real exchange rate misalignment on exports in South Africa.
(University of Western Cape, 2020)The purpose of this study was to evaluate econometrically the effects of real exchange rate misalignment on South African exports between the period 1994 and 2015 using quarterly time-series data. Cointegration tests were ... -
A survey on external (Ixodidae) and gastrointestinal parasites of small ruminants on an arid communal rangeland in South Africa
(University of Western Cape, 2020)Parasites pose a major constraint on livestock farming. Its impacts are represented as transmission of disease to humans and economic costs for prevention and treatment as well as loss in terms of; livestock mortality and, ... -
Taxonomy and invasive potential of the Cassiinae in southern Africa (Caesalpinioideae, Fabaceae)
(University of the Western Cape, 2019)Cassiinae is a large subtribe of the tribe Cassieae (Caesalpinioideae) that comprises ca. 700 species distributed throughout the Americas, Africa, Eurasia and Australia. The southern African species of Cassiinae (indigenous, ... -
Revealing the factors that promote divergence in the Bladder Grasshopper Bullacris unicolor (Orthoptera; Pneumoroidea)
(University of the Western Cape, 2019)Variation in sympatric and allopatric populations is believed to be a precursor to eventual speciation. The dispersion of genes from one gene pool into another is prevented by various processes, including the founder effect, ... -
Species recognition and reproductive isolation in Malawi cichlid fishes, Metriaclima estherae and M. callainos (Teleostei: Cichlidae)
(University of the Western Cape, 2019)Cichlids are one of the most diverse groups of fishes in the world. The highest concentration of cichlids is found in Lake Malawi, where over 1500 species are recorded to occur, which are dominated by the haplochromine ... -
Implications of potential biome boundary shifts for small mammal assemblages in the arid zone
(University of the Western Cape, 2019)Desertification deteriorates the landscape functionality of rangelands, affecting the resilience of biome boundaries which have a cascade effect not only in vegetation composition and characteristics but also in animal ... -
Characterization of bacterial species in Steinkopf a communal farming area in South Africa: A closer look at pathogenesis
(University of the Western Cape, 2019)The human population in sub-Saharan Africa has been increasing due to decreases in mortality rates and increases in average human age; in turn increasing poverty and pressure placed on agriculture and agricultural production. ... -
The genus Spongites (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) in South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2019)Coralline red algae (Corallinales, Hapalidiales, Sporolithales: Corallinophycidae, Rhodophyta) are widespread and common in all the world’s oceans (Adey & McIntyre 1973; Johansen 1981; Littler et al. 1985; Björk et al. ... -
Investigating the diet selection and genetic variation of small ruminants in a dryland pastoral system in South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2019)Small ruminants found in pastoral dryland systems face many challenges regarding constant environmental and climate changes. These variable environments are home to many pastoralists who use the natural resources to ... -
Water regime requirements and possible climate change effects on Fynbos Biome Restionaceae
(University of the Western Cape, 2018)The Cape Floristic Region (CFR) of southern Africa is one of the world’s most unique biodiversity hotspots. However, this biodiversity continues to be threatened by habitat loss due to rapid urbanisation, agriculture and ... -
The behaviour and feeding ecology of extralimital giraffe within Albany Thicket vegetation in the Little Karoo, South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2018)Due to their popularity for tourism, giraffes are being introduced into Thicket areas within the Little Karoo region of the Western Cape. However, information regarding the activity budgets and diet selection of these ...