Browsing Magister Scientiae (Biodiversity and Conservation Biology) - MSc (Biodiv & Cons Biol) by Title
Now showing items 71-90 of 131
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The invasive guttural toad, Amietophrynus gutturalis
(University of the Western Cape, 2015)The guttural toad, Amietophrynus gutturalis, Power 1927, is a common toad with a broad geographic range through much of temperate, sub-tropical and tropical southern and central Africa. Introduced to the islands of Mauritius ... -
Investigating phytoplankton fluctuations and drum filter effectiveness on an abalone farm in Hermanus, South Africa.
(University of the Western Cape, 2021)Aquaculture is a growing industry in South Africa, with the production of abalone, Haliotis midae, at the forefront. The Western Cape Province hosts 12 of the 18 abalone farms in South Africa, with a concentration of ... -
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 ... -
Investigating the relationship between novel farming practices and zoonotic disease transmission at the wildlife/livestock interface: A case study at a commercial farm and conservancy in Beaufort West, South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2022)In recent years, the intensification of agricultural activities in South Africa, has led to many of the sectors farmers adopting novel farming practices as a means of promoting economic productivity. One such practice, is ... -
Lichen thermal sensitivities, moisture interception and elemental accumulation in an arid South African ecosystem
(University of the Western Cape, 2010)Elevated temperatures accompanying climate warming are expected to have adverse effects on sensitive lichen species. This premise was examined by measuring the sensitivity of different lichen species to elevated temperatures ... -
Long-term vegetation monitoring – a 33 year record from table mountain
(2013)Nearly 40 years ago McLachlan and Moll highlighted the need for a well-defined path system on the Western Table of Table Mountain in the immediate vicinity of the Upper Cable Station (UCS). At that time the numbers of ... -
Managing ichthyophonus in multi-species exhibits at the two oceans aquarium
(University of the Western Cape, 2020)Ichthyophonus hoferi has been diagnosed in multiple species at the Two Oceans Aquarium, this study focuses on Rhabdosargus globiceps (White stumpnose). I. hoferi is a mesomycetozoan parasite that multiplies in blood rich ... -
Medicinal plant use in the Dwarsrivier Valley, Stellenbosch
(University of the Western Cape, 2013)Plants have been used as medicine since antiquity. Passed on by word of mouth through the generations, this oral tradition is at risk of becoming extinct due to westernization and lack of documentation. The community in ... -
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 ... -
Monitoring water quality with riparian trees along the Berg River, Western Cape
(University of the Western Cape, 2012)Heavy metals and nutrients have long been regarded as pollutants to freshwater ecosystems. These elements have a detrimental effect on plants, animals and the water quality of rivers in South Africa. The Berg River flows ... -
Observations on the biology and seasonal variation in feeding of the East Coast redeye round herring (Etrumeus wongratanai) (Clupeiformes), off Scottburgh, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2016)The basic biology and ecology of Etrumeus wongratanai was investigated from samples of fish collected by jigging off Scottburgh, Kwazulu-Natal throughout 2014 and 2015. A total of 516 otoliths, 401 gonads, 140 stomachs and ... -
Patterns of resource use by livestock during and after drought in a communal rangeland in Namaqualand
(University of the Western Cape, 2006)Pastoralists in Africa have developed complex mechanisms by which they can alleviate the threat of drought. They practice mobility as one of the strategies to avoid the worst effects of natural stress and disperse grazing ... -
Phylogenetic assessment and historical biogeography of the Psammophis leightoni complex
Stable and accurate taxonomy remains a primary component of conservation. By overlooking taxonomic disorder, conservation management strategies may ineffectively distribute resources. The Psammophis leightoni species complex ... -
Phylogeography and co-evolution of ectoparasitic mites that live on the rodent host species Lemniscomys rosalia (Rodentia: Muridea)
(University of the Western Cape, 2022)Lemniscomys rosalia is a widespread, possibly cryptic species of murid grass mouse. Cytogenetic evidence points towards cryptic speciation in L. rosalia as the eastern African karyotype (2N = 54; FNA = 62) differs from the ... -
Post-Fire response of botanical and microbial communities in the succulent Karoo
(University of the Western Cape, 2018)Fire as a form of disturbance is unique in the way it impacts upon the environment, acting like a herbivore with a ubiquitous appetite. Consuming both dead and living material, converting complex organic molecules into ... -
Predicting reptile species distributions and biogeographic patterns within Kruger National Park
(University of the Western Cape, 2018)Knowledge of global reptile ecology is limited and there remains much to understand in terms of detailed reptile species information, including that of their distributions. In South Africa, despite being one of SANParks ... -
Quantifying competition in two co-occurring southern African psammophiinae snakes: Psammophis crucifer and psammophylax r. Rhombeatus
(University of Western Cape, 2020)Studies on snake competitive interactions have relatively been well documented globally, however, those examples tend to be dominated by non-African examples. Africa has a large and spectacular reptile diversity and yet ... -
Re-descriptions of some Southern african Scyphozoa: out with the old and in with the new
(University of the Western Cape, 2009)Two species of Chrysaora are described from the northern Benguela ecosystem: C. fulgida and C. africana. These species can be diagnosed by a combination of morphological features including lappet and tentacle number, shape ... -
Re-descriptions of some southern African Scyphozoa: out with the old and in with the new
(University of the Western Cape, 2009)Two species of Chrysaora are described from the northern Benguela ecosystem: C. fulgida and C. africana. These species can be diagnosed by a combination of morphological features including lappet and tentacle number, shape ... -
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 ...