Research Articles (Zoology and Entomology)

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A collection containing some of the full text peer-reviewed/ refereed articles published by researchers from
the Department of Zoology and Entomology

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Combination of citrus peel-derived essential oils with acarbose to inhibit amylolytic enzymes – a potential type II diabetes treatment approach
(Elsevier, 2025-05) Tshiyoyo, Kadima Samuel; Rabbad, Ali; Yusuf, Abdullahi Ahmed; Malgas, Samkelo; samkelo.malgas@up.ac.za
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) can be managed by inhibiting amylolytic enzymes, α-amylase and α-glucosidase, reducing the impact of dietary carbohydrates on blood glucose elevation. Acarbose, a current α-glucose inhibitor (AGI), has excessive α-amylase inhibition, resulting in side effects associated with large amounts of undigested starch being fermented in the colon. This study evaluated the AGI efficacy of citrus peel-derived essential oils, where they were first tested in silico against the target amylolytic enzymes, and then their AGI activity was tested in vitro. The synergistic effects of the essential oils with acarbose against amylolytic enzymes were also determined. In silico and in vitro data of the efficacy of the essential oils as AGIs correlated positively; lower Ki values correlated with more negative binding affinity. Furthermore, molecular dynamic simulations of the most potent compounds were evaluated and indicated relative flexibility and stability induced upon ligand interactions with the protein. The standard AGI drug, acarbose, had the lowest Ki (0.10 ± 0.01 mg/mL) and more negative binding affinity (−7.5 kcal/mol) than the essential oils for α-glucosidase; however, the essential oils only showed potent inhibition against α-glucosidase, with the most potent essential oils being valencene (Ki = 0.33 ± 0.04 mg/mL), carveol (Ki = 0.53 ± 0.02 mg/mL) and geraniol (Ki = 0.56 ± 0.02 mg/mL). The essential oils and acarbose displayed competitive inhibition of α-glucosidase. Furthermore, a combination of acarbose with carveol or geraniol at a ratio of 12.5 μg/mL: 2 mg/mL exhibited antagonistic (CI > 10) and synergistic (CI < 0.7) effects on α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition, respectively. Carveol or geraniol can be considered as potentially therapeutic in managing T2D, as it may display lowered AGI-associated side effects. HIGHLIGHTS • Terpenes were identified from Citrus peel-derived essential oils. • Some individual essential oils tolerably inhibited amylolytic enzymes. • Synergism of essential oils with acarbose against amylolytic enzymes was established. • Essential oils inhibited glucose release with reduced starch residues.
Superstable lipid vacuoles endow cartilage with its shape and biomechanics
(American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2025-01) Ramos, Raul; Pham, Kim T.; Prince, Richard C.; Leiser-Miller, Leith B.; Prasad, Maneeshi S.; Wang, Xiaojie; Nordberg, Rachel C.; Bielajew, Benjamin J.; Hu, Jerry C.; Yamaga, Kosuke; Oh, Ji Won; Peng, Tao; Datta, Rupsa; Astrowskaja, Aksana; Almet, Axel A.; Burns, John T.; Liu, Yuchen; Guerrero-Juarez, Christian Fernando; Tran, Bryant Q.; Chu, Yi-Lin; Nguyen, Anh M.; Hsi, Tsai-Ching; Lim, Norman T. -L.; Schoeniger, Sandra; Liu, Ruiqi; Pai, Yun-Ling; Vadivel, Chella K.; Ingleby, Sandy; McKechnie, Andrew E.; Van Breukelen, Frank; Hoehn, Kyle L.; Rasweiler, John J.; Kohara, Michinori; Loughry, William J.; Weldy, Scott H.; Cosper, Raymond; Yang, Chao-Chun; Lin, Sung-Jan; Cooper, Kimberly L.; Santana, Sharlene E.; Bradley, Jeffrey E.; Kiebish, Michael A.; Digman, Michelle; James, David E.; Merrill, Amy E.; Nie, Qing; Schilling, Thomas F.; Astrowski, Aliaksandr A.; Potma, Eric O.; Garcia-Castro, Martin I.; Athanasiou, Kyriacos A.; Behringer, Richard R.; Plikus, Maksim V.
ABSTRACT Conventionally, the size, shape, and biomechanics of cartilages are determined by their voluminous extracellular matrix. By contrast, we found that multiple murine cartilages consist of lipid-filled cells called lipochondrocytes. Despite resembling adipocytes, lipochondrocytes were molecularly distinct and produced lipids exclusively through de novo lipogenesis. Consequently, lipochondrocytes grew uniform lipid droplets that resisted systemic lipid surges and did not enlarge upon obesity. Lipochondrocytes also lacked lipid mobilization factors, which enabled exceptional vacuole stability and protected cartilage from shrinking upon starvation. Lipid droplets modulated lipocartilage biomechanics by decreasing the tissue’s stiffness, strength, and resilience. Lipochondrocytes were found in multiple mammals, including humans, but not in nonmammalian tetrapods. Thus, analogous to bubble wrap, superstable lipid vacuoles confer skeletal tissue with cartilage-like properties without “packing foam–like” extracellular matrix. STRUCTURED ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION : Vertebrates have a complex endoskeleton that consists of cartilage and ossifying bones. The biomechanics of the collagen-rich extracellular matrix in cartilage underlie its physical integrity. Additionally, during embryonic development, vertebrates also form the notochord, an endoskeletal tissue that affords animal bodies with mechanical support through hydrostatics. The notochord maintains its shape and stiffness owing to its large cells, whose aqueous vacuoles resist compression. Remnants of the notochord in most vertebrates became the nucleus pulposus, a ball-like structure at the center of intervertebral disks. RATIONALE : In this study, we noticed adipocyte-like cells featuring a giant lipid vacuole present throughout mouse ear cartilage. Yet, unlike adipocytes, these cells did not label with adipose-specific genetic markers. We chose to characterize this form of cartilage, called lipocartilage, which we found in vital anatomical structures of the nose, ear, larynx, and chest, and to establish whether its biomechanical properties depend on intracellular vacuoles. RESULTS : We found that precursor cells for lipocartilage expressed transcriptional factors and extracellular matrix genes shared with the progenitors of “conventional” cartilage. During terminal differentiation, lipocartilage precursor cells activated lipid metabolism genes, including de novo lipogenesis enzymes that convert glucose to fatty acids. Lipocartilage formation depended on de novo lipogenesis to synthesize lipid vacuoles, and unlike adipocytes, its cells could not take up additional fatty acids from the circulation. Furthermore, compared with adipocytes, mature lipocartilage cells lacked enzymes needed to breakdown stored lipids, resulting in metabolically “locked” vacuoles. In fact, when adult mice were challenged with either caloric restriction or a high-fat diet, their external ears and the lipid vacuoles contained within them did not change in size. This was in contrast to adipose tissues, which readily emptied or filled their lipid vacuoles, respectively. Beyond rodents, we identified lipocartilage in phylogenetically diverse mammals, including in the ears of echolocating bats, where it becomes particularly intricate. Abundant lipid droplets also form in human cartilage cells grown in vitro from embryonic stem cells. CONCLUSION : We postulate that lipocartilage is a distinct type of vacuolated skeletal tissue that has evolved in mammals and is similar in form and function to vacuolated notochord. Lipocartilage attains and maintains its size and shape by adapting a distinct lipid metabolism program that enables the formation of superstable lipid vacuoles. Skeletal elements made of lipocartilage commonly acquire complex, micropatterned shapes, such as in elaborately shaped bat ears. Our lipid washout assays further suggest that vacuoles are critically required for lipocartilage biomechanics, calling for in-depth studies on the structure-function relationship between intracellular vacuoles versus extracellular matrix in skeletal tissues. Regenerative medicine strategies for embryonic stem cell–derived human cartilage can use lipid vacuoles as a natural biomarker that distinguishes differentiated cells from pluripotent progenitors. EDITOR'S SUMMARY Cartilage is considered to be a mostly cell-free tissue made of copious extracellular matrix. Ramos et al. describe the embryonic development, gene expression, biochemistry, physiology, and biomechanics of lipid-filled cartilage in mice (see the Perspective by Hermosilla Aguayo and Selleri). This “fatty cartilage” forms from lipochondrocytes found in the face, neck, and chest of phylogenetically diverse mammals. It can adopt intricately patterned shapes and has life-long stability and elastic properties because of its large lipid vacuoles within numerous long-lived cells having little extracellular matrix. These findings hold promise for advancing our understanding of form-to-function relationships in skeletal tissues. —Stella M. Hurtley
Potential of entomopathogenic fungi for Glossina austeni control : insights into microbiome alterations and implications on sustainable management of the pest
(Wiley, 2025) Ombura, Fidelis Levi Odhiambo; Malele, Imna; Abd-Alla, Adly M.M.; Akutse, Komivi Senyo; Ajene, Inusa Jacob; Khamis, Fathiya Mbarak
Glossina austeni Newstead (Diptera: Glossinidae) is a competent vector of the trypanosomes causing human African trypanosomiasis and the African animal trypanosomosis. Management of this pest has primarily involved trapping methods, Sterile Insect Technique, and research into vector competence–symbiotic interactions. Nevertheless, the use of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) in integrated pest management programs for G. austeni control remains limited. Moreover, different tsetse fly species exhibit varying susceptibility to different EPF strains, indicating that no single strain is universally effective. Therefore, our study aimed to identify candidate EPF isolates for G. austeni management, evaluate the effects of temperature on the radial growth of these potent isolates, and assess the impact of the candidate EPF on the gut microbiome of G. austeni. Consequently, 16 Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschn.) Sorokin isolates were screened against G. austeni using dry conidia in an infection chamber, with the most virulent isolates having LT50 values of 3.95−9.37 d. Temperature significantly influenced the radial growth, conidia germination, and yield of these strains. There were also significant differences in conidia acquisition, retention and transmission between male and female G. austeni flies. Furthermore, all conidia receivers carried sufficient conidia, 5 d post-interaction with EPF-challenged conidia donors. Microbiome analysis revealed Wigglesworthia, Serratia, Klebsiella, and Escherichia as the most abundant taxa. Among the M. anisopliae isolates, ICIPE 82 exhibited the fastest radial growth and highest thermostability, hence selected as a potential biopesticide candidate for managing G. austeni. This study demonstrates the efficacy and potential of M. anisopliae ICIPE 82 as a biopesticide for controlling G. austeni.
Fungal Planet description sheets : 1697–1780
(Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, 2024-12-06) Crous, Pedro W.; Wingfield, Michael J.; Jurjević, Ž.; Balashov, S.; Osieck, E.R.; Marin-Felix, Y.; Luangsa-ard, J.J.; Mejía, L.C.; Cappelli, A.; Parra, L.A.; Lucchini, G.; Chen, J.; Moreno, G.; Faraoni, M.; Zhao, R.L.; Weholt, Ø.; Borovička, J.; Jansen, G.M.; Shivas, R.G.; Tan, Y.P.; Akulov, A.; Alfenas, A.C.; Alfenas, R.F.; Altés, A.; Avchar, R.; Barreto, R.W.; Catcheside, D.E.A.; Chi, T.Y.; Esteve-Raventós, F.; Fryar, S.C.; Hanh, L.T.M.; Larsbrink, J.; Oberlies, N.H.; Olsson, L.; Pancorbo, F.; Raja, H.A.; Thanh, V.N.; Thuy, N.T.; Ajithkumar, K.; Akram, W.; Alvarado, P.; Angeletti, B.; Arumugam, E.; Atashi Khalilabad, A.; Bandini, D.; Baroni, T.J.; Barreto, G.G.; Boertmann, D.; Akram, W.; Alvarado, P.; Angeletti, B.; Arumugam, E.; Atashi Khalilabad, A.; Bandini, D.; Baroni, T.J.; Barreto, G.G.; Boertmann, D.; Bose, Tanay; Castañeda Ruiz, R.F.; Couceiro, A.; Cykowska-Marzencka, B.; Dai, Y.C.; Darmostuk, V.; Da Silva, S.B.G.; Dearnaley, J.D.W.; De Azevedo Santiago, A.L.C.M.; Declercq, B.; De Freitas G. , L.W.S.; De la Peña-Lastra, S.; Delgado, G.; De Lima, C.L.F.; Dhotre, D.; Dirks, A.C.; Eisvand, P.; Erhard, A.; Ferro, L.O.; García, D.; García-Martín, A.; Garrido-Benavent, I.; Gené, J.; Ghobad-Nejhad, M.; Gore, G.; Gunaseelan, S.; Gusmão, L.F.P.; Hammerbacher, Almuth; Hernández-Perez, A.T.; Hernández-Restrepo, M.; Hofmann, T.A.; Hubka, V.; Jiya, N.; Kaliyaperumal, M.; Keerthana, K.S.; Ketabchi, M.; Kezo , K.; Knoppersen, Rosa; Kolarczyková, D.; Kumar, T.K.A.; Læssøe, T.; Langer, E.; Larsson, E.; Lodge, D.J.; Lynch, M.J.; Maciá-Vicente, J.G.; Mahadevakumar, S.; Mateos, A.; Mehrabi-Koushki, M.; Miglio, B.V.; Noor, A.; Oliveira, J.A.; Pereira, O.L.; Piątek, M.; Pinto, A.; Ramírez, G.H.; Raphael, B.; Rawat, G.; Renuka, M.; Reschke, K.; Ruiz Mateo, A.; Saar, I.; Saba, M.; Safi, A.; Sánchez, R.M.; Sandoval-Denis, M.; Savitha, A.S.; Sharma, A.; Shelke, D.; Sonawane, H.; Souza, M.G.A.P.; Stryjak-Bogacka, M.; Thines, M.; Thomas, A.; Torres-Garcia, D.; Traba, J.M.; Vauras, J.; Vermaas, M.; Villarreal, M.; Vu, D.; Whiteside, E.J.; Zafari, D.; Starink-Willemse, M.; Groenewald, J.Z.; Akram
Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Antarctica, Leuconeurospora bharatiensis from accumulated snow sediment sample. Argentina, Pseudocercospora quetri on leaf spots of Luma apiculata. Australia, Polychaetomyces verrucosus on submerged decaying wood in sea water, Ustilaginoidea cookiorum on Scleria levis, Xylaria guardiae as endophyte from healthy leaves of Macaranga tanarius. Belgium, Iodophanus taxi on leaf of Taxus baccata. Belize, Hygrocybe mirabilis on soil. Brazil, Gongronella irregularis from soil, Linodochium splendidum on decaying sheath of Euterpe oleracea, Nothophysalospora agapanthi (incl. Nothophysalospora gen. nov.) on flower stalks of Agapanthus praecox, Phaeosphaeria tabebuiae on leaf of Tabebuia sp., Verrucohypha endophytica (incl. Verrucohypha gen. nov.) from healthy roots of Acrocomia aculeata. Estonia, Inosperma apricum on soil under Quercus robur. Greece, Monosporascus solitarius isolated from surface-sterilised, asymptomatic roots of Microthlaspi perfoliatum. India, Diaporthe neocapsici on young seedling stems of Capsicum annuum, Fuscoporia naditirana on dead wood, Sebacina spongicarpa on soil, Torula kanvae from the gut of a Copris signatus beetle. Iran, Sarcinomyces pruni from twig and petiole tissues of Prunus persica and Prunus armeniaca, Xenodidymella quercicola from leaf spots of Quercus brantii. Italy, Agaricus aereiceps on grass, Agaricus bellui in meadows, Agaricus fabrianensis in urban grasslands, Beaucarneamyces muscorum on moss growing in forest, Xenoanthostomella quercus on leaf litter of Quercus ilex. Netherlands, Alfaria neerlandica on stem lesions of Cortaderia selloana, Neodictyosporium juncicola on culms of Juncus maritimus, Penicillium geertdesnooi from soil under Papaver rhoeas, Russula abscondita on rich calcareous soil with Quercus, Russula multiseptata on rich clay soil with Quercus, Russula purpureopallescens on soil with Populus, Sarocladium caricicola on leaves of Carex riparia. Pakistan, Circinaria shimlaensis on limestone rocks. Panama, Acrocalymma philodendri on leaf spots of Philodendron sp., Caligospora panamaensis on leaf litter, Chlamydocillium simulans associated with a Xylaria sp., Corynesporina panamaensis on leaf litter, Cylindromonium panamaense on twig litter of angiosperm, Cyphellophora panamaensis on twig litter of angiosperm, Microcera panamensis on leaf litter of fern, Pseudotricholoma pusillum in tropical montane forest dominated by Quercus spp., Striaticonidium panamaense on leaf litter, Yunnanomyces panamaensis on leaf litter. Poland, Albocremella abscondita (incl. Albocremella gen. nov.) from rhizoids of liverwort Conocephalum salebrosum. Portugal, Agaricus occidualis in meadows. South Africa, Alternaria elsarustiae on culms of unidentified Poaceae, Capronia capensis on dead twig of unidentified angiosperm, Codinaeella bulbinicola on dead leaves of Bulbine frutescens, Cytospora carpobroticola on leaf of Carpobrotus quadrifidus, Neophaeomoniella watsoniae on leaf of Watsonia sp., Neoplatysporoides aloigena on leaf of Aloe khamiesensis, Nothodactylaria comitabilis on living leaf of Itea rhamnoides, Nothopenidiella beaucarneae (incl. Nothopenidiella gen. nov.) on dead leaves of Beaucarnea stricta, Orbilia kirstenboschensis on dead flower stalks of Agapanthus praecox, Phragmocephala agapanthi on dead flower stalks of Agapanthus praecox, Podocarpigena hagahagaensis (incl. Podocarpigena gen. nov.) on leaf spots of Podocarpus falcatus, Sporisorium enterogonipteri from the gut of Gonipterus sp., Synnemapestaloides searsiae on leaf of Searsia populifolia, Xenophragmocapnias diospyri (incl. Xenophragmocapnias gen. nov.) on leaf spots of Diospyros sp., Yunnanomyces hagahagaensis on leaf spots of Sideroxylon inerme. Spain, Agaricus basicinctus in meadows, Agaricus quercetorum among leaf litter in oak forests, Coprinopsis palaciosii on degraded woody debris, Inocybe complutensis in calcareous loamy soil, Inocybe tanitiae in calcareous sandy soil, Mycena subfragosa on dead leaves of Salix atrocinerea, Pseudobaeospora cortegadensis in laurel forests, Trichoderma sedimenticola from fluvial sediments. Sweden, Inocybe badjelanndana on calcareous soil. Ukraine, Beaucarneamyces lupini on overwintered stems of Lupinus polyphyllus, Protocreopsis globulosa on thallus and apothecia of Lecania cyrtella on bark of Populus sp., Thyridium tiliae on dead twigs of Tilia sp. USA, Cladosporium louisianense, Cyphellophora americana from a bedroom vent, Extremus massachusettsianus from lyse buffer, Myxotrichum tapetae on carpet in basement, Neospissiomyces floridanus (incl. Neospissiomyces gen. nov.) on swab from hospital, Polychaetomyces marinus (incl. Polychaetomyces gen. nov.) on submerged driftwood in sea water, Steccherinum fragrans on hardwood fallen on the beach, Steinbeckomyces carnegieae (incl. Steinbeckomyces gen. nov.) on Carnegiea gigantea, Tolypocladium pennsylvanicum from air sampled in basement. Vietnam, Acidomyces ducanhii from Aglaia flowers, Acidomyces paludis from dead bark of Acacia sp., Phakopsora sageretiae on Sageretia theezans, Puccinia stixis on Stixis scandens. Morphological and culture characteristics are supported by DNA barcodes
Thresholds for adding degraded tropical forest to the conservation estate
(Nature Research, 2024-07-17) Ewers, Robert M.; Orme, C. David L.; Pearse, William D.; Zulkifli, Nursyamin; Yvon-Durocher, Genevieve; Yusah, Kalsum M.; Yoh, Natalie; Yeo, Darren C.J.; Wong, Anna; Williamson, Joseph; Wilkinson, Clare L.; Wiederkehr, Fabienne; Webber, Bruce L.; Wearn, Oliver R.; Wai, Leona; Vollans, Maisie; Twining, Joshua P.; Turner, Edgar C.; Tobias, Joseph A.; Thorley, Jack; Telford, Elizabeth M.; Teh, Yit Arn; Tan; Swinfield, Tom; Svátek, Martin; Struebig, Matthew; Stork, Nigel; Sleutel, Jani; Slade, Eleanor M.; Sharp, Adam; Shabrani, Adi; Sethi, Sarab S.; Seaman, Dave J.I.; Sawang, Anati; Roxby , Gabrielle Briana; Rowcliffe, J. Marcus; Rossiter, Stephen J.; Riutta, Terhi; Rahman, Homathevi; Qie, Lan; Psomas, Elizabeth; Prairie, Aaron; Poznansky, Frederica; Pillay, Rajeev; Picinali, Lorenzo; Pianzin, Annabel; Pfeifer, Marion; Parrett, Jonathan M.; Noble, Ciar D.; Nilus, Reuben; Mustaffa, Nazirah; Mullin, Katherine E.; Mitchell, Simon; Mckinlay, Amelia R.; Maunsell, Sarah; Matula, Radim; Massam, Michael; Martin, Stephanie; Malhi, Yadvinder; Majalap, Noreen; Maclean, Catherine S.; Mackintosh, Emma; Luke, Sarah H.; Lewis, Owen T.; Layfield, Harry J.; Lane-Shaw, Isolde; Kueh, Boon Hee; Kratina, Pavel; Konopik, Oliver; Kitching, Roger; Kinneen, Lois; Kemp, Victoria A.; Jotan, Palasiah; Jones, Nick; Jebrail, Evyen W.; Hroneš, Michal; Heon, Sui Peng; Hemprich-Bennett, David R.; Haysom, Jessica K.; Harianja, Martina F.; Hardwick, Jane; Gregory, Nichar; Gray, Ryan; Gray, Ross E.J.; Granville, Natasha; Gill, Richard; Fraser, Adam; Foster, William A.; Folkard-Tapp, Hollie; Fletcher, Robert J.; Fikri, Arman Hadi; Fayle, Tom M.; Faruk, Aisyah; Eggleton, Paul; Edwards, David P.; Drinkwater, Rosie; Dow, Rory A.; Döbert, Timm F.; Didham, Raphael K.; Dickinson, Katharine J.M.; Deere, Nicolas J.; De Lorm, Tijmen; Dawood, Mahadimenakbar M.; Davison, Charles W.; Davies, Zoe G.; Davies, Richard G.; Dančák, Martin; Cusack, Jeremy; Clare, Elizabeth L.; Chung, Arthur; Chey, Vun Khen; Chapman, Philip M.; Cator, Lauren; Carpenter, Daniel; Carbone, Chris; Calloway, Kerry; Bush, Emma R.; Burslem, David F.R.P.; Brown, Keiron D.; Brooks, Stephen J.; Brasington, Ella; Brant, Hayley; Boyle, Michael J.W.; Both, Sabine; Blackman, Joshua; Bishop, Tom R.; Bicknell, Jake E.; Bernard, Henry; Basrur, Saloni; Barclay, Maxwell V.L.; Barclay, Holly; Atton, Georgina; Ancrenaz, Marc; Aldridge, David C.; Daniel, Olivia Z.; Reynolds, Glen; Banks-Leite, Cristina
Logged and disturbed forests are often viewed as degraded and depauperate environments compared with primary forest. However, they are dynamic ecosystems1 that provide refugia for large amounts of biodiversity2,3, so we cannot afford to underestimate their conservation value4. Here we present empirically defined thresholds for categorizing the conservation value of logged forests, using one of the most comprehensive assessments of taxon responses to habitat degradation in any tropical forest environment. We analysed the impact of logging intensity on the individual occurrence patterns of 1,681 taxa belonging to 86 taxonomic orders and 126 functional groups in Sabah, Malaysia. Our results demonstrate the existence of two conservation-relevant thresholds. First, lightly logged forests (<29% biomass removal) retain high conservation value and a largely intact functional composition, and are therefore likely to recover their pre-logging values if allowed to undergo natural regeneration. Second, the most extreme impacts occur in heavily degraded forests with more than two-thirds (>68%) of their biomass removed, and these are likely to require more expensive measures to recover their biodiversity value. Overall, our data confirm that primary forests are irreplaceable5, but they also reinforce the message that logged forests retain considerable conservation value that should not be overlooked.
The bii4africa dataset of faunal and floral population intactness estimates across Africa’s major land uses
(Nature Research, 2024-02-12) Clements , Hayley S.; San, Emmanuel Do Linh; Hempson, Gareth; Linden , Birthe; Maritz, Bryan; Monadjem, Ara; Reynolds , Chevonne; Siebert, Frances; Stevens, Nicola; Biggs , Reinette; De Vos, Alta; Blanchard , Ryan; Child , Matthew; Esler , Karen J.; Hamann, Maike; Loft, Ty; Reyers, Belinda; Selomane, Odirilwe; Skowno, Andrew L.; Tshoke, Tshegofatso; Abdoulaye, Diarrassouba; Aebischer, Thierry; Aguirre-Gutiérrez, Jesús; Alexander, Graham J.; Ali, Abdullahi H.; Allan, David G.; Amoako , Esther E.; Angedakin, Samuel; Aruna, Edward; Avenant , Nico L.; Badjedjea, Gabriel; Bakayoko, Adama; Bamba-kaya, Abraham; Bates, Michael F.; Bates, Paul J.J.; Belmain , Steven R.; Bennitt , Emily; Bradley, James; Brewster, Chris A.; Brown, Michael B.; Brown , Michelle; Bryja, Josef; Butynski, Thomas M.; Carvalho, Filipe; Channing, Alan; Chapman, Colin A.; Cohen, Callan; Cords , Marina; Cramer, Jennifer D.; Cronk , Nadine; Cunneyworth, Pamela M.K.; Dalerum, Fredrik; Danquah, Emmanuel; Davies-Mostert, Harriet T.; De Blocq , Andrew D.; De Jong , Yvonne A.; Demos , Terrence C.; Denys , Christiane; Djagoun, Chabi A.M.S.; Doherty-Bone , Thomas M.; Drouilly, Marine; Du Toit, Johan T.; Ehlers Smith, David A.; Ehlers Smith, Yvette C.; Eiseb , Seth J.; Fashing, Peter J.; Ferguson, Adam W.; Fernández-García, José M.; Finckh, Manfred; Fischer, Claude; Gandiwa, Edson; Gaubert, Philippe; Gaugris , Jerome Y.; Gibbs, Dalton J.; Gilchrist , Jason S.; Gil- Sánchez , Jose M.; Githitho, Anthony N.; Goodman, Peter S.; Granjon , Laurent; Grobler, J. Paul; Gumbi, Bonginkosi C.; Gvozdik, Vaclav; Harvey, James; Hauptfleisch, Morgan; Hayder, Firas; Hema, Emmanuel M.; Herbst, Marna; Houngbédji, Mariano; Huntley, Brian J.; Hutterer, Rainer; Ivande, Samuel T.; Jackson, Kate; Jongsma, Gregory F.M.; Juste , Javier; Kadjo, Blaise; Kaleme, Prince K.; Kamugisha, Edwin; Kaplin, Beth A.; Kato, Humphrey N.; Kiffner , Christian; Kimuyu , Duncan M.; Kityo, Robert M.; Kouamé, N’goran G.; Kouete T, Marcel; Le Roux, Aliza; Lee, Alan T.K.; Lötter, Mervyn C.; Lykke , Anne Mette; MacFadyen, Duncan N.; Macharia, Gacheru P.; Madikiza , Zimkitha J.K.; Mahlaba, Themb'alilahlwa A.M.; Mallon, David; Mamba, Mnqobi L.; Mande, Claude; Marchant, Rob A.; Maritz, Robin A.; Markotter, Wanda; McIntyre , Trevor; Measey , John; Mekonnen , Addisu; Meller, Paulina; Melville, Haemish I.; Mganga, Kevin Z.; Mills, Michael G.L.; Minnie , Liaan; Missoup, Alain Didier; Mohammad, Abubakr; Moinde, Nancy N.; Moise , Bakwo Fils E.; Monterroso , Pedro; Moore , Jennifer F.; Musila, Simon; Nago , Sedjro Gilles A.; Namoto, Maganizo W.; Niang, Fatimata; Nicolas , Violaine; Nkenku, Jerry B.; Nkrumah, Evans E.; Nono, Gonwouo L.; Norbert, Mulavwa M.; Nowak , Katarzyna; Obitte , Benneth C.; Okoni-Williams, Arnold D.; Onongo, Jonathan; O ’Riain , M. Justin; Osinubi , Samuel T.; Parker, Daniel M.; Parrini , Francesca; Peel, Mike J.S.; Penner, Johannes P; Pietersen, Darren William; Plumptre , Andrew J.; Ponsonby, Damian W.; Porembski, Stefan; Power, R. John; Radloff , Frans G.T.; Rambau, Ramugondo V.; Ramesh, Tharmalingam; Richards , Leigh R.; Rödel, Mark-Oliver; Rollinson, Dominic P.; Rovero, Francesco; Saleh, Mostafa A.; Schmiedel, Ute; Schoeman , M. Corrie; Scholte, Paul; Serfass, Thomas L.; Shapiro, Julie Teresa; Shema , Sidney; Siebert, Stefan J.; Slingsby, Jasper A.; Sliwa, Alexander; Smit-Robinson , Hanneline A.; Sogbohossou, Etotepe A.; Somers, Michael J.; Spawls, Stephen; Streicher, Jarryd P.; Swanepoel, Lourens; Tanshi, Iroro; Taylor, Peter J.; Taylor, William A.; Te Beest, Mariska; Telfer, Paul T.; Thompson , Dave I.; Tobi , Elie; Tolley, Krystal A.; Turner, Andrew A.; Twine, Wayne; Van Cakenberghe , Victor; Van de Perre, Frederik; Van der Merwe , Helga; Van Niekerk, Chris J.G.; Van Wyk, Pieter C.V.; Venter, Jan A.; Verburgt, Luke; Veron , Geraldine; Vetter , Susanne; Vorontsova , Maria S.; Wagner , Thomas C.; Webala, Paul W.; Weber, Natalie; Weier, Sina M.; White , Paula A.; Whitecross, Melissa A.; Wigley, Benjamin J.; Willems, Frank J.; Winterbach, Christiaan W.; Woodhouse, Galena M.
Sub-Saharan Africa is under-represented in global biodiversity datasets, particularly regarding the impact of land use on species’ population abundances. Drawing on recent advances in expert elicitation to ensure data consistency, 200 experts were convened using a modified-Delphi process to estimate ‘intactness scores’: the remaining proportion of an ‘intact’ reference population of a species group in a particular land use, on a scale from 0 (no remaining individuals) to 1 (same abundance as the reference) and, in rare cases, to 2 (populations that thrive in human-modified landscapes). The resulting bii4africa dataset contains intactness scores representing terrestrial vertebrates (tetrapods: ±5,400 amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals) and vascular plants (±45,000 forbs, graminoids, trees, shrubs) in sub-Saharan Africa across the region’s major land uses (urban, cropland, rangeland, plantation, protected, etc.) and intensities (e.g., large-scale vs smallholder cropland). This dataset was co-produced as part of the Biodiversity Intactness Index for Africa Project. Additional uses include assessing ecosystem condition; rectifying geographic/taxonomic biases in global biodiversity indicators and maps; and informing the Red List of Ecosystems.
Coleoptera of Brazil : what we knew then and what we know now : insights from the Catalogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil
(Curitiba PR: Sociedade Brasileira de Zoologia, 2024-09) Caron, Edilson; Monne, Marcela L.; Ferreira, Vinicius S.; Costa, Cleide; Cupello, Mario; Aloquio, Sergio; Linzmeier, Adelita M.; Vaz-de-Mello, Fernando Z.; Leivas, Fernando W.T.; Souza-Gonçalves, Igor; Mermudes, José R.M.; Almeida, Lúcia M.; Moura, Luciano de A.; Júnior, Nelson Ferreira; Grossi, Paschoal C.; Vanin, Sergio A.; Ślipiński, Adam; Anichtchenko, Alexander; Newton, Alfred F.; Sampaio, Aline; Carelli, Allan; Puker, Anderson; Ferreira, André da S.; Fernandes, André S.; Roza, André S.; Cline, Andrew; Sampaio, Brunno H.L.; Clarkson, Bruno; De Castro, Camila F.; Bicho, Carla de L.; Benetti, César J.; Ribeiro-Costa, Cibele S.; Lopes-Andrade, Cristiano; Manfio, Daiara; Colpani, Daniara; Basílio, Daniel S.; Bená, Daniela de C.; Pollock, Darren A.; Souza, Diego de S.; Rodrigues, Diego F.; Chandler, Donald S.; Do Nascimento, Elynton A.; Spiessberger, Erich L.; Agrain, Federico A.; Barbosa, Felipe F.; Shockley, Floyd; Nascimento, Francisco E. de L.; Biffi, Gabriel; Powell, Gareth S.; Morse, Geoffrey E.; Flores, Gustavo E.; Escalona, Hermes; Quintino, Hingrid Y.S.; Rainho, Hugo L.; Maddalena, Italo S.C.P.; Hájek, Jiří; McHugh, Joseph V.; Botero, Juan P.; Fuhrmann, Juares; Churata-Salcedo, Julissa M.; Vieira, Letícia M.; Da Silveira, Luiz F.L.; Da Cruz, Luiza S.; Sekerka, Lukás; Bologna, Marco A.; Bevilaqua, Marcus V.O.; Passos, Maria I.; Chamorro, Maria L.; Cherman, Mariana A.; Bento, Matheus; Gimmel, Matthew; Segura, Melissa O.; Ivie, Michael A.; Thomas, Michael C.; Monné, Miguel A.; Lord, Nathan; Hamada, Neusa; Degallier, Nicolas; Dos Santos, Paula B.; Duarte, Paulo R.M.; Gnaspini, Pedro; Bulirsch, Petr; Regalin, Renato; Leschen, Richard A.B.; Constantin, Robert; Corrêa, Rodrigo C.; Gerstmeier, Roland; Rosa, Simone P.; Campos, Stéphanie V.N.; Peck, Stewart B.; Pacheco, Thaynara L.; Polizei, Thiago T.S.; McElrath, Thomas C.; Grzymala, Traci L.; Smith, Trevor R.; Da Costa-Silva, Vinicius; Sandoval-Gómez, Vivian E.; De Sousa, Wesley O.; Tomaszewska, Wioletta
In 2000, Cleide Costa published a paper presenting the state of knowledge of the Neotropical Coleoptera, with a focus on the Brazilian fauna. Twenty-four years later, thanks to the development of the Coleoptera section of the Taxonomic Catalog of the Brazilian Fauna (CTFB – Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil) through the collaboration of 100 coleopterists from all over the globe, we can build on Costa’s work and present an updated overview of the state of knowledge of the beetles from Brazil. There are currently 35,699 species in 4,958 genera and 116 families known to occur in the country, including representatives of all extant suborders and superfamilies. Our data show that the Brazilian beetle fauna is the richest on the planet, concentrating 9% of the world species diversity, with some estimates accounting to up to 15% of the global total. The most diverse family in numbers of genera is Cerambycidae (1,056 genera), while in number of species it is Chrysomelidae (6,079 species). Conotrachelus Dejean, 1835 (Curculionidae) is the most species-rich genus, with 570 species. The French entomologist Maurice Pic is the author who has contributed the most to the naming of species recorded from Brazil, with 1,794 valid names in 36 families, whereas the Brazilians Ubirajara R. Martins and Maria Helena M. Galileo are the only ones among the top-ten authors to have named species in the 21st century. Currently, approximately 144 new species of Brazilian beetles are described each year, and this average is projected to increase in the next decade to 180 species per year, or about one new Brazilian beetle every two days. KEY WORDS. Beetles, biodiversity, list, Neotropical, South America, CTFB.
Taxonomic revision of Mozambique dung beetle species in the genus Diastellopalpus van Lansberge, 1886 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae)
(Magnolia Press, 2024-05-03) Daniel, Gimo M.; Strumpher, Werner P.; Josso, Jean-Francois; Davis, Adrian L.V.
Recently, there has been growing attention paid to the Mozambican dung beetle fauna, including the description of several new species. In this paper, we revise the taxonomy of species recorded from Mozambique in the genus Diastellopalpus van Lansberge, 1886, including the description of Diastellopalpus scholtzi Daniel, Strümpher, Josso & Davis, new species. We also report a new country record for Diastellopalpus neavei (d’Orbigny, 1914). Moreover, Diastellopalpus orbignyi Péringuey, 1904 is removed from subjective synonymy with Diastellopalpus infernalis van Lansberge, 1887 and proposed as a valid species. Currently, Mozambique encompasses five valid species of the genus Diastellopalpus, namely: Diastellopalpus infernalis van Lansberge, 1887, D. quinquedens Bates, 1888, D. neavei, D. orbignyi and D. scholtzi, new species. We redescribe the former four species and include an examination of the types of their junior synonyms. Furthermore, we diagnose, illustrate, and provide a distribution map for all five species and compare them to the morphologically most similar species in the genus. We designate lectotypes for the following species-group taxa: Diastellopalpus nyassicus Kolbe, 1901, D. orbignyi, D. quinquedens Bates, 1888, Onthophagus ponderosus Péringuey, 1896, and O. tridepressus d’Orbigny, 1902. Finally, we provide an updated identification key for the species of Diastellopalpus recorded from Mozambique.
Road-associated variation in insect abundance differs between three common orders
(Springer, 2025-04) Sempe, Nhlanhla Pheletso Suzan; Sole, Catherine L.; Haussmann, Natalie S.; natalie.haussmann@up.ac.za
The ecological impacts of roads are well-researched for many vertebrates, but studies are relatively lacking with regards to invertebrates. Here, changes in the abundance of ground-dwelling species of the three most common insect orders, Hymenoptera (specifically ants), Hemiptera (true bugs) and Coleoptera (beetles), with distance from a gravel road in a grassland system in South Africa, are documented. Insects were collected by means of pitfall traps (n = 164) installed at 2, 5, 10 and 20 m perpendicular to a gravel road, and abundances of these three orders were compared statistically between the four distances. Whereas no significant differences in the numbers of Hymenoptera and Coleoptera were observed with distance from road, the abundance of Hemiptera was greater closer to the road. Our results show that quieter, low-traffic roads can affect the distribution of insect species at finer spatial scales.
Mitochondrial DNA diversity and phylogeographic patterns among South African Cape fur seals, Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus
(Wiley, 2025-08) Robbertse, M.; Hofmeyr, G.J.G.; De Bruyn, P.J. Nico; Dalton, Desire; Mwale, M.
Cape fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus) are important apex predators and indicators of ecological health. Historically, their populations were severely reduced by the activities of sealers and guano collectors but has since increased due to legislation controlling, then banning these activities. This study aimed to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of Cape fur seals in Southern Africa's cool (Benguela) and warm (Agulhas) temperate regions. Cape fur seal genetic material (n = 263) was collected along the Agulhas Bank and analysed using mitochondrial cytochrome b and D-loop gene markers. Estimates of genetic parameters showed that the south and west populations of Cape fur seals had high levels of haplotype diversity and low levels of nucleotide diversity. Assessment of genetic structure indicated that there was no obvious phylogenetic pattern between haplotypes. Both markers denoted the absence of population differentiation (FST < 0) and the presence of high genetic flow with multiple migrants between colonies. Lack of genetic distinction between localities and high genetic diversity identified here may be attributed to a recent population expansion after the last glacial maximum. Although populations are currently stable, future monitoring of populations is advocated.
Factors influencing the capture of Japanese beetles : wind speed and direction, trap deployment protocol, lure type, and trap efficiency
(Oxford University Press, 2025-07) Guignard, Quentin; Goodwin, Joel; Kimoto, Troy; Haynes, Kenneth F.; Allison, Jeremy D.
In this study, factors affecting Japanese beetle (JB) trap captures (eg wind direction and speed, lure type, trap deployment and efficiency) were investigated in the field using semiochemical baited traps. Fifty-two percent of 667 JB observed flew directly upwind toward a trap with a dual lure (sex pheromone + floral kairomone), especially when wind speed exceeded 1.5 m/s. Within thirty seconds after approaching 2 m of a trap baited with a dual lure, 43%, 35%, and 22% of 138 observed beetles were captured, flew away, or landed on the trap, respectively. Of 265,884 beetles captured, 48% were captured by a cluster of 3 traps each with a single dual lure, 30% by a single trap baited with 3 dual lures, and 22% by a single trap baited with one dual lure. Traps baited with the floral lure (ie kairomone) and the floral lure and the sex pheromone (ie dual lure) captured similar numbers (39% and 41%, respectively) of JB and both captured more beetles than traps baited with the pheromone alone (12% and 8% for the sex-pheromone from the dual lure and sex-pheromone standard, respectively). Traps baited with the floral kairomone alone or with sex pheromone captured a 1:1 sex ratio (M:F) while pheromone-only traps captured a 3:1 (M:F) ratio of JB. No additive or synergistic effects of the pheromone and floral kairomone were observed. To our knowledge, this study is the first to quantify in real time the flight behavior of a beetle toward traps in the field.
Machine learning predicts non-preferred and preferred vertebrate hosts of Tsetse flies (Glossina spp.) based on skin volatile emission profiles
(Springer, 2025-04) Orubuloye, Olabimpe Y.; Tchouassi, David P.; Yusuf, Abdullahi Ahmed; Pirk, Christian Walter Werner; Masiga, Daniel K.; Kariuki, Edward; Torto, Baldwyn; orubuloye.olabimpe@tuks.co.za
Tsetse fly vectors of African trypanosomosis preferentially feed on certain vertebrates largely determined by olfactory cues they emit. Previously, we established that three skin-derived ketones including 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, acetophenone and geranyl acetone accounted for avoidance of zebra by tsetse flies. Here, we tested the hypothesis that these three ketones serve as biomarkers for tsetse flies to distinguish between non-preferred- and preferred-vertebrate hosts. We used coupled gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to analyze and compare the skin volatile emissions of two non-preferred- (waterbuck and zebra) and four preferred- (buffalo, donkey, horse, warthog) vertebrate hosts in two wildlife parks in Kenya. We detected a total of 96 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the skin emissions composed mainly of aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, phenols and alkanes, which varied with the vertebrate host. Using random forest analysis, we found a weak correlation between the three skin-odor repellent ketones and non-preferred and preferred vertebrate hosts. However, we found that the three repellent ketones plus skin background odors may be more sensitive chemical signals for tsetse flies to discriminate vertebrate hosts. These results contribute to understanding tsetse fly vertebrate host preferences in their natural habitat across geographic scales.
Megaherbivores facilitate large grazing herbivores and suppress small mammals through vegetation structure and cryptic pathways
(Elsevier, 2025-10) McCleery, Robert A.; Kruger, Laurence; Monadjem, Ara; Tye, Donovan; Mhlava, Philip; Zwane, Emanuel; Bijl, Alison; Jones, Maggie M.; Hartfelder, Jack; Sibya, Muzi; Coetsee, Corli; Fletcher Jr, Robert J.
Variability in large mammalian herbivores can reshape smaller animal communities in complex ways. Accordingly, conservation strategies require a deeper understanding of the extent to which mesoherbivores (>20–1000 kg) and megaherbivores (>1000 kg) influence on animal communities are mediated by changes to vegetation structure, and the extent to which the influence of megaherbivores overlap with mesoherbivores. Using an exclusion experiment, we examined how megaherbivores altered mesoherbivore activity and how both groups influenced small mammals. We compared influences that were mediated by broad metrics of vegetation structure (i.e., indirect effects) with all other influences that were not mediated by vegetation structure (e.g., direct effects). We found megaherbivores were linked to increased mesoherbivore activity, particularly grazers, through both vegetation structure-mediated and other pathways. Alternatively, we found small mammals were suppressed where megaherbivores were present, and their population fluctuations were explained by both structure-mediated and other pathways. Small mammal abundance was higher where large herbivores were excluded compared to open plots, with no difference between plots excluding only megaherbivores and those excluding all herbivores. This suggests that these effects were produced by either megaherbivores alone, or by megaherbivores in conjunction with the increased mesoherbivore activity they facilitated. While small mammal abundance was linked to mesoherbivore-induced changes in grass biomass, their non-linear response, did not correspond with the exclusion of mesoherbivores. These findings highlight megaherbivores' capacity to reshape animal communities through interactions beyond broad metrics of vegetation structure, underscoring the importance of considering the varied influences of megaherbivores on mammal communities in conservation strategies. HIGHLIGHTS • The presence of Megaherbivores reduced small mammal densities. • Large herbivore activity increases in the presence of megaherbivores. • Responses were only partially due to megaherbivore changes to vegetation structure. • Megaherbivores' largest influences were not from vegetation structure. • Megaherbivores play a unique role in shaping animal communities.
A new and unusually ornate southern African dung beetle species in d’Orbigny’s Onthophagus Group 18 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Onthophagini)
(Magnolia Press, 2024-08-09) Deschodt, Christian M.; Sole, Catherine L.; cdeschodt@zoology.up.ac.za
Onthophagus pragtig Deschodt, new species is described and illustrated from South Africa. Its known collection localities are shown. We also briefly describe and illustrate three distinct subgroups in the18th Onthophagus group of d’Orbigny (1913) and further provide a checklist of the known species in this group while dividing them into these subgroups where known.
Desert bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera : Thaumastellidae) : new records and review of the distribution and habitat of this relict group
(Magnolia Press, 2024-11-26) Kment, Petr; Jacobs, Dawid Hermanus; Carapezza, Attilio; Deckert, Jurgen; Rider, David A.; Kopbor, Peter
The known distribution and habitat information of the three described species of the genus Thaumastella Horváth, 1896 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomomorpha: Pentatomoidea: Thaumastellidae) are reviewed. In addition a fourth, undescribed species is reported from South Africa (Western Cape). Thaumastella aradoides Horváth, 1896, is recorded for the first time from Egypt, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and the states of Khartoum and Sennar in Sudan. Additional records of Thaumastella namaquensis Schaefer & Wilcox, 1971, from Namibia (Hardap, ||Kharas) and South Africa (Northern Cape), as well as information on habitat of Thaumastella namaquensis and Thaumastella elizabethae Jacobs, 1989, are provided. Photographs of the holotypes of the three already described species and their labels are also presented. The distribution of all four species is mapped.
Insights into the effects of geographical sourcing area on nutrient composition and sensory attributes of nine edible insects
(Nature Research, 2025-05) Ishara, Jackson; Matendo, Rehema; Ng'ang'a, Jeremiah; Niassy, Saliou; Katcho, Karume; Kinyuru, John
With the rapidly growing world population, climate change uncertainties and depletion of our natural resources, edible insects are seen as sustainable and viable bioresources for food and feed to tackle global food and nutritional security issues, for their nutritional value, taste, and environmental sustainability. In this study, we investigated the effect of geographical distribution on the nutrient composition and sensory attributes of commonly consumed edible insects, namely Acheta domesticus, Apis mellifera, Gnathocera trivittata, Gryllotalpa africana, Imbrasia oyemensis, Locusta migratoria, Macrotermes subhylanus, Nomadacris septemfasciata, and Rhyncophorus phoenicis collected from six different geographical areas namely Fizi, Kabare, Kalehe, Idjwi, Mwenge and Walungu, in the Eastern D. R. Congo. Depending on edible insect species, geographical sourcing area affected significantly macronutrient composition and mineral profile as well as sensory attributes of investigated commonly edible insects. A principal component analysis (PCA-Biplot) indicated that the two axes accounted for up to 97.7% of the observed variability in the nutrient composition and sensory attributes of commonly consumed edible insects sourced from different geographical area. Visualized results after cluster analysis using non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) indicated that the geographical sourcing area has substantial and significant effect on the nutrient composition as well as sensory attributes of the studied commonly edible with a stress value of 0.185.
Do mixed-species groups travel as one? An investigation on large African herbivores monitored using animal-borne video collars
(University of Chicago Press, 2025-04) Dejeante, Romain; Valeix, Marion; Chamaillé-Jammes, Simon
Although prey foraging in mixed-species groups benefit from a reduced risk of predation, whether heterospecific groupmates move together in the landscape, and more generally to what extent mixed-species groups remain cohesive over time and space, remains unknown. Here, we used GPS collars with video cameras to investigate the movements of plains zebras (Equus quagga) in mixed-species groups. Blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus), impalas (Aepyceros melampus), and giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) commonly form mixed-species groups with zebras in savanna ecosystems. We found that zebras adjust their movement decisions solely on the basis of the presence of giraffes, being more likely to move in zebra-giraffe herds, and this was correlated with a higher cohesion of such groups. Additionally, zebras moving with giraffes spent more time grazing, suggesting that zebras benefit from foraging in the proximity of giraffes. Our results provide new insights into animal movements in mixed-species groups, contributing to a better consideration of mutualism in movement ecology.
Estimation of earthquake recurrence parameters for a delimited seismic source model in Gujarat and the adjacent region of the Western Indian plate margin
(Springer, 2025-07) Chauhan, P.; Yadav, R.B.S.; Kijko, Andrzej
Please read abstract in the article.
Acoustic parameters of bat echolocation calls in Zambia : a collaborative effort to develop a call library for non-invasive research and monitoring
(Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 2025-08) Taylor-Boyd, Helen; Fuentes-Montemayor, Elisa; Monadjem, Ara; Cooper-Bohannon, Rachael; Montaubans, Cecilia; Mata, Vanessa A.; Rebelo, Hugo; Kangwa, Bernard; Mateke, Clare; Park, Kirsty
Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) of bats enables non-invasive research that improves monitoring efficiency, and can be used for species identification, documenting occurrence and measuring activity levels. However, equipment costs and a dearth of experienced personnel, as well as a lack of local open access reference datasets (call libraries), have limited the study of African bat communities using PAM. This study compiles the first publicly available call library of this scale from Zambia. Echolocation calls were recorded upon release of captured bats during various projects from 2015 to 2023, using full spectrum ultrasound detectors. Acoustic calls from 238 individuals of 22 species were collated. We aimed to determine whether Zambian bat species could be accurately distinguished using acoustic measures. We predicted that some species (or species groups) would be easily identifiable, while other species would have substantial similarities in their calls, which would hinder identification. After considering multicollinearity, we selected five acoustic parameters to analyse the recordings: ‘Frequency of Maximum Power’, ‘Preceding Interval’, ‘Start Slope’, ‘End Slope’ and ‘Ledge Duration’. Principal Component Analysis was conducted to identify parameters that were best able to separate the calls of different functional groups (identified by sonotype) or species. Discriminant Function Analysis was then used to determine the accuracy with which the parameters may be used to acoustically distinguish species or sonotypes. The parameters ‘Start Slope’ and ‘Frequency of Maximum Power’ were the most useful for separating the species considered. It was possible to separate some sonotypes and species with relatively high accuracy. Many species, however, could not be identified with certainty, underscoring the importance of other identification techniques, such as morphological measures or genetic sampling.
Sub-lethal impacts of lead poisoning on blood biochemistry, immune function and delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (d-ALAD) activity in Cape (Gyps coprotheres) and white-backed (G. africanus) vulture chicks
(Elsevier, 2024-03) Van den Heever, Linda; Naidoo, Vinny; Coetzer, Theresa; Eyssen, Lauren; Hewlett, Jennie; Smit-Robinson, Hanneline A.; McKechnie, Andrew E.
Although the prevalence of lead poisoning in southern Africa's Gyps vultures is now well-established, its finer physiological effects on these endangered species remain poorly characterised. We evaluated the sub-lethal impact of acute lead exposure on Cape and White-backed Vulture chicks from two breeding colonies in South Africa, by analysing its possible effects on key blood biochemistry parameters, immune function, packed cell volume and δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (δ-ALAD) activity. All 37 White-backed Vulture nestlings sampled displayed elevated lead levels (>10 μg/dL), and seven had blood [Pb] >100 μg/dL. Eight of 28 Cape Vulture nestlings sampled had blood [Pb] exceeding background exposure, with one showing blood [Pb] >100 μg/dL. Delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (δ-ALAD) activity was significantly and negatively related to blood [Pb] in nestlings from both species, with 50% inhibition of the enzyme predicted to occur at blood [Pb] = 52.8 μg/dL (White-backed Vulture) and 18.8 μg/dL (Cape Vulture). Although no significant relationship was found between % packed cell volume (PCV) and blood [Pb], the relatively lower mean PCV of 32.9% in White-backed Vulture chicks, combined with normal serum protein values, is likely indicative of depression or haemolytic anaemia. The leukogram was consistent in both species, although the presence of immature heterophils suggested an inflammatory response in White-backed Vulture chicks with blood [Pb] >100 μg/dL. Values for cholesterol, triglycerides, total serum protein, albumin, globulin, albumin/globulin ratio, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) were consistent with values previously reported. Calcium and phosphorus concentrations suggested no adverse effects on bone metabolism. A significant decrease in urea: uric acid (U:UA) ratio at blood [Pb] >100 μg/dL in White-backed Vulture chicks, brought about by a decrease in urea production, raises the possibility of hepatic abnormality. These results suggest that δ-ALAD activity may serve as a sensitive biomarker of lead toxicity in both species, while highlighting the need to better understand the significant variability in sensitivity that is observed, even between closely related members of the same genus. HIGHLIGHTS • A significant proportion of Cape and White-backed Vulture nestlings sampled experienced elevated blood lead levels. • Delta-aminolevulinic dehydratase (δ-ALAD) activity were significantly and negatively correlated to blood lead concentration in both species. • Cape and White-backed Vultures are predicted to experience 50% depression of the δ-ALAD enzyme at blood [Pb] = 18.8 and 52.8 μg/dL, respectively. • δ-ALAD activity may serve as a sensitive biomarker in both species. • In White-backed Vultures blood [Pb] > 100 μg/dL suggest hepatic abnormality. • Lead's ability to disrupt haem synthesis and cause hepatic injury may compromise young birds' survival as newly-fledged juveniles.

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