Research Articles (Zoology and Entomology)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/1740

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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Behavioural responses to heat in an arid-zone bird vary with thermal, hygric and social factors
Whyte, Jaimie R.D.; McKechnie, Andrew E.; Crossley, J.K.; Cunningham, S.J. (Springer, 2026-04)
Please read abstract in the article.
Cotton facilitates long-distance seed dispersal by functioning as nest material for birds
Van der Meer, Roos; Koot, Lotte L.; Molenaar, Elke; Janse van Vuuren, Andries K.; Monadjem, Ara; Bebbington, Kat; Kingma, Sjouke A. (Wiley, 2026-03)
Cotton (Cossypium) fibres, which grow naturally in bolls around the seeds of cotton plants, have been used for centuries to produce fabric. The presumed natural function of cotton is that these lightweight and fluffy fibres may support wind dispersal of the seeds inside. However, cotton fibres are also frequently found in bird nests and we therefore argue that cotton fibres have also, or instead, evolved to encourage ‘caliochory': seed dispersal by animals that carry seeds to their nesting locations. To test this idea, we studied cotton collecting behaviour and use in nest building in two mousebird species (family Coliidae) in Eswatini. We revealed that cotton seeds are still present in large numbers inside the fibres that mousebirds used in their nests, and when the nests degrade after the breeding season, the seeds end up on the ground. By colour-marking individual cotton seeds on their original vines, we found that seeds within a nest could originate from multiple parent plants located considerable distances from the nest (up to 1020 m). Moreover, video recordings revealed cases where mousebirds purposely collected cotton from other nests, potentially spreading the seeds even further away from the parent plant. Together, these findings show that cotton, by functioning as nest material, facilitates seed dispersal to favourable environments over barriers and ranges that might exceed distances possible by wind. We argue that the next step in the study of ‘caliochory' is to assess the ultimate benefits that both animal and plants obtain from seed dispersal through nest material, in order to determine whether cotton fibers have evolved specifically to facilitate seed dispersal.
Wind conditions do not consistently affect large-scale movement decisions of large savanna herbivores
Gomez, Sara; Boyers, Melinda; Caron, Alexandre; Cornelis, Daniel; De Knegt, Henjo; De Garine-Wichatitsky, Michel; Eikelboom, Jasper A.J.; Kilian, J. Werner; Owen-Smith, Norman; Prin, Thomas; Shrader, A.M. (Adrian); Stabach, Jared A.; Turner, Wendy C.; Van Langeveld, Frank; Chamaillé-Jammes, Simon (Springer, 2026-03)
To decide where and when to move, animals combine memorised information with environmental cues. Wind speed and direction can affect the way animals perceive the environment by reducing the detection and shaping the spatial distribution of sensory cues. Although these cues are expected to be used for forage localisation and predation avoidance in large herbivores, for instance, we still do not know to what extent wind can ultimately influence their large-scale movement decisions. To tackle this knowledge gap, we used GPS data from four species of large African herbivores experiencing contrasted predation risks (blue wildebeest, Connochaetes taurinus, plain zebras, Equus quagga, African buffalo, Syncerus caffer, African elephant, Loxodonta africana), in multiple protected areas. We first investigated whether individuals reduce predation risk by avoiding long-distance movements under windy conditions. We then analysed whether they favour moving upwind to maximise their information gain as they travel. We found no clear decrease in the largest step length as wind speed increases and suggest that local habitat could buffer the strength of wind speed (i.e. topography or vegetation). We, however, found that large herbivores tend to move upwind rather than cross- or downwind, although the effect was generally small. We point out that individuals might be more constrained in their use of cues carried by the wind than initially thought, due to the existence of dominant wind directions at all sites. Altogether, our study suggests that wind has little general, consistent, effects on large herbivore movement decisions. Some sites or species-specific results, however, call for delving deeper into the context-specificity of wind effects.
Daily activity patterns of a near-threatened endemic wetland specialist, the Southern African vlei rat (Otomys auratus)
Webber, Joshua S.; Oosthuizen, Maria Kathleen (Elsevier, 2025-04)
The genus Otomys exhibits diverse activity patterns in the field, making them ideal subjects for studying circadian biology. The Southern African vlei rat (Otomys auratus) has previously been categorised as diurnal or crepuscular, but also displays some nocturnal activity. This study aimed to confirm the temporal niche of vlei rats in a laboratory setting and examine changes in activity when provided with a running wheel. The length of the free-running period was also calculated. In this study, 75 % of vlei rats displayed nocturnal activity rhythms when housed without a wheel. Access to a running wheel reduced individual variation and led to an increase in overall activity counts. All individuals had free running rhythms in constant darkness, with a period shorter than 24 h, which is consistent with other nocturnal rodents. This demonstrates that vlei rats are more active in darker conditions, likely as a means of avoiding diurnal avian predators in wetland habitats. With this species at risk of local extinction, this study is an important first step in understanding the behaviour of vlei rats under controlled conditions. As this species is displaced when its habitat becomes disturbed it may act as a useful bioindicator of wetland health and disturbance level.
Transcriptomic analysis of the mandibular gland genes associated with reproductive dominance in Apis mellifera capensis Esch. parasitic workers
Mumoki, Fiona Nelima; Pirk, Christian Walter Werner; Crewe, Robin M.; Yusuf, Abdullahi Ahmed (Wiley, 2025-09)
Regulation of reproductive division of labour is generally modulated by the queen's chemical secretions, particularly the mandibular gland (MG) pheromone complex. Workers can activate their ovaries and lay unfertilised eggs with some dominant workers able to produce queen-like MG signals to become false queens. We examined the effect of social condition as a regulator of social behaviour, by investigating differential gene expression in the MG of two subspecies of African honey bees, with differing reproductive potentials and, at two ages. Sequencing of RNA from young and older Apis mellifera scutellata (low reproductive potential) and A. m. capensis (higher reproductive potential) workers was carried out. A total of 5646 transcripts were differentially expressed across four libraries, classified into 29 biological processes based on their gene ontology accessions. Further, 48 differentially expressed genes were found to be putatively associated with the biosynthesis of MG fatty acids. Of these, 25 were cytochrome P450s thought to participate in the caste-specific hydroxylation of stearic acid, a crucial regulatory point in the biosynthetic pathway. Multiple points of regulation were identified starting from in-situ biosynthesis and activation of stearic acid, caste-specific hydroxylation, transport between organelles, uncompleted β-oxidation and oxidation of 9-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (9-HDA) to 9-oxo-2 (E)-decenoic acid (9-ODA). Our data shows that regardless of age, reproductively dominant individuals switch on a very specific set of genes as they transition from worker-like to queen-like MG signals. This study provides insight into the molecular-level changes that occur as workers switch from social cooperative behaviours to reproductive dominance.
Dietary specialisation shapes gut bacterial diversity in dung beetles : insights from coprophagy to millipede carnivory
De Beer, Johann Christiaan; Alayande, Kazeem A.; Pirk, Christian Walter Werner; Adeleke, Rasheed A.;; Sole, Catherine L. (Wiley, 2026-03)
Dung beetles are ecosystem engineers, providing ecosystem services like nutrient cycling, waste degradation and parasite suppression. Their gut microbiome is essential for exploiting specialised diets, yet the eco-evolutionary factors driving microbial composition across diverse feeding strategies remain ambiguous. Here, we show that diet strongly influences gut bacterial composition across seven dung beetle species specialising in coprophagy, necrophagy, detritophagy, fungivory and carnivory. Most dietary specialisations grouped separately, though fungivores clustered with carrion and millipede feeders. The millipede-feeding species, Sceliages brittoni and S. hippias, hosted the most distinct and least diverse gut microbiomes. Taxonomically, differences were driven by distinct marker taxa, many of which are consistently isolated across taxonomic orders with similar diets. For example, the indicative bacterial species I. indica has been identified in various flesh-feeding insect taxa. Crucially, this pattern of shared bacterial communities suggests that diet is a dominant structuring factor which promotes community convergence regardless of host phylogeny. This study highlights the role of diet in shaping the dung beetle gut microbiome and provides the first characterisation of the gut microbiota in millipede-feeding dung beetles. Our findings underscore the critical role of diet, laying the foundation for functional studies into the eco-evolutionary significance of these host–microbe interactions.
Workload distribution in wild Damaraland mole-rat groups
Rotics, Shay; Bensch, Hanna M.; Resheff, Yehezkel S.; Clutton-Brock, Tim H.; Zöttl, Markus (Royal Society, 2025-03)
The social organization of Damaraland and naked mole-rats is often suggested to resemble the societies of eusocial insects more closely than that of any other vertebrate. Eusocial insects feature queens that hardly contribute to the workforce, and specialized worker castes. However, in Damaraland and naked mole-rats, which live in family groups with a single breeding pair and multiple non-breeding helpers, the work division is still unclear. Previous studies, largely confined to laboratory settings, could not quantify their primary cooperative behaviour, which is digging extensive foraging tunnels. Here, we studied the distribution of workload in 11 wild Damaraland mole-rat groups, using body acceleration loggers to evaluate behavioural time budgets of 86 individuals. We found behavioural differences between breeders and non-breeders that emerged with increases in group size, such that in large groups, breeders spent less time digging, more time resting, and were overall less active than non-breeders. We did not find any indication of a caste system among non-breeders, though the amount of time individuals spent digging varied with age and sex. Overall, the lower contribution by breeders to the group’s workload is a pattern rarely observed in other cooperative vertebrates; nevertheless, the lack of evidence for castes suggests that eusociality may be limited to invertebrates.
Effect of reproductive status on foraging behavior and fecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels in wild bat-eared foxes (Otocyon megalotis)
Le Roux, Aliza; Jumbam, Keafon R.; Ganswindt, Andre (Oxford University Press, 2026-04)
Diet may be fundamental to the extensive paternal care and reduced maternal care seen in bat-eared foxes (Otocyon megalotis). This termite-specialist would struggle to increase its energy intake by hunting large prey or provisioning such items to mates or pups. Consequently, lactating, physiologically challenged females need to invest more time in foraging, while males spend time with pups. However, there is little empirical evidence of the impacts of parental care on foraging behavior and stress-related hormone levels in free-living bat-eared foxes. We studied foraging behavior in 20 wild bat-eared foxes for 2 years, investigating how foraging behavior and fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) levels varied with austral season in the study population. Thereafter, we evaluated how parental status may affect foraging rates, food sizes consumed, and fGCM levels as a proxy for physiological stress. We examined these changes in parents (n = 3) and non-parents (n = 17) as seasonal “activity” changed—that is, breeding season (pregnant phase), denning season (pup-rearing and guarding phase), and non-breeding season (independent adult phase). Small item consumption patterns mirrored overall foraging rates, which were lowest for all foxes in winter. Males increased foraging rates in spring, while all individuals ate more large items in summer. Mean fGCM levels in the population (0.41 µg g−1 organic content) were not affected by sex or austral season, but changed with seasonal activities, for parents in particular: parents had significantly lower fGCM levels in the breeding season. This may reflect reduced stress in these foxes, who successfully paired and increased their within-family socialization during the breeding season. Our findings suggest that behavioral adaptations, including foraging adaptations, are sufficient for bat-eared foxes to meet the physiological challenges of parenting. This is the first study to start unravelling the relationship between foraging rates, parenting behavior, and stress-related hormone levels in the Bat-eared Fox.
Adapting a global conservation perspectives assessment for local relevance : evaluating perspectives on protected area management across diverse groups in South Africa
Smit, Izak P.J.; Sandbrook, Chris; Slabbert, Liandi; Coetsee, Corli; Swemmer, Louise; Smith, M. Kyle S.; Freitag-Ronaldson, Stef; Mpapane, Nelsiwe; Roux, Dirk J.; Govender, Danny; Mokhatla, Mohlamatsane McDonald; Keane, Aidan (Wiley, 2025-10)
1. Conservation governance has traditionally focussed on biological and scientific expertise while often avoiding value-based conflicts. However, ignoring the value dimension overlooks conservation's dual nature. Understanding the values that guide the actions and narratives of conservationists and those interested in or affected by conservation is crucial for fostering better understanding, relation-ships and resolving conflicts. Few studies have directly compared the conservation values of those employed in conservation and other groups. This gap makes it difficult to identify and address value differences between them, potentially leading to distrust and conflict. 2. We adapted an existing instrument used to assess global conservation perspectives to evaluate local challenges and trade-offs faced by protected areas (PAs) in South Africa. Our Conservation Perspectives Assessment Tool (CPAT) consists of 55 Likert-scale statements, which enabled us to identify key conservation dimensions and assess perspective differences between South African conservation agency staff, national park visitors and other conservation professionals. 3. Descriptive statistics, followed by exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, unveiled four major conservation dimensions: people and community-centric conservation, capitalism-driven conservation, ecocentric conservation and com-passionate conservation. These dimensions underlie many decisions and trade-offs PA managers make routinely. 4. Group membership (professional conservationist/visitor), gender, age and location (national/international) are intricately linked to these dimensions. Groups explored here generally scored high on ecocentric conservation, fostering common ground for dialogue among these groups, yet divergence emerged between groups on specific aspects (e.g. compassionate conservation; community- centricconservation), highlighting differences both within and between groups. 5. Synthesis and application: Our approach can be used to develop further locally contextualised CPATs for conservation agencies to reflect on their values, identify areas of internal agreement or disagreement, address internal conflicts and assess alignment with certain interest groups. It emphasises that conservation is not solely about ecological science but is heavily influenced by the varied values, perspectives and characteristics of interest groups. Considering these insights, we recommend that conservation agencies must understand, respect and navigate these differences; adapt to societal and ideological shifts when needed; and be transparent about their values in decision-making. In addition to biological and scientific knowledge, there is a need to incorporate adaptive, value-based approaches that acknowledge the diversity of perspectives within and beyond the conservation community.
Fusarium equiseti pathogen of potato in Kenya and its potential in vitro biocontrol using fungal endophytes
Muhorakeye, Marie Cecile; Khamis, Fathiya Mbarak; Namikoye, Everlyne Samita; Akutse, Komivi S. (MDPI, 2025-12-04)
Accurate pathogen diagnosis is fundamental for effective crop disease management. In Kenya, a pathogen causing significant damage in potato farms was initially misidentified as Phytophthora infestans. This study aimed to correctly identify this pathogen and explore initial control measures using a polyphasic approach. The methodology integrated morphological observation, pathogenicity testing, and molecular analysis using ITS and EF1-α gene sequencing. The results confirmed the pathogen’s identity as Fusarium equiseti, with morphological features consistent with this species and molecular sequencing showing 99.6% identity to reference strains. This is the first official report of Fusarium equiseti as a potato pathogen in Kenya. Furthermore, in vitro assays evaluated the efficacy of native fungal endophytes for biocontrol. Four endophytes inhibited the pathogen’s mycelial growth by over 70%, with Trichoderma atroviride isolate ICIPE 710 exhibiting the highest inhibition rate of approximately 91%. This research shows that effective identification of pathogens is crucial for proper management of diseases, ensuring timely control, saving resources and reducing crop losses. This study identified the native endophyte Trichoderma atroviride strain ICIPE 710 as a promising biocontrol candidate. The critical next step is to validate its efficacy in field trials for future development as a sustainable, practical alternative to chemical fungicides.
Potential health benefits of insect bioactive metabolites and consumer attitudes towards edible insects
Ishara, Jackson; Ekaette, Idaresit; Matendo, Rehema; Vandenberg, Grant; Niassy, Saliou; Katcho, Karume; Kinyuru, John (Nature Research, 2025-09-26)
Particular attention has been paid to the nutritional potential of edible insects as well as the health benefits associated with their bioactive compounds. This paper focused on an in-depth review compiling the most recent information on health benefits of insect bioactive metabolites as well as their purification and identification, in addition to consumer attitudes towards edible insects. It was found that, insect bioactive metabolites, including marcocarpal, grandinol, trolline, pancratistatin, narciclasin, ungeremin, cantharidin, cordycepin, roseoflavin, lecithin, reblastatin, chitin, chitosan and desmosterol deemed to have biological activities, such as tumor suppression, anticancer, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulator, neuroprotective, glycemic and lipid regulation, blood pressure reduction, regulation of intestinal bacterial flora and cardiovascular protection among others. Furthermore, proper sample preparation and extraction is the first step in the purification of bioactive metabolites from edible insects. After concentration, bioactive metabolites are purified using chromatographic and separation techniques including High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Gas Chromatography (GC), Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC), Size-Exclusion Chromatography (SEC). Finally, their nutritional potential, health benefits, environmentally friendly, great taste, traditions, taboo, safety concerns, unpleasant past experiences, allergies, and unnaturalness are among the main factors influencing attitudes towards insect consumption.
Beyond spillover : leveraging zoonotic disease research to advance biodiversity conservation
De Vries, Marinda; Kearney, Teresa; Monadjem, Ara; Taylor, Peter J.; Markotter, Wanda (Elsevier, 2025-12)
Biodiversity and conservation are at the forefront of global well-being and should form an integral part of One Health collaborative research in efforts aimed at achieving optimal health for people, animals and ecosystems. To address biodiversity conservation, international policy frameworks such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 15), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the more recent Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), have been developed. While many local, national, and international initiatives continuously strive to define, monitor, and protect in-country biodiversity, these efforts are often constrained by financial limitations and/or insufficient technical expertise and resources.
A comparison of manual and carbon dioxide trap sampling of Ornithodoros soft ticks from warthog resting sites in South Africa
Mapendere, Cynthia; Bastos, Armanda D.S.; Etter, Eric Marcel Charles; Heath, Livio Edward; Jori, Ferran J. (BioMed Central, 2025-07)
BACKGROUND : In East and Southern Africa, the African swine fever (ASF) virus is maintained in an ancient sylvatic cycle involving warthogs (Phacochoerus spp.) and Ornithodoros soft ticks inhabiting warthog burrows. Although carbon dioxide (CO2) traps have previously been used to collect ticks from pigsties in Portugal, this method has never been tested in the context of the ASF sylvatic cycle in Africa. As warthogs adapt their resting site preferences in response to different levels of habitat transformation, our study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of CO2 traps versus traditional manual collection of soft ticks inhabiting two warthog resting sites: warthog burrows (natural) and house decks (anthropogenic). METHODS : The study was performed in Mjejane Game Reserve, a wildlife conservancy adjacent to the Kruger National Park in South Africa. Sixty-one warthog resting sites (31 natural burrows and 30 house decks) were sampled to compare Ornithodoros tick numbers using manual and CO2 trap methods during wet (summer) and dry (winter) seasons. RESULTS : The number of ticks collected with CO2 traps (n = 2024) was significantly higher than those collected with the manual method (n = 885, P < 0.001) for both resting site types. Moreover, the number of ticks collected using CO2 traps from house decks (n = 1399) was significantly higher (P < 0.001) compared to burrows (n = 625). There were no differences in the number of ticks collected between seasons. Our results suggest that CO2 traps are highly efficient for collecting Ornithodoros ticks from the two warthog resting site types evaluated in our study area. They also confirm that warthogs can adapt to different levels of habitat transformation and human presence. CONCLUSIONS : The standardised use of the CO2 trap method facilitates investigations on the distribution of tick-related ASF cycles in sub-Saharan Africa and improves our understanding of the eco-epidemiology of ASF and other Ornithodoros tick-borne diseases.
Developing a national atlas to support the progressive control of tsetse‑transmitted animal trypanosomosis in Zambia
Muyobela, Jackson; Chilongo, Kalinga; Mukumbwali, Milner; Sihoka, Chris; Paone, Massimo; Cecchi, Giuliano (BioMed Central, 2025-11-10)
BACKGROUND : Tsetse flies (Diptera: Glossinidae) are the sole cyclical vectors of African trypanosomosis, a parasitic disease affecting both animals and humans. The national atlas of African animal trypanosomosis (AAT) and its tsetse vectors in Zambia is an initiative by the Tsetse and Trypanosomosis Control Unit (TTCU) within the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock that aims to improve AAT surveillance and its progressive control by enhancing disease intelligence and data management. METHODS : All field data collected by the TTCU from April 2009 to July 2025 were systematically assembled, georeferenced and harmonised. The data included entomological information on tsetse flies collected using mobile and stationary trapping devices, as well as animal trypanosomosis data obtained through the buffy coat technique (BCT). RESULTS : Tsetse trapping was conducted in 3463 sites using mobile devices and in 478 locations using stationary traps. A total of 20,185 and 5189 flies were caught using the two data collection tools, respectively. Five species and subspecies of Glossina were detected: G. morsitans morsitans (65%), G. m. centralis (32%), G. pallidipes (2%), G. fuscipes martinii (0.8%) and G. brevipalpis (0.2%). As for AAT, 7652 animals (7348 cattle, 294 goats and 10 dogs) were tested in 148 locations. Of these, 329 animals (321 cattle, 7 goats and 1 dog) were found to be infected, with a prevalence of 4.37%. Trypanosoma congolense accounted for the highest number of infections (86%), with Trypanosoma vivax and Trypanosoma brucei representing 12% and 2% of the total infections, respectively. CONCLUSION : The national database of AAT and tsetse presented here established an effective information system to manage epidemiological data for the planning and monitoring of interventions against tsetse and trypanosomosis in Zambia. The atlas is planned to be regularly and promptly updated to ensure that current information is available to the TTCU, planners and other stakeholders involved in tsetse and AAT control.
Atlantochodaeus, a new genus of Ochodaeidae Streubel, 1846 (Coleoptera, Scarabaeoidea) from Brazilian Atlantic Forest with four new species and morphological notes to the family
Da Costa-Silva, Vinicius; Sousa, Rafael; Fuhrmann, Juares; Grossi, Paschoal C.; Vaz‑de‑Mello, Fernando Z. (Springer, 2025-06)
Atlantochodaeus, a new genus of Ochodaeidae from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest is described, discussed, and illustrated. Additionally, four new species belonging to Atlantochodaeus are described: Atlantochodaeus everardoi n. sp. and Atlantochodaeus paulseni n. sp., both recorded from Rio de Janeiro State; Atlantochodaeus hucheti n. sp. from Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo States, and Atlantochodaeus oliviae n. sp. from Minas Gerais State. Detailed descriptions of these species are accompanied by a differential diagnosis and a distribution map. A dichotomous key for all South American genera of Ochodaeidae and the species of Atlantochodaeus is provided to aid in identification. A comprehensive comparative morphology study regarding Parochodaeus pectoralis (LeConte, 1868) (type species of Parochodaeus) and the Atlantochodaeus species are discussed and illustrated. A discussion about gland, mycangium and stridulatory apparatus of Ochodaeinae are also provided. These findings emphasize the richness of the Atlantic Forest and underscore the importance of detailed taxonomic studies in revealing its biodiversity.
WatchListR : a tool for developing watch-lists of invasive species to inform biosecurity decision-making
Ivey, Philip J.; Faulkner, Katelyn T.; Miller, Justin; Van Steenderen, Clarke J.M. (Pensoft Publishers, 2025-11-20)
The Global Biodiversity Framework calls for member countries to reduce the rate of introduction of known or potential invasive alien species by at least 50 percent by 2030. An essential tool that will assist countries in achieving this ambitious target is a list of known or potential invasive alien species that are absent from their territories but might enter along a variety of pathways (‘watch-list’ hereafter). Generating watch-lists requires consideration of curated information on a large number of species. The growing volume of distribution data and the improved understanding of historical species introductions and invasions have created a significant data overload for countries compiling watch-lists. We have developed a computational workflow to automate part of this process, enabling countries to draw up these lists quickly and cost-effectively. The WatchListR tool requires reliable and accurate information on species present in the country (indigenous and introduced, as well as economically important). As information on which species are present is sometimes not readily available, local experts should ideally review and verify the watch-lists developed by WatchListR. As a case study, we used WatchListR to develop a list of species prohibited for importation into the Republic of Mauritius. We explore the development of WatchListR, describe the processes used, consider the efficacy of the tool, highlight planned future advancements, and suggest how countries can support the tool’s development through the use and creation of expert-validated watch-lists.
Lessons and challenges in creating alien species lists : insights from South Africa’s national reports on the status and management of biological invasions
Zengeya, Tsungai Alfred; Faulkner, Katelyn T.; Mtileni, Masingitla P.; Wilson, John R.U. (Pensoft Publishers, 2025-10-30)
Information on alien species present in a country, their status (establishment, distribution, impacts), and how they entered and move around the country is crucial for effective management. Such information underpins regulations, allocation of management resources, and evaluations of current and future threats. South African regulations, first promulgated in 2014, mandate a triennial process of national reports on the status and management of biological invasions, requiring a consolidated list of alien species. Here we describe the process followed to create such a list, how the list evolved over time, and highlight lessons learnt and challenges encountered. Over the production of three status reports, there have been major improvements in how data were presented, how changes were tracked, and the degree to which the information was consistent with international best practice. The development of documented and repeatable workflows ensured clarity on why a species was included on the list and facilitated reviews and updates. The focus for future reports is to include all historical data sources and to put processes in place to incorporate new information as it becomes available. We conclude with a reflection on what has worked and identify eight recommendations for those developing national lists of alien species: 1. structure data and make them available; 2. use data standards and metadata; 3. list data sources and levels of confidence; 4. take a modular approach; 5. document workflows; 6. integrate with reporting requirements; 7. commit dedicated resources; and 8. learn by doing.
Virus-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against bovine viral diarrhea virus and classical swine fever virus target conformational and linear epitopes on E2 glycoprotein subdomains
Roman-Sosa, Gleyder; Meyer, Denise; Dellarole, Mariano; Wengen, Doris a; Lerch, Susanne; Postel, Alexander; Becher, Paul (American Society for Microbiology, 2025-04)
The envelope glycoprotein E2 of pestiviruses plays a crucial role in viral entry and elicits a virus-neutralizing humoral immune response. Consequently, the epitopes recognized by monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) on E2 are a significant focus in pestivirus research and diagnostics. In this study, we characterized a panel of murine mAbs against the E2 protein of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) and bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), two major pathogens for swine and cattle, respectively. The majority of mAbs neutralized the virus in vitro and recognized conformational epitopes, which were also detected by sera from infected animals. Notably, binding to these epitopes was retained after low-pH treatment, although conformational epitopes were disrupted upon disulfide bond reduction. The epitopes of the anti-CSFV mAbs were located in various domains of E2, including the interdomain linker sequences. Conversely, all but one of the anti-BVDV mAb epitopes were located in domain A. Moreover, the reactivity of one mAb suggests a conformational interdependence among the linker sequences of pestivirus E2. The panel of mAbs characterized in this study holds potential to support basic research on the mechanism of early pestivirus invasion and to assist in the design of E2-based diagnostic tools and vaccines. IMPORTANCE : Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) and bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), which belong to the family Flaviviridae, cause economically significant diseases in pigs and cattle. The pestivirus glycoprotein E2 is located on the viral surface and is targeted by antibodies that neutralize virus infection. Due to its variability, E2 is a useful antigen for the development of diagnostic tests to differentiate between infections caused by different pestiviruses. In the present study, two panels of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specifically reactive with either CSFV or BVDV E2 were characterized. Interestingly, the majority of mAbs neutralized the respective virus in vitro. Epitope mapping revealed that the mAbs recognized low-pH-resistant epitopes of conformational nature located in different domains of CSFV E2 (anti-CSFV mAbs) or in domain A of BVDV E2 (anti-BVDV mAbs). The recombinant proteins along with the characterized mAbs have the potential to develop improved pestivirus-specific diagnostic tests and vaccines.
The biocontrol potential of endophyte Bacillus velezensis to reduce post-harvest tomato infection caused by Rhizopus microsporus
Kock, Alicia; Napo, Mmanoko; Viviers, Dionné; Akinmoladun, Oluwakemi V.; Alayande, Kazeem A.; Yusuf, Abdullahi Ahmed; Uehling, Jessie; Pawlowska, Teresa E.; Adeleke, Rasheed A. (American Society for Microbiology, 2025-12)
Rhizopus microsporus is a necrotrophic post-harvest pathogen that causes significant economic losses in the agricultural sector. To explore alternatives to conventional management strategies for the mitigation of post-harvest infections, we investigated the potential of two previously identified endophytic Bacillus velezensis strains as biological control agents. Through in vitro and in vivo experiments, we examined the mechanisms of biocontrol displayed by two B. velezensis strains (KV10 and KV15) against three R. microsporus strains (W2-50, W2-51, and W2-58). In vitro assays assessed co-cultivability and the inhibitory effects of B. velezensis against R. microsporus. The results demonstrated strain-specific antifungal activity with a reduction in fungal growth across treatments. Further analysis revealed that volatile organic compounds produced by B. velezensis contributed to its antifungal properties. To evaluate the biocontrol efficacy in vivo, tomato fruits were inoculated with R. microsporus and subsequently treated with B. velezensis. The results support the strain-specific reduction in tomato spoilage, yielding various spoilage rates observed across treatments. Our findings highlight the potential of B. velezensis as a promising biocontrol agent for the management of R. microsporus post-harvest infections in tomatoes. Further research is warranted to optimize the application of B. velezensis as a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach for controlling post-harvest diseases in tomatoes.
Inside the belly of the beast : exploring the gut bacterial diversity of Gonipterus sp. n. 2
Knoppersen, Rosa Sophie; Bose, Tanay; Coutinho, Teresa A.; Hammerbacher, Almuth (Springer, 2025-04-12)
The Eucalyptus snout beetle (Gonipterus sp. n. 2) is a destructive invasive pest of Eucalyptus plantations, responsible for significant defoliation and wood yield losses globally. Native to Australia, this beetle has adapted to thrive on diverse Eucalyptus hosts, overcoming their chemical defences. However, the mechanisms by which Gonipterus tolerates or utilises these plant defence metabolites remain poorly understood. In South Africa, Gonipterus sp. n. 2 poses a significant threat to Eucalyptus plantations by causing extensive defoliation and leading to substantial reductions in growth and wood production. This study investigates the relationship between diet, host Eucalyptus species, and the gut microbiome of Gonipterus sp. n. 2. Using controlled feeding experiments, beetles were reared on artificial, semi-artificial, and natural diets, as well as two Eucalyptus genotypes with distinct secondary metabolite profiles. High-throughput 16S rDNA sequencing and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) revealed significant shifts in gut bacterial diversity and composition across diets. Natural diets supported the most diverse microbial communities, while artificial diets fostered a homogenised microbiome dominated by opportunistic taxa like Serratia. Host-specific effects were observed in frass microbiota, with substantial biotransformation of monoterpenes into less toxic derivatives. The results highlight the plasticity of Gonipterus gut microbiota, which enables metabolic adaptability and resilience in diverse environments. This microbial flexibility underpins the invasiveness of Gonipterus, emphasising the role of gut symbionts in overcoming host chemical defences. Understanding these interactions offers novel insights for microbiome-targeted pest management strategies, providing a sustainable approach to mitigate the impact of Gonipterus on global Eucalyptus forestry.

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