A5046645569- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Identification and Quantification in Food
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Forensic and Genetic Research
- Genetic Mapping and Diversity in Plants and Animals
- Molecular Biology Techniques and Applications
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Virus-based gene therapy research
- Plant and animal studies
- Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
- Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs
- Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Virology and Viral Diseases
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Animal Virus Infections Studies
South African National Biodiversity Institute
2018-2024
Teesside University
2022-2024
National Zoological Gardens of South Africa
2013-2022
Scientific Services
2013-2022
National Biodiversity Institute
2022
University of Venda
2017-2021
University of the Free State
2011-2020
University of Eswatini
2020
University of Cape Town
2015
University of Johannesburg
2006
Pangolins, unique mammals with scales over most of their body, no teeth, poor vision, and an acute olfactory system, comprise the only placental order (Pholidota) without a whole-genome map. To investigate pangolin biology evolution, we developed genome assemblies Malayan ( Manis javanica ) Chinese M. pentadactyla pangolins. Strikingly, found that interferon epsilon IFNE ), exclusively expressed in epithelial cells important skin mucosal immunity, is pseudogenized all African Asian species...
Abstract Vespertilionidae (class Mammalia) constitutes the largest family of bats, with ~500 described species. Nonetheless, systematic relationships within this are poorly known, especially among pipistrelle-like bats tribes Vespertilionini and Pipistrellini. Perhaps as a result their drab pelage lack obvious morphological characters, genus species limits remain resolved, particularly in Africa, where more than one-fifth all vesper bat occur. Further exacerbating problem is accelerating...
Abstract This article documents the addition of 229 microsatellite marker loci to Molecular Ecology Resources Database. Loci were developed for following species: Acacia auriculiformis × mangium hybrid , Alabama argillacea, Anoplopoma fimbria, Aplochiton zebra, Brevicoryne brassicae, Bruguiera gymnorhiza, Bucorvus leadbeateri, Delphacodes detecta, Tumidagena minuta, Dictyostelium giganteum, Echinogammarus berilloni, Epimedium sagittatum, Fraxinus excelsior, Labeo chrysophekadion,...
The samango monkey is South Africa's only exclusively forest dwelling primate and represents the southernmost extent of range arboreal guenons in Africa. main threats to forests thus are linked increasing land-use pressure demands for resources, resulting deforestation, degradation further fragmentation irreplaceable habitats. species belongs highly polytypic Cercopithecus nictitans group which sometimes divided into two C. mitis albogularis. number subspecies albogularis also under debate...
Traditional medicine has been practised in Ghana for centuries with the majority of Ghanaians still patronising services traditional healers. Throughout Africa a large number people use pangolins as source medicine, however, there is dearth information on animals folk Ghana, particular pangolins. The aim this study was to determine prevalent and level knowledge pangolin among healers treatment human ailments. Data gathered from 48 using semi-structured interviews medicinal body parts Kumasi...
The black rhinoceros is again on the verge of extinction due to unsustainable poaching in its native range. Despite a wide historic distribution, was traditionally thought as depauperate genetic variation, and with very little known about evolutionary history. This knowledge gap has hampered conservation efforts because hunting dramatically reduced species' once continuous leaving five surviving gene pools unknown affinity. Here we examined range-wide structure modern populations using...
The escalating growth in illegal wildlife trade and anthropogenic habitat changes threaten the survival of pangolin species worldwide. All eight extant have experienced drastic population size reductions globally with a high extinction risk Asia. Consequently, forensic services become critical for law enforcement, need standardised validated genetic methods reliable identifications. seizure three tonnes scales, believed to originated from Africa, by Hong Kong Customs Authorities provided an...
Abstract Anthropogenic hybridization is an increasing conservation threat worldwide. In South Africa, recent threatening numerous ungulate taxa. For example, the genetic integrity of near‐threatened bontebok ( Damaliscus pygargus ) threatened by with more common blesbok D. p. phillipsi ). Identifying nonadmixed parental and admixed individuals challenging based on morphological traits alone; however, molecular analyses may allow for accurate detection. Once hybrids are identified, population...
Abstract We live in a world characterized by biodiversity loss and global environmental change. The extinction of large carnivores can have ramifying effects on ecosystems like an uncontrolled increase wild herbivores, which turn knock‐on impacts vegetation regeneration communities. Cheetahs ( Acinonyx jubatus ) serve important ecosystem functions as apex predators; yet, they are quickly heading towards uncertain future. Threatened habitat loss, human‐wildlife conflict illegal trafficking,...
Pangolins (Manidae) have long been used for traditional medicinal purposes in most parts of sub-Saharan Africa. However, very little is known about the extent this use, body that are and ailments these practices attempting to cure or alleviate. Pangolin extensively frequently by medical practitioners Sierra Leone. A total 63 consented were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires on use pangolin parts. The value, informant agreement ratio value each part was calculated ascertain...
Abstract While African leopard populations are considered to be continuous as demonstrated by their high genetic variation, the southernmost population exists in Eastern and Western Cape, South Africa, where anthropogenic activities may affecting this population's structure. Little is known about elusive, last free‐roaming top predator region study first report on structuring using nuclear DNA . By analyzing 14 microsatellite markers from 40 tissue samples, we aimed understand populations'...
The anthropogenic impact on wildlife is ever increasing. With shrinking habitats, wild populations are being pushed to co-exist in proximity humans leading an increased threat of infectious diseases. Therefore, understanding the immune system a species key assess its resilience changing environment. innate (IIS) body's first line defense against pathogens. High variability IIS genes, like toll-like receptor (TLR) appears be associated with resistance However, few studies have investigated...
This study used next generation sequencing to generate the mitogenomes of four African pangolin species; Temminck's ground (Smutsia temminckii), giant (S. gigantea), white-bellied (Phataginus tricuspis) and black-bellied (P. tetradactyla).The results indicate that pangolins are 16,558 bp for S. temminckii, 16,540 gigantea, 16,649 P. tetradactyla 16,565 tricuspis. Phylogenetic comparisons indicated two lineages with high posterior probabilities providing evidence support classification...
The white rhinoceros ( Ceratotherium simum ) has a discontinuous African distribution, which is limited by the extent of sub-Saharan grasslands. southern population (SWR) declined to its lowest number around turn nineteenth century, but recovered become world's most numerous rhinoceros. In contrast, northern (NWR) was common during much twentieth declining rapidly since 1970s, and now only two post-reproductive individuals remain. Despite this species's conservation status, it lacks genetic...