A5029180119- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Insect Pest Control Strategies
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Malaria Research and Control
- Radiomics and Machine Learning in Medical Imaging
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Spider Taxonomy and Behavior Studies
- Hymenoptera taxonomy and phylogeny
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Leptospirosis research and findings
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Marine animal studies overview
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Diptera species taxonomy and behavior
- Weed Control and Herbicide Applications
University of Namibia
2013-2024
National Library of Namibia
2011-2024
International Rice Research Institute
2017
University of Greenwich
2017
Natural Resources Institute
2017
Abstract Sub-Saharan Africa is under-represented in global biodiversity datasets, particularly regarding the impact of land use on species’ population abundances. Drawing recent advances expert elicitation to ensure data consistency, 200 experts were convened using a modified-Delphi process estimate ‘intactness scores’: remaining proportion an ‘intact’ reference species group particular use, scale from 0 (no individuals) 1 (same abundance as reference) and, rare cases, 2 (populations that...
Context The multimammate mouse, Mastomys natalensis (Smith, 1834), is an important agricultural pest in southern and eastern Africa where it can cause significant crop losses. known to consume a variety of food response the availability items. However, currently unknown whether maize growth stages affect spatio-temporal diet this species. Aims We examined foods consumed by M. different habitats seasons central Tanzania Swaziland. Methods Diet was investigated four (woodland, vegetable...
The prevalence of haemoparasites, leptospirosis and Yersinia pestis was investigated in rodents shrews from Tanzania, Namibia Swaziland. Blood smears originating the three countries indicated presence Trypanosoma lewisi (72.7%; n =950), Bacillus spp. (25.6%; Borrelia sp. (0.01%; =950) bipolar coccobacilli =950). blood (n =26) had no haemoparasites while only 1.33% =75) those Swaziland showed T. lewisi. Leptospira interrogans found rodent sera Tanzania following serogroup proportions =350):...
Abstract The monophyletic Afro-Palaearctic clade of the horseshoe bats ( Rhinolophus ) comprises several species groups whose representatives can be morphologically similar to each other across groups. only that occurs in Lesotho was traditionally attributed broadly distributed African desert- and savanna-dwelling bat, clivosus , a member ferrumequinum group. In this study, we investigated from with help molecular genetic morphometric analyses find their position within group as well....
Context Rodent pests can have severe impacts on crop production in sub-Saharan Africa. In particular, the multimammate mouse Mastomys natalensis severely damages agricultural crops southern and eastern Africa, leading to significant losses. Both its population ecology breeding biology been studied natural habitats. Population numbers erupt depending timing amount of rainfall may reach plague proportions, especially settings, where it become a serious pest. However, this species, particular...
Context Rodent pests severely affect crop production, particularly in monocultures where one or two rodent pest species dominate. We predict higher richness of native small mammal more heterogeneous mosaic (crop–fallow–bush) subsistence agro-ecosystems Africa. Conservation and agro-ecological imperatives require that such diverse natural communities should be maintained may benefit protection through limiting domination species. Ecologically based rodent-management alternatives to...
This study examined rodent damage, loss and contamination in stored maize on smallholder farms East Africa. Different, novel techniques for assessing namely open closed storage structures (cribs sacks), were employed a treatment-control trial design replicated across different households hamlets within the Berega community of Central Tanzania. Significant correlations observed between monthly rates rodent-damaged seeds, weight number droppings. differences occurred (open cribs sacks). The...
Abstract Background Although the Republic of Namibia has significantly reduced malaria transmission, regular outbreaks and persistent transmission impede progress towards elimination. Towards an understanding protective efficacy, as well gaps in protection, associated with long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs), human Anopheles behaviors were evaluated parallel three endemic regions, Kavango East, Ohangwena Zambezi, using Entomological Surveillance Planning Tool to answer question: where...
As part of a three-year study to develop ecologically-based rodent management (EBRM) in southern Africa, capture—mark—recapture was carried out Tanzania, Namibia and Swaziland establish the demographic patterns population dynamics rodents. Two grids were established each country. In ten species rodents one shrew (Crocidura sp.) identified area. The consisted Mastomys natalensis, Aethomys chrysophilus, Arvicanthis neumanni, Gerbilliscus vicina, Acomys spinosissimus, Lemniscomys griselda,...
Lamottemys okuensis Petter, 1986, is restricted to the Mount Oku montane forest in central-northern part of Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL; Central West Africa). It endangered and has a decreasing population trend. The genus monotypic little known about its phylogeny evolutionary history. Using both molecular morphological evidence, we tested two competing systematic hypotheses involving Lamottemys: whether it more closely related Desmomys or Oenomys. We also discuss Lamottemys' biogeographical...
As part of a three-year study to develop ecologically-based rodent management (EBRM) in southern Africa, capture–mark–recapture was carried out Tanzania, Namibia and Swaziland establish the demographic patterns population dynamics rodents. Two grids were established each country. In ten species rodents one shrew (Crocidura sp.) identified area. The consisted Mastomys natalensis, Aethomys chrysophilus, Arvicanthis neumanni, Gerbilliscus vicina, Acomys spinosissimus, Lemniscomys griselda,...
During the last two decades, genotyping of African rodents has revealed important hidden diversity within morphologically cryptic genera, such as Rhabdomys. Although distribution Rhabdomys is known historically, its been only recently, and information about range constituent taxa limited. The present study contributes to clarifying taxa, primarily in southern Africa, identifies gaps our knowledge, by: 1) compiling available on distribution; 2) significantly increasing number geo-localised...
The round-eared sengis or elephant-shrews (genus Macroscelides) exhibit striking pelage variation throughout their ranges. Over ten taxonomic names have been proposed to describe this variation, but currently only two taxa are recognized (M. proboscideus and M. p. flavicaudatus). Here, we review the history of Macroscelides, use data on geographic distribution, morphology, mitochondrial DNA sequence evaluate current taxonomy. Our support that correspond subspecies flavicaudatus....
Pyrethroid-based indoor residual spraying (IRS) and long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) have been employed as key vector control measures against malaria in Namibia. However, pyrethroid resistance Anopheles mosquitoes may compromise the efficacy of these interventions. To address this challenge, World Health Organization (WHO) recommends use piperonyl butoxide (PBO) LLINs areas where is confirmed to be mediated by mixed function oxidase (MFO).
While studying the systematics and taxonomy of round-eared sengis (genus Macroscelides), we identified an unusual specimen from remote northwestern Namibia in collection California Academy Sciences. To determine if this represented a different species, made 9 collecting trips with 5,616 trap-nights effort that produced 16 voucher specimens (including original specimen) sengi. These are distinguished other Macroscelides species by morphological metrics (they smaller), external features...
The prevalence of haemoparasites, leptospirosis and Yersinia pestis was investigated in rodents shrews from Tanzania, Namibia Swaziland. Blood smears originating the three countries indicated presence Trypanosoma lewisi (72.7%; n =950), Bacillus spp. (25.6%; Borrelia sp. (0.01%; =950) bipolar coccobacilli =950). blood (n =26) had no haemoparasites while only 1.33% =75) those Swaziland showed T. lewisi. Leptospira interrogans found rodent sera Tanzania following serogroup proportions =350):...
Differences in the ecological niche requirements among rodent species competing same habitat may result from differences use of one to three resources: space, time and food or some combination these. Alternatively, resource utilization animal simply reflect availability food, when is limited, different compete. In this study, diet two pest species, Mastomys natalensis Gerbilliscus vicinus, coexisting fallow land central Tanzania were studied assess degree differentiation them. Dietary...
Abstract Yersinia pestis is a historically important vector-borne pathogen causing plague in humans and other mammals. Contemporary zoonotic infections with Y. still occur sub-Saharan Africa, including Tanzania Madagascar, but receive relatively little attention. Thus, the role of wildlife reservoirs maintaining sylvatic spillover risks to largely unknown. The multimammate rodent Mastomys natalensis most abundant widespread peri-domestic areas Tanzania, where it plays major as reservoir...
The African rodent genus Mastomys contains eight species, some of which are widely distributed pest species and others have restricted distribution. Most recognized only on chromosomal or molecular genetic data. We aimed to clarify the systematic status, geographical distribution, phylogenetic relationships three occurring in Okavango Basin surrounding arid habitats southwestern Africa, with a focus poorly known questionably valid taxon, shortridgei. described genetically, morphologically,...