A5005250309- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Fish Biology and Ecology Studies
- Fish biology, ecology, and behavior
- Aquatic Ecosystems and Biodiversity
- Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Aquatic Invertebrate Ecology and Behavior
- Recycling and Waste Management Techniques
- Municipal Solid Waste Management
- Marine and fisheries research
- Aquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton Dynamics
- Crustacean biology and ecology
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Ecology and biodiversity studies
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Freshwater macroinvertebrate diversity and ecology
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research
- Water Quality and Pollution Assessment
- Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental Impacts
- Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals
South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity
2015-2025
Rhodes University
2015-2025
Microplastic (MP) pollution, a pressing environmental issue globally, has received considerable attention in marine, freshwater and terrestrial environments. However, studies on the deposition of airborne MPs, particularly Southern African regions, have less attention. As such, current study aimed at investigating atmospheric MPs across three different environments, namely urban, rural forest Thulamela Local Municipality, Limpopo, South Africa. We hypothesised that MP will exhibit...
Abstract Inter‐specific interactions are key factors in the structuring and functioning of ecological communities. Therefore, it is necessary to assess species interactions, such as predator–prey dynamics competitive exclusion, within context continuing global introductions. The aim present study was impacts exclusion involving co‐occurring introduced native fish species, using multiple predator functional response (FR) approach. We use comparative FR analysis (resource uptake a function...
Emerging pollutants, such as pharmaceuticals and microplastics have become a pressing concern due to their widespread presence potential impacts on ecological systems. To assess the ecosystem-level effects of these pollutants within multi-stressor context, we simulated real-world conditions by exposing near-natural multi-trophic aquatic food web gradient environmentally relevant concentrations fluoxetine in large mesocosms over period more than three months. We measured biomass abundance...
The spread of invasive species continues to reduce biodiversity across all regions and habitat types globally. However, invader impact prediction can be nebulous, approaches often fail integrate coupled direct indirect effects. Here, we examine the ecological impacts an higher predator on lower trophic groups, further developing methodologies more holistically quantify impact. We employ functional response (FR, resource use under different densities) prey switching experiments trait-...
Biological invasions threaten biodiversity on a global scale, therefore, developing predictive methods to understand variation in ecological change conferred is essential. Trophic interaction strength underpins community dynamics, however, these interactions can be profoundly affected by abiotic context, such as substrate type. The red swamp crayfish ( Procambarus clarkii ) has successfully invaded number of freshwater ecosystems. We experimentally derive the Functional Response (FR)...
Developing predictive methods to forecast the impacts of existing and emerging invasive species is critical importance biodiversity conservation. However, invader are context-dependent, making reliable robust predictions challenging. In particular, it unclear how temporal variabilities in relation temperature regime shifts influence ecological impacts. present study, we quantify functional responses three coexisting freshwater fishes: native River Goby Glossogobiuscallidus , non-native...
The analysis of food web structures has increased the understanding dynamics organisms belonging to different trophic levels. In this study, diet two native species, Glossogobius callidus and Gilchristella aestuaria, was assessed in presence non-native Oreochromis mossambicus Gambusia affinis, irrigation ponds, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. proportion dietary items consumed assimilated by four fish species were inferred from gut contents carbon nitrogen stable isotope analysis. Stable...
Abstract The control of invasive alien fish populations using piscicides to alleviate impacts on native biota is a controversial conservation strategy because the collateral non‐target taxa are not well documented. This article documents responses water quality, plankton and macroinvertebrate communities an eradication globally common carp Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus 1758, piscicide rotenone in small South African reservoir. Treated untreated reservoirs were sampled before at intervals...
Irrigation ponds are increasingly abundant globally, particularly in water-stressed countries with limited natural surface waters, yet knowledge of their ecology is limited. Here, we assessed zooplankton, macroinvertebrate, and littoral fish communities from irrigation located the Sundays River Valley South Africa. This study seasonal community patterns response to physico-chemical biotic components. Water temperature, water depth, Secchi ammonium concentrations differed significantly across...
Abstract There is a paucity of information on the mortality fishes and capture non‐target by‐catch organisms during scientific fish research surveys. To investigate extent reporting by biologists surveys, questionnaire survey active field in southern Africa was undertaken together with two case studies surveys from nine river systems Africa. The majority researchers questioned record only occasionally (40%), very few collect additional biological (15%) some not recording any at all (20%)....
Reservoirs are human-made ecosystems with diverse purposes that benefit humans both directly and indirectly. They however cause changes in geomorphological processes such as sediment cycling influence the composition structure of aquatic biota. This study aimed to identify water quality parameters drivers macroinvertebrates fish communities during cool-dry hot-wet seasons littoral zones three subtropical reservoirs (Albasini, Thathe Nandoni). Macroinvertebrates were collected from sites (n =...
Despite the high abundance of gobiid fish Glossogobius callidus in many freshwater ecosystems South Africa, very few studies have assessed biology and ecology species. Here, we investigated diet G. populations sourced from Sundays River irrigation ponds. A total 571 grouped into two size classes (TL, range ± SD: juveniles 20–60 45 mm; adults 61–140 85 mm) were sampled by seine netting; prey items removed guts identified sorted to obtain dietary information for each group. Of examined guts,...
Invasive freshwater fish can often have severe negative effects on native fishes in river systems. The interactions between hydrology and habitat variability mediate the speed success of individual invasions consequent impact biodiversity. rivers within Addo Elephant National Park (AENP) Eastern Cape, South Africa experience cyclical droughts wet periods as a result are naturally episodic. These were recently invaded by three non-native species, invasive largemouth bass ( Micropterus...
AbstractCommon carp, Cyprinus carpio, is a global invasive species illegally introduced into the Groenvlei system, South Africa, in 1990s for recreational angling. To manage this population effectively, basic information needed on its biology including growth and reproduction. This study examined trends of C. carpio using otolith zone deposition rates which were validated chemical mark–recapture experiment (n = 16). From total 140 length-at-age was best described Von Bertalanffy model males...
Abstract The river goby Glossogobius callidus is native to freshwater and estuarine habitats in South Africa. Individuals [21.1–144.4 mm total length ( L T )] were sampled from impoundments the Sundays River Valley, Eastern Cape, February 2014 March 2015. largest female was 137.2 , male 144.4 . Length‐at‐50% maturity 75.2 ± 2.1 for males 76.2 2.0 females. Absolute fecundity 1028.2 131.7 oocytes per fish, relative 50.1 18.1 gram. spawning season extended October December. Fish aged using...
In fisheries science, life-history trait information is widely used to estimate fish population recruitment, growth, and mortality. The aging growth of Oreochromis mossambicus from the Sundays River Valley irrigation pond in Eastern Cape province South Africa were determined using otoliths. Mark recapture chemically-tagged wild was confirm periodicity zone creation. A total 150 specimens O. obtained a combination seine fyke nets. Female lengths (Lt) ranged 20 340 mm, while male Lt 82 374 mm....
Freshwater ecosystems show substantial loss of biodiversity as a result anthropogenic induced stressors. In this study, we evaluated the distribution freshwater fishes in Kowie River catchment using historic fish records supplemented by field survey data. Fishes were collected multi-method approach: seine nets, fyke nets and gill nets. Historic data showed that 22 from 11 families historically occurred, while recorded total 16 species 9 families. Overall, decrease number native was with five...