A5088706399- Marine animal studies overview
- Marine and fisheries research
- Arctic and Antarctic ice dynamics
- Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Coastal and Marine Management
- Polar Research and Ecology
- Marine and coastal plant biology
- Cryospheric studies and observations
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Maritime Navigation and Safety
- Cephalopods and Marine Biology
- Marine Bivalve and Aquaculture Studies
- Ichthyology and Marine Biology
- Indigenous Studies and Ecology
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Arctic and Russian Policy Studies
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Ship Hydrodynamics and Maneuverability
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- International Maritime Law Issues
- Crustacean biology and ecology
- Marine Ecology and Invasive Species
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
Nelson Mandela University
2019-2025
City of Cape Town
2007-2020
University of Cape Town
2006-2018
University of Pretoria
1999-2008
Mammal Research Institute
2002-2008
National Zoological Gardens of South Africa
2008
Background ARGOS satellite telemetry is one of the most widely used methods to track movements free-ranging marine and terrestrial animals fundamental studies foraging ecology, migratory behavior habitat-use. location estimates do not include complete error estimations, for many organisms, commonly acquired locations (Location Class 0, A, B, or Z) are provided with no declared estimate. Methodology/Principal Findings We compared accuracy those obtained using Fastloc GPS from same electronic...
Abstract The N ans C lim project (2010–2013) represented a regional collaboration to assess the effects of climate on B enguela dynamics. Based in situ (since 1960s amibia and S outh A frica 1985 ngola) satellite 1980s) observations, focussed four subsystems, namely ngola subtropical, northern upwelling, southern upwelling gulhas ank. This contribution summarizes findings for selected key questions, ranging from changes physico‐chemical habitats, plankton, pelagic demersal fish communities,...
Abstract Aim The distribution of marine predators is driven by the and abundance their prey; areas preferred multiple predator species should therefore indicate ecological significance. Southern Ocean supports large populations seabirds mammals undergoing rapid environmental change. management conservation these environment relies on understanding its link with biophysical environment, as latter determines prey. We addressed this issue using tracking data from 14 to identify important...
Southern Hemisphere humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) generally undertake annual migrations from polar summer feeding grounds to winter calving and nursery in subtropical tropical coastal waters. Evidence for such arises seasonality of historic whaling catches by latitude, Discovery natural mark returns, results satellite tagging studies. Feeding is believed be limited the southern region, where Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) has been identified as primary prey item....
Over the past three decades, marine resource management has shifted conceptually from top-down sectoral approaches towards more systems-oriented multi-stakeholder frameworks of integrated coastal and ecosystem-based conservation. However, successful implementation such is commonly hindered by a lack cross-disciplinary knowledge transfer, especially between natural social sciences. This review represents holistic synthesis decades change in oceanography, biology human dimension False Bay,...
Abstract The phylogeny and systematics of fur seals sea lions (Otariidae) have long been studied with diverse data types, including an increasing amount molecular data. However, only a few phylogenetic relationships reached acceptance because strong gene-tree species tree discordance. Divergence times estimates in the group also vary largely between studies. These uncertainties impeded understanding biogeographical history group, such as when how trans-equatorial dispersal subsequent...
Identifying key sites of marine biodiversity value and implementing the required practical spatial management measures is critical for safeguarding maintaining essential ecological processes, especially in face accelerating global change expanding ocean economies. Delineating Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs) has been catalytic progressing toward this aim. However, Benguela Current Large Ecosystem (BCLME; comprising three developing countries: Angola, Namibia,...
Abstract Adult female survival as a potential proximate factor responsible for observed changes in southern elephant seal Mirounga leonina populations was investigated. We compared the rate estimates from mark–recapture data seals Marion Island population (using program MARK) two periods (pre‐ and post‐decline) during past 15 years with another Argentina, which had increased steadily same period. Survival of prime‐age adult females significantly by 6.2% latter part decline at Island, colony...
Abstract Aim Climate change will likely lead to a significant redistribution of biodiversity in marine ecosystems. We examine the potential community predators by comparing current and future habitat distribution projections. relative changes among species, indicative community‐level consider consequences these for conservation management. Location Southern Indian Ocean. Methods used tracking data from 14 species (10 seabirds, 3 seals 1 cetacean, totalling 538 tracks) model selection around...
Lepidoptera are known to alter their behaviour and phenology in response climatic conditions. Understanding these responses is important for the conservation of species, especially those that not widely distributed. Individuals Dira clytus , a South African endemic butterfly with distribution southern parts country, were reared captivity from egg phase adult phase, observe various life stages. Life history stages concurred previous observations made on this subspecies, but additional...
South Africa has taken an iterative approach to marine ecosystem mapping over 18 years that provided a valuable foundation for assessment, planning and decision-making, supporting improved ecosystem-based management protection. Iterative progress been made in overcoming challenges faced by developing countries, especially the inaccessible realm. Our aim is report on produce improve national map guide other countries facing similar challenges, illustrate impact of even simplest map. produced...
Foraging behaviour of marine top predators is increasingly being used to identify areas ecological importance. This largely enabled by the ability many such species forage extensively in search prey that often concentrated oceanographically productive areas. To important habitat Southern Indian Ocean within and around South Africa's Prince Edward Islands' Marine Protected Area (MPA), satellite transmitters were deployed on 12 lactating Subantarctic fur seals Arctocephalus tropicalis at...
Rates of tag loss were estimated in a long-term tagging study southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) to assess the potential for bias estimates survival rates. Dalton Jumbo Rototags® applied each hind flipper 5,743 recently weaned seal pups on Marion Island from 1983 1993. We adapted and developed method based resighting times retaining 1 or 2 tags estimate test effects age sex seals. Tag by young was low, but there strong increase with age, especially males. Annual single at 14 10%...
Using data from an ongoing mark–resight program at Marion Island, we tested whether there is variation in the timing of breeding haulout female southern elephant seals, relation to experience. Females were classed as primiparous or multiparous according their age and known life histories. The mean season date primiparae was found be significantly earlier than that multiparae nearly every year study. This caused by differences arrival, not duration tenure. In addition, consecutive seasons,...