https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Index en-us 5 https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:44790 Wed 27 Oct 2021 14:30:53 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45023 Wed 22 Jun 2022 15:05:44 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:38367 Wed 12 May 2021 23:40:00 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:38746 Wed 12 May 2021 23:03:20 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:26616 80 %) feeding, and morning courting behaviour for this species were confirmed. However, during the summer holiday period (mid-December to mid-January) few seahorses were observed on camera, which suggests that the increase in motor boat activity and the related increase in noise had a negative effect on H. capensis feeding and courting behaviour. The marina development, and in particular the Reno mattresses, created a new habitat for this endangered species within the Knysna estuary. In addition to the protection and restoration of natural habitats in which H. capensis is found, the conservation potential of artificial structures such as Reno mattresses should be realised.]]> Wed 12 May 2021 22:34:55 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:38362 Wed 12 May 2021 20:37:27 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:30555 Wed 12 May 2021 20:35:05 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:38196 Wed 12 May 2021 20:32:21 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:29156 Wed 12 May 2021 20:12:17 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:29202 Wed 12 May 2021 20:11:15 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:30691 Wed 12 May 2021 19:55:49 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:38352 Wed 12 May 2021 19:51:57 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:30681 Wed 12 May 2021 19:17:36 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:38249 10, 000 km2) systems. However, there was variability in infertility response between lionesses including adverse reactions in a small proportion of treated individuals. The number of resident prides and male coalitions in a reserve affected lion social behaviour. Lionesses formed larger groups in reserves with a higher density of unknown adult female neighbours, likely driven by territory defence. Lion prides with resident cubs were generally more fragmented, likely in response to reduced competition from unknown adult males. However, in areas with a high density of unknown adult female neighbours, prides with cubs formed larger groups likely in response to heightened territory defence. Therefore, with smaller foraging group sizes, predation rate was increased in reserves with reduced competition from unknown lions. My study supports a metapopulation approach for the management of lions in small, fenced reserves, and the standardisation of lion management procedures and database management. Endorsed by the Biodiversity Management Plan for lions in South Africa, this will enhance the long-term conservation potential of isolated populations.]]> Wed 12 May 2021 18:16:51 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:38177 Wed 12 May 2021 16:20:35 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:30554 Wed 12 May 2021 15:47:22 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:41920 Wed 12 May 2021 15:01:32 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:41439 Wed 12 May 2021 14:58:15 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:41441 Wed 12 May 2021 14:56:40 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:41332 Wed 12 May 2021 14:56:24 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:41278 Wed 12 May 2021 14:40:32 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:41501 Wed 12 May 2021 13:47:23 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:41488 Wed 10 Jul 2024 09:54:50 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:72148 Wed 10 Jul 2024 08:48:37 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:57006 Wed 09 Nov 2022 09:09:09 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45072 Wed 02 Mar 2022 12:24:25 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:65790 Tue 25 Jul 2023 16:09:04 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:42201 Tue 15 Aug 2023 11:29:30 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:30710 Tue 15 Aug 2023 11:20:55 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:27814 Tue 12 Oct 2021 15:49:22 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45200 Tue 07 Jun 2022 10:32:47 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:72157 Thu 18 Jul 2024 11:22:25 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:57288 Thu 13 Oct 2022 11:49:52 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:28392 Thu 13 May 2021 07:14:39 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:30400 Thu 13 May 2021 07:07:53 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:34163 Thu 13 May 2021 06:59:15 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:34201 0.05 in all cases). Microplastic counts ranged on average from 55 ± 289 to 930 ± 462 microplastic particles.m-3. With the exception of two instances, microfibres constituted > 50 % (range: 47 to 97 %) of the total microplastic counts. Part two of this study assessed the size range of, and seasonal and spatial patterns in ingested microplastic. No significant differences were found in the number of microplastics ingested within seasons between the mussels Perna perna (Linnaeus, 1758) and Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamarck, 1819), and the barnacles, Octomeris angulosa (Sowerby, 1825) and Tetraclita serrata (Darwin 1954) (Student’s t-test; d.f = 18; p > 0.05 in all cases), or between the two sites sampled, Kenton-on-Sea, Eastern Cape, and Wilderness, Western Cape (ANOVA; d.f. = 18; p > 0.05 in all cases). The nitric acid digestion technique was used to determine the presence of ingested microplastics. Microplastic loads ranged from 2 ± 1 to 33 ± 19 microplastics.g-1 wwt across all consumers, and the size of ingested microplastics ranged from 1 to 16 μm. Though highly variable, the absence of statistically significant differences in ingestion rates points to a ubiquity in the availability of microplastics within the water column over time and space.]]> Thu 13 May 2021 06:52:15 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:39140 Thu 13 May 2021 06:43:16 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:29788 Thu 13 May 2021 06:19:43 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:30765 Thu 13 May 2021 06:11:40 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:29223 Thu 13 May 2021 05:43:58 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:28067 Thu 13 May 2021 05:31:56 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:38747 Thu 13 May 2021 05:31:51 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:27812 Thu 13 May 2021 05:20:12 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:30613 Thu 13 May 2021 03:47:30 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:29207 Thu 13 May 2021 03:15:17 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:34197 70% of total counts) of sightings were made inside the MPAs. Short-term boat-based surveys were conducted three times a year between June 2014 and December 2016, contributing to a total of 47 days of surveys divided into three locations: Amathole, Hluleka, and Pondoland, each containing a MPA. Density and group size data were analyzed for both species and photographic identification analysis was performed for photographs of bottlenose dolphin dorsal fins. Results indicate that animal and sighting density did not differ temporally (bottlenose dolphin: sighting density – p=0.398, individual density –p=0.781; common dolphin: sighting density –p=0.472, individual density – p=0.204). Environmental factors (sea surface temperature, depth, substrate, and distance from shore) appeared to have limited effect on individual and sighting density and group size for both species (p>0.05). Photographic identification of bottlenose dolphins resulted in 2149 individuals, with a 11.8% resighting rate, with the highest resighting rate within the Pondoland MPA (16.1%). The resighting count did not differ temporally between monthly survey based on generalized linear models (p=0.866), but did differ between study areas (p<0.0001). These results provide the first evidence of the occurrence of both species of dolphin off the Wild Coast, as they were sighted in this region in all survey months. There was no trend in density based on temporal or environmental factors, which suggests other factors are influencing their occurrence. Resightings of bottlenose dolphins within the area suggest that there is some degree of residency, though the majority of animals were only sighted on a single occasion and there was no plateau in the discovery curve. A total of 256 biopsy samples (bottlenose dolphins =128; common dolphins=128) were collected during boat-based surveys. Bottlenose dolphin samples were also collected from adjacent areas to the southwest (Algoa Bay, n=22) and northeast (KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), n=20) of the Wild Coast to investigate similarities and differences between these areas. Despite a high degree of niche overlap between the two species (41%), common dolphins fed with a broader niche (standard ellipse area probability 0.89) than bottlenose dolphins in the summer and a narrower niche in the winter (probability 0.94). There was a clear spatial variation in the diet of bottlenose dolphins along the coast, with individuals from Algoa Bay and Amathole demonstrating 0% niche overlap with individuals from KZN, but the mechanism for these differences remains unclear as other species from South African waters demonstrate a strong southwest to northeast gradient in nitrogen for the Eastern Cape coastline. This research provides valuable baseline information regarding dolphins off the Wild Coast of South Africa, which remained largely unknown. My results indicate that bottlenose dolphins may be more resident in the Wild Coast than previous predicted, and confirm that common dolphins are highly mobile in this area.]]> Thu 13 May 2021 03:09:09 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:28686 Thu 13 May 2021 03:01:37 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:32306 Thu 13 May 2021 01:42:04 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:34216 Thu 13 May 2021 01:21:34 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:31386 Thu 13 May 2021 00:57:15 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:38449 Thu 13 May 2021 00:52:26 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:65375 Thu 11 Jan 2024 18:15:11 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:71935 Thu 04 Apr 2024 19:11:09 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:71933 Thu 04 Apr 2024 19:04:14 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:71926 Thu 04 Apr 2024 16:59:13 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:65380 Sun 21 Jan 2024 14:30:44 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:65792 Sun 21 Jan 2024 14:23:44 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:72177 Sun 21 Apr 2024 08:48:55 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:44749 Sun 14 Nov 2021 08:55:46 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:71925 Sun 14 Jul 2024 16:51:29 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:73181 Sun 09 Jun 2024 18:50:45 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:73180 Sun 09 Jun 2024 18:37:00 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:73179 Sun 09 Jun 2024 18:24:39 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:73178 Sun 09 Jun 2024 18:16:01 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:73177 Sun 09 Jun 2024 18:01:04 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:73176 Sun 09 Jun 2024 17:47:32 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:73175 Sun 09 Jun 2024 17:39:23 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:72881 Sun 02 Jun 2024 13:40:35 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:72156 Sat 20 Apr 2024 17:40:54 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:72155 Sat 20 Apr 2024 17:34:11 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:72154 Sat 20 Apr 2024 17:27:17 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:72153 5-meters depth) and (0.5-meter depth) from the water surface at each lake during summer and winter season. The results were consistent with our hypothesis that both phytoplankton and aquatic macroinvertebrate species composition were influenced by physico-chemical parameters and that the differences in salinity concentration and aquatic vegetation between CL, FIL, and SIL were the driving factors for phytoplankton and aquatic macroinvertebrate species composition. In summary, one hundred and twenty-two phytoplankton taxa were collected and identified during this study, belonging to seven Phyla which included Chlorophyta, Bacillariophyta, Cyanophyta, Chrysophyta, Dinophyta, Euglenophyta, and Cryptophyta. The most abundant phytoplankton groups were Bacillariophyta and Chlorophyta. Phytoplankton relative taxa abundance, Pielou’s evenness, taxa richness, and Shannon diversity were significantly different between lake types. Aquatic macroinvertebrates, on the other hand, summed up to 10 orders, 67 families, and 80 taxa. The most abundant group were the order Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Odonata, and Gastropoda. Aquatic macroinvertebrate relative taxa abundance, taxa richness, and Shannon diversity were also significantly different between lake types. Aquatic macroinvertebrate relative taxa abundance, Pielous evenness, and Shannon diversity index were not significant between seasons, and only taxa richness was significant. Canonical analysis of principal coordinates (CAP) results further showed unique and distinct phytoplankton and aquatic macroinvertebrates community composition between lake types. The present study provides baseline biodiversity inventory (or species list) for important lake ecosystems biological indicators i.e., phytoplankton and aquatic macroinvertebrates and species composition in relation to lake type for six freshwater lakes in South Africa. Furthermore, the study provides empirical evidence that will inform policy and the development of management strategies for freshwater lakes in South Africa which is currently missing. The current study will also contribute to the next National Biodiversity Assessment Report (2024), concerning the freshwater lakes biological data deficiency noted in the previous NBA (2018) report. The study will also fill up the gaps to better understand species composition in lake systems and how they function which is currently limited.]]> Sat 20 Apr 2024 17:20:49 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:72152 Sat 20 Apr 2024 17:13:06 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:72151 Sat 20 Apr 2024 17:06:17 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:72150 Sat 20 Apr 2024 16:59:06 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:72149 Sat 20 Apr 2024 16:45:11 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:72147 Sat 20 Apr 2024 16:31:32 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45018 Sat 13 Nov 2021 20:08:39 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:44958 Sat 13 Nov 2021 20:02:02 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:73122 Sat 08 Jun 2024 11:36:09 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:73121 Sat 08 Jun 2024 11:29:45 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:73119 Sat 08 Jun 2024 11:09:22 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:73118 Sat 08 Jun 2024 11:01:35 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:73116 Sat 08 Jun 2024 10:54:57 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:71957 Sat 06 Apr 2024 13:33:28 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:39135 Sat 01 Jun 2024 16:48:39 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:42895 Mon 31 May 2021 10:04:50 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:56789 Mon 26 Sep 2022 11:21:46 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:57239 Mon 24 Oct 2022 16:23:01 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:65782 Mon 24 Jul 2023 09:30:24 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45266 Mon 15 Nov 2021 15:27:51 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:65360 Mon 10 Jul 2023 08:48:06 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:50131 Mon 05 Sep 2022 12:59:57 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:65359 Mon 03 Jul 2023 14:52:08 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:65358 Mon 03 Jul 2023 12:32:02 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:49994 Fri 22 Jul 2022 09:08:31 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:65668 Fri 17 May 2024 17:04:45 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45049 Fri 01 Jul 2022 14:30:38 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45060 Fri 01 Jul 2022 12:49:32 SAST ]]>