Synthesizing Nile crocodile Crocodylus niloticus attack data and historical context to inform mitigation efforts in South Africa and eSwatini (Swaziland)

While damage-causing animals are a major challenge for conservation across Africa, and Nile crocodiles are allegedly responsible for more attacks on humans than any other species, data is lacking. This paper analyses 67 years of reported Nile crocodile attacks on humans in South Africa and eSwatini (1949-2016), identifying patterns in attack incidence in space and time, as well as victim demographics. Our literature review and archival searches identified records of 214 attacks. Most attacks occurred in natural water bodies, with attacks in dams increasing since 2000. Hotspots for attacks are identified. Most victims were attacked while swimming or bathing, followed by fishing, domestic chores, and crossing waterways. There was a significant relationship between gender and activity when attacked. Children (<16) account for 51% of all attacks, with a higher fatality rate compared to adults. Most victims were male (65%), with teenage boys the largest individual category. We conclude with recommendations for conservation policy and management to mitigate attacks by Nile crocodiles

The impact of Eucalyptus plantations on herpetofaunal diversity, Maputo National Park, Mozambique

Exotic afforestation has proven detrimental to biodiversity in general, however only a few studies documenting the impact of timber plantations on herpetofaunal diversity have been published within a southern African context. To determine if variations in herpetofaunal species assemblages could be detected between derelict Eucalyptus plantations, cleared plantation woodlots, and untransformed sand thicket vegetation, a pitfall and funnel trap survey was conducted in coastal southern Mozambique. Herpetofaunal species richness for derelict Eucalyptus plantations was 13 ± 2.24 species, untransformed sand thicket vegetation 17 ± 2.34 species and cleared plantation woodlots 18 ± 3.14 species. Both Shannon-Weaver and Simpson Diversity Indices estimated the highest herpetofaunal species diversity in untransformed sand thicket vegetation and the lowest diversity in derelict Eucalyptus plantations. The herpetofaunal species assemblages of derelict Eucalyptus plantations and natural sand thicket vegetation were least similar (0.507 ± 0.041), while cleared plantation woodlots and derelict Eucalyptus plantations were most similar (0.753 ± 0.032) in terms of herpetofaunal community composition. In contrast to our expectations, significantly higher capture rates were reported for a fossorial anuran in derelict Eucalyptus plantations compared to both cleared plantation woodlots and untransformed sand thicket vegetation, which requires further investigation and discussion. As with most other studies investigating the effects of exotic timber plantations on biodiversity, our results indicate that the detectable herpetofaunal diversity decreased in Eucalyptus plantations when compared to natural or cleared plantation woodlots. Subsequently it would seem as though the active clearing of dilapidated timber plantations as part of rehabilitation efforts may positively affect herpetofaunal diversity.http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/ther202025-03-07hj2024Zoology and EntomologySDG-15:Life on lan

The impact of Eucalyptus plantations on herpetofaunal diversity, Maputo National Park, Mozambique.

Exotic afforestation has proven detrimental to biodiversity in general, however only a few studies documenting the impact of timber plantations on herpetofaunal diversity have been published within a southern African context. To determine if variations in herpetofaunal species assemblages could be detected between derelict Eucalyptus plantations, cleared plantation woodlots, and untransformed sand thicket vegetation, a pitfall and funnel trap survey was conducted in coastal southern Mozambique. Herpetofaunal species richness for derelict Eucalyptus plantations was 13 ± 2.24 species, untransformed sand thicket vegetation 17 ± 2.34 species and cleared plantation woodlots 18 ± 3.14 species. Both Shannon-Weaver and Simpson Diversity Indices estimated the highest herpetofaunal species diversity in untransformed sand thicket vegetation and the lowest diversity in derelict Eucalyptus plantations. The herpetofaunal species assemblages of derelict Eucalyptus plantations and natural sand thicket vegetation were least similar (0.507 ± 0.041), while cleared plantation woodlots and derelict Eucalyptus plantations were most similar (0.753 ± 0.032) in terms of herpetofaunal community composition. In contrast to our expectations, significantly higher capture rates were reported for a fossorial anuran in derelict Eucalyptus plantations compared to both cleared plantation woodlots and untransformed sand thicket vegetation, which requires further investigation and discussion. As with most other studies investigating the effects of exotic timber plantations on biodiversity, our results indicate that the detectable herpetofaunal diversity decreased in Eucalyptus plantations when compared to natural or cleared plantation woodlots. Subsequently it would seem as though the active clearing of dilapidated timber plantations as part of rehabilitation efforts may positively affect herpetofaunal diversity

The impact of <i>Eucalyptus</i> plantations on herpetofaunal diversity, Maputo National Park, Mozambique

Exotic afforestation has proven detrimental to biodiversity in general, however only a few studies documenting the impact of timber plantations on herpetofaunal diversity have been published within a southern African context. To determine if variations in herpetofaunal species assemblages could be detected between derelict Eucalyptus plantations, cleared plantation woodlots, and untransformed sand thicket vegetation, a pitfall and funnel trap survey was conducted in coastal southern Mozambique. Herpetofaunal species richness for derelict Eucalyptus plantations was 13 ± 2.24 species, untransformed sand thicket vegetation 17 ± 2.34 species and cleared plantation woodlots 18 ± 3.14 species. Both Shannon-Weaver and Simpson Diversity Indices estimated the highest herpetofaunal species diversity in untransformed sand thicket vegetation and the lowest diversity in derelict Eucalyptus plantations. The herpetofaunal species assemblages of derelict Eucalyptus plantations and natural sand thicket vegetation were least similar (0.507 ± 0.041), while cleared plantation woodlots and derelict Eucalyptus plantations were most similar (0.753 ± 0.032) in terms of herpetofaunal community composition. In contrast to our expectations, significantly higher capture rates were reported for a fossorial anuran in derelict Eucalyptus plantations compared to both cleared plantation woodlots and untransformed sand thicket vegetation, which requires further investigation and discussion. As with most other studies investigating the effects of exotic timber plantations on biodiversity, our results indicate that the detectable herpetofaunal diversity decreased in Eucalyptus plantations when compared to natural or cleared plantation woodlots. Subsequently it would seem as though the active clearing of dilapidated timber plantations as part of rehabilitation efforts may positively affect herpetofaunal diversity.</p

Morphometrics, sex ratio, sexual size dimorphism, biomass, and population size of the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) at its southern range limit in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Animal body size and sex are requisite data for understanding population structure and demography. Little information exists regarding Nile crocodile, Crocodylus niloticus, morphometrics, sex ratios of wild populations, sexual size dimorphism and standing crop biomass. We captured 322 C. niloticus at Lake St Lucia and Ndumo Game Reserve, South Africa, the two largest crocodile populations at the southern extent of the species’ range in Africa, and measured a suite of physical characteristics to create predictive models of body length from other morphological attributes and body mass. Our sample included 118 hatchlings, 91 subadults and 113 adults. Strong positive allometric relationships were found between body length metrics (total length and snout-vent length) and other morphometrics. All morphometric regressions were linear, with the exception of the relationship of body length to body mass, which was logarithmic. Among relationships of cranial morphology and body length, we found considerable individual variation among all size classes. The mean head width-to-head length ratio was 1.9 ± 1.6, and mean head length-to-total length ratio was 0.14 ± 0.005. The sex ratios for non-hatchling individuals at both populations were essentially 1:1, but adult sex ratios were male biased. We calculated a total standing crop biomass of 96,867.18 kg (161.45 kg/km) and 52,640.40 kg (1504.01 kg/km) for C. niloticus at Lake St Lucia and Ndumo Game Reserve, respectively, and an estimated 3650 non-hatchling individuals for the province of KwaZulu-Natal. The data presented here will help inform crocodile management and population surveys in South Africa, where C. niloticus is an important apex predator that partitions aquatic resources and occasionally comes into conflict with human beingsNational Research Foundation (South Africa

Blood lead concentrations in free-ranging Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) from South Africa

Generally crocodilians have received little attention with regard to the effects of lead toxicity despite their trophic status as apex, generalist predators that utilize both aquatic and terrestrial habitats, thereby exposing them to a potentially wide range of environmental contaminants. During July–October 2010 we collected whole blood from 34 sub-adult and adult free-ranging Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) from three separate populations in northeastern South Africa in order to analyze their blood lead concentrations (BPb). Concentrations ranged from below detectability (<3 μg/dL, n = 8) to 960 μg/dL for an adult male at the Lake St Lucia Estuary. Blood lead concentrations averaged 8.15 μg/dL (SD = 7.47) for females and 98.10 μg/dL (SD = 217.42) for males. Eighteen individuals (53 %) had elevated BPbs (≥10 μg/dL). We assessed 12 general linear models using Akaike’s Information Criterion (AIC) and found no significant statistical effects among the parameters of sex, crocodile size and population sampled. On average, crocodiles had higher BPbs at Lake St Lucia than at Ndumo Game Reserve or Kosi Bay, which we attribute to lead sinker ingestion during normal gastrolith acquisition. No clinical effects of lead toxicosis were observed in these crocodiles, even though the highest concentration (960 μg/dL) we report represents the most elevated BPb recorded to date for a free-ranging vertebrate. Although we suggest adult Nile crocodiles are likely tolerant of elevated Pb body burdens, experimental studies on other crocodilian species suggest the BPb levels reported here may have harmful or fatal effects to egg development and hatchling health. In light of recent Nile crocodile nesting declines in South Africa we urge further BPb monitoring and ecotoxicology research on reproductive females and embryos.The Ford Wildlife Foundation and the South African Water Research Commission.http://link.springer.com/journal/106462017-07-31hb2017Paraclinical Science

Afrikaanse verbandsmerkers: uitbreiding en herkategorisering van voorbeeldwoorde

Enter any additional information or requests for the Library here.Verbandsmerkers is woorde of frases wat dele van ʼn teks aanmekaar skakel na aanleiding van die verhouding tussen teksdele. Dié merkers ressorteer onder metadiskoersindeling, maar die probleem is dat daar in die meeste gevalle slegs Engelse voorbeeldwoorde gelys word. Die hoofindeling van verbandsmerkerkategorieë tref onderskeid tussen aaneenskakelende, teenstellende, redegewende of tydsaanduidende verbande en Afrikaanse indelings hiervan word wel gegee, maar dié lyste behoort uitgebrei en sommige voorbeeldwoorde herkategoriseer te word. Daar is van ʼn korpuslinguistiese ondersoek met behulp van WordSmith Tools (weergawe 6.0) gebruik gemaak om die funksionele gepastheid van die gebruik van verbandsmerkers in studente se akademiese skryfwerk te ondersoek, om sodoende die bestaande lys mee te verfyn. Konkordansiereëls uit drie korpora (twee korpora elk bestaande uit 109 eerstejaartekste met woordtotale van onderskeidelik 54 586 en 56 151, en ʼn derde korpus wat uit 39 honneursskryfstukke bestaan met ʼn woordtotaal van 168 531) is gebruik om vas te stel watter verbande deur bepaalde verbandsmerkers aangetoon word. Die doel van die herkategorisering en uitbreiding van Afrikaanse verbandsmerkers is sodat dit aangewend kan word wanneer veral akademiese skryfvaardighede aan Afrikaanse studente op tersiêre vlak onderrig word. ABSTRACT:Transition markers are words or phrases that connect parts of a text with regard to the relationship between parts of the text. These markers are classified as metadiscourse, but the problem lies in the fact that only English sample words are listed in most cases. The main taxonomy of the transition marker categories distinguishes between additive, adversative, causal, and temporal relationships, and the Afrikaans classification thereof is provided, but these lists have to be expanded, and some sample words need to be reclassified. A corpus linguistic investigation was done by means of WordSmith Tools (edition 6.0) to establish the functional relevance of transition markers used by students in their academic writing, in order to refine the existing list. Concordance rules from three corpora (two corpora consisting of 109 first-year student texts with word counts of 54 586 and 56 151 respectively, and a third corpus of 39 honours student texts with a word count of 168 531) were used to determine which relationships were indicated between the relevant transition markers. The purpose of the reclassification and expansion of Afrikaans transition markers is for application at tertiary level with regard to the teaching of Afrikaans students