Zoology and Entomology
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Assessing small-scale fisheries potential of Gariep Dam, South Africa's largest impoundment
(University of the Free State, 2022-07)South African inland fisheries are considered poorly developed and fish resources are mainly utilised by recreational and subsistence fishers. The South African government has identified inland fisheries as an opportunity ... -
Counter‑gradient variation and the expensive tissue hypothesis explain parallel brain size reductions at high elevation in cricetid and murid rodents
(Springer Nature, 2023)To better understand functional morphological adaptations to high elevation (> 3000 m above sea level) life in both North American and African mountain-associated rodents, we used microCT scanning to acquire 3D images and ... -
The ground spider genera Leptodrassex Murphy, 2007 and Leptopilos Levy, 2009 (Araneae: Gnaphosidae) in southern Africa, including the description of a new genus and seven new species
(Magnolia Press, 2022)The ground spider genera Leptodrassex Murphy, 2007 and Leptopilos Levy, 2009 are recorded from southern Africa for the first time, with the description of five new species: Leptodrassex murphyi sp. nov. (♂ ♀) from Mozambique ... -
Development of species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR), real-time PCR and loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays for detection of anaplasma marginale strains in South Africa
(University of the Free State, 2012-12)Anaplasma marginale is a virulent intra-erythrocytic pathogen that causes bovine anaplasmosis, its closely related species, Anaplasma centrale causes mild sickness. The pathogen is transmitted biologically by tick vectors ... -
A survey of parasitic helminths in horses from communal farms in the northeastern Free State Province of South Africa
(University of the Free State, 2004)A survey of helminthes occurring in horses at Kestell in the northeastern region of the Free State Province was conducted for a period of ten months (June 2002-March 2003). The aim was to determine the factors influencing ... -
A sero-epidemiological survey of parasites in cattle in the north eastern Free State, South Africa
(University of the Free State, 2001)Global economic losses due to parasitic infections in livestock are enonnous. There is little or no infonnation on parasites of veterinary importance afflicting livestock in the north eastern Free State, South Africa. A ... -
Diagnosis of Babesia equi in horses belonging to resource-poor farmers in the northeastern Free State, South Africa
(University of the Free State, 2005-10)Babesia (Theileria) equi, a tick transmitted protozoan parasite and one of the causative organisms of equine babesiosis is widespread in South Africa. This work reports on a study that evaluated the usefulness of the ... -
A sero-epidemiological survey of parasites in small stock in the north eastern region of the Free State province, South Africa
(University of the Free State, 2001)A sero-epidemiological survey was conducted in the north-eastern Free State region of South Africa to determine the parasites of veterinary importance infecting sheep and goats. Blood smears from sheep (n=37 I) and goats ... -
Development of molecular diagnostic methods (LAMP and PCR) for detection of Haemonchus contortus, fasciola spp and Trichostrongylus spp infections in livestock
(University of the Free State, 2012-12)Helminths belonging to the genera Haemonchus and Trichostrongylus as well as those of the genus Fascia/a are the causative agents of various helminthiases in animals and sometimes in humans. In both host types infections ... -
High rates of biochar soil amendment cause increased incidences of neurotoxic and oxidative stress in Eisenia fetid (oligochaeta) exposed to glyphosate
(MDPI, 2022)Despite several known beneficial attributes, biochar is suspected to cause harm to soil organisms when present in relatively high quantities in the soil. To determine the potential detrimental effects of biochar, for 96 ... -
Molecular phylogeny of South African Anopheles, Aedes and Culex (Diptera: Culicidae) based on COI, ITS2 and 28S DNA sequences
(University of the Free State, 2021-11)Mosquitoes have a substantial impact on human and animal health as vectors of disease and consequently take a heavy toll on the economy. South Africa hosts a multitude of mosquito-borne pathogens, including numerous ... -
Soil fertilization synergistically enhances the impact of pollination services in increasing seed yield of sunflower under dryland conditions
(Cambridge University Press, 2021)To exploit the potential of ecological intensification during sunflower cropping, it is crucial to understand the potential synergies between crop management and ecosystem services. We therefore examined the effect of ... -
Zulu Poems of (and for) nature: Bhekinkosi Ntuli’s environmental imagination in Imvunge Yemvelo (1972)
(Cambridge University Press, 2021)Nature, climate crisis, and the Anthropocene have carved space in recent inter-, cross-, and multi-disciplinary humanities studies. In South Africa, such studies have barely touched literature in African languages. Nyambi ... -
Anthropogenic light, noise, and vegetation cover differentially impact different foraging guilds of bat on an opencast mine in South Africa
(Frontiers, 2022)Bats are known to be sensitive to changes in their environment. The impact of natural vegetation cover, artificial light intensity and noise (dBA) were investigated on the bat community on the opencast Venetia diamond mine ... -
Biological control pre-release studies on the ecological impacts and biotic interactions of Robinia pseudoacacia L. (Black locust) with indegenous fauna and flora in South Africa
(University of the Free State, 2021-05-28)The growing invasion of Afromontane grassland ecosystems of South Africa by Robinia pseudoacacia, a tree from North America is threatening this fragile and fast disappearing biome. Despite numerous studies on the species ... -
Geographic distribution and habitat selection in the berg adder, Bitis atropos (serpentes, viperidae) on the Mpumalanga escarpment, and the consequences for conservation
(University of the Free State, 2019-06-01)Understanding how species use geographic space is foundational to ecology, biogeography and conservation biology. However, such essential geographic information remains unavailable for many species. This is especially true ... -
Studies on stalk borers of maize and sorghum in Lesotho
(University of the Free State, 1998-11)English: Investigations on various aspects of stalk borers of maize and sorghum were conducted in Lesotho during the 1995/96, 1996/97 and 1997/98 growing seasons. Aspects investigated were their distribution and relative ... -
Blood parasites of Free State and Lesotho reptiles
(University of the Free State, 2003-07)English: The study of blood parasites of reptiles is a relatively new and unexplored field of research in South Africa. The Free State province and the Lesotho highlands provide a range of reptiles in which their ... -
Effect of soil moisture and host plants on behaviour and survival of the common cutworm, agrotis segetum (Denis & Schiffermüller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
(University of the Free State, 2001-11)English: The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of light, soil moisture and host plants on behaviour of Agrotis segetum (Denis & Schiffermuller). A marking technique for larvae was developed to study ... -
Aspekte van die ekologie van avifauna op 'n binnelandse lughawe
(University of the Free State, 1999-11)English: Owing to the world-wide increase in air traffic the number and intensity of collisions between birds and aircraft have increased accordingly. Bird strikes are not only responsible for considerable physical damage ...