Airborne DNA reveals predictable spatial and seasonal dynamics of fungi.

Fungi are among the most diverse and ecologically important kingdoms in life. However, the distributional ranges of fungi remain largely unknown as do the ecological mechanisms that shape their distributions. To provide an integrated view of the spatial and seasonal dynamics of fungi, we implemented a globally distributed standardized aerial sampling of fungal spores.

Heavy metal concentrations in two populations of Mopane worms (Imbrasia belina) in the Kruger National Park pose a potential human health risk.

Metal concentrations in Mopane worms from Phalaborwa and Shangoni sites in the Kruger National Park were determined. Metal concentrations were evaluated by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and ICP-MS spectrometry after microwave digestion. The results indicate a substantial bioaccumulation of metals in Mopane worms.

A baseline study of metal contamination along the Namibian coastline for Perna perna and Choromytilus meridionalis.

The use of bivalves such as the brown mussel (Perna perna) and the black mussel (Choromytilus meridionalis) is common in the study of marine pollution and the effect of these pollutants on ecosystems and are important in both economic and ecological roles. Namibian marine ecosystems are threatened by pollution from mining, commercial fishing and population growth. The aims of this study were to determine baseline metal concentrations, spatial variation and variation between species.

Estimation and management of genetic diversity in small populations of plains zebra (Equus quagga) in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Plains zebras (Equus quagga antiquorum) occur in few large, but many small, isolated populations in KwaZulu-Natal. Problems identified in small populations include reduced striping patterns on hind quarters, smaller size, elevated mortality rates and high number of still-births. Inbreeding may be implicated.

Allozyme and DNA sequence data support speciation of northern and southern populations of silver catfish, Schilbe intermedius (Rüppel, 1832).

Patterns of genetic variation in Schilbe intermedius were investigated due to morphological differences and taxonomic uncertainties regarding the Southern African schilbeids. A total of three populations, two Southern populations representing the former Eutropius depressirostris and a Northern population representing S. mystus, were electrophoretically analysed to determine the extent of genetic differentiation among these populations.

Allozyme divergence among four representatives of the subfamily Alcelaphinae (family: Bovidae).

We used protein gel electrophoresis to study genetic diversity within and between blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus), black wildebeest (C. gnou), red hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus caama) and blesbok (Damaliscus dorcas phillipsi). Twenty-nine protein encoding loci were resolved, average heterozygosity ranged from 3.

Genetic variability in South African blue wildebeest (Connochaetes oaurinus).

1. We use protein gel-electrophoresis to investigate genetic heterogeneity at 33 protein coding loci in a total of 46 blue wildebeest (C. taurinus) kept under different management regimes.

Allozyme variation in a wild African elephant (Loxodonta africana) population from the Kruger National Park, South Africa.

1. Blood, liver, heart, testis, skin, eye, muscle and kidney samples were obtained from elephants (Loxodonta africana) in the Kruger National Park during a culling programme in April 1992. 2.