Distribution, abundance, population structures, and potential impacts of the invasive snail, in aquatic ecosystems of north-eastern South Africa.

Aquatic ecosystems globally have been invaded by molluscs. is a highly successful invader, often becoming the dominant aquatic invertebrate species in an invaded ecosystem. Resultingly, it has been suggested that may have severe negative impacts on these invaded ecosystems.

The effect of coal-fired power plants on ambient air quality in Mpumalanga province, South Africa, 2014-2018.

Several coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) were built in South Africa, mainly in the central Mpumalanga Province, due to an increase in the demand for Eskom, the national power utility, to keep up with socio-economic growth. The CFPPs, of which 90% are owned by Eskom, generate a significant share of the country's electricity but contribute to the air pollution experienced in the country. The paper discusses sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter of size less than 10 micrometre (μm) in diameter (PM10), using data from 2014 to 2018.

Morphological description and molecular characterisation of Dactylogyrus matlopong sp. n. (Monogenea: Dactylogyridae) from the South African endemic Labeobarbus aeneus (Cyprinidae: Torinae).

Dactylogyrus Diesing, 1850 is the most species-rich genus in Platyhelminthes, with over 900 documented species, that are mostly strictly specific to freshwater cyprinoids. The morphological Dactylogyrus groups afrobarbae-type, carpathicus-type, pseudoanchoratus-type, and varicorhini-type are known to occur in Africa. This study describes a new species of Dactylogyrus of the varicorhini-type from the gills of the endemic smallmouth yellowfish Labeobarbus aeneus (Burchell) from the Vaal River, Free State Province, South Africa.

Human health risks associated with consumption of fish contaminated with trace elements from intensive mining activities in a peri-urban region.

Worldwide, numerous rural communities and low-income groups depend on fish harvested by subsistence fishers from local rivers and its impoundments as a source of protein. The aim of the present study was to determine the trace element bioaccumulation (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Pt, Zn) in three edible fish species (Cyprinus carpio, Clarias gariepinus, Oreochromis mossambicus) from two impoundments in the Hex River system, South Africa, as well as the chronic health risk these trace elements pose to regular fish consumers. Trace element concentrations in the Hex River are naturally high (geogenic source), however, increased anthropogenic activities, such as intensive platinum mining activities, elevate the already high background concentrations.

Description of Gyrodactylus paludinosus sp. nov. (Monogenea: Gyrodactylidae) from the Straightfin Barb, Enteromius paludinosus (Peters, 1852), in South Africa.

Introduction: Parasites of the genus Gyrodactylus von Nordmann, 1832, are predominantly parasites of freshwater and marine bony fishes. To date, 40 species of the genus have been described from Africa, with only 6 of these reported from South Africa. This represents only a small fraction of the known diversity of almost 500 species known worldwide.

The role of fish helminth parasites in monitoring metal pollution in aquatic ecosystems: a case study in the world's most productive platinum mining region.

Due to the increasing consumption of platinum (Pt), especially in automobile exhaust catalysts, environmental concentrations of Pt are of emerging concern worldwide. Limited information exists on environmental concentrations, particularly in Pt mining regions, while South Africa is the world's main supplier of Pt. Moreover, other metals are also released as by-products of Pt mining, which might also cause environmental concern.

Metal accumulation in riverine macroinvertebrates from a platinum mining region.

South Africa is the world's main supplier of Pt. The Bushveld Igneous Complex in South Africa contains 75% of the world's Pt resources. Mining of this precious metal requires large volumes of water for production and removal of waste products.

Epizootic ulcerative syndrome - First report of evidence from South Africa's largest and premier conservation area, the Kruger National Park.

This study reports on the first evidence of genomic material of the causative agent for epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS), , from fish in the Limpopo River system and the Kruger National Park, South Africa. Fourteen fish species were collected from various depressions in the floodplains of the Limpopo and Luvuvhu Rivers in the Makuleke Wetlands during 2015 and 2017. A single individual of was found to have a suspected epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) lesion.

Understanding growth relationships of African cymothoid fish parasitic isopods using specimens from museum and field collections.

Cymothoid isopods are a diverse group of ectoparasites of fish species, and are particularly conspicuous as they are large and attach to the body surface, mouth, and gill chamber of fish hosts. These parasites transition from juvenile to male to female, and how their size changes with ontogeny and correlates with host size is not well understood. To better understand these relationships, data from field and museum collected samples of South Africa were combined to test for the associations between host and parasite length for three mouth and one gill chamber-infesting genera (, , , and respectively).

Distribution of perfluorinated compounds (PFASs) in the aquatic environment of the industrially polluted Vaal River, South Africa.

Perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) are highly persistent chemicals, which have a bioaccumulative potential and can be found in wildlife around the world. Although multiple studies have been performed on PFASs pollution of the aquatic environment, little is known on PFASs pollution on the African continent and their possible risks for human health. In the present study, we examined the distribution of 15 PFASs in fish, invertebrates, sediment and water, collected at three sites, representing a gradient of industrial and mining pollution, along the Vaal River, South Africa.

The Application of a Macroinvertebrate Indicator in Afrotropical Regions for Pesticide Pollution.

Many biotic integrity indices are not able to isolate community effects due to pesticide exposure as the communities also respond to other anthropogenic and natural stressors. A macroinvertebrate trait bioindicator system that is pesticide specific was therefore developed to overcome these challenges. This system, called SPEAR (SPEcies At Risk), was applied in South Africa as an indicator to link known pesticide catchment usage to changes in the macroinvertebrate community, especially when analytical methods are inconclusive.

Alien freshwater fish parasites from South Africa: Diversity, distribution, status and the way forward.

The global translocation and introduction of freshwater fish into non-native regions has created the perfect opportunity for the co-introduction of their parasites. In a recent review on non-native freshwater fish introductions in South Africa, 55 fishes were reported as introduced into novel environments in South Africa, with 27 alien and 28 extralimital. However, the parasites potentially co-introduced by these non-native fishes have received much less attention from researchers than the hosts themselves.

Generalized surgical emphysema as an early complication of facial fracture: a case report.

A case of multiple facial fractures complicated by subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum and pneumoretroperitoneum, in the absence of intra-abdominal, neck or chest injuries, is described.

gamma-Glutamyl transpeptidase activity in sheep serum: normal values and an evaluation of its potential for detecting liver involvement in experimental lupinosis.

A brief survey of the literature on gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT) activity is included in this study. The levels of activity in the serum of normal Merino sheep (13,6-32,4 mI.U/ml) were ascertained as a preliminary to following the activity through the entire course of experimentally induced ovine lupinosis, a hepatotoxicosis caused by Phomopsis leptostromiformis (Kühn) Bubák.

Free flap transfer with microvascular anastomosis.

The development of the flap transfer technique in plastic and reconstructive surgery has evolved to the stage where free transplantation of a full-thickness skin flap, by means of microvascular anastomosis, has become posssible. For the first time in South Africa, a case is documented where such a free graft was used successfully to reconstruct a severe burn contracture of the neck. Experience with this and subsequent cases has taught valuable lessons about the procedure.

The diagnosis and treatment of acid-base deranged dogs infected with Babesia canis.

A study was made of the acid-base status of Babesia canis infected dogs judged unlikely to recover after specific babesicidal drug therapy despite the use of blood transfusion and other conventional supportive measures. Such cases were invariably acidotic and responded well and often dramatically to supportive intravenous sodium bicarbonate administration. Elevated blood urea nitrogen, also responded gratifyingly to this procedure.

Injuries to the skin of the male external genitalia in Southern Africa.

The more common injuries to the skin of the male external genital organs are described; some of these mutilations are unique to the African continent. The extent of trauma ranges from small penile skin defects after circumcision to complete avulsion of the skin of the penis and scrotum. The techniques of reconstruction are described.