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The dental features of more than 28 species of the Afro-Malagasy molossids have been examined in order to determine the affinities of fossil specimens from Berg Aukas, Namibia. All species were classed into morphotypes on the basis of their dental patterns: - Otomops has a more plesiomorphic morphotype and, among the large species, Mops is more derived; among somewhat smaller molossids, Mormopterus, Tadarida and Nyctinomus have primitive morphotypes, whereas Myopterus is derived. Previously the fossil remains of Chaerephon sp. Mormopterus sp. and cf. Sauromys sp. were identified from the Miocene site of Berg Aukas I. While Chaerephon and Sauromys occur in Africa today, the presence of the insular genus Mormopterus in the Miocene of Berg Aukas may indicate the continental origin of this genus. The taxonomic suggestions and conclusions of the extant Molossidae and some taphonomic remarks about their Miocene remains are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The taxonomic diversity of the insectivorous bat family Emballonuridae, which occurs widely in the tropics of the Old and New Worlds, is considered. Special emphasis is placed on extant African emballonurids which comprise about 11 species belonging to four genera: Coleura, Paremballonura, Saccolaimus and Taphozous. The functional aspects of their odontology are analysed. Most extant African emballonurids are typically cave-dwellers, so it is not surprising that their fossil remains have been found in the Miocene karstic site of Berg Aukas I in Namibia. Dentognathic fossils from Berg Aukas I most probably belong to Saccolaimus sp. and Taphozous sp. (Taphozoinae) and some specimens evidently represent new species of the subfamily Emballonurinae. Remains of Taphozoinae are the most abundant in the taphocenoses, but specimens of smaller Emballonurinae are also well-represented. Future taxonomic study of fossil emballonurids from Berg Aukas will surely throw light on questions of diversification of the group from the Middle Miocene to the Holocene and could be useful for palaeoclimatic reconstructions in this part of Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human trafficking of young men from Africa to Europe is a crime with often devastating consequences. The African continent loses members of the younger generation and many die during the attempt to reach their destinations. The identification of these victims is often difficult, however the structured and by now well-established procedures utilizing standard disaster victim identification protocols provide a reliable and functional approach. The logistics involved are straightforward, and one of the many functions of the team leader is to monitor and control the flow of cases through the system. The importance of ante mortem data for the purposes of identification is clear-no ante mortem data means no identification. Two different missions conducted in the Caribbean are described to illustrate particular difficulties that may occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]