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In the globalized era, access to information, media talks, diplomatic discourses and communication by developing countries is mediated by translation, which serves as a key tool for translating con...

The parasites of kob based on physical, faecal and blood examination has revealed that kob harbor ticks which include Rhipicephalus evertsi, Rhipicephalus nymph, Amblyomma variegatum; lice, Damalinia sp; and fed upon by by biting fly Culicoides. sp. Helminth ova found were Strongyl sp. and Fasciola. sp.; protozoan. Babesia sp. in blood and Eimeria sp. in faeces. The significance of tick as vector of parasites of domestic animals and the potential risk of kob as reservoir of the parasites these vectors transmit are discussed. The prevalence of Strongyl sp. and Fasciola sp. ova as reflection of worm burden and potential pasture contamination are highlighted

Assessing the population status of wildlife is useful for enhancing biodiversity management strategies in protected areas. This study was carried out within the framework of the Faro National Park (FNP) management plan. The objective was to provide baseline data on the status and population dynamics of the Buffon's kob (Kobus kob kob). The surveys were conducted in the month of June at the beginning of the rainy season. Data were collected along 145 line transects of 2.5 km apart and analysed using Distance 7.2 and Quantum GIS 3.4 software. The Buffon's kob population was estimated to comprise around 4,094 ± 1,303 individuals, with an overall density of 1.24 individuals/km². When compared to results from a study conducted in the year 2000, the concentration of Buffon's kob was higher in the northern part of the national park as opposed to the southern part, as was previously recorded. The population trend shows an extensive decline of approximately 80% compared to records of the year 2000. There was also a weak negative correlation between Buffon's kob density and human activities in the FNP.

The waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus), though widespread throughout Africa, is suspected to be declining overall. Data on population numbers and structure are lacking for many parts of its range, especially in West Africa, where the subspecies defassa is found. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the abundance, distribution and attributes of waterbuck populations from the Nazinga Forest Reserve, southern Burkina Faso. We investigated waterbuck population trends in the park using transect data collected in 1985–2019. For the more detailed analyses of population structure and distribution of the animals, we used census data gathered during 2019. Most animals were adults (46.6%), and the sex ratio was heavily skewed towards females (5:1). Most animals were concentrated along the larger rivers. There was no influence of poacher activity on waterbuck distribution. In the long term (1985–2019), the population dynamics of waterbuck can be roughly divided into two main periods: a phase of population increase from 1985 to 2005, and one of ongoing population collapse from 2007 to 2019. Although the declining population trend was obvious, coefficients of determination were low indicating that the years explained poorly the number of individuals and the number of sightings obtained. Waterbuck numbers in the Nazinga Forest Reserve are declining, but we found no single reason to explain this trend. It is likely that a combination of factors, including global warming (increased aridity) and illegal activities such as poaching, is responsible. Because there are probably multiple reasons for the observed waterbuck population decline in our study area, we suggest that a multifaceted approach should be adopted in order to enhance the conservation status of the local waterbuck populations.

Few books are discipline changing. This is one of them. To paraphrase Naomi Klein, A (Bio)Semiotic Theory of Translation may not change everything but it will change a great many things. Like all r...

White-eared Kob, Kobus kob leucotis, Lichtenstein & Peters, 1853, is known to occur in the Gambela-Boma landscape in western Ethiopia and South Sudan. They live in herds and are generally found near water, in such places as plains, woodlands, swamps, and flood plains. We deployed 36 camera traps in Omo National Park and one of them took two images of a White-eared Kob. This is the first documentation from Omo National Park and showing that its range extends further to Omo than previously known and, therefore, the entire area (Gambella to Omo) can be considered as a range extension.

Species delimitations by morphological and by genetic markers are not always congruent. Magnolia kobus consists of two morphologically different varieties, kobus and borealis. The latter variety is characterized by larger leaves than the former. For the conservation of M. kobus genetic resources in natural forests, the relationships between morphological and genetic variation should be clarified. We investigated variations in nuclear microsatellites, chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) sequences and leaf morphological traits in 23 populations of M. kobus over the range of species. Two genetically divergent lineages, northern and southern were detected and their geographical boundary was estimated to be at 39°N. The northern lineage consisted of two genetic clusters and a single cpDNA haplotype, while the southern one had multiple genetic clusters and cpDNA haplotypes. The northern lineage showed significantly lower genetic diversity than the southern. Approximate Bayesian computation indicated that the northern and southern lineages had experienced, respectively, population expansion and long-term stable population size. The divergence time between the two lineages was estimated to be 565,000 years ago and no signature of migration between the two lineages after divergence was detected. Ecological niche modeling showed that the potential distribution area in northern Japan at the last glacial maximum was very small. It is thus considered that the two lineages have experienced different population histories over several glacial-inter-glacial cycles. Individuals of populations in the central to northern part of Honshu on the Sea of Japan side and in Hokkaido had large leaf width and area. These leaf characteristics corresponded with those of variety borealis. However, the delimitation of the northern and southern lineages detected by genetic markers (39°N) was not congruent with that detected by leaf morphologies (36°N). It is therefore suggested that variety borealis is not supported genetically and the northern and southern lineages should be considered separately when identifying conservation units based not on morphology but on genetic markers., ファイル公開：2020/11/01

In response to a call by Kobus Marais in 2012 to bring development studies into the purview of translation studies, this article describes the relationship between translation and development in democratic South Africa by focusing on translation’s relationship with material (versus symbolic or cultural) social exclusion. Social exclusion thus represents the perspective from which development is discussed. While symbolic inclusion (attaining widespread social cohesion and solidarity) represents the ideal of development as far as it relates to translation, material inclusion (having access to public services and the possibility of social mobility) represents the most urgent developmental requirement in terms of translation. The correspondence between social distinctions and language domains in South African society is described in relation to language policy and practice. Translation’s operation is analysed against this background to indicate how the absence of translation and shortcomings in translation in the public service create material exclusion, posing serious obstacles to normal functioning and survival in society. The article finds that current translation practices perpetuate the language divides erected during the previous century. It argues for increased translation in the public service and increased English literacy to effectively combat practical social exclusion and allow social mobility.

Assessing human-induced threatening factors to wildlife is the basis in determining and proposing appropriate conservation measures. The present study was conducted to assess impacts of human activities on wildlife in Gambella National Park, Southwest of Ethiopia, from October 2015 to March 2016, focusing on the case of Nile Lechwe (Kobus megaceros). The data in this study were gathered using questionnaires with structured interview and focus group discussion. Data on the threatening factors were compared among villages using chi-square test in SPSS version 20 software. Out of the 384 respondents, 139(36.2), 51(13.2) 49(12.8), 43(11.2) and 41(10.7%) of them informed that agricultural investment, illegal hunting, overgrazing, rice cultivation in the area and habitat loss, respectively, were the most predominant human factors affecting Nile Lechwe. Thus suggests that agricultural expansion and illegal hunting are those human activities with the highest impact on the Nile Lechwe. Before designing and implementing any development investment particularly large scale agricultural expansions, the government and other stakeholders should give consideration and attention to the rapidly declining natural resource beside to the development. Therefore, designing appropriate eco-friendly management with options must be adopted to mediate the effects and minimize future impacts. Key words: Agriculture, anthropogenic disturbance, habitats, Nile Lechwe, Gambella National park, wildlife.

Habitat degradation and fragmentation are eating deep into conservation areas and this is a serious threat to species diversity and abundance. Species like the antelopes have a sedentary and docile nature which makes them highly vulnerable to habitat degradation or human intrusion. The effect becomes complex as the remaining flora and fauna communities can be significantly impacted by changes in ecosystem structure and function. Population density, diversity and abundance of fauna species will either increase or decrease over time depending on the quality of the environment/habitat and the level of human interference or disturbance. Hence an updated checklist of species diversity and abundance is necessary to enable management and other stakeholders make pragmatic plans and policy towards sustainable species conservation. With the aid of a Global Positioning System (GPS), a 5 km transect was established per site and censured for Antelope species using the King Census method of enumeration. Descriptive statistics and ANOVA was used to analyze the data. Seven (7) species of Antelopes were recorded. Kobs (Kobus kob) were the most abundant (2019), while Reedbuck (Redunca redunca) was the least abundant with twenty-five (25) individuals. Kob is the most observed species in Oli Complex with 24.13%, ranking about 50% of kob in proportion. This was followed by roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus), and Red Flanked duiker, 4.02% and 3.63% respectively. Kobs had the highest density of 40.38 per square km followed by roan antelope (3.32) and RF duiker (2.36). Relative density followed a similar trend. The least encounter rate was observed in Sylvicapra grimmia (0.02) and increse further to Hippotragus equinus (0.4), Redunca redunca (0.06) and Alcelaphus buselaphus (0.09) respectively. It was low amongst Tragelaphus scriptus (0.2), and moderate, while it was very high amongst the kobs (5.0). The rate of encountering an antelope in the park is very high at a rate of 6.2 animals per kilometer. Species of antelopes are almost not found in other ranges due to anthropogenic activities around the park. These activities are fast entering into the core area of the park. Hence management should take effective measure to curb this fast-rising problem.

Background Brucellosis is a contagious zoonotic disease of great public health and economic significance especially in developing countries. The disease affects humans and several species of livestock and wildlife. Studies on Brucellosis in wildlife in Uganda have been limited to single populations particularly in Queen Elizabeth National Park. This study aimed at estimating the percentage of positive samples of Brucella spp. in wildlife in four major national parks of Uganda. This was a retrospective survey which utilized archived samples collected from wildlife during the annual disease surveillance activities between 2013 and 2017. Results A total of 241 samples from seven species namely African buffalo (Syncerus caffer, n = 109), African elephant (Loxodonta africana, n = 22), giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi, n = 41), Uganda kob (Kobus kob thomasi, n = 36), lion (Panthera leo, n = 6), plain zebra (Equus quagga, n = 25), and bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus, n = 2), were tested for antibodies using the Rose Bengal Plate Test. The overall percentage of positive samples in the four national parks was 31.1% (75/241; 95% CI: 25.6–37.2). Kidepo Valley National Park had a significantly higher percentage of positive samples of 55.9% (19/34; 95% CI: 39.5–71.1) compared to other sampled national parks (p p Brucella spp. detected in African elephant and bushbuck. Conclusion This study shows variations in percentage of positive samples with Brucella spp. between species and across national parks and notably a high percentage with Brucella spp. in wildlife in Uganda than that recorded elsewhere in sub-Saharan region of Africa. Potential for transmission to other wildlife and spill over to livestock is high especially in national parks with high livestock-wildlife interaction.

This study investigated feeding preference and habitat association of waterbucks in Nechisar National Park from November 2016 to August 2017 by total count and direct observation methods. From this survey, 20 plant species were observed to be the food items consumed by waterbucks. Waterbucks were mostly grazers than browser. The plant species consumed by waterbucks was highly significant between seasons (χ2 = 121.34, df = 1, p < 0.05 ). Out of 20 total plant species consumed, annual grass (11.5%), Leersia virginica (8.4%), and Cynodon dactylon (8.4%) were the most frequently consumed food items, but Tamarindus indica (2.9%), Balanites aegyptica (3.3%), and Acacia polycantha (2.36%) were the least consumed food items. There was significant difference between plant species consumed during both seasons (χ2 = 177.67, df = 19, p < 0.05 ). The Shannon–Wiener diversity index result revealed that there were different varieties of food items for waterbucks in dry season (H’ = 2.9) than in wet season (H’ = 2.6). Young leaves comprised the largest proportion of plant parts consumed by waterbucks compared to others. There was a highly significant difference in feeding plant parts in both seasons (χ2 = 88.5, df = 7, p < 0.05 ). Waterbucks spent more time on feeding in the morning and late afternoon during both seasons. The total number of waterbucks in each habitat varied due to food availability in different seasons. Different conservation measures should be taken against waterbuck reduction and create appropriate environment for waterbuck.

This case series describes hepatocellular neoplasms in 10 Nile lechwe (Kobus megaceros) at two separate zoological institutions in Florida. Histologically, the neoplasms were classified as hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 7), hepatocellular adenoma (n = 2), and hepatobiliary carcinoma (n = 1). Common clinical signs were nonspecific and included thin body condition (n =7), lethargy (n =6), lameness (n =3), and acute recumbency (n =5). Four males and six females were affected, and the mean age at death was 12.7 yr with a range of 4-18 yr. All cases were diagnosed postmortem, and metastasis to various sites, including lung, lymph nodes, and omentum, was found in 40% of cases (n = 4). A single case of hepatocellular carcinoma in a Nile lechwe was described in 2007; however, this is the first reported series of neoplasms in Reduncinae. The pathogenesis behind the development of hepatocellular neoplasms in Nile lechwe has not yet been identified.

Savannah tsetse flies avoid flying toward tsetse fly-refractory waterbuck (Kobus defassa) mediated by a repellent blend of volatile compounds in their body odor comprised of δ-octalactone, geranyl acetone, phenols (guaiacol and carvacrol), and homologues of carboxylic acids (C5-C10) and 2-alkanones (C8-C13). However, although the blends of carboxylic acids and that of 2-alkanones contributed incrementally to the repellency of the waterbuck odor to savannah tsetse flies, some waterbuck constituents (particularly, nonanoic acid and 2-nonanone) showed significant attractive properties. In another study, increasing the ring size of δ-octalactone from six to seven membered ring changed the activity of the resulting molecule (ε-nonalactone) on the savannah tsetse flies from repellency to attraction. In the present study, we first compared the effect of blending ε-nonalactone, nonanoic acid and 2-nonanone in 1:1 binary and 1:1:1 ternary combination on responses of Glossina pallidipes and Glossina morsitans morsitans tsetse flies in a two-choice wind tunnel. The compounds showed clear synergistic effects in the blends, with the ternary blend demonstrating higher attraction than the binary blends and individual compounds. Our follow up laboratory comparisons of tsetse fly responses to ternary combinations with different relative proportions of the three components showed that the blend in 1:3:2 proportion was most attractive relative to fermented cow urine (FCU) to both tsetse species. In our field experiments at Shimba Hills game reserve in Kenya, where G. pallidipes are dominant, the pattern of tsetse catches we obtained with different proportions of the three compounds were similar to those we observed in the laboratory. Interestingly, the three-component blend in 1:3:2 proportion when released at optimized rate of 13.71mg/h was 235% more attractive to G. pallidipes than a combination of POCA (3-n-Propylphenol, 1-Octen-3-ol, 4-Cresol, and Acetone) and fermented cattle urine (FCU). This constitutes a novel finding with potential for downstream deployment in bait technologies for more effective control of G. pallidipes, G. m. morsitans, and perhaps other savannah tsetse fly species, in ‘pull’ and ‘pull-push’ tactics., Author summary In our previous studies with tsetse fly-refractory waterbuck body odor, we found that certain subtle structural changes are associated with shifts in activities of some constituents from repellency to attraction. This led us to discovery of three potent tsetse attractants (ε-nonalactone, nonanoic acid and 2-nonanone). In the present study, we explored possible synergistic effects of blending of these compounds in different proportions to Glossina pallidipes and Glossina m. morsitans in the laboratory, followed by field studies with G. pallidipes. A three-component blend comprised of ε -nonalactone, nonanoic acid and 2-nonanone in 1:3:2 proportion gave 235% higher tsetse fly catches in the field compared with that of POCA and FCU. Thus, dispensing this odor blend in tsetse fly traps or insecticide treated targets is expected to suppress the tsetse flies more efficiently. It will also be interesting to see if the blend is similarly attractive to other savannah tsetse fly species.

Magnolia Flower is a crude drug used for the treatment of headaches, toothaches, and nasal congestion. Here, we focused on Magnolia kobus, one of the botanical origins of Magnolia Flower, and collected the flower parts at different growth stages to compare chemical compositions and investigate potential inhibitory activities against interleukin-2 (IL-2) production in murine splenic T cells. After determining the structures, we examined the inhibitory effects of the constituents of the bud, the medicinal part of the crude drug, against IL-2 production. We first extracted the flower parts of M. kobus from the bud to fallen bloom stages and analysed the chemical compositions to identify the constituents characteristic to the buds. We found that the inhibitory activity of the buds against IL-2 production was more potent than that of the blooms. We isolated two known compounds, tiliroside (1) and syringin (2), characteristic to the buds from the methanol (MeOH) extract of Magnolia Flower. Moreover, we examined the inhibitory activities of both compounds against IL-2 production and found that tiliroside (1) but not syringin (2), showed strong inhibitory activity against IL-2 production and inhibited its mRNA expression. Thus, our strategy to examine the relationship between chemical compositions and biological activities during plant maturation could not only contribute to the scientific evaluation of medicinal parts of crude drugs but also assist in identifying biologically active constituents that have not yet been reported.

Kobus Marais is a force of nature. He doesn’t write: he storms. The intensity of his passions stirs up gale-force eddies that blow readers hither and yon. I find his work enormously exciting, perha...

Many terrestrial mammalian migrations are disappearing before they are documented. The Boma-Jonglei ecosystem in South Sudan, one of the world’s poorest and most conflicted countries, contains some of the largest, longest, and least studied ungulate migrations. A rapidly increasing human population, ongoing armed conflict, and looming oil development, however, threatens the migration of 800,000 white-eared kob (Kobus kob leucotis) and 160,000 tiang (Damaliscus lunatus tiang) in this system. To document these migrations and identify potential conflicts, we examined the movements of ungulates in the Boma-Jonglei ecosystem using data from 14 collared individuals (12 kob, 2 tiang). We identified two separate dry season ranges of kob; from each, kob initiated migration with the onset of the rainy season, and migrated to a shared rainy season range also shared by the tiang. The maximum straight-line distance between telemetry locations of kob (399 km) and tiang (298 km) on their dry and rainy season ranges indicated these migrations were among the longest in Africa. The kob range was 68,805 km2, 29% of which was within national parks and 72% within leased oil concessions (54–83% of parks overlap with potential oil concessions). The range of the tiang (35,992 km2) occurred almost entirely (> 99%) within land leased to oil companies. Because disruption or elimination of these migrations will inevitably lead to significant population reductions, maintenance of the migration routes we identified through additional protection measures are essential to conserve one of the largest ungulate aggregations in the world.

Alkaloids are basic nitrogen-containing chemicals that have important physiological and pharmacological characteristics. Many vascular plant species contain alkaloids, and their roles in planta are of interest. However, the detailed distribution of alkaloids remains unclear because of their low water solubility and low concentrations in plants. In this study, we visualized the distribution of salicifoline, a water-soluble quaternary ammonium alkaloid, in the freeze-fixed stems of Magnolia kobus by cryo time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry. Most of the salicifoline was distributed in living phloem tissues. In the xylem, salicifoline was detected in ray cells, lignifying wood fibres, and in vessels in the latest annual ring. The salicifoline distribution in the xylem varied with the cell wall formation stage. These results provide new insights into the storage, transportation, and role of the alkaloid salicifoline in M. kobus.

In West Africa, whether in forests or savannahs, most of the large mammal species have a scattered spatial distribution. Monitoring their population size represents a logistic, financial, theoretical challenge because counting of transects is not appropriate, unlike elsewhere in Africa. In this study, we (i) analyse the patterns of interannual (2006–2008) changes in population density of seven sympatric species of savannah herbivores in a protected area of Burkina Faso with two alternative methods: dung counts versus direct counts and (ii) quantify the economic costs for these two methods. The seven species of mammals we considered are the following: Hippotragus equinus, Alcelaphus busephalus, Sylvicapra grimmia, Tragelaphus scriptus, Ourebia ourebi, Kobus ellipsiprymnus and Phacochoerus africanus. A distance methodology was used to generate estimates with both methods. There were significant correlations between estimates of mammal density obtained using dung counts and direct counts, and an analysis of covariance revealed that the interannual trends in population densities were consistently detected with both methods. In addition, the dung count method costs 55% less. Thus, our study documents that dung counts can be used as a proxy of population size fluctuations for the seven studied species, offering a methodological alternative that is much less expensive, less sophisticated in terms of equipment compared to other methods and that can be performed by field staff with moderate professional qualification. We suggest that standardized campaigns of dung count surveys may be applied to all protected areas and savannah in Burkina Faso, West Africa, in order to improve evidence-based, large-scale conservation and management planning in the region.

Ruminants have been classified as having a ‘moose-type’ or ‘cattle-type’ digestive physiology. ‘Cattle-type’ ruminants have a clear difference in the mean retention time (MRT) of fluid vs. small particles in the reticulorumen (RR), with a high ‘selectivity factor’ (SF=MRTparticle/ MRTfluid,>1.80), and are typically grazers and intermediate feeders. ‘Moose-type’ ruminants have lower SF (< 1.80), possibly because of defensive salivary proteins that constrain amounts of (high-viscosity) saliva, and are typically restricted to browsing. To further contribute to testing this physiology-diet correlation, we performed 55 individual passage measurements in 4/6 species that have/have not been investigated previously, respectively. Co-EDTA was used as a solute (fluid) and Cr-mordanted hay particles (< 2 mm) as particle markers. Results are related to the percentage of grass in the natural diet taken from the literature. Moose (Alces alces, n=4 on 4 to 5 diets each and n=2 on a single diet, 5% grass, SF 1.46 ± 0.22) and giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis, n=3 on 3 to 5 diets each, 1%, 1.42 ± 0.23) as classical ‘moose-type’, and cattle (Bos taurus, n=2, 70%, 2.04) as classical ‘cattle-type’ ruminants yielded results similar to those previously published, as did waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus, n=5, 84%, 2.46 ± 0.49), corroborating that the SF represents, to a large extent, a species-specific characteristic. Results in oryx (Oryx leucoryx, n=1, 75%, 2.60) and sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekii, n=4, 68%, 1.81 ± 0.21) correspond to the concept of ‘cattletype’ ruminants being grazers or intermediate feeders. However, European bison (Bison bonasus, n=1, 10%, 2.74), nyala (T. angasii, n=6, 20%, 1.95 ± 0.25), bongo (T. eurycerus, n=3, 13%, 2.39 ± 0.54) and gerenuk (Litocranius walleri, n=1, 0%, 2.25) appear as ‘cattle-type’ ruminants, yet have a browse-dominated diet. While the results do not challenge the view that a ‘moose-type’ digestive physiology is an adaptation to browse diets, they indicate that it may not be the only adaptation that enables ruminants to use browse. Apparently, a ‘cattletype’ digestive physiology with a high SF does not necessarily preclude a browsing diet niche. High-SF browsers might have the benefit of an increased harvest of RR microbiota and grit removal prior to rumination; how they defend themselves against secondary plant compounds in browse remains to be investigated.

How do large-mammal communities reassemble after being pushed to the brink of extinction? Few data are available to answer this question, as it is rarely possible to document both the decline and recovery of wildlife populations. Here we present the first in-depth quantitative account of war-induced collapse and postwar recovery in a diverse assemblage of large herbivores. In Mozambique’s Gorongosa National Park, we assembled data from 15 aerial wildlife counts conducted before (1968–1972) and after (1994–2018) the Mozambican Civil War (1977–1992). Pre-war total biomass density exceeded 9,000 kg km-2, but populations declined by >90% during the war. Since 1994, total biomass has substantially recovered, but species composition has shifted dramatically. Formerly dominant large herbivores—including elephant (Loxodonta africana), hippo (Hippopotamus amphibius), buffalo (Syncerus caffer), zebra (Equus quagga), and wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus)—are now outnumbered by waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) and other small to mid-sized antelopes. Waterbuck abundance has increased by an order of magnitude, with >55,000 individuals accounting for >74% of large-herbivore biomass in 2018. By contrast, elephant, hippo, and buffalo, which totaled 89% of pre-war biomass, now comprise just 23%. These trends mostly reflect natural population growth following the resumption of protection under the Gorongosa Restoration Project; reintroductions (465 animals of 7 species) accounted for a comparatively small fraction of the total numerical increase. Waterbuck are growing logistically, apparently as-yet unchecked by interspecific competition or predation (apex-carnivore abundance has been low throughout the post-war interval), suggesting a community still in flux. Most other herbivore populations have increased post-war, albeit at differing rates. Armed conflict remains a poorly understood driver of ecological change; our results demonstrate the potential for rapid post-war recovery of large-herbivore biomass, given sound protected-area management, but also suggest that restoration of community structure takes longer and may require active intervention.

Sympatric occurrence of puku (Kobus vardonii) and impala (Aepyceros melampus) characterises large parts of the protected areas in Zambia. The present study assessed traits of the populations as well as spatial and dietary overlap of both antelopes in Kafue National Park and adjacent Game Management Areas in western Zambia. Data were collected via distance sampling along line transects (population and distribution) and via microhistological analyses of dung (diet). Hunting activities might result in fewer males in both antelopes in the Game-Management areas. During the cool dry season there was considerable spatial overlap between puku and impala. However, puku are more abundant in grassland areas, while impala reach highest population densities in intermediate habitats. The diet of puku was characterised by high amounts of grasses during both the cool dry season and the late rainy season. Impala shifted from browsing during the cool dry season to a more grazing diet during the rainy season. This study found niche partitioning via habitat and diet as a key to understand the coexistence of these antelopes and improves our knowledge of Zambian Wildlife.

Similar to declines in antelope species across African conservation areas, sable (Hippotragus niger) at Kgaswane Mountain Reserve, South Africa, has exhibited a negative trend in abundance since 2000. To investigate the cause of decline, we assessed three hypotheses: seasonal forage abundance, habitat conditions and interspecific competition. We considered the evidence for each hypothesis by analysing reserve survey data, rainfall records and historical burn data with hierarchical models that incorporated potential density-dependent effects and environmental covariates. After accounting for the effects of sable abundance, we found that sable population growth was most strongly related to the interspecific competition covariates and to waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) count in particular. Also, the strength of the relationship was shaped by the trend in sable numbers and whether the population was before or after peak abundance: the strongest indication of interspecific competition occurred after sable had reached peak abundance. The interaction between abundance of sable and that of potentially competing species emphasizes the importance of accounting for density-dependent processes, and in particular longer-term phases in abundance, when judging the roles of other factors that affect species abundance.

Range extensions to Butler County (Albizia julibrissin Durazz., Maclura pomifera (Raf.) C.K. Schneid., and Magnolia kobus DC.), Mercer County (Bellis perennis L.), Venango County (Lespedeza cuneata (Dum. Cours.) G. Don), and both Allegheny and Lawrence Counties (Arundinaria gigantea (Walter) Muhl.) are reported. All species are nonnative to Pennsylvania, and L. cuneata and A. julibrissin are considered invasive species in the commonwealth. The occurrence of M. kobus from a wet lowland forest in Butler County represents the first naturalized report of the species from the western half of the commonwealth. The reports of A. gigantea from Allegheny and Lawrence Counties are notable because they represent the second known occurrences of naturalized populations in Pennsylvania.

The article reflects the results of the study of history of introduction and acclimatization of species of Magnoliaceaе Juss. family in Volyn and Podillia. The research has identified the individual centres of introduction and sources of seed and planting material. The taxonomic composition of Magnoliaceae family in 18 dendrological facilities and green plantations in Volyn Podillia is described. These objects are as follows: Kamenetz-Podilsk and Kremenets botanical gardens, Lviv National University botanical gardens, Khorostkiv and Hermakivka, Bylokrinitsa dendrological park, Bilche-Zolote, Rayiv and Rivne parks, arboreta of Shatsky forestry college and Kozova school arboretum, rosary of Taras Shevchenko Kremenets Regional Humanitarian-Pedagogical Institute, Lutsk, Kamenetz-Podilsk, Ternopil, Rivne, and Berezhany. Collections of botanical gardens, arboreta, parks, seed banks are a vital guarantee of the preservation of species of magnolias. They are used to study the relicts, their distribution in ornamental horticulture and for repatriation in nature. In Volyn and Podillia the following species grow: Liriodendron tulipifera L., M. kobus DC., M. x loebneri Kache., M. acuminata L., M. officinalis Rehd.et Wils., M. tripetala L., M. salicifolia (Sieb.et Zucc.) Maxim., M. x soulangiana Soul.- Bod., 'Rosea', 'Lennei Alba', 'Alexandrina', M. sieboldii K. Koch., M. virginiana L., M. hypoleuca (Sieb.et Zucc.), M. stellata (Sieb.et Zucc.) Maxim., M. obovata Thumb., M. x kewensis Pearce, M. wilsonii (Finet et Gagnep.) Rehder, M. ashei Weatherby, M. liliflora Desr. The Red List of Plants (IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria) encouraged scientists and supporters of nature conservation to focus on gaining new knowledge on the strategy to protect these species. The research has determined that the greatest number of species is concentrated in the collections of the Botanical Garden of the Ivan Franko Lviv University, Kremenets Botanical Gardens and Khorostkovsky Dendropark. Our scientific research will be used to establish taxonomic composition and research representatives of Magnoliaceae family in all dendrological objects of Volyn Podillia.

A 19-year-old captive male waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) exhibited traumatic pericarditis at necropsy. The animal weighed 182 kg at necropsy and revealed no remarkable findings in external observation. Severe pericardial adhesions with fibrosis, hepato-diaphragmatic adhesions, straw-colored ascites and hepatosplenomegaly were observed upon examining the internal organs. Perforations made by a 12-cm-long sharp-ended bamboo twig were detected in the reticulum, diaphragm, pericardium, lung and liver. Trueperella pyogenes was identified in pericardial fluid. To our knowledge, this is the first documented case of traumatic reticulopericarditis caused by a sharp-ended bamboo twig in a captive waterbuck.

The insecticidal and repellent activities of the floral-derived constituents of Magnolia kobus, i.e., linalool, cinnamyl alcohol and farnesene, were investigated against the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus (Skuse). The main constituents of M. kobus flowers in the early and full-bloom floral stages were obtained using solid phase microextraction (SPME) and analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC–MS). The main compounds were the same at both floral stages, though their content ratios differed significantly. The larvicidal activity of the chemical constituents of the full-bloom floral stage caused higher mortality than did constituents of the early floral stage (48 h LC50 = 20.17 ppm and 36.68 ppm, respectively). Adulticidal activity was determined by a topical application method, but there was no significant difference between the materials. The fumigant activity against adult female Ae. albopictus was high in the early floral stage (48 h LD50 = 0.14 mg/cm3), which appeared to be due to the high linalool content (32.9 %) at this time, and the chemical constituents of this stage showed high repellency. All materials exhibited concentration-dependent activity after 2 h of treatment with N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) as a positive control. In conclusion, application of all M. kobus floral-derived materials described herein either as a mixture or as individual compounds may be useful for managing Asian tiger mosquito, Ae. albopictus, populations.

The impact of abiotic and anthropogenic factors on the distributions of buffalo ( Syncerus caffer ), harte­beest ( Alcelaphus buselaphus ), roan antelope ( Hippotragus equinus ) and waterbuck ( Kobus defassa ) at Mole National Park was assessed by transect survey. Generalized linear mixed effects logistic re­gression was used to model mammal presence/absence as a function of ecological factors. Hartebeest inhabited highlands and avoided floodplains but buffalo and roan avoided floodplains by selecting both lowlands and highlands while waterbuck inhabited lowlands but not necessarily the floodplains. Fire, water availability and anthropogenic activities were limiting factors, which constrained habitat use to make some areas unexplored for foraging. Buffalo, roan and hartebeest did not inhabit areas close to the park’s boundaries. Herbivores need optimal environment almost free of constraints to construct their distribution patterns. Therefore, management should address the problems identified in this study to ensure the herbivores’ redistribution to maximise their use of resources for their effective conservation.

Kobus Moolman prefaces A Book of Rooms with a quote by Georges Perec. The quote details the irrevocability of the past through memory. However, both Perec and Moolman not only recover memory, but are able to do so in great detail, specifically through thorough catalogic descriptions of spaces and objects that surround them in the domestic realm. Analysis of these catalogic descriptions forms the key component of this article. The structure of Moolman’s work, with different rooms used to demarcate different sections, and the significance of objects, further contribute towards his project of recovering the irrevocable. Comparison of Moolman’s project with that of Perec, with reference to Bachelard’s thoughts on the home, serves in the analysis of how the self is related to the concept of a house, with its many rooms in which are stored those things which contribute to an individual’s sense of identity. The generation of narrative via description and cataloguing of these various domestic objects and events is considered, with specific focus given to the ‘bed’ as it plays a significant role in the formation of the self and the recollection of memories.Keywords: Bachelard, catalogic description, domestic sphere, Kobus Moolman, Georges Perec

The well-being of a species fundamentally rests on understanding its biology, home range, and distribution. The highly seasonal distribution of kobs poses conservation and management difficulties, particularly because of the capricious nature of the ever-changing ecological and vegetation dynamics of the ecosystem. Assessing the distribution of kobs and their associated vegetation provides insight into the vulnerability and conservation status of the species. Species distribution and habitat suitability maps were developed and created respectively for the management of kobs in the Shai Hills Resource Reserve. Kob presence data collected was analyzed using the spatial analyst and Hawth's tool in the ArcGIS software where the gradients of kob distribution within the protected area landscape were plotted and mapped. Seven environmental variables including location, land cover/use, slope/elevation, nearness to dams and rivers, temperature, and rainfall were considered to have effect on kob distribution pattern and as such used in the development of species distribution and habitat suitability maps. The results indicated that kobs in the Shai Hills Resource Reserve (SHRR) assume a clumped or contagious distribution pattern where individual kobs are aggregated in patches. Rainfall, temperature, nearness to dams and rivers, slope/elevation, and land cover/use had influence in kob distribution. Of all the cataloged habitats, 86, 13, and 1% were moderately suitable, suitable, and unsuitable, respectively. Long-term survival of species depends on adequately large areas of suitable habitats and opportunities for home range activities between such areas. As such, it is recommended that suitable habitats for kobs be dedicated and designated as conservation areas, especially areas along the western boundary.

In traditional Korean medicine, flower buds of Magnolia kobus DC. plant is widely used for the treatments of various disorders. Hence, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of supercritical carbon dioxide extract (SFE) of M. kobus flower buds on electroencephalographic (EEG) changes of human brain. The extract from the flower buds of M. kobus was obtained by SFE and the yield was 0.27% at 40°C and 400 bar pressure. Subsequently, GC-MS analysis revealed that the major components of the SFE were caryophyllene (19.93%) and α-terpineol (12.49%). A large proportion of the oil was composed in the groups of hydrocarbons (55.09%) and alcohols (31.21%). In addition, fragrance evaluation of extract of M. kobus flower buds showed the characteristics of balsamic, floral, herbal, medicinal, minty, oily and spicy. In EEG study, the data were observed before and during the inhalation of M. kobus fragrance. During the inhalation of M. kobus fragrance, the EEG power spectrum values of absolute th...

The original and carefully grounded vision of Kobus Marais is evident throughout this book-length essay. The work is, in many ways, a personal journey, but at the same time represents an engagement...