Masters Degrees (Botany and Zoology)
Recent Submissions
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Effects of warming on the early establishment of an African savanna tree
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigates the interactive effects of atmospheric warming and the presence of a C4 grass sward on the growth and mortality of establishing savanna tree seedlings (Senegalia nigrescens (Oliv.) ... -
Phylogeographic patterning of three co-distributed forest-dwelling reptile species along the east coast of South Africa
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigates the phylogeographic structure of three co-distributed forest-living reptile species, the Pondo flat gecko (Afroedura pondolia), the forest thread snake (Leptotyphlops sylvicolus) ... -
Assessment of genomic diversity and population sub-structuring of kingklip (Genypterus capensis) off Southern Africa
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Kingklip (Genypterus capensis) represents a valuable marine resource for both South Africa and Namibia. Historical exploitation levels led to substantial declines in abundance, resulting in the species ... -
The impacts of invasive plants on springtail diversity on sub-Antarctic Marion island
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-02)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Invasive species have been intentionally and accidentally introduced globally to both mainland and isolated island ecosystems, with the effects more harmful on islands given their isolation and high ... -
Interspecific and temporal variation of condensed tannins and cyanide concentrations in potential dietary sources of extralimital giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) in the Karoo
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: During 2016 and 2018 four giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) mortalities occurred in the Karoo potentially caused by acute hydrogen cyanide poisoning. Plants have various defence mechanisms to protect ... -
Encapsulating yachts to manage the transfer of marine alien species
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-02)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In marine systems, the introduction and spread of alien species occurs predominantly through shipping, with hull fouling a dominant vector. Vessel fouling is primarily managed through the application of ... -
Polhillia on the brink : taxonomy, ecophysiology and conservation assessment of a highly threatened Cape legume genus
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-02)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Polhillia C.H.Stirt. is a small, highly threatened genus in the mega-diverse Fabaceae. It is poorly known, and thought to include 8 species restricted to Renosterveld remnants in the Greater Cape Floristic ... -
Impacts of invasive birds: assessing the incidence and extent of hybridization between invasive Mallard Ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) and native Yellow-billed Ducks (Anas undulata) in South Africa
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Hybridization with invasive species is a major impact on native congeners, often leading to introgression and the loss of unique genotypes or co-adapted gene complexes. Therefore, hybridization needs ... -
Revisiting chromosomal diversity in Otomys irroratus: meiotic behaviour and mitochondrial divergence
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this study, immunofluorescence allowed the evaluation of meiotic chromosomal behaviour of the vlei rat, Otomys irroratus, a species documented for its karyotypic variability. This species was recently ... -
Risk analysis of alien grasses occurring in South Africa
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-11)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Alien grasses have caused major impacts in their introduced ranges, including transforming natural ecosystems and reducing agricultural yields. This is clearly of concern for South Africa. However, alien ... -
Comparative phylogeography of three anuran species in the Eastern Cape Province forests, South Africa
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Taxa with different degrees of habitat specificity have been known to be susceptible to varying factors imparting fragmentation within forests. Therefore, delimiting their evolutionary history through ... -
Acoustic Spatial Capture-Recapture (aSCR) and the Cryptic Cape Peninsula Moss Frog Arthroleptella lightfooti
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-09)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Quantitative measurements of wildlife populations, such as population density, are quintessential for management and conservation. Acoustic Spatial Capture-recapture (aSCR) is a technique that is used ... -
The hydrological and ecophysiological effects of simulated climate warming on the soil and vegetation of the Nama Karoo
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Climate change is increasingly recognised as threat to individual species performance and survival. Manipulative field experiments, such as warming experiments, are crucial to understanding the potential ... -
Response of different plant functional types to environmental variability on Marion Island : quantifying diurnal patterns over a seasonal cycle using the photochemical reflectance index
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Marion Island forms part of the Prince Edward Island group, situated near the latitude of 47° South. Seasonal and temporal variability in climate on Marion Island has been described as muted, due to the ... -
A hidden world beneath the sand : testing phylogeographic and biogeographic patterns of Southern African sandy beach species
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africa‟s sandy shores are listed as some of the best studied in the world, however, most of these studies have focused on documenting biodiversity and the classification of beach type and there is ... -
Syllidae Grube, 1850 (Annelida) from Southern Africa. A taxonomic update, with a focus on Syllis Lamarck, 1818
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Syllidae is a common polychaete family in South African coastal environments but have not been the focus of research since the publication of a comprehensive polychaete identification guide by Day (1967). ... -
Determining the invasive status of Australian Acacia species in South Africa, and the potential for eradicating species with limited distributions
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: While widespread invasions of Australian acacia species (wattles) have been fairly well documented, very little is known about species that have no substantial commercial value or those that are not ... -
Patterns and processes of alien plant invasions in small urban areas in South Africa : the Berg River catchment as a case study
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Many studies in invasion biology focus on the negative consequences of invasive alien plant species in natural areas. In South Africa, national legislation relating to invasive species focusses mainly on ... -
Optimal sampling and spatiotemporal change in epibenthos at a sub-Antarctic Marine Protected Area
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: There have been notable regional and temporal changes in many biological systems around the Prince Edward Islands (PEI) in the Southern Ocean, but little work has focused on epibenthic assemblages. The ... -
An assessment of invasive predatory marine crabs and the threat they pose along the South African coastline
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Invasions by marine alien species are occurring at an unprecedented rate and are known to negatively impact upon society and biodiversity. Due to the weak regulatory forces exerted by native predators, ...
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