Article
Fisheries
Qinghuan Zhu, Rui Wu, Yoshio Masuda, Yutaro Takahashi, Kyu Okabe, Koji Koizumi, Atsuko Iida, Satoshi Katayama
Summary: In this study, larval and juvenile Japanese anchovy were collected from five coastal waters off the Pacific coast of Japan in 2020 and 2021. The results showed that the spawning period of Japanese anchovy was related to temperature and chlorophyll-a concentrations, with latitudinal gradient variation among fishing areas. The growth of Japanese anchovy displayed a significant positive allometric pattern, with a quick and accelerating initial stage of growth.
Review
Oceanography
Jorge Flores-Valiente, Christophe Lett, Francois Colas, Laure Pecquerie, Arturo Aguirre-Velarde, Fanny Rioual, Jorge Tam, Arnaud Bertrand, Patricia Ayon, Saidou Sall, Nicolas Barrier, Timothee Brochier
Summary: In the northern Humboldt Current system (NHCS), the impact of environment on the early-life stages of Peruvian anchovy remains challenging. Climate variability modulates currents velocity, temperature and food availability, affecting early-life stages drift, growth and survival. To investigate these impacts, an individual-based model including larval retention processes and a Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) bioenergetic module for larval growth was developed.
PROGRESS IN OCEANOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Karin A. F. Zonneveld, Hendrik Grotheer, Gerard J. M. Versteegh
Summary: The study reveals the production and transport of dinoflagellate cysts in the ocean during active upwelling, highlighting their geographical and ecological significance, as well as their potential impact on marine ecosystems and environmental protection.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Charles W. W. Helm, Andrew S. S. Carr, Hayley C. C. Cawthra, Jan C. C. De Vynck, Mark G. G. Dixon, Pieter-Jan Grabe, Guy H. H. Thesen, Jan A. A. Venter
Summary: The giant Cape zebra (Equus capensis), the largest equid from the Quaternary of Africa, is an extinct large mammal species in southern Africa. The age range of 161 +/- 12 ka to 43 +/- 4 ka has been determined for 26 Pleistocene equid tracksites on the Cape south coast. Many of these sites contain tracks attributed to E. capensis, while smaller equid tracks may belong to the quagga (E. quagga quagga). The abundance of E. capensis tracksites on the Cape south coast contradicts the scarcity of body fossils, indicating that the distribution of E. capensis was not limited to the west coast. Additionally, the loss of suitable habitat in the Palaeo-Agulhas Plain likely played a role in the extinction of this large grazer. The discovery of a long trackway attributed to E. capensis at Driefontein adds to the limited global record of fossil horse trackways.
QUATERNARY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Michael A. Barnes, Kate Turner, Thando Ndarana, Willem A. Landman
Summary: The study analyzed the impact of an intense surface low pressure system and cut-off low that affected the south-western Cape of South Africa in June 2017. The Cape Storm resulted in heavy rains, strong winds, wildfires, storm surge, and large waves, causing loss of life and damage to infrastructure. Analysis from a potential vorticity perspective showed that Rossby wave breaking and high-potential vorticity from the stratosphere influenced the development of the storm.
ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zoleka Filander, Adam N. H. Smith, Hayley C. C. Cawthra, Tarron Lamont
Summary: Submarine canyons and non-canyon areas in South Africa have significant biodiversity, but there are notable differences in benthic patterns between these areas. Although there is no clear pattern for species diversity, canyon areas show higher species richness. This study provides a detailed taxonomic description and analysis of benthic species profiles in the Cape Canyon, contributing to our understanding of its ecological importance.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Zoology
David T. Bilton, William D. Shepard
Summary: A new genus and species of freshwater crayfish from South Africa is described, which exhibits distinctive characteristics and is adapted to an entirely aquatic, benthic lifestyle.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Mary Kinney, Anne-Marie Bergh, Natasha Rhoda, Robert Pattinson, Asha George
Summary: This study seeks to understand why and how a perinatal audit program has sustained practice in South Africa. The results show that integration into routine tasks, clear value-add, individual and collective commitment, and an enabling environment are key factors for sustainability. Additionally, individual and organizational factors that support sustainability, such as trust, credibility, facilitation, and hierarchies, were identified.
Article
Entomology
L. Steyn, H. Geertsema, P. Addison
Summary: The discovery of lepidopteran leaf-mining larvae of Holocacista capensis in the outskirts of Paarl, South Africa in 2012 marked the first record of the species in the region. Subsequent monitoring showed that the moth has since been found on many grape varieties in the country. Morphological characteristics were identified to distinguish between male and female moths, and a seasonal cycle of larvae and adults was established throughout a grapevine growing season. The study aimed to assist in developing management strategies against the pest, highlighting heavily impacted areas in the grape producing regions of Western Cape.
AFRICAN ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jessica Leaver, Johann C. Carstens, Kirsten Wimberger, Kate F. Carstens, Michael Cherry
Summary: The Amathole mistbelt forests in the Eastern Cape, South Africa are the last habitat of the nationally endangered Cape Parrot. However, timber harvesting has impacted the availability of nesting sites for the parrots. The study suggests revising the current selection criteria to protect the parrot's habitat.
BIRD CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Jose C. Sanchez-Garrido, Jerome Fiechter, Kenneth A. Rose, Francisco E. Werner, Enrique N. Curchitser
Summary: The study revisited and analyzed a 50-year historical simulation of a climate-to-fish ecosystem model for anchovy and sardine populations off NW Africa. The analysis revealed that adult abundances of anchovy and sardine were correlated over interannual and decadal time scales, driven by environmental and life stage-specific factors. Changes in anchovy abundance were primarily influenced by larval survival, prey availability, and upwelling strength, while sardine abundance was controlled by age-1 growth and egg production via prey availability. Despite different diet preferences, both populations responded positively to higher plankton biomass and colder ocean temperatures. The study also found potential links between climate variability modes and anchovy and sardine dynamics, with anchovy more connected to the AMO and sardine to the NAO.
FISHERIES OCEANOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Karin A. F. Zonneveld, Julie Meilland, Barbara Donner, Gerard J. M. Versteegh
Summary: This study investigated the production, succession, excystment, and transport of dinoflagellate cysts and planktonic foraminifera in the upper water column during an active upwelling off Cape Blanc in November 2018. The results showed that the highest production of organic dinocysts and foraminifera occurred during active upwelling conditions, with species-specific excystment demonstrated in the upper water column. Additionally, a clear succession of different dinoflagellate and foraminifera species was observed during active upwelling and relaxation periods.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
A. Jenson, A. Rao, P. Mda, B. Cawe, J. Iruedo, T. Dubula, D. Stead, R. Rothman, B. Hansoti
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the incidence and risk factors for mortality in patients with undifferentiated acute infectious illnesses in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa. The findings showed a concerning 30-day mortality rate, with HIV-positive patients having the highest mortality. Factors such as age, HIV status, and qSOFA score were independently associated with mortality in the cohort. Additionally, vital sign assessment for identifying possible sepsis was deemed crucial in affecting mortality outcomes in this low-resource setting.
SAMJ SOUTH AFRICAN MEDICAL JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Ornithology
Jesse Phillips, Katrin Ludynia, Lauren J. Waller, Peter J. Barham, Andile Mdluli, Romy Klusener, Gavin W. Maneveldt
Summary: The population of the endangered Cape Cormorant has decreased by more than half in the past 30 years. In January 2021, nearly 2,000 abandoned Cape Cormorant chicks were rescued and rehabilitated by SANCCOB in South Africa, with 53.7% of them successfully released back into breeding colonies.
Article
Water Resources
Dylan Seaton, Timothy Dube
Summary: This study focused on monitoring river water availability in the N-PR system of the Tankwa River in South Africa, using Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 satellite data. Image processing and index calculations led to satisfactory results, highlighting the potential of new-generation Sentinel data to accurately estimate river length and water resource distribution, offering new insights into the dynamics of N-PRs.
