Article
Plant Sciences
Eberhard Fischer, Stefan Abrahamczyk, Norbert Holstein, Steven B. Janssens
Summary: The Albertine Rift in Africa is home to a diverse flora with many endemic species, including the Impatiens genus. Through fieldwork, morphological studies, and molecular data analysis, researchers identified a complex of ten species and a natural hybrid within the Impatiens purpureoviolacea group. Two bird-pollinated species were found to have evolved independently within the clade, which began diversifying in the Pliocene due to mountain uplifting and volcanic activity. Further diversification occurred during the Pleistocene, likely driven by forest cover and connectivity changes caused by climatic fluctuations.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Michael Wandanje Mahero, Katherine M. Pelican, Jacinta M. Waila, Shamilah Namusisi, Innocent B. Rwego, Charles Kajura, Christopher Nyatuna, David R. Boulware, Joel Hartter, Lawrence Mugisha, Cheryl Robertson, Dominic A. Travis
Summary: Diagnosing the causative agent of febrile illness in resource-limited countries is challenging due to the lack of diagnostic infrastructure. This study found that most febrile illnesses are non-malarial and likely zoonotic. The community's perception of illness and associated risk factors is influenced by their livelihood activities. Treatment algorithms should consider social, cultural, and economic contexts, especially in areas with human-animal interaction.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Stefan Abrahamczyk, Michaela Jandova, Zuzana Liblova, Steven B. Janssens, Tomas Dostalek, Norbert Holstein, Eberhard Fischer
Summary: In the species-rich genus Impatiens, natural hybrids are rare despite closely related species often occurring sympatrically. This study found four independent polyploidization events within the complex, as well as various pre- and postzygotic mechanisms potentially preventing hybridization. The investigated mechanisms in combination effectively but not absolutely prevent hybridization in Impatiens and may occur in other genera with sympatric species as well.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Wenping Meng, Jingcheng Ran, Quanhou Dai, Na Tu, Tingjiao Leng, Qingqing Ren
Summary: This study aims to explore the physiological regulation process of lithophytic bryophytes under high calcium environment and provide scientific basis for understanding the maintenance mechanism of karst biodiversity. The results show that lithophytic bryophytes have strong calcium tolerance, and their physiological response to high calcium stress is different from vascular bundle plants.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Liang Xue, James D. Muirhead, Robert Moucha, Lachlan J. M. Wright, Christopher A. Scholz
Summary: Climate cycles play a fundamental role in controlling water and sediment distribution as well as mantle melting across the Earth's surface. The fluctuations in lake level can modulate the timing and rate of mantle melting in continental rift settings covered by deep lakes. This study highlights the importance of water loading for controlling rift processes and reveals the critical links between changing climate, rift evolution, and mantle melting.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Augustin Niringiyimana, Alphonse Nzarora, Jean Claude Twahirwa, Yntze van der Hoek
Summary: In this study, the cavity availability in the high elevation Afromontane forest ecosystems of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda was investigated. The results showed that cavity density, cavity-bearing tree characteristics, the relative importance of fungal decay and excavators, cavity substrates, cavity entrance orientation, and cavity density variation with elevation were all factors related to cavity availability.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
M. Mayle, D. L. Harry
Summary: This study uses the geodynamic code MELT1D to assess the timing and rate of decompression melting in a compositionally heterogeneous mantle during continental rifting. The models predict sequential melting of different compositions, with wet mantle and compositionally fertile mafic components melting first, followed by relatively fertile ultramafic components, and finally ambient lherzolite asthenosphere as lithosphere thinning approaches breakup.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SOLID EARTH
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Shantanu Kundu, Piyumi S. De Alwis, Ah Ran Kim, Soo Rin Lee, Hye-Eun Kang, Yunji Go, Fantong Zealous Gietbong, Arif Wibowo, Hyun-Woo Kim
Summary: In this study, the complete mitogenome of Coptodon camerunensis, an endemic cichlid in Cameroon, was determined, revealing some differences compared to other congener species. Comparative analysis of the mitogenome provides insights into the evolution and adaptation of cichlid species.
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
J. Maximilian Dehling, Ulrich Sinsch
Summary: A comprehensive review of the diversity and distribution of amphibians in Rwanda was conducted to establish an accurate species inventory for effective conservation management. The checklist of amphibian species was compiled based on fieldwork, historical records, and examination of museum specimens. A total of 62 species were recorded, with 22 additional species discussed and excluded due to erroneous records. Diagnostic features, geographic distribution, and habitat preferences were provided for each validated species, along with keys for identification. The establishment of a national red list for amphibians in Rwanda was proposed based on IUCN assessments and field surveys.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Anne Laudisoit, Pierre Huyghe, Jacob Willie, Bienvenu Ndjoku, Tiffany Scholier, Jerome Dz'na, Nikki Tagg, Samantha Maher, Claude Mande, Tara Hoda, Cleveland Hicks Thurston, Pascal Baelo, Oti Kpanyogo, Gustave Ndjango Ngbathe, Guy Crispin Gembu, Joseph Omatoko, Justin Asimonyio Anio, Herwig Leirs, Erik Verheyen
Summary: This paper documents a community of eastern chimpanzees inhabiting forest fragments in eastern DRC, noting variations in chimpanzee numbers and densities in different areas, while highlighting the threat of forest degradation to chimpanzee diversity.
CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Abdullah Aghababaei, Iraj Adollahie-Fard, Marco Antonio Cacador Martins-Ferreira, Farzin Ghaemi, Behnam Rahimi, Reza Moussavi-Harami
Summary: This study analyzes the tectono-stratigraphic evolution of syn-and post-rift sedimentary basins in the eastern Kopeh Dagh Belt of Iran using seismic and age data. The results show that the geometry of the post-rift basins was influenced by the Middle Jurassic rifting stage, which also affected the sedimentation in the Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous.
MARINE AND PETROLEUM GEOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Andrew J. Plumptre, Sam Ayebare, Deo Kujirakwinja, Dan Segan
Summary: The Albertine Rift, one of Africa's most biodiverse regions, is at risk due to habitat loss from agricultural expansion and mining concessions. Conservation efforts should focus on protecting existing protected areas and expanding conservation efforts to cover unprotected areas to ensure the survival of endemic and threatened species.
Article
Forestry
Charles L. Tumuhe, Sylvia Nyamaizi, George Gawaya, Juliet Kiguli
Summary: Incentives play a significant role in influencing farmers to plant trees, with tree seedlings and cash payments being the most effective incentives. Farm tours as incentives were not popular among farmers. The success of incentives depended on land size and farmers' preferences for tree species.
JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
N. Mangold, S. Gupta, O. Gasnault, G. Dromart, J. D. Tarnas, S. F. Sholes, B. Horgan, C. Quantin-Nataf, A. J. Brown, S. Le Mouelic, R. A. Yingst, J. F. Bell, O. Beyssac, T. Bosak, F. Calef, B. L. Ehlmann, K. A. Farley, J. P. Grotzinger, K. Hickman-Lewis, S. Holm-Alwmark, L. C. Kah, J. Martinez-Frias, S. M. McLennan, S. Maurice, J. I. Nunez, A. M. Ollila, P. Pilleri, J. W. Rice, M. Rice, J. I. Simon, D. L. Shuster, K. M. Stack, V. Z. Sun, A. H. Treiman, B. P. Weiss, R. C. Wiens, A. J. Williams, N. R. Williams, K. H. Williford
Summary: Observations from the Perseverance rover on Mars reveal a fan-shaped body of sedimentary rock in Jezero crater, indicating a transition from sustained hydrologic activity in a persistent lake environment to highly energetic short-duration fluvial flows. The presence of inclined strata and boulder conglomerates in the outcrops suggest evidence of deltas advancing into a lake and deposition by episodic high-energy floods.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Brian Emmanuel Guma, Andrew Muwanga, Michael Owor
Summary: The hydrochemistry of the rift margin environments in the Albertine Graben in Uganda was studied to understand the impact of geology and potential chemical contaminants from petroleum development on groundwater resources. The study found that heavy metals exceeded guideline values in both wet and dry seasons, with anthropogenic sources from petroleum development contributing to their presence. The major influencing factors on groundwater chemistry were the weathering of felsic granites and reverse cation exchange, with different dominant ions in groundwater in various groups within the region.
ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCES
(2021)
