Article
Environmental Sciences
Raymond L. Tyohemba, Marc S. Humphries, Michael H. Schleyer, Sean N. Porter
Summary: The accumulation of herbicides in coral reef invertebrates along the Maputaland coast of South Africa has been investigated. It was found that multiple herbicide residues were detected in 95% of the samples, with varying concentrations between species and sites. Soft corals and sponges had higher concentrations, while hard corals had lower concentrations. The study highlights the urgent need to assess the long-term effects of herbicide exposure on coral reef communities.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Jiri Janak, Manfred Uhlig
Summary: This article describes two new species of Erichsonius (Sectophilonthus) discovered in South Africa, namely S. sodwanaensis and S. muellerae. The species are illustrated and distinguished from similar ones.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Qiuping Wang, Kai Huang, Yizheng Li, Yanling Zhang, Lei Yan, Kaihang Xu, Shaoquan Huang, Muhammad Junaid, Jun Wang
Summary: This study investigated the pollution level of microplastics (MPs) in the largest wetland park in South China, the Xijin Wetland Park. The results showed the presence of MPs in both surface water and sediment samples, with 'fiber' being the most abundant shape and '<0.05 mm' as the most common particle size. Nylon fiber, polyester, and polyethylene were the most frequently detected MPs polymers. This study provides baseline data and guidelines for controlling plastic pollution in the Xijin Wetland Park.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mattias Gaglio, Mariano Bresciani, Nicola Ghirardi, Alexandra Nicoleta Muresan, Mattia Lanzoni, Fabio Vincenzi, Giuseppe Castaldelli, Elisa Anna Fano
Summary: This study revealed the important role of Phragmites australis-dominated wetlands in carbon sequestration and storage, but also highlighted the significant decrease in carbon sequestration and storage capacity due to aquatic vegetation loss in recent decades.
Article
Zoology
Qi-Hong Tan, Xiao-Juan Zhou, Jie-Xin Zou
Summary: This study describes two new species of freshwater crab of the genus Potamid Aparapotamon from Yunnan Province, southwest China. Morphological comparisons and molecular analyses reveal distinct differences between the new species and other existing species, bringing the total number of Aparapotamon species to 13.
Article
Zoology
Mao-Rong Cai, Qi-Hong Tan, Jie-Xin Zou
Summary: A new species of freshwater crab of the genus Nanhaipotamon Bott, 1968 was discovered in Longhai County, Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province, China. The species is distinguished by its unique morphological characteristics and supported as new by molecular evidence from mitochondrial genes.
Article
Zoology
Neil Cumberlidge, Katelyn M. Ahles, Savel R. Daniels
Summary: The taxonomy of three species of freshwater crabs from Angola has been revised in this study, with updated diagnoses, illustrations, and distribution maps provided. The conservation status of these three species is also discussed.
Article
Zoology
Zi-Wei Yin
Summary: A new species of Physomerinus, Physomerinus jiulongensis sp. nov., is described from overwintering individuals collected in decomposing wood at Jiulong National Wetland Park in East China. This new species is distinguished from related species by unique sexually dimorphic maxillary palpi, greatly swollen male metafemora, and distinctive genitalia shapes in both sexes. In addition, a key to Physomerinus species in China and the Ryukyu Islands, Japan, as well as a distribution map, are provided.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Welly Qwabe, Toufiek Samaai, Jean M. Harris, Ryan M. Palmer, Sven E. Kerwath
Summary: A dense Ecklonia radiata kelp forest has been discovered in the iSimangaliso marine-protected area in South Africa, extending at least 35 km and reaching a depth of 45-60 m. This is the first confirmation of E. radiata beds in subtropical South Africa, expanding its known range by more than 350 km north. The discovery contributes to our understanding of Laminariales populations in deep tropical and subtropical settings and enhances knowledge of habitat diversity within South Africa's largest coastal MPA.
JOURNAL OF THE MARINE BIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Sameer Kumar Pati, Tejas Thackeray, Swapnil Pawar
Summary: Ghatiana sanguinolenta sp. nov. is a new species of freshwater crab, which is the twelfth species of the gecarcinucid genus Ghatiana and the fifth species of the genus from Karnataka state. It is distinguished from other species by the outwardly curved ultimate article of the male first gonopod and the dark blood-red color in life.
Article
Zoology
Sameer Kumar Pati, Parashuram Prabhu Bajantri, Gopalkrishna Dattatraya Hegde
Summary: A new genus and species of gecarcinucid freshwater crab, Aradhya placida gen. et sp. nov., was discovered in the Central Western Ghats of India. The genus is similar to existing genera such as Arcithelphusa, Cylindrotelphusa, Rajathelphusa, and Pavizham, but it is distinguished by various characteristics including the carapace, epigastric and postorbital cristae, external orbital angle, cervical grooves, third maxilliped, chelipeds, male thoracic sternites/sternopleonal cavity/pleon, male second gonopod, elongated male telson, and stouter ultimate article of the male first gonopod.
Article
Zoology
Neil Cumberlidge, Grace E. Krajenka
Summary: This study focuses on two species of freshwater crabs from Central Africa: Longipotamonautes bolobo n. sp. (from the Democratic Republic of the Congo) and Rotundopotamonautes rwanda n. sp. (from Rwanda). These two taxa are described based on newly identified museum material, providing diagnoses, illustrations, and a distribution map. The conservation status of these species is also discussed.
Article
Zoology
Eric G. Moreno-Juarez, Jose Luis Villalobos, Fernando Alvarez
Summary: This study presents two new genera from two regions in Mexico. Through morphological and molecular analysis, it is found that one of the species was mistakenly placed in the genus Pseudothelphusa, but should actually be classified under a new genus.
Article
Zoology
Sameer Kumar Pati, Parashuram Prabhu Bajantri, Gopalkrishna Dattatraya Hegde
Summary: This paper describes a new species of crab from the Central Western Ghats in Karnataka state, India. The new species can be distinguished from others mainly by its short male sternopleonal cavity and a relatively shorter distal article of the male first gonopod. The diagnosis of Vela is revised to accommodate the new species, and an illustrated identification key is provided for all four species.
Article
Zoology
Hsi-Te Shih, Tohru Naruse, Christoph D. Schubart
Summary: A new species of freshwater crab, Candidiopotamon penglai, was discovered in eastern Taiwan. It is morphologically similar to C. rathbuni from western Taiwan but can be distinguished by the morphology of the male first gonopod (G1) and mitochondrial DNA. The genetic differentiation and morphological differences between the two species within Taiwan are discussed, and a key to the species of Candidiopotamon is provided.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nasreen Peer, Gavin M. Rishworth, Renzo Perissinotto
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2019)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Nasreen Peer, Nelson A. F. Miranda, Renzo Perissinotto
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2019)
Review
Marine & Freshwater Biology
L. Claassens, R. S. K. Barnes, J. Wasserman, S. J. Lamberth, A. F. Miranda, L. van Niekerk, J. B. Adams
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF AQUATIC SCIENCE
(2020)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Nelson A. F. Miranda, Nasreen Peer, Muhd Z. B. Ishak, David J. Marshall
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2019)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ifesinachi Okafor-Yarwood, Nelly I. Kadagi, Nelson A. F. Miranda, Jacqueline Uku, Isa O. Elegbede, Ibukun J. Adewumi
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2020)
Article
Ecology
Mlungele M. Nsikani, Pippin Anderson, Zakher Bouragaoui, Sjirk Geerts, Elise S. Gornish, James G. Kairo, Nasreen Khan, Bonani Madikizela, Kevin Z. Mganga, Phumza Ntshotsho, Ifesinachi Okafor-Yarwood, Kayla M. E. Webster, Nasreen Peer
Summary: The United Nations has declared 2021-2030 as the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration to support global restoration efforts. It is crucial for the success of this decade that Africa, with its significant need and potential for restoration, achieves restoration goals. We argue that African countries should focus on six key areas at a strategic level during this Decade, including effective oversight and governance relevant to Africa, adapting the goals to the African context, making a case for restoration amidst multiple development demands, growing an African restoration community, collaborating to improve outcomes, and establishing an Africa-relevant evidence base for restoration.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Nasreen Peer, Ella-Kari Muhl, Jamila Janna, Michael Brown, Sinegugu Zukulu, Philile Mbatha
Summary: Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in South Africa are highly regarded for their representative coverage of various habitat types and ecological benefits, but the exclusion of coastal communities from the management of these areas is often overlooked. This review examines the legislation and governance that perpetuates community exclusion and offers suggestions for greater community involvement.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Savel R. Daniels, Aaron Barnes, Nasreen Peer, Vincent T. Egan, Ricky Taylor, Robert W. Taylor, Dewidine van der Colff
Summary: This study used photographic observations and specimen data from the iNaturalist citizen science platform to explore the identification, habitat, and distribution of southern African freshwater crabs. The results revealed an overrepresentation of riverine/mountain stream crabs and an underrepresentation of swamp/forest species. The study also identified unsampled areas in South Africa and found that the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal had the highest number of crab records on iNaturalist. Range extensions were observed in four South African species, and a new undescribed crab was also observed on iNaturalist.
JOURNAL OF CRUSTACEAN BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Wilmari Theron, Sershen, Nasreen Peer, Anusha Rajkaran
Summary: This study examined the impact of tree morphology and forest structure on fiddler crab communities in South African mangrove forests. The results showed that mangrove tree structure indirectly influences fiddler crabs at the population level by modulating physicochemical and biological variables.
MARINE AND FRESHWATER RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Nasreen Peer, Gavin Gouws, Lazola Maliwa, Nigel Barker, Paul Juby, Renzo Perissinotto
Summary: A new species of freshwater crab, Potamonautes amathole, is described from South Africa. It is morphologically similar to P. tuerkayi but can be distinguished by differences in the shape of the subterminal segment of gonopod 2. The new species is found in high-altitude mountain streams and pools.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Alison K. S. Wee, Severino G. Salmo, Kannan Sivakumar, Amy Y-H Then, Mohammad Basyuni, Jean Fall, Kazi Ahsan Habib, Yukinobu Isowa, Venus Leopardas, Nasreen Peer, Maria D. Artigas-Ramirez, Kithsiri Ranawana, Itchika Sivaipram, Monica Suleiman, Tadashi Kajita
Summary: Species detection using environmental DNA (eDNA) is a biomonitoring tool that can be widely applied to mangrove restoration and management. eDNA metabarcoding offers a rapid, non-invasive and cost-efficient method for monitoring mangrove biodiversity and characterising the spatio-temporal distribution of multiple taxa simultaneously. However, habitat-specific guidelines for eDNA metabarcoding in mangrove habitats are still lacking.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jaime Johnson, Nasreen Peer, Anusha Rajkaran
Summary: This study is the first to compare microplastic pollution in urban and peri-urban mangrove forests in South Africa. Fibers were found to be the dominant type of microplastics. The research also found that invertebrate species in the mangrove forests showed bioaccumulation of microplastics, but they are not effective biomonitors of microplastic pollution.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Oceanography
Juliana Come, Nasreen Peer, Jose L. Nhamussua, Nelson AF. Miranda, Celia CF. Macamo, Antonio S. Cabral, Horacio Madivadua, Daniel Zacarias, Narciso Junior, Bernadette Snow
Summary: Mangrove ecosystems are important for local communities as they provide various ecosystem services. However, their decline and degradation due to human activities and climate change necessitate protection. This study in Mozambique's Inhambane Bay used biodiversity surveys, interviews, and observation to describe and understand mangrove ecosystems. It highlights the value of local knowledge and community involvement in comprehensive understanding and protection of mangroves. The study identifies areas of mangrove cover increase and disturbance, and emphasizes the importance of community initiatives for law enforcement and restoration in raising awareness and protecting mangroves.
OCEAN & COASTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Review
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Gavin M. Rishworth, Carla Dodd, Renzo Perissinotto, Thomas G. Bornman, Janine B. Adams, Callum R. Anderson, Hayley C. Cawthra, Rosemary A. Dorrington, Hendrik du Toit, Carla Edworthy, Ross-Lynne A. Gibb, Lucienne R. D. Human, Eric W. Isemonger, Daniel A. Lemley, Nelson A. F. Miranda, Nasreen Peer, Jacqueline L. Raw, Alan M. Smith, Paul-Pierre Steyn, Nadine A. Strydom, Peter R. Teske, Shaun Welman
EARTH-SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2020)
