Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Ashleigh L. A. Wiseman, Peter J. Bishop, Oliver E. Demuth, Andrew R. Cuff, Krijn B. Michel, John R. Hutchinson
Summary: This study utilized a three-dimensional computational biomechanical model and X-ray Reconstruction of Moving Morphology technology to investigate the muscle function and motion mechanics of the pelvis and hindlimb of juvenile Nile crocodiles during terrestrial locomotion. The research found differences in muscle leverages and moment-generating capacities in different limb postures during various locomotory behaviors, not fully supporting the hypothesis that optimal poses exist across all behaviors.
JOURNAL OF ANATOMY
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Stephan Woodborne, Hannes Botha, David Huchzermeyer, Jan Myburgh, Grant Hall, Albert Myburgh
Summary: The study uses stable isotope analysis to investigate the diet of wild Nile crocodiles, finding systematic size dependence in diet-to-tissue discrimination factors for different body sizes, which helps assess the diet of wild crocodiles. The results suggest an ontogenic shift in the diet of Nile crocodiles and a dependence on the terrestrial food web.
RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marc S. Humphries, Jan G. Myburgh, Robert Campbell, Archibold Buah-Kwofie, Xander Combrink
Summary: Nile crocodiles at Lake St Lucia in South Africa show significant accumulation of organochlorine pesticides in their fat tissues, with higher concentrations in wild individuals compared to captive ones. The presence of p,p'-DDE, a major metabolite of DDT, was found to be strongly correlated with body length. Differences in residue levels and profiles suggest potential impacts of environmental changes on pesticide exposure in crocodiles.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Beaven Utete
Summary: The survival of Nile crocodiles in Zimbabwe is threatened by various factors, but ranching and trophy hunting have contributed to an increase in crocodile populations. Human encroachment and wetland degradation have led to conflicts between humans and crocodiles, posing a threat to crocodile populations. Effective conservation efforts and cooperation with local communities are crucial for the protection of Nile crocodiles.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Svetlana A. Romanenko, Dmitry Yu Prokopov, Anastasia A. Proskuryakova, Guzel Davletshina, Alexey E. Tupikin, Fumio Kasai, Malcolm A. Ferguson-Smith, Vladimir A. Trifonov
Summary: Tandemly arranged and dispersed repetitive DNA sequences are important elements in vertebrate genomes. Through sequencing and analysis, we identified major tandem repetitive DNAs and LTR retrotransposons in the Nile crocodile genome. These repeats show variability in structure, organization, and distribution.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Kees te Velde, Edwin Peeters, Marc Verdegem, John Beijer
Summary: Increased aquaculture production can improve food security and economic growth in developing countries, but also poses environmental risks. Using a model, we calculated the carrying capacity of aquaculture production in Lake Kariba and its impact on the environment. We also provided recommendations to improve the carrying capacity of the system.
AQUACULTURE ENVIRONMENT INTERACTIONS
(2022)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Albert Myburgh, Jan Myburgh, Johan Steyl, Colleen T. Downs, Hannes Botha, Liam Robinson, Stephan Woodborne
Summary: In this study, the histology and growth patterns of Nile crocodile claws were investigated, revealing similarity to other reptilian claws and an age profile. The study also validated previous dietary reconstruction assumptions using radiocarbon dating. This research contributes to understanding the role of Nile crocodile claws in dietary reconstruction studies and emphasizes the importance of age-related assumptions.
JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Lionel Schilliger, Chawki Najjar, Clement Paillusseau, Camille Francois, Frederic Gandar, Hela Boughdiri, Marc Gansuana
Summary: Pancuronium bromide and its antagonist, neostigmine methylsulfate, have been successfully used in juvenile and subadult saltwater crocodiles, but their applications in larger animals or in Nile crocodiles have never been described. This study trialed a dose recommendation in Nile crocodiles using pancuronium bromide originally established for saltwater crocodiles, and proposed a weight-independent dose for Nile crocodiles with body weight >= 300 kg or total length >= 4.0 m. The new dose recommendation was successfully trialed in 32 Nile crocodiles.
Article
Zoology
Albert Myburgh, Hannes Botha, Xander Combrink, Jan Myburgh, Louis J. Guillette, Grant Hall, Chris Chimimba, Stephan Woodborne
Summary: Unprotected Nile Crocodile populations outside of protected areas in South Africa face threats due to their terrestrial diet, which leads to conflict with humans. Research shows that these crocodiles do not respond to changes in fish populations.
JOURNAL OF HERPETOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Devon M. Viljoen, Edward C. Webb, Jan G. Myburgh, J. Christoff Truter, Jeffrey W. Lang, Albert Myburgh
Summary: The study assessed the ambient temperatures for captive adult Nile crocodiles on a commercial farm in South Africa and developed non-invasive data capture techniques. The findings showed that crocodiles' material selection varied with season, time, and climate conditions, and there was a significant correlation between their back temperatures and positional temperatures.
APPLIED ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ruan Gerber, Hindrik Bouwman, Danny Govender, Mayumi Ishizuka, Yoshinori Ikenaka, Yared B. Yohannes, Nico J. Smit, Victor Wepener
Summary: The study found high levels of organochlorine pesticides, particularly DDTs and chlordanes, in wild crocodiles from the aquatic systems associated with the Kruger National Park. Spatial- and sex-related differences in accumulation patterns of different groups of OCPs were observed. These findings are of ecotoxicological significance and have implications for management.
Review
Developmental Biology
Stephen D. Johnston, John Lever, Robby McLeod, Edward Qualischefski, Monica Madrigal-Valverde, Brett Nixon
Summary: The review discusses the current status of artificial breeding technology in Crocodylia and the future requirements for establishing AI in the saltwater crocodile. It highlights the need for further understanding of anatomy, physiology, and behavior in crocodiles, especially females, as well as the importance of focusing on seasonality and the control of the female's reproductive cycle in future research. The application of assisted breeding technology in the saltwater crocodile industry is likely to drive future productivity and benefit the genetic and reproductive management of endangered captive populations.
REPRODUCTION FERTILITY AND DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marc Humphries, Jan Myburgh, Robert Campbell, Xander Combrink
Summary: Lead exposure is a significant threat to Nile crocodiles at Lake St Lucia in South Africa. Male crocodiles have higher blood lead concentrations compared to females, and blood lead concentrations are correlated with lead concentrations in tail fat tissue. High lead concentrations have severe impacts on crocodile health, leading to anemia and tooth problems.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Austin Leeds, Alex Riley, Megan Terry, Marcus Mazorra, Lindsay Wick, Scott Krug, Kristen Wolfe, Ike Leonard, Andy Daneault, Andrew C. Alba, Angela Miller, Joseph Soltis
Summary: The behavior of animals in zoos and aquariums can be modified through exhibit design, but this study found that adding visual barriers did not reduce aggression in male Nile crocodiles. However, it is the first study to evaluate the relationship between exhibit design and behavior of crocodilians in zoos and aquariums, providing valuable information for future behavioral and welfare studies.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marc Humphries, Noah Benitez-Nelson, Xander Combrink
Summary: This study investigated the accumulation of lead (Pb) and other trace metals in Nile crocodile eggs from Lake St Lucia in South Africa. The study found that lead was present in all eggs, but at relatively low concentrations. The concentrations of metals in eggshells and membranes were poorly correlated with those in egg contents. The results suggest that the commonly used single-egg sampling strategy may not be effective for biomonitoring wild crocodile populations.
ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY
(2022)