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Ms. Liz Archer [TOP]   The effects of the environment and sociality on parasite transmission and MHC selection in common mole-rats (Cryptomys hottentotus hottentotus) larcher@zoology.up.ac.za +27-12-4202539   Research project summmary Parasitic infections can be influenced by many factors, such as the social status of host populations and the surrounding environment. It has been shown that both rainfall patterns and sociality of hosts can affect the abundance and diversity of parasites in a population. Due to the evolutionary arms race that occurs between host and parasite, there has been an increasing amount of research into the selective pressures parasitic infections have on the family of immune genes in vertebrates; the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). This multigene family includes genes coding for proteins that are responsible for recognising infections, thus are thought to be under selective pressures from parasites. However, few have looked at the effects that rainfall patterns and social living has on the host MHC genes as a result of their parasitic infections. I will be looking at common mole-rats (Cryptomys hottentotus hottentotus) from two different populations living in habitats with very different precipitation patterns. From my study on these social rodents I aim to determine: 1) what species of parasites infect the common mole-rat; 2) how the diversity, abundance and prevalence of these parasites are influenced by both colony size and the amount of rainfall; 3) how this in turn influences the MHC genes of the host.

Mr. Michael Barron   Title Utilizing orca whale (Orcinus orca) sign stimuli to deter great white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) barron12345@hotmail.com +27-12-4202539   Research project summmary Motivation: Although shark attacks are a rarity and fatalities even more so, there is always uproar worldwide when such an incident does occur. Sharks are perceived by the public in an very negative way, and so methods such as culling and shark nets are always more popular and perceived as a more effective ways to keep people safe in the water. Between 2005 and 2009 shark nets and drum lines in Kwazulu natal have caught 591 sharks, 201 rays, 60 turtles and 43 dolphins, of which a high percentage die. (kwazulu natal shark board) I believe there could be alternatives that are more sustainable, non-lethal and use a more selective method for human protection from sharks along populated beaches. Objectives: The idea behind this research project is to find more effective methods to reduce shark and human conflicts and ultimately make people safer from sharks and visa versa. To do this, we must find a method to prevent sharks getting too close to highly populated areas of water i.e. busy beaches There are three sub-objectives: 1) To determine the water conditions and environmental factors that great white sharks are most likely to mistake potential prey items. 2) To test if great white sharks show signs of avoidance behaviour when acoustic Orca sign stimuli are present. 3) To test if great white sharks show signs of avoidance behaviour when Visual Orca sign stimuli are present.

Cathy Bester   No research project title provided yet. lcbester@zoology.up.ac.za +27-12-4202539   Research project summmary No research project abstract provided yet.

Monica Betts   No research project title provided yet. monica.betts@zoology.up.ac.za +27-12-4202539   Research project summmary No research project abstract provided yet.

Ms. Kemba Butler [TOP]   Neuroendocrinology of induced ovulation in the highveld mole-rat (Cryptomys hottentotus pretoriae) kbbutler@zoology.up.ac.za +27-12-4202539   Research project summmary Ovulation is a complex procedure and its timing is crucial for reproductive success. Females of mammalian species are either categorized as being spontaneous or induced ovulators. While spontaneous ovulators undergo regular ovarian cycles where ovulation is brought about by the spontaneous release of steroid hormones, induced ovulators require copulation for ovulation to occur. Copulation triggers major changes in the activity of certain areas of the brain, and the sequence of events that leads to coital activation of GnRH neurons and ultimately ovulation is poorly understood. My study investigates neuronal activation in the brains of female highveld mole-rats (Cryptomys hottentotus pretoriae) at various time intervals after mating. I am looking at c-fos expression, which is often used as a morphological indicator of cellular activity and can show which areas of the brain are activated by copulation. With double-labeled immunocytochemisty I will also investigate the GnRH and oxytocin neurons that are activated by mating.

Ms. Elize Fourie [TOP]   The influence of predation on endocrinological and behavioural indicators of stress in plains zebra (Equus quagga) cefourie@zoology.up.ac.za +27-12-4202539   Research project summmary Predation comprises multiple levels of effects on prey populations. Risk effects include changes in anti-predator vigilance and habitat use as a result of predator avoidance behaviour. When predators are present, prey may alter their behaviour to lessen their chance of being captured or detected. Plains zebra is one species that may offer insight into the ways in which predation shapes the behaviour of prey. The stress response of animals are the physiological, hormonal and behavioural responses as exhibited by healthy individuals. On the long run stress responses can decrease health and elevate glucocorticoid levels. Chronic long-term stress reduces reproductve behaviour and increases abnormal behaviour, vigilance and aggression. Glucocorticoid secretion is used as a hormonal measure of stress in wild and captive animals. Plains zebra live in stable bands with a single breedings stallion, one to six adult mares and offspring. Their stable social environment may decrease the negative effect of stress. The aim of this study is to fill the gap about the zebra species, giving insight into vigilance levels and behaviour of plains zebra, changing stress levels in this species and the stressors that act as triggers resulting in changing glucocorticoid output. Curriculum Vitae Here is my Curriculum Vitae. Please feel free to download it. Should you have trouble opening it please contact me for assistance. Download my Curriculum Vitae

Mr. CJ Havemann [TOP]   Home Range and Habitat Utilization of Roan Antelope, Hippotragus equinus (Desmarest 1804), in Northern Botswana. cphavemann@zoology.up.ac.za +27-12-4202539   Research project summmary Roan antelope were formerly one of the widest-ranging antelope species in Africa occurring throughout most parts of the northern and southern savannas, from sea level to 2400 m and even penetrating into the adjacent arid zone. Although they appear to be widely distributed throughout Africa, only populations in West Africa appear to be thriving and locally abundant. Over the past decades roan antelope numbers, south of the Zambezi, have been drastically reduced due to poaching, habitat destruction and predation and continue to remain threatened with extinction up until today. Currently, roan populations are confined to surviving in and around protected areas and in other areas that have low densities of people and livestock. Even though the status of roan antelope falls under the category of least concern, they are still considered one of the rare and locally endangered mammal herbivores of southern Africa. This project aims to investigate numerous aspects of roan antelope ecology and will focus on factors such as home range size, seasonal changes in habitat utilization and nutritional status, as well as the influence of predators and other herbivores on the movement patterns of roan antelope. The results will potentially provide valuable information regarding the general ecology and behaviour of this species and will ultimately aid in the successful management and conservation of the species in the future.

Ms. Bridget James [TOP]   Investigation of the impacts on movements, behaviour and habitat use of coastal delphinids in Mossel Bay related to the installation of a desalination plant bsjames@zoology.up.ac.za +27-12-4202539   Research project summmary My MSc study will build on earlier work by Edith Mertz investigating the spatial and temporal habitat use of cetaceans in Mossel Bay (2010). Specifically, this study will investigate the fine scale habitat use of humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) in the Mossel Bay area, before and after the installation of a desalination plant. Humpback dolphins have been listed as near threatened on the IUCN red list and the plumbea-type humpback dolphins found along the South African coast are part of a small population (estimated at less than 500 individuals). Humpback dolphins remain within a few kilometres of the shore in water of depths of 20- 30 metres and typically consume near-shore and estuarine fish. Due to their high utilisation of inshore habitats of various industrialised bays along the South African coast this species, like other coastal delphinids in such areas may be exposed to high levels of pollution. Activities associated with the desalination plant would likely impact the composition of the water in the areas associated with effluent and brine release, while the use of chlorine as a biocide may have a negative impact on marine organisms in these areas. The behaviour and movements of all cetaceans (with a focus on humpback dolphins) will be investigated in relation to desalination plant activities such as pipe flushing and the release of brine and over a longer period, in relation to changes over time from the initialization of activities at the plant. The recent expansion of surveying activities to neighbouring Vlees Bay will allow for a comparison between habitat use of cetacean species at the "impacted" site (Mossel Bay) and the "control" site (Vlees Bay). The study will use two main techniques: (1) the development of a photo-identification catalogue of humpback dolphins in Mossel Bay to investigate residence patterns and abundance of individual dolphins in the bay and (2) shore based tracking of the movements and habitat use of the animals with the use of a surveyor's theodolite. The latter technique has no impact on the movements of the animals and is ideal for generating an accurate representation of the animals’ activities. By comparing before and after data the impact of the construction and regular activities associated with the desalination plant on humpback dolphins can be elucidated by changes in fine scale habitat use of this species. Very little information is known about the habitat preferences and movement patterns of the cetacean species in Mossel Bay, especially that of the vulnerable humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis), thus the impact of a desalination plant on such animals may provide insight into critical habitats for these species and the impacts of anthropogenic factors on their use. Recent Publications 2012 James, B., McIntyre, T., Tosh, C.A., Bornemann, H., Plotz, J., Bester, M.N. (2012) Inter-population differences in diving behaviour of adult male southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina). Polar Biology. 35:1759-1766

Ms. Charlene Janse van Rensburg [TOP]   Genetics of Killer whales at Marion Island cjvrensburg@zoology.up.ac.za +27-12-4202539   Research project summmary Working progress

Ms. Rolanda Julius [TOP]   Dynamics of rodent-borne zoonotic diseases and their resevoir hosts: the case of invasive Rattus in South Africa rsjulius@zoology.up.ac.za +-12-4204315   Research project summmary The dynamics between rodent-borne zoonotic diseases and their resevoir hosts: the case of the invasive Rattus in South Africa

Cornell Kortenhoeven   No research project title provided yet. cornellkortenhoeven@zoology.up.ac.za +27-12-4202539   Research project summmary No research project abstract provided yet.

Nico Lubcker   No research project title provided yet. nlubcker@zoology.up.ac.za +27-12-4202539   Research project summmary No research project abstract provided yet. Curriculum Vitae Here is my Curriculum Vitae. Please feel free to download it. Should you have trouble opening it please contact me for assistance. Download my Curriculum Vitae

Mr. David Marneweck [TOP]   Behavioural and endocrine correlates to mating system in the aardwolf davidmarneweck@gmail.com +27-12-4202539   Research project summmary Aardwolf are an understudied species in many regards, one being their social organisation to one another. In this study, we are aiming to try and understand certain aspects of their sociality via studying their spatial organisation, behavioural (scent marking) and endocrine (stress hormone) correlates and relating this to their social structure. These aspects of aardwolves will be studied on Benfontein Game Reserve in order to try and further our understanding of this relatively unknown species. Recent Publications 2013 Marneweck, D.G., Ganswindt, A., Rhodes, S., Bellem, A., Bryant, J., Wielebnowski, N., Dalerum, F. (2013) Reproductive endocrinology of zoo-housed aardwolves. Acta Theriologica. 58:223-232 2012 Kotze, R., Bennett, N., Cameron, E.Z., de Vries, J.L., Marneweck, D.G., Pirk, C.W.W., Dalerum, F. (2012) Temporal patterns of den use suggest polygamous mating patterns in an obligate monogamous mammal. Animal Behaviour. 84:1573-1578

Mr. Moleseng Claude Moshobane [TOP]   Inter-population craniometrics of Subantarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus tropicalis) mcmoshobane@zoology.up.ac.za +27-78-5168933   Research project summmary No Abstract yet

Mr. Martin Postma [TOP]   Photogrammetry as a tool for body condition assessment in southern elephant seals martinbpostma@gmail.com +27-12-4202539   Research project summmary Southern elephant seals are extreme capital breeders, with the body condition of mothers directly translating to the condition of their offspring. Body mass is an accurate measure of condition in this species, and future survival is dependent upon mass at critical phases of the lifecycle. Southern elephant seals come to land to breed, moult and winter, but spend approximately 70 to 80% of their lifetimes feeding in the pelagic environment. Assessment of mass gain and loss over temporal scales, dependent on life cycle stage, has been difficult in the past due to the size of the species. Photogrammetry has proven to be a successful and accurate tool for elephant seal body mass estimation. The objective of the current project will be to use photogrammetrically assessed body mass of southern elephant seals, over time, to assess foraging success and fasting mass loss. These findings will then be used in combination with mark-recapture data to elucidate survivorship as related to body mass. Recent Publications 2011 Bester, M.N., de Bruyn, P.J.N., Oosthuizen, W.C., Tosh, C.A., McIntyre, T., Reisinger, R.R., Postma, M., van der Merwe, D.S., Wege, M. (2011) The Marine Mammal Programme at the Prince Edward Islands: 38 years of research. African Journal of Marine Science. 33(3):511-521 McIntyre, T., Postma, M., Wege, M., van der Merwe, D.S., Bester, M.N. (2011) Hitchhiking goose barnacles and their potential implications on the functioning of animal-borne intruments. South African Journal of Wildlife Research. 41(2):218-223 Wege, M., Bester, M.N., van der Merwe, D.S., Postma, M. (2011) Oedipus complex in an Antarctic fur seal pup? Journal of Ethology. 29:505-507 Postma, M., Wege, M., Bester, M.N., van der Merwe, D.S., de Bruyn, P.J.N. (2011) Inshore occurrence of southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) at Subantarctic Marion Island. African Zoology. 46(1):188-193 2010 de Bruyn, P.J.N., Cameron, E.Z., Tosh, C.A., Oosthuizen, W.C., Reisinger, R.R., Mufanadzo, N.T., Phalanndwa, M.V., Postma, M., Wege, M., van der Merwe, D.S., Bester, M.N. (2010) Prevalence of allosuckling behaviour in Subantarctic fur seal pups. Mammalian Biology. 75:555-560

Mr. Andre Prins [TOP]   What makes a good helper? A behavioural study of cooperation in Damaraland mole-rats (Fukomys damarensis). aprins@zoology.up.ac.za +27-72-5627758   Research project summmary Since wild Damaraland mole-rats live in underground burrow systems, it is difficult to observe and describe their behaviour. I am studying the behaviour of these animals as well as their responses to changes in social structure (such as removal or addition of individuals) and external stimuli, while housing them in purpose-built tunnel systems.

Mrs. Tracy Rehse [TOP]   An assessment of demographic parameters of African rhinoceros species (Ceratotherium simum and Diceros bicornis) and their significance to management in captivity. tracy@nzg.ac.za +27-12-3283265   Research project summmary To be advised

Mr. Josh Sarli [TOP]   Seasonal Reproductive Cycle and Parasite Burden of Two Small Mammals from Saudi Arabia. sarlij@zoology.up.ac.za +27-12-4202539   Research project summmary N/A

Ms. Lauren Stansfield [TOP]   The diet of Subantarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus tropicalis) at the Tristan da Cunha and Prince Edward Islands ljstansfield@zoology.up.ac.za +27-12-4202539   Research project summmary This study forms part of a long term study running at The Prince Edward Islands and will help answer questions related to the population ecology of pinnipeds. Scats from lactating Subantarctic fur seals will give a better understanding of the diet of these seals on a seasonal and annual basis. This data can then be compared to the sympatric Antarctic fur seal species to find ways of preserving top foraging areas of both species.

Mr. Derek van der Merwe [TOP]   Temporal social affiliations at haul-out sites for southern elephant seals at Marion Island dsvdmerwe@zoology.up.ac.za +27-12-4202539   Research project summmary In classical models of population social structure, individuals mix and mate randomly within populations. However, non-random distribution of individuals with respect to their degree of gregariousness and relatedness could clearly influence the social structure of aggregations. Such non-random social aggregations would permit avoidance of, for example, incest or inbreeding, or the success/failure of breeding attempts in co-operative systems. In some seal species, such as southern elephant seals, Mirounga leonina, individuals associate in large polygynous assemblies for short periods of time. While several studies have addressed questions pertaining to site fidelity and geographical philopatry in the species, none have attempted to assess the temporal association between individuals when hauled out. Southern elephant seal breeding and mating patterns are cyclic and females commence with their first breeding attempt between the ages of 2 and 6 years while males, although sexually mature at age ~ 4, become socially mature after age 7. Females give birth to a single pup about a week after hauling out and wean the pup in 3 weeks. The harem master mates with the cow at approximately the time of weaning of her pup, after which she departs to sea. Southern elephant seals undergo two, sometimes three, fasting (terrestrial) periods during the course of one year, namely in the breeding, moulting and winter haul-outs. It is during these terrestrial phases that a finite number of haul-out locations at Marion Island are populated by elephant seals, thereby forming small to large assemblies. The objective of this project will be to assess if the haul-out pattern of uniquely identifiable individuals is random, or non-random when compared to the haul-out patterns of other known individuals. That is, do animals choose conspecifics they associate with while hauled out, or are the observed assemblies merely a random association? Recent Publications 2011 Bester, M.N., de Bruyn, P.J.N., Oosthuizen, W.C., Tosh, C.A., McIntyre, T., Reisinger, R.R., Postma, M., van der Merwe, D.S., Wege, M. (2011) The Marine Mammal Programme at the Prince Edward Islands: 38 years of research. African Journal of Marine Science. 33(3):511-521 McIntyre, T., Postma, M., Wege, M., van der Merwe, D.S., Bester, M.N. (2011) Hitchhiking goose barnacles and their potential implications on the functioning of animal-borne intruments. South African Journal of Wildlife Research. 41(2):218-223 Wege, M., Bester, M.N., van der Merwe, D.S., Postma, M. (2011) Oedipus complex in an Antarctic fur seal pup? Journal of Ethology. 29:505-507 Postma, M., Wege, M., Bester, M.N., van der Merwe, D.S., de Bruyn, P.J.N. (2011) Inshore occurrence of southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) at Subantarctic Marion Island. African Zoology. 46(1):188-193 2010 de Bruyn, P.J.N., Cameron, E.Z., Tosh, C.A., Oosthuizen, W.C., Reisinger, R.R., Mufanadzo, N.T., Phalanndwa, M.V., Postma, M., Wege, M., van der Merwe, D.S., Bester, M.N. (2010) Prevalence of allosuckling behaviour in Subantarctic fur seal pups. Mammalian Biology. 75:555-560

Ms. Mia Wege [TOP]   Foraging ecology of fur seals (Arctocephalus spp.) at Marion Island mwege@zoology.up.ac.za +27-72-1479259   Research project summmary Maternal strategies in otariid seals, a suite of traits related to the rearing of young, in particular short term options (i.e. those associated with rearing a single pup to weaning) with its implications for pup growth and survival, respond with a short lag time to environmental change such as change in food availability. Such attendance behaviour, i.e. the pattern in which fur seal females deliver nourishment to their growing young, is divisible into quantitative measures such as the number and duration of visits to shore from birth to weaning, the number and duration of trips to sea, changes in trip duration as a function of the pup's age, as well as foraging behaviour such as spatial and temporal distribution in dive characteristics. Significant variation in measurements of any of the above, between seasons or years within a population, or between populations, may indicate differences in prey distribution and/or relative abundance. The use of miniaturized satellite-linked platform transmitter terminals (PTTs), Global Positioning System (GPS) dataloggers and electronic time-depth recorders (TDRs), directly fixed to the fur seals allows precise determination of their distribution at sea, their foraging behaviour and characterization of their feeding areas. This study uses these technologies to investigate the attendance behaviour and foraging ecology of the female Antarctic and Subantarctic fur seals at Marion Island. Recent Publications 2011 Bester, M.N., de Bruyn, P.J.N., Oosthuizen, W.C., Tosh, C.A., McIntyre, T., Reisinger, R.R., Postma, M., van der Merwe, D.S., Wege, M. (2011) The Marine Mammal Programme at the Prince Edward Islands: 38 years of research. African Journal of Marine Science. 33(3):511-521 McIntyre, T., Postma, M., Wege, M., van der Merwe, D.S., Bester, M.N. (2011) Hitchhiking goose barnacles and their potential implications on the functioning of animal-borne intruments. South African Journal of Wildlife Research. 41(2):218-223 Wege, M., Bester, M.N., van der Merwe, D.S., Postma, M. (2011) Oedipus complex in an Antarctic fur seal pup? Journal of Ethology. 29:505-507 Postma, M., Wege, M., Bester, M.N., van der Merwe, D.S., de Bruyn, P.J.N. (2011) Inshore occurrence of southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) at Subantarctic Marion Island. African Zoology. 46(1):188-193 2010 de Bruyn, P.J.N., Cameron, E.Z., Tosh, C.A., Oosthuizen, W.C., Reisinger, R.R., Mufanadzo, N.T., Phalanndwa, M.V., Postma, M., Wege, M., van der Merwe, D.S., Bester, M.N. (2010) Prevalence of allosuckling behaviour in Subantarctic fur seal pups. Mammalian Biology. 75:555-560