Research project summmary

---

Human activity can lead to changes in wildlife behaviour. I aim to investigate the effect of human habitation on spotted hyaenas in Kruger National Park. Using clans with varying levels of human contact I will investigate diferences in diet and activity patterns between clans.


Recent Publications

---

2009

1. Tambling, C.J., Belton, L.E. (2009) Feasibility of Using Proximity Tags to Locate Female Lion Panthera leo Kills. Wildlife Biology. 15(4):435-441

2008

1. Belton, L., Dalerum, F., van Rensburg, B.J. (2008) Factors associated with suni distribution in Tembe Elephant Park, South Africa: implications for management and conservation of a small antelope. African Journal of Ecology. 46:631-636

2007

1. Belton, L., Ball, N., Waterman, J., Bateman, P.W. (2007) Do Cape ground squirrels (Xerus inauris) discriminate between olfactory cues of the faeces of predators versus non-predators?. African Zoology. 42:135-138

Research project summmary

---

The aardwolf is the smallest member of the Hyaenidae family weighing between 8 and 12 kg. These animals feed almost exclusively on snouted harvester termites of the genus Trinervitermes, which means that they are considered to be myrmecophageous. The diet of this hyaenid has been studied previously, but variations in diet have never been compared to variations in home range sizes or variations in prey abundance. With this project I will firstly investigate above ground activity patterns of the main prey species and then look at the effect of the abundances of various prey species on the diet and home range sizes of these animals. I will also be testing and comparing various methods of scat analysis for insectivores. This thesis forms part of a larger project focused on three myrmecophageous mammals, the aardvark (Orycteropus afer), bat-eared fox (Otocyon megalotis) and the aardwolf (Proteles cristatus).


Recent Publications

---

2012

1. 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

2008

1. de Vries, L., Oosthuizen, M.K., Sichilima, A.M., Bennett, N.C. (2008) Circadian rhythms of locomotor activity in Ansell's mole-rat: are mole-rat's clocks ticking? Journal of Zoology. 276:343-349

Recent Presentation

---

Here is my most recent presentation. Please feel free to download it. Should you have trouble opening it please contact me for assistance.

Download my recent presentation



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

Research project summmary

---

This study aims to investigate reproduction, pregnancy and the estrous cycle in the free-living southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) in a nature reserve in Limpopo, South Africa. The first objective is to establish female reproductive hormone profiles, using non-invasive faecal steroid analysis. Further cross-sectional research will focus on environmental influences on reproductive performance. Results will be compared with data from captive individuals. Also, this study seeks to plan and design an estrus induction protocol for the white rhinoceros. If the estrous cycle of a white rhinoceros can be understood better and managed effectively, it starts to provide the framework that will eventually allow a practical model for artificial insemination.

With a bodyweight up to an impressive 3,000 kg, the endangered white rhinoceros is the second most massive land mammal on earth, covering high biological, economic, cultural and recreational values. Its future has become insecure because of horn poaching, and breeding is now considered an important component of its conservation.

However, in captive white rhinoceroses, poor reproduction is a significant problem. Worldwide, many females fail to breed for reasons largely unknown. In contrast, it seems that free-living individuals do not show this phenomenon. To date, there are conflicting reports on ovarian cycle characteristics. The absence of data on free-living, successfully reproducing individuals means an alarming lack of basic reproductive knowledge. The absence of research in this area comes at a time of severe vulnerability in the wild. My project will directly address this problem.

Supervision:
Prof Dr Graeme Martin (University of Western Australia)
Dr Andre Ganswindt (University of Pretoria)
Dr Monique Paris (Institute for Breeding Rare and Endangered African Mammals)
Prof Dr Robert Millar (University of Pretoria)
Dr Linda Penfold (White Oak Conservation Center)

Research project summmary

---

The north-east African mole-rat, Tachyoryctes splendens (Rüppell, 1835) is a subterranean rodent mole-rat belonging to the family Spalacidae within the subfamily Rhizomyinae. They are known to be native to East Africa including Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Somalia and the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) (Schlitter et al. 2008). T. splendens prefers deep and moist soils particularly in areas rich in food such as agricultural fields and small holdings mostly open grassland and upland savannah (Kokiso & Bekele 2008). They are pests not only by feeding but also through their fossorial life style. Their feeding and burrowing behaviour have been reported to destroy crops and affect production by cutting roots, hollowing-out of tubers and consumption of bulbs. This resulted into food insecurity particularly in communities depending on food output from small agriculture holdings where these pests are common. Eradication of these pest mammals is difficult without knowing species-specific occurring in a particular area because farmers and agricultural stakeholders know little on their systematic and biological history. Given that most of species of Tachyoryctes are listed as data deficient despite being widely distributed, the need for molecular studies of the genus is supported by the IUCN (2004, 2005, 2006). This study aims to broaden our knowledge base on the systematics of species synonymised to Tachyoryctes splendens and biological history based on reproduction traits, ecology and epidemiology status to be able to apply biological measures when their population erupt in order to enhance both the food security where are common pests and maintaining their genes for biodiversity conservation.




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

Research project summmary

---

Demography is fundamental to understanding how populations evolve and function, ultimately to impact ecosystems. Fundamentally, ecologists are not interested in whether vital rates such as survival and reproduction vary over time, but how and why they vary. This project examines the influence of stochastic environmental variability on southern elephant seal Mirounga leonina life history strategies and demography.


Recent Publications

---

2012

1. Oosthuizen, W.C., de Bruyn, P.J.N., Bester, M.N. (2012) Unmarked individuals in mark–recapture studies: Comparisons of marked and unmarked southern elephant seals at Marion Island. Austral Ecology. 37:556-568

Research project summmary

---

Coming soon!


Recent Publications

---

2011

1. Reisinger, R.R., de Bruyn, P.J.N., Bester, M.N. (2011) Predatory impact of killer whales on pinniped and penguin populations at the Subantarctic Prince Edward Islands: fact and fiction. Journal of Zoology. 285:1-10
2. Reisinger, R.R., de Bruyn, P.J.N., Tosh, C.A., Oosthuizen, W.C., Mufanadzo, N.T., Bester, M.N. (2011) Prey and seasonal abundance of killer whales at sub-Antarctic Marion Island. African Journal of Marine Science. 33(1):99-105
3. Reisinger, R.R., de Bruyn, P.J.N., Bester, M.N. (2011) Abundance estimates of killer whales at subantarctic Marion Island. Aquatic Biology. 12:177-185

2010

1. 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
2. Reisinger, R.R., Bester, M.N. (2010) Long distance breeding dispersal of a southern elephant seal. Polar Biology. 33:1289-1291
3. Reisinger, R.R., Bester, M.N. (2010) Goose barnacles on seals and a penguin at Gough Island. African Zoology. 45(1):129-132
4. Bester, M.N., Reisinger, R.R. (2010) Vagrant Antarctic fur seals at Gough Island in 2009. Polar Biology. 33:709-711
5. Reisinger, R.R., McIntyre, T., Bester, M.N. (2010) Goose barnacles hitchhike on satellite-tracked southern elephant seals. Polar Biology. 33:561-564
6. Reisinger, R.R., Karczmarski, L. (2010) Population size estimate of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins in the Algoa Bay region, South Africa. Marine Mammal Science. 26(1):86-97

Research project summmary

---

The purpose of the project is to determine the prevalence and genetic diversity of cardioviruses in murid rodents, in order to provide baseline information that will assist in determining the source of infection in the event of spill-over of the virus between the rodent host and other fauna. The first part of the project will consist of a retrospective genetic analysis of the elephant outbreak in relation to field diversity in the murid rodent Mastomys hosts occurring in the same locality. Cardiovirus prevalence and diversity in murids will also be assessed.


Recent Publications

---

2013

1. van Sandwyk, J., Bennett, N.C., Swanepoel, R., Bastos, A.D.S. (2013) Retrospective genetic characterisation of encephalomyocarditis viruses from African elephant and swine recovers two distinct lineages in South Africa. Veterinary Microbiology. 162(1):23-31

2010

1. Faulkes, C.G., Sichilima, A.M., van Sandwyk, J., Lutermann, H., Bennett, N.C. (2010) Control of ovulation in female giant mole-rats Fukomys mechowii (Rodentia: Bathyergidae), and phylogenetic trends within the family. Journal of Zoology. 282:64-74
2. Bennett, N.C., van Sandwyk, J., Lutermann, H. (2010) The pattern of ovulation in Ansell’s mole-rat, Fukomys anselli: phylogenetic or ecological constraints? Journal of Zoology. 281:66-73

2009

1. Taylor, P.J., Maree, S., van Sandwyk, J., Kerbis Peterhans, J.C., Stanley, W.T., Verheyen, E., Kaliba, P., Verheyen, W., Kaleme, P., Bennett, N.C. (2009) Speciation mirrors geomorphology and palaecclimatic history in African laminate-toothed rats (Muridae; Otomyini) of the Otomys denti and O. lacustris species-complexes in the. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 96:913-941

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

Research project summmary

---

The study area is the marine habitat associated with Dyer Island (a 20ha Nature Reserve) 34°41´01´´S, 19°24´55´´E, near Cape Agulhas, Western Cape, South Africa (SA). The cold Benguela system on the Atlantic sides meets the warm Agulhas Indian Ocean at a fluctuating boundary which travels east and west perpendicular to the coastline along the Cape Agulhas region. Cetacean species that depend on these coastal waters include the endangered Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis), southern right whales (Eubalaena australis), humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), Bryde’s whales (Balaenoptera edeni), Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) and common dolphins (Delphinus capensis). Most of these species are listed as either data deficient or vulnerable on the IUCN list. This PhD study is the first of its kind in South Africa. The project implements the combined methods of passive acoustic monitoring (PAM), theodolite tracking and the creation of an archived long term (11yr) database of opportunistic observation data from the DIC whale watching vessel. A Photo-ID catalogue is currently being established based on the boat-based images taken during the whale watching trips. bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) frequently visit the area. The area is exposed to a variety of potentially detrimental human impacts. Collecting data now is important as the area is already impacted by the shark cage diving industry, boat based whale watching, leisure boats, effects of human habitation along local rivers and as a potential site for aquaculture and a nuclear power station. These human impacts could cause permanent changes to the marine environment, especially the cetacean species using these coastal habitats.




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