Comparative gastrointestinal morphology of seven golden mole species (Mammalia: Chrysochloridae) from South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 279 (12) ◽  
pp. 1776-1786 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cassandra Pinheiro ◽  
Michaela L. Venter ◽  
Lauren Sahd ◽  
Gary N. Bronner ◽  
Sanet H. Kotzé
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Golden Mole

scholarly journals Pleistocene golden mole and sand-swimming trace fossils from the Cape coast of South Africa

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Martin G. Lockley ◽  
Charles W. Helm ◽  
Hayley C. Cawthra ◽  
Jan C. De Vynck ◽  
Michael R. Perrin
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Trace Fossils ◽  
Trace Fossil ◽  
South Coast ◽  
Environmental Reconstruction ◽  
Cape Coast ◽  
Southeast Coast ◽  
Show Evidence ◽  
Golden Mole ◽  
Body Fossil

Abstract More than 250 Pleistocene vertebrate trace fossil sites have been identified on the Cape south coast of South Africa in aeolianites and cemented foreshore deposits. These discoveries, representing the epifaunal tracks of animals that moved over these sand substrates, complement traditional body fossil studies, and contribute to palaeo-environmental reconstruction. Not described in detail until now, but also important faunal components, are the infaunal traces of animals that moved within these sandy substrates. Six golden mole burrow trace sites (Family Chrysochloridae) have been identified on the Cape south coast. In addition, three sites, including one on the Cape southeast coast, have been identified that show evidence of sand-swimming, probably by a golden mole with a means of locomotion similar to that of the extant Eremitalpa genus. Such traces have not been described in detail in the global ichnology record, and merit the erection of a new ichnogenus Natatorichnus, with two ichnospecies, N. subarenosa ichnosp. nov and N. sulcatus ichnosp. nov. Care is required in the identification of such traces, and the orientation of the trace fossil surface needs to be determined, to avoid confusion with hatchling turtle tracks. Substantial regional Pleistocene dune environments are inferred from these sand-swimming traces.

scholarly journals Habitat associations of small mammals in the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa

Mammalia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
pp. 144-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felicity Nonsimiso Simelane ◽  
Themb’alilahlwa A.M. Mahlaba ◽  
Julie Teresa Shapiro ◽  
Duncan MacFadyen ◽  
Ara Monadjem
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Habitat Associations ◽  
Riparian Habitat ◽  
Golden Mole ◽  
Rocky Outcrops ◽  
Indigenous Forest

Abstract Mountains provide important habitats for many species and often have high levels of biodiversity and endemism. Habitat associations of terrestrial small mammals were investigated at Wakefield Farm at the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa from July 2015 to January 2016. Sherman live traps were used to capture small mammals on 35 grids in six different habitats. A total of 472 individuals, from 14 species, were recorded, comprising: 10 rodents, three shrews and one golden mole. Species diversity differed across habitats and seasons. The riparian habitat had the highest species richness, diversity and abundance of small mammals. Species composition also differed across habitats with the indigenous forest and rocky outcrops supporting the most distinct assemblages.

Aseasonal reproduction in the Hottentot golden mole,Amblysomus hottentotus(Afrosoricida: Chrysochloridae) from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

2004 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Schoeman ◽  
N. C. Bennett ◽  
M. van der Merwe ◽  
A. S. Schoeman
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Golden Mole

New insights from RADseq data on differentiation in the Hottentot golden mole species complex from South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 143 ◽  
pp. 106667
Author(s):  
Samantha Mynhardt ◽  
Nigel C. Bennett ◽  
Paulette Bloomer
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Species Complex ◽  
Golden Mole

scholarly journals The 100,000–77,000-Year Old Middle Stone Age Micromammal Sequence from Blombos Cave, South Africa: Local Climatic Stability or a Tale of Predator Bias?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Turid Hillestad Nel ◽  
Christopher Stuart Henshilwood
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Middle Stone Age ◽  
Site Formation ◽  
Stone Age ◽  
Tyto Alba ◽  
Winter Rainfall ◽  
Predator Species ◽  
Depositional Processes ◽  
Golden Mole ◽  
Blombos Cave

AbstractIn this paper, we present a case study of the micromammal sequence from Marine Isotope Stage 5 (130,000–71,000 YBP) at Blombos Cave on the southern Cape coast of South Africa. Our analyses of the micromammal assemblage from 100,000 to 76,000 YBP shed light on micromammal taxonomic distributions, local palaeoenvironments, and site formation processes at this renowned Middle Stone Age site. Taphonomic analyses indicate that spotted eagle owls (Bubo africanus) were the main predator species responsible for accumulating the micromammals, but with contributions from barn owls (Tyto alba). In addition, the micromammal bones have been subjected to a range of post-depositional processes, some of which are associated with microbial actions likely resulting from human or animal activities in the cave. We have recorded three species in the archaeological assemblage that do not occur in the Blombos area today. These are the Hottentot golden mole (Amblysomus hottentotus), Duthie’s golden mole (Chlorotalpa duthieae), and Laminate vlei rat (Otomys laminatus). The biodiversity indices based on micromammal species suggest that local vegetation consisted of different habitats that could sustain a diverse small mammal population. During MIS 5c/5b, the diversity of species declined, but there was still a mosaic of vegetation habitats present in the local area. On a larger temporal scale, climate conditions were slightly more humid than at present, and winter rainfall was seemingly greater. The amount of winter rainfall would have been similar to locations currently c. 50–150 km further west of Blombos Cave. However, based on micromammal proxies, there were seemingly no major fluctuations visible in climate or vegetation composition during the entire 24,000-year period. We suggest that the explanation could be multifaceted, two potential factors being predator bias derived from the owls’ preference for generalist micromammal species or an actual reflection of local stable climatic and environmental conditions in the Blombos area.

scholarly journals The Giant Golden Mole

Oryx ◽  
1982 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 232-234
Author(s):  
Walter Poduschka
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
The South ◽  
Forest Habitat ◽  
Golden Mole

The South African giant golden mole has been seen by few people; scientifically it is almost unknown. After two visits to South Africa to look for it, in 1978 and 1980, the author, who is Chairman of the IUCN/SSC Insectivore Group, fears that it may already be extinct in the Transkei through loss of its forest habitat, and that the same fate is to be feared in the Ciskei.

Time and Latitude in South Africa

1972 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 27-38
Author(s):  
J. Hers
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
Astronomical Observations ◽  
Royal Observatory ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Astronomical Determination ◽  
Limited Accuracy ◽  
Better Than

In South Africa the modern outlook towards time may be said to have started in 1948. Both the two major observatories, The Royal Observatory in Cape Town and the Union Observatory (now known as the Republic Observatory) in Johannesburg had, of course, been involved in the astronomical determination of time almost from their inception, and the Johannesburg Observatory has been responsible for the official time of South Africa since 1908. However the pendulum clocks then in use could not be relied on to provide an accuracy better than about 1/10 second, which was of the same order as that of the astronomical observations. It is doubtful if much use was made of even this limited accuracy outside the two observatories, and although there may – occasionally have been a demand for more accurate time, it was certainly not voiced.

Indirect Rule in South Africa

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Myers
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Indirect Rule

Combining Professional Interests and Travel: People to People Citizen Ambassador Program

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 47-54
Author(s):  
Alex Johnson ◽  
Amanda Hitchins
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Communication Disorders ◽  
Social Conditions ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Exchange Program

Abstract This article summarizes a series of trips sponsored by People to People, a professional exchange program. The trips described in this report were led by the first author of this article and include trips to South Africa, Russia, Vietnam and Cambodia, and Israel. Each of these trips included delegations of 25 to 50 speech-language pathologists and audiologists who participated in professional visits to learn of the health, education, and social conditions in each country. Additionally, opportunities to meet with communication disorders professionals, students, and persons with speech, language, or hearing disabilities were included. People to People, partnered with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), provides a meaningful and interesting way to learn and travel with colleagues.

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