scholarly journals Effects of hunting camps on breeding grey-necked picathartes Picathartes oreas in south-east Nigeria

Oryx ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 460-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fidelis Akunke Atuo ◽  
Samuel T. Ivande ◽  
Zingfa Wala ◽  
Timothy J. O'Connell
Keyword(s):  
Threatened Species ◽  
Wildlife Conservation ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Conservation Education ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
Cross River ◽  
Species Of Conservation Concern ◽  
Strict Enforcement ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Conservation Concern

AbstractThe dependence of forest communities on bushmeat as a source of protein and income is a challenge to wildlife conservation in Sub-Saharan Africa. We investigated the use of caves and overhanging rocks as hunting camps and the consequences for breeding grey-necked picathartes Picathartes oreas in the forests of Cross River in south-east Nigeria. We recorded 84 nesting colonies during guided and random searches. We found 14 (16.7%) breeding sites that had been used as hunting camps, with evidence including fire stands, sleeping spots, cooking utensils and drying racks. Fire stands were the most frequently recorded evidence of camping and were found in 11 of the camps. At the 14 breeding sites only two nesting attempts were made by P. oreas during the survey. Thirty-seven nests (c. 95%) recorded in hunting camps were empty and showed no evidence of ongoing or potential breeding activities, suggesting that the nests may have been abandoned. We attributed the low nesting attempt rate to disturbance caused by hunters, who also affected breeding success through direct removal of eggs and fledglings from nests. We encourage conservation education for the protection of P. oreas and other threatened species in the region and recommend strict enforcement of wildlife laws and disciplinary sanctions. Given the role of the forests of Cross River as a critical habitat for several endemic and threatened species, management efforts targeted at improving the integrity of the forest will benefit grey-necked picathartes and other avian species of conservation concern.

Identifying threatened species in the "south" using new criteria

1998 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 33 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Stattersfield
Keyword(s):  
South America ◽  
Threatened Species ◽  
Pacific Islands ◽  
Numerical Data ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Conservation Action ◽  
Red Lists ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
New Criteria ◽  
Clear Objective

The first application of the new IUCN threatened species categories to birds is reviewed. The advantage of this system is that it is characterized by clear, objective, quantitative criteria. However, for many species, requisite numerical data are lacking, and the magnitude of potential threats has to be inferred. Numbers of threatened species are compared for South America, sub-Saharan Africa, and Indo-Pacific Islands. Further analysis identifies the most important countries in terms of priority for conservation action for threatened species, the key habitats for their survival and the main dangers faced. The changes between successive Red Lists indicate a possible extinction crisis of considerable magnitude, whereby half the world's birds could disappear in 800 years. Averting this crisis requires identifying and protecting sites where suites of threatened species co-occur.

scholarly journals Negotiating an ecological barrier: crossing the Sahara in relation to winds by common swifts

2016 ◽  
Vol 371 (1704) ◽  
pp. 20150393 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne Åkesson ◽  
Giuseppe Bianco ◽  
Anders Hedenström
Keyword(s):  
Arabian Peninsula ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
Western Sahara ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Ultimate Explanation ◽  
Wintering Areas ◽  
Central Route ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Alternative Routes

The Sahara Desert is one of the largest land-based barriers on the Earth, crossed twice each year by billions of birds on migration. Here we investigate how common swifts migrating between breeding sites in Sweden and wintering areas in sub-Saharan Africa perform the desert crossing with respect to route choice, winds, timing and speed of migration by analysing 72 geolocator tracks recording migration. The swifts cross western Sahara on a broad front in autumn, while in spring they seem to use three alternative routes across the Sahara, a western, a central and an eastern route across the Arabian Peninsula, with most birds using the western route. The swifts show slower migration and travel speeds, and make longer detours with more stops in autumn compared with spring. In spring, the stopover period in West Africa coincided with mostly favourable winds, but birds remained in the area, suggesting fuelling. The western route provided more tailwind assistance compared with the central route for our tracked swifts in spring, but not in autumn. The ultimate explanation for the evolution of a preferred western route is presumably a combination of matching rich foraging conditions (swarming insects) and favourable winds enabling fast spring migration. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Moving in a moving medium: new perspectives on flight’.

scholarly journals Expanding the conservation genomics toolbox: incorporating structural variants to enhance genomic studies for species of conservation concern

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Wold ◽  
Klaus-Peter Koepfli ◽  
Stephanie Galla ◽  
Carolyn J. Hogg ◽  
David Eccles ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Threatened Species ◽  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Genomic Variation ◽  
Functional Genomic ◽  
Structural Variants ◽  
Conservation Genomics ◽  
Species Of Conservation Concern ◽  
Genomic Studies ◽  
Conservation Concern ◽  
Large Rearrangements

Structural variants (SVs) are large rearrangements (> 50 bp) within the genome that impact gene function and the content and structure of chromosomes. As a result, SVs are a significant source of functional genomic variation, i.e. variation at genomic regions underpinning phenotype differences, that can have large effects on individual and population fitness. While there are increasing opportunities to investigate functional genomic variation in threatened species via single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) datasets, SVs remain understudied despite their potential influence on fitness traits of conservation interest. In this future-focused Opinion, we contend that characterizing SVs offers the conservation genomics community an exciting opportunity to complement SNP-based approaches to enhance species recovery. We also leverage the existing literature–predominantly in human health, agriculture and eco-evolutionary biology–to identify approaches for readily characterizing SVs and consider how integrating these into the conservation genomics toolbox may transform the way we manage some of the world’s most threatened species.

scholarly journals Nest success and conservation status of the Blue Swallow Hirundo atrocaerulea in Swaziland

2006 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 187-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
ARA MONADJEM ◽  
RICHARD C. BOYCOTT ◽  
KIM ROQUES ◽  
RAY GAMA ◽  
DAVID GARCELON
Keyword(s):  
Total Population ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Breeding Habitat ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
Double Brooding ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Timber Plantations

The Blue Swallow Hirundo atrocaerulea is a globally threatened species endemic to sub-Saharan Africa. The total population breeding south of the Limpopo River (i.e. in South Africa and Swaziland) probably numbers around 100 pairs. A significant proportion of these birds breed in Swaziland, but to date little has been published on this population. Suitable breeding habitat has been reduced significantly in the country in recent decades, due mostly to afforestation with exotic timber plantations, with urbanization playing a lesser role. In Swaziland, breeding sites are restricted to grasslands above 1,200 m, but mostly above 1,300 m. Timing of egg laying is bimodal indicating double brooding. The number of nests initiated in a season is weakly correlated with rainfall in preceding months. Nests were built predominantly in disused antbear Orycteropus afer burrows, with smaller numbers in natural sinkholes. Mean clutch size was 2.80, and 61% of eggs laid resulted in fledged offspring. Mean productivity was 1.30 fledglings per pair per nest attempt. These figures suggest that breeding success is not currently being reduced in Swaziland. The minimum total population currently thought to be breeding in Swaziland is 10 pairs, but this is based on intensive studies of only part of the suitable range. It is recommended that a complete survey be conducted covering the entire range of the species in Swaziland.

scholarly journals Validation of a Remote Sensing Model to Identify Simulium damnosum s.l. Breeding Sites in Sub-Saharan Africa

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. e2342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin G. Jacob ◽  
Robert J. Novak ◽  
Laurent D. Toe ◽  
Moussa Sanfo ◽  
Daniel A. Griffith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
Remote Sensing Model ◽  
Simulium Damnosum ◽  
Sensing Model ◽  
Sub Saharan

scholarly journals Stability of the effect of silencing genes involved in the midgut homeostasis on Anopheles arabiensis mosquito reared under different breeding site conditions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serkadis Debalke ◽  
Tibebu Habtewold ◽  
George K. Christophides ◽  
Luc Duchateau
Keyword(s):  
Gene Silencing ◽  
Anopheles Arabiensis ◽  
Breeding Site ◽  
Larval Habitat ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Female Adult ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
First Instar ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Stability

Abstract Background: Malaria vector mosquitoes acquire midgut microbiota primarily from their habitat. The homeostasis of these microbial communities plays an essential role in the mosquito longevity, the most essential factor in the mosquito vectorial capacity. Our recent study revealed that silencing genes involved in regulation of the midgut homeostasis including FN3D1, FN3D3, and GPRGr9 reduced the survival of female adult Anopheles arabiensis mosquito. In the present study, we investigate the stability of the gene silencing efficiency of mosquitoes reared in three different breeding conditions representing distinct larval habitat types: town brick pits in Jimma, flood pools in the rural land of Asendabo and roadside pools in Wolkite. Methods: First instar larvae of An. arabiensis mosquitoes were reared separately using water collected from the three breeding sites. The resulting adult females were micro-injected with dsRNA targeting the FN3D1 gene (AARA003032) and their survival was monitored. Control mosquitoes were injected with dsRNA Lacz. In addition, the load of midgut microbiota of these mosquitoes was determined using flow cytometry.Result: Survival of naïve adult female mosquitoes differed between the three sites. Mosquitoes reared using water collected from brick pits and flood pools survived longer than mosquitoes reared using water collected from roadside. However, the FN3D1 gene silencing effect on survival did not differ between the three sites. Conclusion: The present study revealed that the efficacy of FN3D1 gene silencing is not affected by variation in the larval habitat. Thus, silencing this gene using genetic engineering approaches can have a large potential for application throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

Contributions of partnerships to conservation and development: insights from Amboseli

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tabitha Mugo ◽  
Ingrid J. Visseren-Hamakers ◽  
Rene van der Duim
Keyword(s):  
Wildlife Conservation ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Monetary Incentives ◽  
Sustainable Livelihood ◽  
Conservation And Development ◽  
Land Subdivision ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Development Objectives

For several decades, both academics and practitioners have fiercely debated how to reconcileconservation and development objectives. In Sub-Saharan Africa, efforts to align biodiversityconservation and livelihood goals have triggered a shift from pure protected area approaches toa hybrid scenario, including diverse partnership arrangements, that consider livelihood needsof communities neighboring protected areas. These partnerships often include tourism toprovide income and jobs. The future of the Amboseli landscape in Kenya has been an integralpart of these debates, since it has faced long-lasting conservation and development challenges.Many initiatives, often in the form of partnership arrangements, have tried to address thesechallenges. By using the Sustainable Livelihood Framework (SLF) and a set of indicators tomeasure the contributions to conservation, we examine two of these partnerships - the AmboseliEcosystem Trust (AET) and Big Life Foundation (BLF)- with the aim of understanding theextent to which they contribute to addressing these challenges. Data were collected usingdocument analysis, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, non-participant observation,and informal conversations. Findings show that both AET and BLF have been able to addressdirect drivers of biodiversity loss (such as human wildlife conflicts, poaching, unplannedinfrastructural developments) and - to a much lesser extent - the indirect drivers, such as povertyand land subdivision. Through the workings of both partnerships, more community membershave gained access to specific community capital assets, through employment opportunities andother monetary incentives and education. However, it is not clear if and how the livelihoodbenefits transfer to real and long-term support for wildlife conservation.

scholarly journals Factors Contributing to Urban Malaria Transmission in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prathiba M. De Silva ◽  
John M. Marshall
Keyword(s):  
Malaria Transmission ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Urban Malaria ◽  
Vector Species ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
And Control

Sub-Saharan Africa suffers by far the greatest malaria burden worldwide and is currently undergoing a profound demographic change, with a growing proportion of its population moving to urban areas. Urbanisation is generally expected to reduce malaria transmission; however the disease still persists in African cities, in some cases at higher levels than in nearby rural areas.Objective. This paper aims to collate and analyse risk factors for urban malaria transmission throughout sub-Saharan Africa and to discuss their implications for control.Methods. A systematic search on malaria and urbanisation was carried out focusing on sub-Saharan Africa. Particular interest was taken in vector breeding sites in urban and periurban areas.Results. A variety of urban vector breeding sites were catalogued, the majority of which were artificial, including urban agriculture, tyre tracks, and ditches. Natural breeding sites varied according to location. Low socioeconomic status was a significant risk factor for malaria, often present in peri-urban areas. A worrying trend was seen in the adaptation of malaria vector species to the urban environment. Urban malaria is highly focused and control programs should reflect this.Conclusion. As urbanisation continues and vector species adapt, continued monitoring and control of urban malaria in sub-Saharan Africa is essential.

scholarly journals Water Quality andAnopheles gambiaeLarval Tolerance to Pyrethroids in the Cities of Douala and Yaoundé (Cameroon)

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Billy Tene Fossog ◽  
Edmond Kopya ◽  
Cyrille Ndo ◽  
Benjamin Menze-Djantio ◽  
Carlo Costantini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physicochemical Parameters ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Malaria Vectors ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Insecticide Tolerance ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Kisumu Strain ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Poor Management

The poor management of the urban environment in sub-Saharan Africa is affectingAnopheles gambiaesusceptibility to insecticides. A study was undertaken to assess the influence of breeding sites physicochemical parameters on malaria vectors population tolerance to insecticides. A total of 18, 262 larvae collected from 104 breeding sites were exposed to diagnostic concentrations of permethrin and deltamethrin. Larvae originating from cultivated sites were more tolerant than larvae from polluted or nonpolluted sites. No significant difference was observed between polluted and nonpolluted sites. Field larvae were 142 to 325 times and 6.08 to 9.57 times more tolerant to deltamethrin and permethrin, respectively, than larvae of theA. gambiaeKisumu strain used as control. A low but significant correlation was detected between physicochemical parameters and larval insecticide tolerance. Cultivated sites were negatively and significantly correlated to larval tolerance to both deltamethrin (r=−0.421;P<0.0001) and permethrin (r=−0.392;P<0.0001). Dissolved oxygen (r=+0.466;P<0.0001) and ammonia (r=−0.205;P=0.04) appeared significantly correlated to larval tolerance to deltamethrin. The data suggest a direct correlation between some characteristics from the breeding sites and larval tolerance to pyrethroids.

scholarly journals Establishing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Services in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Survey of Suggestions Made by Health Care Workers in Cross River State, Nigeria

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 944-948
Author(s):  
Queeneth Ndukwe Kalu ◽  
Oboko Oboko Oku ◽  
Ini-Abasi Udo Ilori
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ◽  
Capacity Building ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cross River ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Sub Saharan

BACKGROUND: Rising trend in Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in developing countries often result in sudden death, which are largely preventable through effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Most communities in Sub-Saharan Africa, however, lack access to CPR services, due to a deficiency in requirements for the establishment of such services. These requirements can be grouped into a triad of awareness, infrastructure and capacity building.AIM: This study was aimed at assessing the perceived need and recommendations for improvement in CPR services in Cross River State.METHODS: Proportionate sampling was used to recruit healthcare workers in this cross-sectional study. Data was obtained using semi-structured open-ended questionnaire consisting of recommendations for improving CPR services. Responses were coded and grouped into three essential areas. Data were entered and analysed using SPSS version 20.0.RESULT: Two hundred and twenty-nine (229) questionnaires were completed; mean age of respondents was 42.1 ± 11.2 years. The commonest cadre of healthcare worker was nurses (135, 59.0%). One, two, and three areas of suggestions were made by 55.5%, 37.1%, and 7.4% of respondents, respectively. Suggestions included training of health care workers on CPR (111, 48.5%) and provision of resuscitation equipment (95, 41.5%). Sixty-five respondents (29.3%) recommended creating awareness and means of contact, while some respondents recommended capacity building (132, 57.6%) and resuscitation infrastructure set-up (149, 65.1%).CONCLUSION: Healthcare workers perceive an urgent need for the establishment of CPR services in our health facilities and communities. There is need to address the triad of awareness, infrastructure and capacity building for the establishment of CPR services peculiar to Sub-Saharan Africa.

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