The bee genera Haplomelitta and Samba (Hymenoptera:Anthophila:Melittidae): phylogeny, biogeography and host plants

Recent molecular phylogenetic data showed the Melittidae as the likely sister group to all other bees and indicated that proto-melittids could have been host-plant specialists originating in Africa. However, robust phylogenetic data at generic and species level are now needed for all melittid clades to test these hypotheses and investigate early melittid and bee evolution in general. The bee genera Haplomelitta and Samba, which comprise the former tribe Sambini (Hymenoptera : Melittidae), are revised here. The genera are endemic to the Afrotropical region, occurring in eastern and southern Africa. Previous studies hypothesised that Samba rendered Haplomelitta paraphyletic but a conclusive taxonomic decision was not proposed. By performing a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis based on five nuclear genes (28S, CAD, EF-1α (F2 copy), long-wavelength rhodopsin (opsin) and RNA polymerase II (RNAp); total 4179 bp) and morphological characters (34 characters), we here synonymise Haplomelitta with Samba. The genus is now subdivided into six subgenera containing 10 species, four of which are here described as new, namely: S. ascheri, S. gessorum, S. spinosa and S. rubigoinis. Moreover, we also considered biogeography, phenology and floral visitation data. Samba seems to have originated in southern Africa and later colonised eastern Africa. The ancestral host-plant foraging strategy was probably specialisation on one plant family (e.g. oligolectism). This result supports the hypothesis that the ancestor of bees arose in Africa and was a host-plant specialist.

Download Full-text

Phylogeny of the Elaeodendron Group (Celastraceae) Inferred from Morphological Characters and Nuclear and Plastid Genes

Systematic Botany ◽

10.1600/036364406778388610 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

pp. 512-524 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Melissa B. Islam ◽

Mark P. Simmons ◽

Robert H. Archer

Keyword(s):

Southern Africa ◽

Sister Group ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Simultaneous Analysis ◽

New Combinations ◽

Natural Group ◽

26S Rdna ◽

Nuclear Its

The phylogeny of the Elaeodendron group was inferred in a simultaneous analysis of morphological characters together with nuclear (ITS and 26S rDNA) and plastid (matK, trnL-F region) genes. The circumscription of genera in this group has long been controversial, particularly with respect to Cassine and Elaeodendron. Cassine, narrowly defined so as to include three species native to southern Africa, was unambiguously supported as distinct from Elaeodendron. The widely distributed genus Elaeodendron was supported as a natural group, sister to Pleurostylia. Brexia, which has been variously assigned to the Escalloniaceae, Brexiaceae, and Grossulariaceae, was unambiguously supported as the sister group to the clade of Elaeodendron and Pleurostylia. Preliminary species sampling supported Empleuridium, which had been classified within the Rutaceae, as closely related to Mystroxylon, Pseudosalacia, and Robsonodendron. Allocassine and Lauridia were resolved as closely related to one another, supporting their previously inferred relationship. Maurocenia and Cassine were supported as closely related to one another, with evidence for Maurocenia being nested within Cassine. Lydenburgia abbottii was resolved as closely related to Lydenburgia cassinoides, supporting its transfer from Catha. Three new combinations are made: Elaeodendron bupleuroides (Guillaumin) R.H. Archer, Elaeodendron parvifolium R.H. Archer, and Elaeodendron pininsulare Hürl. subsp. poyaense (I.H. Müller) R.H. Archer.

Download Full-text

Mitochondrial DNA Phylogenetics of Black Rhinoceros in Kenya in relation to Southern Africa Population

International Journal of Biodiversity ◽

10.1155/2017/8326361 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Elijah K. Githui ◽

David N. Thuo ◽

Joshua O. Amimo ◽

Nyamu M. Njagi ◽

Maryanne M. Gitari

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Mitochondrial Dna ◽

Southern Africa ◽

Wildlife Conservation ◽

Eastern Africa ◽

Black Rhinoceros ◽

Low Genetic Diversity ◽

History Of ◽

Eastern And Southern Africa ◽

Game Hunting

Black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) are highly endangered due to poaching and other anthropological reasons and their protection to rebound the numbers and genetic improvement are necessary remedial measures defined by Rhino International Union of Conservation for the Nature Red List (IUCN). In Kenya black rhino numbers declined from approximately 20,000 in the 1970s to fewer than 400 in 1982. Wildlife conservation managers effected strategies to manage/breed the remaining rhinoceros populations in Eastern and Southern Africa within regional sanctuaries. This study analyzes the genetic variability of these remnant rhinoceros using Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Majority of the rhinoceros in both Kenyan and Southern Africa group are monophyletic clusters with insignificant genetic variations while some lineages are underrepresented. The Eastern Africa rhinoceros forms a distinct clade from the Sothern Africa counterpart while Tanzania population has admixtures. Tajima-D test showed that these two populations are under different selection pressure possibly due to different history of adverse anthropologic activities. Similarly, the Southern Africa rhinoceros have low genetic diversity compared to the Eastern African population due to extended periods of game hunting during Africa colonization. This study suggests that managed translocations of individual rhinoceros across the separated fragments can be applied to improve their genetic diversity.

Download Full-text

Distribution of invasive alien Tithonia (Asteraceae) species in eastern and southern Africa and the socio-ecological impacts of T. diversifolia in Zambia

Bothalia ◽

10.4102/abc.v49i1.2356 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 49 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Arne B.R. Witt ◽

Ross T. Shackleton ◽

Tim Beale ◽

Winnie Nunda ◽

Brian W. Van Wilgen

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Southern Africa ◽

Crop Yields ◽

Ecological Impacts ◽

Eastern Africa ◽

Tithonia Diversifolia ◽

Sources Of Information ◽

African Countries ◽

Alien Plant ◽

Eastern And Southern Africa

Background: Many alien plant species, such as Tithonia diversifolia, T. rotundifolia and T. tubaeformis, have been introduced to areas outside of their natural distribution range to provide benefits, but have subsequently become invasive, threatening biodiversity and agricultural productivity.Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the current distribution and dates of introduction of invasive Tithonia species in eastern and southern Africa and to document the effects of T. diversifolia on rural livelihoods in Zambia.Method: Roadside surveys, and other sources of information, were used to determine the distribution of invasive Tithonia species in eastern and southern Africa. Household interviews were conducted to gauge perceptions and understand the impacts of T. diversifolia on local livelihoods in Zambia’s Copperbelt province.Results: Tithonia diversifolia is widespread in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Malawi and parts of Zambia but less so in Zimbabwe. Tithonia rotundifolia was comparatively uncommon in eastern Africa but common in some southern African countries, while T. tubaeformis was invasive in Swaziland, South Africa, Zambia and possibly also Zimbabwe. According to the majority of respondents in Zambia, T. diversifolia has negative impacts on native vegetation, mobility or access, water availability, crop yields and animal health.Conclusion: Invasive Tithonia species are widespread and spreading throughout much of Africa. Livelihood and biodiversity costs have not been considered by those actively promoting the use and further dissemination of T. diversifolia. We therefore recommend that detailed cost–benefit studies should be undertaken to support informed decisions on the future management of these species.

Download Full-text

Distribution of Mimosa diplotricha in eastern and southern Africa and its socioecological impacts in northern Malawi

Bothalia ◽

10.38201/btha.abc.v50.i1.9 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 50 (Volume 50 No. 1) ◽

Author(s):

Arne Witt ◽

Lilian Chimphepo ◽

Tim Beale ◽

Winnie Nunda

Keyword(s):

Southern Africa ◽

Current Distribution ◽

Invasive Plant ◽

Crop Yields ◽

Eastern Africa ◽

Ecological Change ◽

Isolated Populations ◽

Pasture Production ◽

Local Livelihoods ◽

Eastern And Southern Africa

Background: Mimosa diplotricha is an emerging or established weed in many parts of the world, including many countries in Africa, where it is impacting on biodiversity, crop and pasture production, and driving socio-ecological change. Objectives: To establish the current distribution of M. diplotricha in eastern and southern Africa and its impacts on livelihoods in northern Malawi. Methods: Records on current distribution were collected from roadside surveys, literature reviews and herbarium data. Household surveys were conducted in the Karonga District, Malawi, to understand its impacts on local livelihoods. Results: Mimosa diplotricha is abundant in western Ethiopia, southern Tanzania, and northern and southeastern Malawi with isolated populations in western Rwanda, Burundi, Mozambique, and on the northern shores of Lake Victoria in Uganda. Most respondents said that M. diplotricha invasions were reducing the amount of grass and shrubs in rangelands, with over half saying it reduced crop yields. This invasive plant is also reducing the availability of medicinal plants and other natural resources. Conclusions: Mimosa diplotricha has the potential to significantly expand its range in eastern Africa, and parts of southern Africa, and as such there is an urgent need to develop and implement an integrated management strategy, including biological control, to reduce the negative effects of this invasive plant on local livelihoods.

Download Full-text

Ostrich eggshell beads reveal 50,000-year-old social network in Africa

Nature ◽

10.1038/s41586-021-04227-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jennifer M. Miller ◽

Yiming V. Wang

Keyword(s):

Southern Africa ◽

Cultural Context ◽

Social Contact ◽

Social Dimension ◽

Eastern Africa ◽

Genetic Analyses ◽

The Social ◽

Eastern And Southern Africa ◽

Exact Timing ◽

Ostrich Eggshell

AbstractHumans evolved in a patchwork of semi-connected populations across Africa1,2; understanding when and how these groups connected is critical to interpreting our present-day biological and cultural diversity. Genetic analyses reveal that eastern and southern African lineages diverged sometime in the Pleistocene epoch, approximately 350–70 thousand years ago (ka)3,4; however, little is known about the exact timing of these interactions, the cultural context of these exchanges or the mechanisms that drove their separation. Here we compare ostrich eggshell bead variations between eastern and southern Africa to explore population dynamics over the past 50,000 years. We found that ostrich eggshell bead technology probably originated in eastern Africa and spread southward approximately 50–33 ka via a regional network. This connection breaks down approximately 33 ka, with populations remaining isolated until herders entered southern Africa after 2 ka. The timing of this disconnection broadly corresponds with the southward shift of the Intertropical Convergence Zone, which caused periodic flooding of the Zambezi River catchment (an area that connects eastern and southern Africa). This suggests that climate exerted some influence in shaping human social contact. Our study implies a later regional divergence than predicted by genetic analyses, identifies an approximately 3,000-kilometre stylistic connection and offers important new insights into the social dimension of ancient interactions.

Download Full-text

Ending AIDS: trends in the incidence of HIV in eastern and southern Africa

10.1101/383372 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Brian G. Williams ◽

Reuben Granich

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Southern Africa ◽

Scale Up ◽

Hiv Infections ◽

Hiv And Aids ◽

Eastern Africa ◽

African Countries ◽

Control Threshold ◽

Eastern And Southern Africa ◽

Control And Management

AbstractWhile great progress has been made in the control and management of the HIV epidemic there is still much to be done. Using trends in the rate of new HIV infections in eastern and southern Africa we assess the current state of the epidemic and evaluate the future prospects for controlling it. If we let an incidence of 1 per 1,000 people represent a control threshold then this has been reached, or will probably be reached by 2020, in eastern Africa and is reachable by 2020 in those southern African countries that do not have particularly strong social and economic ties to South Africa if they continue to scale up their treatment programmes. In South Africa and its immediate neighbours Lesotho, Mozambique and Swaziland, the prospects are less certain. These countries are unlikely to reach the control threshold by 2020 but with sufficient political will and commitment to ‘treatment for all’ could do so by 2030.There are two important caveats. First, reaching the control threshold still leaves 35 thousand new infections a year. As the lessons of polio remind us, finding the last few, hard to reach cases will demand more focussed strategies. Second, ending AIDS will not end HIV and about 35 million people will have to be kept on ART for the next 30 to 40 years unless and until a cure is discovered. Even if we assume a modest cost of, say, US$100 per person per year for ART treatment and support, this corresponds to a continuing financial commitment of US$3.5 Bn per year although this is substantially less than the approximately US$ 40 Bn per year currently committed to HIV and AIDS.

Download Full-text