scholarly journals The skull of StW 573, a 3.67 Ma Australopithecus skeleton from Sterkfontein Caves, South Africa

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald J Clarke ◽  
Kathleen Kuman
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Fossil Record ◽  
Competitive Exclusion ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
The South ◽  
Dental Wear ◽  
Hominid Fossil ◽  
First Time

Here we present the first full anatomical description of the 3.67 million-year-old Australopithecus skull StW 573 that was recovered with its skeleton from the Sterkfontein Member 2 breccia in the Silberberg Grotto. Analysis demonstrates that it is most similar in multiple key morphological characters to a group of fossils from Sterkfontein Member 4 and Makapansgat that are here distinguished morphologically as A. prometheus. This taxon contrasts with another group of fossils from those sites assigned to A. africanus. The anatomical reasons for why these groupings should not be lumped together (as is frequently done for the South African fossils) are discussed in detail. In support of this classification, we also present for the first time a palate (StW 576 from Sterkfontein Member 4) newly reconstructed by RJC, which has a uniquely complete adult dentition of an A. africanus. The StW 573 skull also has certain similarities with other earlier Australopithecus fossils in East Africa, A. afarensis and A. anamensis, which are discussed. One of its most interesting features is a pattern of very heavy anterior dental wear unlike that found in A. africanus but resembling that found in A. anamensis at 4.17 Ma. While StW 573 is the only hominid fossil in Sterkfontein Member 2, we conclude that competitive exclusion probably accounts for the synchronous and sympatric presence of two species of Australopithecus in the younger deposits at Makapansgat and Sterkfontein Member 4. Because the StW 573 skull is associated with a near-complete skeleton that is also described for the first time in this special issue, we are now able to use this individual to improve our understanding of more fragmentary finds in the South African fossil record of Australopithecus.

Resolving the taxonomic identities and genetic structure of two cryptic Platynereis Kinberg species from South Africa

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jyothi Kara ◽  
Cinthya S. G. Santos ◽  
Angus H. H. Macdonald ◽  
Carol A. Simon
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Structured Populations ◽  
The South ◽  
African Species ◽  
Cosmopolitan Species ◽  
Historical Factors ◽  
Haplotype Networks ◽  
Platynereis Dumerilii

The perceived cosmopolitanism of polychaete worms could be an artefact of historical factors such as poor original species descriptions, lack of type material and the European taxonomic bias, to name a few. Thus, it is possible that several cosmopolitan species hide complexes of cryptic and pseudocryptic species. Two putative cosmopolitan species, Platynereis dumerilii and Platynereis australis, collected in South Africa were investigated here (1) to determine whether the South African taxa are conspecific with the morphologically identical taxa from France and New Zealand (the respective type localities of P. dumerilii and P. australis), (2) to compare the South African species morphometrically to determine whether their morphological characters are reliable enough to separate them, and (3) to investigate whether these species have geographically structured populations along the coast of South Africa. Molecular data (COI and ITS1) confirm that P. dumerilii and P. australis do not occur in South Africa. Instead, the South African taxon formerly thought to be Platynereis dumerilii is new and is described here as Platynereis entshonae, sp. nov.; the identity of the other South African species is currently unresolved and is treated here as Platynereis sp. Surprisingly, Platynereis massiliensis (type locality: Marseilles) nested within the South African Platynereissp. clade but, since it is part of a cryptic species complex in the Mediterranean, the name is considered doubtful. Morphological characters traditionally used to define these South African Platynereis species are not reliable as predefined morphological groupings do not match phylogenetic clades and principal component scores revealed no separation in morphological characters that could distinguish between them. Haplotype networks and phylogenetic trees revealed that P. entshonae, sp. nov. and Platynereis sp. have geographically structured populations along the South African coast. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:6E36A210-9E48-430F-8A93-EDC27F0C5631

Revision of the South African genus Neopimus (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Paederinae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4577 (2) ◽  
pp. 361
Author(s):  
JIŘÍ JANÁK
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Eastern Cape Province ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
The South ◽  
Additional Material ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
First Time ◽  
African Genus

A revision of the south African genus Neopimus Özdikmen, Demir & Türkeş, 2008 is presented. Based on revision of the type and additional material, three species are recognised. The genus Neopimus is redescribed and all species are described or redescribed and illustrated, two of them for the first time: Neopimus capensis Janák, sp. nov., from Eastern Cape Province, South Africa and N. zulu Janák, sp. nov., from KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. The distribution of the genus is mapped and a key of species is presented. 

The genus Rubus in South Africa. I. Chromosome numbers and geographical distribution of species

Bothalia ◽  
1984 ◽  
Vol 15 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 591-596 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Spies ◽  
H. Du Du Plessis
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Chromosome Numbers ◽  
The Other ◽  
The South ◽  
African Species ◽  
Rubus Species ◽  
First Time

The geographical distribution of 14 of the Rubus species in South Africa is presented. Chromosome numbers of nine of the species were determined: six for the first time, one is confirmed and additional polyploid levels are described for the other two species. It is demonstrated that the South African species of the subgenus Idaeobatus contain less diploid specimens and more polyploid specimens than their extra-African counterparts. This phenomenon could be attributed to hybridization between the subgenera Eubatus and  Idaeobatus.

scholarly journals Paediatric imaging in South Africa – From baby steps to giant strides

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vicci Du Plessis ◽  
Farhana Suleman
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
African Society ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
The South ◽  
South African Society ◽  
Paediatric Imaging

The South African Society of Paediatric Imaging (SASPI) is honoured to guest edit this special issue of the SA Journal of Radiology (SAJR) in celebration of the International Day of Radiology (IDoR) on 08 November, which is dedicated to paediatrics this year.

scholarly journals The tetrapod fauna of the upper Permian Naobaogou Formation of China: 1. Shiguaignathus wangi gen. et sp. nov., the first akidnognathid therocephalian from China

PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e4150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Liu ◽  
Fernando Abdala
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
South African ◽  
Fossil Record ◽  
Major Group ◽  
Upper Permian ◽  
The South ◽  
Karoo Basin ◽  
Basal Position

The Permian from China has a well-known terrestrial record where approximately 30 tetrapod taxa, including several therapsids, have been described. However, the record of therocephalians in China has remained elusive. Shiguaignathus wangi gen. et sp. nov., discovered in the Member III of the Naobaogou Formation, Nei Mongol, China, is here described. This is the first therocephalian recovered from this fauna and only the second from the Permian of China. It is represented by a well-preserved robust snout of a medium-sized animal. This is the first akidnognathid reported from the Chinese Permian and only the second genus from Laurasia as one genus is known from Russia whereas the remaining members of the group are from the South African Karoo Basin. A phylogenetic analysis of therocephalians supports a basal position of S. wangi within Akidnognathidae, followed by the Russian Annatherapsidus. Akidnognathidae is the latest major group of therocephalian appearing in the fossil record, and one of the few that does not have species from South Africa representing its most basal members.

scholarly journals The impact of hunting for biltong purposes on the SA economy

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Melville Saayman ◽  
Peet Van der Merwe ◽  
Riaan Rossouw
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Economic Impact ◽  
South African ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
The South ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Cge Modelling ◽  
The Impact ◽  
First Time

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to estimate the economic impact of biltong hunting in South Africa. Problem investigated: Higginbottom (2004), indicate there are no reliable global estimates of the economic impact of wildlife tourism, but one thing is certain, it generates considerable sums of money. This same accounts for South Africa's game industry, especially biltong hunting, where there is little to no information regarding the economic impact. Therefore the question to be investigated was what is the economic impact of biltong hunting in the South African economy. Research methodology: A non-probability method was used and a convenience sample was drawn from all the members (N = 17066) of the South African Hunters and Game Conservation Association (SAHGCA). A pilot study of 87 questionnaires was conducted in August and September 2004 in the North West Province at the Hartbees branch of SAHGCA. For the national survey, the questionnaires were mailed together with the members' monthly magazine (named SA Hunters/Jagters) during July 2005. A total of 1 024 (n) questionnaires were received back. Data was captured in Microsoft™ Excel™ and a Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) modelling approach was thereafter used to determine the economic impact of biltong hunting in the South African economy. Findings/implications: The contribution to real GDP is estimated to be in excess of R6 billion, with thousands of jobs being created by the increase in activities/services. In addition, the related improvements to the infrastructure of the country, especially the transport sector, will benefit productivity in the longer term and so lead to further increases in GDP. Originality: A significant contribution that this article has made is that this is the first time that the economic impact of biltong hunting in South Africa has been determined. It is also the first time that CGE modelling has been completed with regard to research in this sector in South Africa.Conclusion: This supports the opinion that biltong hunting is a viable and important sector of the tourism industry. The results clearly show that more should be done to expand hunting in South Africa as hunting affects, not only the economy, but also the price (and therefore the value) of game.

A survey of Diphya Nicolet, 1849 (Araneae: Tetragnathidae) from South Africa

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4899 (1) ◽  
pp. 259-279
Author(s):  
MIKHAIL M. OMELKO ◽  
YURI M. MARUSIK ◽  
ROBIN LYLE
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Junior Synonym ◽  
The South ◽  
Sem Images ◽  
First Time ◽  
The Relationship

In this paper, five species of Diphya Nicolet, 1849 are recognized in the fauna of South Africa. Four of these species are new: D. foordi sp. nov. (♂♀), D. leroyorum sp. nov. (♂), D. vanderwaltae sp. nov. (♀) and D. wesolowskae sp. nov. (♂♀). The male of D. simoni Kauri, 1950 is described for the first time. Diphya tanikawai Marusik, 2017 syn. nov. was found to be a junior synonym of D. simoni. Descriptions with illustrations, photographs and SEM images are provided for all species. The relationship between the South African and the Neotropical Diphya species is briefly discussed. 

The Admission of Judges Ad Hoc In Advisory Proceedings: Some Reflections in the Light of the Namibia Case

1973 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 446-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michla Pomerance
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
International Organization ◽  
The South ◽  
International Court Of Justice ◽  
Legal Question ◽  
Court Of Justice ◽  
International Court ◽  
First Time

In the Namibia case, the International Court of Justice for the first time in its history received an application for the appointment of a judge ad hoc in advisory proceedings. The application was made by South Africa on the basis of Article 83 of the Rules of Court which provides for the possibility of seating judges ad hoc in advisory procedings involving “a legal question actually pending between two or more States.” No state or international organization entitled to appear before the Court opposed the South African request, and no state other than South Africa submitted an application for a judge ad hoc. After an oral hearing (held in camera over strong South African protests 8) in which only South Africa presented argument, the Court, in its Order of January 29, 1971, decided, by a vote of 10 to 5, to reject South Africa's application. The Court offered no explanation for its decision at the time. Of the five dissenting judges, only Judges Onyeama and Dillard appended to the Order the reasons for their dissent. The remaining dissenting judges (and, by implication, the Court itself) feared that early disclosure of the reasons for their stands entailed the risk of prejudging substantive questions in the case. (As will be seen below, Judges Onyeama and Dillard had no cause to entertain similar fears.) With the delivery of the opinion, however, all five dissenting judges voiced strong criticism of the Court's refusal to admit a South African judge ad hoc.

A systematic revision of the South African Pettalidae (Arachnida:Opiliones:Cyphophthalmi) based on a combined analysis of discrete and continuous morphological characters with the description of seven new species

2010 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin L. de Bivort ◽  
Gonzalo Giribet
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
New Species ◽  
South African ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
New Combination ◽  
Bootstrap Support ◽  
The South ◽  
Morphometric Characters ◽  
Eastern Australia

The cyphophthalmid family Pettalidae in South Africa is revised and seven new species are described from museum material collected between 1939 and 1985. Two of these are placed in the genus Purcellia and five in Parapurcellia, bringing the total number of described South African cyphophthalmids to 15. In addition, Purcellia peregrinator is transferred to the genus Parapurcellia. Phylogenetic analyses of discrete morphological and continuous morphometric characters, both separately and in combination, support the generic assignments and contribute towards a more detailed understanding of the systematics of the group in South Africa. In order to assess the stability of our phylogenetic results, the different morphological datasets were analysed under equal and implied weighting, as well as under several weighting schemes that varied the respective contribution to tree length of the discrete and continuous data partitions. These variations generated two phylogenetic hypotheses: (1) monophyly of the South African pettalids + Austropurcellia from north-eastern Australia as a derived clade within Pettalidae; and (2) polyphyly of the South African pettalids with Parapurcellia basal within Pettalidae. The latter hypothesis is congruent with previous molecular phylogenies of Cyphophthalmi, and has moderate bootstrap support. The sisterhood of Purcellia griswoldi, sp. nov. and P. lawrencei, sp. nov. receives high nodal support across analytic methods. New combination: Parapurcellia peregrinator (Lawrence, 1963).

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