A taxonomic study of the South African terricolous weevil genus Pentatrachyphloeus Voss (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae: Trachyphloeini)

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4574 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
ROMAN BOROVEC ◽  
JIŘÍ SKUHROVEC
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Host Plants ◽  
Free State ◽  
Taxonomic Study ◽  
Immature Stages ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
North West ◽  
Ecological Information ◽  
Kwazulu Natal

The genus Pentatrachyphloeus Voss, 1974, with two known species, is redefined and compared with related genera. An additional thirty seven new species are described here: P. andersoni sp. nov. (South Africa, Mpumalanga); P. baumi sp. nov. (South Africa, Gauteng); P. brevithorax sp. nov. (South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal); P. bufo sp. nov. (South Africa, Mpumalanga); P. endroedyi sp. nov. (South Africa, Mpumalanga); P. exiguus sp. nov. (South Africa, Mpumalanga); P. frici sp. nov. (South Africa, Limpopo); P. grobbelaarae sp. nov. (South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal); P. hanzelkai sp. nov. (South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal); P. holubi sp. nov. (South Africa, Mpumalanga); P. howdenae sp. nov. (South Africa, Mpumalanga); P. hystrix sp. nov. (South Africa, Mpumalanga); P. insignicornis sp. nov. (South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal); P. kalalovae sp. nov. (South Africa, Gauteng); P. kuscheli sp. nov. (South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal); P. laevis sp. nov. (South Africa, Mpumalanga); P. lajumensis sp. nov. (South Africa, Limpopo); P. leleupi sp. nov. (Zimbabwe, Manica); P. lesothoensis sp. nov. (Lesotho, Qacha’s Nek); P. machulkai sp. nov. (South Africa, Free State); P. marshalli sp. nov. (South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal); P. muellerae sp. nov. (South Africa, Mpumalanga); P. musili sp. nov. (South Africa, Limpopo); P. ntinini sp. nov. (South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal); P. oberprieleri sp. nov. (South Africa, Gauteng, North West); P. pavlicai sp. nov. (South Africa, Free State); P. rudyardi sp. nov. (South Africa, Limpopo); P. schoemani sp. nov. (South Africa, Limpopo); P. soutpansbergensis sp. nov. (South Africa, Limpopo); P. spinimanus sp. nov. (South Africa, Mpumalanga); P. stingli sp. nov. (South Africa, Limpopo); P. tenuicollis sp. nov. (South Africa, Mpumalanga); P. tuberculatus sp. nov. (South Africa, Mpumalanga); P. vavrai sp. nov. (South Africa, Eastern Cape); P. vossi sp. nov. (South Africa, Mpumalanga); P. vrazi sp. nov. (South Africa, Limpopo) and P. zikmundi sp. nov. (South Africa, Free State). All of the species are keyed and illustrated; ecological information is presented only where available. All species seem to be very localised, being known only from one or only a very limited number of localities. Immature stages or host plants are not known for any of the species. The species are distributed as follows: South Africa: Mpumalanga (13), Limpopo (8), KwaZulu-Natal (7), Free State (3), Gauteng (3), Eastern Cape (3), North West (1); Lesotho: Qacha’s Nek (1) and Zimbabwe: Manica (1). 

scholarly journals Prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among blood donors in Northern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, and Free State provinces of South Africa in January 2021.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy Sykes ◽  
Laurette Mhlanga ◽  
Ronel Swanevelder ◽  
Tanya Nadia Glatt ◽  
Eduard Grebe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Blood Donors ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Free State ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
The South ◽  
Short Supply ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Northern Cape

Abstract Background: Population-level estimates of prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody positivity (seroprevalence) is a crucial epidemiological indicator for tracking the Covid-19 epidemic. Such data are in short supply, both internationally and in South Africa. The South African blood services (the South African National Blood Service, SANBS and the Western Cape Blood Service, WCBS) are coordinating a nationally representative survey of blood donors, which it is hoped can become a cost-effective surveillance method with validity for community-level seroprevalence estimation.Methods: Leveraging existing arrangements, SANBS human research ethics committee permission was obtained to test blood donations collected on predefined days (7th, 10th ,12th ,15th ,20th ,23th and 25th January) for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, using the Roche Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 assay on the cobas e411 platform currently available in the blood services’ donation testing laboratories. Using standard methods, prevalence analysis was done by province, age and race, allowing age to be regarded as either a continuous or categorical variable. Testing was performed in the Eastern Cape (EC), Free State (FS), KwaZulu Natal (ZN) and Northern Cape (NC) provinces.Results: We report on data from 4858 donors - 1457 in EC; 463 in NC; 831 in FS and 2107 in ZN. Prevalence varied substantially across race groups and between provinces, with seroprevalence among Black donors consistently several times higher than among White donors, and the other main population groups (Coloured and Asian) not consistently represented in all provinces. There is no clear evidence that seroprevalence among donors varies by age. Weighted net estimates of prevalence (in the core age range 15-69) by province (compared with official clinically-confirmed COVID-19 case rates in mid-January 2021) are: EC-63%(2.8%), NC-32%(2.2%), FS-46%(2.4%), and ZN-52%(2.4%).Conclusions: Our study demonstrates substantial differences in dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 infection between different race groups, most likely explained by historically based differences in socio-economic status and housing conditions. As has been seen in other areas, even such high seroprevalence does not guarantee population-level immunity against new outbreaks – probably due to viral evolution and waning of antibody neutralization. Despite its limitations, notably a ‘healthy donor’ effect, it seems plausible that these estimates are reasonably generalisable to actual population level anti-SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence, but should be further verified.

scholarly journals Investigating competencies needed by European-trained doctors in rural South African hospitals

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
James R. Barnacle ◽  
Oliver Johnson ◽  
Ian Couper
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Rural District ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Rural Medicine ◽  
Rural South ◽  
District Hospitals ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Postgraduate Diploma

Background: Many European-trained doctors (ETDs) recruited to work in rural district hospitals in South Africa have insufficient generalist competencies for the range of practice required. Africa Health Placements recruits ETDs to work in rural hospitals in Africa. Many of these doctors feel inadequately prepared. The Stellenbosch University Ukwanda Centre for Rural Health is launching a Postgraduate Diploma in Rural Medicine to help prepare doctors for such work.Aim: To determine the competencies gap for ETDs working in rural district hospitals in South Africa to inform the curriculum of the PG Dip (Rural Medicine).Setting: Rural district hospitals in South Africa.Methods: Nine hospitals in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga were purposefully selected by Africa Health Placements as receiving ETDs. An online survey was developed asking about the most important competencies and weaknesses for ETDs when working rurally. The clinical manager and any ETDs currently working in each hospital were invited to complete the survey.Results: Surveys were completed by 19 ETDs and five clinical managers. The top clinical competencies in relation to 10 specific domains were identified. The results also indicate broader competencies required, specific skills gaps, the strengths that ETDs bring to South Africa and how ETDs prepare themselves for working in this context.Conclusion: This study identifies the important competency gaps among ETDs and provides useful direction for the diploma and other future training initiatives. The diploma faculty must reflect on these findings and ensure the curriculum is aligned with these gaps.

The Genus Pithomyces in South Africa

Bothalia ◽  
1972 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 509-516 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. F. O. Marasas ◽  
Ingrid H. Schumann
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
South African ◽  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
Avena Sativa ◽  
Free State ◽  
Eastern Cape Province ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Lolium Perenne L ◽  
Medicago Sativa L

Descriptions are given of South African isolates of  Pithomyces sacchari (Speg.) M. B. Ellis, Pithomyces chartarum (Berk. Curt.) M. B. Ellis and  Pithomyces karoo  Marasas Schumann, sp. nov.  P. sacchari and P. chartarum were isolated from Medicago sativa L. seed.  P. chartarum was also isolated from dead leaves of Lolium perenne L. and  Sporobolus capensis (Willd.) Kunth. plants from artificial pastures in the eastern Cape Province.  P. karoo was isolated from stems of Gnidia polycephala (C.A. Mey.) Gilg and  Rhigozum trichotomum Burch, from the Karoo, Cape Province and from Avena sativa L. stubble collected in the Orange Free State.

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. 

A new genus and three new species of South African Cicadettini (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Cicadettinae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4885 (4) ◽  
pp. 579-590
Author(s):  
ALLEN F. SANBORN ◽  
MARTIN H. VILLET
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
New Species ◽  
South African ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Key To Species ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Three New Species

Ingcainyenzane irhiniensis n. gen., n. sp. and Ingcainyenzane nolukhanyoensis n. gen., n. sp. are described from Eastern Cape and Ingcainyenzane umgeniensis n. gen., n. sp. is described from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Notes on its biology of the species and a key to species of the genus are also provided. 

An overview of the South African tangle-veined flies (Diptera: Nemestrinidae), with an annotated key to the genera and a checklist of species

Zootaxa ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 1277 (1) ◽  
pp. 39 ◽  
Author(s):  
DAVID A. BARRACLOUGH
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Family Characteristics ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
The South ◽  
African Species ◽  
North West ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Closed Canopy

The South African Nemestrinidae are reviewed. Regional family characteristics, biology and the importance of long-proboscid species in pollination biology are discussed. Long-proboscid species (proboscis 15 mm or longer) are important pollinators in most provinces, but particularly in the Western Cape; all have specialised pollination interactions with long-tubed flower species. Five pollination guilds centered on long-proboscid species are briefly discussed.        A detailed, annotated key to the six genera is presented; in it particular attention is given to the problematic distinction between Prosoeca Schiner and Stenobasipteron Lichtwardt. A checklist of all described species considered to have a South African provenance is provided. A total of 43 described species is recorded in the following genera: Moegistorhynchus Macquart (4 species); Prosoeca (35 species); Stenobasipteron (1 species); Atriadops Wandolleck (1 species); Nycterimyia Lichtwardt (1 species); Trichopsidea Westwood (1 species).        Moegistorhynchus is restricted to the west coast (Western Cape, Northern Cape). Three of its species have a remarkably elongate proboscis, the best known and most widespread being M. longirostris (Wiedemann, 1819). Its proboscis reaches 90 to 100 mm in length in some specimens, this being the longest proboscis of all known Diptera. Two new species have been identified in the fauna.        Prosoeca dominates the fauna, and is the only genus likely to be represented in all nine provinces. It appears to occur in all habitats except closed-canopy forest. Prosoeca major Bezzi, 1924 is newly synonymised with P. robusta Bezzi, 1924. The likely South African provenance of P. nigripes (Macquart, 1840) is confirmed. Nemestrina obscura Westwood, 1835, previously referred to Prosoeca, is considered not to be an Afrotropical species. Prosoeca rhodesiensis Bequaert, 1925a, is recorded from South Africa for the first time.        Although Stenobasipteron is restricted to only one named South African species, namely S. wiedemanni Lichtwardt, 1910 from the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, several undescribed species occur in Mpumalanga and Limpopo. Stenobasipteron wiedemanni occurs in closed-canopy forest, but species from Mpumalanga may occur in other habitats such as grassland and savanna.        There are at least two species of Atriadops, one almost certainly being A. vespertilio (Loew, 1858). The genus is recorded from the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and Mpumalanga. A taxonomic revision is recommended. Nycterimyia is represented by one species only, namely N. capensis Bezzi, 1924 from KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo. Trichopsidea is represented by one species, T. costata (Loew, 1858), recorded from North West, Gauteng and Limpopo.

scholarly journals Influencing Factors of Maize Production in South Africa: The Case of Mpumalanga, Free State and North West Provinces

2020 ◽  
pp. 25-34
Author(s):  
Andisiwe Diko ◽  
Wang Jun
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Free State ◽  
The South ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
North West ◽  
Independent Variables ◽  
Multi Stage

Aims: Maize is of great significance in the national food security of South Africa. Maize production levels in South Africa continue to decline, further deteriorating the situation of increased food insecurity, unemployment and increased poverty levels in the face of increasing population. This paper investigated fundamental variables influencing maize yield in the South African major maize producing regions. Study Design: A multi-stage stratified sampling method was employed to select maize producing farmers in the major maize producing provinces, namely Mpumalanga, Free State and North West provinces of South Africa. Furthermore, three districts were selected from which maize farmers were then selected. Methodology: Using linear multiple regression for a sample of 202 maize farmers, maize yield as a dependent variable was regressed against land size, fertilizer usage, labour, herbicides and seeds as independent variables. The paper employed the Cobb-Douglas production function to estimate parameters. The data obtained from the field were subjected to analysis using inferential statistics using SPSS v20. Results: The study showed that fertilizer, labour, and herbicides used in the production of maize in the study area were positively and statistically significant at a 5% confidence interval (P<0.05) with elasticity coefficients of 0.55, 0.47 and 0.198 respectively. The independent variables computed in the model had positive elasticity coefficients indicating a direct positive relationship between the input variables and maize output. The study also revealed that farmers in the study area were applying fewer amounts of fertilizer than the recommended rates per hectare. Conclusion: The study recommends that the South African government should supply inputs to maize farmers at subsidized rates to promote correct application rates and attain higher yields.  The promotion of good quality extension services to foster good agricultural practices in the production of maize is also recommended.

scholarly journals Application of Artificial Neural Network for Predicting Maize Production in South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omolola Adisa ◽  
Joel Botai ◽  
Abiodun Adeola ◽  
Abubeker Hassen ◽  
Christina Botai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neural Network ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Artificial Neural Network ◽  
Free State ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Free State Province ◽  
North West ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Artificial Neural

The use of crop modeling as a decision tool by farmers and other decision-makers in the agricultural sector to improve production efficiency has been on the increase. In this study, artificial neural network (ANN) models were used for predicting maize in the major maize producing provinces of South Africa. The maize production prediction and projection analysis were carried out using the following climate variables: precipitation (PRE), maximum temperature (TMX), minimum temperature (TMN), potential evapotranspiration (PET), soil moisture (SM) and land cultivated (Land) for maize. The analyzed datasets spanned from 1990 to 2017 and were divided into two segments with 80% used for model training and the remaining 20% for testing. The results indicated that PET, PRE, TMN, TMX, Land, and SM with two hidden neurons of vector (5,8) were the best combination to predict maize production in the Free State province, whereas the TMN, TMX, PET, PRE, SM and Land with vector (7,8) were the best combination for predicting maize in KwaZulu-Natal province. In addition, the TMN, SM and Land and TMN, TMX, SM and Land with vector (3,4) were the best combination for maize predicting in the North West and Mpumalanga provinces, respectively. The comparison between the actual and predicted maize production using the testing data indicated performance accuracy adjusted R2 of 0.75 for Free State, 0.67 for North West, 0.86 for Mpumalanga and 0.82 for KwaZulu-Natal. Furthermore, a decline in the projected maize production was observed across all the selected provinces (except the Free State province) from 2018 to 2019. Thus, the developed model can help to enhance the decision making process of the farmers and policymakers.

scholarly journals Institutional, gender and racial profiles of South African optometrists

2011 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Nirghin ◽  
N. Ebrahim Khan ◽  
K. P. Mashige
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Population Distribution ◽  
Health Professions ◽  
Free State ◽  
Racial Categories ◽  
The North ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Gender Profile ◽  
The University

This paper sets out to profile optometric gradu-ates in South Africa. The 2008 register of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) was used to identify the number of registered optometrists, their qualifications and institutions where they obtained their primary optometry qualification. The gender and racial profiles of these optometrists were obtained from the institutions where they qualified. A comparison of the profiles ofthe registered practitioners pre-democracy (1930-1994) and post-democracy (1995-2008) was made. Few (28.1%) of the optometrists were trained in the years 1930-1994, while the rest (71.9%) were trained from 1995-2008. During the period of1930-1994, 64.2% of the optometrists were males and 35.8% were females and from 1995 to 2008, the gender profile changed to 66.4% females and 33.6% males. In the pre-democracy period (1930-1994), almost three quarters (74%) of the registered optometrists were White, 15.3% were Indians, 7.9% were Black and 2.8% were Coloured. Many (56.9%) that were registered pre-1994 were trained at the Technikon Witwatersrand (TWR), 17.1% were trained at the University of Durban Westville (UDW), 11.9% at the Rand Afrikaans University (RAU), 6.7% at the University of the North (UNIN) and 7.4% had trained in institutions outside South Africa. The percentage of White optometrists post-democracy (1995-2008) decreased to 44.3%, while those of Indians increased to 22%, Blacks increased to 28.9% and Coloured to 4.8%. Almost half (48.2%) of the optometrists in the post-apartheid era (1995-2008) were trained at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), TWR and RAU, 21.5% at UDW and University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), 23.7% at UNIN and the University of Limpopo (UL), 4% at the University of Free State (UFS) and others (2.6%) had trained outside South Africa. As at 2008, the majority (51.7%) of all registered optometrists were White, 22.2% were Black, 21.9% were Indian while 4.2% were Coloured and included 57.8% females and 42.2% males. The results of this study indicate that the number of females in all racial categories has increased post-democracy. Although the number of Black optometrists has increased in the post-democracy era, the increase does not yet reflect the national population distribution. Optometry departments need to improve on the equity targets.(S Afr Optom 2011 70(3) 123-128)

scholarly journals The Mollusc collections at South African institutions: Development and current status

2021 ◽  
Vol 117 (7/8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Cole
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Temporal Data ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Marine Molluscs ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Southwestern Indian Ocean

There are three major mollusc collections in South Africa and seven smaller, thematic collections. The KwaZulu-Natal Museum holds one of the largest collections in the southern hemisphere. Its strengths are marine molluscs of southern Africa and the southwestern Indian Ocean, and terrestrial molluscs of South Africa. Research on marine molluscs has led to revisionary papers across a wide range of gastropod families. The Iziko South African Museum contains the most comprehensive collections of Cephalopoda (octopus, squid and relatives) and Polyplacophora (chitons) for southern Africa. The East London Museum is a provincial museum of the Eastern Cape. Recent research focuses on terrestrial molluscs and the collection is growing to address the gap in knowledge of this element of biodiversity. Mollusc collections in South Africa date to about 1900 and are an invaluable resource of morphological and genetic diversity, with associated spatial and temporal data. The South African National Biodiversity Institute is encouraging discovery and documentation to address gaps in knowledge, particularly of invertebrates. Museums are supported with grants for surveys, systematic studies and data mobilisation. The Department of Science and Innovation is investing in collections as irreplaceable research infrastructure through the Natural Science Collections Facility, whereby 16 institutions, including those holding mollusc collections, are assisted to achieve common targets and coordinated outputs.

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