Ground survey of red lechwe in the Linyanti swamps and Chobe floodplains, northern Botswana

A ground survey of red lechwe was carried out in the Linyanti swamps and the Chobe floodplains of northern Botswana in the dry and wet seasons of 2012 and 2013, respectively. We documented numbers, sex ratio and age structure of red lechwe within the linear strips of 25 km × 300 m along the Linyanti swamps and the Chobe floodplains. Results indicated a significant difference in the numbers of red lechwe between sites and seasons. About 66 and 755 red lechwe were estimated for Chobe in the dry and wet season, respectively, with 343 and 261 of them estimated for Linyanti in the dry and wet season, respectively. In Chobe, the red lechwe densities varied widely between seasons (9 red lechwe/km2 – 101 red lechwe/km2 ) compared with Linyanti, where the densities did not vary much between seasons (35 red lechwe/km2 – 46 red lechwe/km2 ). The lower densities of red lechwe in Chobe in the dry season when compared with the wet season suggest a possible seasonal shift in the distribution of red lechwe to the nearby Zambezi floodplains in Namibia.Conservation implications: The higher number of red lechwe in the Chobe floodplains in the wet season indicates the potential of the floodplains as a habitat for this species in that season. The dry season shift in the distribution of red lechwe in Chobe presents an opportunity for local communities in Namibia to engage in tourism, whereas the return of the red lechwe to the floodplains in the wet season ensures protection of the animals as well as boosts the tourism potential of the Chobe National Park.

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Annual Pattern on Abundance and Sex Ratio Distribution of Selected Fish Fauna of Ikere Gorge Reservoir, Oyo State, Nigeria

Borneo Journal of Resource Science and Technology ◽

10.33736/bjrst.1580.2019 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 1-13

Author(s):

Festus Idowu Adeosun

Keyword(s):

Sex Ratio ◽

Fish Fauna ◽

Diversity Indices ◽

Fish Population ◽

Dry Season ◽

Fish Diversity ◽

Wet Season ◽

Ratio Distribution ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Catch Composition

Sex ratio affects the growth of wild population, thus, with the declining wild fish population, the study was designed to determine the effect of seasons on the sex ratio of fish population from Ikere Gorge, Nigeria for 18 months. Fish composition, diversity, distribution and abundance were determined according to standard methods. Sexes were determined and sex ratio was calculated using a standard method. A total of 5,823 fish specimens were caught during the period. The captured fish species were identified and classified into 34 species belonging to 13 families. The species richness was higher in the dry months than in the wet months. Fish diversity indices and evenness revealed a better diverse and even ecosystem in the wet season than the dry season. A marked significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed between the species in the dry months than the wet season. Chrysichthyes nigrodigitatus (35.07±7.59a) was significantly (p < 0.05) more abundant than the other species in the dry season. The sex ratio was skewed in favour of the female populations for C. nigrodigitatus, Tilapia melanopleura and Sarotherodon galilaeus but the reverse was the case for L. niloticus population. No monthly variation was observed in sex ratio of the species. The fish fauna from Ikere Gorge showed marked variations in the catch composition between the dry and wet months. C. nigrodigitatus and the Cichlids (Hemichromis fasciatus, S. galilaeus, Tilapia macrocephla and T. melanopleura) were present all year.

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Seasonal variation in species richness and abundance of waterbirds in Mole National Park, Ghana: Implication for conservation and ecotourism

Koedoe ◽

10.4102/koedoe.v60i1.1466 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 60 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Timothy K. Aikins ◽

Francis Gbogbo ◽

Erasmus H. Owusu

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Seasonal Variation ◽

National Park ◽

Dry Season ◽

Wet Season ◽

Bird Abundance ◽

Number Of Species ◽

Waterbird Species ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Species Richness And Abundance

Mole National Park is the largest and the oldest national park in Ghana and an important bird area, yet its waterbird fauna is poorly documented because it is situated in the northern ecological zone far away from the coast of Ghana. Information on the seasonal variation in the park’s bird abundance and diversity is generally patchy but necessary for effective birdwatching planning and management of the park’s birds. Therefore, as a guide to potential ecotourists interested in waterbirds, this study described the seasonal variation in waterbird species diversity and abundance at Mole National Park. As waterbirds mostly congregate around open wetlands and their abundance is more appropriately determined by counting all individuals in the congregant, data were collected using the total area count of waterbirds from August 2015 to October 2015 (the wet season) and from December 2015 to February 2016 (the dry season). Secondary data on arrival of tourists in the park were also analysed. The park’s waterbird species richness was 29 in the dry season compared to 18 in the wet season. There was significant difference (p < 0.05) in the abundance of waterbirds in the dry season in which 4014 waterbirds were encountered compared to 646 in the wet season. The yearly tourist arrival data at Mole National Park shows an increasing trend with peak visitation period occurring during the wet season. The chances of tourists encountering more species and numbers of waterbirds in the park are higher in the dry season compared to the wet season.Conservation implications: Species richness and abundance of waterbirds in Mole National Park varied according to the wet and dry seasons with both the number of species and abundance higher in the dry season than the wet season. It is therefore indicative that most birdwatchers who visit the park in the wet season miss out on a number of species and numbers of waterbirds. To achieve effective birdwatching, management should schedule birdwatching activities to coincide with the dry season as the chances of encountering more species and numbers of waterbirds are higher.

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Some aspects of the history and population ecology of the tsessebe damaliscus lunatus lunatus in the Kruger National Park

Koedoe ◽

10.4102/koedoe.v20i1.937 ◽

1977 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

S.C.J. Joubert ◽

P.J.L. Bronkhorst

Keyword(s):

Sex Ratio ◽

Population Ecology ◽

Age Structure ◽

National Park ◽

Kruger National Park ◽

Population Trends ◽

Social Organisation ◽

Developmental History ◽

The Social ◽

History Of

The population trends and distribution of the tsessebe population of the Kruger National Park are evaluated in terms of the available data derived from records compiled in the developmental history of the Kruger National Park (KNP). The recent numerical status of the population is also given. A description of the habitats favoured by tsessebe in the KNP is presented as well as an analysis of the age structure and sex-ratio of the population. Aspects of the social organisation of tsessebe affecting the interpretation of the age structure and sex-ratio phenomena of the population, are also discussed.

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On the epidemiology of helminth parasites in Hangul Deer Cervus hanglu hanglu (Mammalia: Artiodactyla: Cervidae) of Dachigam National Park, India

Journal of Threatened Taxa ◽

10.11609/jott.5179.13.1.17517-17520 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 17517-17520

Author(s):

Naziya Khurshid ◽

Hidayatullah Tak ◽

Ruqeya Nazir ◽

Kulsum Ahmad Bhat ◽

Muniza Manzoor

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

National Park ◽

Helminth Infection ◽

Dry Season ◽

Helminth Parasites ◽

Wet Season ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Dictyocaulus Viviparus ◽

Dachigam National Park ◽

One Year

A one-year study conducted to ascertain the prevalence and risk factors associated with helminth infection in Hangul Deer Cervus hanglu hanglu at Dachigam National Park revealed that 40.45% (89 of 220 samples) were infected with four helminth species including Heamonchus contortus, Trichuris ovis, Dictyocaulus viviparus, and Moneizia expansa. The study signified that the infection was more prevalent during the dry season (summer and autumn) as compared to the wet season (winter and spring). The overall prevalence of Heamonchus contortus was the highest (23.18%) followed by Trichuris ovis (8.18%), followed by Dictyocaulus viviparus (5.45%), and Moneizia expansa (3.63%). The present study should be of importance in conserving the erstwhile state animal, listed as Critically Engendered in 2017 by IUCN.

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Seasonality of Mansonia titillans during dam construction, Biritiba-Mirim, São Paulo State, Brazil

Biota Neotropica ◽

10.1590/s1676-06032013000100007 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 70-73 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Frederico Alves D'Avila ◽

Almério de Castro Gomes

Keyword(s):

Early Spring ◽

Dry Season ◽

Southeastern Brazil ◽

Rank Test ◽

Late Winter ◽

Dam Construction ◽

Wet Season ◽

Paulo State ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Wilcoxon Rank Test

A two and a half year survey was conducted at a dam in southeastern Brazil. Shannon Traps were used for sampling. Kruskal-Wallis test showed little relation between rainfall and abundance. The data clearly show three abundance peaks, all of them in the end of the dry season, in consonance with the scarce literature existent. Although Kruskal-Wallis Test did not find a clear preference for the dry season, Pairwise Wilcoxon Rank Test revealed a significant difference between Fall and Spring samples. Ma. titillans population had a peak on late winter/early spring, close to the begin of wet season.

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Moult, Movements, Age and Sex Composition of Mountain Duck, Tadorna tadornoides, Banded at Lake George, N.S.W

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr9760173 ◽

1976 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 173 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

JL McKean ◽

LW Braithwaite

Keyword(s):

Sex Ratio ◽

Age Structure ◽

New South ◽

Sex Composition ◽

South Wales ◽

Two Samples ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Moult Migration ◽

Lake George ◽

Age And Sex

Two samples of mountain ducks totalling 1001 birds were trapped and banded at Lake George,N.S.W. A highly significant difference in age structure between the two samples, taken in January 1965 and in February 1970, may be related to major differences in rainfall for the year preceding each sample. The sex ratio was markedly biased in favour of females. Recoveries of birds were nearly all to the south and west and 300-700 km from the banding site. Fully 99 % of recoveries were in States other than New South Wales. Examination of one sample of 679 mountain ducks for moult of primary and secondary wing feathers showed that approximately one-third of the adults were moulting. It was concluded that the birds were possibly normal residents of the region in which most recoveries occurred, and that they make an annual moult migration to Lake George.

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Numerical Assessments of Leaf Area Index in Tropical Savanna Rangelands, South Africa Using Landsat 8 OLI Derived Metrics and In-Situ Measurements

Remote Sensing ◽

10.3390/rs11070829 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. 829 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Timothy Dube ◽

Santa Pandit ◽

Cletah Shoko ◽

Abel Ramoelo ◽

Dominic Mazvimavi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Leaf Area Index ◽

Leaf Area ◽

National Park ◽

Dry Season ◽

Kruger National Park ◽

Landsat 8 ◽

Tropical Savanna ◽

Wet Season ◽

Area Index

Knowledge on rangeland condition, productivity patterns and possible thresholds of potential concern, as well as the escalation of risks in the face of climate change and variability over savanna grasslands is essential for wildlife/livestock management purposes. The estimation of leaf area index (LAI) in tropical savanna ecosystems is therefore fundamental for the proper planning and management of this natural capital. In this study, we assess the spatio-temporal seasonal LAI dynamics (dry and wet seasons) as a proxy for rangeland condition and productivity in the Kruger National Park (KNP), South Africa. The 30 m Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) spectral bands, derived vegetation indices and a non-parametric approach (i.e., random forest, RF) were used to assess dry and wet season LAI condition and variability in the KNP. The results showed that RF optimization enhanced the model performance in estimating LAI. Moderately high accuracies were observed for the dry season (R2 of 0.63–0.72 and average RMSE of 0.60 m2/m2) and wet season (0.62–0.63 and 0.79 m2/m2). Derived thematic maps demonstrated that the park had high LAI estimates during the wet season when compared to the dry season. On average, LAI estimates ranged between 3 and 7 m2/m2 during the wet season, whereas for the dry season most parts of the park had LAI estimates ranging between 0.00 and 3.5 m2/m2. The findings indicate that Kruger National Park had high levels of productivity during the wet season monitoring period. Overall, this work shows the unique potential of Landsat 8-derived metrics in assessing LAI as a proxy for tropical savanna rangelands productivity. The result is relevant for wildlife management and habitat assessment and monitoring.

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Adjacent pastoral areas support higher densities of wild ungulates during the wet season than the Lake Mburo National Park in Uganda

Journal of Tropical Ecology ◽

10.1017/s0266467406003610 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 22 (6) ◽

pp. 675-683 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

Ole Tobias Rannestad ◽

Torbjørn Danielsen ◽

Stein R. Moe ◽

Sigbjørn Stokke

Keyword(s):

Protected Areas ◽

National Park ◽

Distance Sampling ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Total Density ◽

Private Land ◽

Wild Ungulates ◽

Wet Season ◽

Local Survival ◽

Significant Difference

The small size of many African protected areas makes adjacent rangelands potentially important in the local survival of wild animals. In order to assess the importance of pastoral areas to wild ungulates, we studied density and habitat choice of wild ungulates and cattle in Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda, the adjacent exclusively pastoral Nshara Dairy Ranch and on private land consisting of a mixture of ranching and subsistence farms. Transects, in the three land-use zones, were walked during the wet season and the data were analysed by DISTANCE sampling technique. We found significantly higher total density of wild ungulates on the dairy ranch compared with the National Park and private land. There was no significant difference in total wild animal density between the National Park and private land. Impala (Aepyceros melampus), zebra (Equus quagga), bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) and waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) had significantly higher densities on the dairy ranch compared to the National Park. Only eland (Taurotragus oryx) density was higher in the National Park compared to private land. Wild ungulates and cattle showed a high degree of habitat overlap, generally preferring open grassland. Our study shows that high densities of wild ungulates are not necessarily associated with protected areas. Pastoral areas may be important for populations of wild herbivores during the growing season despite a pronounced presence of livestock.

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THE EFFECT OF SEASONAL VARIATION ON PERFORMANCE OF EGG TYPE POULTRY: A Case Study of Mitchell Farms, Mosogar, Delta State, Nigeria

Nigerian Journal of Animal Production ◽

10.51791/njap.v24i2.2306 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 24 (2) ◽

pp. 101-105

Author(s):

E. E. Guobadia

Keyword(s):

Seasonal Variation ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Egg Production ◽

Management Practices ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Dry Season ◽

Wet Season ◽

Egg Hatchability ◽

Significant Difference

The study was designed to find out the effect of seasonal variation on poultry in Delta State of Nigeria. The variables considered were mortality rate, feed intake, egg production and egg hatchability in the wet and dry seasons of the year. Secondary data were also collected from records kept in the farm. Sites 4AHI-BLK,5AKI-BLK, 9H/BF and 10H/BF were used for the study with each having an average of 2,500-3,500 birds of the same breed and sex aged 1-9 weeks and 21-52weeks. The records were grouped into dry season (October-March) and wet season (April-September) covering three years, 1991-1994. The analysis of the result showed that seasonal variation does not have any significant effect (P < 0.05) on mortality and feed intake in the two seasons. However percentage egg production and egg hatchability revealed a significant difference (P < 0.05) between the two seasons, with a mean % egg production and hatchability of 74±.03 and 80.6 in the wet season and 53.67±0.01 and 55.9 respectively in the dry season. Recommendation is therefore made for proper planning which ensures the utilization of wet and dry season management practices to reduce the effect of high humidity and embient temperature on production.

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Home-range and den use of the mahogany glider, Petaurus gracilis

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr98046 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 49 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Stephen M. Jackson

Keyword(s):

Home Range ◽

Dry Season ◽

Home Ranges ◽

Adjacent Area ◽

Wet Season ◽

Male And Female ◽

Fragmented Habitat ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Socially Monogamous ◽

Males And Females

The home-range of the mahogany glider was estimated, and its social behaviour examined, by following radio-collared animals over a two-year period within an area of continuous habitat and an adjacent area of fragmented habitat. The average home range within the continuous habitat was 19.25 ha for males and 20.34 ha for females, with male and female pairs occupying a combined area of 23.15 ha. In contrast, the average home range in the fragmented habitat was 11.05 ha for males and 6.80 ha for females, with a combined home-range of male and female pairs being 11.60 ha. The average overlap of the home ranges of paired males and females was 85.9%, compared with approximately 11% for non-paired individuals, which suggests that mahogany gliders are socially monogamous. For a total of 46 nights on which gliders were considered to behave normally for the entire night, the average foraging distance was 1506 m (range 590–3420 m) with no significant difference between males and females in either the continuous or fragmented habitat. There was, however, a significant difference in the distance individuals travelled during different times of the year, with longer distances being travelled during late dry season/wet season and shorter distances during the early to mid dry season. Mahogany gliders also travelled further when there was a high availability of nectar and pollen than when there was lower availability. A total of 83 dens (tree hollows) were recorded for the mahogany glider, with the poplar gum, Eucalyptus platyphylla, forest red gum, Eucalyptus tereticornis, and Clarkson's bloodwood, Corymbia clarksoniana, being most used.

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