Mduduzi Ndlovu
University of the Free State, Zoology and Entomology, Faculty Member
- I am a professional zoologist intrigued by a wide range of theoretical and practical issues in African ecology and co... moreI am a professional zoologist intrigued by a wide range of theoretical and practical issues in African ecology and conservation. My broad research interests include ornithology, wildlife ecology and conservation biology.edit
To comprehend the effects of emerging infectious diseases on both human and animal health, it is necessary to understand the ecology of pathogens that have wildlife reservoirs. In this study, we determined the prevalence of the parasites... more
To comprehend the effects of emerging infectious diseases on both human and animal health, it is necessary to understand the ecology of pathogens that have wildlife reservoirs. In this study, we determined the prevalence of the parasites Trypanosoma spp. and filarial nematodes in the bloodstream of birds in and around the Kruger National Park, South Africa, partly to test the hypothesis that season influences parasitaemia. Other factors considered were foraging habits, gregariousness or solitariness, and whether location might facilitate contact between birds and parasite vectors. Microscopy was used to screen stained blood smears prepared from 685 captured birds of 87 species. It was found that 3.9% of the birds were infected with filarial nematodes (as reflected by the presence of microfilariae) and 3.1% with Trypanosoma spp. No cases of coinfection with both types of parasite were encountered. Ground-foraging and solitary birds had the highest parasite prevalences compared to oth...
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This dataset includes information on starlings sampled in the Kruger National Park and details on infections by avian haemosporidians screened through microscopy, nested PCR and real-time PCR
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Background Sound management of protected areas is crucial for biodiversity conservation. In savanna systems, fire is common, yet little is known on the direct and long-term effects of prescribed burns on arthropod abundance, richness, and... more
Background Sound management of protected areas is crucial for biodiversity conservation. In savanna systems, fire is common, yet little is known on the direct and long-term effects of prescribed burns on arthropod abundance, richness, and diversity. Standardised pitfall traps and active searches were used to compare variation in abundance, richness and diversity of arthropods at various experimental burn plots in the Kruger National Park, a protected area in a savanna setting. Results Hymenopterans: Formicidae were the most abundant (76.4%), whilst Coleopterans, Araneae and Orthopterans constituted 18.6, 3 and 1% of the total arthropods collected respectively. Coleopterans were the most diverse group (30.2%) compared to Hymenopterans: Formicidae (24.6), Araneae (24.6) and Orthopterans (4%). Abundance, species richness and diversity of multi-taxa significantly differed between the treatment plots. Abundance and diversity of Formicidae were significantly lower, hence, species richness...
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We measured diurnal external temperature, mound size (volume), amount of shade and mound internal temperature over a 24-hour period. Internal mound temperature varied daily following the diurnal changes of external temperature. Active... more
We measured diurnal external temperature, mound size (volume), amount of shade and mound internal temperature over a 24-hour period. Internal mound temperature varied daily following the diurnal changes of external temperature. Active termite mounds maintained a higher internal temperature than inactive ones, and the magnitude of this difference increased with mound volume; active and inactive mounds were equally affected by shade amount and external temperature fluctuations. Large mounds maintained near optimal internal temperatures compared to smaller sized mounds.
community to resourcepulses are related to foraging guild and food-web position
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Despite considerable effort for surveillance of wild birds for avian influenza viruses (AIVs), empirical investigations of ecological drivers of AIV prevalence in wild birds are still scarce. Here we used a continental-scale dataset,... more
Despite considerable effort for surveillance of wild birds for avian influenza viruses (AIVs), empirical investigations of ecological drivers of AIV prevalence in wild birds are still scarce. Here we used a continental-scale dataset, collected in tropical wetlands of 15 African countries, to test the relative roles of a range of ecological factors on patterns of AIV prevalence in wildfowl. Seasonal and geographical variations in prevalence were positively related to the local density of the wildfowl community and to the wintering period of Eurasian migratory birds in Africa. The predominant influence of wildfowl density with no influence of climatic conditions suggests, in contrast to temperate regions, a predominant role for inter-individual transmission rather than transmission via long-lived virus persisting in the environment. Higher prevalences were found in Anas species than in non- Anas species even when we account for differences in their foraging behaviour (primarily dabbli...
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SUMMARYThe relevance of spatial variation in the environment and host communities for parasite community composition is poorly documented, creating a need for additional case studies from which general principles can be developed. Avian... more
SUMMARYThe relevance of spatial variation in the environment and host communities for parasite community composition is poorly documented, creating a need for additional case studies from which general principles can be developed. Avian malaria in southern African waterfowl has not previously been studied. As a first step towards documenting and understanding its biogeography, we used PCR and molecular sequencing techniques to analyse 454 blood samples from Afrotropical ducks from 5 different locations (spread around the subregion) for avian malaria. Fifty-five blood samples were positive for one or more genera of haematozoa. The regional infection rate across all sites and sampling periods was 12·1%. Nine individuals carried dual infections containing multiple haematozoa. Fifteen different cytochromebhaplotypes among 52 positives (3 samples failed to sequence) and 61 total sequences were found. Eleven haplotypes closely matchedPlasmodium, whereas 4 were more similar toHaemoproteus....
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Research Interests: Migration, Ecohealth, Biology, Ecology, Animal Ecology, and 15 moreMedicine, South Africa, influenza A, Avian Influenza, Birds, Animals, Endemic Diseases, South African, Avian Influenza Viruses, Public health systems and services research, influenza A virus, Anatidae, Enquête, Environment, and grippe aviaire
In semi-arid protected areas artificial waterholes ensure that water is locally available to animals for extended periods. However, artificial waterholes may limit animal movement, which contributes towards habitat deterioration.... more
In semi-arid protected areas artificial waterholes ensure that water is locally available to animals for extended periods. However, artificial waterholes may limit animal movement, which contributes towards habitat deterioration. Challenges of artificial water provisioning worsen in the presence of ecosystem engineers like African elephants Loxodonta africana, capable of transforming environments. Camera traps were used to monitor elephant visitation at 21 artificial waterholes in the Kruger National Park, South Africa. We also assessed if water quality parameters influenced elephant preference for certain waterholes. There were no significant correlations between elephant abundance and water physicochemical properties. However, there was a strong negative correlation between elephant abundance and levels of Escherichia coli in water. Our findings suggest that elephants avoid drinking water with high levels of faecal microbial loads. Whereas most studies addressing animal management in protected areas consider waterholes as homogeneous units, we posit that water quality could also determine local landscape use and movement patterns of key species like elephants, a finding with relevant implications in reserve management practices
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Despite considerable effort for surveillance of wild birds for avian influenza viruses (AIVs), empirical investigations of ecological drivers of AIV prevalence in wild birds are still scarce. Here we used a continental-scale dataset,... more
Despite considerable effort for surveillance of wild birds for avian influenza viruses (AIVs), empirical investigations of ecological drivers of AIV prevalence in wild birds are still scarce. Here we used a continental-scale dataset, collected in tropical wetlands of 15 African countries, to test the relative roles of a range of ecological factors on patterns of AIV prevalence in wildfowl. Seasonal and geographical variations in prevalence were positively related to the local density of the wildfowl community and to the wintering period of Eurasian migratory birds in Africa. The predominant influence of wildfowl density with no influence of climatic conditions suggests, in contrast to temperate regions, a predominant role for inter-individual transmission rather than transmission via long-lived virus persisting in the environment. Higher prevalences were found in Anas species than in non-Anas species even when we account for differences in their foraging behaviour (primarily dabblin...
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Phenotypic flexibility during moult has never been explored in austral nomadic ducks. I investigated whether the body condition, organ (pectoral muscle, gizzard, liver and heart) mass and flight-feather growth of Egyptian Geese Alopochen... more
Phenotypic flexibility during moult has never been explored in austral nomadic ducks. I investigated whether the body condition, organ (pectoral muscle, gizzard, liver and heart) mass and flight-feather growth of Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegyptiaca in southern Africa show phenotypic flexibility over their 53-day period of flightless moult. Changes in body mass and condition were examined in Egyptian Geese caught at Barberspan and Strandfontein in South Africa. Mean daily change in primary feather length was calculated for moulting geese and birds were dissected for pectoral muscle and internal organ assessment. Mean body mass and condition varied significantly during moult. Body mass and condition started to decrease soon after flight feathers were dropped and continued to do so until the new feathers were at least two-thirds grown, after which birds started to regain body mass and condition. Non-moulting geese had large pectoral muscles, accounting for at least 26% of total body ma...
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Bio-invasions are a major threat to biodiversity and ecosystems globally and may contribute to the proliferation of emerging infectious diseases. We examined the prevalence and phylogenetic diversity of avian haemosporidian parasites... more
Bio-invasions are a major threat to biodiversity and ecosystems globally and may contribute to the proliferation of emerging infectious diseases. We examined the prevalence and phylogenetic diversity of avian haemosporidian parasites infecting the non-native house sparrows (Passer domesticus) and the native southern grey-headed sparrows (Passer diffusus). Blood samples from 104 sparrows (74 house sparrows and 30 southern grey-headed sparrows) mist-netted inside and around the Kruger National Park were used. Genomic DNA was extracted from each blood sample and subjected to nested PCR analyses, Sanger sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. Overall, 35.57% (37/104) of the birds sampled were infected with at least one haemosporidian parasites. Southern grey-headed sparrows had a higher parasite prevalence (60%) than house sparrows (24.3%). A total of 16 parasite lineages were identified, of which eight were novel lineages. Whereas Haemoproteus spp. showed the highest lineage diversity, L...
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Captive black rhinos (Diceros bicornis) were offered five species of woody plant in ‘cafeteria’ trials, for the animals to show any dietary preferences. Six out of seven rhinos were mother-reared, half of them wild born the others captive... more
Captive black rhinos (Diceros bicornis) were offered five species of woody plant in ‘cafeteria’ trials, for the animals to show any dietary preferences. Six out of seven rhinos were mother-reared, half of them wild born the others captive born. The seventh rhino was hand-reared and this one consumed significantly less browse than did the mother-reared animals. Combretum hereroense, Acacia nilotica and Albizia amara were significantly more preferred than Acacia karroo and Peltophorum africanum. The last named had the highest tannin levels, soluble insoluble, and fibre-bound, which probably accounted for its low preference. No correlations were found between browse preference and crude protein, calcium and sodium.
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Termite mounds have recently been shown to protect against drought by providing refuges for plants and foci for revegetation, but whether mounds modulate temperature remains untested. Organisms tend to experience climate at finer scales... more
Termite mounds have recently been shown to protect against drought by providing refuges for plants and foci for revegetation, but whether mounds modulate temperature remains untested. Organisms tend to experience climate at finer scales than those captured by models predicting how distributions alter with global change, so microclimates represent important “climate refuges.” Using data we collected from African savanna sites, generalized linear mixed-effects models and linear quantile regression analysis confirm for the first time that the woody species associated with large termite mounds establish microclimates that are significantly cooler than surrounding savannas, a cooling effect that is even greater at warmer extremes. As air temperatures approached 40°C, a cooling effect of up to 4°C occurred, representing a doubling from that observed at 34°C. African savannas encompass 10 million km2, and much of this harbors evenly dispersed termitaria. The temperature-modulating effect of mounds facilitates agricultural and conservation decision-making as global change begins to impact the integrity of both human well-being and ecological processes.
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Human settlement expansion into elephant ranges, as well as increasing elephant populations within confined areas has led to heightened levels of human–elephant conflict in southern African communities living near protected areas. Several... more
Human settlement expansion into elephant ranges, as well as increasing elephant populations within confined areas has led to heightened levels of human–elephant conflict in southern African communities living near protected areas. Several methods to mitigate this conflict have been suggested including the use of bees as an elephant deterrent. We investigated whether bee auditory and olfactory cues (as surrogates for live bees) could be used to effectively deter elephants. We evaluated the responses of elephants in the southern section of the Kruger National Park to five different treatments: (1) control noise, (2) buzzing bee noise, (3) control noise with honey scent, (4) honey scent, and (5) bee noise with honey scent. Elephants did not respond or displayed less heightened responses to the first four treatments. All elephants exposed to the bee noise with honey scent responded with defensive behaviours and 15 out of 21 individuals also fled. We concluded that buzzing bees or honey ...
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ABSTRACT Background/Question/Methods The long-term persistence of populations under climate change will depend on their ability to respond favourably to changing environments. Ducks undergo an annual flightless moult and this vulnerable... more
ABSTRACT Background/Question/Methods The long-term persistence of populations under climate change will depend on their ability to respond favourably to changing environments. Ducks undergo an annual flightless moult and this vulnerable moulting stage will be strongly influenced by environmental change. To better understand the potential for fine-scale adaptation, we investigated the degree to which the body condition, organ mass (pectoral muscle, gizzard, liver and heart) and flight feather growth of Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegyptiaca (actually a duck) living in variable environments showed phenotypic flexibility over the c.37 days of flightless moult. We further explored the generality of our results from the Egyptian Geese study and investigated how body condition and pectoral muscle size of South African Shelduck Tadorna cana, Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis and Yellow-billed Duck Anas undulata change during flight-feather moult. Results/Conclusions Egyptian Geese mean body mass and condition declined at the start of moult and continued to do so until flight feathers were at least two-thirds grown. Non-moulting Egyptian geese had high pectoral muscle mass which decreased with the onset of moult but started to increase before overall body mass increased. Gizzard mass showed the opposite trend; liver mass increased throughout moult; and heart mass stayed constant. Feathers grew fastest at intermediate lengths. Moulting Spur-winged Geese and South African Shelduck showed a decline in body condition coupled with the atrophy and subsequent hypertrophy of pectoral muscles which is analogous to the phenotypic flexibility displayed in Egyptian Geese. The high degree of phenotypic flexibility suggests that they will adapt well to local change. Yellow-billed ducks maintained a constant body condition and breast size throughout moult. Body weight and organ mass dynamics during flight feather moult vary among duck species. Each species may have evolved a moult strategy that is best suited to its own annual cycle and the environmental conditions in which it lives.
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Background/Question/Methods Biogeography has long acknowledged movement as an important influence on patterns of species occurrences. Incorporation of movement into biogeographic studies has often, however, been undertaken in a relatively... more
Background/Question/Methods Biogeography has long acknowledged movement as an important influence on patterns of species occurrences. Incorporation of movement into biogeographic studies has often, however, been undertaken in a relatively simple way. We argue that unpacking the concept of dispersal into the fundamental elements of movement (internal drivers, external drivers, navigation capacity, and motion capacity) provides a better basis for contrasting competing hypotheses in biogeographic studies. We illustrate the value of taking a deeper perspective on movement with a case study that uses extensive satellite telemetry data from 26 Afrotropical ducks of two species, Red-billed Teal Anas erythrorhyncha and Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca, at three different southern African study sites spread across a 17-degree latitudinal gradient. Movement paths from individual birds were analysed using Matlab to obtain estimates of a range of relevant parameters for each bird (e.g., mean...
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ABSTRACT The daily movements of 18 Egyptian Geese (Alopochen aegyptiaca) in South Africa were recorded using satellite telemetry. General additive mixed models were used to explain the distances moved by the birds at different times of... more
ABSTRACT The daily movements of 18 Egyptian Geese (Alopochen aegyptiaca) in South Africa were recorded using satellite telemetry. General additive mixed models were used to explain the distances moved by the birds at different times of the day, correcting for sex, site, season and individual. Distances moved by birds in the mesic, winter-rainfall, south-western region (Strandfontein) of South Africa were compared with movements in the semi-arid, summer-rainfall region (Barber-span) of northern South Africa. Moulting birds all remained at single wetlands during moult, displayed crepuscular patterns of activity and nocturnal retreats to safety. At the end of moult, birds dispersed away from moulting sites. The longest daily distances travelled by individuals took place mainly just before moult was due to start or within the first 10 days after completing moult, providing strong evidence that Egyptian Geese undertake moult migrations. The daily pattern of movement was strongly skewed, with >70% of flights being short (<10 km) and longer flights mainly occurring at night (88%). There were considerable differences in patterns of dispersal between birds at the summer-rainfall site and the winter-rainfall one. Summer-rainfall birds undertook long-distance movements between wetlands whereas Winter-rainfall birds appeared to move randomly and over short distances.
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ABSTRACT Background/Question/Methods The long-term persistence of populations under climate change will depend on their ability to respond favourably to changing environments. Ducks undergo an annual flightless moult and this vulnerable... more
ABSTRACT Background/Question/Methods The long-term persistence of populations under climate change will depend on their ability to respond favourably to changing environments. Ducks undergo an annual flightless moult and this vulnerable moulting stage will be strongly influenced by environmental change. To better understand the potential for fine-scale adaptation, we investigated the degree to which the body condition, organ mass (pectoral muscle, gizzard, liver and heart) and flight feather growth of Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegyptiaca (actually a duck) living in variable environments showed phenotypic flexibility over the c.37 days of flightless moult. We further explored the generality of our results from the Egyptian Geese study and investigated how body condition and pectoral muscle size of South African Shelduck Tadorna cana, Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis and Yellow-billed Duck Anas undulata change during flight-feather moult. Results/Conclusions Egyptian Geese mean body mass and condition declined at the start of moult and continued to do so until flight feathers were at least two-thirds grown. Non-moulting Egyptian geese had high pectoral muscle mass which decreased with the onset of moult but started to increase before overall body mass increased. Gizzard mass showed the opposite trend; liver mass increased throughout moult; and heart mass stayed constant. Feathers grew fastest at intermediate lengths. Moulting Spur-winged Geese and South African Shelduck showed a decline in body condition coupled with the atrophy and subsequent hypertrophy of pectoral muscles which is analogous to the phenotypic flexibility displayed in Egyptian Geese. The high degree of phenotypic flexibility suggests that they will adapt well to local change. Yellow-billed ducks maintained a constant body condition and breast size throughout moult. Body weight and organ mass dynamics during flight feather moult vary among duck species. Each species may have evolved a moult strategy that is best suited to its own annual cycle and the environmental conditions in which it lives.