A study on the bioremediation potentials of the earthworm Hyperiodrilus africanus (Beddard) in soil contaminated with crude oil was investigated. Dried and sieved soils were contaminated with 5 ml each of crude oil with replicates and inoculated with earthworms and monitored daily for 12 weeks. Physicochemical parameters such as pH, total organic carbon, sulfate, nitrate, phosphate, sodium, pot...

Numerous studies suggest that the transition from Australopithecus to Homo was characterized by evolutionary innovation, resulting in the emergence and coexistence of a diversity of forms. However, the evolutionary processes necessary to drive such a transition have not been examined. Here, we apply statistical tests developed from quantitative evolutionary theory to assess whether morphologica...

Heterochrony has been invoked to explain differences in the morphology of modern humans as compared to other great apes. The distal femur is one area where heterochrony has been hypothesized to explain morphological differentiation among Plio-Pleistocene hominins. This hypothesis is evaluated here using geometric morphometric data to describe the ontogenetic shape trajectories of extant hominin...

This study documented species riches of endemic large mammals and their biogeography, conservation status and threats in Ethiopia. Overall there are 280 mammalian species and subspecies 31 are endemic. Out of this, 12 of them are endemic large mammals, namely Canis simensis, Theropithecus gelada gelada, Theropithecus gelada obscurus, Capra walie, Capra ibex, Capra nubiana, Eurus assinus african...

The stable carbon isotope ratio of fossil tooth enamel carbonate is determined by the photosynthetic systems of plants at the base of the animal's foodweb. In subtropical Africa, grasses and many sedges have C(4)photosynthesis and transmit their characteristically enriched 13C/(12)C ratios (more positive delta13C values) along the foodchain to consumers. We report here a carbon isotope study of...

Two new species of Schistonchus were recovered from the hemocoel of adult female fig wasps, Pegoscapus spp. (Agaonidae), and the syconia of Ficus spp. native to Florida. They are described here as Schistonchus aureus n. sp., associated with Pegoscapus mexicanus and Ficus aurea, and Schistonchus laevigatus n. sp., associated with Pegoscapus sp. and Ficus laevigata. The Florida species of Schisto...

Parasites were collected from 160 Angora goats and kids on the Jansenville Experimental Farm, Eastern Cape Province. Six nematodes were identified to species level and three to generic level. Nematodirus spathiger was the most numerous of the economically important nematodes recovered. It was always present, and fourth stage larvae were collected from untreated goats from August to March, while...

Despite the devastating collapse of three vulture populations on the Asian subcontinent as a result of their exposure to diclofenac, there is little available information on the normal physiology of many vulture species, including the African White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus). Such information is needed to fully understand mechanisms for toxicity and to identify and prevent future health pr...