Skinner and colleagues (Research Article, 23 January 2015, p. 395), based on metacarpal trabecular bone structure, argue that Australopithecus africanus employed human-like dexterity for stone tool making and use 3 million years ago. However, their evolutionary and biological assumptions are misinformed, failing to refute the previously existing hypothesis that human-like manipulation preceded ...

We detected Emergomyces africanus, a thermally dimorphic fungus that causes an HIV-associated systemic mycosis, by PCR in 18 (30%) of 60 soil samples from a wide range of habitats in South Africa. Direct and indirect culture techniques were unsuccessful. Experimental intraperitoneal inoculation of conidia induced murine disease.

Longidorus breviannulatus n. sp. was associated with stunted corn in Iowa. The nematode has wide bilobed amphidial pouches, a guiding ring 21-26 mum from the anterior end of the body, an odontostyle 81-88 mum long, and a spear extension 28-45 mum long. The most frequent collections and the greatest numbers of the nematode in the field occurred in sandy soils. Nematodes increased in greenhouse c...

Huanglongbing (yellow dragon disease) is a destructive disease of citrus. The etiological agent is a noncultured, phloem-restricted alpha-proteobacterium, "Candidatus Liberibacter africanus" in Africa and "Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus" in Asia. In this study, we used an omp-based PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) approach to analyze the genetic variability of "Ca. Liberib...

Abstract The aptly named microcormorants (currently placed in the genus Microcarbo) form a morphologically diminutive and distinct clade sister to all other living cormorants shags. However, relationships within Microcarbo are largely speculative. Sequence data resolve these unambiguously, with our phylogeny suggesting that separated from ~16 Mya showing two African species [the reed (or long-t...

The management of Lyctus africanus, one the major dry wood pests in tropical region is difficult due to its secluded habits and long lifecycle therefore, control measures are limited usage insecticides. insecticides particularly metal salts effective, but some cases their leaching leads concerns about environmental pollution. Nanometal particles found be more effective than salts. Presently ava...

Symptoms of huanglongbing (HLB) were reported in São Paulo State (SPS), Brazil, in March 2004. In Asia, HLB is caused by 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' and in Africa by 'Candidatus Liberibacter africanus'. Detection of the liberibacters is based on PCR amplification of their 16S rRNA gene with specific primers. Leaves with blotchy mottle symptoms characteristic of HLB were sampled in sever...

A detailed account is given of the history, aetiology, biology, epidemiology, detection, geographical distribution, and control of huanglongbing (HLB), a destructive disease of citrus that represents a major threat to the world citrus industry, and is slowly invading new citrusgrowing areas. HLB, whose name in Chinese means “yellow dragon disease”, was first reported from southern China in 1919...