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Biological Sciences

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    Importance of freshwater systems and eels in the uMngeni and uThukela catchments, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: community perspectives.
    (2023) Nkomo, Mxolisi Nhlakanipho.; Downs, Colleen Thelma.
    Globally, the conservation status of inland fishery resources and freshwater systems is vulnerable, threatening communities' livelihoods dependent on freshwater harvested species. Few studies have reported on the economic and cultural contributions of catadromous eels (Anguilla spp.) in southern Africa, particularly in South Africa. Beyond using freshwater systems for domestic purposes and meeting basic needs, people use rivers for socio-cultural purposes such as; cultural (cleansing), spirituality (healing), and religion (baptism). This study was undertaken to determine if human activities impact the African anguillids eel populations in the local communities of uThukela and uMngeni catchments and management areas in KwaZulu-Natal. A systematic review was conducted on global studies, with an emphasis on southern Africa, that report on the human perspective on the value of anguillid eels when in freshwater systems. In the southern African region, the available literature focused on the distribution of anguillid eels, habitat loss, and a report on the drastic decline of anguillid eels in KwaZulu-Natal's freshwaters where the Anguilla marmorata, A. mossambica, A. bengalensis, and A. bicolor occur. The studies from the northern hemisphere were rich in reports of eel harvesting (wild catches) and export, which was lacking in the southern African region. The systematic review showed a scarcity of knowledge regarding anguillid eels’ association with spirituality, spirituality, culture, and subsistence in South Africa. Secondly, people’s perceptions of the importance of eel species in freshwater fisheries were assessed using a questionnaire along water courses in the uMngeni and uThukela catchments and ecological management areas, KwaZulu-Natal. A total of 154 people were interviewed (66% males, 34% females); the majority of these participants were isiZulu-speaking, which contextualises the findings to the area of KwaZulu-Natal, uThukela and uMngeni management ii areas in particular. The fishing of eels was found in both catchments, with 74% (of the n = 102) being subsistence fishers (with only one female fisher), and 41% of these subsistence fishers specifically targeted eels. All the fishers that targeted eels depended on freshwater eel catches for income because of the relatively high demand and value. Some fishers caught and sold eels to traditional healers who used their products of medicinal products for different uses. Thirdly, the use of freshwater eels (Anguilla spp.) was assessed beyond harvesting them to sell or consume. In particular, using a questionnaire, the spiritual and cultural values of African freshwater eels and their associated freshwater environment in the uMngeni and uThukela catchments were investigated. A total of 154 people from different communities were interviewed along these river systems during 2021 and 2022. In the different communities within catchments, participants reported a number of different beliefs associated with eels and rivers. The responses showed that people valued clean rivers for various cultural, religious, and recreational activities. Some valued eels as they were associated with their beliefs. People who use freshwater for their respective cultural and spiritual, fishing, and domestic purposes voiced a considerable challenge in using freshwater systems, water pollution and water contamination from industrial waste or eutrophication from agricultural waste. Without community participation, there is no guaranteed sustainability of the water resources for the spiritual and cultural values of freshwater eels and freshwater systems. Community leaders and water management bodies must engage with communities in identifying important river uses (domestic, fisheries), and their contribution to spiritual and cultural practices. This will ensure long-term sustainable use and protection of inland water and fisheries resources associated with cultural and spiritual beliefs in KwaZulu-Natal. Freshwater eels hold a crucial aspect in the lives of traditional healers, some local fishers, and the general public, iii those that have knowledge of the use of these species. The study has shown that these species are still under-studied in KwaZulu-Natal, and most people have little understanding of the economic and cultural values, leading to less appreciation of these species by most people, mostly nonfishers.
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    Potential use of bacterial community observed during decomposition of pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) and sheep (Ovisaries) carrion in estimating the post-mortem interval during the cold season in KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa.
    (2021) Durgapersadh, Aarthi.; Mukaratirwa, Samson.
    This study was aimed at identifying and describing the bacterial communities present during the decomposition stages of both pig and sheep carcasses, with the potential use of these bacterial communities aiding in estimating the post-mortem interval (PMI). One pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) and one sheep (Ovis aries) carcasses were used for this study during the cold season and the study location was Ukulinga Research Farm, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Five stages of decomposition fresh (0-1 d), bloat (2-6 d), active decay (7-12 d), advanced decay (13-51 d) and dry (5258 d) were observed and described for both the pig and sheep carcasses at the same duration from June till August 2019. Temperatures of the carcass and soil (surrounding environment) was recorded. Temperatures of the individual carcasses changed during each stage of decomposition which was influenced by the surrounding environment temperatures. Five bacterial genera (Bacillus, Leclercia, Myroides, Pseudomonas and Providencia) were identified using 16S rRNA gene. During the pig decomposition Myroides and Pseudmonas spp. were absent and Leclercia sp. was absent in the sheep decomposition process. Providencia vermicola was observed during the fresh till the advanced decay of pig decomposition. On a phylum level Proteobacteria was persistent from the fresh till the end of advanced decay stage of the pig carcass, while on the sheep carcass it was persistent till the end of the active stage. Bacillus cereus belonging to the phylum Firmicutes was observed only during the dry stage of the pig decomposition process. During sheep decomposition Providencia sp. were observed during the fresh till the end of active decay stage and Bacillus cereus was observed during the advanced decay and dry stages. Results showed that Proteobacteria was present on both carcasses at the beginning and were absent at the end of decomposition, Firmicutes was present only on the later (advanced decay and dry) stages of decomposition. The presence and absence of different bacterial species during different stages of decomposition on pig and sheep carcasses, indicates their importance in potentially estimating the post mortem interval (PMI), in forensic investigation in KwaZulu- Natal, South Africa. Although this research indicates that bacterial communities can be utilized for PMI estimations, further research is required to better understand the role of bacteria during the decomposition process. This research is especially needed in the different regions of South Africa, as results cannot be extrapolated beyond the countries/regions of study since the bacterial species spectrum vary with geographical regions and conditions.