Behaviour and social organization of the African Jacana Actophilornis africanus.
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Date
1997
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Abstract
The behaviour, nesting, food resources and mating system of the African Jacana
Actophilornis africanus were studied at Muzi Swamp, northern KwaZulu-Natal and at Darvill
Sewerage Works, KwaZulu-Natal.
African Jacanas show highly polyandrous behaviour associated with a marked reversed
sexual size dimorphism. A high clutch loss was recorded because of predation and weather
conditions.
Contact behaviour was recorded, which is unusual in Charadriiformes. Vocalization and
visual displays were distinctive and closely related to territorial and sexual behaviour. Unlike the
Wattled Jacana Jacana jacana, the African Jacana practises male guarding behaviour.
Rich food concentration in the African Jacana habitat was shown by field tests and this may
be a reason for this species evolving in a floating environment. The presence of simultaneous
polyandry in the African Jacana was analyzed mathematically and by computer modelling in order
to determine possible advantages of polyandry.
Description
Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1997.
Keywords
Jacanidae--KwaZulu-Natal., Jacanidae--Behaviour., Theses--Zoology.