Browsing Masters Degrees (Zoology) by Title
Now showing items 28-47 of 94
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Ecological factors influencing the reproductive ecology, territoriality and foraging behaviour of fiscal shrikes.
(1998)This thesis describes the behavioural ecology of South African fiscal shrikes through detailed field observations and experimental manipulations, and discusses these in the context of reproductive ecology, life history ... -
Ecology and behaviour of the Seychelles giant millipede.
(1999)On certain islands in the Seychelles archipelago a large and abundant animal is the Seychelles giant millipede, Seychelleptus seychellamm (Desjardins, 1834). This study quantifies the ecological role of this species in ... -
The ecology of Black Sparrowhawks (Accipiter melanoleucus) in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
(2014)Black Sparrowhawks (Accipiter melanoleucus) are a medium-sized raptor found across much of sub-Saharan Africa. Within South Africa their distribution has historically been across most of the east with no distribution across ... -
The ecology of Nile Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) in Pongolapoort Dam, Northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
(2010)In general Nile Crocodile Crocodylus niloticus numbers in South Africa appeared to have recovered after persecution and eradication attempts during the last century. Within the last decade, however, the future of South ... -
The effect of different diets on the reproduction of two species of mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti and Culex pipiens.
(1987)Larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti were raised on five different diets and the effects thereof on various parameters was studied. The diets used were: A = Pronutro and Tastee wheat, B = Epo 1 rat cubes, C= ... -
The effect of habitat alteration by elephants on invertebrate diversity in two small reserves in South Africa.
(2005)Balancing increasing elephant numbers with biodiversity conservation in small reserves has become a concern for many protected area managers. Elephants are considered important agents of disturbance creating heterogeneity ... -
The effect of intercropping beans on Eldana saccharina Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) arthropod predator populations in sugarcane.
(1998)Commercial sugarcane in South Africa is a monoculture, and therefore lacks vegetation diversity, which is instrumental in increasing associated faunal diversity. Diverse habitats tend to support more stable populations ... -
The effect of land use on the species composition of amphibians in North Eastern KwaZulu-Natal.
(2010)Global declines in amphibian species have directed research towards investigating why this is happening. One of the major causes of these declines is the fragmentation and loss of habitat. This study examined the effect ... -
The effects of forest fragmentation on bird species in Madagascar : a case study from Ambohitantely Forest Reserve on the central high plateau.
(1995)Considering the high rate of endemism in Madagascan organisms, which are mostly restricted to forest ecosystems, and the accelerating rate of deforestation affecting the island, it is critical to understand the effects ... -
The effects of rainfall unpredictability on the circadian energy rhythms of the four-striped field mouse, Rhabdomys pumilio.
(1998)Rainfall is the most important factor limiting primary production, and hence food availability, in ecosystems. This study tests the thesis that, under conditions where rainfall is unpredictable and food supply varies ... -
The effects of tannin ingestion on the physiology of boer-goats.
(2001)This study was conducted to determine the effects of different levels of dietary tannin on the physiology of Boer goats. In particular, dietary intake, digestibility, gastrointestinal tract (GIT) histology and presence ... -
Evaluation of methods and approaches for surveying savanna invertebrates.
(2006)The savanna is an important biome, which is under threat from land transformation, and it is therefore a focus for conservation planning. Yet, the invertebrate fauna of this biome is poorly documented and hence there is ... -
The evolution of the house sparrow (Passer domesticus) in southern Africa.
(2001)The house sparrow, Passer domesticus, is one of the most successful invading bird species in the world. It was introduced to southern Africa around 1900 and has since spread through the region. Its dispersal was characterised ... -
Feeding ecology and carrying capacity of a reintroduced pack of African wild dogs in a relatively small, fenced reserve.
(2010)Reintroduction has been used successfully as a tool to restore declining populations of many threatened species. However, the lack of detailed evaluations of past reintroduction attempts has hindered a priori planning of ... -
The feeding ecology of nectarivorous birds in the Natal Drakensberg.
(1987)No abstract available. -
The feeding ecology of the African wild dog Lycaon pictus in Hluhluwe- Umfolozi Park.
(1996)The small population size of wild dog Lycaon pictus (10) in Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park (HUP) and the decline in their numbers since 1992, has caused concern for their survival and consideration of further introductions. In ... -
Feral cats (Felis catus) in an urban conservancy : University of KwaZulu- Natal, Howard College campus.
(2005)The resident feral cat (Felis catus) population on the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), Howard College campus (HCC) in Durban, South Africa was studied from March 2004 to November 2005. This study was initiated as the ... -
Fluctuating asymmetry in the redcollared widow : testing theories of sexual selection.
(1997)Sexual selection is usually invoked to explain the evolution of elaborate epigamic characters in animals. However, the mechanism by which female choice operates is poorly understood, and it is not clear whether female choice ... -
Food preferences and feeding interactions among browsers and the effect of an exotic invasive weed Chromolaena odorata on the endangered black rhino (Diceros bicornis), in an African savanna.
(2009)Biodiversity changes, often resulting from climate change, land transformation, and the transportation of organisms across geographical barriers are among the most important human induced global changes. To optimize the ... -
Genetic diversity of the Rattus complex (Rodentia: Muridae) in KwaZulu-Natal.
(2010)The rodent genus Rattus is considered to be the single largest genus of mammals in the world. One species of Rattus is usually more dominant than another within a specific geographical area; however within the province ...