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Articles by Andre Ganswindt
The Scoop on Honey Badger Poop: Validation of a Non-Invasive Method for Assessing Physiological Responses in Captivity
1 Introduction Honey badgers (Mellivora capensis) are widespread, crepuscular mustelids that occur throughout sub-Saharan Africa, much of the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent (Begg et al. 2013; Do Linh San et al. 2016). Despite their broad distribution, generalist diet, and ecological adaptability (Begg et al. 2003; Carter et al. 2017), to date, they remain underrepresented in physiological and welfare research.
A queen odour mediates reproductive suppression in a eusocial mammal
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Abstract Eusociality is exceptionally rare in mammals, and its proximate mechanisms remain poorly understood. Naked mole-rats provide a striking example, with reproduction restricted to a single queen, while all other females remain infertile1. Here we identify a chemical signal in queens that can regulate this reproductive hierarchy. Isopropyl myristate is a low-volatility ester that is enriched in queens and nearly absent from non-breeding animals.
By Mohammed A. Khallaf, Daniel Hart, Wenhan Luo, Firdevs Murad, Felipe Pereira, Daniel Mendez-Aranda, Nicole Hagenah, Alice Rossi, Valérie Bégay, Jan Okrouhlik, Dietmar Krautwurst, Mungo Kisinza Ngalameno, Andre Ganswindt, Alison J. Barker, Markus Knaden, Sophie Pezet, Andrew Woehler, Bill S. Hansson, Nigel C. Bennett, Gary R. Lewin
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Nature
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Release From Captivity Allows African Savannah Elephant Movement Patterns to Converge With Those of Wild and Rehabilitated Conspecifics
1 Introduction The release of captive animals into the wild through translocation is essential for conservation efforts aimed at restoring populations, enhancing biodiversity, and the rehabilitation of individuals or ecosystems (IUCN/SSC 2013). The survival of translocated animals in new environments rests upon their ability to navigate and form spatial memories, which is critical for locating resources, avoiding threats, and establishing appropriate home ranges (Berger-Tal and Saltz 2014).
Dietary Plasticity of African Clawless Otters (Aonyx capensis): An Assessment of Seasonal Variation in Prey Availability
1 Introduction In global terms, South Africa is a water-limited country. Increasing pollution from anthropogenic sources and failing waste-water treatment infrastructure have led to an overall decrease in water quality, with only 15% of South African rivers deemed to be in ‘good condition’ (Thirion and Jafta 2019).
HT Syndication: African wild dogs: DNA tests of their faeces reveal surprises about what they eat
New Delhi, May 5 -- The African wild dog is one of Africa's most endangered predators. African wild dogs are highly elusive, avoiding human contact and utilising vast, remote territories to remain out of sight. Current estimates suggest that only about 6,600 individuals remain, in fragmented populations across southern and eastern Africa. About 600 live in South Africa. Some of the populations in South Africa are closely monitored and managed.
African wild dogs: DNA tests of their faeces reveal surprises about what they eat Original
The African wild dog is one of Africa’s most endangered predators. African wild dogs are highly elusive, avoiding human contact and utilising vast, remote territories to remain out of sight. Current estimates suggest that only about 6,600 individuals remain, in fragmented populations across southern and eastern Africa. About 600 live in South Africa. Some of the populations in South Africa are closely monitored and managed.
A frog in hot water: the effect of temperature elevation on the adrenal stress response of an African amphibian
The study was conducted on fourteen edible bullfrogs between 3 December 2019 and 11 February at the National Zoological Garden (NZG), South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, South Africa (25.7469°S, 28.18918°E). All study animals were housed at the NZG as part of the animal collection since being confiscated from poachers collecting individuals within the wild in 2016 and are thus defined as adult.
Non-Invasive Quantification of Faecal and Urine Reproductive Hormone Metabolites in the Naked Mole-Rat (Heterophiles glaber)
3. Results 3.1. EIA Validation For urine samples, none of the six females and only one out of the five males showed an increase greater than 80% post GnRH administration in the uAM concentrations for both the Epiandrosterone EIA (80%) and the Testosterone EIA (232%, Table 1).
Animals | Free Full-Text | Responses to Reduced Feeding Frequency in Captive-Born Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus): Implications for Behavioural and Physiological Stress and Gastrointestinal Health
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Fence‐related mortalities of Temminck's pangolin (Smutsia temminckii) in South Africa quantified through a citizen science approach
Abstract en Fence mortalities threaten Temminck's pangolin (Smutsia temminckii) in South Africa. Temminck's pangolins are bipedal, which leads to contact between their unprotected abdomens and electrified wires. We report findings of an online survey of landowners, managers and conservationists to investigate associations between mortalities, fence type and fence perimeter-area ratio, and between mortalities and concern level reported by respondents.
THE CONVERSATION: Vulnerable lizard species gets hot and bothered in rising temperatures
Despite the ability to withstand high temperatures within their environment, reptiles depend on access to specific thermal environments to optimise various bodily functions. These include metabolism – converting food to energy – and reproduction. That means significant increases in temperature of the kind being increasingly recorded in many parts of the world could potentially have a negative effect on reptiles.
South Africa: Vulnerable Lizard Species Gets Hot and Bothered in Rising Temperatures
Reptiles probably don't spring to mind when you think of species likely to be affected by rising global temperatures. After all, since they're often found in hot environments, they're able to withstand high temperatures and can reduce water loss through their skin. Despite the ability to withstand high temperatures within their environment, reptiles depend on access to specific thermal environments to optimise various bodily functions.
Vulnerable lizard species gets hot and bothered in rising temperatures
Reptiles probably don’t spring to mind when you think of species likely to be affected by rising global temperatures. After all, since they’re often found in hot environments, they’re able to withstand high temperatures and can reduce water loss through their skin. Despite the ability to withstand high temperatures within their environment, reptiles depend on access to specific thermal environments to optimise various bodily functions.
Vaccination against GnRH as a prelude to surgical castration of horses
GENERAL ARTICLE John R. Birrell, Division Visible Policing, Veterinary Science Services, Arcadia, South Africa Search for more papers by this author Martin L. Schulman, Section of Reproduction, Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa Search for more papers by this author Alma E.
Noninvasive measurements of ovarian activity in Beira antelope (Dorcatragus megalotis)
As the natural habitat of more and more species becomes depleted, captive breeding programmes have become established to bring species back from the brink of extinction. Monitoring the reproductive status of an individual is essential in order to improve breeding success. Traditional methods have involved stressful blood sampling, and thus noninvasive methods have been proven to be reliable alternatives for monitoring reproductive function in both captive and free‐ranging animals.
Correction: Measuring Faecal Epi-Androsterone as an Indicator of Gonadal Activity in Spotted Hyenas ( Crocuta crocuta )
Fig 7 contains an error on the x-axis. Fecal testosterone metabolites (fTM) and fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (fGM) values that are plotted on day 2 after an ACTH injection should be plotted on day 1, and the values that are plotted on day 1 should be plotted on day 2. Please see the corrected Fig 7 here.
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