We compared the structure and composition of vegetation communities across different land uses in the northern Gonarezhou National Park and adjacent areas, southeast Zimbabwe. Vegetation data were collected from 60 sample plots using a stratified random sampling technique from April to May 2012. Stratification was by land use, and sample plots in all three strata occurred on predominantly siallitic soils. Our results show that the communal area had higher woody plant species diversity (<svg     style="vertical-align:-0.1638pt;width:66.962502px;" id="M1" height="17.9125" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 66.962502 17.9125" width="66.962502"  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,17.65)"><path id="x1D43B" d="M865 650q-1 -4 -4 -14t-4 -14q-62 -5 -77 -19.5t-29 -82.5l-74 -394q-12 -61 -0.5 -77t75.5 -21l-6 -28h-273l8 28q64 5 82 21t29 76l36 198h-380l-37 -197q-11 -64 0.5 -78.5t79.5 -19.5l-6 -28h-268l6 28q60 6 75.5 21.5t26.5 76.5l75 394q13 66 2 81.5t-77 20.5l8 28&#xA;h263l-6 -28q-58 -5 -75.5 -21t-30.5 -81l-26 -153h377l29 153q12 67 2 81t-74 21l5 28h268z" /></g>

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			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,23.85,17.65)"><path id="x3D" d="M535 323h-483v50h483v-50zM535 138h-483v50h483v-50z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,38.537,17.65)"><path id="x32" d="M412 140l28 -9q0 -2 -35 -131h-373v23q112 112 161 170q59 70 92 127t33 115q0 63 -31 98t-86 35q-75 0 -137 -93l-22 20l57 81q55 59 135 59q69 0 118.5 -46.5t49.5 -122.5q0 -62 -29.5 -114t-102.5 -130l-141 -149h186q42 0 58.5 10.5t38.5 56.5z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,46.696,17.65)"><path id="x2E" d="M113 -12q-24 0 -39.5 16t-15.5 42q0 24 16 40.5t40 16.5t40 -16.5t16 -40.5q0 -26 -16 -42t-41 -16z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,50.572,17.65)"><path id="x36" d="M137 343l67 33q37 17 63 17q79 0 129.5 -53t50.5 -131q0 -92 -58 -156.5t-147 -64.5t-147 68t-58 182q0 63 17 119t43 95.5t61.5 72t69 52t67.5 31.5q62 22 128 33l6 -32q-56 -11 -108 -35q-149 -71 -184 -231zM227 337q-47 0 -95 -27q-6 -23 -6 -70q0 -93 36 -155.5&#xA;t96 -62.5q53 0 78 45.5t25 105.5q0 68 -35 116t-99 48z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,58.731,17.65)"><use xlink:href="#x36"/></g>

		
	
</svg>) than the protected area (<svg     style="vertical-align:-0.1638pt;width:66.962502px;" id="M2" height="17.9125" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 66.962502 17.9125" width="66.962502"  xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
	
		
			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,17.65)"><use xlink:href="#x1D43B"/></g>

			<g transform="matrix(.012,-0,0,-.012,14.975,9.488)"><use xlink:href="#x2032"/></g>

			<g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,23.85,17.65)"><use xlink:href="#x3D"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,38.537,17.65)"><path id="x31" d="M384 0h-275v27q67 5 81.5 18.5t14.5 68.5v385q0 38 -7.5 47.5t-40.5 10.5l-48 2v24q85 15 178 52v-521q0 -55 14.5 -68.5t82.5 -18.5v-27z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,46.696,17.65)"><use xlink:href="#x2E"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,50.572,17.65)"><path id="x37" d="M447 623l8 -12l-283 -613l-74 -10l-7 11q174 283 297 551h-216q-48 0 -62.5 -12t-33.5 -63h-29q10 60 18 148h382z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,58.731,17.65)"><path id="x38" d="M249 635q70 0 116 -43t46 -105q0 -46 -28 -80q-22 -25 -80 -64q62 -35 97 -75t35 -99q0 -81 -63 -131t-135 -50q-83 0 -137.5 45.5t-54.5 123.5q0 52 45 95q29 28 89 64q-109 62 -109 155q0 66 50.5 115t128.5 49zM238 603q-42 0 -67.5 -31t-25.5 -72q0 -50 32.5 -79.5&#xA;t98.5 -62.5q61 48 61 124q0 59 -29.5 90t-69.5 31zM248 20q46 0 76.5 33.5t30.5 89.5q0 50 -39 85.5t-110 71.5q-81 -54 -81 -137q0 -67 35.5 -105t87.5 -38z" /></g>

		
	
</svg>). However, the protected area had higher grass species richness per plot than the communal area and resettlement area. Overall, the protected area had more structural and compositional diversity than the other land use areas. These findings suggest that the areas adjacent to protected areas contribute to plant diversity in the greater ecosystem; hence conservation efforts should extend beyond the boundaries of protected areas. We recommend that protected area management should engage community-based institutions in neighbouring areas for effective monitoring of woody vegetation structure and composition.

Patience Zisadza-Gandiwa

Cheryl T. Mabika

Olga L. Kupika

Edson Gandiwa

Chrispen Murungweni

Vegetation Structure and Composition across Different Land Uses in a Semiarid Savanna of Southern Zimbabwe

Disease can cause declines in wildlife populations and significantly threaten their survival. Recent expansion of human and domestic animal populations has made wildlife more susceptible to transmission of pathogens from domestic animal hosts. We conducted a pathogen surveillance and mortality survey for the population of African wild dogs (<i>Lycaon pictus</i>) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa, from January 2006&#x2013;February 2007. Samples were obtained from 24 wild dogs for canine distemper virus (CDV) and canine parvovirus (CPV) serological testing. Data were collected on the presence of CDV, CPV, and rabies virus in the KZN domestic dog (<i>Canis familiaris</i>) population from 2004&#x2013;06. The presence of these pathogens was confirmed in domestic dogs throughout KZN. Wild dogs exhibited 0&#x25; and 4.2&#x25; prevalence for CDV and CPV antibodies, respectively. In 2006 the largest wild dog pack in KZN was reduced from 26 individuals to a single animal; disease due to rabies virus was considered the most probable cause. This study provides evidence that CDV, CPV and rabies are potential threats to African wild dog conservation in KZN. The most economical and practical way to protect wild dogs from canine pathogens may be via vaccination of sympatric domestic dogs; however, such programmes are currently limited.

G. Flacke

P. Becker

D. Cooper

M. Szykman Gunther

I. Robertson

C. Holyoake

R. Donaldson

K. Warren

An Infectious Disease and Mortality Survey in a Population of Free-Ranging African Wild Dogs and Sympatric Domestic Dogs

Wild pepper (<i>Piper peepuloides</i> Roxb., family: Piperaceae) is an evergreen climber which grows wild in tropical evergreen forests and subtropical evergreen forests of northeast India. This plant grows luxuriantly in the areas with high rainfall at lower elevations ranging from 100 to 800&#x2009;m above mean sea level. In Meghalaya, to meet the market demand, farmers have domesticated it in arecanut agroforests and betel leaf agroforests. We found that the mean density of wild pepper in arecanut agroforest is 585 stem/ha and only 85 stem/ha in natural forest. In India, wild pepper is used in a variety of Ayurvedic medicines. Local people of Meghalaya uses powdered dry seeds mixed with honey and egg yolk for the treatment of severe cough. The study reveals that the average gross annual production of wild pepper is 7&#x2009;quintals/ha, and final market price fetches Rs. 336,000/ha, out of which 42&#x25; of the money goes to the grower, 16&#x25; to local trader, 23&#x25; to dealer, 17&#x25; to retailer, 1.2&#x25; to wages of labourers, and 0.6&#x25; to transport.

H. Tynsong

M. Dkhar

B. K. Tiwari

Domestication, Conservation, and Livelihoods: A Case Study of <i>Piper peepuloides</i> Roxb.&#x2014;An Important Nontimber Forest Product in South Meghalaya, Northeast India

High biodiversity is the most remarkable characteristic of Lake Tanganyika including vertebrates, invertebrates, and plants. A few protected areas have been created along the lake to protect its biodiversity. However, limited studies have been carried out to ascertain their effectiveness. The current study aimed at assessing and comparing fish diversity and abundance of Lake Tanganyika in a protected area (Mahale Mountains National Park (MMNP)) and unprotected areas surrounding it. The data were collected in the near shore zone at 5 m and 10 m depths using stationary visual census (SVC) technique. The protected area recorded higher fish richness and abundance than unprotected areas (<svg style="vertical-align:-0.1638pt;width:58.712502px;" id="M1" height="11.375" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 58.712502 11.375" width="58.712502" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,11.112)"><path id="x1D443" d="M619 482q0 -69 -40.5 -119t-96 -72.5t-118.5 -26.5h-44l-70 20l-31 -151q-14 -67 0.5 -83t89.5 -22l-5 -28h-287l8 28q65 7 81.5 22t29.5 83l79 398q12 56 0.5 70.5t-78.5 20.5l7 28h255q108 0 164 -43t56 -125zM524 478q0 141 -146 141q-25 0 -47 -8q-16 -6 -20.5 -13.5&#xA;t-10.5 -39.5l-43 -241q37 -13 83 -13q67 0 125.5 45t58.5 129z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,15.582,11.112)"><path id="x3C" d="M512 -3l-437 233v51l437 233v-58l-378 -200v-2l378 -199v-58z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,30.286,11.112)"><path id="x30" d="M241 635q53 0 94 -28.5t63.5 -76t33.5 -102.5t11 -116q0 -58 -11 -112.5t-34 -103.5t-63.5 -78.5t-94.5 -29.5t-95 28t-64.5 75t-34.5 102.5t-11 118.5q0 58 11.5 112.5t34.5 103t64.5 78t95.5 29.5zM238 602q-32 0 -55.5 -25t-35.5 -68t-17.5 -91t-5.5 -105&#xA;q0 -76 10 -138.5t37 -107.5t69 -45q32 0 55.5 25t35.5 68.5t17.5 91.5t5.5 105t-5.5 105.5t-18 92t-36 68t-56.5 24.5z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,38.446,11.112)"><path id="x2E" d="M113 -12q-24 0 -39.5 16t-15.5 42q0 24 16 40.5t40 16.5t40 -16.5t16 -40.5q0 -26 -16 -42t-41 -16z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,42.321,11.112)"><use xlink:href="#x30" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,50.481,11.112)"><path id="x35" d="M153 550l-26 -186q79 31 111 31q90 0 141.5 -51t51.5 -119q0 -93 -89 -166q-85 -69 -173 -71q-32 0 -61.5 11.5t-41.5 23.5q-18 17 -17 34q2 16 22 33q14 9 26 -1q61 -50 124 -50q60 0 93 43.5t33 104.5q0 69 -41.5 110t-121.5 41q-53 0 -102 -20l38 305h286l6 -8&#xA;l-26 -65h-233z" /></g></svg>). It was concluded that the protected area is effective in conserving the fish diversity and abundance of the lake. However, more studies should be carried out regularly to explore the efficacy of the protected area in conservation of aquatic biodiversity and abundance.

Emmanuel A. Sweke

Julius M. Assam

Takashi Matsuishi

Abdillahi I. Chande

Fish Diversity and Abundance of Lake Tanganyika: Comparison between Protected Area (Mahale Mountains National Park) and Unprotected Areas

Millipede diversity and abundance were analysed at sites lying between 250 and 650 meters above mean sea level in Alagar Hills of Eastern Ghats, Tamil Nadu, India. Millipede abundance and diversity peaked at midelevations influenced by favourable niche and food resources. Diversity of millipedes indicates the influence of local habitat and food resource availability. In the present study, millipede species, <i>Harpaphe haydeniana</i>, <i>Xenobolus carnifex</i>, <i>Arthrosphaera magna</i>, <i>Aulacobolus newtoni</i>, and <i>Spinotarsus colosseus</i>, are present at midelevation (450&#x2009;MSL). Abundance of millipedes at 450&#x2009;m elevation is due to moderate canopy and litter, which support understorey vegetation like herbs and shrubs.

Periasamy Alagesan

Baluchamy Ramanathan

Diversity of Millipedes in Alagar Hills Reserve Forest in Tamil Nadu, India

Seasonal dynamics of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal community composition in three common mangrove plant species, namely, <i>Acanthus ilicifolius, Excoecaria agallocha,</i> and <i>Rhizophora mucronata,</i> from two sites in Goa, India, were investigated. In all three species variation in AM fungal spore density was observed. Maximum spore density and AM species richness were recorded in the premonsoon season, while minimum spore density and richness were observed during monsoon season at both sites. A total of 11 AM fungal species representing five genera were recorded. <i>Acaulospora laevis</i> was recorded in all seasons at both sites. Multivariate analysis revealed that season and host coaffected AM spore density and species richness with the former having greater influence than the latter.

James D&#x2019;Souza

Bernard Felinov Rodrigues

Seasonal Diversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Mangroves of Goa, India

This study is the first attempt aiming to assess the composition and number of free-living marine nematode species on the coasts of the Marches region, Italy. A high number of putative species of nematodes were recognized (84), these belonging to 52 genera in 22 families. Fifty-one taxa have been identified to the species level increasing the number of known nematode species for the Adriatic Sea from 283 to 310 and for the Mediterranean Sea from 700 to 723. The highest diversity and abundance were registered for the nematode families typically of intertidal zones characterized as medium-fine sands. The majority of the species found in the present study are known to occur in the North European coasts or the North Atlantic Sea, the best known regions for nematode distribution. Inferences on the biogeography of marine nematodes are preliminary since most Biodiversity literature concerning the Mediterranean of the basin is very out of date. Considering the great importance of nematodes in the assessment of ecosystem health conditions, an intensification of sampling efforts should be pursued in other regions in order to improve our current knowledge of the distribution pattern of marine nematode species as well as clarify their biogeographical patterns.

F. Semprucci

Marine Nematodes from the Shallow Subtidal Coast of the Adriatic Sea: Species List and Distribution

National and international reports developed for the International Year of Biodiversity concluded that we have failed to meet the 2010 biodiversity target. There is an urgent need to analyze current policies for biodiversity conservation. We examined the anthropomorphic factors underlying the threatened species listings (both red lists and legal lists) and funding allocation for the conservation of vertebrates in Spain at different organizational levels, from the global to subnational level. Our results reveal a strong effect of anthropomorphic factors on conservation policies, mainly legal listings and species priority setting at national scale. Specifically, we found that those vertebrates that are phylogenetically close to humans or physically similar to human neonates tend to receive more conservation attention. Based on results, we suggest recommendations to improve conservation policies in Spain.

Irene Mart&#xed;n-For&#xe9;s

Berta Mart&#xed;n-L&#xf3;pez

Carlos Montes

Anthropomorphic Factors Influencing Spanish Conservation Policies of Vertebrates

The snow leopard is a keystone species in mountain ecosystems of Central Asia and the Tibetan Plateau. However, little is known about the interactions between snow leopards and sympatric carnivores. Using infrared cameras, we found a rocky junction of two valleys in Sanjiangyuan area on the Tibetan Plateau where many mammals in this area passed and frequently marked and sniffed the site at the junction. We suggest that this site serves as a sign post to many species in this area, especially snow leopards and other carnivores. The marked signs may also alert the animals passing by to temporally segregate their activities to avoid potential conflicts. We used the Schoener index to measure the degree of temporal segregation among the species captured by infrared camera traps at this site. Our research reveals the probable ways of both intra- and interspecies communication and demonstrates that the degree of temporal segregation may correlate with the degree of potential interspecies competition. This is an important message to help understand the structure of animal communities. Discovery of the sign post clarifies the importance of identifying key habitats and sites of both snow leopards and other species for more effective conservation.

Juan Li

George B. Schaller

Thomas M. McCarthy

Dajun Wang

Zhala Jiagong

Ping Cai

Lamao Basang

Zhi Lu

A Communal Sign Post of Snow Leopards (<i>Panthera uncia</i>) and Other Species on the Tibetan Plateau, China

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International Journal of Biodiversity - Table of contents 2013

International Journal of Biodiversity | Hindawi

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