Wing-moult and seasonal occurrence of sunbirds (Nectariniidae) captured at four sites in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Bonnevie, Bo T, Craig, Adrian J F K, Hulley, Patrick E, Schultz, Albert, Tree, Anthony J
- Authors: Bonnevie, Bo T , Craig, Adrian J F K , Hulley, Patrick E , Schultz, Albert , Tree, Anthony J
- Date: 2023
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/449607 , vital:74833 , https://doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2022.2075482
- Description: Ringing activity in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa, spanned 30 years, with three sites active concurrently over a 14-year period, and three sites over a 6-year period. In total, in the course of 714 ringing days, in all months, we handled 1 207 Amethyst Sunbirds, 708 Southern Double-collared Sunbirds, 707 Greater Double-collared Sunbirds, 381 Grey Sunbirds, 121 Malachite Sunbirds and 140 Collared Sunbirds. Although individuals of all six species were recaptured more than five years after ringing, and despite evidence of the seasonal passage of sunbirds at two sites near the Indian Ocean coast, no birds were recaptured away from the original ringing site.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023
- Authors: Bonnevie, Bo T , Craig, Adrian J F K , Hulley, Patrick E , Schultz, Albert , Tree, Anthony J
- Date: 2023
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/449607 , vital:74833 , https://doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2022.2075482
- Description: Ringing activity in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa, spanned 30 years, with three sites active concurrently over a 14-year period, and three sites over a 6-year period. In total, in the course of 714 ringing days, in all months, we handled 1 207 Amethyst Sunbirds, 708 Southern Double-collared Sunbirds, 707 Greater Double-collared Sunbirds, 381 Grey Sunbirds, 121 Malachite Sunbirds and 140 Collared Sunbirds. Although individuals of all six species were recaptured more than five years after ringing, and despite evidence of the seasonal passage of sunbirds at two sites near the Indian Ocean coast, no birds were recaptured away from the original ringing site.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023
Urban birds in the Eastern Cape: local observations from Makhanda (Grahamstown) and future questions
- Craig, Adrian J F K, Hulley, Patrick E, Mullins, R Lorraine G
- Authors: Craig, Adrian J F K , Hulley, Patrick E , Mullins, R Lorraine G
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/449580 , vital:74831 , https://doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2020.1816585
- Description: In Makhanda (Grahamstown), a non-industrial town with approximately 85 000 inhabitants, we have recorded 174 bird species within the urban area, of which 104 species are likely to breed regularly. The source habitats of these birds include all the surrounding habitat types, and the bird community is evidently determined by both local conditions within the town (e.g. tree density) and regional changes affecting the eastern coast of South Africa (range shifts). Topics meriting future research on urban bird communities in South Africa are highlighted.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Urban birds in the Eastern Cape: local observations from Makhanda (Grahamstown) and future questions
- Authors: Craig, Adrian J F K , Hulley, Patrick E , Mullins, R Lorraine G
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/449580 , vital:74831 , https://doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2020.1816585
- Description: In Makhanda (Grahamstown), a non-industrial town with approximately 85 000 inhabitants, we have recorded 174 bird species within the urban area, of which 104 species are likely to breed regularly. The source habitats of these birds include all the surrounding habitat types, and the bird community is evidently determined by both local conditions within the town (e.g. tree density) and regional changes affecting the eastern coast of South Africa (range shifts). Topics meriting future research on urban bird communities in South Africa are highlighted.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Pied Crows in the Eastern Cape: what bird club records reveal
- Craig, Adrian J F K, Hulley, Patrick E
- Authors: Craig, Adrian J F K , Hulley, Patrick E
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/449461 , vital:74823 , https://doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2020.1782498
- Description: Published records by bird clubs in Port Elizabeth, Kenton-on-Sea and Grahamstown (Makhanda) show that until 1980 Pied Crows were seldom recorded in this sector of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Port Elizabeth, and apparently also East London, was colonised by Pied Crows in the 1980s, whereas the first records for Kenton-on- Sea and Port Alfred on the coast, and also inland in the Grahamstown (Makhanda) area, were after 1990. Since 2010, this species has been recorded more often both on the coast and in the adjacent inland regions. However, records of both Cape Crows and White-necked Ravens have also increased over the same period, suggesting that there has been no species replacement among the local corvids. Citizen-science data provide valuable information on changes in distribution and abundance of this bird species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Craig, Adrian J F K , Hulley, Patrick E
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/449461 , vital:74823 , https://doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2020.1782498
- Description: Published records by bird clubs in Port Elizabeth, Kenton-on-Sea and Grahamstown (Makhanda) show that until 1980 Pied Crows were seldom recorded in this sector of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Port Elizabeth, and apparently also East London, was colonised by Pied Crows in the 1980s, whereas the first records for Kenton-on- Sea and Port Alfred on the coast, and also inland in the Grahamstown (Makhanda) area, were after 1990. Since 2010, this species has been recorded more often both on the coast and in the adjacent inland regions. However, records of both Cape Crows and White-necked Ravens have also increased over the same period, suggesting that there has been no species replacement among the local corvids. Citizen-science data provide valuable information on changes in distribution and abundance of this bird species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The birds of Fort Fordyce Reserve, Eastern Cape
- Craig, Adrian J F K, Hulley, Patrick E
- Authors: Craig, Adrian J F K , Hulley, Patrick E
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/449897 , vital:74862 , https://doi.org/10.15641/bo.v11i0.687
- Description: The avifauna of this forest reserve has been surveyed, based on observations and mist-netting over a ten-year period. We have recorded 175 species, of which 56 are considered" true" forest birds in this region. These include four summer migrants, and four occasional visitors; the others are likely to be resident. Four species of conservation concern, the Knysna Woodpecker, African Crowned Eagle, Lanner Falcon and Bush Blackcap probably nest within the protected area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Craig, Adrian J F K , Hulley, Patrick E
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/449897 , vital:74862 , https://doi.org/10.15641/bo.v11i0.687
- Description: The avifauna of this forest reserve has been surveyed, based on observations and mist-netting over a ten-year period. We have recorded 175 species, of which 56 are considered" true" forest birds in this region. These include four summer migrants, and four occasional visitors; the others are likely to be resident. Four species of conservation concern, the Knysna Woodpecker, African Crowned Eagle, Lanner Falcon and Bush Blackcap probably nest within the protected area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Montane forest birds in winter: do they regularly move to lower altitudes? Observations from the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Craig, Adrian J F K, Hulley, Patrick E
- Authors: Craig, Adrian J F K , Hulley, Patrick E
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/449433 , vital:74821 , https://doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2019.1568316
- Description: Seasonal altitudinal migration to lower altitudes including the coast has been ascribed to a number of forest birds, of which 14 species occur at Fort Fordyce Reserve in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Based on our observations and ringing at this site (2007–2017), as well as concurrent data from the South African Bird Atlas Project (SABAP2), we suggest that in this region only three species, the African Dusky Flycatcher Muscicapa adusta, White-starred Robin Pogonocichla stellata and Barratt's Warbler Bradypterus barratti, are regular altitudinal migrants. For two other species, the Grey Cuckooshrike Coracina caesia and Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler Phylloscopus ruficapilla, local movements apparently occur, but these may take place within the coastal zone rather than between the coast and inland forests.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Craig, Adrian J F K , Hulley, Patrick E
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/449433 , vital:74821 , https://doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2019.1568316
- Description: Seasonal altitudinal migration to lower altitudes including the coast has been ascribed to a number of forest birds, of which 14 species occur at Fort Fordyce Reserve in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Based on our observations and ringing at this site (2007–2017), as well as concurrent data from the South African Bird Atlas Project (SABAP2), we suggest that in this region only three species, the African Dusky Flycatcher Muscicapa adusta, White-starred Robin Pogonocichla stellata and Barratt's Warbler Bradypterus barratti, are regular altitudinal migrants. For two other species, the Grey Cuckooshrike Coracina caesia and Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler Phylloscopus ruficapilla, local movements apparently occur, but these may take place within the coastal zone rather than between the coast and inland forests.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Comparative perch selection in Southern Fiscal Lanius collaris and Fiscal Flycatcher Sigelus silens at Amakhala Game Reserve, South Africa
- Daniels, Ryan J, Hulley, Patrick E, Craig, Adrian J F K
- Authors: Daniels, Ryan J , Hulley, Patrick E , Craig, Adrian J F K
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/449294 , vital:74809 , https://doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2016.1264496
- Description: The Southern Fiscal Lanius collaris and the Fiscal Flycatcher Sigelus silens are common, widespread and sympatric in much of southern Africa. They are similar in plumage and ecology, which may predispose them to competition and interspecific territorial aggression but this has not been tested to date. Here we tested for evidence of competition for perch space. At Amakhala Private Game Reserve, Eastern Cape, South Africa we monitored the occurrence and perch use of both species along transects. The birds do co-occur locally but there is evidence of small-scale spatial separation possibly a result of interspecific territoriality. Perch selection differed in respect of perch type but not perch height. Both species perched prominently in the majority of observations. Southern Fiscals make greater use of Searsia and Gymnosporia trees, whereas the Fiscal Flycatcher makes near-equal use of Vachellia karroo, Searsia and Gymnosporia trees. This may be an example of niche partitioning, though it remains unclear whether the birds actively compete for perch space, or if the separation is a product of different perch preferences, territoriality and the local plant community.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Daniels, Ryan J , Hulley, Patrick E , Craig, Adrian J F K
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/449294 , vital:74809 , https://doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2016.1264496
- Description: The Southern Fiscal Lanius collaris and the Fiscal Flycatcher Sigelus silens are common, widespread and sympatric in much of southern Africa. They are similar in plumage and ecology, which may predispose them to competition and interspecific territorial aggression but this has not been tested to date. Here we tested for evidence of competition for perch space. At Amakhala Private Game Reserve, Eastern Cape, South Africa we monitored the occurrence and perch use of both species along transects. The birds do co-occur locally but there is evidence of small-scale spatial separation possibly a result of interspecific territoriality. Perch selection differed in respect of perch type but not perch height. Both species perched prominently in the majority of observations. Southern Fiscals make greater use of Searsia and Gymnosporia trees, whereas the Fiscal Flycatcher makes near-equal use of Vachellia karroo, Searsia and Gymnosporia trees. This may be an example of niche partitioning, though it remains unclear whether the birds actively compete for perch space, or if the separation is a product of different perch preferences, territoriality and the local plant community.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Primary wing-moult and site fidelity in South African mousebirds (Coliidae)
- Craig, Adrian J F K, Bonnevie, Bo T, Hulley, Patrick E, Underhill, George D
- Authors: Craig, Adrian J F K , Bonnevie, Bo T , Hulley, Patrick E , Underhill, George D
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/449474 , vital:74824 , https://doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2014.931310
- Description: Based on large samples of birds mist-netted in the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape, moult of the primary remiges in both Speckled Mousebirds Colius striatus and Red-faced Mousebirds Urocolius indicus occurred throughout the year with no regional or seasonal patterns evident. The same picture emerged for the White-backed Mousebird Colius colius in the Western Cape. This aseasonality of wing-moult for all three species in South Africa was further supported by the full data set of moult records available in the Safring database. We were thus unable to use the Underhill–Zucchini model to estimate the moult parameters for these species, but an extended moult period seems likely. Recapture data for the Eastern Cape strongly suggest that Speckled Mousebirds are resident or revisit sites frequently, whereas this is not the case for Red-faced Mousebirds.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Craig, Adrian J F K , Bonnevie, Bo T , Hulley, Patrick E , Underhill, George D
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/449474 , vital:74824 , https://doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2014.931310
- Description: Based on large samples of birds mist-netted in the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape, moult of the primary remiges in both Speckled Mousebirds Colius striatus and Red-faced Mousebirds Urocolius indicus occurred throughout the year with no regional or seasonal patterns evident. The same picture emerged for the White-backed Mousebird Colius colius in the Western Cape. This aseasonality of wing-moult for all three species in South Africa was further supported by the full data set of moult records available in the Safring database. We were thus unable to use the Underhill–Zucchini model to estimate the moult parameters for these species, but an extended moult period seems likely. Recapture data for the Eastern Cape strongly suggest that Speckled Mousebirds are resident or revisit sites frequently, whereas this is not the case for Red-faced Mousebirds.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Wing moult and sexual dimorphism in the Lesser Honeyguide Indicator minor in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Craig, Adrian J F K, Bonnevie, Bo T, Hulley, Patrick E
- Authors: Craig, Adrian J F K , Bonnevie, Bo T , Hulley, Patrick E
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/449593 , vital:74832 , https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.2989/00306525.2012.662918
- Description: Based on ringing data from the Western Cape, Underhill et al.(1995) demonstrated that there was a bimodal distribution of wing-length measurements in the Lesser Honeyguide Indicator minor, and they described the timing of wing-moult in this region. Hanmer (1997) reported similar results for Lesser Honeyguides from Mozambique and Malawi. This species remains poorly studied, and we have examined size dimorphism and wing moult for a sample of birds from the Eastern Cape region: 44 museum specimens from the Albany Museum (Grahamstown), East London Museum and the Ditsong Museum (formerly Transvaal Museum, Pretoria), together with ringing data for 94 birds. Wing-length of both museum specimens and ringed birds was measured in the standard manner (maximum chord); weight to the nearest 0.5 g was recorded with a Pesola spring balance. Each bird was checked for wing moult, which was recorded as 0 for an old feather and 5 for a fully grown new feather (de Beer et al. 2001). These moult scores were converted to percentage feather mass grown using a primary feather mass index, Passer9 (Bonnevie 2010a), for analysis using the model of Underhill and Zucchini (1988), as implemented in R (Erni et al. in press), with the data subsampled to prevent non-moulting birds from biasing the estimates (Bonnevie 2010b).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Craig, Adrian J F K , Bonnevie, Bo T , Hulley, Patrick E
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/449593 , vital:74832 , https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.2989/00306525.2012.662918
- Description: Based on ringing data from the Western Cape, Underhill et al.(1995) demonstrated that there was a bimodal distribution of wing-length measurements in the Lesser Honeyguide Indicator minor, and they described the timing of wing-moult in this region. Hanmer (1997) reported similar results for Lesser Honeyguides from Mozambique and Malawi. This species remains poorly studied, and we have examined size dimorphism and wing moult for a sample of birds from the Eastern Cape region: 44 museum specimens from the Albany Museum (Grahamstown), East London Museum and the Ditsong Museum (formerly Transvaal Museum, Pretoria), together with ringing data for 94 birds. Wing-length of both museum specimens and ringed birds was measured in the standard manner (maximum chord); weight to the nearest 0.5 g was recorded with a Pesola spring balance. Each bird was checked for wing moult, which was recorded as 0 for an old feather and 5 for a fully grown new feather (de Beer et al. 2001). These moult scores were converted to percentage feather mass grown using a primary feather mass index, Passer9 (Bonnevie 2010a), for analysis using the model of Underhill and Zucchini (1988), as implemented in R (Erni et al. in press), with the data subsampled to prevent non-moulting birds from biasing the estimates (Bonnevie 2010b).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The status of the southern ground-hornbill in the Grahamstown region, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Hulley, Patrick E, Craig, Adrian J F K
- Authors: Hulley, Patrick E , Craig, Adrian J F K
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/447909 , vital:74683 , https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.2989/OSTRICH.2007.78.1.13.57
- Description: The Eastern Cape has been the southernmost limit of distribution for the Southern Ground-Hornbill Bucorvus leadbeateri throughout the period for which there are written records (Vernon 1986, Vernon and Herremans 1997). No records are known west of Port Elizabeth and the only ones from this 1 map square (33 S 27 E) date from the nineteenth century. Vernon (1986) noted that nest and roost sites for groundhornbills were in large trees or on cliffs, from which the birds commuted to forage in open country. The forest/thicket and grassland mosaic in the Eastern Cape is apparently ancient (Skead 1987), but the grassland sector has been greatly modified by agriculture and human settlement. Since the assessment of the Southern Ground-Hornbill’s status as ‘vulnerable’in the latest Red Data Book (Barnes 2000), it has been suggested that populations in South Africa have declined to a point where its true status is ‘endangered’but this revision was not accepted by IUCN (AC Kemp, pers. comm.). The recent initiative by the Mabula-based NGO, the Ground-hornbill Research and Conservation Project, to reintroduce birds to the Eastern Cape, prompted us to examine records of sightings in this region. The main focus is the Grahamstown map square 33 S 26 E, in which the release site of the first birds—Shamwari Private Game Reserve—is situated. Our source is the published records in Diaz Diary, the newsletter of the Diaz Cross Bird Club, which has branches in Grahamstown and Kenton-on-Sea, covering the period 1978–2004 inclusive.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Hulley, Patrick E , Craig, Adrian J F K
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/447909 , vital:74683 , https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.2989/OSTRICH.2007.78.1.13.57
- Description: The Eastern Cape has been the southernmost limit of distribution for the Southern Ground-Hornbill Bucorvus leadbeateri throughout the period for which there are written records (Vernon 1986, Vernon and Herremans 1997). No records are known west of Port Elizabeth and the only ones from this 1 map square (33 S 27 E) date from the nineteenth century. Vernon (1986) noted that nest and roost sites for groundhornbills were in large trees or on cliffs, from which the birds commuted to forage in open country. The forest/thicket and grassland mosaic in the Eastern Cape is apparently ancient (Skead 1987), but the grassland sector has been greatly modified by agriculture and human settlement. Since the assessment of the Southern Ground-Hornbill’s status as ‘vulnerable’in the latest Red Data Book (Barnes 2000), it has been suggested that populations in South Africa have declined to a point where its true status is ‘endangered’but this revision was not accepted by IUCN (AC Kemp, pers. comm.). The recent initiative by the Mabula-based NGO, the Ground-hornbill Research and Conservation Project, to reintroduce birds to the Eastern Cape, prompted us to examine records of sightings in this region. The main focus is the Grahamstown map square 33 S 26 E, in which the release site of the first birds—Shamwari Private Game Reserve—is situated. Our source is the published records in Diaz Diary, the newsletter of the Diaz Cross Bird Club, which has branches in Grahamstown and Kenton-on-Sea, covering the period 1978–2004 inclusive.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Additional morphological characteristics of Olive Thrushes and Karoo Thrushes
- Bonnevie, Bo T, Craig, Adrian J F K, Hulley, Patrick E
- Authors: Bonnevie, Bo T , Craig, Adrian J F K , Hulley, Patrick E
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/447712 , vital:74669 , https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.2989/00306520409485415
- Description: A southern race of the Olive Thrush, Turdus olivaceus smithi Bonaparte, has recently been proposed as a full species, the Karoo Thrush Turdus smithi (Bowie et al. 2003). Some of the published information on the Olive Thrush Turdus olivaceus olivaceus thus pertains to the Karoo Thrush (eg Kopij 2000), whereas other information deals specifically with the Olive Thrush (eg Winterbottom 1966, Bonnevie et al. 2003). We have ringed, recaptured and recovered both Olive and Karoo Thrushes in the Eastern Cape since 1986, and the two taxa are markedly different in this region. We describe some differences in appearance of the two populations from these data, and compare mass and wing length of living birds, as well as culmen and tarsus lengths of museum specimens from the East London Museum, South Africa. The collection sites of the museum specimens were mapped using ArcView 3.1 (ESRI 1996) together with the ringing sites (Figure 1). Areas of potential sympatry are Oudtshoorn (33 25’S, 22 11’E) and Patensie (33 45’S, 24 48’E).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
- Authors: Bonnevie, Bo T , Craig, Adrian J F K , Hulley, Patrick E
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/447712 , vital:74669 , https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.2989/00306520409485415
- Description: A southern race of the Olive Thrush, Turdus olivaceus smithi Bonaparte, has recently been proposed as a full species, the Karoo Thrush Turdus smithi (Bowie et al. 2003). Some of the published information on the Olive Thrush Turdus olivaceus olivaceus thus pertains to the Karoo Thrush (eg Kopij 2000), whereas other information deals specifically with the Olive Thrush (eg Winterbottom 1966, Bonnevie et al. 2003). We have ringed, recaptured and recovered both Olive and Karoo Thrushes in the Eastern Cape since 1986, and the two taxa are markedly different in this region. We describe some differences in appearance of the two populations from these data, and compare mass and wing length of living birds, as well as culmen and tarsus lengths of museum specimens from the East London Museum, South Africa. The collection sites of the museum specimens were mapped using ArcView 3.1 (ESRI 1996) together with the ringing sites (Figure 1). Areas of potential sympatry are Oudtshoorn (33 25’S, 22 11’E) and Patensie (33 45’S, 24 48’E).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
Iris colour in passerine birds: why be bright-eyed?
- Craig, Adrian J F K, Hulley, Patrick E
- Authors: Craig, Adrian J F K , Hulley, Patrick E
- Date: 2004
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6902 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011756
- Description: An initial survey of iris coloration in passerine birds (Aves: Passeriformes) showed that a brightly pigmented iris is much more common in southern African and Australian birds than in those from Europe, temperate North America, and Venezuela. However, the only statistical correlation reflected the distribution of particular bird families in these regions. Ten family-level groups considered to represent monophyletic taxa were then selected for a more detailed analysis, comparing iris coloration with distribution, status, taxonomy, plumage patterns, and some biological and behavioural characters for 1143 species. No pattern associating iris colour with particular traits was common to all families, but within families there were statistically significant associations with both plumage and biology. Our expectation that social behaviour would be an important predictor of iris colour was not supported, but critical information is still lacking for many species. Future studies of avian behavioural ecology should examine critically the role of iris coloration in individual species. , Rhodes Centenary issue
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
- Authors: Craig, Adrian J F K , Hulley, Patrick E
- Date: 2004
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6902 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011756
- Description: An initial survey of iris coloration in passerine birds (Aves: Passeriformes) showed that a brightly pigmented iris is much more common in southern African and Australian birds than in those from Europe, temperate North America, and Venezuela. However, the only statistical correlation reflected the distribution of particular bird families in these regions. Ten family-level groups considered to represent monophyletic taxa were then selected for a more detailed analysis, comparing iris coloration with distribution, status, taxonomy, plumage patterns, and some biological and behavioural characters for 1143 species. No pattern associating iris colour with particular traits was common to all families, but within families there were statistically significant associations with both plumage and biology. Our expectation that social behaviour would be an important predictor of iris colour was not supported, but critical information is still lacking for many species. Future studies of avian behavioural ecology should examine critically the role of iris coloration in individual species. , Rhodes Centenary issue
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
Iris colour in passerine birds: why be bright-eyed?
- Craig, Adrian J F K, Hulley, Patrick E
- Authors: Craig, Adrian J F K , Hulley, Patrick E
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/449872 , vital:74860 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC96183
- Description: An initial survey of iris coloration in passerine birds (Aves : Passeriformes) showed that a brightly pigmented iris is much more common in southern African and Australian birds than in those from Europe, temperate North America, and Venezuela. However, the only statistical correlation reflected the distribution of particular bird families in these regions. Ten family-level groups considered to represent monophyletic taxa were then selected for a more detailed analysis, comparing iris coloration with distribution, status, taxonomy, plumage patterns, and some biological and behavioural characters for 1143 species. No pattern associating iris colour with particular traits was common to all families, but within families there were statistically significant associations with both plumage and biology. Our expectation that social behaviour would be an important predictor of iris colour was not supported, but critical information is still lacking for many species. Future studies of avian behavioural ecology should examine critically the role of iris coloration in individual species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
- Authors: Craig, Adrian J F K , Hulley, Patrick E
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/449872 , vital:74860 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC96183
- Description: An initial survey of iris coloration in passerine birds (Aves : Passeriformes) showed that a brightly pigmented iris is much more common in southern African and Australian birds than in those from Europe, temperate North America, and Venezuela. However, the only statistical correlation reflected the distribution of particular bird families in these regions. Ten family-level groups considered to represent monophyletic taxa were then selected for a more detailed analysis, comparing iris coloration with distribution, status, taxonomy, plumage patterns, and some biological and behavioural characters for 1143 species. No pattern associating iris colour with particular traits was common to all families, but within families there were statistically significant associations with both plumage and biology. Our expectation that social behaviour would be an important predictor of iris colour was not supported, but critical information is still lacking for many species. Future studies of avian behavioural ecology should examine critically the role of iris coloration in individual species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
Song sharing by neighbourhood groups of territorial male Blackeyed Bulbuls
- Lloyd, Penn, Hulley, Patrick E, Craig, Adrian J F K
- Authors: Lloyd, Penn , Hulley, Patrick E , Craig, Adrian J F K
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/447841 , vital:74678 , https://doi.org/10.1080/00306525.1999.9634238
- Description: The territorial song of the Blackeyed Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus is described for a population followed over two breeding seasons in suburban Grahamstown, South Africa. The Blackeyed Bulbul has a discrete and highly structured system of phrase sharing by neighbourhood groups of males. The most common repertoire size is five phrases (mean 5.5; range 2–9). In a temporally-stable song population, individual phrases are shared independently by discrete clusters of males. Neighbours show a strong tendency to share phrase types (but rarely whole repertoires), with overall song similarity decreasing rapidly with increasing distance between birds. This species is an ideal candidate for testing hypotheses concerning the adaptive value of song sharing by neighbourhood groups.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
- Authors: Lloyd, Penn , Hulley, Patrick E , Craig, Adrian J F K
- Date: 1999
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/447841 , vital:74678 , https://doi.org/10.1080/00306525.1999.9634238
- Description: The territorial song of the Blackeyed Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus is described for a population followed over two breeding seasons in suburban Grahamstown, South Africa. The Blackeyed Bulbul has a discrete and highly structured system of phrase sharing by neighbourhood groups of males. The most common repertoire size is five phrases (mean 5.5; range 2–9). In a temporally-stable song population, individual phrases are shared independently by discrete clusters of males. Neighbours show a strong tendency to share phrase types (but rarely whole repertoires), with overall song similarity decreasing rapidly with increasing distance between birds. This species is an ideal candidate for testing hypotheses concerning the adaptive value of song sharing by neighbourhood groups.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1999
Ecology and genetics of hybrid zones in the southern African Pycnonotus bulbul species complex
- Lloyd, Penn, Craig, Adrian J F K, Hulley, Patrick E, Essop, M Faadiel, Bloomer, Paulette, Crowe, Timothy M
- Authors: Lloyd, Penn , Craig, Adrian J F K , Hulley, Patrick E , Essop, M Faadiel , Bloomer, Paulette , Crowe, Timothy M
- Date: 1997
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/447801 , vital:74675 , https://doi.org/10.1080/00306525.1997.9639720
- Description: The closely related Blackeyed Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus, Cape Bulbul P. capensis and Redeyed Bulbul P. nigricans have parapatric to locally sympatric distributions within southern Africa. Extensive hybridization along narrow transition zones between each of the three species pairs is described in a region of the Eastern Cape province, South Africa. The transition zones coincide with ecotones between different vegetation types, which in turn follow escarpments or mountain ranges. The lack of population density depressions within the hybrid zones, together with the variability of the hybrids, suggests the hybrids are viable. Sharp step clines in various phenotypic characters are described across the P. barbatus/P. nigricans hybrid zone. A mtDNA analysis found evidence of possible introgression between P. barbatus and P. capensis. All eight P. barbatus x P. nigricans hybrids analysed possessed P. barbatus mtDNA, suggesting the existence of either positive assortative mating or strong directional selection, but our data are unable to distinguish which.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1997
- Authors: Lloyd, Penn , Craig, Adrian J F K , Hulley, Patrick E , Essop, M Faadiel , Bloomer, Paulette , Crowe, Timothy M
- Date: 1997
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/447801 , vital:74675 , https://doi.org/10.1080/00306525.1997.9639720
- Description: The closely related Blackeyed Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus, Cape Bulbul P. capensis and Redeyed Bulbul P. nigricans have parapatric to locally sympatric distributions within southern Africa. Extensive hybridization along narrow transition zones between each of the three species pairs is described in a region of the Eastern Cape province, South Africa. The transition zones coincide with ecotones between different vegetation types, which in turn follow escarpments or mountain ranges. The lack of population density depressions within the hybrid zones, together with the variability of the hybrids, suggests the hybrids are viable. Sharp step clines in various phenotypic characters are described across the P. barbatus/P. nigricans hybrid zone. A mtDNA analysis found evidence of possible introgression between P. barbatus and P. capensis. All eight P. barbatus x P. nigricans hybrids analysed possessed P. barbatus mtDNA, suggesting the existence of either positive assortative mating or strong directional selection, but our data are unable to distinguish which.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1997
Glandular trichomes on the exotic Solanum sisymbriifolium Lamarck (Solanaceae): effective deterrents against an indigenous South African herbivore
- Hill, Martin P, Hulley, Patrick E, Allsopp, J, van Harmelen, G
- Authors: Hill, Martin P , Hulley, Patrick E , Allsopp, J , van Harmelen, G
- Date: 1997
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/451413 , vital:75047 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/AJA10213589_152
- Description: An examination of the leaves of several native and exotic Solanum species revealed that they all possessed glandular and non-glandular trichomes. The density of glandular trichomes was, however, very much lower on the leaves of the indigenous species than on the leaves of a weed species, Solanum sisymbriifolium Lamarck, and two other South American Solanum species. This difference could have contributed to the depauperate faunas supported by the exotic species. The morphology and behaviour of an indigenous Solanum-feeding tortoise beetle, Conchyloctenia tigrina Oliver (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), and a South American tortoise beetle, Gratiana spadicea (IQug) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), were compared. The study revealed that while the exudate produced by the glandular trichomes afforded S. sisymbriifolium a level of resistance to C. tigrina, it is probably only one of the factors limiting the recruitment of indigenous herbivores onto S. sisymbriifolium.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1997
- Authors: Hill, Martin P , Hulley, Patrick E , Allsopp, J , van Harmelen, G
- Date: 1997
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/451413 , vital:75047 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/AJA10213589_152
- Description: An examination of the leaves of several native and exotic Solanum species revealed that they all possessed glandular and non-glandular trichomes. The density of glandular trichomes was, however, very much lower on the leaves of the indigenous species than on the leaves of a weed species, Solanum sisymbriifolium Lamarck, and two other South American Solanum species. This difference could have contributed to the depauperate faunas supported by the exotic species. The morphology and behaviour of an indigenous Solanum-feeding tortoise beetle, Conchyloctenia tigrina Oliver (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), and a South American tortoise beetle, Gratiana spadicea (IQug) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), were compared. The study revealed that while the exudate produced by the glandular trichomes afforded S. sisymbriifolium a level of resistance to C. tigrina, it is probably only one of the factors limiting the recruitment of indigenous herbivores onto S. sisymbriifolium.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1997
Comparisons of the vocalizations and social behaviour of southern African Pycnonotus bulbuls
- Lloyd, Penn, Hulley, Patrick E, Craig, Adrian J F K
- Authors: Lloyd, Penn , Hulley, Patrick E , Craig, Adrian J F K
- Date: 1996
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/447774 , vital:74673 , https://doi.org/10.1080/00306525.1996.9639696
- Description: Vocalizations and associated behaviour of three Pycnonotus species are described, based on field observations and tape recordings from which sonagrams were produced. These species, which are locally sym-patric and hybridize, have similar vocalizations and displays; differences are most apparent in their contact calls and songs. Quantitative analysis of the songs showed that P. barbatus and P. capensis are easily distinguished, whereas the song characteristics of P. nigricans overlap those of both the other species. Playback experiments with territorial male P. barbatus in an area of allopatry showed similar responses to songs of conspecifics and of P. nigricans, but almost no response to the song of P. capensis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1996
- Authors: Lloyd, Penn , Hulley, Patrick E , Craig, Adrian J F K
- Date: 1996
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/447774 , vital:74673 , https://doi.org/10.1080/00306525.1996.9639696
- Description: Vocalizations and associated behaviour of three Pycnonotus species are described, based on field observations and tape recordings from which sonagrams were produced. These species, which are locally sym-patric and hybridize, have similar vocalizations and displays; differences are most apparent in their contact calls and songs. Quantitative analysis of the songs showed that P. barbatus and P. capensis are easily distinguished, whereas the song characteristics of P. nigricans overlap those of both the other species. Playback experiments with territorial male P. barbatus in an area of allopatry showed similar responses to songs of conspecifics and of P. nigricans, but almost no response to the song of P. capensis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1996
Suitability of Metriona elatior (Klug)(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae) as a biological control agent for Solanum sisymbriifolium Lam.(Solanaceae).
- Hill, Martin P, Hulley, Patrick E
- Authors: Hill, Martin P , Hulley, Patrick E
- Date: 1996
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/451540 , vital:75058 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/AJA10213589_195
- Description: A leaf-feeding tortoise beetle, Metriona elatior (Klug), was screened as a biological control agent for the weed Solanum sisymbriifolium Lam. in South Africa. Favourable biological characteristics of M. elatior include a high reproductive capacity, long-lived adults and several generations per year under laboratory conditions. Host range was investigated by larval survival, and host plant choice tests by adults. Larvae were successfully reared on 10 of 11native Solanum species tested, five exotic Solanum species (except S. sisymbriifolium) and on the economically important eggplant, S. melongena L. The adult females selected these native and exotic Solanum species, and eggplant as suitable for oviposition. Based on these results it was decided not to apply for release of this insect.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1996
- Authors: Hill, Martin P , Hulley, Patrick E
- Date: 1996
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/451540 , vital:75058 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/AJA10213589_195
- Description: A leaf-feeding tortoise beetle, Metriona elatior (Klug), was screened as a biological control agent for the weed Solanum sisymbriifolium Lam. in South Africa. Favourable biological characteristics of M. elatior include a high reproductive capacity, long-lived adults and several generations per year under laboratory conditions. Host range was investigated by larval survival, and host plant choice tests by adults. Larvae were successfully reared on 10 of 11native Solanum species tested, five exotic Solanum species (except S. sisymbriifolium) and on the economically important eggplant, S. melongena L. The adult females selected these native and exotic Solanum species, and eggplant as suitable for oviposition. Based on these results it was decided not to apply for release of this insect.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1996
Insect herbivores associated with indigenous species of Solanum (Solanaceae) in the Transvaal, South Africa, and in Namibia
- Olckers, T, Hulley, Patrick E, Hill, Martin P
- Authors: Olckers, T , Hulley, Patrick E , Hill, Martin P
- Date: 1995
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/451440 , vital:75049 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/AJA10213589_108
- Description: Several indigenous Solanum (Solanaceae) species were surveyed in the Transvaal and Namibia as part of a broader study of the insect herbivores associated with indigenous, as well as weedy and cultivated exotic, solanurns in southern Africa. Insects were collected on three Solanum species in the Transvaal and on 10 in Namibia. Solanum panduriforme E. Mey. and S. incanum L. were abundant in both regions, while S. capense L. was the most common species in Namibia. These three Solanum species supported an abundance of insect herbivores, which included many oligophages found on solanurns in other regions of South Africa. Most of the Solanum insect species were found on a wide range of host plants, in a variety of habitats and under various climatic conditions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1995
- Authors: Olckers, T , Hulley, Patrick E , Hill, Martin P
- Date: 1995
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/451440 , vital:75049 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/AJA10213589_108
- Description: Several indigenous Solanum (Solanaceae) species were surveyed in the Transvaal and Namibia as part of a broader study of the insect herbivores associated with indigenous, as well as weedy and cultivated exotic, solanurns in southern Africa. Insects were collected on three Solanum species in the Transvaal and on 10 in Namibia. Solanum panduriforme E. Mey. and S. incanum L. were abundant in both regions, while S. capense L. was the most common species in Namibia. These three Solanum species supported an abundance of insect herbivores, which included many oligophages found on solanurns in other regions of South Africa. Most of the Solanum insect species were found on a wide range of host plants, in a variety of habitats and under various climatic conditions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1995
Host specificity tests on leaf-feeding insects aberrations from the use of excised leaves
- Olckers, T, Hulley, Patrick E
- Authors: Olckers, T , Hulley, Patrick E
- Date: 1994
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/452340 , vital:75121 , https://journals.co.za/doi/pdf/10.10520/AJA10213589_137
- Description: Starvation tests, in which herbivorous insects are confined to plants under cage conditions, are integral to determining the host range and suitability of candidate agents for weed biocontrol (Cullen 1990). The acceptance or rejection of test plants under these artificial conditions can, however, be influenced by the quality of the plants presented (Shepherd 1990); starvation tests on leaf-feeding insects are often carried out with bouquets or excised leaves as opposed to whole plants. This study presents the results of two independent experiments that illustrate potential problems associated with the use of excised leaves during host specificity tests.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1994
- Authors: Olckers, T , Hulley, Patrick E
- Date: 1994
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/452340 , vital:75121 , https://journals.co.za/doi/pdf/10.10520/AJA10213589_137
- Description: Starvation tests, in which herbivorous insects are confined to plants under cage conditions, are integral to determining the host range and suitability of candidate agents for weed biocontrol (Cullen 1990). The acceptance or rejection of test plants under these artificial conditions can, however, be influenced by the quality of the plants presented (Shepherd 1990); starvation tests on leaf-feeding insects are often carried out with bouquets or excised leaves as opposed to whole plants. This study presents the results of two independent experiments that illustrate potential problems associated with the use of excised leaves during host specificity tests.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1994
Resolving ambiguous results of host-specificity tests the case of two Leptinotarsa species (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) for biological control of Solanum elaeagnifolium Cavanilles (Solanaceae) in South Africa
- Olckers, T, Hulley, Patrick E
- Authors: Olckers, T , Hulley, Patrick E
- Date: 1994
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/452358 , vital:75122 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/AJA10213589_421
- Description: Two leaf-feeding chrysomelids from North America, Leptinotarsa texana (Schaeffer) and Leptinotarsa defecta (Stal), are promising candidates for the biological control of Solanum elaeagnifolium Cavanilles (Solanaceae) in South Africa. Permission for release was delayed because the beetles fed on cultivated eggplant (Solanum melongena Linnaeus) under cage conditions. After considerable deliberation and further investigation, it was concluded that the results of the cage tests had been overemphasized. The beetles were cleared for release in South Africa on the following grounds: (i) neither Leptinotarsa species attacks eggplant in their native North American habitats; (ii) in South Africa, many insect herbivores of Solanaceae feed on eggplant in cultivation but cause minor damage relative to cosmopolitan polyphagous pests; (iii) as with L. texana and L. defecta, Conchyloctenia tigrina Olivier, a South African chrysomelid that also occurs on eggplant in cultivation, fed on eggplant in indoor cages, but preferred its natural Solanum hosts in large outdoor cages; (iv) eggplant cultivation methods include crop rotation and severe pesticide regimes, which should exclude Leptinotarsa along with the other insects.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1994
- Authors: Olckers, T , Hulley, Patrick E
- Date: 1994
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/452358 , vital:75122 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/AJA10213589_421
- Description: Two leaf-feeding chrysomelids from North America, Leptinotarsa texana (Schaeffer) and Leptinotarsa defecta (Stal), are promising candidates for the biological control of Solanum elaeagnifolium Cavanilles (Solanaceae) in South Africa. Permission for release was delayed because the beetles fed on cultivated eggplant (Solanum melongena Linnaeus) under cage conditions. After considerable deliberation and further investigation, it was concluded that the results of the cage tests had been overemphasized. The beetles were cleared for release in South Africa on the following grounds: (i) neither Leptinotarsa species attacks eggplant in their native North American habitats; (ii) in South Africa, many insect herbivores of Solanaceae feed on eggplant in cultivation but cause minor damage relative to cosmopolitan polyphagous pests; (iii) as with L. texana and L. defecta, Conchyloctenia tigrina Olivier, a South African chrysomelid that also occurs on eggplant in cultivation, fed on eggplant in indoor cages, but preferred its natural Solanum hosts in large outdoor cages; (iv) eggplant cultivation methods include crop rotation and severe pesticide regimes, which should exclude Leptinotarsa along with the other insects.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1994