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Abstract: Antimicrobial resistance is a worldwide concern of public health. Unfortunately, resistant bacteria are spreading to all ecosystems, including the strictly protected ones. We investigated antimicrobial resistance in gastrointestinal Enterobacteriaceae of wild mammals and people living within Dzangha-Sangha Protected Areas, Central African Republic, with an emphasis on extended-spectrum ?-lactamase (ESBL) and plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes. We compare resistance genes found in microbiota of humans, gorillas habituated and unhabituated to humans and other wildlife. In gorillas, we additionally investigate the presence of ESBL resistant isolates after treatment by ceftiofur. We found a considerable prevalence of multiresistant Enterobacteriaceae isolates with ESBL and PMQR genes in humans (10% and 31%, respectively). Among wildlife the most significant findings were CTX-M-15-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in a habituated gorilla and a multiresistant Escherichia coli isolate with gene qepA in an unhabituated gorilla. Other isolates from wildlife were mostly represented by qnrB-harboring Citrobacter spp. The relatedness of resistant E. coli was investigated in a PFGE-based dendrogram; isolates from gorillas showed less than 80% similarity to each other and less than 80% similarity to human isolates. No ESBL-producing isolates were found in animals treated by ceftiofur. Although we did not detect any bacterial clone common to wildlife and humans, we detected an intersection in the spectrum of resistance genes found in humans and gorillas, represented by blaCTX-M-15 and qepA. © 2014 Elsevier B.V.
Source title: Veterinary Microbiology
DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2014.02.014
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84901931851&doi=10.1016%2fj.vetmic.2014.02.014&partnerID=40&md5=7165647d6c3b840f60964a9bc7776df8
Correspondence Address: Albrechtova, K.; Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Palackeho 1-3, 61242 Brno, Czech Republic; email: albrechtovakaterina@gmail.com
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Central African Republic ;
Protected area: Dzanga-Sangha
Main topic: Health
Subtopic: Human & animal health

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Abstract: The genus Leptopelis is composed of 51 morphologically conserved anurans which are found throughout sub-Saharan Africa. We describe a new species of Leptopelis from the Itombwe Plateau, a renowned center of endemism in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The new species is included in a well-supported polytomy with populations of the widespread Albertine Rift-endemic Leptopelis karissimbensis. We recognize the new species based on DNA sequence divergence and distinctive components of morphological, ecological, and advertisement call data. The distinct calls between the recently diverged new species and the partially sympatric taxon L. karissimbensis are a likely consequence of reinforcement of species boundaries. Our recognition of the new species emphasizes the endemism and biodiversity of the Itombwe Plateau, a portion of which recently became protected as a natural reserve, but multiple anthropogenic threats are a continued cause for concern.
Source title: Herpetologica
DOI: 10.1655/HERPETOLOGICA-D-12-00087
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84894557832&doi=10.1655%2fHERPETOLOGICA-D-12-00087&partnerID=40&md5=728b34d7468c70b4f5b18a13b1648267
Correspondence Address: Greenbaum, E.; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX 79968, United States; email: egreenbaum2@utep.edu
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Democratic Republic of Congo ;
Protected area: Itombwe
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Amphibians ; Taxonomy ; Genetics ; Biology / Ecology

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Abstract: Gram-staining-positive anaerobic rods were isolated from the faeces of a wild lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) in Moukalaba-Doudou National Park, Gabon, and strain GG01T was taxonomically investigated. Based on phylogenetic analyses and specific phenotypic characteristics, the strain belonged to the genus Bifidobacterium. Phylogenetic analysis of its 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain GG01T formed a single monophyletic cluster and had a distinct line of descent. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, the type strains of Bifidobacterium catenulatum JCM 1194T (98.3 %) and Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum (98.1 %) JCM 1200T were the most closely related to this novel strain, although it was clear that they belonged to different species. hsp60 sequences also supported these relationships. The DNA G+C content of this novel strain was 60.1 mol%. Bifidobacterium moukalabense sp. nov. (type strain GG01T = JCM 18751T = DSM 27321T) is proposed. © 2014 IUMS.
Source title: International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology
DOI: 10.1099/ijs.0.055186-0
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84893472971&doi=10.1099%2fijs.0.055186-0&partnerID=40&md5=2061496ed32db5b52563c6fef3a33f1f
Correspondence Address: Ushida, K.; Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Kyoto Prefectural University, Shimogamo, Kyoto 606-8522, Japan; email: k_ushida@kpu.ac.jp
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Gabon ;
Protected area: Moukalaba-Doudou
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Primates ; Biology / Ecology ; Microorganisms ; Taxonomy ; Genetics

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Abstract: Mount Cameroon (4095 m), the highest peak and only active volcano in West Africa, is located in the center of the Gulf of Guinea Pleistocene refugium. The associated forests and highlands along the southern Nigerian-Cameroon border and on the island of Bioko, known as the Biafran forests and highlands, are important formations of the Cameroon Volcanic Line owing to their wide elevational range, and on Mount Cameroon, a continuous gradient of unbroken vegetation from sea level to over 4000 m. The montane zones in the region begin 800 m above sea level forming the critically endangered Mount Cameroon and Bioko Montane Forests ecoregion. The broad elevational gradient of the region has resulted in high habitat diversity, leading the region to be a center for species endemism and richness across many taxa. Some of the densest human populations in Africa also occur in this region, putting intense pressure on the forests and highlands mostly due to overexploitation and habitat loss. The governments of Nigeria, Cameroon, and Equatorial Guinea have designated protected areas in the region, but coverage is inadequate, especially for the rare montane ecosystems and endemic taxa. More importantly, protected areas are often not accompanied by effective management and regulatory enforcement. We recommend improved law enforcement and an expansion of the protected area network, as well as stronger commitments of institutional, financial, and technical support from governments and non-governmental organizations, in order to move conservation in the region in a positive direction. Without significant and immediate conservation progress, increasing anthropogenic pressure and systemic ineffectiveness of protected area management represent major concerns for the future of this important area. © 2014 Regents of the University of Colorado.
Source title: Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research
DOI: 10.1657/1938-4246-46.4.891
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84913595287&doi=10.1657%2f1938-4246-46.4.891&partnerID=40&md5=75111d7c37667cab62294347a307d9ac
Correspondence Address: Cronin, D.T.; Department of Biology, Drexel University, 3245 Chestnut Street, United States
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Cameroon ; Equatorial Guinea ;
Protected area: Many
Main topic: Environment ; Biodiversity ; Humans
Subtopic: Geology / Pedology ; Land use / cover ; Forests ; Other ecosystems ; Deforestation ; Climate ; Animals ; Vertebrates ; Plants ; Survey / Monitoring ; Diversity ; Demography ; Hunting / Poaching ; Periphery / Management ; Governance / Policy ; Conservation initiatives

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Abstract: There has been a concerted effort by the international scientific community to understand the multiple causes and patterns of land-cover change to support sustainable land management. Here, we examined biophysical suitability, and a novel integrated index of "Economic Pressure on Land" (EPL) to explain land cover in the year 2000, and estimated the likelihood of future land-cover change through 2050, including protected area effectiveness. Biophysical suitability and EPL explained almost half of the global pattern of land cover (R 2 = 0.45), increasing to almost two-thirds in areas where a long-term equilibrium is likely to have been reached (e.g. R 2 = 0.64 in Europe). We identify a high likelihood of future land-cover change in vast areas with relatively lower current and past deforestation (e.g. the Congo Basin). Further, we simulated emissions arising from a "business as usual" and two reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) scenarios by incorporating data on biomass carbon. As our model incorporates all biome types, it highlights a crucial aspect of the ongoing REDD + debate: if restricted to forests, "cross-biome leakage" would severely reduce REDD + effectiveness for climate change mitigation. If forests were protected from deforestation yet without measures to tackle the drivers of land-cover change, REDD + would only reduce 30 % of total emissions from land-cover change. Fifty-five percent of emissions reductions from forests would be compensated by increased emissions in other biomes. These results suggest that, although REDD + remains a very promising mitigation tool, implementation of complementary measures to reduce land demand is necessary to prevent this leakage. © 2013 The Author(s).
Source title: Sustainability Science
DOI: 10.1007/s11625-013-0209-5
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84897579417&doi=10.1007%2fs11625-013-0209-5&partnerID=40&md5=0cd180075ca99ce18c7bc0ec6a79c2a9
Correspondence Address: Strassburg, B. B. N.; International Institute for Sustainability, Estrada Dona Castorina, 124, Rio de Janeiro, 22460-320, Brazil; email: b.strassburg@iis-rio.org
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Central Africa ;
Protected area: Many
Main topic: Environment
Subtopic: Land use / cover

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Abstract: Using the point count method, linear mixed models, Shannon's diversity index, and Bray-Curtis cluster analysis, we conducted a study of the effect of urban fabric layout on bird diversity and distribution in northern Rwanda. The results showed a significant effect of city landscapes on bird richness and relative abundance; residential neighborhoods, institutional grounds, and informal settlements had the highest species diversity in comparison to other microlandscape types. Riversides were characterized by specialized bird species, commonly known to be restricted to wetland environments. Built-up areas and open field landscapes had comparable results. One Albertine Rift endemic bird species, the Ruwenzori Double-collared Sunbird (Cinnyris stuhlmanni), was recorded. Three migratory birds were found in Musanze city for the first time: the Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos), the Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata), and the Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus). Two bird species have not been previously reported in Rwanda: the Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin) and the Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina). The implications of this study are particularly relevant to urban decision makers who should consider the existence of a great diversity of avian fauna when developing and implementing master plans, especially when villages and cities are in proximity of protected areas or natural reserves. © 2014 T. Gatesire et al.
Source title: Scientific World Journal
DOI: 10.1155/2014/157824
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84929051819&doi=10.1155%2f2014%2f157824&partnerID=40&md5=051319f0aa911b7dc5a96fbf3a61180c
Correspondence Address: Gatesire, T.; University of Rwanda, P.O. Box 117, Rwanda
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Rwanda ;
Protected area: Volcans
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Birds ; Survey / Monitoring ; Diversity ; Biology / Ecology

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Abstract: [No abstract available]
Source title: Journal of International Wildlife Law and Policy
DOI: 10.1080/13880292.2014.957036
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84919919970&doi=10.1080%2f13880292.2014.957036&partnerID=40&md5=1b30ff50fd4b13461fad765c6da8a638
Correspondence Address: Tata, E.S.; Department of Geography, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Cameroon
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Cameroon ;
Protected area: Mont Cameroun
Main topic: Humans
Subtopic: Perceptions / Behaviors ; Periphery / Management ; Conservation initiatives ; Income-generating activities ; Governance / Policy

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Abstract: Tropical rain forests, the richest terrestrial ecosystems in biodiversity on Earth are highly threatened by global changes. This paper aims to infer the mechanisms governing species tree assemblages by characterizing the phylogenetic structure of a tropical rain forest in a protected area of the Congo Basin, the Dja Faunal Reserve (Cameroon). We re-analyzed a dataset of 11538 individuals belonging to 372 taxa found along nine transects spanning five habitat types. We generated a dated phylogenetic tree including all sampled taxa to partition the phylogenetic diversity of the nine transects into alpha and beta components at the level of the transects and of the habitat types. The variation in phylogenetic composition among transects did not deviate from a random pattern at the scale of the Dja Faunal Reserve, probably due to a common history and weak environmental variation across the park. This lack of phylogenetic structure combined with an isolation-bydistance pattern of taxonomic diversity suggests that neutral dispersal limitation is a major driver of community assembly in the Dja. To assess any lack of sensitivity to the variation in habitat types, we restricted the analyses of transects to the terra firme primary forest and found results consistent with those of the whole dataset at the level of the transects. Additionally to previous analyses, we detected a weak but significant phylogenetic turnover among habitat types, suggesting that species sort in varying environments, even though it is not predominating on the overall phylogenetic structure. Finer analyses of clades indicated a signal of clustering for species from the Annonaceae family, while species from the Apocynaceae family indicated overdispersion. These results can contribute to the conservation of the park by improving our understanding of the processes dictating community assembly in these hyperdiverse but threatened regions of the world. © 2014 Manel et al.
Source title: PLoS ONE
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0098920
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84903289491&doi=10.1371%2fjournal.pone.0098920&partnerID=40&md5=5b6fe0e9ed3e750840fbe036857f2a79
Correspondence Address:
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Cameroon ;
Protected area: Dja
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Plants ; Survey / Monitoring ; Diversity ; Genetics ; Biology / Ecology

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Abstract: The history of biodiversity conservation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) runs in parallel with the story of alienation of land and natural resources which began in early colonial times. There is a legacy of undemocratic laws promulgated in the time of Leopold II that still govern land rights and the conservation of biodiversity. Numerous conflicting pressures are currently exerted on the DRC Government to lease more lands and create more protected areas. I argue that while conserving biological diversity is good, there is a need to reflect deeply on how to make the management of protected areas effective and reconciled with the needs expressed by communities. I also argue that preserving biodiversity is not and should not be equated with creating more new state-owned protected areas. There are other ways to conserve biodiversity, including privately protected areas, devolution of law enforcement to local communities, and downgrading some protected areas to IUCN Category VI, with proper zoning to reflect the reality of management. This is a complex process and involves strong political decisions and should be supported by a thorough assessment of the entire protected area network. I suggest that the key to success in preserving biodiversity in DRC is a proper land rights system and local law enforcement, which will make local communities allies rather than opponents to conservation. © 2018, IUCN - International Union for the Conservation of Nature. All rights reserved.
Source title: Parks
DOI: 10.2305/IUCN.CH.2014.PARKS-20-2.BI.en
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85022227437&doi=10.2305%2fIUCN.CH.2014.PARKS-20-2.BI.en&partnerID=40&md5=d5be510f8c12d5ddf189be79e955d6aa
Correspondence Address: Inogwabini, B.-I.; Swedish University of Agricultural Science, Department of Aquatic Science and AssessmentSweden; email: bi4@kentforlife.net
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Democratic Republic of Congo ;
Protected area: Many
Main topic: Humans
Subtopic: Conservation initiatives ; Governance / Policy ; Periphery / Management

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Abstract: The tree species Cryptosepalum korupense Burgt, sp. nov. (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae) is described and illustrated. Cryptosepalum korupense, sp. nov. is related to C. staudtii Harms. Cryptosepalum korupense, sp. nov. has (10-)14-21(-26) pairs of leaflets; C. staudtii has 10-14(-16) pairs of leaflets. The placement of the midvein of the small, emarginate leaflets of C. korupense, sp. nov. distinguishes the species from all other West and Central African Caesalpinioideae species. Cryptosepalum korupense, sp. nov. trees can grow to 44 m high and 88 cm trunk diameter. The new species presents ballistic seed dispersal and grows gregariously; a map of a group of 14 trees is presented. Cryptosepalum korupense, sp. nov. is endemic to the Southwest Region in Cameroon. In southern Korup National Park 18 trees over 10 cm trunk diameter were found during the mapping of c. 11.2 km2 of forest. Of the trees over 50 cm trunk diameter, one tree out of c. 3100 trees is C. korupense, sp. nov. The new species was also found along the banks of the Idu River near the village Besingi, and in the lowland forests northwest of Mount Cameroon. Cryptosepalum korupense, sp. nov. is assessed as Endangered (EN) and C. staudtii as Least Concern (LC) under the criteria of the IUCN. © Publications Scientifiques du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris.
Source title: Adansonia
DOI: 10.5252/a2014n1a7
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84973556713&doi=10.5252%2fa2014n1a7&partnerID=40&md5=fddbb48fd66339b7489e4bf3429afdf4
Correspondence Address:
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Cameroon ;
Protected area: Korup ; Mont Cameroun
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Plants ; Taxonomy

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Abstract: [No abstract available]
Source title: Pachyderm
DOI:
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84911420162&partnerID=40&md5=0789532585a2437a2ca01253c7dc1104
Correspondence Address: Vanleeuwe, H.; Wildlife Conservation Society, CDNP directorUnited States
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Republic of Congo ;
Protected area: Conkouati-Douli
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Ungulates ; Elephants ; Survey / Monitoring ; Abundance ; Biology / Ecology

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Abstract: Background: Many tree species in tropical forests have distributions tracking local ridge-slope-valley topography. Previous work in a 50-ha plot in Korup National Park, Cameroon, demonstrated that 272 species, or 63% of those tested, were significantly associated with topography. Methods: We used two censuses of 329,000 trees ?1 cm dbh to examine demographic variation at this site that would account for those observed habitat preferences. We tested two predictions. First, within a given topographic habitat, species specializing on that habitat (‘residents’) should outperform species that are specialists of other habitats (‘foreigners’). Second, across different topographic habitats, species should perform best in the habitat on which they specialize (‘home’) compared to other habitats (‘away’). Species’ performance was estimated using growth and mortality rates. Results: In hierarchical models with species identity as a random effect, we found no evidence of a demographic advantage to resident species. Indeed, growth rates were most often higher for foreign species. Similarly, comparisons of species on their home vs. away habitats revealed no sign of a performance advantage on the home habitat. Conclusions: We reject the hypothesis that species distributions along a ridge-valley catena at Korup are caused by species differences in trees ?1 cm dbh. Since there must be a demographic cause for habitat specialization, we offer three alternatives. First, the demographic advantage specialists have at home occurs at the reproductive or seedling stage, in sizes smaller than we census in the forest plot. Second, species may have higher performance on their preferred habitat when density is low, but when population builds up, there are negative density-dependent feedbacks that reduce performance. Third, demographic filtering may be produced by extreme environmental conditions that we did not observe during the census interval. © 2014 Kenfack et al.
Source title: Forest Ecosystems
DOI: 10.1186/s40663-014-0022-3
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85031942082&doi=10.1186%2fs40663-014-0022-3&partnerID=40&md5=ba19a6958e7d5f08c226a00719d31d81
Correspondence Address: Kenfack, D.; Center for Tropical Forest Science-ForestGEO, Botany Department, Smithsonian Tropical Research InstituteUnited States; email: kenfackd@si.edu
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Cameroon ;
Protected area: Korup
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Plants ; Survey / Monitoring ; Structure / Biomass ; Biology / Ecology

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Abstract: The tribe Scotonycterini is currently composed of three fruit bat species of the family Pteropodidae (Mammalia, Chiroptera) characterized by white fur patches on the head, specifically around the nose and behind the eyes: Scotonycteris zenkeri, S. ophiodon and Casinycteris argynnis. Herein a new species is described, Casinycteris campomaanensis sp. nov., based on female specimen collected in 2007 near the village Nkoélon-Mvini close to the Campo-Ma'an National Park, southwestern Cameroon. It is readily distinguished from the three other species of Scotonycterini by its body size and craniodental characteristics. Molecular analyses based on the complete mitochondrial cytochrome b gene indicate that the new species is the sister-group to C. argynnis and that the holotype of S. ophiodon is more closely related to Casinycteris than to S. zenkeri, rendering the genus Scotonycteris paraphyletic. Based on these results, morphological characters within the tribe Scotonycterini were reassessed and a new classification is proposed, in which the new species and S. ophiodon are placed in the genus Casinycteris. © 2014 Académie des sciences.
Source title: Comptes Rendus - Biologies
DOI: 10.1016/j.crvi.2013.12.006
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84896726499&doi=10.1016%2fj.crvi.2013.12.006&partnerID=40&md5=d1b4df7497b6ec502c40f6a9afec0199
Correspondence Address: Hassanin, A.; Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle (MNHN), Institut de Systématique, Èvolution, Biodiversitè (ISYEB), EPHE, Case postale no 51, 55, rue Buffon, 75005 Paris, France; email: hassanin@mnhn.fr
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Cameroon ;
Protected area: Campo-Ma'an
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Bats ; Taxonomy ; Biology / Ecology ; Genetics

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Abstract: A new deep-bodied Hylopanchax species is described from the northwestern Congo basin. Hylopanchax paucisquamatus, new species, was collected in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Likouala River drainage of the Republic of Congo. It differs from its congeners, including the deep-bodied H. leki and H. ndeko, by a unique combination of morphological characters, including low number of mid-longitudinal and transverse scales, number of dorsal-fin rays, and position of dorsal-fin origin in relation to anal-fin. It is the only deep-bodied species currently known outside the Kasaï River drainage. Copyright © 2014 Magnolia Press.
Source title: Zootaxa
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3846.4.6
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84906217617&doi=10.11646%2fzootaxa.3846.4.6&partnerID=40&md5=f7fbed7714d9bfc771cd147666b5fd56
Correspondence Address: Sonnenberg, R.; Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig, Department of Vertebrates, Adenauerallee 160, D-53113 Bonn, Germany; email: r.sonnenberg.zfmk@uni-bonn.de
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Republic of Congo ;
Protected area: Odzala Kokoua
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Fish ; Taxonomy

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Abstract: Avian diet selection is hypothesized to be sensitive to seasonal changes in breeding status, but few tests exist for frugivorous tropical birds. Frugivorous birds provide an interesting test case because fruits are relatively deficient in minerals critical for reproduction. Here, we quantify annual patterns of fruit availability and diet for two frugivorous hornbill (Bucerotidae) species over a 5.5-y period to test for patterns of diet selection. Data from the lowland tropical rain forest of the Dja Reserve, Cameroon, are used to generate two nutritional indices. One index estimates the nutrient concentration of the diet chosen by Ceratogymna atrata and Bycanistes albotibialis on a monthly basis using 3165 feeding observations combined with fruit pulp sample data. The second index is an estimate of nutrient concentration of a non-selective or neutral diet across the study area based on tree fruiting phenology, vegetation survey and fruit-pulp sample data. Fifty-nine fruit pulp samples representing 40 species were analysed for 16 nutrient categories to contribute to both indices. Pulp samples accounted for approximately 75% of the observed diets. The results support expected patterns of nutrient selection. The two hornbill species selected a diet rich in calcium during the early breeding season (significantly so for B. albotibialis in July and August). Through the brooding and fledging periods, they switched from a calcium-rich diet to one rich in iron and caloric content as well as supplemental protein in the form of invertebrates. Calcium, the calcium to phosphorus ratio and fat concentration were the strongest predictors of breeding success (significant for calcium and Ca:P for B. albotibialis in June). We conclude that hornbills actively select fruit based on nutritional concentration and mineral concentration and that the indices developed here are useful for assessing frugivore diet over time. Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2014.
Source title: Journal of Tropical Ecology
DOI: 10.1017/S0266467414000236
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84903280364&doi=10.1017%2fS0266467414000236&partnerID=40&md5=5d5d892046e5b52f83134ba5ea73e996
Correspondence Address: Lamperti, A.M.557 New Boston Road, Norwich, VT 05055, United States; email: aaron.lamperti@gmail.com
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Cameroon ;
Protected area: Dja
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Birds ; Biology / Ecology ; Plants ; Diversity

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Abstract: Background: Infectious diseases represent the greatest threats to endangered species, and transmission from humans to wildlife under increased anthropogenic pressure has been always stated as a major risk of habituation. Aims:To evaluate the impact of close contact with humans on the occurrence of potentially zoonotic protists in great apes, one hundred mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) from seven groups habituated either for tourism or for research in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda were screened for the presence of microsporidia, Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. using molecular diagnostics. Copyright:Results:The most frequently detected parasites were Enterocytozoon bieneusi found in 18 samples (including genotype EbpA, D, C, gorilla 2 and five novel genotypes gorilla 4-8) and Encephalitozoon cuniculi with genotype II being more prevalent (10 cases) compared to genotype I (1 case). Cryptosporidium muris (2 cases) and C. meleagridis (2 cases) were documented in great apes for the first time. Cryptosporidium sp. infections were identified only in research groups and occurrence of E. cuniculi in research groups was significantly higher in comparison to tourist groups. No difference in prevalence of E. bieneusi was observed between research and tourist groups.Conclusion: Although our data showed the presence and diversity of important opportunistic protists in Volcanoes gorillas, the source and the routes of the circulation remain unknown. Repeated individual sampling, broad sampling of other hosts sharing the habitat with gorillas and quantification of studied protists would be necessary to acquire more complex data. © 2014 Sak et al.
Source title: PLoS ONE
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0109751
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84915750703&doi=10.1371%2fjournal.pone.0109751&partnerID=40&md5=28914b557708898b9bdd22186b013248
Correspondence Address:
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Rwanda ;
Protected area: Volcans
Main topic: Health
Subtopic: Animal health

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Abstract: A new species of Dorstenia L. (Moraceae), D. luamensis M.E.Leal, is described from the Luama Wildlife Reserve, west of Lake Tanganyika and north of the town of Kalemie in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This species is endemic to the region and differs from any of the other species by its fernlike lithophytic habit and lack of latex. A description and illustration of this species is presented here. Dorstenia luamensis M.E.Leal inhabits moist and shady vertical rock faces close to small waterfalls in the forest; the species is distributed in small populations within the type locality, and merits the conservation status of endangered (EN). © Miguel E. Leal.
Source title: PhytoKeys
DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.42.7604
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84927634925&doi=10.3897%2fphytokeys.42.7604&partnerID=40&md5=9dac45a312066ec4308eda130346137a
Correspondence Address: Leal, M.E.; Wildlife Conservation Society, Kiwafu Road 802, Uganda
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Democratic Republic of Congo ;
Protected area: Luama-Kivu
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Plants ; Taxonomy ; Biology / Ecology

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Abstract: A new nematode species, Dujardinascaris mormyropsis n. sp. (Anisakidae), is described from specimens found in the stomach and intestine of the cornish jack Mormyrops anguilloides (Linnaeus) (Osteoglossiformes; Mormyridae) in the Sangha River (Congo River basin) in Dzanga-Sangha Protected Areas, Central African Republic. Based on light and scanning electron microscopical examination, the new species differs from the only other congeneric species parasitising fishes in Africa, D. malapteruri (Baylis, 1923), mainly in the presence of dentigerous ridges on lips, absence of lateral caudal alae in the cloacal region, in the anteriorly curved, non-bifid distal tip of the gubernaculum and larger eggs (60-90 × 52-78 vs 45 × 30 ?m); males of D. mormyropsis are characterised by the presence of a ventral precloacal cuticular ornamentation not observed in other Dujardinascaris spp. Dujardinascaris mormyropsis and D. malapteruri also differ in the order of their fish hosts (Osteoglossiformes vs Siluriformes). Specimens previously reported as Dujardinascaris graberi Troncy, 1969, a junior synonym of D. malapteruri, from Mormyrops engystoma Boulenger in Chad belong to the new species D. mormyropsis. © 2014 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.
Source title: Systematic Parasitology
DOI: 10.1007/s11230-014-9479-2
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84898411927&doi=10.1007%2fs11230-014-9479-2&partnerID=40&md5=08891dc726f3e903e6bb6ed175ac1ed4
Correspondence Address: Moravec, F.; Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Branišovská 31, 370 05 ?eské Bud?jovice, Czech Republic; email: moravec@paru.cas.cz
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Central African Republic ;
Protected area: Dzanga-Sangha
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Fish ; Invertebrates ; Taxonomy ; Biology / Ecology

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Abstract: In many countries, areas delineated for conservation purposes can only achieve their objectives if effective law enforcement occurs within them. However, there is no method currently available to allocate law enforcement effort in a way that protects species and habitats in a cost-effective manner. Law enforcement is expensive and effort is usually concentrated near the locations of patrol stations where rangers are based. This hampers effective conservation, particularly in large protected areas, or regions with limited enforcement capacity. Using the spatial planning tool Marxan, we demonstrate a method for prioritizing law enforcement in a globally important conservation landscape (the Greater Virunga Landscape, GVL, in central Africa) using data on the spatial distribution of illegal activities and conservation features within the landscape. Our analysis of current patrol data shows that law enforcement activity is inadequate with only 22% of the landscape being effectively patrolled and most of this activity occurring within 3 km of a patrol post. We show that the current patrol effort does not deter illegal activities beyond this distance. We discover that when we account for the costs of effective patrolling and set targets for covering key species populations and habitats, we can reduce the costs of meeting all conservation targets in the landscape by 63%, to $2·2-3·0 million USD, relative to the cost of patrolling the entire landscape. This cost is well within the current expenditure of approximately $5·9 million USD for the GVL but would better target effort from both patrol posts and mobile patrol units in the landscape. Synthesis and applications. Our results demonstrate a method that can be used to plan enforcement patrolling, resulting in more cost-efficient prevention of illegal activities in a way that is targeted at halting declines in species of conservation concern. © 2014 British Ecological Society.
Source title: Journal of Applied Ecology
DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12227
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84900525369&doi=10.1111%2f1365-2664.12227&partnerID=40&md5=856d892312093beb5250b87bcae2a2c7
Correspondence Address: Plumptre, A.J.; Wildlife Conservation Society, Plot 802 Kiwafu Road, PO Box 7487, Kampala, Uganda; email: aplumptre@wcs.org
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Democratic Republic of Congo ; Rwanda ;
Protected area: Virunga ; Volcans
Main topic: Humans
Subtopic: Conservation initiatives ; Hunting / Poaching

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Abstract: Researchers across disciplines have struggled to understand the entanglement of human-environment relationships. Nowhere are these entanglements more evident than among human communities situated within protected areas. These communities often rely on natural resources, such as wildlife, as an integral component of daily livelihoods. The success of human livelihood strategies and the continued presence of wildlife hinges upon our ability to understand inherently dependent relationships between animals and humans. Using the bushmeat trade as an entry point, this article draws on theoretical developments in anthropology, specifically mutual ecologies and data-based approaches to wildlife management, to examine relationships between hunters and hunted in the Dzanga-Sangha Dense Forest Reserve (APDS). © 2014 by the Institute for Ethnographic Research (IFER) a part of the George Washington University. All rights reserved.
Source title: Anthropological Quarterly
DOI: 10.1353/anq.2014.0036
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84906980969&doi=10.1353%2fanq.2014.0036&partnerID=40&md5=15d3153430812ba60cb0a1663825c0ee
Correspondence Address: Jost Robinson, C.A.; University of North CarolinaUnited States
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Central African Republic ;
Protected area: Dzanga-Sangha
Main topic: Humans
Subtopic: Hunting / Poaching ; Anthropology / Ethnoscience ; Income-generating activities ; Periphery / Management