Nagoya Protocol and Africa’s willingness to share biological control agents, are we deterred by barriers instead of using opportunities to work together?
- Ivey, Philip J, Hill, Martin P, Voukeng, Sonia Nadege Kenfack, Weaver, Kim N
- Authors: Ivey, Philip J , Hill, Martin P , Voukeng, Sonia Nadege Kenfack , Weaver, Kim N
- Date: 2023
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/418040 , vital:71503 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-023-10184-8"
- Description: Amongst members of the biological control community there is a range of perceptions regarding the Nagoya Protocol, at best it will hinder access to natural enemies of pests and invasive plants and at worst implementation of the Protocol will prevent access to these resources. In this preliminary study of Africa’s preparedness to implement the Nagoya Protocol and control access to potential biological control agents, we found that several countries have not yet established procedures and policies in this regard. Several factors including lack of awareness, insufficient relevant information and lack of capacity may cause delay in countries implementing access and benefit sharing legislation and processes. The lack of preparedness provides an opportunity for the research community to work with government officials to facilitate future access to natural enemies to act as biological control agents on invasive plants and agricultural pests. Collaboration between researchers, managers and bureaucrats in support of African countries could lead to collective action that develops policies and implements processes to foster exploration of African biodiversity. This collaboration could also foster the sharing of biological control agents that will benefit Africa through integrated pest management in agriculture, protection of human lives and livelihoods, and reduction of the impact of invasive alien species on biodiversity and environmental infrastructure.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023
- Authors: Ivey, Philip J , Hill, Martin P , Voukeng, Sonia Nadege Kenfack , Weaver, Kim N
- Date: 2023
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/418040 , vital:71503 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-023-10184-8"
- Description: Amongst members of the biological control community there is a range of perceptions regarding the Nagoya Protocol, at best it will hinder access to natural enemies of pests and invasive plants and at worst implementation of the Protocol will prevent access to these resources. In this preliminary study of Africa’s preparedness to implement the Nagoya Protocol and control access to potential biological control agents, we found that several countries have not yet established procedures and policies in this regard. Several factors including lack of awareness, insufficient relevant information and lack of capacity may cause delay in countries implementing access and benefit sharing legislation and processes. The lack of preparedness provides an opportunity for the research community to work with government officials to facilitate future access to natural enemies to act as biological control agents on invasive plants and agricultural pests. Collaboration between researchers, managers and bureaucrats in support of African countries could lead to collective action that develops policies and implements processes to foster exploration of African biodiversity. This collaboration could also foster the sharing of biological control agents that will benefit Africa through integrated pest management in agriculture, protection of human lives and livelihoods, and reduction of the impact of invasive alien species on biodiversity and environmental infrastructure.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023
Simulated global increases in atmospheric CO2 alter the tissue composition, but not the growth of some submerged aquatic plant bicarbonate users growing in DIC rich waters
- Hussner, Andreas, Smith, Rosali, Mettler-Altmann, Tabea, Hill, Martin P, Coetzee, Julie A
- Authors: Hussner, Andreas , Smith, Rosali , Mettler-Altmann, Tabea , Hill, Martin P , Coetzee, Julie A
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419388 , vital:71640 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquabot.2018.11.009"
- Description: Current global change scenarios predict an increase in atmospheric CO2 from the current 380 ppm to a value ranging from 540 ppm to 960 ppm by the year 2100. The effects of three air CO2 levels (400, 600 and 800 ppm) on five submerged aquatic plants that utilize HCO3− were studied, using the elevated CO2 Open Top Chamber facility at Rhodes University (Grahamstown, South Africa). Plants grew in water with two different initial dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) concentrations of 1.5 and 3.0 mM. Overall, the growth rates and biomass allocation to roots were not affected by the initial DIC and air CO2, even though differences between the species were found. Furthermore, no overall effects were found on net photosynthesis, chlorophyll and starch content, even though significant effects of CO2 and DIC were observed in some species. In contrast, with increasing DIC and air CO2 a significant global decline in leaf nitrogen content linked with an increased C:N molar ratio was observed. The results indicate that submerged aquatic HCO3− users will be less affected by atmospheric CO2 increases when growing in DIC rich waters, in comparison to obligate CO2 users growing under CO2 limiting conditions as documented in previous studies. However, the changes found in plant nitrogen illustrate that atmospheric CO2 increases will affect nitrogen absorption by submerged plants, with subsequent ecosystem level effects.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Hussner, Andreas , Smith, Rosali , Mettler-Altmann, Tabea , Hill, Martin P , Coetzee, Julie A
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419388 , vital:71640 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquabot.2018.11.009"
- Description: Current global change scenarios predict an increase in atmospheric CO2 from the current 380 ppm to a value ranging from 540 ppm to 960 ppm by the year 2100. The effects of three air CO2 levels (400, 600 and 800 ppm) on five submerged aquatic plants that utilize HCO3− were studied, using the elevated CO2 Open Top Chamber facility at Rhodes University (Grahamstown, South Africa). Plants grew in water with two different initial dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) concentrations of 1.5 and 3.0 mM. Overall, the growth rates and biomass allocation to roots were not affected by the initial DIC and air CO2, even though differences between the species were found. Furthermore, no overall effects were found on net photosynthesis, chlorophyll and starch content, even though significant effects of CO2 and DIC were observed in some species. In contrast, with increasing DIC and air CO2 a significant global decline in leaf nitrogen content linked with an increased C:N molar ratio was observed. The results indicate that submerged aquatic HCO3− users will be less affected by atmospheric CO2 increases when growing in DIC rich waters, in comparison to obligate CO2 users growing under CO2 limiting conditions as documented in previous studies. However, the changes found in plant nitrogen illustrate that atmospheric CO2 increases will affect nitrogen absorption by submerged plants, with subsequent ecosystem level effects.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The attitudes of riparian communities to the presence of water hyacinth in the Wouri River Basin, Douala, Cameroon
- Voukeng, Kenfack S N, Weyl, Philip S R, Hill, Martin P, Weyl, Philip, Chi, N
- Authors: Voukeng, Kenfack S N , Weyl, Philip S R , Hill, Martin P , Weyl, Philip , Chi, N
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/423822 , vital:72096 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.2989/16085914.2018.1538868"
- Description: Since publication of the first record of Eichhornia crassipes in Cameroon in 1997, the weed has become highly invasive in the Wouri River Basin. Between June and September 2014, a socio-economic survey using participatory and qualitative methods was undertaken in the riparian villages of the Wouri River Basin to assess the perception of respondents to the presence of water hyacinth. The survey revealed that water hyacinth was a significant threat to activities along the river, which included fishing, sand extraction and river transportation. The presence of water hyacinth mats reduced catch rates of several common fish species, river transportation by 75%, and significantly reduced the income for sand extraction. Cameroon employs manual clearing of water hyacinth; however, respondents indicated they would consider other control methods, provided they do not have any negative impacts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Voukeng, Kenfack S N , Weyl, Philip S R , Hill, Martin P , Weyl, Philip , Chi, N
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/423822 , vital:72096 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.2989/16085914.2018.1538868"
- Description: Since publication of the first record of Eichhornia crassipes in Cameroon in 1997, the weed has become highly invasive in the Wouri River Basin. Between June and September 2014, a socio-economic survey using participatory and qualitative methods was undertaken in the riparian villages of the Wouri River Basin to assess the perception of respondents to the presence of water hyacinth. The survey revealed that water hyacinth was a significant threat to activities along the river, which included fishing, sand extraction and river transportation. The presence of water hyacinth mats reduced catch rates of several common fish species, river transportation by 75%, and significantly reduced the income for sand extraction. Cameroon employs manual clearing of water hyacinth; however, respondents indicated they would consider other control methods, provided they do not have any negative impacts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Development of a Postharvest Cold Treatment for Cryptophlebia peltastica (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) for Export of Litchis From South Africa
- Moore, Sean D, Kirkman, Wayne, Peyper, Mellissa, Thackeray, Sean R, Marsberg, Tamryn, Albertyn, Sonnica, Hill, Martin P
- Authors: Moore, Sean D , Kirkman, Wayne , Peyper, Mellissa , Thackeray, Sean R , Marsberg, Tamryn , Albertyn, Sonnica , Hill, Martin P
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/423729 , vital:72089 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toy287"
- Description: The litchi moth, Cryptophlebia peltastica (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa and certain Indian Ocean islands. It is an important pest of litchis and to a lesser extent macadamias. Litchis are exported to certain markets that consider C. peltastica as a phytosanitary pest. Consequently, an effective postharvest phytosanitary treatment is required. This study sought to develop a cold disinfestation treatment for this purpose. First, it was established that the fifth instar was the most cold-tolerant larval stage, as it was the only instar for which there was still some survival after 12 d at 1°C. It was then determined that cold treatment trials could be conducted in artificial diet, as there was no survival of fifth instar C. peltastica in litchis after only 9 d at 1°C, whereas it took 15 d at this temperature before no survival of fifth instar C. peltastica was recorded in artificial diet. Consequently, cold susceptibility of fifth instar C. peltastica and the most cold-tolerant larval stages (fourth and fifth instar) of false codling moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), were compared in artificial diet. There was no survival of C. peltastica after 13 d at 1°C, whereas this was only so for T. leucotreta after 16 d. Consequently, it can be concluded that any cold treatment that has been proven effective against T. leucotreta would be as effective against C. peltastica. Finally, it was confirmed that the cold susceptibility of T. leucotreta in artificial diet did not overestimate the effect of cold on T. leucotreta larvae in litchis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Moore, Sean D , Kirkman, Wayne , Peyper, Mellissa , Thackeray, Sean R , Marsberg, Tamryn , Albertyn, Sonnica , Hill, Martin P
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/423729 , vital:72089 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toy287"
- Description: The litchi moth, Cryptophlebia peltastica (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa and certain Indian Ocean islands. It is an important pest of litchis and to a lesser extent macadamias. Litchis are exported to certain markets that consider C. peltastica as a phytosanitary pest. Consequently, an effective postharvest phytosanitary treatment is required. This study sought to develop a cold disinfestation treatment for this purpose. First, it was established that the fifth instar was the most cold-tolerant larval stage, as it was the only instar for which there was still some survival after 12 d at 1°C. It was then determined that cold treatment trials could be conducted in artificial diet, as there was no survival of fifth instar C. peltastica in litchis after only 9 d at 1°C, whereas it took 15 d at this temperature before no survival of fifth instar C. peltastica was recorded in artificial diet. Consequently, cold susceptibility of fifth instar C. peltastica and the most cold-tolerant larval stages (fourth and fifth instar) of false codling moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), were compared in artificial diet. There was no survival of C. peltastica after 13 d at 1°C, whereas this was only so for T. leucotreta after 16 d. Consequently, it can be concluded that any cold treatment that has been proven effective against T. leucotreta would be as effective against C. peltastica. Finally, it was confirmed that the cold susceptibility of T. leucotreta in artificial diet did not overestimate the effect of cold on T. leucotreta larvae in litchis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Integrating chemical control with sterile insect releases in an integrated pest management programme for Thaumatotibia leucotreta
- Nepgen, Eugene, Moore, Sean D, Hill, Martin P
- Authors: Nepgen, Eugene , Moore, Sean D , Hill, Martin P
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/423770 , vital:72092 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1111/jen.12487"
- Description: False codling moth Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is an important indigenous pest of citrus in southern Africa. Successful control is dependent upon integration of area-wide sterile insect releases and other suppression methods. The aim of this work was to test pyrethroid and organophosphate-based insecticides (tau-fluvalinate and chlorpyrifos) for their residual effect on mortality of released irradiated T. leucotreta male moths. Both of these insecticides were effective in killing irradiated T. leucotreta for 7 days after application on leaves, after which degradation of the active ingredient resulted in a marked reduction in efficacy after 14 days and rendering them harmless. Mortality was found to be similar for irradiated and non-irradiated male T. leucotreta after treatment. Consequently, even though these insecticides might have an effect on moths in the field, ratios of sterile:wild moths should not be altered. Supporting field data from six sites in the Sundays River Valley over a season of sterile insect releases showed the conventional chemical crop protection programme to be as effective as an integrated pest management programme in facilitating effective control of T. leucotreta through sterile insect releases. The study also confirmed that the ratios of sterile:wild male moths in the commercial citrus orchards were not affected by the application of insecticides. These findings confirm the high potential of sterile insect releases for control of T. leucotreta in citrus.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Nepgen, Eugene , Moore, Sean D , Hill, Martin P
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/423770 , vital:72092 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1111/jen.12487"
- Description: False codling moth Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is an important indigenous pest of citrus in southern Africa. Successful control is dependent upon integration of area-wide sterile insect releases and other suppression methods. The aim of this work was to test pyrethroid and organophosphate-based insecticides (tau-fluvalinate and chlorpyrifos) for their residual effect on mortality of released irradiated T. leucotreta male moths. Both of these insecticides were effective in killing irradiated T. leucotreta for 7 days after application on leaves, after which degradation of the active ingredient resulted in a marked reduction in efficacy after 14 days and rendering them harmless. Mortality was found to be similar for irradiated and non-irradiated male T. leucotreta after treatment. Consequently, even though these insecticides might have an effect on moths in the field, ratios of sterile:wild moths should not be altered. Supporting field data from six sites in the Sundays River Valley over a season of sterile insect releases showed the conventional chemical crop protection programme to be as effective as an integrated pest management programme in facilitating effective control of T. leucotreta through sterile insect releases. The study also confirmed that the ratios of sterile:wild male moths in the commercial citrus orchards were not affected by the application of insecticides. These findings confirm the high potential of sterile insect releases for control of T. leucotreta in citrus.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
DNA-based identification of Lepidoptera associated with citrus in South Africa
- Marsberg, Tamryn, Hill, Martin P, Moore, Sean D, Timm, Alicia E
- Authors: Marsberg, Tamryn , Hill, Martin P , Moore, Sean D , Timm, Alicia E
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/405782 , vital:70205 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC167513"
- Description: A number of insects, primarily Lepidoptera, cause damage to citrus in South Africa. A major limitation to the management and control of these pests is their correct identification. The aim of this study was to develop a database of gene sequences to aid in the identification of these Lepidoptera. Multiple specimens of 12 species were sequenced for the ~650 bp of the cytochrome oxidase I gene. These sequence data were supplemented and validated using sequences available in public databases. Results showed that each species could be unambiguously identified, and neighbour-joining analysis based on K2P distances formed highly supported, distinct clusters for each species, i.e. the maximum intraspecific genetic distance was less than that of the minimum interspecific genetic distances. Thus, this data set provides a molecular means to successfully identify the most important Lepidoptera associated with citrus in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Marsberg, Tamryn , Hill, Martin P , Moore, Sean D , Timm, Alicia E
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/405782 , vital:70205 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC167513"
- Description: A number of insects, primarily Lepidoptera, cause damage to citrus in South Africa. A major limitation to the management and control of these pests is their correct identification. The aim of this study was to develop a database of gene sequences to aid in the identification of these Lepidoptera. Multiple specimens of 12 species were sequenced for the ~650 bp of the cytochrome oxidase I gene. These sequence data were supplemented and validated using sequences available in public databases. Results showed that each species could be unambiguously identified, and neighbour-joining analysis based on K2P distances formed highly supported, distinct clusters for each species, i.e. the maximum intraspecific genetic distance was less than that of the minimum interspecific genetic distances. Thus, this data set provides a molecular means to successfully identify the most important Lepidoptera associated with citrus in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Identity and origins of introduced and native Azolla species in Florida
- Madeira, Paul T, Center, Ted D, Coetzee, Julie A, Pemberton, Robert W, Purcell, Matthew F, Hill, Martin P
- Authors: Madeira, Paul T , Center, Ted D , Coetzee, Julie A , Pemberton, Robert W , Purcell, Matthew F , Hill, Martin P
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419313 , vital:71634 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquabot.2013.07.009"
- Description: Azolla pinnata, an introduced aquatic fern, is spreading rapidly causing concern that it may displace native Azolla. It is now present in the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, the northernmost portion of the Florida Everglades. Because A. pinnata subspecies are native to Africa, Southeast Asia, and Australia, determining the actual geographic origin of the Florida exotic is important to the discovery of efficacious biological control agents. Both the exotic and native Azollas were examined using morphological and molecular criteria. Both criteria distinguished three A. pinnata subspecies with the Florida exotic matching the Australian A. pinnata subsp. pinnata. Molecular divergence between the A. pinnata subspecies indicates the three types should be considered separate species. The Florida native was characterized by both molecular and morphological methods as Azolla caroliniana. The discovery of a previously uncharacterized Ecuadorian Azolla, which appears to be a paternal ancestor of A. caroliniana, indicates that A. caroliniana is a hybrid species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Madeira, Paul T , Center, Ted D , Coetzee, Julie A , Pemberton, Robert W , Purcell, Matthew F , Hill, Martin P
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/419313 , vital:71634 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquabot.2013.07.009"
- Description: Azolla pinnata, an introduced aquatic fern, is spreading rapidly causing concern that it may displace native Azolla. It is now present in the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, the northernmost portion of the Florida Everglades. Because A. pinnata subspecies are native to Africa, Southeast Asia, and Australia, determining the actual geographic origin of the Florida exotic is important to the discovery of efficacious biological control agents. Both the exotic and native Azollas were examined using morphological and molecular criteria. Both criteria distinguished three A. pinnata subspecies with the Florida exotic matching the Australian A. pinnata subsp. pinnata. Molecular divergence between the A. pinnata subspecies indicates the three types should be considered separate species. The Florida native was characterized by both molecular and morphological methods as Azolla caroliniana. The discovery of a previously uncharacterized Ecuadorian Azolla, which appears to be a paternal ancestor of A. caroliniana, indicates that A. caroliniana is a hybrid species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Using a unified invasion framework to characterize Africa’s first loricariid catfish invasion
- Jones, Roy W, Weyl, Olaf L F, Hill, Martin P, Swartz, Ernst R
- Authors: Jones, Roy W , Weyl, Olaf L F , Hill, Martin P , Swartz, Ernst R
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/418081 , vital:71507 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-013-0438-7"
- Description: This paper presents evidence of establishment of a loricariid population in the Nseleni River in South Africa and uses a unified framework to determine its invasion stage. Specimens were identified morphologically as Pterygioplichthys disjunctivus (Weber 1991), but genetic barcoding results indicated close association with specimens that may have a hybrid history. The species was introduced into South Africa via the pet trade and the first record of introduction into the wild was in 2004. Samples collected in 2011 and 2012 demonstrated that there were multiple length cohorts in the population including juveniles (12–130 mm total length TL) and large (>300 mm TL) adult fish. Gonadal assessment of adults demonstrated the presence of reproduction capable specimens. The concurrent occurrence of mature adults and juvenile fish demonstrated establishment. Locality records indicate that P. disjunctivus has already spread between two rivers through an inter basin water transfer. Using a unified framework for invasions this invasion was categorized as a self-sustaining population in the wild with individuals surviving and reproducing a significant distance from their original point of introduction. Containment is suggested as potential management strategy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Jones, Roy W , Weyl, Olaf L F , Hill, Martin P , Swartz, Ernst R
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/418081 , vital:71507 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-013-0438-7"
- Description: This paper presents evidence of establishment of a loricariid population in the Nseleni River in South Africa and uses a unified framework to determine its invasion stage. Specimens were identified morphologically as Pterygioplichthys disjunctivus (Weber 1991), but genetic barcoding results indicated close association with specimens that may have a hybrid history. The species was introduced into South Africa via the pet trade and the first record of introduction into the wild was in 2004. Samples collected in 2011 and 2012 demonstrated that there were multiple length cohorts in the population including juveniles (12–130 mm total length TL) and large (>300 mm TL) adult fish. Gonadal assessment of adults demonstrated the presence of reproduction capable specimens. The concurrent occurrence of mature adults and juvenile fish demonstrated establishment. Locality records indicate that P. disjunctivus has already spread between two rivers through an inter basin water transfer. Using a unified framework for invasions this invasion was categorized as a self-sustaining population in the wild with individuals surviving and reproducing a significant distance from their original point of introduction. Containment is suggested as potential management strategy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- «
- ‹
- 1
- ›
- »