Thesis (doctoral)--Universität Bonn, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 149-174). Also available via the internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2003. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI Company.

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MSc., Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, 2011 / The role of phylogeny and environmental influences on behaviour were investigated in two sub-species of Rhabdomys dilectus: R. d. chakae and R. d. dilectus. I compared populations of the two sub-species that occur about 70 km apart in superficially similar grasslands, south of Johannesburg (Walkers Fruit Farms) and at Irene in Gauteng Province, South Africa. The vegetation characteristics of the localities were assessed by measuring aerial cover, cover density, amount of dead material, and the maximum and minimum plant height. I studied the maintenance (non-social) and social behaviour of the sub-species in captivity. Three maintenance behaviours were studied: diel activity in an open arena, activity in an enclosed maze and in a modified plus maze. Social behaviour was studied by investigating the stress response of juvenile males after removal from their family groups and being placed in a plus maze, and the tolerance of unfamiliar same-sex consub-specifics in staged dyadic encounters. My results indicate that there were differences in the vegetation at the localities, most notably in the level of cover, which was greater at Irene (R. d. dilectus) than at Walkers Fruit Farms (R. d. chakae). Both sub-species displayed similar activity profiles (diurnal and crepuscular) and similar levels of activity in an enclosed maze. However, R. d. dilectus showed high levels of anxiety in an open arena and in a plus maze. The sub-species showed similar social behaviours: males of both sub-species that were removed from their family groups at the onset of weaning showed a lower stress response compared to the social sister species R. pumilio. Social interactions of same-sex intra-sub-specifics were mostly similar between the sub-species but there were slight discrepancies in behaviour associated with mating. Surprisingly, there were higher levels of amicability in all dyads than predicted by the solitary lifestyle of the two sub-species in nature. Behavioural differences (anxiety response) may be due to divergence in allopatry because of differences in vegetation characteristics. The similarities in activity profile and social behaviours could be explained by phylogenetic inertia or by similar selection pressures in similar environments.

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Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Thesis (DPhil (Entomology))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Zoology and Entomology / unrestricted

Graduation date: 2006

Not available / text

M.Sc. / Five plastid regions as source for phylogenetic information were used to investigate the relationships among ten genera of Vitaceae. These comprised the tmL intron, trnL-F intergenic spacer, rpL16 intron, rbcL gene and accDpsa/ spacer. Congruent results were obtained between separate, combined and Bayesian analysis with all four major clades being shared among trees. All bootstrap consensus trees obtained from single sequences or combined analysis suggest that Vitaceae is a monophyletic group with Leea weakly supported as sister to Vitaceae. The results presented provide novel insights into the relationships within ten Vitaceae genera and suggest direction for further studies.

The tribe Podalyrieae is a diverse and interesting group with most of its species found in the Cape Floristic Region (120 out of 128 species), the smallest floral kingdom and the subject of intense conservation interest. DNA sequence data from nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer, including the 5.8s coding region, were used to reconstruct the phylogeny of this Cape Floral Clade. Results support a transfer of Cadia (Sophoreae) to Podalyrieae. Cyclopia is well imbedded in a paraphyletic Podalyriinae and not sister to the tribe as previously suggested. A broader concept of Podalyrieae, which include Podalyriinae, Xiphothecinae and Cadia is suggested. Dating the nodes of the phylogenetic tree using non-parametric rate smoothing with a fossil calibration point indicates that the root node of Podalyrieae (+ Cadia) is 34.35MYA. / Dr. M. van der Bank