Thesis ( MSc ( Biology ) ) -- University of Limpopo (Medunsa Campus), 2012. / Tsessebe are now considered rare antelope, which once occupied much of sub-
Saharan Africa. Population numbers of tsessebe in Borakalalo National Park
have shrunk from 43 to 13 in just 10 years. Causing great concern for park
management and creating a need to determine distribution of these animals.
Five vegetation communities were identified within the tsessebe’s home range.
Step point method was used to determine the veld condition index for each of the
identified communities. Height classes and density of woody species was
determined per community. The five communities could be grouped into four
major community types with two variants for community four. Veld condition
index values ranged from 43.1% to 67.8%.
Data downloaded from GPS/GSM collars was used to determine home ranges,
distribution patterns and spatial movements within the park. Mean home range
was 248 ± 49 hectares. Core ranges occurred around and along temporary water
points and drainage lines.
Cross-species microsatellites were used to assess genetic diversity among the
tsessebe in Borakalalo National Park. In total, 36 alleles using 12 cross-species
microsatellite makers were identified. The average number of alleles was 2.71 ±
1.2. The average expected heterozygosity was 0.446 ± 0.067 and average
observed heterozygosity was 0.482 ± 0.047.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:ul/oai:ulspace.ul.ac.za:10386/1071 |
| Date | January 2012 |
| Creators | Gopper, Byron Malcolm |
| Contributors | Van Heerden, E., Brown, L. R., Dalton, D.L. |
| Publisher | University of Limpopo (Medunsa Campus) |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Relation | version 6.0 |
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