| 1. |
- Branch, W. R., et al.
(author)
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Description of a new flat gecko (Squamata: Gekkonidae: Afroedura) from Mount Gorongosa, Mozambique
- 2017
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In: Zootaxa. - : Magnolia Press. - 1175-5326 .- 1175-5334. ; 4324:1, s. 142-160
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A new species of flat gecko, Afroedura gorongosa sp. nov., is described from Gorongosa National Park, Sofala Province, central Mozambique. The new species is morphologically similar to A. transvaalica and A. loveridgei, from both of which it is genetically distinct (15-17% divergence; 400 bp of 16S rRNA). Morphologically it can be distinguished from both species by having fewer midbody scale rows (97-101) and a higher number of precloacal pores in males (8-13). The type series was collected on the western flanks of Mount Gorongosa (900 and 1100 m a. s. l.) in comparatively cool and moist microclimates, where it is threatened by illegal deforestation. Additional material was collected as low as 212 m a. s. l. on an inselberg near Mount Gorongosa. The new discovery adds to the growing number of endemic montane reptiles discovered in Mozambique in recent years, and highlights the need for a national conservation assessment of the country's herpetofauna and continued protection of the Mount Gorongosa region.
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| 2. |
- Ekvall, K., et al.
(author)
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Cross phase modulation artifact in liquid phase transient absorption spectroscopy
- 2000
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In: Journal of Applied Physics. - : AIP Publishing. - 0021-8979 .- 1089-7550. ; 87:5, s. 2340-2352
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present experimental results for the cross phase modulation (xpm) induced transient absorption signal in a 1 mm thick fused silica plate using a white light continuum as a probe. The fused silica plate mimics the entrance window of a commercial flow cell commonly used in liquid-phase transient absorption measurements. The experimental results are compared with those obtained theoretically by numerically solving the set of nonlinear coupled wave equations describing the propagation of the pump and the probe. The simulations allow for the different group velocities of the pump and probe pulses, and include the influence of the first and second order dispersion on the continuum probe. From the calculations the physical origin of the complex oscillatory feature observed around the zero time delay of each wavelength of the (chirped) continuum has been accurately identified. The influence of propagation effects arising from the finite thickness of the sample is discussed in great detail, and the necessity to work with thin samples, preferably free-flowing jets, is emphasized. The good agreement between theory and experiment indicates that the xpm artifact may be useful for characterizing the continuum probe, in particular its chirp.
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| 3. |
- Nganhane, I. D., et al.
(author)
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Millipede consumption and interaction between food preferences and sex in dung beetle Chalconotus convexus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae)
- 2023
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In: Austral Ecology. - 1442-9985. ; 48:8, s. 1815-1827
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Dung beetles feed mainly on scarce and ephemeral mammalian faeces making them vulnerable to declines of mammal populations. Therefore, studying how diverse groups like the Scarabaeinae subfamily utilize alternative food sources, such as decomposing invertebrates, enhances our understanding of their distribution and resilience in defaunated areas. One poorly studied aspect of the feeding habits of dung beetles is the potential differences between the sexes and their predatory behaviour. We evaluated how the sex (male and female) of individuals of Chalconotus convexus affected individual resource attraction to different bait types. Since C. convexus is known to feed on faeces, carrion and dead millipedes, we also test whether it can predate live individuals of millipedes. We used a combination of two field samplings and one laboratory experiment, using pitfall traps baited with faeces, carrion, millipedes and millipede's defensive compounds. While the preference for millipede was not associated with sex, we found a significant relationship between faeces and carrion, where females of C. convexus are significantly less attracted to faeces when compared to males and also males are significantly less attracted to carrion when compared to females. Furthermore, we also show that while actively consuming dead millipedes, C. convexus is unable to predate on live individuals. Our study illustrates that the versatility of food sources may help to explain the high abundance and wide distribution of C. convexus in Africa.
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