Bat gene flow despite forest fragmentation, SA study finds

Bat gene flow despite forest fragmentation, SA study finds

Mar 23, 2021 | News

Rather than being restricted to indigenous forest habitat, the dusky pipistrelle is able to use watercourses to facilitate gene flow.The findings highlight the importance of conserving watercourses.Urban and agricultural development did not have a significant effect...
A decadal research plan for South Africa’s plant taxonomy

A decadal research plan for South Africa’s plant taxonomy

Mar 19, 2021 | News

By Shahieda Davids Taxonomy is important since it helps us categorize organisms in order for us to more easily communicate biological information. A new research plan for plant taxonomy is now available to assist in categorizing all known South African plant species....
Abnormal development found in Karoo trapdoor spiders

Abnormal development found in Karoo trapdoor spiders

Mar 4, 2021 | News

Cape Town – A recent study has drawn attention to the abnormal development of trapdoor spiders in the Karoo, with possible links to the use of chemicals in the region now earmarked for shale gas exploration.    Among other hypotheses, PhD student Shannon...
FBIP Proposal Writing Workshop 2021

FBIP Proposal Writing Workshop 2021

Feb 23, 2021 | Announcements, Events, News, Opportunities

The Foundational Biodiversity Information Programme (FBIP) is offering a Proposal Writing Workshop aimed at academics who are planning to submit a research proposal in response to the annual NRF/FBIP Call for Small Grants and/or Large Grants (Concept Notes and Full...
Thesium: How do you eat an elephant?

Thesium: How do you eat an elephant?

Feb 1, 2021 | News

Cape Town – It is said that a big task is like an elephant. And the only way to finish it is to eat it piece by piece. A group of South African botanical taxonomists are slowly and systematically revising a plant group that was last looked at nearly 100 years ago –...
APPLY: DNA Barcoding Workshop Series

APPLY: DNA Barcoding Workshop Series

Jan 26, 2021 | Announcements, Opportunities

Pretoria – The South African node of the International Barcode of Life (SABOL) is offering a series of workshops in the form of virtual presentations and practical sessions. DNA barcoding is a tool that allows for the standardisation of species delineation...
SA legless skink taxonomically ‘demoted’

SA legless skink taxonomically ‘demoted’

Jan 18, 2021 | News

Cape Town – The Variegated legless skink has been taxonomically ‘demoted’. Once a valid described species, its position on the tree of life is now less prominent since its designation as a taxonomic ‘synonomy’. Skinks (family Scincidae) are the most diverse group of...