Page 17 - Thola Issue 17

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Richards L.R., Schoeman M.C., Preiser W., Drosten C., Drexler J.F. (2014). Rooting the Phylogenetic Tree of MERS-coronavirus
by Characterization of a Conspecific
Virus from an African Bat. Journal of Virology, 2014: JVI-01498. This paper provided further insights into the origins of a coronavirus derived from a bat host that is believed to be a relative of the virus attributed to Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).
ZOONOTIC TRANSMISSION
Little is understood about bats, their biology and evolutionary history, as well as the role that they may or may not play in zoonotic (animal to man) disease transmission, particularly in the southern African context. It is only in recent times that great strides have been made to better understand these aspects of the natural history of bats.
I took the opportunity to present
a paper on the role that museum- based research on bats can forge collaborative ties at both the national and international level, at the South African Museums Association (SAMA) KZN regional conference. My paper tied in with the theme of the conference: ‘Collections Make Connections’.
I presented another paper at the South African National Committee of the International Council of Museum (ICOM-SA) conference. The focus of this paper was ‘Making biosystematics relevant: The importance of museum-
BELOW: Presenting at ICOM-SA Conference.
based research in emerging and zoonotic infectious diseases’. My presentation highlighted the impact that museum-based research can play in better understanding mammalian- borne diseases that are of human health importance. The conference proceedings were held at the DNSM Research Centre in August with the theme ‘Museum research in South Africa – relevance and future’.
Little is understood about bats, their biology and evolutionary history, as well as the role that they may or may not play in zoonotic (animal to man) disease transmission, particularly in the southern African context. It is only in recent times that great strides have been made to better understand these aspects of the natural history of bats.
thola: VOLUME 17. 2014/15
AFRICAN STRIPED WEASEL (Poecilogale albinucha)
Total length:
Weight: Appearance:
Diet:
Breeding:
Habitat and distribution:
Lifespan:
Male – 414-508 mm Female – 400-465 mm
Male – 283-380 g; Female – 230-290 g
A short, elongated carnivore with distinct black and white markings. The tail is fairly bushy and long and
is covered in white hairs. Legs are short and the feet have sharp and strongly curved claws.
Nocturnal predator specialising in hunting rodents, and capable of immobilising prey up to its own size. Prey animals are bitten on the nape of the neck and are dispatched via swift, direct kicks to the spine using the hind-feet.
Gestation takes approximately one month, with 1-3 young born in spring or summer. Females give birth in a burrow and young are weaned by three months.
This small carnivore has a wide distribution throughout central and southern Africa, although it is considered rare in most parts of its range. They occur in savanna regions with a preference for moist grassland areas, although they have been recorded from drier areas in the past.
Reported to live 4-6 years in the wild.
Skinner J.D., Chimimba C.T. (2005). The Mammals of the southern African Subregion. 3rd Edition. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (and references therein).