African Museum Research Articles

Rediscovering the unusual Cancellus makrothrix Stebbing, 1924 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Diogenidae) in the “Great African Seaforest”

The rare diogenid hermit crab Cancellus makrothrix Stebbing, 1924, previously known from only a few specimens collected a century ago from Algoa Bay, South Africa, has been found to be common in the kelp forest known as the “Great African Seaforest”, and rocky reefs, of False Bay, South Africa. This poorly known species, considered “aberrant” by some carcinologists, is one of 17 known in the genus Cancellus H. Milne Edwards, 1836, and the only of the genus known to occur in the coast of southern Africa. Cancelllus makrothrix lives in gastropod shells, whereas all other congenerics live in a variety of petricolous dwellings that are either excavated or worn away into cylindrical cavities. The newly collected material of C. makrothrix in South Africa, together with the study of historical museum specimens has made possible the detailed redescription and taxonomic discussion of this species presented herein, using full illustrations, photographs, and microCT scans. For future reference, the molecular CO1 genetic barcode is reported. A lectotype is selected from Stebbing’s original syntype material found to consist of two specimens: a female of which only several appendages remain, in the Natural History Museum, London, and a male, illustrated in the original description, in the Iziko South African Museum, Cape Town. Taxonomic remarks, comments on biological oddities, brief in situ and laboratory observations of live specimens, and a map summarizing the world distribution of species of Cancellus, are included.

Cranial anatomy of the Triassic rhynchosaur Mesosuchus browni based on computed tomography, with a discussion of the vomeronasal system and its deep history in Reptilia

Abstract The stem lineage of Archosauria is populated by a diverse fossil record that remains notably understudied relative to the crown clade. Prominent among these specimens is a beautifully preserved skull of the early mid-Triassic rhynchosaur Mesosuchus browni [Iziko South African Museum (SAM) 6536], whose phylogenetic position has considerable influence on patterns of pan-archosaurian cranial evolution. We used high-resolution, micro-computed tomography to re-examine the anatomy of this specimen, building on previous studies that were either limited to external observations or restricted to the braincase. A digital segmentation of the cranial elements and primary neurovascular canals of SAM-PK-6536 allows for expanded character scoring and constitutes a foundation for future comparative insights. Our data support the phylogenetically oldest instance of a pneumatized maxilla in a pan-archosaur, bringing the record of antorbital pneumatization into closer alignment with that of the neurocranium. The nasal cavity and primary palate of Mesosuchus includes a complex septomaxilla, a novel element anterior to the vomer, and is likely to have supported a well-developed vomeronasal system. The evolution of this system is discussed in terms of both phylogenetic pattern and how the skeletal architecture of Mesosuchus and other fossils could inform the signalling dynamics that pattern the vomeronasal system during development.

Ancient Grasshoppers: A revision of the genus Bullacris (Orthoptera: Pneumoridae)

The genus Bullacris in the family Pneumoridae was most recently revised by Dirsh in 1965 based on morphological comparisons between species. However, since that time, new information about the genus and the family has come to light, necessitating a revision of the genus. In addition, the species B. boschimana was originally described based on a single female specimen. Here we present and describe the male of the species for the first time. The aim of this study was to update the current species descriptions by including additional specimens and incorporating additional methods for a more comprehensive comparison. Analyses consisted of morphometric measurements from high-quality images of type specimens, existing South African museum specimens, as well as personally collected specimens. Acoustic signals are also presented and compared between species. In addition, phylogenetic analyses were conducted on the barcoding mitochondrial gene COI and two nuclear genes, namely ITS and 18S. Results show that according to morphological, acoustic and genetic data, B. discolor and B. serrata as well as B. intermedia and B. membracioides share notable similarities. Bullacris discolor and B. serrata share similar phenotypic traits, in which B. discolor can either appear uniform in colour or have a speckled variation that is very similar in appearance to B. serrata. Bullacris intermedia and B. membracioides have a 5% mitochondrial DNA pairwise distance, suggesting that they may have not be fully diverged; however, morphological analysis shows that these species are morphologically distinguishable. It is suggested that these species may have undergone spatial separation at one point; however, further investigation is required. Additional sampling across a wider geographic range is essential to clarify the relationships between B. discolor and B. serrata, as well as between B. intermedia and B. membracioides.

Reports of Pennellidae Burmeister, 1835 (Copepoda: Siphonostomatoida) post metamorphosed females off the coast of southern Africa

Seven species belonging to Pennellidae are reported from marine teleosts caught off southern Africa. Additionally, complete re-descriptions are provided for Propeniculus stromatei and Sarcotretes scopeli. Examination of Lernaeenicus gonostomae, deposited in the Iziko South African Museum, indicated that it has the morphological features of Sarcotretes rather than Lernaeenicus and thus should be moved to Sarcotretes i.e. S. gonostomaen. comb. for which a re-description is also provided. Reports of new host records include those of Pennella instructa from Seriola lalandi; Propeniculus stromatei from Rhabdosargus holubi and Pomadasys commersonnii; Sarcotretes scopeli from Nansenia tenera, and Sarcotretes longirostris from Centrolophus niger. New geographical records include those of P. instructa, P. stromatei, S. scopeli, S. longirostris, and L. longiventris off southern Africa. Additionally, an attempt to estimate the evolutionary relationships amongst some genera is done from partial COI sequences deposited in Genbank.

Archaeichnium haughtoni: a robust burrow lining from the Ediacaran–Cambrian transition of Namibia

AbstractFollowing various assignments to Archaeocyatha, worm tubes, and finally incertae sedis, the enigmatic Ediacaran–Cambrian taxon Archaeichnium haughtoni has in recent years come to represent somewhat of a wastebasket taxon to which the indeterminate tapering tubular forms common across this interval are assigned. This ‘catch‐all’ status has been aided in part by both suboptimal specimen photography and the temporary loss of the holotype after its second redescription in 1978. Recent rediscovery of the A. haughtoni holotype in the collections of the Iziko South African Museum in Cape Town has enabled a much‐needed re‐assessment of this critical and cryptic taxon, with results suggesting that this material from the latest Ediacaran or earliest Cambrian of Namibia is among the earliest fossil record examples of marine worm burrow linings, and the oldest examples of linings robust enough to withstand exhumation and current transport. These traces indicate the emergence of this important animalian ecosystem engineering behaviour closer to the Ediacaran–Cambrian boundary than previously thought.

African Museums, Archaeology, and Praxis

African Museums, Archaeology, and Praxis

New and notable stomatopods (Crustacea, Stomatopoda) from Mozambique

New and notable stomatopods are reported on and added to the Mozambican faunal list, based principally on material housed in the collections of the Iziko South African Museum. Seven species are reported for the first time from Mozambican waters including one undescribed species of Clorida Eydoux & Souleyet, 1842, bringing the total known Mozambican stomatopod fauna to 22 species, comprising 17 genera and eight families. The known fauna is tabulated and taxonomic accounts of eight species are given, seven of these representing the new species records including one undescribed species, while the eighth species account is of the previously poorly documented Erugosquilla woodmasoni (Kemp, 1911), which is reported on from unpublished material. The new record of Manningia australiensis Manning, 1970 represents the first record of the family Eurysquillidae from southern Africa.

“What Am I Supposed To Say?”

Abstract Since its closure in 2001, the San diorama at the South African Museum has dominated much of South Africa's critical museology. In recent years, there has been a significant drive for more sustained engagement with particular San communities by museums in Cape Town. This article utilizes the experiences of practitioners at the South African Museum and !Khwa ttu San Heritage Centre to ask questions about how knowledge is produced in the space that the closure of the diorama left behind, reflecting, in particular, on the epistemological contours of San participation in exhibitionary practice.

Gyrosus deltodontus, a new genus and species of Ianeirina (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae: Selenocephalini) from South Africa.

A new genus of Ianeirina (Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae: Selenocephalini), Gyrosus gen. nov. including the new species Gyrosus deltodontus sp. nov. as the type species, is described and illustrated from South Africa. Habitus photographs of adult leafhoppers and the genitalia of this new species are provided. Type specimens of this new species are deposited in the Iziko South African Museum, Cape Town, South Africa (ISAM).

African museums and their participation in the debates on the ICOM new museum definition

ABSTRACT From 2017 to 2022, ICOM worked on changing the 2007 definition of a museum to make it accord the challenges and responsibilities of the twenty-first century. To make the process transparent and participatory, ICOM invited all interested stakeholders to submit their vision of a museum. By April 2019, out of 269 new museum definitions proposed, Africa, with only 17 definitions, remained the least active region in the discussion of the reinterpretation and reconceptualisation of a museum. Additional consultations initiated in 2020 after the postponed vote in Kyoto got over a 60% rate of responses from the continent. To understand African participation and contribution properly, the article analyses how a museum as an institution has come into historical being, how it has been legitimised over time, and whether or not the newly approved definition in Prague, 2022, is truly transformative and representative for Africa.

A Museum of Black Civilizations in the Contemporary World: In conversation with Hamady Bocoum

A Museum of Black Civilizations in the Contemporary World: In conversation with Hamady Bocoum

Documenting Mantodea species in South African museum collections and an updated species list.

The previous species list of South African Mantodea, published in 1998, was largely compiled from the literature and did not incorporate data from the many insect museum collections available in the country. It is estimated that approximately 120 species of Mantodea occur in South Africa; however, since no historical museum records were previously incorporated, the current information is considered to be outdated and not a true reflection of the Mantodea fauna within this region. A checklist of species is an important benchmark for any insect group, especially in light of the worldwide declines of insect diversity reported over the last decade. Checklists that provide accurate information on insect diversity, especially for groups, such as the Mantodea which could be under threat and thus could provide important information that can be used in determining the threat status of species, as well as to aid in their conservation in general. This paper provides an updated checklist of the praying mantids (Insecta, Mantodea) species of South Africa. While 120 species were previously reported to occur in South Africa, this paper reports 157 species in 64 genera that represent eight different superfamilies, 14 families and 22 subfamilies. Additionally, five species are reported for the first time to occur in South Africa. This species list was generated from the approximately 4000 specimen records of which 3558 records reside within South Africa. The remaining 732 records represent 14 other African countries. Occurrence records from two citizen-science platforms (iNaturalist and Gbif.org), were also incorporated in this study, adding 1880 species records in South Africa. The low number of specimens in the national collections indicate that this group of insects is poorly collected and highlights the lack of knowledge about South Africa's mantid fauna, as well as a lack of taxonomic expertise as 1532 museum specimens remain unidentified to species level.

Notes on the lifecycle and distribution of Sphodromantis gastrica (Stål, 1858) (Mantodea: Mantidae) in South Africa

Sphodromantis gastrica (Stål) (Mantodea: Mantidae), also known as the African mantis, is suggested to be common and widespread in southern Africa. Limited information is available regarding the distribution of this species in South Africa and no information is available on its biology. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of S. gastrica in South Africa based on historic insect collection records as well as to study its basic biology and developmental parameters under captive breeding conditions. A total of 153 South African museum records of Sphodromantis spp. were recorded during this study. These records indicated that S. gastrica occurred in all but two provinces of South Africa. The incubation time of the S. gastrica oothecae were approximately 10 weeks and each ootheca contained an average of 84 egg chambers. The mean fertility rate was 54.6% while the survival rate until adulthood was 41.8%. The numbers of nymphal instars until adulthood ranged between four and nine. The mean lifespan of S. gastrica individuals were approximately 332 days and females lived longer than males.

Potential Pesticide Contamination in Repatriated Artifacts in African Museums: The Need for the Adoption of Safety Protocols for Access and Use of Hazardous Artifacts

ABSTRACT This article discusses the issue of potential pesticide contaminants in artifacts that are being repatriated by museums from the global north to Africa. It highlights that the issue of scientific testing of artifacts for harmful pesticide contaminants is missing from the repatriation discourse in African museums. Consequently, safety protocols for handling and use of these potentially contaminated artifacts have not been established in some African museums. This is worsened by lack of legislations that enforce the testing of the artifacts and the establishment of safety protocols for accessing them. This exposes museum staff, researchers and other visitors to health effects caused by toxic chemicals in artifacts. In light of this, the article recommends that repatriation of artefacts to African museums should be preceded by scientific testing of artifacts to determine the possible toxic pesticide contaminants on them, and to establish safety protocols for their handling and use. Further, it argues that qualified collections care staff and conservators from African museums should be involved in repatriation negotiations to enforce scientific testing of artifacts and establish safety measures for their handling and use before they are repatriated to Africa. The article also recommends that pesticide treatment information should accompany repatriated artifacts.

INaturalist is useful at enhancing biodiversity studies as evident from southern African freshwater crabs (Decapoda: Brachyura: Potamonautidae)

Abstract The value of the citizen science platform iNaturalist was explored using photographic observations of southern African freshwater crabs (Potamonautidae Bott, 1970, among two genera Potamonautes sensu stricto MacLeay, 1838 and MartimonautesCumberlidge & Daniels, 2022) in combination with specimen data deposited in the South African Museum (Iziko Museums of Cape Town, South Africa). Species identification of photographic observations were assessed, and the identification of taxa corrected where necessary. From these records, the habitat type and distribution of the species were noted. The area of occupancy (AOO) and the extent of occurrence (EOO) were calculated where range extensions for species were observed. The results demonstrate that riverine/mountain stream freshwater crabs are over-represented in their frequency but species occurring in swamps/forests were under-represented. Using iNaturalist spatial data for South Africa we can identify several unsampled gaps in the country which included the Free State and North West, Gauteng and the Northern Cape, followed by Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and the Eastern Cape provinces. The Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal had the highest number of freshwater crab records on iNaturalist. The remaining southern African countries, Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, have few iNaturalist records. Range extensions were observed in four South African species based on iNaturalist records (P. clarusGouws, Stewart & Coke, 2000, P. flavusjoDaniels, Phiri, & Bayliss, 2014, P. isimangaliso Peer & Gouws, 2015, and P. mariepskoppieDaniels, Barnes, Marais & Gouws, 2021) with increases in AOO and EOO. We also observed a new undescribed freshwater crab on iNaturalist and corroborated this observation by sequencing these specimens for the cytochrome oxidase one subunit (COI) locus. Photographic quality is critical for taxonomic inference. Citizen science ­platforms such as iNaturalist can be invaluable for the discovery and documentation of biodiversity and provide new spatial data for species distributions that in turn can aid conservation tools.

Sepulcherised Objects and Their Decolonial Futures in African Museums: The “Robert Edward Codrington Collection” at the Zimbabwe Natural History Museum

This essay builds on the emerging (museum) decolonizing perspectives to (i) explore the biographical details and modes of curation and classification to which “ethnographic”1 objects collected during the colonial era have been exposed; to (ii) foreground the complexities of inherited colonial museum processes embedded in African urban contexts; and, to (iii) consider alternative modes of engagement with ethnographic objects and local Indigenous communities to challenge the embedded regimes of care and the marginalization rendered to Indigenous epistemologies. One of the biggest questions facing museums in the world today is how to deal with the hordes of objects collected from various Indigenous communities and placed in museums far away from the communities who made and used them. Using the case of an “ethnographic” collection in a former colonial museum, we call for a paradigm shift in museum practices, and challenge the present state of affairs of museum curatorship. We then briefly suggest possible ways in which such museums can confront their imperial histories and unsettle their inherited regimes of care and representation. We call for museums to enter into conversations with communities, listening to them and effecting curatorial activities that re-center local ways of knowing, while embracing the complexities associated with such engagements.

Continental Collaboration: Consulting, Institution Building, and Mentoring Across Africa

Continental Collaboration: Consulting, Institution Building, and Mentoring Across Africa

Excellent!: Textiles from Mali

Excellent!: Textiles from Mali

Doran's Being in Africa

<i>Doran's</i> Being <i>in Africa</i>

Lost and Found Property: Evaluating Efforts to Resurrect and Resuscitate ‘Institutionalised Garbage’ in Post‐Colonial Zimbabwean Museums

AbstractThis article evaluates efforts to bring to life some museum collections in Zimbabwe. Scholars have argued that the removal of objects from their social environments into museums literally kills them. The ‘heritagisation’ and ‘museualisation’ processes stand accused of killing objects. On the other hand, indigenous African communities consistently and situationally imbued their landscape with spiritual, political and social meanings. These cultural landscapes epitomise ‘living museums’ where diverse cultural objects were curated with traditional management systems. European colonialism, however, resulted in the denigration of these cultural practices. Objects which were critical for the well‐being of Africans were taken into captivity in colonial museums and eventually became ‘forgotten’ or ‘dead’. Ethnographic museums, in particular, are perceived as places of the dead and evil spirits. They are places to dump ‘garbage’ that no longer has a function in society. Post‐colonial African museums have struggled to attract and sustain local community interest. However, there is still hope to re‐ignite and sustain public interest in museum programmes. We invoke the notion of ‘living archives’ as an approach to decolonise the museum. The article appraises case studies of museum collections that have triggered immense public interest.