Chimanimani Mountains Research Articles

An annotated checklist of the mammals of the Chimanimani National Park, Mozambique

The Chimanimani Mountains of Mozambique and Zimbabwe harbour diverse and unique flora and fauna. Because of these unique floral characteristics, this region has received considerable attention by botanists. In contrast, the vertebrates occurring here have received little attention. The aim of this paper was to synthesise data collected on multiple recent surveys into the first annotated checklist of the mammals of the Mozambican side of the Chimanimani Mountains. We identified medium-sized and large mammals by exterior appearance, mostly as captured on camera traps. We combined morphological and molecular methods to identify small mammals, and we report on echolocation calls of some of the poorly known bat species. In total, we recorded 69 species, including 23 species of bats (Chiroptera), 15 species of rodents (Rodentia), 11 species of carnivores (Carnivora), nine species of ungulates (Cetartiodactyla), and the rest comprising Primates, Eulipotyphla, Lagomorpha, Proboscidea, and Pholidota. Of these, five species are listed as threatened, demonstrating the importance of the Chimanimani Mountains for mammalian biodiversity conservation in South Eastern Africa.

<p><strong>A new species of <em>Sericanthe</em> (Coffeeae, Rubiaceae) from Chimanimani Mountains, Mozambique-Zimbabwe border</strong></p>

The Chimanimani Mountains, located at the Mozambique-Zimbabwe border, are geologically unique in that they consist of quartzites giving rise to peaks and outcrops between zones of schist supporting grasslands. The nutrient-poor quartzitic soils house a high number of endemic plant species. One of these is Sericanthe chimanimaniensis, which is here described as new for science. We give a detailed description and distribution map, illustrations, information on ecology and phenology, and an assessment on the conservation status. An identification key to closely allied species is presented.

Synsepalum chimanimani (Sapotaceae), a new species from the Chimanimani Mountains of Mozambique and Zimbabwe, with notes on the botanical importance of this area.

Synsepalum chimanimani S.Rokni & I.Darbysh., sp. nov., a small tree endemic to the forests of the southern foothills of the Chimanimani Mountains of Mozambique and Zimbabwe, is described and illustrated. The differences in morphology and distribution between the new species and the related S. kaessneri and S. muelleri, with which it has been confused, are clarified. The new species is globally Endangered due to ongoing habitat loss within its restricted range. The botanical importance and conservation of the Chimanimani foothills is also discussed, and they are highlighted as a candidate Important Plant Area.

Olinia chimanimani(Penaeaceae), a new species endemic to the Chimanimani Mountains of Mozambique and Zimbabwe

Summary.Olinia chimanimani T. Shah & I. Darbysh. is described as a distinct species from the Chimanimani mountains in Mozambique and Zimbabwe, based on morphological evidence. It differs from other species of Olinia sect. Rochetiana in its smaller leaf size, sessile leaf attachment, glabrous flowers and galled flowers becoming narrowly swollen without prominent tubercles when infected. A species description, key and illustration, distribution map and ecological information are provided. The populations have been studied in the field, and it is only known from two locations. It is potentially under threat from burning due to human activity associated with illegal artisanal mining activity, and thus has been evaluated as Endangered (EN) using the IUCN Red List categories and criteria.

TOURISM DESTINATIONS, FACILITIES, CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN ZIMBABWE

Major tourist attractions in Zimbabwe include: natural, cultural, historical, and wildlife found in game reserves and national parks. The Victoria Falls are among the major wonders of the country with a height of 108m and a width of up to 1708m. At peak flow of the Zambezi river nearly 550 million litres of water flow into the gorge. Due to the force of the water, the spray is pushed up into the sky reaching heights of over 400m which can be viewed from a distance of 50km away and can be felt throughout the town. Lakes Tokwe-Mukosi and Mutirikwi, Hwange and Gonarezhou national parks, Nyangani, Vumba and Chimanimani mountains, Great Zimbabwe Monuments and some cities are other attractions. This paper examines tourist attractions, facilities, arrivals, occupancy, challenges and opportunities in the country. It provides a comprehensive database of information about local tourist destinations, attractions and facilities in Zimbabwe. Since there is little information on the subject of Zimbabwe’s tourism destinations, this paper seeks to fill that gap. The information in this study was assembled in March 2018, based on document interrogation or literature surveys. Article visualizations:

Coleus namuliensis and Coleus caudatus (Lamiaceae): a new species and a new combination in the Afromontane flora of Mozambique and Zimbabwe

The new species Coleus namuliensis (Lamiaceae) is described from the granite outcrops and grasslands of Mt Namuli in Zambezia Province of Mozambique. It has previously been confused with Plectranthus caudatus, a species that is restricted to the quartzite outcrops of the Chimanimani Mountains on the Mozambique-Zimbabwe border for which the new combination in Coleus is formalised in this paper. Other potential confusion species are discussed and a rationale for applying the generic name Coleus rather than Plectranthus is provided. Despite their highly restricted ranges, C. namuliensis and C. caudatus are both considered to have a conservation status of Least Concern at present, although climate change may pose a longer-term threat to their survival.

The fern genus Elaphoglossum section Lepidoglossa (Dryopteridaceae) in Africa, Macaronesia, the mid-Atlantic and southern Indian Ocean Islands

Elaphoglossum section Lepidoglossa in Africa, Macaronesia (Azores and Madeira), the mid-Atlantic Ocean Islands (St Helena, Gough and Tristan da Cunha Island groups) and the southern Indian Ocean Islands (Marion and Prince Edward Islands) is reviewed. Fifteen Elaphoglossum species from this region are ascribed to the section. A new species, Elaphoglossum rivularum, confined to the Chimanimani Mountains in eastern Zimbabwe and formerly ascribed to E. kuhnii from West Africa, is described. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 165, 20–63.

A floristic analysis of the vegetation of Platberg, eastern Free State, South Africa

A checklist of vascular plants of Platberg was compiled to determine species richness, rarity and endemism. The floristic analysis is part of the Department of Economic, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Free State biodiversity assessment programme and conservation management plan for Platberg. The analysis identified a total of 669 species belonging to 304 genera and 95 families, with 214 species belonging to the Monocotyledoneae and 438 species to the Dicotyledoneae. The largest family is Asteraceae with 126 species, followed by Poaceae with 73 species, Cyperaceae with 39 species, Fabaceae with 33 species, and Scrophulariaceae with 27 species. Various fynbos species were found, as well as 26 endemic/near-endemic species belonging to the Drakensberg Alpine Centre or Eastern Mountain Region. The results of this study revealed that Platberg shares inselberg floral richness and endemism that can be tracked via the Afromontane archipelago-like string of inselbergs and mountains, which stretch north through the Chimanimani Mountains, into Malawi, the Eastern Arc Mountains via Tanzania and north through Ethiopia, into Eurasia.Conservation implications: Platberg, as an inselberg, is a site of significant biological diversity, with high species richness, vegetation selection and ecosystem complexity. It shares floral richness and endemism via inselbergs and mountains throughout Africa. The high species richness, Red Data species and ecosystems make this area an important conservation site that should be legislated and protected.

A preliminary assessment of the impact of forest conversion from natural to pine plantation on macroinvertebrate communities in two mountain streams in Zimbabwe

This study presents preliminary data on the influence of forest conversion from natural to pine plantation on benthic macroinvertebrates in streams in the Chimanimani Mountains in the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe, a region that has received little attention with respect to human impacts on stream ecology. Benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages from the Haruni River, draining native deciduous forest, were compared with those of the Nyahode River draining commercial pine plantations. Functional feeding groups composition was not significantly different between the two rivers. Only small differences in macroinvertebrate assemblages were detected, with Shannon-Weiner diversity = 3.80 and Evenness = 0.89 in both cases and Sørensen similarity index = 0.79. Cluster analysis and multidimensional scaling ordination also demonstrated little spatial variation in the community composition of the two streams. In contrast, the clearfelling index indicated that taxonomic richness and Ephemeroptera/Plecoptera/Trichoptera (EPT) taxa richness were negatively affected by forest conversion. Taxonomic richness and EPT richness were negatively correlated with embeddedness, the single tangible evidence of forestry impact. Development of a multimetric index may enhance detection of subtle changes in macroinvertebrate communities resulting from modest alteration of the riparian vegetation.

558. Impatiens Salpinx

Summary. The Central African balsam Impatiens salpinx Schulze & Launert, endemic to the Chimanimani Mountains, is described and illustrated. Its taxonomy, ecology, pollination and cultivation requirements are discussed.

Goodyera R. Br. (Orchidaceae): A New Generic Record for Tropical Africa

Only four genera, Zeuxine, Hetaeria, Cheirostylis and Platylepis, of subtribe Goodyerinae (subfamily Spiranthoideae tribe Erythrodeae, sensu Dressler 1981) have been previously recorded for tropical Africa. Five are known for Madagascar. This compares poorly with tropical Asia where at least 26 genera are known. Whilst preparing the account of the subtribe for the third volume of Genera Orchidacearum (Pridgeon et al., in prep.), a collection of a fifth genus from tropical Africa has been identified. The collection (Ball 650) from Mozambique, which had been mistakenly identified as Platylepis glandulosa, is Goodyera afzelii Schltr., previously reported only from a few collections from Madagascar. Ball's collection came from the Chimanimani Mountains, close to the border with Zimbabwe. Similar disjunct distributions between tropical East Africa and Madagascar have been recorded for other orchids such as Oeceoclades decaryana (H. Perrier) Garay & P. Taylor, 0. pandurata (Rolfe) Garay & P. Taylor, 0. quadriloba (Schltr.) Garay & P. Taylor, Bulbophyllum humblotii Rolfe and Cheirostylis gymnochiloides (Ridl.) Rchb. f. (see la Croix & Cribb 1995, 1998). The genus Goodyera is known from North Africa and Macaronesia but has not previously been reported from tropical Africa. The key to genera in Flora Zambesiaca (la Croix & Cribb 1995) needs to be amended as follows:

Senecio aetfatensis (Asteraceae: Senecioneae), a New Species from Zimbabwe

A new species, Senecio aetfatensis, is described from the Chimanimani Mountains of eastern Zimbabwe. During the AETFAT post-congress excursion in the mountains of eastern Zimbabwe in February 1997, I was fortunate to find and collect an undescribed species of Senecio. It is a pleasure to name the new species for the Association pour l'IJtude Taxonomique de la Flore d'Afrique Tropicale (AETFAT), which held its XVth Congress in Harare on 3-7 February 1997. Senecio aetfatensis B. Nordenstam, sp. nov. TYPE: Zimbabwe. Chimanimani National Park, along footpath from entrance office to Mountain Hut, ca. 1600 m, 11 Feb. 1997, Nordenstam 9292 (holotype, S; isotypes, K, MO, SRGH). Figure 1. Herba perennis ramosissima 0.6-1.5 m alta et lata. Caules et rami brevi-villosi. Folia alterna sessilia herbacea 3-6(-8) cm longa 1.5-3.5 cm lata plana pinnatisecta sparse hirsutula, basin versus angustata, basi semiamplexicaulia auriculata; lobis utrinque 3-5 oblongis pinnatilobatis vel dentatis acutis. Capitula 3-10 corymbosa radiata pedunculis gracilibus 1-5 cm longis. Involucrum campanulatum; involucri bracteae 13-21 subuniseriatae lineari-lanceolatae 4-5.5 mm longae 0.5-1.5 mm latae virides glabrae nervis 1-2 resiniferis marginibus anguste membranaceis apicibus acutis-acuminatis puberulis. Calyculi bracteae 5-8 anguste triangulares acutae. Receptaculum planum nudum alveolatum. Flosculi radii plerumque 8 flavi. Flosculi disci numerosi, corolla flava tubulosa superne dilatata quinquelobata. Antherae basi breviter sagittatae, collum filamenti basi dilatatum. Styli rami lineares, areis stigmaticibus separatis, apicibus truncatis pilis eferrentibus brevibus. Cypsela anguste elliptico-oblonga costata breviter villosa. Pappi setae numerosae graciles minute barbellatae caducae. Much-branched herb forming a bushy rounded clump 0.6-1.5 m high and wide. Stems and branches somewhat brittle, shortly villous. Leaves alternate, sessile, herbaceous, soft, doubly pinnatisect, 3-6(-8) cm long, 1.5-3.5 cm wide, flat, shortly hirsute, green above, paler below, with 4-5 lobes on each side, narrowed toward the base and petiolariform; leaf lobes 3-5 on each side, oblong, pinnately lobed or dentate, acute; leaf base half-clasping and auriculate with dissected or dentate small ears. Capitula 3-10 in a terminal, laxly branched corymbiform synflorescence; peduncles 1-5 cm long, slender. Involucre campanulate; involucral bracts 13-21, subuniseriate, linear-lanceolate, 45.5 mm long, 0.5-1.5 mm wide, green with narrow membranous margins, 1-2-veined with resiniferous veins, acute to acuminate, tips puberulous, otherwise glabrous. Calycular bracts 5-8, 1-2 mm long, narrowly triangular, flat, acute. Receptacle flat, naked, alveolate. Ray florets (5-)8; corolla yellow; tube 2-3 mm long, somewhat glandular-puberulous; lamina elliptic-oblong, 4.5-8 mm long, 2.53.5 mm wide, 4-veined, patent or rolled back. Disc florets ca. 40-60; corolla yellow, tubular, widening ab ve to a narrowly campanulate limb 2-3 mm long, 5-lobed, 3.5-4.5 mm long; lobes deltoid or triangular-ovate, 0.5-0.7 mm long, minutely papillate outside toward the apex, with a central resiniferous vein. Anthers 1.3-1.7 mm long including ppendage; apical appendage oblong-ovate, obtuse; anther base shortly sagittate; filament collar basally swollen (balusterform). Style branches linear, 0.7-1 mm long with stigmatic areas separated, apex truncate with short sweeping-hairs. Cypsela narrowly elliptic-oblong, terete, 2-2.5 mm long, ca. 0.6 mm wide, with ca. 8 light brown ribs, white-villous on and between ribs, hairs mucilaginous when soaked. Pappus bristles numerous, erect, 3-4 mm long, slender, minutely barbellate, white, caducous. The single individual seen by me was growing from a crevice on a vertical rock face with a western aspect, and the specimens collected by Wild were stated to grow among crags. The new species belongs to Senecio sect. Senecio, but it is difficult to point out any very close relatives. There are a number of Senecio species with pinnatisect leaves in southern Africa, but they are all clearly distinct. Some are annuals with either purple florets (e.g., S. cakilefolius DC., S. eenii (S. Moore) Merxmtiller) or yellow florets, but then with smaller capitula (e.g., S. cryphiactis O. Hoffmann, S. piptocoma O. Hoffmann). Some forms of S. consanguineus DC. are NovoN 9: 245-247. 1999. This content downloaded from 157.55.39.186 on Tue, 11 Oct 2016 04:32:58 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms

Raphionacme chimanimaniana (Periplocaceae), a new species from Zimbabwe

Raphionacme chimanimaniana Venter & Verhoeven, a new species from Zimbabwe is described. It is recognized by its erect stems, linear-lanceolate leaves which are hirsute and glandular, few-flowered inflorescences and magenta to white flowers. Plants inhabit scrubby veld at high altitude in the Chimanimani Mountains. R. chimanimaniana resembles R. brownii Scott Elliot and R. pulchella Venter & Verhoeven. All three species erect with linear leaves and white to purple flowers. R. chimanimaniana is distinguished from R. brownii and R. pulchella by the few-flowered inflorescences with large flowers, its columnar corona bases and glandular hirsute indumentum.

Notes on the Systematics of Hesperantha (Iridaceae) in Tropical Africa

Notes on the Systematics of Hesperantha (Iridaceae) in Tropical Africa

NewLiparis species (Orchidaceae) from South Central and East Africa

Liparis molendinacea is related toL. deistelii and known so far only from the type locality in Kawambwa district in the Northern Province of Zambia.L. nyikana likewise is related toL. deistelii, it is distributed in E. and SW. Tanzania and in N. Malawi.L. chimanimaniensis is related toL. nervosa and known so far only from the Chimanimani Mountains in the Eastern Province of Zimbabwe.

A Preliminary Account of the Plant Ecology of the Chimanimani Mountains

C. Scrub . . . . . 306 (i) Ericaceous scrub . . . . . . 306 (ii) Proteaceous scrub . . . . . 307 (iii) Mixed sclerophyll scrub . . . . . . . 308 (iv) Thesium sclerophyll scrub . . . . 308 (v) 'Bracken scrub' . . . . . 308 D. Grassland . . . 309 (i) Grasslands on well-drained sandy soils derived from quartzites. 310 (ii) Well-drained grassland on red sdils derived from schist . . 311 (iii) Hydromorphic quartzite grassland . . 312 (iv) Hydromorphic schist grassland . . . . 312 (v) Other hydromorphic grAssland . . . . . 312 E. Aquatic communities . . . . . . . 313 F. Lithophytic communities . . . . . 313