East African Islands Research Articles

The terrestrial vertebrates of the Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique: a biogeographical perspective

Abstract. Data on the birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammalian species of the Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique are presented. Species diversity was compared to island size and with data for other East African Islands. There was a low degree of endemism and the different faunas (particularly for mammals and the herpetofauna) were mainland in origin and a nested subset of that on the mainland. Several mammal and bird families were absent from the islands suggesting a process of relaxation on these relatively young islands with little colonization. Reasons for the observed diversity are discussed.

<strong>Die Laubmoosflora der Seychellen</strong>

A survey of the mosses from the Seychelles is provided, which includes 107 species. The list includes 24 species of mosses collected by S. Porembski in spring 1995 in the Seychelles. Seven species [Acanthorrhynchium loucoubense (Besch.) Fleisch., Brachymenium exile (Dozy & Molk.) Bosch & Lac., Campylopus robillardei Besch., Campylopus nanophyllus C. Müll. in Broth., Fissidens crispulus Brid., Leucoloma sinuosulum C. Müll. ex Besch. and Vesicularia albo-viridis (Ren.) Broth.] are reported for the first time for the Seychelles. Acroporium punctuliferum (Thw. & Mitt.) Fleisch. and Luisierella barbula (Schwaegr.) Steere are new to Africa. The floristic affinities between the moss flora of the Seychelles and the other East African islands are calculated.

The Hepaticae and Anthocerotae of the East African Islands. An Annotated Catalogue.

The Hepaticae and Anthocerotae of the East African Islands. An Annotated Catalogue.

Ultrasonography in schistosomiasis in Africa.

Approximately 50 publications have become available in the international literature on ultrasonography in schistosomiasis in Africa. Geographically these cover Congo, Egypt, Kenya, Mali, Mauritius, Niger, Senegal, Sudan, Tanzania and East African Islands as well as Zimbabwe. Further studies are ongoing in many countries, such as Burundi, Ghana, Madagaskar and Uganda. It was shown that ultrasonography is useful in the detection of morbidity induced by schistosomiasis on an individual basis and on the community level. There is indication for varying morbidity patterns in different African foci. Post-treatment monitoring has provided evidence for reversibility of pathological lesions induced by Schistosoma (S.) haematobium and S. mansoni, even though evidence for reversibility of periportal fibrosis in adults is not yet satisfactorily substantiated. A standardized set of criteria for ultrasonographical observations has been worked out and is presently in the process of being refined. It is thus hoped that standardization will contribute to render studies in different endemic settings comparable on a global basis.

Diabetes in the East African Islands of Zanzibar

Diabetes in the East African Islands of Zanzibar

A comparison of the avifaunas of seven east African forest islands

SummaryThe avifaunas of seven east African forest ‘islands’ are considered. The avifaunas of all are now reasonably well known, thus enabling the following conclusions to be made: (1) There is considerable difference between the avifaunas of highland and lowland forest. (2) An area of intermediate rain forest has a very high species diversity due to its suitability for both highland and lowland species. (3) In general, dissimilarity between two forest avifaunas is likely to be greater if the two forest ‘islands’ are geographically distant. (4) Dissimilarity coefficients tend to increase with increasing altitude difference between forest ‘islands’. (5) Areas of highland forest on geologically older mountains have more species. These may have been refuges for forest species, many of which subsequently spread into newer forest areas. (6) The size of a forest ‘island’ appears to have little effect upon its avifauna. (7) Certain forest ‘islands’ are more important for rare endemic species than others. In the light of these comparisons the areas requiring the most active conservation are suggested.RésuméLes avifaunes de sept îlots forestiers est‐africains sont considérées. Comme ces avifaunes sont assez bien connues, elles permettent de tirer les conclusions suivantes: (I) Il y a une différence considérable entre I'avifaune forestiére de haute et de basse altitude. (2) Une région de forêt humide intermédiaire possède une diversité spécifique très élevée à cause de sa disponibilité pour les espèces de haute et de basse altitude. (3) En général, la dissemblance entre deux avifaunes forestières est vraisemblablement plus grande si les deux îlots forestiers sont géographiquement distants. (4) Les Coefficients de dissemblance tendent à augmenter avec des différences plus grandes d'altitude entre les îlots forestiers. (5) Des régions de forêt d'altitude sur des montagnes géologiquement plus vieilles possèdent plus d'espèces. Ces lieux peuvent avoir été des refuges pour les espèces forestières, dont beaucoup se sont dispersées postérieurement dans des zones de forêts plus récentes. (6) La taille d'un ilot forestier semble avoir peu d'effet sur son avifaune. (7) Certains îlots forestiers sont plus importants pour de rares espèces endémiques que d'autres, A la lumière de ces comparaisons, les régions requérant la plus active conservation sont citées.

Recent Discoveries in East African Archaeology

Since 1947 there has been a considerable advance in East African Archaeology. The preliminary archaeological survey of the East African coastline and islands has been almost completed. The area covered has stretched from the coast of British Somaliland to the frontiers of Portuguese East Africa ; two stretches of the Tanganyika coast and the Mafia group of islands off the mouth of the Rufiji still remain unsurveyed, but it is hoped that these may be covered by the close of 1954. It has been essentially a surface survey, a fairly complete photographic record has been made of the principal sites, and plans have been made of some of the chief monuments. During the same period Mr Kirkman has carried out excavations at the very representative Gedi site, and his detailed report is about to be published by the Oxford University Press. At seven other sites there have been preliminary excavations. It is at last possible to suggest a few tentative conclusions.

Faunistics and Ages of the East African Islands

ON an ordinary map the three low tropical islands of Pemba, Zanzibar and Mafia appear to bear a similar relationship to the African continent, from which they are all distant less than thirty miles. In fact, however, while the last two islands are on the continental shelf, Pemba is surrounded by water 2,500 ft. deep. Geological opinion is unanimous that Zanzibar and Mafia have been separated from the mainland only since Pleistocene times, but the geological history of Pemba is more uncertain. It has been maintained by Stockley1,2 that this island has not been connected with Africa at least since Miocene times and his views have obtained wide currency. Actually the geological evidence on which this view is based is not very conclusive; for it is limited to the apparent non-existence of an unconformity between the (non-fossiliferous) Wete beds and the Chakechake beds which are dated as early Miocene.

XXV.—Notes on the herpetology of the East African Islands

(1940). XXV.—Notes on the herpetology of the East African Islands. Annals and Magazine of Natural History: Vol. 5, No. 27, pp. 309-314.

II. Contributions to the Ornithology of the East African Islands

SummaryThe sea‐bird breeding stations in East African waters are enumerated. Between the Lamu archipelago, where many species nest, and the Rovuma the most important station is Latham Island with its Booby colony (S. dactylatra melanops), which existed at least 115 years ago. Less than half a dozen terneries (mainly S. dougallii and S. fuscata) are known, and no gullery. Reef‐Herons, the only sea‐birds to breed on bush‐covered islets or in mangroves, are more widespread than the other species. The Terns lay about July, the Reef‐Herons a month earlier, and the Gannets about four months later in most years.Early records of birds in Zanzibar and Pemba are discussed specifically. The recent extinction of Francolins in Zanzibar is taken as proved.The land‐birds of Mafia and the neighbouring islets are listed and discussed, mainly on the basis of a recent collection. The avifauna is purely East African, devoid of endemics, and, considering the size of Mafia and its proximity to the mainland, astonishingly depauperate in some respects. Thirteen families (including Psittacidæ, Coliidæ, Picidæ, Alaudidæ, Timaliidæ, and Zosteropidæ) and several other coastal species are not represented. The phenology is discussed.

List of the Lepidoptera from Aldabra, Seychelles, and other East African islands, collected by Dr. W. L. Abbott

List of the Lepidoptera from Aldabra, Seychelles, and other East African islands, collected by Dr. W. L. Abbott