Mountain Zebra National Park Research Articles

South African Acari. III. On the Mites of the Mountain Zebra National Park

Ten new mite species are described and figured and new records of 19 mite species are given for the Mountain Zebra National Park. A check list is included.

Annotated Check List of the Spiders (Araneae) of the Mountain Zebra National Park

A preliminary check list of the spider fauna of the Mountain Zebra National Park is given. Sixteen families, comprising 29 genera and 32 species, are recorded. Observations on the distribution, diagnostic morphology and behaviour of 15 species are given.

Factors affecting the seasonal movements of Cape mountain zebras in the Mountain Zebra National Park

Factors underlying the movement of mountain zebras from a plateau in the summer to hill slopes and ravines in the winter were investigated. The movement was associated with a relative change in diet quality (as indicated by crude protein contents of preferred food plants and of the faeces) between the summer and winter habitats. In summer faecal and grass protein contents were higher in samples collected on the plateau than in those collected on the hill slopes. In the winter the reverse was the case. On the plateau the cover of grasses in the height range favoured by zebras changed only slightly from summer to winter. It thus seemed unlikely that the movement of zebras was caused by a seasonal change in the height structure of the grass sward. The diet comprised mostly grasses but traces of dicotyledons in the faeces were found more frequently during winter than summer.

Activity patterns and feeding behaviour of hyrax (Procavia capensis) in the Mountain Zebra National Park

The activity patterns of marked hyrax in the Mountain Zebra National Park were quantified by direct observations. Extended periods are spent on basking during winter (6,8 h) and summer (5,3 h) respectively. At least 80 % of each day is spent in an inactive phase. The more extended time spent on movement and time spent within refuges during summer (0,4 and 2,7 h), compared to winter (0,2 and 0,9 h), can possibly be interpreted in terms of behavioural thermoregulation. Distinct differences between the feeding behaviour of juveniles (< 6 months) and older hyrax were observed. Foraging of juveniles was limited to a distance of 40 m or less from refuges and took place under the surveilance of adults. Foraging of older hyrax frequently occurred for extended distances (up to 500 m) from refuges. These hyrax frequently visited riparian thickets. Foraging excursions of individual hyrax lasted for 0,5 - 8 h. The reported early and late afternoon group feeding sessions for hyrax older than 5 months could not be confirmed.

The Black Cuckoo-Shrike <i>Campephaga flava</i>: A new record for the Mountain Zebra National Park and the Cradock district, Cape Province

The avifauna of the Mountain Zebra National Park (MZNP) has been recorded over a period of some two decades (Skead 1965, Koedoe 8: 1-40; Penzhorn & Bronkhorst 1976, Koedoe 19: 171-174; Penzhorn 1977, Koedoe 20: 205-207; Grobler & Bronkhorst 1981, Koedoe 24: 199-203). Collett (1982 Southern Birds 9: 1-65) has summarised all the available information on the avifauna of the Cradock district assembled since the turn of the century. Although 203 species are recorded from the MZNP by these authors (and a further four in the roneoed checklist for the park (Anon, updated, National Parks Board of Trustees, roneod, 15 pp)) no mention is made of the Black Cuckoo-Shrike Campephaga flava. Collett (1982) does not list it for the Cradock district.

Feeding habits of the Cape Mountain Zebra<i> Equus zebra zebra</i> LINN. 1758

The feeding habits of the Cape mountain zebra Equus zebra zebra Linn. 1758, were studied in the Mountain Zebra National Park. They were highly selective utilising only seven of 17 available grass species at feeding sites and 26 of plants available. These zebra fed at 40 mm to 80 mm above the ground except when eating seed heads of certain grass species. Protein levels of grasses eaten were above 4 and seasonal movements were associated with mean food quality @ there were thus summer grazing and winter grazing areas. Mean crude protein in the faeces fluctuated seasonally.

Soil-eattng by Cape Mountain Zebras<i> Equus Zebra Zebra</i> in the Mountain Zebra National Park

Cape mountain zebra stallions, mares and foals ate soil at mineral licks, mainly during summer. Calcium was the only mineral with higher concentrations at the licks than in all surrounding soil samples. The influence of calcium on reproduction is discussed.

The Leopard Tortoise in the Mountain Zebra National Park

A total of 69 leopard tortoises Geochelone pardalis babcocki (Loveridge 1935) were captured, marked, sexed, weighed and released. The results of this exercise together with other field data are presented and discussed.

Age determination in Cape Mountain Zebras <i>Equus Zebra Zebra</i> in the Mountain Zebra National Park

The sizes of foals up to two years old can be used for age estimation in the field. Tooth eruption and replacement, which is similar to Hartmann and plains zebras, can be used for age estimation up to four years. No age classes based on tooth wear could be defined, due to the paucity of material. Infundibula in the incisors are retained to a greater age than in Hartmann or plains zebras. Cementum layer counts offer a reliable age determination method, at least up to 15 years.

Home range sizes of Cape Mountain Zebras<i> Equus Zebra Zebra</i> in the Mountain Zebra National Park

The mean home range size of Cape mountain zebra breeding herds was 9,4 km2 (range 3,1 @ 16,0 km2). In two herds which split up, the home ranges of the resultant herds included the original home ranges, but were larger.

A preliminary checklist of reptiles and amphibians in the Mountain Zebra National Park

The following species of reptiles and amphibians have been collected and identified from the Mountain Zebra National Park some 27 km south west of Cradock, R.S.A.

Additions and amendments to the bird and mammal lists of the Mountain Zebra National Park

The following account updates and amends various previous publications dealing with the birds and mammals of the Mountain Zebra National Park (MZNP). In the case of birds, Roberts' Birds of South Africa numbers are used.

Feeding behaviour of the caracalFelis caracalSchreber 1776 in the Mountain Zebra National Park

A total of 21 caracal kills were recorded in the Mountain Zebra National Park of which 15 were mountain reedbuck. In 200 scats analysed, mammals made up 93,8% of the prey species identified, birds 5,3% and reptiles 0,9%. Cape dassies (53,3%) and mountain reedbuck (19,6%) were the most common prey items in the scats. The way in which prey is eaten, food consumption and hunting behaviour are discussed.

Productivity of Mountain Reedbugk<i> Redunca Fulvorufula </i>(Afzelius, 1815) at the Mountain Zebra National Park

Eighty two adult mountain reedbuck Redunca fulvoru- fula were collected during four seasons, autumn, winter, spring and summer at the Mountain Zebra National Park mainly during 1975 and 1976. Body mass and carcass characteristics varied little with season, body mass varying from 24,0-35,5 kg for all buck shot and dressing percentage always exeeded 50. According to KFI animals were all in fair to good condition. Sixty four percent of all ewes were pregnant and 38,5 lactating. Females and males bred throughout the year but there was a peak in births during mid-summer. The species is highly productive, well adapted to the niche it occupies and lends itself to exploitation for meat production.

The yellow Mongoose <i>Cynictis Penicillata</i> and other small carnivores in the Mountain Zebra National Park

The Mountain Zebra National Park is situated some 27 km southwest of Cradock, Republic of South Africa.

A phytosociological reconnaissance of the Mountain Zebra National Park

The vegetation of the Mountain Zebra National Park, situated within the Eastern Mixed Karooveld of the Republic of South Africa, was surveyed and analysed according to the Braun-Blanquet phytosociological method of sampling and synthesis. Brief discussions on the phytogeography of the Karoo and the physiography and climate of the Park are included. Three distinct major vegetation types are described floristically, physiognomically and ecologically. A vegetation map of the Park is provided.

Giraffe Weight Estimation Using Dissected Leg Weight and Body Measurements

Giraffe Weight Estimation Using Dissected Leg Weight and Body Measurements

Toevoegings tot die blomplantlys van die Bergkwagga Nasionale Park

Additions to the check list of flowering plants of the Mountain Zebra National Park. Thirteen additional flowering plant species are reported from the Mountain Zebra National Park, increasing the total reported to 371 species.

The archaeology of the mountain Zebra National Park

Thirty archaeological sites were located during a survey of the Mountain Zebra National Park. These include three-small rock shelters and 27 open station sites. The artefact samples collected from two of the latter are discussed in detail.

The importance of wilderness landscape Analysis in development planning schemes for national parks, with special reference to the Mountain Zebra National Park

Definition of the Concept "Wilderness"The Wilderness Act of September 1964, of the United States of America, states that "... wilderness, in contrast with those areas where man and his own works dominate the landscape, is hereby recognised as an area where the earth and its community of life are not influenced by man and where man himself is a visitor who does not remain55 (Nash 1967). The Act also states that a wilderness "... must retain its primeval character and influence and that it must be protected and managed in such a way that it appears to have been effected primarily by the forces of nature.”