The first detection of the parasitic fungus Hesperomyces virescens on ladybirds (coccinellid beetles) in South Africa was made by a team of researchers from Harvard University and Stellenbosch University.
When humans change the habitat of a certain species, another species can invade the habitat of that species. This was the case when the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis), which thrives in artificial water-bodies, was able to invade the habitat of the Cape platanna (Xenopus gilli) as a result of new permanent artificial water-bodies constructed in their habitat.
Alien species are a common sight around the world. Yet, the diversity and ubiquity of these species belies the fact that many alien introductions fail to take hold.
It is important that lists of invasive and alien species be updated regularly, but sometimes it can be difficult to decide when a species should be removed
The discovery of a clump of broad-leaved paper-bark trees (Melaleuca quinquenervia) in 2009 by a field ranger lead to an exciting study on this global wetland invader.
