Read more about the article French platannas originated from many sites all over South Africa
An African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis), also known as platannas (Photo credit: John Measey)

French platannas originated from many sites all over South Africa

Genetic analyses of a population of invasive French platannas suggest they came from all over South Africa.

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Read more about the article First finding of a parasitic fungus on ladybirds in South Africa
Yellow fruiting bodies (indicated by the arrow) on the dorsal end of an invasive harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis (Photo credit: Ingrid A. Minnaar)

First finding of a parasitic fungus on ladybirds in South Africa

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.

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Read more about the article The removal of a sister species improves the status of an Endangered species
Andre de Villers taking measurements and photos of Xenopus laevis and Xenopus gilli at research sites in Kleinmond and Cape of Good Hope (Table Mountain National Park)

The removal of a sister species improves the status of an Endangered species

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.

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Read more about the article Parasites as drivers and passengers of biological invasions
A classic example of a parasite influencing an invasion is the replacement of the red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) by the grey (S. carolinensis) in the UK. The invasion of the grey and severe population decline of the red has been mediated at least in part by parapoxvirus introduced from North America along with the grey squirrels.

Parasites as drivers and passengers of biological invasions

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.

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