This research aims to compare the social behaviour, and associated the biological implications, between native and invasive populations of the guttural toad, Sclerophrys gutturalis. Our goal is to gain a deeper understand of how sociality may have promoted their invasive success.
The Guttural Toad has successfully invaded the islands of Mauritius and Reunion, as well as Constantia near Cape Town. All invasions seem to have originated near Durban, KZN. Recent research has shown ways in which these toads have adapted to their invaded habitats. But how would these react if they were moved back to Durban?
This project seeks to quantify the effects of the interaction between tadpoles of the two species, Guttural toad (Sclerophrys gutturalis) and Western Leopard toad (Sclerophrys pantherina) in an experimental enclosure.
This MSc study will involve stakeholder surveys and focus groups to determine public perception of the values of alien and native bird species.
The Common Garden Lizard, Calotes versicolor, has a wide native distribution from mainland Iran in the West, through the Indian peninsula, Myanmar to Hong Kong. If it were one species, it would be the world’s most widely distributed lizard. However, it is widely acknowledged that there are multiple species that are currently ascribed to this patronym.