Journal articles: 'Species diversity – Kenya'

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Ngumbau, Veronicah Mutele, Quentin Luke, Mwadime Nyange, et al. "An annotated checklist of the coastal forests of Kenya, East Africa." PhytoKeys 147 (May 12, 2020): 1–191. http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.147.49602.

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The inadequacy of information impedes society’s competence to find out the cause or degree of a problem or even to avoid further losses in an ecosystem. It becomes even harder to identify all the biological resources at risk because there is no exhaustive inventory of either fauna or flora of a particular region. Coastal forests of Kenya are located in the southeast part of Kenya and are distributed mainly in four counties: Kwale, Kilifi, Lamu, and Tana River County. They are a stretch of fragmented forests ca. 30−120 km away from the Indian Ocean, and they have existed for millions of years. Diversity of both fauna and flora is very high in these relicts and the coastal forests of Eastern Africa, extending along the coast from Somalia through Kenya and Tanzania to Mozambique, are ranked among the priority biodiversity hotspot in the world. In spite of the high plant species richness and their importance towards supporting the livelihoods of the communities that live around them, floristic studies in these forests have remained poorly investigated. Hence, based on numerous field investigations, plant lists from published monograph/literature, and data from BRAHMS (Botanical Records and Herbarium Management System) database at East African herbarium (EA), we present a detailed checklist of vascular plants recorded in this region. Our results show that Kenyan coastal forests play an essential role in the flora of Kenya and the plant diversity of the coastal forests of East Africa. The checklist represents 176 families, 981 genera, 2489 species, 100 infraspecific taxa, 90 endemic plants species, 72 exotic species, and 120 species that are included in the current IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as species of major concern. We also discovered three new species to the world from these relicts. Thus, Kenyan coastal forests present a remarkable and significant center of plant diversity.

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Oindo, Boniface O., Rolf A. De By, and Andrew K. Skidmore. "Environmental factors influencing bird species diversity in Kenya." African Journal of Ecology 39, no. 3 (2001): 295–302. http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2028.2001.00322.x.

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Mbuni, Yuvenalis Morara, Yadong Zhou, Shengwei Wang, et al. "An annotated checklist of vascular plants of Cherangani hills, Western Kenya." PhytoKeys 120 (April 18, 2019): 1–90. http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.120.30274.

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Cherangani hills, located in Western Kenya, comprises of 12 forest blocks, maintaining great plant diversity. However, little attention to plant diversity studies has been paid to it in the past years. Here, we present a checklist of the vascular plants of this region obtained through intensive field investigations and matching of herbarium specimens. In total, 1296 species, including 17 endemic species are documented, belonging to 130 families and 608 genera. This flora represents 18.50%, 43.83% and 54.17% of the Kenyan species, genera and families, respectively. The habit, habitat and voucher specimens, as well as brief notes on the distribution of each taxon recorded are presented in this checklist. It is the first exhaustive inventory of the terrestrial vascular plants in Cherangani hills which is a significant regional centre for plant diversity.

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Muriuki, E. N., D. N. Sila, and A. Onyango. "Nutritional diversity of leafy amaranth species grown in Kenya." Journal of Applied Biosciences 79 (August 29, 2014): 6818. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jab.v79i0.9.

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Muriuki, E. N., D. N. Sila, and A. Onyango. "Nutritional diversity of leafy amaranth species grown in Kenya." Journal of Applied Biosciences 79, no. 1 (2014): 6818. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jab.v79i1.9.

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Munguti, Florence M., Dora C. Kilalo, Evans N. Nyaboga, Everlyne N. Wosula, Isaac Macharia, and Agnes W. Mwango’mbe. "Distribution and Molecular Diversity of Whitefly Species Colonizing Cassava in Kenya." Insects 12, no. 10 (2021): 875. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/insects12100875.

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The whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadium, Hemiptera) has been reported to transmit viruses that cause cassava mosaic disease (CMD) and cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Currently, there is limited information on the distribution, species and haplotype composition of the whitefly populations colonizing cassava in Kenya. A study was conducted in the major cassava growing regions of Kenya to address this gap. Analyses of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase 1 (mtCO1) sequences revealed the presence of four distinct whitefly species: Bemisia tabaci, Bemisia afer, Aleurodicus dispersus and Paraleyrodes bondari in Kenya. The B. tabaci haplotypes were further resolved into SSA1, SSA2 and Indian Ocean (IO) putative species. The SSA1 population had three haplogroups of SSA1-SG1, SSA-SG2 and SSA1-SG3. Application of KASP genotyping grouped the Bemisia tabaci into two haplogroups namely sub-Saharan Africa East and Southern Africa (SSA-ESA) and sub-Saharan Africa East and Central Africa (SSA-ECA). The study presents the first report of P. bondari (Bondar’s nesting whitefly) on cassava in Kenya. Bemisia tabaci was widely distributed in all the major cassava growing regions in Kenya. The increased detection of different whitefly species on cassava and genetically diverse B. tabaci mitotypes indicates a significant influence on the dynamics of cassava virus epidemics in the field. The study highlights the need for continuous monitoring of invasive whitefly species population on cassava for timely application of management practices to reduce the impact of cassava viral diseases and prevent potential yield losses.

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Chuah-Petiot, Min S. "Data to the bryoflora of Mount Kenya, Kenya." Bryophyte Diversity and Evolution 10, no. 1 (1995): 41–53. http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/bde.10.1.8.

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194 species of bryophytes, belonging to 61 families are reported from Mount Kenya, of which 38 species are new for Mount Kenya and 30 records are new for the whole country, marked by * and ** respectively. The montane forests between 1600 and 3300m. asl., contain the greatest diversity of life forms and species. This is due to the abundant rainfall providing adequate humidity at relatively low temperature and altitude, coupled with frequent cloud cover. All vegetation belts above the montane forests experience large diurnal fluctuations in temperatures, intense solar radiation, added by the fact that the rainfall is relatively low and erratic or at times fall in the form of hail or snow resulting in a low diversity of species and life forms except in very sheltered habitats such as rock crevices in rocky outcrops. Solifluctions soil conditions occuring between 3850 and 4450m. asl. exhibit moss balls growth forms. The summits of Batian (5199m.), Nelion (5188m.) and Lenana (4985m.) harbour small cushions of Grimmia affinis and Andreaea cucullata. The greatest number of species are found in the wetter southern, south-western and south-eastern slopes unlike the drier northern, north-western and north-eastern slopes of the mountain. Species commonly found in the wetter areas are Bryum preussii, Bryum keniae, Prionodon ciliatus, Hypopterygium viridissimum, Plagiochila barteri, Plagiochila squamulosa, Radula recurvifolia, Porella hoehnelii, Dumortiera hirsuta while Pterogonium gracile, Leptodon smithii and Hedwigia ciliata are characteristic of the drier areas.

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Oindo, Boniface O., Rolf A. de By, and Andrew K. Skidmore. "Interannual variability of NDVI and bird species diversity in Kenya." International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation 2, no. 3-4 (2000): 172–80. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0303-2434(00)85011-4.

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Okach, D. O., and O. Amuka. "Plant Species Diversity along Road Reserve in Kisumu County- Kenya." Ecologia 5, no. 1 (2014): 8–21. http://dx.doi.org/10.3923/ecologia.2015.8.21.

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Medley, Kimberly E. "Patterns of forest diversity along the Tana River, Kenya." Journal of Tropical Ecology 8, no. 4 (1992): 353–71. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0266467400006684.

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ABSTRACTTropical forest vegetation occurs within a narrow corridor along the semi-arid lower floodplain of the Tana River, Kenya. An inventory of the woody flora and ecological study of 12 forest areas in the Tana River National Primate Reserve (TRNPR) describe the composition and structure of this riverine forest ecosystem and identify patterns of regional and local diversity. Only 175 species in 49 families are recorded in the woody flora, but the geographic affinities of 98 species are from four major floristic regions in Africa: Zanzibar-Inhambane (31%), Somalia-Masai (16%), Guinea-Congolian (12%), and Zambezian (1%). Ten species are rare and/or disjunct. Forests have a disturbed physiognomy characterized by a low mean height (14.4 m), high species importance attributable to a few trees, low density (409 ha−1) and coverage (23.1 m2 ha−1) of trees > 10 cm dbh, and an abundance of palms and lianes. Changes along the river in sediment deposition and hydrology explain the high diversity of landforms and corresponding forest types in the TRNPR vicinity, but the absence of trees which are most important near Bura, Acacia elalior, and near Wema, Barringtonia racemosa, suggests that the regional diversity of the ecosystem is inadequately protected. Preservation of key resources, such as the endangered primates, should be coupled with protection of the forest heterogeneity that characterizes this dynamic landscape.

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Karuitha, Miriam, Joel Bargul, Joel Lutomiah, et al. "Larval habitat diversity and mosquito species distribution along the coast of Kenya." Wellcome Open Research 4 (November 13, 2019): 175. http://dx.doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.15550.1.

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Background: Management of arboviruses relies heavily on vector control. Implementation and sustenance of effective control measures requires regular surveillance of mosquito occurrences, species abundance and distribution. The current study evaluated larval habitat diversity and productivity, mosquito species diversity and distribution in selected sites along the coast of Kenya. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of mosquito breeding habitats, species diversity and distribution was conducted in urban, peri-urban and forested ecological zones in Mombasa and Kilifi counties. Results: A total of 13,009 immature mosquitoes were collected from 17 diverse aquatic habitats along the coast of Kenya. Larval productivity differed significantly (F (16, 243) = 3.21, P < 0.0001) among the aquatic habitats, with tyre habitats recording the highest larval population. Culex pipiens (50.17%) and Aedes aegypti (38.73%) were the dominant mosquito species in urban areas, while Ae. vittatus (89%) was the dominant species in forested areas. In total, 4,735 adult mosquitoes belonging to 19 species were collected in Haller Park, Bamburi, Gede and Arabuko Sokoke forest. Urban areas supported higher densities of Ae. aegypti compared to peri-urban and forest areas, which, on the other hand, supported greater mosquito species diversity. Conclusions: High Ae. aegypti production in urban and peri-urban areas present a greater risk of arbovirus outbreaks. Targeting productive habitats of Aedes aegypti, such as discarded tyres, containers and poorly maintained drainage systems in urban areas and preventing human-vector contact in peri-urban and forested areas could have a significant impact on the prevalence of arboviruses along the coast of Kenya, forestalling the periodic outbreaks experienced in the region.

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Mulwa, Ronald K., Katrin Böhning-Gaese, and Matthias Schleuning. "High Bird Species Diversity in Structurally Heterogeneous Farmland in Western Kenya." Biotropica 44, no. 6 (2012): 801–9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-7429.2012.00877.x.

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Maina, P., P. Wachira, S. Okoth, and J. Kimenju. "Distribution and Diversity of Indigenous Trichoderma species in Machakos County, Kenya." British Microbiology Research Journal 9, no. 4 (2015): 1–15. http://dx.doi.org/10.9734/bmrj/2015/18034.

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Muli, Benjamin Kimwele, Fritz Schulthess, and Johnnie van den Berg. "Host plants and species diversity of Mussidia (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Kenya." International Journal of Biodiversity Science & Management 5, no. 1 (2009): 35–40. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17451590902771300.

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Chuah-Petiot, Min S. "Bryophytes from Saiwa Swamp National Park, Kenya." Bryophyte Diversity and Evolution 12, no. 1 (1996): 63–73. http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/bde.12.1.10.

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57 species of bryophytes belonging to 30 families are reported from Saiwa Swamp National Park, of which 57 species are new for Saiwa Swamp National Park and 10 records are new for Kenya, indicated by * and ** respectively. Although small in surface area (15.5 sq.km.) the park represents an undercollected area in Kenya with a good diversity of bryophytes.

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Nyamwamu, Charles N., Rebecca Karanja, and Peter Mwangi. "Diversity of Weed Species in Farms Kisii Central Sub-County, Western Kenya." Journal of Horticulture and Plant Research 6 (April 2019): 11–19. http://dx.doi.org/10.18052/www.scipress.com/jhpr.6.11.

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This study sought to determine species diversity and Importance Values (IV) of weeds in farms in Kisii Central Sub County, Western Kenya. Eight administrative sub-locations were randomly selected. Ten farms were selected at equal distance along transect laid across each sub-location. Quadrant and a line transect laid across each farm were used to collect weed species. Five rectangular quadrants of 0.5x2m were established in each farm and individuals of each weed species identified and counted. Importance value (IV) for each weed species was computed from density, frequency and abundance. Diversity was computed by Shannon index (H’). Twenty four weed species from 22 genera in 10 families were recorded, Family Asteraceae had the highest number of species (6), followed by Solanaceae and Poaceae with 4 and 3 species respectively. The dominant weed species were Galinsoga parviflora(IV=241.6%), Pennisetum clandestinum(IV=215.8.7%),Bidens pilosa(IV=196.7%), Cynodon dactylon (IV=192.4%), Digitaria scalarum(IV=180.8%) and Cyperus esculentus(172.0%). Weed species diversity was higher (H'=2.81).

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Msenya, Happiness Nyambuge, Getrude Okutoyi Alworah, Stephen Runo, et al. "Diversity of Fungi Isolated From Coffee Farms in Kenya." Current Agriculture Research Journal 9, no. 2 (2021): 120–29. http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/carj.9.2.06.

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Diversity of biological species confers benefits to the sustainability of the ecosystem. This study was aimed at determining the diversity of fungi to show the status of soil and coffee plant richness of fungi for sustainable coffee cultivation and future sustainable disease management. Soil and plant tissue samples were collected from coffee farms in Kirinyaga County, while laboratory studies were done at the Plant Pathology Laboratory, Coffee Research Institute, Ruiru, Kenya. The fungal species were isolated from soil and coffee berries. Berries were washed and the fungi allowed to sporulate for 24 hrs. Lesions were excised and serial dilutions made. Fungi were isolated from soil by serial dilution of 10-3. Using the spread plate method, 1 ml of the dilution was plated on potato dextrose agar and incubated at room temperature for ten days. Identification of fungi at the genus level was carried out by using macroscopic and microscopic features. The results showed diverse fungi in both soil and berries which included Aspergillus, Trichoderm, Penicillium, Epicoccum, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Alternaria, Phoma, Rhizopu, Colletotrichum kahawae.The results further showed that Colletotrichum and Cladosporium were the most abundant in the berries at 76% for both species. Fusarium was the most prevalent microorganism in soil at 50% followed by Cladosporium and Penicillium at 20% each. The farms were generally less rich in prevalence of economic important fungi having Trichoderma and Epicoccum at less than 10%. This is a contributing factor to low productivity of coffee due to the lack of growth promoting fungi. This study recommends further studies on the Biocontrol potential of the isolated fungi against coffee insect pests and diseases.

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Kissling, W. D., R. Field, H. Korntheuer, U. Heyder, and K. Böhning-Gaese. "Woody plants and the prediction of climate-change impacts on bird diversity." Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 365, no. 1549 (2010): 2035–45. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2010.0008.

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Current methods of assessing climate-induced shifts of species distributions rarely account for species interactions and usually ignore potential differences in response times of interacting taxa to climate change. Here, we used species-richness data from 1005 breeding bird and 1417 woody plant species in Kenya and employed model-averaged coefficients from regression models and median climatic forecasts assembled across 15 climate-change scenarios to predict bird species richness under climate change. Forecasts assuming an instantaneous response of woody plants and birds to climate change suggested increases in future bird species richness across most of Kenya whereas forecasts assuming strongly lagged woody plant responses to climate change indicated a reversed trend, i.e. reduced bird species richness. Uncertainties in predictions of future bird species richness were geographically structured, mainly owing to uncertainties in projected precipitation changes. We conclude that assessments of future species responses to climate change are very sensitive to current uncertainties in regional climate-change projections, and to the inclusion or not of time-lagged interacting taxa. We expect even stronger effects for more specialized plant–animal associations. Given the slow response time of woody plant distributions to climate change, current estimates of future biodiversity of many animal taxa may be both biased and too optimistic.

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Wagacha, John Maina, Ulrike Steiner, Heinz-Wilhelm Dehne, et al. "Diversity in Mycotoxins and Fungal Species Infecting Wheat in Nakuru District, Kenya." Journal of Phytopathology 158, no. 7-8 (2010): 527–35. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0434.2009.01653.x.

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Chiveu, J. C., M. Mueller, K. V. Krutovsky, K. Kehlenbeck, E. Pawelzik, and M. Naumann. "Genetic diversity of common guava in Kenya: an underutilized naturalized fruit species." Fruits 74, no. 5 (2019): 236–48. http://dx.doi.org/10.17660/th2019/74.5.4.

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Hondelmann, P., J. O. Nyasani, S. Subramanian, and R. Meyhöfer. "Genetic structure and diversity of western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis in a French bean agroecosystem of Kenya." International Journal of Tropical Insect Science 37, no. 02 (2017): 71–78. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1742758417000066.

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Abstract Western flower thrips (WFT) (Frankliniella occidentalis) is an introduced pest that harms French bean production in Kenya and other countries. Since new WFT management approaches are being developed, a closer look at the genetic makeup of WFT populations can give new insights into source habitats, crop colonization patterns or host plant preferences, which are prerequisites for integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. For this purpose, we used six microsatellite loci to analyse the genetic structure, diversity and gene flow of WFT sampled on French beans, intercrops and weeds in Kenyan French bean production areas. The results of this preliminary study indicate that the available microsatellites are sufficiently polymorphic for more detailed analyses on local dispersal patterns of WFT in Kenya. Even with the limited data set, the results reveal that F. occidentalis populations show considerable genetic differentiation between host plant species but not between regions, which suggests reduced gene flow and a possible development of biotypes. Possible consequences of the results on IPM are discussed.

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Chuah-Petiot, Min S. "Contributions toward a Bryoflora of the Aberdare Range, Kenya." Bryophyte Diversity and Evolution 13, no. 1 (1997): 57–63. http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/bde.13.1.7.

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124 species of bryophytes, belonging to 46 families are reported for the Aberdare Mountains, of which 58 species are new for the Aberdares and 6 records are new for Kenya, indicated by * and ** respectively. The wetter, more humid southern and south-eastern parts of the range contain the greatest diversity of species, particularly in the montane forests while the drier northern part is poor in species.

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Kiatoko, Nkoba, Suresh Kumar Raina, and Frank van Langevelde. "Impact of habitat degradation on species diversity and nest abundance of five African stingless bee species in a tropical rainforest of Kenya." International Journal of Tropical Insect Science 37, no. 03 (2017): 189–97. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s174275841700011x.

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AbstractNatural habitat degradation often involves the reduction or disappearance of bee species. In Africa, stingless bees are hunted for honey, which is used as food, for medicinal purposes, and for traditional rituals. Severe habitat degradation due to human settlement is hypothesized to have a negative impact on the species diversity of the African stingless bee species. In this paper, we assess the impact of habitat degradation on the diversity of five stingless bee species across different habitats in the tropical rainforest of Kenya (indigenous forest, mixed indigenous forest) and its neighbouring landscape (grassland, village) in western Kenya. The species fauna, nest occurrence, and species diversity of the stingless bee species varied across the different habitats. The number of nesting habitats of the meliponine species varied between habitats in the tropical rainforest.Meliponula ferruginea(reddish brown) nested in five habitats, whileMeliponula bocandeiandMeliponula ferruginea(black) nested only in two habitat types. The species richness decreased within the different types of habitats and the indigenous and mixed indigenous forest contained more species than other habitats. The fauna composition in both homesteads was exclusively similar, while the indigenous and mixed indigenous forests were mostly similar. Similarity in habitat preferences for nesting was revealed betweenM. bocandeivsPlebeina hildebrandtiandM. ferruginea(reddish brown) vsHypotrigona gribodoi. The natural native indigenous forest had the most diverse community compared to the degraded habitats. There are taxon-specific responses to habitat change; and in our study, there is clear value in conserving the native indigenous forest.

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Makanda, Moni, Gladys Kemunto, Lucy Wamuyu, Joel Bargul, Jackson Muema, and James Mutunga. "Diversity and Molecular Characterization of Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in selected ecological regions in Kenya." F1000Research 8 (March 6, 2019): 262. http://dx.doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.18262.1.

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Mosquitoes play a predominant role as leading agents in the spread of vector-borne diseases and consequent mortality in humans. Despite reports on increase of new and recurrent mosquito borne-disease outbreaks such as chikungunya, dengue fever and Rift valley fever in Kenya little is known about the genetic characteristics and diversity of the vector species that have been incriminated in transmission of disease pathogens. In this study, we identified mosquito species across Kisumu, Kilifi and Nairobi Counties and determined their genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships. PCR was used to amplify and sequence the partial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) gene of mosquito samples. Molecular-genetic and phylogenetic analysis of the partial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) gene was employed to identify their relationships with known mosquito species. Fourteen (14) haplotypes belonging to genus Aedes, nine (9) haplotypes belonging to genus Anopheles and twelve (12) haplotypes belonging to genus Culex were identified in this study. Findings from this study revealed a potentially new haplotype belonging to Anopheles genus and reported the first molecular characterization of Aedes cummnisii in Kenya. Sequence results revealed variation in mosquito species from Kilifi, Kisumu and Nairobi. Since vector competence varies greatly across species and species-complexes and is strongly associated with specific behavioural adaptations, proper species identification is important for vector control programs.

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Makanda, Moni, Gladys Kemunto, Lucy Wamuyu, Joel Bargul, Jackson Muema, and James Mutunga. "Diversity and Molecular Characterization of Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in Selected Ecological Regions in Kenya." F1000Research 8 (September 24, 2019): 262. http://dx.doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.18262.2.

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Mosquitoes play a predominant role as leading agents in the spread of vector-borne diseases and the consequent mortality in humans. Despite reports on increase of new and recurrent mosquito borne-disease outbreaks such as chikungunya, dengue fever and Rift Valley fever in Kenya, little is known about the genetic characteristics and diversity of the vector species that have been incriminated in transmission of disease pathogens. In this study, mosquito species were collected from Kisumu city, Kilifi town and Nairobi city and we determined their genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships. PCR was used to amplify the partial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) gene of mosquito samples. Molecular-genetic and phylogenetic analysis of the partial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) gene were employed to identify their relationship with known mosquito species. Fourteen (14) haplotypes belonging to genus Aedes, nine (9) haplotypes belonging to genus Anopheles and twelve (12) haplotypes belonging to genus Culex were identified in this study. Findings from this study revealed a potentially new haplotype belonging to Anopheles genus and reported the first molecular characterization of Aedes cumminsii in Kenya. Sequence results revealed variation in mosquito species from Kilifi, Kisumu and Nairobi. Since vector competence varies greatly across species as well as species-complexes and is strongly associated with specific behavioural adaptations, proper species identification is important for vector control programs.

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Bull, Simon E., Rob W. Briddon, William S. Sserubombwe, Kahiu Ngugi, Peter G. Markham, and John Stanley. "Genetic diversity and phylogeography of cassava mosaic viruses in Kenya." Journal of General Virology 87, no. 10 (2006): 3053–65. http://dx.doi.org/10.1099/vir.0.82013-0.

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Cassava is a major factor in food security across sub-Saharan Africa. However, the crop is susceptible to losses due to biotic stresses, in particular to viruses of the genus Begomovirus (family Geminiviridae) that cause cassava mosaic disease (CMD). During the 1990s, an epidemic of CMD severely hindered cassava production across eastern and central Africa. A significant influence on the appearance of virus epidemics is virus diversity. Here, a survey of the genetic diversity of CMD-associated begomoviruses across the major cassava-growing areas of Kenya is described. Because an initial PCR-restriction fragment-length polymorphism analysis identified a much greater diversity of viruses than assumed previously, representative members of the population were characterized by sequence analysis. The full-length sequences of 109 components (68 DNA-A and 41 DNA-B) were determined, representing isolates of East African cassava mosaic virus and East African cassava mosaic Zanzibar virus, as well as a novel begomovirus species for which the name East African cassava mosaic Kenya virus is proposed. The DNA-B components were much less diverse than their corresponding DNA-A components, but nonetheless segregated into western and eastern (coastal) groups. All virus species and strains encountered showed distinct geographical distributions, highlighting the importance of preventing both the movement of viruses between these regions and the importation of the disease from adjacent countries and islands in the Indian Ocean that would undoubtedly encourage further diversification.

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Mutisya, Daniel L., El Sayed M. El-Banhawy, Victor Vicente dos Santos, Charles W. Kariuki, Cannute P. M. Khamala, and Marie-Stéphane Tixier. "Predatory phytoseiid mites associated with cassava in Kenya, identification key and molecular diagnosis (Acari: Phytoseiidae)." Acarologia 57, no. 3 (2017): 541–54. http://dx.doi.org/10.24349/acarologia/20174172.

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The objective of this study was to carry out a large survey in order to characterize Phytoseiidae species diversity on cassava in Kenya. A total of 29 species from 10 genera were identified in diverse ecological zones in Kenya. The warm-to-hot low midlands of eastern and the warm-humid coastal strip yielded over 70 % of the species identified. The dominant species were Euseius fustis (Pritchard and Baker) and Typhlodromalus aripo De Leon present in 37 and 34 % of samples, respectively. Typhlodromalus aripo was found persistent in coastal, eastern and western regions of Kenya while E. fustis was present in all sampled localities of the country. In addition to morphological diagnosis, molecular sequences for DNA fragments 12S, CytB, COI and ITS, were obtained for T. aripo and E. fustis. Molecular diagnosis has revealed the unexpected presence of Neoseiulus idaeus Denmark and Muma and indicated its misidentification as Neoseiulus onzoi (Zannou, Moraes and Oliveira) in a previous survey carried out in Kenya. Molecular sequences herein obtained will help further diagnosis of phytoseiid species and complement the international reference databases needed to assist molecular identification of Phytoseiidae species.

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Stadler, J., A. Trefflich, S. Klotz, and R. Brandl. "Exotic plant species invade diversity hot spots: the alien flora of northwestern Kenya." Ecography 23, no. 2 (2000): 169–76. http://dx.doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-0587.2000.230202.x.

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Stadler, J., A. Trefflich, S. Klotz, and R. Brandl. "Exotic plant species invade diversity hot spots: the alien flora of northwestern Kenya." Ecography 23, no. 2 (2000): 169–76. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0587.2000.tb00272.x.

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LOWRY, J. K., and R. T. SPRINGTHORPE. "Talitrid amphipods from India, East Africa and the Red Sea (Amphipoda, Senticaudata, Talitroidea, Talitridae)." Zootaxa 4638, no. 3 (2019): 351–78. http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4638.3.3.

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Two new coastal talitrid genera are described, Austropacifica gen. nov., known from tropical Australia, Papua New Guinea and the south-western Pacific Ocean and Gazia gen. nov., ranging from East Africa to the Caribbean Sea. Two new species of coastal talitrids are described: Gazia gazi gen. nov., sp. nov. from Gazi Bay, Kenya and Talorchestia anakao sp. nov. from western Madagascar. The species known as Talorchestia affinis Maccagno, 1936 is redescribed and its distribution is extended from the western coast of the Red Sea to Kenya based on new collections. Talitrid generic and species level diversity in the Indo Pacific is discussed and a dichotomous key to all known species of Talorchestia is provided.

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Chládová, Anna, Marie Kalousová, Bohumil Mandák, et al. "Genetic diversity and structure of baobab ( Adansonia digitata L.) in southeastern Kenya." Royal Society Open Science 6, no. 9 (2019): 190854. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.190854.

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Baobab ( Adansonia digitata L.) is an iconic tree of African savannahs. Its multipurpose character and nutritional composition of fruits and leaves offer high economic and social potential for local communities. There is an urgent need to characterize the genetic diversity of the Kenyan baobab populations in order to facilitate further conservation and domestication programmes. This study aims at documenting the genetic diversity and structure of baobab populations in southeastern Kenya. Leaf or bark samples were collected from 189 baobab trees in seven populations distributed in two geographical groups, i.e. four inland and three coastal populations. Nine microsatellite loci were used to assess genetic diversity. Overall, genetic diversity of the species was high and similarly distributed over the populations. Bayesian clustering and principal coordinate analysis congruently divided the populations into two distinct clusters, suggesting significant differences between inland and coastal populations. The genetic differentiation between coastal and inland populations suggests a limited possibility of gene flow between these populations. Further conservation and domestications studies should take into consideration thegeographical origin of trees and more attention should be paid to morphological characterization of fruits and leaves of the coastal and inland populations to understand the causes and the impact of the differentiation.

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Kahuthia-Gathu, R., B. Löhr, H. M. Poehling, and P. K. Mbugua. "Diversity, distribution and role of wild crucifers in major cabbage and kale growing areas of Kenya." Bulletin of Entomological Research 99, no. 3 (2008): 287–97. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0007485308006305.

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AbstractAn investigation of the diversity and distribution of wild crucifer species and their importance for cultivated crucifers was conducted during 2005 and 2006 in the highland and mid-altitude semi-arid areas of Kenya. Thirteen species of wild crucifers in nine genera were recorded:Raphanus raphanistrum,Erucastrum arabicum,Sisymbrium officinale,Crambe kilimandscharica,Capsella bursa-pastoris,Rorippa nudiuscula,Ro. micrantha,Ro. microphylla,Lepidium bonariense,Coronopus didymus,Brassica rapa,B. junceaand an unidentifiedBrassicaspecies. Highland areas had significantly higher species diversity and species richness than mid-altitude semi-arid areas. Species richness, diversity and evenness varied with season and location.Raphanus raphanistrumwas the dominant non-cultivated species in the highlands followed byE. arabicum, which was also present and dominant in the semi-arid study sites. Diamondback moth (DBM) was recorded from ten wild crucifer species andR. raphanistrumandE. arabicumwere the preferred host plant species. Overall, four larval, one larval-pupal and one pupal parasitoid of DBM were recorded:Diadegma semiclausum,D. mollipla, Apanteles sp.,Cotesia plutellae, Oomyzus sokolowskiiandBrachymeriaspecies, respectively.Diadegma semiclausumwas the most dominant species on all crucifers. We conclude that wild crucifers act as alternative hosts for DBM and provide refugia for DBM parasitoids, which risk local extinction through pesticide application or competition from introduced exotic parasitoid species. The wild crucifers also act as recolonization sites for DBM parasitoids.

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Wakjira, Mulugeta, and Abebe Getahun. "Ichthyofaunal diversity of the Omo-Turkana basin, East Africa, with specific reference to fish diversity within the limits of Ethiopian waters." Check List 13, no. 2 (2017): 2059. http://dx.doi.org/10.15560/13.2.2059.

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The freshwaters of the East African nation of Ethiopia are divided into nine main drainage basins. One of these, the Omo-Turkana basin, spans a large part of southwestern Ethiopian highlands and northern Kenya, and consists of the Omo-Gibe (or simply, Omo) River and a northern portion of Lake Turkana. Despite some development activities, including proposed dam construction with potential impacts on ichthyofaunal diversity, the Ethiopian part of the basin generally lacks comprehensive study or full scientific documentation. During the current surveys 31 species were identified from the lower Omo River and Ethiopian part of Lake Turkana, with some new records for the basin. The Omo River system was found to be richer in species while Lake Turkana has a higher abundance. Ichthyofaunal diversity within Ethiopian waters is specifically addressed, and an annotated checklist for native species of the basin is provided.

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Reiter, Birgit, Helmut Bürgmann, Kornel Burg, and Angela Sessitsch. "EndophyticnifHgene diversity in African sweet potato." Canadian Journal of Microbiology 49, no. 9 (2003): 549–55. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/w03-070.

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A cultivation-independent approach was used to identify potentially nitrogen-fixing endophytes in seven sweet potato varieties collected in Uganda and Kenya. Nitrogenase reductase genes (nifH) were amplified by PCR, and amplicons were cloned in Escherichia coli. Clones were grouped by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, and representative nifH genes were sequenced. The resulting sequences had high homologies to nitrogenase reductases from α-, β-, and γ-Proteobacteria and low G+C Gram positives, however, about 50% of the sequences derived from rhizobia. Several highly similar or even identical nitrogenase reductase sequences clustering with different bacterial genera and species, including Sinorhizobium meliloti, Rhizobium sp. NGR234, Rhizobium etli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Paenibacillus odorifer, could be detected in different plants grown in distinct geographic locations. This suggests that these bacterial species preferentially colonize African sweet potato as endophytes and that the diazotrophic, endophytic microflora is determined only to a low degree by the plant genotype or the soil microflora.Key words: endophytes, nitrogenase reductase, nifH, nitrogen fixation, sweet potato.

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Mailafiya, D. M., B. P. Le Ru, E. W. Kairu, P. A. Calatayud, and S. Dupas. "Species diversity of lepidopteran stem borer parasitoids in cultivated and natural habitats in Kenya." Journal of Applied Entomology 133, no. 6 (2009): 416–29. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0418.2009.01381.x.

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Bett, Mark Cheruiyot, Muchane Muchai, and Catherine Waweru. "Avian species diversity in different habitat types in and around North Nandi Forest, Kenya." African Journal of Ecology 54, no. 3 (2016): 342–48. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/aje.12338.

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Ruto, WKS, JI Kinyamario, NK Ng'etich, E. Akunda, and JK Mworia. "Plant Species Diversity and Composition of Two Wetlands in the Nairobi National Park, Kenya." Journal of Wetlands Ecology 6 (November 2, 2012): 7–15. http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jowe.v6i0.5909.

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Two wetlands (Hyena and Nalogomon) in the Nairobi National Park were investigated by comparing plant composition in and around their immediate vicinity. The most common aquatic plant species in the Hyena wetland was Cyperus dives while in the Nalogomon wetland was Typha domingensis. The terrestrial vegetation surrounding Hyena wetland dominated by while that of surrounding Nalogomon wetland was the grass Hyparrhemia rufa. It was also noted that Hyena Dam waters were colonized by aquatic weeds, namely Gunnera perpensa, Enhydra fluctuans and Ludwigia abyssinica, that were absent in Nalogomon wetland waters. This could have been due to eutrophication of the waters of Hyena Dam as it originated from human settlements (city estates) outside the park boundary. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jowe.v6i0.5909 J Wet Eco 2012 (6): 07-15

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Halliday, Jo E. B., Darryn L. Knobel, Bernard Agwanda, et al. "Prevalence and Diversity of Small Mammal-Associated Bartonella Species in Rural and Urban Kenya." PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 9, no. 3 (2015): e0003608. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0003608.

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Webala, Paul W., Nicholas O. Oguge, and Afework Bekele. "Bat species diversity and distribution in three vegetation communities of Meru National Park, Kenya." African Journal of Ecology 42, no. 3 (2004): 171–79. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2028.2004.00505.x.

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Kibet, Staline. "Plant communities, species diversity, richness, and regeneration of a traditionally managed coastal forest, Kenya." Forest Ecology and Management 261, no. 6 (2011): 949–57. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2010.11.027.

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Kimani, EN, GK Mwatha, EO Wakwabi, JM Ntiba, and BK Okoth. "Fishes of a shallow tropical mangrove estuary, Gazi, Kenya." Marine and Freshwater Research 47, no. 7 (1996): 857. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/mf9960857.

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The composition and abundance of teleosts in an estuarine mangrove bay, sampled with a beach seine-net, are described. Site 1, at the mouth of a small river, was fringed by mangroves and had a silty substratum; Site 2 was also mangrove-fringed but had a sandy substratum and seagrass patches; Site 3 had a muddy sand substratum and also supported seagrasses. In total, 128 teleost species belonging to 50 families were identified in samples collected over 12 months. Gerreidae, Atherinidae and Clupeidae accounted for 78.5% of the total number of fish. Juveniles were found for 63% of the species. Of the fish species found, 44% were species associated with coral reefs. The mean numbers of species were similar at all sites, despite the differences in substratum type. Ecological diversity indices were higher, and fish density and biomass were lower, in the mangrove-fringed silt site than in the seagrass sites. Mean number of species was highest in February and June. Most families of commercial fish sought by fishers in the area were represented in the samples.

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Ong’Oa, Dominic Otwori, Rossa Nyoike Ng’Endo, Shadrack Muvui Muya, Mathew Mugechi Nyoike, Patrick Kenyatta Malomz, and Zipporah Lagat Osiemo. "Diversity and Abundance Patterns of Amphibians in Rehabilitated Quarries of Bamburi Near Mombasa (Kenya)." Transylvanian Review of Systematical and Ecological Research 15, no. 1 (2013): 61–72. http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/trser-2013-0006.

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ABSTRACT Amphibians are sensitive to changes in the environment and are, therefore, excellent indicators of success in restoring degraded habitats. As such, a clear understanding on how amphibian populations respond to changes in the environment is required. In order for conservationists to establish if the declining trends are changing, biodiversity recovery studies are essential especially in reclaimed habitats. This study focused on the recovery of amphibians, particularly on frogs, in reclaimed quarries of the Bamburi Cement Plant near Mombasa whereby the diversity, species abundances and composition at different stages of quarry re-establishment were assessed. The study area was divided into three zones based on the 13-year interval since the beginning of the rehabilitation process. Transect surveys and time-constrained search and size method were used for sampling 20 randomly selected sites. Sampling was done during the rainy and the dry seasons, with searches conducted between 900 and 1,600 hours during the day and between 1,800 to 2,100 hours at night. Recording of basic morphological data of collected specimens was done in the field to aid in grouping specimens before voucher materials were preserved in 10% formalin and stored in 70% alcohol. Further identifications and confirmations matching specimens to species were carried out using specialized classification keys from the National Museum of Kenya. Twelve species were encountered across the three zones, with Ptychadena anchietae and Phrynobatrachus acridoides, respectively, the most abundant. It was also noted that amphibian diversity across the quarries was independent of the age of ecological reestablishment (r = -0.5). This is indicated by the higher amphibian diversity in the south and north quarries (N = 1050 and 506 respectively) despite their relatively younger age since reestablishment compared to the central quarry (N = 438). Lower diversity in the central quarry, although the oldest, may be largely attributed to human disturbance. Additionally, exotic plantations across the study area are poor in species since they are monocultures and, thus, not heterogeneous enough to support higher anuran diversity. Since amphibians act as one of the best measure of environmental health, rehabilitation process in the quarries need to embrace mechanisms that support maximum biodiversity recovery such as replanting of more indigenous tree species as opposed to only exotic monocultures.

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Nyamwamu, Charles N., Rebecca Karanja, and Peter Mwangi. "Relation between Soil Weed Seedbank and Weed Management Practises and Diversity in Farms in Kisii Central Sub County, Nyanza." Journal of Horticulture and Plant Research 10 (July 2020): 1–14. http://dx.doi.org/10.18052/www.scipress.com/jhpr.10.1.

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This study sought to determine the relation between soil weed seed bank and weed management practices and diversity in farms in Kisii Central Sub County, Western Kenya. Eight administrative sub-locations were randomly selected. Ten farms were selected at equal distance along transect laid across each sub-location. Weed soil seed bank was assessed from soil samples collected from each of the farms; a sub-sample was taken from a composite sample of ten soil cores of 5cm diameter and 15cm deep and placed in germination trays in a greenhouse. Weed diversity in soil weed seedbank was calculated using the Shannon index (H’). Twelve weed species from 12 genera of nine families were recorded. Diversity of the weed species in soil weed seed bank was (H'=1.48). Weed management practises significantly affected weed species soil weed seedbank reserves. Use of inefficient and ineffective hand-weeding techniques resulted in high weed species diversity and abundance.

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Englund, William F., Laban Njoroge, Olof Biström, Kelly B. Miller, David T. Bilton, and Johannes Bergsten. "Taxonomic revision of the Afrotropical Agabus raffrayi species group with the description of four new species (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae)." ZooKeys 963 (August 24, 2020): 45–79. http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.963.53470.

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We revise the Afrotropical Agabus raffrayi species group, motivated by the discovery of new diversity in Kenya and South Africa. Whilst Agabus is mainly a holarctic genus, the Agabus raffrayi group is restricted to high altitude regions of eastern Africa and temperate parts of South Africa, from where we describe the southernmost Agabus in the world. The following new species are introduced: Agabus anguluverpussp. nov. from Mount Kenya in central Kenya, Agabus austellussp. nov. a widespread species in South Africa, Agabus riberaesp. nov. from the Kamiesberg and northeastern Cederberg ranges in the Northern and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa and Agabus agulhassp. nov. from the Agulhas Plain, Western Cape Province, South Africa. We provide a distribution map, a determination key for males, quantitative measurements of diagnostic characters, habitus photos and detailed photos of male genitalia for all described species in the group, as well as images of diagnostic characters and habitats. The presence or absence of an elongated section between the subapical broadening and the base of the apical and subapical teeth of the male aedeagus is a useful novel character, first revealed by our study. In contrast with the most recent revision of Afrotropical Agabus, we show that Agabus ruwenzoricus Guignot, 1936 is restricted to eastern Africa; South African records of this species having been based on misidentifications, no species of the group being common to southern and eastern Africa. We speculate that the raffrayi group may display phylogenetic niche conservatism, being restricted, as an originally temperate taxon, to higher elevations in tropical eastern Africa, but occurring at lower altitudes in temperate South Africa.

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Haile-Selassie, Yohannes, Stephanie M. Melillo, and Denise F. Su. "The Pliocene hominin diversity conundrum: Do more fossils mean less clarity?" Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 113, no. 23 (2016): 6364–71. http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1521266113.

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Recent discoveries of multiple middle Pliocene hominins have raised the possibility that early hominins were as speciose as later hominins. However, debates continue to arise around the validity of most of these new taxa, largely based on poor preservation of holotype specimens, small sample size, or the lack of evidence for ecological diversity. A closer look at the currently available fossil evidence from Ethiopia, Kenya, and Chad indicate that Australopithecus afarensis was not the only hominin species during the middle Pliocene, and that there were other species clearly distinguishable from it by their locomotor adaptation and diet. Although there is no doubt that the presence of multiple species during the middle Pliocene opens new windows into our evolutionary past, it also complicates our understanding of early hominin taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships.

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Marean, Curtis W., Nina Mudida, and Kaye E. Reed. "Holocene Paleoenvironmental Change in the Kenyan Central Rift as Indicated by Micromammals from Enkapune Ya Muto Rockshelter." Quaternary Research 41, no. 3 (1994): 376–89. http://dx.doi.org/10.1006/qres.1994.1042.

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AbstractAn assemblage of micromammals, recovered from the Holocene levels of a rockshelter at 2400 m in the montane forest of the Mau Escarpment, were examined with the goal of testing and contributing to prior reconstructions of paleoenvironments in the Central Rift Valley of Kenya. Species representation in the assemblage is consistent with a drying of the Rift Valley lakes in the middle Holocene and suggests a decrease in forest accompanied by expanding grasslands near the site. Changes in the abundance of grassland species suggests an increase in the frequency of fires, probably the result of pastoral burning. The body size of the root rat (Tachyoryctes splendens) decreases from the early Holocene to the middle Holocene, and this may indicate increasing aridity or increasing temperature. We compare measures of species diversity (number of taxa, species richness, and the Shannon diversity index) for both micromammals and macromammals since species diversity may change with paleoenvironmental change. The macromammals show no changes in species diversity that are assignable to paleoenvironmental change, while the micromammals show a trend toward decreasing diversity from the early to middle Holocene, and then show an increase in diversity during the peak of the middle Holocene dry phase, though sample size effects may be confounding the patterning.

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Kavwele, Cyrus M., Johnstone K. Kimanzi, and Mwangi J. Kinyanjui. "Impacts of Bush Encroachment on Wildlife Species Diversity, Composition, and Habitat Preference in Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Laikipia, Kenya." International Journal of Ecology 2017 (2017): 1–6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/5620125.

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Savannah ecosystems are currently facing a biome shift that changes grasslands to woody dominated landscapes, attributable to habitat degradation. In Ol Pejeta Conservancy (OPC), Euclea divinorum, an unpalatable and invasive woody species, is expanding to former savannah ecosystems with potential effects on herbivores key resources, wildlife species diversity, composition, and habitat use. We investigated wildlife species diversity, composition, and habitat preference or avoidance by wildlife in the conservancy. Infrared camera traps were deployed at the centroids of 2 km by 2 km, 50 cm above ground surface for 14 days and nights with 9 camera traps in each habitat type. Shannon wiener index revealed that wildlife species diversity was highest in E. divinorum dominated habitats and lowest in open grassland. Hierarchical Cluster Analysis revealed level of similarity in wildlife species composition between E. divinorum and mixed bushland. Jacobs index revealed that E. divinorum and mixed bushland were avoided by all guilds; however E. divinorum was significantly avoided while A. drepanolobium and open grassland were both preferred by all guilds. However, A. drepanolobium dominated habitats were significantly preferred compared to open grasslands. The findings are useful in management of sustainable ecosystems.

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Chiveu, Chemulanga Josiah, O. G. Dangasuk, M. E. Omunyin, and F. N. Wachira. "Genetic Diversity in Kenyan Populations of Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. Based on ISSR Markers." Silvae Genetica 58, no. 1-6 (2009): 20–28. http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/sg-2009-0003.

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Abstract Acacia senegal (L.) Willd is an African arid and semi arid zones, leguminous multipurpose tree species belonging to the subfamily Mimosoideae, family Fabaceae and subgenus Aculeiferum, highly valued for gum arabic production. Patterns of genetic diversity of this important species in Kenya have not been studied for efficiency of germplasm utilization, conservation and improvement. Four natural populations of A. senegal in Kenya (Bulla Sambul, Kutulo, Wamba and Meisori) were analyzed to estimate genetic variation among and within populations, by use of ISSR (Inter-simple sequence repeat) markers. Using five primers, 17 polymorphic loci were observed, ranging in size from 564bp to 983bp. A high mean total genetic diversity index for the species was observed (H= 0.27). The principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) of the 95 samples from the four populations showed that about 40.75% of the total variation was described by the first two axes with much overlap among populations; hence populations were not defined on the basis of geographic distance. Much of the genetic variation resided within the populations based on the coefficient of gene differentiation (Gst = 0.0573) and Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) (95%). It was therefore recommended that selection for the desired important economic traits for improvement and conservation should emphasize on individual trees within populations rather than among populations, and also ensure a comprehensive coverage of the entire ecological amplitude of the populations.

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Eastwood, Gillian, Rosemary C. Sang, Joel Lutomiah, Philip Tunge, and Scott C. Weaver. "Sylvatic Mosquito Diversity in Kenya—Considering Enzootic Ecology of Arboviruses in an Era of Deforestation." Insects 11, no. 6 (2020): 342. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/insects11060342.

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As new and re-emerging vector-borne diseases are occurring across the world, East Africa represents an interesting location, being the origin of several arboviruses with a history of urbanization and global spread. Rapid expansion of urban populations and alteration of natural habitats creates the opportunity for arboviruses to host-switch from wild, sylvatic hosts or vectors into urban transmission affecting human populations. Although mosquito surveillance regularly takes place in urban areas of Kenya, for example identifying vectors of dengue virus or malaria viruses, little work has been carried out to determine the distribution and abundance of sylvatic vectors. Here, we describe the mosquito vector species and diversity collected at twelve forest habitats of rural Kenya. We conducted arbovirus screening of over 14,082 mosquitoes (47 species, 11 genera) as 1520 pools, and detected seven viruses (six bunyaviruses, and one flavivirus-bunyavirus co-infection) isolated from pools of Aedes dentatus, Anopheles funestus, Culex annulioris, and Cx. vansomereni. Awareness of sylvatic vector species and their location is a critical part of understanding the ecological foci and enzootic cycling of pathogens that may be of concern to public, animal or wildlife health. As natural ecosystems come under anthropogenic pressures, such knowledge can inform us of the One Health potential for spillover or spillback leading to outbreaks, and assist in vector control strategies.

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Davidson, Zeke, Marc Dupuis-Desormeaux, Arjun Dheer, et al. "Borrowing from Peter to pay Paul: managing threatened predators of endangered and declining prey species." PeerJ 7 (October 15, 2019): e7916. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7916.

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Conservation policy and practice can sometimes run counter to their mutual aims of ensuring species survival. In Kenya, where threatened predators such as lion deplete endangered prey such as Grevy’s zebra, conservation practitioners seek to ensure species success through exclusive strategies of protection, population increase and preservation. We found strong selection for the endangered Grevy’s zebra by both lion and hyena on two small fenced conservancies in Kenya. Despite abundant diversity of available prey, Grevy’s zebra were selected disproportionately more than their availability, while other highly available species such as buffalo were avoided. Lions were therefore not alone in presenting a credible threat to Grevy’s zebra survival. Conservation practitioners must consider interlinked characteristics of prey selection, resource availability and quality, the interplay between carnivore guild members and landscape scale population trends performance in wildlife management decisions.

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Journal articles on the topic 'Species diversity – Kenya'

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