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09 October 2019 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Leonie Bolleurs
SA animal population genetically more diverse than Europe
The Department of Genetics appointed the curator of the mammal collection in Austria’s Natural History Museum, Prof Frank Zachos. From the left are: Lerato Diseko, PhD Human Molecular Genetics; Prof Paul Grobler; Sivuyile Peni, MSc Molecular Genetics; Prof Frank Zachos; and Gerhard van Bosch, MSc Conservation Genetics.

South Africa is one of the greatest places on this planet to study mammals. These are the words of Prof Frank Zachos, newly appointed affiliated Professor in the Department of Genetics at the University of the Free State (UFS). 

He is also the curator of the Mammal Collection at the Natural History Museum in Vienna, Austria, the editor of the Elsevier journal Mammalian Biology, and author of several books, including Species Concepts in Biology. 

During a visit to South Africa, Prof Zachos addressed a group of UFS staff and students on the topic, ‘Conservation biology and genetics on two continents – case studies from mammalogy and ornithology’.

Inbreeding and deformities 

According to Prof Paul Grobler, Head of the UFS Department of Genetics, Prof Zachos has much experience in conservation biology studies. A large part of his work is on the population/conservation genetics of mammals (particularly deer) and, to a lesser degree, birds. Among others, he has studied red deer and the alpine golden eagle and has previously collaborated with Prof Grobler on projects involving local impala and gemsbok populations. 

Prof Grobler explains: “Typical conservation genetics studies helps one understand whether it's genetically going well with a species or population or not. This information can then be used to decide whether to move new animals to a population to prevent loss of genetic diversity.”

In his lecture, Prof Zachos explained the genetic diversity of red deer across Europe, and how this was influenced by past events (glaciers), but also by current anthropogenic factors (motor highways). 

He said there are several similarities between the mammals and birds of Europe and South Africa. The area south of the Sahara, however, is more of a biodiversity hotspot, unlike most areas in Europe where there is often lower genetic diversity in certain species. European deer species, for instance, are inherently less genetically diverse than antelope.

“Small population sizes can result in inbreeding. In some animals, this can result in deformities such as a shorter lower jaw or calves born without eyes,” said Prof Zachos.

Tracing geographic origin

With information on the gene diversity of a population of animals, authorities can implement preventative measures to address inbreeding, e.g. building green bridges to connect populations.

Population/conservation genetics studies are also helpful to determine which animals from a certain population are native to a specific area. Prof Zachos was involved in a study for the Belgian government, tracing the geographic and genetic origin of the country’s red deer. 

He said the ideal is to have genetic information for every population for management applications. 

During his visit, Prof Zachos also visited the Doornkloof Nature Reserve, since he is co-supervising a PhD student in the UFS Department of Genetics, who is based at Doornkloof. 

News Archive

Moshoeshoe Memorial Lecture to focus on Leadership challenges
2006-03-27

 Lecture to focus on Leadership challenges

 n Thursday 25 May 2006 – Africa Day – the University of the Free State (UFS) will host the inaugural King Moshoeshoe Memorial Lecture in honour of this great African leader and nation-builder.

 Prof Njabulo Ndebele, internationally renowned writer and academic, and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town (UCT), will deliver the inaugural lecture at the Main Campus in Bloemfontein on the topic: Reflections on the Leadership Challenges in South Africa.

 “I see the lecture as part of a larger debate on leadership models, particularly the concept of African leadership, as well as the ongoing discourse about nation-building and reconciliation,” says Prof Frederick Fourie, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS.

 According to Prof Fourie, the Moshoeshoe project was launched at the UFS in 2004 to coincide with South Africa’s first decade of democracy and was part of the University’s centenary celebrations, having been founded in 1904.

 “Through this project the UFS seeks to honour a great African leader and demonstrate our commitment to transformation so as to create a truly inclusive and non-racial university,” said Prof Fourie.

 “As the founder of the Basotho nation, King Moshoeshoe is widely credited for his exceptional style of leadership, displaying the characteristics of diplomacy, reconciliation and peaceful co-existence in his efforts to unite diverse groups into one nation,” said Prof Fourie.

 As part of its ongoing Moshoeshoe project, the UFS commissioned a television documentary programme on the life and legacy of King Moshoeshoe. This was completed in 2004 and broadcast on SABC 2 later that year.


Abridged curriculum vitae of Njabulo S Ndebele

Professor Njabulo S Ndebele is currently Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UCT.

 Njabulo Ndebele began his term of office at UCT in July 2000, following tenure as a scholar in residence at the Ford Foundation’s headquarters in New York.  He joined the Foundation in September 1998, immediately after a five-year term of office as Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of the North in Sovenga, at the then Northern Province.  Previously he served as Vice-Rector of the University of the Western Cape.  Earlier positions include Chair of the Department of African Literature at the University of the Witwatersrand; and Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Dean, and Head of the English Department at the National University of Lesotho.

 An established author, Njabulo Ndebele recently published a novel The Cry of Winnie Mandela to critical acclaim.  An earlier publication Fools and Other Stories won the Noma Award, Africa’s highest literary award for the best book published in Africa in 1984.  His highly influential essays on South African literature and culture were published in a collection Rediscovery of the Ordinary.

 Njabulo Ndebele served as President of the Congress of South African Writers for many years.  As a public figure he is known for his incisive insights in commentaries on a range of public issues in South Africa.  He holds honorary doctorates from Universities in the Netherlands, Japan, South Africa and the United States of America.  He is also a Fellow of UCT.

Njabulo Ndebele is also a key figure in South African higher education.  He has served as Chair of the South African Universities Vice-Chancellor’s Association from 2002-2005, and served on the Executive Board of the Association of African Universities since 2001.  He has done public service in South Africa in the areas of broadcasting policy, school curriculum in history, and more recently as chair of a government commission on the development and use of African languages as media of instruction in South African higher education.  He recently became President of the Association of the AAU and Chair of the Southern African Regional Universities Association (SARUA).

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel:   (051) 401-2584
Cell:  083 645 2454
E-mail:  loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za 
26 March 2006

 

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