| Department of Botany & Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602 South Africa |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Contact details: Dept. of Botany & Zoology Tel: +27 21 808-3236 |
Postgraduate Studies
|
Current Postgraduate students
Student Representative 2012
Edward Archer (Postgraduate Rep) |
Tel: |
021 808 3956
|
Carin Main (Honours Rep) |
Email: |
|
| Name | Supervisor | Project Title |
Ricki Allardice |
A Valentine |
The effects of legume nitrogen fixation on an intercropped agricultural system. |
| Charlene Binneman | T Robinson | Growth rate, shall condition and mortality of Balanus glandula vs indigenous barnacle species along a gradient of wave exposure. |
| Kimberlee Cloete | T Wossler | Seed dispersal in the fynbos: are protea seeds mimicking brood pheromone? |
| Lara Hawken | T Robinson | Predation of the invasive Balanus glandula vs indigenous species of barnacles on the west coast of Souh Africa. |
| Amy Hill | M Cherry | Can dwarf mongooses (Helogale parvula) recognize individual group members from their contact calls? |
| Llewellyn Jacobs | J Wilson | Evaluating the invasive potential of the Australian Melaleuca ericifolia (in South Africa. (Swamp paperbark shrub) |
| Ryan Kaye | A Ellis L Dreyer |
Endospermy versus Exendospermy in Oxalis. |
| Jenna Keightly | S Jackson | Genetic variation in naturalised Pacific oyster colonies |
| Jurene Kemp | A Valentine | Does variation in rhizosphere nutrient cycling determine the source of nitrogen in Aspalathus linearis (rooibos) plants? |
| Zanne Labuschagne | T Wossler | Zakouma National Park elephant movements: a comparison between behaviour within the park boundaries to that outside the protected area |
| Carin Main | V Smith | Determining the functional traits of the plants on Marion Island |
| James Moodie | C Matthee | Molecular ecology of Bushbuck on?? my farm (and possibly the surrounding areas). |
| Tessa Silberbauer | A Valentine | Seasonal variation in the reliance of invasive Acasias and indigenous Virgilias on microbial nutrient cycling for their nitrogen nutrition. |
| Katherine Smit | V Smith | Carbon and nitrogen isotopes ratios on MarionIsland. |
| Kellen Whitehead | T Wossler | Defining fynbos ant communities through resource competition. |
| Name | Supervisor/Promotor | Division/Subject | Subject title |
| Edward Archer | Prof. JH van Wyk | Eco-physiology | Potential modulatory effects of selected environmental chemicals on the male reproductive system of Xenopus laevis |
| Willem Augustyn | Dr AG Ellis | Plant-Animal Interactions | Plant-insect diversity relationships in the Cape: Restios and their herbivores |
| Helene Basson | Dr S Clusella-Trullas | Herpetology | Energetics of the lizard, Cordylus oelofseni |
| Genevieve Diedericks | Prof. SR Daniels | Evolutionary Genomics | Comparative phylogeography of Cordylus cordylus and Pachydactylus maculatus across its geographical range |
| Ryan Daniels | Dr K Tolley, Dr S Clusella-Trullas | Range shift potential under different climate change scenarios estimated from micro-satellite and mark-recapture data of Pedioplanis lineoocellata (Lacertidae) in South Africa | |
| Jason Donaldson | Prof DM Richardson, Dr JR Wilson | Invasion Biology | Does introduction history matter in invasive ecology: identifying patterns in the invasive biology of ornamentally introduced Acacia in South Africa |
| Hanlie Engelbrecht | Prof. SR Daniels, Prof. NJ Heideman | Evolutionary Genomics | Nuclear DNA phylogeography of the Cape legless skink Acontias meleagris species complex with the description of four novel lineages |
| Enelge Gildenhuys | Dr JJ le Roux, Scott Caroll & Dr AG Ellis | Botany | Resolving taxonomic uncertainty in the genus Cardiospermum |
| Rina Goenewald | Prof. B Jansen van Vuuren, Prof. SL Chown | Macro ecology | Population genetics and gene flow in the flightless moth Pringleophaga marioni on Marion Island |
| Janneke Grove | Dr F Roets, Prof LL Dreyer | Botany | Ecology and dispersal of fungal species associated with Protea |
| Brendan Havenga | Dr TR Robinson, Dr S Jackson | Marine Biology | Fouling by non-indigenous marine species - impacts on biodiversity and mariculture |
| Anina Heystek | Dr A Pauw, Dr Phoebe Barnard(SANBI) | Plant/Dier Interaksie | Bird pollination systems in the fynbos biome |
| Christopher Johnson | Dr A Pauw | Plant-Animal Interactions | The role of pollinators in the genesis and maintenance of Proteaceae diversity |
| Liezel Knight | Dr RV Rambau, Prof. TJ Robinson | Evolutionary Genomics | Genome organization of southern African Gerbils |
| Amy Lui | Prof SL Chown | CIB | The radiation of Seira: a high diversity springtail genus in the Fynbos |
| Dane McDonald | Prof. SR Daniels | Evolutionary Genomics | New species among South African Velvet Worms (Onychophora: Peripatopsis) Evidence for cryptic speciation within two species complexes |
| Netsai Machingambi | Prof. LL Dreyer, Dr F Roets | Botany | Why are we loosing our native Virgilia trees? |
| Buyisile Makhubo | Dr K Tolley & Prof. LeF Mouton | Systematics | Phylogenetic and morphological analysis of the Afroedura nivaria (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) species complex in South Africa |
| Anathi Magadlela | Dr AJ Valentine & Prof. L Dreyer | Systematics | Do the strains of Rhizobium affect the nitrogen metabolism of Virgilia trees in phorphorus poor soils? |
| Nokuthula Mbanyana | Dr JJ le Roux, Dr HG Robertson | CIB | Phylogeography of the ant genus Ocymyrex in Southern Africa |
| Thomas Mkare | Prof. CA Matthee, Dr S von der Heyden, Dr J Groeneveld | Evolutionary Genomics | Genetic population structure of penaeid prawns in the south west Indian Ocean: use of mtDNA and microsatellites to resolve linkages between juveniles in the Sabaki (Ngomeni) and Tana (Kipini) estuaries and offshore adult populations in the Malindi-Ungwana Bay, Kenya |
| Desika Moodley | Dr JR Wilson, Prof. DM Richardson | CIB | Proteaceae invasions in South Africa: the threat from flower farms |
| Yongeza Mnini | Dr JR Wilson, Prof DM Richardson, Dr JJ Le Roux, Dr S Geerts | Invasion Biology | Hypericum pseudohenryi invasions in South Africa: distribution, dispersal and potential hybridization with native species |
| Ethan Newman | Dr BC Anderson, Dr AG Ellis | Botany | Floral variation of Cape bulbs across a pollinator landscape, |
| Aldi Pieterse | Dr Sue Jackson | Marine Invertebrate Biology | Variability in growth and condition of the pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas in South Africa: environmental and genetic correlates |
| Daniel Potgeiter | Prof. B Jansen van Vuuren, Dr K Tolley | Evolutionary Genomics | Differentiation between two potential Bradypodion species using genetics and morphology |
| Luke Potgeiter | Prof DM richardson & Dr JR Wilson | Invasion Biology | An assessment of the distribution status, invasion dynamics, and implications for management of Casuarina spp. In South Africa |
| Madeleine Tondani Ramantswana | Dr RV Rambau & Prof. B Jansen van Vuuren | Evolutionary Genomics | Comparative phylogeography and genome organization in southern African gerbils (subfamily Gerbillinae) |
| Marius Roussouw | Prof. VR Smith | Antarctic Island ecology | A whole-island budget of plant nutrient standing stocks for Marion Island |
| Elsje Schreuder | Dr S. Clusella-Trullas | invasion Biology | Impact of Alien Plants on Lizards |
| George Sekonya | Dr JR Wilson, Prof DM Richardson | invasion Biology | The risk posed by small Australian Acacia populations |
| Allen Tshausthau | Prof. SL Chown | Macro ecology | The distribution, abundance and phenology of the Kerguelen Cabbage, Pringlea antiscorbutica, R.Br. (Brassicaceae), on Marion Island |
| Sandy van Niekerk | Dr CA Simon, Prof CA Matthee, Dr K Christison(MCM) | Marine Biology | Systematic review of Polydora hoplura (Spionidae) on the South African coastline |
| Hannelouw van Staden | Prof. LL Dreyer, Dr F Roets | Botany | Effect of fire frequency on subalpine Proteaceae |
| Jacobus Visser | Prof. B Jansen van Vuuren | Evolutionary Genomics | Spatial genetic structure in the rock hyrax, Procavia capensis |
| Hannes Wiese | Dr AG Ellis, Dr LL Le Roux | Plant-animal interaction | Evolutionary history of three tiers of a specialist insects' food web in the fynbos |
| Lee-Gavin Williams | Dr CA Simon, Prof CA Matthee | Evolutionary Genomics | Species diversity and spatial variation of of polydorids infesting the oyster (Crassostrea gigas) in South Africa |
| Samkele Zonyane | Dr NP Makunga | Botany | Pharmacological and phytochemical analysis of medicinal plant mixtures that are used as traditional medicine in Western Cape |
| Name | Promotor | Division/Subject | Subject title |
Prof. AJ Reinecke & Dr LG Phillips |
Ecotoxicology |
Ecotoxity and the environmental fate of diesel and diesel blends produced by Fischer-Tropsch processes using natural gas and coal as well as biodiesel and biodiesel blends |
|
| Jessica Allen | Prof SL Chown | CIB | Rate of acclimation, coadaptation and acclimation costs in Tenebrio molitor and Cyrtobagous salviniae: importance in the face of global climate change |
| Sarah Andreotti | Prof. CA Matthee | Evolutionary Genomics | Evolutionary behavioral genetics and population structure of the Great White Shark, Charcharodon carcharias |
| Charles Babalola | Prof. JH van Wyk, Dr B Newman (CSIR) | Ecophysiology | Endocrine disrupting activity in water sources associated with densely industrialized and urbanized areas expected to be polluted by persistent organic pollutants (POPs) |
| Ryan Blanchard | Prof. DM Richardson, Dr P O'Farrell(CSIR) | Invasion Biology | An assessment of the biodiversity impacts of biofuel in South Africa |
| Marguerite Blignaut | Dr JJ Le Roux, Prof. KJ Esler, Dr AG Ellis | Epigenetic variation and its inheritance in natural opulations of Pennisetum setaceum | |
| Chris Broeckhoven | Prof LeF Mouton | Herpetology | The relationship between group-living behaviour and termite consumption in the Armadillo lizard, Ouroborus cataphractus |
| Bernard Coetzee | Prof. SL Chown | Invasion Biology | The effects of interactions among change drivers on the sub-Saharan Africa Protected Areas network |
| Andrew David | Dr CA Simon, Prof CA Matthee | Evolutionary Genomics | Population structure, gene flow and invasiveness of pest polychaetes |
| Sarah Davies | Prof. M McGeoch, Dr S Clusella-Trullas | Macro ecology | Geographic range, spread and potential distribution of the painted reed frog Hyperolius marmoratus in the Western Cape |
| Marinus De Jager | Prof. LL Dreyer | Botany | The role of pollinators in generating and maintaining floral polymorphisms within spotted daisies: phylogeographic and behavioural aspects |
| Nina Du Toit | Prof. CA Matthee, Prof. B van Vuuren, Dr. S Matthee | Evolutionary genomics | Comparative phylogeography of the four-striped mouse, Rhabdomys pumilio (Rodentia: Muridae) and its host-specific parasite, the sucking louse Polyplax arvicanthis (Phthiraptera: Anoplura) |
| Caroli De Waal | Dr BC Anderson, Dr AG Ellis | Plant-Animal interactions | The evolution of seed dispersal and dormancy in unpredictable environments |
| Shelley Edwards | Dr Krystal Tolley (SANBI) & Prof LeF Mouton | Evolutionary Genomics | Evolution and phylogeography of Otymus unisulcatus |
| Tanya Haupt | Prof. SL Chown, Prof. BJ Sinclair | CIB | Albatrosses as ecosystem engineers for caterpillars on Marion Island |
| Elindi Jansen van Rensburg | Prof. JH van Wyk | Ecophysiology | Endocrine disruption effects of agrichemical mixtures in the aquatic environment: biochemical responses and linkage to population -level effects |
| Charlene Janion | Prof. SL Chown | Invasion Biology | Landscape Conversion and Soil Biodiversity in the Fynbos Biome: Springtails as Exemplars |
| Charlene Janion | Prof. SL Chown | Invasion Biology | Landscape Conversion and Soil Biodiversity in the Fynbos Biome: Springtails as Exemplars |
Prof. SL Chown & Dr JS Terblanche |
Invasion Biology |
Using bottom-up modeling to assess changes in distribution patterns of vecto species and invasive species with changing climate |
|
| Sandra MACFAYDEN | Dr C Hui, Prof Dr P. Verburg | Linking long-term landscape heterogeneity patterns to changes of ecosystem processes in the Kruger National Park | |
Prof. SL Chown |
Invasion Biology |
The Lesser Sheathbill at Marion Island: biology and impacts of environmental change |
|
Natasha Mothapo |
Dr TC Wossler |
Zoology |
The role of hydrocarbons in nestmate recognition of the invasive Argentine ant, Linepithema humile Mayr |
Prof. M McGeoch, Prof. SL Chown |
Macro ecology |
Distribution of the Argentine ant Linepithema humile (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in protected areas of the Cape Floristic region: Impact, consequences and conservation implications |
|
| Hannibal Musarurwa | Dr NP Makunga | Botany | "Genetic Transformation of Salvia stenophylla and Harpagophytum procumbens with Agrobacterium rhizogenes to Up-regulate Terpenoid Metabolism". |
| Tendai Musvuugwa | Prof. LL Dreyer & Dr F Roets | Botany | Biodiversity, ecology and evolution of ophiostomatoid fungi associated with native and introduced trees in global biodiversity hotspots |
| Tinashe Muteveri | Prof. CA Matthee, Dr S von der Heyden | Evolutionary genomics | Phylogeography and species delimitation of the southern African gastropod molluscs |
| Joice Ndlovu | Dr J le Roux & Dr JR Wilson | Molecular ecology of Acacia pycnantha and related species in Australia and South Africa | |
| Ethel E Phiri | Prof. SR Daniels | Evolutionary Genomics | Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of Afrotropical freshwater crab fauna |
| Sheunesu Ruwanza | Prof. DM Richardson, Dr M Gaertner, Prof. KJ Esler | CIB | The effectiveness of active restoration on fynbos riparian zones heavily invaded by invasive alien Eucalyptus species |
| Gary STEVENS | Dr AJ Valentine, Prof E Steenkamp (UP) | Botany | Phosphoenolpyrovate carboxylase (PEPC) regulation in biological nitrogen fixation in phosphate deficient nodules of Virgilia orobiodes |
| Farai Tererai | Prof. DM Richardson, Dr M Gaertner, Dr S Jacobs | CIB | Imapct of invasive Eucalyptus species on riparian ecosystems |
| Genevieve Thompson | Prof. Richardson | Invasion Biology | Molecular ecology of Western Australian Acacia introductions into South Africa |
Prof. SL Chown |
Invasion Biology |
Invertebrate abundance structure, thermal biology and climate change on Marion Island |
|
| Christoff Truter | Prof. JH van Wyk & Prof. PN Mouton | Ecophysiology | Testing for endocrine disruptors in South African waters: a comparative study to evaluate in vitro (recombinant cells) and in vivo (aquatic animals) testing approaches in laboratory and field situations |
| Waafeka Vardien | Dr AJ Valentine, Prof E Steenkamp (UP) | Botany | The regulation of organophosphate mobilization by intracellular Acid Phosphatases (APase) during phosphate deficiency in the nodules of Virgillia oroboides |
| Johlene Zietsman | Prof. LL Dreyer, Prof. L Mucina | Phyleography, plant ecology and genomics | Patterns of diversity, endemism and biogeographic origins of the Breede River Valley flora |
3