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Little is documented on the population demographics and morphometrics of wild freshwater turtles (hereafter terrapins) in South Africa. From February 2016 to October 2019, we trapped and recorded morphometric and biological data for serrated hinged terrapins Pelusios sinuatus (n = 97) and marsh terrapins Pelomedusa galeata (n = 51) in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. We visited two areas (Ndumo Game Reserve and Tala Private Reserve) regularly during the study period. Data were also intermittently obtained from eight other study areas across the province. We recorded age class, and morphometrics (including carapace length, carapace width, body mass and sex) for each terrapin caught, and also noted injuries. We uniquely marked all captured terrapins on the peripheral scutes around the hindleg region of the carapace, so to record any recaptures. A size-class bias was observed, with most individuals being large mature adults. Juveniles for P. sinuatus only accounted for 11 of the total 97 individuals (11.3%). Juveniles for P. galeata only accounted for 4 of the total 51 individuals (7.8%). There were significant differences in the three main morphometric variables between the adult male and female P. sinuatus, whereas there were no morphological differences between the adult male and female P. galeata. We recaptured only one P. sinuatus and two P. galeata. There is a concern that continued anthropogenic pressures, changing land use, and increased droughts are resulting in a skewed size-class bias towards older, larger, more resilient adult individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gaping is a regularly observed behaviour in crocodilians globally but is still poorly understood in relation to external variables which could trigger this behaviour. The occurrence of gaping behaviour was investigated in a large wild population of Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) during the dry and wet seasons at Nyamithi Pan, Ndumo Game Reserve, South Africa. This is one of the longest crocodile gaping behaviour studies conducted in the wild, with 300 h of observations conducted over two seasons resulting in 1120 gaping behaviours recorded. The most common size class observed was between 1.5 and 2.5 m (n = 697), which accounted for 62.2% of the gaping observations. A significant decrease in gaping duration was observed as ambient temperatures increased, and the gape duration was longer at a higher degree angle. In addition, an increase in gape duration was observed as the number of neighbouring crocodiles increased. These results suggest gaping behaviour occurs when there are other crocodiles nearby and when temperatures do not necessitate thermoregulation. The study suggests that gaping could be used as a form of thermoregulation and intra-species communication. • Gaping behaviour in Nile crocodiles was investigated. • Most gaping events were observed for Nile crocodiles of 1.5–2.5 m. • Gape duration decreased as ambient temperatures increased. • Gape duration increased as the number of neighbouring crocodiles increased. • This suggests gaping behaviour has several functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reptiles are carriers of an array of microorganisms, including significant zoonotic bacteria of the genus Salmonella, which cause a disease referred to as salmonellosis that affects both animals and humans. This study investigated the occurrence of Salmonella serovars in wild reptiles at Timbavati Private Game Reserve in Limpopo Province, South Africa, and examined their virulence and antimicrobial resistance gene profiles. A total of 19 wild reptiles were sampled, which resulted in 30 presumptive Salmonella isolates. The isolates were identified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) by amplifying the invA gene and were further confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Salmonella serovars were detected in chameleons (36.8%), lizards (31.6%), snakes (15.8%), and tortoises (15.8%). The use of 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Salamae (30%), S. enterica subsp. enterica (16.7%), S. enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium (13.3%), and S. enterica subsp. enterica serovar Indiana (13.3%) were the four most common subspecies among the investigated 30 isolates. Detected virulence genes included pagN (100%), hilA (96.7%), ssrB (96.7%), prgH (86.7%), and marT (86.7%). The isolates exhibited resistance to nalidixic acid (43.3%) and kanamycin (43.3%), followed by streptomycin (16.7%) and ciprofloxacin (3.3%). Antibiotic-resistant genes were detected as follows: strA, strB, qnrA, qnrS, parC, aadA, aac(6′)-Ib, and aac(6′)-Ib-cr at 33.3%, 6.7%, 16.7, 13.3%, 10%, 23.3%, 6.7%, and 10%, respectively. The findings highlight the necessity of educational initiatives aimed at reducing reptile-related infections. Effective antibiotic treatment appears promising for infection, given the minimal drug resistance observed in reptile Salmonella serovars in the current study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urbanisation is rapidly transforming natural landscapes with consequences for biodiversity. Little is documented on the response of African wildlife to urbanisation. We reviewed case studies of vertebrate species' responses to urbanisation in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa to determine trends. Connected habitat mosaics of natural and anthropogenic green spaces are critical for urban wildlife persistence. We present a novel modification to the final of three phases of the framework described by Evans et al. (2010), which documents this sequence for vertebrate species persistence, based on the perspective of our research. Species in suburbia exhibit an initial phase where behavioural and ecological flexibility, life-history traits and phenotypic plasticity either contribute to their success, or they stay at low numbers. Where successful, the next phase is a rapid increase in populations and distribution; anthropogenic food resources and alternate breeding sites are effectively exploited. The modified third phase either continues to spread, plateau or decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the original publication, the figure 2 was processed incorrectly during the typesetting and publication process. The correct figure is provided in this correction. The original article has been corrected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]