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The article presents a discussion on the moss flora of southern South Africa. Although comparatively not as diverse and unique as the vascular flora that comprises about 23404 species, 80% of which are endemic, the moss flora of southern Africa includes over 570 moss species. The moss flora of southern Africa thus includes about 6% of the species in the world and a significant number of endemics. Although southern Africa is probably one of the best known African regions bryologically, and one of the few with its own comprehensive moss flora, the size of this huge territory makes it challenging to explore. Several new species and mosses new to Africa have been recorded.

A new phytoseiids species, Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) uhoneae sp.n. is described from plants with domatia. In addition, 8 known phytoseiid species also associated with plants with domatia are discussed. A key to all the South African species of the subgenus Anthoseius is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Baits or lures are commonly used for surveying small mammal communities, not only because they attract large numbers of these animals, but also because they provide sustenance for trapped individuals. In this study we used Sherman live traps with five bait treatments to sample small mammal populations at three high-altitude sites (>1700 m) in the Sneeuberg Mountain Complex of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.We investigated the influence of bait treatment on three parameters commonly recorded in small mammal surveys. In addition, we investigated how different bait treatments vary in measuring species richness using the Chao 2 species richness estimator together with rarefaction curves. Overall, 12 small mammal species were sampled. A combination of birdseed and banana captured the highest number of species (11) but the most successful bait overall was peanut butter and oats (greatest number of captures, recaptures, number of individuals and highest Shannon diversity). The Chao 2 richness estimator indicated that four of the five bait treatments reached their sampling capacity. Rarefaction curves indicated that all bait treatments are similar with regard to species accumulation. This could possibly be explained by odours left behind in traps as even un-baited traps (i.e. controls) captured seven different small mammal species. We conclude that the most suitable bait for surveying small mammals at high altitude in South Africa is peanut butter and oats. However, using peanut butter and oats in combination with other bait treatments will improve estimates of diversity when surveying small mammal communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]