Giraffe and okapi: Africa's forgotten megafauna

Kümpel, Noëlle F.; Grange, Sophie; Fennessy, Julian

doi:10.1111/aje.12220

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…This endemic animal of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) feeds mainly on leaves, buds, tender branches, fruits, mushrooms, and ferns, but also on clay as a source of minerals (Figure 1). According to international biodiversity conventions, Okapi is classified on the threatened species red list [2,3]. Recent confirmation of its presence in North Ubangi Province (DRC) by the team of Professor Jean-Paul Ngbolua Kotote-Nyiwa of the University of Kinshasa (in collaboration with the University of Gbado-Lite, North Ubangi) has reignited renewed interest both nationally and internationally in conserving this emblematic animal in other politically stable regions of the country that meet the criteria for high conservation value sites [4].…”

Section: Of 13mentioning

confidence: 99%

Micrographic Profiling and Phytochemical Analysis of Some Plants Consumed by Okapia johnstoni (Giraffidae: Mammalia) in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Ngbolua

Behundo

Mbembo

et al. 2021

JBLS

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The aim of this study was to determine the phytochemical composition and micrographic characteristics of the plants consumed by Okapia johnstoni. The results indicate that each plant species has characteristic microscopic elements for its identification. These plants are rich in phenolic acids, anthocyanins, flavonoids, anthraquinones, coumarins, terpenoids and iridoids. Alchornea cordifolia is richer in total polyphenols (198.53±3.39 mg GAE/g DM) followed respectively by Musanga cercopioides (91.87±6.71 mg GAE/g DM), Macaranga spinosa (59.65±6.54 mg GAE/g DM), Ficus vallischoudae (46.37±2.43 mg GAE/g DM), Cola acuminata (38.83±4.04 mg GAE/g DM), Pycnanthus angolensis (31.96±3.45 mg GAE/g DM), Alstonia boonei (31.55±1.60 mg GAE/g DM) and Trilepisium madagascariensis (25.18±0.99 mg GAE/g DM). As for flavonoids, the highest content is obtained in T. madagascariensis followed respectively by A. boonei, Pycnanthus angolensis, Cola acuminata, M. spinosa, F. vallis-choudae, M. cercopioides and A. cordifolia. The difference in the content of secondary metabolites is justified by the fact that their expression in the plant is a function of both abiotic and biotic factors and the specificity of each plant species linked to its genetic make-up. The characterization of these chemical compounds is necessary for the formulation of herbal medicines for the management of Okapi ex situ or for human health. Also, the microscopic profiles of the leaves powder of the studied plant species provide relevant information, which may be helpful for the plant authentication and for quality control of raw material.

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Section: Of 13mentioning

confidence: 99%

Micrographic Profiling and Phytochemical Analysis of Some Plants Consumed by Okapia johnstoni (Giraffidae: Mammalia) in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Ngbolua

Behundo

Mbembo

et al. 2021

JBLS

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“…These clusters were not totally disconnected, as electronic supplementary material, figure S2 reveals several bridging terms that have the potential to link different clusters in the network [53]. For example, terrestrial and pelagic clusters were recently connected by research on the conservation of threatened vertebrates in relation to global change [54][55][56][57]. In this case, important bridging terms were impact, climate and review (electronic supplementary material, figure S2).…”

Section: (B) Terminology Associated With Megafauna Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rethinking megafauna

et al. 2020

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Concern for megafauna is increasing among scientists and non-scientists. Many studies have emphasized that megafauna play prominent ecological roles and provide important ecosystem services to humanity. But, what precisely are ‘megafauna’? Here, we critically assess the concept of megafauna and propose a goal-oriented framework for megafaunal research. First, we review definitions of megafauna and analyse associated terminology in the scientific literature. Second, we conduct a survey among ecologists and palaeontologists to assess the species traits used to identify and define megafauna. Our review indicates that definitions are highly dependent on the study ecosystem and research question, and primarily rely on ad hoc size-related criteria. Our survey suggests that body size is crucial, but not necessarily sufficient, for addressing the different applications of the term megafauna. Thus, after discussing the pros and cons of existing definitions, we propose an additional approach by defining two function-oriented megafaunal concepts: ‘keystone megafauna’ and ‘functional megafauna’, with its variant ‘apex megafauna’. Assessing megafauna from a functional perspective could challenge the perception that there may not be a unifying definition of megafauna that can be applied to all eco-evolutionary narratives. In addition, using functional definitions of megafauna could be especially conducive to cross-disciplinary understanding and cooperation, improvement of conservation policy and practice, and strengthening of public perception. As megafaunal research advances, we encourage scientists to unambiguously define how they use the term ‘megafauna’ and to present the logic underpinning their definition.

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