DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY
BSc HONOURS 2010
PROJECT LIST
1. Fine needle aspiration and biopsy techniques in fish health research.
Dr. C van Dyk, Dr. I Pieterse and Ms. L Mokae
2. Metal bioaccumulation in selected target organs of two tilapia species from the
Pongolapoort Dam in Kwazulu-Natal.
Prof. V Wepener
3. Morphological and morphometric study of the avian lung by latex cast injection'.
Vascular and airway injections will be carried out on the avian (chicken) lungs using latex
rubber. The preparations will be corroded using HCl or NaOH. Morphometric measurements of
the lung and the air sacs will be performed.
Prof. J Maina
4. Microfauna in the groundwater of Bakwena Cave and Sterkfontein Cave
Groundwater of the karst system in Northwest Province, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and
Limpopo Province is organically enriched by bat guano and allochthonous plant
material. A wide variety of organisms subsists on these nutrients and forms an
intricate food web in the groundwater of the karst system. This project will focus on
the microfauna found in the groundwater and silt at the bottom of the “underground
lakes” of Bakwena Cave and Sterkfontein. This study will be done in conjunction
with Gauteng Nature Conservation and the Agricultural Research Council.
Dr. F Durand
5. Target organ histo-morphology of indicator fish species
Dr. C van Dyk and Dr. I Pieterse
6. Escape responses of different sized limpets to predators in the intertidal zone of the
Tsitsikamma National Park.
Prof. N Smit and Prof. G Williams
7. A histological study of the auditory system of the skinks Mabuya striata and
Acontias lineatus
Fossorial or burrowing animals often display evolutionary adaptations which enable
them to cope with the extreme conditions associated with this lifestyle. Fossorial
animals often display a diminishment or even lack of eyes and external ears. Many
species of skink have adopted a fossorial existence and display a whole range of
sensorial adaptations – some have retained the plesiomorphic design of their sense
organs while others are blind and have lost the external ear apparatus. Skinks are
predators however and need their sense organs to track down their prey. This
study will be undertaken to see whether the auditory system of a fossorial skink
species is significantly different from that of a surface-dwelling species.
Ms. P de Lange-Jacobs
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8. A histological study of the reproductive system of the amphipod Sternophysinx
calceola and S. filaris
The amphipods Sternophysinx calceola and S. filaris occur in the groundwater in
Gauteng, Northwest and Limpopo Provinces. Little is known of their reproduction
and reproductive systems. This study will be the first of its kind to determine the
morphology of the male and female reproductive system of these freshwater
amphipods.
Ms. P de Lange-Jacobs
9. Nematodes associated with the Natal long-fingered bat (Miniopterus natalensis)
colony in Bakwena Cave
Colonies of the Natal Long-fingered Bat (Miniopterus natalensis) occupy dolomite
caves on the Egoli Grassland Biome. The majority of cave-dwelling organisms
that make up the karst ecosystem found in the dolomites depend on the bat guano
directly or indirectly as source of nutrients. This project will focus on the
nematodes found in the bat faeces in Bakwena Cave in Irene. This study will be
done in conjunction with Gauteng Nature Conservation and the Agricultural
Research Council.
Dr. F Durand
10. A histological assessment of selected target organs of two tilapia species from the
Phongolapoort Dam in Kwazulu-Natal.
A semi-quantitative histological assessment of selected target organs (gills, liver,
kidney and gonads) of Oreochromis mossambicus (n = 12) and Tilapia rendalli (n =
18) collected from gill nets in the Pongolapoort Dam in November 2009. The
practical aspect of the project will involve the processing of tissue samples for light
microscopy analysis, age determination, and a semi-quantitative histological
assessment.
Dr. C van Dyk and Prof. N Smit
11. Biomarker levels in selected target organs of two tilapia species from the
Phongolapoort Dam in Kwazulu-Natal.
Prof. J van Vuren
12. Metal bioaccumulation in brown mussel (Perna perna) from harbours along the
South African coastline.
Prof. V. Wepener
13. Antifertility effects of Carica papaya (paw paw seeds) on the gonads of Oreochromis
mossambicus
Dr. I Pieterse
14. Pathology of Monogenean infections on gills of Tilapia fishes in Lake Tanganijka
Prof. A Oldewage
15. Three-dimensional serial section computer reconstruction of the airway and
vascular systems of the avian lung'.
Suitable for somebody with interest in computing and handling of complex softwares.
Knowledge in programming not necessary. Serial sections of fixed bird lung will be cut and
stained with H&E. Photographs will be taken and 3-D reconstruction of the airways and
blood vessels performed by Chimera software.
Prof. J Maina
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16. Study and describe the unique structure of the attachment clamps in Diplozoon form
Labeo umbratus by means of light and scanning electron microscopy.
Prof. A Oldewage
17. Exogenous administration of steroids and feminization of male fish
Dr. GM Pieterse
18. Study and describe the damage caused by the attachment clamps in Diplozoon on
Labeo umbratus gills by means of light and scanning electron microscopy.
Prof. A Oldewage
19. Water quality and animal diversity in pans in Mpumalanga
Prof. J van Vuren and Mr. M Ferreira
20. Effective culturing of Hydra using different growth media.
Dr. A Nel and Ms. Y Cloete
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