Post Graduate Candidates
Carryn Leigh Smith (PhD Candidate)
BSc Ecological Science (University of KwaZulu-Natal),
BSc Hons Ecological Science (University of KwaZulu-Natal)
MSc ZEcological Science (University of KwaZulu-Natal),
Telephone: 033260 5657
Email: / Brief Description of Research (Max. 100 words)
For my PhD, I am researching the responses of pollinators to visual stimuli from the environment. The majority of my research is focussed on their responses to colour and the importance of colour as a cue in learned associations with food rewards. I am also working with currently available colour models for several groups of pollinators, looking at the accuracy of these models for pollinators in South African systems. Floral shape and patterns on the flower are known to have an impact on pollinator choices, which I will also be investigating.
Supervisor(s)
Prof. Steven D. Johnson
Marco Balducci (MSc Candidate)
BSc Ecology (UP),
BSc Hons Plant Science (UP)
Telephone: 0724073848
Email: / Brief Description of Research (Max. 100 words)
Floral divergence in Bonatea, a relatively small genus of terrestrial orchids, is seemingly driven by adaptations for pollination by Lepidoptera. My project involves a detailed study of the pollination systems, floral morphology and scent chemistry in Bonatea. To date, the pollination biology has been partly elucidated, in which hawkmoth pollination was confirmed in B. speciosa. Therefore, the overall aim is to investigate whether floral divergence in the remaining 9 species in South Africa reflects adaptation to various hawkmoth and butterfly pollinators.
Supervisor(s)
Prof Steven Johnson
Dr. Timotheus van der Niet
Tanya Mathe (MSc Candidate)
BSc Botany and Microbiology (University of Zululand)
BSc Hons Botany (University of Zululand)
Telephone: 073764 0097
Email: / Brief Description of Research (Max. 100 words)
A phylogeny-based comparative study of the phytochemical and pharmacological characteristics of Croton species occurring in KwaZulu-Natal
The research is focused on six traditionally used medicinal species of the Croton genus (C. gratisimus, C. sylvaticus, C. steenkampianus, C. pseudopulchellus,C. menyhartii and C. megalobotrys). The research is based on investigating and comparing therapeutic activity of the this species them. In order to use medicinal plants and the indigenous knowledge associated with them more effectively, there is a need to develop barcode-based identification tools, chemical profiles and use phylogenetic analysis to identify clades of species that contain high levels of the desired phytochemicals.
Supervisor(s)
Dr. Benny Bytebier
Prof Jeff Finnie
Miguel Castañeda Zárate (PhD Candidate)
Licenciado in Biology (Universidad Veracruzana),
Master of Biological Sciences (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México),
Telephone: 033 260 5657
Email: / Brief Description of Research (Max. 100 words)
Satyrium longicauda is a terrestrial orchid which exhibits a wide range of morphological variation along its geographical distribution. At first sight differences in size, color and morphology allow identifying different forms within the same species. Why is it important to study this species? It serves as a model for understanding the drivers of speciation at an early stage of divergence. I hypothesize that pollinators, which have been recognized as important drivers, are playing an important role selecting for different floral traits that can promote reproductive isolation and hence speciation. Studying this species complex allows us to understand how a single species can differentiate into more biological entities.
Supervisor(s)
Dr. Timo van der Niet
Prof. Steven D. Johnson
Zodwa Magidigidi (Hons Student)
BSc Biological Sciences (Walter Sisulu University),
Telephone/ Cell: 078 524 7359
Email:/ / Brief Description of Research (Max. 100 words)
In this project I will be looking at whether the current boundaries of the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany (MPA) biodiversity hotspot are consistent with afloristic region, or whether it would make sense to redraw theboundaries. My project will be focusing on the areas of endemism in the entire region that make this hotspot. To address the problem I will use an analysis of the plant species which occur inside and outside the region, using the herbarium database. And focusing more on the Midlands region on whether it should be part of MPA or not.
Supervisor(s)
Dr. Timo van de Niet
Prof Steve Johnson
Simangele Msweli (MSc Candidate)
BSc Biological Sciences (UKZN),
BSc Hons Biological Sciences (UKZN),
Telephone: 033260 5657
Email: / Brief Description of Research (Max. 100 words)
Co-existing, morphological similar flowers that flower simultaneously, may interact with the same pool of pollinators, therefore sharing pollinating species and individuals. Pollinator sharing may be detrimental (i.e. competition), beneficial (i.e. facilitation or mimicry) or have no effect on the interacting species. I am currently working on Sebaea grandis and Thunbergia atriplicifolia to describe the reproductive biology of the two species, determine the degree of similarity between them, and investigate the effects of pollinator sharing on fecundity and distribution of both wildflowers.
Supervisor(s)
Prof. Steven Johnson
Priyanka Pachuwah (PhD Candidate)
BSc Biological Sciences (University of KwaZulu-Natal),
BSc Hons Biology (University of KwaZulu-Natal)
MSc Biology (University of KwaZulu-Natal),
Telephone: 033260 5657
Email: / Brief Description of Research(Max. 100 words)
Mosquitoes are known for their association with various pathogens and transmit diseases such as malaria. Female mosquitoes require blood meals, but also carbohydrate sources (such as nectar). Therefore olfaction plays a significant role in detecting blood hosts and food sources. The focus of my PhD will be on determining key scent compound classes responsible for mosquito attraction in various species (including disease-carrying genera, such as Anopheles). The response of different mosquito species and activity periods could provide insight to defined lures which could be used as a part of an integrated management system to target specific disease-carrying mosquito species in areas where diseases are rife.
Supervisor(s)
Prof Steven D. Johnson
Sachin Doarsamy (MSc candidate)
BSc Ecological Science (University of KwaZulu-Natal),
BSc Hons Biological Science (University of KwaZulu-Natal)
Cellphone: 071423 8522
Email: or / Brief Description of Research (Max. 100 words)
A phylogenetic analysis and study of the pollination system of South African Wurmbea species (Colchicaceae)
Plant evolutionary biology requires the understanding of sexual systems and the mechanism responsible for such changes. Wurmbea comprises of 48 species distributed between Africa and Australia. The sexual systems on either continent are remarkably different. The species in Australia exhibit gender dimorphism while the African species along as all other African representatives of the Colchicaceae are monomorphic. Thus, this provides a unique opportunity to determine the sexual system and evolutionary diversification in the monomorphic South African Wurmbea species. I hope to better understand the diversification and reproductive biology of Wurmbea.
Supervisor(s)
Prof. Steven D. Johnson and Dr. Benny Bytebier
Isabel Johnson (PhD Candidate)
BSc Botany Zoology (Rhodes University),
BSc Hons Botany (RhodesUniversity)
MSc Botany (University of Natal),
Telephone: 0312605657
Email: / Brief Description of Research (Max. 100 words)
My research investigates colour polymorphism in an endangered plant species. Gerbera aurantiaca (Asteraceae) is a daisy endemic to the mistbelt grasslands in eastern South Africa which exhibits both within- and between-population capitulum colour variation ranging from red to yellow. I studied the possible roles of abiotic and biotic drivers as well as breeding systems, colour inheritance and local community flower colour patterns.
Supervisor(s)
Prof Steve Johnson
Prof Trevor Edwards
Keeveshnee Govender (MSc Candidate)
BSc Biological Sciences (University of KwaZulu-Natal),
BSc Hons Biological Sciences (University of KwaZulu-Natal)
MSc Biological Sciences (University of KwaZulu-Natal),
Telephone: 033260 5657
Email: / Brief Description of Research (Max. 100 words)
One of the most interesting fields of species interactions is those between plants and animals, especially pollination ecology and seed dispersal which has been of interest for many years since the 18th century. My research interests involve investigating the functional significance of plant volatiles for the attraction of mammalian mutualists. My research explores the interactions of frugivorous bats with flowers and fruits as well as the interactions of rodents to floral volatiles.
Supervisor(s)
Dr Adam Shuttleworth
Prof Colleen T. Downs
Prof Steven D. Johnson