Why the SAIAB Featured Research
The SAIAB Featured Research describes research outputs by our postgraduate students, postdocs, and researchers, with the aim of stimulating communication and promoting the exchange of information on regional, national and international developments in aquatic biodiversity and ichthyology research. The Featured Research is also an extension of the SAIAB Seminar Series platform which profiles the research of our seminar series presenters and is an opportunity for the presenters to advocate for their science, highlight the expected impacts, and to introduce the research team behind the projects in the form of an accessible news story for the general public.
The National Research Foundation (NRF) has published NRF Insights, Volume 2: 2024, titled Analysis of Research Output Supported or Performed by the NRF. NRF Insights is a series of publications that monitor and assess the state of research and research...
Prepared by: Taryn Murray, Bantony Ziko, Dinah Mukhari & Amber Childs Objective: A briefing note aims to provide a concise outcome-based synopsis of recent research or expert opinion that may inform decision making and activities by Authorities, Industry, NGOs and...
Prepared by: Nicola James & Shaun Deyzel Objective – A briefing note aims to provide a concise outcome based synopsis of recent research or expert opinion that may inform decision making and activities by authorities, NGOs and NPOs. The briefing...
By: Dr Yonela Sithole (PDP Postdoctoral Research Fellow) In the groundbreaking study of the Parauchenoglanis genus, eight new species were discovered in the river systems of central and southern Africa. Previously classified under Parauchenoglanis ngamensis, these species were identified as...
By: Dr Yonela Sithole (PDP Postdoctoral Research Fellow) Africa’s rivers are home to an amazing diversity of fish species, but this biodiversity is increasingly threatened by human activities. Overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution, and invasive species are all having a significant...
ATTENTION: NEWS EDITORS, REPORTERS AND PRODUCERS For immediate release12 July 2024 The South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (NRF-SAIAB) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have joined forces for a scientific research initiative aimed at...
Prepared by Dr Chantel Elston Objective – A briefing note aims to provide a concise outcome based synopsis of recent research or expert opinion that may inform decision making and activities by authorities, NGOs and NPOs. The briefing note series...
Prepared by Professor Nicola James Objective – A briefing note aims to provide a concise outcome based synopsis of recent research or expert opinion that may inform decision making and activities by authorities, NGOs and NPOs. The briefing note series...
By Xiluva Mathebula, Nkululeko Zuma, Albert Chakona The Goukou galaxias (Galaxias sp. nov. ‘goukou’) is a fascinating small, cylindrical freshwater fish that grows up to 70 mm in total length. This unique fish possesses a semi-translucent body that reveals glimpses...
Gouritz Ecological Corridors Project, Gouritz Resilient Rivers, Invasion Biology (IAPs) By Nelisiwe Khusi (GCBR, Junior Hydrologist) and Xiluva Mathebula (Groen Sebenza/NRF-SAIAB Freshwater Taxonomy Intern) 1.1 The importance of Fish monitoring within the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve The Gouritz Cluster Biosphere...
– Lucky Dlamini (NRF-SAIAB Communications and Stakeholder Relations Manager) In a ground-breaking initiative to advance marine research with a profound societal impact in South Africa, the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the National Research Foundation (NRF)–South African Institute...
As we embark on a new year filled with exciting opportunities and discoveries, the NRF-SAIAB is thrilled to present its exclusive branded digital calendar for 2024. Designed with a focus on the incredible biodiversity of aquatic life, this calendar is...
By: Seshnee Reddy , Biobank Coordinator at NRF-SAIAB. In a world where climate change, habitat destruction, overexploitation and pollution are leading to increasing loss of biodiversity that is altering the capacity of the Earth to sustain life, Biodiversity Biobanks are emerging as...
October 2023 Prepared by Prof. Francesca Porri & Dr Kerry-Ann van der Walt OBJECTIVE OF BRIEF The purpose of this briefing note is to provide an in-depth overview on ongoing research pursued by researchers at the South African Institute for...
By: Thami Wanda (NRF-SAIAB GeMaP Multibeam Instrument Technician and current PhD researcher) and Lucky Dlamini (NRF-SAIAB Communications and Stakeholder Relations Manager). Due to the expanding global population and the growing focus on the blue economy, South Africa has recognised the...
SAIAB holds the Smith Memorial Lecture in memory of J.L.B and Margaret Mary Smith to commemorate their legacy of discovery and research in Ichthyology and related fields. This year, we invited former Chief Scientist Emeritus & Research Associate of SAIAB,...
By Yonela Sithole In September 2022, the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (NRF-SAIAB), a national facility of the National Research Foundation (NRF), published the highly anticipated five-volume book titled Coastal Fishes of the Western Indian Ocean (CFWIO). This comprehensive...
Joint press release – SANBI, SAHRA, NRF-SAIAB 8 June 2023 – This World Oceans Day we dive into South Africa’s coastal and marine heritage, through a film that recognises and surfaces the tangible and intangible connections of our people to...
Authors: Marliese Truter, Anja Erasmus, Kerry Malherbe, Nico J SmitWater Research Group (WRG) Aquatic biodiversity of South Africa Did you know that South Africa is a megadiverse country that hosts a range of exceptionally diverse and endemic organisms? Despite having...
Cambridge University Press (CUP) has announced a new series of Open Access journals that will address “global challenges by bringing together researchers across national and subject boundaries”. Cambridge Prisms: Coastal Futures https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/cambridge-prisms-coastal-futures/information/about-this-journal is one three new open access journals launched...
Joint press release – SANBI, SAIAB, UCT, and the One Ocean Hub 29 March 2023 – A diverse team of scientists have returned from a month offshore in a groundbreaking expedition that advanced the capacity, technology, and multidisciplinary knowledge for...
For release Friday 3 March Joint press release – SANBI, SAIAB, UCT, and the One Ocean Hub 3 March 2023 – History has been made during a research expedition currently underway involving a rich representation of young researchers. This cruise...
For immediate release Joint press release – SANBI, SAIAB and the One Ocean Hub 2 March 2023 – A team of emerging researchers has been conducting an offshore multi-disciplinary research expedition with the aim of fostering local and regional capacity...
Joint press release – SANBI, NRF-SAIAB, UCT and Strathclyde University /One Ocean Hub Dedicated cruise deepens offshore research capacity in South Africa 14 February 2023 – This week, a team of marine scientists will embark on a multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary offshore...
A collaborative project between the NRF-SAIAB, the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) is underway to determine the current extent of the spread of the invasive alien Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)...
Description of Resarch Work The current research on the southern African lampeye fishes is an extension of previous research carried with the family Procatopodidae during Dr Pedro Bragança (SAIAB Postdoctoral Researcher)’s PhD studies. In this research Dr Bragança reveals for...
NRF-SAIAB hosted the official online book launch of the digital version of the 5-Volume Coastal Fishes of the Western Indian Ocean at its annual Smith Memorial Lecture on 29 September 2022, attracting an audience of 120 participants globally. Coastal Fishes...