Effect of ecological and anthropogenic factors on grouping patterns in African lions across Kenya

Social carnivores frequently live in fission-fusion societies, where individuals that share a common territory or home range may be found alone, in subgroups, or altogether. Absolute group size and subgroup size is expected to vary according to resource distribution, but for species that are susceptible to anthropogenic pressures, other factors may be important drivers. African lions (Panthera leo) are the only truly social felid and lion prides are characterized by fission-fusion dynamics with social groups frequently splitting and reforming, and subgroup membership can change continuously and frequently. The number of individuals in a group can be reflective of social, ecological, and anthropogenic conditions. This dynamic behavior makes understanding lion grouping patterns crucial for tailoring conservation measures. The evolution of group living in lions has been the topic of numerous studies, and we drew on these to formulate hypotheses relating to group size and subgroup size variation. Based on data collected from 199 lion groups across eight sites in Kenya, we found that group sizes were smaller when lions were closer to human settlements, suggesting that edge effects are impacting lions at a national scale. Smaller groups were also more likely when they were far from water, and were associated with very low and very high levels of non-tree vegetation. We found significant differences between the study sites, with the Maasai Mara having the largest groups (mean ± SD = 7.7 ± 4.7, range = 1-19), and Amboseli conservation area the smallest (4.3 ± 3.5, range = 1-14). While long-term studies within a single site are well suited to thoroughly differentiate between absolute group size and subgroup size, our study provides unique insight into the correlates of grouping patterns in a vulnerable species at a national scale.

Trauma in rural Kenya

BACKGROUND

Trauma in Africa is an increasingly significant problem. The aims of this study were to document the epidemiology and clinical management of trauma in a rural Kenyan hospital and from this to highlight important areas for the medical training of doctors managing trauma in similar situations.

METHODS

Prospective audit of 202 consecutive trauma patients admitted to Kijabe Hospital.

RESULTS

The mean patient age was 31, 77% were males. The median Injury Severity Score (ISS) was nine. The median distance to hospital was 60 km, with a 9 h delay in presentation. Injury mechanisms included road traffic accidents 52%, fall 22%, assaults 13% and burns 6%. The main injuries were limb fractures, soft tissue injuries, head injury and haemo/pneumothorax. Common interventions included fracture management, wound debridement, chest drain insertion, blood transfusion and skin grafting. The overall mortality rate was 3.5%.

CONCLUSION

With appropriate resources and training, good trauma outcomes are possible. The importance of access to hospital care and orthopaedic training are highlighted.

Synthesis, structure, and vibrational spectrum of poly-μ-pyrazine(pyrazine)(trifluoromethanesulfonato-O)copper(I)

Orange–brown crystals of composition Cu(pyz)2(CF3SO3) (pyz = pyrazine, 1,4-diazine) were obtained from methanol solutions containing Cu(CF3SO3)2 and pyrazine in approximate 1:2 mole ratio. Single crystal X-ray diffraction and infrared and Raman spectroscopy studies are reported. Crystals of the title compound are triclinic, a = 8.312(2), b = 10.903(3), c = 8.201(2) Å, α = 92.53(2), β = 113.77(2), γ = 91.40(2)°, Z = 2, space group [Formula: see text] The structure was solved by heavy atom methods and was refined by full-matrix least-squares to R = 0.035 and Rw = 0.044 for 2458 reflections with 1 ≥ 3σ(I). The compound contains chains of copper ions linked by bidentate bridging pyrazine ligands. The coordination around each copper is completed by monodentate pyrazine and trifluoromethanesulfonato groups to produce a distorted tetrahedral CuN3O chromophore. Keywords: crystal structure, μ-pyrazine copper(I) triflate polymer, vibrational spectra.