MWABVU, Zimbabwa Tarombera, South Africa
Abstract
I would like to have access to biological collections, equipment and literature at Africa Museum, Tervuren, Belgium. Current evidence shows that millipede diversity, distribution and phylogeny are incompletely known. This study relies heavily on millipedes held in museums. As more millipedes are being collected taxonomic work continues to lag behind. Thus some material has not been studied and many species remain unknown to science.
Modern millipede taxonomy is re-evaluating existing classifications and phylogenies making use of new technology, techniques and programs. This includes the use of electron microscopy and Auto-Montage software. Therefore, taxonomic revisions of millipede taxa will show their true diversity, phylogeny and distribution. I am working on the revision of three spirostreptid millipede genera, Bicoxidens, Spirostreptus and Archispirostreptus. These millipedes are widely distributed in Africa and are part of the collection held in Africa Museum. Of particular interest would be the material from east and central Africa.
The presence of expertise (at Africa Museum) in the field of millipede systematics will guarantee high quality guidance during my internship.I will also take the opportunity to discuss the possibility of writing a book on the taxonomy of spirostreptids.
Training location: Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren.
Read Mr. Mwabvu's GTI reports to learn more about his training.
Gained personal capacity: My productivity, in terms of numbers of publications in refereed journals, has increased significantly. I have published five manuscripts in the last three years. The taxonomic revisions of four genera have been completed, two have been published. Because of my publications output I stand a good chance of being promoted or get a merit award/ merit notch increase at work (University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa). My PhD research has also benefited from the support that I got from GTI.
Gained institutional capacity: My institution is going to benefit from this training because I am going to be more involved in student training/supervision and collaborative research. In addition, the university receives a substantial amount of money (to fund research) from the Department of Education, South Africa, for every publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
Selected output:
- Mwabvu, T. & Van den Spiegel, D. (2007). On the generic position of Pseudotibiozus montanus (Attems, 1909) (Spirostreptida:Spirostreptidae). Journal of Afrotropical Zoology 3: 35-40.
- Mwabvu, T., Hamer, M. & Slotow, R. (2007). A taxonomic review and description of three new species; and phylogeny of the southern African millipede genus, Bicoxidens (Diplopoda: Spirostreptida: Spirostreptidae). Zootaxa 1452: 1-23.
- Mwabvu, T., Hamer, M., Slotow, R. & Barraclough, D. (2009) A revision of the taxonomy and distribution of Spirostreptus (Diplopoda: Spirostreptida: Spirostreptidae) with descriptions of a new speciesand a new genus of spirostreptid millipede. Zootaxa 2211, 36–56.
- Mwabvu,T., Hamer, M. L. & Slotow, R. L. (2009) A new species of Bicoxidens Attems, 1928 (Diplopoda:Spirostreptida, Spirostreptidae) species from northern Zimbabwe. ZooKeys 7: 75-81
- Mwabvu,T. & Van den Spiegel,D. (2009). Spirostreptid millipedes (Myriapoda: Diplopoda) of the Taita Hills,Kenya, including descriptions of three new species. In: S. M. Roble & J. C. Mitchell (eds.). A lifetime of contributions to Myriapodology and the Natural History of Virginia. Virginia Museum of Natural History, Martinsville, USA.
- Mwabvu, T., Hamer, M., Slotow, R. & Barraclough, D. (2010). A revision of the taxonomy and distribution of Archispirostreptus Silvestri 1895 (Diplopoda, Spirostreptida, Spirostreptidae), and description of a new spirostreptid genus with three new species. Zootaxa 2567: 1-49.
