Research
Past and present* researchers and their fields of study
Dr A.C. Hoffman (1930-44)
- Anuran physiology and anatomy.
- Amphibian and reptilian taxonomy.
Dr S.W.P. de Waal (1971-80)
- Reptile taxonomy.
- Amphibian and reptilian biogeography.
Completed PhD thesis titled "The Squamata (Reptilia) of the Orange Free State, South Africa" (1977, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg) while at the National Museum.
Dr J.H. van Wyk (1982-88)
- Reproductive physiology, biology, and ecology of lizards.
Conducted most of the data collection for his PhD thesis titled "Life history and physiological ecology of the lizard, Cordylus giganteus" (1992, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch) while at the National Museum.
Dr A.F. Flemming (1990-96)
- Reproductive physiology, biology, and ecology of lizards.
Completed PhD thesis titled "Analysis of the Agama atra (Sauria: Agamidae) complex in Namaqualand and southern Namibia" (1996, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch) while at the National Museum.
Dr L.H. du Preez (1991-94)
- Monogenean parasites of anurans.
- Keratodont ultrastructure of tadpoles.
- Behaviour and breeding of Pyxicephalus adsperus.
Completed PhD thesis titled "A study of factors influencing the nature and extent of host-specificity among polystomatids (Polystomatidae: Monogenoidea) parasitic in Anura of southern Africa" (1994, University of the Orange Free State, Bloemfontein), while at the National Museum.
Dr N.J.L. Heideman (1995-98)
- Reproduction and behaviour of agamid lizards.
- Ecology and phylogenetics of Acontias, Typhlosaurus and Acontophiops.
Dr M.F. Bates* (1983-)
- Reptile taxonomy, including Afroedura, Dasypeltis, Tetradactylus and Pseudocordylus.
- Amphibian and reptilian biogeography.
National Diploma in Nature Conservation (1984, Pretoria Technikon).
MSc thesis in Environmental Biology titled "The herpetofauna of the Orange Free State - with special emphasis on biogeographical patterning" (1993, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban).
PhD thesis in Zoology titled “An analysis of the Pseudocordylus melanotus (A. Smith) complex (Sauria: Cordylidae)” (2007, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch).
Both the latter were completed while at the National Museum.
Dr R.M. Douglas* (1984-)
- Snake diets.
- Reptile eggs and parasitoidation by Scuttle flies, Megaselia scalaris.
- Geothermal thermoregulation in the Mountain tortoise, Stigmochelys pardalis.
- Environmental and ecological biology of reptiles.
- Osteology of the jaw of Sundevall’s shovel-snout snake, Prosymna sundevallii.
- Depositional environment at Florisbad Quaternary Research Station including morphology and fossilization.
Southern African Museums Technical Certificate in Biology (1988, with distinction).
MSc thesis in Environmental Biology titled "Investigations into the ecology of the herpetofauna of Florisbad Research Station, Orange Free State, South Africa" (1993, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban).
Interdisciplinary PhD thesis in Geology and Geography titled “A new perspective on the geohydrological and surface processes controlling the depositional environment at the Florisbad archaeozoological site” (2009, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein).
All of the above were completed while at the National Museum.