J.J.R. De Villiers

Secondary School Learners' Response to the Teaching of Evolution in Limpopo Province, South Africa.

One of the major causes of the problems affecting evolution education is a lack of acceptance of this concept, particularly by some people who have strongly entrenched religious beliefs. This paper reports on a section of a study which explored the influence of the beliefs of learners in some secondary schools from the Vhembe District in the northern Limpopo Province, South Africa, on the teaching and learning of biological evolution. A questionnaire was administered to Grade 12 learners studying life sciences to which 348 responded. Data were analysed to provide descriptive and inferential data for analysis. Findings indicated moderate acceptance of evolution by the learners. Some of the factors which showed an association with learners’ acceptance included: learners’ religious beliefs, age and the time since they had first heard of evolution. Although some learners experienced conflict between their religious beliefs and evolution, the findings showed that most were willing to learn about it.

A new section and two new species of Podaxis (Gasteromycetes) from South Africa

Podaxis africana De Villiers, Eicker & van der Westhuizen and P. rugospora De Villiers, Eicker & van der Westhuizen, two new species from Transvaal are described and illustrated. A new section, Umbricorticalis De Villiers, Eicker & van der Westhuizen is proposed in the genus Podaxis to accommodate P. africana. Morphologically P. africana resembles P. microporus McKnight but it is distinguished by its large globose, subglobose to broadly ovoid spores, the absence of a ‘pin prick’ pore structure, the black gleba, and the deep orange to strong brown inner cortex of the stipe. P. rugospora is allied to P. pistillaris (L. ex Pers.) Fr. emend. Morse from which it differs by reason of the hyaline, narrow, flattened, occasionally septate capillitium threads and the grayish-olive, light olive or light to moderate yellowish-brown gleba. The most remarkable character of these new species is the rugose spores.

Notes on the structure of Bovista oblongispora and an amplified description of the species

A critical study of the holotype of Bovista oblongispora (C.G. Lloyd) Bottomley revealed several discrepancies in previous accounts. These are discussed, and an amplified description of the taxon is included.

A new species of Bovista (Gasteromycetes) from South Africa

Bovista acocksii De Villiers, Eicker & van der Westhuizen, a new Gasteromycete species from the Cape Province, is described and illustrated. It is closely allied to B. verrucosa (G.H. Cunn.) G.H. Cunn. from which it differs in a combination of macroscopic and microscopic characters. Some of the more significant characters are the depressed globose basidiocarps, the orange to light orange-yellow capillitium threads in colourless lactophenol, the main stems of the capillitium threads which are up to 18,4 μm thick, and the absence of clubshaped or ellipsoid, slightly thick-walled cells in the exoperidium.

Career plans of final-year South African student teachers: migration to ‘greener pastures’?

Abstract Teacher loss due to migration is a global phenomenon that impacts both developed and developing nations the world over. The aim of this study was to find out about the career plans of final-year South African student teachers. A group of final-year Bachelor of Education student teachers from a South African university responded to a questionnaire on intra- and intercontinental migration. The responses were analysed quantitatively and/or qualitatively. The findings showed that 79% of the students indicated that they would be teaching in South Africa, 8% were planning to teach in another country, while 8% were undecided. More than a third of the students (38%) said that they would like to teach in another country in five years’ time. Just more than a quarter of the students (27%) preferred Australia as a destination country. The student teachers’ most important motive to teach in a foreign country was the opportunity to travel, followed by earning a higher salary, and professional development. The student teachers indicated that their most important migration needs before leaving South Africa were information about health care, accommodation, and banking assistance.AbstractTeacher loss due to migration is a global phenomenon that impacts both developed and developing nations the world over. The aim of this study was to find out about the career plans of final-year South African student teachers. A group of final-year Bachelor of Education student teachers from a South African university responded to a questionnaire on intra- and intercontinental migration. The responses were analysed quantitatively and/or qualitatively. The findings showed that 79% of the students indicated that they would be teaching in South Africa, 8% were planning to teach in another country, while 8% were undecided. More than a third of the students (38%) said that they would like to teach in another country in five years’ time. Just more than a quarter of the students (27%) preferred Australia as a destination country. The student teachers’ most important motive to teach in a foreign country was the opportunity to travel, followed by earning a higher salary, and professional development. The s...

Notes on the type material of Geastrum dissimile Bottomley (Geastraceae)

An amplified morphological description of the holotype of Geastrum dissimile Bottomley is provided. Details of the peridial anatomy, endoperidial surface, basidiospore ornamentation and ultrastructure, as well as the ornamentation of capillitium threads are included.