Newly discovered species named after CapeNature Ecologist, Dr Martine Jordaan
A newly described Paradiplozoon species has been named after CapeNature Fauna Ecologist, Dr Martine Jordaan, in recognition of her knowledge and passion for the aquatic life of the Cape Fold Ecoregion, continuous enthusiasm to study the region's fishes and understanding their parasitofauna.
The newly identified species – Paradiplozoon jordaanae – is named after Dr Jordaan and was described through studies of parasites found on the gills of two near-threatened endemic freshwater fish species — the Clanwilliam sawfin (Cheilobarbus serra) and the Clanwilliam redfin (Sedercypris calidus) — from the Matjies and Rondegat rivers in the Cape Fold Ecoregion.
A rare sight into the underwater world of the Rondegat River in the Cederberg from where P. jordaanae was first found.
CapeNature CEO Dr Ashley Naidoo said the recognition highlighted the importance of collaboration in advancing conservation science in the Western Cape.
Having a species named after Dr Jordaan is significant recognition, not only for her personally, but also for the freshwater biodiversity work being undertaken within the Cape Fold Ecoregion. This collaboration demonstrates how partnerships, both formal and informal, between conservationists and academic researchers can deepen scientific understanding and strengthen conservation outcomes. CapeNature is proud to see Dr Jordaan’s contribution recognised in this way.
The species was identified by researchers from the Water Research Group at North-West University (NWU) following a collaboration that began nearly six years ago, when Dr Jordaan encountered an unusual fish parasite during fieldwork on redfin fish. The parasite in this case was a fish ectoparasitic flatworm, not seen in the rivers of the Cape ecoregion for many years.
The discovery led to closer cooperation between Dr Jordaan and researchers from NWU, combining field-based conservation work with advanced laboratory research to better understand freshwater ecosystems and aquatic biodiversity.
As part of the ongoing collaboration, Dr Jordaan assisted researchers with extensive fish surveys and field sampling across river systems in the Western Cape, supporting work investigating parasite biodiversity, fish health, and species conservation.
For me, the specialness of it is seeing how your little bit feeds into something bigger. It really shows the value of collaboration and what can be achieved when people with different expertise work towards the same goal.
The collaboration highlighted how field ecologists and laboratory researchers rely on one another to advance scientific understanding, with Dr Jordaan providing field expertise and access to freshwater systems while researchers conducted specialist parasite identification and genetic analysis.
The work has also contributed to broader discussions about the ecological role of parasites and their importance to healthy biodiversity systems. While the word “parasite” often carries negative connotations, non-pathogenic parasites that pose no risk to humans or animals warrant conservation, as they are a unique part of local biodiversity.
Dr Jordaan said conservation science often depends on partnerships that allow specialists from different fields to contribute towards a common conservation objective.
In the case of fish parasites, there is this whole undiscovered world that you can basically only access under a microscope. And as conservation is such an applied and practical field, we do not always have time to investigate these specialist disciplines.
Dr Jordaan retrieving nets while sampling the fish community on a field survey.
The pristine habitat of the Rondegat river.
Read here for more information on the newly described species of Paradiplozoon.
ABOUT Dr Martine Jordaan
Dr Martine Jordaan is an aquatic biologist with a background in environmental toxicology and conservation science. She has been employed as an ecologist with CapeNature since 2010. Here she has focused on indigenous freshwater fish and aquatic ecosystem conservation within the context of integrated catchment management within the Cape ecoregion. She also has a keen interest in invasion biology and the interactions between invasive species, environmental variables, and pollutants. Dr Jordaan is an honorary research associate at the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) and the Centre for Invasion Biology (CIB). She has authored and co-authored over 20 peer reviewed papers and book chapters.
ABOUT CapeNature
CapeNature is a public institution mandated to promote and ensure biodiversity conservation within the Western Cape and is the custodian of the Cape Floristic Region. The Entity manages most of the mountain catchments and reserves that supply ecosystem services to the citizens of the Western Cape. This requires good scientific data, a sound understanding of fynbos ecology and commitment to the principles of integrated biodiversity management and planning. Most of this work is in remote areas out of the public eye but has a direct bearing on the quality of life of millions of people in the province.
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