Vegetation of Kilimanjaro: hidden endemics and missing bamboo

Kilimanjaro has a large variety of forest types over an altitudinal range of 3000 m containing over 1200 vascular plant species. Montane Ocotea forests occur on the wet southern slope. Cassipourea and Juniperus forests grow on the dry northern slope. Subalpine Erica forests at 4100 m represent the highest elevation cloud forests in Africa. In contrast to this enormous biodiversity, the degree of endemism is low. However, forest relicts in the deepest valleys of the cultivated lower areas suggest that a rich forest flora inhabited Mt Kilimanjaro in the past, with restricted‐range species otherwise only known from the Eastern Arc mountains. The low degree of endemism on Kilimanjaro may result from destruction of lower altitude forest rather than the relatively young age of the mountain. Another feature of the forests of Kilimanjaro is the absence of a bamboo zone, which occurs on all other tall mountains in East Africa with a similarly high rainfall. Sinarundinaria alpina stands are favoured by elephants and buffaloes. On Kilimanjaro these megaherbivores occur on the northern slopes, where it is too dry for a large bamboo zone to develop. They are excluded from the wet southern slope forests by topography and humans, who have cultivated the foothills for at least 2000 years. This interplay of biotic and abiotic factors could explain not only the lack of a bamboo zone on Kilimanjaro but also offers possible explanations for the patterns of diversity and endemism. Kilimanjaro's forests can therefore serve as a striking example of the large and long‐lasting influence of both animals and humans on the African landscape.     

Ecological adaptations of grassland‐inhabiting flightless Orthoptera: Fulvoscirtes and Acanthoscirtes,two new genera of African Karniellina (Orthoptera,Tettigoniidae, Conocephalinae,Conocephalini)

Two new genera, Fulvoscirtes n.gen. and Acanthoscirtes n.gen. , are established within the subtribe Karniellina of Conocephalini. Fulvoscirtes is based on Xiphidion kilimandjaricum Sjöstedt, 1909 and Acanthoscirtes on Phlesirtes kevani Chopard from northern Kenya. The majority of Fulvoscirtes spp. are confined to open grasslands in the submontane zone of mountains. Fulvoscirtes contains eight species, seven of which are newly described in this paper. Three species and one subspecies occur on Mt Kilimanjaro. These are F. kilimandjaricum (Sjöstedt) constricted to the southern slopes, F. legumishera n.sp. confined to the northern side and F. sylvaticus n.sp. occurring on the western side of Kilimanjaro and on the eastern slopes of Mt Meru. Fulvoscirtes fulvus n.sp. is divided into two subspecies, F. fulvus fulvus n.ssp. found in the submontane zone of east Kilimanjaro and F. fulvus parensis n.ssp. in submontane to montane localities of the North and South Pare mountains. Fulvoscirtes fulvotaitensis n.sp. occurs in the Taita Hills of southern Kenya. Fulvoscirtes viridis n.sp. is described from savannah habitats between Mts Longido and Meru. Fulvoscirtes laticercus n.sp. is found in the Kenyan highlands, while the most southerly occurring species, Fulvoscirtes manyara n.sp. , is found on Mt Hanang and the Mbulu highlands of northwestern Tanzania. Acanthoscirtes contains three species, of which A. albostriatus n.sp. is described newly from savannah habitas of eastern Kilimanjaro. Information is given on the ecology and the acoustic behaviour of some of the species together with keys to the genera of the Karniellina and the species of Fulvoscirtes and Acanthoscirtes. The genera of Karniellina probably evolved at a time when grasslands spread in East Africa due to an increasing aridification of the climate. The earliest lineage, the genus Karniella, is adapted to more forested habitats while the majority of the genera of Karniellina prefer open grasslands. Major splits within Karniellina probably occurred with the emergence of savannah grasslands due to the ongoing fragmentation of forest habitats several millions years ago, but most species within the genera are geologically young, their radiation being boosted by climatic fluctuations of the past 1–2 Ma.     

Three new species of Callulina (Amphibia: Anura: Brevicipitidae) highlight local endemism and conservation plight of Africa's Eastern Arc forests

Material ascribed to the genus Callulina from north‐east Tanzania and south‐east Kenya is assessed. Three new species of Callulina are described from the North ( Callulina laphami sp. nov. ) and South ( Callulina shengena sp. nov. and Callulina stanleyi sp. nov. ) Pare Mountains in Tanzania. The species are diagnosed based on morphological, acoustic, and molecular data. A new key to the species of Callulina is provided. Based on an interpretation of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, we suggest that the three species will qualify as critically endangered, because of their small distributions and the ongoing threat to their habitat. We reveal the high local endemism of Callulina in the northern part of the Eastern Arc Mountains, with each species restricted to no more than one mountain (fragment) block. This high local endemism in Callulina is probably widespread across the Eastern Arc, raising further conservation concern for this group of amphibians. Based on new molecular phylogenetic data for Callulina, we discuss biogeographical relationships among north‐east Tanzanian mountains, and evolutionary patterns in Eastern Arc breviciptids. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 160 , 496–514.     

The genus Aerotegmina (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae, Hexacentrinae): chromosomes, morphological relations, phylogeographical patterns and description of a new species

The genus Aerotegmina Hemp is common on East African mountains. Two species are known and a third, A. taitensis n. sp., is described in this paper. A. kilimandjarica Hemp is widespread while A. shengenae Hemp is endemic to the South Pare Mountains and A. taitensis n. sp. is known only from the Taita Hills. Morphologically, and from their song, A. shengenae and A. taitensis n. sp. are closely related. In chromosome number A. kilimandjarica (2n?=?33) differs clearly from A. shengenae (2n?=?27). Data presented on other flightless Orthoptera suggest that the South Pare Mountains and the Taita Hills, both belonging to the geologically old mountain chain of the Eastern Arc, show a faunistic similarity not shared by any other mountain range in the area. The mechanisms that led to this phylogeographic pattern in flightless Orthoptera in the Eastern Arc Mountains of northern Tanzania and southern Kenya and the inland volcanoes are discussed. A key to the three Aerotegmina species is presented, as well as bioacoustical data of all species compared to the phaneropterine species Euryastes jagoi.     

Ecology of the pteridophytes on the southern slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro – I. Altitudinal distribution

140 taxa of 61 genera in 24 families of pteridophytes were recorded on the southern slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro. These represent about one third of the entire pteridophyte flora of Tanzania. The families richest in species are the Aspleniaceae, the Adiantaceae, the Dryopteridaceae, the Thelypteridaceae and the Hymenophyllaceae. Due to its luxuriant montane rain forest, which receives a precipitation of up to over 3000 mm, Mt. Kilimanjaro is distinctly richer in pteridophyte species than other volcanoes in East Africa. However, compared with the mountains of the Eastern Arc, the number of pteridophytes on Mt. Kilimanjaro is smaller. This can be explained by the widely destroyed submontane (intermediate) forest rather than by the higher age of the Eastern Arc Mts.The altitudinal distribution of all ferns was investigated in 24 transects. On the southern slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro they were found in an altitudinal range of 3640 m. Cyclosorus quadrangularis, Azolla nilotica, Azolla africana andMarsilea minuta are restricted to the foothills, while Polystichum wilsonii, Cystopteris nivalis and Asplenium adiantum-nigrum are species found in the highest altitudes.Based on unidimensionally constrained clustering and on the analysis of the lowermost and uppermost occurrence of species, floristic discontinuities within the transects were determined. From these data and from an evaluation of the distribution of ecological groups and life forms, 11 altitudinal zones could be distinguished: a colline zone (–900 m asl), a submontane zone (900–1600 m asl) with lower and upper subzones, a montane zone (1600-2800 m asl) divided into 4 subzones, a subalpine zone (2800–3900 m asl) with lower, middle and upper subzones, and finally a (lower) alpine zone above 3900 m. The highest species numbers were observed in the lower montane forest belt between 1600 and 2000 m altitude. The zonation of ferns found at Mt. Kilimanjaro corresponds well with the vegetational zonation described by other authors using bryophytes as indicators in different parts of the humid tropics.     

A new genus and species of African Phaneropterinae (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae), with data on its ecology,bioacoustics and chromosomes

A new genus is proposed for a new East African Phaneropterinae species, Lunidia viridis, occurring on Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Based on 33 records, notes on distribution and habitat are given, as well as acoustical data provided. Climate and vegetation parameters obtained along several transects on Mt. Kilimanjaro were evaluated describing the ecological niche of the new species. This interdisciplinary approach allows not only a profound characterisation of the ecological demands of the new genus but also predictions of the potential distribution area, which is tested for the first time for an African bush cricket species. Lunidia viridis n. gen. n. sp. occurs within humid and perhumid forests and Chagga home gardens, avoiding subhumid conditions on the mountain. It is found from 1,330 m upwards on the southern slopes, whereas the same ecological conditions are expressed from 1,930 m upwards on the drier northern slopes. Lunidia viridis has an unusually complex and variable song, which is described from field and laboratory recordings. The FISH technique for characterizing chromosomes is applied for the first time for an African species; L. viridis exhibits a karyotype typical for most Tettigoniidae.     

Elevational Distribution and Ecology of Small Mammals on Africa’s Highest Mountain

Mt Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest mountain, and an icon for a country famous for its mammalian fauna. The distribution and abundance of small mammals on the mountain are poorly known. Here we document the distribution of shrews and rodents along an elevational gradient on the southeastern versant of Kilimanjaro. Five sites were sampled with elevational center points of 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500 and 4000 m, using a systematic methodology of standard traps and pitfall lines, to inventory the shrews and rodents of the slope. Sixteen species of mammal were recorded, including 6 shrew and 10 rodent species, and the greatest diversity of both was found at 3000 m, the elevational midpoint of the transect. No species previously unrecorded on Kilimanjaro were observed. Two genera of rodents that occur in nearby mountains (Hylomyscus and Beamys) were not recorded. Myosorex zinki, the only mammal endemic to Mt. Kilimanjaro, which previously was known by only a few specimens collected in the ericaceous or moorland habitat, was found in all but one (the lowest) of the sites sampled, and was one of the most widespread species of small mammal along the gradient. Two shrews (Crocidura allex and Sylvisorex granti) and one rodent (Dendromus insignis) were found throughout the entire transect, with Dendromus being observed at our highest trap point (4240 m). As in similar faunal surveys on other mountains of Tanzania, rainfall influenced the sample success of shrews, but not rodents. Trap success for rodents at 3500 m was notably low. This study contributes further justification for the conservation of the forest habitat of Mt. Kilimanjaro.     

Evidence for altitudinal migration of forest birds between montane Eastern Arc and lowland forests in East Africa

Burgess, N.D. & Mlingwa, C.O.F. 2000. Evidence for altitudinal migration of forest birds between montane Eastern Arc and lowland forests in East Africa. Ostrich 71 (1 & 2): 184–190.

In this paper we assess the evidence for altitudinal movements of forest birds from the montane forests of the Eastern Arc mountains of East Africa to nearby lowland forest patches. For 34 montane species, including all the Eastern Arc endemics except Banded Green Sunbird Anthreptes rubritorques there is no evidence that they undertake seasonal movements to lower altitudes. An additional 26 montane species, of somewhat wider distribution, have been recorded at low (<500 m) altitudes during the cold/dry season (June to September). Most records of these montane birds at lower altitudes are from sites adjoining montane forest areas, although a few records are from lowland coastal forests at 100–240 km distance from montane areas. Only five of the 26 species (White-chested Alethe Alethe fulleborni, White-starred Forest Robin Pogonocichla stellata, Orange Ground Thrush Zoothera gurneyi, Evergreen Forest Warbler Bradypterus mariae and Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo Cercococcyx montanus) are regularly and commonly reported in the lowlands. They are also found in the lowlands in small numbers during the warm/wet season (October to February), when they may breed. The abundance of at least four, and probably more, of the forest birds with a more widespread distribution in the lowland and montane forests of East Africa declines greatly at high altitudes from the onset of the cold/wet season (February) and only increases again at the start of the warm/wet season (September). It is not known how far these species move as they cannot be easily separated from resident populations in lowland forests, and there are no ringing recoveries in different forests. Altitudinal migration of a proportion of the Eastern Arc avifauna is the most likely explanation for available data, although source-sink metapopulation theories may be helpful to explain the distributions of some species. As the movement of forest birds from the Eastern Arc to the lowland forests does not involve the rare endemics, they are of lower conservation concern, but the presence of montane and lowland forest may be important for the long-term survival of some more widely distributed forest species.     

Birds and biogeography of Mount Mecula in Mozambique’s Niassa National Reserve

The montane forests of northern Mozambique’s isolated massifs are inhabited by numerous range-restricted and threatened bird species, but until recently were extremely little-known. We report on a first avifaunal survey of the isolated montane habitats of Mt Mecula (1 442 m), Niassa National Reserve, notable as the only currently protected montane area in northern Mozambique. Mount Mecula’s moist forest is small (approximately 136 ha in total) and patchy, and although known botanically to have some montane affinities, was found to support an avifauna more typical of riparian forests of medium to low altitude. The only montane forest species recorded was Lemon Dove Aplopelia larvata. Other montane elements included Vincent’s Bunting Emberiza (capensis) vincenti, one of six species recorded new to the Niassa National Reserve list. Overall, it appears that despite its intermediate location, Mt Mecula does not represent a biogeographical ‘stepping stone’ for montane forest bird species. This probably owes to its remoteness from the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania to the north and the massifs of other parts of northern Mozambique, to the south and west.     

Climatic fluctuations and orogenesis as motors for speciation in East Africa: case study on Parepistaurus Karsch, 1896 (Orthoptera)

Mechanisms of speciation of flightless grasshoppers in mountainous and coastal East Africa are inferred considering (i) phylogenies estimated with a combination of molecular markers (16S rRNA locus, COI and H3), (ii) ecological data and (iii) the geographic distribution of Parepistaurus species. The study suggests that coastal taxa of Parepistaurus belong to ancestral lineages from which evolved the high diversity of species found in the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania and Kenya, which are geologically ancient mountain formations. Network analyses and a molecular clock approach, calibrated with the geological age of the volcanoes, suggested that speciation was boosted by climatic fluctuations affecting large areas of East Africa. With the aridification beginning 2.8 Ma, forest taxa were isolated due to forest fragmentation and populations were separated by extended grasslands, which are avoided by Parepistaurus species. However, a humid period between 2.7 and 2.5 Ma triggered a spread of coastal taxa along the Eastern Arc Mountains. Forests expanded again and riparian vegetation along rivers draining into the Indian Ocean probably served as corridors for the dispersal of coastal taxa to the hinterland. The inland volcanoes such as Mount Kilimanjaro are therefore good time markers because their geological age is known, limiting the available time for speciation processes of mountainous Parepistaurus in the area to a maximum of about 1–2 Ma. A third humid but cold period between 1.1 and 0.9 Ma probably further boosted the spread of several flightless and montane‐adapted Orthoptera taxa.     

The forest batis, Batis mixta, is two species: description of a new, narrowly distributed Batis species in the Eastern Arc biodiversity hotspot

The forest batis, Batis mixta, is a common bird of the forests of the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania and in some adjacent montane and coastal forests. Through new collecting efforts in most of this range we documented a well-marked change in morphology in the middle of the range. Supplementary genetic studies of the historical population structure suggest connectivity among the south-western and northern/coastal populations, but not between these parapatric groups. It is concluded that two species are involved, and a new name B. crypta is proposed for the south-western populations. A marked genetic break also exists towards B. capensis sola in northern Malawi. The morphologically distinctive form reichenowi in south-eastern Tanzania is genetically nested within B. mixta, and for now we keep it as a subspecies of B. mixta.     

Dispersal and speciation of East African mountain bushcrickets of the genus Phlesirtes (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Conocephalinae,Conocephalini) related to climate fluctuations

A phylogeny of the genus Phlesirtes Bolivar is presented, based on new sequence data of three genes (16S rDNA, COI, H3). Species of the genus Phlesirtes (subtribe Karniellina of the Tribe Conocephalini) occupy habitats of montane to afroalpine grasslands in East Africa. Phlesirtes is the most species‐rich genus of the subtribe Karniellina, a group of small flightless Ensifera restricted to eastern Africa. Taken together, the biogeographical patterns seen in Phlesirtes and its molecular phylogeny suggest a migration scenario: the mountain ranges acting as stepping stones, enabling a spread of Phlesirtes ancestors during periods of favourable climatic conditions in the past. The Pleistocene inland volcanoes, such as Mt Kenya or Mt Kilimanjaro, allow us to date speciation processes within the genus Phlesirtes. It is suggested that cooler humid periods of the past 3 Ma boosted speciation of Phlesirtes in East Africa.     

Diversity of geometrid moths (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) along an Afrotropical elevational rainforest transect

Geometrid moths were investigated at 26 sites on 9 elevational levels along an elevational transect at Mt. Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), stretching from the fine‐grained mosaic of small agroforest plots with combined cultivation of trees, shrubs and crops at 1650 m through mountain rainforest to heathland at 3300 m. We sampled moths manually at light between 19 : 00 and 22 : 00 in the rainy seasons of March to May and October to January in the years 2000, 2001 and 2002. Along the transect, the composition of moth communities changed from a domination by Sterrhinae and Ennominae to a dominance of Larentiinae with increasing elevation. Overall, alpha diversity was very low compared to other tropical mountain regions. Fisher's alpha showed a maximum of 30 in the agroforest mosaic at 1650 m and decreased to values around 12 in the mountain rainforest. Communities of geometrid moths within the forest belt were significantly dissimilar from communities outside the forest. The diversity patterns on Mt. Kilimanjaro can be related to the young age, island‐like position and history of the mountain. These factors have led to the formation of a homogeneous upper mountain rainforest habitat which in turn houses homogeneous moth communities with a low diversity compared to habitats at lower elevations. Here, a heterogeneous habitat mosaic allowing the intrusion of savannah species into this former forest habitat may account for an increased diversity. In the heath zone above the forest, climatic conditions are very harsh, permitting only few specialists to thrive in this ericaceous woodland. Edge effects were discernible at the forest–heathland boundary where some moth species from heathland invaded the closed forest. At the boundary between agroforest and a forest mosaic of exotic Acacia and Eucalyptus forest plantations and natural mountain forest, diversity values remained low as the dominant species Chiasmia fuscataria accounted for far higher proportions than other dominant species in any of the other habitats.     

Diversification across an altitudinal gradient in the Tiny Greenbul (Phyllastrephus debilis) from the Eastern Arc Mountains of Africa

Background  

The Eastern Arc Mountains of Africa have become one of the focal systems with which to explore the patterns and mechanisms of diversification among montane species and populations. One unresolved question is the extent to which populations inhabiting montane forest interact with those of adjacent lowland forest abutting the coast of eastern Africa. The Tiny Greenbul (Phyllastephus debilis) represents the only described bird species within the Eastern Arc/coastal forest mosaic, which is polytypic across an altitudinal gradient: the subspecies albigula (green head) is distributed in the montane Usambara and Nguru Mountains whereas the subspecies rabai (grey head) is found in Tanzanian lowland and foothill forest. Using a combination of morphological and genetic data, we aim to establish if the pattern of morphological differentiation in the Tiny Greenbul (Phyllastrephus debilis) is the result of disruptive selection along an altitudinal gradient or a consequence of secondary contact following population expansion of two differentiated lineages.     

Flightless insects: a test case for historical relationships of African mountains

Flightless insects give a clearer view of former distribution of montane habitat in Africa compared with highly mobile animals as birds and butterflies because passive long distance transport and long distance dispersal can be discounted. Only a few species in the twenty-one genera under study are shared between neighbouring mountains which can be explained in all cases by a Pleistocene lowering of the montane habitat by 850 m. Therefore a montane forest cover connecting the mountains at colder times as suggested by the pluvial theory can be refuted which is in correspondence with palynological findings suggesting a dry corridor between the mountains. No montane refuge for flightless insects can be identified, because the most species-rich mountain of a genus differs among the genera under study. Instead, each mountain served as a species refuge with a stable habitat. The requirement of a smaller habitat compared to vertebrates is indicated by endemic species on each single mountain suggesting pre-Pleistocene speciation which results even in endemic genera to one mountain. Different small patches of suitable habitat on one mountain could also explain the radiations found in some genera of flightless insects. In some genera species are lacking on Mt Kenya which indicates—with the findings of no endemic passerine bird on the mountain—a probably very dry condition during colder times. On Mt Cameroon no species of the flightless insect genera occurring on the Eastern mountains are found. This contrasts with the existing patterns of birds, grasses and butterflies.     

Ancient forest fragmentation or recent radiation? Testing refugial speciation models in chameleons within an African biodiversity hotspot

Aim East Africa is one of the most biologically diverse regions, especially in terms of endemism and species richness. Hypotheses put forward to explain this high diversity invoke a role for forest refugia through: (1) accumulation of new species due to radiation within refugial habitats, or (2) retention of older palaeoendemic species in stable refugia. We tested these alternative hypotheses using data for a diverse genus of East African forest chameleons, Kinyongia. Location East Africa. Methods We constructed a dated phylogeny for Kinyongia using one nuclear and two mitochondrial markers. We identified areas of high phylogenetic diversity (PD) and evolutionary diversity (ED), and mapped ancestral areas to ascertain whether lineage diversification could best be explained by vicariance or dispersal. Results Vicariance best explains the present biogeographic patterns, with divergence between three major Kinyongia clades (Albertine Rift, southern Eastern Arc, northern Eastern Arc) in the early Miocene/Oligocene (> 20 Ma). Lineage diversification within these clades pre‐dates the Pliocene (> 6 Ma). These dates are much older than the Plio‐Pleistocene climatic shifts associated with cladogenesis in other East African taxa (e.g. birds), and instead point to a scenario whereby palaeoendemics are retained in refugia, rather than more recent radiations within refugia. Estimates of PD show that diversity was highest in the Uluguru, Nguru and East Usambara Mountains and several lineages (from Mount Kenya, South Pare and the Uluguru Mountains) stand out as being evolutionarily distinct as a result of isolation in forest refugia. PD was lower than expected by chance, suggesting that the phylogenetic signal is influenced by an unusually low number of extant lineages with long branch lengths, which is probably due to the retention of palaeoendemic lineages. Main conclusions The biogeographic patterns associated with Kinyongia are the result of long evolutionary histories in isolation. The phylogeny is dominated by ancient lineages whose origins date back to the early Miocene/Oligocene as a result of continental wide forest fragmentation and contraction due to long term climatic changes in Africa. The maintenance of palaeoendemic lineages in refugia has contributed substantially to the remarkably high biodiversity of East Africa.     

Morphometric study of the complex Moehringia sect. Pseudomoehringia McNeill from the western Mediterranean

Moehringia. sect. Pseudomoehringia McNeill is endemic to the western Mediterranean, having its origin and diversification centre in the Iberian Peninsula and mountains of northern Morocco. Both the relationship with the genus Arenaria as well as the taxonomy within the section have been largely controversial. To disentangle these issues, we conducted a morphometric study using herbarium material. We measured 12 relevant morphological traits from 148 selected herbarium sheets. Data were analyzed using different statistical methods: general linear models, multiple factorial analysis and linear discriminant analysis. We found significant differences between Arenaria balearica and the rest of the genus Moehringia taxa. Within this genus, we identified three well-discriminated species: Moehringia fontqueri, M. glochidisperma and M. intricata. Within M. intricata complex, we discerned virtually no differences amongst most of the subspecies (intricata, giennensis and tejedensis) with the exception of subsp. castellana. We propose: (i) to maintain A. balearica separate from Moehringia sect. Pseudomoehringia; (ii) to consider three species in the section Pseudomoehringia: M. fontqueri, M. glochidisperma and M. intricata; (iii) to recognize only two subspecies within M. intricata complex: subsp. intricata and subsp. castellana. To clarify the taxonomy of this threatened group is of great interest because it might help to prioritize conservation measures.     

Study on the bryoflora in Yunmeng Mountain, south Hebei Province, China

Mountain Yunmeng (37°20′N, 113°54′E) is 1 520m above sea level and part of the Taihang Mountains. With a temperate continental monsoon climate, the mountain area belongs to the warm temperate deciduous broad-leaved forest region. This thesis was mostly based on the study of more than 2 000 packages of bryophytes which were mainly collected by the authors in Mt. Yunmeng, Hebei Province. Of these specimens, there are 36 families, 99 genera, and 244 species (including 17 varieties, 5 formes, and 1 subspecies) which have been studied and identified. Moreover, it could be seen that Mt. Yunmeng has a diverse population of bryophytes. The bryoflora could be divided into 10 geographical elements: north temperate element make up the majority, accounting for 52.11% of the entire known bryoflora, and another belongs to the East Asian element, accounting for 19.25%. All temperate elements, not including 14 endemic to China and 31 Cosmopolitans, were added up to 188 species, which took 88.3% of all the entire known bryoflora in Mt. Yunmeng. However, there were only 11 Subtropical and Tropical elements. To all appearances, the bryoflora of Mt. Yunmeng showed obvious temperate characteristics. The authors conclude that the bryoflora in Mt. Yunmeng belongs to the middle type, between the warm and dry northern mountain area and the warm and damp southern mountain area. The microclimatic environment greatly influences the bryoflora. __________ Translated from Guihaia, 2005, 25 (3) [译自: 广西植物, 2005,25(3)]     

Taxonomic and conservation status of a newly discovered giant landsnail from Mount Augustus,New Zealand

The Rhytidae (Mollusca; Gastropoda; Pulmonata) are a group of large carnivorous land snails distributed in the southern hemisphere, with a particularly rich fauna in New Zealand. The endemic genus Powelliphanta consists of at least 10 species and many more recognised subspecies, most of which are restricted to the western margin of South Island, New Zealand. Powelliphanta taxa tend to have restricted ecological and spatial ranges among the mountains of this region, with some species being limited to lowland forest and others to habitats at or above the treeline. Among recent discoveries is a population of snails occupying habitat on and around a peak called Mt Augustus, which is situated at the edge of a large and economically important coalfield. Since recognition of the potential biological significance of the Mt Augustus snails in 2004, almost all of their habitat has been destroyed by opencast mining revealing a direct conflict between economic and biodiversity prioritisation. Our analysis of mtDNA sequence data indicate Powelliphanta “Augustus” is a distinctive evolutionary lineage, more closely related to a nearby lowland species Powelliphanta lignaria than the spatial and ecological neighbour Powelliphanta patrickensis. Powelliphanta “Augustus” appears to be a specialised local endemic species. Despite a growing international awareness of the importance of biodiversity conservation, the demand for foreign earnings continues to take priority over the protection of our biota.     

Effects of forest fragmentation on pollination of Mesogyne insignis (Moraceae) in Amani Nature Reserve forests,Tanzania

The efficacy of pollination biology of Mesogyne insignis is poorly known in fragmented forests of Amani Nature Reserve. This study was conducted to determine the effect of forest fragmentation on potential pollinators of this endangered species. Three intact forests and three forest fragments were selected for this study, the intact forests serving as control. Visual observation of insects visiting inflorescences, insect trapping and pollinator exclusion experiments were the methods employed in assessing pollination. Most members of the solitary bee genus Megachile were found to be potential pollinators of M. insignis. Diversity of pollinators was significantly higher in intact forests than in forest fragments. Overall, the total number of fruits set was significantly higher in intact forests than in forest fragments, perhaps a reflection of the higher diversity and abundance of potential pollinators in an intact forest. The pollination system of M. insignis is generalist in terms of systematic group of pollinators, and forest fragmentation may have significant impact on this pollination pattern. A similar study should be conducted in other Eastern Arc Mountains where M. insignis grows to find out whether the potential pollinators are similar or not.