Characterization of Mauritius parakeet (Psittacula eques) microsatellite loci and their cross-utility in other parrots (Psittacidae, Aves)

We characterized 21 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the endangered Mauritius parakeet (Psittacula eques). Loci were isolated from a Mauritius parakeet genomic library that had been enriched separately for eight different repeat motifs. Loci were characterized in up to 43 putatively unrelated Mauritius parakeets from a single population inhabiting the Black River Gorges National Park, Mauritius. Each locus displayed between three and nine alleles, with the observed heterozygosity ranging between 0.39 and 0.96. All loci were tested in 10 other parrot species. Despite testing few individuals, between seven and 21 loci were polymorphic in each of seven species tested.     

Selaginella bifida sp. nov. (Selaginellaceae: Pteridophyta) from Rodrigues Island, Mauritius

Selaginella bifida D. Delmail, a new species of the Selaginellaceae from Rodrigues Island, (Mascarene archipelago, Mauritius) is described and illustrated. The new species is related to S. rodrigueziana Baker in phenotypic appearance, but differs by having ciliate lateral leaf margins and bifid microsporophyll apices.     

OBSERVATIONS OF SEABIRDS AND SHOREBIRDS ON MAURITIUS

Temple, S. A. 1976. Observations of seabirds and shorebirds on Mauritius. Ostrich 47:117-125.

During 1973 and 1974. 52 species of seabirds and shorebirds were found to occur on the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. Ten species were breeding residents, 16 oceanic vagrants and 24 palaearctic migrants. Fifteen had not been previously reported from Mauritius. An annotated checklist of these species gives information on numbers, dates of occurrence. breeding biology, and behaviour. The impact of man's activities upon the seabird and shorebird populations on Mauritius is discussed with emphasis on persecution. habitat destruction, and chemical pollutants.     

Ecogeographic survey of the genus Coffea in the Mascarene Islands

An ecogeographic survey is required for the development of a strategy for the conservation and use of plant genetic resources. An herbarium-based ecogeographic survey is presented, supplemented by detailed field surveys of wild Coffea species in the Mascarene Islands. The geographical and ecological distribution of the different Coffea species in the Mascarene Islands, principally in Mauritius, is determined, and an assessment is made of the IUCN conservation status of native Coffea species. Ecogeographic data were collated from herbarium specimens from four major herbaria holding collections of Mascarene Coffea . The geography, ecology, phenology and conservation status of the Coffea species from Mauritius are discussed.     

Variation among strains of Xanthomonas campestris pv. vasculorum from Mauritius and other countries based on fatty acid analysis

Fatty acid profiling was used to study variation amongst strains of Xanthomonas campestris pv. vasculorum (Xcv). They could be divided into five groups using cellular fatty acid profiles. Group A strains represent a new and little known taxon and all came from plants of broom bamboo (Thysanolaena maxima) from Mauritius. Group B strains included the Xcv pathotype reference strain and were from palms, broom bamboo and sugarcane from Mauritius, Reunion and Australia. Group C contained southern African and Malagasy strains from sugarcane and maize, together with X. campestris pv. holcicola strain. No Mascarene strains fell into this group. Group D strains isolated from sugarcane, maize and royal palm (Roystonea regia) were from Mauritius and Reunion, the earliest known strains coming from Réunion. These groups represented in the Mascarene Islands possibly belong to three different Xanthomonas species. A further Group E comprised one Xcv strain (NCPPB 182) from Puerto Rico, one X. vasicola pv. holcicola strain plus 6 other unclassified Xanthomonas strains causing red stripe disease symptoms in sugarcane. Three of these groups occur on Mauritius and two occur on Réunion. Group B strains originally caused serious problems in noble canes. As resistant interspecific hybrids were introduced, group D strains appeared in Mauritius possibly being introduced from Reunion but having similar host ranges within the Gramineae and Palmae. The findings that 3 of these groups (A, B, D) can cause gumming disease in a grass species (T. maxima) and that 2 of them (B, D) also cause gumming disease in sugar cane (Gramineae) and palms (Palmae) is unusual.     

Phylogenetic relationships based on morphology among the Diospyros (Ebenaceae) species endemic to the Mascarene Islands

The Diospyros (Ebenaceae) species which colonized the Mascarene Islands, namely Mauritius, Reunion and Rodrigues, have been decimated over the years by human settlements. Of the 14 endemic species that have been described and collected for herbaria, Diospyros angulata is now believed to be extinct in Mauritius. The phylogenetic relationships of the 14 Diospyros species were determined using maximum parsimony analysis of 35 morphological characters. This analysis separated the Mascarene Diospyros into two major clades, with D. revaughanii , D. egrettarum and D. leucomelas grouped in the same strongly supported most basal clade while the rest of the species formed the other major clade. High bootstrap values were obtained for the sister species D. angulata and D. boutonania , and the clade clustering the upland species D. neraudii , D. nodosa and D. pterocalyx . There was also relatively strong support for the clade comprising D. hemiteles and D. melanida , which are located in mid altitude regions. These results indicate that Diospyros species most probably colonized the coastal areas of Mauritius and then moved to mid altitude habitats before finally reaching the upland regions. There are also strong indications that D. borbonica and D. diversifolia , endemic to Reunion and Rodrigues, respectively, resulted from migrations from Mauritius.  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 150 , 307–313.     

A genetic diversity study of endangered Psiadia species endemic from Mauritius Island using PCR markers

The genus Psiadia Jacq. represents the most important indigenous genus, by the number of species present, in the Mascarene archipelago (Mauritius, Reunion, Rodrigues), and is a typical example of adaptive radiation in oceanic islands. The Mauritius species are used in traditional pharmacopoeia for their expectorant properties, and most of them are heavily threatened. Molecular genetic relationships between representatives of eight endangered endemic Psiadia species from Mauritius, conserved in Le Mondrain Reserve, and P. dentata (Cass.) DC, endemic from Reunion island, were studied. The absence of length variations of the 5s rDNA non-transcribed spacer demonstrated the recent common origin of all the species surveyed. RAPD analysis revealed a relatively high intra-specific variability in accordance with the outcrossing mode of reproduction of Psiadia species. Moreover, RAPD analysis showed the existence of four major phenetic groups: (A) P. arguta (Pers.) Voigt, P. dentata, (B) P. penninervia D. C., P. terebinthina A.J. Scott, P. lithospermifolia (Lam.) Cordem, (C) P. viscosa (Lam.) A.J. Scott, P. canescens A.J. Scott, P. cataractae A.J. Scott, and (D) P. pollicina A.J. Scott. These groups were consistent with the chemical composition of the essential oils of the species as well as with their floral characteristics, based on literature. A molecular germplasm database for Psiadia species was established, which will allow further characterisation of new samples being introduced in Le Mondrain Reserve for conservation purpose.     

NOTES ON THE BIOLOGY OF THE MAURITIUS BLACK BULBUL HYPSIPETES OLIVACEUS

Safford, R.J. 1996. Notes on the biology of the Mauritius Black Bulbul Hypsipetes olivaceus. Ostrich 67: 151–154.

The Mauritius Black Bulbul Hypsipetes olivaceus is a threatened passerine endemic to Mauritius. Direct observations of food items indicate that it is an arboreal omnivore. Animal prey consists mostly of insects and native day-geckoes (Phelsuma spp.). A wide variety of native and exotic fruits is also taken. The species is apparently monogamous, with an egg-laying season extending from at least November to February, usual clutch and brood sizes of two to three, ability rapidly to lay repeat clutches in a new nest, and post-breeding complete moult. In these respects, its annual cycle resembles that of the other native Mauritian passerines. It occurs at very low population density compared to its Indian Ocean congeners; possible reasons for this are given.     

Molecular discrimination of phytoseiids associated with the red palm mite Raoiella indica (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) from Mauritius and South Florida

Phytoseiid populations imported from Mauritius for evaluation for a classical biological control program in Florida, USA, were morphologically identified as Amblyseius largoensis Muma, a species associated with the red palm mite in south Florida and the Caribbean. Bayesian analysis and sequence divergences of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA and nuclear Elongation factor--I alpha (EF-Iα) genes and Neighbor-Joining analysis of High-fidelity-RAPD-PCR markers were used to discriminate between the south Florida and Mauritius populations. High-fidelity-RAPD-PCR markers in addition to Bayesian and sequence divergence analyses of the 12S rRNA sequences suggest that the Mauritius and south Florida populations are genetically different but whether these are species or population differences is unknown. The degenerate EF-Iα primers used to survey the phytoseiids amplified two different elongation factor sequences with distinct amino acid translations, the putative EF-Iα and an unknown elongation factor. Variability within the 12S gene was used to develop population-specific primers for identifying the Mauritius phytoseiids in the event they are released in south Florida.     

Recently extinct reptile populations from Mauritius and Réunion, Indian Ocean

Previously unreported material of recently extinct reptiles from Mauritius and Reunion is discussed. It confirms the original presence on Mauritius of three species now largely or entirely confined to nearby Round Island: the gecko Cyrtodactylus serpensinsula , the skink, Leiolopisma telfairii and the boa, Casarea dussumieri. Leiolopisma telfairii is also recorded from Reunion for the first time. Leiolopisma telfairii and the extinct giant Dido–saurus mauritianus are shown to be very similar to each other and quite probably derivatives of a single invading species. D. mauritianus is consequently transferred to Leiolopisma. Apparently pathological tooth structure in this form is also reported.     

Two new species ofDelitschia from submerged wood

Two new species ofDelitschia are described from submerged wood;D. palmietensis collected in the Palmiet River in Durban Westville, South Africa andD. fasciatispora from the Black River, Mauritius. This brings the total ofDelitschia species known from non-coprophilous habitats to four.Delitschia palmietensis andD. fasciatispora are described and illustrated with light micrographs and discussed in relation to other species in the genus. A key to the non-coprophilousDelitschia species is provided.     

The genus Setulipes (Marasmiaceae) in Madagascar and the Mascarenes, including a key to other African taxa

The authors report first records for the genus Setulipes in Madagascar, with the presence of Setulipes cf. hakgalensis and two new species, Setulipes funaliformis and S. moreaui, as well as a new species from Mauritius: S. mauritiensis. A key to these taxa, as well as to other African species, is supplied.     

Did organochlorine pesticide use cause declines in Mauritian forest birds?

We examine the hypothesis that organochlorine pesticide use in the 1950s and 1960s caused population declines and local extinctions in two endemic Mauritian birds, the Mauritius kestrel, Falco punctatus, and Mauritius cuckoo-shrike, Coracina typica. This hypothesis was suggested in the 1980s but is dismissed by authorities in Mauritius. The declines and subsequent increases in the populations and range areas of both species, the timing and location of the use of organochlorines for malaria control and in food crop production, the diets of the species, and the known mechanisms for transfer of organochlorine residues into organisms are all consistent with the hypothesis. No alternative explanation can at present account for these population changes. Organochlorine pesticide use cannot therefore be rejected as a reason for the declines and local extinctions of the kestrel and cuckoo-shrike.     

A partial systematic revision of the day geckos, Phelsuma Gray, of Madagascar (Reptilia: Squamata: Gekkonidae)

Recent survey work in Madagascar has led to significant changes in the systematics of Madagascan Phelsuma. A new species from the Masoala Peninsula in northeastern Madagascar is described, which has a nostril position typical of Phelsuma from Mauritius, Reunion and Rodriguez islands. Phelsuma breviceps was rediscovered in extreme southern Madagascar and is resurrected from the synonymy of P. mutabilis. Phelsuma breviceps has fragile skin, a probable predator escape mechanism, similar to the condition found in geckos of the genera Ailuronyx and Geckokpis. Three new synonyms are recognized. Phelsuma befotahensis and P. checki are junior synonyms of P. abbotti , and P. minuthi is a junior synonym of P. lineata. Twenty species of Phelsuma occur in Madagascar, of which 16 are endemic. A checklist and identification key are provided. Conservation problems of Phelsuma in the coastal regions of Madagascar are briefly discussed.     

Molecular characterisation of Xanthomonas strains isolated from aroids in Mauritius

Mauritius is one of the largest world producers of Anthurium cut flowers but outbreaks of bacterial blight have never been reported on the island. This work was about the characterisation and identification of bacterial strains isolated from Anthurium andreanum, Dieffenbachia maculata and Aglaonema simplex in Mauritius. Fifteen strains, that showed the morphological properties of Xanthomonas on conventional media, were tested on two semi-selective media (Esculin-trehalose and cellobiose-starch). ELISA tests using a panel of monoclonal antibodies were carried out and three out of 15 strains reacted with a Xanthomonas-specific monoclonal antibody (MAb XII). Analysis using four sets of ribosomal primers revealed that the same three Mauritius strains shared conserved PCR products with reference xanthomonads including virulent strains of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. dieffenbachiae (Xad). BIOLOG tests and the Sherlock Microbial Identification system (MIDI) identified these three new strains at the species level as X. axonopodis. The complementary tests that were carried out clearly confirmed that the three strains are xanthomonads and, moreover, a DNA probe which showed specificity to Xad strains suggested that the three Mauritius strains are non-virulent forms of the pathogen causing Anthurium blight.     

Three new hyphomycetes onPandanus leaves from mauritius

Three new hyphomycetes colonizing dead leaves ofPandanus spp. in Mauritius are described, illustrated, and compared with related species. They areFuscophialis suttonii sp. nov.,Paraceratocladium triseptatum sp. nov., andSporidesmium paradecorosum sp. nov.     

A new genus of taeniapterine Micropezidae (Diptera) from the Mascarene Islands

Abstract. Courtoisia , a new genus of rarely encountered taeniapterine Micropezidae (Diptera), is described from the Mascarene Islands of Réunion and Mauritius. The affinities of Courtoisia with other Old World genera of Taeniap-terinae, most notably those from the Afrotropical Region, are discussed. A possible derivation of Courtoisia from ancestral stock of the African genus Cephalosphen Hennig, 1934 is suggested. A tentative theory to explain the dispersal of a founder population from Africa to the Mascarene Islands is discussed. Courtoisia was erected to accommodate Calobata apicalis and C.trinotata , both described from Réunion by Macquart in 1851. Both species are redescribed on the basis of all available material and a lectotype is designated for Calobata trinotata. A key to the species of Courtoisia is presented.     

A new endemic gecko (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) from Mauritius

A previously undescribed gecko, Nactus coindemirensis sp. nov. is reported from Gunner's Quoin, a small island off Mauritius. Nactus coindemirensis is not especially closely related to the other Mauritian member of the genus, N. serpensinsula; thus, it is likely that the precursors of these two species reached Mauritius separately, rather than both being descended from a single colonizer. Unlike other Mauritian reptiles now known only from small off-shore islands, N. coindemirensis coexists with rats, perhaps because it can evade them by taking refuge in small holes and crevices of the basalt it inhabits. This raises the possibility that it may still survive on other islands with rats, including Mauritius itself, but has escaped notice because of its size and cryptic behaviour.