On the altitudinal limits of birds on BasilC Peak (Bioko Island; Equatorial Guinea)

Pérez del Val, J. 2000. On the altitudinal limits of birds on Basile Peak (Bioko Island; Equatorial Guinea). Ostrich 71(1 & 2): 342.

The lower altitudinal limit of the montane avifauna in Africa has generally been set at 1 500- 800 m, corresponding to vegetation belts of the main mountain ranges of East Africa. However, much lower limits have been reported from the East Usambaras (Tanzania), Mount Cameroon, and Bioko Island. Basilé Peak is a volcano of 3 011 m which constitutes the northern half of Bioko Island. Below 400–900 m the forest has been logged and largely replaced by cocoa plantations, but the vegetation is relatively undisturbed at higher altitudes. Annual rainfall ranges between 2 000 mm and 3 500 mm. From January 1990 to July 1992 mist-nets were set at 13 standardised stations on Basilé Peak; 1 427 birds of 71 species were captured. Previous data from non-standardised mist-netting at 6 other localities, together with sight and sound records, published data, and 1 047 skins in the collections of Museo Naçional de Ciençias Naturales (Madrid), Estacion Biologica de Donaiia (Sevilla) and the Natural History Museum (Tring) were also used to compile distribution lists. From published botanical surveys, I recognised four vegetation zones: Lowland Rain Forest up to 800 m; Mountain Rain Forest at 80CL1 800 m; Araliaceus Forest 1 800–2 500 m; and Ericaceus Stands above 2 500 m. An analysis of similarity (using the index of Czechanowski) grouped 68 bird species into altitudinal classes at 200 m intervals. This suggests a division between lowland and montane birds at 800–1 000 m, broadly coinciding with the change between Lowland and Mountain Rain Forest. There does not seem to be a discrete bird community restricted to either of the upper zones (Araliaceus Forest or Ericaeus Stands), with only the Yellow Bishop Euplectes capensis restricted to the upper 500 m of the mountain. Most species which reach the summit are found in all vegetation zones, notably the endemic subspecies of the African Goshawk Accipiter tachiro lopezi. It is suggested that low temperatures, high rainfall, and in particular the seasonal distribution of rainfall, may explain the lower altitudinal limits of the montane avifauna on Bioko and on Mount Cameroon.     

Response of bryophytes to exposure and water availability on some European travertines

Abstract

Seventeen travertine-bryophyte taxa were recorded in 212 quadrats from 17 sites, and the cover of the eight commonest species was analysed in terms of aspect, slope, exposure and water relations. Only Aneura pinguis was significantly affected by aspect, while Eucladium verticillatum and Hymenostylium recurvirostrum preferred steep slopes. The last two species, with Didymodon tophaceus, were also found to prefer sheltered sites, while Bryum pseudotriquetrum, Palustriella commutata var. commutata and Pellia endiviifolia were more common in exposed situations. Didymodon tophaceus, Hymenostylium recurvirostrum and Aneura pinguis were mostly confined to seepages and were kept moist by capillarity, while Palustriella commutata var. falcata and Pellia endiviifolia withstood high flows. Cratoneuron filicinum, Palustriella commutata var. commutata and Pellia endiviifolia had wide ecological amplitudes and were among the most frequently recorded species.     

Limnological Aspects of Two Tropical Crater Lakes (Lago Biao and Lago Loreto) on the Island of Bioko (Equatorial Guinea)

The limnology of Lago Biao and Lago Loreto, two tropical crater lakes on the island of Bioko, was investigated for the first time in January of 2002. Lago Biao fills a caldera at 1750 m altitude and is 18.5 m deep. This lake was characterized by low conductivity (11.6-13.3 S cm^–1), low pH (5.9-6.2), an oxycline between 6 and 10 m depth (90-27% saturation), and a Secchi depth of 5.5 m. Dinoflagellates, desmids, and green algae dominated the phytoplankton community. The rotifers Anuraeopsis fissa, Polyarthra indica, Trichocerca simoneae, and T. similis were most abundant above or in the thermocline. During the day Tropocyclops prasinus tjeefi and Chaoborus cf. ceratopogones concentrated in the oxycline, whereas Daphnia laevis was most abundant between 0 and 4 m depth. In contrast, L. Loreto is 82 m deep and probably fills an explosion crater (maar) at 1050 m altitude. The lake had a turbid, yellowish appearance and a Secchi depth of only 0.6 m. Oxygen content dropped from 121% at the surface to 6% in 10 m depth. The pH declined from 9.15 at the surface to 7.4 in only 2.5 m depth and became acidic at approximately 15 m depth. One species of cyanobacterium, one dinoflagellate and one green alga dominated the phytoplankton and together reached densities of 12 100 cells ml^–1. Only one rotifer (Brachionus angularis) and one copepod (Tropocyclops prasinus tjeefi) species colonized the open water. Intact algal cells and zooplankton specimens were encountered near the bottom.     

Reduced Prevalence of Malaria Infection in Children Living in Houses with Window Screening or Closed Eaves on Bioko Island,Equatorial Guinea

Background

Previous studies demonstrated that fewer mosquitoes enter houses which are screened or have closed eaves. There is little evidence about the effect on malaria infection in humans that changes in house construction may have. This study examines the impact of protective housing improvements on malaria infection on Bioko Island.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Data from the annual malaria indicator surveys between 2009 and 2012 were used to assess trends in housing characteristics and their effect on RDT confirmed malaria infection in household members. Odds ratios were adjusted for socio-economic status of the household.22726 children between the ages of 2 and 14 years were tested for P. falciparum. Prevalence of infection in those living in houses with open eaves was 23.0% compared to 18.8% for those living in houses with closed eaves (OR = 0.81, 95% CI 0.67 - 0.98). The prevalence of infection for children in screened houses was 9.1% versus 20.1% for those living in unscreened houses (OR = 0.44, 95% CI 0.27 - 0.71). The proportion of houses with closed eaves increased from 66.0% in 2009 to 74.3% in 2012 (test for trend p = 0.01). The proportion of screened houses remained unchanged over time at 1.3%.

Conclusion/Significance

As a malaria control intervention, house modification has the advantages that it is not affected by the growing threat of insecticide resistance; it protects all household members equally and at all times while indoors; and it offers protection against a number of vector borne diseases. The study provides evidence in support of efforts to regulate or encourage housing improvements which impede vector access into residences as part of an integrated vector control approach to complement existing measures which have been only partially successful in reducing malaria transmission in some parts of Bioko.     

Seroprevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus,Hepatitis B Virus,Hepatitis C Virus,and Treponema pallidum Infections among Blood Donors on Bioko Island,Equatorial Guinea

Background

Regular screening of transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs), such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus (HBV and HCV, respectively), and Treponema pallidum, in blood donors is essential to guaranteeing clinical transfusion safety. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of four TTIs among blood donors on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea (EG).

Methods

A retrospective survey of blood donors from January 2011 to April 2013 was conducted to assess the presence of HIV, HBV, HCV and T. pallidum. The medical records were analyzed to verify the seroprevalence of these TTIs among blood donations stratified by gender, age and geographical region.

Results

Of the total 2937 consecutive blood donors, 1098 (37.39%) had a minimum of one TTI and 185 (6.29%) harbored co-infections. The general seroprevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV and T. pallidum were 7.83%, 10.01%, 3.71% and 21.51%, respectively. The most frequent TTI co-infections were HBV-T. pallidum 60 (2.04%) and HIV-T. pallidum 46 (1.57%). The seroprevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV and T. pallidum were highest among blood donors 38 to 47 years, 18 to 27 years and ≥ 48 years age, respectively (P<0.05). The seroprevalence of TTIs varied according to the population from which the blood was collected on Bioko Island.

Conclusions

Our results firstly provide a comprehensive overview of TTIs among blood donors on Bioko Island. Strict screening of blood donors and improved hematological examinations using standard operating procedures are recommended.     

Increased risks of malaria due to limited residual life of insecticide and outdoor biting versus protection by combined use of nets and indoor residual spraying on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Malaria is endemic on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea, with year-round transmission. In 2004 an intensive malaria control strategy primarily based on indoor residual spraying (IRS) was launched. The limited residual life of IRS poses particular challenges in a setting with year-round transmission, such as Bioko. Recent reports of outdoor biting by Anopheles gambiae are an additional cause for concern. In this study, the effect of the short residual life of bendiocarb insecticide and of children spending time outdoors at night, on malaria infection prevalence was examined. METHODS: Data from the 2011 annual malaria indicator survey and from standard WHO cone bioassays were used to examine the relationship between time since IRS, mosquito mortality and prevalence of infection in children. How often children spend time outside at night and the association of this behaviour with malaria infection were also examined. RESULTS: Prevalence of malaria infection in two to 14 year-olds in 2011 was 18.4 %, 21.0 % and 28.1 % in communities with median time since IRS of three, four and five months respectively. After adjusting for confounders, each extra month since IRS corresponded to an odds ratio (OR) of 1.44 (95 % CI 1.15-1.81) for infection prevalence in two to 14 year-olds. Mosquito mortality was 100 %, 96 %, 81 % and 78 %, at month 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively after spraying. Only 4.1 % of children spent time outside the night before the survey between the hours of 22.00 and 06.00 and those who did were not at a higher risk of infection (OR 0.87, 95 % CI 0.50-1.54). Sleeping under a mosquito net provided additive protection (OR 0.68, 95 % CI 0.54-0.86). CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate the epidemiological impact of reduced mosquito mortality with time since IRS. The study underscores that in settings of year-round transmission there is a compelling need for longer-lasting IRS insecticides, but that in the interim, high coverage of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) may ameliorate the loss of effect of current shorterlasting IRS insecticides. Moreover, continued use of IRS and LLINs for indoor-oriented vector control is warranted given that there is no evidence that spending time outdoors at night increases infection prevalence in children.     

A review of the genus Fallaciella (Bryopsida: Lembophyllaceae), including a new species from South Island,New Zealand

Abstract

An overview of the genus Fallaciella is provided, including reasons for its placement in the Lembophyllaceae. A new species, Fallaciella robusta sp. nov., is described from South Island, New Zealand. The differences between the two known species of Fallaciella are outlined and the main points summarized in a key. Illustrations are provided for both species, and a distribution map is provided for F. robusta.     

Some new species of Haplotaxidae (Oligochaeta) from Guinea and remarks on the history of the family

Three new species of Haplotaxidae collected by Dr. A. Villiers in a cave near Kindia, Guinea, are described. One species belongs to the genus Metataxis Righi, 1985 (M. carnivorus sp. nov.) which is distributed in Western Africa and Eastern America. Another new species is similar to Lycodrilus kraepelini Michaelsen, 1914 incertae sedis: a new genus Villiersia is proposed for both species (V. guanivora sp. nov., V. kraepelini nov. comb.).A third species, of which only immature specimens are available, is tentatively attributed to the genus Haplotaxis: it is remarkable because of its peculiar setae and commissural vessels (H. villiersi sp. nov.).The three species appear to feed on bat guano and, occasionally, on aquatic arthropods.Metataxis, Tiguassu and Villiersia belong to the section of Haplotaxidae endowed with paired sperm sacs and ovisacs.The relations of Haplotaxidae with other families are discussed and it is suggested that the passage from the haplotaxid condition to that of sparganophilids and more advanced lumbriciforms is connected to a change of reproductive strategy and to an enhanced metabolism.     

A contribution to the knowledge of liphistiid spiders

These spiders resemble fossil spiders of the Carboniferous. Although they are unique in retaining several primitive characters it is thought best to include them in the sub-Order Mygalomorphae and to abandon the special sub-Order Liphistiomorphae.
The family Heptathelidae to include those species with seven instead of eight spinnerets as in the Liphistiidae is also abandoned.
The species Liphistius thorelli Sim. from Sumatra is regarded as a synonym of the other Sumatran species L. sumatranus Thor.
Eight species of Liphistius and two of Heptathela are now recognized. Their distribution is confined, according to present knowledge, to Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Japan, Malaysia and Sumatra. This may provide useful evidence in the question, as yet unsettled, of the origin of south-east Asia in terms of continental drift.
A special visit has been paid to Sumatra to rediscover Liphistius sumatranus (of which only one specimen was found and described in 1879) to establish with certainty that it is distinct from the Malaysian L. desultor . This was achieved and the species are now compared.
Some biological observations are provided.     

A contribution to the knowledge of Agathidinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from Iran with description of a new species

The subfamily Agathidinae was studied in parts of northern Iran. Six species were collected and identified. Among them, Cremnops desertor (L., 1758) is recorded for the first time from Iran. Lytopylus persicus Farahani & Talebi sp. n. is described and illustrated. A key to the West Palaearctic species of the genus Lytopylus Förster and an updated checklist of Iranian Agathidinae are provided.     

A contribution to the knowledge of common Turkish higher fungi

There are many publications about the microfungi, but only few papers on the higher fungi of Turkey.Pilat (1932) is the first investigator of Turkish larger fungi as far as the author is aware from the literatures. He has found 68 species of fungi from four different families. SecondZeybek's work is about one species ofMorchella that was found in the Western part of Anatolia.We have identified 100 higher fungi from the 10 different families in the present work. Most of the identified species were collected in the vicinities of Izmir and Istanbul within the years of 1968 and 1971. The list of higher fungi species which we have found is below according to the families.     

Astragalus raphaelis (Fabaceae), a critical species from Sicily and taxonomic remarks on A. sect. Sesamei

The taxonomic position of Astragalus raphaelis, a rare and misappreciated species endemic to Sicily, has been examined. In addition, its geographical distribution, ecology and conservation status, diagnostic morphological characters, pod and seed micro‐morphology and relationship with A. stella are provided. Phenetic and phylogenetic trees (based on morphological data) for A. sect Sesamei shows that A. raphaelis is a taxonomically quite isolated species, with some relationships to A. sesamoides.     

The contribution of bryophytes to the carbon exchange for a temperate rainforest

Bryophytes blanket the floor of temperate rainforests in New Zealand and may influence a number of important ecosystem processes, including carbon cycling. Their contribution to forest floor carbon exchange was determined in a mature, undisturbed podocarp‐broadleaved forest in New Zealand, dominated by 100–400‐year‐old rimu (Dacrydium cupressimum) trees. Eight species of mosses and 13 species of liverworts contributed to the 62% cover of the diverse forest floor community. The bryophyte community developed a relatively thin (depth <30 mm), but dense, canopy that experienced elevated CO₂ partial pressures (median 46.6 Pa immediately below the bryophyte canopy) relative to the surrounding air (median 37.6 Pa at 100 mm above the canopy). Light‐saturated rates of net CO₂ exchange from 14 microcosms collected from the forest floor were highly variable; the maximum rate of net uptake (bryophyte photosynthesis – whole‐plant respiration) per unit ground area at saturating irradiance was 1.9 μmol m^?2 s^?1 and in one microcosm, the net rate of CO₂ exchange was negative (respiration). CO₂ exchange for all microcosms was strongly dependent on water content. The average water content in the microcosms ranged from 1375% when fully saturated to 250% when air‐dried. Reduction in water content across this range resulted in an average decrease of 85% in net CO₂ uptake per unit ground area. The results from the microcosms were used in a model to estimate annual carbon exchange for the forest floor. This model incorporated hourly variability in average irradiance reaching the forest floor, water content of the bryophyte layer, and air and soil temperature. The annual net carbon uptake by forest floor bryophytes was 103 g m^?2, compared to annual carbon efflux from the forest floor (bryophyte and soil respiration) of ?1010 g m^?2. To put this in perspective of the magnitude of the components of CO₂ exchange for the forest floor, the bryophyte layer reclaimed an amount of CO₂ equivalent to only about 10% of forest floor respiration (bryophyte plus soil) or ～11% of soil respiration. The contribution of forest floor bryophytes to productivity in this temperate rainforest was much smaller than in boreal forests, possibly because of differences in species composition and environmental limitations to photosynthesis. Because of their close dependence on water table depth, the contribution of the bryophyte community to ecosystem CO₂ exchange may be highly responsive to rapid changes in climate.     

A contribution to the knowledge of the anostracan fauna of Iran

We report the finding of three anostracan species, Chirocephalus skorikowi Daday, 1913, Branchinecta orientalis Sars, 1901 and Branchinella spinosa. Milne-Edwards, 1840 in different localities in northwestern Iran. C. skorikowi was recorded in a lake at an elevation of 2400 m, whereas B. orientalis was found in a pond at 1280 m a.s.l. Co-existing B. spinosa and B. orientalis were collected in a pool close to the town of Tabriz, formerly indicated by Brehm (1954) as Estakr Chah, presently named EalGoli. Unlike Brehm (1954), we did not find Streptocephalus in the area of Tabriz.     

A new contribution to the cytogenetic knowledge of Alticinae (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae)

Seven species of Alticinae, mostly from Spain, have been chromosomally surveyed from male meiotic or mitotic cells. The two Spanish species of Oedionychus, O. cinctus and O. limbatus, have shown a karyotype of 2n=16+X+Y, with a lower number of autosomes than in their congeneric Neotropical species, but sharing with them the giant distance-paired sex-chromosomes. The Uruguayan Macrohaltica transversa has a 11+X+y meioformula, which agrees with that found in four congeneric species and in most ones of the allied genus Altica. The meioformula of Hermaeophaga ruficollis 7+Xy, differs only slightly from that reported in another congeneric species. Moreover those of Longitarsus aeruginosus 11+Xy, L. australis 13+Xy, and Psylliodes obscuroaeneus 15+Xy(p,) are similar to some of those previously published for other species in both genera.     

A contribution to the knowledge of longicorn beetles (Coleoptera,Cerambycidae) of the Caucasus: 7. Notes on the distribution of some species

The distribution of 28 species of longicorn beetles in the Caucasus and neighboring territories is discussed with new distributional data reported for some species. The records of Rhagium fasciculatum, Paraclytus sexguttatus, and Anaglyptus arabicus from northern Iran (Elburz Mts.) are considered erroneous. Photographs of old specimens of Phytoecia pontica (a male labeled “Caucasus Leder”) and Ph. wachanrui (a male labeled “Daghestan”) are given; the occurrence of these species in the Caucasus is considered probable. The records of Cortodera flavimana, Pedostrangalia verticenigra and Chlorophorus hircanus from northeastern Azerbaijan are considered erroneous; these species are not known from the Caucasus. The distribution of Brachypteroma ottomanum, Leioderes kollari, Phymatodes glabratus, and Dorcadion equestre still remains to be proved; the known records of B. ottomanum supposedly refer to B. holtzi, and those of L. kollari, to L. tuerki. It is also speculated that the records of Pedostrangalia revestita from Borjomi refer to the closely related P. tokatensis, and the records of Pedostrangalia emmipoda from Sevan and Batumi, to P. kurda.     

A new Tithaeus species from Hainan Island, China (Arachnida, Opiliones, Laniatores, Epedanidae), with a key to the Chinese species

A new species of the harvestmen Tithaeus calyptratussp. n. (Epedanidae, Opiliones) from Hainan Island (China) is diagnosed, described and illustrated. A key to the two Chinese species of Tithaeus is provided.