Seasonal Food Use Strategies of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Semnopithecus vetulus nestor</Emphasis>, at Panadura and Piliyandala,Sri Lanka

Field studies on Semnopithecus vetulus have shown high folivory and the ability to feed heavily on mature leaves, which are constantly available. In research spanning 19 mo, I examined the feeding behavior of 2 free-ranging groups of Semnopithecus vetulus nestor in home gardens and rubber monocultures at Panadura (PT1 group) and Piliyandala (R1 group), Sri Lanka. Overall, results showed that >80% of their diet comprised seasonal plant parts, largely fruits. Despite differences in spatial and temporal food availability in their respective habitats, seasonal plant parts dominated the diets of both groups except briefly (2 mo) for R1 when mature leaf petioles were the main plant food. Both groups increased their use of seasonal foods with heightened seasonal food availability, and increased dietary diversity with declining use of their highest-ranked specific item of diet: fruits of Artocarpus heterophyllus (jakfruit, Moraceae). PT1, which was in a species-rich environment, maintained a high intake of seasonal foods year round by exploiting a large number of species, mainly for fruits. In contrast, R1, in a habitat with significantly lower tree species richness, had a less diverse diet but maintained an equally high intake of seasonal foods, primarily fruits and seeds, by exploiting a few species heavily. My study also highlights the dietary flexibility of a single colobine species in space and time. Such information is useful for conservation planning because rapidly occurring changes are taking place in natural colobine habitats.     

Working with mahouts to explore the diet of work elephants in Myanmar (Burma)

At an elephant camp in central Myanmar (Burma), we interviewed mahouts and veterinarians to describe the diet of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in a mixed-deciduous forest. Elephants showed a broad dietary breadth (103 plant species from 42 families); consumed mostly browse (94% of plant species); and were very selective about plant parts [e.g., many trees were eaten exclusively for their bark (22%) or fruits (14%)]. The fruits from 29 plant species were recorded to be eaten by elephants. Several of these were found as fruit remains, seeds, or seedlings in elephant dung, suggesting a role of Asian elephants in seed dispersal. Work elephants and their mahouts prove to be a rich source of information to understand wild elephant ecology.     

Hairy root cultures of Anethum graveolens (dill): establishment, growth, time-course study of their essential oil and its comparison with parent plant oils

Transformed root cultures of Anethum graveolens were induced by inoculation of aseptically grown seedlings with Agrobacterium rhizogenes carrying plasmid pRi 1855. The main component of the essential oils from the fruits and from the roots of the parent plant was carvone, whereas -phellandrene and apiole were dominant in the oil from, respectively, the aerial parts and the hairy roots. The essential oils from the fruits, aerial parts and roots of the parent plant were at 2%, 0.3% and 0.06% (v/w), respectively, but only 0.02% (v/w) in the hairy root cultures. Growth of the hairy root cultures reached 600 mg dry wt/50 ml medium after 50 days. The essential oil composition did not change significantly during their growth.     

The effect of invasive plant management on the rate of removal of vertebrate-dispersed fruits

Chrysanthemoides monilifera ssp. rotundata is an invasive plant in eastern Australia. It produces large quantities of fleshy fruits, which are dispersed by birds and mammals, and has the potential to alter ecological processes in native plant communities in several ways. Seed dispersal of native plants growing amongst C. monilifera could be decreased (if C. monilifera is effective in competing for limited seed dispersers), increased (if C. monilifera-infested vegetation supports more seed dispersers), or be unchanged (if there is sufficient separation in fruiting time or dispersal agents between the species, or if dispersers are not limiting). We compared the rates of removal of fruits of native plants (Monotoca elliptica and Elaeocarpus spp.) from experimental stations in C. monilifera stands, in uninfested coastal vegetation, and in vegetation from which C. monilifera had been eliminated with herbicide. The rate of removal of fruits differed between plant species and locations, but not between any of the habitat treatments. This may have resulted from temporal separation of peak fruit availability between M. elliptica and C. monilifera, and differences in fruit morphology and disperser assemblages between Elaeocarpus spp. and C. monilifera. We also measured removal of C. monilifera fruits from stations in C. monilifera stands and from where C. monilifera had been eliminated with herbicide. In the herbicide-treated habitat, removal of C. monilifera fruits was reduced. This may assist control efforts and suggests that, to reduce seed dispersal, dense (core) populations should be targeted in control programs.     

Patterns of Frugivory in Three West African Colobine Monkeys

We studied the comparative feeding ecology of three species of colobus (Procolobus badius, Procolobus verus, and Colobus polykomos) on Tiwai Island, Sierra Leone. We collected dietary data on each species by scan-sampling habituated groups. Because these groups were observed in the same study area during overlapping time periods, the confounding effects of temporal and spatial variability in food availability were reduced. Our results show that the annual diets of the two larger species (Procolobus badius and Colobus polykomos) include roughly equal proportions of fruits (including seeds), young leaf parts, and mature leaf parts, although P. badius had a greater intake of floral parts. Procolobus verus consumed almost no mature leaf parts, few fruits and seeds, and many young leaf parts. Colobus polykomos commonly fed from lianas. Seeds were the dominant fruit item eaten by all three colobus, and the fruits they selected were generally dull and non-fleshy, in contrast to the brightly-colored, pulpy fruits eaten by guenons. Leguminous plants contributed substantially to the diets of both the larger species, but comparisons with other African forest sites indicate that colobine biomass is not closely correlated with the abundance of leguminous trees in the forest. (Deceased)     

Benefits and costs to pollinating,seed-eating insects: the effect of flower size and fruit abortion on larval performance

Plant–pollinator interactions are well-known examples of mutualism, but are not free of antagonism. Antagonistic interactions and defenses or counter-defenses are expected particularly in nursery pollination. In these systems, adult insects, while pollinating, lay their eggs in flowers, and juveniles consume the seeds from one or several fruits, thereby substantially reducing plant fitness. The outcome of such interactions will depend, for the plant, on the balance between pollination versus seed predation and for the larvae on the balance between the food and shelter provided versus the costs imposed by plant defenses, e.g., through abortion of infested fruits. Here, we examine the costs and benefits to the larvae in the nursery-pollination system Silene latifolia/Hadena bicruris. Using selection lines that varied in flower size (large- vs. small-flowered plants), we investigated the effects of variation in flower and fruit size and of a potential defense, fruit abortion, on larval performance. In this system, infested fruits are significantly more likely to be aborted than non-infested fruits; however, it is unclear whether fruit abortion is effective as a defense. Larger flowers gave rise to larger fruits with more seeds, and larvae that were heavier at emergence. Fruit abortion was frequently observed (ca. 40% of the infested fruits). From aborted fruits, larvae emerged earlier and were substantially lighter than larvae emerging from non-aborted fruits. The lower mass at emergence of larvae from aborted fruits indicates that abortion is a resistance mechanism. Assuming that lower larval mass implies fewer resources invested in the frugivore, these results also suggest that abortion is likely to benefit the plant as a defense mechanism, by limiting both resources invested in attacked fruits, as well as the risk of secondary attack. This suggests that selective fruit abortion may contribute to the stability of mutualism also in this non-obligate system.     

Herbivory in invasive rats: criteria for food selection

Three species of rats (Rattus exulans, R. rattus, R. norvegicus) are widely invasive, having established populations in terrestrial habitats worldwide. These species exploit a wide variety of foods and can devastate native flora and fauna. Rats can consume a variety of plant parts, but may have the most dramatic effects on plant populations through consumption and destruction of seeds. The vulnerability of vegetation to rat consumption is influenced by many factors including size of plant part, and mechanical and chemical defenses. We reviewed the literature to find out what plant species and plant parts invasive rats are consuming and what characteristics these sources share that may influence selection by rats. Many of the studies we found were preformed in New Zealand and our analyses are, therefore, focused on this location. We also performed feeding trials in the laboratory with R. norvegicus to determine if seed hardness and palatability would influence rat consumptive choices. We found more reports of rat consumption of fruits and seeds versus vegetative plant parts, and smaller fruits and seeds versus larger. R. norvegicus are reported to consume proportionally more vegetative plant parts than either R. exulans or R. rattus, possibly due to their more ground dwelling habits. Large size and hard seed coats may deter rat feeding, but unpalatable chemicals may be even more effective deterrents to rats. Scientists and managers can better manage vegetation in rat invaded areas by understanding the criteria rats use to select food.     

Geophagy by the bonnet macaques (Macaca radiata) of southern India: A preliminary analysis

Bonnet macaques (Macaca radiata) in the Marakkanam Reserved Forest of southern India consume termitaria soils. Samples from the ingested termite mounds are compared with samples taken from the surrounding uneaten soils in an attempt to determine why the termitaria soils are eaten. Particle size, clay and primary mineral composition, geochemistry, and scanning electron microscopic analyses are used to search for a possible explanation for geophagy among the bonnet macaques. Kaolin minerals abound throughout the Marakkanam soil sample suite. But the termitaria soils are distinguished by the presence of small amounts of smectite. An abundance of kaolin minerals in combination with small amounts of smectite strongly resembles the mineralogy ofeko, a traditional African remedy for stomach ailments, and Kaopectate™, a western anti-diarrhoeal preparation. The percentage of mature leaves and fruits ofAzadirachta indica consumed by the bonnet macaques is relatively high. Plant feeding deterrents, such as, acid detergent fibre (ADF) and the inherent nature of the fruits ofAzadirachta indica, when consumed in large quantities to act as a purgative, could cause gastrointestinal upsets and diarrhoea. At Marakkanam, bonnet macaques ingest termitaria earth that would act as a pharmaceutical agent to alleviate gastrointestinal upsets and control diarrhoea.     

Application of LIBS in Detection of Antihyperglycemic Trace Elements in Momordica charantia

The present study exploits the information based on concentration of trace elements and minerals in understanding the role/mechanism of action of freeze-dried fruit powder suspended in distilled water of Momordica charantia (family: Cucurbitaceae) in diabetes treatment. Laser-induced break down spectroscopy (LIBS) spectra of plant product was recorded under optimized experimental conditions and analyzed. Several atomic lines such as Na, K, Mg, Ca, Fe, Al, etc. have been observed in the LIBS spectra of the above plant product. The concentrations of these minerals are determined by using calibration-free LIBS method. Correlation between the concentration of these elements/minerals and their defined role in diabetes management was studied in normal as well as diabetic animal models.     

Purification and Characterization of Four New Cysteine Endopeptidases From Fruits of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bromelia pinguin</Emphasis> L. Grown in Cuba

Bromelia pinguin L. is a plant broadly distributed in Central America and Caribbean islands. The fruits have been used in traditional medicine as anthelmintic, probably owed to the presence of a mixture of cysteine endopeptidases, initially termed pinguinain. This work deals with the purification and characterization of the four main components of that mixture, two of them showing acid pI and the other two alkaline pI. Molecular masses (SDS-PAGE and MALDI-TOF), N-terminal sequence and the reactivity and kinetic parameters versus synthetic substrates (p-nitrophenyl-N-α-CBZ-amino acid esters, PFLNA, Z-Arg-Arg-p-NA, and Z-Phe-Arg-p-NA) of the studied peptidases are given, as well as the N-terminal sequences of the enzymes and the homology degree with other plant endopeptidases.     

Electrical recording of plant penetration by western flower thrips

Plant penetration by western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande)) was analysed with the electrical penetration graph technique (EPG, DC-system). Thrips attached to a gold wire were included in an electrical circuit to record EPGs when penetrating the plant tissues with their stylets. Three basic EPG waveforms have been distinguished, correlated with stylet penetration into cells, salivation, and ingestion, respectively. The main difference with EPGs of Homoptera is the occurrence of continued separate penetrations that are not necessarily followed by ingestion. Insertion of the stylets causes strong voltage fluctuations in the EPG. We could confirm earlier evidence that penetration of cells and subsequent ingestion of (part of) the protoplast takes less than 20 seconds. Repeated short penetrations can be followed by a continuous feeding pattern during which the stylets are not withdrawn. The same sequence of waveforms is produced on other plant parts such as fruits or pollen grains. The specific waveforms are mainly caused by electromotive force (emf). The emf component was recorded with high resolution and the correlation of waveform details with activities of the cibarial muscle system is discussed.     

Developmental responses of individual Onobrychis plants to spatial heterogeneity

An experimental study was undertaken to assess the extent to which better-situated branches correlatively inhibit other branches on the same plant which are growing in relatively inferior conditions. The experiments were carried out on naturally-grown Onobrychis squarrosa L. (Papilionaceae), a dominant annual plant of the Mediterranean region of Israel. Treatments were carried out (i) on young plants that only had a seminal shoot, and (ii) on plants after lateral branches had started growing. Differential shade conditions were achieved by the repeated removal of neighbours on one side of the plants. The plants were either left intact or damaged by removing different parts of their branch system. In intact plants, growth responses to the differential light conditions which were expressed by the number of branches, leaves and fruits showed some evidence for support of the shaded branches by the exposed branches on the same plant. In contrast, heterogeneous treatments of both shade and branch damaging led to development that reflected marked correlative inhibition of the shaded parts of the plant. The results show that a latent potential for correlative inhibition between branches exists throughout plant development and that in Onobrychis it can be readily realised when plants are damaged. This could depend on known traits of auxin acting as a correlative signal of growing branches. The observed responses of Onobrychis can be understood as an adaptive strategy which reflects the low reliability of environmental signals and the high cost of changing the course of development, especially in short-lived annual plants.     

Utilization on extrafloral nectaries and fruit domatia of Canavalia lineata and C. cathartica (Leguminosae) by ants

Utilization of the extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) and fruits of Canavalia lineata and C. cathartica by ants was investigated at 30 sites in Japan. The fruits of C. lineata and C. cathartica were inhabited by five and eight ant species, respectively. Ant nesting periods and their utilization of EFNs differed between C. lineata and C. cathartica. Canavalia lineata flowers once a year, and periods of EFN-utilization and fruit-nesting by ants do not overlap. The fruit-nesting ants on C. lineata seem to invade the plant from the holes made by moth larvae or breaches made by decay. The ants nesting on the fruits of C. lineata may defend the plant against seed herbivores because they feed on moth larvae. Canavalia cathartica flowers several times over a year, and fruits are found throughout the year; therefore, periods of EFN-utilization and fruit-nesting by ants are overlapped. Canavalia cathartica offers year-round nesting sites and food for ants, and therefore may receive a higher defensive effect from ants than C. lineata. Handling editor: Graham Stone.     

云南拉沙山黑白仰鼻猴对种子传播潜力的评估

灵长类是森林生态系统中植物种子的主要传播者,有助于森林植被的更新,然而受研究方法的限制,灵长类种子传播潜力常被低估。为全面评估温带灵长类动物的种子传播潜力,采用直接观察法和粪便分析法评估珍稀濒危灵长类动物黑白仰鼻猴的种子传播潜力。于2018年11月—2019年10月采用直接观察法(瞬时扫描取样法)收集云岭省级自然保护区拉沙山黑白仰鼻猴的活动时间分配数据,获取每月取食果实的比例;同时每月收集黑白仰鼻猴的粪便,采用粪便分析法分拣猴粪中残留的植物种子,统计有完整种子残留的月份和粪便比例,应用这两种方法评估黑白仰鼻猴种子传播潜力及其差异。结果表明：直接观察法收集到黑白仰鼻猴取食果实的月份数为6个月(7—12月),月均取食果实的比例为(15.31±20.15)%,共取食13种果实;而粪便分析法发现黑白仰鼻猴粪粒内全年都有完整种子残留,粪便中月均完整种子残留比例(35.19±35.43)%,其中9月至第二年1月粪便中种子残留比例都大于50%,共取食18种果实;综合两种方法发现云南拉沙山黑白仰鼻猴共取食20种植物果实,具有较高的种子传播潜力。直接观察法可确定黑白仰鼻猴取食果实的物种数,而粪便分析法能...     

Mineral Resource Availability and Consumption by Colobus in Kibale National Park,Uganda

Very little information exists on mineral nutrition of tropical, forest-dwelling species, yet minerals are critical to growth, reproduction, and survival. We examined the mineral resources available to and consumed by colobus in Kibale National Park, Uganda. We combined behavioral data on black-and-white (Colobus guereza) and red colobus (Piliocolobus tephrosceles) in a section of unlogged forest, a heavily logged area, and a forest fragment with mineral analysis of their foods to estimate the proportion of the diet containing specific minerals (mineral content). We compared mineral content of colobus foods (natural and crops) across plant parts and among plant species. Additionally, we estimated mineral intake of frugivorous primates in Kibale from published dietary data and our estimates of mineral content of foods. Dietary mineral content for all colobus groups and frugivorous species is similar despite significant differences in the mineral content of foods. Ripe and unripe fruits are lower in mineral content than most foods. Foods rarely consumed, such as bark, petioles, and caterpillars have high levels of some minerals. The mineral content of crops is low in comparison to that ofnatural foods. For all colobus groups of both species, sodium content of foods was extremely low and iron content was generally low, suggesting that intake isbelow suggested requirements, though current suggested iron requirements may overestimate physiological needs. Copper content was marginal and deficient seasonally for most colobus groups. Despite a sodium-limiting environment, only one of 8 colobus groups appeared to select sodium; however, this may be due to a lack of variation in sodium content among plant species and a positive correlation between high plant sodium content and secondary compounds. Despite the lack of selection for sodium by colobines, some behaviors point to a potential sodium deficiency, including urine drinking, consumption of high-sodium swamp plants, and use of mud-puddles.     

药用植物刺山柑不同部位细菌群落结构及其多样性

【目的】研究传统药用植物刺山柑（Capparis spinosa L.）不同部位细菌群落结构、物种组成和多样性特征,为药用植物微生物资源的开发及微生物与宿主互作提供理论依据。【方法】本研究以刺山柑地上部植物组织（果实、茎）和地下部土壤（根际土壤、非根际土壤）为研究材料,采用高通量测序技术分析刺山柑不同部位细菌的16S rRNA基因多样性,比较其细菌群落结构和物种组成特征。【结果】刺山柑4种样本共获得的3 649个操作分类单元（operational taxonomic unit,OTU）,属于34门、88纲、248目、464科和1 051属。土壤样本的细菌多样性大于植物组织,细菌群落多样性以根际土壤、非根际土壤、茎和果实的顺序逐渐降低,果实内生细菌群落多样性始终最低,显著低于根际土壤。不同部位相对丰度较高的细菌门如下：植物组织中以变形菌门为主,根际土壤中为变形菌门和放线菌门,非根际土中为厚壁菌门和放线菌门。无色杆菌属（Achromobacter）、欧文氏菌属（Erwinia）、肠球菌属（Enterococcus）、微小杆菌属（Exiguobacterium）、乳杆菌属（Lactobacillus）和克雷伯氏菌属（Klebsiella）主要存在于刺山柑植物组织中。游动球菌属（Planomicrobium）、库克菌属（Kocuria）、类芽孢杆菌属（Paenibacillus）、链霉菌属（Streptomyces）、微枝形杆菌属（Microvirga）和节杆菌属（Arthrobacter）主要分布于土壤中。β多样性分析结果表明,刺山柑植物组织和土壤的细菌群落结构具有显著差异,同类型样本的细菌群落结构相似。【结论】刺山柑土壤样本中细菌群落的多样性和丰富度均高于植物组织,刺山柑不同部位的细菌群落组成不同。本研究对刺山柑不同部位细菌群落结构进行了初步分析,鉴定了各部位细菌群落中的核心菌群,为以后挖掘刺山柑的功能研究和利用提供了准确的微生物信息。     

Physical and chemical cues affect oviposition by Neoleucinodes elegantalis

Recognition and acceptance of a suitable host plant by phytophagous insects requires the integration of visual, physical and chemical cues. The present study investigates the host cues that a specialist insect integrates to optimize oviposition decisions and whether these cues are weighted in a specific way. The study also determines whether the tomato fruit borer Neoleucinodes elegantalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), an important pest on Solanaceae in Brazil, shows a preference for oviposition sites that differ in physical and/or chemical cues. When styrofoam balls are provided as artificial fruits, N. elegantalis deposit significantly more eggs on rough artificial fruits than on smooth ones. Hexane fruit extracts applied to the artificial fruits stimulate female oviposition strongly. Physical and chemical cues also affect the oviposition of females when offered together. Furthermore, certain parts of the artificial fruits are prefered, irrespective of the presence of chemical cues. Both physical and chemical cues affect oviposition decisions; hence, the fruit borer relies on cues of different sensory modalities.     

罗汉果花气味物质量化分析方法研究

罗汉果(Siraitia grosvenorii)是葫芦科著名的药食两用植物,广泛种植于广西桂林地区,其开花后传粉不良现象迫切需要研究解决。为了探讨罗汉果花朵气味物质与传粉者访花频率的关系以及查明传粉不良产生的原因,该文选择罗汉果雄花为材料,研究了罗汉果花朵气味物质的量化分析方法。实验采用动态顶空吸附法收集新鲜花朵的气味物质,经过洗脱、洗脱液吹氮和GC-MS分析等步骤,先后完成了花朵气味物质的收集、浓缩、分离和鉴定,最后以峰面积归一化法计算各化学组分的相对含量。结果表明:从供试花朵中检测到挥发性组分(包括萜烯类物质) 5种,以及芳香烃类、烷烃类、酯类物质各1种,其中萜烯类物质的相对含量达71.07%,是供试花朵最主要的挥发性化合物。该结果高度符合葫芦科植物花朵气味的化学组分特征,并具有良好的实验重复性,表明该实验体系是收集和鉴定罗汉果花朵气味组分的理想方法,为后续开展罗汉果花气味物质研究奠定了重要基础。同时通过与葫芦科多种植物比较,发现罗汉果的花朵气味物质可能存在雌雄二型性。     

Feeding and ranging in the Mentawai Island langur (Presbytis potenziani)

Presbytis potenziani is found only on the Mentawai Islands, Indonesia, and its ecology and feeding and ranging behavior have been little studied. I studied 10 groups ofPresbytis potenziani in the primary forests of North Pagai Island, Mentawai, Indonesia.P. potenziani used primarily the upper strata of the forests for feeding, movement, and resting. Groups remained cohesive during their daily activities, ranged between 100 to > 1000 m daily, and occupied home ranges of ≤ 40 ha. Neither sex predominantly initiated group movement. Locomotion was primarily quadrupedal, with frequent leaping. P. potenziani showed two feeding peaks, one in early morning and one during midafternoon. P. potenziani fed mainly on climbers and trees of the Dipterocarpaceae. They ate primarily leaves, but also fed on fruits and other plant parts.