Coleopteran diversity and abundance in different habitats near Kihansi waterfall, in the Udzungwa Mountains, Tanzania

Coleoptera diversity at the family level was investigated along the Kihansi gorge near a 700 m high waterfall system which will be taken to hydropower use, and the current river flow will be diverted due to dam construction. The coleopteran communities of three micro-habitats: spray zone, forest site and riverine site were compared by sweepnetting and pitfall trap methods. The highest Coleopteran family level diversity was found in the spray zone where the Shannon–Weaver index of diversity was 0.71 (forest site 0.31; riverine site 0.50). Coleopterans were most abundant in the forest site where 44% of all sampled individuals were found (spray zone 31%; riverine site 23%). Most of less frequently recorded families were found in the spray zone. Coleoptera families were found to be unequally partitioned in all three micro-habitats. The highest percentage similarity index (85%) was found between forest and riverine sites (spray/forest 76%; spray/riverine 79%). Distributions of abundances of coleopteran families were significantly different between all studied habitats. The study revealed that the spray generated by the waterfall provide a special micro-habitat for Coleoptera. It is suggested that conservation efforts and monitoring in the study area using selected taxonomic indicator Coleopteran groups should be carried out in order to help to adjust mitigation measures.     

Monkey Abundance and Social Structure in Two High-Elevation Forest Reserves in the Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania

The effects of human activity on population and social structure are a pantropical concern for primate conservation. We compare census data and social group counts from two forests in the Udzungwa Mountains, Tanzania. The main aim is to relate differences within and between the forests to current theory on the effect of human disturbance on primate abundance and group size. The survey reveals the presence of the restricted-range red colobus, Procolobus gordonorum, in New Dabaga/Ulangambi Forest Reserve (NDUFR). The primate community of NDUFR is impoverished compared to that in Ndundulu forest. Red colobus and black-and-white colobus (Colobus angolensis palliatus) abundance and group size are lowest in NDUFR. Fission-fusion of red colobus social groups may be occurring in previously logged areas of both forests. Our observations are consistent with current theory on the effect of habitat degradation and hunting on primates, but the relative effects of the 2 factors could not be differentiated. We pooled the results with previous data to show that abundance of red colobus in the Udzungwa Mountains is lowest at high elevations. Low red colobus group sizes appear to be related to human activity rather than elevation. Black-and-white colobus and Sykes monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis) show no relationship with elevation. Future studies will require more detailed information on vegetation, diet and ranging patterns to interpret fully intraspecific variation in population demography and social structure in the Udzungwa Mountains.     

A new species of giant sengi or elephant-shrew (genus Rhynchocyon) highlights the exceptional biodiversity of the Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania

A new species of sengi, or elephant-shrew, is described. It was discovered in the northern Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania in 2005. Sengis (Order Macroscelidea, super-cohort Afrotheria) include four genera and 15 species of mammals that are endemic to Africa. This discovery is a significant contribution to the systematics of this small order. Based on 49 camera trap images, 40 sightings and five voucher specimens, the new sengi is diurnal and distinguished from the other three species of Rhynchocyon by a grizzled grey face, pale yellow to cream chest and chin, orange-rufous sides, maroon back and jet-black lower rump and thighs. The body weight of the new species is about 700 g, which is 25–50% greater than any other giant sengi. The new Rhynchocyon is only known from two populations that cover about 300 km² of montane forest. It has an estimated density of 50–80 individuals km⁻². This discovery has important implications for the conservation of the high biodiversity that is found in the forests of the Eastern Arc Mountains.     

DNA-led rediscovery of the giant sable antelope in Angola

The giant sable antelope (Hippotragus niger variani), unique to Angola, was feared extinct after almost three decades of civil war. Comparisons of mitochondrial DNA sequences derived from dung samples recently collected in the field and from old museum specimens of certain provenance provide the first documented evidence to date that this enigmatic antelope has survived. Its DNA-led rediscovery in the former combat zone was subsequently confirmed by photographic evidence. The Angolan isolate constitutes a distinct monophyletic group that shows a dramatic population decline from historic levels. It represents a diagnosable conservation unit which is characterised by unique cranial morphological features (Blaine 1922 1922:317–339), a highly restricted range, and the presence of fixed genetic differences in all of its common relatives.     

Genetic diversity of golden takin (Budorcas taxicolor bedfordi) population from Qinling Mountains in China revealed by sequence analysis of mitochondrial DNA control region

The golden takin is an endangered species, listed as a First Grade Protected animal and found only in the Qinling Mountains in China. A great deal of research on the golden takin's living habitat, population size, and home range has been conducted. Here, we employed sequence analysis of the mitochondrial DNA control region to study the genetic diversity of the golden takin from three separate nature reserve parks in the Qinling Mountains. We also compared the results of our study with previously published data on the genetic diversity of mixed takin species located in the Qinling Mountains and the Minshan area. Based on 62 sampled golden takin individuals, we found an overall mean genetic haplotype diversity of 0.687. There is no significant geographic genetic diversity across different golden takin populations within the Qinling Mountains. However, we did show significant diversity between golden takin from the Qinling Mountains and from Minshan. These original data provide a foundation for the genetic diversity of golden takin, and will yield comprehensive information for better supporting the management in the national reserve parks.     

Structural characteristics and canopy dynamics of Tsuga canadensis in forests of the southern Appalachian Mountains, USA

Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carr. forests of the southern Appalachian Mountains are currently facing imminent decline induced by a nonnative insect pest, the hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae Annand). To effectively manage these forest systems now and in the future, land managers need baseline data on forest structure and dynamics prior to large-scale Tsuga canadensis mortality. Most of our knowledge concerning the dynamics of Tsuga canadensis forests comes from more northern locations such as the Great Lakes region and New England and, therefore, may not pertain to the ecological systems found within the southern Appalachian Mountains. We examined the structure and canopy dynamics of four Tsuga canadensis forest stands within the Cataloochee watershed, in the far eastern part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). We characterized the environmental settings and vertical forest layers, as well as the diameter and age-structures of each Tsuga canadensis forest stand. These environmental and structural data showed that there were indeed differences between forest stands with and without successful Tsuga canadensis regeneration. The two forest stands exhibiting successful Tsuga canadensis regeneration were located above 1,000 m in elevation on well-drained, moderately steep slopes and had the greatest canopy openness. Structural data from these two forest stands indicated a history of more continuous Tsuga canadensis regeneration. We also constructed disturbance chronologies detailing the history of canopy response to disturbance events and related these to Tsuga canadensis regeneration within each forest stand. Student t-tests adjusted for unequal variances indicated significant differences in the number of release events per tree between forest stands with and without successful Tsuga canadensis regeneration. While forest stands with successful Tsuga canadensis regeneration were more frequently disturbed by minor to major canopy disturbances, events of moderate intensity were found to be most significant in terms of regeneration. These data will be of value to land managers maintaining stands of Tsuga canadensis where treatment for hemlock woolly adelgid infestation has been successful. In areas where treatment is impractical or unsuccessful, land managers will be able to use these data to restore Tsuga canadensis forests after the wave of hemlock woolly adelgid induced mortality has passed. As of August 2008, Joshua A. Kincaid will be a member of the Environmental Studies program at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia, USA     

Use of medicinal plants for human health in Udzungwa Mountains Forests: a case study of New Dabaga Ulongambi Forest Reserve, Tanzania

Varanasi is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities of the world, and one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage sites. Despite this importance, very little information exits on the cities flora in general, and medicinal species found within its limit in particular. Traditional medicine plays a large role in Indian society. The presented study attempted to investigate if traditional plant use and availability of important common medicinal plants are maintained in urban environments. The paper presents information on the traditional uses of seventy-two plant species collected form the campus of Banares Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, and highlights the uses of these plants by the local inhabitants.     

藏羚羊骨骼肌肌红蛋白含量及乳酸脱氢酶、苹果酸脱氢酶活力的研究

目的:探讨藏羚羊骨骼肌对低氧环境的适应机制。方法:以生活在同海拔高度(4 300 m)的藏绵羊和低海拔绵羊(1 800 m)为对照,用分光光度法测定三种动物骨骼肌中肌红蛋白(Mb)含量、乳酸(LA)含量,酶活力法测定三种动物骨骼肌中乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)和苹果酸脱氢酶(MDH)活力。结果:藏羚羊骨骼肌中Mb含量明显高于藏绵羊和低海拔绵羊(P<0.05),而藏绵羊和低海拔绵羊间无明显差异。LA含量和LDH活力明显低于藏绵羊和低海拔绵羊(P<0.05),而MDH活力及MDH/LDH比值显著高于藏绵羊和低海拔绵羊(P<0.05),藏绵羊和低海拔绵羊间无明显差异。结论:藏羚羊可能通过增加骨骼肌中Mb的含量,提高其在低氧环境获取氧的能力,且藏羚羊骨骼肌组织中有氧代谢比例高,这可能与肌肉中Mb含量较高有关,推测藏羚羊较高的Mb含量可能是其适应高原缺氧条件的分子基础之一。     

Protective Status,Ecology and Strategies for Improving Conservation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cercocebus sanjei</Emphasis> in the Udzungwa Mountains,Tanzania

Sanje mangabeys (Cercocebus sanjei), first described in 1981, are among the most endangered primates in the world. They are endemic to the Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania, in a biogeographic region designated one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. Conservation research since 1997 has documented the presence of the mangabey in only 3 of the relict montane forest blocks of the Udzungwas. The total population, possibly < 1,500 animals, is fragmented and not adequately protected. A substantial proportion (perhaps 40%) live in forest reserves outside the protective confines of the Udzungwa Mountains National Park, and they are affected by habitat loss and hunting. Efforts to improve their conservation status include assessment of distribution, relative abundance, and habitat quality, and initiation of observational research with habituated individuals to acquire critically important data on their habitat requirements, diet, movement patterns, socioecology, and community ecology. These interrelated research activities should contribute to effective management for conservation, provide baseline information to support current efforts to expand the boundaries of the national park, and guide potential future establishment of corridors between the major forests known to support mangabey groups.     

Phylogenetic analysis of coadaptation in behavior, diet, and body size in the African antelope

Several authors have suggested that African antelope (familyBovidae) exemplify coadaptation of ecological, behavioral,and morphological traits. We tested four hypotheses relatedto the ecology and behavior of 75 species of African antelopeusing both conventional statistical techniques and techniques that account for the nonindependence of species by consideringtheir phylogenetic relationships. Specifically, we tested thehypotheses that (1) dietary selectivity is correlated negativelywith body mass, (2) dietary selectivity is correlated negativelywith group size, (3) gregarious species either flee or counterattackwhen approached by predators, but solitary and pair-livingspecies seek cover to hide, and (4) body mass and group sizeare correlated positively. Each of these hypotheses was examinedfor the global data set (family Bovidae) and, when possible,within the two antelope subfamilies (Antilopinae and Bovinae)and within 7 of the 10 antelope tribes. The results of ourconventional and phylogenetically corrected analyses supportedthe hypotheses that group and body size vary predictably with feeding style and that antipredator behavior varies with groupsize. The hypothesis that body mass and group size are correlatedpositively was supported by conventional statistics, but thesetwo traits were only weakly related using a phylogeneticallycorrected analysis. Moreover, qualitative and quantitativecomparisons within each of the eight major African antelope tribes generally gave little support for the four hypothesestested. Thus, although our analyses at the subfamily levelprovided results that were consistent with prior hypotheses,our analyses at the level of tribes were equivocal. We discussseveral possible explanations for these differences.     

藏羚羊低氧诱导因子1α基因的克隆与组织表达

为探讨低氧诱导因子1α (hypoxia inducible factor l alpha,HIF-1α)在藏羚羊(Pantholops hodgsonii)高原低氧适应机制中的作用,采用RT-PCR和RACE技术克隆藏羚羊HIF-1α基因的cDNA序列,同时采用real-time PCR和Western blot方法...     

Conservation of the puku antelope (Kobus vardoni, Livingstone) in the Kilombero Valley, Tanzania

Although there are populations of puku antelope Kobusvardoni (Livingstone) scattered throughout eastern and centralAfrica, it is estimated that 75% of the total population is now restricted tothe Kilombero Valley, Tanzania. The Kilombero Valley is an area rich inagricultural potential and natural resources; wildlife populations are also highand the inner valley is a Game Controlled Area, although this only provideslimited protection. Aerial surveys during the 1989, 1994 and 1998 dry seasonsshowed the puku population to be stable at around50000–60000 animals. Livestock populations fluctuated, butincreased from 17309 ± 6487 to 54047 ±17247 over the same period. Signs of human activity (e.g. huts, fieldsand livestock) were highest around the edge of the Game Controlled Area,indicating intense pressure on 'boundary-zone' habitats at thefloodplain–woodland interface. Puku use 'boundary-zone'habitats during the wet season when large areas of grassland are flooded.Potential threats to the puku population are therefore likely due to habitatdegradation through over-grazing by domestic herbivores, agriculturalencroachment, and the expansion of human settlements. Licensed trophyhunting probably has a negligible impact on puku because of very low off-take, but illegalhunting represents a serious threat near human settlements during thewet season and in accessible parts of the floodplain during the dry season.     

Genetic structure of locally threatened cyprinid,Osteochilus melanopleurus,in Peninsular Malaysia River systems inferred from mitochondrial DNA control region

The genetic structure of the locally threatened cyprinid Osteochilus melanopleurus, collected from four locations (Gerik, Manong, Bernam and Kahang) in Peninsular Malaysia River systems, was assessed based on partial sequences of the control region (D-loop) mitochondrial DNA. A partial D-loop of 364 base pair gene was extracted from 88 individuals through PCR amplification and direct sequencing. The results show that haplotype diversity (hd = 0.7956–0.9485) was high, with low nucleotide (π = 0.0045–0.0080) variation for each of the populations examined. A molecular variance analysis (AMOVA) revealed few differences between the four populations. A Tajima D test and Fu Fs test were used to investigate the neutrality of each population, revealing that the all examined populations might experience recent population expansion or the bottleneck effect. A phylogeny tree and mismatch distribution analysis provided further evidence that three of four populations had recently expanded, as well as indicating that the Kahang population had in contrast remained stable. Overall, this study concludes that the populations of O. melanopleurus distributed throughout the river systems of Peninsular Malaysia probably originated from a single ancestral source during the last glaciation period, and should therefore be treated as a single evolutionary unit in any conservation efforts.     

The use of microsatellites for detecting DNA polymorphism, genotype identification and genetic diversity in wheat

A set of 20 wheat microsatellite markers was used with 55 elite wheat genotypes to examine their utility (1) in detecting DNA polymorphism, (2)in the identifying genotypes and (3) in estimating genetic diversity among wheat genotypes. The 55 elite genotypes of wheat used in this study originated in 29 countries representing six continents. A total of 155 alleles were detected at 21 loci using the above microsatellite primer pairs (only 1 primer amplified 2 loci; all other primers amplified 1 locus each). Of the 20 primers amplifying 21 loci, 17 primers and their corresponding 18 loci were assigned to 13 different chromosomes (6 chromosomes of the A genome, 5 chromosomes of the B genome and 2 chromosomes of the D genome). The number of alleles per locus ranged from 1 to 13, with an average of 7.4 alleles per locus. The values of average polymorphic information content (PIC) and the marker index (MI) for these markers were estimated to be 0.71 and 0.70, respectively. The (GT)_n microsatellites were found to be the most polymorphic. The genetic similarity (GS) coefficient for all possible 1485 pairs of genotypes ranged from 0.05 to 0.88 with an average of 0.23. The dendrogram, prepared on the basis of similarity matrix using the UPGMA algorithm, delineated the above genotypes into two major clusters (I and II), each with two subclusters (Ia, Ib and IIa, IIb). One of these subclusters (Ib) consisted of a solitary genotype (E3111) from Portugal, so that it was unique and diverse with respect to all other genotypes belonging to cluster I and placed in subcluster Ia. Using a set of only 12 primer pairs, we were able to distinguish a maximum of 48 of the above 55 wheat genotypes. The results demonstrate the utility of microsatellite markers for detecting polymorphism leading to genotype identification and for estimating genetic diversity. Received: 15 May 1999 / Accepted: 27 July 1999     

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.     

Association,ranging, and the social unit in chimpanzees of the Mahale Mountains,Tanzania

In order to characterize the social unit in chimpanzees, about which several conflicting views have been proposed, the proximity matrix among 55 recognized chimpanzees and the range covered by each of them are examined, on the basis of data obtained at the Mahale Mountains during 12 months in 1978–1979. It is shown once again that chimpanzees have a bisexual social unit (unit-group). Two such unit-groups were detected in the study area. All animals belonged to one of the two unit-groups except a few cycling females (and a juvenile male accompanied by his cycling mother) which were seen to associate alternately with members of two neighboring unit-groups, covering a whole range of one or even two unit-groups. The problem of such females is discussed in relation to the spatial relationships between the two unit-groups. Reexamining the membership of a unit-group, it is demonstrated that a unit-group was most likely patrilineal. While nulliparous females transferred between unit-groups, parous females tended to remain in a unit-group where they first gave birth to infants and to have several offspring therein. This appeared significant for ensuring recruitment of members of the next generation to a patrilineal unit-group. Although some adult males left their natal unit-group, they never joined the other. Male departure from a unit-group seemed to be forced by the other males and to be the sociological equivalent of going into exile, which is unique in nonhuman primates.     

PERMANENT GENETIC RESOURCES: Isolation and characterization of 10 tetranucleotide microsatellite loci in an enigmatic East African bird, the spot-throat (Modulatrix stictigula)

We describe the isolation of 10 tetranucleotide microsatellites from the spot-throat using an enrichment protocol. All loci were highly variable with the number of alleles ranging from six to 20 and observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.410 to 0.940. Although all loci were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, locus Mst95 showed significant homozygote excess in both surveyed populations, possibly a consequence of the presence of null alleles at this locus. These loci will be used to determine the extent to which spot-throat populations are isolated in order to help set conservation priorities for this ancient African lineage.     

Genetic structure of chukar partridge ( Alectoris chukar) populations in the Longdong Loess Plateau, China

This study used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and dideoxy direct sequencing methods to analyze the genetic structure of the chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar) in the Longdong Loess Plateau, northwestern China. A total of 491 nucleotides of mitochondrial DNA from the control region gene were sequenced for 78 chukar partridges from eight different populations. The 24 variable positions defined 25 haplotypes. The high gene flow (Nm=3.75) implied little genetic differentiation between the eight populations. All the populations shared the haplotype C_1, which suggested that they all came from a common ancestor. The 25 haplotypes were spread through the populations, but could be clustered into two groups. The haplotype similar index between the two groups was only 0.15, with a genetic distance of 0.43%. The genetic variation was significantly different between the two groups, which had been isolated for all of recorded history. The genetic structure of chukar partridge populations in the Plateau appears to be the result of the synergistic effect of a glacier, along with debris flow and human activities since the middle of the Pleistocene.Communicated by F. Bairlein