Indonesian Kickxellales: two species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Coemansia</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Linderina</Emphasis>

Four species belonging to Kickxellales (Kickxellomycotina) isolated from soil of Indonesia are described and illustrated. Two new species of Coemansia, C. asiatica and C. javaensis, were discovered in South Sulawesi and West Java, and two known species of Linderina, L. pennispora and L. macrospora, were discovered in East Kalimantan and South Sulawesi, respectively. These four species are newly added to the Indonesian mycobiota. A technique for inducing sporulation of C. javaensis and L. macrospora by adding substances derived from invertebrates such as aphids, nereids, or cladocerans to culture media is described.     

Effects of Pleistocene climate change on genetic structure and diversity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Shorea macrophylla</Emphasis> in Kalimantan Rainforest

The island of Borneo is the diversity center of the Dipterocarpaceae, the most important family of tropical rainforest trees in Southeast Asia. However, changes in land use and climate have affected dipterocarp distributions on the island, raising concerns about the vulnerability (inter alia) of the endemic riparian species Shorea macrophylla. Thus, to aid conservation efforts, we have investigated the genetic diversity, structure, and demographic history of S. macrophylla. The species’ genetic diversity and structure in Kalimantan (part of Indonesia, covering 75% of the island) were explored by examining genotypes of 377 individuals representing 13 populations in three regions (Northeast, Central, and West Kalimantan) using 14 newly developed microsatellite loci. Higher genetic diversity was found, at all loci, in samples from Northeast Kalimantan than in samples from the other regions. Moderate genetic differentiation between populations was detected (F_ST 0.093). Bayesian clustering, principal coordinate, and neighbor joining tree analyses of the population structure consistently identified two genetically distinct groups, one in the Northeast and the other in the Central and West regions. The higher diversity of the diverged populations in Northeast Kalimantan indicates that the region may have hosted rainforest refugia during the ice age. Accordingly, analysis using DIY ABC software indicated that the Northeast and Central-West Kalimantan groups diverged 194,000 years ago. We conclude that global climate change during the Pleistocene strongly influenced the genetic diversity and structure of S. macrophylla populations in Kalimantan.     

The role of traditional forest gardens in the conservation of tree species in West Kalimantan, Indonesia

We compared forest gardens, or tembawang, in twoareas in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, to patches of primary forest in terms ofsuccessional stage, mode of dispersal and characteristics of human use ofnon-planted tree species. This information was acquired for 144 tree speciesinventoried in six tembawang forest gardens and two intactnatural forest patches, through interviews at the site and a survey of theliterature. In particular older tembawang were found tohave practically the same proportions of species of different successionalstages and modes of dispersal as natural forests, thus emphasising the potentialof tembawang in conserving tree species. Non-planted treespecies of tembawang and natural forests also havepractically indistinguishable spectra of human uses, indicating that themanagement of these tembawang does not significantlydiscriminate between species with certain uses. However, we also identified twoaspects that should be taken into account in considering the conservation roleof tembawang. The floras of the two study areas showedsignificant regional differentiation, implying that efficient conservation inWest Kalimantan needs to have a rather dense network. We also found that latesuccessional species and animal-dispersed species oftembawang were more commonly geographically widespread thanspecies of the same ecological characteristics found in natural forests. Thus,even if tembawang are similar to natural forests in termsof numbers of species with different ecological characteristics, the compositionof non-planted tree species in tembawang is not a randomsample from natural forest, but overrepresents species that are easily dispersedand/or established.     

The profitability of smallholder rattan cultivation in Southern Borneo,Indonesia

Fieldwork in the village of Dadahup along the Lower Barito basin in Central Kalimantan (Southern Borneo, Indonesia) shows that smallholder rattan cultivation is financially profitable to smallholders and economically profitable to the nation. The financial net present value (NPV) for green and processed canes is Rp 828,000 and Rp 946,000;the economic rate of return is about 22% for both green and processed canes. The article contains a discussion of the methodology for evaluating the shadow price of a nontimber forest good.     

The distributions of howling monkeys (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Alouatta pigra</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">A. palliata</Emphasis>) in southeastern Mexico and Central America

We compared the distributions of Alouatta palliata and A. pigra in southeastern Mexico and Central America with geographic and ecological features to infer current barriers and ecological preferences. Distribution data were obtained from museum specimen localities, study sites, historic records and field surveys and integrated into digital elevation and ecosystem maps using GIS. A. pigra evidently occurs at a number of sites above 2,000 m, where temperatures can even drop below zero on some days of the year, thus indicating a broader ecological tolerance than previously reported. Both species occupy a number of vegetation types and can be found in seasonal and nonseasonal forests. We identified the highland massif of northern Central America and its associated coniferous and subalpine vegetation as a geographic barrier that separates the species. In the past, distribution maps for these species have indicated adjacent contiguous ranges, but we propose that they are largely separated by these mountains. There are two contact zones: a broad area of sympatry north of the highland massif in Mexico and a narrow zone in eastern Guatemala where parapatry is maintained by a river barrier and where only A. pigra occurs in the high elevations and cooler habitats inland. We explore an alternative biogeographic scenario for the split of the two species that accounts for the current distribution and differences in elevation and cold tolerances. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Conservation status of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prodontria</Emphasis> (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) species in New Zealand

The genus Prodontria (Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae), which comprises 16 described species, is an endemic southern New Zealand genus occupying lowland and coastal habitats, inter-montane basins and alpine environments. Many of the species have a limited distribution and face potential threats from habitat change and predation. The only species to be formally protected is P. lewisii Broun, commonly known as the Cromwell Chafer, which is now restricted to a 81-ha reserve in Central Otago. One undescribed lowland species might be extinct as a result of habitat modification. The current status of Prodontria species, the known distribution of species and potential threats are discussed. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Terrestrial Behavior of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ateles</Emphasis> spp

Spider monkeys (Ateles spp.) are well known for their highly arboreal lifestyle, spending much of their time in the highest levels of the canopy and rarely venturing to the ground. To investigate terrestriality by Ateles and to illuminate the conditions under which spider monkeys venture to the ground, we analyzed ad libitum data from 5 study sites, covering 2 species and 5 subspecies. Three of the sites are in Central/North America: Barro Colorado Island (BCI), Panama (Ateles geoffroyi panamensis), Santa Rosa National Park, Costa Rica (A. g. frontatus), and Punta Laguna, Mexico (A. g. yucatanensis). The 2 remaining sites are in South America: Cocha Cashu Biological Station, Perú (A. belzebuth chamek) and Yasuni National Park, Ecuador (A. b. belzebuth). Terrestrialism by Ateles at all sites is rare; however, it is more restricted at the 2 South American sites. In South America, ground use only occurred in the contexts of eating soil or rotten wood and visiting salt licks. In contrast at the 3 sites with Ateles geoffroyi it rarely occurred in a feeding context, but instead more frequently while drinking from streams during the dry season, by adult females escaping attack by adult males, and as part of a chase game. In addition, on BCI adult males were on the ground before attacking adult females. We discuss potential explanations, e.g., climate, species differences, predation pressure, for the differences between the Central/North and South American observations.     

Birds from the Far East in Central Europe: a test of the reverse migration hypothesis

Every year birdwatchers throughout Europe record the arrival of a considerable number of vagrants from the eastern Palaearctic. We analysed the occurrence of such vagrants in Central Europe of the genera Phylloscopus, Turdus and Zoothera in Central Europe. Our results revealed that the occurrence of a species depended on total population size, but not on body size. Furthermore, the occurrence of species in Central Europe increased with distance between the breeding range and wintering range, but the distance between the breeding range and Europe had no effect. These results indicate that the migratory restlessness of species determines whether an East Asian species arrives in Europe. Overall, our data support the hypothesis that the migratory program determines vagrancy.     

Feeding ecology of the proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus)

Proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) feeding behavior and ecology were studied at the Natai Lengkuas Station, Tanjung Puting National Park, Kalimantan Tengah, Indonesia. Data on feeding behavior were collected using scan sampling during group follows. Three vegetational plots containing 1,732 trees were established and monitored monthly for changes in fruit, flower, and young leaf production. Basal area and canopy cover were calculated and used in estimating food abundance. Proboscis monkeys were found to be folivore/frugivores, specializing in seed consumption. At least 55 different plant species were used as food sources, with a marked preference for Eugenia sp. 3/4,Ganua motleyana and Lophopetalum javanicum. These tree species were among the most frequent and most dominant. However, proboscis monkeys were selective feeders; use of tree species as food sources was not based simply on relative density. During times of low food abundance and/or availability proboscis monkeys switched dietary strategies and increased dietary diversity. The average total home range was estimated to be 130.3 ha, with an average group density of 5.2 groups per km². The average biomass per km² was estimated to be 499.5 kg. Given their high biomass and predilection for consuming seeds of dominant species, proboscis monkeys may help to maintain and increase vegetational diversity.     

Preliminary Report on the Distribution of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Callicebus oenanthe</Emphasis> on the Eastern Feet of the Andes

In 2007 we conducted a field study of almost 6 mo to determine the distribution of Callicebus oenanthe, formerly known as the Andean titi monkey. There previously has been no extensive study on the distribution and status by other fieldworkers. We visited a total of 96 localities within or around the presumed distribution of this rare primate species to determine the distribution of Callicebus oenanthe. We collected additional information on group size and threats to the species. Our expeditions revealed that the species is not endemic to the Alto Mayo Valley, as earlier authors suggested, but that its distribution extends into the Bajo Mayo and Huallaga Central. The study area is heavily deforested, and to date only one area was found where a viable population might live, although further research is needed to confirm this. The species lives in the southern part of its distribution in sympatry with another, undescribed species of Callicebus. We will continue the study to determine more precisely the distribution and conservation status of the Callicebus oenanthe, to determine if conservation measures are necessary for this species. This is the first activity of a long-term project for the conservation of Callicebus oenanthe initiated by La Vallée des Singes Primate park.     

Comparing applesnails with oranges: the need to standardize measuring techniques when studying <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pomacea</Emphasis>

Although invaders come in all shapes and sizes, several mollusks have recently achieved notoriety as both economically and ecologically costly invaders. Applesnails of the genus Pomacea get their name from reaching the size of an apple. Native to South America, the species P. insularum has recently established reproducing, and potentially invasive, populations in Texas, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. In contrast to the widely invasive golden applesnail (P. canaliculata), few studies of the channeled species P. insularum exist. In studying similar invasive applesnail species, scientists use several methods of measurement. We have explored the relationships among shell height, operculum width, and weight among juvenile and adult P. insularum and tested their inter-measurer reliability. We also investigated the use of shell height, shell length, and operculum width measurements in P. canaliculata studies and observed whether or not those studies defined their measurements. We found that operculum width served as a significantly more reliable measure among researchers. Furthermore, operculum width better predicted weight than shell height. The majority of articles that measured P. canaliculata did not define their measurements, which may cause problems when comparing studies between native and exotic populations or when comparing the two species. We recommend that future studies of P. insularum use operculum width to measure snails and explore a possible sex dimorphism in the operculum width of adult P. insularum.     

Chemotaxonomic studies onArachniodes (dryopteridaceae) III. Phloroglucinol derivatives of putative hybrids

Phenetic variation found in JapaneseArachniodes was compared with phloroglucinol composition. The differences in this chemotaxonomic feature were not found very useful in defining the taxa inArachniodes. The phloroglucinol compositions of the putative hybrids were determined and compared with those of the presumed parent species. It was concluded that, in general, the hybrids combine the phloroglucinols found in their parent species. Hybridization among the Japanese species ofArachniodes should, however, be confirmed by cytological investigations. Five species of Kalimantan (Bornean) ferns were also studied for their phloroglucinol contents.Arachniodes tripinnata was compared with Philippine materials of the same species with the result that they differed to some extent. In addition, four species belonging to Tectarioideae were examined:Heterogonium is devoid of phloroglucinols, andPleocnemia irregularis contains a great deal of a “yellow compound” of unknown structure.     

Taxonomy of North and Central American diploid wild potato (Solanum sect. Petota) species: AFLP data

Solanum section Petota, the potato and its wild relatives, includes about 200 wild species distributed from the southwestern United States to central Argentina and adjacent Chile, with about 30 species in North and Central America. The North/Central American region and the South American region all include diploids, tetraploids, and hexaploids. Chloroplast DNA restriction enzyme data from a prior study showed that 13 of the North/Central American species formed a clade containing only diploids, but there was low resolution within the clade. This Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) study is conducted to provide additional resolution within the North/Central American diploids and complements the chloroplast results, and prior morphological results. Wagner parsimony and phenetic analyses mostly agreed with the morphological data in supporting currently recognized species except that they suggest that S. brachistotrichium and S. stenophyllidium are conspecific. Our new AFLP data, in combination with the cpDNA and morphological data, also support sister taxon relationships for the following diploid species from North and Central America: 1) S. cardiophyllum subsp. ehrenbergii and S. stenophyllidium, 2) S. tarnii and S. trifidum, 3) S. jamesii and S. pinnatisectum, 4) S. lesteri and S. polyadenium, and 5) S. clarum and S. morelliforme.This work represents partial fulfillment for the requirements of a Ph.D. degree in Plant Breeding and Genetics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. We thank committee members Paul Berry, Michael Havey, Thomas Osborn, and Kenneth Sytsma. We also thank John Bamberg and Staff of the Unites States Potato Genebank for germplasm and locality data; Charles Nicolet and staff of the University of Wisconsin Biotechnology Center for technical help; Lynn Hummel and staff at Walnut Street Greenhouse for help in growing plants; and lab partners Brian Karas, Iris Peralta, Celeste Raker, and Sarah Stephenson for technical advice. This study was supported by CONACYT (Mexico) scholarship number 116742 granted to Sabina I. Lara-Cabrera, and the United States Department of Agriculture. Names are necessary to report data. However, the USDA neither guarantees nor warrants the standard of the product, and the use of the name by the USDA implies no approval of the product to the exclusion of others that may also be suitable.     

Evolutionary Acceleration and Divergence in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Procolobus kirkii</Emphasis>

We investigated the role of geographical insularity in divergence and speciation of Procolobus kirkii by examining cranial morphology. The sample (n = 369) included museum specimens of Procolobus spp. and recently deceased individuals of P. kirkii from the main island of Zanzibar and 2 smaller islands in the archipelago. Geometric morphometrics evinced pronounced divergence of Procolobus kirkii from mainland Procolobus, including members of P. badius ssp., P. pennantii ssp., P. rufomitratus, P. gordonorum and also representatives of the assemblage of red colobus populations from Central Equatorial Africa. Procolobus kirkii has a small cranium, consistent with the island rule for large mammals, reduced sexual dimorphism consistent with Rensch’s rule, and a distinct cranial form. Analyses of phenotypic variance of Procolobus kirkii gave no evidence for population bottlenecks in the history of the species, but there is a clear indication that the species has experienced accelerated morphological evolution of size, probably as a result of insularity. Their highly distinctive morphology lends weight to the argument that they are a unique insular endemic species in need of active conservation. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Feeding ecology of the long-tailed macaque(Macaca fascicularis) in Kalimantan Tengah,Indonesia

I studied long- tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis)feeding behavior and ecology as part of a larger behavioral ecological study at the Natai Lengkuas Station, Tanjung Puting National Park, Kalimantan Tengah, Indonesia. I collected data on feeding behavior via scan sampling of all visible individuals in the focal group (approximately 800 observation hours). I established vegetational plots and monitored them monthly to determine food availability and abundance. I found long- tailed macaques to be primarily frugivorous;leaves, flowers, insects and bark provided the remainder of the diet. They used at least 33 plant species as food sources, but >60% of the diet was provided by only 5 species. Based on previous vegetational analyses, these tree species were among the highest in relative density. However, selection ratios for 19 food species indicate that 13 of them were selected more often than expected. Long- tailed macaques appear to be selective feeders but can exploit a variety of food sources during periods of food scarcity.     

Phylogeny of Chinese <Emphasis Type="Italic">Polystichum</Emphasis> (Dryopteridaceae) based on chloroplast DNA sequence data (<Emphasis Type="Italic">trnL-F</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">rps4-trnS</Emphasis>)

Polystichum is one of the largest and most taxonomically complex fern genera in China. The evolutionary relationships of Chinese Polystichum and related genera, and the relationship between our Polystichum phylogeny and ecogeographic distribution, were tested by the use of DNA sequence data. Fifty-one species of Polystichum and 21 species in allied genera were sequenced for the plastid intergenic spacers rps4-trnS and trnL-F. Maximum parsimony and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses of both individual and combined data sets showed that Chinese Polystichum as commonly recognized was paraphyletic: one clade (the CCPC clade) included Cyrtomidictyum lepidocaulon, two Cyrtogonellum species, three Cyrtomium species, and a small number of Polystichum species usually occurring on limestone. A second clade, Polystichum sensu stricto, included the remainder of the Polystichum species; these often occur on non-limestone substrates. The remaining Cyrtomium species formed the third clade. Three subclades resolved within Polystichum sensu stricto (s.s.) clade do not correspond with recent sectional classifications, and we outline the issues relevant to a new classification for the genus. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Traditional Knowledge and Management of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Feijoa (Acca sellowiana)</Emphasis> in Southern Brazil

Traditional Knowledge and Management of Feijoa (Acca sellowiana) in Southern Brazil. This paper investigates traditional knowledge of the use and management of Acca sellowiana in southern Brazil. Fifty-six informants from three rural communities were assigned to one of four subgroups (“maintainers,” “managers,” “cultivators,” or “users”) based on their responses regarding management and use of A. sellowiana. Traditional knowledge related to use of this species is widespread among rural residents, but traditional knowledge related to management is fragmented depending on whether one uses, manages, or cultivates the species. Knowledge held in rural communities suggests that A. sellowiana could play an expanded role in local economies as well as biodiversity conservation. We suggest that participatory research could stimulate greater local use as well as on-farm conservation of A. sellowiana.     

Genetic Variation in a Chilean Endangered Endemic: <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gomortega keule</Emphasis> (molina) Baillon

Gomortega keule (Molina) Baillon is an endangered, rare species, the only representative of its genus, and endemic to Central Chile. Populations of this tree are now fragmented and few individuals can be found in any of them. Genetic diversity was studied in 33 individuals from three populations in Cauquenes, a coastal mountain area (35°58'S-72°41'W). Fifteen InterSimple Sequence Repeat primers were used to determine the degree of similarity between and within populations. This revealed that 30% of the variation exhibited was between populations while 70% was within; nevertheless individuals were clearly clustered in a pattern which reflected a narrow base of diversity. Three other species from the Laurales order were used in order to provide an external reference as to the degree of diversity. In addition, an external wild population from the native species, Peumus boldus, was used to verify the utility of the markers. We show that the primers are effective in quickly giving an estimate of the degree of diversity of a population, thus giving important topical information relevant to preserving endangered species. Aspects of the conservation and management policy for the species in order to maintain the remaining populations and to preserve the genetic resources are discussed.     

Dispersal and Burial Behavior in Larvae of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chrysomya megacephala</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chrysomya albiceps</Emphasis> (Diptera,Calliphoridae)

Blowflies use discrete and ephemeral substrates to feed their larva. After they run out of food, the larvae begin to disperse in order to find adequate places for pupation or additional food sources, a process named post-feeding larval dispersal. Briefly state the aspects and why they are important were studied in a circular arena of 25 cm in diameter and covered with wood shavings to a height of 40 cm allowing post-feeding dispersal from the center of the arena. Larvae of both Chrysomya albiceps and C. megacephala were used in five experiments for each species. For each pupa location, determined as distance from the center, depth, and weight were evaluated. Statistical tests were done to verify the relation between weight, depth and distance for pupation and for larvae of two species shows that the media distance is significantly different for two species and for C. megacephala this distance is greater than the distance for C. albiceps. The depth too is different for each species, as the larvae of C. megacephala buries deeper than C. albiceps. With relation of weight, there is no statistic evidence that have any difference between weights for pupation for each species.     

Recovery of species diversity and composition of braconid parasitic wasps after reforestation of degraded grasslands in lowland East Kalimantan

Human-induced disturbances and wildfires can transform areas of tropical rainforest into Imperata-dominated grassland, but it may be possible that recovery of biodiversity is facilitated by reforestation with fast-growing trees. We compared the assemblages of braconid wasps as parasitoids of taxonomically diverse groups of insects among Imperata grasslands, young and mature plantations of Acacia mangium, young secondary forests after wildfires, and old secondary forests in the lowland of East Kalimantan. The abundance and species richness of braconids, which had declined in Imperata grasslands, somewhat increased in Acacia plantations, and also the species composition of braconids in Acacia plantations was transitional between Imperata grasslands and old secondary forests. Parasitoids of detritivores and wood borers increased markedly after plantation, while those of herbivores showed a distinct turnover of species all over the range from grasslands to old secondary forests. The plantation of A. mangium had most likely facilitated the recovery of the diversity of host forest and their parasitoids, but the recovery was just at the rudimentary stage even in mature plantations. Monitoring of parasitic wasps would be useful to test the continuous recovery of forest biodiversity in plantation stands.