Extrapair paternity in golden-cheeked gibbons (Nomascus gabriellae) in the secondary lowland forest of Cat Tien National Park, Vietnam

We observed 18 groups of golden-cheeked gibbons (Nomascus gabriellae) in the secondary lowland forest in Cat Tien National Park from January 2004 to December 2005 to obtain information about the social organization of this little-studied species, in an area where the population is recovering through increased protection and forest regeneration. DNA from faecal samples of 10 infants and juveniles identified 1 case of extrapair paternity. DNA from faecal samples of 18 adults from three communities revealed the majority of adults sampled of both sexes to be related to adults in neighbouring territories. Overall, the indications are that in this empty habitat, gibbons appear to be able to establish territories adjacent to those of their kin.     

Properties of the Yeast Communities Associated with Termites of a Tropical Monsoon Forest: Cat Tien National Park,Vietnam

Microbiology - Yeast populations were investigated for the following substrates associated with termitaria of five termite species occurring in the Cat Tien National Park (south Vietnam): nest...     

Structure, floristic composition and natural regeneration in the forests of Cat Tien National Park, Vietnam: an analysis of the successional trends

The forests in Cat Tien National Park, appear as a mosaic of different communities, distinct from each other with respect to their floristic and structural parameters. The objectives of this study are (1) to characterize the different formations occurring in the lowland part and (2) to identify the main successional trends in the area. Understanding forest succession is important for silviculture and restoration of forests and land rehabilitation, as adequate information on the ecological role of local species in the functioning of the forests is not available in Vietnam. Five plots (1 ha each) were established in the lowland part of Cat Tien National Park, where all the trees ≥ 10 cm d.b.h. (diameter at breast height) were located, measured and identified. A systematic sampling was made to assess the regeneration. Three plots (A, C and D) can be considered as secondary forests on the basis of their structural parameters. Plots A and C are dominated by Lagerstrmia calyculata and plot D by Dipterocarpus alatus. The other two plots can be regarded as mature forests. Plot B corresponds to a semideciduous formation dominated by Lagerstrmia calyculata and Fabaceae species, and plot E to an evergreen one dominated by dipterocarp species. The floristic composition of plots A and C will change in the future because dominant canopy species are rare or absent in regeneration. A correspondence analysis performed on the number of trees per species shows two kinds of successional trends: one from A to B on shallow and drier soils, and another from C to E on deeper and wetter soils.     

Comparative Study of the Labial Gland Secretion in Termites (Isoptera)

Labial glands are present in all castes and developmental stages of all termite species. In workers, their secretion contains a food-marking pheromone and digestive enzymes, while soldier secretion plays a defensive role. However, these functions were studied only in a limited set of species, and do not allow drawing general conclusions. Hence, we have investigated the chemical composition of the labial gland extracts from soldiers and workers in 15 termite species belonging to 6 families using an integrative approach based on proteomic and small-molecule profiling. We confirmed the presence of hydroquinone and cellulase in the labial glands of workers, and we identified new toxic compounds in soldiers and workers of several species. Our results highlight the dual role of labial gland secretion, i.e. the defensive role in soldiers and workers of several termite species, and the digestive function in workers.     

深圳口岩进口原木截获的白蚁（等翅目）

记录深圳口岸1998－2001年期间从进口原本中截获的3科7属12种白蚁,包括黄檀新白蚁Neotermes dalbergiae (Kalshoven),大家白蚁Comptotermes curvignathus Holmgren,塞庞乳白蚁C.sepangensis Krishna,波罗乳白蚁C.borneensis Oshima,非洲乳白蚁C.sjostedti Holmgren,沙捞越长鼻白蚁Schedorhinotermes sarawakensis (Holmgren),中暗长鼻白蚁S.mediobscurus (Holmgren),哈氏象白蚁Nastutitermes havilandi (Desneux),镰锯白蚁Microcerotermes distans (Havilandi),邻白蚁Termes propinquus (Holmgren), 印度弓白蚁Amitermes belli (Desneux)和齿弓白蚁A.dentatus (Havilandi)。编制了分种检索表,并对上述国内没有分布的白蚁种类兵蚁的形态和鉴定特征作了描述的图示。     

Behavioral Regulatory Mechanisms in the Social Homeostasis of Termites (Isoptera)

Recent progress in the elucidation of the behavioral mechanismsresponsible for maintaining the steady state in a termite colonyis discussed. It is pointed out that various homeostatic mechanismshave common behavioral mechanisms. The mechanisms involved innest repair and construction, foraging, defense, and generalmass movements within nests are explained. An experiment isdescribed in which differential responses to a discrete simplestimulus (heat) are made by two different castes of Nasulitermescorniger and the homeostatic significance emphasized. The factorsin volved in foraging behavior in Reticulitermes are described.An hypothesis for the significance of the behavioral phenomenonof head-banging in termites is put forward: it is consideredto be connected with the maintenance of accelerated activityin a colony after "General Alarm".     

Termites (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae,Rhinotermitidae, Termitidae) of Ecuador

Termites are an abundant and diverse group in the Neotropics with about 500 species representing 83 genera. The paucity of the termite fauna recorded from Ecuador is due, in part, to a lack of deliberate surveys. We revise the termite fauna of Ecuador and raise the number of species from 25 species to 72 based on our recent termite surveys. Of the 72 species, 18 could not be conclusively identified and are likely new species. Given the limited area that has been covered in surveys of the Ecuadorian termite fauna, there are undoubtedly many more species to be recorded for Ecuador, primarily in the eastern lowland areas, cloud forests on both the eastern and western slopes of the Andes, and the Amazonian lowland forests.     

Soil microarthropods and macrofauna in monsoon tropical forests of Cat Tien and Bi Dup-Nui Ba National Parks,southern Vietnam

The abundance, biomass, vertical distribution, and taxonomic composition of soil invertebrates (springtails, macrofauna, and termites) were studied in forest formations differing in edaphic and climatic conditions: lowland forests dominated by Lagerstroemia spp. or Dipterocarpus spp. in the Cat Tien National Park and in a mountain pine (Pinus kesiya) forest on the Da Lat Plateau, southern Vietnam. In the lowland forests, springtails had a relatively low density (10000–12000 ind./m²), but their diversity was high (41–43 species in each forest). The density of large soil invertebrates (without ants and termites) reached 500–700 ind./m² at a biomass of approximately 30 g/m² (with earthworms accounting for up to 230 ind./m² and 19–28 g/m²). Among termites, species of the genera Macrotermes and Odontotermes were dominant. Their total biomass in some areas exceeded 15–20 g/m². In the mountain pine forest, the total biomass of soil macrofauna was approximately 11 g/m², the abundance and diversity of springtails were low (7500 ind./m², 28 species), and wood-destroying species of the genera Schedorhinotermes sp. and Coptotermes sp. dominated among termites.     

Minimum population size,genetic diversity,and social structure of the Asian elephant in Cat Tien National Park and its adjoining areas,Vietnam, based on molecular genetic analyses

Vietnam’s elephant population that has suffered severe declines during the past three decades is now believed to number 60–80 individuals in the wild. Cat Tien National Park is thought to be one of the key areas for the recovery of Vietnam’s elephants. We carried out a molecular genetic study of elephants in Cat Tien National Park and its adjoining areas with the objectives of estimating minimum population size, assessing genetic diversity, and obtaining insights into social organization. We obtained a minimum population size of 11 elephants based on a combination of unique nuclear microsatellite genotypes and mitochondrial haplotypes. While mitochondrial diversity based on a 600-base pair segment was high in this small sample of individuals, the six microsatellite loci examined showed low diversity and the signature of a recent population bottleneck. Along with nuclear genetic depauperation of Cat Tien’s elephants, we also report disruption of normal social organization, with different matrilines having coalesced into a single social group because of anthropogenic disturbance. The results emphasize the critical condition of this elephant population and the need for urgent conservation measures if this population is to be saved.     

Behavioral Response of Two Subterranean Termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) to Vibrational Stimuli

Behavioral responses to vibrational stimuli were examined in two subterranean termite species, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki and Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar). Termites habituated to vibrational stimulation when in social groups, but failed to do so individually, indicating that habituation is a collective action. In assays on termite groups, both species demonstrated a similar pattern of behavioral responses to vibrational stimuli: evanescent cessation of activity and movement, followed by withdrawal from the vibration source. Groups of both species then gradually moved back toward the vibration source as a consequence of continuous exposure. However, it took a significantly shorter period for C. formosanus to return (57 s) to the test arena and to resume (80 s) normal foraging activities in the test arena compared with R. flavipes, which took 97 and 227 s, respectively, when exposed to the vibration frequency of 120 bmpm. High vibration frequency (240 bmpm) increased the time required to return (C. formosanus, 80 s; R. flavipes, 153 s) and to resume regular locomotion (C. formosanus, 186 s; R. flavipes, 263 s). Our experiments demonstrate that workers play a crucial part in adjusting groups of termites to distressful vibrations. Soldiers of R. flavipes demonstrated similar behavioral responses as workers, however, C. formosanus soldiers exhibited a transient positive response before withdrawal. An erratum to this article is available at .     

Molecular Phylogeny Reveals the Past Transoceanic Voyages of Drywood Termites (Isoptera,Kalotermitidae)

Termites are major decomposers in terrestrial ecosystems and the second most diverse lineage of social insects. The Kalotermitidae form the second-largest termite family and are distributed across tropical and subtropical ecosystems, where they typically live in small colonies confined to single wood items inhabited by individuals with no foraging abilities. How the Kalotermitidae have acquired their global distribution patterns remains unresolved. Similarly, it is unclear whether foraging is ancestral to Kalotermitidae or was secondarily acquired in a few species. These questions can be addressed in a phylogenetic framework. We inferred time-calibrated phylogenetic trees of Kalotermitidae using mitochondrial genomes of ∼120 species, about 27% of kalotermitid diversity, including representatives of 21 of the 23 kalotermitid genera. Our mitochondrial genome phylogenetic trees were corroborated by phylogenies inferred from nuclear ultraconserved elements derived from a subset of 28 species. We found that extant kalotermitids shared a common ancestor 84 Ma (75–93 Ma 95% highest posterior density), indicating that a few disjunctions among early-diverging kalotermitid lineages may predate Gondwana breakup. However, most of the ∼40 disjunctions among biogeographic realms were dated at <50 Ma, indicating that transoceanic dispersals, and more recently human-mediated dispersals, have been the major drivers of the global distribution of Kalotermitidae. Our phylogeny also revealed that the capacity to forage is often found in early-diverging kalotermitid lineages, implying the ancestors of Kalotermitidae were able to forage among multiple wood pieces. Our phylogenetic estimates provide a platform for critical taxonomic revision and future comparative analyses of Kalotermitidae.     

The Non-LTR Retrotransposon R2 in Termites (Insecta,Isoptera): Characterization and Dynamics

The full-length element of the non-LTR retrotransposon R2 is here characterized in three European isopteran species: the more primitive Kalotermes flavicollis (Kalotermitidae), including two highly divergent mitochondrial lineages, and the more derived Reticulitermes lucifugus and R. urbis (Rhinotermitidae). Partial 3′ sequences for R. grassei and R. balkanensis were also analyzed. The essential structural features of R2 elements are conserved in termites. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that termite elements belong to the same clade and that their phylogeny is fully compatible with the phylogeny of their host species. The study of the number and the frequency of R2 insertion variants in four R. urbis colonies suggests a greatly reduced, or completely absent, recent element activity.     

Microarthropod community structures (Oribatei and Collembola) in Tam Dao National Park, Vietnam

A study on the microarthropod community with special reference to species diversity of Oribatid and Collembola communities (Microarthropoda: Oribatei and Collembola) in Tam Dao National Park of Vietnam, a subtropical evergreen broad leaf alpine forest, was undertaken with the aim to explain how they are related to forest decline, and whether they can be used as bioindicators of forest plant succession. The results have shown that microarthropod community structures, particularly species diversity of oribatid and collembolan communities, are related to forest decline. Therefore they can be used as bioindicators of forest plant succession. In Tam Dao National Park, there was an inverse relation between species diversity of the oribatid and collembola communities. The species diversity of the oribatid community gradually decreased with forest decline whereas the species diversity of the collembola community gradually increased.     

中国南部亚热带森林地表植被动态变化

系统研究了南方5个亚热带森林生态系统地表植被的动态变化情况.研究方法是:在每个研究区域内,按照地形梯度分别布设50个1m2 的样方,记录样方内所有物种的频度及相关的环境变量,5个研究区域共设250个样方,每个样方分别调查两次.通过单元及多元统计方法分析表明:维管植物物种频度在一个区域明显下降,另二个区域显著增加;苔藓物种频度在一个区域有明显下降,另一个区域明显增加;苔藓物种数量在3个区域显著增加,另二个区域显著下降;维管植物物种数量显著增加在二个区域;物种组成沿着第一个植被梯度轴DCA 1没有显著变化,沿着第二个植被梯度轴DCA 2在二个区域有显著变化.综合分析表明,苔藓对气候变化及其波动反映敏感,是较好的气候变化及气候波动生物指示因子,而管植物数量及频度的变化没有明显证据显示与土壤酸化和大气污染有紧密关系.     

Alarm Reaction of European Reticulitermes Termites to Soldier Head Capsule Volatiles (Isoptera, Rhinotermitidae)

The alarm behavior of worker and soldier castes of four European subterranean termite species of the genus Reticulitermes (R. santonensis, R. lucifugus, R. grassei, R. banyulensis) is described. In petri dish bioassays we presented filter papers with squashed soldier heads as an odor source to trigger a alarm reaction. Untreated filter papers were used as controls. The behavioral patterns were alike for all four species. In the control situation (no alarm), only occasional workers and few soldiers were seen walking in the petri dish. When the odor source was presented, a general state of alertness was observed, showing as higher activity and presence, zigzag running, antennation of nestmates, jittering and jerking, mandible snapping, head-banging, and attraction to the odor source. Workers were attracted within a few seconds (6.9–13.4 s); soldiers followed much later (18.5–64.6 s). Both workers and soldiers inspected the odor source only briefly (workers for 8.7–12.8 s, soldiers for 10.0–19.5 s), with the exception of R. santonensis, where soldiers stayed an average of 209.8 s. The number of individuals, of 50 workers and 3 soldiers, near the odor source averaged 6.0–9.2 workers and 1.2–2.3 soldiers. The presence of workers is crucial: without workers, a significant alarm reaction in soldiers could not be induced. The roles of soldier and worker castes of Reticulitermes species within alarm communication and the origin and nature of possible alarm signals are discussed.     

Estimating forest elephant density in Sapo National Park (Liberia) with a rainfall model

The number of elephant dung‐piles lying on the forest floor is a function of the number of elephants present and the rainfall in the 2 preceding months. We present the results of a stochastic model that describes this relationship and we show how it can be used to estimate elephant numbers. The data from a survey in Sapo NP (Liberia) in 1989 are used as an example. The dung‐pile density was estimated at 152 km^?2 with confidence interval from 72 to 322, and the number of elephants was estimated to be 313 with confidence interval from 172 to 617.     

Differences in Alarm Responses in Drywood and Subterranean Termites (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae and Rhinotermitidae) to Physical Stimuli

Alarm response triggered by physical stimuli is wide spread in termites but executed in several different behavioural patterns. The drywood and subterranean termite species tested in this study differed significantly by either head-drumming or jerking when stimulated by light, air-flow, or air borne sound stimuli. Nevertheless, differences may have a common evolutionary base. Repetitive stimuli of the same quality led to reduced responses over time, which was interpreted as habituation behaviour, a simple form of learning. Adaptation as alternative explanation was ruled out because when termites were subjected with a dis-habituation-stimulus followed by the original stimulus full response occurred again to this stimulus.     

Structural analysis of the Chambura Gorge forest (Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda)

The Chambura Gorge, part of the Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP), is completely covered by a forest which so far has not been exploited and whose species, composition and structure are barely known. It was therefore of interest to analyse this area as a typical example of a primary natural forest and as a peculiar habitat inside the QENP ecosystem. The forest cover has a typical structure, distributed into layers, but the lower layer is locally poor of saplings belonging to a possible cohort of regeneration. This process is likely to be observable on a wider scale of analysis. None of the species reach their potential maximum height, as measured in other areas and in a typical rain forest. However, the vegetation of Chambura Gorge is very representative of the local edaphic conditions and microclimate. In the structural analysis no relationships were found between the diameters and heights of the observed trees, if considered all together. If considered individually, only the most abundant species, Cleistopholis patens, showed any relationship between diameter and height.