Becoming Sinless: Converting to Islam in the Christian Solomon Islands

ABSTRACT   Islam is beginning to have a significant presence in the predominantly Christian nation of Solomon Islands. A few well-educated Islanders were drawn to Islam's elegant monotheism and promise of unity in the 1980s and early 1990s, but numbers have grown significantly in the years following a violent civil conflict (1998–2003). Many of these new Muslim converts, especially those from the island of Malaita, seem preoccupied with the problem of sin and blame Christianity for destroying customary rules, especially those enforcing gender segregation. Echoing long-standing Malaitan critiques of Christian freedom, they say that Christians rely too heavily on God's grace and their own ability to resist temptation. Unlike Christianity and similar to the traditional religion of the islands, Islam provides clear moral rules for living. Seeking an escape from a cycle of sin and redemption, these ex-evangelical Christians now see in Islam the possibility of becoming sinless.     

A New Prenylflavonoid Isolated from Propolis Collected in the Solomon Islands

The new prenylflavonoid, solophenol A (1), together with three known compounds, bonannione A (2), sophoraflavanone A (3) and (2S)-5,7-dihydroxy-4'-methoxy-8-prenylflavanone (4), were isolated from propolis collected from Malaita Island in The Solomon Islands. The structure of each compound was determined by spectroscopic methods, including mass spectrometry and 2D NMR. Compound 1 exhibited potent 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging activity.     

Genes and people in the caspian littoral: A population genetic study in northern Iran

Data for the distribution of alleles controlling two blood group systems and secretor status, for hemoglobin types, five serum protein groups and 15 red cell enzyme systems has been obtained. Eleven of the systems showed polymorphic variation and these systems have been used to calculate genetic distances using Morton's Kinship measure. No systematic relationship between genetic distance and geographic location of linguistic affiliation is apparent. There is, however, an apparent cline of decreasing frequency of PGD^c from east to west and also significant differences in the frequency of G6PD deficiency corresponding to variation in the ecology of the region. Genetic distance comparisons with other selected populations reveal that the Turkic and Turkoman speaking peoples in the Caspian area cluster with the Kurds, Greeks and Iranis. The Persian speakers are genetically remote from these populations; they are, however, close to the Parsis who migrated from Iran to India at the end of the Seventh Century A.D. Several unusual genetic variants were detected, including a novel MDH pheno-type, a superoxide dismutase phenotype identical with the Scandinavian type, and rare forms of LDH, PGM locus 2, ceruloplasmin, diaphorase, peptidases and PHI.     

Differential conservation of two species ofCanarium (burseraceae) among the Babatana and Ririo of Lauru (Choiseul), Solomon Islands

Two species,Canarium salomonense B. L. Burtt andC. indicum L. were formerly used by Solomon Islands cultures as principal sources of food (seeds), resin, and wood as well as a variety of ceremonial activities. Although the species are botanically quite similar, Babatana and Ririo speakers from Lauru (Choiseul) Island considerC. salomonense superior for many uses, particularly in activities of special spiritual significance. Ethnographic interviews were used to quantitatively evaluate hypotheses about community perceptions of differences between the species. Weighted and unweighted evaluations were made within emic activity categories based upon frequency of interaction withCanarium and importance of species selectivity within the interaction activity. No significant difference was found between the species based upon unweighted frequency of use within activity categories. However, C. salomonese is significantly more important for use in activities when its relative cultural importance was used to weight the comparison. This example supports a broad conclusion that importance of a species to a culture is more complex than its simple usefulness.     

The weedy species of Merretnia (Convolvulaceae) occurring in the Solomon Islands and a description of a new species

The genus Merremia is found in the tropical regions of both hemispheres. The climbing species with fast growth rates can become troublesome weeds of cultivation and forestry. Serveral Merremia species have become serious weeds of forestry plantations in the Solomon Islands. The important species are discussed and a new species, Merremia bracteata , found in Merremia infestations is described.     

Indigenous Ecological Knowledge as Situated Practices: Understanding Fishers' Knowledge in the Western Solomon Islands

ABSTRACT   In this article, we draw on research among fisherfolk of Roviana Lagoon, Solomon Islands, to examine certain epistemological assumptions of the indigenous knowledge concept. We describe how approaches to knowledge in Roviana differ from prevailing models of knowledge that distinguish between cognitive aspects and other modalities of knowing. For many Roviana fishers, ecological knowledge is not analytically separated from the changing contexts of everyday activities such as navigating and fishing. Inspired by Roviana epistemologies, we argue that a practice-oriented approach provides a more sympathetic and informative theoretical framework for understanding knowledge and its role in contemporary marine-resource conservation efforts. The theoretical and methodological implications of the perspective are illustrated with examples from an ongoing marine conservation project in the western Solomon Islands that integrates indigenous knowledge, remote-sensing techniques, and Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies.     

Permethrin-impregnated bednets are more effective than DDT house-spraying to control malaria in Solomon Islands

Abstract. A field trial compared DDT house-spraying with permethrin-impregnated bednets for malaria control in Solomon Islands from 1987 to 1991. Mortality-rates of malaria vector Anopheles farauti in exit window traps were 11.6% from an untreated hut, 10.1% from a hut sprayed with DDT 2 g/m², and 98% of those from a hut in which the occupants used bednets treated with permethrin 0.5 g/m². Since bioassays of the DDT-sprayed walls (15 min exposure in W.H.O. standard test cones) gave 77% mortality of Anfarauti , it was concluded that the insignificant impact of DDT could be explained by the exophilic behaviour of endophagic vectors, whereas the greater impact of permethrin was attributed to the more effective exposure of Anfarauti females to the impregnated bednets - attracted by the occupants. The parous rate was higher indoors, except in the area with permethrin-impregnated bednets. It was therefore concluded that permethrin-impregnated bednets reduced the mean longevity of Anfarauti and hence its vectorial capacity. The circumsporozoite (CS) antigen positivity rate of Anfarauti in the DDT area was 0.18% outdoors, significantly less than 1.42% indoors. In the comparison area CS rates were 0.65% outdoors and 0.75% indoors. CS antigen was not detected in Anfarauti from the bednet area, indicating the apparent prevention of malaria transmission. As DDT spraying was so much less effective, it was discontinued in 1993 and permethrin-impregnated bednets are now the principal malaria control method in Solomon Islands.     

Genetic variation in North Amerindian populations: covariance with climate

Allelic frequencies at seven polymorphic loci in 74 North Amerindian populations are examined relative to patterns of climatic variation. Canonical correlation analysis reveals strong and significant associations of heterozygosity at the ABO, Ss, Duffy, and P loci with climatic variability. Principal component analysis demonstrates that these loci tend to form correlated ensembles. Moreover, canonical correlation analysis of component scores provides support for an association between polymorphism at these loci and environmental variability. The results are concordant with two previous investigations which suggested a relationship between polymorphism for the ABO, Duffy, and Diego systems and climate. It is suggested that the examination of broad geographic patterns of genetic variation at multiple loci is a valuable, but underutilized, method of screening for the effects of long-term systematic pressures.     

Spatial and temporal variation in distribution of Gelidium canariensis (Rhodophyta) from natural populations of the Canary Islands

This study was designed to investigate spatial and temporal variation in Gelidium canariensis populations at two shores in northern Gran Canaria during two years. Spatial scales ranged from some hundred meters (distance between shores), 10 to 30 m (distance between plots) to less than 3 m (distance between quadrats). Gelidium individuals were defined as distinct Gelidium clumps. The results show a significant difference in size of clumps between shores, but not on the smaller spatial scales. No significant temporal variation was found. There was no significant temporal or spatial variation in standing crop or density (counts made in quadrats where Gelidium was present, rather than counts for the total shore). Sporophytic and gametophytic clumps were also distinguished by identifying reproductive structures in the field. The total proportion of sporophytes was larger than the proportion of gametophytes, but at a smaller scale there could be a shift in dominance. The survival rate of clumps was similar between shores with a mean survival rate of 85%, but there was a significant difference in recruitment between shores. The results indicate a stable population structure. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Checklist of the ants (Hymenoptera,Formicidae) of the Solomon Islands and a new survey of Makira Island

The intent of this paper is to facilitate future research of the Solomon Islands ant fauna by providing the first comprehensively researched species inventory in over 75 years. The species list presented here includes the names of all ant species recorded from the islands that are available in the literature together with specimen records from several museum collections and new records from our 2008 Makira field expedition. All the names of described species presented are valid in accordance with the most recent Formicidae classification. In total, the checklist is composed of 237 species and subspecies (including 30 morphospecies) in 59 genera representing nine subfamilies. We report that the recent field expedition added 67 new species records to Makira and 28 new species records to the Solomon Islands. Our research recovered species occurrence records for 32 individual islands and five island groups. The five islands with the highest number of recorded species are: Makira (142 spp.), Guadalcanal (107 spp.), Malaita (70 spp.), Santa Isabel (68 spp.), and Rennell (66 spp.). Based on our results, we discuss the taxonomic composition of the archipelago’s ant fauna, which islands are most in need of additional sampling, and the importance of establishing biodiversity baselines before environmental threats such as the invasive ant Wasmannia auropunctata cause irrevocable harm to the native biodiversity.     

Reindeer Chukchi and Siberian Eskimos: Studies on blood groups,serum proteins,and red cell enzymes with regard to genetic heterogeneity

Phenotype and allelic frequencies for ABO, MNSs, P, Rh, Kell, Duffy, and Diego blood groups, as well as for transferrins (Tf), haptoglobins (Hp), phosphoglucomutase 1 (PGM₁), adenylate kinase (AK), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (PGD), and acid phosphatase (AcP) are described in 9–10 adjoining populations of Reindeer Chukchi. Additionally, one of three presently existing territorial subgroups of Siberian Eskimos was studied. The total sample size ranges from 931 to 1,066 in Chukchi, and from 99 to 102 in Eskimos, depending on the genetic system studied. Substantially reduced samples for Kidd and ABO secretion were investigated solely in the Reindeer Chukchi. Significant heterogeneity of allelic frequencies has been observed among Chukchi populations (χ = 378.47, P < 0.001). Summed genetic heterogeneity between Reindeer Chukchi and Siberian Eskimos was also found to be highly significant (χ = 186.54, P < 0.001). Both groups can be readily discriminated with only four outliers: NS , P¹, R¹, and P^a. Random genetic drift is suggested to be responsible for a large proportion of heterogeneity of allelic frequencies at the MNSs, P, and Rh blood-group system sites both among the Chukchi and Eskimos. Conversely, stabilizing selection is assumed as the principal agent maintaining homogeneous allelic frequencies at the AcP locus within the Chukchi subdivisions, whereas disruptive selection may be considered as a major factor leading to different p^a frequencies between Chukchi and Eskimos.     

The Anopheles punctulatus group of mosquitoes in the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu surveyed by allozyme electrophoresis

Abstract. Four species within the Anopheles punctulatus group of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) were identified by allozyme analysis of samples collected from thirty-three localities in Guadalcanal, Makira, Malaita, Temotu and Western Provinces in the Solomon Islands and six localities on Efate, Espiritu Santo, Maewo and Malekula Islands in Vanuatu. Three of these species are members of the An. farauti complex. A key is given to identify five species of the An. punctulatus group known to occur in the Solomon Islands using their isoenzyme characteristics.
An. farauti No. 1 was widespread in coastal areas of the Solomon Islands and was the only species detected in Vanuatu, including Efate Island (where Faureville is the type locality of An. farauti Laveran sensu stricto). An. farauti No. 2 and An. punctulatus were common in the Solomon Islands in more inland areas. An. farauti No. 7, reported here for the first time, was found as larvae in freshwater at six localities on north Guadalcanal. Three other members of the An. punctulatus group which have been reported previously from the Solomon Islands: An. koliensis, An. renellensis and an electrophoretic variant of An. farauti sensu lato, were not found in our samples.
Previously recognized vectors of malaria and bancroftian filariasis in the Solomon Islands are An. farauti No. 1 (i.e. An. farauti s.s. ), An. koliensis and An. punctulatus s. s. Adult females of An. farauti No. 2 and An. farauti No. 7 were not attracted to human bait in areas where their larvae occurred, indicating that these two species are not anthropophilic and therefore unlikely to transmit human pathogens.     

Some genetic traits in Solomon island populations. I. Introduction: people and habitats

To introduce a set of genetic studies among Solomon Islanders, four tribal groups on Bougainville and Malaita Islands are described. They were observed in 1966 and 1968 by social anthropologists and biomedical scientists from Harvard University. The groups varied in habitat and way of life from fishermen living on artificial islets in a saltwater lagoon (the Lau, on Malaita) to shifting agriculturists (the Nasioi, on Bougainville, and the Kwaio and Baegu, on Malaita). The Nasioi were darker than the Malaitans and spoke a non-Austronesian rather than a Melanesian language; they were also more Westernized. Coverage of residents in designated hamlets ranged from 78% to over 95%. In all, 1,626 persons were studied: 256 Nasioi, 443 Kwaio, 442 Lau, and 485 Baegu. Genetic differences have been found between the Nasioi and the Malaitans, and between the Lau and the other Malaitans.     

Genetic variation within two linguistic Amerindian groups: relationship to geography and population size

Nine Carib and eight Tupi groups were studied for a minimum of eight common polymorphic systems and compared in terms of genetic distances using the methods of Nei and Edwards. Two levels of genetic information were distinguished, one with a maximum of 20 loci and another with a maximum of 12 loci considered. The dendrograms produced consistent, reproducible results, independent of the method used, when a minimum of ten polymorphic systems were included in the analysis. Irrespective of the number of systems or the method used, the Tupi showed two to three times higher average interpopulation genetic distances than the Carib groups, which may be due to their lower average population sizes, allowing for the action of genetic drift and/or founder effects, as these two sets of populations do not differ significantly in geographic range, years of contact with non-Indians, or degree of acculturation.     

中国14个民族红细胞血型座位的遗传分化

根据中国13个人口逾百万的民族及台湾高山族的红细胞血型座位的基因频率,分析了各血型系统的分化程度。结果表明,中国人群在MNSs系统上的分化十分显著。对各民族间的亲缘关系分析表明,汉族、朝鲜族、蒙古族、回族,满族和藏族等北方民族首先聚集在一起,侗族、高山族、壮族和彝族等聚集在一起,然后白族与南北两大人集聚集在一起,最后才是维吾尔族与其它人群相聚。本文以华北汉族作为蒙古人种的代表,探讨了世界上三大人种间的遗传关系,结果表明,黄种人与黑种人之间的遗传差异最小,而黑种人与白种人之间的遗传差异最大。根据基因分化系数(G_(ST))和Shannon信息测度(H),中国民族间的遗传差异均仅占中国人总遗传变异量的2％左右,这说明,绝大部分遗传变异存在于各民族之内。     

Genetic markers in the Hindu and Muslim Gujjars of Northwestern India

A comparative study of serogenetic markers was carried out among the Hindu and Muslim Gujjars from Northwestern India. From each isolate of Gujjars, 200 adult couples were examined for the A1A2BO and Rhesus blood groups, ABH secretion, the serum proteins haptoglobins, transferrins, and albumins, and 200 male subjects were examined for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme deficiency. The study showed that the Muslim Gujjars differ significantly from their counterpart, the Hindu Gujjars. The differentiation that has occurred among the Muslim Gujjars may be attributed to their geographical dispersal in diverse habitats, the inflow of genes from Islamic invaders as well as non-Islamic surrounding populations, the inbreeding effect, and the comparative breeding isolation. The genetic affinities of the Hindu Gujjars with the Jats and Rajputs provide strong evidence for their common ethnic origin and probably their recent fissioning owing to biosocial practices and occupational patterns. The computed genetic distance matrix shows diversity of Ahirs from all the concerned population groups.     

Genetic blood markers in Arab Druze of Israel

A sample of 153 individuals from a Druze village, in northern Israel, was typed for the following genetic markers--ABO, MNSs, Rh, P, Kell, and Duffy in the blood groups AcP, AK, ADA, EsD, GL01, ICD, LDH, G6PD, PGM 1 & 2, PHI, PGD and peptidases A, B, C, and D in the red cell enzymes and for the serum proteins Hp and GC subtypes. Rare variants were observed in the following systems: PGD, a new slow variant, PGM, type 8-1; Pep A, types 2-1 and 3-1, Pep B, type 2-1; Pep D, types 3-1 and 3-3; and type GC, 2-V. Significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg expectations were observed for MNSs and Duffy because of increased homozygosity, which was also observed in three other systems. Gene frequencies compared well with those of Arab Druze and Moslems in Lebanon and of Israeli Moslems in most of the systems, except for the lower frequencies of blood group B, the NS chromosome, the cde haplotype, and the AcPA allele in the present sample. A considerably lower frequency of the Fy allele was found in the Druze compared with Arab Moslems. It may be due to the Druze having been less exposed to inflow of African genes, to their being highlanders, and, therefore, less exposed to Plasmodium vivax malaria, or to both of the above.