Tropical Ecology

Carnivores have long been used as model organisms to examine mechanisms that allow coexistence among ecologically similar species. Interactions between carnivores, including competition and predation, comprise important processes regulating local community structure and diversity. We use data from an intensive camera-trapping monitoring program across eight Neotropical forest sites to describe the patterns of spatiotemporal organization of a guild of five sympatric cat species: jaguar (Panthera onca), puma (Puma concolor), ocelot (Leopardus pardalis), jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi) and margay (Leopardus wiedii). For the three largest cat species, we developed multi-stage occupancy models accounting for habitat characteristics (landscape complexity and prey availability) and models accounting for species interactions (occupancy estimates of potential competitor cat species). Patterns of habitat-use were best explained by prey availability, rather than habitat structure or species interactions, with no evidence of negative associations of jaguar on puma and ocelot occupancy or puma on ocelot occupancy. We further explore temporal activity patterns and overlap of all five felid species. We observed a moderate temporal overlap between jaguar, puma and ocelot, with differences in their activity peaks, whereas higher temporal partitioning was observed between jaguarundi and both ocelot and margay. Lastly, we conducted temporal overlap analysis and calculated species activity levels across study sites to explore if shifts in daily activity within species can be explained by varying levels of local competition pressure. Activity patterns of ocelots, jaguarundis and margays were similarly bimodal across sites, but pumas exhibited irregular activity patterns, most likely as

This study aims to provide some information about the area of presence and geographical breakdown of baobabs belonging to the Adansonia digitata species on the four Comoro Islands. Two of the eight known species of baobabs in the world are present in the Comoro Islands. Whilst they have asset value, a thorough study of their geographical distribution has yet to be produced and there is very little existing action to protect and conserve the asset. An inventory of the A. digitata populations on the islands (Grande Comore, Mohéli, Anjouan and Mayotte) and islets of the archipelago was carried out. From this, it was possible to map the geographical breakdown and analyse the spacial distribution of the baobabs. Their distribution seems to be strongly associated to their proximity to the coastline, suggesting the seeds are dispersed by marine hydrochory. The ecological status of this species based on IUCN status assessment, is known from the threats and pressures incurred and its distribution according to their ecological preferences. The species is categorized as Endangered (ER). The data from this study should contribute to improved management and conservation of the Adansonia species in the Comoros, a growing requirement in the light of concerns about anthropogenic pressure.

Amazonian white‐sand forests occur on quartzitic sandy soils, are distributed as an archipelago of habitat islands across the rain forests of Amazonia and contain many endemic plant species. Surprisingly, we found that only 23 percent of plant species in western Amazon white‐sand forests are white‐sand specialists, while the remaining species (77%) also occur in other habitat types. Overall, our analyses revealed: (1) somewhat unexpected composition similarity of white‐sand forests with nearby non‐white‐sand forests; (2) phytogeographical connections among distant white‐sand forests; and (3) a large proportion of western Amazon white‐sand specialists occurring in floras of the western and central Guiana Shield region (7–43%). These results suggest that dispersal from both neighboring oligotrophic non‐white‐sand habitats and distant white‐sand forests is fundamental in shaping western Amazonian white‐sand forests’ species composition and diversity. Although endemism in Amazonian whit...

Abstract: Movement pattern of the Iriomote cat Prionailurus bengalensis iriomotensis was studied on Iriomote Island, Japan by radio-tracking. The influence of sex and reproductive status of cats on their daily movement distance (DMD), straight-line distance (SLD), daily movement range (DMR) and other relative indices of movements was estimated. DMD was longest in males (3.2 km) and shortest in females without kittens (1.9 km). Also, males moved faster than either females with or without kittens (0.34, 0.25 and 0.25 km/h, respectively). During the mating season, males moved faster and their DMRs were larger than during the rest of the year. The SLD/DMD ratio in males was similarly high in both seasons (0.29 and 0.33), which indicates that their daily routes were expanded over large areas year-round, possibly to maintain a continuous control over their home range. In contrast, SLD/DMD varied seasonally in breeding females. It was low (0.09) during the lactating period, when females re...

This paper explores the role of ontology in environmental conservation and preservation. Methods such as critical reading, interviews, and qualitative analysis were used to gather primary data. The primary data regarding the ontology of the Nyakyusa were collected from Rungwe District in Mbeya Region. Examples were drawn from Praise of the Nyakyusa community. The theories guiding the data analysis Ontological and Ecological theories.These theoriesemphasises that culture and the physical environment are interdependent. The perspectives focus intently on the relationships between humans and the natural environments.The findings reveal that certain beliefs and taboos within ontology contribute to environmental conservation and preservation. This article suggests that specific beliefs and taboos embedded in the ontology of our communities should be respected and revitalised, as they play a vital role in environmental protection.

Africa's vast landmass, ecosystem and biodiversity have the agricultural potentials of feeding the entire world. As a continent, the greater size of her land mass is blessed with arable land, abundant water and climate favourable to all year round production of cash crops and rearing of all kinds of animal. Between the north and south, suitable land could be found to grow nearly every type of food product known in the world. Despite all these, the continent still remain the world capital of food insecurity that the citizens have to substitute their eating proportion with synthetic food imported from abroad. Adopting analytical method, this paper sets up that the change in Africa's eating regimen due to food scarcity is step by step setting her health on time bomb because synthetic food runs parallel to Africa's organic make-ups and tropical conditions. Thus, agricultural based policies and implementations must remain the main and continuous target goal of government at all levels to ensure food security of the nation and not just rhetoric for electioneering campaigns and winning of elections. What's more, legitimate bodies entrusted to monitoring the standard and safety of foods imported as well as those manufactured in this nation should sit up to their responsibilities, else the entire health of the continent will be endangered in no distant future.

Leptodactylus chaquensis, Cei's White Lipped or Chaco Frog, is a medium sized member of the Leptodactylus latrans group . It is widely distributed throughout the Pantanal and ranges from Argentina north into Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay . This primarily nocturnal and terrestrial species is abundant in the open areas and registered with less frequency in forested areas of the Pantanal . In spite of the wide distribution and significant population size of L. chaquensis there is an absence of information on the prey selection and predatory behaviour for this species. Incidents of vertebrate predation upon L. chaquensis in the Southern Pantanal have been previously noted. These predatory species include snakes, Mussurana bicolor (Peracca, 1904) and

We conducted a study on small-mammal composition, abundance and diversity across altitudinal and vegetational gradients in the Urucum Mountains (from 150 to 1000 m asl) in western Brazil, a complex biogeographic region. Small mammals were collected in 31 sampling units distributed along altitudinal and vegetational gradients (forest and grassland), totalling 18 112 trap-nights for pitfall and 3500 trap-nights for live-trap. Community variation among sampling units was assessed by randomization tests, setting altitude, vegetation, locality and time as factors, and using presence/absence data. Correlation and logistic regression analyses were run for species and diversity along gradients of altitude and vegetation, according to abundance and presence/absence data. Nineteen species (seven marsupial and 12 rodent) and 355 individuals were recorded. The species composition of small mammals differed according to altitude, vegetation type, locality and time. Species diversity varied significantly according to altitude. Species were influenced solely by altitude or vegetation, or by both vegetation and altitude concomitantly. The smallmammal community was divided in two groups according to biogeographic affinities. The grassland group is capable of invading forest habitats. The results are discussed in light of current hypotheses that attempt to explain community variation along altitudinal gradients around the world.

O uso de leguminosas herbáceas perenes como plantas de cobertura do solo é uma prática que ajuda a viabilizar a produção de árvores frutíferas, tornando os pomares autosuficientes em nitrogênio, permitindo o aporte de matéria orgânica ao solo e reciclando os nutrientes ...

Bromeliads are important components of tropical forests and their leaves form tanks ("phytotelmata") with unique microecosystems. Until recently, there were no experiments of how macroinvertebrates reach these tanks. We placed 150 plastic cups ("artificial bromeliads") in a Costa Rican forest and found that when debris and rain are experimentally blocked, some groups are not found in the tanks (including the medically important Culicidae) or differ in frequency between treatment and control.

O uso de leguminosas herbáceas perenes como plantas de cobertura do solo é uma prática que ajuda a viabilizar a produção de árvores frutíferas, tornando os pomares autosuficientes em nitrogênio, permitindo o aporte de matéria orgânica ao solo e reciclando os nutrientes ...

The research was carried out in the mangrove ecosystem of the Coloma-Las Canas sector, with the objective of characterizing symptoms and signs of insects and phytopathogens associated with mangrove species, such as: Avicennia germinans (L), Rizophora mangle (L) and Conocarpus erectus (L) as well as their degree of incidence on these. For this purpose, 10 sampling units of 10x10 meters were randomly established.

Functional connectivity of the biological corridors of Costa Rica for wild mammals with some degree of vulnerability. Introduction: Fragmentation refers to the loss of continuous natural vegetation, creating isolated patches that alter landscape structure and biodiversity. Combining structural connectivity indices with species occupancy data improves understanding of population dynamics. Functional connectivity reflects an organism's ability to move and persist but is challenging to measure due to ecological complexity. Objective: To propose an alternative approach for assessing biological corridors and functional connectivity for wild mammals in Costa Rica. Methods: From 2021 to 2024, I analyzed forest fragmentation and species occupancy across 51 biological corridors in Costa Rica using GIS and citizen science data. Functional connectivity was measured as the standardized ratio of fragmentation to occupancy, ranging from 0 (sporadic) to 1 (fully functional). Results: Fragmentation was highest in interurban corridors, while Nosara River, Aquifers, Los Santos, and Central-Talamanca showed the least. The ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) exhibited nearcomplete connectivity in the Aquifers corridor (ICFR = 0,98), followed by the squirrel monkey (Saimiri oerstedii) in Los Santos (ICFR = 0,69). Conclusion: While some corridors show high functional connectivity for select species, most exhibit limited connectivity. This reflects partial fragmentation and the use of corridors as components of broader home ranges in recovering and heterogeneous ecosystems.

Poorly implemented beach renourishment activities and increasing raw sewage pollution from local storm sewers and other non-point sources have significantly impacted coral reef communities at the candidate Vega Baja Submarine Gardens Natural Reserve, Puerto Rico. There have been recurrent violations to legal water turbidity and microbiological water quality standards. Percent living cover of threatened Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) across six reefs declined by 29% within 1997 and 2008, for an annual mean loss of 2.65%. But mortality rocketed to 52% between December 2008 and June 2009 across the zone following beach renourishment and recurrent raw sewage spills. Mortality was lower at outer reefs with stronger oceanographic circulation (34-37%), in comparison to reefs located inside the shallow platform, closer to the shoreline (52-69%), or closer to polluted areas (81-97%). Massive coral mortality at Vega Baja produced a significant phase shift in community structure in many of the sites from dominance by A. palmata towards dominance by non-reef building benthic categories (i.e., algal turf, recently dead corals, and dead corals with algae). Recurrent sediment bedload from adjacent renourished beaches, as well as turbid and sewage-polluted runoff pulses, were devastating to Elkhorn coral stands. These violations to existing State and Federal regulations must be prevented in order to prevent further degradation of these highly vulnerable communities, as well as the continuous decline of its ecosystem resilience, functions and services. There is a need to designate the area as a Natural Reserve, and to develop and implement an integrated coastal-zone management plan with emphasis in protecting one of the largest remaining A. palmata stands in Puerto Rico and the northeastern Caribbean.

The variation in water level in the Amazon várzea promotes cyclical isolation or union of various bodies of water. Among these, lakes and channels are the most relevant. Due to their cyclical geographic isolation, and even due to the often distinct origin of their waters, these environments showed limnological features which also vary from those bodies of water located outside the várzea setting. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the differentiation of the types of water bodies present in the Middle Solimões area, inside and outside of the floodplain areas, by segregating their main physical and chemical parameters. It also aims to evaluate the influence of the flood pulse on these parameters in these types of bodies of water. In order to do this, expeditions were conducted monthly from 2004 to 2011, at twelve sampling stations located in different types of water bodies, including canals and lakes within the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve, the Solimões River an...

Carnivores have long been used as model organisms to examine mechanisms that allow coexistence among ecologically similar species. Interactions between carnivores, including competition and predation, comprise important processes regulating local community structure and diversity. We use data from an intensive camera-trapping monitoring program across eight Neotropical forest sites to describe the patterns of spatiotemporal organization of a guild of five sympatric cat species: jaguar (Panthera onca), puma (Puma concolor), ocelot (Leopardus pardalis), jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi) and margay (Leopardus wiedii). For the three largest cat species, we developed multi-stage occupancy models accounting for habitat characteristics (landscape complexity and prey availability) and models accounting for species interactions (occupancy estimates of potential competitor cat species). Patterns of habitat-use were best explained by prey availability, rather than habitat structure or species interactions, with no evidence of negative associations of jaguar on puma and ocelot occupancy or puma on ocelot occupancy. We further explore temporal activity patterns and overlap of all five felid species. We observed a moderate temporal overlap between jaguar, puma and ocelot, with differences in their activity peaks, whereas higher temporal partitioning was observed between jaguarundi and both ocelot and margay. Lastly, we conducted temporal overlap analysis and calculated species activity levels across study sites to explore if shifts in daily activity within species can be explained by varying levels of local competition pressure. Activity patterns of ocelots, jaguarundis and margays were similarly bimodal across sites, but pumas exhibited irregular activity patterns, most likely as

Selective logging for timber production affects vast areas across the tropics, yet we lack detailed understanding of the impacts of logging intensity on biodiversity. These impacts can be studied at two levels: the impacts of logging intensity on overall diversity and community composition; and how logging intensity affects individual species' abundance-logging yield relationships. The latter underpins whether land-sharing logging (i.e. low intensity throughout) or land-sparing logging (i.e. high intensity with retention of some primary forest) is the optimal strategy. We examine both levels to determine the impacts of local-scale logging intensity on butterflies in Rondônia, Brazil, the global epicenter of butterfly alpha-diversity. Overall butterfly abundance was highest at intermediate logging intensity, whereas species richness increased after logging but was not affected by logging intensity, and that species composition increasingly changed from the primary community composition at higher logging intensities. Using individual species' abundance-yield curves, we then simulated species responses to a suite of logging strategies, ranging from total sharing to total sparing. Logging simulations predicted that more butterfly species would benefit from low-intensity land-sharing logging, having higher abundances than under land-sharing scenarios. However, some butterfly clades benefited disproportionally from the retention of primary forest within land-sparing logging concessions. Butterflies overall may benefit from intermediate logging strategies that promote a combination of low and high intensity logged areas, with some protected primary forest.

Tree characteristics were recorded from 2829 standing trees in 24 0.25-ha terra firme forest plots in central Amazonia, 3 y after a surface fire had swept through the study area. Sixteen of the plots were within forest that burnt for the first time at the end of the 1997-98 El Niño (ENSO) event, and the remaining eight plots were within unburnt primary forest. In order to investigate the morphological correlates of tree mortality, we measured tree diameter at breast height (dbh) and bark thickness, and recorded burn height, bark roughness and the presence of latex, resin and buttress roots. Leaf litter depth was also recorded at the base of all trees in the unburnt forest. Using logistic regression models, tree mortality was best explained by the burn height, although dbh and the presence of buttresses were also important. Buttressed trees were associated with deeper leaf litter accumulation at their bases and higher char heights than trees without buttresses. Moreover, trees surviv...

Competition represents the efect of distance and size of neighbouring trees. Relationship between distance and size difers due to spatial mixture of trees, and this may make no single tree size variable consistently related to distance. Hence, neighbourhood efect on trees due to competition is difcult to quantify. However, using relationship between size variable and optimum distance to detect competition provides understanding of mechanism structuring arrangement of trees in Elephant Camp Natural Forest. Tis study was designed to investigate size variability and spatial patterns of trees in the neighbourhoods of small and large trees in Elephant Camp Natural Forest, Nigeria. Four parallel line transects of 1 km long spaced at 50-m interval were demarcated in the study area. Five (30 × 30 m) sample plots were established on each transect. Minimum diameter-at-breast height (DBH) and maximum DBH trees were selected in each plot, assigned small and large reference trees, respectively. Subplot of radius � 10 m (314.2 m 2) was demarcated around each reference tree. Trees (DBH ≥ 5 cm) within subplot were enumerated, identifed to species level, and DBH, canopy diameters and their distance to the reference tree were measured. Data collected were analysed using nearest neighbour statistics (Clark and Evans, species mingling and DBH diferentiation indices) and Pearson correlation analysis at α 0.05. A total of 24 and 24 tree species representing 906.0 and 910.0 trees/ha were identifed in subplots of small and large reference trees, respectively. Ten per cent (10%) equal of subplots of small and large reference trees expressed signifcant positive correlation (r � 0.61-0.91) and negative correlation (r �-0.78-0.88) between distance and sum of DBH. Fifteen per cent (15%) of subplots of small and large reference trees expressed signifcant negative (r �-0.71 to-0.91) and positive correlation (r � 0.76-0.93) between distance and sum of canopy area. Te magnitude of positive linear variation of canopy area (r � 0.76-0.93) was more than DBH (r � 0.61-0.91). Signifcant positive correlation occurred mostly at ≤ 4.6 m. Regular distribution was the dominant pattern at the four distance scales and frequency of aggregate and regular patterns increased with increase in radius around small and large trees. Aggregate pattern was limited to 0-4.0 and 0-6.0 m around small and large reference trees, respectively. Large reference trees expressed relatvely higher mingling (M i � 0.81) at 8.00 m compared to small reference trees (M i � 0.73; 8.40 m). Stem diameter and canopy area were are responsive to neighbourhood efect in small and large trees, respectively. Nearest neighbourhood model based on canopy area detected most competitive interactions in most tree communities. Aggregately and regularly arranged heterospecifc neighbours played roles in structured of the tree communities around large and small reference trees, respectively.

Durante 30 meses, se realizó un estudio en la localidad de Firavitoba, Boyacá, con el objetivo de evaluar y de analizar los cambios en el dosel y la capacidad de adaptación de tres especies forestales de clima frío, Alnus acuminata, Escallonia pendula y Quercus humboldtii, en un suelo degradado por erosión hídrica. Las tres especies fueron sembradas en dos arreglos espaciales, tres bolillos y rectángulo y dentro de esos arreglos, se ubicaron diferentes tratamientos de mezclas simples y combinadas. Se midieron parámetros, como altura de planta, emisión foliar, índice de área foliar, diámetro de la copa y producción de hojarasca. Se observó que A. acuminata es una planta de gran sensibilidad al estrés hídrico, al presentar altas pérdidas de material por sequía, mientras que E. pendula mostró los mayores índices de sobrevivencia. Sin embargo, A. acuminata es la especie que obtuvo mayores índices de elongación, mayor tasa de emisión foliar y un crecimiento sostenido del IAF, aun cuando presenta periodos de defoliación masiva. Q. humboldtii demostró ser una especie que requiere sombra durante los primeros 24 meses después del transplante, pues al sembrarla individualmente, las plantas crecieron de forma lenta y desarrollaron pocas estructuras foliares. Las tres especies mejoraron las condiciones nutricionales del suelo, debido al aporte de hojarasca. El experimento estableció las condiciones de siembra para las tres especies y concluye quepueden ser usadas, preferiblemente, en mezcla, para programas de reforestación de suelos, con altos niveles de degradación física.

Despite the risks associated, some species choose to shield behind a predator to decrease predation risk by another predator. In this study, we demonstrate how Baird’s tapirs (Tapirus bairdii) use humans as a “shield” to reduce the risk of being preyed upon by jaguars (Panthera onca). We collected georeferenced photographic records of 23 tapirs (seven of them injured) sighted near human settlements (0 to 5 km) in the Calakmul region of Mexico from 2008 to 2019. Using multidimensional scale analysis, we determined which possible factors (tapir health status, injuries, distance to the settlement, as well as seasonality) are related to the decision of tapirs to approach human settlements. To support our claims of jaguars’ attacks, we described the pattern of injuries believed to have been inflicted by jaguars on tapirs, and we analysed photographs and videos of species of the genus Panthera attacking larger prey than themselves to establish a pattern of injuries and compare it to the i...

Lianas are integral structural and functional components of tropical forests, yet their ecological patterns in dry Afromontane systems remain poorly understood. We quantified liana assemblages along an altitudinal gradient in the Desa'a dry Afromontane forest, northern Ethiopia, using 120 plots of 20 m x 20 m. We recorded 1199 liana stems representing 14 species, belonging to 13 genera and 12 families. Liana density, species richness, basal area, and total abundance varied significantly with elevation (P < 0.05), whereas mean stem diameter and Shannon diversity showed no significant altitudinal trend. Twining was the dominant climbing mechanism (52 %), and wind dispersal was the most common (57 %), with no elevation-related differences observed. Stem distributions were concentrated in lower diameter classes, indicating active recruitment and potential shifts in forest structure under future environmental change. These findings provide essential baseline data for conservation and management of dry Afromontane forests and offer predictive insights into the response of liana communities to climate and land-use change, highlighting their broader relevance for tropical forest dynamics, carbon storage, and ecosystem functioning under global change scenarios.

Vertebrate roadkills in a secondary road in Costa Rica. Roads have been one of the most significant anthropological changes in natural landscapes. Their effects are much more visible and strong in animal populations, which suffer from loss of connectivity, home range and habitat, and loss of individuals from roadkills, which is the most visible and easy to measure effect. From May 24 through July 28, 2010, I recorded all roadkills three times a week in a segment of 850 meters of a secondary road, in the Central Valley of Costa Rica. Nine animals were killed when the number of vehicles in the road was lower, compared with three when the number of vehicles increased. This negative correlation (r =-0,545) was unexpected. The most affected taxonomic group was the Bufonidae (Amphibia), with 5 roadkills.

Tank bromeliads have the capacity to accumulate water and leaf litter in their leaves providing habitat for animal species ranging from mosquito larvae to amphibians with arthropods being the main group associated with these plants. However, there have been no studies made in Mexico that document the association between the macroarthropods and the tank bromeliads during the different seasons in different species of bromeliads. The objective of the present work was to determine species richness, abundance and diversity of macroarthropods present in the rosettes of T. carlos-hankii and T. oaxacana during the two seasonal periods (rainy and dry) and evaluate the degree of association of said parameters with the morphological characteristics of the bromeliads. The present work was carried out in the pine-oak forest near Peña Prieta, in the municipality of Santa Catarina Ixtepeji, at an elevation of 2850 meters above sea level. Four random collections were made of ten adult rosettes in each sample. Each plant was bagged and transferred to the laboratory where the macroarthropods were collected and identified. One hundred twenty-six morphospecies of adult macroarthropods, belonging to 114 genera, 70 families and 17 orders with a total of 1061 individuals were collected. The orders with the greatest species richness and abundance were Hemiptera, Araneae and Coleoptera. More species richness and abundance were found in T. carlos-hankii (105 morphospecies and 847 individuals) than in T. oaxacana (61 morphospecies and 214 individuals). For T. carlos-hankii, the species richness and abundance was greater during the rainy season while for T. oaxacana they were greater in the dry season. The Shannon Diversity Index was greater for both species during the dry season with H'=1.40 and H'=1.51 respectively. There exists a significant correlation between the size of the bromeliad and richness (R=0.489**), abundance (R=0.459**) and diversity (0.511**) of the macroarthropods without taking into account the species of bromeliad. This may be because the larger plants are more likely to be found and colonized by the arthropods and, consequently, more likely to support a greater diversity of species. Both species of bromeliads in this study are an important resource for macroarthropods.

Tarcísio Jose Gualberto Fernandes -(Ufac) Jorge Mardini -(Ufac) A arqueologia amazônica tem experimentado uma nova realidade com a descoberta dos Geoglifos ou estruturas de terra delimitadas por valetas. Os geoglifos, como estão sendo chamados, são caracterizados como estruturas arqueológicas construídas mediante valas continuas formando recintos de diferentes formatos geométricos com vários tamanhos. Nessas estruturas existem caminhos ou trilhas que começam na própria estrutura e estão direcionadas a varias direções, ou podem remeter a ideia ou quiçá nos de um esforço de imaginar figuras. Dado a tal complexidade destas estruturas e seus caminhos, considerando os diferentes estudos já publicados nesta região, pode-se afirmar que essas estruturas arqueológicas indicam a existência de uma população expressiva, organizada regionalmente e, que viveu por centenas de anos em um habitat que anteriormente era considerada uma região inóspita para grande populações. Palavras chaves: Arqueologia amazônica, geoglifos do Acre, estruturas de terra imagens de satélites.

April 2020 Our study was not experimental but based on taxonomic knowledge and on published literature of the vascular plants of New Guinea. Thus, no randomization was required. Investigators were not blinded during data acquisition or analysis because our study is not experimental. Yes No Reporting for specific materials, systems and methods We require information from authors about some types of materials, experimental systems and methods used in many studies. Here, indicate whether each material, system or method listed is relevant to your study. If you are not sure if a list item applies to your research, read the appropriate section before selecting a response.

Jean Tilho, 36 ans, gendarme à pied, d'une lignée de cultivateurs, et d'Eulalie Glaumont, 22 ans, sans profession. Boursier au lycée de Bordeaux, il passe la «première partie du baccalauréat de l'enseignement spécial» avant d'entrer à Saint-Cyr, 311ème/480, le 24 octobre 1893, et d'en ressortir 218 ème/46S, souslieutenant au 8 ème régiment d'Infanterie de Marine. Jean Tilho est envoyé à Madagascar avec le corps expéditionnaire de juillet 1896 à novembre 1897, pour participer aux convois avec le régiment de tirailleurs malgaches. Il y est cité « ayant pris part à l'occupation d 'Ivahibé ». Lieutenant au Sème R.I.M., il est affecté au Sénégal en juin 1899 avant d'être envoyé au Dahomey en août. Il prend part à la répression du Dendi et au combat de Bodjécali. Dans la nuit du 16 au 17 novembre 1899, il reçoit une flèche à la cuisse. Ayant fondé le poste de Gaya sur le fleuve Niger, il est alors affecté en amont, à Say, en tant que résident. En deux ans de séjour jusqu'en avril 1902, il dresse la carte de ce secteur de l'actuel Niger et acquiert « une bonne connaissance de la langue haoussa », en recueillant des contes et en établissant la grammaire. Dès cette période, il rêve d'explorer l'immense région s'étendant entre Niger et Nil, en recoupant par des itinéraires transversaux ceux des rares explorateurs du Tchad: « Je devais mettre dix-sept ans à réaliser ce programme» ! Il revient avec la mission MolI chargée, en collaboration avec les Anglais, de rectifier et de borner la ligne de délimitation frontalière entre le fleuve Niger et le lac

Rodents are successful animals in every continent because of their having comparatively little size, short breeding cycle, and capacity to survive on a variety of food items. Rodents are bioindicators. Terefore, the study on the species composition and population status of rodents in and around Yeraba Priority State Forest, located in northwest Ethiopia, was conducted from September 2022 to February 2023. Based on the vegetation type, the study area was classifed into four habitat types, namely, new regenerated forest, plantation forest, farmland, and grassland. Both live-trap and snap-traps were used to capture rodents. By using live-traps, a total of 582 individuals were captured. Te total captured individuals belonged to fve species of rodents. Tese species composition were Lophuromys favopunctatus (44%), Rattus rattus (25.3%), Arvicanthis abyssinicus (23.7%), Mastomys natalensis (6.7%), and Mus musculus (0.3%). Rodents' species composition and population abundance vary from season to season and from habitat to habitat. Lophuromys favopunctatus species was the most commonly distributed and abundant in the study area, whereas M. musculus was uncommon and smallest abundant in the study area. Te distributions of rodent were signifcantly diferent among diferent habitats. Age classes of rodents vary among habitats and between seasons. During both seasons, adult individuals were represented the highest proportion. Te rodent population density varied in diferent habitats during the wet and dry seasons. Population density of rodents was highest in grassland habitat, while population density of rodents was lowest in plantation forest. Te present study showed that there was a statistically signifcant diference in population density of rodents among habitats. Although diferent biomass estimates were recorded in diferent habitat types, their diferences were not statistically signifcant. Generally, the diversity of rodents was lower as compared to other studies; this might be due to diferent factors such as, clearing forest, overgrazing, and human disturbance. Yeraba Priority State Forest is a home to wildlife that needs conservation measure to save existing biodiversity and maintain the ecosystem.

response came' in the enactment of Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Act. 1985. Apart from being signatory to CITES on 7th November 1975, Nigeria is also signatory to Ramsar Wetlands Convention; Convention on Biological Diversity; Migratory Bird Treaty; Whaling Convention ana other international conventions and treaties designed to protect or manage threatened species and biological resources. Jttese international and national legislations represents a new attitude towards global and national attempt in protecting V V cm f ered species fauna and flora from extinction. This article examines Nigeria's legal regime for the protection •#7i t endan S ere(J species fauna and flora; the challenges of implementation; the inter-linkage between the protection of wilalije endangered species fauna and flora in Nigeria and the concept of sustainable development. There is also the problem oj enforcement, poverty and compliance due to political factors, institutional constraints, national focus on economic growth due to rising poverty level, shortage of funding and manpower, local protectionism and continued illegal trade in endangered TopZions ^ ° Pr0blem m N ' seria ax re *P ec ts trade in wildlife products and this is severely depleting wildlife

Our native wildlife populations are under tremendous stress as a result of all development sites regardless of whether they are located in rural or urban areas, which is exacerbated by an everincreasing human population. Land that was formerly a wildlife habitat is now being developed for agricultural, residential and commercial purposes, as well as highways and other uses. The amount and quality of wildlife habitat are both impacted by changes in land use pattern and related activities. The current study takes a broad look at the effects of changing land use on wildlife and their environment. Using the land classification, the impact of various levels of agricultural development on wildlife habitats has been established. Forestry, tourism, vehicles and roads, pollution, pesticides, herbicides, fertilisers, hotels and lodges, and sewage disposal have all had an impact on wild ecosystems' carrying capacity. The paper concludes with a list of challenges that must be addressed immediately. As a result, effective mitigation methods are urgently needed to resolve this problem in its entirety.

Rainfall seasonality can strongly influence biotic interactions by affecting host plant quality, and thus potentially regulating herbivore exposure to natural enemies. Plant defences are predicted to increase from dry to wet forests, rendering wet-forest caterpillars more vulnerable to parasitoids due to the slow-growth-high-mortality hypothesis. We collected and reared caterpillars from the understorey and trail edges of a wet forest and a seasonally dry forest to determine whether wet-forest caterpillars suffered a higher prevalence of parasitism and were less abundant than dry-forest caterpillars. In the two forests, caterpillar abundances (on average 8 h -1 ) and prevalence of parasitism (18%) were very similar regardless of feeding niche for both parasitism (27% versus 29% in shelter builders, and 16% versus 11% in external feeders) and caterpillar abundances (shelter builders: 1.42 versus 2.39, and external feeders: 8.27 versus 5.49 caterpillars h -1 ) in the dry and wet forests, respectively. A similar comparative analysis conducted in the canopy and understorey of the dry forest revealed a higher prevalence of parasitism in the canopy (43%) despite caterpillar densities similar to those in the understorey. Overall, shelter builders suffered higher parasitism than external feeders (32% versus 14.9%), and were attacked primarily by flies, whereas external feeders were more vulnerable to attack by parasitoid wasps.

A severe outbreak of Lepidoptera followed the 1997–98 El Niño Southern Oscillation event, during which the climate in central Panama was unusually dry. The outbreak involved the larvae of at least 12 species of Lepidoptera and occurred at a seasonally dry, deciduous forest site, where extensive background data were available regarding climate, tree species and non-outbreak herbivory levels. Most Lepidoptera were associated with only one or two larval host plant species belonging to the same family, and the majority were monophagous during this study. During the outbreak, caterpillar densities for the major outbreak species averaged 1.6 larvae per young leaf and 0.18 larvae per leaf for leaves of all ages. For canopy trees and lianas, the mean level of leaf damage was 13.8%, ranging from 1–100%. Seven out of 20 tree species sustained most of the damage, with 21–37% of the leaf area consumed. Relative to non-outbreak years, damage levels increased by more than 250% during the outbreak...

Pericopsis elata (Fabaceae) is a valuable timber species occurring in moist semi-deciduous African forests. While it is at present substantially reduced, the tree's natural distribution previously covered several distinct areas from Côte d'Ivoire to the Democratic Republic of Congo. This species has been logged since the second half of the 20 th century. Because it suffers from a lack of regeneration, P. elata is now included in CITES Appendix II and is recorded as "Endangered A1cd" on the IUCN Red List. As with other long-lived light-demanding species, the survival of P. elata may have been favored by important disturbances that occurred in the Congo Basin during the last millennia. While both international trade and industrial uses of the wood of P. elata are well documented, information about its ecology are very sparse or contradictory, and even absent in some cases (e.g., regarding its effective flowering diameter). Furthermore, data describing the management of P. elata are scarce, including potential solutions to compensate for the deficit of natural regeneration. Along the same lines, genetic studies still remain at an early stage and only vague hypotheses have been offered to explain the origins of the tree's populations. We emphasize the need for new research on those topics. Further studies would be useful in deciding whether P. elata populations can continue to be logged without the species being threatened with extinction. Finally, such research needs to target effective and inexpensive management procedures that could secure the future of the species in a logging context.

Estimation of the magnitude of forests as carbon sinks or sources require accurate and reliable estimate of biomass density of the forests. However, poor knowledge of the quantity of biomass per species in a given ecosystem is one most uncertain factor involved in estimating carbon stock in developing countries. The aim of this study is to examine the relative phytosociological importance of woody species in determining above ground biomass/carbon stock in the Guinea savanna ecological zone of Nigeria. The research methodology employed field survey inventory, biometric measurements and laboratory analysis. Measurement was carried out in 45 quadrat sampling plots of 500 m 2 . Destructive biomass sampling was used for biomass estimation. The phytosociological analysis carried out in this study revealed that ecologically dominant tree species in the study area in decreasing order were Vitellaria paradoxa,(32.73

Present studies on the community characteristics of earthworms revealed the occurrence of 11 species of earthworms in the pineapple (Ananus comosus) and 14 species in the mixed fruit plantations of west Tripura (India). While 9 species of earthworms namely Drawida assamensis, Drawida papillifer papillifer, Drawida nepalensis, Kanchuria sp., Metaphire houlleti, Eutyphoeus gigas, Eutyphoeus scutarius, Eutyphoeus comillahnus and Pontoscolex corethrurus are of common occurrence to both the pineapple and the mixed fruit plantations, two and five earthworm species namely Kanchuria sumerianus, Eutyphoeus sp. and Metaphire posthuma, Perionyx excavatus, Lampito mauritii, Amynthus alexandri, Eutyphoeus gammiei are restricted to the pineapple and the mixed fruit plantations respectively. Earthworms were found mostly within 15 cm depth of soils having temperature 25–25.8 °C, moisture 18.8–22.4 %, water holding capacity 26–31.7 % and organic matter content 2.4–4.0 %. Mean earthworm densities (158 ind. m−2) was significantly higher (p < 0.01, t = 9.67) and biomass (36.67 g m−2) significantly lower (p < 0.01, t = −5.98) in the pineapple plantation than the mixed fruit plantation (density 93 ind. m−2, biomass 56 g m−2). High density value of earthworms in pineapple plantation is linked with dominance of D. assamensis and high biomass value in mixed fruit plantation was due to the higher relative abundance of larger species like E. gigas, E. scutarius, E. comillahnus and E. gammiei. Compared to the mixed fruit plantation, significantly (p < 0.05) higher index of dominance, lower index of diversity, species richness index and species evenness were recorded in the pineapple plantation.

The activities of earthworms improve soil quality by increasing aeration, drainage and transformation of minerals and plant nutrients to available and accessible forms, making the soil favourable for crop yield. On the other hand, plant species also have direct effects on earthworm community characteristics through effects on organic inputs above and below ground, whereas indirect effects of plants on soil biota include shading, soil protection and uptake of water and nutrients by roots. To examine the impact of mixed vs. monoculture pineapple plantation on earthworm diversity, population density, species dominance and evenness, a study was conducted in the pineapple (PP) and mixed fruit plantations (MFP) of West Tripura, India, which experiences a tropical climate. For each type of plantation three replicate plots were selected to carry out earthworm surveys. The study revealed the occurrence of 11 species in PP and 14 species in MFP. Nine species (Drawida assamensis, D. papillifer papillifer, D. nepalensis, Kanchuria sp., Metaphire houlleti, Eutyphoeus gigas, E. scutarius, E. comillahnus and Pontoscolex corethrurus) were common to PP and MFP, whereas 2 species (K. sumerianus and Eutyphoeus sp.) and 5 species (M. posthuma, Perionyx excavatus, Lampito mauritii, Amynthus alexandri and E. gammiei) were found exclusively in PP and MFP, respectively. Of the total of 16 species collected, 5 species (M. houlleti, M. posthuma, P. excavatus, A. alexandri and P. corethrurus) are exotic; the rest are endemic to the Indian subcontinent. Both plantation types were dominated by endogeic earthworms. Earthworms were found mostly within the top 15 cm of soil, which had a temperature ranging from 25 0 C-25.8 0 C, moisture content of 19.7 %-22.4 %, water holding capacity of 26 %-31.7 % and organic matter content of 2.4 %-4.0 %. Significantly higher temperature and significantly lower moisture, pH, organic matter and water holding capacity were recorded in PP compared to MFP. The mean earthworm population density was significantly higher and earthworm biomass significantly lower in PP (158 ind. m-2 ; 41.9 g. m-2 , respectively) than MFP (93 ind. m-2 ; 55 g. m-2). A significantly higher index of dominance and lower indices of diversity, species richness index and species evenness were observed in PP than in MFP. In conclusion, monoculture practices in PP resulted in higher dominance, lower diversity, biomass and species evenness of earthworms compared to mixed culture conditions.

En Moby Dick, de Herman Melville, el capitán Ahab promete un doblón de oro al primer marinero que aviste la ballena blanca. La moneda, que es de Ecuador, funciona como un objeto milagroso que desencadena pasiones e interpretaciones. ¿Por qué solo este doblón tiene semejante poder? Para responder a esta pregunta, el presente ensayo hace un recorrido por la historia del doblón y las representaciones de lo ecuatorial y ecuatoriano en la novela, además del pensamiento mítico sobre la mitad del mundo y un análisis del cuento "La veranda", del mismo autor.

Mangroves are ecologically important for carbon sequestration and storehouses of biodiversity. In India, about 40% of mangroves are lost in the past due to natural and anthropogenic disturbances. This article discusses the present status of mangrove forests, conservation and management strategies being followed successfully in India, and recommends the future directions for mangrove restoration.

The vegetation of the plateaux of the Gerire Hills, of unique geology, represents an outlier of the Transitional semi-evergreen bushland of the eastern escarpment of the Ethiopian highlands, about 160 km from continuously distributed vegetation of this type. In the lowland surrounding the hills is deciduous Acacia-Commiphora bushland, typical of the Somalia-Masai region. Unpublished data from a 1937 Italian expedition documents past existence of Juniperus procera on the plateaux. Three new narrowly endemic species are described here from recently collected material: Croton elkerensis Friis & M.G. Gilbert (Euphorbiaceae), Gnidia elkerensis Friis & Sebsebe (Thymelaeaceae), and Plectranthus spananthus A.J. Paton, Friis & Sebsebe (Lamiaceae). Three previously described species from the hills, Blepharispermum obovatum Chiov. (Asteraceae), Aloe elkerriana Dioli & T.A.McCoy (Aloaceae) and Euphorbia bertemariae Bisseret & Dioli (Euphorbiaceae), are narrow endemics. The species most similar to the bushland endemics occur in a range of vegetation types and phytochoria in East Africa south of Ethiopia or more widespread in Africa. The species most similar to the succulent endemics occur elsewhere in semi-evergreen bushland on limestone at the mountain range in northern Somalia. The Gerire Hills endemics are considered Vulnerable (VU) or Least Concern (LC) given the differing threats to their respective habitats.

The paper reports on a preliminary survey of the forests on the southern slope of Bale Mountains, carried out in 1984. According to this study, five principal zones are recognized, albeit with some difficulty. The zones are chiefly based on floristic criteria: 1) A zone with a drier forest type, forming a transition zone to the Combretaceous woodland below the forest and characterized by two species of trees, Fiiicium decipiens and Warburgia ugandensis, occurring in mixed forest dominated by Podocarpus gracilior. It ranges from c. 1450 to between 1550 m and 1650 m and would in
Hedberg's classification be referred to as the lowermost part of the Montane Rain Forest Zone of the Montane Forest Belt. 2) A zone including the most humid and dense forest of the region, with very tall trees, of which Aningeria adolfi-friederici and Olea capensis subsp. welwitschii
may act as emergents. Ocotea kenyens·is characteristic here, as are a number of other species which are rare elsewhere in Ethiopia. It ranges from between 1550 m and 1650 m to between 2100 m and 2250 m and corresponds to the middle part of the Montane Rain Forest Zone of Hedberg's Montane Forest Belt. 3) An extensive, more open zone with
less complex stratification and with lower trees than in the previous zone. The most frequent are Schefflera abyssinica and Syzygium guineense subsp. afromontanum. Patches of bamboo thicket (Arundinaria alpina) are recorded from this zone which ranges from between 2100 m and 2250
m to c. 2 700 m and corresponds to the upper part of the Montane Rain Forest Zone of Hedberg ' s Montane Forest Belt. 4) An open to dense zone dominated by medium sized trees, espcially Hagenia abyssinica and Hypericum revolutum, but with patches where other species are also frequent . It ranges from c. 2700 m to c. 3200 m and corresponds to
Hedberg' s Hagenia Hypericum zone. 5) A zone with low forest or tall scrub which, however, has the physiognomy of forest, with trees up to 1 O m tall. The most frequent species is Erica arborea, but Discopodium penninervium and a few other species are also common. It ranges from c. 3200 m to c. 3500 m, but Erica arborea ascends higher as a low
shrub; it corresponds to part of Hedberg's Ericaceous Belt. The floristic boundaries on the Bale Mountains do not appear to be as well marked as in the East African mountains, and the physiognomy of the zones changes gradually from the lower to the upper Zimit of the forest. The comparison with East Africa is discussed and the general interest of the forest from the point of view of conservation is briefly mentioned.

Lead (Pb) is very stable in soil and is highly toxic to human and animals. Pb contamination of vegetables cannot be under estimated as these food stuffs are important components of human diet . Pb is a neurotoxin that can affect almost every organ or system in the human body. It can reduce cognitive development and intellectual performance in children and damage kidneys and reproductive system [2]. Most of the accumulated Pb is sequestered in the bone and teeth [3], causing brittle bones and weakness in the wrists and fingers. Pb that is stored in bones can re-enter the blood stream during periods of increased bone mineral recycling. Mobilized Pb can be redeposited in the soft tissues of the body and can cause musculoskeletal, renal, ocular, immunological, neurological, reproductive, and developmental effects [4].

Understanding drivers of plant diversity and distributions is critical for their conservation, particularly among changing environments. While plants' responses to disturbances are relatively well-studied, in-depth analyses of how they respond to habitat recovery are surprisingly scarce. This is particularly true for one of the most diverse, sensitive, and threatened plant families: the Orchidaceae. To address this knowledge gap, we evaluated the diversity and distribution of terrestrial orchid species within a recovering tropical forest landscape in the Republic of Palau. We tested the hypotheses that orchid abundance, richness, and diversity vary across a forest successional gradient and that orchid species exhibit specificity and/or fidelity to particular tree species. Surveys yielded distribution data for 23 orchid species and General Linear Models revealed that habitat type and tree abundance, diversity, and size significantly affected orchid abundance. Habitat type and tree abundance also affected orchid richness and diversity. Indicator analysis showed that only two orchid species were significantly associated with individual tree species. The local landscape-scale study established that orchid communities varied across habitats and that mature forests had greater orchid abundance, richness, and diversity. Interestingly, tree abundance had a stronger influence on orchid communities than tree diversity, tree size, or specific tree species. The study demonstrated that orchids can occupy a range of successional habitats and indicated that reservation strategies paired with restoration efforts utilizing various tree species for reforestation will benefit orchid communities over potentially shorter timeframes than might occur without active management.

Este artigo investiga as atitudes ambientais de 183 alunos e alunas do ensino médio de três escolas situadas nas proximidades do Parque Nacional Montanhas do Tumucumaque (PNMT), no Brasil. A análise se concentra em atitudes em relação a ambientalistas, práticas de caça e interação com ambientes tidos como naturais, observando variações por gênero, série e escola. Os resultados indicam que a proximidade ao PNMT não corresponde necessariamente a um maior conhecimento ou envolvimento com ambientalistas, com apenas cerca de metade da amostra expressando interesse por questões ambientais. Adicionalmente, a maioria expressou satisfação ao interagir com ambientes tidos como naturais. Foram observadas diferenças estatísticas significativas em algumas questões do instrumento aplicado, como o maior interesse por questões ambientais na 3ª série do ensino médio e um maior apoio à caça entre o gênero masculino. Com base nestes resultados, recomenda-se a implementação de práticas educacionais que estimulem a curiosidade e o diálogo com ambientalistas, e que promovam maior integração entre a educação e as realidades locais.

!is study aims to investigate the diversity and distribution of brachyuran crabs living in the mangrove swamps of Kalibhanjadia Island, located within the Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha, India. !e research spanned two years, from January 2018 to December 2019. A total of twelve species of crabs from six distinct families were recorded. !e families represented include Sesarmidae (Episesarma versicolor, Episesarma mederi, and Parasesarma plicatum), Varunidae (Metaplax dentipes, M. distincta, and Varuna litterata), Grapsidae (Metapograpsus latifrons, also known as M. maculatus, and M. messor), Ocypodidae (Uca annulipes and U. rosea), along with one species each from Gecarcinidae (Cardisoma carnifex) and Portunidae (Scylla serrata). !e results reveal a clear distribution pattern of brachyuran crabs across varying salinity gradients, underscoring their ecological adaptability. Speci"cally, grapsid, sesarmid, and ocypodid crabs mostly inhabit riverbank regions with low to moderate salinity, while varunid crabs, with the exception of Varuna litterata, are predominantly found in areas characterized by medium to high salinity within the upper tidal zones.