Chiquibul Forest Reserve Research Articles

Rainforest carnivore ecology in a managed forest reserve: Differential seasonal correlates between habitat components and relative abundance

Studies of relationships between seasons and Neotropical carnivore distributions tend to focus on water and prey availability without considering other habitat components such as escape, foraging, and resting cover. Our goal was to evaluate habitat characteristics that may be important for predicting the seasonal (dry or rainy) relative abundance of four commonly captured Neotropical carnivores (i.e., jaguar [Panthera onca], puma [Puma concolor], ocelot [Leopardus pardalis], and grey fox [Urocyon cinereoargenteus]) in Chiquibul Forest Reserve in Belize, Central America. We used trail camera data and random-effect Poisson models to investigate how prey ratios (number of prey detections/total detections), cover (e.g., logs and stumps used for hiding cover from predators), vegetation structure, and environmental site characteristics (e.g., site harvest-history, slope, aspect) were related to carnivore relative abundance. Both prey ratios and vegetation structure appeared in supported models more frequently than other environmental site characteristics and were negatively correlated with carnivore relative abundance. Supported models differed for each season for all species except jaguars for which mammalian prey ratios and prey cover at sites was always negatively correlated with jaguar relative abundance. Carnivores appeared to avoid sites where vegetation created ideal escape and hiding cover for prey even though prey may be less abundant. Our data suggest that vegetation structure and composition can create conditions conducive to carnivore foraging and that these characteristics can differ by season in the tropics.

Locating Cave Entrances Using Lidar-Derived Local Relief Modeling

Lidar (Light detection and ranging) scanning has revolutionized our ability to locate geographic features on the earth’s surface, but there have been few studies that have addressed discovering caves using this technology. Almost all attempts to find caves using lidar imagery have focused on locating sinkholes that lead to underground cave systems. As archaeologists, our work in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, a heavily forested area in western Belize, focuses on locating potential caves for investigation. Caves are an important part of Maya cultural heritage utilized by the ancient Maya people as ritual spaces. These sites contain large numbers of artifacts, architecture, and human remains, but are being looted at a rapid rate; therefore, our goal is to locate and investigate as many sites as possible during our field seasons. While some caves are entered via sinkholes, most are accessed via vertical cliff faces or are entered by dropping into small shafts. Using lidar-derived data, our goal was to locate and investigate not only sinkholes but other types of cave entrances using point cloud modeling. In this article, we describe our method for locating potential cave openings using local relief models that require only a working knowledge of relief visualization techniques. By using two pedestrian survey techniques, we confirmed a high rate of accuracy in locating cave entrances that varied in both size and morphology. Although 100% pedestrian survey coverage delivered the highest rate accuracy in cave detection, lidar image analyses proved to be expedient for meeting project goals when considering time and resource constraints.

Forest Structure and Composition Affect Bats in a Tropical Evergreen Broadleaf Forest

The lack of knowledge regarding many aerial insectivorous bats and their relationships with forest characteristics limits conservation decision-making for tropical rainforests and for this important bat group. Therefore, our objective was to understand the effects of forest structure and composition on these bats in the Neotropical evergreen broadleaf forest of Belize, Central America. We conducted bat monitoring and quantified 51 forest characteristics at 24 locations in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve (CFR) from May–July 2014. Simple linear and backward stepwise multiple regression analyses were used to examine relationships between bat richness and activity and forest characteristics. Bat genus richness and total activity were directly related to overstory canopy depth and inversely related to ≤4 structural characteristics. Lasiurus, Myotis, Promops, and Pteronotus spp. were affected by ≤7 forest characteristics; the responses were explained by preferences for less-cluttered, open space for flying and foraging and species-specific food and cover requirements. However, bat richness and activity were often unaffected by forest structure and composition in the CFR, suggesting that at this taxonomic level, bats may not be very sensitive to variation in forest characteristics, may not be very useful indicators of alteration, and may have some tolerance for disturbance and change.

A BOTANICAL INVENTORY OF FOREST ON KARSTIC LIMESTONE AND METAMORPHIC SUBSTRATE IN THE CHIQUIBUL FOREST, BELIZE, WITH FOCUS ON WOODY TAXA

The Chiquibul Forest Reserve and National Park in Belize is a priority conservation area within the ‘Maya Forest’ in Central America. Although taxonomic data are essential for the development of conservation plans in the region, there is limited knowledge of the existing species in the area. Here we present a botanical species list of mostly woody taxa based on voucher specimens, with particular focus on the Raspaculo watershed in the eastern part of the National Park. Within the Raspaculo watershed, a comparison is made between 0.1 ha of valley floor and 0.1 ha of hilltop vegetation, sampling trees, shrubs, palms and lianas ≥2.5 cm diameter at breast height. Additionally, a 1 ha plot was established in the Upper Raspaculo watershed. Our study shows 38 new species records for the region, and important additions to the flora of Belize. New records were recorded from forests on both metamorphic and karstic substrate, including previously overlooked hilltop forest elements. Quantitative assessment of vegetation across elevation zones shows distinct elements dominating on valley floors and hilltops. Our results show that the Chiquibul contains at least 58% of Belize’s threatened plant species, and represent a source of information for the management and conservation of the area.

A FLORISTIC DESCRIPTION OF THE SAN PASTOR SAVANNA, BELIZE, CENTRAL AMERICA

A vascular plant species list and description is provided for the San Pastor Savanna, an isolated area of savanna within the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, Belize. Of the 126 species recorded, 28 are new records for the Chiquibul Forest Reserve with one previously unrecorded for the country. The maintenance of the current vegetation classification under the Belize Ecosystems Map for the San Pastor Savanna is supported. The coarse-textured soils are typical for extremely seasonal climates with some evidence of prolonged inundation during wet periods and dry seasons affected by burning. Although clear floristic affinities exist with other local and regional savanna areas, the San Pastor Savanna has some unique features and its flora includes national endemics. Although it is currently protected as part of the Chiquibul Forest Reserve and this status should be maintained, its inaccessible location makes frequent monitoring by the Forest Department problematic. Through providing a source of water and a source of forage for horses, the San Pastor Savanna plays a pivotal role in supporting the illegal Chamaedorea (xaté) palm leaf harvesting industry. This activity has also adversely impacted local wildlife. Like the nearby Mountain Pine Ridge, the San Pastor Savanna has suffered intense pine beetle (Dendroctonus spp.) attack.

New monotypic genera of Epipsocidae (Psocoptera: Epipsocidae) from Belize and Thailand

Two new monotypic genera are described and illustrated, Edmockfordia for E. chiquibulensis sp.n. from the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, Belize, and Phallofractus for P. thailandensis sp.n. from Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. The former is close to Mesepipsocus, and the later is the sister group to the assemblage Goja-Rogojiella-Ianthorntonia.

Chamaedorea (Xaté) in the Greater Maya Mountains and the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, Belize: An Economic Assessment of a Non-Timber Forest Product

Of the twelve species ofChamaedorea palm recorded for Belize, three are of international economic value because their cut leaves (xate) are traded in the floricultural industry. Traditionally, Belize has not harvested xate, the industry being based in Mexico and Guatemala. However, a decline in wild xate stocks in these countries means Guatemalan leaf harvesters now illegally harvest xate in Belize. To assess the local abundance of the BelizeanChamaedorea resource, its economic value, and the extent to which it has been illegally harvested, 209 plots measuring 20 meters (m) by 20 m were established in the Greater Maya Mountains (GMM) in western Belize, which includes the Chiquibul Forest Reserve (CFR). We estimate that 37.8 million leaves with a value of U.S. $0.3 million to xateros have been extracted from the CFR. The standing export value is calculated as U.S. $1.8 million for the CFR and U.S. $5 million for the GMM.

A PRELIMINARY CHECKLIST OF THE VASCULAR PLANTS OF THE CHIQUIBUL FOREST, BELIZE

Covering an area of 177,000 hectares, the region known within Belize as the Chiquibul Forest comprises the country's largest forest reserve and includes the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, the Chiquibul National Park and the Caracol Archaeological Reserve. Based on 7047 herbarium and live collections, a checklist of 1355 species of vascular plant is presented for this area, of which 87 species are believed to be new records for the country. Of the 41 species of plant known to be endemic to Belize, four have been recorded within the Chiquibul, and 12 species are listed in The World Conservation Union (IUCN) 2006 Red List of Threatened Species. Although the Chiquibul Forest has been relatively well collected, there are geographical biases in botanical sampling which have focused historically primarily on the limestone forests of the Chiquibul Forest Reserve. A brief review of the collecting history of the Chiquibul is provided, and recommendations are given on where future collecting efforts may best be focused. The Chiquibul Forest is shown to be a significant regional centre of plant diversity and an important component of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor.

Whiteflies of Belize (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)Part 2óa review of the subfamily Aleyrodinae Westwood

A field survey of Sternorrhyncha (Hemiptera) in Belize, principally conducted within the Chiquibul Forest Reserve (CFR), has revealed almost 200 species of whiteflies, all but 40 of them belonging to the subfamily Aleyrodinae. Provided here is an illustrated account of described Belize species of Aleyrodidae-Aleyrodinae. This account proposes three new generic synonymies, three new specific synonymies, nine ten combinations, one revalidated species and provides descriptions of three new genera and 12 new species. Two appendices are provided: a check list, which includes species remaining undescribed, and the associated host-plant genera or families (when known) of all putative species; and a summary of taxonomic changes proposed here. Line drawings and/or photographs of slide-mounted puparia are provided for all described species, and photographs alone are provided for a few of the more distinctive species that remain undescribed.

Whiteflies of Belize (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). Part 1 introduction and account of the subfamily Aleurodicinae Quaintance & Baker

A field survey of sternorrhynchous Hemiptera in Belize, principally conducted within the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, has revealed in excess of 180 species of whiteflies, over 40 of which belong to the subfamily Aleurodicinae. Provided here are a key to all the neotropical genera of Aleurodicinae, an illustrated account of all definable Belize species of Aleurodicinae, and a review of literature that is relevant to systematic studies of New World species in both whitefly subfamilies. Four appendices provide a check list of Belize members of the Aleurodicinae, a list of their known host plants in Belize, a list of nomenclatural changes proposed by this work, and a protocol for the field collection and subsequent laboratory preparation of whitefly specimens. As detailed in Appendix 3, this account proposes one revised subfamilial placement, three new generic synonymies, six new specific synonymies and 12 new combinations; 18 new species are here described.

Vegetation of the greater Maya Mountains, Belize

This paper describes a new vegetation classification for the Greater Maya Mountains of Belize, focusing primarily on the Chiquibul Forest Reserve. Extensive use is made of GIS, remote sensing, botanical collections and field visits to provide a macro‐ and meso‐scale overview of the vegetation of this region. A total of 32 vegetation classes have been defined, both geographically and structurally, including 11 new classes. Where possible, classes have been compared with earlier classifications. A dominant scaling technique has been used to enable direct comparison between ground truthing data and a supervised Maximum Likelihood Classifier image‐based vegetation classification. The merits of such classifications and the effect of scale are discussed.

The natural history of reproduction in Solanum and Lycianthes (Solanaceae) in a subtropical moist forest

Introduction 125Methods 127Study site 127Taxa studied 127Floral phenology 127Flower and fruit production 129Flower visitors 129Pollen load analysis 129Results 129Floral phenology 129Flower production 131Fruit production 131Flower visitors 131Pollen load analysis 133Discussion 133Floral phenology 133Flower production 133Fruit production 135Flower visitors 135References 136The phenology and pollination of seven understory species of buzz-pollinated Solanaceae (Solanum erythrotrichum, S. lanceifolium, S. rudepannum, S. cordovense, S. nudum, Lycianthes hypoleuca and L. gorgonea) were investigated at the end of the dry season in the subtropical moist forest at the Las Cuevas Research Station, Chiquibul Forest Reserve, Cayo District, western Belize. Three phenological phenomena were tracked: the opening and closing of flowers, flower production and fruit production. The large short-lived white flowers of S. lanceifolium, S. rudepannum, Lycianthes hypoleuca and L. gorgonea opened around sunrise and closed at sunset. The purple flowers of S. erythrotrichum and the small white flowers of S. nudum and S. cordovense opened more or less randomly. All seven study species flowered at least once during the months of May, June and July; there was substantial overlap in the flowering of some species. Four species, S. rudepannum, S. cordovense, S. lanceifolium and S. erythrotrichum, developed mature fruit during the monitoring period while the remaining species possessed immature fruit at the termination of the study. Thus, it appeared that these seven solanaceous species would provide a fairly constant supply of mature fruit during the rainy season. During observations of pollinators, 17 different bees in the families Colletidae, Halictidae and Apidae were found to visit the buzz-pollinated flowers of Solanum and Lycianthes. Analysis of the pollen loads revealed that bees were highly constant to Solanaceae although it was not possible to determine their constancy to particular species. Very few visits were observed to S. cordovense and L. gorgonea.

INVENTORYING MAMMALS AT MULTIPLE SITES IN THE MAYA MOUNTAINS OF BELIZE

Inventories of mammals in the Neotropics usually are derived from specimens recorded at a single site, about 25 km 2 in area, but this may not represent the diversity of the whole region. To illustrate this point, presence of 42 species of nonvolant mammals was recorded in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, an area of subtropical wet forest in the Maya Mountains of western Belize. Data on diversity and abundance of mammals at that site were compared with 3 other sites in the Maya Mountains to determine how measurements varied with location of site. Of the nonvolant species, ,33% were found at all 4 sites and .20% were found only at 1 site. Trapping success of researchers and densities of small mammals varied greatly between sites. Although number of species increased with research effort, the most extensively studied site did not encompass all mammalian diversity in the region. To obtain a representative mammalian inventory, effort should focus on sampling mammalian fauna at multiple sites, rather than increasing time at 1 site.

Two New Subspecies of Hibiscus trilobus (Malvaceae) from Central and South America

Hibiscus trilobus subsp. hirsutus from Belize and Guatemala is described as new, based on differences in pubescence, leaf form, and phytogeography. The new combination H. trilobus subsp. ingratus is also made, based on H. ingratus Miquel. A key is provided to distinguish the three recognized subspecies. In preparing a treatment of the Malvaceae for Flora Mesoamericana, the second author became aware that one taxon that pertains to the area, herein treated as a subspecies of Hibiscus trilobus Aublet, did not as yet have a name. Although the plant was recognized as distinct by Blanchard (1976), who treated H. trilobus as comprising three subspecies from Surinam, the Caribbean (Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico), and Central America (Belize and Guatemala), the names for these subspecies have not previously been effectively published. The present paper intends to rectify that omission and make the names available. Hibiscus trilobus subsp. hirsutus 0. J. Blanchard & Fryxell, subsp. nov. TYPE: Guatemala. Peten: La Libertad and vicinity, 10 May 1935, M. Aguilar 486 (holotype, NY; isotypes, F, F photo 56202, LL). Figure 1. Ab Hibisco trilobo subsp. trilobo et subsp. ingrato foliis minus profunde 3-5(raro 7)-lobis, indumento pilorum erectorum tenuium simplicium 2-4 mm longorum distinguendus, pubescentia densissima hirsuta petiolis pedicellis bracteis involucralibus et calyci dimidio inferiore. Shrubs or subshrubs 2 to 5 m tall, the stems with stout, often bulbous-based prickles, simple hairs 3 to 4 mm long, and also longitudinal lines of smaller, denser hairs. Leaves cordate, crenate-serrate, up to 14 cm long, 15 to 17 cm wide, broadly and shallowly 3to 5-angled or -lobulate (rarely 7-lobulate), acuminate, sparsely hirsute above and beneath with simple hairs 1 to 3 mm long, these denser on principal veins; petioles 5 to 12 cm long, hirsute, with occasional prickles, and with the adaxial side densely puberulent; stipules subulate, 4 to 5 mm long, hirsute. Peduncles solitary in the leaf axils, shorter than to longer than subtending petiole, lacking prickles, densely hirsute, these patent hairs 3 to 4 mm long; involucellar bracts ca. 14, 14 to 16 mm long in flower, to 25 mm long in fruit, linear, hirsute; calyx 2 cm long in flower to 5 cm long in fruit, + cylindric, prominently 20-ribbed, accrescent (inflated) in fruit, densely hirsute (hairs 2 to 4 mm long and spreading), the shallow lobes acuminate; petals 5 to 11 cm long, pink (yellowish in sicco) with darker base; staminal column ca. half length of petals, the anthers purplish; styles 5, essentially glabrous, with capitate stigmas. Capsules 2 to 3.5 cm long, enclosed in persistent calyx, hispid, these hairs 4 mm long; seeds 3.5 to 4 mm, short-pubescent, the hairs rusty-red. Two of the collections cited for Hibiscus trilobus subsp. hirsutus (Aguilar 486 and Proctor 30054) were originally distributed as Hibiscus diversifolius Jacquin, so additional duplicates of these collections might be found in other herbaria filed under the latter name. The distribution of the three subspecies, as indicated in the following key, is mapped by Blanchard (1976: 280, fig. 10), and a photograph of the holotype of H. trilobus subsp. hirsutus is reproduced (Blanchard, 1976: 346, fig. 43). Paratypes. BELIZE. Toledo, s.l., 25 Jan. 1929, Stevenson 88 (F); Cayo, Chiquibul Forest Reserve, vicinity of Caracol Ruins, in ruined Mayan reservoir, 1500 to 1700 ft., 24 Apr. 1969, Proctor 30054 (IJ, LL, MO). GUATEMALA. Peten: San Antonio, 13 km camino Libertad, Flores, 14 Feb. 1970, Tin Orttz 713 (MICH, US). NOVON 10: 190-192. 2000. This content downloaded from 157.55.39.186 on Tue, 11 Oct 2016 06:00:57 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms Volume 10, Number 3 2000 Blanchard & Fryxell Subspecies of Hibiscus trilobus 191