Doi Inthanon National Park Research Articles

Allagelena monticola sp. n. (Araneae: Agelenidae), a new species of funnel-web spiders from northern Thailand

A new species of the funnel-web spiders from Thailand, Allagelena monticola sp. n., is described and illustrated. The types of this species were collected from remnant patches of pristine evergreen hill forest in the Doi Inthanon National Park, Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand. The new species resembles the widely distributed species A. opulenta (L. Koch), which is known from China, Korea and Japan. This discovery expands the known zoogeographical distribution of the genus Allagelena southwards into tropical Southeast Asia.

Molecular phylogeny of black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) from Thailand, using ITS2 rDNA

The sequences of the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) were determined for 40 black fly species from Thailand, belonging to 4 subgenera of the genus Simulium, namely Gomphostilbia (12 species), Nevermannia (5 species), Montisimulium (1 species), Simulium sensu stricto (21 species), and an unknown subgenus with one species (Simulium baimaii). The length of the ITS2 ranged from 247 to 308 bp. All black fly species had high AT content, ranging from 71 to 83.8%. Intraindividual variation (clonal variation) occurred in 13 species, ranging from 0.3 to 1.1%. Large intrapopulation and interpopulation heterogeneities exist in S. feuerboni from the same and different locations in Doi Inthanon National Park, northern Thailand. Phylogenetic relationships among 40 black fly species were examined using PAUP (version 4.0b10) and MrBAYS (version 3.0B4). The topology of the trees revealed two major monophyletic clades. The subgenus Simulium and Simulium baimaii were placed in the first monophyletic clade, whereas the subgenera Nevermannia + Montisimulium were placed as the sister group to the subgenus Gomphostilbia in the second monophyletic clade. Our results suggest that S. baimaii belongs to the malyschevi-group or variegatum-group in the subgenus Simulium. The molecular phylogeny generally agrees with existing morphology-based phylogenies.

FIELD EVALUATION OF DEET, REPEL CARE®, AND THREE PLANT-BASED ESSENTIAL OIL REPELLENTS AGAINST MOSQUITOES, BLACK FLIES (DIPTERA: SIMULIIDAE), AND LAND LEECHES (ARHYNCHOBDELLIDA: HAEMADIPSIDAE) IN THAILAND

Diethyl methyl benzamide, or deet, a commercial plant-based repellent (Repel Care), and essential ils from 3 species of plants (finger root rhizomes, guava leaves, and turmeric rhizomes), steam distillated and formulated as insect repellents, were evaluated in the field on human volunteers against hematophagous mosquitoes, black flies, and land leeches in Thailand. Field trials were conducted against wild mosquitoes in Bang Bua Thong District, Nonthaburi Province, and in the Thap Lan National Park Headquarters, Nadee District, Pranchinburi Province; anthroophilic black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) at the Forestry Fire Control Station in Doi Inthanon National Park, Chomthong district, Chiang Mai Province; and land leeches (Arhynchobdellida: Haemadipsidae) in the Khao Yai National Park, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. The 3 experimental plant-based essential oil formulations as well as Repel Care and deet provided complete protection from mosquito landing and biting for up to 9 h (duration of the experiment). Similar results were obtained with the 5 products against black flies, providing 100% protection for 9 h but 96-82% protection after 10 and 11 h posttreatment. The 5 repellent products also provided 100% protection against land leeches for at least 8 h. Thi is the 1st report of repellency of plant-based repellents against black flies and land leeches in Thailand. The identification and availability of inexpensive sources of plant-based oils, i.e., finger root rhizomes, guava leaves, and turmeric rhizomes providing long-lasting repellency against blood-sucking organisms are promising leads into commercial production of relatively safe and effective repellents.

Perceptions of tourism by national park residents in Thailand

Empirical evidence gathered in and around Doi Inthanon National Park in Northern Thailand indicates that tourism causes a number of social and economic disparities at the village level. Tourism in the villages is organized and operated by outside tour companies, leaving local residents with very limited influence or economic benefits. Tour guides rarely facilitate a cultural encounter and a lack of communication, interpretation and guidelines during village visits is a problem both to residents and in providing experiences for tourists. Park management restricts villagers living inside the national park from many traditional land uses, and residents are fearful of tour guides reporting irregularities. The main concern of villagers is not tourism but the park authorities and park restrictions. Differences in the types of tourism and related problems inside and outside the park are identified but park management also affects tourism outside the park. While villagers are generally positive towards tourism and hope for jobs and income, the present organization of tourism does not provide residents with an alternative to traditional farming and land uses as intended by park management. New tourism initiatives, including a guide education programme and an eco-tourism project, have been established in the park. A number of additional policy and management changes are suggested to improve the local benefits of tourism and to increase educational efforts and co-operation with local residents.

Seasonal abundance and daily flying activity of black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) attracted to human baits in Doi Inthanon National Park, northern Thailand

Seasonal abundance and daily flying activity of black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) attracted to human baits in Doi Inthanon National Park, northern Thailand

New species and records of Culicoides biting midges attracted to human baits in Doi Inthanon National Park, northern Thailand (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

New species and records of Culicoides biting midges attracted to human baits in Doi Inthanon National Park, northern Thailand (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

New and poorly known species of coelotine spiders (Araneae, Amaurobiidae) from Thailand

Two new species of the subfamily Coelotinae (Araneae, Amaurobiidae) are described from Thailand. Coelotes suthepicus sp. n. (% & ) was recorded from an evergreen hill forest near the summit of Doi Pui, northern Thailand. Asiacoelotes sparus sp. n. (%) was collected from a lower montane rain forest on Khao Khieo, Khao Yai National Park, central Thailand. The genus Asiacoelotes Wang, 2002 is reported from this country for the first time, where it presumably reaches its southernmost zoogeographical boundary. Additional specimens of C. thailandensis Dankittipakul & Wang, 2003 are collected from Doi Inthanon National Park; the female of this species is described here; variation in male palpal structure is illustrated. Males of Draconarius monticola Dankittipakul, Sonthichai & Wang, 2005 are collected and described from Doi Chiang Dao.

DISCOVERY OF TWO MORE NEW SPECIES OF SIMULIUM (MONTISIMULIUM) (DIPTERA: SIMULIIDAE) IN DOI INTHANON NATIONAL PARK, CHIANG MAI, THAILAND

Two more new black-fly species of the rare subgenus Simulium (Montisimulium) were discovered in Doi Inthanon National Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand, where S. (M.) merga Takaoka and Choochote was known as the only named species. These two new species, S. (M.) angkaense sp. nov. and S. (M.) laoleense sp. nov., are described on the basis of the pupal and⁄or mature larvae. Both new species are easily distinguished from S. (M.) merga by the pupal gill with 12 slender filaments, and from all the 16 known species with 12 pupal gill filaments in other countries by the long and very long common basal stalk of the gill, respectively.

Selection of Prunus cerasoides D. Don seed trees for forest restoration

Prunus cerasoides D. Don has been identified as a 'framework species' for restoring evergreen forest in seasonally dry climates. The aim of this study was to develop criteria to select parent trees for supplying seed to forest restoration projects based on seedling performance in the nursery and in the field. Seed progenies were collected from 50 individual parent trees; 13 in Doi Inthanon National Park; 14 in Doi Ang Khang; and 23 in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park. Criteria were developed for the selection of superior parent seed trees based on nursery and field perfor- mance, and a provisional selection of parent seed trees for forest restoration projects has been made based on these criteria. Four standards for selection of superior seed trees were recognised: (i) 70% or greater seedling survival in the field, (ii) a seedling height of 100 cm or taller after the first growing season in the field, (iii) 40% or greater germination in the nursery and (iv) 70% or higher seedling survival in the nursery. Twenty one seed trees met these standards.

TWO NEW SPECIES OF SIMULIUM (SIMULIUM) (DIPTERA: SIMULIIDAE) FROM THAILAND

Two new black-fly species of the subgenus Simulium (Simulium) are described and illustrated, based on female specimens captured while approaching a human near a mountain summit in Doi Inthanon National Park, Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand. The first species, Simulium suchariti sp. nov., is assigned to the griseifrons species-group and is distinguished from most other related species by the cibarium with tubercles near the base of its medial projection; the second, S. setsukoae sp. nov., is very similar to S. rufibasis of the tuberosum species-group but is distinguished from the latter by the shorter length of clustered stout hairs on the seventh abdominal segment and the ovipositor valve with its posteromedial corner widely bare.

Species composition and vegetation structure of an upper montane forest at the summit of Mt. Doi Inthanon, Thailand

Upper montane forest (UMF) within Doi Inthanon National Park, Northern Thailand, was investigated by means of fifty, 40 × 40 m stratified random plots situated between 2080 and 2565 m altitude. The aim was to address a number of community ecological questions concerning woody species composition and structural heterogeneity of the forest. A total of 7474 individuals of trees and woody climbers ≥ 15 cm gbh (girth at breast height) were included in the study and these were identified to 47 species, 39 genera and 26 families. The average density was 934 individuals/ha and the average stem basal area was 71.8 m2/ha. The most important species were: Quercus eumorpha, Sjzygium angkae, Litsea martabanica, Helicia nilagirica, Lindera caudata, Schima wallichii, Osmanthus fiagrans, Eurya acuminata, Myrsine semiserrata and Ilex umbellulata and the most important families were Fagaceae, Lauraceae, Theaceae and Myrtaceae. Altitude was the most important environmental variable explaining species composition and vegetation structure. Most of the calculated vegetation variables showed significant correlation with altitude: species richness, family richness, diversity, density and crown cover declined with altitude, average tree height was uncorrelated with altitude and basal area increased with altitude. An analysis of size class distributions indicated good forest conditions and reverse‐J‐shaped age class distribution of most species.

Forest Structure and Tree Species Diversity along an Altitudinal Gradient in Doi Inthanon National Park, Northern Thailand

A study on forest vegetation along an altitudinal gradient was conducted in Doi Inthanon National Park, Chiangmai, Thailand. The purpose of the study was to elucidate how community characteristics change from lowland to mountain vegetation in the tropical monsoon climatic zone in mainland Southeast Asia by using floristic composition and species abundance data collected from forty five plots at different altitudes and forest types. Community classification by cluster analysis suggested 45 sample stands to be classified floristically into three forest zones along an altitudinal gradient: (1) lowland forest (400-850 m asl) composed of 2 forest groups: (a) deciduous dipterocarp forest group dominated by Shorea siamensis, Canarium subulatum, and Shorea obtusa and (b) mixed deciduous forest group dominated by Teetana grandis, Xylia xylocarpa, Lagerstroemia calyculata, and Millettia leueantha. (2) Transition forest (850-1,400 m asl), in the intermediate zone between the lowland and montane zones composed of 2 forest groups: (a) pine-dipterocarp forest and pine-oak forest groups dominated by Pinus kesiya, Dipterocarpus tuberculatus, Aporusa villosa, Wendlandia tinctoria, Schima wallichii, and Helicia nilagiriea and (b) lower montane forest group dominated by Schima wallichii, Castanopsis /erox, Castanopsis tribuloides, and Helicia nilagirica. And, (3) montane forest (1,400-2,500 m asl), in the uppermost zone composed of 2 forest groups of both montane forest dominated by (a) Mastixia euonymoides, Castanopsis calathi/ormis, and Drypetes indica and (b) Neolitsea pallens, Actinodaphne henryi, and Rapanea yunnanensis. Tree density and basal area increases with rising altitude. Diversity of trees sharply increases from the lowland zone to an altitude of 1,800 m asl and gradually decreases at an altitude above 1,800 m asl shown by low species richness indices at high altitudes. In contrast, evenness indices were not greatly different along the altitudinal gradient.

Habitat differentiation of Lauraceae species in a tropical lower montane forest in northern Thailand

Dependency on topographical habitat was examined for Lauraceae tree species in a lower montane forest using a large‐scale research plot established at Doi Inthanon National Park, northern Thailand. Twenty species of 10 genera of Lauraceae were recorded in a 7.5‐ha part of the plot; Lauraceae accounted for 18% of the total basal area. Lauraceae was the most species‐rich and most abundant family in the plot. In a cluster analysis based on the matrix of spatial associations between species, two clusters were recognized. Members of one cluster seemed to associate with lower‐elevation habitats, and members of the other associated with habitats on ridges. By subdividing the study plot into 20 m × 20 m squares, a discriminant analysis could be applied to the presence–absence data for the 17 species that had sufficient population density. The predictor variables used were the relative elevation, slope inclination, slope direction (transformed to deviation from SSW) and slope convexity for each of the squares. The discriminant models were tested statistically by applying the random shift technique. The models were significant for 11 of the species (65% of the species examined) and were associated with the topographical condition of the habitat. Stepwise selection of the predictor variables for these 11 species revealed that relative elevation and slope convexity were the most important factors for predicting the presence or absence of the Lauraceae species. Both these variables were considered to indicate the hydrological condition of the habitat.

NATURAL INFECTIONS WITH FILARIAL LARVAE IN TWO SPECIES OF BLACK FLIES(DIPTERA: SIMULIIDAE) IN NORTHERN THAILAND.

To find out the natural infection with filarial larvae, female adult black flies were collected on a human attractant in December, 2001 at Tambol Ban Laung (altitude 750 m), Doi Inthanon National Park, in northern Thailand. The total number of females collected was 823 : of which 557 (67.7%) were identified as Simulium asakoae Takaoka et Davies, 144 (17.5%) as S. nigrogilvum Summers, 97 (11.8%) as S. nakhonense Takaoka et Suzuki and 25 (3%) as other six simuliid species. By dissections, eight third-and one second-stage larvae of unidentified filarial species were found in one of 138 S. nigrogilvum and one of 484 S. asakoae, respectively. Non-filarial nematodes were found in 1.03% (5/484) of S. asakoae. This is the first report of natural infections of two black-fly species, S. nigrogilvum and S. asakoae, with a filarial larva.

Birder Specialization Differences in Conservation Involvement, Demographics, and Motivations

Birders represent a significant component of wildlife users, but birders are not a homogeneous group. This study develops a recreation specialization framework for birders in a non-North American setting, and examines how conservation involvement, demographics, and motivations vary among specialization levels. Using questionnaire data from birders in Doi Inthanon National Park, Thailand, three specialization levels--novice, advanced-active, and advanced-experienced - are described. Specialization level was positively, but weakly, related to conservation involvement. Age, income, and percentage male rose with specialization level. Both advanced birder types were less interested in nonbirding activities than novice birders. Advanced-experienced birders were most interested in birding activities. Management and marketing implications are discussed.

Population cytogenetic studies on Simulium feuerborni Edwards (Diptera: Simuliidae) from northern Thailand

A standard photographic map of Simulium feuerborni (Diptera: Simuliidae) was constructed from larval salivary gland polytene chromosomes and is described herein. Analysis of polytene chromosomes was made from wild larvae collected from the four populations at Doi Inthanon National Park, Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand. Simulium feuerborni has three pairs of chromosomes (2n = 6) which are arranged from the longest to the shortest. Chromosome I is metacentric while chromosomes II and III are submetacentric. A total of six simple paracentric inversions have been detected in these natural populations of S. feuerborni. These inversions (IS-1, IL-1, IIL-1, IIL-2, IIIS-1, IIIL-1) occurred in all chromosome arms except for the arm IIS. Significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium has been observed in inversion IIIL-1 at Hui Sai Luaeng suggesting the existence of two gene pools in this population. There is no indication of sex linkage associated with an inversion sequence in these populations. Thus, the X and Y chromosomes of S. feuerborni could not be recognized in this study.Key words: Simulium, polytene chromosome map, inversion polymorphisms

LINKING ECOTOURISM AND BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION: A CASE STUDY OF DOI INTHANON NATIONAL PARK, THAILAND

ABSTRACTEcotourism, or tourism that promotes conservation, does not occur in isolation, but as part of an interdependent system. Based on a case study at Doi Inthanon National Park, Thailand, this study outlines a conceptual framework for such a system, placing biodiversity conservation in the context of other major tourism components, including tourists, ecotourism infrastructure, protected areas and local people. In an interactive way, each component affects the conservation of biodiversity. Based on a tourist survey and participant observation, we examine the interrelationships among the key tourism components and potential changes over time. Several environmental, social, economic and educational effects illustrate the complex nature of the ecotourism‐conservation relationship. Recommendations to increase conservation benefits from ecotourism are provided.

Linking Ecotourism and Biodiversity Conservation: A Case Study of Doi Inthanon National Park, Thailand

Linking Ecotourism and Biodiversity Conservation: A Case Study of Doi Inthanon National Park, Thailand

Ecotourism versus tourism in a Thai national park

Although considered distinct, ecotourists have been compared rarely with other tourist types at the same site and time. Moreover, ecotourism definitions imply support for conservation. This study differentiates ecotourists from other tourist types, and compares their financial support for conservation, sociodemographic characteristics, and recreation substitutability for nature trek activities. Based on a questionnaire survey of 857 respondents at Doi Inthanon National Park, Thailand, five main tourist types were identified. Ecotourists contributed more to conservation than other types, but primarily in their home countries. They were older and more educated than other tourist types. Substitutability did not differ among different types.

National parks and hill tribes in northern Thailand: A case study of Doi inthanon

Erosion of biodiversity is of global concern. Habitat destruction is the main cause. Many governments have established national park systems to try to protect habitat. National parks have traditionally excluded human settlements and extractive uses, often creating problems for local communities. This has resulted in support for human occupancy of parks, particularly by indigenous peoples. However, indigenous peoples can also have a significant impact on local ecosystems. Thus, a more refined management response is called for, based on assessment of ecosystem impacts and sensitive to local cultural characteristics. A first step is to assess the nature of the interaction between the local peoples and the park. This approach is taken with reference to Doi Inthanon National Park in Northern Thailand. Different ethnic groups have different impacts and therefore warrant different management responses. Some 40% of the park area has been encroached upon. The situation is further complicated because of a developme...