Doi Suthep Research Articles

Two New Species of Leptobrachella from Northern Thailand (Amphibia, Anura, Megophryidae)

Phylogenetic analyses using mtDNA gene sequences revealed the presence of two genetic clades in the genus Leptobrachella (former Leptolalax) from northern Thailand. One formed a clade including L. ventripunctata and L. aerea, while another included L. bourrreti and L. laoi. The first clade contained L. cf. minima from Doi Suthep, while the second clade contained L. murphyi and two undescribed species, one from Doi Inthanon, at a high altitude of 2,300 m asl, and another from Mae Hong Son, at Myanmar border. These form a clade, that is sister to L. murphyi. Morphologically, the first species is generally similar to L. murphyi, while the second species resembles L. cf. minima. However, they are clearly distinguished from those described species by great genetic differences, and we describe them as L. korifi sp. nov. and L. sinorensis sp. nov., respectively.

Fruit traits of tree species in lower montane rainforest at Doi Suthep–Pui, northern Thailand

AbstractFruits are a major food resource for wildlifes and have evolved different traits which attract specific frugivores and facilitate seed dispersal. This study examines the quantity of the frequency of fruit tree species, distribution amongst fruit traits and estimates the potential availability of the fruit resource for frugivores in a 16-ha permanent forest plot at Doi Suthep–Pui, Thailand. The similarity amongst traits for fleshy fruited species was explored using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Fleshy fruited species comprised 122 of 208 tree species >2 cm diameter at breast height (DBH) recorded in the permanent plot. Amongst fleshy fruited species, small fruits (length <20 mm) were most common (63.16% of species) while large fruits were rare (4.1%). Black was the most common fruit colour (43.4%). Principal Component Analysis of fruit traits explained 57% of total variance on the first three axes, and allowed identification of three species groups. Litsea martabanica and Persea gamblei are the greatest density and represented the major PCA group; black, small-sized and thin husk indehiscent fruits. These fruiting trees scattered throughout the permanent plot and were of good regeneration status. Indicating fleshy fruit can be a food resource for frugivores especially small-sized fruit. Furthermore, large-fruited species such as Madhuca floribunda is low density but important to preserve for food resource of large frugivores. This finding is very important not only for forest protection policy but also for wildlife conservation as food resources.

<strong>Lectotypification of <em>Sematophyllum latifolium</em>, a new synonym of <em>Wijkia surcularis</em> (Pylaisiadelphaceae, Bryophyta)</strong>

Sematophyllum latifolium Brotherus (1911: 362), known only from the type collection, was originally described by Brotherus (1911) based on a collection made by C.C. Hosseus from Mt. Doi Suthep (Doi Sutäp), in northern Thailand. Pollawatn (2008) revised the family Sematophyllaceae s.l. in Thailand but did not see the type specimen of S. latifolium. During the study of Hosseus’s collections, however, we found two duplicates of type specimens of S. latifolium one located in H-BR and one in M. We found that several critical features of S. latifolium, such as the 1) irregular-pinnately branching habit with the erect flagelliform branches (Fig. 1A), 2) stem and branch leaves strongly differentiated (Fig. 1B−F), and 3) brotherelloid type alar cells often divided into larger hyaline cells towards leaf margins (Fig. 1G), were indistinguishable from those in the type material of Wijkia surcularis (Mitten 1859: 112) Crum (1971: 173), a common species found growing from India to Indochina (Gangulee 1980; Tan & Iwatsuki 1993; Tan & Jia 1999; Jia et al. 2005). Thus, we here propose S. latifolium as a new synonym of W. sucularis. In the protologue, Brotherus (1911) did not designate the holotype, therefore, it is necessary to select a lectotype for S. latifolium ((see Art. 9.11 of the Shenzhen Code (Turland et al. 2017)). We designate Hosseus’s collection (Hosseus s.n.) in H-BR (H) as the lectotype of the name S. latifolium.

EDNA‐based detection of a vulnerable crocodile newt (Tylototriton uyenoi) to influence government policy and raise public awareness

AbstractAimAlthough at least five Tylototriton species were recorded in Thailand, only Tylototriton verrucosus is registered as a protected species under the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act in Thailand. Populations of T. uyenoi are now severely declining, caused by anthropogenic activities. As intense human pressure is having profound effects on the diminishment in T. uyenoi populations, a conservation plan is needed. Information such as the abundance and distribution of a species is necessary. Yet, current established survey methods are either time‐consuming or labour‐intensive. Here, eDNA‐based detection was developed for tracking the presence of the T. uyenoi.LocationThailand.MethodsWe target the surveillance of T. uyenoi using eDNA. Primers and a probe specific to T. uyenoi were designed and tested for their specificity and sensitivity. Water samples were collected once a month from August to January at three sites in Doi Suthep and at three extra sites within the range of the species. Three hundred ml samples of water were collected and filtered. Environmental DNA was extracted and then subjected to qPCR assay in an attempt to detect T. uyenoi.ResultsThe qPCR assay was found to be species‐specific to T. uyenoi. Both PCR and qPCR did not result in any positive detection of three congeners or other non‐target species. The LOD and the LOQ of the assay were determined by an analysis of the standard curve, and it was found that the LOD and the LOQ were 7.99 and 9.0 copies per reaction, respectively. Environmental DNA was detected in water samples from all sites where T. uyenoi has been known to occur, but detection varied among sites and sampling times. In addition, low amounts of eDNA were detected in three sites with unknown occupancy of newts, but within the species’ range.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that eDNA survey is a powerful tool for tracking T. uyenoi throughout the year regardless of the sampling site conditions. Similar to other amphibians, T. uyenoi is severely declining due to anthropogenic factors. In order to have an effective conservation plan, knowledge of a species’ distribution is needed. To our knowledge, this was the first study that used eDNA to track the crocodile newt in Thailand.

Evaluation and Geopark Perspective of the Geoheritage Resources in Chiang Mai Area, Northern Thailand

Chiang Mai is located in the northern part of Thailand and is known as the most famous Thai Lanna cultural area. Based on its inventory, characterization, classification, and assessment, Chiang Mai has many outstanding landforms such as mountains, gorges, and waterfalls, as well as cliffs, river, and hot springs. There is also an old quarry, which could be suitably developed to geosites as well as geopark. This area can be divided into seven main geosites based on their location, identity, rock type, morphology, and geologic phenomena, including Doi Suthep Mountain, Ob Khan Gorge, Muang On Cave, San Kamphaeng Hot Springs, Mae Kampong Waterfall, Grand Canyon Chiang Mai, and Mae Ping River. There is significant geodiversity in the region, which has evolved since the Pre-Cambrian (> 550 million years ago) to Quaternary (recent) periods. The national park always protects and preserves the biodiversity in the area, which includes many species of both flora and fauna, especially in the Mae Sa-Kog Ma Huai Khok Ma Biosphere Reserve. Prepared by scientists as well as the local guides, there are many basic geology and botany training courses for both students and general people. Furthermore, Thai Lanna and the hill tribe people in Chiang Mai have a culture and historical identity that is exhibited by temples and archaeological sites such as Doi Suthep Temple, Wiang Kum Kam Historic Site, and the Great Wall of Chiang Mai. The main goal of geotourism research is to evaluate the potential of geotourism and georesources in the context of geopark establishment. Understanding by the local people concerning the value and origin of their geologic monuments as well as the geopark concept is also significant. In addition, there are local as well as national advantages, especially for sustainable development.

Collaboration and Conflict—Developing Forest Restoration Techniques for Northern Thailand’s Upper Watersheds Whilst Meeting the Needs of Science and Communities

This paper describes an early example of Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR), which resulted from collaboration between a university, local community, and national park authority in the upper Mae Sa Valley, near Chiang Mai City, northern Thailand. Working together, the Hmong community of Ban Mae Sa Mai, Doi Suthep National Park Authority and Chiang Mai University’s Forest Restoration Research Unit (FORRU-CMU) established a chronosequence of trial restoration plots from 1996 to 2013, to test the framework-species method of forest restoration. The project developed successful restoration techniques and gained insights into the factors that influence villagers’ participation in forest restoration. Recovery of forest biomass, carbon storage, structure, biodiversity and ecological functioning exceeded expectations. Villagers appreciated the improved water security resulting from the project, as well as a better relationship with the park authority and increased land security. Recently, however, tree chopping and a breakdown in fire-prevention measures (perhaps symptoms of “project fatigue”) have threatened the sustainability of the plot system. The project demonstrates the importance of a sound scientific basis for forest restoration projects, long-term institutional support, and appropriate funding mechanisms, to achieve sustainability.

Did Oligocene crustal thickening precede basin development in northern Thailand? A geochronological reassessment of Doi Inthanon and Doi Suthep

The Doi Inthanon and Doi Suthep metamorphic core complexes in northern Thailand are comprised of amphibolite-grade migmatitic gneisses mantled by lower-grade mylonites and metasedimentary sequences, thought to represent Cordilleran-style core complexes exhumed through the mobilization of a low-angle detachment fault. Previous studies have interpreted two metamorphic events (Late Triassic and Late Cretaceous), followed by ductile extension between the late Eocene and late Oligocene, a model which infers movement on the detachment at ca. 40Ma, and which culminates in a rapid unroofing of the complexes in the early Miocene. The Chiang Mai Basin, the largest such Cenozoic Basin in the region, lies immediately to the east. Its development is related to the extension observed at Doi Inthanon and Doi Suthep, however it is not definitively dated, and models for its development have difficulty reconciling Miocene cooling ages with Eocene detachment movement. Here we present new in-situ LA-ICP-MS and SIMS U–Pb age data of zircon and monazite grains from gneiss and leucogranite samples taken from Doi Inthanon and Doi Suthep. Our new zircon data exhibit an older age range of 221–210Ma, with younger ages of ca. 72Ma, and 32–26Ma. Our monazite data imply an older age cluster at 83–67Ma, and a younger age cluster of 34–24Ma. While our data support the view of Indosinian basement being reworked in the Cretaceous, they also indicate a late Eocene–Oligocene tectonothermal event, resulting in prograde metamorphism and anatexis. We suggest that this later event is related to localized transpressional thickening associated with sinistral movement on the Mae Ping Fault, coupled with thickening at the restraining bend of the Mae Yuan Fault to the immediate west of Doi Inthanon. Further, this upper Oligocene age limit from our zircon and monazite data would imply a younger Miocene constraint on movement of the detachment, which, when combined with the previously recorded Miocene cooling ages, has implications for a model for the onset of extension and subsequent development of the Chiang Mai Basin in the early mid-Miocene.

A new forest-dwelling Bent-toed Gecko (Squamata: Gekkonidae: Cyrtodactylus) from Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand.

We describe a new forest-dwelling Cyrtodactylus from Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand. Cyrtodactylus doisuthep sp. nov. is characterized by a maximal known SVL of 90.5 mm; 19 or 20 longitudinal rows of dorsal tubercles; a continuous series of 34 or 35 enlarged femoro-precloacal scales, including six or seven pitted scales on each femur (male and females) separated by a diastema from six pitted (females) or pore-bearing (male) precloacal scales; no precloacal groove or depression; transversely enlarged subcaudal scales; and six or seven irregular thin beige dorsal bands between limb insertions.

Ambient Vibration Tests and Finite Element Analysis for Dynamic Properties of Brick Masonry Inverted Bell-shaped Chedi

This research is aimed to study fundamental dynamic properties of an esteemed brick masonry inverted bell-shaped chedi at Phrathat Doi Suthep temple, Chiangmai, Thailand, by using full-scale ambient vibration tests associated with the finite element analysis. The study results showed that the finite element analysis indicated 3.817Hz, 3.836Hz and 9.294Hz for the natural frequencies of the first modes on the x, y and torsion directions. From the ambient vibration measurements, the frequencies were 4.086Hz, 4.025Hz and 10.819Hz. In comparison, the finite element gives the similar frequency values with the measured ones. The discrepancies are respectively 6.59, 4.70 and 14.09 percent. Hence, the validation of the finite element model has been made and used for vibration analysis presented in the accompanied paper (Seismic Performances of Brick Masonry Inverted Bell-Shaped Chedi)

Seismic Performances of Brick Masonry Inverted Bell-shaped Chedi

This research is aimed to perform seismic evaluation of an esteemed brick masonry inverted bell-shaped chedi at Phrathat Doi Suthep temple, Chiangmai, Thailand, by using the finite element analysis. The validated finite element model has been made through the full-scale ambient vibration tests (presented in the accompanied paper). First, twenty past earthquake records were selected and matching of the records to the seismic response spectrum was made for equating the local seismic conditions. Then, the matched seismic waves were used for the input of time history analyses. The results have shown that, the top of the pagoda was very sensitive to the seismic waves. It was deformed significantly, accelerations were amplified and the material was damaged by over-tensioning.

The phenology of dioecious Ficus spp. tree species and its importance for forest restoration projects

Ficus spp. are keystone tree species in tropical forest ecosystems and therefore, it is vital to include them in tree planting for forest restoration programs. However, lack of knowledge about critical aspects of their reproductive ecology currently limits their use, particularly optimal seed collection times and potential interruption of their highly specialized pollination mechanisms. Therefore, the reproductive phenology of seven dioecious Ficus species ( Ficus auriculata, F. fulva, F. hispida, F. oligodon, F. semicordata, F. triloba and F. variegata) was studied at Doi Suthep–Pui National Park, Northern Thailand, in order to provide useful data to support forest restoration projects. The fig crops on male and female trees of each species were quantified monthly over a full annual cycle (March 2008–February 2009), using the canopy density method. At the population-level, most species produced figs all year round, but fig abundance varied seasonally. Maximum production of ripe figs by female (i.e. seed-producing) trees of most species occurred in the rainy season (May–August, except for F. triloba), while the main fig crop of male (i.e. wasp-producing) trees peaked 1–3 months before female trees. Four species F. auriculata, F. fulva, F. oligodon, and F. variegata presented critical bottleneck periods for wasp survival, especially during the rainy season, when the wasp-producing figs of male trees were least abundant. The study generated scientifically-based recommendations that will be useful for development of efficient forest restoration programs that maintain keystone resources in tropical forest ecosystems such as (i) optimum time and place for seed collection, (ii) recommendations on the propagation of dioecious fig species, (iii) optimum planting sites for each species and (iv) forest restoration plans to sustain the obligate ecological relationships between fig-trees and their pollinators.

Geometry and evolution of low‐angle normal faults (LANF) within a Cenozoic high‐angle rift system, Thailand: Implications for sedimentology and the mechanisms of LANF development

At least eight examples of large (5–35 km heave), low‐angle normal faults (LANFs, 20°–30° dip) occur in the Cenozoic rift basins of Thailand and laterally pass into high‐angle extensional fault systems. Three large‐displacement LANFs are found in late Oligocene–Miocene onshore rift basins (Suphan Buri, Phitsanulok, and Chiang Mai basins), they have (1) developed contemporaneous with, or after the onset of, high‐angle extension, (2) acted as paths for magma and associated fluids, and (3) impacted sedimentation patterns. Displacement on low‐angle faults appears to be episodic, marked by onset of lacustrine conditions followed by axial progradation of deltaic systems that infilled the lakes during periods of low or no displacement. The Chiang Mai LANF is a low‐angle (15°–25°), high‐displacement (15–35 km heave), ESE dipping LANF immediately east of the late early Miocene Doi Inthanon and Doi Suthep metamorphic core complexes. Early Cenozoic transpressional crustal thickening followed by the northward motion of India coupled with Burma relative to east Burma and Thailand (∼40–30 Ma) caused migmatization and gneiss dome uplift in the late Oligocene of the core complex region, followed by LANF activity. LANF displacement lasted 4–6 Ma during the early Miocene and possibly transported a late Oligocene–early Miocene high‐angle rift system 35 km east. Other LANFs in Thailand have lower displacements and no associated metamorphic core complexes. The three LANFs were initiated as low‐angle faults, not by isostatic rotation of high‐angle faults. The low‐angle dips appear to follow preexisting low‐angle fabrics (thrusts, shear zones, and other low‐angle ductile foliations) predominantly developed during Late Paleozoic and early Paleogene episodes of thrusting and folding.

Monks, Monarchs and Mountain Folks

The development of domestic (or national) tourism in Thailand in the second half of the 20th century relied on a new kind of relationship between the state and local cultures. Rural spaces have been reinvented and transformed into appealing visual and conceptual archetypes which sustain discourses on both local and national identity and history. Thai tourism allows a kind of pacification of the relations between the centre and the periphery, but it also perpetuates an internal colonialism, both towards Tai and non-Tai populations. This article investigates the social significance of domestic tourism in Chiang Mai and the links between non-Western representation of travel, nationalism and localized identity. It focuses on three attractions scattered along the road going up to the mountain of Suthep (Doi Suthep), one of the most famous tourist destinations in northern Thailand: a Buddhist temple, a royal palace and an ethnic village. These three attractions provide crucial insights into the history of domestic tourism in Thailand: its similarities to and differences from previous forms of travel, its relations to the idealization of the rural and its role in the pacification of the relations between the Thai state and its geographic and social margins.

P– T– t constraints on the development of the Doi Inthanon metamorphic core complex domain and implications for the evolution of the western gneiss belt, northern Thailand

The western gneiss belt in northern Thailand is exposed within two overlapping Cenozoic structural domains: the extensional Doi Inthanon metamorphic core complex domain located west of the Chiang Mai basin, and the Mae Ping strike-slip fault domain located west of the Tak batholith. New P– T estimates and U–Pb and 40Ar/ 39Ar age determinations from the Doi Inthanon domain show that the gneiss there records a complex multi-stage history that can be represented by a clockwise P– T– t path. U–Pb zircon and titanite dating of mylonitic calc-silicate gneiss from the Mae Wang area of the complex indicates that the paragneissic sequence experienced high-grade, medium-pressure metamorphism (M1) in the Late Triassic – Early Jurassic (ca. 210 Ma), in good agreement with previously determined zircon ages from the underlying core orthogneiss exposed on Doi Inthanon. Late Cretaceous monazite ages of 84 and 72 Ma reported previously from the core orthogneiss are attributed to a thermal overprint (M2) to upper-amphibolite facies in the sillimanite field. U–Pb zircon and monazite dating of granitic mylonite from the Doi Suthep area of the complex provides an upper age limit of 40 Ma (Late Eocene) for the early stage(s) of development of the actual core complex, by initially ductile, low-angle extensional shearing under lower amphibolite-facies conditions (M3), accompanied by near-isothermal diapiric rise and decompression melting. 40Ar/ 39Ar laserprobe dating of muscovite from both Doi Suthep and Doi Inthanon provided Miocene ages of ca. 26–15 Ma, representing cooling through the ca. 350 °C isotherm and marking late-stage development of the core complex by detachment faulting of the cover rocks and isostatic uplift of the sheared core zone and mantling gneisses in the footwall. Similarities in the thermochronology of high-grade gneisses exposed in the core complex and shear zone domains in the western gneiss belt of northern Thailand (and also in northern Vietnam, Laos, Yunnan, and central Myanmar) suggest a complex regional response to indentation of Southeast Asia by India.

Spotted Fever GroupRickettsiasp. Closely Related toR. japonica,Thailand

To the Editor: In response to a recent report that suggested human infection with Rickettsia japonica in northeastern Thailand (1), we phylogenetically reexamined spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR) from Thailand. The organism had been isolated from a male Haemaphysalis hystricis tick found on Mt. Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, in December 2001. The strain was designated TCM1 and was not distinguishable from R. japonica by indirect immunoperoxidase stain using monoclonal antibody (2). After propagating strain TCM1 in L-929 cell culture, we extracted DNA by using a Wizard Genomic DNA Purification Kit (Promega, Madison, WI, USA). We subjected the DNA to sequencing that targeted a 491-bp fragment of rickettsial outer membrane protein A (ompA), a 394-bp fragment of the rickettsial genus–specific 17-kDa antigen gene, and a 1,250-bp fragment of citrate synthase gene (gltA). Direct sequencing of amplicons was performed as previously described (3). Phylogenetic analyses based on ompA indicated that strain TCM1 was closely related to and clustered within the same clade as R. japonica strain YH (98.4% identity) (Figure, panel A). Also, a 17-kDa antigen gene obtained from strain TCM1 showed 99.5% identity to the corresponding gene of R. japonica (Figure, panel B). Our phylogenetic analysis with ompA and 17-kDa antigen gene showed that strain TCM1 was closely related to R. japonica but distinguished from Rickettsia sp. PMK94 (which was closely related to R. heilongjiangensis from northeastern China) (3); another SFGR agent, R. honei from Ixodes granulatus ticks in Thailand (4), was apparently different from strain TCM1 (Figure). Phylogenetic analyses based on gltA (99.4%–99.6% identity) showed that strain TCM1 is also closely related to R. japonica and Rickettsia sp. strain PMK94 (data not shown). Thus, we describe the R. japonica group in Thailand. DNA sequences of strain TCM1 were determined and deposited in GenBank/EMBL/DDBJ under the following accession nos.: ompA, {type:entrez-nucleotide,attrs:{text:AB359459,term_id:169219351,term_text:AB359459}}AB359459; 17-kDa antigen, {type:entrez-nucleotide,attrs:{text:AB359457,term_id:169219347,term_text:AB359457}}AB359457; gltA, {type:entrez-nucleotide,attrs:{text:AB359458,term_id:169219349,term_text:AB359458}}AB359458. Figure Phylogenetic analysis based on ompA gene (A) and rickettsial genus–specific 17-kDa antigen gene (B). Sequences were aligned by using the ClustalW software package (http://clustalw.ddbj.nig.ac.jp/top-j.html), and neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree ... R. japonica is the specific pathogen of Japanese spotted fever, which has been found mainly in southwestern Japan (5). The present strain, closely related to R. japonica, is likely to have been isolated from H. hystricis in Thailand because R. japonica frequently has been isolated, or detected by PCR, from the same tick species in Japan (6). Such tick species–specificity of SFGR should be considered when speculating on any geopathologic relationships of rickettsioses among different SFGR-endemic areas. Previous reports on spotted fever–positive results of human serosurveys (7,8) and on a clinical case (9) in northern Thailand may provide epidemiologic background. In Asia, multiple species of rickettsiea (e.g., R. japonica, R. heilongjiangensis, R. honei) are the causative agents of spotted fever rickettsioses, so the agent closely related to R. japonica could cause spotted fever in Thailand. Additionally, R. japonica has been found in Korea (10), and our current study indicates that R. japonica and its genetic variants are widely distributed in Far Eastern countries, including Japan (Grant-in-Aid for International Cooperative Research, unpub. data). Therefore, the epidemiology and genetic variation of SFGR throughout Asia should be examined by molecular studies.

Genetic diversity and differentiation of Quercus semiserrata Roxb. in northern Thailand revealed by nuclear and chloroplast microsatellite markers

This study describes the level of genetic diversity and differentiation of 10 populations of Quercus semiserrata Roxb. in northern Thailand, divided into four groups (A–D) based on their geographical location. Variation at eight nuclear (nSSR) and nine chloroplast (cpSSR) microsatellite loci was examined. The eight nuclear microsatellite loci employed detected a total of 139 alleles ( n = 392), and 16 haplotypes based on length variants at the nine cpSSR loci were identified. Populations in group B harbored the highest gene diversity ( H) and allelic richness (Ar) in both their nSSRs and cpSSRs (nSSR, H = 0.79 and Ar = 7.3; cpSSR, H = 0.5 and Ar = 2.5), the nSSRs of populations in group C had the lowest gene diversity and allelic richness, while the cpSSRs of populations in group A had the lowest gene diversity and haplotypic richness. Calculations (AMOVA) of each population's contributions to the total diversity and allelic richness indicated that most (86.62%) of the variation in nSSRs was due to differences within populations, but most (63.72%) of the total genetic variation in chloroplast haplotypes was due to differences among populations within groups. The ratio of pollen flow to seed flow was estimated to be 94:1. Pairwise F ST/(1 − F ST) values were significantly correlated with geographic distances among populations for cpSSRs ( r = 0.337; P < 0.05), but not nSSRs. UPGMA and NJ phylogenetic trees based on Nei's genetic distances for nSSRs were constructed. The results suggest that four populations in group B (Khun Wang, Obluang, Doi Suthep and Doi Inthanon) had the highest genetic diversity and high numbers of chloroplast haplotypes. Therefore, these populations should be given the highest priority for conservation of this species. This is the first report concerning the genetic diversity and differentiation of this species, and provides basic genetic information that should facilitate attempts to conserve the species.

Genetic variation and gene flow among Prunus cerasoides D. Don populations in northern Thailand: analysis of a rehabilitated site and adjacent intact forest

This study describes the level of genetic variation and gene flow within and among populations of Prunus cerasoides in rehabilitated sites and adjacent intact forest. The seven microsatellite loci employed detected a total of 75 alleles (n = 401). Polymorphic information content (PIC) varied from 0.34 to 0.83. Between the adult populations there was moderate genetic differentiation with an FST value of 0.0575, which suggests that the restoration plots had a similar genetic composition to that of the natural population. The gene flow assessment provides some interesting insights into the genetic diversity of P. cerasoides. In the 16 naturally occurring trees over 83% of the genotyped seed were fathered by unidentified trees whereas in restoration plot A only about 32% of the pollen came from an unidentified father. This proportion was even less in Plot C where 25% of the pollen parents were unidentified. The naturally occurring trees within Doi Suthep were surrounded by planted trees, which were contributing to the paternity of the seed crop. This result demonstrates that ‘‘fill in’’ planting should consist of locally sourced material if it is considered important to conserve the genetic integrity of the local populations.

A review of Eotrechus Kirkaldy (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Gerridae) of Thailand with descriptions of three new species

Three new species of Eotrechus Kirkaldy were collected from vertical rock surfaces of waterfalls in northern and central Thailand. Eotrechus siamensis sp. n. was collected at Doi Inthanon and Doi Suthep National Parks in Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand. Eotrechus elongatus sp. n. and Eotrechus romglao sp. n. were collected from waterfalls in Phu Hin Rongkla National Park in Phetchabun Province, central Thailand. These new species are described and illustrated here as is the female of Eotrechus petraeus Andersen. In addition, Eotrechus kalidasa Kirkaldy was discovered for the first time in Thailand. Finally, diagnostic and distributional information of all known species of this genus in Thailand are given.

Prodasineura doisuthepensissp. nov. from Thailand (Odonata: Protoneuridae)

Abstract Prodasineura doisuthepensis sp. nov. from Thailand is described and figured. The holotype and two paratypes were collected by the author on 11 May 2002 on the slopes of Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand (18°48′N, 98°56′E). The material will be deposited at the Naturhistorisches Museum Basel (NHMB). The female is unknown. This is the only known species of the genus with the dorsum of the synthorax almost entirely azure-blue.

Epiphytic lichens as indicators of environmental health in the vicinity of Chiang Mai city, Thailand

Epiphytic lichens were sampled on selected trees in 19 sites radiating from Chiang Mai city including the adjacent mountain Doi Suthep in Northern Thailand using the VDI method (Verein Deutscher Ingenieure) to obtain frequency of occurrence in 10 area units per sampled tree. Sites selected included highly polluted sites in urban and adjacent industrial areas of Chiang Mai city, disturbed rural sites and undisturbed forest on Doi Suthep mountain, with altitudes varying from 260–1450 m. Lichen diversity was highest in upland sites and lowest in urban and agricultural sites. Analysis of lichen taxa at generic and at macrolichen species level and environmental data using PRIMER showed that upland and lowland sites were distinguished in the first division at both levels and correlated with altitude and vegetation type. Analysis of all taxa at generic level showed no separation of lowland sites but at macrolichen species level a better separation was obtained, suggesting that lichen diversity alone cannot be used for biomonitoring of air pollution. The relationship of epiphytic lichens to climate and pollution data available for Chiang Mai city and Doi Suthep is discussed and results compared with data from other studies in SE Asia.