Guinea Islands Research Articles

Cultural Traditions of the Motu through the Prism of Centuries: Life between Two Worlds (New Guinea)

The Motu Melanesians have since ancient times played a significant role in the economic life of many Papuan and Melanesian societies in the coastal regions of the southeast of the New Guinea island. From the late nineteenth century onward, Motu villages experienced considerable influence of colonial administrations. Subsequently, following Papua New Guinea’s independence in 1975, the impact of globalization intensified, causing significant cultural transformation. To date, however, the Motu continue to maintain their strong cultural identity.

Taxonomy of the genus Diochus Erichson (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae, Staphylininae, Diochini) of Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands

This paper presents taxonomic studies of the genus Diochus Erichson, 1839 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae, Staphylininae, Diochini) from Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands. Three new species are described: Diochus elongatus Huang, Janák & Zhou, sp. nov. and D. loebli Huang, Janák & Zhou, sp. nov. from Papua New Guinea, and D. chambrieri Huang, Janák & Zhou, sp. nov. from Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands. D. papuanus Cameron, 1939 is redescribed. All species are included in a key to species and are provided with color photos. The new species also with line drawing plates.

Diversity and distribution of reed frogs (Hyperolius spp.) on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea

Reed frogs (Hyperolius spp.) are the most species-rich genus in the family Hyperoliidae, a group of frogs endemic to sub-Saharan Africa and the Gulf of Guinea islands. Three species are endemic to oceanic islands in the archipelago, but the diversity and distribution of reed frogs on Bioko – a land-bridge island in the archipelago – remains unclear. Two species, H. tuberculatus and H. ocellatus ocellatus, were formally documented on Bioko in the colonial era, however, two additional reed frog species have been detected in recent surveys. In addition, observations of heterospecific amplexus suggest one of the unidentified species and H. o. ocellatus may be hybridising on the island. In this study, we examined mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), nuclear DNA (nuDNA), morphological and acoustic data to confirm the tentative identifications of the reed frogs and determine if there is any evidence of hybridisation. Our data confirm that the two unidentified species are H. endjami and H. fusciventris, and that Bioko H. endjami have unique genetic diversity not shared with the mainland population. Additionally, our mitochondrial (16S) and nuclear DNA (CMYC) haplotype networks suggest that H. o. ocellatus and H. endjami are not hybridising on Bioko. Finally, we report colour pattern variation in H. endjami and H. o. ocellatus that is unique from populations on the continent, and describe male advertisement calls of Bioko H. endjami and H. o. ocellatus. Our study provides a first look at the diversity and distribution of reed frogs on Bioko Island and sets the stage for future studies of the ecology, evolution, and conservation of this island community. KEYWORDS: hybridisation, polymorphism, mitochondrial and nuclear DNA, morphology, land-bridge island

Characterization and screening of new Metarhizium isolates to control the coconut rhinoceros beetle in the Pacific islands

The coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB; Oryctes rhinoceros) is one of the most destructive insect pests of coconut and oil palms in tropical Asia and the Pacific islands. Members of a new variant, known as CRB-G (clade I), have recently spread into the Pacific islands, causing significant damage. Biopesticides containing Metarhizium spp. are the strongest candidates for inundative biological control against the emerging CRB threat. Selection of the most virulent and robust isolate may determine the impact of this control option on the pest. In this work, CRB specimens with natural fungal infection were collected in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Solomon Islands (SI). Putative entomopathogenic fungi were isolated and identified. These new isolates and some previously obtained from other Pacific countries were molecularly identified, characterized, and tested for virulence against CRB larval populations in PNG and SI in laboratory bioassays. Of the new isolates collected, four obtained from SI were identified as Metarhizium majus (conidia length ⁓11–15 μm), and four from PNG were identified as Metarhizium pingshaense (conidia length ⁓4–6 μm). The most virulent isolate was M. majus AgR-F717, which caused 100 % mortality in 20–23 days against a CRB variant from the CRB-S grouping (clade II) in laboratory bioassays carried out in PNG. Isolates of M. pingshaense did not show pathogenicity against CRB larvae. M. majus AgR-F717 was also the most virulent in laboratory bioassays using the mixed SI population (from both CRB-S and CRB-G groupings) and was selected for further evaluation using artificial breeding sites. Under field conditions, this isolate demonstrated its ability to infect CRB, dispersal up to 100 m from treated artificial breeding sites, and persistence in soil for at least four months. The new isolate AgR-F717 of M. majus has demonstrated potential as an augmentative biological control agent for CRB in PNG and SI.

Mapping Asia Plants: Plant Diversity and a Checklist of Vascular Plants in Indonesia.

Indonesia, located in Southeast Asia, is the world's largest tropical island country. It is globally recognized as a unique center of biodiversity in the Asian-Australian transitional zone. To date, however, no national plant checklist of Indonesia has been published. Here, we collected botanical information on the flora of Indonesia and presented for the first time a checklist of known native species of vascular plants in the country. Our checklist included 30,466 species belonging to 2968 genera and 317 families, representing 8.7% of the 351,180 vascular plant species worldwide. Among the seven regions, Sumatra had the highest number of species at 10,902, followed by Indonesian New Guinea (9935), Java (9289), Kalimantan (9191), Sulawesi (7048), Maluku (5294), and Lesser Sunda Islands (4514). In contrast, Indonesian New Guinea had a much higher proportion of locally endemic species than other regions (59%). The seven regions were divided into three phytogeographical areas: the Sunda Shelf, the Sahul Shelf, and the Wallacea, based on similarities in floristic composition. Our checklist for Indonesia provides basic information for biodiversity conservation and associated research.

Extensive genetic diversity in Plasmodium vivax from Sudan and its genetic relationships with other geographical isolates

Plasmodium vivax, traditionally overlooked has experienced a notable increase in cases in East Africa. This study investigated the geographical origin and genetic diversity of P. vivax in Sudan using 14 microsatellite markers. A total of 113 clinical P. vivax samples were collected from two different ecogeographical zones, New Halfa and Khartoum, in Sudan. Additionally, 841 geographical samples from the database were incorporated for a global genetic analysis to discern genetic relationships among P. vivax isolates on regional and worldwide scales. On the regional scale, our findings revealed 91 unique and 8 shared haplotypes among the Sudan samples, showcasing a remarkable genetic diversity compared to other geographical isolates and supporting the hypothesis that P. vivax originated from Africa. On a global scale, distinct genetic clustering of P. vivax isolates from Africa, South America, and Asia (including Papua New Guinea and Solomon Island) was observed, with limited admixture among the three clusters. Principal component analysis emphasized the substantial contribution of African isolates to the observed global genetic variation. The Sudanese populations displayed extensive genetic diversity, marked by significant multi-locus linkage disequilibrium, suggesting an ancestral source of P. vivax variation globally and frequent recombination among the isolates. Notably, the East African P. vivax exhibited similarity with some Asian isolates, indicating potential recent introductions. Overall, our results underscore the effectiveness of utilizing microsatellite markers for implementing robust control measures, given their ability to capture extensive genetic diversity and linkage disequilibrium patterns.

Designing development programmes for climate change and uncertainty in Pacific Melanesia – the role for knowledge brokers

ABSTRACT With rapid globalization and climate change, development programmes face increasingly complex problems. New approaches to programme design and delivery are required, and knowledge brokers can contribute to this reorientation. To understand how community development initiatives in Melanesia address complexity, and their needs for knowledge brokering, we surveyed designers, managers and implementers in eight programmes from Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. Applying the ‘Cynefin’ framework to describe complexity, we mapped programmes’ problem identification and solution design to elucidate their framing of problems. Whilst respondents identified uncertainties and complexities related to climate change, natural disasters and socio-economic conditions, programmes were designed with minimal consideration of these risks. Respondents attributed this to limited capacity and support networks to access and understand future risk information; poor information-sharing due to a lack of trust between partners; and minimal engagement between communities and the government. We highlight competencies that brokers need to enable more effective responses to rapid systems change, including fostering collaborations among partners, generating knowledge co-production, systems thinking, understanding complexity and uncertainty, and the promotion of learning and reflection. By incorporating brokering capacity, programmes in Melanesia could be better designed to account for future uncertainty, and tackle increasingly complex development challenges more effectively.

Modelling Land Surface Temperature Variation in New Guinea Island from 2000 to 2019 Using a Cubic Spline Model

Land surface temperature (LST) is a critical indicator variable in climate science. In this study, the variation of LST on the island of New Guinea during 2000 to 2019 was investigated using a cubic spline model and a multivariate regression model. The data were obtained from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer database. This study focused on 90 subregions with 105-pixels of latitude 90 kilometer apart. These subregions were categorized into 10 super-regions. The results showed that the mean change in LST for all 90 subregions was +0.086°C per decade with a confidence interval of (0.028, 0.144)oC. There were five super-regions with a significant mean LST change. LST increased significantly in the central-north, central-south of the island (super-regions B1, C1, and C2 with 0.117°C, 0.162°C, and 0.185°C, respectively) and the southern part of Papua New Guinea (super-region E2 with 0.217°C), whereas it decreased in the middle part of the Indonesian territories (A2 with −0.122°C). The results also showed that LST variation occurs at the subregional level. Climate change mitigation methods are critical for reducing temperature rise and limiting any negative effects on the region.

Whole Snake Genomes from Eighteen Families of Snakes (Serpentes: Caenophidia) and Their Applications to Systematics.

We present genome assemblies for 18 snake species representing 18 families (Serpentes: Caenophidia): Acrochordus granulatus, Aparallactus werneri, Boaedon fuliginosus, Calamaria suluensis, Cerberus rynchops, Grayia smithii, Imantodes cenchoa, Mimophis mahfalensis, Oxyrhabdium leporinum, Pareas carinatus, Psammodynastes pulverulentus, Pseudoxenodon macrops, Pseudoxyrhopus heterurus, Sibynophis collaris, Stegonotus admiraltiensis, Toxicocalamus goodenoughensis, Trimeresurus albolabris, and Tropidonophis doriae. From these new genome assemblies, we extracted thousands of loci commonly used in systematic and phylogenomic studies on snakes, including target-capture datasets composed of UCEs and AHEs, as well as traditional Sanger loci. Phylogenies inferred from the two target-capture loci datasets were identical with each other, and strongly congruent with previously published snake phylogenies. To show additional utility of these non-model genomes for investigative evolutionary research, we mined the genome assemblies of two New Guinea island endemics in our dataset (Stegonotus admiraltiensis and Tropidonophis doriae) for the ATP1a3 gene, a thoroughly researched indicator of resistance to toad toxin ingestion by squamates. We find that both these snakes possess the genotype for toad toxin resistance despite their endemism to New Guinea, a region absent of any toads until the human-mediated introduction of Cane Toads in the 1930s. These species possess identical substitutions that suggest the same bufotoxin resistance as their Australian congenerics (Stegonotus cucullatus and Tropidonophis mairii) which forage on invasive Cane Toads. Herein, we show the utility of short-read high coverage genomes, as well as improving the deficit of available squamate genomes with associated voucher specimens.

Voacanga madureirae (Apocynaceae), a new species from Atlantic Central Africa

SummaryA new species of Apocynaceae from Atlantic Central Africa, Voacanga madureirae Paiva, O.Lachenaud & Covelo, is mapped, described and illustrated. It occurs on the Gulf of Guinea islands of Príncipe (São Tomé and Príncipe) and Bioko (Equatorial Guinea) and in the highlands of western Cameroon. The new species differs from other African Voacanga by its calyx distinctly exceeding the corolla (vs shorter or at most equalling it). It is further separated from V. chalotiana Pierre ex Stapf by the presence of a row of colleters in the upper half of the calyx (not near the base) and from other Central African species by its syncarpous fruits and almost straight (not strongly twisted) corolla tube. It is assessed as Near Threatened according to IUCN criteria.

Twenty-one new species of Omaliini from the Papuan Region (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Omaliinae), with diagnostic and faunistic notes on some species of the genus Paraphloeostiba Steel, 1960.

New taxonomic, diagnostic and faunistic data for 26 species of Nipponophloeostiba Watanabe, 1962 (one species), Paraphloeostiba Steel, 1960 (23 species) and Xanthonomus Bernhauer, 1926 (two species) of the tribe Omaliini McLeay, 1825 of the Papuan Region (Indonesia (Western New Guinea), Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands) are provided. Twenty-one new species are described and illustrated: Nipponophloeostiba hornabrooki sp. n., Paraphloeostiba assimile sp. n., P. attenuata sp. n., P. barclayi sp. n., P. betlephila sp. n., P. coprophila sp. n., P. latissima sp. n., P. okapensis sp. n., P. rufula sp. n., P. steeli sp. n., P. telnovi sp. n. and Xanthonomus thayerae sp. n. from Papua New Guinea, P. atramentaria sp. n., P. iriana sp. n., P. margineguttata sp. n., P. pilosa sp. n., P. riedeli sp. n., P. vitiosa sp. n., and X. guineensis sp. n. from Western New Guinea (Indonesia), and P. guadalcanalensis sp. n. and P. penelopeae sp. n. from Solomon Islands. Paraphloeostiba coriacea (Cameron, 1952) and P. rhopalocera (Cameron, 1928) are redescribed and illustrated. The male of P. papuana (Cameron, 1931) and females of P. conjuncta Shavrin, 2023 and P. coriacea are described and illustrated for the first time. Keys for Nipponophloeostiba Watanabe, 1962, Xanthonomus Bernhauer, 1926, and the Papuan species of the genus Paraphloeostiba are provided. Distributional maps of Xanthonomus and Nipponophloeostiba, and P. coriacea, P. gayndahensis (MacLeay, 1873) (for New Guinea) and P. papuana are given. Paraphloeostiba conjuncta, P. coriacea, P. gayndahensis and P. papuana are recorded from Indonesia (Western New Guinea) for the first time.

To and fro in the archipelago: Repeated inter-island dispersal and New Guinea’s orogeny affect diversification of Delias, the world’s largest butterfly genus

The world’s largest butterfly genus Delias, commonly known as Jezebels, comprises ca. 251 species found throughout Asia, Australia, and Melanesia. Most species are endemic to islands in the Indo-Australian Archipelago or to New Guinea and nearby islands in Melanesia, and many species are restricted to montane habitats over 1200 m. We inferred an extensively sampled and well-supported molecular phylogeny of the group to better understand the spatial and temporal dimensions of its diversification. The remarkable diversity of Delias evolved in just ca. 15–16 Myr (crown age). The most recent common ancestor of a clade with most of the species dispersed out of New Guinea ca. 14 Mya, but at least six subsequently diverging lineages dispersed back to the island. Diversification was associated with frequent dispersal of lineages among the islands of the Indo-Australian Archipelago, and the divergence of sister taxa on a single landmass was rare and occurred only on the largest islands, most notably on New Guinea. We conclude that frequent inter-island dispersal during the Neogene—likely facilitated by frequent sea level change—sparked much diversification during that period. Many extant New Guinea lineages started diversifying 5 Mya, suggesting that orogeny facilitated their diversification. Our results largely agree with the most recently proposed species group classification system, and we use our large taxon sample to extend this system to all described species. Finally, we summarize recent insights to speculate how wing pattern evolution, mimicry, and sexual selection might also contribute to these butterflies’ rapid speciation and diversification.

Can Law Manufacture a Party System? The Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Experience with Party‐Strengthening Legislation

Two western Pacific states — the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea (PNG) — experimented with unusual and ambitious reforms aimed at strengthening political parties in the new millennium. In this paper, we look at what those laws entailed and how they worked in practice. In both cases, we find that unforeseen repercussions dominated. In PNG, the new laws encouraged candidates who formerly contested as independents to now nominate as members of microscopic one‐ or two‐member parties whereas in the Solomon Islands many formerly party‐affiliated candidates adjusted by contesting as independents. In PNG, the law was one of a range of devices aimed at strengthening incumbent governments, but money politics and manipulation of parliamentary procedure proved more significant. Core anti‐defection provisions in the new law were ruled unconstitutional in 2010, but other still valid clauses preserved an advantage for the “largest party” in government formation. In the Solomon Islands, the law created a shadow world of free‐floating individuals able to switch at liberty between formally constrained hermit crab shell parties. In neither country did these laws succeed in strengthening party systems.

Local and regional diversity of frog communities along an extensive rainforest elevation gradient in Papua New Guinea

AbstractRainforests on high tropical mountains are globally important species diversity hotspots. We studied amphibians along an extensive rainforest elevation gradient on Mt. Wilhelm (4509 m) in Papua New Guinea. We established eight sites at 500 m elevation increments between 200 and 3700 m a.s.l. and relate their community composition to the known species pool of New Guinea island. We recorded 3390 frogs from 55 species, which is three times more species than at any local community along the elevation gradient. Species diversity peaked at 1700 m a.s.l. for Mt. Wilhelm communities, and at 500–1100 m a.s.l. in the broader New Guinea fauna, probably reflecting increasing speciation and decreasing dispersal rates with increasing elevation. The beta diversity between frog communities was high and increased with increasing elevation. The change in frog community composition across 500 m elevation corresponded to the change over 200 km distance within lowland forests. A majority of frog species were distributed over narrow <500 m elevational ranges, at Mt Wilhelm and the New Guinea fauna more broadly. We did not detect Rapoport's pattern of wider elevation range for species at higher elevations than for lowland species, for Mt. Wilhelm communities or the New Guinea fauna. The high beta diversity patterns along elevation gradients generated by rapid species turnover with narrow elevation ranges make frog communities vulnerable to change in environment, including climate change.Abstract in Melanesian Pidgin is available with online material.

Agricultural value chains and food security in the Pacific: Evidence from Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands

Small island developing states in the Pacific face multiple development challenges driven by rapid population growth and high transportation costs due to remoteness and isolation. Combined with the adverse consequences of extreme weather events and climate change, these challenges exacerbate poverty and food insecurity. Agricultural value chain development presents a pathway to poverty reduction and food security. In this paper, we assess the impacts of two value chain development projects in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands on dietary diversity and food security of small-scale producers. Project impacts on dietary diversity are positive and significant in both countries, but improved food security is only observed in Solomon Islands. These impacts are mainly driven by crop yields, value of crop production and sales, crop diversification and share of crop sales. We find that treatment households are more likely to consume less nutritious foods such as sweets and oils. Our findings expand the literature in a data-scarce region and caution that value chain interventions without nutrition-focused components to induce behavioral change may have unintended impacts on healthy diets.

A review of exotic Kalanchoe taxa (Crassulaceae subfam. Kalanchooideae) naturalised and cultivated in Africa and the Gulf of Guinea islands, with their nomenclature updated

Data and information on exotic Kalanchoe taxa (Crassulaceae subfam. Kalanchooideae) provided in a range of floristic catalogues of regions and countries in Africa were collated and analysed to facilitate an improved understanding of the cultivation and invasion status of these taxa on the continent and the Gulf of Guinea islands. Overall, the inventory is expanded and brought up to date taxonomically and nomenclaturally. Results of the analysis are presented here as a series of tabulated inventories of the exotic Kalanchoe flora recorded for Africa. The exotic kalanchoes generally fall into two groups: (1) naturalised kalanchoes, and (2) cultivated kalanchoes. A total of 13 Kalanchoe taxa are recorded here as having become naturalised in Africa, with three, i.e., K. pinnata, K. prolifera, and K. tubiflora, especially widely, and with all three being invasive. Forty Kalanchoe taxa are recorded as being in cultivation, of which the potential spread of at least three, i.e., K. ×houghtonii, K. laetivirens, and K. scandens, apart from the three already naturalised, should be monitored and material eradicated. These three species all belong in K. [subg. Bryophyllum] sect. Invasores. The correct identification, early detection, and rapid eradication of established and emerging invasives are essential to facilitate the management of such species and to prevent their further spread.

Limbodessus moni sp. nov., a new high altitudinal diving beetle from the Grasberg in West Papua, Indonesia (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae, Bidessini).

Limbodessus moni sp. nov. is described from Lake Anderson and from small, richly vegetated swampy areas around alpine lakes at 3,970 m a.s.l. near the Grasberg Mine (Carstensz Pyramid) in the Central Mountain Range of New Guinea. The record of the new species marks the altitudinal maximum of a diving beetle in New Guinea. The new species is morphologically similar to L. alexanderi Balke & Hendrich, 2015 in terms of body size and dark coloration; however, both species can be easily separated by the shape of the median lobe and the more moniliform female antennomeres, not forming a conspicuous club as in L. alexanderi. A modified key for all five Limbodessus species from New Guinea and adjacent islands is presented.

Professional Women, Nation-Making, and the Negotiation of Difference at Boarding Schools in Bougainville and Solomon Islands

Workplace dynamics and professionalism have been left out of scholarship on the nation-making undertaken by the middle class in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. This article analyses how female teachers at secondary boarding schools challenged conservative ideals about their roles in the workplace. Students and teachers discovered important similarities amongst the significant cultural diversity at each boarding school. These discoveries were a part of their nation-making but were also the means through which they navigated inconsistencies between expectations about the role of women in the workplace and what professional behaviour should entail. Despite pressure to include their motherhood in their professional identities, women could utilise reconciliation practices and shame to assert themselves with male colleagues. The data show students utilising their own interpretation of professionalism to delegitimise violence as a way to exert power over others.

Anthropogenic Disturbance, Not Topographic Dispersal Barriers, Limit Forest and Maintain Madagascar's Derived Savannas

Photo 1. Central Highland grassland (RN7 national road; Isalo district). Levels of grass endemicity in Madagascar are most similar to those of the derived grasslands of the previously forested islands of New Guinea, New Zealand, Japan, and the Mascarenes (Mauritius, Réunion, and Rodrigues). Annual burning of Malagasy treeless grasslands west of the escarpment to support zebu cattle is so intensive that it exposes topsoil and selects a fire-adapted anthropogenic grass assemblage of low palatability, dominated by Loudetia simplex, Schizachyrium sanguineum, and Trachypogon spicatus. This habitat is driven by pastoralism, not topography. Photo credit: Grant Joseph. Photo 2. Critically Endangered Verreaux's sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi) in remnant forest at Zombitse, surrounded by anthropogenic grassland. Zombitse is just one of many areas west of the escarpment harboring closed-canopy forests. Over 90% of vertebrates, being predominately forest-adapted, are limited to such areas across Madagascar, despite the fact that almost 80% of the island not under agriculture is now grassland. This evolutionary anomaly is best explained by treeless grasslands having been historically smaller, or ephemeral. Photo credit: Grant Joseph. Photo 3. Despite sharing common ancestry with African Herpestids that have easily evolved to open habitats [e.g., Cynictis penicillata (a); Suricata suricatta (b)], Malagasy Euplerids [e.g., the Endangered Mungotictis decemlineata (c); the Vulnerable and decreasing Cryptoprocta ferox (d)] are forest-adapted. The same is true of all non-arboreal Malagasy mammal lineages, which have failed to evolve into savanna–grassland specialists, suggesting that open habitats have either not been sufficiently stable or sufficiently vast to promote open-habitat adapted species. Photo credit: Colleen Seymour (a); Grant Joseph (b–d). Photo 4. Aside from the remaining subhumid forest patches on the Central Highlands which share many tree species with eastern lowland forest (thus contradicting the proposal of range-pinning), there are multiple canopied, non-savanna systems west of the escarpment, harboring species dependant on woody vegetation. Examples include deciduous forest, e.g., Kirindy Forest, harboring Coua cristata (a); Zombitse Forest, home to the Endangered Lepilemur hubbardorum (b); Tsingy De Bemaraha Forest sustaining Critically Endangered Propithecus deckenii (c), and Spiny Forest, e.g., Raniala Forest, here providing habitat for the Vulnerable and decreasing Furcifer antimena (d). Photo credit: Grant Joseph. Photo 5. Zebu (Bos taurus indicus) cattle number 7 to 10 million head, and form obligate C4 grazing lawns on Madagascar. There is no evidence to date for any Malagasy obligate grazers, past or present. Treeless grazing lawns now occur where paleoecological evidence supports recent existence of C3 forest and woodland tree species, containing subfossils representing extinct herbivores that included a large component of C3 species in their diets. Transformation of these woodlands and forests to grassland, and extirpation of endemic tree-adapted herbivores occurred coeval with the switch from human gathering and hunting to pastoralism and farming. Photo credit: Grant Joseph. These photographs illustrate the article “Dispersal limitation and fire feedbacks maintain mesic savannas in Madagascar: Comment” by Grant S. Joseph and Colleen L. Seymour published in Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.4045

A new subspecies of Caltoris Swinhoe, 1893 (Lepidoptera, Hesperiidae) from the Malabar Coast, Kerala, India

The Indo-Australian genus Caltoris has over 15 species distributed from India through south China and SE Asia into New Guinea and Solomon Islands. Based on wing colouration, characters of male genitalia, and early larval stages on the host plant Phragmites karka, a new subspecies of Caltoris bromus (Leech, 1894), Caltoris bromus sadasiva ssp. nov., is described from the coastal lakes and mangrove associated swamps of Kerala, southern India on the western slopes of the Western Ghats. This is the first record of C. bromus from Western Ghats and Peninsular India. This extends the distribution range of the species from NE India to south-western India, adding it to the butterfly fauna of the Western Ghats.