Natma Taung Research Articles

Gaultheria (Ericaceae) of Myanmar: an updated species list for the country, a new species, and a new species combination

An updated list of the species of Gaultheria (Ericaceae) from Myanmar is presented, with additions and corrections to a previously published list. Gaultheria natmataungensis, a new species from Natma Taung National Park, Chin State, Myanmar, is described and illustrated. It is the only species of Gaultheria endemic to the country. Additionally, G. griffithiana var. insignis is raised to the rank of species (G. insignis), and G. insignis and G. suborbicularis are newly recorded for Myanmar. Photographs of living plants of G. insignis are included, along with an updated description and illustration that incorporate new morphological data, including the first documentation of floral characters. Lectotypes are provided for G. fragrantissima, G. insignis, and G. nummularioides. A key to the species is provided. The number of Gaultheria species recorded from Myanmar is 24.

Liparis casseabria, (Malaxideae: Orchidaceae) a new species from Chin State, Myanmar

Liparis casseabria, a new species of Orchidaceae, is described and illustrated from Natma Taung National Part, Chin State, Myanmar. It is morphologically similar to L. jovispluvii, but can be easily distinguished from the latter by having conspicuous underground tuber, narrowly lanceolate petals, dramatically folded lip with entire margin and emarginated apex.

Records and descriptions of caddisflies from Natma Taung National Park and adjacent localities in the Chin Hills of Myanmar (Insecta, Trichoptera)

During several excursions to the Chin Hills of Myanmar from 2001 to 2015, rich collections of caddisflies were made which form the basis of the present taxonomic and biogeographic study. A total of 106 species were identified including seven new species. They are described as Arctopsyche subflavasp. nov., Hydromanicus abdominalissp. nov., Cheumatopsyche janosolahisp. nov., Lepidostoma subpanaitossp. nov., Aplatyphylax pumilussp. nov., Adicella natmataungensissp. nov. and Triaenodes mindatensissp. nov. Illustrations of the male genitalia and images of the adults are provided. Two species names were recognised as junior synonyms: Hydropsyche athamas Malicky & Chantaramongkol, 2000, = Hydropsyche januha Oláh & Barnard, 2008, syn. nov.; Hydropsyche khasigiri Oláh & Barnard, 2008, = Hydropsyche kiogupa Oláh & Schefter, 2008, syn. nov. In an attempt to determine the biogeographic character of the fauna, the known ranges of all resident species were plotted into three longitudinal transects from 85°–95°E, 95–98°E and 98°–108°E, ranging from the eastern Himalayas to northern Vietnam. About half of the species have ranges extending over all three transects. The fauna is equally composed of western and eastern species qualifying the Chin Hills as part of a transition zone including palearctic elements. Most of the species, which are widely distributed in south-east Asia, are members of the suborder Annulipalpia. The investigations of the authors yielded 77 autochthonous species, which have been unrecorded from the country including the newly-described taxa. This brings the number of species records from Mynamar to 304.

Changes in seed predation along a 2300‐m elevational gradient on a tropical mountain in Myanmar: a standardized test with 32 non‐native plant species

It has been hypothesized that biotic interactions are stronger towards lower latitudes and elevations. However, results vary among interaction systems and experimental protocols. Our goal was to examine the validity of this prediction by using a standardized method to investigate seed–animal interaction. We assessed removal by animals for 40 960 seeds belonging to 32 non‐native tree species along an elevation gradient from 600 m to 2910 m on Mount Victoria (Nat Ma Taung), western Myanmar. We analyzed the elevational trends of seed removal at both individual seed level (probability of depot encounter, proportion of seeds removed after encounter and total proportion of seeds removed) and community level (Shannon diversity and species evenness indices). The dry and wet seasons had opposite relationships between seed removal and elevation, i.e. hump‐shaped in the dry season and U‐shaped in the wet season. Individual plant species displayed almost all possible patterns: U‐shaped and hump‐shaped, monotonic decrease and increase, and elevation‐independent patterns. As a consequence of the hump‐shaped seed removal pattern with elevation in the dry season, the diversity and evenness of surviving seeds showed U‐shaped patterns. Our study shows that elevational trends in seed–animal interactions do not follow a constant rule, but differ between seasons and among species, suggesting that a one‐off survey with few species might give misleading information on overall macroecological patterns. Future studies of trends in biotic interactions along gradients should bear this in mind.

A new species of the Pareas monticola complex (Squamata: Serpentes: Pareidae) from Chin Mountains with additions to the Pareas fauna of Myanmar

ABSTRACT A review of the taxonomic status of Pareas monticola (Himalaya slug snake) based on morphological and molecular data revealed a new species from Myanmar. Pareas victorianus sp. nov. Vogel, Nguyen and Poyarkov from the Nat Ma Taung National Park in western Chin State is suggested to be a sister species to P. monticola sensu stricto, and can be separated from the latter by the absence of preoculars, by the subocular separating the eye from the labials, by seven keeled dorsal scale rows at midbody, by a lower number of ventrals (164) and by a lower number of subcaudals (58). Another new population from the Hkakabo Razi National Park in the northernmost part of Kachin State was previously confused with P. monticola, but can be differentiated from the latter and from Pareas victorianus sp. nov. by the presence of preoculars, by the number of ventrals (182) and subcaudals (71), by the absence of dark postorbital stripes, and by the lateral and ventral surfaces of the head with dense brown dusting; we herein refer to this population as Pareas sp. pending further molecular data confirming its taxonomic status. We also confirm the occurrence of P. monticola sensu stricto in Myanmar based on specimens from Kachin State and Sagaing Division. Furthermore, we discuss the actual distribution, genetic differentiation and taxonomic problems of P. monticola species complex. Our work brings the total number of species recognised within the genus Pareas to 20, of which nine species occur in Myanmar. An updated key for the Pareas species of Myanmar is provided. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:7591231C-475C-4F86-9376-BB48DA937D1A

<p><strong><em>Neottia nyinyikyawii </em></strong><strong>(Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae), a new species from Chin State, Myanmar</strong></p>

Neottia nyinyikyawii, a new species of Orchidaceae, is described and illustrated from Nat Ma Taung, Chin State, Myanmar. Neottia nyinyikyawii is morphologically similar to N. chandrae and N. tenuis, but differs from them by having leaves borne in the middle of the plant, elliptic lip 7.0–8.0 × 1.5–2.0 mm and falcate lobelets. A preliminary assessment of the risk of extinction of this new species is Least Concern (LC).

Ophiorrhiza monsvictoriae (Rubiaceae, Rubioideae), a new species from Myanmar

A new species, Ophiorrhiza monsvictoriae S.S.Zhou & L.D.Duan, discovered at Natma Taung (Mt.Victoria) National Park, Chin State, Myanmar, is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically similar to O. dulongensis, but differs from the latter by its stipules broadly triangular, 2–4 mm long, inflorescence axillary, 1-flowered, bracts lanceolate to subulate, 1–2 mm long, puberulous, calyx pilose, 1–2 mm long, lobes and tube equal length, corolla narrowly funnelform, 15 mm long, puberulous outside.

A new species of Zingiber (Zingiberaceae) from Natma Taung National Park, Chin State, Myanmar.

Zingiber natmataungense S.S.Zhou & R.Li (Zingiberaceae), a new species from Natma Taung National Park, Chin State, Myanmar, is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically similar to Z. yunnanense, but differs by: leaf blade abaxially light green, glabrous, ligule sparsely pubescent, ca. 2–3 mm, bracts glabrous; calyx white 20–21 × 3.2–3.5 mm, glabrous, apex obviously 3-toothed; corolla tube white, ca. 3.9–4.1 cm, labellum lateral lobes, ca. 1.5–1.7 × 0.6–0.7 cm; stamen with sparse pubescent, filament white, glabrous, 1–2 mm; anther connective appendage yellowish proximally, purplish distally; ovary white, sparsely white pubescent, epigynous glands, ca. 6–7 mm long, tapered, apex whorled, yellow. This new species is also similar to Z. teres, but has a different flower colour.

Constitutionality and the Co-Management of Protected Areas: Reflections from Cameroon and Myanmar

This article discusses the co-management experiences of two tropical protected areas – the Korup National Park (KNP) in Cameroon, and the Natma Taung National Park (NTNP) in Myanmar. The discussion is anchored on the constitutionality construct and opens up reflections to guide future management processes and outcomes for protected areas. Based on a review of articles and institutional reports, complemented by interviews and focus group discussions, we comparatively analyze the manifestations of two constitutionality principles in co-management around the KNP and NTNP, and discuss future co-management perspectives. The paper concludes with reflections on how local level institutions could be activated in protected area management, especially with respect to enforcing catalyzing agents and improving state motivation and recognition of local institutional processes. The results do not only provide necessary ingredients to improve the institution-building process if co-management must become adaptive, but equally opens up new research avenues in the context of local power play and social learning. We argue that further studies should seek to understand conditions, under which catalyzing agents and the state could support and recognize endogenous institution-building processes to improve resource management outcomes.

A new species of Argyreia (Convolvulaceae) from Myanmar

Argyreia decemloba Traiperm, Fujikawa & Staples, a new species of Convolvulaceae from Natma Taung National Park, Chin State, Myanmar, is described here with detailed illustrations and summaries for its distribution, ecology and IUCN conservation status. This new species is a high-climbing twiner that can be distinguished by a white or pale yellow corolla with a deep red or purple-black colour inside at the base of the tube, a ten-lobed corolla limb, and staminal filament bases expanded and densely covered by hispid hairs. Argyreia decemloba is here assessed as Near Threatened (NT) following IUCN Red List categories.

Newly recorded ferns from the flora of Myanmar in Natma Taung National Park

Although Myanmar is a biodiversity hotspot, little is known about its flora, particularly lycophytes and ferns, due to a lack of intensive inventories. In 2017, work on a total of 299 species of lycophytes and ferns found throughout the country, including 84 species from Natma Taung National Park in the Chin State, was published. However, a comparison of the flora of Myanmar with those of adjacent countries suggests that many more species are likely also to be distributed in this country. In the present study, two field surveys conducted in Natma Taung National Park during 2015 to make a checklist of lycophytes and ferns resulted in the discovery of three fern species not previously recorded in the flora of Myanmar. All occur in other countries in Southeast Asia as well as in other tropical areas. These species are Pteris bella (Pteridaceae), Dryopteris lepidopoda (Dryopteridaceae), and Loxogramme duclouxii (Polypodiaceae). The results will provide valuable information for the Myanmar fern checklist that is currently being prepared.

Ethnomedicinal plants and traditional knowledge among three Chin indigenous groups in Natma Taung National Park (Myanmar)

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThis research describes the ethnomedicinal plants as used by three Chin indigenous groups inhabiting areas at Natma Taung National Park (NTNP) in bio-culturally diverse Myanmar. The aim of this study was (1) to identify wild medicinal species and evaluate their local importance in local peoples’ healthcare as well as in protected area conservation; and (2) to compare traditional medicinal plant knowledge among the informants. Materials and methodsA total of 206 Müün, Ng’gah and Daai informants from 20 villages were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. Species use-reports were computed to determine plant local importance and the informant consensus factor. Descriptive and the inferential statistics Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis tests were employed to evaluate and compare the informants' traditional medicinal knowledge. ResultsA total of 75 wild ethnomedicinal taxa in 40 plant families across 16 ICPC-based disease categories were recorded. Species which recorded the highest number of use-reports appeared to play an important role not only in informants’ primary healthcare and in park conservation, but also in local livelihood. ConclusionThis study presents the diversity of ethnomedicinal plants and their local importance in Chin indigenous peoples’ healthcare. This paper also recognizes the value of these plants and the local traditional knowledge for the conservation and management of NTNP.

Coelogyne victoria-reginae (Orchidaceae, Epidendroideae, Arethuseae), a new species from Chin State, Myanmar

Coelogyne victoria-reginae, a new species of section Proliferae, from Natma Taung (Mt.Victoria) National Park, Chin State, Myanmar, is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to C. prolifera, but the clustered pseudobulbs, pure brownish- red flowers and column wing with irregular notches at the apex of the new species differ from the other species. A preliminary risk-of-extinction assessment shows that the new species is regarded as EN C2a[i] according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

New records of flowering plants of the flora of Myanmar collected from Natma Taung National Park (Chin State)

The last four years of joint botanical collections by the governments of Myanmar and South Korea in Natma Taung National Park and adjacent areas in the Chin State of Myanmar have revealed the presence of 20 naturally occurring species of angiosperms new to the flora of Myanmar. Plants not previously recorded include species originally considered to be only found in neighboring mega-diverse countries. Examples (e.g., for India) include Boehmeria manipurensis Friis & Wilmot-Dear (Urticaceae), Trigonotis hookeri Benth. ex C. B. Clarke (Boraginaceae) and Mycetia radiciflora (C. B. Clarke) Airy Shaw (Rubiaceae); those for China include Microtoena delavayi Prain (Lamiaceae), Pimpinella kingdon-wardii H. Wolff (Apiaceae) and Senecio diversipinnus Y. Ling (Asteraceae). The data presented in this report are expected to be useful sources for phytogeographical studies of these species.

New faunistic and taxonomical findings of oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida) of the family Otocepheidae from Myanmar

The first data on the oribatid mites of Myanmar are presented and these belong to the family Otocepheidae. A new species of the genus Eurostocepheus (Oribatida, Otocepheidae) is described from litter of disturbed primary forest of Nat Ma Taung National Park in the Chin State. Eurostocepheus (Eurostocepheus) peterjaegeri sp. nov. is morphologically most similar to E. (E.) mahunkai Mondal & Kundu, 1999, but differs by the shorter notogastral setae c and la compared to the other notogastral setae, setae la pressed to notogastral surface, well-developed lateral prodorsal carinae, smooth genital plates and by the presence of diagonal ridges on the anal plates. A supplementary description of Otocepheus (Otocepheus) heterosetiger Aoki, 1965 which was originally described from Thailand, is given in detail on the basis of specimens from Myanmar. The main morphological traits for this species are summarized.

New records of ferns in the flora of Myanmar found in Natma Taung National Park in the Chin State

New records of ferns in the flora of Myanmar found in Natma Taung National Park in the Chin State

Impatiens kingdon-wardii (Balsaminaceae), a new species from Mt. Victoria (Natma Taung), Myanmar

A new species, Impatiens kingdon-wardii Nob. Tanaka & T. Sugaw. (Balsaminaceae), is described and illustrated from Mt. Victoria (Natma Taung), northwestern Myanmar. This species is distinguished from any other species by the pink orbicular, densely pubescent lateral sepals, appearance of which is like two ears of the mouse, and upper lobes of lateral united petals with hairy club-shaped protuberance.

Conductor-Less and Vertically Niched: New Species of the GenusPseudopoda(Araneae: Sparassidae: Heteropodinae) from Myanmar

Material of the genus Pseudopoda Jäger, 2000 from Myanmar is revised. Six new species are described: Pseudopoda tji sp. nov., P. pingu sp. nov., P. bangaga sp. nov., P. wamwo sp. nov., P. martinschuberti sp. nov. (all: male, female; Chin State) and P. huberi sp. nov. (male; Mandalay Region). All species were recorded from elevations above 600 m. All five species from Nat Ma Taung are vertically niched in zones of up to 500 m elevation difference. Moreover, males of all these species lack the conductor of the male palp, four of them exhibit a special glandular appendage in the female internal duct system, as well as a unique reduction of tibial spines in both sexes. A special brush of setae on the distal cymbium is identified as a possible surrogate structure acting as a secondary conductor.

Distribution of forest income among rural households: a case study from Natma Taung national park, Myanmar

Rural households across developing countries rely on diversified sources of income, and forest resources play important role in this regard. There is no background information about the situation in Myanmar in regards forest income. This study analyses how the socio-economic factors determine the households' dependency on forest income among rural households in Chin State of Myanmar. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews, focus group discussions and key informant interviews of 40 households in two villages located around the Natma Taung national park, Myanmar. The results show that the better off households receive more forest income than medium and poor groups in both villages. The household size (p < 0.01) and numbers of adult labour (p < 0.05) are significantly correlated with household total forest income in Tone Nge village. While in Hee Laung village, household size (p < 0.01), size of agricultural land (p < 0.05) and total livestock value (p < 0.05) are significantly associated with household total forest income. The study highlights that national parks full protection and restriction of access could potentially affect households who depend on forest income as a matter of necessity and suggests that households' socio-economic factors should be incorporated in conservation interventions in order to apply target-oriented actions and enforcement activities.

Birdlime in Western Myanmar: Preparation, Use, and Conservation Implications for an Endemic Bird

Birdlimes are adhesive entangling compounds that passively capture birds by binding them to a substrate and rendering flight feathers useless. We investigated birdlime use among indigenous Chin hunters during a wildlife survey of Natma Taung National Park (NTNP) in western Myanmar (May-June 2011). We found that birdlime is prepared from the sap of various banyan trees (Ficus spp.) collected during the annual dry season (December-May). Birdlime is prepared by boiling sap to remove water, and the finished product is a readily malleable and extremely adhesive compound known locally as nghet phan te kaw (“bird glue”). Hunters employ four principal strategies when using birdlime: 1) limed sticks are placed at waterholes and springs; 2) limed sticks are placed in fruiting trees or nocturnal roost sites; 3) limed sticks are positioned at prominent vantage points and hunters mimic vocalizations to attract birds; 4) small insects (possibly termites) are affixed to a limed pole and serve as bait to attract birds. Large numbers (&gt;200) of birds can reportedly be captured during a single day by hunters using birdlime. At least 186 (63.9%) of 291 species of birds occurring in Natma Taung National Park are thought to be vulnerable to this non-selective hunting strategy. The endangered white-browed nuthatch (Sitta victoriae Rippon Sittidae), a poorly-studied endemic species restricted to high elevation Oak-Rhododendron forest in NTNP, is vulnerable to birdliming, although the impact of hunting on populations remains unclear. We recommend that future investigations determine the sustainability of the Chin bird harvest by relating hunter off-take to recruitment and survivorship of nuthatches. If conservation action is deemed prudent, management plans should be developed in close collaboration with local Chin communities.