Forest Palm Research Articles

Anteaters on the edge: giant and lesser anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla and Tamandua tetradactyla) at their geographic distributional limits in Paraguay

ABSTRACT Species tend to be less abundant at the limits of their geographic distribution. Giant and lesser anteaters have their southernmost limits in Argentina and Paraguay, where scarce information exists regarding their ecology and conservation. We present a study carried out in the Paraguay River floodplain, in an area dedicated to cattle rearing using native grasses in a subtropical flooded savanna associated with naturally occurring forest islets, wetlands and palm groves. Using camera-traps within three different forest types, we estimated parameters related to habitat preference, social behavior and activity patterns of both species. Results show that capture success was greater in the Floodable sub-humid forest islets (FSF), compared to other types of forests: Riparian forests associated with wetlands (W-RF) and Mesoxerophytic semi-deciduous forests dominated by Schinopsis balansae (MXF). Most detections corresponded to solitary anteaters, although mother-young pairs were occasionally observed during summer. Both species showed a nocturnal and crepuscular activity pattern with a peak of records around midnight. Myrmecophaga tridactyla was detected between 11°C and 26°C, while Tamandua tetradactyla occurred between 15°C and 23°C. Future research that incorporates systematically taken data in other different habitats, including grasslands and shrublands, during all seasons of the year is recommended.

Surface Temperature and Heat Fluxes: Comparison between Natural Forest and Oil Palm Plantation in Jambi Province Using Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land (SEBAL)

One of the leading commodities that has contributed a lot of income for Indonesia is oil palm. Oil palm plantations in Jambi are widespread, affecting the energy balance and surface temperature. This study aims to compare surface temperature and heat fluxes of oil palm plantation with different ages, how is the difference between forest and oil palm plantation, and to analyze the effect of oil palm planting on micro-climate change in Jambi. Using the Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land (SEBAL), it was found that in Jambi, young oil palm (2 years old) had higher surface temperatures of 2oC compared with adult oil palm (19 years old). While the surface temperature of the adult oil palm plant is slightly higher than natural forest that is 0.5oC. The increase of the age of oil palm followed by the increase of plant height (h), Canopy Cover (CC), and surface roughness which resulted in the increase of NDVI value and the cooling effect around the plantation so that the surface temperature (Ts) decreased as indicated by equation TS = 27.00 - 0.1581h - 0.0317CC and NDVI = 0.1335 + 0.00892h + 0.00096CC. The sensible heat flux (H) is affected by surface temperature, roughness length, friction velocity, and aerodynamic resistance of the plant. The highest H value is in the oil palm plantation near Brimob which is 282 W/m2. Latent heat flux (LE) is the remainder of the net radiation minus the flux of the soil and the flux feels. The highest LE value is in the oil palm plantation of Pompa Air Village which is 710 W/m2. Substantially ground heat flux (G) is affected by net radiation, NDVI, surface temperature, and albedo. The highest value of G is in PT Pisifera Persada oil palm plantation of 98 W/m2.Keywords: NDVI, net radiation, sensible heat flux, latent heat flux, Canopy Cover

Lizard pollination: the stigma of having food on your face

“Hold still, you've got something on your nose!” There is only one stigma (that of plants, the pollen-receiving organ!) associated with having food on your face, at least where pollen and island-dwelling lizards are concerned. Lizards are important pollinators, in some cases replacing birds and insects in many island systems. This ornate day gecko (Phelsuma ornata) on Round Island, Mauritius, hopped from plant to plant, enthusiastically feeding on the nectar of endemic plants, and transporting pollen in the process. In fact, it was not unusual to see pollen grains sprinkled across the face of these attractive geckos during feeding forays. Just out of reach of a lapping tongue, the settled pollen grains were in an ideal position for transfer to the stigma of the next plant(s). Lizards play a seemingly sizable, yet largely underappreciated and understudied, role in pollination in island ecosystems. Round Island, the last remnant of endemic Mauritian lowland palm forest, has been saved following the eradication of non-native herbivores and intensive replanting of endemic plants. However, island restoration has been dogged by the persistence of exotic plants. Do these pollinating lizards influence the interplay of native and exotic plants? How large is the role of this little gecko in reconnecting and strengthening ecological connections in this community? Plant–animal interactions, such as pollination, have broad ecological and conservation implications, especially on islands.

Changes in Land Cover in Cacheu River Mangroves Natural Park, Guinea-Bissau: The Need for a More Sustainable Management

The aim of this paper is to study the evolution of vegetation and potential changes in land use in the Cacheu River Mangroves Natural Park in the Republic of Guinea-Bissau. To do this, we will study variations in the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). In order to perform the calculations and subsequent analysis, images of the park from the years 2010 and 2017, corresponding to the same period of the year, so that the phenological stage is the same, were used. To perform a more reliable analysis, the park was divided into five different areas based upon the vegetation type or main use of the land in each of them; i.e.: mangals, palm forest, paddies, savannahs and others. Using a statistical sample, the NDVIs were calculated for each of these areas. The study made it possible to conclude that the changes in land cover observed represent a decrease in mangrove swamps, which are probably being replaced by other land uses, despite the fact that these forests constitute the most important ecological area of all those that make up the park. The park will therefore benefit from a more sustainable management.

Pengaruh tipe penggunaan lahan dalam membentuk komunitas semut dan layanan ekosistem yang diberikan

Semut menyediakan berbagai layanan ekosistem, seperti predasi dan penguraian. Layanan ekosistem semut pada berbagai tipe penggunaan lahan dapat dipengaruhi oleh jenis-jenis semut yang dominan di wilayah tersebut. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah mempelajari pengaruh tipe penggunaan lahan dalam membentuk komunitas semut dan layanan ekosistem yang diberikan. Penelitian ini dilakukan pada empat tipe penggunaan lahan, yaitu hutan sekunder, hutan karet, perkebunan karet, dan perkebunan kelapa sawit di Jambi dari bulan April sampai Juni 2014. Pada setiap tipe penggunaan lahan dibuat empat plot berukuran 50 m x 50 m sebagai ulangan. Semut dikoleksi menggunakan metode pengumpanan dengan larva Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton) yang direkatkan pada piring plastik kemudian diletakkan di permukaan tanah dan batang pohon. Layanan ekosistem semut diukur dengan mengamati larva C. cephalonica yang berhasil diangkut oleh semut dalam waktu satu jam. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa hutan sekunder memiliki jumlah spesies semut tertinggi dibandingkan dengan tipe penggunaan lahan lainnya. Tipe penggunaan lahan tidak berdampak pada jumlah spesies semut, namun berdampak pada komposisi spesies semut. Pengangkutan larva C. cephalonica terbanyak yang dilakukan oleh semut terjadi di hutan sekunder. Semut yang berperan penting dalam layanan ekosistem sebagai predator pada penelitian ini adalah Achantomyrmex sp. 01, Aenictus sp. 01, Carebara sp. 01, dan Tetramorium sp. 02, Odontoponera denticulata, Tetramorium sp. 03 Crematogaster sp. 02. Anoplolepis gracilipes dan Rhoptromyrmex sp. 01.

Phylogenetic of sago palm (Metroxylon sagu) and others monocotyledon based on mitochondrial nad2 gene markers

Abstract. Abbas B, Tjolli I, Dailami M, Munarti. 2019. Phylogenetic of sago palm (Metroxylon sagu) and others monocotyledon based on mitochondrial nad2 gene markers. Biodiversitas 20: 2249-2256. Sago palm forest and sago palm semi cultivated are found in the Papua islands as well as Ambon and Seram islands. The diversity center of sago palm is found in the Papua Islands. The objectives of this study are revealed sequence DNA mitochondrial associated with nad2 genes in sago palm accessions and molecular phylogenetic of sago palm and other monocotyledon plants. Plant materials used in the studies were derived from Sago Research Center (SRC) and sequencing and other monocotyledon were retrieved from the GenBank, NCBI accessions. Young fresh leaflets were derived from the experimental field of SRC and DNA extraction by following the procedure of Plant Genomic DNA Mini Kit and then PCR performed by using nad2 primer sets. Thereafter, DNA PCR product was sequenced by Macrogen Inc., Seoul, Korea. Sequences of nad2 genes in sago palm accessions from Papua, Indonesia were registered by GenBank NCBI for further used in the future as biological authenticity from the certain location. Mitochondrial DNA sequences associated with nad2 genes in the genome of sago palm were shown no differences among sago palm accessions. Molecular phylogenetic of sago palm and others monocotyledon based on nad2 gene markers showed the sago palm and others monocotyledon incorporated into two major clades and five subclades. Sago palm, coconut, and date palm were described as close related and being in the same subclades.

Micro- or macroscale? Which one best predicts the establishment of an endemic Atlantic Forest palm?

Historically, macroecology and microecology have diverged with regard to the niche concept. A better understanding of functioning ecological systems, however, depends on an integrative approach to this concept at different spatial scales. A mixed approach, merging macro‐ and microscale by validating ecological niche modeling (ENM) with the results of in situ experiments and environmental data collection was used to understand if areas identified by ENM as highly suitable for adult palms are also adequate for seedling establishment. Syagrus weddelliana's (Arecaceae) distribution range falls within the Atlantic Rain Forest, and more specifically Serra dos Órgãos region (Rio de Janeiro state), southeastern Brazil. The following steps were performed: (a) ENM to delimit the area of occurrence of S. weddelliana and locate experimental areas; (b) a seed sowing experiment in areas with presence or absence of the species in areas of high or low environmental suitability at 36 experimental stations; and (c) characterization of each microhabitat which was related back to the macroscale results of ENM. Evidence of biotic and abiotic limitations was found for S. weddelliana distribution. Areas of higher suitability had lower seed predation rates and, consequently, higher seed germination rates. On the other hand, areas with low environmental suitability at the macroscale were divided into two types: areas with microhabitat similar to that of areas with high environmental suitability that had some germination despite high predation and areas with different environmental conditions that had no germination and high predation rates. Seedlings and adults had different abiotic requirements. Microhabitat conditions were more important for the initial establishment of S. weddelliana than macroclimatic variables. This finding demonstrates that macro‐ and microecological information works in a complementary way to a better understanding of the distribution of S. weddelliana.

Tree-dwelling ant survey (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in Mitaraka, French Guiana

Ants constitute a substantial part of the arthropod biomass in rainforests. Most studies have focused on ground-dwelling ants, which constitute almost half of the diversity of the ant assemblage. We report here the results of the first survey of tree-dwelling ants in French Guiana on a plateau and in a swamp palm forest (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) in the Mitaraka Mountains. We were interested in seeing the effect of topography and geographic distance on species richness and composition and to gather information on the species distribution on tree trunks. The fauna of Mitaraka was compared with one from a site 350 km distant (Petit Saut). In total 105 trees were sampled (30, 30, 45 in the plateau and the swamp forests of Mitaraka, and in Petit Saut plateau forest, respectively). Arboreal ants were attracted using tuna and honey baits spread along a rope reaching an upper branch, except for the palm swamp forest where the baits were only placed at 2 m high. A total of 34, 13 and 22 species were observed in these three respective sites. Six of these species are new records for French Guiana. In Mitaraka Camponotus femoratus (Fabricius, 1804) and Crematogaster leviorLongino, 2003 co-occurred on trees (parabiotic association) and were among the most common species, along with Crematogaster tenuiculaForel, 1904 which was found on other trees (species exclusion). The Mitaraka Mountains appeared more species rich and had a species composition distinct from Petit Saut. Topography also influenced ant species composition. Almost half of the species collected by the baitline method were exclusively foraging in the canopy.

Short Communication: A comparative study of phenotypes and starch production in sago palm (Metroxylon sagu) growing naturally in temporarily inundated and non inundated areas of South Sorong, Indonesia

Abstract. Yater T, Tubur HW, Meliala C, Abbas B. 2019. Short Communication: A comparative study of phenotypes and starch production in sago palm (Metroxylon sagu) growing naturally in temporarily inundated and non-inundated areas of South Sorong, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20: 1121-1126. Sago palm forests and sago palm semi cultivation are generally spread in swampy areas, seasonally inundated areas and non-inundated areas. The objectives of this study are to determine and compare the phenotypes of and starch production by sago palms growing naturally in the temporarily inundated areas (TIA type) and non-inundated areas (WIA type) in South Sorong District, West Papua Province, Indonesia. Sago palms of both habitats were found to be the same variety based on analysis of vernacular names and general characteristics. Comparison of morphological characters related to starch production of TIA and WIA types showed that there were no significant differences between the two studied types. The distribution of starch along the sago trunk was observed to be uneven, higher starch accumulation was found in the middle part of the trunk which was significantly different from the lower and upper parts of the trunk.

The spatial configuration of taxonomic biodiversity along a tropical elevational gradient: α‐, β‐, and γ‐partitions

AbstractBiodiversity at larger spatial scales (γ) can be driven by within‐site partitions (α), with little variation in composition among locations, or can be driven by among‐site partitions (β) that signal the importance of spatial heterogeneity. For tropical elevational gradients, we determined the (a) extent to which variation in γ is driven by α‐ or β‐partitions; (b) elevational form of the relationship for each partition; and (c) extent to which elevational gradients are molded by zonation in vegetation or by gradual variation in climatic or abiotic characteristics. We sampled terrestrial gastropods along two transects in the Luquillo Mountains. One passed through multiple vegetation zones (tabonuco, palo colorado, and elfin forests), and one passed through only palm forest. We quantified variation in hierarchical partitions (α, β, and γ) of species richness, evenness, diversity, and dominance, as well as in the content and quality of litter. Total gastropod abundance linearly decreased with increasing elevation along both transects, but was consistently higher in palm than in other forest types. The gradual linear decline in γ‐richness was a consequence of opposing patterns with regard to α‐richness (monotonic decrease) and β‐richness (monotonic increase). For evenness, diversity, and dominance, α‐partitions and γ‐partitions evinced mid‐elevational peaks. The spatial organization of gastropod biodiversity did not mirror the zonation of vegetation. Rather, it was molded by: (a) elevational variation in productivity or nutrient characteristics, (b) the interspersion of palm forest within other forest types, and (c) the cloud condensation point acting as a transition between low and high elevation faunas.Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.

Negotiating the Taskscape. Relocating Human – Environmental Relationships in Conservation Proposals around Palm Forests in Uruguay

Butia odorata palm forests of southern Uruguay face conservation problems. This species is the identity benchmark of the region and it represents an important source of income for local people who make food products to sell to tourists. To prevent the disappearance of the Butia forests, different proposals have been developed to protect the ecosystem. These proposals focus on arguments such as aesthetic beauty and ecosystem services from a naturalistic perspective. Following the concept of taskscape developed by Ingold, T, I propose an alternative way of negotiating conservation of the Butia landscape in terms of the overlap of features, affordances, tasks and temporality of the Butia life.

Impact of Nypa Palm (<i>Nypa fruticans</i>) and Mangroves Forests on Plankton Community along Andoni River, Nigeria

The invasion of mangroves forest by nypa palm is said to affect the ability of the mangroves to act as a spawning ground for fishes. It is thus hypothesized that nypa palm presence in mangrove forest will impact their fish spawning ability due to the reduction in plankton population. A total of four stations were chosen: station 1 (open water), Station 2 (nypa palm dominant), station 3 (Rhizophora and Avicennia dominant), Station 4 (Mixed forest). Results of water quality parameters include; pH (6.99 ± 0.16), temperature (28.20°C ± 0.05°C), DO (4.71 ± 0.18 mg/L), conductivity (19.52 ± 0.20 µm/s), salinity (10.76 ± 0.07 ppt) and TDS (13.45 ± 0.27 ppt). Mean values of the physico-chemical parameters were not significantly different from each other (P > 0.05). In all 737 zooplankton in eleven genera were collected. Copepoda dominated with 75.1%. Similarly, 4774 phytoplankton in six taxa were collected. Bacilliarophyceae dominated with 87.45%. Shannon Weiner index across the stations was highest in station 4 (0.36) and lowest in station 1 (0.33). Margalef’s index was highest in stations 2, 3, and 4 (3.48) and lowest in station 1 (2.67). Pielou’s index of evenness was highest in station 4 (0.099) and lowest in station 1 (0.089). The composition and abundance of plankton showed no significant difference across the four stations (P > 0.05). This implies that the presence of Nypa fruticans (Wurmb) did not have negative impact on the abundance and diversity of plankton.

Collecting Forest Resources as Livelihood Strategies in Kampung Tambirat, Sarawak

A livelihood is a means of making a living, securing necessities of life such as water, shelter medicine and clothing. For communities dependent on forest resources for livelihoods, sustainability of forests are important. In Kampung Tambirat this study aims to find the income generated from forest resources particularly Nypah palm forests, the measures of conservation, challenges and type of assistance required so that the villagers engagement in the activities will flourish in the future and benefit the younger generations. It is found that there are no conservation measures for Nypah forests and seasonal floods further increases the difficulty for the villagers to sustain their livelihood activities.Keywords: Forest resources, livelihood strategies, Nypah forests, Sarawak, sustainability

Chronic leaf harvesting reduces reproductive success of a tropical dry forest palm in northern Mexico.

Palm leaves represent one of the most important non-timber forest products in tropical and subtropical regions. Brahea aculeata is an endemic palm of northwest Mexico, whose leaves are intensively exploited for roof thatch and handcrafts. As part of a long-term defoliation experiment, we evaluated the effects of different leaf harvest on foliar and reproductive traits of adults and attributes of their progeny. We conducted a six-year manipulative experiment and applied three harvesting treatments to adults: high harvest, low harvest and no harvest (control). We recorded leaf production and size, flower and fruit production, seed germination and seedling growth. We also explored trade-offs among foliar and reproductive traits.Harvested palms exhibited drastically reduced reproductive activity, producing fewer flowers and fruits (up to 80 and 90% fewer than unharvested palms). However, individuals in both harvest treatments had larger leaves and increased leaf production rates, compared to control palms. For harvested palms, we registered first a slight increase in leaf traits and a decline in reproductive attributes. These traits showed a gradual reduction and for six period attained very low proportional values compared to control palms (~0.10), however individuals in the harvested treatments maintained the greatest leaf lengths and leaf production rates. Seed germination and seedling growth rates of progeny from harvested palms were significantly lower than control palms, with seeds from the high harvest treatment having the lowest seed production and germination rates. Relationships among leaf (size/production) and reproductive traits (flower/fruit production) were positive during the fourth year, but showed negative relationships for the fifth year suggesting a trade-off between reproduction and growth functions. Leaf harvesting in B. aculeata seems to alter patterns of resource allocation away from reproduction as reflected in a decrease in the probability of reproduction, seed number, germination, and vigor, causing a strong decrease in the reproductive success of this species. Results showed that the consequences of long-term leaf harvest not only affect harvested individuals, but also the fitness and vigor of progeny. This type of long-term studies is essential to understand the population dynamics of non-timber forest products and helps inform sustainable harvesting programs considering intensity, frequencies and periods for recovery from defoliation. Also results may help to explain how intensive and non-planned management schemes may negatively affect vital rates and long-term dynamics of populations from non-timber forest products and other components of the ecosystem.

Bacterial Communities in Aquatic Sediment from Bukit Duabelas Raintforest and Oil Palm Plantation at Sumatra Indonesia

The diversity of bacterial communities in aquatic sediment of rainforest and oil palm plantation at Sumatra was studied using pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA gene and common biodiversity indices. Phylogenetic approach was used for revealing the community shift of bacterial phyla and genera in both areas. Ecological approach used soil pH, total Carbon (TC), total Nitrogen (TN), available Phosphorus (AP) measurement and bacterial diversity with Shanon and Simpson indices, and bacterial richness with Chao1-ACE indices and OTUs. Bacterial diversity and richness in aquatic sediment of forest area was higher than that ones in oil palm plantation area, although their pH, TC, and TN in both areas were not different significantly. The majority of sequences related to Proteobacteria (34.85%), Acidobacteria (32.67%), Nitrospirae (6.86%), Chloroflexi (4.31%), and Actinobacteria (4.02%) were from forest; whereas those related to Acidobacteria (46.10%), Proteobacteria (25.86%), Nitrospirae (9.20%), Chloroflexi (4.99%), and Actinobacteria (2.34%) invented from oil palm plantation. The genera of Alphaproteobacteria and Betaproteobacteria dominated in genera phylotype of bacterial 16S rRNA phylogenetic revealed both aquatic sediment of forest and oil palm plantation. The most genera in the phylogenetic tree from aquatic sediment of both areas was Burkholderia. The bacterial community shift in aquatic sediment of forest transformation indicated higher bacterial diversity index, richness index, some of phyla and genera in aquatic sediment from forest than from oil palm plantation.

Landscape change alters reproductive phenology and sex expression in Attalea palms (Arecaceae) of southwestern Amazonia

As deforestation and land-use/land-cover change advance in tropical forest regions, an understanding of how plants adjust phenology and reproductive dynamics to altered landscapes can provide insights into plasticity, productivity, and population persistence. We compared the reproductive phenology, sex expression, and flower and fruit production of two monoecious Amazonian palms, Attalea phalerata and Attalea speciosa, in old-growth forest and as remnant trees growing in actively grazed pastures. Using 2 years of phenology data collected from natural populations near Vila Extrema, Rondonia, and eastern Acre, Brazil, we compared flowering and fruiting in the two habitats and tested for effects of palm height, crown size, and light availability on inflorescence and sex expression. Forest conversion to pasture stimulated greater overall flowering and fruiting in individual Attalea palms. As a population, remnant pasture palms continuously bore flowers and fruits year-round, while forest palms flowered seasonally in isolated peaks with consecutive months of inactivity. Crown size and greater light exposure affected flowering and fruiting dynamics in A. phalerata and A. speciosa, respectively, and increased light availability shifted A. speciosa sex expression towards greater female investment, primarily through regulation of sex determination and bud abortion. Removal of tropical forest does not always lead to the downfall of remnant tree populations, and under favorable conditions, such as abandonment of cropland and pasture, higher levels of reproduction can facilitate recovery of future generations. Tree species with flexible sex expression may be particularly resilient in the face of land-use and land-cover change.

New Holocene pollen records from the Brazilian Caatinga.

We present two pollen diagrams from the semi-arid Caatinga of the Catimbau National Park, in Pernambuco and from a Mauritia palm forest in the Caatinga/Cerrado ecotone of southern Piauí, NE Brazil, spanning the last 10,000 cal. yrs BP and the last 1,750 cal yrs BP, respectively. These two records contain a signature of the local vegetation and permit the correlation of the pollen signal with regional climatic changes. The Catimbau record shows Zizyphus sp., a typical Caatinga taxon, in all three pollen zones indicating regional Caatinga vegetation and the predominance of local arboreal taxa adapted to high humidity from 10,000 to ca. 6,000 cal. yrs BP with a gradual tendency towards drier conditions revealed by a deposition hiatus between 6,000 to ca. 2,000 cal. yrs BP. This abrupt loss of sediments in both localities is interpreted as a consequence of the establishment of modern semi-arid climates. The subsequent return of humidity is signaled by increased sedimentation rates and 14C date inversions in agreement with high precipitation, revealed by σ18O ratios in speleothems from NE Brazil. Modern sediments deposited in the last 500 years reflect local conditions with the maintenance of humidity by geological faulting and surfacing water tables.

Bionomics of the oriental latrine fly Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) (Diptera: Calliphoridae): temporal fluctuation and reproductive potential

BackgroundChrysomya megacephala is a blow fly species of medical and forensic importance worldwide. Understanding its bionomics is essential for both designing effective fly control programs and its use in forensic investigations.MethodsThe daily flight activity, seasonal abundance related to abiotic factors (temperature, relative humidity and rainfall) and reproductive potential of this species was investigated. Adult flies were sampled twice a month for one year from July 2013 to June 2014 in three different ecotypes (forest area, longan orchard and palm plantation) of Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand, using semi-automatic funnel traps. One-day tainted beef offal was used as bait.ResultsA total of 88,273 flies were sampled, of which 82,800 flies (93.8%) were caught during the day (from 06:00 to 18:00 h); while 5473 flies (6.2%) were caught at night (from 18:00 to 06:00 h). Concurrently, the abundance of C. megacephala was higher in the forest area (n = 31,873; 36.1%) and palm plantation (n = 31,347; 35.5%), compared to the longan orchard (n = 25,053; 28.4%). The number of females was significantly higher than that of males, exhibiting a female to male sex ratio of 2.36:1. Seasonal fluctuation revealed the highest abundance of C. megacephala in summer, but low numbers in the rainy season and winter. Fly density was significantly positively correlated with temperature, but negatively correlated with relative humidity. No correlation between numbers of C. megacephala with rainfall was found. Activity occurred throughout the daytime with high numbers from 06:00 to 18:00 h in summer and 12:00 to 18:00 h in the rainy season and winter. As for the nocturnal flight activity, a small number of flies were collected in summer and the rainy season, while none were collected in the winter. Dissection of the females indicated that fecundity was highest during the rainy season, followed by winter and summer.ConclusionsSince the assessment of daily, seasonal activity and the reproductive potential of C. megacephala remains a crucial point to be elucidated, this extensive study offers insights into bionomics, which may be considered for integrated fly control strategies and forensic entomology issues.

Effects of Soil Type on Floristics and Stand Structure in Amazon Unflooded Forests

The importance of unflooded forests in the Amazon and the need to investigate how their soils affect their floristics and stand structure, lead me to set up and sampled trees in four plots in terra firme forest, in white sand forest and in palm forest at the same site in the Peruvian Amazon. I found (1) the white sand forest plot had 15 families with Clusiaceae, Malvaceae and Myrtaceae the most common and Pachira brevipes the most common species, (2) the palm forest plot had 6 families with Arecaceae, Clusiaceae and Fabaceae the most common and Socratea exorrhiza the most common species, and (3) the terra firme forest plot had 47 families with Myristicacea, Fabaceae and Bombacace the most common and Otoba parvifolia and Astrocaryum murumura the most common species. For the stand structure of these forests, (1) terra firme had more stems and larger stems than white sand and palm, and while palm had more stems than white sand, white sand had larger stems than palm, (2) species richness was greatest in terra firme and decreased by a factor of three in white sand, and by a factor of five in palm, (3) basal area decreased from terra firme to white sand, but white sand and palm were comparable, (4) white sand had the greatest above-ground biomass, followed by terra firme and palm, and (5) white sand and palm were much more open forests than terra firme. Results strongly suggest that soils are a significant causal factor in determining floristic and structural differences among these Amazon forests, where the richer soil of terra firme forest helps produce both more structure and a richer floristics compared to the poor soil of palm forests and the even poorer soil of white sand forests.

Land Characteristics of Batang Pelepat Watershed in Bungo District, Jambi

Land Characteristics of Batang Pelepat Watershed In Bungo District, Jambi (Sunarti): Land characteristics describe biophysics characteristics of watershed. But, land has been used for economic oriented. The objective of this research is to identify land characteristics of Batang Pelepat watershed. Data collection was carried out by survey based on land unit map and analyzed by descriptive analysis. The results showed that land in Batang Pelepat watershed consist of 23 land units and some land use types (forest, rubber and oil palm farming, settlement and shrub), soil parent materials variously (alluvium, granite, tuff andesite, basalt, and clay rock), soil depth ranges from 88 to 160 cm and soil texture is classified moderate fine to fine. Lands were dominated by slope of >15–30% and >45–65% and dystrudepts of soil group with soil fertility level very low to low because its pH about 3.80-6.20, base saturation about 7.86-32.79% and P- available about 2.80-25.00 ppm. Various land use has also caused different erosion and permeability levels.