Part Of Madagascar Research Articles

What can hippopotamus isotopes tell us about past distributions of C4 grassy biomes on Madagascar?

Societal Impact StatementToday, expansive C4 grassy biomes exist across central, western, and northern Madagascar. Some researchers have argued that the island's now‐extinct pygmy hippopotamuses belonged to a megaherbivore grazing guild that maintained these grasslands prior to human arrival. However, the chemistry of hippo bones indicates that C4 grasses were only a minor part of hippo diet. This, in turn, suggests that C4 grasses were present but not widespread when hippos were alive and that grasses expanded only after Malagasy people shifted from hunting and foraging to agropastoralism approximately 1000 years ago. These results have important implications for environmental reconstructions and biodiversity management.Summary Extinct hippopotamuses (Hippopotamus spp.) were part of Madagascar's megaherbivore guild. Stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes in radiometrically dated bone collagen track spatial and temporal variation in diet and habitat. If hippos helped maintain C4 grassy biomes, then they should have regularly consumed C4 grasses, which have high δ13C values. However, if expansive C4 grassy biomes are anthropogenic, then forests would have been more extensive in the past, and hippos would have predominantly consumed C3 plants with low δ13C values. Nitrogen isotopes can clarify foraging habitat (moist or dry). We assessed δ13C and δ15N values for hippos from different ecoregions of Madagascar and compared these with data for extinct herbivorous lemurs from the same ecoregions. We further explored the effects of wet/dry transitions on isotopic trends for hippos from the central highlands and spiny thicket ecoregions. Carbon isotopes suggest (1) limited C4 consumption by hippos in the central highlands, dry deciduous forest, and succulent woodland ecoregions; and (2) moderate consumption of C4 resources in the spiny thicket. Nitrogen data indicate that hippos foraged in wetter habitats than sympatric lemurs in all regions. Malagasy hippos did not regularly graze C4 grasses in dry, open habitats, even in regions blanketed by C4 grassy biomes today. Malagasy grasses are adapted to grazing and fire, but these are likely ancient adaptations that accompanied grasses when they initially spread to Madagascar. C4 grassy biomes were spatially limited in extent in the past and only expanded after the Late Holocene introduction of domesticated ungulates.

Ethnobotanical Survey in Tampolo Forest (Fenoarivo Atsinanana, Northeastern Madagascar)

Background: Madagascar shelters over 14,000 plant species, of which 90% are endemic. Some of the plants are very important for the socio-cultural and economic potential. Tampolo forest, located in the northeastern part of Madagascar, is one of the remnant littoral forests hinged on by the adjacent local communities for their daily livelihood. However, it has considerably shrunk due to anthropogenic activities forming forest patches. Thus, documenting the useful plants in and around the forest is important for understanding the ethnobotany in this area. Methods: In this study we (1) collected and identified useful plants utilized by local communities. Voucher specimens were collected following the information given by interviewees, (2) recorded the collection activities and the consumption methods through semi-structured interviews of the local inhabitants, and (3) performed a phytochemical screening to identify the active compounds and the potential healing metabolites of the medicinal plants. Results: A total of 65 people between 25 and 75 years old were interviewed. Surveys recorded 123 species used as timber, food, or medicine. Among them, 92 were forest species and 31 were ruderal species. Medicinal plants were mostly used to cure stomach ailments (71%), fever (33.3%), and fatigue (25%) with leaves (68%) being the most used plant part. Phytochemical analyses of 20 endemic medicinal species showed the presence of compounds that could be responsible for the therapeutic effects of the plants. Conclusions: Tampolo forest proves to be an important littoral forest highly utilized by the adjacent local communities due to the presence of a high number of useful plants which are mostly endemic to the region. Hence, our investigation assessed the importance of these species in the locality and this can be used for further study on ecology, conservation, and valorization of these species.

Hotspots of stream tadpole diversity in forest and agricultural landscapes in Ranomafana, Madagascar

Logging and human-induced conversion of natural forests into agricultural areas are major drivers of biodiversity loss in the tropics. Anuran larvae can be highly diverse, can reach high biomass and can play important roles in tropical streams; yet, compared to the adult frog communities, relatively little is known about how larval communities respond to disturbance. Information on larvae is highly relevant for amphibian conservation because larvae represent direct evidence of breeding and thus provide a good indicator of species persistence in disturbed habitats. We studied tadpole assemblages in Ranomafana, southeastern part of Madagascar, in streams in a disturbed forest (previously logged forest), at “forest edge” (streams embedded in matrix nearby forest blocks), and compared these to communities in a primary forest. We sampled tadpoles at the microhabitat level (“pools” and “riffles”) in 9 streams. We recorded 27 species with a maximum of 17 species/stream recorded at edge. The three habitats harbored different assemblages, but, as could be expected, more similarities existed among forest habitats than between forest and non-forest habitats. The most and the least diverse communities were recorded at edge and in the disturbed forest, respectively. Assemblages were dominated by one generalist species, and changes in communities were mostly driven by changes in forest specialists, which either decreased in disturbed forest or were replaced by edge specialists outside forest. Although species richness varied, relative abundances were maintained among habitats, suggesting potential compensatory mechanisms in tadpole biomass. Community structure changed at the microhabitat level: pool environments usually harbored relatively higher species richness and abundance than riffles. Our study highlights the relevance of edge habitats for maintaining amphibian diversity and the pronounced negative effects of past logging activities on tadpole communities. Given the diverse roles of tadpoles in streams, changes in community structure potentially affect critical stream ecosystem processes. The study has strong implications for designing buffer zones around protected areas.

Molecular, morphological and osteological differentiation of a new species of microhylid frog of the genus Stumpffia from northwestern Madagascar.

We describe a new small-sized microhylid frog of the genus Stumpffia and provide a preliminary survey of Stumpffia diversity in northern and northwestern Madagascar based on molecular and morphological data. Analysis of 68 previously published and 142 newly generated DNA sequences of a fragment of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene revealed a large genetic diversity within Stumpffia, with numerous strongly differentiated lineages occurring across Madagascar. The anal. ysis confirmed a clade formed exclusively by Stumpffia species occurring in north/northwestern Madagascar and contain. ing almost all species from this area. Based on DNA sequences of the RAG1 gene, we further assess that most of the deep mitochondrial lineages do not share haplotypes in this nuclear marker, even in the few cases of sympatry, which we interpret as confirmation of their status as independent evolutionary lineages. Micro-computed tomography revealed subtle differences in phalangeal formulae among some of these candidate species, providing additional taxonomic characters for future revisions of the genus. The newly described species Stumpffia analamaina sp. nov. occurs 27 km north-west of Antsohihy and is at present the southernmost confirmed Stumpffia of the north/northwestern clade. It is mainly characterized by a snout-vent length of 10-12 mm, advertisement calls consisting of a series of short melodious chirps, manus with four fingers and pes with five toes, with only slight length reduction of first finger and toe. It furthermore does not share haplotypes with any other Stumpffia species in 16S or RAG1, and has relatively longer hands and feet compared with other small-sized Stumpffia of the north/northwestern clade such as S. madagascariensis and S. pygmaea. The new species lives in an area of dry forest where it was found in leaf litter along a small stream bordered by degraded gallery vegetation. Due to the limited distributions of almost all species in the north/northwestern Stumpffia clade, the rareness of appropriate microhabitat around the type locality of S. analamaina sp. nov. and the rampant habitat destruction in this part of Madagascar, we propose a threat status of Critically Endangered for this new species.

Description of a new pygmy chameleon (Chamaeleonidae: Brookesia) from central Madagascar

We describe a new Brookesia species from a forest fragment located 13 km south of Ambalavao in the southern part ofMadagascar's central high plateau. Brookesia brunoi sp. nov. is one of the few arid-adapted Brookesia species inhabitingdeciduous forests on the western slope of the central high plateau of the island (around 950 m a.s.l.). So far the species hasonly been observed in the private Anja Reserve. The species belongs to the Brookesia decaryi group formed by arid-adapt-ed Brookesia species of western Madagascar: B. bonsi Ramanantsoa, B. perarmata (Angel), B. brygooi Raxworthy &Nussbaum and B. decaryi Angel. Brookesia brunoi differs from the other four species of the group by a genetic divergenceof more than 17.6% in the mitochondrial ND2 gene, and by a combination of morphological characters: (1) nine pairs oflaterovertebral pointed tubercles, (2) absence of enlarged pointed tubercles around the vent, (3) presence of poorly definedlaterovertebral tubercles along the entire tail, (4) by the configuration of its cephalic crest, and (5) hemipenial morphology.Based on our molecular phylogeny this species is sister to a clade containing B. brygooi, B. decaryi, and probably B. bonsifor which no ND2 sequences were available. Our molecular data also confirm the presence of a divergent mitochondriallineage in the Tsingy de Bemaraha, which might be assigned to either B. bonsi or B. decaryi, and point to the need of more research on this population.

ONION AND PEANUT: DIFFERENTIATION CULTURES OF FARMERS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF BEKILY-MADAGASCAR

The district of Bekily in the Southern part of Madagascar is subjected to seasonal food insecurity, with a prevalence rate of 4.1. Although farmers primarily grow food crops for their own consumption, they also produce onion and peanut. Earlier reports showed that farmers grow onion and peanut in a sporadic way. However, these two cultures also fit well with the agro-ecological conditions of this region. The current study reveals that the traditional techniques of onion and peanut production have a low growth rate, and the production quantity is relatively low. Therefore, the development of their production has the potential to significantly increase the local population income. In fact, farmers will likely be able to purchase food by using the onion sale. The study aims to contribute to the process of finding an economic and social strategy to eradicate rural poverty. The culture of onion and peanut are chosen to differentiate farmers. The plan of the study is to come up with an adequate exploitation development strategy. The Boston Consulting Group matrix reveals a significant importance of onion and peanut compared to other food crops. We used the multi-factorial analysis for the farmers’ typology. A technical-economic modelling is required to determine exploitations’ strategies. An extension program has been undertaken while studies demonstrate that these two activities are profitable. The exploitations are classified in four types: subsistence strategy, family labour compensation strategy, maximization of value added per surface unit, and profit maximization strategy. The model gives the optimal surface for each culture and each farmer type.

Dypsis decaryi, Triangle Palm

FOR 240, a 2-page fact sheet by Heather V. Quintana, Michael G. Andreu, Melissa H. Friedman, and Mary McKenzie, describes this palm with a distinctive triangular shape to its trunk, which is endemic to the southeasternmost part of Madagascar and thrives in poor, dry soils—scientific and common names, description, allergen, and applications. Includes references. Published by the UF School of Forest Resources and Conservation, May 2010. FOR 240/FR302: Dypsis decaryi, Triangle Palm (ufl.edu)

ID-TIMS using the step-wise dissolution technique versus ion microprobe U–Pb dating of metamict Archean zircons from NE Madagascar

A geochronological study using the step-wise dissolution technique and in situ ion microprobe analysis is applied to late Archean metamict zircons of granitoids from northeastern Madagascar basement. Both techniques provide concordant U–Pb ages. Additionally, the ion microprobe study provided in situ measurements on the Pb isotopic composition of the metamict domains. Finally, Pb–Pb evaporation ages were found to be slightly but systematically younger than the dating obtained by the two other methods. Based on these data, granites from the Antongil belt were emplaced during at least three episodes separated by periods of magmatic inactivity of about 10 Ma at 2513, 2523 and 2532 Ma, respectively. These results are consistent with previous whole-rock Rb–Sr and U–Pb zircon dating from this part of Madagascar. The occurrence of this late Archean basement in northeastern Madagascar can be related to southern India where large volumes of contemporaneous granitoids were emplaced.

Relief Work in the Wave of the Cyclone “Kamisy”

AbstractOn the night of April 11, 1984, the cyclone “Kamisy” struck the northern part of Madagascar. Because of the alarming reports from the disaster area, the League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies decided to send a disaster stand-by team. The results of the survey of the disaster area and the medical assistance are discussed. Attention is also given to the objectives of the disaster stand-by team.

Notes De Faunistique Et De Biologie Marines De Madagascar, V. Platypontonia Hyotis Nov. Sp. (Decapoda Natantia, Pontoniinae)

A new pontoniid shrimp, Platypontonia hyotis, from the Indo-West Pacific area, is described. The material was collected in the south-western part of Madagascar, where it was found living commensally in bivalve molluscs of the family Ostreidae. A comparison with P. brevirostris, the type species of the genus Platypontonia, is made. The generic diagnosis of Platypontonia as given by Bruce, 1968, who based this on a single species, is reviewed and modified.

Les trichogrammes parasites deproceras sacchariphagus boj. borer de la canne a sucre a madagascar

The morphological and biological characteristics ofTrichogramma australicumGir., a parasite of the sugar cane borerProceras sacchariphagusBoj. in Madagascar are given with a description of the nymphal stages.

Note preliminaire sur le niveau marin de 3 m et les series dunaires de l'extreme sud de Madagascar

Abstract A preliminary report on Quaternary shore lines and dune systems of the extreme southern part of Madagascar. Consolidated beach deposits three meters above present sea level are attributed to a stillstand (here named the Karimbolian) which occurred prior to the pre-Flandrian regression. This three-meter level acts as a marker zone for identifying periods of dune formation. Present knowledge of the Quaternary history of the region is summed up in a table correlating climates, cycles of erosion and continental sedimentation, shore lines, and phases of dune formation.