Primary Lowland Research Articles

Additions to the knowledge of the oribatid mite genus Kalyptrazetes (Acari, Oribatida, Microzetidae)

A new species of microzetid oribatid mites of the genus Kalyptrazetes is described from upper soil and leaf litter in the primary evergreen lowland rainforest of Amazonian Peru. Kalyptrazetes bifurcatus Ermilov sp. nov. differs from other representatives of the genus by the morphology of rostral and centroventral epimeral setae and anterior parts of lamellae, the length of some notogastral, epimeral and genital setae, and the absence of an X-structure in the epimeral region. The main generic traits and an identification key to known species of Kalyptrazetes are provided.

Erratum to: Development and behavior of wild infant-juvenile East Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus morio) in Danum Valley.

Orangutans have a long period of immaturity and the longest inter-birth interval (IBI) of all mammals, which can be explained by their solitary life style, preventing the mother from rearing two offspring simultaneously (solitary life hypothesis) [corrected]. We collected data on mother-offspring dyads living in a primary lowland forest in Danum Valley, East Borneo in an effort to examine the developmental and behavioral patterns of the subspecies Pongo pygmaeus morio. We analyzed developmental changes in mother-offspring distance, contact, and activity budgets in orangutans ranging from 1 to 7 years of age. The results indicated decreased resting and playing with increasing age, whereas feeding, traveling and social play all increased significantly. Mothers' feeding and traveling time were good predictors of their offspring's feeding and traveling activities. Mother-offspring contact lasted longer in resting contexts; contact during traveling was almost non-existent after 4 years of age. Comparisons with previously published data on the Sumatran species Pongo abelli revealed no fundamental differences in these behavioral measures. However, a shorter association time with the mother after behavioral independence is documented for this East Bornean population in comparison to Sumatran populations. These results are best explained by the solitary life hypothesis, in agreement with previous studies. We suggest that environmental constraints in Bornean forests, as well as a lower population density, should be considered when interpreting the differences between Sumatran and Bornean orangutans in both the period of association with mother and the IBI.

A 130-Year-Old Specimen Brought Back to Life: A Lost Species of Bee-Mimicking Clearwing Moth, Heterosphecia tawonoides (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae: Osminiini), Rediscovered in Peninsular Malaysia’s Primary Rainforest

Heterosphecia tawonoides Kallies, a “lost” species of clearwing moth known only from a single specimen from 1887 (the holotype, which is missing important morphological features), was observed and filmed for the first time in its natural habitat. Our studies have shown that it is associated with Malaysian primary lowland dipterocarp forests, ecosystems which are vanishing rapidly due to extensive human activity. This is the first record of H. tawonoides in Malaysia. Behavioral aspects, such as mud-puddling among bees and acoustic mimicry, are discussed and shown in a video. A morphological redescription, including features visible on live individuals only, is provided. The DNA barcode sequence is given, with comparison to closely related species.

Development and behavior of wild infant-juvenile East Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus morio) in Danum Valley.

Orangutans have a long period of immaturity and the longest inter-birth interval (IBI) of all mammals, which can be explained by their solitary life style, preventing the mother from rearing two offspring simultaneously (solitary life hypothesis) [corrected]. We collected data on mother-offspring dyads living in a primary lowland forest in Danum Valley, East Borneo in an effort to examine the developmental and behavioral patterns of the subspecies Pongo pygmaeus morio. We analyzed developmental changes in mother-offspring distance, contact, and activity budgets in orangutans ranging from 1 to 7years of age. The results indicated decreased resting and playing with increasing age, whereas feeding, traveling and social play all increased significantly. Mothers' feeding and traveling time were good predictors of their offspring's feeding and traveling activities. Mother-offspring contact lasted longer in resting contexts; contact during traveling was almost non-existent after 4years of age. Comparisons with previously published data on the Sumatran species Pongo abelli revealed no fundamental differences in these behavioral measures. However, a shorter association time with the mother after behavioral independence is documented for this East Bornean population in comparison to Sumatran populations. These results are best explained by the solitary life hypothesis, in agreement with previous studies. We suggest that environmental constraints in Bornean forests, as well as a lower population density, should be considered when interpreting the differences between Sumatran and Bornean orangutans in both the period of association with mother and the IBI.

Additions to the oppioid oribatid mite fauna of Peru (Acari, Oribatida, Oppioidea)

Two new species of oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida) of the superfamily Oppioidea are described on the basis of adult specimens from upper soil and leaf litter in the primary evergreen lowland rainforest of Amazonian Peru. Lasiobelba (Antennoppia) parachistyakovi Ermilov n. sp. (Oppiidae) is similar to L. (Antennoppia) chistyakovi Ermilov and Kalúz, 2012, but differs by the thick bothridial setae with short cilia and longer notogastral setae. Hammerella (Woasella) huanucoensis Ermilov n. sp. (Granuloppiidae) is similar to H. (Woasella) parasufflata Ermilov, Sandmann, Marian and Maraun, 2013, but differs by the thin costulae, shorter notogastral setae, and the absence of one tubercle anterior to each lamellar seta. The taxonomic status of the genus Varioppia Mahunka, 1985 is discussed, resulting in the following taxonomic proposals: Hammerella (Woasella) J. and P. Balogh, 2002 (=Varioppia Mahunka, 1985 n. syn.), Hammerella (Woasella) radiata (Mahunka, 1985) n. comb. An identification key for known species of Hammerella (Woasella) is given. Two oppioid species, Hammerella (Woasella) sufflata (Franklin and Woas, 1992) and Teratoppia (Teratoppiella) brevipectinata Balogh and Mahunka, 1978, are recorded for the first time in Peru.

Contribution to the knowledge of the oribatid mite genus Aeroppia (Acari, Oribatida, Oppiidae).

Two new species of the genus Aeroppia (Oribatida, Oppiidae) are described from upper soil and leaf litter in the primary evergreen lowland rainforest in Peru. Aeroppia friedrichi sp. nov. differs from A. nasalis Mahunka, 1984 by the absence of striate ornamentation on the notogaster and notogastral setae h1, and the presence of setiform adanal setae ad1. Aeroppia longisensilla sp. nov. differs from A. adjacens Mahunka, 1985 by the smaller body size and long bothridial setae. The supplementary descriptions of Aeroppia consimilis (Banks, 1910) and A. magnipilosa (Ewing, 1909) are presented, based on material from U.S.A. A new generic diagnosis for Aeroppia is given. The taxonomic status of the subgenus Aeroppia (Paraeroppia) Sanyal, 2009 is discussed, resulting in the following taxonomic proposal: Aeroppia Hammer, 1961 (=Aeroppia (Paraeroppia) Sanyal, 2009 syn. nov.).

The effect of habitat disturbance on the abundance of nocturnal lemur species on the Masoala Peninsula, northeastern Madagascar.

Madagascar is one of the world's biodiversity hotspots. The island's past and current rates of deforestation and habitat disturbance threaten its plethora of endemic biodiversity. On Madagascar, tavy (slash and burn agriculture), land conversion for rice cultivation, illegal hardwood logging and bushmeat hunting are the major contributors to habitat disturbance. Understanding species-specific responses to habitat disturbance across different habitat types is crucial when designing conservation strategies. We surveyed three nocturnal lemur species in four forest types of varying habitat disturbance on the Masoala Peninsula, northeastern Madagascar. We present here updated abundance and density estimates for the Endangered Avahi mooreorum and Lepilemur scottorum, and Microcebus sp. Distance sampling surveys were conducted on 11 transects, covering a total of 33km after repeated transect walks. We collected data on tree height, bole height, diameter at breast height, canopy cover and tree density using point-quarter sampling to characterise the four forest types (primary lowland, primary littoral, selectively logged and agricultural mosaic). Median encounter rates by forest type ranged from 1 to 1.5 individuals (ind.)/km (Microcebus sp.), 0-1 ind./km (A. mooreorum) and 0-1 ind./km (L. scottorum). Species density estimates were calculated at 232.31 ind./km2 (Microcebus sp.) and 121.21 ind./km2 (A. mooreorum), while no density estimate is provided for L. scottorum due to a small sample size. Microcebus sp. was most tolerant to habitat disturbance, exhibiting no significant effect of forest type on abundance. Its small body size, omnivorous diet and generalised locomotion appear to allow it to tolerate a variety of habitat disturbance. Both A. mooreorum and L. scottorum showed significant effects of forest type on their respective abundance. This study suggests that the specialist locomotion and diet of A. mooreorum and L. scottorum make them susceptible to the effects of increasing habitat disturbance.

<p align="LEFT"><strong>Contribution to the knowledge of the oribatid mite genus <em>Ceratorchestes</em> (Acari, Oribatida, Peloppiidae)</strong></p>

Abstract The oribatid mite genus Ceratorchestes (Oribatida, Peloppiidae) is recorded in Peru for the first time. Two new species are described from upper soil and leaf litter in the primary evergreen lowland rainforest. Ceratorchestes (Ceratorchestes) processus Ermilov sp. nov. differs from C. (Ceratorchestes) setosus Balogh & Mahunka, 1969 by the presence of a strong dorso-anterior triangular process on trochanter IV and large tooth on the lateral ridge of the prodorsum, and by the localization of rostral seta on the prodorsum. Ceratorchestes (Paraceratorchestes) melzeri Ermilov sp. nov. differs from C. (Paraceratorchestes) variabilis Ermilov & Kaluz, 2012 by the presence of teeth on the lamellar cusp and a semioval furrow of epimere IV, by the localization of the translamella, epimeral seta 4b and adanal lyrifissure, and by the absence of a median tubercle on the rostrum. Updated generic and subgeneric diagnoses for Ceratorchestes are given. A new combination, Ceratorchestes (Paraceratorchestes) globosu...

<p align="JUSTIFY"><strong>New species of the genera <em>Scheloribates</em> and <em>Perscheloribates</em> (Acari, Oribatida, Scheloribatidae) from Amazonian Peru</strong></p>

Two new species of oribatid mites of the family Scheloribatidae (Acari, Oribatida) are described from upper soil and leaf litter in the primary evergreen lowland rainforest of Amazonian Peru. Perscheloribates (Ecuadoribates) olszanowskii sp. nov. differs from P. (Ecuadoribates) pentasacculus Ermilov & Kalúz, 2012 by the presence of long interlamellar setae, rudimentary parts of translamellar line, ten pairs of notogastral setae and four pairs of notogastral saccules. The subgenus Perscheloribates (Ecuadoribates) is recorded in Peru for the first time. Scheloribates (Bischeloribates) wachteli sp. nov. differs from S. (Bischeloribates) bidactylus Hammer, 1961 by the presence of comparatively long notogastral setae c and la and rudimentary parts of translamellar line. Revised subgeneric diagnoses for Perscheloribates (Ecuadoribates) and Scheloribates (Bischeloribates) are given.

Two new species of Protoribates (Acari, Oribatida), with findings of Oripodoidea from Peru

ABSTRACTTwo new species of oribatid mites of the genus Protoribates (Oribatida, Haplozetidae) are described based on adult specimens from upper soil and leaf litter in a primary evergreen lowland rainforest in Amazonian Peru. Protoribates curvicarinatus sp. nov. is morphologically most similar to P. antillensis Mahunka, 1985, but differs by the morphology of bothridial setae and length of interlamellar setae and lamellae. Protoribates paraecuadoriensis sp. nov. is morphologically most similar to P. ecuadoriensis Ermilov, Bayartogtokh, Sandmann, Marian and Maraun, 2013 from Ecuador, but differs by the morphology of tarsi I and II and localization of lamellar setae. Three species of Oripodoidea – Unguizetes incertus (Balogh and Mahunka, 1969), Perscheloribates rostratus (Hammer, 1958) and Benoibates borhidii Balogh and Mahunka, 1980 – are recorded in Peru for the first time.

The genus Monoschelobates (Acari: Oribatida: Scheloribatidae)

AbstractA new species of oribatid mites of

New species and records of Galumna (Acari, Oribatida, Galumnidae) from Peru

Two new species of oribatid mites of the genus Galumna (Oribatida, Galumnidae) are described based on specimens from upper soil and leaf litter in a primary evergreen lowland rainforest in Amazonian Peru. Galumna (Galumna) parazeucta n.sp. is morphologically most similar to Galumna (Galumna) neonominata Subias 2004 and G. (Galumna) pterolineata Hammer, 1972, but differs by the presence of strongly elongated notogastral porose areas Aa and A3. Galumna (Cosmogalumna) ekaterinae n.sp. is morphologically most similar to Galumna (C.) areticulata Ermilov, Sandmann, Klarner, Widyastuti and Scheu, 2015, but differs by the presence of three pairs of notogastral porose areas and epimeral setae 3c and 4c. The subgenus Galumna (Cosmogalumna) and species Galumna (Galumna) nuda Engelbrecht, 1972 are recorded in the Neotropical region for the first time; two species – Galumna (G.) angularis Jeleva, Scull and Cruz, 1984 and Galumna (G.) laselvae Balogh 1997 – are recorded in Peru for the first time.

New Pergalumna (Acari, Oribatida, Galumnidae) from Peru.

Six species of oribatid mites of the genus Pergalumna (Oribatida, Galumnidae) are collected from the German Expedition to Amazonian Peru in 2013; of these, three are new for science, described from upper soil and leaf litter in the primary evergreen lowland rainforest. Pergalumna (Pergalumna) parapassimpunctata sp. nov. is morphologically most similar to P. (P.) passimpunctata Balogh & Mahunka, 1969, but differs from the latter by the presence of foveolate body surface, two pairs of porose areas Aa and minute interlamellar setae, and the absence of porose areas A3. Pergalumna (Pergalumna) krisperi sp. nov. is morphologically most similar to P. (P.) cardosensis Pérez-Íñigo & Baggio, 1986, but differs from the latter by the smaller body size, rostral and lamellar setae of medium size and the presence of four pairs of notogastral porose areas. Pergalumna (Pergalumna) lenticulata sp. nov. is morphologically most similar to P. (P.) decorata Balogh & Mahunka, 1977, but differs from the latter by the larger body size and the presence of lenticulus and bidentate rostrum. The species Pergalumna (Pergalumna) bryani Jacot, 1934 is recorded for the first time in Peru.

Day vs. night predation on artificial caterpillars in primary rainforest habitats – an experimental approach

AbstractThe influence of natural enemies has led to the evolution of various predator avoidance strategies in herbivorous insects. Many caterpillars are exclusively active at night and rest during the day. It is widely assumed that nocturnal activity in caterpillars reduces their risk of falling prey to their natural enemies. To test this hypothesis, we compared predation pressure between day and night in tree‐fall gaps and closed‐canopy forest sites in an Amazonian primary lowland rainforest. Artificial clay caterpillars, showing camouflaged colouration (green), were exposed as potential prey to a natural predator community. Attacks were significantly more frequent during daytime and were reduced by about a quarter at night in tree‐fall gaps, and by a third in closed‐canopy forest sites. This supports the idea of time‐dependent activity in caterpillars as an antipredatory adaptation. Further, independent of the time of day, predation pressure on caterpillars was significantly higher in tree‐fall gaps compared to closed‐canopy forest habitats. Nearly all predation events were caused by arthropods, whereas birds played a negligible role. Across both habitat types and time scales, ants acted as major predator group, emphasising their important role in population control of herbivorous insects in lowland rainforest ecosystems. This is the first experimental study using artificial caterpillars to examine whether time‐scheduling of exposition might influence predation risk amongst undefended, solitary, free‐living lepidopteran larvae.

Disentangling the diversity of arboreal ant communities in tropical forest trees.

Tropical canopies are known for their high abundance and diversity of ants. However, the factors which enable coexistence of so many species in trees, and in particular, the role of foragers in determining local diversity, are not well understood. We censused nesting and foraging arboreal ant communities in two 0.32 ha plots of primary and secondary lowland rainforest in New Guinea and explored their species diversity and composition. Null models were used to test if the records of species foraging (but not nesting) in a tree were dependent on the spatial distribution of nests in surrounding trees. In total, 102 ant species from 389 trees occurred in the primary plot compared with only 50 species from 295 trees in the secondary forest plot. However, there was only a small difference in mean ant richness per tree between primary and secondary forest (3.8 and 3.3 sp. respectively) and considerably lower richness per tree was found only when nests were considered (1.5 sp. in both forests). About half of foraging individuals collected in a tree belonged to species which were not nesting in that tree. Null models showed that the ants foraging but not nesting in a tree are more likely to nest in nearby trees than would be expected at random. The effects of both forest stage and tree size traits were similar regardless of whether only foragers, only nests, or both datasets combined were considered. However, relative abundance distributions of species differed between foraging and nesting communities. The primary forest plot was dominated by native ant species, whereas invasive species were common in secondary forest. This study demonstrates the high contribution of foragers to arboreal ant diversity, indicating an important role of connectivity between trees, and also highlights the importance of primary vegetation for the conservation of native ant communities.

LEAF NUTRIENT STATUS IN THE LOWLAND DIPTEROCARP FOREST

Study on leaf nutrient status in the primary lowland dipterocarp forest has been carried out at Mulawarman University research forest, Lempake, Samarinda. Six elements i.e. N, P, K, Na, Ca and Mg were analyzed. Results show that the dominant species and family seemed to be controlling and maintenance the main mineral nutrients in this forest ecosystem. There were a variation of mineral nutrients between species and also a fluctuation of mineral nutrients in the different period.

Road construction enables establishment of a novel predator category to resident anuran community: a case study from a primary lowland Bornean rain forest

Abstract:For a total of 17 mo, we investigated the impact of a road constructed through pristine tropical lowland rain forest, on the composition and structure of the resident anuran community in the Ulu Temburong National Park (Brunei Darussalam). One year after road construction, eight new anuran species had immigrated into the impacted area. Encounter surveys were conducted and radio-transmitters attached to a total of 16 frogs to identify habitat use and distribution of the largest (>130 mm SVL) immigrant species (Limnonectes ingeri) in comparison with a similar sized resident congener. A strong preference for roadside habitat was found for the immigrant. However, several incursions of more than 500 m beyond the road into the pristine forest were also recorded. Over 200 stomach content samples as well as stable nitrogen isotope ratios of 76 individuals were used to assess the trophic ecology of the two species. Invertebrate diet composition did not differ. However, the immigrant species ate over 400% more frogs than its resident congener and had a significantly higher δ15N ratio, indicating a higher position in the food web. This suggests that L. ingeri acts as a new top frog predator in the system and indicates that it may have a significant negative impact on the local anuran community. Overall, road construction in the absence of logging has led to the immigration of new frog species with impacts far beyond the linear disturbance of the road itself.

Characterization of Community Composition and Forest Structure in a Madagascar Lowland Rainforest

This study documents the community composition and forest structure of lowland rainforest in eastern Madagascar, with a first quantitative description of the primary lowland rainforest of Reserve Naturelle Intégrale de (RNI) Betampona. An intensive field survey of vegetation and environmental factors was conducted over two consecutive field campaigns in RNI Betampona, an isolated primary forest reserve located ca. 40 km northwest of the city of Toamasina. One hundred 10 m-diameter vegetation survey plots were inventoried and re-measured in 2004 and 2005. Two hundred forty-four tree species belonging to 49 families comprised the 2,487 stems greater than or equal to 5cm diameter at breast height (DBH) measured in 2004, with an average of 19.27 species per plot (2,227 and 15.71 respectively in 2005). Stem density per plot ranged from 12 to 52 for trees ≥5cm-DBH in 2004 (12 to 38 in 2005), while regeneration stems less than 5cm-DBH had a per-plot average of 57.28 in 2005 (range 19 to 140) and 94.19 (range 22 to 224) per hectare in 2004. The substantial decrease in ≥5cm-DBH trees and in stems ≥5cm-DBH from 2004 to 2005 suggests a forest undergoing thinning, perhaps following recovery from gap formation. Importance Value Indices (IVI) calculated for tree species indicated that an unidentified Uapaca species, Ravenala madagascariensis, Anthostema madagascariensis, Canarium spp and Cassipourea lanceolata were the most important species according to their overall frequency, dominance and abundance values, and accounted for 10% of the overall IVI.

An annotated list of the avifauna of Palenque, Chiapas

The primary lowland rainforest around the Mayan ruins of Palenque, in the state of Chiapas, Mexico, has been the focus of much study. The second growth and the mosaic of pasture and farmland surrounding the protected area of Palenque National Park also have received some attention by researchers and visitors. Until now though, a complete avifaunal list for this area had not been compiled. In our judgment, 353 species have been recorded reliably, a hundred more than previously reported. An additional 27 species have been reported at the site on multiple occasions but for which we feel there is no definitive evidence. There are 202 regular breeders, most of them resident, and 87 migrants that winter or pass through regularly. Relative capture rates for understorey birds indicate that Phaethornis longirostris and Henicorhina leucosticta are most often caught, and some rarely seen birds, such a Geotrygon montana, are less rare than previously thought. In a state in which habitat destruction is routine, in which national parks are increasingly becoming forested islands, we need baseline data such as these to get a clearer idea of what occurs there if we are to understand anthropogenic effects on forests.

Feeding ecology of Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus morio) in Danum Valley, Sabah, Malaysia: a 3‐year record including two mast fruitings

We observed the diet and activity of Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus morio) in the primary lowland dipterocarp forests of Danum Valley, Sabah, Malaysia, during 2005-2007, including two mast fruitings. We collected 1,785 hr of focal data on 26 orangutans. We identified 1,466 samples of their food plants and conducted a fallen fruit census to monitor fruit availability in the study area. Their activity budget was 47.2% feeding, 34.4% resting, and 16.9% traveling. Fruits accounted for the largest part (60.9%) of feeding time, especially during mast fruiting periods (64.0-100%), although the percentages of leaves (22.2%) and bark (12.3%) were higher than those reported for P. abelii and P. pygmaeus wurmbii. Although 119 genera and 160 plant species were consumed by focal animals, only 9 genera accounted for more than 3% of feeding time (total: 67.8% for 9 genera). In particular, the focal orangutans fed intensively on Ficus and Spatholobus during most of the study period, especially in periods of fruit shortage. The percentage of fruit feeding changed markedly from 11.7 to 100% across different months of the year, and was positively correlated with the amount of fallen fruit. When fruit feeding and availability decreased, orangutans fed primarily on leaves of Spatholobus and Ficus, and the bark of Spatholobus and dipterocarp. The percentage of time devoted to feeding during mast fruitings, when the orangutans foraged almost exclusively on fruits, was lower than during seasons when the orangutan diet included leaves and bark as well as fruits. Resting increased as feeding decreased in the late stage of each fruiting season, suggesting that the orangutans adopted an energy-minimizing strategy to survive the periods of fruit shortage by using energy stored during the fruit season.