Roadside Banks Research Articles

The influence of sowing date on initial growth and development of selected lawn varieties of Festuca arundinacea, Festuca rubra, Festuca ovina, Lolium perenne and Poa pratensis on a roadside bank

Celem prezentowanych badań była ocena początkowego tempa wzrostu wybranych 5 gatunków traw, w celu określenia ich przydatności do szybkiego i skutecznego zadarniania przydrożnych skarp w dwóch terminach wysiewu, (wiosenny i późnojesienny). Badania przeprowadzono na skarpie usytuowanej wzdłuż drogi krajowej S17. Pomiary długości korzeni i wysokości siewek każdego gatunku wykonano w 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 i 60. dniu od daty siewu. Wykazano, że w warunkach prowadzenia doświadczenia gatunki traw różnią się tempem początkowego wzrostu. Terminy siewu miały istotny wpływ na tempo wydłużania korzeni i wzrostu siewek badanych gatunków traw, bowiem na obiektach z późnojesiennym terminem siewu wszystkie gatunki i odmiany charakteryzowały się najkrótszymi korzeniami i najniższymi siewkami. W obu terminach siewu, niezależnie od roku prowadzenia doświadczeń, siewki L. perenne charakteryzowały się najdłuższymi korzeniami i najwyższymi siewkami w porównaniu z pozostałymi gatunkami. Z kolei siewki P. pratensis w obu powtórzeniach charakteryzowały się najkrótszymi korzeniami i najniższymi siewkami w porównaniu z pozostałymi gatunkami.

Pteridophyte flora of Udawattakele forest the past, present and future

Pteridophytes represent an important group in the plant kingdom. Approximately 11,300 Pteridophytespecies have been described worldwide, ofwhich about 360 species have been recorded in Sri Lanka.Most of Sri Lankan Pteridophyte species is concentrated in the understory of the rainforests ofCentral Highlands. Udawattakele forest with 132 ha was one of such highlands (510 m above sealevel) which received special attention by European Pteridologists, even during the colonial era. It hasbeen reported that 13 species are already extinct from Sri Lanka mainly because of various threatsfaced by Pteridophytes. Thus, the objective of this study was to compare the diversity of Pteridophyteflora at present with the previous records and identify possible conservation issues.Species diversity of Pteridophytes at Udawattakele forest in the past was obtained from reviewing ofliterature (Karunarathne, 1986; Sledge, 1950-1981) and observations of preserved specimens at theNational Herbarium. Two line transects (10m x 4000 m) on both side of Lady Horton's Walk wereassessed to identify the present level of Pteridophyte diversity. Almost all Pteridophyte species wereidentified at species level through morphological observations and subsequently with the help of keys.The Lady Horton's Walk was selected for the study, because the majority of Pteridophytes atUdawattakele was concentrated in this area and previous assessments of Pteridophytic diversityhave been conducted in the area. At the selected locations species were counted to identify dominantspecies.According to literature, 25 Ptridophytic species and 4 hybrids (29 taxa) have been collected fromLady Horton '5 Walk in Udawattakele forest. Chronologically 7, 17,2 and 3 taxa have been recordedfrom 1888-1900, 1950-1954, 1973 and 1993, respectively. Out of 29 taxa collected by foreignPteridologists, only preserved specimens of27 taxa have been deposited in the British Museum andthe Kew Herbarium. Karunarathne (1986) recorded 23 Pteridophyte species from the forest. Thepresent study was able to identify 36 Pteridophyte species belong to 9 families and 20 genera from theforest, of which 29 species are common and usually grow on harsh environment in the disturbed areasand roadside banks. Seven species occur in relatively high moist and shaded areas of the forest. Thepresent study was able to record 13 additional species compared to Karaunarathne (1986). However,out of 29 taxa recorded in the literature, 9 species were recorded during the present study. Further, 7species iArthropteris palisotti, Christella hispidula x C. parasitica, Diplazium sylvasticum,Microlepia speluncae, Pronephrium articulatum, Teetaria subtriphylla and T trimenii) had notbeen recorded even in the other parts ofthe country during the last 50 years. The present study wasalso unable to record such species from Udawattakele forest. Out of the above 7 species, two rarespecies namely, Pronephrium artieulatum and Christella hispidula x C. parasitiea had beenrecorded only once over the last century. Such records were also found from Lady Horton's Walk inUdawattakele forest before 50 years.However, at present the Lady Horton's walk has severely been invaded by Myroxylon balsamumsuppressing its native biodiversity. Further, roadside banks of the Lady Horton's walk have very dryconditions. Few wet and shaded areas are also invaded by a naturalized fern species such as Adiantumpulverulent um and it has become dominant species in the area. Such causes may have contributedfor loss of some Pteridophyts species from Udawattakele forest. It is well known that Pteridophytesare very sensitive to changes of environmental conditions and human activities. This raises the issueof necessity of continuous monitoring ofPteridophytic biodiversity for their conservation even withintheir natural habitats.

Mating system and exclusive postzygotic paternal care in a Neotropical harvestman (Arachnida: Opiliones)

This study tests predictions of the hypothesis of evolution of paternal care via sexual selection by using the Neotropical harvestman Pseudopucrolia sp. as the model organism. Females use natural cavities in roadside banks as nesting sites, which are defended by males against other males. Females leave the nests after oviposition, and all postzygotic parental care is accomplished by males, which protect the eggs and nymphs from predators. We provided artificial mud nests to individuals in the laboratory and conducted observations on the reproduction of the species. Male reproductive success was directly related to nest ownership time: the longer a male held a nest, the higher his chances of obtaining copulations. All males that succeeded in mating and obtaining one clutch eventually mated with additional females that added eggs to the clutch. Thus, desirable males were not limited to monogamy by paternal care. Experimental manipulations demonstrated that guarding males were more attractive to females than were nonguarding males and also that males guarded unrelated eggs. Finally, we found that females and nonguarding males spent more time foraging than guarding males. We use our data to contrast hypotheses on the origin and maintenance of paternal care and to provide a critical assessment of the hypothesis of the evolution of paternal care via sexual selection.

Use of native plants in landscape planning of roadside banks under extreme climatic conditions in eastern Anatolia, Turkey

Native plants are the most important living material in landscape planning. However, the use of wild trees, shrubs and herbaceous plant species in landscape design is uncommon in Turkey. This study was carried out to identify native plant species of interests in the landscape planning of roadside banks. Between May 2005 and September 2006, 23 locations along the Erzurum–Uzundere state highway, eastern Anatolia, at altitudes from 875 to 2119 m, were studied using in situ plant surveys, floristic plant analyses and species sampling. This resulted in identification of 282 plant species in 49 families, which, based on their aesthetic and functional characteristics, were determined to be important in landscape planning.

Remote, Inland Occurrence of the Oceanic Anogramma leptophylla (L.) Link (Pteridaceae: Taenitidoideae) in Hungary

ABSTRACT The presence of the fern species Anogramma leptophylla was detected in the Zempleni Mountains (NE Hungary) in 1991. The species was known neither from the country nor from the whole Carpatho-Pannonian Region (also known as Carpathian Basin) previously. Its habitat is situated on a roadside bank, cut into an unstable rhyolite surface, above the valley of the Creek Kemence near the village of Palhaza. The fern is a cosmopolitan taxon restricted to humid environments and is considered to be an oceanic-suboceanic (Atlantic) element in Europe. The occurrence in Hungary is located more than 1000 km from the closest populations, thus, this is one of the most remote inland occurrences of this (sub)oceanic species. This striking presence of the fern may be due to the peculiar microclimatological conditions of the habitat, which are described here in order to give an exact explanation for this outstanding occurrence. The chromosomes were also counted in some individuals of the Hungarian population and were...

Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Schultes (K. alpigena Domin, K. cristata (L.) Pers. pro parte, K. gracilis Pers., K. albescens auct. non DC.)

<i>Koeleria macrantha</i> (Ledeb.) Schultes (<i>K. alpigena</i> Domin, <i>K. cristata</i> (L.) Pers. pro parte, <i>K. gracilis</i> Pers., <i>K. albescens</i> auct. non DC.)

Two new species ofCorybas(Orchidaceae) from New Zealand, and taxonomic notes onC. rivularisandC. orbiculatus

Abstract Two new species, Corybas iridescens and C. papa, are described and illustrated; both are summer-green terrestrial orchids previously included in the C. rivularis complex. C. iridescens and C. papa are especially common on roadside banks in western-central North Island, and the latter may prove to be confined to this region. C. rivularis s.s. and C. orbiculatus are circumscribed and illustrated, and the former name is typified. Other entities placed under the name C. rivularis require further taxonomic assessment.

Ecology, reproductive biology and hybridization inGaultheriaL.

The ecology, reproductive biology and hybridization of species in the genusGaultheria(Ericaceae) has been investigated with particular reference to those species in Ecuador. Most species were found to be plants of disturbed ground particularly on roadside banks and forest margins. The species in Ecuador were not seen to be visited by potential pollinators although fruit set was high. No animals were seen to eat the fleshy fruits. Male sterile plants of many species from throughout the distribution of the genus were observed indicating a higher level of gynodioecism in the genus than previously thought. Empty anthers in two Ecuadorean species suggests that gynodioecism may be present in many species without any clear morphological change. A hybrid betweenGaultheria myrsinoidesandG. reticulatahas been found in Ecuador.

LIFE HISTORY OF THE RUFOUS‐TAILED JACAMAR GALBULA RUFICAUDA IN COSTA RICA

Summary.In Costa Rica, the Rufous‐tailed Jacamar inhabits both humid second‐growth and primary rain forest, from sea level up to about 3,000 feet. It subsists upon insects, including many large butterflies and dragonflies as well as numerous glittering beetles, all of which it catches on the wing.The search for nest‐sites begins in the dry month of February; eggs are laid from late March until June; and the latest young fledge in July. Both sexes dig the nest burrow in a roadside bank, side of a gully, or the vertical wall of clay raised up by a great uprooted tree. At this time the male often feeds his mate. Burrows range from about 12 to 16 inches in length, are straight or curve more or less to the right, and dilate at the inner end to form a low, unlined nest chamber. The same burrow may be used in successive years.About ten days elapse between the completion of a burrow and the start of laying. The pure white eggs are deposited at intervals of two or more days. In Costa Rica sets of two or three are laid, but farther north in Guatemala two sets of four were found.The female incubates each night. The male replaces her before sunrise, and throughout the day they change places at intervals of 1 1/2 to 2 hours, sometimes more. The incubation period is 19–23 days.The nestlings hatch with abundant, long, white down. They are prognathous and have well‐developed heel pads. They are very loquacious, calling from an early age and soon delivering beautiful, long trills much like those of the adults. Both parents bring them insects, one at a time; no other food was noticed. The male parent fed feathered nestlings about 2 1/2 times as often as the female. In 25 hours, two nestlings were fed at the average rate of 2·4 times each per hour, but there were great hourly fluctuations. Two young who remained in the nest unusually long finally left spontaneously, without parental urging. The nestling period varies from 20 to 26 days and is longest for late broods.Jacamars wholly neglect the sanitation of their nests. They fail to give threat or distraction displays when a man or a small native mammal approaches their burrow.

The so-called chromosome-races of Cardamine pratensis and Nasturtium officinale.

IN his recent article on “Plant Chromosome-Races and their Ecology in Great Britain”1, Dr. G. Haskell devotes a paragraph each to lady's smock (Cardamine pratensis) and to watercress (Nasturtium officinale agg.). So far as Cardamine pratensis is concerned, he omits to mention the work of Hussein2,3, who has made by far the largest study of the distribution of the two chromosome-races of this plant in Great Britain. Haskell states that in Great Britain, as in Sweden, the form with the lower chromosome number (2n = 30) is characteristic of drier conditions than the form with the higher chromosome number (2n = 56). This was found by Hussein, who says : “The ecological difference found by Lovkvist holds good in most of the cases recorded ; for example, Prof. R. D'O. Good, who kindly provided material from Dorset, noted particularly that the large plant, now found to have the low chromosome number, occurred in quantity on the damp roadside banks characteristic of Marshwood Vale, whereas the smaller darker-leaved one (2n= 56) grew in wet meadows”. It should also be noted that the chromosome number of Cardamine pratensis from Merton was found by Lawrence4 to be 2n = 30 (thus agreeing with counts made by Lovkvist5 and Hussein2,3 and with unpublished counts by myself for the lower chromosome number form) and not 2n = 32 as stated by Haskell, although Lawrence did suggest that it may have arisen from 2n = 32 by chromosome fusion.

Meiosis in an Unusual Form of Aconitum uncinatum L.

Previous articleNext article No AccessMeiosis in an Unusual Form of Aconitum uncinatum L.Henry W. JensenHenry W. Jensen Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by The American Naturalist Volume 84, Number 814Jan. - Feb., 1950 Published for The American Society of Naturalists Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/281609 Views: 4Total views on this site Citations: 1Citations are reported from Crossref PDF download Crossref reports the following articles citing this article:R. L. Cervelli Micropropagation of Monkshood (Aconitum spp.), (Jan 1992): 338–347.https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-07770-2_21

Hornia minutipennis Riley: A new Record and some notes on Behaviour. (Coleoptera, Meloidae)

One female and a damaged male of this rather extraordinary physogastric beetle were brought into the laboratory early in November, 1946. A few days later four further males and three females were collected from the same situation, a roadside bank of hard calcareous clay facing SSW, at Mill Creek, Edmonton. In view of the many references to this insect rn entomological literature, but the scanty information given on it, some laboratory observations were considered worth while.

Impressions of the Ferns of Porto Rico

Save a narrow strip along most of the coast Porto Rico is all hills and hollows. Except along the dry south coast, ferns are in evidence almost everywhere from sea level to the highest summits, becoming more plentiful the greater the altitude. My first day in the highlands was October 23 at Maricao, which we reached about half-past seven, after two hours' ride up the winding road through the cool morning mists, past coffee and banana groves, the roadside banks in places completely covered with ferns. After caf6 at the fonda we set out, following up the Rio Maricao, scrambling over the rocks and in and out of the water most of the way. Maricao is 1500 feet high and we ascended some five hundred feet only in the five or six miles we made up river. The beauty of that rocky stream of clear rushing water, its banks hung with strange trees and shrubs and gorgeous flowers, with ferns everywhere they could find a foothold, on rocks, on the trunks and branches of trees, was intoxicating. I met my first tree ferns here. One, some 25 feet high, a species of Alsophila, was collected in fruit. It has fronds six or eight feet long, the stout woody stipes beset with spines like a blackberry cane. On its trunk were growing Polypodium asplenifolium L., its long narrow fronds drooping over on their slender fuzzy stipes, and Trichomanes

Butterflies and Hybernation

IN connection with Mr. Pidgeon's communication, under the above heading, in NATURE of April 2, respecting the probable wintering of a tortoiseshell butterfly in a bath-room, I may state that the hybernation of butterflies is of well-established occurrence in at least certain portions of South Africa, where one species in particular, namely, Precis sesamus, Trimen, assembles in numbers at the end of the summer season for the purpose. This very distinct dingy blue and red insect is plentifully distributed in East Griqualand and Natal, especially affecting the road-cuttings between Ixopo and the Ingeli-Zuurberg mountain chain. As remarked in Mr. Roland Trimen's monograph on South African butterflies, it likes shady places under a roadside bank or rocks in a cutting; and Colonel Bowker—an enthusiastic and renowed South African lepidopterist—is quoted as having seen them congregated under rocks and in holes of dry banks, as many as twenty-nine being captured by placing the net over them. Their dark bronzy green under-colouring renders them, when thus massed, almost inconspicuous in association with withered fern, grass, &c., and it is only by startling them that one very often becomes aware of their presence. I particularly call to mind, while on one of my botanical rambles in the Lower Umzimkulu district of East Griqualand in 1885, accompanied by a younger son of Mr. Donald Strachan, unexpectedly flushing at least fifty of these butterflies in the cold frosty season of July, in a secluded glen of the Vubugas rivulet. Upon a iittle searching among the scrub and bush we discovered a boulder, under which there must have been as many again, if not more. These we roused out with branchlets, some being more torpid than others; but, as we retired from the spot, they all flitted back to their trysting-place. This was at the severest time of the season, and I never doubted, after having observed the massing of this butterfly at all times during the winter, that it emerged safe and strong in the ensuing spring. A description and coloured figure are given in Mr. Trimen's work, vol. i. p. 231, pl. iv. f. 3.