DOCSLIB.ORG

Sex and Food in a Cave During Daytime, a Possible Way to Escape Predators for the Nocturnal Madagascar Gekkonid Paroedura Tanjaka Nussbaum & Raxworthy, 2000

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Sex and Food in a Cave During Daytime, a Possible Way to Escape Predators for the Nocturnal Madagascar Gekkonid Paroedura Tanjaka Nussbaum & Raxworthy, 2000 Herpetology Notes, volume 9: 187-190 (2016) (published online on 05 September 2016) Sex and food in a cave during daytime, a possible way to escape predators for the nocturnal Madagascar gekkonid Paroedura tanjaka Nussbaum & Raxworthy, 2000 Ivan Ineich1,* and Thierry Bourgoin2 Madagascar is a well-known herpetofaunal outcrops (Nussbaum and Raxworthy, 2000; Glaw and biodiversity hotspot (Jenkins et al., 2014). Among Vences, 2007). All specimens reported by Nussbaum & reptiles, several genera show a high species diversity Raxworthy (2000) were observed while active at night with numerous undescribed or recently described taxa (20:00-22:00), mostly at the base of tsingy cliffs (1.0 to most of them with poor knowledge on their biology 4.0 m above ground) and sometimes on branches and and ecology available. Paroedura Günther 1879 is a tree trunks 0.5 to 2.5 m high. Occurrence of P. tanjaka widely distributed Madagascar gekkonid genus living in caves was briefly mentioned and they reported one in rainforest, dry forest, arid savanna and mountain diurnal observation in a cave approximately 30 m from habitat (Glaw and Vences, 2007). The genus comprises its entrance. 18 described species, among which 16 are endemic to Madagascar and the remaining two to the Comoros (Jackman et al., 2008; Hawlitschek and Glaw, 2012; Glaw et al., 2014). Paroedura species are also common and sometimes endemic in several karstic massifs of Madagascar. Paroedura tanjaka Nussbaum & Raxworthy 2000 is one of the largest species in the genus (Figure 1) reaching up to 102 mm snout-vent length with a total length up to 180 mm (Nussbaum and Raxworthy, 2000; Glaw et al., 2014). It is endemic to Mahajanga Province in western Madagascar and known only from Tsingy de Bemahara and Tsingy de Namoroka (Nussbaum and Raxworthy, 2000; Bora et al., 2009; Figure 1. Paroedura tanjaka (field tag 1996I), Tsingy de Raselimanana, 2013). This nocturnal gecko has not been Namoroka, Madagascar. found outside of deciduous dry forests with limestone 1 Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Sorbonne Universités We here report on the diurnal activity of the nocturnal Institut de Systématique, Évolution et Biodiversité (ISyEB) P. tanjaka in a cave environment. During a field trip UMR 7205 (CNRS, MNHN, UPMC, EPHE) CP 30 to Namoroka National Park (16°28’S, 45°20’E) in (Reptiles) – 25, rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France September 2012 (see Allorge and Haevermans, 2015), 2 Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Sorbonne Universités several (not counted but about a dozen of observations) Institut de Systématique, Évolution et Biodiversité (ISyEB) UMR 7205 (CNRS, MNHN, UPMC, EPHE) CP 50 specimens of P. tanjaka were observed active in caves (Entomology) – 45, rue Buffon, 75005 Paris, France during daytime (all times of the day) always in areas * Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected] of complete darkness far from the cave entrance. They 188 Ivan Ineich & Thierry Bourgoin were active, not hidden, and were not disturbed by the Mautz (1982) from Mexico where lizards feed in caves torch light of people entering caves. Among them, we on carrions. Also, predominantly diurnal geckos of the even observed a copulation event (Figure 2) in one of genus Phelsuma will occasionally switch to nocturnal the numerous cave galleries of the tsingy (6 September activity (Bringsoe, 2006; Rösler, 2007; II pers. obs. 2012, 16h30, 16°28’08”S 45°20’52”E). in the Seychelles) in order to obtain food attracted by artificial lighting in urban areas, showing their behavioral plasticity. The caves in the Tsingy de Namoroka area are largely gecko-predator free. They do host some saurophagous snakes, but few other predators like birds and mammals (except bats which are not reptile predators). Saurophagy in snakes is common in Madagascar and is frequent among nocturnal snakes (Glaw and Vences, 2007). Several Madagascar lizard species have evolved behavioral or physiological specializations to avoid such ophidian predation, while some snakes have in turn evolved traits to enhance predation success on lizards (Bauer and Russell, 1992; Krysko, 2005; Kaloloha et al., 2011; Ito and Mori, 2012; Rosa et al., 2012). Paroedura tanjaka has been reported in the diet of Lycodryas [=Stenophis; Hawlitschek et al., 2013] by Nussbaum & Raxworthy (2000). Glaw & Vences (2007) considered the whole genus Lycodryas as predators of Figure 2. Copulation of Paroedura tanjaka in a cave on 6 Paroedura spp. September 2012 (16°28’08”S - 45°20’52”E) at 16h30. Tsingy de Namoroka, Madagascar. It could be hypothesized that day time activity (particularly reproduction) in a cave for a nocturnal gecko could therefore be another habit adaptive shift as a way to avoid predation by the numerous saurophagous sympatric nocturnal snakes, or by other vertebrates (birds and mammals). However we cannot exclude We suggest that this novel observation is likely due to that some nocturnal snakes also shift to day activity a relaxation of nocturnal diet activity/behaviour as the in caves, following their preys. We suggest that during species has exploited a novel niche, the darkness of cave copulation at night those lizards are potentially more environments allowing avoidance of many predators, vulnerable to predators, particularly large sized species and providing constant prey availability. This cave like P. tanjaka, since their doubled volume (male above environment possesses numerous interconnected caves female when copulating) is more visible and thus less and galleries and several arthropods are encountered, cryptic (we often observed solitary lizards active at including troglobites (=cave dwellers) that are living on night outside caves on whitish karst rocks). Copulation the rich food resources that accumulate (Soulier-Perkins in caves during the day can be an efficient way for P. et al., 2015), as well as resting nocturnal arthropod tanjaka to avoid nocturnal snake predators which do species escaping the daytime heat or predators (e.g. not often enter caves during the day. Note however that erebid moths; Figure 3). This allows day and night 24-hr some Madagascar snakes seem to be completely related activity/prey availability for the geckos. It is interesting to caves as trogloxenes like Alluaudina mocquardi to note that nocturnal lizards like geckos (rather than Angel 1939 (Lanza, 1990), indicating that a constant most diurnal lizards) seem to have some behavioral food supply is present. plasticity to change their activity period when better Our observations might represent the first step of conditions can be obtained. This was indeed noted for some adaptive shift of this taxon to a cave environment other Madagascar lizards which were able to change (Howarth, 1987), which is common for many lizards their behavior according to the predator type (Ito and and snakes at different kind of extent from occasional Mori, 2012). A remarkable case is also reported by cave inhabitant to permanent inhabitant (Lanza, 1990; Sex and food in a cave during daytime, a possible way to escape predators 189 Figure 3. A wall in a gallery of the Tsingy de Namoroka, Madagascar, with five specimens of Cyligramma duplex Guenée, 1852 (Insecta, Lepidoptera, Erebidae), putative prey items for P. tanjaka (September 3rd, 2012; 16°28’08”S - 45°20’52”E, 17h30). Grismer et al., 2015). Evolutionary mechanisms related Acknowledgments. The authors wish to thank Lucile to behavioral plasticity could therefore lead P. tanjaka Allorge, Thomas Haevermans, Marc Gansuana, and Charlotte to become active during daytime in caves, preying on Razafindrakoto for logistical support and scientific organization during fieldwork at Tsingy de Namoroka. Special thanks also to a rich entomofauna food resource and copulating there the Namoroka National Park staff, its guides and the inhabitants to avoid most of their numerous nocturnal vertebrate of the village of Vilanandro for their useful help. Fieldwork was predators. If eggs are also laid in caves is unknown but a carried out in the framework of cooperation with the Département possibility. Such a kind of strength relationship between de Biologie Animale, Université d’Antananarivo, Madagascar. karst caves and their species could have a high survival Authors are grateful to the Malagasy authorities for collection and value for the species since it is never encountered in export permits. Financial support was obtained through Labex areas without karst caves and the same is true for many founds. Special thanks to Pr Joël Minet (MNHN-Paris) for his confirmation of the identification of the lepidopteran specimen other karst dwelling gecko species all over the world of Figure 3, and to Frank Glaw, Christopher Raxworthy, and Stu which are often highly endemic and threaten species. Nielsen for their comments on a earlier drafts. Further studies of nocturnal lizard activity during day time in caves should be made using camera traps taking References pictures at regular time intervals with a special dark flash light so not to affect natural behavior. Allorge, L., Haevermans, T. (eds.) (2015): Namoroka, mission à Madagascar. Paris, Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle & Éditions Privat. 60 pp. 190 Ivan Ineich & Thierry Bourgoin Bauer, A.M., Russell, A.P. (1992): The evolutionary significance of Krysko, K.L. (2005): Feeding behaviour of the Madagascar regional integumentary loss in island geckos: a complement to leaf-nosed snake, Langaha madagascariensis (Serpentes: caudal autotomy. Ethology, Ecology & Evolution 4: 343−358. Colubridae: Pseudoxyrhophiinae), with an alternative hypothesis Bora, P., Randrianantoandro, J.C., Randrianavelona, R., for its bizarre head structure. African Journal of Herpetology 54: Hantalalaina, E.F., Andriantsimanarilafy, R.R., Rakotondravony, 195−200. D., Ramilijaona, O.R., Vences, M., Jenkins, R.K.B., Glaw, F., Lanza, B. (1990): Rediscovery of the Malagasy colubrid snake Köhler, J. (2010): Amphibians and reptiles of the Tsingy de Alluaudina mocquardi Angel 1939. 7ropical Zoology 3: Bemaraha plateau, western Madagascar: checklist, biogeography 219−223. and conservation. +erpetological Conservation and Biology 5:0autz, W.J. (1982): Use of cave resources by a lizard community.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Blumgart Et Al 2017- Herpetological Survey Nosy Komba
    Journal of Natural History ISSN: 0022-2933 (Print) 1464-5262 (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tnah20 Herpetological diversity across intact and modified habitats of Nosy Komba Island, Madagascar Dan Blumgart, Julia Dolhem & Christopher J. Raxworthy To cite this article: Dan Blumgart, Julia Dolhem & Christopher J. Raxworthy (2017): Herpetological diversity across intact and modified habitats of Nosy Komba Island, Madagascar, Journal of Natural History, DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2017.1287312 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2017.1287312 Published online: 28 Feb 2017. Submit your article to this journal Article views: 23 View related articles View Crossmark data Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=tnah20 Download by: [BBSRC] Date: 21 March 2017, At: 02:56 JOURNAL OF NATURAL HISTORY, 2017 http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2017.1287312 Herpetological diversity across intact and modified habitats of Nosy Komba Island, Madagascar Dan Blumgart a, Julia Dolhema and Christopher J. Raxworthyb aMadagascar Research and Conservation Institute, BP 270, Hellville, Nosy Be, Madagascar; bDivision of Vertebrate Zoology, American, Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, USA ABSTRACT ARTICLE HISTORY A six month herpetological survey was undertaken between March Received 16 August 2016 and September 2015 on Nosy Komba, an island off of the north- Accepted 17 January 2017 west coast of mainland Madagascar which has undergone con- KEYWORDS fi siderable anthropogenic modi cation. A total of 14 species were Herpetofauna; conservation; found that have not been previously recorded on Nosy Komba, Madagascar; Nosy Komba; bringing the total island diversity to 52 (41 reptiles and 11 frogs).
    [Show full text]
  • Quantifying the Conservation Value of Plantation Forests for a Madagascan Herpetofauna
    Herpetological Conservation and Biology 14(1):269–287. Submitted: 6 March 2018; Accepted: 28 March 2019; Published: 30 April 2019. QUANTIFYING THE CONSERVATION VALUE OF PLANTATION FORESTS FOR A MADAGASCAN HERPETOFAUNA BETH EVANS Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute, Nosy Komba, Madagascar current address: 121 Heathway, Erith, Kent DA8 3LZ, UK, email: [email protected] Abstract.—Plantations are becoming a dominant component of the forest landscape of Madagascar, yet there is very little information available regarding the implications of different forms of plantation agriculture for Madagascan reptiles and amphibians. I determined the conservation value of bamboo, secondary, open-canopy plantation, and closed-canopy plantation forests for reptiles and amphibians on the island of Nosy Komba, in the Sambirano region of north-west Madagascar. Assistants and I conducted 220 Visual Encounter Surveys between 29 January 2016 and 5 July 2017 and recorded 3,113 reptiles (32 species) and 751 amphibians (nine species). Closed-canopy plantation supported levels of alpha diversity and community compositions reflective of natural forest, including several threatened and forest-specialist species. Open-canopy plantation exhibited diminished herpetofaunal diversity and a distinct community composition dominated by disturbance-resistant generalist species. Woody tree density and bamboo density were positively correlated with herpetofaunal species richness, and plantation species richness, plantation species density, sapling density, and the proportion of wood ground cover were negatively associated with herpetofaunal diversity. I recommend the integration of closed-canopy plantations on Nosy Komba, and across wider Madagascar, to help mitigate the negative effects of secondary forest conversion for agriculture on Madagascan herpetofauna; however, it will be necessary to retain areas of natural forest to act as sources of biodiversity for agroforestry plantations.
    [Show full text]
  • Trichoptera:Hydropsychidae) Based on DNA and Morphological Evidence Christy Jo Geraci National Museum on Natural History, Smithsonian Institute
    Clemson University TigerPrints Publications Biological Sciences 3-2010 Defining the Genus Hydropsyche (Trichoptera:Hydropsychidae) Based on DNA and Morphological Evidence Christy Jo Geraci National Museum on Natural History, Smithsonian Institute Xin Zhou University of Guelph John C. Morse Clemson University, [email protected] Karl M. Kjer Rutgers University - New Brunswick/Piscataway Follow this and additional works at: https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/bio_pubs Part of the Biology Commons Recommended Citation Please use publisher's recommended citation. This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Biological Sciences at TigerPrints. It has been accepted for inclusion in Publications by an authorized administrator of TigerPrints. For more information, please contact [email protected]. J. N. Am. Benthol. Soc., 2010, 29(3):918–933 ’ 2010 by The North American Benthological Society DOI: 10.1899/09-031.1 Published online: 29 June 2010 Defining the genus Hydropsyche (Trichoptera:Hydropsychidae) based on DNA and morphological evidence Christy Jo Geraci1 Department of Entomology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20013-7012 USA Xin Zhou2 Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1 Canada John C. Morse3 Department of Entomology, Soils, and Plant Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634 USA Karl M. Kjer4 Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901 USA Abstract. In this paper, we review the history of Hydropsychinae genus-level classification and nomenclature and present new molecular evidence from mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and nuclear large subunit ribosomal ribonucleic acid (28S) markers supporting the monophyly of the genus Hydropsyche.
    [Show full text]
  • Title Ethnoentomology of the Central Kalahari San Author(S) NONAKA
    Title Ethnoentomology of the Central Kalahari San Author(s) NONAKA, Kenichi African study monographs. Supplementary issue (1996), 22: Citation 29-46 Issue Date 1996-12 URL https://doi.org/10.14989/68378 Right Type Journal Article Textversion publisher Kyoto University African Study Monographs, Supp!. 22: 29 - 46, December 1996 29 ETHNOENTOMOLOGY OF THE CENTRAL KALAHARI SAN Kenichi NONAKA Department of geography, Mie University ABSTRACT The Central Kalahari San use many kinds of insects for daily food and materials and as children's play things. This study describes how several insect species are used, which often follows a series of processes from collecting to consumption and the quite diversified insect utilization based on various skills and knowledge in ethnoento­ mology. Even though insects are not an important subsistence resource, the San have an extensive knowledge and make good use of insects. The insects even spice up the San daily life. Key words: insects, ethnoentomology, diversified utilization, food, material, children's play INTRODUCTION The San are known to use many kinds of natural resources and possess great knowledge of nature (Lee, 1979; Tanaka, 1980; Silberbauer, 1981). The principle objectives of San studies have focused on the hunting and gathering subsistence system. Although these studies detailed the uses of various resources, little atten­ tion has been paid to the uses of marginal resources, which I believe are essential in discussing the San's deep and broad knowledge of nature. This paper will describe their extensive knowledge of insects. Through my research, I found that the San are usually in contact with insects in their daily lives and interact with them in various ways.
    [Show full text]
  • Biodiversity and Ecology of Critically Endangered, Rûens Silcrete Renosterveld in the Buffeljagsrivier Area, Swellendam
    Biodiversity and Ecology of Critically Endangered, Rûens Silcrete Renosterveld in the Buffeljagsrivier area, Swellendam by Johannes Philippus Groenewald Thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Science in Conservation Ecology in the Faculty of AgriSciences at Stellenbosch University Supervisor: Prof. Michael J. Samways Co-supervisor: Dr. Ruan Veldtman December 2014 Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za Declaration I hereby declare that the work contained in this thesis, for the degree of Master of Science in Conservation Ecology, is my own work that have not been previously published in full or in part at any other University. All work that are not my own, are acknowledge in the thesis. ___________________ Date: ____________ Groenewald J.P. Copyright © 2014 Stellenbosch University All rights reserved ii Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za Acknowledgements Firstly I want to thank my supervisor Prof. M. J. Samways for his guidance and patience through the years and my co-supervisor Dr. R. Veldtman for his help the past few years. This project would not have been possible without the help of Prof. H. Geertsema, who helped me with the identification of the Lepidoptera and other insect caught in the study area. Also want to thank Dr. K. Oberlander for the help with the identification of the Oxalis species found in the study area and Flora Cameron from CREW with the identification of some of the special plants growing in the area. I further express my gratitude to Dr. Odette Curtis from the Overberg Renosterveld Project, who helped with the identification of the rare species found in the study area as well as information about grazing and burning of Renosterveld.
    [Show full text]
  • A Molecular Phylogeny of the Lamprophiidae Fitzinger (Serpentes, Caenophidia)
    Zootaxa 1945: 51–66 (2008) ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition) www.mapress.com/zootaxa/ ZOOTAXA Copyright © 2008 · Magnolia Press ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition) Dissecting the major African snake radiation: a molecular phylogeny of the Lamprophiidae Fitzinger (Serpentes, Caenophidia) NICOLAS VIDAL1,10, WILLIAM R. BRANCH2, OLIVIER S.G. PAUWELS3,4, S. BLAIR HEDGES5, DONALD G. BROADLEY6, MICHAEL WINK7, CORINNE CRUAUD8, ULRICH JOGER9 & ZOLTÁN TAMÁS NAGY3 1UMR 7138, Systématique, Evolution, Adaptation, Département Systématique et Evolution, C. P. 26, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, 43 Rue Cuvier, Paris 75005, France. E-mail: [email protected] 2Bayworld, P.O. Box 13147, Humewood 6013, South Africa. E-mail: [email protected] 3 Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Rue Vautier 29, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium. E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] 4Smithsonian Institution, Center for Conservation Education and Sustainability, B.P. 48, Gamba, Gabon. 5Department of Biology, 208 Mueller Laboratory, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802-5301 USA. E-mail: [email protected] 6Biodiversity Foundation for Africa, P.O. Box FM 730, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. E-mail: [email protected] 7 Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Heidelberg, INF 364, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany. E-mail: [email protected] 8Centre national de séquençage, Genoscope, 2 rue Gaston-Crémieux, CP5706, 91057 Evry cedex, France. E-mail: www.genoscope.fr 9Staatliches Naturhistorisches Museum, Pockelsstr. 10, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany. E-mail: [email protected] 10Corresponding author Abstract The Elapoidea includes the Elapidae and a large (~60 genera, 280 sp.) and mostly African (including Madagascar) radia- tion termed Lamprophiidae by Vidal et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Print This Article
    VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1 DECEMBER 2008 MADAGASCAR CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT INVESTING FOR A SUSTAINABLE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS OF HUMANS, ANIMALS AND PLANTS OF MADAGASCAR IN THIS ISSUE Taboos & Social Contracts Bats & Bushmeat in Madagascar Endemic Plants in the Mandena Mining Area Radio for Sustain- able Development MADAGASCAR CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 1 — DECEMBER 2008 PAGE 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS EDITORIAL 2 Editorial by Wilmé, L. and Waeber, P. O. 5 Foreword by Camara, C. Image in Action 85 Impressum The attachment that we feel to Madagascar compels us to talk ARTICLES about it – its richness, its values, its people and about life lessons 7 Taboos and social contracts: Tools for ecosystem learned and taught. As these experiences may differ in many management – lessons from the Manambolomaty aspects, a journal is the ideal place for sharing our common Lakes RAMSAR site, western Madagascar. Rabearivony J., ideas, as well as expressing our divergent thoughts and theories. Fanameha, E, Mampiandra, J. and Thorstom R. It is also a conduit for the exchange and transmission of our 17 Three flying fox (Pteropodidae: Pteropus rufus) ideas and perspectives to the world. Thus, it is the ambition roosts, three conservation challenges in southeastern of this journal to talk about Madagascar – it’s natural richness Madagascar. Rahaingodrahety, V. N., Andriafidison, D., and its conservation, about development and challenges in the Ratsimbazafy, J., Racey, P. A. and Jenkins, R. K. B. country, and more generally about components and facets of 22 Bats as bushmeat in Madagascar. Jenkins, R. K. B and conservation and development. Racey, P.
    [Show full text]
  • Ancestral Reconstruction of Diet and Fang Condition in the Lamprophiidae: Implications for the Evolution of Venom Systems in Snakes
    Journal of Herpetology, Vol. 55, No. 1, 1–10, 2021 Copyright 2021 Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Ancestral Reconstruction of Diet and Fang Condition in the Lamprophiidae: Implications for the Evolution of Venom Systems in Snakes 1,2 1 1 HIRAL NAIK, MIMMIE M. KGADITSE, AND GRAHAM J. ALEXANDER 1School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. PO Wits, 2050, Gauteng, South Africa ABSTRACT.—The Colubroidea includes all venomous and some nonvenomous snakes, many of which have extraordinary dental morphology and functional capabilities. It has been proposed that the ancestral condition of the Colubroidea is venomous with tubular fangs. The venom system includes the production of venomous secretions by labial glands in the mouth and usually includes fangs for effective delivery of venom. Despite significant research on the evolution of the venom system in snakes, limited research exists on the driving forces for different fang and dental morphology at a broader phylogenetic scale. We assessed the patterns of fang and dental condition in the Lamprophiidae, a speciose family of advanced snakes within the Colubroidea, and we related fang and dental condition to diet. The Lamprophiidae is the only snake family that includes front-fanged, rear-fanged, and fangless species. We produced an ancestral reconstruction for the family and investigated the pattern of diet and fangs within the clade. We concluded that the ancestral lamprophiid was most likely rear-fanged and that the shift in dental morphology was associated with changes in diet. This pattern indicates that fang loss, and probably venom loss, has occurred multiple times within the Lamprophiidae.
    [Show full text]
  • Lepidoptera Fauna of Namibia. I. Seasonal Distribution of Moths of the Koakoland (Mopane) Savanna in Ogongo, Northern Namibia
    FRAGMENTA FAUNISTICA 57 (2): 117–129, 2014 PL ISSN 0015-9301 © MUSEUM AND INSTITUTE OF ZOOLOGY PAS DOI 10.3161/00159301FF2014.57.2.117 Lepidoptera fauna of Namibia. I. Seasonal distribution of moths of the Koakoland (Mopane) Savanna in Ogongo, northern Namibia Grzegorz KOPIJ Department of Wildlife Management, University of Namibia, Katima Mulilio Campus, Private Bag 1096, Katima Mulilo, Namibia; e-mail: [email protected] Abstract: During the years 2011–2013, moths were collected in Koakoland (Mopane) Savanna in the Cuvelai Drainage System, Ovamboland, northern Namibia. In total, 77 species from 13 families have been identified. Their seasonal occurrence in this habitat was also investigated, with most species recorded in wet season between September and April, but with clear peak in February and March. The family Noctuidae was by far the most speciose (38 recorded species), followed by Crambidae (8 spp.), Sphingidae (6 spp.) and Arctiidae (4 spp.). All other families were represented by 1–3 species. For each species listed date of collection is given, and data on its global distribution. Key words: Lepidoptera, check-list, biodiversity, distribution, moths, Ovamboland INTRODUCTION According to recent quite precise estimate, there are 15 5181 species, 16 650 genera and 121 families of Lepidoptera worldwide (Pouge 2009). Lepidoptera fauna of Namibia has recently attracted attention of European entomologists. However, thorough surveys were conducted hitherto in a few areas only, such as Brandberg and Hobatere. The northern regions of the country were especially badly neglected. In southern Africa (south of Zambezi and Kunene Rivers) – 8 511 species, 2 368 genera and 89 families were recently catalogued (Vári et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Regulation 31 Amendment Report and Environmental Management Programme
    Regulation 31 Amendment Report And Environmental Management Programme for Listed Activities and Amendment Associated with the Sweet Sensation Sand Mine, Free State Province SUBMITTED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORISATIONS IN TERMS OF THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ACT, 1998 (ACT NO. 107 OF 1998) (NEMA) AND THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT WASTE ACT, 2008 (ACT NO. 59 OF 2008) (NEM:WA) IN RESPECT OF LISTED ACTIVITIES THAT HAVE BEEN TRIGGERED BY APPLICATIONS IN TERMS OF THE MINERAL AND PETROLEUM RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT, 2002 (ACT NO. 28 OF 2002) (MPRDA) (AS AMENDED). Name of Applicant: Sweet Sensations Vaal Sand (Pty) Ltd Tel no: 071 640 6388 Fax no: - Remainder of the farm De Pont 228 S171 (near Vaal Eden) Vaal Eden Postal Address: Ngwathe Free State Province Remainder of the farm De Pont 228 S171 (near Vaal Eden) Vaal Eden Physical Address: Ngwathe Free State Province File Reference Number SAMRAD: DMRE Ref. No. FS30/5/1/2/2/10018 EM This document has been prepared by Digby Wells Environmental. Report Type: Regulation 31 Amendment and EMPr Project Name: Sweet Sensation Sand Mine, Free State Province Project Code: SWS6801 Name Responsibility Signature Date February 2021 Modiegi Monaledi Report Compiler Updated May 2021 Claire Report Reviewer February 2021 Wannenburgh Kelly Tucker Senior Reviewer February 2021 Mia Smith OpsCo Reviewer February 2021 This report is provided solely for the purposes set out in it and may not, in whole or in part, be used for any other purpose without Digby Wells Environmental prior written consent. DIGBY WELLS ENVIRONMENTAL i www.digbywells.com Regulation 31 Amendment and EMPr Sweet Sensation Sand Mine, Free State Province SWS6801 IMPORTANT NOTICE In terms of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 (Act No.
    [Show full text]
  • The Effect of Citronella Essential Oil on Controlling the Mango Red
    Volume 8, Number 2, June .2015 ISSN 1995-6673 JJBS Pages 77 - 80 Jordan Journal of Biological Sciences The Effect of Citronella Essential Oil on Controlling the Mango Red-Banded Caterpillar, Noorda albizonalis Hampson (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) * Mizu Istianto and Albertus Soemargono Indonesian Tropical Fruit Research Institute, Agency for Agricultural Research and Development, P.O. Box 5, telp. +62755-20137, fax. +62755-20592 Solok 27301, West Sumatera - Indonesia Received: September 19, 2014 Revised: January 27 , 2014 Accepted: January 31, 2015 Abstract Mango fruit borer (red-banded caterpillar) Noorda albizonalis is one of the important pests detrimental to the cultivation of mangoes. A control measure to reduce the level of attacks is necessary in order to prevent a high loss of yield. Plant based pesticides (as citronella essential oil) are potential pest control agents that are environmentally friendly and are safer than the currently used pest-control agents. The present paper was conducted at the Cukurgondang Research Station, Pasuruan- East Java, Indonesia. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with 8 replications in which the treatments were concentrations of essential oil 2, 4, 6 cc/l and control (untreated). The parameters observed were the intensity of fruit borer attack and the economic profit obtained from the application of citronella oil. The results showed that the application of citronella essential oil could reduce the rate of fruit borer attack and the production loss on mango, mainly at a concentration of 6 and 4 cc/l. The profit per hectare gained from its application at a concentration of 6 and 4 cc/l was IDR 3,596,000 and IDR 2,864,000, respectively (US$1 = IDR 9,700).
    [Show full text]
  • Biomass Power Project Invertebrates Scoping Level
    Biomass Power Project Invertebrates Scoping level John Irish 21 June 2017 Biodata Consultancy cc P.O. Box 30061, Windhoek, Namibia [email protected] 2 Table of Contents 1 Introduction........................................................................................................................3 2 Approach to study..............................................................................................................3 2.1 Terms of reference..........................................................................................................3 2.2 Methodology...................................................................................................................3 2.2.1 Literature survey..........................................................................................................3 2.2.2 Site visits......................................................................................................................5 3 Limitations and Assumptions.............................................................................................5 4 Legislative context..............................................................................................................6 4.1 Applicable laws and policies...........................................................................................6 5 Results...............................................................................................................................7 5.1 Raw diversity...................................................................................................................7
    [Show full text]