DOCSLIB.ORG

1 Introduction

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
1 Introduction MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION AND SOME ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS INFLUENCING DISTRIBUTION OF THE ENDANGERED AND ENDEMIC Gulella taitensis IN TAITA HILLS, KENYA MWAURA NJERI ANN, (BSc) Reg. No. I56/10628/2006 A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE (GENETICS) IN THE SCHOOL OF PURE AND APPLIED SCIENCES OF KENYATTA UNIVERSITY APRIL 2010 ii DECLARATION This thesis is my original work and has not been presented for a degree in any other university or any other award. Mwaura Njeri Ann, (BSc) Reg. No. I56/10628/2006 Signature………………………… Date………………. We confirm that the work reported in this thesis was carried out by the candidate under our supervision. Prof. Douglas Ndiritu Department of Plant and Microbial Science Kenyatta University P.O Box 43844- 00100, Nairobi Signature…………………………. Date………………. Dr. Charles N. Lange Department of Invertebrate Zoology, National Museums of Kenya P. O. Box 40658-00100, Nairobi Signature………………………….. Date………………………. Dr. Kem Githui Department of Molecular Genetics, National Museums of Kenya P. O. Box 40658-00100, Nairobi Signature…………………………. Date………………. iii DEDICATION I dedicate this work to my daughter Hope Gathoni, nephews Nduba, Berac, Neem and, my Niece Wairimu, my husband Francis and all my other family members. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I acknowledge the grace of God which has enabled me to come this far, His grace has been sufficient for me. I wish to acknowledge Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) who sponsored this research, The Nature Kenya office which facilitated the logistics, National Museums of Kenya and especially Molecular Genetics and Entomology Sections where lab work was carried out, Kenyatta University, KEFRI, Forest office and Mr Muigai District Forest Officer, Wundanyi. I am indebted to my supervisors Prof. Nderitu, Dr.Lange and Dr. Githui, Mr.Reuben and driver who assisted me during field work. My mother Mary, sisters Hellen, Grace, Rosemary and Njeri and Dr. Kamiri Nduba, Harun and Francis my husband, who always encouraged and gave me moral support during my low moments, I will always be grateful. To all my friends who gave me moral support and made this work possible I will always be grateful. v TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ........................................................................................................... ii DEDICATION ............................................................................................................. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................................ iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................... v LIST OF TABLES ....................................................................................................... vii LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................... viii ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ..................................................................... ix ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................... x CHAPTER ONE ............................................................................................................ 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background .............................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Problem statement and justification ......................................................................... 3 1.3 Research questions ................................................................................................... 3 1.4 Hypotheses ............................................................................................................... 4 1.5 Objectives ................................................................................................................ 4 1.5.1 General objective .................................................................................................. 4 1.5.2 Specific objectives ................................................................................................ 4 CHAPTER TWO ........................................................................................................... 5 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW ........................................................................................ 5 2.1 Land snails in East Africa ........................................................................................ 5 2.2 Taita hills forest ....................................................................................................... 6 2.3 Land snail and forest calcium .................................................................................. 7 2.4 Land snail diet and behavior .................................................................................... 9 2.5 Economic importance of land snails ...................................................................... 10 2.6 Molecular systematics ............................................................................................ 12 2.6.1 Amplification of microsatellites ......................................................................... 13 CHAPTER THREE ..................................................................................................... 17 3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS ........................................................................... 17 3.1 The study area ........................................................................................................ 17 3.2 Methods.................................................................................................................. 19 3.2 1 Site selection ....................................................................................................... 19 3.2.2 Sampling Gulella taitensis .................................................................................. 19 3.2.3 Preservation of snail for DNA extraction ........................................................... 20 3.2. 4 DNA extraction .................................................................................................. 20 3.2.5 Gel electrophoresis.............................................................................................. 21 3.2.5.1 Agarose gel electrophoreses ............................................................................ 21 3.2.5.2 Acrylamide gel electrophoresis ........................................................................ 22 3.2.6 PCR ..................................................................................................................... 22 3.2.7 Determination of environmental factors ............................................................. 23 3.2.8 Litter depth and percentage cover ....................................................................... 23 3.2.9 Percentage canopy cover ..................................................................................... 24 3.2.10 Trees density, dead fallen wood density ........................................................... 24 3.3 Data analysis .......................................................................................................... 24 CHAPTER FOUR ........................................................................................................ 25 4.0 RESULTS .............................................................................................................. 25 4.1 Genetic diversity of G. taitensis............................................................................. 25 4.2 Distribution of G. taitensis ..................................................................................... 29 4.3 Correlation analysis of environmental variables with snail ................................... 33 vi 4.4 Regression analysis ................................................................................................ 36 CHAPTER FIVE ......................................................................................................... 38 5.0 DISCUSSION ........................................................................................................ 38 5.1 Molecular characteristics of G. taitensis ................................................................ 38 5.2 Distribution of G. taitensis in Taita hills ............................................................... 38 5.3 Influence of environmental factors on distribution of G. taitensis ........................ 40 CHAPTER SIX ............................................................................................................ 44 6.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................. 44 6.1 Conclusion ............................................................................................................. 44 6.2 Recommendations .................................................................................................. 45 CHAPTER SEVEN ..................................................................................................... 47 7.0 REFERENCE ......................................................................................................... 47 CHAPTER EIGHT ...................................................................................................... 54 8.0 Appendices ............................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Gastropoda) of the Islands of Sao Tome and Principe, with New Records and Descriptions of New Taxa
    This is the submitted version of the article: “Holyoak, D.T., Holyoak, G.A., Lima, R.F. de, Panisi, M. and Sinclair, F. 2020. A checklist of the land Mollusca (Gastropoda) of the islands of Sao Tome and Principe, with new records and descriptions of new taxa. Iberus, 38 (2): 219-319.” This version has not been peer-reviewed and is only being shared to comply with funder requirements. Please do not use it in any form and contact the authors (e.g.: [email protected]) to get access to the accepted version of the article. 1 New species and genera and new island records of land snails (Gastropoda) from the islands of São Tomé and Príncipe Nueva especies de .... David T. HOLYOAK1, Geraldine A. HOLYOAK1, Ricardo F. de LIMA2,3, Martina PANISI2 and Frazer SINCLAIR3,4 Recibidio el ... ABSTRACT Seven species of terrestrial Gastropoda are newly described from the island of São Tomé and six more from the island of Príncipe. The genera involved are Chondrocyclus (Cyclophoridae), Maizania and Thomeomaizania (Maizaniidae), Pseudoveronicella (Veronicellidae), Nothapalus (Achatinidae: subfamily undet.), Gulella and Streptostele (Streptaxidae), Truncatellina (Truncatellinidae), Afroconulus (Euconulidae), Principicochlea gen. nov., Principotrochoidea gen. nov., Thomithapsia gen. nov. and Thomitrochoidea gen. nov. (Urocyclidae). Most of these are from natural forest habitats and are likely to be single- island endemics. Apothapsia gen. nov. (Helicarionidae) is also described to accommodate two previously known species. Additional new island records are of ten species on São Tomé, one on Príncipe alone and two more on both islands. These include six species of "microgastropods" with wider ranges in tropical Africa that are likely to be hitherto overlooked parts of the indigenous fauna and six anthropogenic introductions; Pseudopeas crossei previously known only from Príncipe and Bioko is newly recorded on São Tomé.
    [Show full text]
  • THE STUDY of SNAILS and SLUGS in EAST AFRICA Most Members Of
    52 VOL. XXII THE STUDY OF SNAILS AND SLUGS IN EAST AFRICA By BERNARD VERDCOURT, B.SC., F.L.S. Most members of the Society probably see a few snails during their rambles, but have not been able to identify them. Many may not have realised that they are worth collecting. Much material is still needed from East Africa particularly by local Museums. Every member can help by collecting. Material complete with the animal preserved in spirit is parti• cularly needed. Almost any species of snail drowned, and then preserved is of great value for anatomical investigations. Any member thinking of specialising on a particular group could do a considerable amount of new work. The writer is willing to receive material at the East African Herba• rium, P.O. Box 5166, Nairobi and attempt identifications. Any material received will be put in the study collection of the Coryndon Museum. Snails and slugs belong to the Mollusca which is the second largest group in the animal kingdom, following the insects in abundance of individuals and species. It comes a very poor second, however, there being perhaps about 70,000 described molluscs as against a million or more insects. The phylum Mollusca contains a wide variety of animals which would perhaps not be associated with each other by a layman. Octopi, mussels, chitons, slugs, sea and land shells all belong to the same phylum. It is not a very easy group to define; most of the members of it have a shell which is laid down by tissues known as the mantle; those having a head develop a highly characteristic rasping organ termed a radula (about which more will be said in another article); most species have a muscular foot used for locomotion; and all have a rather complicated nervous and reproductive system.
    [Show full text]
  • WCM 2001 Abstract Volume
    Abstracts Council of UNITAS MALACOLOGICA 1998-2001 World Congress of President: Luitfried SALVINI-PLAWEN (Wien/Vienna, Austria) Malacology Secretary: Peter B. MORDAN (London, England, UK) Treasurer: Jackie VAN GOETHEM (Bruxelles/Brussels, Belgium) 2001 Members of Council: Takahiro ASAMI (Matsumoto, Japan) Klaus BANDEL (Hamburg, Germany) Yuri KANTOR (Moskwa/Moscow, Russia) Pablo Enrique PENCHASZADEH (Buenos Aires, Argentinia) John D. TAYLOR (London, England, UK) Vienna, Austria Retired President: Rüdiger BIELER (Chicago, USA) 19. – 25. August Edited by Luitfried Salvini-Plawen, Janice Voltzow, Helmut Sattmann and Gerhard Steiner Published by UNITAS MALACOLOGICA, Vienna 2001 I II Organisation of Congress Symposia held at the WCM 2001 Organisers-in-chief: Gerhard STEINER (Universität Wien) Ancient Lakes: Laboratories and Archives of Molluscan Evolution Luitfried SALVINI-PLAWEN (Universität Wien) Organised by Frank WESSELINGH (Leiden, The Netherlands) and Christiane TODT (Universität Wien) Ellinor MICHEL (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) (sponsored by UM). Helmut SATTMANN (Naturhistorisches Museum Wien) Molluscan Chemosymbiosis Organised by Penelope BARNES (Balboa, Panama), Carole HICKMAN Organising Committee (Berkeley, USA) and Martin ZUSCHIN (Wien/Vienna, Austria) Lisa ANGER Anita MORTH (sponsored by UM). Claudia BAUER Rainer MÜLLAN Mathias BRUCKNER Alice OTT Thomas BÜCHINGER Andreas PILAT Hermann DREYER Barbara PIRINGER Evo-Devo in Mollusca Karl EDLINGER (NHM Wien) Heidemarie POLLAK Organised by Gerhard HASZPRUNAR (München/Munich, Germany) Pia Andrea EGGER Eva-Maria PRIBIL-HAMBERGER and Wim J.A.G. DICTUS (Utrecht, The Netherlands) (sponsored by Roman EISENHUT (NHM Wien) AMS). Christine EXNER Emanuel REDL Angelika GRÜNDLER Alexander REISCHÜTZ AMMER CHAEFER Mag. Sabine H Kurt S Claudia HANDL Denise SCHNEIDER Matthias HARZHAUSER (NHM Wien) Elisabeth SINGER Molluscan Conservation & Biodiversity Franz HOCHSTÖGER Mariti STEINER Organised by Ian KILLEEN (Felixtowe, UK) and Mary SEDDON Christoph HÖRWEG Michael URBANEK (Cardiff, UK) (sponsored by UM).
    [Show full text]
  • The Nautilus
    THE NAUTILUS A MONTHLY JOURNAL DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF CONCHOLOGISTS. VOL. XI. MAY, 1897, to APRIL, 1898. PHILADELPHIA : r Published by H. A. PILSBKY and C. V, . JOHNSON. H' INDEX TO THE NAUTILUS, VOL. XI. INDEX TO TITLES AND SPECIES DESCRIBED. Achatina Crawford! Melv. viviparous 69 Actieon Traskii Stearns, n. sp 14 Ariolimax californicus 76 Ariolimax costaricensis 77 Agriolinmx, notes on (illustrated) '15 Amphidromus Eudeli Ancey, n. sp 63 Amphidromus Fultoni Ancey, n. sp 62 Ampullaria, sinistral 33 Auoinia navicelloides Aldrich, n. sp. (Eocene) 87 Bothriopupa Pils 119 Bolinas, California; The conchologists paradise .... 49 Breeding sinistral Helices 70 " " Bulimi from the Hebrides, on two so-called 26 Bullia buccinoides Merriam, n. sp. (M. Eocene) .... 64 Bullia Uruguayensis Pilsl)ry, n. sp 6 Callista varians in Florida 33 Cancellaria annosa Aldricb, n. sp. (Eocene) 97 Cancellaria graciloides Aldricb, n. sp. (Eocene) .... 98 Cancellaria graciloides var. bella Aldrich, n. var. (Eocene) 98 Cancellaria lanceolata Aldrich, n. sp. (Eocene) .... 27 of Catalogue American laud shells with localities, 45, 59, 7J,83, 93, 105, 117, 127 Cathaica Funki Ancey, n. sp 16 Ccelocentrum astrophorea Dall, n. sp 62 Collecting at Ballast Point 67 Collecting in Monterey Bay 23 Collection of Mollusks from Grand Tower, Illinois ... 28 Conchological notes from Louisiana 3 Coralliophaga, a new subgeuus of 135 (iii) IV THE NAUTILUS. Cyprteidse, Hawaiian 123 Cyptherea Newcombei Merriam, n. sp. (M. Neocene) . 64 Cyptherea vancouverensis Merriam, n. sp. (M. Neocene) 64 Diplomorplia ruga and Bernieri 26 Editorial correspondence 66 Epiphragmophora californiensis var. contracostee .... 54 Eucalodium hippocastaneum Ball, n. sp 61 Florida shells 31 Fresh water shells in the northeast of Maine 9 Gastrodonta collisella percallosa Pilsbry, n.
    [Show full text]
  • Research Report 2006 / 2007
    UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL RESEARCH REPORT 2006 / 2007 RESEARCH REPORT UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL RESEARCH REPORT HIV and AIDS Economic Development Water Quantum Technologies Food Security Race And Identity Cultural Heritage Tourism Conservation African Literature Agribusiness Forestry HIV and AIDS Economic Development Water Quantum Technologies Food Security Race And Identity Cultural Heritage Tourism Conservation African Literature Agribusiness Forestry HIV and AIDS Economic Development Water Quantum Technologies Food Security Race And Identity Cultural Heritage Tourism ConservatiOn African Literature Agribusiness Forestry HIV and AIDS Economic Development Water Quantum Technologies Food Security Race And Identity Cultural Heritage Tourism Conservation African Literature Agribusiness Forestry HIV and AIDS Economic Development Water Quantum Technologies Food Security Race And Identity Cultural Heritage Tourism Conservation African Literature Agribusiness Forestry HIV and AIDS Economic Development Water Quantum Technologies Food Security Race And IdentitY Cultural Heritage Tourism Conservation African Literature Agribusiness Forestry HIV and AIDS Economic Development Water Quantum Technologies Food Security Race And Identity Cultural Heritage Tourism Conservation African Literature Agribusiness Forestry HIV and AIDS Economic Development Water Quantum Technologies Food Security Race And Identity Cultural Heritage Tourism Conservation African Literature Agribusiness Forestry HIV and AIDS Economic Development Water Quantum TechnoLogies
    [Show full text]
  • Zool. Med. Leiden 82 (41), 20.Vi.2008: 441-477, fi Gs 1-45, 1 Table.— ISSN 0024-0672
    Redefi nition of Thapsia Albers, 1860, and description of three more helicarionoid genera from western Africa (Gastropoda, Stylommatophora) A.J. de Winter Winter, A.J. de. Redefi nition of Thapsia Albers, 1860, and description of three more helicarionoid genera from western Africa (Gastropoda, Stylommatophora). Zool. Med. Leiden 82 (41), 20.vi.2008: 441-477, fi gs 1-45, 1 table.— ISSN 0024-0672. A.J. de Winter, National Museum of Natural History, P.O. Box 9517, NL 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands ([email protected]). Key words: Cameroon; Côte d'Ivoire; Gabon; Africa; Gastropoda; taxonomy; land snails; Helicarionoi- dea; Thapsia; Saphtia; Pseudosaphtia; Vanmolia; Urocyclidae. As presently used, the helicarionoid genus Thapsia Albers, 1860 embraces a large, heterogeneous assem- blage of species. As a fi rst step in the revision of this group of taxa, the genus Thapsia (type species Helix troglodytes Morelet, 1848) is redefi ned anatomically and conchologically. In the absence of alcohol-pre- served material of T. troglodytes, Thapsia ebimimbangana spec. nov. from Cameroon and T. wieringai spec. nov. from Gabon are described to characterize the soft parts morphology of Thapsia. Three new genera are introduced, viz. Saphtia gen. nov. (type species S. granulosa spec. nov.), Pseudosaphtia gen. nov. (type species P. brunnea spec. nov.) and Vanmolia gen. nov. (type species Thapsia sjoestedti d’Ailly, 1896). A second species of Saphtia, S. lamtoensis spec. nov., is described to illustrate the large conchological variability of the genus. The identity of Helix calamechroa Jonas in Philippi, 1843 (now Saphtia calamechroa stat. nov.), Thapsia buchholzi Bourguignat, 1885, and Thapsia rosenbergi Preston, 1909 is briefl y discussed.
    [Show full text]
  • A Catalogue of Molluscan Type S
    Richards, Margaret Crozier Catalogue of molluscan type specimens... 1969* a?L 4 ec ^ Contents Introduction-page 2. Acknowledgments-page 3. Brief notes on the principal shell collections acquired by the American Museum since 1874-page 4. Curators of the A.M.N.H. Collection of Mollusca-page 6. Annotated list of type specimens-page 7. Class Amphlneura-page 7- Class Pelecypoda-page 7. Class Gastropoda-page 15* Class Scaphopoda-page 118. Annotated list of type specimens which cannot be located- page 121. List of types described by John C. Jay not located in the American Museum-page 123. Bibliography-page 124. 2. During the years i960 to 1964 a major reorganization of the molluscan collection of the Department of Living Invertebrates of the American Museum of Natural History was undertaken under the auspices of the National Science Foundation. The valuable work done in this period indicated the desirability of preparing a catalog of the Recent mollus¬ can .jjucxiuuiis held by the museum. While most of the type specimens had been separated from the main collection for a number of years, an attempt was made to complete this segregation. Many specimens not previously recognized as types were transferred to the type repository and this paper is a preliminary attempt to catalog and evaluate the specimens now held separately in this repository. Much of the museum's collection consists of historically important material from old collections in which the identification of type specimens is often difficult and uncertain. The concept and importance of a type was sometimes improperly understood by early collectors and misconceptions later arose from their incorrect and inadequate labels.
    [Show full text]
  • Austrian Museum in Linz (Austria): History of Curatorial and Educational Activities Concerning Molluscs, Checklists and Profiles of Main Contributers
    The mollusc collection at the Upper Austrian Museum in Linz (Austria): History of curatorial and educational activities concerning molluscs, checklists and profiles of main contributers E r n a A ESCHT & A g n e s B ISENBERGER Abstract: The Biology CentRe of the UppeR AuStRian MuSeum in Linz (OLML) haRbouRS collectionS of “diveRSe inveRtebRateS“ excluding inSectS fRom moRe than two centuRieS. ThiS cuRatoRShip exiStS Since 1992, Since 1998 tempoRaRily SuppoRted by a mol- luSc SpecialiSt. A hiStoRical SuRvey of acceSSion policy, muSeum’S RemiSeS, and cuRatoRS iS given StaRting fRom 1833. OuR publica- tion activitieS conceRning malacology, papeRS Related to the molluSc collection and expeRienceS on molluSc exhibitionS aRe Sum- maRiSed. The OLML holdS moRe than 105,000 RecoRded, viz laRgely well documented, about 3000 undeteRmined SeRieS and type mateRial of oveR 12,000 nominal molluSc taxa. ImpoRtant contRibuteRS to the pRedominantly gaStRopod collection aRe KaRl WeS- Sely (1861–1946), JoSef GanSlmayR (1872–1950), Stephan ZimmeRmann (1896–1980), WalteR Klemm (1898–1961), ERnSt Mikula (1900–1970), FRitz Seidl (1936–2001) and ChRiSta FRank (maRRied FellneR; *1951). Between 1941 and 1944 the Nazi Regime con- fiScated fouR monaSteRieS, i.e. St. FloRian, WilheRing, Schlägl and Vyšší BRod (HohenfuRth), including alSo molluScS, which have been tRanSfeRRed to Linz and lateR paRtially ReStituted. A contRact diScoveRed in the Abbey Schlägl StRongly SuggeStS that about 12,000 SpecimenS containS “duplicateS” (poSSibly SyntypeS) of SpecieS intRoduced in the 18th centuRy by Ignaz von BoRn and Johann CaRl MegeRle von Mühlfeld. On hand of many photogRaphS, paRticulaRly of taxa Sized within millimeteR RangeS and opeR- ated by the Stacking technique (including thoSe endangeRed in UppeR AuStRia), eigth tableS giving an oveRview on peRSonS involved in buidling the collection and liStS of countRieS and geneRa contained, thiS aRticle intendS to open the molluSc collec- tion of a pRovincial muSeum foR the inteRnational public.
    [Show full text]
  • Zoologische Mededelingen Uitgegeven Door Het
    ZOOLOGISCHE MEDEDELINGEN UITGEGEVEN DOOR HET RIJKSMUSEUM VAN NATUURLIJKE HISTORIE TE LEIDEN (MINISTERIE VAN CULTUUR, RECREATIE EN MAATSCHAPPELIJK WERK) Deel 56 no. 18 18 juni 1982 NOTES ON EAST AFRICAN LAND AND FRESHWATER SNAILS, 12-15 by BERNARD VERDCOURT Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, England With 16 text-figures and three plates The following notes mostly concern the description of new species from East Africa in connection with renewed work on a check-list of the non-marine Mollusca of that area which has been in preparation during the past 25 years. A fairly complete manuscript has been available for many years but additional material and further research continually render it in need of revision. Previous notes in this series were published in Basteria, the last being Verdcourt (1978). A number of the professional photos have been kindly made by Mr. A. 't Hooft of the Department of Systematics and Evolutionary Biology of the Univer- sity, Leiden; Dr. A. C. van Bruggen of the same university department has made the paper ready for the press. The following abbreviations are used in the text: BM, British Museum (Natural History), Lon- don; MRAC, Musée Royal d'Afrique Centrale, Tervuren; NM, National Museum, Nairobi (formerly Coryndon Museum); RMNH, Rijksmuseum van Natuurlijke Historie, Leiden. In the genitalia drawings the following abbreviations have been used: A - atrium; C - caecum; CD - com- mon duct; CG - calcareous gland; Ε - epiphallus; F - flagellum; Ρ - penis; PA - penial appendage; PIL - pilaster; PR - penial retractor; S - spermatheca; SD - spermathecal duct; SP - spermatophore; U - uterus; V - vagina; VD - vas deferens; WI - wall 1; Wll - wall 2.
    [Show full text]
  • Globally Threatened Biodiversity of the Eastern Arc Mountains and Coastal Forests of Kenya and Tanzania
    Journal of East African Natural History 105(1): 115–201 (2016) GLOBALLY THREATENED BIODIVERSITY OF THE EASTERN ARC MOUNTAINS AND COASTAL FORESTS OF KENYA AND TANZANIA Roy E. Gereau Missouri Botanical Garden P.O. Box 299, St. Louis, MO 63116-0299, USA [email protected] Neil Cumberlidge Department of Biology, Northern Michigan University Marquette, MI 49855-5376, USA [email protected] Claudia Hemp Department of Animal Ecology & Tropical Biology Biocenter University of Würzburg am Hubland 97074 Würzburg, Germany [email protected] Axel Hochkirch Biogeography, Trier University 54286 Trier, Germany [email protected] Trevor Jones Southern Tanzania Elephant Program P.O. Box 2494, Iringa, Tanzania [email protected] Mercy Kariuki Africa Partnership Secretariat, BirdLife International P.O. Box 3502-00100, Nairobi, Kenya [email protected] Charles N. Lange Zoology Department, National Museums of Kenya P.O. Box 40658, Nairobi, Kenya [email protected] Simon P. Loader Department of Life Sciences, University of Roehampton London, SW15 4JD, United Kingdom [email protected] Patrick K. Malonza Zoology Department, National Museums of Kenya 116 R.E. Gereau et al. P.O. Box 40658, Nairobi, Kenya [email protected] Michele Menegon Tropical Biodiversity Section, MUSE—Museo delle Scienze Corso del Lavoro e della Scienza 3 38122 Trento, Italy [email protected] P. Kariuki Ndang’ang’a Africa Partnership Secretariat, BirdLife International P.O. Box 3502-00100, Nairobi, Kenya [email protected] Francesco Rovero Tropical Biodiversity Section, MUSE—Museo delle Scienze Corso del Lavoro e della Scienza 3 38122 Trento, Italy Udzungwa Ecological Monitoring Centre Udzungwa Mountains National Park P.O.
    [Show full text]
  • Molluscan Studies
    Journal of The Malacological Society of London Molluscan Studies Journal of Molluscan Studies (2015) 81: 187–195. doi:10.1093/mollus/eyu089 Advance Access publication date: 3 February 2015 Featured Article Mating behaviour, dart shape and spermatophore morphology of the Cuban tree snail Polymita picta (Born, 1780) Bernardo Reyes-Tur1, John A. Allen2, Nilia Cuellar-Araujo1, Norvis Herna´ndez3, Monica Lodi4, Abelardo A. Me´ndez-Herna´ndez5 and Joris M. Koene4 1Departamento de Biologı´a, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad de Oriente, Ave. Patricio Lumumba, Santiago de Cuba 90500, Cuba; 2Centre for Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK; 3Parque Nacional Alejandro de Humboldt, Baracoa, Guanta´namo, Cuba; 4Animal Ecology, Department of Ecological Science, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, VU University, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; and 5Centro de Estudios de Biotecnologı´a Industrial, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad de Oriente, Ave. Patricio Lumumba, Santiago de Cuba 90500, Cuba Correspondence: B. Reyes-Tur; e-mail: [email protected] (Received 24 July 2014; accepted 12 November 2014) ABSTRACT Hermaphroditic animals display a remarkable range of complex mating behaviours that are frequently related to the transfer of accessory-gland products. Here, we describe the use of the dart, an accessory reproductive device, and the mating behaviour of the hermaphroditic Cuban tree snail Polymita picta. Mating can be divided into three stages: courtship, copulation and post-copulation. Polymita picta has the longest mating duration of all Polymita species investigated so far. During courtship, a partial genital eversion exposes the sensitive zone, genital lobes and dart apparatus. During all mating stages, three uses of the dart apparatus can be distinguished: wiping, rubbing and stabbing, all of which mainly target the anterior region of the body, usually without loss of the dart.
    [Show full text]
  • Archiv Für Naturgeschichte
    ZOBODAT - www.zobodat.at Zoologisch-Botanische Datenbank/Zoological-Botanical Database Digitale Literatur/Digital Literature Zeitschrift/Journal: Archiv für Naturgeschichte Jahr/Year: 1886 Band/Volume: 52-2-1 Autor(en)/Author(s): Pfeffer Georg Johann Artikel/Article: Bericht über die wissenschaftlichen Leistungen im Gebiete der Malakologie während des Jahres 1885. 1-96 ; © Biodiversity Heritage Library, http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/; www.zobodat.at Bericht über die wissenscliaftliclieii Leistungen im Gebiete der Malakologie während des Jahres 1885. Von Dr. Georg Pfeffer. Allgemeines. Conchologische Journale. Journal de Conchyliologie, herausgegeben von H. Crosse und P. Fischer. Vol. XXXIII. — Malakozoologische Blätter, herausgegeben von S. Clessin, Vol. VII u. VIII pt. — Jahrbücher der Deutschen Malako- zoologischen Gesellschaft, herausg. v. W. Kobelt, XII. Jahr- gang. — Nachrichtsblatt der D. M. Ges., XVII. — Journal of Conchology, Vol. IV. — Annales et buUetin de la societe malacologique de Belgique, XIX.; Proces verbaux des sceances de la societe royale malacologique de Belgique, XIV. — Bolletino de la Societa malacologica Italiana, Vol. XL — Bulletin de la societe malacologique de France, Vol. IL - P. Fischer setzt ein werthvolles „Manual de Con- chyliologie" fort bis zu den Scaphopoden. (j. W. Tryon hat den Band VII seines „Manual of Conchology" vollendet und beginnt nunmehr die Behandlung der Pulmonaten. Vom Martini-Chemnitz'schen Conchylien-Cabinet sind erschienen: Dohrn, Helix in Forts., Clessin, Planorbis, Pompholyx und Choanomphalus zu Ende, Physa in Forts. Löbbecke, Cancellaria in Forts.; Weinkauff, Rissoina und Rissoa zu Ende. Arch. f. Naturgescli. 52 Jahrg. Bd. U. H. 1, a © Biodiversity Heritage Library, http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/; www.zobodat.at 2 Dr. G e r g P f e f f e r : Ber.
    [Show full text]