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Density, Distribution and Habitat Requirements for the Ozark Pocket Gopher (Geomys Bursarius Ozarkensis)
DENSITY, DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT REQUIREMENTS FOR THE OZARK POCKET GOPHER (Geomys bursarius ozarkensis) Audrey Allbach Kershen, B. S. Thesis Prepared for the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS May 2004 APPROVED: Kenneth L. Dickson, Co-Major Professor Douglas A. Elrod, Co-Major Professor Thomas L. Beitinger, Committee Member Sandra L. Terrell, Interim Dean of the Robert B. Toulouse School of Graduate Studies Kershen, Audrey Allbach, Density, distribution and habitat requirements for the Ozark pocket gopher (Geomys bursarius ozarkensis). Master of Science (Environmental Science), May 2004, 67 pp., 6 tables, 6 figures, 69 references. A new subspecies of the plains pocket gopher (Geomys bursarius ozarkensis), located in the Ozark Mountains of north central Arkansas, was recently described by Elrod et al. (2000). Current range for G. b. ozarkensis was established, habitat preference was assessed by analyzing soil samples, vegetation and distance to stream and potential pocket gopher habitat within the current range was identified. A census technique was used to estimate a total density of 3, 564 pocket gophers. Through automobile and aerial survey 51 known fields of inhabitance were located extending the range slightly. Soil analyses indicated loamy sand as the most common texture with a slightly acidic pH and a broad range of values for other measured soil parameters and 21 families of vegetation were identified. All inhabited fields were located within an average of 107.2m from waterways and over 1,600 hectares of possible suitable habitat was identified. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Appreciation is extended to the members of my committee, Dr. Kenneth Dickson, Dr. Douglas Elrod and Dr. -
Four New Species of Paspalum (Poaceae, Paniceae) from Central Brazil, and Resurrection of an Old One
Systematic Botany (2008), 33(2): pp. 267–276 © Copyright 2008 by the American Society of Plant Taxonomists Four New Species of Paspalum (Poaceae, Paniceae) from Central Brazil, and Resurrection of an Old One Gabriel H. Rua,1,4 José F. M. Valls,1 Dalva Graciano-Ribeiro,2 and Regina C. Oliveira3 1EMBRAPA Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Parque Estação Biológica, Final W-5 Norte, Caixa Postal 02372, CEP 70770-900 Brasília, DF, Brazil 2Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Botânica, Campus Universitário, Asa Norte, Caixa-Postal 04457, 70910-900 Brasília, DF, Brazil 3Herbário Dárdano de Andrade Lima, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Caixa Postal 137, CEP 59600-970, Mossoró, RN, Brazil 4Author for correspondence, present address: Cátedra de Botánica Agrícola, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Av. San Martín 4453, C1417DSE Buenos Aires, Argentina ([email protected]) Communicating Editor: Gregory M. Plunkett Abstract—Four new Brazilian species from the genus Paspalum are described and illustrated: P. phaeotrichum, P. vexillarium, P. veredense, and P. clipeum. Paspalum phaeotrichum is an annual with no obvious affinity to any known species of Paspalum, although it shares several characters with species of both P. subg. Ceresia and the ’Bertoniana’ group. Paspalum vexillarium is presumably related to P. ceresia, with which it has been confused. Paspalum veredense shows affinities with both P. ellipticum and P. erianthoides. Paspalum clipeum is probably related to annual species of the ’Plicatula’ group, although it lacks the dark brown upper florets typical of that group. Moreover, P. spissum, a species currently considered as a synonym under P. -
Arrowroot Production and Utilization in the Marshall Islands
J. Ethnobiol. 14(2):211-234 Winter 1994 TRADITIONAL ARROWROOT PRODUCTION AND UTILIZATION IN THE MARSHALL ISLANDS DIRK H. R. SPENNEMANN Johnstone Centre of Parks, RecreJltion, and Heritage Charles Sturt University p. 0. Box 789 Albury, NSW 2640 Australia ABSTRACT.-This paperexamines the traditional and modern role of Polynesian arrowroot (Tacca leontopetaloides) in the subsistence and market economy of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, a group of atolls in the central equatorial Pacific Ocean. The plant is discussed in its biological and nutritional parameters. Aspects of traditional arrowroot production, starch extraction, and food preparation are examined. In the final section the potential role of the root crop in modern Mar shallese society is discussed. RESUMEN.-Este trabajo examina el papel tradicional y moderno de Tacca leon topetaloides en la economfa de subsistencia y de mercado en la Republica de las Islas Marshall, un grupo de Islas coralinas en el Oceano Pacifico ecuatoria1 cen tral. Se discuten los parimetros biol6gicos y nutricionales de esta planta, y se examinan los aspectos de la producci6n tradicional, la extracci6n de almid6n y la preparaci6n como alimento. En la secci6n final se discute el papel potencial de este cu1tivo en 1a sociedad moderna de las Islas Marshall. REsUME.-Nous examinons les roles traditionels et modernes de l'arrowroot Polynesien (raWl leontopetaloides) dans la subsistance et I'economie de la Repub Iique des Ilsles Marshalles, un groupe d'attoUs de l'Ocean Pacifique Equatorial Central. Les parametres biologiques et nutritifs de cette plante sont consideres. NOllS examinons dif£erents aspects de production traditionelle d'arrowroot, ainsi que I'extraction de la £ecule et Ia preparation des aliments. -
Avicennia Marina Mangrove Forest
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES Published June 6 Mar Ecol Prog Ser Resource competition between macrobenthic epifauna and infauna in a Kenyan Avicennia marina mangrove forest J. Schrijvers*,H. Fermon, M. Vincx University of Gent, Department of Morphology, Systematics and Ecology, Marine Biology Section, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, B-9000 Gent, Belgium ABSTRACT: A cage exclusion experiment was used to examine the interaction between the eplbenthos (permanent and vls~tlng)and the macroinfauna of a high intertidal Kenyan Avicennia marina man- grove sediment. Densities of Ollgochaeta (families Tubificidae and Enchytraeidae), Amphipoda, Insecta larvae, Polychaeta and macro-Nematoda, and a broad range of environmental factors were fol- lowed over 5 mo of caging. A significant increase of amphipod and insect larvae densities in the cages indicated a positive exclusion effect, while no such effect was observed for oligochaetes (Tubificidae in particular), polychaetes or macronematodes. Resource competitive interactions were a plausible expla- nation for the status of the amphipod community. This was supported by the parallel positive exclusion effect detected for microalgal densities. It is therelore hypothesized that competition for microalgae and deposited food sources is the determining structuring force exerted by the epibenthos on the macrobenthic infauna. However, the presence of epibenthic predation cannot be excluded. KEY WORDS: Macrobenthos . Infauna . Epibenthos - Exclusion experiment . Mangroves . Kenya INTRODUCTION tioned that these areas are intensively used by epiben- thic animals as feeding grounds, nursery areas and Exclusion experiments are a valuable tool for detect- shelters (Hutchings & Saenger 1987).In order to assess ing the influence of epibenthic animals on endobenthic the importance of the endobenthic community under communities. -
THE MASTHEAD Vol
THE MASTHEAD Vol. 32 No. 4 WINTER 2012‐2013 Mid‐ Atlan c Marine Educa on Associa on From the Captain’s Quarters I am pleased to address the membership for the first time in the Masthead as MAMEA President. I hope that all of our members and their loved ones are safe following Superstorm Sandy. As marine educators we understand the power of nature. I am guessing that many lessons on climate and weather followed the days off of school during the storm. Thank you to all of our members who attended the annual conference in October. The conference was very successful with 68 participants, 2 invited speakers, 15 concurrent sessions, 3 Smith Island cakes, a campfire with s’mores, and a bushel of steamed crabs. MAMEAns from all four of our traditionally defined states and the District of Columbia, as well as members from outside of our traditional region, attended the conference. All four of our registration scholarships were awarded, and the success of the auction ensures the continued funding of the scholarship program. The MAMEA Board was also pleased to expand our support of the National Ocean Science Bowl and cover the registration fees for the winning coaches from our regional bowls. Two of the three winning coaches from our regional bowls attended the annual conference. A special thanks to the Education Programs team at the National Aquarium for their support in ensuring the conference was a success. Before we know it the holidays will be here and the New Year will be upon us. Please be sure to stay tuned for the state sponsored MAMEA events that all of our State Representatives are busy planning. -
Sour Paspalum
Sour Paspalum - Tropical Weed or Forage? ALAN A. BEETLE Bissinda (Gabon), bitter grass (Philippines), camalote de antena (Mexico), canamazo (Cuba), cafiamazo hembro (Cuba), Highlight: Where carpetgraSs (Axonopus compressus) will cafiamazo amargo (Cuba), capim amargoso (Brazil), capim grow, sour paspalum (Paspalum conjugatum) has no place and marreca (Brazil), capim papuao (Brazil), carabao grass (Phil- is probably a sign of poor management. However, in areas of ippines), cintillo (Peru), co dang (Indochina), calapi (Philip- poor or sour soils, in shade and in times of drought, sour pas- pines), djuba-gov6 (Gabon), &inga (Gabon), gamalote (Costa palum comes into its own throughout the tropics as a valuable Rica), ge’singa (Gabon), gisinga (Gabon), grama de antena component of the total forage resource. Paspalum is a rather large genus “numbering nearly 400” species (Chase, 1929). Sour paspalum (Paspalum conjugatum) stands by itself in this genus as suggested by Chase (1929) who created for it, alone, the Section Conjugata (Fig. 1). Its most unusual character is the vigorously stoloniferous habit allowing, at times, for a rapidly formed perennial ground cover. Sour paspalum has been assumed to be native where it occurs in the Americas, from Florida to Texas and southward to Peru, Bolivia, and northern Argentina, from sea level to 4,000 ft elevation. The grass was first described from a specimen collected in Surinam (Dutch Guiana). Sour paspalum has been assumed, however, to be intro- duced wherever it occurs in the Old World tropics (Fig. 2) and Pacific Islands. The early trade routes were between Australia, Singapore, and Africa. Probably both carpetgrass (Axonopus compressus) and sour paspalum, being of similar distribution and ecology, were spread at the same time to the same places. -
Outline of Angiosperm Phylogeny
Outline of angiosperm phylogeny: orders, families, and representative genera with emphasis on Oregon native plants Priscilla Spears December 2013 The following listing gives an introduction to the phylogenetic classification of the flowering plants that has emerged in recent decades, and which is based on nucleic acid sequences as well as morphological and developmental data. This listing emphasizes temperate families of the Northern Hemisphere and is meant as an overview with examples of Oregon native plants. It includes many exotic genera that are grown in Oregon as ornamentals plus other plants of interest worldwide. The genera that are Oregon natives are printed in a blue font. Genera that are exotics are shown in black, however genera in blue may also contain non-native species. Names separated by a slash are alternatives or else the nomenclature is in flux. When several genera have the same common name, the names are separated by commas. The order of the family names is from the linear listing of families in the APG III report. For further information, see the references on the last page. Basal Angiosperms (ANITA grade) Amborellales Amborellaceae, sole family, the earliest branch of flowering plants, a shrub native to New Caledonia – Amborella Nymphaeales Hydatellaceae – aquatics from Australasia, previously classified as a grass Cabombaceae (water shield – Brasenia, fanwort – Cabomba) Nymphaeaceae (water lilies – Nymphaea; pond lilies – Nuphar) Austrobaileyales Schisandraceae (wild sarsaparilla, star vine – Schisandra; Japanese -
Pacific Root Crops
module 4 PACIFIC ROOT CROPS 60 MODULE 4 PACIFIC ROOT CROPS 4.0 ROOT CROPS IN THE PACIFIC Tropical root crops are grown widely throughout tropical and subtropical regions around the world and are a staple food for over 400 million people. Despite a growing reliance on imported flour and rice products in the Pacific, root crops such as taro (Colocasia esculenta), giant swamp taro (Cyrtosperma chamissonis), giant taro (Alocasia macrorhhiza), tannia (Xanthosoma sagittifolium), cassava (Manihot esculenta), sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) and yams (Dioscorea spp.) remain critically important components of many Pacific Island diets, particularly for the large rural populations that still prevail in many PICTs (Table 4.1). Colocasia taro, one of the most common and popular root crops in the region, has become a mainstay of many Pacific Island cultures. Considered a prestige crop, it is the crop of choice for traditional feasts, gifts and fulfilling social obligations in many PICTs. Though less widely eaten, yams, giant taro and giant swamp taro are also culturally and nutritionally important in some PICTs and have played an important role in the region’s food security. Tannia, cassava and sweet potato are relatively newcomers to the Pacific region but have rapidly gained traction among some farmers on account of their comparative ease of establishment and cultivation, and resilience to pests, disease and drought. Generations of accumulated traditional knowledge relating to seasonal variations in rainfall, temperature, winds and pollination, and their influence on crop planting and harvesting times now lie in jeopardy given the unparalleled speed of environmental change impacting the region. -
Weed Notes: Dioscorea Bulbifera, D. Alata, D. Sansibarensis Tunyalee
Weed Notes: Dioscorea bulbifera, D. alata, D. sansibarensis TunyaLee Morisawa The Nature Conservancy Wildland Invasive Species Program http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu 27 September 1999 Background: Dioscorea bulbifera L. is commonly called air-potato, potato vine, and air yam. The genus Dioscorea (true yams) is economically important world-wide as a food crop. Two-thirds of the worldwide production is grown in West Africa. The origin of D. bulbifera is uncertain. Some believe that the plant is native to both Asia and Africa. Others believe that it is a native of Asia and was subsequently introduced into Africa (Hammer, 1998). In 1905, D. bulbifera was imported into Florida for scientific study. A perennial herbaceous vine with annual stems, D. bulbifera climbs to a height of 9 m or more by twining to the left. Potato vine has alternate, orbicular to cordate leaves, 10-25 cm wide, with prominent veins (Hammer, 1998). Dioscorea alata (white yam), also found in Florida, is recognizable by its winged stems. These wings are often pink on plants growing in the shade. Unlike D. bulbifera, D. alata twines to the right. Native to Southeast Asia and Indo-Malaysia, this species is also grown as a food crop. The leaves are heart-shaped like D. bulbifera, but more elongate and primarily opposite. Sometimes the leaves are alternate in young, vigorous stems and often one leaf is aborted and so the vine appears to be alternate, but the remaining leaf scar is still visible. Stems may root and develop underground tubers that can reach over 50 kg in weight if they touch damp soil. -
Micronesica 38(1):93–120, 2005
Micronesica 38(1):93–120, 2005 Archaeological Evidence of a Prehistoric Farming Technique on Guam DARLENE R. MOORE Micronesian Archaeological Research Services P.O. Box 22303, GMF, Guam, 96921 Abstract—On Guam, few archaeological sites with possible agricultural features have been described and little is known about prehistoric culti- vation practices. New information about possible upland planting techniques during the Latte Phase (c. A.D. 1000–1521) of Guam’s Prehistoric Period, which began c. 3,500 years ago, is presented here. Site M201, located in the Manenggon Hills area of Guam’s interior, con- tained three pit features, two that yielded large pieces of coconut shell, bits of introduced calcareous rock, and several large thorns from the roots of yam (Dioscorea) plants. A sample of the coconut shell recovered from one of the pits yielded a calibrated (2 sigma) radiocarbon date with a range of A.D. 986–1210, indicating that the pits were dug during the early Latte Phase. Archaeological evidence and historic literature relat- ing to planting, harvesting, and cooking of roots and tubers on Guam suggest that some of the planting methods used in historic to recent times had been used at Site M201 near the beginning of the Latte Phase, about 1000 years ago. I argue that Site M201 was situated within an inland root/tuber agricultural zone. Introduction The completion of numerous archaeological projects on Guam in recent years has greatly increased our knowledge of the number and types of prehis- toric sites, yet few of these can be considered agricultural. Descriptions of agricultural terraces, planting pits, irrigation canals, or other agricultural earth works are generally absent from archaeological site reports, although it has been proposed that some of the piled rock alignments in northern Guam could be field boundaries (Liston 1996). -
Phylogenetic Relationships Among the Mangrove Species of Acanthaceae Found in Indian Sundarban, As Revealed by RAPD Analysis
Available online a t www.pelagiaresearchlibrary.com Pelagia Research Library Advances in Applied Science Research, 2015, 6(3):179-184 ISSN: 0976-8610 CODEN (USA): AASRFC Phylogenetic relationships among the mangrove species of Acanthaceae found in Indian Sundarban, as revealed by RAPD analysis Surya Shekhar Das 1, Swati Das (Sur) 2 and Parthadeb Ghosh* 1Department of Botany, Bolpur College, Birbhum, West Bengal, India 2Department of Botany, Nabadwip Vidyasagar College, Nadia, West Bengal, India _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT RAPD markers were successfully used to identify and differentiate all the five species of Acanthaceae found in the mangrove forest of Indian Sundarban, to assess the extent of interspecific genetic diversity among them, to reveal their molecular phylogeny and to throw some light on the systematic position of Avicennia. The dendrogram reveals that the five species under study exhibits an overall similarity of 60.7%. Avicennia alba and A. officinalis (cluster C1) have very close relationship between them and share a common node in the dendrogram at a 73.3% level of similarity. Avicennia marina and Acanthus ilicifolius (cluster C2) also have close relationship between them as evident by a common node in the dendrogram at 71.8% level of similarity. Acanthus volubilis showed 68.1% similarity with cluster C1 and 60.7% similarity with cluster C2. Our study also supported the view of placing Avicennia under Acanthaceae. Regarding the relative position of Avicennia within Acanthaceae, it was shown to be very close to Acanthoideae. In comparison to other species, A. marina showed most genetic variability, suggesting utilization of this species over others for breeding programme and as source material in in situ conservation programmes. -
Paspalum Vaginatum) Turf
BERMUDAGRASS (CYNODON DACTYLON) AND GOOSEGRASS (ELEUSINE INDICA) MANAGEMENT IN SEASHORE PASPALUM (PASPALUM VAGINATUM) TURF A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE DIVISION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MĀNOA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN TROPICAL PLANT AND SOIL SCIENCES MAY 2018 By Alex J. Lindsey Thesis Committee: Joseph DeFrank, Chairperson Orville Baldos Zhiqiang Cheng ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank Dr. Zhiqiang Cheng and Dr. Joseph DeFrank for providing funding for my thesis through CTAHR’s competitive Supplemental Funding Program. I would like to thank my advisor, Dr. Joseph DeFrank, for his continual support and guidance throughout the completion of my thesis. I appreciate the skills and knowledge he has taught me that will help me with my future endeavors. I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to my committee members, Dr. Zhiqiang Cheng (co-advisor) and Dr. Orville Baldos, who were always there to help and provide valuable inputs throughout this process. I would also like to thank Craig Okazaki, Magoon Research Station supervisor, for providing research material and assisting as a graduate student and Rey Ito, The Green Doctor, for providing knowledge and valuable inputs for my thesis research. Thanks to Sean Fong, Hawaiian Turfgrass, for providing research materials; the Pali Golf Course, the Hoakalei Country Club, and the West Loch Golf Course for your cooperation and providing space for field trials; and to BASF, Bayer, and Syngenta for providing the herbicides used in this study. Lastly, I would like to thank my friends and family for all their love and support throughout this process.