DOCSLIB.ORG

Autecology of the Sunda Pangolin (Manis Javanica) in Singapore

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Autecology of the Sunda Pangolin (Manis Javanica) in Singapore AUTECOLOGY OF THE SUNDA PANGOLIN (MANIS JAVANICA) IN SINGAPORE LIM T-LON, NORMAN (B.Sc. (Hons.), NUS) A THESIS SUBMITTED FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE 2007 An adult male Manis javanica (MJ17) raiding an arboreal Oceophylla smaradgina nest. By shutting its nostrils and eyes, the Sunda Pangolin is able to protect its vulnerable parts from the powerful bites of this ant speces. The scales and thick skin further reduce the impacts of the ants’ attack. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My supervisor Professor Peter Ng Kee Lin is a wonderful mentor who provides the perfect combination of support and freedom that every graduate student should have. Despite his busy schedule, he always makes time for his students and provides the appropriate advice needed. His insightful comments and innovative ideas never fail to impress and inspire me throughout my entire time in the University. Lastly, I am most grateful to Prof. Ng for seeing promise in me and accepting me into the family of the Systematics and Ecology Laboratory. I would also like to thank Benjamin Lee for introducing me to the subject of pangolins, and subsequently introducing me to Melvin Gumal. They have guided me along tremendously during the preliminary phase of the project and provided wonderful comments throughout the entire course. The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) provided funding to undertake this research. In addition, field biologists from the various WCS offices in Southeast Asia have helped tremendously throughout the project, especially Anthony Lynam who has taken time off to conduct a camera-trapping workshop. The Singapore Zoo provided funding and also assisted in many aspects of the work. I would like to thank Charlene Yeong for the kind patience with all my requests and the wonderful offer of sending other Singapore Zoo staff (e.g. Faizal Hussin, Desmond Ling and Joe Ong) to assist in the fieldwork on Pulau Tekong. The vets (especially Dr. Oh Soon Hock) have never turned down a single request to help examine and treat wild pangolins before releasing them back into the wild. The National Parks Board (NParks) and the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) granted the permission to conduct the research on both mainland Singapore and Pulau Tekong respectively. It was most privileged for me to have iii obtained kind permission from MINDEF to conduct long-term research on the largely forested island of Pulau Tekong. The staff from both the Public Relations Branch, MINDEF (especially Jude Ng) and CCO Pulau Tekong (especially Major Lim and SSG Hasan) have assisted greatly in the logistics. I am also grateful to the staff of NParks, especially Chew Ping Ting who has provided much assistance when using the GIS system and Benjamin Lee who is always enthusiastic with pangolin “rescue operations”. The research would not have been possible if not for the many people who took the trouble to travel to Pulau Tekong, endured the less-than-comfortable conditions at the base-camp and accompanied me for the many nights of fieldwork. I am most grateful to each and every one of them, and truly enjoyed their company. Of special mention are Chan Kwok Wai, Reuben Clements Gopalasamy, Jeremy Woon, Alan Yeo and Yeo Suay Hwee, who are ever so keen and responsive to last-minute requests. David Lohman provided much assistance for the identification of ants, while Reuben Clements Gopalasamy provided guidance for the statistical analysis. Friends and colleagues from the Systematics and Ecology Laboratory, and the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research gave me much support, advice and encouragement along the way. I am also grateful to the friends and collaborators in the neighbouring countries who provided valuable information on the various aspects discussed in this work. Last but not least, I would wish to thank my parents, other members of the family and also my fiancée for tolerating my idiosyncrasies (especially that of sneaking into the forest during the night) all this while. This piece of work (and other research projects) would not have been possible without their continued encouragement and support. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements………………………………………………………………… iii List of tables, figures and plates…………………………………………………… viii Summary…………………………………………………………………………… xi Chapter 1. Introduction 1.1 Pangolin species and taxonomy …………………………………… 1 1.2 Conservation status of Asian pangolins……………………………. 3 1.3 Literature review on Manis javanica………………………………. 4 1.4 Status of Manis javanica in Singapore…………………………….. 9 1.5 Specific objectives…………………………………………………. 12 2. Materials and methods 2.1 Study site…………………………………………………………… 13 2.2 Capture and radio-telemetry……………………………………….. 14 2.3 Camera-trapping and natal den description………………………... 17 2.4 Prey preference…………………………………………………….. 18 2.5 Data analyses 2.5.1 Sexual dimorphism and sex ratio…………………………... 19 2.5.2 Daily activity patterns……………………………………… 20 2.5.3 Home range………………………………………………… 20 2.5.4 Habitat preference………………………………………….. 23 2.5.5 Prey preference…………………………………………….. 25 2.5.6 Miscellaneous (data from mainland Singapore)…………… 26 3. Results 3.1 Body measurements of Sunda Pangolin on Pulau Tekong………… 27 v 3.2 Home-range, activity cycle and other spatial-temporal statistics….. 28 3.3 Habitat preference………………………………………………….. 31 3.4 Natal den usage by pregnant and postpartum Manis javanica MJ6.. 32 3.5 Prey preference…………………………………………………….. 33 3.6 Predation of Manis javanica by Python reticulatus………………... 35 4. Discussion 4.1 Body measurements of Sunda Pangolin on Pulau Tekong………… 37 4.2 Home-range, activity cycle and other spatial-temporal statistics….. 38 4.3 Prey preference…………………………………………………….. 44 4.4 Habitat preference………………………………………………….. 46 4.5 Reproductive biology of MJ6……………………………………… 49 4.6 Predators of Manis javanica……………………………………….. 51 5. Overall conclusions and recommendations 5.1 Challenges for future pangolin research.…………………………... 54 5.2 Priorities for conservation of pangolin species…………………….. 57 5.3 Status of Manis javanica in Singapore…………………………….. 61 5.4 Conclusion…………………………………………………………. 62 References………………………………………………………………………….. 63 Tables, Figures and Plates…………………………………………………………..73 Appendices I. List of Manis javanica sightings in Singapore for the past two decades……………………………………………. I-1 II. Percentage of the various ant genera collected with cheese bait, sugar bait and the combined values. ………………….. II-1 III. Percentage of foraging time spent on the various ant genera by three adult male Manis javanica..…………………... III-1 vi LIST OF TABLES 1. A summary of information on the eight pangolin species of the Old World. 2. Known uses and supposed benefits of pangolin parts. 3. Body measurements (HB – head-body length; T – tail length, in cm; body mass in kg) and sex of the Manis javanica captured on Pulau Tekong. 4. Speed statistics (m/ hr) of adult male Manis javanica on Pulau Tekong. 5. Home-range estimates (ha) of adult Manis javanica using minimum-convex polygon (MCP), harmonic mean and kernel methods, with the various parameters stated and using non-autocorrelated radio locations. 6. Simplified ranking matrix for Manis javanica based on a) comparing roportional habitat use within minimum convex polygon (MCP) home ranges with proportions of total available habitat types, and b) comparing proportion of radio locations (with 20-m radius buffer) for each animal in each habitat type with the proportions of each habitat types within the animal’s MCP range (see text for more details). “+” implies the habitat type of the r was preferred to the habitat type in the row and “-” implies the reverse; a triple sign represents significant deviation from random at P < 0.05. 7. Jacob’s index for each habitat used by pangolins on Pulau Tekong at second-order and third-order selection. 8. Description, measurements and duration of usage of the three dens used by female Manis javanica MJ6 from September to December 2005. 9. Mean and maximum time (min) spent on feeding by three male Manis javanica. 10. Percentage of time spent feeding on ants and termites by three tagged male Manis javanica. 11. Jacob’s index of the ant subfamily consumed by adult male Manis javanica on Pulau Tekong. 12. Jacob’s index of the ant genera consumed by adult male Manis javanica on Pulau Tekong. 13. Date of the locations of radio-transmitter in Figure 1, distance from previous location and description of location. 14. Reported date of birth and body measurements of neonate Manis spp. vii LIST OF FIGURES 1. Location of all known records of Manis javanica sightings and roadkills in Singapore, from 1985-2007. 2. Map of Pulau Tekong, relative to mainland Singapore. The shaded grey shaded area is the only reservoir on the island and the cross-shaded patches are the built- up areas. The remainder of the island is covered with the vegetation. 3. Radio-telemetry error polygons under extreme conditions of maximum distance from transmitter (i.e. 200 m) and maximum bearing difference from optimal angle (i.e. 60° and 120°). 4. Diel activity pattern of female Manis javanica MJ6 (mean ± S.E.), based on 30 days of camera-trapping data from 8th September to 12th December 2005. 5. Diel activity pattern of each of the four adult male Manis javanica. No activity was recorded between 0800 hrs to 2000 hrs. 6. Diel activity pattern of adult male Manis javanica (n = 4), with S.E. as error bars. No activity was recorded between 0800 hrs to 2000 hrs. 7. Accumulative 100% minimum-convex polygon home-range estimates of individual adult male Manis javanica with increasing number of radio-tracking days. 8. Autocorrelation plot of Schoener’s index with time interval of Manis javanica MJ9. Reasonably-independent radio locations were obtained at approximately 2- hr interval (green vertical line), where there are three consecutive values of Schoener’s index greater than 1 (see text for more details). 9. Position and shape of 100 % minimum convex polygon home-range of the four adult male Manis javanica (MJ9, MJ12, MJ22 and MJ23) on Pulau Tekong.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The World at the Time of Messel: Conference Volume
    T. Lehmann & S.F.K. Schaal (eds) The World at the Time of Messel - Conference Volume Time at the The World The World at the Time of Messel: Puzzles in Palaeobiology, Palaeoenvironment and the History of Early Primates 22nd International Senckenberg Conference 2011 Frankfurt am Main, 15th - 19th November 2011 ISBN 978-3-929907-86-5 Conference Volume SENCKENBERG Gesellschaft für Naturforschung THOMAS LEHMANN & STEPHAN F.K. SCHAAL (eds) The World at the Time of Messel: Puzzles in Palaeobiology, Palaeoenvironment, and the History of Early Primates 22nd International Senckenberg Conference Frankfurt am Main, 15th – 19th November 2011 Conference Volume Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung IMPRINT The World at the Time of Messel: Puzzles in Palaeobiology, Palaeoenvironment, and the History of Early Primates 22nd International Senckenberg Conference 15th – 19th November 2011, Frankfurt am Main, Germany Conference Volume Publisher PROF. DR. DR. H.C. VOLKER MOSBRUGGER Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany Editors DR. THOMAS LEHMANN & DR. STEPHAN F.K. SCHAAL Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany [email protected]; [email protected] Language editors JOSEPH E.B. HOGAN & DR. KRISTER T. SMITH Layout JULIANE EBERHARDT & ANIKA VOGEL Cover Illustration EVELINE JUNQUEIRA Print Rhein-Main-Geschäftsdrucke, Hofheim-Wallau, Germany Citation LEHMANN, T. & SCHAAL, S.F.K. (eds) (2011). The World at the Time of Messel: Puzzles in Palaeobiology, Palaeoenvironment, and the History of Early Primates. 22nd International Senckenberg Conference. 15th – 19th November 2011, Frankfurt am Main. Conference Volume. Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, Frankfurt am Main. pp. 203.
    [Show full text]
  • 2 Parks & Waterbodies Plan
    SG1 Parks & Waterbodies Plan AND IDENTITY PLAN S UBJECT G ROUP R EPORT O N PARKS & WATERBODIES PLAN AND R USTIC C OAST November 2002 SG1 SG1 S UBJECT G ROUP R EPORT O N PARKS & WATERBODIES PLAN AND R USTIC C OAST November 2002 SG1 SG1 SG1 i 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 The Parks & Waterbodies Plan and the Identity Plan present ideas and possibilities on how we can enhance our living environment by making the most of our natural assets like the greenery and waterbodies and by retaining places with local identity and history. The two plans were put to public consultation from 23 July 2002 to 22 October 2002. More than 35,000 visited the exhibition, and feedback was received from about 3,600 individuals. Appointment of Subject Groups 1.2 3 Subject Groups (SGs) were appointed by Minister of National Development, Mr Mah Bow Tan as part of the public consultation exercise to study proposals under the following areas: a. Subject Group 1: Parks and Waterbodies Plan and the Rustic Coast b. Subject Group 2: Urban Villages and Southern Ridges & Hillside Villages c. Subject Group 3: Old World Charm 1.3 The SG members, comprising professionals, representatives from interest groups and lay people were tasked to study the various proposals for the 2 plans, conduct dialogue sessions with stakeholders and consider public feedback, before making their recommendations to URA on the proposals. Following from the public consultation exercise, URA will finalise the proposals and incorporate the major land use changes and ideas into the Master Plan 2003.
    [Show full text]
  • Transfer of Manis Crassicaudata, M. Pentadactyla, M. Javanica from Appendix II to Appendix I
    Prop. 11.13 CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSALS FOR AMENDMENT OF APPENDICES I AND II Other proposals A. Proposal Transfer of Manis crassicaudata, M. pentadactyla, M. javanica from Appendix II to Appendix I. B. Proponents India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the United States of America C. Supporting Statement 1. Taxonomy 1.1 Class: Mammalia 1.2 Order: Pholidota 1.3 Family: Manidae 1.4 Genus: Manis crassicaudata Gray, 1827 Manis javanica Desmarest, 1822 Manis pentadactyla Linneaus, 1758 1.5 Scientific synonyms: 1.6 Common names: English: (Manis crassicaudata) - Indian pangolin (Manis javanica) - Malayan pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) - Chinese pangolin French: (Manis crassicaudata) - Grand pangolin de l’Inde (Manis javanica) - Pangolin malais (Manis pentadactyla) - Pangolin de Chino Spanish: (Manis crassicaudata) - Pangolín indio (Manis javanica) - Pangolín malayo (Manis pentadactyla) - Pangolín Chino 1.7 Code numbers: Manis crassicaudata: A-108.001.001.001 Manis javanica: A-108.001.001.003 Manis pentadactyla: A-108.001.001.005 2. Biological Parameters 2.1 Distribution Manis crassicaudata occurs in the Indian sub-continent from eastern Pakistan, through much of India (south of the Himalayas), Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, and, possibly, Myanmar and extreme western China (IUCN 1996, WCMC et al. 1999). Additional details on the distribution of this species are provided in Appendix A. Manis javanica occurs in tropical Southeast Asia. Although the northern and western limits of its range are very poorly defined, it has been recorded in much of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines (Palawan Province), the southern half of Indo-China, much of Thailand and southern Myanmar (Nowak 1991, WCMC et al. 1999). It may also occur in Bangladesh and southwest Prop.
    [Show full text]
  • Report on Biodiversity and Tropical Forests in Indonesia
    Report on Biodiversity and Tropical Forests in Indonesia Submitted in accordance with Foreign Assistance Act Sections 118/119 February 20, 2004 Prepared for USAID/Indonesia Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan No. 3-5 Jakarta 10110 Indonesia Prepared by Steve Rhee, M.E.Sc. Darrell Kitchener, Ph.D. Tim Brown, Ph.D. Reed Merrill, M.Sc. Russ Dilts, Ph.D. Stacey Tighe, Ph.D. Table of Contents Table of Contents............................................................................................................................. i List of Tables .................................................................................................................................. v List of Figures............................................................................................................................... vii Acronyms....................................................................................................................................... ix Executive Summary.................................................................................................................... xvii 1. Introduction............................................................................................................................1- 1 2. Legislative and Institutional Structure Affecting Biological Resources...............................2 - 1 2.1 Government of Indonesia................................................................................................2 - 2 2.1.1 Legislative Basis for Protection and Management of Biodiversity and
    [Show full text]
  • PROCEEDINGS of the WORKSHOP on TRADE and CONSERVATION of PANGOLINS NATIVE to SOUTH and SOUTHEAST ASIA 30 June – 2 July 2008, Singapore Zoo Edited by S
    PROCEEDINGS OF THE WORKSHOP ON TRADE AND CONSERVATION OF PANGOLINS NATIVE TO SOUTH AND SOUTHEAST ASIA 30 June – 2 July 2008, Singapore Zoo Edited by S. Pantel and S.Y. Chin Wildlife Reserves Singapore Group PROCEEDINGS OF THE WORKSHOP ON TRADE AND CONSERVATION OF PANGOLINS NATIVE TO SOUTH AND SOUTHEAST ASIA 30 JUNE –2JULY 2008, SINGAPORE ZOO EDITED BY S. PANTEL AND S. Y. CHIN 1 Published by TRAFFIC Southeast Asia, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia © 2009 TRAFFIC Southeast Asia All rights reserved. All material appearing in these proceedings is copyrighted and may be reproduced with permission. Any reproduction, in full or in part, of this publication must credit TRAFFIC Southeast Asia as the copyright owner. The views of the authors expressed in these proceedings do not necessarily reflect those of the TRAFFIC Network, WWF or IUCN. The designations of geographical entities in this publication, and the presentation of the material, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of TRAFFIC or its supporting organizations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The TRAFFIC symbol copyright and Registered Trademark ownership is held by WWF. TRAFFIC is a joint programme of WWF and IUCN. Layout by Sandrine Pantel, TRAFFIC Southeast Asia Suggested citation: Sandrine Pantel and Chin Sing Yun (ed.). 2009. Proceedings of the Workshop on Trade and Conservation of Pangolins Native to South and Southeast Asia, 30 June-2 July
    [Show full text]
  • Competition Between Ants for Coconut Palm Nesting Sites
    Journal of Natural History ISSN: 0022-2933 (Print) 1464-5262 (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tnah20 Competition between ants for coconut palm nesting sites M.J. Way & B. Bolton To cite this article: M.J. Way & B. Bolton (1997) Competition between ants for coconut palm nesting sites, Journal of Natural History, 31:3, 439-455, DOI: 10.1080/00222939700770221 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222939700770221 Published online: 17 Feb 2007. Submit your article to this journal Article views: 39 View related articles Citing articles: 9 View citing articles Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=tnah20 Download by: [Victoria University of Wellington] Date: 12 June 2016, At: 14:35 JOURNAL OF NATURALHISTORY, 1997, 31,439-455 Competition between ants for coconut palm nesting sites M. J. WAYt* and B. BOLTON~ tlmperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, Silwood Park, Ascot, Berks, UK ~The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, UK (Accepted 27 May 1996) About 85 different ant species were found nesting on coconut palms in Malaysia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Trinidad. Three occurred in all countries. With the exception of the leaf-nesting Oecophylla spp, all nested in leaf axils and spadices mostly between the two sheaths (spathes) and peduncle of the spadix. Up to eight species were found nesting in the same palm and five in the same spadix. In the latter circumstances the nest distribution of different non-dominant species is initially associated with the 'height' of available spaces, the smaller species nesting in the narrower, more distal end and the larger in the proximal end of the spadix.
    [Show full text]
  • Digging Deeper Into the Ecology of Subterranean Ants: Diversity and Niche Partitioning Across Two Continents
    diversity Article Digging Deeper into the Ecology of Subterranean Ants: Diversity and Niche Partitioning across Two Continents Mickal Houadria * and Florian Menzel Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes-Gutenberg-University Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 15, 55128 Mainz, Germany; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Abstract: Soil fauna is generally understudied compared to above-ground arthropods, and ants are no exception. Here, we compared a primary and a secondary forest each on two continents using four different sampling methods. Winkler sampling, pitfalls, and four types of above- and below-ground baits (dead, crushed insects; melezitose; living termites; living mealworms/grasshoppers) were applied on four plots (4 × 4 grid points) on each site. Although less diverse than Winkler samples and pitfalls, subterranean baits provided a remarkable ant community. Our baiting system provided a large dataset to systematically quantify strata and dietary specialisation in tropical rainforest ants. Compared to above-ground baits, 10–28% of the species at subterranean baits were overall more common (or unique to) below ground, indicating a fauna that was truly specialised to this stratum. Species turnover was particularly high in the primary forests, both concerning above-ground and subterranean baits and between grid points within a site. This suggests that secondary forests are more impoverished, especially concerning their subterranean fauna. Although subterranean ants rarely displayed specific preferences for a bait type, they were in general more specialised than above-ground ants; this was true for entire communities, but also for the same species if they foraged in both strata. Citation: Houadria, M.; Menzel, F.
    [Show full text]
  • List of Indian Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Himender Bharti
    List of Indian Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Himender Bharti Department of Zoology, Punjabi University, Patiala, India - 147002. (email: [email protected]/[email protected]) (www.antdiversityindia.com) Abstract Ants of India are enlisted herewith. This has been carried due to major changes in terms of synonymies, addition of new taxa, recent shufflings etc. Currently, Indian ants are represented by 652 valid species/subspecies falling under 87 genera grouped into 12 subfamilies. Keywords: Ants, India, Hymenoptera, Formicidae. Introduction The following 652 valid species/subspecies of myrmecology. This species list is based upon the ants are known to occur in India. Since Bingham’s effort of many ant collectors as well as Fauna of 1903, ant taxonomy has undergone major myrmecologists who have published on the taxonomy changes in terms of synonymies, discovery of new of Indian ants and from inputs provided by taxa, shuffling of taxa etc. This has lead to chaotic myrmecologists from other parts of world. However, state of affairs in Indian scenario, many lists appeared the other running/dynamic list continues to appear on web without looking into voluminous literature on http://www.antweb.org/india.jsp, which is which has surfaced in last many years and currently periodically updated and contains information about the pace at which new publications are appearing in new/unconfirmed taxa, still to be published or verified. Subfamily Genus Species and subspecies Aenictinae Aenictus 28 Amblyoponinae Amblyopone 3 Myopopone
    [Show full text]
  • 71St Annual Meeting Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Paris Las Vegas Las Vegas, Nevada, USA November 2 – 5, 2011 SESSION CONCURRENT SESSION CONCURRENT
    ISSN 1937-2809 online Journal of Supplement to the November 2011 Vertebrate Paleontology Vertebrate Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Society of Vertebrate 71st Annual Meeting Paleontology Society of Vertebrate Las Vegas Paris Nevada, USA Las Vegas, November 2 – 5, 2011 Program and Abstracts Society of Vertebrate Paleontology 71st Annual Meeting Program and Abstracts COMMITTEE MEETING ROOM POSTER SESSION/ CONCURRENT CONCURRENT SESSION EXHIBITS SESSION COMMITTEE MEETING ROOMS AUCTION EVENT REGISTRATION, CONCURRENT MERCHANDISE SESSION LOUNGE, EDUCATION & OUTREACH SPEAKER READY COMMITTEE MEETING POSTER SESSION ROOM ROOM SOCIETY OF VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS SEVENTY-FIRST ANNUAL MEETING PARIS LAS VEGAS HOTEL LAS VEGAS, NV, USA NOVEMBER 2–5, 2011 HOST COMMITTEE Stephen Rowland, Co-Chair; Aubrey Bonde, Co-Chair; Joshua Bonde; David Elliott; Lee Hall; Jerry Harris; Andrew Milner; Eric Roberts EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Philip Currie, President; Blaire Van Valkenburgh, Past President; Catherine Forster, Vice President; Christopher Bell, Secretary; Ted Vlamis, Treasurer; Julia Clarke, Member at Large; Kristina Curry Rogers, Member at Large; Lars Werdelin, Member at Large SYMPOSIUM CONVENORS Roger B.J. Benson, Richard J. Butler, Nadia B. Fröbisch, Hans C.E. Larsson, Mark A. Loewen, Philip D. Mannion, Jim I. Mead, Eric M. Roberts, Scott D. Sampson, Eric D. Scott, Kathleen Springer PROGRAM COMMITTEE Jonathan Bloch, Co-Chair; Anjali Goswami, Co-Chair; Jason Anderson; Paul Barrett; Brian Beatty; Kerin Claeson; Kristina Curry Rogers; Ted Daeschler; David Evans; David Fox; Nadia B. Fröbisch; Christian Kammerer; Johannes Müller; Emily Rayfield; William Sanders; Bruce Shockey; Mary Silcox; Michelle Stocker; Rebecca Terry November 2011—PROGRAM AND ABSTRACTS 1 Members and Friends of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, The Host Committee cordially welcomes you to the 71st Annual Meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology in Las Vegas.
    [Show full text]
  • The Functions and Evolution of Social Fluid Exchange in Ant Colonies (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Marie-Pierre Meurville & Adria C
    ISSN 1997-3500 Myrmecological News myrmecologicalnews.org Myrmecol. News 31: 1-30 doi: 10.25849/myrmecol.news_031:001 13 January 2021 Review Article Trophallaxis: the functions and evolution of social fluid exchange in ant colonies (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Marie-Pierre Meurville & Adria C. LeBoeuf Abstract Trophallaxis is a complex social fluid exchange emblematic of social insects and of ants in particular. Trophallaxis behaviors are present in approximately half of all ant genera, distributed over 11 subfamilies. Across biological life, intra- and inter-species exchanged fluids tend to occur in only the most fitness-relevant behavioral contexts, typically transmitting endogenously produced molecules adapted to exert influence on the receiver’s physiology or behavior. Despite this, many aspects of trophallaxis remain poorly understood, such as the prevalence of the different forms of trophallaxis, the components transmitted, their roles in colony physiology and how these behaviors have evolved. With this review, we define the forms of trophallaxis observed in ants and bring together current knowledge on the mechanics of trophallaxis, the contents of the fluids transmitted, the contexts in which trophallaxis occurs and the roles these behaviors play in colony life. We identify six contexts where trophallaxis occurs: nourishment, short- and long-term decision making, immune defense, social maintenance, aggression, and inoculation and maintenance of the gut microbiota. Though many ideas have been put forth on the evolution of trophallaxis, our analyses support the idea that stomodeal trophallaxis has become a fixed aspect of colony life primarily in species that drink liquid food and, further, that the adoption of this behavior was key for some lineages in establishing ecological dominance.
    [Show full text]
  • Signature Homes by Hiaphoe FY 2010 Calendar of Events January to December 2010
    HIAP HOE LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2010 Signature Homes by HiapHoe FY 2010 Calendar of Events January to December 2010 20 January Temporary Occupation Permit obtained for Oxford Suites 28 January Wyndham Group to Operate Hiap Hoe-SuperBowl Hotels at Zhongshan Park in Balestier 11 February 2009 Full Year Financial Statement and Dividend Announcement 26 February Temporary Occupation Permit obtained for Cuscaden Royale 3 March Hiap Hoe Launches Home Resort at Cavenagh 17 March Change of name of wholly-owned subsidiary, Siong Hoe Development Pte Ltd to Hiap Hoe Investment Pte. Ltd. 24 March Listing and quotation of 94,911,028 Bonus Shares 20 April Annual General Meeting / Extraordinary General Meeting 12 May First Quarter Financial Statement Announcement 13 August Second Quarter Financial Statement Announcement 9 November Third Quarter Financial Statement and Dividend Announcement 25 November Book Closure Date - Interim Dividend of 0.25 cents per ordinary share Contents 01 Vision, Mission, Value Corporate Profile 02 Group Structure 03 Financial Highlights 04 Chairman’s Message 06 Financial Review 08 Operations Review 14 Board of Directors 16 Key Management 17 Corporate Information 18 Risk Management For a better understanding of the Annual Report and overall profile of the Company, shareholders are encouraged to download the SGX’s Investor’s Guide Books via this link, http://www.sgx.com/wps/portal/marketplace/mp-en/investor_centre/investor_guide. For more information on the Group, please visit www.hiaphoe.com Vision, Mission, Values A RICHER LIFE FOR each OF US Be a competitive market player in residential properties, bringing reward and satisfaction to shareholders, customers, associates and employees We prize foresight, integrity and commitment among other time- honoured values Company Profile The Hiap Hoe Group has more than three decades of experience in construction industry, and has been responsible for a large and varied number of projects in Singapore.
    [Show full text]
  • The Singapore Urban Systems Studies Booklet Seriesdraws On
    Biodiversity: Nature Conservation in the Greening of Singapore - In a small city-state where land is considered a scarce resource, the tension between urban development and biodiversity conservation, which often involves protecting areas of forest from being cleared for development, has always been present. In the years immediately after independence, the Singapore government was more focused on bread-and-butter issues. Biodiversity conservation was generally not high on its list of priorities. More recently, however, the issue of biodiversity conservation has become more prominent in Singapore, both for the government and its citizens. This has predominantly been influenced by regional and international events and trends which have increasingly emphasised the need for countries to show that they are being responsible global citizens in the area of environmental protection. This study documents the evolution of Singapore’s biodiversity conservation efforts and the on-going paradigm shifts in biodiversity conservation as Singapore moves from a Garden City to a City in a Garden. The Singapore Urban Systems Studies Booklet Series draws on original Urban Systems Studies research by the Centre for Liveable Cities, Singapore (CLC) into Singapore’s development over the last half-century. The series is organised around domains such as water, transport, housing, planning, industry and the environment. Developed in close collaboration with relevant government agencies and drawing on exclusive interviews with pioneer leaders, these practitioner-centric booklets present a succinct overview and key principles of Singapore’s development model. Important events, policies, institutions, and laws are also summarised in concise annexes. The booklets are used as course material in CLC’s Leaders in Urban Governance Programme.
    [Show full text]