DOCSLIB.ORG

South African National Biodiversity Assessment 2011 Synthesis Report

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

Acronyms CBD Convention on Biological Diversity CR Critically endangered DAFF Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries DEA Department of Environmental Affairs EDRR Early Detection and Rapid Response (programme dealing with invasive alien species) EEZ Exclusive Economic Zone EIA Environmental impact assessment EN Endangered FEPA Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Area IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature KZN KwaZulu-Natal LT Least threatened METT Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool for protected areas METT-SA Global Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool adapted for use in South Africa MPA Marine protected area NBA National Biodiversity Assessment NBF National Biodiversity Framework NBSAP National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan NFEPA National Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Areas project NPAES National Protected Area Expansion Strategy NSBA National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment OMPA Offshore Marine Protected Area project PES Payments for Ecosystem Services SANBI South African National Biodiversity Institute SAPIA Southern Africa Plant Invader Atlas VU Vulnerable WfW Working for Water WMA Water Management Area National Biodiversity Assessment 2011: An assessment of South Africa’s biodiversity and ecosystems Synthesis Report By Amanda Driver1, Kerry J. Sink1, Jeanne L. Nel2, Stephen Holness3, Lara van Niekerk2, Fahiema Daniels1, Zuziwe Jonas1, Prideel A. Majiedt1, Linda Harris4 & Kristal Maze1 With contributions from Lara Atkinson5, Mandy Barnett1, Tracey L. Cumming1, John Dini1, John Donaldson1, Michelle Hamer1, Stephen Lamberth6, Amanda T. Lombard4, Philip Ivey1, Jeffrey Manuel1, Namhla Mbona1, Guy Midgley1, Michele Pfab1, Domitilla Raimondo1, Tamara Robinson7, Ernst R. Swartz8, Jane K. Turpie9, Lize von Staden1 & Andrew Wannenburgh10 Reviewer: Belinda Reyers2 1 South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) 2 Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) 3 South African National Parks (SANParks) 4 Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University 5 South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) 6 Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) 7 Stellenbosch University 8 South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) 9 Anchor Environmental Consultants 10 Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) ii Technical editor: Alicia Grobler (SANBI) Design & layout: Sandra Turck (SANBI) Cover design: Sandra Turck (SANBI) Cover photo (background): Peter Chadwick Citing this publication Driver A., Sink, K.J., Nel, J.N., Holness, S., Van Niekerk, L., Daniels, F., Jonas, Z., Majiedt, P.A., Harris, L. & Maze, K. 2012. National Biodiversity Assessment 2011: An assessment of South Africa’s biodiversity and ecosystems. Synthesis Report. South African National Biodiversity Insti- tute and Department of Environmental Affairs, Pretoria. ISBN 978-1-919976-72-3 Copyright © 2012 by Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) and South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) . All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the copyright owners. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the copyright owners. The authors and publishers have made their best efforts to prepare this book, and make no representation or warranties of any kind with regard to the completeness or accuracy of the contents herein. All images in this book have been reproduced with the knowledge and prior consent of the artists concerned and no responsibility is accepted by the publishers or printer for any infringement of copyright or otherwise arising from the contents of this publication. Every effort has been made to ensure the credits accurately comply with the information supplied by the authors. iii Foreword t is a proud moment to present South Africa’s National Biodiversity IAssessment 2011, a product of high scientific calibre led by the South African National Biodiversity Institute. The NBA was developed in close consultation with the Department of Environmental Affairs and its national partners. Building on the National Spatial Biodiver- sity Assessment of 2004, the NBA 2011 uses cutting edge science and techniques to provide a comprehensive picture of South Africa’s biodiversity and ecosystems across the landscape and seascape, from terrestrial (land) and freshwater to estuarine and marine environ- ments. This assessment hopes to capture the challenges and opportunities embedded in South Africa’s rich natural heritage by looking at bio- diversity in the context of social and economic change and recognising the relationship between people and their environment. We are all familiar with the concept of service delivery and the challenges we grapple with in making sure all citizens receive essential services. What we are sometimes less familiar with is the notion that it is not only municipalities that provide services, but also our biodiversity and ecosystems. While we are aware of our built infrastructure like roads, sewers and pylons, and the services they bring to us in our homes, few of us are aware of the services we get from our ecological infrastruc- ture like wetlands, mountains, rivers, coastal dunes and vegetation. These services, called ecosystem services, include basic services like fresh water, firewood and fertile soils for agriculture; but they also include more complex services that regulate water flows and protect us from extreme events associated with climate change, such as floods, droughts and fires. Ecosystem services, like municipal services, play an essential role in supporting social development and economic prosperity. In relating social and economic concerns to environmental ones, we challenge the notion that there nec- essarily is a trade-off to be made between faster economic growth and the preservation of our environ- ment. We suggest instead that good environmental management coupled with integrated development planning will allow us to build a low carbon economy that supports resilient ecosystems and economies. Healthy intact ecosystems give us more options for responding to climate change, alleviating poverty and building a green economy. Taking stock of what we have and where we are, allows us to be proactive and make informed decisions about future land-use planning at various scales for South Africa’s optimal fast-tracked growth path. Our message is simple: our vast wealth of biodiversity—our variety of life from genes, species and eco- systems—offers us a suite of natural solutions in the face of unemployment, rising poverty and climate change. This message is relevant for all from rural to urban, rich and poor. We need to step up our efforts to protect our biodiversity to allow it to support South Africans—present and future generations included. BOMO EDITH EDNA MOLEWA MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS iv v Contents in brief Executive summary ....................................................................................................... 1 1. Introduction ...........................................................................................................23 2. Key highlights ........................................................................................................ 31 3. Ecosystem threat status and protection level ............................................................. 37 4. Terrestrial ecosystems ............................................................................................. 47 5. River ecosystems .................................................................................................... 61 6. Wetland ecosystems ............................................................................................... 73 7. Estuarine ecosystems ..............................................................................................83 8. Marine and coastal ecosystems ............................................................................... 93 9. Resilience of biodiversity to climate change ............................................................ 109 10. Species of special concern ..................................................................................119 11. Invasive alien species ......................................................................................... 133 12. Spatial biodiversity priority areas and priority actions ........................................... 148 13. Knowledge gaps and research priorities for strengthening the NBA ....................... 167 Acknowledgements .................................................................................................. 173 Glossary .................................................................................................................. 177 vi Contents Foreword ..........................................................................................................................................iii List of figures .................................................................................................................................. viii List of tables .....................................................................................................................................xiv List of panels ....................................................................................................................................xiv List of boxes ..................................................................................................................................... xv Online resources ..............................................................................................................................xvi
Recommended publications
  • A Complete Species-Level Molecular Phylogeny For

    A Complete Species-Level Molecular Phylogeny For

    Author's personal copy Available online at www.sciencedirect.com Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 47 (2008) 251–260 www.elsevier.com/locate/ympev A complete species-level molecular phylogeny for the ‘‘Eurasian” starlings (Sturnidae: Sturnus, Acridotheres, and allies): Recent diversification in a highly social and dispersive avian group Irby J. Lovette a,*, Brynn V. McCleery a, Amanda L. Talaba a, Dustin R. Rubenstein a,b,c a Fuller Evolutionary Biology Program, Laboratory of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14950, USA b Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA c Department of Integrative Biology and Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA Received 2 August 2007; revised 17 January 2008; accepted 22 January 2008 Available online 31 January 2008 Abstract We generated the first complete phylogeny of extant taxa in a well-defined clade of 26 starling species that is collectively distributed across Eurasia, and which has one species endemic to sub-Saharan Africa. Two species in this group—the European starling Sturnus vulgaris and the common Myna Acridotheres tristis—now occur on continents and islands around the world following human-mediated introductions, and the entire clade is generally notable for being highly social and dispersive, as most of its species breed colonially or move in large flocks as they track ephemeral insect or plant resources, and for associating with humans in urban or agricultural land- scapes. Our reconstructions were based on substantial mtDNA (4 kb) and nuclear intron (4 loci, 3 kb total) sequences from 16 species, augmented by mtDNA NDII gene sequences (1 kb) for the remaining 10 taxa for which DNAs were available only from museum skin samples.
  • Acridotheres Tristis Linnaeus, 1766 the Common Myna (Acridotheres Tristis) Is a Highly Commensal Passerine That Lives in Close Association with Humans

    Acridotheres Tristis Linnaeus, 1766 the Common Myna (Acridotheres Tristis) Is a Highly Commensal Passerine That Lives in Close Association with Humans

    Acridotheres tristis Linnaeus, 1766 The common myna (Acridotheres tristis) is a highly commensal Passerine that lives in close association with humans. It competes with small mammals and birds for nesting hollows and on some islands, such as Hawaii and Fiji, it preys on other birds’ eggs and chicks. It presents a threat to indigenous biota, particularly parrots and other birdlife, in Australia and elsewhere. The common myna has been introduced to parts of South East Asia, New Zealand, eastern Australia and southern Africa and Madagascar. It is also present on many islands in the Atlantic Ocean (including the Canary Islands, St Helena and Ascension Island), Indian Ocean (including Réunion, Mauritius, Rodriguez north to Lacadive and Maldive Islands and east to Andaman and Solomon Islands, Samoa, Cook Islands, Society Islands and some otherNicobar French Islands) Polynesian and Pacific islands). Ocean There (including are new Fiji, recordsNew Caledonia, of both the common myna and the jungle myna (Acridotheres fuscus) on tropical islands, most recently on Kiribati. Photo credit: K.W Bridges [link] Besides destroying fruit crops and being a public nuisance (they are highly vocal birds), the common myna is a nest site competitor. A Risk assessment model by the Bureau of Rural Sciences, Australia, On the Comoros, mynas are known to compete for nest holes with the ‘Critically Endangered (CR)’ Anjouan Scops Owl (Otus 2003). Foraging traps are very useful for the control of small myna capnodes) and the Grand Comoro Scops owl (Otus pauliani). On populationsclassifies the ifcommon poisoning myna is notin the an highest option. threat Starlacide category DRC1339 (Bomford has Saint Helena, cats and the common myna are probably the most been used against mynas and is effective where there are no non- target species issues.
  • Programs and Field Trips

    Programs and Field Trips

    CONTENTS Welcome from Kathy Martin, NAOC-V Conference Chair ………………………….………………..…...…..………………..….…… 2 Conference Organizers & Committees …………………………………………………………………..…...…………..……………….. 3 - 6 NAOC-V General Information ……………………………………………………………………………………………….…..………….. 6 - 11 Registration & Information .. Council & Business Meetings ……………………………………….……………………..……….………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………………………..…..……...….. 11 6 Workshops ……………………….………….……...………………………………………………………………………………..………..………... 12 Symposia ………………………………….……...……………………………………………………………………………………………………..... 13 Abstracts – Online login information …………………………..……...………….………………………………………….……..……... 13 Presentation Guidelines for Oral and Poster Presentations …...………...………………………………………...……….…... 14 Instructions for Session Chairs .. 15 Additional Social & Special Events…………… ……………………………..………………….………...………………………...…………………………………………………..…………………………………………………….……….……... 15 Student Travel Awards …………………………………………..………...……………….………………………………..…...………... 18 - 20 Postdoctoral Travel Awardees …………………………………..………...………………………………..……………………….………... 20 Student Presentation Award Information ……………………...………...……………………………………..……………………..... 20 Function Schedule …………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………..…………. 22 – 26 Sunday, 12 August Tuesday, 14 August .. .. .. 22 Wednesday, 15 August– ………………………………...…… ………………………………………… ……………..... Thursday, 16 August ……………………………………….…………..………………………………………………………………… …... 23 Friday, 17 August ………………………………………….…………...………………………………………………………………………..... 24 Saturday,
  • THE SIRICID WOOD WASPS of CALIFORNIA (Hymenoptera: Symphyta)

    THE SIRICID WOOD WASPS of CALIFORNIA (Hymenoptera: Symphyta)

    Uroce r us californ ic us Nott on, f ema 1e. BULLETIN OF THE CALIFORNIA INSECT SURVEY VOLUME 6, NO. 4 THE SIRICID WOOD WASPS OF CALIFORNIA (Hymenoptera: Symphyta) BY WOODROW W. MIDDLEKAUFF (Department of Entomology and Parasitology, University of California, Berkeley) UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS BERKELEY AND LOS ANGELES 1960 BULLETIN OF THE CALIFORNIA INSECT SURVEY Editors: E. G: Linsley, S. B. Freeborn, P. D. Hurd, R. L. Usinget Volume 6, No. 4, pp. 59-78, plates 4-5, frontis. Submitted by editors October 14, 1958 Issued April 22, 1960 Price, 50 cents UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS BERKELEY AND LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS LONDON, ENGLAND PRINTED BY OFFSET IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA THE SIRICID WOOD WASPS OF CALIFORNIA (Hymenoptera: Symphyta) BY WOODROW W. MIDDLEKAUFF INTRODUCTION carpeting. Their powerful mandibles can even cut through lead sheathing. The siricid wood wasps are fairly large, cylin- These insects are widely disseminated by drical insects; usually 20 mm. or more in shipments of infested lumber or timber, and length with the head, thorax, and abdomen of the adults may not emerge until several years equal width. The antennae are long and fili- have elapsed. Movement of this lumber and form, with 14 to 30 segments. The tegulae are timber tends to complicate an understanding minute. Jn the female the last segment of the of the normal distribution pattern of the spe- abdomen bears a hornlike projection called cies. the cornus (fig. 8), whose configuration is The Nearctic species in the family were useful for taxonomic purposes. This distinc- monographed by Bradley (1913).
  • The Sirex Woodwasp, Sirex Noctilio: Pest in North America May Be the Ecology, Potential Impact, and Management in the Southeastern U.S

    The Sirex Woodwasp, Sirex Noctilio: Pest in North America May Be the Ecology, Potential Impact, and Management in the Southeastern U.S

    SREF-FH-003 June 2016 woodwasp has not become a major The Sirex woodwasp, Sirex noctilio: pest in North America may be the Ecology, Potential Impact, and Management in the Southeastern U.S. many insects that are competitors or natural enemies. Some of these insects compete for resources AUTHORED BY: LAUREL J. HAAVIK AND DAVID R. COYLE (e.g. native woodwasps, bark and ambrosia beetles, and longhorned beetles) while others (e.g.parasitoids) are natural enemies and use Sirex woodwasp larvae as hosts. However, should the Sirex woodwasp arrive in the southeastern U.S., with its abundant pine plantations and areas of natural pine, this insect could easily be a major pest for the region. Researchers have monitored and tracked Sirex woodwasp populations since its discovery in North America. The most common detection tool is a flight intercept trap (Fig. 2a) baited with a synthetic chemical lure that consists of pine scents (70% α-pinene, 30% β-pinene) or actual pine branches (Fig. 2b). Woodwasps are attracted to the odors given off by the lure or cut pine branches, and as they fly toward the scent they collide with the sides of the trap and drop Figure 1. The high density of likely or confirmed pine (Pinus spp.) hosts of the Sirex woodwasp suggests the southeastern U.S. may be heavily impacted should this non-native insect become into the collection cup at the bottom. established in this region. The collection cup is usually filled with a liquid (e.g. propylene glycol) that acts as both a killing agent and Overview and Detection preservative that holds the insects until they are collected.
  • A Review of the Genus Amylostereum and Its Association with Woodwasps

    A Review of the Genus Amylostereum and Its Association with Woodwasps

    70 South African Journal of Science 99, January/February 2003 Review Article A review of the genus Amylostereum and its association with woodwasps B. Slippers , T.A. Coutinho , B.D. Wingfield and M.J. Wingfield Amylostereum.5–7 Today A. chailletii, A. areolatum and A. laevigatum are known to be symbionts of a variety of woodwasp species.7–9 A fascinating symbiosis exists between the fungi, Amylostereum The relationship between Amylostereum species and wood- chailletii, A. areolatum and A. laevigatum, and various species of wasps is highly evolved and has been shown to be obligatory siricid woodwasps. These intrinsic symbioses and their importance species-specific.7–10 The principal advantage of the relationship to forestry have stimulated much research in the past. The fungi for the fungus is that it is spread and effectively inoculated into have, however, often been confused or misidentified. Similarly, the new wood, during wasp oviposition.11,12 In turn the fungus rots phylogenetic relationships of the Amylostereum species with each and dries the wood, providing a suitable environment, nutrients other, as well as with other Basidiomycetes, have long been unclear. and enzymes that are important for the survival and develop- Recent studies based on molecular data have given new insight ment of the insect larvae (Fig. 1).13–17 into the taxonomy and phylogeny of the genus Amylostereum. The burrowing activity of the siricid larvae and rotting of the Molecular sequence data show that A. areolatum is most distantly wood by Amylostereum species makes this insect–fungus symbio- related to other Amylostereum species. Among the three other sis potentially harmful to host trees, which include important known Amylostereum species, A.
  • Jungle Myna (Acridotheres Fuscus)

    Jungle Myna (Acridotheres Fuscus)

    Invasive animal risk assessment Biosecurity Queensland Agriculture Fisheries and Department of Jungle myna Acridotheres fuscus Steve Csurhes First published 2011 Updated 2016 © State of Queensland, 2016. The Queensland Government supports and encourages the dissemination and exchange of its information. The copyright in this publication is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia (CC BY) licence. You must keep intact the copyright notice and attribute the State of Queensland as the source of the publication. Note: Some content in this publication may have different licence terms as indicated. For more information on this licence visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/ deed.en" http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/deed.en Front cover: Jungle myna Photo: Used with permission, Wikimedia Commons. Invasive animal risk assessment: Jungle myna Acridotheres fuscus 2 Contents Summary 4 Introduction 5 Identity and taxonomy 5 Description and biology 5 Diet 5 Reproduction 5 Preferred habitat and climate 6 Native range and global distribution 6 Current distribution and impact in Queensland 6 History as a pest overseas 7 Use 7 Potential distribution and impact in Queensland 7 References 8 Invasive animal risk assessment: Jungle myna Acridotheres fuscus 3 Summary Acridotheres fuscus (jungle myna) is native to an extensive area of India and parts of southeast Asia. Naturalised populations exist in Singapore, Taiwan, Fiji, Western Samoa and elsewhere. In Fiji, the species occasionally causes significant damage to crops of ground nuts, with crop losses of up to 40% recorded. Within its native range (South India), it is not a well documented pest, but occasionally causes considerable (localised) damage to fruit orchards.
  • Western Birds, Index, 2000–2009

    Western Birds, Index, 2000–2009

    WESTERN BIRDS, INDEX, 2000–2009 Volumes 31 (2000), 32 (2001), 33 (2002), 34 (2003), 35 (2004), 36 (2005), 37 (2006), 38 (2007), 39 (2008), and 40 (2009) Compiled by Daniel D. Gibson abeillei, Icterus bullockii—38:99 acadicus, Aegolius acadicus—36:30; 40:98 Accentor, Siberian—31:57; 36:38, 40, 50–51 Accipiter cooperii—31:218; 33:34–50; 34:66, 207; 35:83; 36:259; 37:215–227; 38:133; 39:202 gentilis—35:112; 39:194; 40:78, 128 striatus—32:101, 107; 33:18, 34–50; 34:66; 35:108–113; 36:196; 37:12, 215–227; 38:133; 40:78, 128 Acevedo, Marcos—32:see Arnaud, G. aciculatus, Agelaius phoeniceus—35:229 Acridotheres javanicus—34:123 Acrocephalus schoenobaenus—39:196 actia, Eremophila alpestris—36:228 Actitis hypoleucos—36:49 macularia—32:108, 145–166; 33:69–98, 134–174, 222–240; 34:68 macularius—35:62–70, 77–87, 186, 188, 194–195; 36:207; 37:1–7, 12, 34; 40:81 acuflavidus, Thalasseus sandvicensis—40:231 adastus, Empidonax traillii—32:37; 33:184; 34:125; 35:197; 39:8 Aechmophorus clarkii—34:62, 133–148; 36:144–145; 38:104, 126, 132 occidentalis—34:62, 133–148; 36:144, 145, 180; 37:34; 38:126; 40:58, 75, 132–133 occidentalis/clarkii—34:62 (sp.)—35:126–146 Aegolius acadicus—32:110; 34:72, 149–156; 35:176; 36:30, 303–309; 38:107, 115–116; 40:98 funereus—36:30; 40:98 Aeronautes montivagus—34:207 saxatalis—31:220; 34:73, 186–198, 199–203, 204–208, 209–215, 216–224, 245; 36:218; 37:29, 35, 149–155; 38:82, 134, 261–267 aestiva, Dendroica petechia—40:297 Aethia cristatella—36:29; 37:139–148, 197, 199, 210 psittacula—31:14; 33:1, 14; 34:163; 36:28; 37:95, 139,
  • The Distribution and Spread of the Invasive Alien Common Myna, Acridotheres Tristis L

    The Distribution and Spread of the Invasive Alien Common Myna, Acridotheres Tristis L

    Research Articles South African Journal of Science 103, November/December 2007 465 The distribution and spread of the invasive alien common myna, Acridotheres tristis L. (Aves: Sturnidae), in southern Africa Derick S. Peacocka, Berndt J. van Rensburga and Mark P. Robertsonb* result of human-induced habitat modification. The deteriora- The common myna is an Asian starling that has become established tion or fragmentation of habitats is not only conducive to alien in many parts of the world outside of its native range due to accidental establishment, but also works synergistically with the negative or deliberate introductions by humans. The South African population effects that the alien species themselves pose to remaining of this species originated from captive birds that escaped in Durban indigenous communities. in 1902. A century later, the common myna has become abundant Apart from the need to understand the processes and patterns throughout much of South Africa and is considered to pose a serious of biological invasions in order to minimize their adverse effects, threat to indigenous biodiversity. Preliminary observations suggest invasions are also of great academic interest because they provide that the common myna’s distribution is closely tied to that of quantifiable, relatively short-term examples of ecological and humans, but empirical evidence for this hypothesis is lacking. biogeographical processes. Owing to the large spatial and long We have investigated the relationships between common myna temporal scales required, experimental manipulations of popu- distribution, human population size and land-transformation values lations and communities for the investigation of, for example, at a quarter-degree resolution in South Africa.
  • Stars in Their Eyes: Iris Colour and Pattern in Common Mynas Acridotheres Tristis on Denis and North Islands, Seychelles

    Stars in Their Eyes: Iris Colour and Pattern in Common Mynas Acridotheres Tristis on Denis and North Islands, Seychelles

    Chris J. Feare et al. 61 Bull. B.O.C. 2015 135(1) Stars in their eyes: iris colour and pattern in Common Mynas Acridotheres tristis on Denis and North Islands, Seychelles Chris J. Feare, Hannah Edwards, Jenni A. Taylor, Phill Greenwell, Christine S. Larose, Elliott Mokhoko & Mariette Dine Received 7 August 2014 Summary.—An examination of Common Mynas Acridotheres tristis, trapped during eradication attempts on Denis and North Islands, Seychelles, revealed a wide variety of background colours and patterns of silvery white spots (which we named ‘stars’) in the irises. Explanations for the variation were sought via comparison of iris colour and pattern with the birds’ age, sex, body condition, primary moult score and gonad size, and a sample of live birds was kept in captivity to examine temporal changes in iris colour and pattern. Juveniles initially had grey irises without stars, but through gradual mottling stars developed and other colours, especially brown, developed as bands within the iris. These changes took place within 3–7 weeks of capture; no major changes were observed in the irises of a small sample of adults over 17 weeks in captivity. No sex differences in colour or pattern were detected, but seasonal differences were apparent, particularly in that multiple bands of stars were more common in the breeding season, and grey irises were more prevalent in the non-breeding season. There was no association between iris colour/pattern and body condition index or primary moult score, but only in females was there a suggestion of a relationship between gonad size and two of the colour/star categories.
  • SIREX NOCTILIO HOST CHOICE and NO-CHOICE BIOASSAYS: WOODWASP PREFERENCES for SOUTHEASTERN U.S. PINES by JAMIE ELLEN DINKINS (Und

    SIREX NOCTILIO HOST CHOICE and NO-CHOICE BIOASSAYS: WOODWASP PREFERENCES for SOUTHEASTERN U.S. PINES by JAMIE ELLEN DINKINS (Und

    SIREX NOCTILIO HOST CHOICE AND NO-CHOICE BIOASSAYS: WOODWASP PREFERENCES FOR SOUTHEASTERN U.S. PINES by JAMIE ELLEN DINKINS (Under the Direction of Kamal J.K. Gandhi) ABSTRACT Sirex noctilio F., the European woodwasp, is an exotic invasive pest newly introduced to the northeastern U.S. This woodwasp kills trees in the Pinus genus and could potentially cause millions of dollars of damage in the southeastern U.S., where pine plantations are extensive. At present, little is known about the preferences of this wasp for southeastern pine species, and further, little methodology exists as related to conducting host choice or no-choice bioassays with this species. My thesis developed methodology to successfully perform S. noctilio host choice and no-choice bioassays (both colonization and emergence from bolts), examined S. noctilio behavioral and developmental responses to southeastern U.S. pine species using bolts, and investigated possible mechanisms to explain these behavioral responses. Results indicated larger bolts were preferred to smaller bolts by S. noctilio, and P. strobus and P. virginiana were preferred out of six southeastern species in host choice bioassays. KEYWORDS: choice and no-choice bioassay, southeastern pines, European woodwasp, host preference, mechanisms, Sirex noctilio, Pinus SIREX NOCTILIO HOST CHOICE AND NO-CHOICE BIOASSAYS: WOODWASP PREFERENCES FOR SOUTHEASTERN U.S. PINES by JAMIE ELLEN DINKINS B.S. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, 2009 A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the University of Georgia in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree MASTER OF SCIENCE Athens, GA 2011 © 2011 Jamie Ellen Dinkins All Rights Reserved SIREX NOCTILIO HOST CHOICE AND NO-CHOICE BIOASSAYS: WOODWASP PREFERENCES FOR SOUTHEASTERN U.S.
  • Efficacy of Kamona Strain Deladenus Siricidicola Nematodes for Biological Control of Sirex Noctilio in North America and Hybridisation with Invasive Conspecifics

    Efficacy of Kamona Strain Deladenus Siricidicola Nematodes for Biological Control of Sirex Noctilio in North America and Hybridisation with Invasive Conspecifics

    A peer-reviewed open-access journal NeoBiota 44: 39–55Efficacy (2019) of Kamona strainDeladenus siricidicola nematodes for biological... 39 doi: 10.3897/neobiota.44.30402 RESEARCH ARTICLE NeoBiota http://neobiota.pensoft.net Advancing research on alien species and biological invasions Efficacy of Kamona strain Deladenus siricidicola nematodes for biological control of Sirex noctilio in North America and hybridisation with invasive conspecifics Tonya D. Bittner1, Nathan Havill2, Isis A.L. Caetano1, Ann E. Hajek1 1 Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-2601, USA 2 USDA Northern Research Station, 51 Mill Pond Rd, Hamden, CT 06514, USA Corresponding author: Tonya D. Bittner ([email protected]) Academic editor: W. Nentwig | Received 7 October 2018 | Accepted 19 December 2018 | Published 4 April 2019 Citation: Bittner TD, Havill N, Caetano IAL, Hajek AE (2019) Efficacy of Kamona strainDeladenus siricidicola nematodes for biological control of Sirex noctilio in North America and hybridisation with invasive conspecifics. NeoBiota 44: 39–55. https://doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.44.30402 Abstract Sirex noctilio is an invasive woodwasp that, along with its symbiotic fungus, has killed pine trees (Pinus spp.) in North America and in numerous countries in the Southern Hemisphere. We tested a biological control agent in North America that has successfully controlled S. noctilio in Oceania, South Africa, and South America. Deladenus siricidicola nematodes feed on the symbiotic white rot fungus Amylostereum areolatum and can switch to being parasitic on S. noctilio. When parasitic, the Kamona nematode strain can sterilise the eggs of S. noctilio females. However, in North America, a different strain of D. siricidicola (NA), presumably introduced along with the woodwasp, parasitises but does not sterilise S.