Chapter 16. The importance of field inventories and associated studies to understand biodiversity patterns: The case of the Beanka Forest, Melaky Region, western Madagascar
Steven M. Goodman1 & Laurent Gautier2 Key words: biological inventories, species new to 1Field Museum of Natural History, 1400 South Lake science, new distributional data, evolutionary history, Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60605, USA and conservation priorities, public attention Association Vahatra, BP 3972, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar E-mail: [email protected] Résumé détaillé 2Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques de la Ville de L’île de Madagascar est connue pour présenter une Genève et Laboratoire de systématique et biodiversité variété climatique et géologique exceptionnelle, qui de l’Université de Genève, Case Postale 60, 1292 se traduit par une remarquable hétérogénéité biotique Chambésy, Switzerland engendrant une diversité des biomes et des types de E-mail: [email protected] végétation. Les inventaires de flore et de faune qui y ont été menés dans les dernières dizaines d’années ont permis la découverte de centaines d’espèces Abstract nouvelles pour la science. Contrairement à ce à quoi on aurait pu s’attendre au vu de l’intensité du travail In a country such as Madagascar, with its d’inventaire mené sur l’île, le taux de découvertes, extraordinary variation in climate and geology, d’un niveau sans précédent, se maintient. Dans ce associated vegetational variation, distinct biomes, chapitre basé sur les travaux récemment menés and notable biotic heterogeneity, floristic and dans la forêt sèche décidue sur karst de Beanka faunistic inventories over the past few decades (jusqu’alors à peine connue), nous discutons de have disclosed many hundreds of new species to l’importance de tels inventaires pour la découverte de science. Contrary to what might be anticipated nouveaux taxons ainsi que pour connaître la valeur given all of the inventory work conducted on the de ce site en matière de conservation. La plupart de island, the level of discovery of previously unknown taxa continues at a largely unabated pace. Herein, ces découvertes ont été réalisées depuis le début using the Beanka Forest as an example, we present des inventaires qui y ont été menés sur une large information on the importance of recent inventories échelle dès 2009. On s’attend encore à la description in this previously unknown karst dry deciduous de nombreux autres taxons au fil de l’avancement du forest area, specifically in the discovery of numerous travail des taxonomistes sur le matériel accumulé au previously undescribed taxa and their importance to cours de ces inventaires ou qui pourra être collecté understand the conservation value of this site. Most à l’avenir dans d’autres portions du massif. Jusqu’à of these discoveries have been made since large présent les nouveaux taxons recensés sont : scale surveys commenced in 2009 and numerous ●● Plantes vasculaires: trois espèces décrites et other new taxa will be uncovered and described quatre en cours de description ; as taxonomists work through existing collections ●● Mollusques terrestres: sept nouvelles espèces from the site and new material to be collected in décrites ; other areas of the massif. These inventories have ●● Araignées: deux nouvelles espèces décrites ; been important for 1) identifying the Beanka Massif ●● Fourmis : dix nouvelles espèces décrites ; as key biodiversity area, 2) understanding biotic ●● Amphibiens : deux nouvelles espèces en cours patterns critical for allocating high priority status for de description ; conservation action at this site, 3) bringing to public ●● Reptiles : une nouvelle espèce en cours de attention the uniqueness of the area and different description et general conservation issues, and 4) collected data ●● Oiseaux : une nouvelle espèce décrite. and specimens helping to resolve different aspects of the evolutionary history of locally occurring L’importance des inventaires menés dans la forêt organisms. de Beanka peut se décliner de la manière suivante :
Gautier, L., & Goodman, S. M. 2013. The importance of field inventories and associated studies to understand biodiversity patterns: The case of the Beanka Forest, Melaky Region, western Madagascar. In The Beanka Forest, Melaky Region, western Madagascar, eds. S. M. Goodman, L. Gautier & M. J. Raherilalao. Malagasy Nature, 7: 271-283. 272 Goodman & Gautier: Importance of field studies: case example from Beanka
1) Contribuer à une meilleure connaissance de knowledge of the world’s biodiversity, particularly in ce site unique et des espèces qui le peuplent. light of on going habitat destruction of most remaining Les nouveaux taxons découverts y contribuent natural habitats, but also in certain cases these new directement, mais également toutes les nouvelles taxa provide critical information into the evolutionary données de distribution des espèces déjà history of different groups. connues, qui permettent de mieux comprendre Madagascar is well known for its unique and leur biogéographie. endemic biota. Over the past decades a considerable 2) En se basant sur ces travaux, démontrer number of new species and to a lesser extent l’importance de Beanka comme Zone genera and families of plants and animals have d’Importance Capitale pour les actions de been described from the island, indicating that a conservation à Madagascar. La promouvoir measurable portion of its biodiversity still remains et l’inclure au sein du réseau national d’aires unknown to science. The question can be asked if the protégées. Trouver des moyens financiers pour exploration of the biological richness of the island and contribuer au développement des communautés the era of discovery is approaching a plateau. On limitrophes et lancer un programme de the basis of recent fieldwork in a scientifically poorly conservation proactif. known or better put unknown region such as the 3) Communiquer à l’attention d’un public non Beanka Forest in western central Madagascar, which spécialisé afin de le rendre conscient de is the subject of this monograph, we can address l’importance de ce site unique et de le sensibiliser this question. Below we present a list of species that aux défis de la conservation. A ce titre, une couverture médiatique importante a été réalisée have been discovered and in most cases described autour de la découverte en 2011 de Mentocrex based on material collected in recent years from the beankaensis, la nouvelle espèce d’oiseau. Une Beanka Forest. Amongst these new taxa, few are telle découverte est un évènement rare au niveau microendemics to the Beanka Forest. A few forms mondial. Le public international et malgache a pu are listed as undescribed, but remain to be formally à cette occasion partager l’importance de cette named by scientist. découverte et être rendu attentif au sort tragique des forêts sèches. List of species discovered and 4) Apporter des éléments manquants à la described based on material from the compréhension de l’histoire évolutive des Beanka Forest organismes rencontrés. Les résultats obtenus Vascular plants à partir des spécimens récoltés au cours des 1. Aloe beankaensis Letsara, Rakotoarisoa & inventaires font partie intégrante de l’accumulation Almeda – holotype from Beanka (Letsara et al., du savoir. Ils soulignent l’importance de ces 2012) (Figure 16-1). études fondamentales et de recherches plus 2. Memecylon nov. sp. R. D. Stone, ined. – holotype intégratives dans des pays comme Madagascar. to be proposed from Beanka. Mots clés : inventaires biologiques, nouvelles 3. Coffea nov. sp. 1 – based on initial analysis and espèces pour la science, nouvelles données sur comparisons apparently an undescribed species la répartition, histoire de l’évolution, priorités de (Andriamihajarivo et al., 2010). conservation, attention du public 4. Coffea nov. sp. 2 – based on initial analysis and comparisons apparently an undescribed species Introduction (Andriamihajarivo et al., 2010). Across many areas of the tropics, continued 5. Pandanus tsingycola Callmander & Nusbaumer – biological exploration of natural habitats has revealed holotype from Beanka (Callmander et al., 2013) an extraordinary range of species and higher taxa (Figure 16-2). previously unknown to scientists. These species 6. Uvaria lombardii Gautier & Deroin – holotype from span the gamut from those that when first handled Beanka (Gautier & Deroin, 2013) (Figure 16-3). in the field were clearly new to science to those 7. Aristolochiaceae indet., Luino & Gautier, comm. that only based on morphological or genetic studies pers. – based on initial analysis and comparisons revealed that they were undescribed cryptic taxa. this taxon represents an undescribed species of These types of findings are important to augment this family. Goodman & Gautier: Importance of field studies: case example from Beanka 273
Figure 16-1. Aloe beankaensis Letsara, Rakotoarisoa & Figure 16-2. Pandanus tsingycola Callm. & Nusb. Almeda. (Photograph taken by L. Gautier.) (Photograph taken by R. M. Hanitrarivo.)
Figure 16-3. Uvaria lombardii L. Gaut. & Deroin. (Photograph taken by L. Gautier.) 274 Goodman & Gautier: Importance of field studies: case example from Beanka
Platyhelminthes 6. Tropidophora humbug Griffiths & Herbert – 1. Ophiotaenia lapata Rambeloson, Ranaivoson & holotype from Beanka (Griffiths & Herbert, 2013) Chambrier – holotype from Beanka and the host (Figure 8-2b). is the snake Madagascarophis (Rambeloson et 7. Tropidophora sericea Griffiths & Herbert – al., 2012). holotype from Beanka (Griffiths & Herbert, 2013).
Freshwater snails Spiders 1. Madagasikara vivipara Köhler & Glaubrecht – 1. Noideattella amboa Álvarez-Padilla, Ubick & paratype from Beanka (Köhler & Glaubrecht, Griswold – material from Beanka part of type 2010). series (Álvarez-Padilla et al., 2012). 2. Noideattella mamba Álvarez-Padilla, Ubick & Land snails Griswold – material from Beanka part of type 1. Ampelita andriamamonjyi Griffiths & Herbert – series (Álvarez-Padilla et al., 2012). holotype from Beanka (Griffiths & Herbert, 2013) (Figure 16-4). Ants 2. Ampelita beanka Griffiths & Herbert – holotype 1. Crematogaster tsisitsilo Blaimer & Fisher – from Beanka (Griffiths & Herbert, 2013). material from Beanka part of type series (Blaimer 3. Ampelita lindae Griffiths & Herbert – holotype & Fisher, 2013a) (Figure 16-6). from Beanka (Griffiths & Herbert, 2013) (Figure 2. Crematogaster maina Blaimer & Fisher – material 16-5). from Beanka part of type series (Blaimer & Fisher, 4. Conulinus randalanai Griffiths & Herbert – 2013b). holotype from Beanka (Griffiths & Herbert, 2013). 3. Crematogaster masokely Blaimer & Fisher – 5. Kalidos maryannae Griffiths & Herbert – holotype material from Beanka part of type series (Blaimer from Beanka (Griffiths & Herbert, 2013). & Fisher, 2013a).
Figure 16-4. Ampelita andriamamonjyi Griffiths & Herbert, 2013, holotype, maximum diameter 29.3 mm, height 15.1 mm. (Photograph by D. G. Herbert.)
Figure 16-5. Ampelita lindae Griffiths & Herbert, 2013, holotype, maximum diameter 30.5 mm, height 12.6mm. (Photograph by D. G. Herbert.) Goodman & Gautier: Importance of field studies: case example from Beanka 275
Figure 16-6. Crematogaster tsisitsilo was recently Figure 16-7. Tetramorium malagasy was recently described by Blaimer & Fisher (2013a) based in part on described by Hita Garcia & Fisher (2012) based in part specimens from Beanka. (Image downloaded from http:// on specimens from Beanka. (Image downloaded from www.antweb.org, accessed 18 December 2013.) http://www.antweb.org, accessed 18 December 2013.)
4. Crematogaster ramamy Blaimer & Fisher – Amphibians material from Beanka part of type series (Blaimer 1. Rhombophryne nov. sp. A. P. Raselimanana, ined. & Fisher, 2013a). – this species is known from Beanka and remains 5. Tanipone scelesta Bolton & Fisher – material to be described (Raselimanana, 2013). from Beanka part of type series (Bolton & Fisher, 2. Stumpffia nov. sp. A. P. Raselimanana, ined. – 2012). this species is known from Beanka and remains 6. Tetramorium malagasy Hita Garcia & Fisher – to be described (Raselimanana, 2013). material from Beanka part of type series (Hita Garcia & Fisher, 2012) (Figure 16-7). Reptiles 7. Tetramorium popell Hita Garcia & Fisher – 1. Liophidium nov. sp. A. P. Raselimanana, ined. – material from Beanka part of type series (Hita this species is known from Beanka and remains Garcia & Fisher, 2012). to be described (Raselimanana, 2013). 8. Tetramorium sada Hita Garcia & Fisher – material from Beanka part of type series (Hita Garcia & Birds Fisher, 2012). 1. Mentocrex beankaensis Goodman, Raherilalao & 9. Pachycondyla vazimba Rakotonirina & Fisher – Block – holotype from Beanka (Goodman et al., material from Beanka part of type series 2011) (Figure 16-8). (Rakotonirina & Fisher, 2013). 10. Ravavy miafina Fisher – material from Beanka part of type series (Fisher, 2009).
Figure 16-8. One of the more news worthy species described from the Beanka Forest in recent years was the Tsingy Wood Rail, Mentocrex beankaensis. This species was differentiated from other members of this genus based on size, plumage coloration patterns, and molecular genetics. Color illustrations of the heads, upper backs, and breasts are presented (from left to right) of M. beankaensis from the Beanka Forest, M. k. kioloides collected near Maroantsetra, and M. k. berliozi obtained south of Anaborano. (Illustration by Velizar A. Simeonovski.) 276 Goodman & Gautier: Importance of field studies: case example from Beanka
Discussion native forest ecosystems is relatively reduced. Given that the Beanka Forest is amongst the key biodiversity As we have presented above, a considerable number areas of Madagascar, combined with the critical of plant and animal species have been discovered aspect that the level of threat to this site is relatively and described from the Beanka Forest in a few short reduced in comparison to many other areas of dry years. These findings have implications in at least deciduous forest in central western Madagascar, four different manners, which in certain cases are indicates that the active protection currently being interrelated: conducted by Biodiversity Conservation Madagascar 1) Underlying the importance of the Beanka Forest (BCM) has a real chance of preserving the remaining as a Key Biodiversity Area. forest habitat (Andriamamonjy et al., 2013). The BCM 2) New biogeographic information on local occurring program can be considered proactive, commencing organisms and providing a foundation to augment the conservation priority status of the site. to conserve the regional biota associated with local 3) Bringing to public attention discoveries at the community involvement and before problems are site, its importance for preservation, and more too overwhelming to correctly advance the intended generalized aspects associated with conservation. actions. This is a rather unique situation for any 4) Contributing with new specimens to the resolution western dry forest area on Madagascar and the of questions in the evolutionary history of different opportunity should be seized by BCM, in collaboration organisms occurring on Madagascar. with the Malagasy governmental partners and non- governmental institutions, to advance a variety of Key Biodiversity Area actions to conserve this important forest block.
The recent inventory work on plants and animals Public attention conducted in the Beanka Forest indicates that this massif is of key interest with regards to its biodiversity. While different taxa have been named in recent years This consideration is associated with different from the Beanka Forest, one species stands out as aspects, including the notably high species richness being particularly important from the perspective for different biotic groups covered in this monograph of public attention via different forms of media with respect to other regional dry deciduous forest coverage. The description of an undescribed species sites (e.g. Gautier et al., 2013; Ravelomanana & of bird to science anywhere in the world is news Fisher, 2013), as well as a notably high number worthy and on Madagascar only four new birds have of recently described taxa. From a vegetation been described since 1972 (Raherilalao & Goodman, perspective, the Beanka Forest shows considerably 2011). The most recent of these was named in heterogeneity (Chatelain et al., 2013; Rakotozafy et 2011 by Goodman et al. (2011) as the Tsingy Wood al., 2013), often associated with underlying soil types Rail, Mentocrex beankaensis (Figure 16-8). The and hydrological aspects, which in turn might explain type specimen is from the Beanka Forest and other the rather varied animal fauna occurring within populations are known to the immediate south in the these different habitats. The presence in Beanka of Bemaraha complex. several humid forest species also brings attention The publication of this new species brought to the existence of microhabitats suited for the considerable attention across the world to survival of these relict taxa, which presumably had Madagascar ornithology via different sorts of media broader distributions on the island during more humid coverage, including newspapers, magazines such as episodes in the recent geological past. National Geographic France, and numerous internet sources. Hence, this discovery brought the Beanka Conservation priority Forest into public view. While the dissemination to Another critical aspect is that given the low human the public of information on the island’s biodiversity populations living around the periphery of the park, is important, within these different forms of media local pressures on forest resources are relatively low. coverage, critical messages on the massive Excluding certain aspects associated with the burning reduction of Malagasy dry deciduous forests in recent of grasslands that impact the forest-grassland decades associated with human pressures and the ecotone and some hunting of forest-dwelling animals plight of these unique ecosystems were underlined. (Andriamamonjy et al., 2013; Randriandimbimahazo, These types of messages are important for the local, 2013), the existing anthropogenic pressures on the regional, and international communities interested in Goodman & Gautier: Importance of field studies: case example from Beanka 277 the preservation of dwindling natural habitat in the Andriamihajarivo, T. H., Rakotonasolo, F. & tropical areas of the world. Letsara, R. 2010. Beanka: Un nouveau site pour la science botanique, eds. V. H. Jeannoda, S. G. Razafimandimbison & P. De Block. Scripta Botanica Evolutionary history Belgium, 46: 33. During the course of different studies associated Blaimer, B. B. & Fisher, B. L. 2013a. How much variation with biotic diversity, ranging from biogeographic can one ant species hold? Species delimitation in the studies, where new presence and absence data Crematogaster kelleri-group in Madagascar. PLoS are critical to discern different patterns, to molecular ONE, 8(7), e68082. genetic studies, where analyzed material brings Blaimer, B. B. & Fisher, B. L. 2013b. Taxonomy of the Crematogaster degeeri-species-assemblage in the different perspectives, biological inventories and Malagasy region (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). European the specimens they provide are fundamental steps Journal of Taxonomy, North America, August 2013. in providing a better understanding of evolutionary Available at:
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