Bulletin S.RB.E.IKB. V.E., 136 (2000) : 44-52

Observations on Donacia (Cyphogasier) javana WIEDEMAN, 1821 (Coleoptera Chrysomelidae Donaciinae) in the Malay Archipelago

by Pascal LAYS

Rue F. Desoer 34, B-4031 Liege, Belgium.

Summary

Some faunistical and biological observations were made in Singapore and the Philippines (Minda­ nao) (Philippines fauna nov.) on Donacia (Cyphogaster) javana WIEDEMAN, 1821 (Coleoptera Chry­ somelidae Donaciinae). Nymphaea pubescens WILLDENOW (Nymphaeaceae) appears to be Donacia javana's food plant. Keywords : Chrysomelidae, Donaciinae, Faunistics, Singapore, Philippines, Mindanao, Nymphaea.

Resume

Quelques observations faunistiques et biologiques ont ete realisees a Singapour et aux Philippines (Mindanao) (Philippines fauna nov.) sur Donaciajavana WIEDEMAN, 1821 (Coleoptera Chrysome­ lidae Donaciinae). Nymphaea pubescens WILLDENOW (Nymphaeaceae) apparait etre la plante nourri­ ciere de Donacia javana.

Introduction out : D. javana or D. lenzi SCHONFELD, 1888, two species morphologically close to each other. "' The subgenus Cyphogaster GOECKE, 1934, to I identified the specimens collected in Singapore which D. javana belongs, is easily identifiable as belonging to D. javana, but the specimens from the two other sub genera Donacia F ABRI­ from the Philippines were identified as belonging crus, 1775 and Donaciomima MEDVEDEV, 1973, to D. lenzi. However, having a doubt concerning composing the genus Donacia F ABRICIUS, 177 5, the identification of the latter specimens, a cou­ by the presence of a pair of median tubercles on ple from Mindanao (South Philippines) was sub­ the first ventrite of males (GOECKE, 1934 : 217). mitted to my American colleague, specialist of This subgenus, that mainly occurs in the Indo­ Donaciinae, Dr. I. ASKEVOLD. malayan and Australian Regions, comprises pre­ Based on a comparative study (including the sently seven species (ASKEVOLD, 1990 : 646; endophallus) of the submitted Mindanao speci­ REm, 1993), and this number could be even mens with material from Java, Singapore, South fewer (see below). India, Vietnam and Thailand, Dr. ASKEVOLD In order to identify some aquatic leaf beetles identified the Mindanao specimens as D. javana; collected by the author in Singapore and in the adding (personal communication, 28/I/1992) that Philippines, different available diagnoses were it is possible that D. lenzi is a synonym of D. ja­ gathered from GOECKE (1934: 218; 1936 : 221- vana; which could also, still according to ASKE­ 222), KlMOTO (1983 : 8) and KlMOTO & GRESSIT VOLD ( 1990 : 646), be the case for D. delesserti (1979 : 202). Two possible taxa eventually came GuERIN-MENEVILLE, 1844. If these statements

L______·------·------44 are later confirmed, this would bring the number 1994; 1 male, 26.XI.1994 (8 AM); 4 males - 10 of taxa to only five species composing the sub­ females, 2l.XII.1997 (11 - 12 AM, cloudy wea­ genus Cyphogaster. ther).

Observations Philippines, MinQa.nao, South Cotabato Province, Polomolok, Purok Maguindanao (6°12'N- l25°04'E), alt. 270 m., 6 males- 3 fc~males, 22.VIII.1990, leaves Observation in Singapore : of Nymphaea JNJbescens Wn.LD., P. LAYS. Donacia javana WIEDEMAN : Singapore, Botanic Donacia javana is here recorded for the first Gardens, 13.IV.1987, I Nymphaea sp. (leaves, up­ time from ~e Philippines. per face), 6 males- 5 females, P. LAYS. Donacia javana is widely spread in the Indo­ Slides of the Nymphaea sp. were realised for malayan Region : Sri Lanka, India (Oriental part, specific identification; unfortunately when Bengale, Assam), Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, mailed to botanist Prof. J. LAMBINON (Liege), the Laos, Vietnam (Tonkin), Malaysia, Singapore, material was lost. Three species of Nymphaea Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Sulawesi (GOECKE, have been reported from Singapore (K.ENG, 1934: 224, 1960: 4; KlMOTO, 1984: 43-44; KI­ 1990 : 22) : Nymphaea capensis THuNB., N. nou­ MOTO & GRESS:Q', 1979 : 203). chali BURM. F. and N. pubescens WILLD. As far as one can see, the species has never When one tries to catch it, this donaciine flies been reported from the Philippines. The single away quickly, even if the atmospheric conditions species recorded in this archipelago (from Luzon are not excellent (overcast sky, but without rain). and some islands Southern Luzon) is D. (Cypho­ Sometimes, the beetle runs and rushes under the gaster) lenzi SCHONFELD, 1888; elsewhere, leaves of its host-plant. The population of D. ja­ D. lenzi occurs in Korea, East China, Japan vana at the mentioned station is important and (Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu) and can cause serious damage to floating leaves of Taiwan (BOROWIEC, 1984: 448; GOECKE, 1934: water lilies, giving them an aspect of lace. 227, 1960 : 4; K.lMOTO, 1983 : 9; KlMOTO, 1984 : 43-44) and has been observed on the One still does not know if D. javana was pre­ following plants : Brasenia schreberi, Nymphaea sent prior to the modernization of Singapore, tetragona, Potamogeton sp. (BOROWIEC, 1984 : which has been built on a former marshy area. 448). Nowadays, it seems quite certain that man, through artificial ponds, aquatic private gardens, However, in a key of the tribes, genera and reservoirs (Pandan, Payan, Tengeh, Selatar, subgenera of the Old World Donaciinae, ASKE­ Upper and Lower Pierce Reservoirs), etc., favori­ VOLD (1990: 653) gives the island ofMindanao ses, intentionally or not, the presence of water (first mention of that island for the Donaciinae) lilies which host D. javanq. · as included in the area occupied by the subgenus Cyphogaster, however without giving the name As a matter of interest, the Post Office of Sin­ of a species. Wishing more details regarding this gapore has printed a stamp of 25 cents repre­ original information, the latter author was con­ senting a drawing of Donacia javana. tacted. ASKEVOLD (personal communications : 2811/1992, 15/IV/1999) confirms that he has Observations in the Philippines (First records): found 3 old specimens of D. javana from Minda­ nao (since ASKEVOLD has been forced to sus­ Donacia javana WIEDEMAN : Philippines, Mindanao, pend his entomological activities, he can not pro­ South Cotabato Province, Lake Sebu (6°13'N. - vide further details about these specimens, for 124°42' E.), alt. 700 m., leaves of Nymphaea pu­ instance, what collection they were in or more bescens WILLD., P. LAYS : 14 males- 11 females, specific locality details). 9-10. VIII.1990 (I male and 1 female of that serie are preserved in ASKEVOLD 's collection); 1 male, On 2 May 1990, I looked for donaciines in the 28 .VIII.1990; 2 males- 1 female,(+ 1 specimen prepared material held in the collections of the observed but not captured), 26.XI.l990 (1 PM); 2 Entomological Section of the National Museum males- 2 females, 1.11.1991 (12 AM); 3 males, (+ of Manila, but without success. 5 specimens observed but not captured) 29.III.1994 (1.30 - 1.45 PM); 1 male, 16.VIII. Since donaciines of Southeast Asia are poorly

------~------45 represented in the collections and opportunities in 1971 and for ornemental purposes, brought to observe them are rare, complementary infor­ back from Davao City three specimens of Nym­ mation and comments follow here after. phaea pubescens. Specimens of that water lily have been beqm!athed to the Jardin Botanique Notes on Lake Sebu and Polomolok sites : National de Belgique (Meise) but have not yet been identified by a botanist; using several keys Lake Sebu (354 ha) (from a corruption of the and data I have (BACKER & BAKHUIZEN V AN native Tboli toponym Sbu) stands in the moun­ DENllRINK, 1963 : 148-149; BENNET, 1987: 62- tains that follow the general southeast-northwest 63; BENTHAM & MUELLER, 1863 : 60-62; axis of the Southern Cotabato coastline and nam­ BEADLE, EVANS, CAROLIN, TINDALE, 1982: 151- ed the Cotabato Cordillera, some of the area still 152; CONN, 1984 : 191-201, 1995 : 193-202; being heavily forested. Up to 1945, only Tboli, COOK, 1996 : 274-276; DASSANAYAKE, 1996 : horticulturist tribal people, were living around 289-292; HUXLEY, GRIFFITHS & LEVY, 1992 : Lake Sebu and, while exploiting the lake's re­ 338-341; KENG, 1990: 22; KOCH, 1992: 64-69; sources (fish, snails, shrimps) for their own LI, 1976 : 542-545; MERRILL, 1912 : 201-202; consumption, their impact on the lake must have RIDLEY, 1922 : 115-116; STANLEY & Ross, been minor. According to native informants, at 1983: 179-180; VANROYEN, 1962;YANG&Lu, that time more aquatic plants occurred along the 1996 : 610-614), the specimens of Lake Sebu lake shore and its water was inhabited by several and Polomolok seem to fit with the description large Vertebrates (e.g. : Crocodylus sp. and some given for Nymphaea pubescens WILLDENOW, other unidentified Mammals), all vanished since. 1797, a species widely spread in Southeast Asia In the 1950's, Visayan settlers came to Lake and also all over the Phillipines. Sebu and started a duck rrusing industry (in order In Lake Sebu, as iti other parts of the Philippi­ to supply local markets with their eggs, locally nes (BROWN, 1951 : 529; QUISUMBING, 1978 : known as balut, a Philippine delicacy)- as a 289-290), native Tboli and settlers use the stems proof of the biological richness and the quality of of water lilies as vegetables (after the removal of the lake's water at that time, duck fed themselves the epidermis, the stem is sliced and boiled [with with the large supply of the lake's snails- this vinegar, garlic and coco nut milk] ). The leaves business ended in the 1970's with the arrival of of this aquatic plant are also used as covers of the aquaculture industry of Tilapia nilotica (Ci­ baskets where newly collected Tilapia are chlidae), an activity that continues up to nowa­ gathered before their way to local markets; thus days. These factors contributed to lesser floristic the leaves prevent the fish from jumping out of and faunistic diversity and affected the water the baskets. quality (cultural eutrophication). Furthermore, logging activities ll!J.d the introduction of plough­ Nymphaea pubescens growths in the littoral ing technique altered the water of the lake, zone of the lakes, where water depth does not through erosion, removal of top soil and drying exceed 1,5 meters. In Lake Sebu, the biggest sta­ of some brooks that feed the lake. Since the tion of water lilies stands in the Southern part of 1970's the spectre of the building of a dam on the lake, near the border and close to the place Lake Sebu to produce hydroelectric power as (not very far from the outlet) where the species is well as to irrigate lands in the Allah Valley reap­ reported to have been planted for the first time, pear from time to time (FRIESEN & STOLTZLUS, some thirty years ago; it occupies approximately 1982). Corn fields, wet rice fields and second a surface of between 0,5 and 1 hectare. At that growth vegetation make up the main surround­ place, which has been recently invaded by the ings of the lake. fast growing Eichhornia crassipes, settlers start­ ed, in 1998, to build dykes in order to set up wet In spite of all these factors that contributed to rice fields, encroaching then on the space occu­ affect more or less seriously the biodiversity of pied by water lilies. In different shallow places the lake and its water quality, it seems that hu­ of the Southern and Western parts ofLake Sebu, man factors favoured the presence of D. javana other wet rice fields and fish ponds (between in the area. Indeed, according to interviews with mud dykes for Tilapia fry) occur and it is more native Tboli and settlers, water lilies have been than probable that their buildings were made on introduced here. An old Ilonggo settler, living places occupied by aquatic phytocoenosis. It is along the lake, stated to us that it was him who, clear that the extension of such fields and fish

L-.______46 ponds in all the littoral zone could seriously Nymphaeaceae, however, I guess, as ASKEVOLD affect D. javana populations here. Other smaller (1990 : 617) does, that the latter botanical family water lilies stations are scattered here and there forms their real food plants. This is supported by on the lake's shores. Small stations of Nymphaea observations reported by REID (loc. cit. : 11 0) pubescens exist on the two other lakes of the where larva of D. (C:) australasiae BLACKBURN, area : Lake Lahit (24 ha) and Lake Sloton (75 1892, have been found attached to the roots of ha), but no aquatic leaf beetle was observed Nymphaea cf violacea and N. gigantea, in Aus­ during the few trips made, although it must also tralia. Only very careful field observations or, occur there. better, breeding could remove any doubt on that question. Here are some other plants found in the waters of Lake Sebu (some still being under study by All the specimens of D. javana were caught by botanists) : Nymphoides indica (Menyanthaceae; hand. This beetle is particularly fast to react im­ " water snowflake " or " floating heart ", native mediately to unfamiliar movements (and this Tboli name : sawa); Eichhornia crassipes (Pon­ under different weather conditions; they can fly tederiaceae; " water hyacinth ", native Tboli immediately after the rain has stopped as well as name : sawa bukay; introduced for omemental at dawn). Frightened beetles fly quickly and land purposes); Pistia stratiotes (Araceae, "water let­ on an other leaf a,Jew meters away; sometimes, tuce", native Tboli name : kiyufu); two Poaceae the insect accidentally lands on water, on which (?) (locally known, in Tboli, as kenebeg bukay it seems to bounce, but flies again immediately. and kenebeg hulo); one Cyperaceae (?) (Tboli : The most effective way to capture this aquatic blaas); one Cyperaceae or Poaceae (Tboli : hofo leaf beetle (by hand and when no net is avai­ hnu); four species of Elodea (?) and Cabomba lable) is to move very slowly between the water (?) (Tboli : lagut, lagut bono/, lagut hait, lagut lilies, and when a beetle is located, a hand must tikung). go slowly (including some stops) as close as pos­ sible, and then in a fast movement sink the leaf The site in Polomok, surrounded by corn where the beetle rests (the hand covering the fields, consists of a small artificial pond (about beetle). Either the beetle comes back up to the 100m2, 30-40 cm deep), covered with about fifty surface where it can be captured or (and usually) leaves of Nymphaea pubescens, but no other ma­ it clings to the leaf, which makes it easier to crophyta, and was formerly used for Tilapia nilo­ catch. tica breedings. In the 1950's, the Philippine Bu­ reau of Fisheries launched a nationwide cam­ When D. javana, of which most specimens paign for the adoption ofbackyard fishponds (for have an auburn calor, rests on the young reddish­ Tilapia); a campaign that has met with real suc­ brown leaves of the water lilies*, there is a ho­ cess up to the present time. Such unexpected ini­ mochromy that could protect the beetle from po­ tiatives have certainly contributed to the mainte­ tential predators; furthermore the beetle's bril­ nance or the extension of D. jcivana populations liance makes it look like a drop of water (* so­ throughout the archipelag0. The Philippines do metimes written water-lily or waterlily). not lack natural lakes and marshy areas (PRA TT, Owing to their ability to react instantaneously 1911) that can hold donaciine populations. The to inhabitual movements and the fact that they island of Mindanao gets its name from substanti­ fly very well, it has never been possible to ob­ ves danaw, lanaw, meaning lake, thus Mindanao serve D. javana eating Nymphaea pubescens ; could mean " the (is)land of the lakes ", mainly nevertheless, it seems more than probable that reffering to Mindanao' s biggest lake : Lake this water lily species constitutes a real food Lanao (the latter lake as well as Lake Buluan plant for D. javana, on which the beetle can rea­ were selected for entomological prospections, lize its complete life cycle. To support this view, but, owing to the risk of kidnapping, the trip was one has to mention the following facts : cancelled). The fact that D. javana was found in a station where Nymphaea pubescens was the 1- while Lake Sebu holds several other aquatic sole aquatic macrophyte occurring reinforces the or semi-aquatic plants (see above), D. javana idea that it must be its food plant. As pointed out has been observed only on Nymphaea pubes­ by REID ( 1993 : 104), it is correct that species of cens; the subgenus Cyphogaster have been recorded 2- the station in Polomolok, where the donaciine on plants belonging to other families than the

47 has been observed, was occupied only by Discussion Nymphaea pubescens and no other aquatic macrophyte. As for any animal or plant found on islands, it is legitimate wonder how, where from and 3- in the ponds of the Botanic Gardens of Singa­ to when donaciines_rea~hed the Philippine Archipe­ pore, where a variety of aquatic plants are lago ? Owing to the paucity of the data (paleon­ found (Nelumbo nucifera, etc.), D. javana was tological, biological, etc.) on D. (Cyphogaster) observed only on Nymphaea sp. species, it is quite difficult to establish any firm 4- R.EID (1993 : 110) has also reported an obser­ statements regarding these questions; therefore, vation of D. javana, in Java, on Nymphaea. the following statements and reconstructions are only tentative. 5- leaves' upper face of Nymphaea pubescens displays circular spots (0 : ± 5 m:m) where up­ With more than 7,000 islands and islets, Phi­ per epidermis is lacking; some of those leaves lippine geological history, while young geologi­ are so damaged that they die. I impute those cally speaking, is particularly complex, difficult spots to Donacia javana. Other organisms to understand and only parts of that history have have been reported to damage Nymphaea lea­ been elucidat~d, so far (MULLER, VON DANIELS, ves {HUXLEY, GRIFFITS & LEVY, 1992 : 339; CEPEK et alii, 1989; RANGIN, MULLER & PORTH, SCHNEIDER & WILLIAMSON, 1993 : 486-493) : 1989) . A complex geological history that share gram negative rod bacteria; Cercospora, Ovu­ also other parts of the Malay Archipelago laria (Fungi), dark rotting patches on leaves; (AUDLEY-CHARLES 1987 : 5-25; BUROLLET & Dichotomophthoropsis, Fusarium, Phytopthe­ SALLE, 1986; GOURONNEC, STEPHAN & BLAN­ ra, Phythium and Sclerotium (Fungi); Lim­ CHET, 1984; WHITMORE, 1987). Situated on the naea (Gasteropoda); Rhopalosiphum nym­ " fire belt ", the Philippines came into existence phaea (Hemiptera), distorting foliage ; carter­ from tectonic movements, that seem to date back pillars of Nymphula stagnata and Nymphula to Late Jurassic orogenesis and Cretaceous, nympheata (Lepidoptera), shred the leaves; mainly between the eastern margin of the Eura­ larva of Hydromyza sp. (Diptera), mines the sian continent and the western edge of the Paci­ floating leaves; Galerucella nymphaea (Co­ fic Ocean basin. The general outlines of the leoptera). Indeed, aside from Donaciajavana, islands have not always been what they are at the other visible organisms on Nymphaea pu­ present; for instance, Mindanao results from the bescens leaves (upper surface), in Lake Sebu, " fusion " of several smaller islands. Land were a species of a small unidentified fly (also connections between the islands of this archipe­ found in the flowers of the same plant) and lago and neighbouring islands appeared and di­ some dragonflies. sappeared through time. Thus, during the Eocene or Oligocene, a land brigde connected Luzon to Several times attempts ·were made, in Lake Taiwan (the latter being in contact with continen­ Sebu, to discover larv;~e ·or pupae of D. javana. tal Asia), a contact that ended during the Late On 28 August 1990, six specimens of Nymphaea Miocene. During early Middle Miocene (13 m. pubescens were uprooted and examined, without y.) there was a probable land connection between result (only a small empty cocoon, white, very Panay and Masbate, in Central Philippines; there thin and fragile, tom, of silk-like aspect, ± 10 is no doubt regarding the occurrence of land mm long was found attached to the roots, but this connections between Masbate, Panay and Negros can not be, for the moment, attributed to a dona­ during late Middle Miocene (11 m. y.), connec­ ciine since it totally differs from the usually hard tions that broke during the Late Miocene (11-5.2 and wax-like aspect of donaciines' pupa m. y.) (MULLER, JURGAN & PORTH, 1989). cocoons); on 26 November 1990, roots of one During the Pliocene, connections probably plant were checked, without result and on 21 De­ existed between Mindanao and Sulawesi, and, to cember 1997, roots of three plants were checked, without result. The only pupae that were found the South, to the Greater Sunda islands. The Pleistocene saw numerous land contacts/ruptures attached to the roots, often in great number, of the islands inside and outside (MORLEY & during each prospection, were those of a small FLENLEY, 1987 : 50-59) the Philippine Archipe­ unidentified fly, whose imagos can be observed visiting Nymphaea pubescens flowers. lago, following on both intense orogenetic activi­ ties as well as the rising and falling of sea level

------·-·· ------during glaciations and interglacial phases. At that grations to the south on the turn of the Pliocene epoch, Luzon, Polillo, Marinduque and Burias and Pleistocene ". It seems this subgenus must formed one island; the same is true for Samar, be much older. In 1956, HAUPT (1956 : 55, 56) Leyte, Bohol and Surigao; Negros, Panay, Mas­ described from Eo~ene deposits of Germany a bate and Ticao; Mindoro, Palawan and Borneo donaciine he named Hemidonacia insolita. Ho­ (the latter in contact with continental Asia); Cebu wever, according to ASKEVOLD (1991 : 101), the remained isolated. Still during the Pleistocene, it latter species " appears to agree most with the seems that Mindanao (at least the Zamboanga extant D. (Cyphogaster) provosti ";thus, D. (Cy­ Peninsula) was in contact, through the Sulu phogaster) get back to, at least, Eocene time. To Archipelago islands, to Borneo (Sabah) during support an ·older antiquity of D. (Cyphogaster), Early or Mid-Pleistocene, whereas its link with there is an other argument that one can infer Sulawesi was interrupted prior to Quaternary from zoogeographical data. D. (C.) lenzi, as al­ (DICKERSON, 1928; LEWIS, 1997: 591-604). ready mentioned, occurs only in the north of the Philippines. If this species would have reached The archipelagic conditions that have always Luzon from a southern way (south of the Philip­ prevailed in that region favored isolatioxi' from pines and/or Greater Sunda islands), the dona­ Oriental and Australo-Papuan Regions, a factor ciine should stilLexist in Southern Philippines or that generated a high rate of species endemism. Indonesia, but this is not the case. The other re­ Since WALLACE (1869), many authors have maining way is from the North, through Taiwan. demonstrated the transitional aspects, biogeogra­ One knows that a land bridge existed between phically speaking, of the biota of that part of the Luzon and Taiwan during Eocene or Oligocene world, situated at the junction of the Oriental and and that this contact ended during Late Miocene Australian Regions. Inside that zone, the term (DICKERSON, 1928). Thus, the occurrence of Wallacea was created to design an area where the D. lenzi in Northern Philippines could attest of mixed caracters of the Oriental and Australian the existence of a former mid-Cenozoic land fauna and flora are even more pronounced, and it bridge that linked Taiwan and Luzon. Therefore includes the Philippines, Sulawesi, Sula Is. and one has also to conclude that D. (Cyphogaster) the Lesser Sundas from Lombok to Timor, that is appeared prior to Plio-Pleistocene epoch as to say a zone between WALLACE's Line as modi­ presumed by BOROWIEC. fied by DICKERSON et alii and WEBER's Line As far as paleogeographic and geological data (DICKERSON, 1928). allow, the occurrence of D. lenzi in the Philippi­ In Wallacea, two species of D. (Cyphogaster) nes, and consequently the existence of the subge­ occur : D. javana and D. lenzi. For D. javana, nus Cyphogaster, dates back to at least Miocene Wallacea forms the eastern limit of a species time. otherwise widely spread. in tropical Asia (both The South/North migrations (D. javana) or insular and continental); whereas for D. lenzi, vice versa (D. lenzi) for the donaciines of the Wallacea is the southern limit of its area. In Philippines fit with a general trend underlined by Southeast Asia, west of Wallacea, one finds, DICKERSON (1928 : 302) who states : " within aside from D. javana, three other D. (Cyphogas­ Wallacea much ofthe migration has been in ge­ ter) species : D. delesserti GuERIN-MENEVILLE, neral north and south, rather than east and 1844, D. provosti FAIRMAIRE, 1885 and D. trans­ west". versicollis FAIRMAIRE, 1887. East of Wallacea, only D. (C.) australasiae BLACKBURN, 1892 oc­ Concerning D. javana, its absence in Minda­ curs (New Guinea, North Australia). It is patent nao was intriging since the species occurs in Bor­ that Wallacea, as far as donaciines are concern, neo and Sulawesi. As mentioned above, Minda­ constitutes the eastern limit of species widely nao was in contact with at least Sulawesi during spread in the Oriental Region, whereas east of the Pliocene, and with Borneo during the Pleisto­ Wallacea the territority of a species (D. austra­ cene; an intriging point now solved. Although lasiae) restricted to the Papua-Australian Region not yet recorded there, D. javana must exist in begins. Palawan (in contact with Borneo during Pleisto­ cene) and Central Philippines. BOROWIEC (1984 : 470) states that the subge­ nus D. (Cyphogaster) "first appeared in tropical These new observations confirm that D. java­ south-easthern Asia, probably during great mi- na is always locally found in great number and

L------~ 49 that adults seem to occur all year round, facts Entomology Section, National Museum, Manila) who also reported by GOECKE (1934: 224). The data allowed me to review the entomological collections reported here allow us to classify D. javana of the National Museum of the Philippines. Mrs. I. amongst the ecological category of the periphytic COPPEE,· Dr D. K1ME and Dr P. VERDYCK reviewed primary phagotrophs (or macroconsumers ), a tlu~ manuscript and kindly suggested improvements. category in which fall all the other members of Bibliography the Donaciinae whose biology is known. The observations reported here show, once AUDLEY-CHARLES M.G., 1987. - Dispersal of the again, how anthropic factors can affect the fau­ Gondwanaland : revelance to evolution of the An­ nistic drift of the populations of Donaciinae giosperms. In: WIDTMORE T.C. (Editor)- Biogeo­ species, in a negative or positive way. In a recent graphical Evolution of the Malay Archipelago. faunistic study conducted on the Donaciinae of Oxford Monographs on Biogeography N° 4, Cla­ rendon Press, Oxford. Belgium (LAYS, 1997), we have demonstrated ASKEVOLD I.S., 1990. - Reconstructed phylogeny and how human activities affected, negatively, reclassification of the genera of Donaciinae (Co­ aquatic leaf beetle populations of the 25 species leoptera: Chrysomelidae). Quaestiones Entomolo­ recorded there. The obvious negative faunistic gicae, 26 (4) : 601-664. drift observed, since the 1950's, for the Dona­ ASKEVOLD I.S., 1991. - Classification, reconstructed ciinae in Belgium comes from factors such : phylogeny, and geographic history of the New drying up of marshy areas; destruction of rivers' World members of Plateumaris Thomson, 1859 natural banks and the associated flora; pollution (Coleoptera : Chrysomelidae : Donaciinae). Me­ of lakes, ponds and rivers, etc., all those factors moir,s of the Entomological Society of Canada, altered primarily the phytocoenosis associated 157: 1-175. with wet lands, then, secondarily, but crucially, BACKER C.A. & BAKHUIZEN VAN DEN BRINK R.C., affected the donaciines which can not survive 1963 . -Flora ofJava. Vol. I. Gymnospermae, Fa­ without their aquatic or semi-aquatic food plants. milies 1-7, Angiospermae, Families 8-110. N. V. Noordhoff, Groningen. As a consequence of these anthropic factors, 18 BEADLE N.C.W., EVANS O.D., CAROLIN R.C., TIN­ · species are threatened with extinction and 4 DALE M.D. (Editors) 1982. -Flora of the Sidney species are considered as vanished in Belgium. Region. Third Edition. REED A.H. & A. W. Pty Elsewhere, FURTH (1976, 1993) demonstrates Ltd, Wellington. how anthropic factors (drainage, DDT sprayings, BENNET E.M., 1987.- Family 21 Nymphaeaceae. In: cultural eutrophication, etc.) contributed to an MARCHANT N.G., WHEELER J.R., RYE B.L., BEN­ almost certain extinction of D. bicolor and NET E.M., LANDER N.S. & MACFARLANE T.D. D. marginata in Israel. In Westfalia (Germany), (Editors). - Flora of the Perth Region. Western KROKER (1985) imputes recent rarefaction of Australian Herbarium, Department of Agriculture, donaciines to anthropic factors. W estem Australia. BENTHAM G. & MUELLER F., 1863. - Flora Austra­ As exemplified in the cases reported here and liensis : A Description of the Plants of the Austra­ observed in Singapore and the Philippines, the lian Territory. Vol. I. Ranunculaceae to Anacar­ impact of human activities on the donaciines, or diaceae. Lovell Reeve & Co., London. more precisely, on their food plants, are not BOROWIEC L., 1984. - Zoogeographical study on Do­ always negative. The creation of reservoirs, naciinae of the world ( Coleoptera, Chrysome­ lakes, ponds for economic or other purposes, and lidae). Polskie Pismo Entomologiczne, 53 (4) : subsequently the arrival, accidentally or not, of 433-518. aquatic leaf beetles' food plants are anthropic BROWN W.H., 1951.- Useful Plants of the Philippi­ nes. Volume 1. Department of Agriculture and Na­ factors that allow the maintain, or even the tural Resources. Technical Bulletin 10. Bureau of extension of donaciine populations. Printing, Manila, 590 pp. BUROLLET F. & SALLE C., 1986.- Problemes tectoni­ Acknowledgements ques en lndonesie. In : LE FORT P., COLCHEN M. & MONTENAT C. (Editeurs), Evolution des domaines I wish to thank Dr I. ASKEVOLD (Tallahassee, Flo­ orogeniques de l'Asie meridionale (de la Turquie rida, USA) for the identification of the submitted ma­ a l'Jndonesie). Livre jubilaire en l'honneur de terial, as well as his comments; Professor J. LAMBI­ Pierre BORDET. Sciences de la Terre, Memoire 47: NON (University of Liege, Department of Botany) 113-127. who facilitated the botanical bibliographical research; CONN B.J., 1984. - Nymphaeaceae. In : LEACH G.J. & and Mr. V. U. SAMARITA (In-charge & Researcher,

50 OSBORNE P.L. (Editors). - The Freshwater plants SE Asia, South of Thailand and West oflrian Jaya of Papua New Guinea. University of Papua New of Indonesia. I. Sagrinae, Donaciinae, Zeugopho­ Guinea Press, Port Moresby. rinae, Megalopodinae and Criocerinae. Kurume CONN B.J., 1995. - Nymphaeaceae. In : CONN B.J. University Joui"'al, 33 (1): 41-58. (Editor). - Handbooks of the Flora of Papua New KIMOTO S. & GRESSIT J.L., 1979. - Chrysomelidae Guinea. Vol. Ill, Melbourne University Press, (Coleoptera) of Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Melbourne. Vietnam. I. Sagrinae, Donaciinae, Zeugophorinae, COOK C.D.K., 1996.- Aquatic and Wetland Plants of Megalopodinae and Criocerinae. Pacific Insects, India. Oxford University Press. 20: 191-256. DASSANAYAKE M.D., 1996. - Nymphaeaceae. In : KOCH B.L., 1992. - Family 26 Nymphaeaceae. In : DASSANAYAKE M.D. {Editor).- A Revisited Hand­ WHEELER J. R (Editor). - Flora of the Kimberley book to the Flora of Ceylon. Vol. X, Balkema A. Region. Published by Dr Syd SHEA, W estem Aus­ A., Rotterdam. tralian Herbarium, Department of Conservation DICKERSON RE., 1928. - Distribution .. of Life in the and Land Management, Western Australia Philippines. Monographs ofthe Bureau of Science, KROKER H., 1985. -Differences between the former Monograph 21, Bureau of Printing, Manila, and present distribution of Chrysomelids in West­ 322 pp. + 42 plates (Reprinted in 1975 by Book­ falia. Entomography, 3:447-450. mark Inc., Manila). LAYS P., 1997.- Les Donaciinae (Coleoptera: Chry­ FRIESEN D. & STOLTZLUS G., 1982. -·The T'bolis and somelidae) de la faune de Belgique. Chorologie, the Dam. Episcopal Commission on Tribal Filipi­ phenologie et evaluation de la derive faunique. nos Research Series, 2 (2): 1-13 + 1 map. Notesfauniques de Gembloux, 33: 67-143. FURTH D.G., 1976.- The Huleh and its Lost Aquatic LEWIS S.D., 1997.- Philippines. In: MOORE E.M. & Leaf Beetle. Atala, 4 (1-2): 4-9. FAIRBRIDGE R.H. (Editors). -Encyclopedia of Eu­ FURTH D.G., 1993.- The Hula Lake Leaf Beetles Re­ rope and Asian Regional Geology. Encyclopedia visited. Israel Journal ofEntomology, 27 : 25-30. of Earth Sciences Series, Chapman & Hall, Lon­ GOECKE H., 1934. - Revision asiatischer Donaciinen don. (Col. Chrys.) I. (3. Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Dona­ LI H.-L., 1976. - 35. Nymphaeaceae. In : LI H., LIU ciinen). (Mit einer Tafel und einer Verbreitungs­ T., HUANG T. et alii - Flora of Taiwan. Vol. IT. karte). Koleopterologische Rundschau, 20 (6): Epoch Publishing Co., Ltd, Taipei. 215-230. MERRILL E.D., 1912. -A Flora of Manila. Bureau of GOECKE H., 1936. - Revision asiatischer Donaciinen Printing, Manila. (Col. Chrys.) IT. 8. Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Dona­ MORLEY RJ. & FLENLEY J.R, 1987. -Late Caeno­ ciinen. (mit einer Tafel). Entomologischer Bliitter, zoic Vegetation and Environmental Changes in the 32 (5): 220-228. Malay Archipelago. In: WHITMORE T.C. (Editor), GoECKE H., 1960.- Monographie der Schilkafer m. Biogeographical Evolution of the Malay Archipe­ Die Gattungen und Arten der Donaciinae (Col. lago. Oxford Monographs on Biogeography N° 4. Chrys.). und ihre Verbreitung (18. Beitrag zur Clarendon Press, Oxford. Kenntnis der Donaciinen). Entomologische Bliitter, MDLLER C., JURGAN H. & PORTH H., 1989.- Paleo­ 56: 1-19. "' geographic Outlines of the Visayan Basin. In : GOURONNEC P., STEPHAN J.-F. & BLANCHET R, 1984. PORTH H. & VON DANIELS C.H. {Editors). - On the - Du continent asiatique ala fosse des Philippines : Geology and Hydrocarbon Prospects of the Vi­ geologie regionale. Annales de la Societe Geolo­ sayan Basin, Philippines. Geologisches Jahrbuch, gique du Nord, cm : 29-36. B 70: 303-315; 6 figs. HAUPT H., 1956. - Beitrag zur Kenntnis der eozanen MOLLER C., VON DANIELS C.H., CEPEK P., GRAMAN Arthropodenfauna des Geiseltales. Nova Acta Leo­ F., BAUSA G.J.G. & DE LEON M.M., 1989. ~ Bio­ poldina (N.F.), ser. 2, 18 (128): 1-90. stratigraphy and Paleoenvironmental Studies in the HUXLEY A., GRIFFITHS M. & LEVY M. (Editors) 1992. Tertiary of the Visayan Basin, Phillipines. In - The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary PORTH H. & VON DANIELS C.H. {Editors).- On the of Gardening. The Royal Horticultural Society, Geology and Hydrocarbon Prospects of the Vi­ Macmillan Press Limited & Stockton Press. sayan Basin, Philippines. Geologisches Jahrbuch, KENG H., 1990. - The Concise Flora of Singapore. B 70: 89-145; 1 tab.; 16 plates. Gymnosperms and Dicotyledons. Singapore Uni­ PRATT W.E., 1911. - Philippine Lakes. Philippine versity Press, Singapore. Journal ofScience, 11 (A): 223-237. KrMoro S., 1983. - Revisional Study on Megalopo­ QUISUMBING E., 1978.- Medicinal Plants of the Phi­ dinae, Donaciinae and Clytrinae of Japan (Coleop­ lippines. Katha Publishing Co., Quezon City, tera: Chrysomelidae ). Entomological Review of 1262 pp. Japan, 38 (1): 5-23. RANGIN C., MDLLER C. & PORTH H., 1989. - Neogene KIMoro S., 1984. - Check List of Chrysomelidae of Geodynamic Evolution of the Visayan Region. In' :

51 PORTH H. & VON DANIELS C.H. (Editors). - On the of south-eastern Queensland. Vol. I. Queensland Geology and Hydrocarbon Prospects of the Vi~ Depmroent of Primary Industry, Miscellaneous sayan Basin, Philippines. Geologisches Jahrbuch, Publication 8;1020. B 70 : 7-27; 6 figs; 1 tab. V AN ROYEN P., 1962. - Sertulum Papuanum 5. Nym­ REID C.A.M., 1993. - Donacia autralasiae Black­ phaeaceae. Nova Guinea (Botany), 10 (8) : 103- burn : the sole representative of the subfamily Do­ 126. naciinae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Australia WALLACE A.R., 1869. - The Malay Archipelago. and New Guinea. Journal of the Australian ento­ ·MacMillan & Co., London, 515 pp. (Reprinted in mological Society, 32 : 103-111. 1983 by Graham Brash [Pte] Ltd, Singapore). RIDLEY H.N., 1922.- The Flora of the Malay Penin­ WHITMORE T.C., 1987. - Introduction. In : WHIT­ sula. Vol. I. - Polypetale. Reeve L. & Co., London. MORE T.C. (Editor) 1987. -Biogeographical Evo­ SCHNEIDER E.L. & WILLIAMSON P.S., 1993. - Nym­ lution of the Malay Archipelago. Oxford Mono­ phaeaceae. In : KUBITZKI K., ROHWER J.G. & BIT­ graphs on Biogeography No 4. Clarendon Press, TRICH V. (Editors). - The Families and Genera of Oxford. Vascular Plants. II Flowering Plants. Dicotyle­ YANG Y. &Lu S.-Y., 1996.-35. Nymphaeaceae. In: dons. Magnoliid, Hamamelid and Caryophyllid HuA.N·o T.C. (Editor). - Flora of Taiwan. Second Families. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, London, Paris, Edition. Vol. II. Angiospermae. Editorial Com­ etc. mittee ofthe Flora ofTaiwan,Taipei. STANLEY T.D. & Ross E.M. (Editors), 1983.- Flora

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