Nature Protection Trust of Seychelles
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Biolphilately Vol-64 No-3
BIOPHILATELY OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE BIOLOGY UNIT OF ATA MARCH 2020 VOLUME 69, NUMBER 1 Great fleas have little fleas upon their backs to bite 'em, And little fleas have lesser fleas, and so ad infinitum. —Augustus De Morgan Dr. Indraneil Das Pangolins on Stamps More Inside >> IN THIS ISSUE NEW ISSUES: ARTICLES & ILLUSTRATIONS: From the Editor’s Desk ......................... 1 Botany – Christopher E. Dahle ............ 17 Pangolins on Stamps of the President’s Message .............................. 2 Fungi – Paul A. Mistretta .................... 28 World – Dr. Indraneil Das ..................7 Secretary -Treasurer’s Corner ................ 3 Mammalia – Michael Prince ................ 31 Squeaky Curtain – Frank Jacobs .......... 15 New Members ....................................... 3 Ornithology – Glenn G. Mertz ............. 35 New Plants in the Philatelic News of Note ......................................... 3 Ichthyology – J. Dale Shively .............. 57 Herbarium – Christopher Dahle ....... 23 Women’s Suffrage – Dawn Hamman .... 4 Entomology – Donald Wright, Jr. ........ 59 Rats! ..................................................... 34 Event Calendar ...................................... 6 Paleontology – Michael Kogan ........... 65 New Birds in the Philatelic Wedding Set ........................................ 16 Aviary – Charles E. Braun ............... 51 Glossary ............................................... 72 Biology Reference Websites ................ 69 ii Biophilately March 2020 Vol. 69 (1) BIOPHILATELY BIOLOGY UNIT -
Supplementary Table 1. List of Demonstrated Beneficiaries
Supplementary Table 1. List of demonstrated beneficiaries. IUCN Red List Island Country Common Scientific Animal status Event Citation Petroica New australis Adele Zealand South Island robin australis Landbird LC reintroduction (1) Branta United Aleutian cackling hutchinsii Agattu States goose leucopareia Landbird LC reintroduction (2) United Evermann's rock Lagopus muta Agattu States ptarmigan evermanni Landbird LC reintroduction (2) United unassisted Ailsa Craig Kingdom Black guillemot Cepphus grylle Seabird LC colonization (3) United Fratercula unassisted Ailsa Craig Kingdom Atlantic puffin arctica Seabird LC recolonization (4) United Oenanthe unassisted Ailsa Craig Kingdom Northern wheatear oenanthe Landbird LC colonization (4) United Tadorna unassisted Ailsa Craig Kingdom Common shelduck tadorna Landbird LC colonization (3) Philesturnus New South Island carunculatus Allports Zealand saddleback carunculatus Landbird NT reintroduction (2) Bettongia Alpha Australia Burrowing bettong lesueur Mammal NT introduction (5) Branta (6; Steve Amchitka United Aleutian cackling hutchinsii unassisted Ebbert, pers. Island States goose leucopareia Landbird LC recolonization comm.) Amukta United Aleutian cackling Branta Landbird LC unassisted (7) IUCN Red List Island Country Common Scientific Animal status Event Citation States goose hutchinsii recolonization leucopareia Sally Amy Poncet, Island/Outer United Cinclodes unassisted unpublished Knob Kingdom Tussacbird antarcticus Landbird LC recolonization data Sally Amy Poncet, Island/Outer United unpublished -
Assessing Conservation Value of Islands in the Central Seychelles
ASSESSING CONSERVATION VALUE OF ISLANDS IN THE CENTRAL SEYCHELLES ABSTRACT Data gathered in the island assessment process are used to prioritise the islands visited (and, by extrapolation, other islands in the central Seychelles) for conservation value, particularly in regard to conservation of endemic land birds. Several criteria of particular importance for endemic bird conservation are identified, and these could be used in more rapid assessment of other islands in the area for conservation. INTRODUCTION Several authors have attempted to formalise criteria to evaluate land for conservation purposes in order that the most appropriate sites can be selected for protection (see, for example, Smith and Theberge, 1986; Usher, 1986). There is no simple consensus that can be applied in all situations although a number of biological and physical indicators that are commonly cited include the presence of rare species of animals and plants, or rare habitats, diversity (of species or habitats), size, "representativeness" or "naturalness", and the relative fragility of an arez or habitat (Bibby, 1998). In addition, social, cultural and management practicalities need to be considered, especially where an area has multiple use (such as scientific research or recreation in addition to conservation). While many criteria emphasise existing conservation values, the concept of "potential value" (Ratcliffe, 1977) or, in this case, "rehabilitation value", is particularly important for the islands of the granitic Seychelles. The original habitats of all islands have been profoundly altered in the past 200 years. Active human intervention is likely to be necessary to realise the conservation value of any of the small or medium-sized islands. -
Eradication of Invasive Animals and Other Island Restoration Practices in Seychelles: Achievements, Challenges and Scaling up Perspectives
G. Rocamora Rocamora, G. Eradication of invasive animals and other island restoration practices in Seychelles: achievements, challenges and scaling up perspectives Eradication of invasive animals and other island restoration practices in Seychelles: achievements, challenges and scaling up perspectives G. Rocamora Scientifi c Director & Chair, Island Biodiversity & Conservation Centre, University of Seychelles, Anse Royale Campus, Box 1348, Victoria, Seychelles. <[email protected]>. Abstract In recent decades Seychelles has accumulated extensive experience in the management of invasive species and other island restoration practices. Non-government organisations (NGOs), governmental, parastatal and private stakeholders have conducted successful programmes to control and eradicate invasive animals and plants, particularly on small islands of high biodiversity value. Biosecurity protocols have been implemented to prevent (re)infestations. With at least 50 vertebrate populations (33 mammal, 16 bird and one reptile) from 14 diff erent species successfully eradicated, Seychelles is the third country in the world after Australia and the USA for invasive vertebrate eradications from tropical islands, and the seventh when considering all countries. Twenty-four islands have benefi ted from invasive vertebrate eradications and other ecosystem restoration processes to create refuges for native biodiversity. About 470 ha of woodland have been rehabilitated through replanting and recovery of native vegetation, and at least 36 successful island translocations of native birds and reptiles have been conducted. This includes 16 conservation introductions or reintroductions of six endemic land birds (all but one threatened), two of a terrapin species and 18 of Aldabra giant tortoises. Recovery of native species and natural recolonisations have occurred on islands where invasive predators have been removed. -
Conservation Gains and Missed Opportunities 15 Years After Rodent Eradications in the Seychelles
J.E. Millett, W. Accouche, J. van de Crommenacker, M.A.J.A. van Dinther, A. de Groene, C.P. Havemann, T.A. Retief, J. Appoo and R.M. Bristol Millett, J.E.; W. Accouche, J. van de Crommenacker, M.A.J.A. van Dinther, A. de Groene, C.P. Havemann, T.A. Retief, J. Appoo and R.M. Bristol. Conservation gains and missed opportunities 15 years after rodent eradications in the Seychelles Conservation gains and missed opportunities 15 years after rodent eradications in the Seychelles J.E. Millett1, W. Accouche1, J. van de Crommenacker1,2, M.A.J.A. van Dinther2, A. de Groene3, C.P. Havemann4, T.A. Retief4, J. Appoo1 and R.M. Bristol5 1Green Islands Foundation, PO Box 246, Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles. <[email protected]>. 2Frégate Island Private, PO Box 330, Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles. 3WWF-Netherlands, Driebergseweg 10, 3708 JB Zeist, Netherlands. 4North Island, P.O. Box 1176, Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles. 5La Batie, Beau Vallon, Mahé, Seychelles. Abstract The Seychelles was one of the fi rst tropical island nations to implement island restoration resulting in biodiversity gain. In the 2000s a series of rat eradication attempts was undertaken in the inner Seychelles islands which had mixed results. Three private islands with tourist resorts successfully eradicated rats: Frégate (2000), Denis Island (2003) and North Island (2005). Frégate Island was successful with the fi rst eradication attempt whereas North and Denis Islands were initially unsuccessful, and both required second eradication operations. All three islands have developed conservation programmes including biosecurity, habitat rehabilitation, and species reintroductions, and have integrated nature into the tourism experience. -
Forestry Department Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Forestry Department Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Forest Health & Biosecurity Working Papers Case Studies on the Status of Invasive Woody Plant Species in the Western Indian Ocean 5. Seychelles By C. Kueffer1 and P. Vos2 1. Geobotanical Institute, ETH (Federal Institute of Technology), Zurich, Switzerland 2. Forestry Section, Ministry of Environment & Natural Resources, Seychelles May 2004 Forest Resources Development Service Working Paper FBS/4-5E Forest Resources Division FAO, Rome, Italy Disclaimer The FAO Forestry Department Working Papers report on issues and activities related to the conservation, sustainable use and management of forest resources. The purpose of these papers is to provide early information on on-going activities and programmes, and to stimulate discussion. This paper is one of a series of FAO documents on forestry-related health and biosecurity issues. The study was carried out from November 2002 to May 2003, and was financially supported by a special contribution of the FAO-Netherlands Partnership Programme on Agro-Biodiversity. The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Quantitative information regarding the status of forest resources has been compiled according to sources, methodologies and protocols identified and selected by the authors, for assessing the diversity and status of forest resources. For standardized methodologies and assessments on forest resources, please refer to FAO, 2003. -
Indian Ocean Islands Seychelles, Mauritius, Réunion, and Rodrigues 17Th to 28Th September 2018 (12 Days) Trip Report
Indian Ocean Islands Seychelles, Mauritius, Réunion, and Rodrigues 17th to 28th September 2018 (12 days) Trip Report Rodrigues Fody by Daniel Keith Danckwerts Tour Leader: Daniel Keith Danckwerts Rockjumper Birding Tours View more tours Trip Report – RBL Indian Ocean Islands 2018 2 Tour Summary Sprinkled through the tropical seas off the East African coast are a series of corraline, granitic and volcanic islands that, together, support an incredible 35 regional endemic birds. This includes some of the world’s rarest and most sought-after birds, including the magical Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher, indescribably rare and critically endangered Réunion Cuckooshrike, jewel-like Rodrigues and Mauritius Fodies, mythical Seychelles Scops Owl and, of course, the swift-flying Barau’s Petrel. These islands also support several million widespread breeding seabirds, including Brown and Lesser Noddies, White and Sooty Terns, both White-tailed and Red-tailed Tropicbirds, and Wedge-tailed and Tropical Shearwaters. Our 12-day journey took us across most of these isolated landmasses, where we secured sightings of an incredible 75 species, including all but one of the region’s endemics. Some of the undisputed highlights included our day trip to Cousin Island (Seychelles), where we watched several hundred thousand seabirds attending their nests, along with three endangered Seychellois endemics (Seychelles Magpie-Robin, Seychelles Warbler, and Seychelles Fody), as well as our hike through the tree-fern dominated forests of Réunion Island, where we saw all of the island’s endemics at very close range. It really was a sensational trip like no other! ____________________________________________________________________________________ The top ten birds of the trip, as decided upon by the tour participants: 1. -
Figure 1. Denis Island: Physical Map, with Locations of Vegetation Plots. DENIS
Figure 1. Denis Island: Physical map, with locations of vegetation plots. DENIS MICHAEL J. HILL', TERENCE M. VEL', KATHRYN J. HOLM', STEVEN J. PARR~ and NIRMAL J. SHAH' GEOLOGY, TOPOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE Denis is one of the northernmost islands of the Seychelles lying around 80 kilometres North of Mahk, the largest of the granitic Seychelles, at the northern edge of the Seychelles Bank. It is approximately 140 ha in area (Directorate of Overseas Survey (UK)/Seychelles Government, unpublished data), although there is evidence of rapid erosion in the past (Fryer, 19 10). The maximum elevation is less than 4 m above sea level and average surface elevation is probably around 2.5 nl (Stoddart and Fosberg, 198 1). Unlike the majority of islands on the Seychelles Bank, Denis has no granite and it is formed entirely of reef-derived sands. The deposition of guano on sand deposits has led to the formation of phosphatic sandstone over 80% of the island's surface (Fryer, 19 10; Baker, 1963). Much of the guano that originally overlaid this cemented layer has now been removed for export (Stoddart and Fosberg, 198 1). Guano removal left parts of the island bare of soil (Baker, 1963). In phosphatic sandstone areas where soil cover has survived, soils of the Jemo Series occur; the rest of the island has Shioya series soils (Piggott, 1968). In some wetland areas, brown loams rich in phosphate (leached from phosphatic rocks) occur (Baker, 1963). Denis has a number of marsh areas, although the extent of marshland appears to have been greater in the recent past (Stoddart and Fosberg, 198 1, shoiv a photograph of Typha swamp on Denis). -
Download From
Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS) – 2009-2012 version Mare Aux Cochons High Altitude freshwater Wetlands Seychelles Islands. Available for download from http://www.ramsar.org/ris/key_ris_index.htm. Categories approved by Recommendation 4.7 (1990), as amended by Resolution VIII.13 of the 8th Conference of the Contracting Parties (2002) and Resolutions IX.1 Annex B, IX.6, IX.21 and IX. 22 of the 9 th Conference of the Contracting Parties (2005). Notes for compilers: 1. The RIS should be completed in accordance with the attached Explanatory Notes and Guidelines for completing the Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands. Compilers are strongly advised to read this guidance before filling in the RIS. 2. Further information and guidance in support of Ramsar site designations are provided in the Strategic Framework and guidelines for the future development of the List of Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Wise Use Handbook 14, 3rd edition). A 4th edition of the Handbook is in preparation and will be available in 2009. 3. Once completed, the RIS (and accompanying map(s)) should be submitted to the Ramsar Secretariat. Compilers should provide an electronic (MS Word) copy of the RIS and, where possible, digital copies of all maps. 1. Name and address of the compiler of this form: FOR OFFICE USE ONLY . DD MM YY Dr. Pugazhendhi Murugaiyan, Senior Project Officer, Environmental Engineering and Wetlands Section, Climate & Environmental Services Division, Designation date Site Reference Number Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources & Transport Box – 1145, English River, Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles. Ph: 00248 670400, Fax – 00248 610 647. E-mail: [email protected] ; [email protected] ; E-mail: All correspondence should be addressed to the Principal Secretary at [email protected] CC: [email protected] ; [email protected];[email protected] ; 2. -
Oil Spill Sensitivity of the Western Indian Ocean Islands: Coastal Data from the Comoros Islands, Madagascar, Mauritius, Reunion and the Seychelles
IV OIL SPILL SENSITIVITY OF THE WESTERN INDIAN OCEAN ISLANDS Coastal Data from the Comoros Islands, Madagascar, Mauritius, Reunion and the Seychelles Compiled by the World Conservation Monitoring Centre Editednby Dr. Edmund Green WORLD CONSERVATION MONITORING CENTRE Prepared by: Neil Cox, Edmund Green, Igor Lysenko, Balzhan Zhimbiev April 1998 The World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC), based in Cambridge, UK is a joint-venture between the three partners in the World Conservation Strategy and its successor Caring For The Earth: IUCN - The World Conservation Union, UNEP - United Nations Environment Programme, and WWF - World Wide Fund for Nature. WCMC provides information services on conservation and sustainable use the world's living resources, and helps others to develop information systems of their own. Prepared with funding from AEA Technology pic WORLD CONSERVATION MONITORING CENTRE Copyright: World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge, UK. Copyright release: Reproduction of this publication for educational or other non- commercial purposes is authorised without prior permission from the copyright holders. Reproduction For resale or other commercial purpose is prohibited without the prior written permission of the copyright holders. Disclaimer: The designations of geographical entities and the presentation of material in this report do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever by WCMC and its collaborators and other participating organisations, concerning the legal or constitutional status of any country, territory, or area or of its authorities; or concerning the delineation of its frontiers or boundaries. Citation: WCMC, 1998. Oil spill sensitivity of the western indian ocean islands: coastal data from the Comoros islands, Madagascar, Mauritius, Reunion and the Seychelles. Edited by E.P. -
PRIMER NOTES Microsatellite Loci for the Social Wasp Polistes Dominulus
MEC1053.fm Page 2155 Wednesday, November 15, 2000 8:58 AM Molecular Ecology (2000) 9, 2155–2234 PRIMERBlackwell Science, Ltd NOTES Microsatellite00Graphicraft Limited, Hong Kong loci for the social wasp 5000–6000 clones. Nylon replicates of the genomic library were probed with five oligonucleotides (AAT10, AAG10, AAC10, TAG10, Polistes dominulus and their application γ 33 and CAT10) which were end-labelled with [ - P]-dATP. Probes in other polistine wasps of the nylon replicates yielded 151 positives and subsequent probing of plasmid DNA on the southern blot confirmed 34 MICHAEL T. HENSHAW* unique positives. Clones which were positive on the south- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Rice University, PO Box 1892, ern blot were sequenced on an ABI 377 automated sequencer Houston, TX 77251–1892, USA (Perkin-Elmer), and 19 sets of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers were designed from the 28 resulting sequences using Keywords: Polistinae, social wasps, Vespidae Mac Ventor 5.0 (Kodak Scientific Imaging Systems). Received 21 March 2000; revision accepted 29 May 2000 We optimized the PCR primers on an MJ Research PTC- Correspondence: Michael T. Henshaw. *Present address: Department 100 thermocycler using 10 µL reactions (Peters et al. 1998), of Entomology, 102 Fernald Hall, University of Massachusetts, and assessed within-species polymorphisms for eight species Amherst, MA 01003–2410 USA. Fax: (413) 545–0231; E-mail: of polistine wasps, using from one to eight unrelated females [email protected] for each species (Table 1). PCR products were visualized on The social wasps of the genus Polistes are an important model 6% polyacrylamide/8 m Urea sequencing gels. -
Introduction Our Commitment to Sustainability ECO-GUIDE to FOUR SEASONS RESORT SEYCHELLES
ECO-GUIDE TO FOUR SEASONS RESORT SEYCHELLES introduction our commitment Welcome to Four Seasons Resort Seychelles. Nestled in the picturesque Petite Anse bay on the island of Mahé, this is a to sustainability perfect place to begin your discovery of the stunning natural environment of Seychelles. Four Seasons Resort Seychelles is committed to achieving sustainable practices to conserve natural resources and The Resort is built in and around a slope of granite boulders safeguard the local environment. and forest, fringing the beach and the coral reefs beyond. As is common in most coastal areas of Mahé, a small freshwater Becoming more sustainable means that our Resort must wetland can be found between the beach and the forest, continually try to improve our performance on issues like: collecting water running off from the mountain during rain • reducing waste and pollution showers. The forest, wetland, beach and reef together create • setting up a system for waste sorting and recycling a fascinating environment to explore and experience the flora • conserving energy and water (plants) and fauna (animals) of Seychelles. • protecting and enhancing habitats and wildlife on the property • engaging with the local community In this guide, you will find information to enhance your discovery of the environment at Four Seasons Resort It also means providing opportunities for our guests and our Seychelles including: staff to learn more about the local environment around the Resort and encourage them to help us protect it. Part 1 Your Eco-Holiday at Four Seasons Resort Seychelles We work in partnership with local environmental organisations that can help us along our journey toward sustainability.