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957-IJBCS-Article-Prof Karamoko Diarra Available online at http://ajol.info/index.php/ijbcs Int. J. Biol. Chem. Sci. 5(1): 386-391, February 2011 ISSN 1991-8631 Short Communication http://indexmedicus.afro.who.int Entomological survey and biodiversity conservation in the Madeleine Island Park of Senegal: Analeptes trifasciata (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae), a threat to the insular baobab Saliou NIASSY 1, Karamoko DIARRA 1*, Abdoul A. NIANG 2 and Alain COACHE 4 1 Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science and Applied Science, Cheikh Anta Diop, University of Dakar, Box 5005, Senegal. 2 Laboratory of Terrestrial Invertebrates Zoology, Department of Animal Biology, IFAN Ch. A. Diop, Box 206, Dakar, Senegal. 3 Observatoire et Conservatoire des Insectes du Sénégal, Résidence Nianing, villa n° 40, Nianing, Box. 1255 Mbour, Senegal. * Corresponding author, E-mail: [email protected] ABSTRACT A management program of biodiversity inventory and conservation was recently adopted for the rehabilitation of the Madeleine Island National Park (MINP). Entomological surveys were conducted between 2006 and 2009 to gather biological data on the biodiversity and to point out species of interest. Over 30 species of insects belonging mainly to Coleoptera, Orthoptera and Lepidoptera were collected and identified. The Baobab is one of the most important tree species of interest due to its dwarfism which is a source of curiosity for many scientists, visitors and tourists. A coleopteran pest Analeptes trifasciata (Cerambycidae) was found to be a vicious pest to the Baobab Adansonia digitata (Malvale: Bombacaceae). That Beetle was reported earlier in almost all West African countries as a threat to many tree species. This preliminary survey encourages a thorough inventory of the biodiversity and suggests a conservation strategy for major species such as the Baobab, by introducing a management tool to control the damages of A. trifasciata . © 2011 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved. Keywords : Insular, inventory, Adansonia , Analeptes , cerambycidae, Senegal. INTRODUCTION bassan, Black Kite, Red-billed Hornbill, etc.), Since 1976, the Madeleine Island has is a transit area for migratory birds for got the status of a National Park (MINP) reproduction ecological shelter for fish species (GINGER, 2006) and belongs to the Sahelo - like white grouper, Epinephelus aeneus . The soudanian area. The park is located between island hosts a rich biodiversity of animal the isohyets 500 and 700 mm, in the western (reptiles, insects and mammals), grasses, side of Dakar. The ecosystem is similar to a shrubs and very few trees. Over a hundred humid zone and has an international species of plants have been listed (Noba et al., importance. The MINP, mostly populated by 2007). nesting birds (Phaetons, Cormorants, Fou de © 2011 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved. S. NIASSY et al. / Int. J. Biol. Chem. Sci. 5(1): 386-391, 2011 Among the plant species, the Baobab on the ground during the night. This type of Adansonia digitata is the only tree in the trap can also help in the assessment of insect MINP and shows remarkable features of abundance. As for the pest attacking the marine insular environment. There is a Baobab Analeptes trifasciata , samples were growing interest on those baobab specimens directly picked from the tree. Specimens were to that adaptation; nanism (dwarfism); preserved then in alcohol 90° and labeled. crawling-baobab tree on the ground which is a Pierce traps were used for the collection of spectacular source of attraction to many termites. The identification process of tourists and ecologists and therefore requires specimens was done at the Laboratory of protection. It almost covers a large surface Terrestrial Invertebrates Zoology, Department form of the valley upwards to the platform. of Animal Biology, Fundamental Institute of Baobab trees are very important in Senegal. Black Africa, Cheikh Anta Diop (IFAN- They represent the national emblematic seal, Ch.A.Diop). administrative stamps and food as well (Collière, 2002). On the other hand, few RESULTS AND DISCUSSION entomological studies have been conducted to Identification assess the biodiversity in the MINP in The entomological specimens collected prospect of adequate management measures from the island belong to 6 orders, 13 families for the conservation of the Baobab. Therefore, and 36 species. There was a dominance of the aim of this entomological survey was to Orthoptera, Coleoptera and Lepidoptera update the biodiversity data in the MINP and (Table 1). Other species are still under to establish the relations between the identification procedure (Termites and bugs). populations of insects and their habitats. Diversity and ecology MATERIALS AND METHODS The entomological diversity was more Geographical position abundant during the rainy season which The MINP is a volcanic complex of 3 coincides with the period of herbaceous. The small islands located at 3.5 km west from Coleoptera and Orthoptera orders were the Dakar corresponding to 14º 40’ 00” North and most frequent in the park especially around 17 º 40’ 00” West. It is the smallest park in the the valley respectively 35% and 32% of the world and covers a surface of 45 hectares with insect species (figure 1). The Orthoptera order a typical insular ecosystem (GINGER, 2006). is represented by grasshoppers that feed on The topographical aspect is composed of a grasses as primary plant predators. Kraussaria sloppy cliff followed by a platform with angulifera is the most represented valleys. The vegetation is mainly dominated grasshopper. Around the valley (talweg) by herbaceous and very few shrubs. whereby the density of grass is higher and more variable, Hieroglyphus daganensis and Insect collection and preservation Diabolocantantops are also common. On the This study was carried for a period of platform, very few of Orthoptera are present three years, mostly between October and even though due to the scarcity of herbaceous. December, after the rainy season. Other The platform of the island is mainly populated regular field trips were organized for more by Acrotylus sp. and Cataloipus sp. data collection during the rainy season. The diversity of herbaceous (Poaceae) Various trapping techniques were used; plants is the main reason that can explain that catching by using hand nets, pitfall-traps were rich diversity of Orthoptera. Over a hundred used to collect walking insects, acting mainly plant species belonging to 87 plant families 387 S. NIASSY et al. / Int. J. Biol. Chem. Sci. 5(1): 386-391, 2011 have been listed in the Park (GINGER, 2006; damages. In the MINP, A. trifasciata Noba, personal comm.). Since grasshoppers constitutes the main pest of Baobabs. In Côte don’t migrate for long distance (Greathead et d’Ivoire, A. trifasciata was not found on al., 1989), many hypotheses explaining their Adansonia digitata but was described as a pest high density can be proposed. The lack of of Anacardiaceae plants although other host- specific predators can explain this high plants have been reported: Sterculia tragantha presence combined with the small area (Sterculiacées), Spondias monbin covered by grasses. Indeed, the island has a (Anacardiaceae), Nauclea aesculenta small presence of reptiles (snakes and turtles) (Rubiaceae) and Ficus capensis (Moraceae) that may probably feed with those insects. As (Brunck and Fabre, 1970). A closely related for birds, they are more granivorus of fish species Paranaleptes reticulata (Thoms.) has predators. Therefore, they cannot be been described on Hibiscus , Kapok , considered as real predators of Orthopterans. Bougainvillea , Cotton , Acacia , Citrus and In that regard, the only one group that may Ceiba pentandra (Chinea-Rivera, 1990; interfere with the grasshoppers are beetles Collière, 2002; Duffey, 1957; Dwomoh et al ., Tenebrionidae. This group is known to be a 2008; FAO, 2007; Hill, 1975; Tchibozo and predator of insect eggs (Greathead et al., Braet, 2004). The life cycle of A. trifasciata is 1989). There is a very rich diversity of typical: the stem tegument is sectioned in a Coleoptera, especially Tenebrionidae and way to prevent the sap to run. Consequently, Cleridae. the distal part of the branch dries out allowing The dry season characterized by a high thus the female to ovoposite on dry wood. presence of termites which still under Once the egg hatches, the larvae pierces the identification process and beetle branch eat of wood as she grows all along the Tenebrionidae Thalpophilodes abbreviata dry part. Damages are more serious during abbreviata (Koch) eventually dwelling in the rainy season which corresponds to the track of Orthopteran eggs laid in the ground. flowering stage and fruitage of the Baobabs in The Lepidoptera group was also the island (Tchibozo and Braet, 2004). Over represented with genus Colotis and Eurema . 10 mating adults of A. trifasciata are found These species were found already in the per tree around October (end of rainy season). Museum of IFAN. However, their abundance A scrupulous inventory should be was not comparable to the one of carried out to improve the biodiversity grasshoppers and beetles. There were other database. During our survey, we noticed the minor groups Heteroptera, Odonata and presence of termites and other insects. Other Dictyoptera. The Dictyoptera are represented trapping systems such as sticky traps and by the genus Mantis sp., an insect predator Pierce traps should be used to increase the and Heteroptera are represented by Disdercus entomological database. This survey suggests sp. the use of an integrated pest management approach mitigate the threat to the Baobab. Relationship insects-plants: impact of The use of lure and pheromone traps can be Analeptes trifasciata on the Baobab adapted to the management program. Further Many authors reported that the Baobab programs on the impact of this pest on other is a potential host-plant to many insect pests Baobab tree in Senegal are recommended to (Booth and Wickens, 1988; Wickens, 1982). avoid future outbreaks of this pest. The Cerambycidae are represented by the species Analeptes trifasciata (Fabricius, 1775) that feeds on baobabs causing severe 388 S. NIASSY et al.
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