Foraging ecology of the black flying fox (Pteropus alecto) in the seasonal tropics of the Northern Territory, Australia

2000 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol Palmer ◽  
Owen Price ◽  
Christine Bach
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Foraging Ecology ◽  
Northern Territory ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Savanna Woodland ◽  
Open Forest ◽  
Flying Fox ◽  
Number Of Plant Species

Pteropus alecto uses landscape patchiness at two scales: firstly, between broad vegetation types (i.e. eucalypt open forest/savanna woodland versus rainforest vegetation); secondly, within vegetation types. Radio-collared Pteropus alecto selected foraging sites that were richer in flower or fruit resources than floristically similar sites and moved through the landscape in response to the flowering and fruiting of a number of plant species occurring in different vegetation types. Abundance of P. alecto within four monitored rainforest patches and the outside vegetation fluctuated substantially during the study. Overall, P. alecto was more abundant in the rainforests than in the surrounding vegetation. P. alecto foraged on the flowers and fruit from 23 species in 11 families.

The Reservation Status of Plant Species and Vegetation Types in the Northern Territory

1996 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 673 ◽  
Author(s):  
JCZ Woinarski ◽  
G Connors ◽  
B Oliver
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Broad Band ◽  
Northern Territory ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Land Area ◽  
Threatened Plants ◽  
Good Opportunity ◽  
Reserve Network ◽  
Reserve System

The terrestrial conservation reserve system of the Northern Territory comprises 83 reserves covering 3.79% of the land area. This system includes representation of only 63 of the 112 vegetation types recognised in the Northern Territory at 1:1000000 scale. Of these, only 31 are represented to at least 5% of their extent. The reserve system has a strong geographic bias, with very poor representation of vegetation types occurring across a broad band in the mid-latitudes of the Northern Territory. Broad vegetation categories which are particularly poorly reserved include tussock grasslands, chenopod shrublands, Acacia woodland and hummock grasslands: by contrast, closed forests and floodplains have > 20% of their extent reserved. In some contrast to the poor reservation extent of vegetation types, 80% of the 3632 named native vascular plant species known from the Northern Territory have been recorded from reserves. The distribution of the 743 unreserved plants is mapped, and coincides reasonably well with the pattern of unreserved vegetation types. The high proportion of the flora which is reserved is due in part to judicious (or fortuitous) reserve placement-for example, one reserve, Kakadu, contains almost half of the plant species known from the Northern Territory. There are substantial taxonomic and ecological biases in the reported reservation rates for NT plants. Rainforest plants tend to be reasonably well reserved (80% of 585 species), but designated threatened plants are poorly reserved(44% of 553 species). Due to its largely intact environment, the Northern Territory offers an unusually good opportunity for the establishment of a comprehensive reserve network. However, most of the unreserved plants and vegetation types occur on either freehold Aboriginal lands or pastoral leaseholds, suggesting that substantial enhancement of the existing reserve network may not be simple.

scholarly journals Elucidating the diet and foraging ecology of the island flying fox (Pteropus hypomelanus) in Peninsular Malaysia through Illumina Next-Generation Sequencing

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheema Abdul Aziz ◽  
Gopalasamy Reuben Clements ◽  
Lee Yin Peng ◽  
Ahimsa Campos-Arceiz ◽  
Kim R McConkey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Next Generation Sequencing ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Foraging Ecology ◽  
Peninsular Malaysia ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Flying Foxes ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
New Family ◽  
Generation Sequencing ◽  
Flying Fox

There is an urgent need to identify and understand the ecosystem services provided by threatened animal species such as flying foxes. The first step towards this is to obtain comprehensive data on their diet. However, the volant and nocturnal nature of flying foxes presents a challenging situation, and conventional microhistological approaches to studying their diet can be laborious and time-consuming, and provide incomplete information. We used Illumina Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) as a novel, non-invasive method for analysing the diet of the island flying fox (Pteropus hypomelanus) on Tioman Island, Peninsular Malaysia. Through NGS analysis of flying fox droppings over eight months, we identified at least 29 Operationally Taxonomic Units comprising the diet of this giant pteropodid, spanning 19 genera and 18 different plant families, including one new family not previously recorded for pteropodid diet. NGS was just as successful as conventional microhistological analysis in detecting plant taxa from droppings, but also uncovered six additional plant taxa. The island flying fox’s diet appeared to be dominated by figs (Ficus sp.), which was the most abundant plant taxon detected in the droppings every single month. Our study has shown that NGS can add value to the conventional microhistological approach in identifying food plant species from flying fox droppings. However, accurate and detailed identification requires a comprehensive database of the relevant plant DNA, which may require collection of botanical specimens from the study site. Although this method cannot be used to quantify true abundance or proportion of plant species, nor plant parts consumed, it ultimately provides a very important first step towards identifying plant taxa in pteropodid diet.

scholarly journals Elucidating the diet and foraging ecology of the island flying fox (Pteropus hypomelanus) in Peninsular Malaysia through Illumina Next-Generation Sequencing

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheema Abdul Aziz ◽  
Gopalasamy Reuben Clements ◽  
Lee Yin Peng ◽  
Ahimsa Campos-Arceiz ◽  
Kim R McConkey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Next Generation Sequencing ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Foraging Ecology ◽  
Peninsular Malaysia ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Flying Foxes ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
New Family ◽  
Generation Sequencing ◽  
Flying Fox

There is an urgent need to identify and understand the ecosystem services provided by threatened animal species such as flying foxes. The first step towards this is to obtain comprehensive data on their diet. However, the volant and nocturnal nature of flying foxes presents a challenging situation, and conventional microhistological approaches to studying their diet can be laborious and time-consuming, and provide incomplete information. We used Illumina Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) as a novel, non-invasive method for analysing the diet of the island flying fox (Pteropus hypomelanus) on Tioman Island, Peninsular Malaysia. Through NGS analysis of flying fox droppings over eight months, we identified at least 29 Operationally Taxonomic Units comprising the diet of this giant pteropodid, spanning 19 genera and 18 different plant families, including one new family not previously recorded for pteropodid diet. NGS was just as successful as conventional microhistological analysis in detecting plant taxa from droppings, but also uncovered six additional plant taxa. The island flying fox’s diet appeared to be dominated by figs (Ficus sp.), which was the most abundant plant taxon detected in the droppings every single month. Our study has shown that NGS can add value to the conventional microhistological approach in identifying food plant species from flying fox droppings. However, accurate and detailed identification requires a comprehensive database of the relevant plant DNA, which may require collection of botanical specimens from the study site. Although this method cannot be used to quantify true abundance or proportion of plant species, nor plant parts consumed, it ultimately provides a very important first step towards identifying plant taxa in pteropodid diet.

Numbers of plant species on the islands of Aldabra Atoll

1979 ◽  
Vol 286 (1011) ◽  
pp. 247-254 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Woody Plants ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Small Island ◽  
Island Ecosystems ◽  
Species Numbers ◽  
Island Effect ◽  
Species Area ◽  
Number Of Plant Species

The logarithm of island area accounts for 70 % of the variance in the number of plant species occurring on 100 lagoon islands. Two components of island altitude (altitude of the island rim and the logarithm of the island’s inland altitude) are also of importance, and account for 9 % of the variation in species numbers. A further 13 variables account for only an extra 5 % of the variance in the mixed model. These results resemble the findings of other island studies. In the equation S = K A z , z = 0.345 and falls within the range of expected values. The species-area curve gives little indication of the ‘small island effect’ found for other small islands; this may reflect, among other factors, the richness of the Aldabran flora when compared with those of the small island ecosystems already studied. The curve is also compared with that compiled by Williams (1964) and a discrepancy between the two is discussed. Woody plants are largely responsible for the increase of species numbers with increasing area. Species that are restricted to islands of particular sizes are listed and the characteristics of the frequencies of occurrence of the more common species are summarized.

scholarly journals Pollinator importance networks illustrate the crucial value of bees in a highly speciose plant community

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gavin Ballantyne ◽  
Katherine C. R. Baldock ◽  
Luke Rendell ◽  
P. G. Willmer
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Community Level ◽  
Taxonomic Resolution ◽  
Pollen Deposition ◽  
Pollinator Effectiveness ◽  
Flower Visitors ◽  
Pollinator Importance ◽  
Visitation Frequency ◽  
Pollinator Performance ◽  
Number Of Plant Species

AbstractAccurate predictions of pollination service delivery require a comprehensive understanding of the interactions between plants and flower visitors. To improve measurements of pollinator performance underlying such predictions, we surveyed visitation frequency, pollinator effectiveness (pollen deposition ability) and pollinator importance (the product of visitation frequency and effectiveness) of flower visitors in a diverse Mediterranean flower meadow. With these data we constructed the largest pollinator importance network to date and compared it with the corresponding visitation network to estimate the specialisation of the community with greater precision. Visitation frequencies at the community level were positively correlated with the amount of pollen deposited during individual visits, though rarely correlated at lower taxonomic resolution. Bees had the highest levels of pollinator effectiveness, with Apis, Andrena, Lasioglossum and Osmiini bees being the most effective visitors to a number of plant species. Bomblyiid flies were the most effective non-bee flower visitors. Predictions of community specialisation (H2′) were higher in the pollinator importance network than the visitation network, mirroring previous studies. Our results increase confidence in existing measures of pollinator redundancy at the community level using visitation data, while also providing detailed information on interaction quality at the plant species level.

scholarly journals Composition of Vegetation Types and Structures in Gunung Ciremai National Park Forest

2021 ◽  
Vol 748 (1) ◽  
pp. 012009
Author(s):  
Agusyadi Ismail ◽  
Yayan Hendrayana ◽  
Dadan Ramadani ◽  
Sri Umiyati
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Vegetation Structure ◽  
National Park ◽  
Stand Structure ◽  
Complex Structure ◽  
Forest Vegetation ◽  
Intensity Data ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Growth Phases ◽  
High Level

Abstract Mount Ciremai National Park forest that area had been encroached. Because of that condition, stand structure especially the species composition and vegetation structure need to be researched. The aim of this research was to identify plant species and analyze forest vegetation structure. This research was conducted between March–April 2018 in the 15.500 ha area with 0.02% sampling intensity. Data was collected using grid line method that consisted of 34 sample plots with the 10 m distance between the plots and 20 m between the lines. The numbers of identified plant species at the research location were 43 species, classified by 10 families and 24 genera. Cinnamomum sintoc has a high level of dominance species. The forest vegetation was consisting by the different growth phases. The tree phase has the highest density of 3672 species/ha, while the seedling phase was lowest density of 1060 species/ha. The forest crown stratification were consisting of A, B, C, D and E stratum. The highest number of plants were from C strata for 4651 trees and the least from A strata with 25 trees with the highest tree was 42 m. Could be concluded that the composition of Mount Ciremai National Park forest have so many number of species and complex structure vegetation forest.

scholarly journals NATURAL PLANT SPECIES INVENTORY OF THE IMPORTANT PLANT AREAS IN ARABIAN PENINSULA: BANI OMAR, TAIZ GOVERNORATE, REPUBLIC OF YEMEN

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 135-150
Author(s):  
Abdul Wali Ahmed Al-Khulaidi ◽  
Abdul Habib Al-Qadasi ◽  
Othman Saad Saeed Al-Hawshabi
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Arabian Peninsula ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Salvadora Persica ◽  
Natural Plant ◽  
Vegetation Communities ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Average Annual Rainfall ◽  
Semi Arid

The study area is located on the South western mountains of Republic of Yemen, It is characterized by arid and semi-arid climate with high temperatures and low average annual rainfall. The aims of this study are to explore the natural plant species of one of the Important Plant areas of Arabian Peninsula and to evaluate the chance to be a protected area. 61 sample sites covering the whole ecological zones haven been conducted. 135 plant species are found, in which 3 plant species were endemic, 7 near endemic, 29 regional endemic. The study revealed also three vegetation communities with 7 vegetation associations (vegetation types). Vegetation dominated by Ficus cordata, F. sycomorus, Salvadora persica Tamarix aphylla and Ziziphus spina-christi were found on main wadis. Vegetation communities dominated by Acacia asak, Anisotes trisulcus, Jatropha variegate and Zygocarpum yemenense were found on rocky slopes and stony plateau.

scholarly journals SPECIES DIVERSITY, UTILIZATION AND CONSERVATION IN HOME GARDENS OF SOME RESIDENTIAL AREAS, COIMBATORE, INDIA.

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamuna S ◽  
Subhasree R ◽  
Karthika K ◽  
Paulsamy S ◽  
Thenmozhi K
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Ocimum Basilicum ◽  
Home Gardens ◽  
The Other ◽  
Home Garden ◽  
Residential Areas ◽  
Important Species ◽  
Celosia Cristata ◽  
Number Of Plant Species

The present study was aimed at documenting species composition, utilization and conservation of plant species growing in home gardens of 10 residential areas of Coimbatore city, India. Household interviews and home garden surveys revealed that all the 109 plant species included in 60 families included have someeconomic uses or with ornamental significance. Higher number of species was herbs followed by shrubs, trees, climbers, succulent herbs, vines and sub-shrubs. The families viz., Asteraceae, Apocynaceae and Acanthaceae contributed higher number of plant species than the other families to the home gardens. Thespecies namely, Celosia cristata, Chrysanthemum odoratum and Ocimum basilicum have registered 50% frequency among the home gardens sampled which indicates that these species have distributed and maintained in comparatively higher number of home gardens. The home garden species are mainly under thecategories of vegetables, fruits, ornamentals, economic important species and medicinal. These results further report revealed that homegardens satisfy various household needs like food, ornamentals, medicines, building material, religious and ceremonial uses.

scholarly journals The relationship between resource abundance and insect herbivory on islands

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. e0256183
Author(s):  
Bora Shin ◽  
Jae-Young Lee ◽  
Nang-Hee Kim ◽  
Sei-Woong Choi
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Food Resource ◽  
Phytophagous Insects ◽  
Feeding Guild ◽  
Resource Abundance ◽  
Variable Effect ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
External Feeding ◽  
Number Of Plant Species

We examined the relationship between resource abundance and the feeding activity of phytophagous insects on three common island plants. The aim was to investigate the correlation between phytophagous insects’ abundance and availability of food and island geography. We collected 30,835 leaves from three tree species groups (Mallotus japonicus, Prunus species, and Quercus species) on 18 islands in southwest Korea. The number of plant resources for herbivores varied: the number of leaves per shoot was the highest in Mallotus, leaf weight and the water content per leaf was significantly lower in Quercus species. External feeding was higher for Prunus and Quercus species, whereas the internal feeding type was significantly higher for Quercus species. Geography (area and distance), elevation and food resource (elevation, number of plant species, and the forest cover rate) had a variable effect on phytophagous insects feeding activities: distance and the number of plant species were more explainable to the external feeding guild. In contrast, area and forest cover were more to the internal feeding guild.

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