Diet of the western pygmy possum, Cercartetus concinnus Gould (Marsupialia: Burramyidae), at Innes National Park, South Australia, and evaluation of diet sampling methods

2007 ◽  
Vol 55 (5) ◽  
pp. 275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela J. L. Pestell ◽  
Sophie Petit
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
National Park ◽  
South Australia ◽  
High Frequencies ◽  
Phenological Data ◽  
Faecal Analysis ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Plant Exudates ◽  
Diet Sampling ◽  
Moth Scales

The diet of a population of western pygmy possums, Cercartetus concinnus Gould (Marsupialia: Burramyidae), at Innes National Park, South Australia, was examined using faecal and fur pollen swab samples in relation to monthly plant phenological data. Eucalyptus pollen was the most abundant in both faeces and in fur swab samples, followed by Melaleuca pollen; plant exudates could not be examined by this study. Moth scales were found in 26% of the scat samples. Faecal samples comprised most plant species identified (15 of 17), but up to 25% of plant species recorded from fur pollen swabs were not recorded from faeces. The relatively high frequencies of plant species represented in fur pollen swabs indicates that this method is valuable for supplementing faecal analysis used to determine plant visitation by nectarivorous animals.

Additional records of prey of the fat-tailed false antechinus Pseudantechinus macdonnellensis from central Australia.

2005 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 227 ◽  
Author(s):  
CJ Burwell ◽  
F Geiser ◽  
M Barritt ◽  
K May ◽  
CR Pavey
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
National Park ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Northern Territory ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Central Australia

THE fat-tailed false antechinus (Pseudantechinus macdonnellensis) is a medium-sized dasyurid marsupial (body mass 18-33 g), that is endemic to central Australia. It is largely confined to rocky environments in the Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia (Menkhorst and Knight 2001). Despite its specialised habitat, the species is a generalist insectivore. Ten insect orders and spiders (Araneae) were recorded in faecal samples of a population in West MacDonnell National Park, Northern Territory, during a two and a half year study (Gilfillan 2001). Isoptera, Coleoptera and Orthoptera were the major insect orders in the diet. Here we report the results of the analysis of a small sample of faeces of P. macdonnellensis collected from the same location as the population studied by Gilfillan. Our results are noteworthy because of additions to the prey taken by P. macdonnellensis including three new classes and two new phyla.

scholarly journals Dietary shifts: do grazers become browsers in the Thicket Biome?

Koedoe ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Landman ◽  
G.I.H. Kerley
Keyword(s):  
Great Proportion ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
National Park ◽  
Diet Composition ◽  
Food Item ◽  
Lower Percentage ◽  
Dietary Shift ◽  
Faecal Analysis ◽  
Equus Burchelli ◽  
Dietary Shifts

The diet of buffalo (Syncerus coffer) and Burchell's zebra (Equus burchelli) was investigated in the Addo Elephant National Park to test the hypothesis that the shortage of grass associated with thicket vegetation results in grazers increasing the proportion of dicotyledonous plant species in their diet. Diet composition, estimated from faecal analysis, indicated that 19 and 21 plant species were identified in the faeces of zebra and buffalo, respectively. Buffalo proved to have a higher percentage dicotyledonous (28.1 vs. 8.5 ) and lower percentage monocotyledonous (71.9 vs. 91.5 ) species in their diet than zebra. The grass Eragrostis curvula was found to be the dominant food item for both buffalo (18 of diet) and zebra (39 of diet) during the period of study. The present study indicated that a great proportion of the buffalo diet does in fact consist of grass, thereby refuting the perception that the Addo buffalo are primarily browsers. Both buffalo and zebra are specialised grazers and unsuited to a diet of browse. The probability of dietary shift by these grazers in the grass limited thicket vegetation is therefore challenged.

scholarly journals Food habits of the aoudad Ammotragus lervia in the Bou Hedma mountains, Tunisia

2015 ◽  
Vol Volume 111 (Number 11/12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamel Ben Mimoun ◽  
Saïd Nouira ◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
National Park ◽  
Food Preferences ◽  
Food Plants ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Stipa Tenacissima ◽  
Ammotragus Lervia ◽  
Barbary Sheep ◽  
Faecal Samples

Abstract A micro-histological analysis of composite faecal samples was used to determine the food plants consumed by the aoudad Ammotragus lervia (Barbary sheep) in the mountains of Bou Hedma National Park, as well as to study food preferences and seasonal variation of the diet of this ungulate. A total of 19 plant species was identified in the faecal samples: 8 grasses, 6 browse types and 5 forbs. The annual diet of this ungulate is composed of approximately 67% grasses, 17% browse and 16% forbs. Two grass species, Stipa parviflora and Stipa tenacissima, comprised 97% of grasses consumed and 63% of the annual diet, and were eaten in the year with considerably greater frequency than any other plant species. The diet of the aoudad at Bou Hedma National Park showed a seasonal variation. For example, grasses were consumed the entire year with a preference in spring (72.57%) and summer (78.31%), but their occurrence in the diet dropped in winter(38.7%). Browse was eaten preferentially in autumn (21.86%) and forbs were utilised most during winter(43.22%) and least during summer (7.53%). Our results show the plasticity of the Tunisian aoudad’s diet andidentify it predominantly as a grazer.

scholarly journals The distribution of woody species in relation to climate and fire in Yosemite National Park, California, USA

Fire Ecology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan W. van Wagtendonk ◽  
Peggy E. Moore ◽  
Julie L. Yee ◽  
James A. Lutz
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Sierra Nevada ◽  
Species Distribution ◽  
National Park ◽  
Woody Plant ◽  
Fire Regime ◽  
Yosemite National Park ◽  
Distribution Models ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Woody Plant Species

Abstract Background The effects of climate on plant species ranges are well appreciated, but the effects of other processes, such as fire, on plant species distribution are less well understood. We used a dataset of 561 plots 0.1 ha in size located throughout Yosemite National Park, in the Sierra Nevada of California, USA, to determine the joint effects of fire and climate on woody plant species. We analyzed the effect of climate (annual actual evapotranspiration [AET], climatic water deficit [Deficit]) and fire characteristics (occurrence [BURN] for all plots, fire return interval departure [FRID] for unburned plots, and severity of the most severe fire [dNBR]) on the distribution of woody plant species. Results Of 43 species that were present on at least two plots, 38 species occurred on five or more plots. Of those 38 species, models for the distribution of 13 species (34%) were significantly improved by including the variable for fire occurrence (BURN). Models for the distribution of 10 species (26%) were significantly improved by including FRID, and two species (5%) were improved by including dNBR. Species for which distribution models were improved by inclusion of fire variables included some of the most areally extensive woody plants. Species and ecological zones were aligned along an AET-Deficit gradient from cool and moist to hot and dry conditions. Conclusions In fire-frequent ecosystems, such as those in most of western North America, species distribution models were improved by including variables related to fire. Models for changing species distributions would also be improved by considering potential changes to the fire regime.

scholarly journals Prevalence, genetic diversity and recombination of species G enteroviruses infecting pigs in Vietnam

2014 ◽  
Vol 95 (3) ◽  
pp. 549-556 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nguyen Van Dung ◽  
Pham Hong Anh ◽  
Nguyen Van Cuong ◽  
Ngo Thi Hoa ◽  
Juan Carrique-Mas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Untranslated Region ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Group Comparison ◽  
Specific Primers ◽  
Sequence Comparisons ◽  
Detection Rates ◽  
High Frequencies ◽  
Faecal Samples

Picornaviruses infecting pigs, described for many years as ‘porcine enteroviruses’, have recently been recognized as distinct viruses within three distinct genera (Teschovirus, Sapelovirus and Enterovirus). To better characterize the epidemiology and genetic diversity of members of the Enterovirus genus, faecal samples from pigs from four provinces in Vietnam were screened by PCR using conserved enterovirus (EV)-specific primers from the 5′ untranslated region (5′ UTR). High rates of infection were recorded in pigs on all farms, with detection frequencies of approximately 90 % in recently weaned pigs but declining to 40 % in those aged over 1 year. No differences in EV detection rates were observed between pigs with and without diarrhoea [74 % (n = 70) compared with 72 % (n = 128)]. Genetic analysis of consensus VP4/VP2 and VP1 sequences amplified from a subset of EV-infected pigs identified species G EVs in all samples. Among these, VP1 sequence comparisons identified six type 1 and seven type 6 variants, while four further VP1 sequences failed to group with any previously identified EV-G types. These have now been formally assigned as EV-G types 8–11 by the Picornavirus Study Group. Comparison of VP1, VP4/VP2, 3Dpol and 5′ UTRs of study samples and those available on public databases showed frequent, bootstrap-supported differences in their phylogenies indicative of extensive within-species recombination between genome regions. In summary, we identified extremely high frequencies of infection with EV-G in pigs in Vietnam, substantial genetic diversity and recombination within the species, and evidence for a much larger number of circulating EV-G types than currently described.

Distribution of Biomass, Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Other Nutrients in Banksia marginata and B. ornata Shoots of Different Ages After Fire.

1986 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 709 ◽  
Author(s):  
RH Groves ◽  
PJ Hocking ◽  
A Mcmahon
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Lateral Roots ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Nutrient Accumulation ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Vegetative Organs ◽  
Western Victoria ◽  
Nitrogen Phosphorus

The heathland form of Banksia marginata Cav. regenerates rarely from seed but commonly by resprout- ing from buds on lateral roots, whereas Banksia ornata F. Muell. regenerates only from seed, usually released after fire. The two species co-occur in heath vegetation on nutrient-poor soils in south-eastern South Australia and western Victoria. Shoots were sampled from stands of B. marginata aged from 1 to 25 years and of B. ornata aged from 1 to 50+ years after fire in the Little Desert National Park, western Victoria. B. marginata, the resprouter, distributed a greater proportion of the total shoot dry matter and content of all nutrients to vegetative growth over its shorter life span than B. ornata, the non-sprouter. About 50% of the total phosphorus in B. ornata shoots at 50+ years was present in cones (including seeds) compared with only about 20% in B. marginata shoots at a comparable stage of senescence (25 years). This difference between the species was also true to a lesser degree for nitrogen. There were considerable differences between other nutrients in their distribution patterns in shoots. Nutrients could be grouped together on the basis of distribution in shoots more satisfactorily than on presumed physio- logical roles. Stems were major sites of nutrient accumulation in both species. The content of a particular nutrient in seeds as a proportion of the content in the living parts of the shoot ranged from 0.03% (Na, Mn) to 2.0% (P) in B. marginata, and from 0.3% (Na) to as high as 31% (P) in B. ornata. Concen- trations of all nutrients except sodium were much higher in seeds than in the woody cones or vegetative organs of both species; seeds of B. ornata were particularly rich in calcium and manganese. We conclude that the different patterns of distribution of biomass and nutrients, especially nitrogen and phosphorus, within shoots of the two species reflect their different regenerative modes after fire. Introduction Phosphorus and, to a lesser extent, nitrogen limit the growth of sclerophyllous shrubs on nutrient-poor soils in southern Australia

scholarly journals Altitudinally coordinated pattern of plant community structure in the Shivapuri National Park, Nepal

1970 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shalik Ram Sigdel
Keyword(s):  
Community Structure ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Plant Community ◽  
National Park ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Flower Colour ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Plant Community Structure ◽  
Closed Canopy

Study on plant community structure was undertaken in different altitudinal ranges of Shivapuri National Park. The general objective of this study is to analyse different plant community structure in Shivapuri National Park with regards to altitudinal variation. The forest was divided into three distinct altitudinal ranges on the basis of dominancy. In each altitudinal range standard quadrats method was applied for vegetation analysis. The highest number of species was found in site II. All the ecological parameters of the plant species were higher in site II except Basal Area of tree that was highest in site III. The pattern of distribution of plant species was not uniform according to altitude. At higher elevation, the forest was mature with almost closed canopy and trees were large; so the tree density was low. Species richness was highest in site II. Species diversity among tree and shrub species was higher in site I. But for herb species diversity was higher in site II for both seasons. Such type of variations may be due to nature of soil i.e. acidity, nutrient availability and other micro-climatic factors. The most noteworthy thing was that variation in flower colour of Rhododendron arboreum i.e. deep scarlet at low altitude, but it gradually changed into pinkish white as altitude increased. Key words: Altitude, Density, Plant community, Species diversity doi: 10.3126/banko.v18i1.2161 Banko Janakari, Vol. 18, No. 1, 11-17

scholarly journals Medicinal Plants of Turmic Valley (Central Karakoram National Park), Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sher Wali Khan ◽  
Qamar Abbas ◽  
Syed Najmul Hassan ◽  
Hawas Khan ◽  
Azhar Hussain
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
National Park ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Habitat Destruction ◽  
Indus River ◽  
Medicinal Uses ◽  
The People ◽  
Over Exploitation ◽  
Gilgit Baltistan

This study was undertaken to enumerate the medicinal plants of the area, find out the conservation status, and record the folk knowledge from the inhabitants of Turmic Valley during 2011-2013. The valley is located in the Rondo division of the District Skardu on the Northeastern side of the Indus River. The detailed information about the local flora regarding medicinal uses was collected from the local herbal healers (Hakeems) and other knowledgeable people. Locally used herbs of the area prevent and cure the people from various diseases such as joint pains, bronchitis, flu and fever, lowering blood pressure, constipation, liver disorders, stomach and abdominal problems, etc. The most common medicinal herbs found in the region belong to the families Gentianaceae, Berberidaceae, Umbelliferae, Labiatae, Rosaceae, Compositae, Urticaceae, and Ranunculaceae. The inhabitants of the valley mostly use the 42 plant species for the treatment of different health problems. Forty-two species of plants (including 4 Gymnosperms, 1 monocotyledon, and 37 dicotyledons) and 35 types of diseases have been identified during the current study. Thymus linearis, Rosa webbiana, Urtica dioca, Pleurospermum candollei, Berberis spp., Delphinium brononianum, and Mentha angustifolia were the commonly used plant species in the valley. The collected baseline data of this study will be helpfulfor young researchers in the fieldof taxonomy, ethnobotany, pharmacology, organic chemistry, and particularly for biodiversity conservation. Over exploitation, habitat destruction, and over grazing are the major threats for the loss of the important flora of the area.

scholarly journals Keanekaragaman Jenis Tumbuhan Dan Simpanan Karbon Pada Berbagai Tipe Penggunaan Lahan Di Kabupaten Pesisir Barat Provinsi Lampung

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 167-174
Author(s):  
Dian Ariyanti ◽  
Nurheni Wijayanto ◽  
Iwan Hilwan
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
National Park ◽  
Carbon Stock ◽  
Carbon Accumulation ◽  
Total Carbon ◽  
Above Ground Biomass ◽  
Vegetation Analysis ◽  
Coffee Plantation ◽  
Total Carbon Stock

Vegetation is one factor that can decrease carbon accumulation in the atmosphere. The diversity of plant species in each land use has different abilities to absorb carbon in the atmosphere. This research was conducted in Pesisir Barat Regency of Lampung Province on 4 (four) types of land use, namely: (1) natural forest in Balai Kencana Resort, Bukit Barisan National Park (2) oil palm plantation in Pekon Marang, (3) coffee plantation in Pekon Suka Mulya, and (4) agroforestry of repong damar in Pekon Pahmungan. This reserach aims to analyze the diversity of plant species and to calculate the potential of plant carbon stock and carbon sequestration (above ground biomass) using alometric equations in various types of land use in Pesisir Barat Regency. The research method was vegetation analysis to learn about the diversity of plant species and calculation of carbon stock using alometric equations. The results showed that the composition of plant species in Bukit Barisan NP found 83 plant species belonging to 37 families, in the palm plantation found 9 plant species belonging to 8 families, in the coffee garden found 17 plant species belonging to 11 families, and in agroforestry of repong damar found 73 plant species belonging to 33 families. The total carbon stock potential was 376.16 ton/ha and carbon sequestrated. 1 257.20 ton/ha with the highest carbon uptake available at repong damar agroforestry site of 901.11 ton/ha.Keywords: aboveground biomass, carbon, diversity, pesisir barat regency

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