Biodiversity Commons^™

Paleo-Environmental Changes In The Uvs Nuur Basin (Northwest-Mongolia), Michael Walther

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

Geomorphological, geochemical, sedimentological and palynological results are presented against the background of palaeoclimatic changes during the past 15,000 years, yielding a chrono-, bio- and morphostratigraphical model of landscape evolution in the region of northern Central Asia. Holocene and Late-Glacial climatic fluctuations there are shown to correlate well with conditions in central Europe. Particular attention is given to the importance of the palaeoclimatic interpretation of lake Basin sediments when reconstructing the palaeoenvironment.

Water Use Of Asiatic Wild Asses In The Mongolian Gobi, Petra Kaczensky, V. Dresley, D. Vetter, H. Otgonbayar, C. Walzer

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

Water is a key resource for most large bodied mammals in the world’s arid areas. With the growing human population, access to water for wildlife often becomes compromised. Equids are typical inhabitants of semi-arid to arid rangelands and need regular access to fresh water. However, their water needs are difficult to study under free-ranging conditions. In this study we investigated Asiatic wild ass (Equus hemionus) use of permanent water points in the Great Gobi B Strictly Protected Area (SPA) in south-western Mongolia. We combined observational data from one specific water point with high frequency GPS location data from …

The Use Of High Frequency Gps Data To Classify Main Behavioural Categories In A Przewalski’S Horse In The Mongolian Gobi, Petra Kaczensky, Klaus Huber

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

Behavioral observations of free ranging animals can provide important insight into many aspects of their biology but are not without problems. The recent development of GPS technology allows to remotely collect high precision location data at fixed intervals. We tested whether it is possible to classify the behavior of a Przewalski’s horse in the Mongolian Gobi into Resting, Grazing and Moving based on GPS locations collected at 15 minute intervals by comparing GPS data with direct observations. Although behavioral categories lasting for 15 minutes could by fairly reliably separated based on the distances covered between successive fixes, almost half the …

Ectoparasites Of Bats In Mongolia (Ischnopsyllidae, Nycteribiidae, Cimicidae And Spinturnicidae), Ingo Sceffler, Dietrich Dolch, Jargalsaikhan Ariunbold, Nyamsuren Batsajchan, Andreas Abraham, Klaus Thiele

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

For large parts of the world, the knowledge of bat ectoparasites is still scanty. Regarding Mongolia, only few studies exist to date. This paper analyzes results from extensive captures between 2005-2008, carried out in different sites of Mongolia. Discussed ectoparasites include bat fleas, (Ischnopsyllidae), bat flies (Nycteribiidae), and bat bugs (Cimicidae) and spinturnicid mites (Spinturnicidae). A number of species found in this study were new records for Mongolia, and for many species additional sites were reported. For some bat species, the spectrum and frequency of larger ectoparasites could be determined for the first time.

The Institute For Raptor Studies Expeditions In Mongolia, 1994-2000, David H. Ellis

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

In 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, and 2000, I led small teams of biologists across Mongolia in search of Saker falcon (Falco cherrug Gray) and golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) eyries. We also counted raptors along our march route during the first three years. These expeditions documented: (1) occupancy and productivity rates, and described eyrie sites, for Saker falcons (150 territories, 182 eyries) and golden eagles (27 known breeding territories), (2) mortality of Sakers and ipland buzzards (Buteo hemilasius) due to entanglement with trash in nests and loss of golden eagle eggs due to concealment by trash in nests, …

Current State Of Ixodidae Research In Mongolia, Daniel Kiefer, K. Pfister, D. Tserennorov, G. Bolormaa, D. Otgonbaatar, Ravčigijn Samjaa, E. G. Burmeister, Mathias S. Kiefer

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

Our research presents the Ixodidae-fauna in Mongolia. The current taxonomic state in Mongolia shows 19 Ixodidae taxa extracted in 308 locations from 115 bird and mammal species. In 1980, the species Ixodes persulcatus SCHULZE, 1930 and Ixodes berlesei Birula, 1895 were detected in Inget Tolgoi and Ixodes laguri OLENEV, 1929 on Meriones unguiculatus 10 km southeast of Ulaanbaatar for the first time. In 2000 the species Haemaphysalis concinna Koch, 1844 was detected in the Selenge-river area and Argas (Argas) vulgaris FILIPPOVA, 1961 was detected in the Gobi area. From the collection of M. and A. STUBBE 1 N …

Distribution Of Fleas (Siphonaptera) In Bird-Nests, Bird Siphonaptera On Mammalia And The Medical Importance Of Interspecific Flea Transmission In Mongolia, Daniel Kiefer, K. Pfister, D. Tserennorov, D. Otgonbaatar, Ravčigijn Samjaa, D. Sumjaa, E. G. Burmeister, Mathias S. Kiefer

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

Starting in the 1960s of the last century a huge amount of material from mammals and birds was collected in Mongolia. The according results were published in Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei, Volume 1-10, and represented on conferences in Halle, Moscow, Irkutsk, Ulaanbaatar, Bratislava and the Entomological Review St. Petersburg.

A big part of the collected material consisted of ectoparasites analyzed by experts from Mongolia, Germany, England, Russia, Poland, Czech Republic, and Slovakia resulting in newly described species along with zoogeographical and ecological profiles.

During the years 1974-2007 material from 321 nests of 38 bird taxa were obtained. 157 …

Cracid News: Bulletin Of The Cracid Group Of The Iucn/Ssc-­‐Wpa Galliform Specialist Group 29-33, 35-36 (2010-2014), Iucn Ssc-Wpa Galliformes Specialist Group

Galliformes Specialist Group and Affiliated Societies: Newsletters

Volume 29 (Spring 2010)

In memoriam: Dr. Jesus Estudillo Lopez, Juan Cornejo

Ecology and behavior of the bare-faced curassow (Crax fasciolata) in the Brazilian Pantanal, Arnaud Léonard Jean Desbiez

Algunas características de la población y hábitat de Crax alberti en el Eco-Parque los Besotes, Valledupar–Cesar, Irina Margarita Mendoza Polo, Dewing Miguel Ochoa Ramos, Rafael Antonio Borja Acuña, y Tomas Gutiérrez Hinojosa

Volume 30 (Fall 2010)

Registros de cacería del paujil copete de piedra (Pauxi pauxi) en el extremo norte de la cordillera oriental de los Andes, Colombia, Víctor Setina Liz, Diego J. Lizcano, Milena Morales Sandoval, …

Application Of Solid-Phase Microextraction For The Analysis Of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons In Hyophila Involuta As A Natural Biosensor., Elizabeth Fong Yew Mei

Student Works (2010-2019)

This work describes a simple and rapid extraction method by using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) technique for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from mosses of Hyophila involuta which is found commonly and abundantly throughout Peninsular Malaysia. Mosses have been chosen in our study since they are effective bioindicators as they take up nutrients and pollutants directly from the atmosphere and they have no root system. These properties make them ideal for evaluating pollutant levels in the air over a monitored period of time. This study has been developed and optimized based on the extraction of the analytes of interest …

Diversity Of Boletaceae In Peninsular Malaysia., Chan Hong Twu

Student Works (2010-2019)

The Boletaceae (Basidiomycetes) s.l. is a large family of putrescent mushrooms with pores. Members of this well-recognized family form one of the largest, critical fungal components of obligate, symbiotic mycorrhizal communities throughout the temperate and tropical forest ecosystems of the world. They are intimately involved with basic ecosystem processes such as nutrient cycling, nutrient uptake, and decomposition of organic matter. Favourable temperature and humidity conditions in Asian tropical forest support a wide diversity of boletes. However, the seasonality of fruiting, short-lived and often solitary fruiting bodies are major problems encountered when documenting their diversity in tropical forests. The diversity of …

Diversity And Antioxidant Activity Of Trametes Fr. In Malaysia., Noraswati Mohd Nor Rashid

Student Works (2010-2019)

Research on antioxidant properties as a natural antioxidant, particularly in polypores, have been widely done since the past decade. It is known that antioxidant capacity is essential in protecting organisms and cells from damage brought on by oxidative which is believed to be the cause for ageing and degenerative diseases. In this study, biodiversity and antioxidant activity of Malaysian Trametes spp. which is from the group of polypores were investigated. Polypores were collected in Peninsular Malaysia forests from the year 2006 until 2007. The species were identified by taxonomic keys based on macromorphology and micromorphology analysis. Trametes hirsuta, T. pocas, …

A Systematic Study Of Fagraea Sensu Lato And A Revision Of The Peninsular Malaysian Taxa., Sugumaran Manickam

Student Works (2010-2019)

systematic study of the Peninsular Malaysian species of Fagraea sensu lato was undertaken. This was done in the light of recent revisionary work done for Borneo that documented 20 new species and demonstrated that previous species concepts for Fagraea were too broad. Parallel to this the distinction of the subgeneric groups recognised as sections, i.e., Cyrtophyllum, Fagraea and Racemosae, were investigated with molecular phylogenetic methods. Representative taxa from the Malay Peninsula and Borneo augmented by sequences from other taxa in the same subtribe and tribe were used in the molecular analysis. Gene sequences from ITS, trnL–F (trnL intron + trnL–F …

Taxonomy And Biogeography Of Sundaland Gardenia (Rubiaceae)., Low Yee Wen

Student Works (2010-2019)

In Southeast Asia, the genus Gardenia J.Ellis (Rubiaccae) is poorly understood and documented due to a lack of country revisions, contentious species delimitations and accumulation of poorly identified material in herbaria. This study reviewed the taxonomic history and position of the genus, and revised the taxonomy of Sundaland species (including those of Sumatra. the Malay Peninsula, Java_ Borneo, Palawan and adjacent islands). It includes a survey and cladistic study of morphological characteristics, and phylogenetic ana lyses using two chloroplast regions (atpB-rbcL and trnT-F) and the nuclear ITS region of representative species from Sundaland and adjoining regions. Twelve species are native …

Ecology Of Mayfly (Insecta : Ephemeroptera) Nymphs In Three Streams Of Ulu Gombak Forest Reserve, Peninsular Malaysia., Sree Gayathree Selvantharan

Student Works (2010-2019)

Three sampling stations with various environmental quality gradients in Ulu Gombak Forest Reserve, Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia were selected in this study: Sungai Gombak, Anak Sungai Gombak and Sungai Batu 19. A total of six genera of ephemeropteran nymphs were found from the mentioned streams: Baetis sp. (Baetidae) (232), Thalerosphyrus sp. (Heptageniidae) (925), Campsoneuria sp. (Heptageniidae) (1432), Neurocaenis sp. (Tricorythidae) (471), Platybaetis sp. (Baetidae) (12) and Prosopistoma sp. (Prosopistomatidae) (1). The most dominant family of ephemeropteran nymphs is Heptageniidae while Neurocaenis sp. (Tricorythidae) were the only nymphs that showed significant difference in abundance between all three streams (p=0.05) using student t-test. …

Isolation And Characterization Of Microsatellite Loci From Wild Striped Snakehead (Channa Striata)., Yasmeen Sameer Mahmoud Salah

Student Works (2010-2019)

Channa striata (better known as Haruan in Malaysia), is a freshwater species that is well known as a protein source and also for its pharmaceutical value among wounded patients. Unfortunately stocks have declined over the past few years, thus an in-depth study is needed to rule out genetic irregularities that might be causing the slow extinction of the species. This study was conducted for the purpose of studying the population diversity and genetic structure of Channa striata (striped snakehead) in seven different locations around the peninsular of Malaysia. Microsatellite markers were isolated and identified using Random Amplified Microsatellite (RAM) primers. …

Isolation And Characterization Of Actinobacteria From Soil Samples Of Signy Island, Antarctica., Pan Shing Yi

Student Works (2010-2019)

In this study, ninety five actinobacterial isolates were cultured from seven soils samples collected on Signy Island, maritime Antarctica. Nine different isolation media were used and the isolates plates were incubated at 15ºC for up to four months. SCN agar serves as the better media for the isolation of actinobacteria. Presence of actinobacteria in the soil samples was also detected using PCR with actinobacteria specific primers. The actinobacterial isolates were characterized based on morphology (Gram-stain, coverslip examination, colour grouping), analysis of DAP isomers, antibacterial activities and by molecular methods (ARDRA, analysis of 16S rRNA sequence and detection of NRPS gene). …

From Energy Gradient And Natural Selection To Biodiversity And Stability Of Ecosystems, Bo Deng

Department of Mathematics: Faculty Publications

The purpose of this paper is to incorporate well-established ecological principles into a foodweb model consisting of four trophic levels --- abiotic resources, plants, herbivores, and carnivores. The underlining principles include Kimura's neutral theory of genetic evolution, Liebig's Law of the Minimum for plant growth, Holling's functionals for herbivore foraging and carnivore predation, the One-Life Rule for all organisms, and Lotka-Volterra's model for intraand interspecific competitions. Numerical simulations of the model led to the following statistical findings: (a) particular foodwebs can give contradicting observations on biodiversity and productivity, in particular, all known functional forms -- - positive, negative, sigmoidal, and …

Thirty Years Of Mortality Assessment In Whooping Crane Reintroductions: Patterns And Implications, Barry K. Hartup, Marilyn G. Spalding, Nancy J. Thomas, Gretchen A. Cole, Young Jun Kim

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

We reviewed postmortem data to identify primary causes of mortality in reintroduced whooping cranes (Grus americana) and assess their potential for mitigation in future reintroduction efforts. In total, 240 cases from 3 populations were reviewed for causes of death, including the Rocky Mountain migratory population (n = 24, release dates 1975-1989), the Florida resident population (n = 186, 1993-2005), and the Wisconsin migratory population (n = 30, 2001-ongoing). Traumatic injury was the leading cause of mortality among the reintroduced whooping cranes, most commonly from predation (n = 120 or 50%, range 8-58% per project) or collision with fixed …

Morbidity And Mortality Of Captive Whooping Cranes At The International Crane Foundation 1976–2008, Barry K. Hartup, Jennifer N. Niemuth, Bridget Fitzpatrick, Maureen Fox, Cristin Kelley

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Tracking the incidence of morbidity and mortality in captive animal collections helps inform husbandry and preventive medicine programs aimed at improving population health and viability. Carpenter and Derrickson (1982) and Olsen et al. (1997) published summary reports of captive whooping crane (Grus americana) mortality that served to identify key problem areas for the primary breeding flock and potential reintroduction programs involving this endangered species. We expanded on this approach and conducted an initial evaluation of morbidity and mortality factors for whooping cranes at the International Crane Foundation (ICF). The purpose of our study was to identify overrepresented factors …

Endoparasites Of Greater Sandhill Cranes In South-Central Wisconsin, Somer Hartman, Betsy Reichenberg, Jane Fanke, Anne E. Lacy, Barry K. Hartup

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Windingstad and Trainer (1977) used both fecal sampling and postmortem examinations to document the occurrence of parasites in greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) from Wisconsin in the fall. We conducted repeated fecal sampling of a well-known population to expand on results of their study. Our objective was to determine whether seasonal differences exist in the prevalence of endoparasites of Wisconsin sandhill cranes. We collected 7 to 10 fecal samples approximately every other week from a consistent roost site on the Wisconsin River (43°34'52.99''N, 89°36'38.42''W) near Briggsville, Wisconsin, from 29 May through 25 September 2008. The sample size …