In a recent editorial, H. Recher presents some history on why there is not currently an Australas... more In a recent editorial, H. Recher presents some history on why there is not currently an Australasian conservation biology society. He asserts that a motion to create such a society was abandoned because the Ecological Society of Australia (ESA) and the Australian Institute of Biology (AlB) promised to assume greater roles in conservation biology and obviated the need for a separate society, but that these organizations have not fulfilled this promise. The Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) has initiated a drive to develop a regional Australasian chapter and Recher raises the question: "is it better to form an independent body, or will an Australasian branch of the SCB fill the advocacy void left empty in 1993?" This is a fair question.
We provide the first account of all non-volant, non-marine mammals recorded, whether reliably, qu... more We provide the first account of all non-volant, non-marine mammals recorded, whether reliably, questionably, or erroneously, from the Admiralty Islands, Papua New Guinea. Species recorded with certainty, or near certainty, are the bandicoot Echymipera cf. kalubu, the wide¬ spread cuscus Phalanger orientalis, the endemic (?) cuscus Spilocuscus kraemeri, the endemic rat Melomys matambuai, a recently described species of endemic rat Rattus detentus, and the commensal rats Rattus exulans and Rattus rattus. Species erroneously reported from the islands or whose presence has yet to be confirmed are the rats Melomys bougainville, Rattus mordax, Rattus praetor, and Uromys neobrittanicus. Included additional specimens to those previously reported in the literature are of Spilocuscus kraemeri and two new specimens of Melomys mat¬ ambuai, previously known only from the holotype and a paratype, and new specimens of Rattus exulans. The identity of a specimen previously thought to be of Spilocusc...
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2021
Significance Eggshell is an understudied archaeological material with potential to clarify past i... more Significance Eggshell is an understudied archaeological material with potential to clarify past interactions between humans and birds. We apply an analytical method to legacy collections of Late Pleistocene to mid-Holocene cassowary eggshell and demonstrate that early foragers in the montane rainforests of New Guinea preferentially collected eggs in late stages of embryonic growth. This finding suggests that foragers regulated the exploitation of cassowaries and may have hatched eggs to rear chicks. The montane rainforests of New Guinea may thus present the earliest known evidence of human management of avian breeding.
Restriction enzyme analyses of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of the Black-capped Chickadee (Parus atr... more Restriction enzyme analyses of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of the Black-capped Chickadee (Parus atricapillus), Carolina Chickadee (P. carolinensis), and Tufted Titmouse (P. bicolor) indicate substantial genetic divergence (p = 0.04-0.09). Eleven of 14 enzymes produced fragment patterns that distinguish the two chickadees, revealing a bounty of markers for studies of these sibling species.
The amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (chytrid) has caused the most widespr... more The amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (chytrid) has caused the most widespread, disease‐induced declines and extinctions in vertebrates recorded to date. The largest climatically suitable landmass that may still be free of this fungus is New Guinea. The island is home to a sizeable proportion of the world's known frog species (an estimated 6%), as well as many additional, yet‐to‐be‐described species. Two decades of research on the chytrid fungus have provided a foundation for improved management of amphibian populations. We call for urgent, unified, international, multidisciplinary action to prepare for the arrival of B dendrobatidis in New Guinea, to prevent or slow its spread within the island after it arrives, and to limit its impact upon the island's frog populations. The apparent absence of the fungus in New Guinea offers an opportunity to build capacity in advance for science, disease surveillance, and diagnosis that will have broad relevance both...
We report on the non-breeding dispersion and density of Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfishers (Tanys... more We report on the non-breeding dispersion and density of Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfishers (Tanysiptera syliva sylvia), an Australo-Papuan intratropical migrant. The study was carried out at the base of the Hunstein Range, in the Sepik basin of Papua New Guinea, using playbacks of calls to census for the presence of birds. Preliminary density estimates (0.4-1.0 birds ha-1) were higher than expected on the basis of the paucity of museum specimens, the results of broad-scale bird surveys, and observational records. This difference is probably due to their extremely shy behaviour, which would cause them to be under-represented using standard survey methods. Most importantly, at least some kingfishers were territorial, with just a single bird defending each territory. Birds responded to playbacks of their calls using stereotypical territorial responses, and attacked models vigorously. These observations suggest that kingfishers compete for resources at their non-breeding grounds. At least in this species, competition during the non-breeding season may therefore have been a factor in the evolution of intratropical migration, as suggested for the better-studied temperate-tropical migrant species of North America and Europe. In addition, if demographic processes during the non-breeding season are found to limit populations in other Australo-Papuan migrants, the impending massive habitat loss in the Australasian and southeast Asian tropics may have devastating effects on many of these species.
Little is known of the frequency of use and reliance upon tree cavities by wildlife, nor the natu... more Little is known of the frequency of use and reliance upon tree cavities by wildlife, nor the natural availability of cavities in New Guinea forests. We surveyed the literature for records of cavity use by birds and mammals in New Guinea. We examined every standing tree on one hectare of primary forest and one hectare of secondary forest for cavities, then carefully assessed every tree for cavities after they were felled. We put up 190 artificial nest boxes of five designs in three sites and monitored occupancy. At least 50 species (23.6%) of New Guinea terrestrial mammals and 118 species (17.7%) of non-marine or aquatic bird species are recorded in the literature as using tree cavities. Ground observation identified 36 suspected cavities in a hectare of lowland primary forest and 10 in nearby secondary forest. Upon inspection of all trees after felling, these figures changed to 26 and 0 respectively. Ground censuses are not accurate. Cavities were more commonly found in large trees. In less than a year, nest box occupancy reached exceeded 33%, with Phalanger spp. and Sugar gliders, Petaurus breviceps, being most common. Some bird use was detected by the presence of feathers; snakes and geckos were also found in boxes. Occupancy increased with time and would probably be higher after a second year. The larger boxes had greater occupancy, as did boxes placed higher in the trees. Bees occupied and probably excluded other users from 10% of boxes. As Papuan forests are disturbed by logging, hunting practices and gardening, conservationists might need to manage practices to ensure cavity availability. Artificial nest boxes might have utility for wildlife conservation and research.
Estimations of survival rates of small mammal populations that occur on the island of New Guinea ... more Estimations of survival rates of small mammal populations that occur on the island of New Guinea are crucial for conservation and management strategies. Here, we used mark-recapture data in programme MARK to estimate apparent survival and detection of two murid species in a tropical rainforest in Papua New Guinea. The most parsimonious model allowed survival and recapture probability to vary by species. Across the two species, Rattus verecundus generally had lower survival rates, but higher recapture probabilities, whereas Paramelomys platyops had higher survival rates but lower recapture probabilities. Since many small mammal species that occur in New Guinea are already listed under the IUCN red list for Threatened Species, similar studies can be replicated targeting the threatened species to provide information to wildlife managers for management and conservation decision.
We describe a method for measuring gut passage time and seed dispersal distance for a large terre... more We describe a method for measuring gut passage time and seed dispersal distance for a large terrestrial frugivore. We attached temperature data loggers to radio transmitters in baits that were ingested by freeranging cassowaries. The resulting data yielded information on how fast the unit passed through the gut (3-4 h) and how far they were moved (240-325 m), an analog for dispersed seeds. Additionally, the data loggers revealed that cassowaries reingest fecal matter, the first observation of coprophagy in wild cassowaries. SINOPSIS. Un método no invasivo para medir movimiento y dispersión de semillas en casuarios Describimos un método para medir el tiempo que toma en pasar alimento a través del tracto digestivo de casuarios y la distancia de la dispersión de semilla. Unimos a un radiotransmisor un ''recogedor'' de temperatura que fue mezclado con comida para que fuera ingerido por los casuarios. El aparato tomó de tres a cuatro horas para moverse a través del tracto digestivo y fue transportado de 240 a 325 metros, lo que es un análogo a la dispersión de semillas. El recogedor de datos de temperatura reveló, además, que los casuarios ingieren heces fecales lo que es la primera observación de coprofagia en estas aves.
New Guinea is a biologically diverse island, with a unique geologic history and topography that h... more New Guinea is a biologically diverse island, with a unique geologic history and topography that has likely played a role in the evolution of species. Few island-wide studies, however, have examined the phylogeographic history of lowland species. The objective of this study was to examine patterns of phylogeographic variation of a common and widespread New Guinean bird species (Colluricincla megarhyncha). Specifically, we test the mechanisms hypothesized to cause geographic and genetic variation (e.g., vicariance, isolation by distance and founder-effect with dispersal). To accomplish this, we surveyed three regions of the mitochondrial genome and a nuclear intron and assessed differences among 23 of the 30 described subspecies from throughout their range. We found support for eight highly divergent lineages within C. megarhyncha. Genetic lineages were found within continuous lowland habitat or on smaller islands, but all individuals within clades were not necessarily structured by predicted biogeographic barriers. There was some evidence of isolation by distance and potential founder-effects. Mitochondrial DNA sequence divergence among lineages was at a level often observed among different species or even genera of birds (5-11%), suggesting lineages within regions have been isolated for long periods of time. When topographical barriers were associated with divergence patterns, the estimated divergence date for the clade coincided with the estimated time of barrier formation. We also found that dispersal distance and range size are positively correlated across lineages. Evidence from this research suggests that different phylogeographic mechanisms concurrently structure lineages of C. megarhyncha and are not mutually exclusive. These lineages are a result of evolutionary forces acting at different temporal and spatial scales concordant with New Guinea's geological history.
Treefall gaps play important roles tropical rainforest ecology. But studies increasingly rely on ... more Treefall gaps play important roles tropical rainforest ecology. But studies increasingly rely on models, remote sensing, and few intensively studied research sites, mostly in the Neotropics. Here we studied the basic parameters of gap dynamics-size, causes and frequency of treefall gaps in a lower montane primary forest on the southern flank of the central range of Papua New Guinea. We found 40 treefall gaps formed on 10.4 km of transect sampled annually over three years. The mean proportion of forest under new gaps was 0.015/year. The mean area of < 1year old treefall gaps was 312 m 2 and gap area was positively correlated with the diameter of the fallen tree. Mostly only large trees (DBH x = 53 cm) fell as snapped (n = 23) or uprooted (n = 17), creating both single (n = 34) and multiple (n = 6) treefall gaps. There was no strong directionality in the bearings of treefalls. This study provides some of the first information on gap dynamics in Papua New Guinea where such data can be used to inform sustainable forestry harvesting practices.
Numerous New Guinea birds, mostly psittaciforms and columbiforms, have been recorded feeding on s... more Numerous New Guinea birds, mostly psittaciforms and columbiforms, have been recorded feeding on soil. This study documents geophagy in the Crater Mountain Wildlife Management Area (CMWMA) in the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea. We present the first documented case of geophagy in the palm cockatoo Probosciger aterrimus and in up to 11 other species. Soil from the site where geophagy by palm cockatoos was recorded was highly weathered and acidic, with a mixture of kaolin, gibbsite, goethite and illite in the clay fraction. Analyses may support the hypothesis that soil is ingested to counterbalance the effects of toxic compounds in fruit. We suggest that the accessibility of the site (an exposed bank), rather than the nature of the soil itself, prompted its use by birds. At another site, a blue‐coloured soil on which cassowaries fed was rich in vivianite (an iron phosphate) and contained an iron‐rich smectite, and some kaolin and mica in the clay fraction. Why cassowaries feed on...
Although herbivores may account for a significant source of seed and seedling mortality in many t... more Although herbivores may account for a significant source of seed and seedling mortality in many tropical tree species, plant species differ in their response to seed damage. Here we investigate the relative effects of seed predation on the regeneration of five tree species in a mid-elevation Papua New Guinean rain forest. Exclosure treatments and shade-house experiments were monitored from November 2004 to March 2006 to assess the differential effects of seed predation on seed viability and seedling growth. Results indicate that although seed predators attack all five focal species, they influence the seedling populations in two, Cerbera floribunda and Microcos grandiflora, and minimally affect the seedling populations of Terminalia impediens, Pandanus penicillus and Endiandra latifolia in the years measured. Predation and germination frequencies were compared to the abundance of focal species at several life stage classes to explore potential correlations between species-specific seed mortality patterns and life stage distributions. We found that the species-specific influence of mammalian seed predators correlated with abundance distributions in three life stages. Species with high survivorship after seed predator attacks displayed a significant decrease in abundance from the seedling-to-sapling transition, while those species with high seed mortality demonstrated relatively even distributions of seedlings, saplings and adults (> 10 cm dbh). These contrasting patterns suggest that differential seed predation effects on regeneration may play a key role in the recruitment of individuals to the sapling stage.
Relatively few studies have examined the evolution of the mutualism between endozoochorous plants... more Relatively few studies have examined the evolution of the mutualism between endozoochorous plants and seed dispersers. Most seed dispersal studies are ecological and examine the role of fruit pulp in promoting seed dispersal. This interaction is often assumed to have originated due to selection stemming from seed dispersers. Here I suggest a "defence scenario" wherein fleshy fruits originated as mechanisms to defend seeds and secondarily became structures to promote seed dispersal. I suggest that frugivory followed from herbivores that specialized on consuming seed defensive tissues and that enhanced seed dispersal was initially a consequence of seed defence. The proposed defence scenario is not posited as an explanation for the sequence that led to all modern frugivores. However, it is suggested that seed predation was the initial source of selection that led to fleshy fruits; the necessary precursor to frugivory. Support is described from the fossil record and from modern structures and interactions. Testable predictions are made in hope that greater interest will be focused on the defensive role of fleshy fruit pulp both in modern interactions and historically.
In comparison with other tropical forest land uses such as selective logging, little is known of ... more In comparison with other tropical forest land uses such as selective logging, little is known of the impacts on wildlife of the many forms of small-scale agriculture practised across the tropics. We present density estimates, derived using a point count distance sampling method, for 31 bird species in primary forest, old abandoned gardens and active/recently abandoned gardens at two altitudes in the Crater Mountain Wildlife Management Area (CMWMA), Papua New Guinea. There were clear habitat differences between the six habitat/altitude categories, with, for example, clines in tree sizes and canopy cover from highest values in primary forest to lowest values in current gardens. At lower altitudes, primary forest held highest densities of most species, whereas at higher altitudes, old abandoned gardens had greater densities of many birds, especially insectivores. CANOCO was used to ordinate bird species with respect to major habitat gradient axes. Major axes were associated with differences in bird responses to forest conversion as well as altitudinal differences in species composition. Most important was that several insectivores (especially monarchs, fantails, etc.) formed a cluster of species associated with intact, high-biomass forest. We suggest that most species reacted moderately to habitat changes currently occurring, and this may be due in part to the fact openUP-February 2007 that only a small proportion of the landscape at CMWMA has been converted to agriculture (around 13% may be current or recently abandoned gardens). There were, however, species with comparatively low densities in agricultural habitats and these included several insectivores, the terrestrial Blue Jewel-babbler Ptilorrhoa caerulescens, and three out of four birds of paradise. Shifting cultivation (including slash-and-burn and gardening) is a major land use and cause of deforestation in tropical regions (Fujisaka et al. 1996, Raman 2001). In fact, Myers (1991) described the landless peasants ('shifted cultivators') practising shifting cultivation as the main agent of tropical forest loss, accounting for at least 60% of deforestation. Despite the large area of the tropics over which it is practised, the great diversity of agricultural systems, and the debate as to the degree to which such land uses contribute to biodiversity loss (Myers 1991, Halladay & Gilmour 1995), few papers have assessed the impact on wildlife of the myriad small-scale agricultural systems practised (for birds see the partial review by Dunn 2004; see also Blankespoor 1991, Thiollay 1995, Raman 2001, Naidoo 2004). Here, we present one of the first multi-species bird studies examining differences in bird abundance between primary forest and small-scale 'garden' agriculture plots. We present population density estimates for 31 forest bird species in primary forest, current and recently abandoned gardens, and old gardens within two altitude bands (432-650 m and 651-935 m) at Crater Mountain Wildlife Management Area (CMWMA), a hillforest region of eastern New Guinea. The last two habitat categories represent small-scale mixed agriculture/agroforestry, the main generic form of forest alteration across much of Papua New Guinea (Levett & Bala 1994). In CMWMA, agricultural plots are small and exist within an extensive matrix of little-disturbed forest and this mosaic of low-intensity and diverse gardens is rather different from the agricultural landscapes of other studies (Thiollay 1995, Estrada et al. 1997). It is also, however, the type of traditional lowintensity agricultural system that is under threat as a result of agricultural expansion and homogenization in many areas of the tropics (Allen 1985, Thiollay 1995). Furthermore, the density estimates we present are, in almost every species, the first indications of absolute abundance for birds on New Guinea, so we compare bird densities and reactions to habitat change with those recorded on nearby islands and draw some conclusions as to the likely impact of habitat change on the avifauna as a whole. openUP-February 2007 Methods Study area and design The study took place during April-October 2002 within the 270 000-ha CMWMA, Papua New Guinea (Fig. 1). The CMWMA occupies adjoining portions of Simbu, Eastern Highlands and Gulf Provinces, in the Purari River catchment (Mack & Wright 1996), and ranges from lowland tropical forest on the Purari River (50 m) to subalpine scrub on the summit of Crater Mountain (3100 m). Mean annual rainfall ranges from 6500 to 8000 mm with little seasonal variation in temperature or rainfall (Wright et al. 1997). Data on bird breeding seasons within CMWMA are too scant to gauge fully how the timing of our bird survey fitted in with seasonal breeding patterns. During our survey, nesting, in at least one bird species, was recorded in each of the 7 months (total nesting records = 43), with most frugivore nest records between April and July, and most insectivores/nectarivores between July and September (Symes & Marsden 2005). At the Crater Mountain Biological Research Station (CMBRS), most breeding appears to occur in two peaks, April-May and September-November with least breeding January-March (A.L.M. unpubl. data).
As an order, Parrots (Psittaciformes) are both the longest lived birds and among the most endange... more As an order, Parrots (Psittaciformes) are both the longest lived birds and among the most endangered. Palm Cockatoos (Probosciger aterrimus) have an extremely slow life history, including one of the lowest rates of breeding success reported for parrots. Here we use population viability analysis (PVA) to examine whether populations of Palm Cockatoos are viable in the long term with such low rates of reproduction. We built PVA models for two field sites with robust data on reproductive success and availability of nest-hollows: Iron Range on Cape York Peninsula (Queensland, Australia) and Crater Mountain (Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea). Our Iron Range models incorporate a fluctuating resource base of nest-hollows resulting from natural losses from fire, wind and tree decay and natural replenishment through tree breakages in tropical cyclones. The number of females allowed to breed each year in the simulations was limited by the availability of hollows. Our Iron Range models suggest that the population is only viable if juvenile and adult mortality rates are very low, and that at least some birds in the population live to 100 years old. Based on known maximum lifespans in the Cacatuidae, we conclude that Palm Cockatoos at Iron Range are unlikely to live for long enough on average to support their low rates of reproduction, and highlight the possibility that the population may be in decline. At Crater Mountain, where nestlings are harvested for food by local people, the models suggest that the reported current rate of 40% of nestlings taken is not sustainable.
SummaryVulturine Parrots Psittrichas fulgidus are endemic to the island of New Guinea. A review o... more SummaryVulturine Parrots Psittrichas fulgidus are endemic to the island of New Guinea. A review of the literature and specimen holdings indicate the species mostly occurs 500 to 1800 m a.s.l. Observations suggest the species occurs in low densities. The species is a highly specialized frugivore feeding on just a few species of figs (Ficus, Moraceae). These parrots are heavily exploited (often by destroying scarce nesting cavities) in Papua New Guinea for their feathers, used in traditional adornment. This practice might not be sustainable and four possible conservation measures are suggested: (1) increase field studies; (2) restrict transport of live birds on domestic flights; (3) replace use of Psittrichas feathers with dyed chicken feathers; (4) instruct tourists not to purchase handicrafts containing Psittrichas or other animal parts.
In a recent editorial, H. Recher presents some history on why there is not currently an Australas... more In a recent editorial, H. Recher presents some history on why there is not currently an Australasian conservation biology society. He asserts that a motion to create such a society was abandoned because the Ecological Society of Australia (ESA) and the Australian Institute of Biology (AlB) promised to assume greater roles in conservation biology and obviated the need for a separate society, but that these organizations have not fulfilled this promise. The Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) has initiated a drive to develop a regional Australasian chapter and Recher raises the question: "is it better to form an independent body, or will an Australasian branch of the SCB fill the advocacy void left empty in 1993?" This is a fair question.
We provide the first account of all non-volant, non-marine mammals recorded, whether reliably, qu... more We provide the first account of all non-volant, non-marine mammals recorded, whether reliably, questionably, or erroneously, from the Admiralty Islands, Papua New Guinea. Species recorded with certainty, or near certainty, are the bandicoot Echymipera cf. kalubu, the wide¬ spread cuscus Phalanger orientalis, the endemic (?) cuscus Spilocuscus kraemeri, the endemic rat Melomys matambuai, a recently described species of endemic rat Rattus detentus, and the commensal rats Rattus exulans and Rattus rattus. Species erroneously reported from the islands or whose presence has yet to be confirmed are the rats Melomys bougainville, Rattus mordax, Rattus praetor, and Uromys neobrittanicus. Included additional specimens to those previously reported in the literature are of Spilocuscus kraemeri and two new specimens of Melomys mat¬ ambuai, previously known only from the holotype and a paratype, and new specimens of Rattus exulans. The identity of a specimen previously thought to be of Spilocusc...
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2021
Significance Eggshell is an understudied archaeological material with potential to clarify past i... more Significance Eggshell is an understudied archaeological material with potential to clarify past interactions between humans and birds. We apply an analytical method to legacy collections of Late Pleistocene to mid-Holocene cassowary eggshell and demonstrate that early foragers in the montane rainforests of New Guinea preferentially collected eggs in late stages of embryonic growth. This finding suggests that foragers regulated the exploitation of cassowaries and may have hatched eggs to rear chicks. The montane rainforests of New Guinea may thus present the earliest known evidence of human management of avian breeding.
Restriction enzyme analyses of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of the Black-capped Chickadee (Parus atr... more Restriction enzyme analyses of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of the Black-capped Chickadee (Parus atricapillus), Carolina Chickadee (P. carolinensis), and Tufted Titmouse (P. bicolor) indicate substantial genetic divergence (p = 0.04-0.09). Eleven of 14 enzymes produced fragment patterns that distinguish the two chickadees, revealing a bounty of markers for studies of these sibling species.
The amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (chytrid) has caused the most widespr... more The amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (chytrid) has caused the most widespread, disease‐induced declines and extinctions in vertebrates recorded to date. The largest climatically suitable landmass that may still be free of this fungus is New Guinea. The island is home to a sizeable proportion of the world's known frog species (an estimated 6%), as well as many additional, yet‐to‐be‐described species. Two decades of research on the chytrid fungus have provided a foundation for improved management of amphibian populations. We call for urgent, unified, international, multidisciplinary action to prepare for the arrival of B dendrobatidis in New Guinea, to prevent or slow its spread within the island after it arrives, and to limit its impact upon the island's frog populations. The apparent absence of the fungus in New Guinea offers an opportunity to build capacity in advance for science, disease surveillance, and diagnosis that will have broad relevance both...
We report on the non-breeding dispersion and density of Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfishers (Tanys... more We report on the non-breeding dispersion and density of Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfishers (Tanysiptera syliva sylvia), an Australo-Papuan intratropical migrant. The study was carried out at the base of the Hunstein Range, in the Sepik basin of Papua New Guinea, using playbacks of calls to census for the presence of birds. Preliminary density estimates (0.4-1.0 birds ha-1) were higher than expected on the basis of the paucity of museum specimens, the results of broad-scale bird surveys, and observational records. This difference is probably due to their extremely shy behaviour, which would cause them to be under-represented using standard survey methods. Most importantly, at least some kingfishers were territorial, with just a single bird defending each territory. Birds responded to playbacks of their calls using stereotypical territorial responses, and attacked models vigorously. These observations suggest that kingfishers compete for resources at their non-breeding grounds. At least in this species, competition during the non-breeding season may therefore have been a factor in the evolution of intratropical migration, as suggested for the better-studied temperate-tropical migrant species of North America and Europe. In addition, if demographic processes during the non-breeding season are found to limit populations in other Australo-Papuan migrants, the impending massive habitat loss in the Australasian and southeast Asian tropics may have devastating effects on many of these species.
Little is known of the frequency of use and reliance upon tree cavities by wildlife, nor the natu... more Little is known of the frequency of use and reliance upon tree cavities by wildlife, nor the natural availability of cavities in New Guinea forests. We surveyed the literature for records of cavity use by birds and mammals in New Guinea. We examined every standing tree on one hectare of primary forest and one hectare of secondary forest for cavities, then carefully assessed every tree for cavities after they were felled. We put up 190 artificial nest boxes of five designs in three sites and monitored occupancy. At least 50 species (23.6%) of New Guinea terrestrial mammals and 118 species (17.7%) of non-marine or aquatic bird species are recorded in the literature as using tree cavities. Ground observation identified 36 suspected cavities in a hectare of lowland primary forest and 10 in nearby secondary forest. Upon inspection of all trees after felling, these figures changed to 26 and 0 respectively. Ground censuses are not accurate. Cavities were more commonly found in large trees. In less than a year, nest box occupancy reached exceeded 33%, with Phalanger spp. and Sugar gliders, Petaurus breviceps, being most common. Some bird use was detected by the presence of feathers; snakes and geckos were also found in boxes. Occupancy increased with time and would probably be higher after a second year. The larger boxes had greater occupancy, as did boxes placed higher in the trees. Bees occupied and probably excluded other users from 10% of boxes. As Papuan forests are disturbed by logging, hunting practices and gardening, conservationists might need to manage practices to ensure cavity availability. Artificial nest boxes might have utility for wildlife conservation and research.
Estimations of survival rates of small mammal populations that occur on the island of New Guinea ... more Estimations of survival rates of small mammal populations that occur on the island of New Guinea are crucial for conservation and management strategies. Here, we used mark-recapture data in programme MARK to estimate apparent survival and detection of two murid species in a tropical rainforest in Papua New Guinea. The most parsimonious model allowed survival and recapture probability to vary by species. Across the two species, Rattus verecundus generally had lower survival rates, but higher recapture probabilities, whereas Paramelomys platyops had higher survival rates but lower recapture probabilities. Since many small mammal species that occur in New Guinea are already listed under the IUCN red list for Threatened Species, similar studies can be replicated targeting the threatened species to provide information to wildlife managers for management and conservation decision.
We describe a method for measuring gut passage time and seed dispersal distance for a large terre... more We describe a method for measuring gut passage time and seed dispersal distance for a large terrestrial frugivore. We attached temperature data loggers to radio transmitters in baits that were ingested by freeranging cassowaries. The resulting data yielded information on how fast the unit passed through the gut (3-4 h) and how far they were moved (240-325 m), an analog for dispersed seeds. Additionally, the data loggers revealed that cassowaries reingest fecal matter, the first observation of coprophagy in wild cassowaries. SINOPSIS. Un método no invasivo para medir movimiento y dispersión de semillas en casuarios Describimos un método para medir el tiempo que toma en pasar alimento a través del tracto digestivo de casuarios y la distancia de la dispersión de semilla. Unimos a un radiotransmisor un ''recogedor'' de temperatura que fue mezclado con comida para que fuera ingerido por los casuarios. El aparato tomó de tres a cuatro horas para moverse a través del tracto digestivo y fue transportado de 240 a 325 metros, lo que es un análogo a la dispersión de semillas. El recogedor de datos de temperatura reveló, además, que los casuarios ingieren heces fecales lo que es la primera observación de coprofagia en estas aves.
New Guinea is a biologically diverse island, with a unique geologic history and topography that h... more New Guinea is a biologically diverse island, with a unique geologic history and topography that has likely played a role in the evolution of species. Few island-wide studies, however, have examined the phylogeographic history of lowland species. The objective of this study was to examine patterns of phylogeographic variation of a common and widespread New Guinean bird species (Colluricincla megarhyncha). Specifically, we test the mechanisms hypothesized to cause geographic and genetic variation (e.g., vicariance, isolation by distance and founder-effect with dispersal). To accomplish this, we surveyed three regions of the mitochondrial genome and a nuclear intron and assessed differences among 23 of the 30 described subspecies from throughout their range. We found support for eight highly divergent lineages within C. megarhyncha. Genetic lineages were found within continuous lowland habitat or on smaller islands, but all individuals within clades were not necessarily structured by predicted biogeographic barriers. There was some evidence of isolation by distance and potential founder-effects. Mitochondrial DNA sequence divergence among lineages was at a level often observed among different species or even genera of birds (5-11%), suggesting lineages within regions have been isolated for long periods of time. When topographical barriers were associated with divergence patterns, the estimated divergence date for the clade coincided with the estimated time of barrier formation. We also found that dispersal distance and range size are positively correlated across lineages. Evidence from this research suggests that different phylogeographic mechanisms concurrently structure lineages of C. megarhyncha and are not mutually exclusive. These lineages are a result of evolutionary forces acting at different temporal and spatial scales concordant with New Guinea's geological history.
Treefall gaps play important roles tropical rainforest ecology. But studies increasingly rely on ... more Treefall gaps play important roles tropical rainforest ecology. But studies increasingly rely on models, remote sensing, and few intensively studied research sites, mostly in the Neotropics. Here we studied the basic parameters of gap dynamics-size, causes and frequency of treefall gaps in a lower montane primary forest on the southern flank of the central range of Papua New Guinea. We found 40 treefall gaps formed on 10.4 km of transect sampled annually over three years. The mean proportion of forest under new gaps was 0.015/year. The mean area of < 1year old treefall gaps was 312 m 2 and gap area was positively correlated with the diameter of the fallen tree. Mostly only large trees (DBH x = 53 cm) fell as snapped (n = 23) or uprooted (n = 17), creating both single (n = 34) and multiple (n = 6) treefall gaps. There was no strong directionality in the bearings of treefalls. This study provides some of the first information on gap dynamics in Papua New Guinea where such data can be used to inform sustainable forestry harvesting practices.
Numerous New Guinea birds, mostly psittaciforms and columbiforms, have been recorded feeding on s... more Numerous New Guinea birds, mostly psittaciforms and columbiforms, have been recorded feeding on soil. This study documents geophagy in the Crater Mountain Wildlife Management Area (CMWMA) in the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea. We present the first documented case of geophagy in the palm cockatoo Probosciger aterrimus and in up to 11 other species. Soil from the site where geophagy by palm cockatoos was recorded was highly weathered and acidic, with a mixture of kaolin, gibbsite, goethite and illite in the clay fraction. Analyses may support the hypothesis that soil is ingested to counterbalance the effects of toxic compounds in fruit. We suggest that the accessibility of the site (an exposed bank), rather than the nature of the soil itself, prompted its use by birds. At another site, a blue‐coloured soil on which cassowaries fed was rich in vivianite (an iron phosphate) and contained an iron‐rich smectite, and some kaolin and mica in the clay fraction. Why cassowaries feed on...
Although herbivores may account for a significant source of seed and seedling mortality in many t... more Although herbivores may account for a significant source of seed and seedling mortality in many tropical tree species, plant species differ in their response to seed damage. Here we investigate the relative effects of seed predation on the regeneration of five tree species in a mid-elevation Papua New Guinean rain forest. Exclosure treatments and shade-house experiments were monitored from November 2004 to March 2006 to assess the differential effects of seed predation on seed viability and seedling growth. Results indicate that although seed predators attack all five focal species, they influence the seedling populations in two, Cerbera floribunda and Microcos grandiflora, and minimally affect the seedling populations of Terminalia impediens, Pandanus penicillus and Endiandra latifolia in the years measured. Predation and germination frequencies were compared to the abundance of focal species at several life stage classes to explore potential correlations between species-specific seed mortality patterns and life stage distributions. We found that the species-specific influence of mammalian seed predators correlated with abundance distributions in three life stages. Species with high survivorship after seed predator attacks displayed a significant decrease in abundance from the seedling-to-sapling transition, while those species with high seed mortality demonstrated relatively even distributions of seedlings, saplings and adults (> 10 cm dbh). These contrasting patterns suggest that differential seed predation effects on regeneration may play a key role in the recruitment of individuals to the sapling stage.
Relatively few studies have examined the evolution of the mutualism between endozoochorous plants... more Relatively few studies have examined the evolution of the mutualism between endozoochorous plants and seed dispersers. Most seed dispersal studies are ecological and examine the role of fruit pulp in promoting seed dispersal. This interaction is often assumed to have originated due to selection stemming from seed dispersers. Here I suggest a "defence scenario" wherein fleshy fruits originated as mechanisms to defend seeds and secondarily became structures to promote seed dispersal. I suggest that frugivory followed from herbivores that specialized on consuming seed defensive tissues and that enhanced seed dispersal was initially a consequence of seed defence. The proposed defence scenario is not posited as an explanation for the sequence that led to all modern frugivores. However, it is suggested that seed predation was the initial source of selection that led to fleshy fruits; the necessary precursor to frugivory. Support is described from the fossil record and from modern structures and interactions. Testable predictions are made in hope that greater interest will be focused on the defensive role of fleshy fruit pulp both in modern interactions and historically.
In comparison with other tropical forest land uses such as selective logging, little is known of ... more In comparison with other tropical forest land uses such as selective logging, little is known of the impacts on wildlife of the many forms of small-scale agriculture practised across the tropics. We present density estimates, derived using a point count distance sampling method, for 31 bird species in primary forest, old abandoned gardens and active/recently abandoned gardens at two altitudes in the Crater Mountain Wildlife Management Area (CMWMA), Papua New Guinea. There were clear habitat differences between the six habitat/altitude categories, with, for example, clines in tree sizes and canopy cover from highest values in primary forest to lowest values in current gardens. At lower altitudes, primary forest held highest densities of most species, whereas at higher altitudes, old abandoned gardens had greater densities of many birds, especially insectivores. CANOCO was used to ordinate bird species with respect to major habitat gradient axes. Major axes were associated with differences in bird responses to forest conversion as well as altitudinal differences in species composition. Most important was that several insectivores (especially monarchs, fantails, etc.) formed a cluster of species associated with intact, high-biomass forest. We suggest that most species reacted moderately to habitat changes currently occurring, and this may be due in part to the fact openUP-February 2007 that only a small proportion of the landscape at CMWMA has been converted to agriculture (around 13% may be current or recently abandoned gardens). There were, however, species with comparatively low densities in agricultural habitats and these included several insectivores, the terrestrial Blue Jewel-babbler Ptilorrhoa caerulescens, and three out of four birds of paradise. Shifting cultivation (including slash-and-burn and gardening) is a major land use and cause of deforestation in tropical regions (Fujisaka et al. 1996, Raman 2001). In fact, Myers (1991) described the landless peasants ('shifted cultivators') practising shifting cultivation as the main agent of tropical forest loss, accounting for at least 60% of deforestation. Despite the large area of the tropics over which it is practised, the great diversity of agricultural systems, and the debate as to the degree to which such land uses contribute to biodiversity loss (Myers 1991, Halladay & Gilmour 1995), few papers have assessed the impact on wildlife of the myriad small-scale agricultural systems practised (for birds see the partial review by Dunn 2004; see also Blankespoor 1991, Thiollay 1995, Raman 2001, Naidoo 2004). Here, we present one of the first multi-species bird studies examining differences in bird abundance between primary forest and small-scale 'garden' agriculture plots. We present population density estimates for 31 forest bird species in primary forest, current and recently abandoned gardens, and old gardens within two altitude bands (432-650 m and 651-935 m) at Crater Mountain Wildlife Management Area (CMWMA), a hillforest region of eastern New Guinea. The last two habitat categories represent small-scale mixed agriculture/agroforestry, the main generic form of forest alteration across much of Papua New Guinea (Levett & Bala 1994). In CMWMA, agricultural plots are small and exist within an extensive matrix of little-disturbed forest and this mosaic of low-intensity and diverse gardens is rather different from the agricultural landscapes of other studies (Thiollay 1995, Estrada et al. 1997). It is also, however, the type of traditional lowintensity agricultural system that is under threat as a result of agricultural expansion and homogenization in many areas of the tropics (Allen 1985, Thiollay 1995). Furthermore, the density estimates we present are, in almost every species, the first indications of absolute abundance for birds on New Guinea, so we compare bird densities and reactions to habitat change with those recorded on nearby islands and draw some conclusions as to the likely impact of habitat change on the avifauna as a whole. openUP-February 2007 Methods Study area and design The study took place during April-October 2002 within the 270 000-ha CMWMA, Papua New Guinea (Fig. 1). The CMWMA occupies adjoining portions of Simbu, Eastern Highlands and Gulf Provinces, in the Purari River catchment (Mack & Wright 1996), and ranges from lowland tropical forest on the Purari River (50 m) to subalpine scrub on the summit of Crater Mountain (3100 m). Mean annual rainfall ranges from 6500 to 8000 mm with little seasonal variation in temperature or rainfall (Wright et al. 1997). Data on bird breeding seasons within CMWMA are too scant to gauge fully how the timing of our bird survey fitted in with seasonal breeding patterns. During our survey, nesting, in at least one bird species, was recorded in each of the 7 months (total nesting records = 43), with most frugivore nest records between April and July, and most insectivores/nectarivores between July and September (Symes & Marsden 2005). At the Crater Mountain Biological Research Station (CMBRS), most breeding appears to occur in two peaks, April-May and September-November with least breeding January-March (A.L.M. unpubl. data).
As an order, Parrots (Psittaciformes) are both the longest lived birds and among the most endange... more As an order, Parrots (Psittaciformes) are both the longest lived birds and among the most endangered. Palm Cockatoos (Probosciger aterrimus) have an extremely slow life history, including one of the lowest rates of breeding success reported for parrots. Here we use population viability analysis (PVA) to examine whether populations of Palm Cockatoos are viable in the long term with such low rates of reproduction. We built PVA models for two field sites with robust data on reproductive success and availability of nest-hollows: Iron Range on Cape York Peninsula (Queensland, Australia) and Crater Mountain (Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea). Our Iron Range models incorporate a fluctuating resource base of nest-hollows resulting from natural losses from fire, wind and tree decay and natural replenishment through tree breakages in tropical cyclones. The number of females allowed to breed each year in the simulations was limited by the availability of hollows. Our Iron Range models suggest that the population is only viable if juvenile and adult mortality rates are very low, and that at least some birds in the population live to 100 years old. Based on known maximum lifespans in the Cacatuidae, we conclude that Palm Cockatoos at Iron Range are unlikely to live for long enough on average to support their low rates of reproduction, and highlight the possibility that the population may be in decline. At Crater Mountain, where nestlings are harvested for food by local people, the models suggest that the reported current rate of 40% of nestlings taken is not sustainable.
SummaryVulturine Parrots Psittrichas fulgidus are endemic to the island of New Guinea. A review o... more SummaryVulturine Parrots Psittrichas fulgidus are endemic to the island of New Guinea. A review of the literature and specimen holdings indicate the species mostly occurs 500 to 1800 m a.s.l. Observations suggest the species occurs in low densities. The species is a highly specialized frugivore feeding on just a few species of figs (Ficus, Moraceae). These parrots are heavily exploited (often by destroying scarce nesting cavities) in Papua New Guinea for their feathers, used in traditional adornment. This practice might not be sustainable and four possible conservation measures are suggested: (1) increase field studies; (2) restrict transport of live birds on domestic flights; (3) replace use of Psittrichas feathers with dyed chicken feathers; (4) instruct tourists not to purchase handicrafts containing Psittrichas or other animal parts.
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