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Abstract: We sampled amphibians and reptiles using rapid assessment techniques in primary forest and forest- savannah mosaic habitat in Lékoumou Department, Republic of Congo, near the Batéké Plateau, as part of an environmental impact assessment for a mining project. We detected 38 amphibian and 36 reptile species. Amphibian species represented 14 genera and 10 families of frogs. Reptile species included 23 snakes (representing 18 genera and six families), 11 lizards (representing 8 genera and five families) and two turtles (representing two genera and two families). Five frogs (Foulassi Screeching Frog, Arthroleptis adelphus, Rio Benito Long-fingered Frog, Cardioglossa gracilis, Ongot Long-fingered Frog, Cardioglossa gratiosa, Bates’ River Frog, Phrynobatrachus batesii, and Uzungwe Grassland/Ridged Frog, Ptychadena uzungwensis), two snakes (Steinhaus’ Worm Snake, Afrotyphlops steinhausi, and Underwood’s Tree Snake, Dipsadoboa underwoodi), and two lizards (Kamdem Toham’s Half-toed Gecko, Hemidactylus kamdemtohami, and Reichenow’s Skink, Lacertaspis reichenowi) represents the first confirmed records for the Republic of Congo. The snake Bothrolycus ater (Loreal-pitted Snake) was previously known from only a few specimens; we present here the first photograph of this species found alive. This study represents the herpetological component of a broader biodiversity survey carried out as an early step toward the goal of establishing Ogooué-Leketi National Park as a protected area. © 2019. Ange-Ghislain Zassi-Boulou. All rights reserved.
Source title: Herpetological Conservation and Biology
DOI:
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85073377043&partnerID=40&md5=47d20b776fe2b1c3c5e5ff5922370516
Correspondence Address: Jackson, K.; Department of Biology, Whitman CollegeUnited States; email: jacksok@whitman.edu
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Republic of Congo ;
Protected area: Ogooué-Lékéti
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Amphibians ; Reptiles ; Survey / Monitoring ; Diversity ; Biology / Ecology

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Abstract: In Africa, the reproductive phenology of tropical trees is mostly annual and regular. This study documents the intra-and inter-annual reproductive phenology of trees in the Mayombe forest, from historical data on the Luki Reserve in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Reproductive diameter, which is a key parameter for forest management but is largely unknown for many timber species, was also documented for the most abundant species in the dataset. Phenological monitoring of 3,642 trees belonging to 158 species and 39 families was conducted in the Luki Reserve every 10 days from 1948 to 1957. Circular statistics were used to test the synchronicity of phenological events among trees, both at the community level, i.e. for the forest as a whole, and individually for 87 species, which included 35 well-repre-sented species (n ? 20 trees), 16 commercial species and 36 other species. Logistic regressions were used to determine the diameter (minimum and regular) of these species on fruiting. Reproductive phenology for the majority of the trees and the species is largely seasonal, annual and regular (81.6%, 71 species). The peaks for flowering are more abrupt than the fruiting peaks and more spread out over time, although the timing of flowering and fruiting is significantly aggregated. Most of the trees and species bloom from December to February, during the short dry season, but flowers and fruits can be observed throughout the year within the community. Only 13 species showed a significant relationship between diameter and reproduction, including seven canopy species, five understory species and one light-demanding species. For these 13 species, the average minimum reproduction diameter was 17.3 cm. © 2019, Bois et Forêts des Tropiques – Cirad.
Source title: Bois et Forets des Tropiques
DOI: 10.19182/bft2019.341.a31753
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85071168993&doi=10.19182%2fbft2019.341.a31753&partnerID=40&md5=2277d9e7ccc39e0d20fb12fe747b4990
Correspondence Address: Ilondea, B.A.; Institut national pour l’étude et la recherche agronomiquesCongo; email: bhely.angoboy@gmail.com
Language of Original Document: Spanish
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Democratic Republic of Congo ;
Protected area: Luki
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Plants ; Biology / Ecology ; Survey / Monitoring

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Abstract: Protected areas are the cornerstone of in situ conservation and their effective management is critical for maintaining biodiversity in the long term. In East Africa (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda) there are 1,776 protected areas (including 186 “strict” protected areas with IUCN management categories I through IV) covering more than 27% of its terrestrial area. Here we document the extent to which East African protected areas encompass ecoregions and endemic terrestrial vertebrate taxa, and using new land conversion data derived from medium to high spatial resolution satellite images, we assess how they have been encroached upon by agriculture and other land use. We find that East African protected areas cover 86% of ecoregions well (>10% threshold of ecoregion representativeness set by the Convention on Biological Diversity's Aichi Target 11), some very well (>90% - Rwenzori-Virunga montane moorlands and East African montane moorlands). In contrast, Masai xeric grasslands and shrublands, Somali Acacia-Commiphora bushlands and thickets, and Southern Swahili coastal forests and woodlands are poorly represented. Protected areas cover at least 10% of the distribution of 256 of 303 East African endemic and near-endemic terrestrial vertebrate species (the latter defined here as having 90% or more of their range in East Africa). However, 37% of these species’ ranges do not have at least 10% coverage by strict PAs and only 26% of endemic species have at least half of their range covered by PAs. Encouragingly, we find that only 6.8% of East African protected areas has been converted to agriculture or other human use since gazettement. Only 1.6% of strict protected areas have been converted providing very strong evidence that strict protection is the most enduring way of safeguarding habitat. © 2019 The Authors
Source title: Global Ecology and Conservation
DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00573
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85062567701&doi=10.1016%2fj.gecco.2019.e00573&partnerID=40&md5=f2f652d77c3e7eacfa70e6cbeb462ee3
Correspondence Address: Riggio, J.; Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology, University of California, 1088 Academic Surge, Davis One Shields Avenue, United States; email: jsriggio@ucdavis.edu
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Burundi ; Rwanda ;
Protected area: Many
Main topic: Biodiversity ; Environment
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Vertebrates ; Land use / cover ; Crops

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Abstract: Tropical forests are increasingly degraded by industrial logging, urbanization, agriculture, and infrastructure, with only 20% of the remaining area considered intact. However, this figure does not include other, more cryptic but pervasive forms of degradation, such as overhunting. Here, we quantified and mapped the spatial patterns of mammal defaunation in the tropics using a database of 3,281 mammal abundance declines from local hunting studies. We simultaneously accounted for population abundance declines and the probability of local extirpation of a population as a function of several predictors related to human accessibility to remote areas and species’ vulnerability to hunting. We estimated an average abundance decline of 13% across all tropical mammal species, with medium-sized species being reduced by >27% and large mammals by >40%. Mammal populations are predicted to be partially defaunated (i.e., declines of 10%–100%) in ca. 50% of the pantropical forest area (14 million km2), with large declines (>70%) in West Africa. According to our projections, 52% of the intact forests (IFs) and 62% of the wilderness areas (WAs) are partially devoid of large mammals, and hunting may affect mammal populations in 20% of protected areas (PAs) in the tropics, particularly in West and Central Africa and Southeast Asia. The pervasive effects of overhunting on tropical mammal populations may have profound ramifications for ecosystem functioning and the livelihoods of wild-meat-dependent communities, and underscore that forest coverage alone is not necessarily indicative of ecosystem intactness. We call for a systematic consideration of hunting effects in (large-scale) biodiversity assessments for more representative estimates of human-induced biodiversity loss. © 2019, Public Library of Science. All rights reserved.
Source title: PLoS Biology
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000247
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85066260707&doi=10.1371%2fjournal.pbio.3000247&partnerID=40&md5=3f9517dd0a8ce98f8c5442aab15dcc86
Correspondence Address: Benítez-López, A.; Integrative Ecology Group, Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC)Spain; email: a.benitez@science.ru.n
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Central Africa ;
Protected area: Many
Main topic: Biodiversity ; Humans
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Abundance ; Hunting / Poaching ; Income-generating activities

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Abstract: Objectives: Although conflicts between groups over valuable resources are common in the animal kingdom, an individual's strategy toward out-group individuals may differ according to the benefits and costs received from inter-group interactions. Groups of bonobos encounter each other frequently and may mingle and range together from a few hours to a few days. During these inter-group associations, individuals across groups exhibit both aggressive and affiliative interactions. This study aimed to examine the strategies that bonobos employ with other groups, by comparing the patterns of within- and inter-group aggression. Materials and methods: We observed the aggressive interactions within a group of wild bonobos and between the group and three neighboring groups in Wamba, Luo Scientific Reserve, DR Congo. Results: Bonobos increased the level of cooperation to attack out-group individuals more than they do to attack within-group individuals. Additionally, they reduced the aggression between within-group members during inter-group associations, compared to that when not associated with other groups. Males selectively and cooperatively attacked out-group males. Inter-group aggression among females was rare. Furthermore, females sometimes formed coalitions with out-group individuals to attack a common target. Discussion: Our results support the hypothesis that inter-group competition occurs in bonobos, with males across groups competing over mates. Females across groups were tolerant and even cooperative with each other. Regardless of the ideal male strategy, female tolerant and cooperative relationships across groups and female within-group superiority over males could preserve tolerant inter-group relationships in bonobos. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Source title: American Journal of Physical Anthropology
DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.23929
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85073977690&doi=10.1002%2fajpa.23929&partnerID=40&md5=1324ad632f0a482566a79d1c39d51023
Correspondence Address: Tokuyama, N.; Department of Evolutionary Studies of Biosystems, Sokendai, The Graduate University for Advanced StudiesJapan; email: tokuyama.nahoko.47x@kyoto-u.jp
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Democratic Republic of Congo ;
Protected area: Luo Scientific Reserve ; Luo Scientific Reserve
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Primates ; Biology / Ecology

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Abstract: Measuring hunting sustainability across West/Central African forests remains a challenge. Long-term assessment of trends is crucial. Via hunter-reported surveys we collected offtake data in three villages near the Dja Biosphere Reserve (southeast Cameroon). During four months (March–June) in 2003, 2009 and 2016, we gathered information on hunters, prey species and number of carcasses brought to the three settlements. Because it was not possible to record hunter effort i.e. the time a hunter spent pursuing animals or setting traps, to calculate catch per unit effort (CPUE), we used catch per hunter per day (CPHD) to document hunter returns. We then used the changes in the mean body mass indicator (MBMI) throughout the study period to test for defaunation in the three villages. Differences in CPHD and MBMI by month and year, between villages and hunting method, were investigated using Tweedie regression models. For all species pooled, we found that the mean CPHD remained relatively constant between 2003 and 2016. There was an observed shift from traps to firearms during the study period. CPHD for each of the seven most hunted species did not vary significantly during the entire study period, and a similar change from traps to firearms was observed. MBMI also remained stable for all species pooled, but significantly declined in the remotest village. Starting MBMI values for this village were higher than for the other two settlements perhaps because wildlife here is less depleted. Although hunter effort data may be difficult to obtain over long time periods, CPHD and MBMI may be useful tools as a measure of impact of hunters on prey populations. © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS
Source title: Acta Oecologica
DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2017.09.007
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85029633654&doi=10.1016%2fj.actao.2017.09.007&partnerID=40&md5=6c2d7c2fc894a5856e9d7aefea820df7
Correspondence Address: Fa, J.E.; School of Science and the Environment, Manchester Metropolitan University, John Dalton Building, United Kingdom; email: jfa949@gmail.com
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Cameroon ;
Protected area: Dja
Main topic: Humans ; Biodiversity
Subtopic: Hunting / Poaching ; Perceptions / Behaviors ; Anthropology / Ethnoscience ; Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Abundance

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Abstract: Developing and enhancing strategies to characterize actual forests structure is a timely challenge, particularly for tropical forests. P-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) tomography (TomoSAR) has previously been demonstrated as a powerful tool for characterizing the 3-D vertical structure of tropical forests, and its capability and potential to retrieve tropical forest structure has been discussed and assessed. On the other hand, the abilities of L-band TomoSAR are still in the early stages of development. Here, we aim to provide a better understanding of L-band TomoSAR capabilities for retrieving the 3-D structure of tropical forests and estimating the top height in dense forests. We carried out tomographic analysis using L-band UAVSAR data from the AfriSAR campaign conducted over Gabon Lopé Park in February 2016. First, it was found that L-band TomoSAR was able to penetrate into and through the canopy down to the ground, and thus the canopy and ground layers were detected correctly. The resulting TomoSAR vertical profiles were validated with a digital terrain model and canopy height model extracted from small-footprint Lidar (SFL) data. Second, there was a strong correlation between the L-band Capon beam forming profile in HH and HV polarizations with Land Vegetation Ice Sensor (LVIS) Level 1B waveform Lidar over different kinds of forest in Gabon Lopé National Park. Finally, forest top height from the L-band data was estimated and validated with SFL data, resulting in a root mean square error of 3 m and coefficient of determination of 0.92. The results demonstrate that L-band TomoSAR is capable of characterizing 3-D structure of tropical forests. © 2019 by the authors.
Source title: Remote Sensing
DOI: 10.3390/rs11050475
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85062953272&doi=10.3390%2frs11050475&partnerID=40&md5=c1f6cbde6e29c7a95e11a97de4465c73
Correspondence Address: El Moussawi, I.; National Research Institute of Science and Technology for Environment and Agriculture (IRSTEA), University of Montpellier, Land Environment Remote Sensing and Spatial Information (TETIS)France; email: ibrahim.el-moussawi@irstea.fr
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Gabon ;
Protected area: Lopé
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Plants ; Structure / Biomass

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Abstract: The milkcap genus Lactifluus is one of the most common ectomycorrhizal genera within Central African rainforests. During a field trip to the Dja Biosphere Reserve in Cameroon, a new Lactifluus species was found. Molecular and morphological analyses indicate that the species belongs to Lactifluus section Xerampelini and we formally describe it here as Lactifluus bicapillus sp. nov. Copyright Eske De Crop et al.
Source title: MycoKeys
DOI: 10.3897/mycokeys.45.29964
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85061603108&doi=10.3897%2fmycokeys.45.29964&partnerID=40&md5=4531784c9540c34671cea14d52c92a6a
Correspondence Address: De Crop, E.; Research Group Mycology, Department of Biology, Ghent UniversityBelgium; email: eske.decrop@ugent.be
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Cameroon ;
Protected area: Dja
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Fungi ; Taxonomy ; Genetics

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Abstract: Tropical forest regions in equatorial Africa are threatened with degradation, deforestation and biodiversity loss as a result of land-cover change. We investigated historical land-cover dynamics in unprotected forested areas of the Littoral Region in south-western Cameroon during 1975-2017, to detect changes that may influence this important biodiversity and wildlife area. Processed Landsat imagery was used to map and monitor changes in land use and land cover. From 1975 to 2017 the area of high-value forest landscapes decreased by c. 420,000 ha, and increasing forest fragmentation caused a decline of c. 12% in the largest patch index. Conversely, disturbed vegetation, cleared areas and urban areas all expanded in extent, by 32% (c. 400,000 ha), 5.6% (c. 26,800 ha) and 6.6% (c. 78,631 ha), respectively. The greatest increase was in the area converted to oil palm plantations (c. 26,893 ha), followed by logging and land clearing (c. 34,838 ha), all of which were the major factors driving deforestation in the study area. Our findings highlight the increasing threats facing the wider Littoral Region, which includes Mount Nlonako and Ebo Forest, both of which are critical areas for regional conservation and the latter a proposed National Park and the only sizable area of intact forest in the region. Intact forest in the Littoral Region, and in particular at Ebo, merits urgent protection. Copyright © Fauna & Flora International 2019.
Source title: ORYX
DOI: 10.1017/S0030605318000881
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85071923147&doi=10.1017%2fS0030605318000881&partnerID=40&md5=46e1f91772e3879f8fe2fba3c6f58d36
Correspondence Address: Mahmoud, M.I.; Center for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Science, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook UniversityAustralia; email: mahmoud.mahmoud@jcu.edu.au
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Cameroon ;
Protected area: Ebo
Main topic: Environment
Subtopic: Land use / cover

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Abstract: This Paper examines how people's livelihoods and perceptions of wildlife are related to self-reported poaching (here defined as commercial bushmeat hunting)in 25 villages at the northern buffer zone of the Dja Biosphere Reserve, East Cameroon. Using a six-point Likert scale questionnaire among 263 households interviewed form March to June 2017, the following hypothesis were tested: (1)Households with positive perceptions of wildlife are less involved in poaching; (2)Positive perceptions of wildlife are linked to sustainable livelihood improvement of households; and (3)Sustainable livelihood improvement of households leads to poaching alleviation. The study area has been the site since 2010 for a community-centered conservation Program that aims to improve local people's livelihoods (through the creation of income sources based on cocoa-based agroforestry and Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs)Valorization)and their perceptions of wildlife (mainly through awareness raising and wildlife education)and therefore divert them from poaching. The main findings of the study indicates that positive perceptions of wildlife are linked to lower levels of poaching. Similarly, positive perception of wildlife was positively related to Livelihood improvement of the respondents. However, livelihood improvement alone did not predict poaching alleviation though we reported a significant difference in poaching frequencies of cocoa and non-cocoa producers with the firsts less involved in poaching. The findings of this study recommend more holistic approaches of biodiversity conservation that integrate simultaneously perception and livelihood improvement. © 2019
Source title: Acta Oecologica
DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2019.04.006
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85065168648&doi=10.1016%2fj.actao.2019.04.006&partnerID=40&md5=f31fda8630ed4cec2edbb9b3906df725
Correspondence Address: Epanda, M.A.; African Wildlife Foundation, University of DschangCameroon; email: epandaa@yahoo.fr
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Cameroon ;
Protected area: Dja
Main topic: Humans
Subtopic: Perceptions / Behaviors ; Conservation initiatives ; Hunting / Poaching ; Income-generating activities ; Non-timber forest products ; Agriculture

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Abstract: Genetic estimation of population sizes has been critical for monitoring cryptic and rare species; however, population estimates do not inherently reveal the permanence or stability of the population under study. Thus, it is important to monitor not only the number of individuals in a population, but also how they are associated in groups and how those groups are distributed across the landscape. Adding to the challenge of obtaining such information with high precision for endangered and elusive species is the need for long-term collection of such data. In this study we compare sampling approaches and genotype non-invasive genetic samples to estimate the number and distribution of wild western lowland gorillas occupying a ~ 100 km2 area in Loango National Park, Gabon, for the periods 2005–2007 and 2014–2017. Based on the number of genotyped individuals we inferred a minimum of 83 gorillas during the first and 81 gorillas during the second study period. We also obtained similar capture–recapture population size estimates for the two periods despite variance in social dynamics like group formations, group dissolutions and individual dispersal. We furthermore found area fidelity for two groups that were sampled for 10–12 years, despite variation in group membership. Our results revealed how individual movements link groups in a ‘network’ and show that western lowland gorilla populations can show a high degree of temporal and geographic stability concurrent with substantial social dynamics. © 2019, The Author(s).
Source title: Conservation Genetics
DOI: 10.1007/s10592-019-01209-w
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85070777231&doi=10.1007%2fs10592-019-01209-w&partnerID=40&md5=414b45c1ecb3e6e929812b3ee133945f
Correspondence Address: Hagemann, L.; Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, Germany; email: laura_hagemann@eva.mpg.de
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Gabon ;
Protected area: Loango
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Primates ; Genetics ; Abundance ; Biology / Ecology

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Abstract: Hunting and logging, ubiquitous human disturbances in tropical forests, have the potential to alter the ecological processes that govern population recruitment and community composition. Hunting-induced declines in populations of seed-dispersing animals are expected to reduce dispersal of the tree species that rely on them, resulting in potentially greater distance- and density-dependent mortality. At the same time, selective logging may alter competitive interactions among tree species, releasing remaining trees from light, nutrient or space limitations. Taken together, these disturbances may alter the community composition of tropical forests, with implications for carbon storage, biodiversity conservation and ecosystem function. To evaluate the effects of hunting and logging on tree fecundity and seed dispersal, we use 3 years of seed rain data from a large-scale observational experiment in previously logged, hunted and protected forests in northern Republic of Congo (Brazzaville). We find that low-intensity logging had a meaningful long-term effect on species-specific seed dispersal distances, though the direction and magnitude varied and was not congruent within dispersal vector. Tree fecundity increased with tree diameter, but did not differ appreciably across disturbance regimes. The species-specific dispersal responses to logging in this study point towards the long-lasting toll of disturbance on ecological function and highlight the necessity of conserving intact forest. © 2018 The Author(s) 2018. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Annals of Botany Company.
Source title: AoB PLANTS
DOI: 10.1093/aobpla/ply074
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85070448118&doi=10.1093%2faobpla%2fply074&partnerID=40&md5=eb42e3dfabd4441a2f71227d5ee1b1a8
Correspondence Address: Nuñez, C.L.; University Program in Ecology, Duke UniversityUnited States; email: cln12@duke.edu
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Republic of Congo ;
Protected area: Nouabalé-Ndoki
Main topic: Humans ; Biodiversity
Subtopic: Hunting / Poaching ; Timber ; Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Birds ; Plants ; Biology / Ecology ; Survey / Monitoring ; Structure / Biomass

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Abstract: Background: Limited accessibility to intestinal epithelial tissue in wild animals and humans makes it challenging to study patterns of intestinal gene regulation, and hence to monitor physiological status and health in field conditions. To explore solutions to this limitation, we have used a noninvasive approach via fecal RNA-seq, for the quantification of gene expression markers in gastrointestinal cells of free-range primates and a forager human population. Thus, a combination of poly(A) mRNA enrichment and rRNA depletion methods was used in tandem with RNA-seq to quantify and compare gastrointestinal gene expression patterns in fecal samples of wild Gorilla gorilla gorilla (n = 9) and BaAka hunter-gatherers (n = 10) from The Dzanga Sangha Protected Areas, Central African Republic. Results: Although only a small fraction (< 4.9%) of intestinal mRNA signals was recovered, the data was sufficient to detect significant functional differences between gorillas and humans, at the gene and pathway levels. These intestinal gene expression differences were specifically associated with metabolic and immune functions. Additionally, non-host RNA-seq reads were used to gain preliminary insights on the subjects' dietary habits, intestinal microbiomes, and infection prevalence, via identification of fungi, nematode, arthropod and plant RNA. Conclusions: Overall, the results suggest that fecal RNA-seq, targeting gastrointestinal epithelial cells can be used to evaluate primate intestinal physiology and gut gene regulation, in samples obtained in challenging conditions in situ. The approach used herein may be useful to obtain information on primate intestinal health, while revealing preliminary insights into foraging ecology, microbiome, and diet. © 2019 The Author(s).
Source title: BMC Genomics
DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-5813-z
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85067291264&doi=10.1186%2fs12864-019-5813-z&partnerID=40&md5=452aa23f85c09760d849d5ab0a1acdd1
Correspondence Address: Petrželková, K.J.; Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Kv?tná 8, Czech Republic; email: petrzelkova@ivb.cz
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Central African Republic ;
Protected area: Dzanga-Sangha
Main topic: Health
Subtopic: Human & animal health

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Abstract: In the lowland rain forest of SW Cameroon, a field experiment tested whether ectomycorrhizal hyphal connections might affect the growth and survival of seedlings of a principal tree species, Microberlinia bisulcata, close to its adults. Nursery-raised seedlings were planted into fine-, medium-, and coarse-mesh root bags, and as no-bag controls, in replicate subplots. The bags prevented fungal hyphae, and fine- and medium-sized roots, respectively, entering from the outside forest floor root mat. Harvests were taken after 1 and 2 yr, with non-destructive recording in between. Seedlings grew in typically low-light locations. Survivorship did not differ between treatments (33%), but seedlings grew significantly better in terms of stem dry mass by harvest 2 in the medium-mesh compared with other treatments. Treatment 1 to 3 seedlings had stem masses 25, 44, and 5% higher than controls, respectively. Using a method of differences across treatments, the positive effect of ectomycorrhizas on growth was 13.6%, while the negative effect of root competition (RCM) was 31.2% (net outcome = 17.6%). Adjustment was made to account for root penetration damaging some mesh bags. Differences in growth in replicate subplots were, however, much larger than those for treatments. Elemental analysis of seedling plant parts showed few differences between treatments, but phosphorus was high in stems, aluminum and iron were very high in roots, and copper was deficiently low in leaves. Soil analyses revealed very low copper levels, suggesting with the seedling results that this element was critically limiting for seedlings. Ectomycorrhizas are probably important for copper uptake (as for phosphorus), so roots may have been competing for this element. Because seedlings were growing in the shade and the soil was inhibitory to roots, they could not form network connections enough to positively out-balance root competition. The efficacy of ectomycorrhizal networks for at least seedling establishment in this forest is low. © 2019 The Authors.
Source title: Ecosphere
DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.2686
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85065025264&doi=10.1002%2fecs2.2686&partnerID=40&md5=caead9464ce2c9bc6adf11c67eb1dd1c
Correspondence Address: Newbery, D.M.; Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Altenbergrain 21, Switzerland; email: david.newbery@ips.unibe.ch
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Cameroon ;
Protected area: Korup
Main topic: Environment ; Biodiversity
Subtopic: Geology / Pedology ; Plants ; Fungi ; Biology / Ecology

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Abstract: The participation of local communities in the governance of protected areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo is challenged by several external and local factors. This article aims to understand the representation of local communities and factors that influence their participation in the governance of the Yangambi Biosphere Reserve. Three principal sources of information (archival records, focus group and semi-structured interviews) were used to collect data. The results indicate a top-down participatory approach. The cumulative failure of several projects in the context of local development has led to different perceptions by local communities of their role in the participative governance of Yangambi Biosphere Reserve. Initiatives in participatory management and local development only function during the lifetime of externally-funded projects when initiators are present in the intervention area. The results call into question formal claims made by both conservation projects and the Congolese government regarding the actual participation of local communities in the governance of Biosphere Reserves. Furthermore, although Biosphere Reserves in DRC are recognized as part of the national network of protected areas since 2002, their management is still not aligned to either the Seville Strategy or the statutory framework of the world network of Biosphere Reserves. To achieve this, local development initiatives need to focus on poverty alleviation (through the diversification of income sources, entrepreneurship, farmer training and the creation of employment opportunities) and a better understanding of local practices and cultures in the design of such projects. © 2019 Justin Kyale Koy et al.
Source title: Nature Conservation
DOI: 10.3897/natureconservation.33.30781
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85068986218&doi=10.3897%2fnatureconservation.33.30781&partnerID=40&md5=7a943b45282fb149eb28f611e9369a68
Correspondence Address: Koy, J.K.; University of Kisangani, PO Box 2012, Congo; email: koykyale@yahoo.fr
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Democratic Republic of Congo ;
Protected area: Yangambi
Main topic: Humans
Subtopic: Governance / Policy ; Periphery / Management ; Perceptions / Behaviors ; Conservation initiatives ; Income-generating activities

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Abstract: Bonobos (Pan paniscus) consume a variety of vertebrates, although direct observations remain relatively rare compared to chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). We report the first direct observations of meat eating and sharing among bonobos at Iyema, Lomako Forest, Democratic Republic of Congo. We collected meat consumption data ad libitum from June to November 2017 over 176.5 observation hours and conducted monthly censuses to measure the abundance of potential prey species. We observed 3 occasions of duiker consumption and found indirect evidence of meat consumption twice (n = 5). We identified the prey species as Weyn's duiker (Cephalophus weynsi) in all 4 cases that we saw the carcass. This species was the most abundant duiker species at Iyema, but other potential prey species were also available. Meat sharing was observed or inferred during all 3 observations. However, the individual controlling the carcass frequently resisted sharing, and aggressive attempts to take the carcass were observed. This report contributes to a growing body of data suggesting that wild bonobos consume meat at higher rates than previously thought, female control of carcasses is frequent but not exclusive, and meat sharing in bonobos is primarily passive but not without aggression. © 2019 S. Karger AG, Basel. Copyright: All rights reserved.
Source title: Folia Primatologica
DOI: 10.1159/000496026
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85063365435&doi=10.1159%2f000496026&partnerID=40&md5=e005f2ae115457f1c23e592731543b76
Correspondence Address: Wakefield, M.L.; Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Philosophy, Northern Kentucky University, 1 Nunn Drive, United States; email: wakefieldm2@nku.edu
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Democratic Republic of Congo ;
Protected area: Lomako-Yokokala
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Primates ; Ungulates ; Biology / Ecology ; Survey / Monitoring ; Abundance

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Abstract: Two new species of the oribatid mite genus Malaconothrus (Oribatida, Malaconothridae), both taken from litter and soil in the Korup National Park, Cameroon, are described. Malaconothrus crassilamellaris sp. n. differs from M. rohri Balogh 1997 in the structure and length of notogastral setae e2, h1 and p3. Malaconothrus ciliarostralis sp. n. differs from M. stigmatus Yamamoto et Coetzee 2003 and M. yamamotoi Aoki 1994 in notogastral ornamentation, as well as in the structure of notogastral setae, genital setae g1, g2 and adanal setae ad1. © 2019 Izdatel'stvo Nauka. All rights reserved.
Source title: Zoologicheskii Zhurnal
DOI: 10.1134/S004451341903005X
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85073748599&doi=10.1134%2fS004451341903005X&partnerID=40&md5=79068084ff7f6f763c9d40520208e5fe
Correspondence Address:
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Cameroon ;
Protected area: Korup
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Invertebrates ; Taxonomy ; Biology / Ecology

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Abstract: The results of multi-year studies on undetermined specimens integrated with those of a research expedition in the Ivindo forest in Gabon are given. Three new species are described and illustrated: Chrysocatharylla larseni sp. n., Calamotropha hausmanni sp. n. and Calamotropha paradiakonoffi sp. n.; the new synonymy Pseudocatharylla ruwenzorella Bleszynski = Pseudocatharylla tisiphone Bassi syn. n. is established; seven species are reported as new to Gabon. © 2019 CREA-DC, Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification. All rights reserved.
Source title: Redia
DOI: 10.19263/REDIA-102.19.06
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85078943683&doi=10.19263%2fREDIA-102.19.06&partnerID=40&md5=4d118ff3b294bfd8143b294fbf455d22
Correspondence Address: BASSI, G.; Museum d'Historie Naturelle de GeneveSwitzerland; email: alphacrambus@gmail.com
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Gabon ;
Protected area: Ivindo
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Animals ; Invertebrates ; Taxonomy ; Biology / Ecology

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Abstract: [No abstract available]
Source title: African Journal of Ecology
DOI: 10.1111/aje.12585
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85060521017&doi=10.1111%2faje.12585&partnerID=40&md5=55e870388c4a8f92c72feabb8b0017d7
Correspondence Address: Kayitete, L.; Biology Department, School of Sciences, University of RwandaRwanda; email: kayitetelab7@gmail.com
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Rwanda ;
Protected area: Volcans
Main topic: Biodiversity
Subtopic: Plants ; Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Biology / Ecology

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Abstract: The African manatee has been poorly studied throughout its range and is heavily hunted. This study aimed at discerning patterns in manatee sightings and emerging conflicts with humans, as well as the local perception of manatees, outside the southern periphery of Korup National Park, Cameroon. The study investigated whether patterns in manatee sightings and manatee-related conflicts differ between aquatic systems in southern Korup, and which demographic variables determine perceptions of the manatee in the study area. For this purpose, the study used a three-stage stratified random sampling design with a structured questionnaire to survey 101 local fishers. The reported patterns of manatee sightings and manatee-related conflicts were as follows: in the Nyangorobe River during the wet season only, where crop raiding and net destruction by manatees were reported; in the Ndian River and the mangrove estuary only during the dry season, where fish theft and net damage were reported; and in the Moko River during both seasons, where crop raiding, fish theft, and net destruction were reported. Reducing these conflicts is likely to increase local support for the conservation of manatees, because fishermen kill them in response to net destruction and fish loss. Most reported sightings were at waterway intersections and river bends, suggesting that waterway connectivity is important to manatees for dispersal, foraging, and escape from danger. The log-odds probability of negative perception decreased significantly with awareness of manatee protected status but increased with age and primary or higher education level. These findings have implications for community outreach focused on raising awareness of the importance of manatee conservation by schoolchildren and the public. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Source title: Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems
DOI: 10.1002/aqc.3210
Link: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85071372234&doi=10.1002%2faqc.3210&partnerID=40&md5=1d118f3efcc0c33033e979268a9893b7
Correspondence Address: Mayaka, T.B.; Department of Animal Biology, University of Dschang, West Region, Cameroon; email: th.mayaka@gmail.com
Language of Original Document: English
Access Type: Article
Country: ; Cameroon ;
Protected area: Korup
Main topic: Biodiversity ; Humans
Subtopic: Animals ; Vertebrates ; Mammals ; Biology / Ecology ; Hunting / Poaching ; Perceptions / Behaviors ; Human-wildlife conflicts ; Periphery / Management ; Demography ; Conservation initiatives