Influence of water level,hunting pressure and habitat type on crocodile abundance in the fly river drainage,Papua New Guinea

Between October 1978 and July 1980, day and night crocodile surveys were conducted at low, normal and high water levels over 2703 km of river and lakeshore in the Western and Southern Highlands provinces of Papua New Guinea. The 1353 crocodiles seen ranged between 0·18 and 2·23 animals per km.Night counts recorded 12·9 times as many crocodiles as day counts over the same area. This may indicate more nocturnal activity than occurs in other crocodilians. Unhunted areas had a greater proportion of large crocodiles than did hunted regions. As the water level rose, the ‘visible juveniles’ category decreased as a result of migration into newly flooded adjacent swamplands. The upstream range of New Guinea crocodiles on the Strickland River extended only to the Burnett River junction.There was an increase in flight distance with increasing body size and this rate of increase was over twice as large for hunted populations as for unhunted ones.     

BOOK REVIEW

Book reviewed in this articles:
Review of Soil Research and Management in Papua New Guinea . Special issue of Papua New Guinea Journal of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, 1998.     

Soil-landform relationships at two localities in Papua New Guinea

Two test areas, each of several hectares, in denudational terrain in the lowlands and highlands of Papua New Guinea were intensively studied to establish the association between soil conditions and landforms. Whether soils were allocated either to the great soil groups of a classification based on the 7th Approximation or to FAO soil units, an extremely wide range of soils occurred in each of the land units that could be distinguished on the basis of landform. Defensible statements concerning soil distribution were achieved only by limiting the categories of soil to the level of soil orders and by restricting the number of land units to three or four. Even so, the statistical significance of the relationships was very low.These results indicate that current techniques and sampling densities used in photointerpretative land resource surveys in terrains typical of Papua New Guinea can produce only very generalized information on soil distribution. To obtain reliable predictions of soil information at the level commonly implied in such surveys, further intensive studies on the relationships between attributes of soil, landform and vegetation are required.     

Demonstrating decline of an iconic species under sustained indigenous harvest – The pig-nosed turtle (Carettochelys insculpta) in Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea has astonishing biological and cultural diversity which, coupled with a strong community reliance on the land and its biota for subsistence, add complexity to monitoring and conservation and in particular, the demonstration of declines in wildlife populations. Many species of concern are long-lived which provides additional challenges for conservation. We provide, for the first time, concrete evidence of a substantive decline in populations of the pig-nosed turtle (Carettochelys insculpta); an important source of protein for local communities. Our study combined matched village and market surveys separated by 30 years, trends in nesting female size, and assessment of levels and efficacy of harvest, each of which was an essential ingredient to making a definitive assessment of population trends. Opportunities for an effective response by local communities to these declines needs to consider both conservation and fisheries perspectives because local communities consider the turtle a food resource, whereas the broader global community views it as a high priority for conservation. Our study in the Kikori region is representative of harvest regimes in most rivers within the range of the species in Papua New Guinea, and provides lessons for conservation of many other wildlife species subject to harvest.     

Development and environment in Peninsular Malaysia: By Robert S. Aiken,C. H. Leigh,T. R. Leinbach and M. R. Moss. McGraw-Hill,Singapore. 1982. xx + 310 pp,numerous figures,plates and tables. 24·5 × 17·5 cm. ISBN 0 07099 204 5. Price: US$29·95

The accomplishments of the Government of India/UNDP/FAO Project in the conservation of three species of crocodiles during the period 1975 to 1982 are reviewed. Sixteen crocodile rehabilitation centres and eleven crocodile sanctuaries have been established. A total of 879 gharials, 190 estuarine crocodiles and 493 mugger have been released. A viable breeding population of gharials now exists in the National Ghambal Sanctuary. A Crocodile Breeding and Management Training Institute was established by the Government of India in 1980 and has trained 48 managers of crocodile stations. Improvements are required in the management of crocodile sanctuaries and the evaluation of crocodile habitat. Releases of crocodiles in the wild require monitoring of survival and movements. There is a need for educating the public about crocodile conservation.     

Genetic data confirms field evidence for natural breeding in a wild taro population (Colocasia esculenta) in northern Queensland, Australia

Taro (Colocasia esculenta) is a vegetatively propagated, starchy root crop cultivated in tropical to temperate regions of the world. Wild forms of taro are distributed from India to southern China, Australia and Melanesia. They are widely known wild food or fodder sources, including in Aboriginal Australia, so it is unclear to what extent wild populations have been dispersed by humans, or naturally via insect-borne pollen and seed dispersal by birds or other animals. In Australia, pollinators and seedlings of taro have not been reported, and a key question is whether or not the wild taro there can breed naturally. Here we report field observations of flowering, fruit set, and an insect pollinator (Colocasiomyia, pupal stage), in a historically significant wild taro population at Hopevale in northern Queensland. The observed pupa is congeneric with two pollinating fly species that have a highly specialised, probably coevolutionary, relationship with taro in neighbouring Papua New Guinea. The field observations suggested the possibility of natural breeding at Hopevale. By analyzing microsatellite diversity within the Hopevale taro population, we found high genetic variation overall, indicative of multiple founding individuals. Two sublocations showed low genetic diversity and strongly negative inbreeding coefficients, consistent with predominantly clonal (vegetative) reproduction. A third sublocation showed high genetic diversity and a weakly negative inbreeding coefficient, indicative of sexual reproduction. This difference between sublocations may relate to microenvironmental conditions that favour seedling establishment in some parts of the site. The data constitute the first demonstration that natural breeding and population spread occurs in Australian wild taro.     

BOOK REVIEW

Book Reviewed in this article:
A Place Against Time–Land and Environment in the Papua New Guinea Highlands By P. Sillitoe.     

The introduced fishes of Papua New Guinea with special reference to Tilapia mossambica

Twenty-one species of freshwater fishes in 19 genera (Salmo, Salvelinus, Retropinna, Barbus, Ctenopharyngodon, Cyprinus, Hypophthalmichthys, Puntius, Tandanus, Gambusia, Poecilia, Percolates, Plectroplites, Bidyanus, Tilapia, Trachystoma, Hypseleotris, Osphronemus and Trichogaster) representing 11 families and all six continental regions have been introduced into Papua New Guinea. A list of species, date of first introduction, distribution and comments are presented. The dispersal of Tilapia mossambica on Bougainville Island from a single introduction followed by floods and human transport is discussed.     

RAPD variation in sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) cultivars from South America and Papua New Guinea

The island of New Guinea is considered a secondary center on diversity for sweetpotato, because of its range of isolated ecological niches and large number of cultivars found within a small area. Information of genetic diversity in Papua New Guinea (PNG) sweetpotato is essential for rationalizing the global sweetpotato germplasm collection. Using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), we compared the genetic variation and genetic diversity in 18 PNG cultivars versus 18 cultivars from South America. The analysis of molecular variance revealed large genetic diversity in both groups of cultivars. The within-group (among individuals) variation accounted for 90.6% of the total molecular variance. However, the difference between PNG and South American groups is statistically significant, although it explained only 9.4% of the total molecular variance. The PNG cultivars are also less divergent than their South American ancestors as the mean genetic distance in PNG group is significantly smaller than that of South American group. The lower level of genetic diversity in PNG cultivars was also reflected by multidimensional scaling. This study shows that PNG cultivars, after many years of isolated evolution in an unique agro-ecological environment are substantially divergent from their ancestors in South America. The genetic diversity level in PNG cultivars is significantly lower than that in South American cultivars. It thus provides a baseline for continuing studies of genetic diversity in different sweetpotato gene pools.     

Collection of new diversity of wild and cultivated bananas (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Musa</Emphasis> spp.) in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville,Papua New Guinea

Bananas (Musa spp.), including dessert and cooking types, are of major importance in the tropics. Due to extremely high levels of sterility, the diversity of cultivated bananas is fixed over long periods of time to the existing genotypes. This pattern puts banana-based agrosystems at risk. Therefore, assessing the extent of wild and cultivated banana diversity, conserving it and making it available for further use is a priority. We report here the collection of new wild and cultivated banana germplasm in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Papua New Guinea. In total, 61 accessions were collected and their names and uses were recorded when possible. Classification was also provided based on the observations made in the field. Three wild specimens were collected. Among the 58 cultivated accessions, we noted that eight were used as ornamental plants, seven were edible varieties of the Fe’i type and two were natural tetraploids from the Musa section. The ploidy was then checked by flow cytometry and the accessions were genotyped with a set of 19 SSR markers. The genotyping results were merged to the dataset from Christelová et al. (Biodivers Conserv 26:801–824, 2017). This joint analysis helped refine or confirm the classification of the collected accessions. It also allowed to identify 10 private alleles and 35 genotypes or Genotype Groups that were not present in the wider dataset. Finally, it shed light on the diversification processes at work in the region, such as the capture of mutations by farmers and the likely occurrence of geneflow within the cultivated genepool.     

Trace element concentrations in tropical marine fish at Bougainville Island,Papua New Guinea

Baseline trace element concentrations have been measured in eight species of marine fish from Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea. This is the first stage in an assessment of environmental impact associated with mining operations. In general, concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Hg, and As in edible portions of the fish comply with Australian National Health and Medical Research Council public health standards. Two species of shark contained As concentrations in muscle tissue in excess of prescribed standards. Increased concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Cd were recorded in liver and kidney, but Hg and Pb were not preferentially accumulated in these organs. The relationship between the size of fish and metal assay was investigated. Mercury content and weight of fish were always positively correlated but concentrations of other metals were variably correlated with size.     

Saltwater crocodile attacks on man

All instances of attacks on humans by large saltwater crocodiles Crocodylus porosus over a ten-year period are reported. Despite daily human intrusions into the crocodile's aquatic environment and the presence of extremely large male crocodiles (the usual offenders), only four instances of attack occurred in 10 years. Hence, saltwater crocodiles in Orissa, India, cannot be considered a serious threat to human life and actively avoid preying on man—an easy victim.     

Fruit component analysis of south Pacific coconut palm populations

The south Pacific region contains a large genetic resource for the genetic improvement of coconut palms (Cocos nucifera L.). A study of the diversity in the species was made during 1992/3 using fruit component analysis on a representative sample from 29 distinct south Pacific populations in order to characterise the germplasm present in the region. A large diversity in fruit morphology was found that ranged from populations exhibiting wild-type characters in central Pacific to populations displaying domesticated characteristics in Rennell Island, the Sikaiana Islands, the Marquesas Islands, and in Papua New Guinea. Many populations exhibited fruit characteristics intermediate between the two, which were thought to have arisen due to introgressive hybridisation between the wild and domesticated populations. Continuous variation in fruit morphology was found in these populations, and cluster analysis arbitrarily divided the continuum into discrete groups which were consistent with geographic affinities. Groups were defined in Melanesia, Western Polynesia and Eastern Polynesia. The continuum displayed clinal variation from populations with small fruit and low husk content in the west to large fruit and more husk in the east of the region. The wild and domesticated populations were found in disjunct pockets throughout the area, and did not form part of the clines. Most populations consisted of a wide range of fruit morphology, from individuals expressing wild-type characters to those with domestic-type characters. The occurrence of both wild and domesticated populations within the clinal variation indicates that further exploration should be made to determine the presence of other potentially useful populations. While this activity is proceeding, collection and conservation can proceed using the classification already defined.     

Snake prices and crocodile appetites: Aquatic wildlife supply and demand on Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia

Commercial trade is a major driver of over-exploitation of wild species, but the pattern of demand and how it responds to changes in supply is poorly understood. Here we explore the markets for snakes from Tonle Sap Lake in Cambodia to evaluate future exploitation scenarios, identify entry points for conservation and, more generally, to illustrate the value of multi-scale analysis of markets to traded wildlife conservation. In Cambodia, the largest driver of snake exploitation is the domestic trade in snakes as crocodile food. We estimate that farmed crocodiles consume between 2.7 and 12.2 million snakes per year. The market price for crocodiles has been in decline since 2003, which, combined with rising prices for their food, has led to a reduced frequency of feeding and closure of small farms. The large farms that generate a disproportionate amount of the demand for snakes continue to operate in anticipation of future market opportunities, and preferences for snakes could help maintain demand if market prices for crocodiles rise to pre 2003 levels. In the absence of a sustained demand from crocodile farms, it is also possible that alternative markets will develop, such as one for human snack food. The demand for snakes, however, also depends on the availability of substitute resources, principally fish. The substitutability and low price elasticity of demand offers a relatively sustainable form of consumerism. Given the nature of these market drivers, addressing consumer preferences and limiting the protection of snakes to their breeding season are likely to be the most effective tools for conservation. This study highlights the importance of understanding the structure of markets and the behaviour of consumer demand prior to implementing regulations on wildlife hunting and trade.     

Biomolecular evidence for plant domestication in Sahul

The question of the introduction of domesticated plants from the Sunda plate (South-east Asia) to Sahul (New Guinea, Australia and Tasmania) has been a subject of speculation and debate for decades. This paper reviews recent phylogenetic studies conducted with biomolecular markers on bananas (Musa spp.), breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis), sugarcane (Saccharum spp.), taro (Colocasia esculenta) and the greater yam (Dioscorea alata). Biomolecular evidence for plant domestication in Sahul is presented and discussed. Biomolecular markers reveal that for these crops at least, domestication has occurred in New Guinea and further east in Melanesia. This domestication produced cultivated genotypes that were selected from the endemic wild gene pools. These areas of domestication still are important centres of diversity for crop species that also exist in Asia. For most crops, genetic distances are very important between the two gene pools due to the geographic isolation of the two continental plates. The implications of these findings have obvious bearings on genetic resources programme strategies and future surveys.     

Genetic diversity and population structure of Guinea yams and their wild relatives in South and South West Ethiopia as revealed by microsatellite markers

Genetic diversity and population structure of Guinea yams and their wild relatives collected from south and south west Ethiopia were assessed using microsatellite markers. The total number of alleles amplified for the 7 loci studied was found to be 60, with an average of 8.6 alleles per locus. The average expected heterozygosity for the entire population was found to be 64 % indicating that Guinea yams and their wild relatives in the study area display a high level of genetic diversity. Using allelic richness as a measure of genetic diversity the wild forms exhibited greater allelic diversity than the cultigens. Contrary to what is expected in vegetatively propagated crops, none of the seven loci studied showed a significant excess of heterozygotes. In all the comparisons made, a low mean F_ST (but significant) has been observed, indicating that the majority of microsatellite diversity in the populations under study was found within rather than between populations.