Flying foxes, Pteropodidae, are regarded as an important family for forest maintenance and regeneration because they are considered ‘‘keystone’’ seed dispersers (Cox et al. 1991). Over 289 plant species are known to depend on pollination and seed dispersal by flying foxes and 91% of dispersed seeds are handled by flying foxes (McConkey 2006). Many forest trees are pollinated or dispersed solely or predominantly by flying foxes (Win & Mya 2015). Flying foxes are particularly valued for their long-distance dispersal of pollen and seeds due to their high mobility and because of their capability to retain seeds and pollen for an extended period of time. Long-distance seed dispersal is essential for forest expansion as well as maintaining connectivity among plant populations in …show more content…
Many flying fox species are geographically isolated and therefore threatened and endangered. The most efficient way to combat this is through the development of individualized conservation management plans for both species and subspecies. Identification of distinct lineages is essential in setting conservation priorities for natural populations (Brown et al. 2011). Bat morphology can be used to identify a species based on wingspan, wing to body size ratio, and fur pigmentation and density, though differences in bat morphology are often subjectively minor. This is even truer in flying foxes, which have extensive morphological overlap between species. This makes it difficult to identify both species and subspecies based on morphology, especially when analyzing the bats when roosting through a scope. Pteropus hypomelanus (Figure 1) and Acerodon jubatus (Figure 2) would be extremely difficult to identify based solely on the aforementioned morphological characteristics. For accurate speciation, identification would have to occur through
Reproduction and passing on genetic and behavioral traits to an offspring is a common fundamental to all the species on this planet. When studying forest ecology, it is crucial to study the proportion of individuals surviving at each stage of their growth as the lives and mortality experienced in a species population describes a characteristic of the species in question. In the case of American beech and sugar maple, their attempt to produce seeds is analogous to entering lottery, where every seedling has a potential chance of becoming a canopy but only some will survive and reach the canopy size; thus, becoming the fit ‘winners’. Our information shows that together, based on size class distribution, both the species display a ‘winner takes all’ pattern, which supports our hypothesis. The results showed a greater count for seedlings and short saplings than for tall saplings, sub-canopies and canopies. This is evident for a Type III survivorship curve. In Type III curve all individuals initially having a very low chance of survival. However, once the individuals pass their threshold age and survive, they live an advanced age. Only some individuals out the mast seeding production mature to become fully fit canopy trees. On the other hand, our hypothesis of canopy trees representing the bulk of the biomass was supported as the basal areas decreased going from growth stages of canopy to seedlings. This is evidence that once the individuals survive the bottleneck where there is high mortality of young individuals (seedlings), who are then considered as ‘losers’, will allow for the other larger size class individuals to flourish. Here, having considerable amount of dbh (diameter at breast height) accounts for greater surfac...
A species in particular that I have researched is the red fox or Vulpes vulpes as it is known in the scientific community. The animal is native to North America, Asia and Europe where they thrive in habitats ranging from temperate deserts to boreal forests, but its range spans the entire globe (Tesky 1995). The red fox is omnivorous which means that it feeds on animals and plants equally, which, creates impacts on both types of populations within its habitat. What makes the red fox invasive is its introduction to Australia and Eastern parts of the United States, as a result of migration of Europeans t...
The relationship of the three species and their ancestors can be summarized by looking at the fossils above. It is evident that all of these three species possess fangs and other types of sharp, prominent teeth. These analogous features indicate that there is some similarity in ancestry, since they all form part of the same family group, although they come from different genus. However, there is some difference in the shape of the head. The coyote possesses a straighter jaw and more angular head. The wolf, on the other side, has a wider denture similar to the fox. These three species also share Homologous structures, such as fangs, are present in these species. Another homologous structure is the legs and ribs, since they all have a similar
The thoughts presented in the stories are very similar as both characters are somewhat childlike and are quite naive. Choy once again uses dialogue to show how Mie isn’t as wise as her parents. Mie’s mother who is much wiser says “Well, when I was your age I had many dreams, as children do,”(Choy 11). Here Mie’s mother sees Mie’s dream as childish as she needs to be worried about things that are much more important. Imagery is also used to show how Mie wants to see the red cranes. Mie’s thoughts are still presented similarly through dialogue between her and her parents. Sachiko has many experiences with the fireflies and takes actions unlike Mie who wishes to see red cranes. Tanizaki also continues to use symbolism and imagery, with many descriptions to indicate how Sachiko’s character develops throughout the
The idea of writing at any school level or in life is seen more as a grueling task than enjoyable experience. In the novel, Bird by Bird, the author Anne Lamott is speaking to a generation of writers, who may be struggling with the process. The content is rich with stories to help the writer analyze his or her own life to add it to their writing style, a concept that may be hard for some people. Bird by Bird is an effective book, because Lamott includes not only writing tips, but a sense of humor along with life advice.
The Cooper’s Hawk is medium sized and has rounded wings with a long rounded tail. Males are about 39cm and females are about 45cm. Younger birds have yellow legs, and adult birds have orange or red colored legs. The males are more brightly colored than females. Adult birds have dark gray-blue crown and it contrasts with their lighter colored napes. The tails have four straight alternating bands, dark and light brown in adults. The tip of the tail may appear white at times. Some of the areas that the population of Cooper’s ...
Abate, Tom. “Which bird is the better indicator species for old-growth forest?” Bioscience Jan. 1992: 8-9.
Many old-growth forests across the landscape of northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan contain a mixture of tree species rather than a monoculture. Many researchers have put forward ideas to explain the competition and co-existence of tree species in such communities. A theory explaining competition and co-existence between two species is gap regeneration. Gap regeneration is when a gap is created upon death of a plant individual and a new individual, sometimes of the same species as died and sometimes not dependent on environmental heterogeneity, takes its place (Kenneth Lertzman). Canopy gaps during gap regeneration can be explained by either reciprocal replacement or habitat preference . In a reciprocal replacement, seedlings of one species would be found predominately under large trees ...
...marketed for chinchillas from pet stores, but generally they enjoy raisins which you can buy a pack for only $1.
Thesis Statement: Mary Aprarico Castrejon’s essay “The Fighter Bird” reveals her family’s poor living situation and the grit which members of her family, like herself and her papi, have despite of their situation.
Eastman, J. (1997).14-Crow and Jay Family (Corvidae). Birds of forest, yard, and thicket. (pp. 127- 145). Mechanicsburg, Pa: Stackpole Books. Retrieved from: eBook Collection (EBSCOhost) [Accessed 3 March 2014]
Our hypothesis was correct for the most part, however we thought our bird would be more versatile than it really was. Our finches had a very hard time picking up the block seeds because of their very large size. Our finch was very well...
Today, the wing is among the most essential aspects of a bird. Therefore, understanding the morphology of how these wings evolved into flight plays a critical role
Willmer, P.. Ecology: Pollinator – Plant Synchrony Tested by Climate Change. Current Biology. Volume 22, Issue 4, 21 Feb 2012, Pages R131 – R132.
Sikes, Roberts. and William L. Gannon. "Guidelines of the American Society of Mammalogists for the Use of Wild Mammals in Research." Journal of Mammalogy 92.1 (Feb. 2011): 235-253. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 5 Oct. 2011.