Two Tonal Languages of New Guinea

WHILST the tonal languages spoken in West Africa have latterly received W a good deal of attention, it has not been generally realized that such languages are found also in parts of New Guinea. In New Guinea there are in fact two types of tonal languages. In one, the tones may be described as ” ornamental”, i.e. though they exist they do not seem to have semantic value, but rather to be connected with a certain type of sentence rhythm; in the other the tone systems are more definitely akin to those of Western Africa, and in such languages tones do possess semantic value. It is interesting that one at least of the latter group of languages tends also to be monosyllabic. It is hoped to provide a study of the former class of languages—at least one representative of which is also found in Northern Australia—at a later date. The present paper is occupied with the languages in which tones do have semantic value.These languages, so far as has been observed yet, are two in number, and they are spoken along the shores of Huon Gulf, in north-eastern New Guinea. The map on p. 186 will show their locations. Both belong to the group of languages known as Melanesian, and this makes the occurrence of tones even less expected. A considerable number of other languages are spoken round about this area, and though some of these also are Melanesian, they do not seem to have developed tones. Moreover, it would seem that the use of tones in these two languages antedates the coming of the Melanesian languages, for reasons that will be given towards the end of this paper.

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Phylogenetic relationships and historical biogeography of melanotaeniid fishes in Australia and New Guinea

Marine and Freshwater Research ◽

10.1071/mf99159 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 51 (7) ◽

pp. 713 ◽

Cited By ~ 57

Author(s):

K. McGuigan ◽

D. Zhu ◽

G. R. Allen ◽

C. Moritz

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Relationships ◽

New Guinea ◽

Morphological Data ◽

Disjunct Distribution ◽

Northern Australia ◽

Monophyletic Clade ◽

Eastern Australia ◽

North Eastern ◽

Mtdna Diversity ◽

North Western

Phylogenetic analysis of melanotaeniid mtDNA cytochrome b and tRNA Pro-control region sequence is broadly consistent with the current taxonomy. However, the molecular phylogeny supports the elevation of M. s. australis to full species status and indicates either that it is a composite species or has introgressed with sympatric Melanotaenia species. Phenotypically cryptic mtDNA diversity in north-eastern Australia possibly represents an undescribed species. Six major monophyletic clades present in the phylogeny were strongly supported by morphological data. The clades represent three biogeographic regions. Fish from northern New Guinea form a monophyletic clade, within which Melanotaenia and Glossolepis are polyphyletic. The divergence of this clade from those in southern New Guinea is consistent with the final uplift of the Central Highlands 5 million years BP. North-western New Guinea and associated islands represent another highly divergent, monophyletic clade of a similar age to that in northern New Guinea. The remaining four clades form a monophyletic assemblage restricted to southern New Guinea and Australia: one in northern Australia, one with a disjunct distribution in north-western and eastern Australia, one widespread throughout Australia and southern New Guinea, and one in southern New Guinea with an outlying species in northern Australia. The phylogenetic relationships between Australia and southern New Guinea are consistent with episodic connection via the freshwater Lake Carpentaria during periods of low sea level.

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Revision of the Termitinae with snapping soldiers (Isoptera: Termitidae) from New Guinea

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.1769.1.1 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 1769 (1) ◽

pp. 1 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

THOMAS BOURGUIGNON ◽

MAURICE LEPONCE ◽

YVES ROISIN

Keyword(s):

New Guinea ◽

The Other ◽

Northern Australia ◽

Additional Species ◽

Diagnostic Characters

Up to now, three described species of Termitinae with snapping soldier mandibles (the Termes–Capritermes group) were known from New Guinea: Termes odontomachus (Desneux), Macrognathotermes errator Miller and Pericapritermes schultzei (Holmgren). Here, we report the presence of seven additional species, among which three are new to science: Pericapritermes parvus, P. pilosus and P. papuanus. The other four, collected in southern Papuan savannas, were previously known from northern Australia: Ephelotermes paleatus Miller, E. cheeli (Mjöberg), Lophotermes aduncus Miller, and L. brevicephalus Miller. We reassign T. odontomachus to Protocapritermes Holmgren. Diagnostic characters andillustrations are provided for all species. The Oriental affinities of the forest fauna of New Guinea and the similarities between Australian and New Guinean savannas are emphasized.

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How Ancient is West African Maize?

Africa ◽

10.2307/1158283 ◽

1963 ◽

Vol 33 (2) ◽

pp. 115-131 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

M. D. W. Jeffreys

Keyword(s):

West Africa ◽

Sierra Leone ◽

West African ◽

The Other ◽

Vernacular Names ◽

Western Africa ◽

Other Hand

Eastern Whites in Western AfricaMy article on Zaburro was written in the expectation that it would stimulate discussion over the antiquity of maize in West Africa, and the matter has been taken up by Professor Portères (1959), on whose publication Mr. Willett has relied for certain inferences in his article in Africa for January 1962. Among the interesting points brought forward by Professor Portères (1959, vi) are the groups of African vernacular names which indicate that maize was introduced by foreigners, strangers, whitemen. A similar observation had been made more than a hundred years ago by Koelle (a. 1854, v), a missionary in Sierra Leone, who wrote: ‘…the names for onion, rice, maize, &c. show that in many countries [in Africa] these articles have been introduced by foreigners.…’ Who these foreigners were Koelle, with his long list of vernacular words for whiteman to choose from, leaves indeterminate. On the other hand, underlying Professor Portères's view that it was the Portuguese or the Dutch who brought maize to the Guynee coast, lies the assumption that the foreigners, the strangers, the whitemen indicated by these vernacular names were the Portuguese and the Dutch.

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Studies in the Cunoniaceae. I. The genera Ceratopetalum, Gillbeea, Aistopetalum, and Calycomis

Australian Journal of Botany ◽

10.1071/bt9600318 ◽

1960 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 318 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

RD Hoogland

Keyword(s):

New South ◽

New South Wales ◽

New Guinea ◽

The Other ◽

Type Collection ◽

Blue Mountains ◽

South Wales ◽

Eastern Australia ◽

North Eastern ◽

Critical Notes

This first series of studies in the Cunoniaceae offers revisions of the genera Ceratopetalum Sm., Gillbeea F. Muell., Aistopetalum Schltr., and Calycomis D. Don. Full synonymy, bibliography, descriptions, and critical notes are given for the genera and species, and keys to the species are included. The genus Cemtopetalum comprises five species in eastern Australia and New Guinea. C. tetrapterum Mattf., described from New Guinea, is reduced in synonymy under C. succirubrum C. T. White, previously known only from northeastern Queensland. The genus Gillbeea comprises two species, one in north-eastern Queensland and one in New Guinea. The genus Aistopetalum comprises two species in New Guinea; one species is widespread in the northern parts of the island, the other is known only from the type collection. A. tetramerum Kan. et Hat. is reduced in synonymy under A. viticoides. The genus Calycomis is monotypic; its only species, C. australis (A. Cunn.) Hoogl. comb. nov. (Weinmannia australis A. Cunn.) is found in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales and is currently known as Acrophyllum verticillatum or A. venosum.

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A Comparison of the Antimicrobial Skin Peptides of the New Guinea Tree Frog (Litoria genimaculata) and the Fringed Tree Frog (Litoria eucnemis)

Australian Journal of Chemistry ◽

10.1071/ch02070 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 55 (9) ◽

pp. 605 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

C. S. Brinkworth ◽

J. H. Bowie ◽

M. J. Tyler ◽

J. C. Wallace

Keyword(s):

New Guinea ◽

Hinge Region ◽

The Other ◽

Tree Frog ◽

Northern Australia ◽

Skin Secretion ◽

Basic Peptide ◽

Tree Frogs ◽

Antibiotic Peptide ◽

Antibiotic Peptides

The Fringed Tree Frog (Litoria eucnemis) is closely related to the Tree Frog Litoria genimaculata. Both species are found in northern Australia and New Guinea. We have reported that the major antibiotic peptide of L. genimaculata is maculatin 1.1 which has the sequence GLFGVLAKVAAHVVPAIEHF-NH2, and that this basic peptide is different from the hinged caerin 1 peptides (e.g. caerin 1.1, from Litoria splendida and other green tree frogs, which has the sequence GLLSVLGSVAKHVLPHVVPVIAEHL-NH2), in that it lacks four residues of the central hinge region of a caerin 1. Litoria eucnemis has three major host defence peptides, two of these are maculatins (e.g. maculatin 1.3; GLLGLLGSVVSHVVPAIVGHF-NH2) which are related in sequence to that of maculatin 1. The other antibiotic peptide is caerin 1.11 (GLLGAMFKVASKVLPHVVPAITEHF-NH2) a peptide related to the caerin 1 peptides of the green tree frogs of Australia. L. eucnemis is the only species of the Litoria genus (that we have studied) which contains both maculatin and caerin peptides in its skin secretion. The three antibiotic peptides of Litoria eucnemis are significantly less active than maculatin 1.1 and other caerins 1 isolated from anurans of the genus Litoria so far studied.

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An endemic mangrove species, Avicennia integra sp. nov. (Avicenniaceae), in northern Australia*

Australian Systematic Botany ◽

10.1071/sb9880177 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 177 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

NC Duke

Keyword(s):

New Guinea ◽

Northern Territory ◽

Northern Australia ◽

Mangrove Species ◽

Floral Phenology ◽

North Eastern ◽

Distribution And Ecology ◽

Distinguishing Character

This taxon was recognised in Australian mangrove assemblages as Avicennia oficinalis L., which is commonly found in Indo-Malesia and southern New Guinea. However, it is morphologically distinct, and the major distinguishing character of entire margins for calyx and bracts is unique in the genus. This species, described here as A. integra, occurs only in the Northern Territory of Australia. It therefore has the dual distinction for an Australian mangrove species of not only being endemic, but also being absent from the floristically rich tidal forests of north-eastern Queensland. Notes on its floral phenology, distribution and ecology are also given.* Aust. Inst. Marine Sci. Contrib. No. 417.

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A review of the genus Cryptolaemus (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) with particular reference to the species resembling C. montrouzieri Mulsant

Bulletin of Entomological Research ◽

10.1017/s0007485300015194 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 76 (4) ◽

pp. 701-717 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

R. G. Booth ◽

R. D. Pope

Keyword(s):

Papua New Guinea ◽

Solomon Islands ◽

New Guinea ◽

The Other ◽

Northern Australia ◽

Cryptolaemus Montrouzieri ◽

Eastern Australia ◽

The World ◽

Important Predator ◽

Species Groups

AbstractCryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant is a well-known and historically important predator of mealybugs. It is indigenous to eastern Australia, and has been introduced throughout the world for biological control. In contrast, the other members of the genus, including those which resemble C. montrouzieri, remain poorly known. The genus Cryptolaemus, with seven previously described species, is redefined and two species-groups are recognized. The first, the montrouzieri group, comprising C. montrouzieri, C. affinis Crotch (Indonesia and Papua New Guinea and northern Queensland, Australia). C. wallacei Crotch (Indonesia) and C. simplex Blackburn (northern Australia), is revised; C. crotchi sp. n. (Indonesia) and C. sinestria sp. n. (Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands) are described as new, and C. simplex is reduced to a subspecies of C. montrouzieri. A key to these species is provided. The second group comprises two of the remaining species. C. subviolaceus Crotch and C. concinnus Weise, but lack of sufficient material precludes a revision of this group at present. The final species, C. engelhardi Gorham. is transferred to the chilocorine genus Brumoides Chapin. Lectotypes are selected where appropriate.

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Use of Ornamental Trees in Dating of Abandoned Cemeteries on the Example of Thuja Occidentalis and Thuja Orientalis

Contemporary Trends in Geoscience ◽

10.2478/ctg-2012-0006 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 45-50

Author(s):

Magdalena Opała ◽

Leszek Majgier

Keyword(s):

Climatic Conditions ◽

The Other ◽

Lake District ◽

Thuja Occidentalis ◽

North Eastern ◽

The 1960S ◽

Thuja Orientalis ◽

Ornamental Trees ◽

Common Tree ◽

Local Habitat

Abstract Due to the lack of maintenance, abandoned cemeteries are often incorporated into the landscape. In many cases the information about the age of the cemetery is unavailable. To find out the approximate time of the formation of the cemetery the information recorded in the annual tree and shrub rings can be used. One of the most common tree species, planted for ornamental and symbolic purposes on the cemeteries, are Thuja orientalis and Thuja occidentalis. Alien to the Polish flora, these species adapted well to the local habitat and climatic conditions. The paper presents an attempt to apply dendrochronological dating to determine the age of the abandoned cemeteries in the region of the Great Masurian Lakes, part of the Masurian Lake District (north-eastern Poland). The study included five abandoned cemeteries. In total, 15 cores were taken from the trees. After applying the standard dendrochronological method, local chronologies for the studied species were established. The research indicated that the oldest found specimens - over 70 yrs old - are Thuja occidentalis individuals growing at the Słabowo cemetery. At the other sites the specimens of both Thuja species date back to the 1960s and early 1970s. Compared to the historical information regarding the age and origin of the studied objects, thujas growing there are much younger than the age of the cemeteries foundation. The presented method proved to be very helpful in understanding the time of Thuja occidentalis and Thuja orientalis introduction at the investigated cemeteries.

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