Ecology and Diet of Some Rodents From the Lower Montane Region of Papua-New-Guinea

1988 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 91 ◽  
Author(s):  
EC Mcphee
Keyword(s):  
Papua New Guinea ◽  
New Guinea ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
Habitat Modification ◽  
Coffee Plantations ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Invertebrate Diversity ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Murine Rodents ◽  
Vegetable Material

Information relating to the habitat, reproduction and diet is given for five murine rodents from the vicinity of Wau, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea. Rattus steini was found to be present in all four habitats investigated (kunai, gardens, coffee plantations, forest), whereas R. exulans was absent from the forest; Melomys rufescens, M. lorentzi and Pogonomys macrourus were only trapped in the forest, and in low numbers. Although climatically similar to other montane regions in Papua New Guinea, the Wau area appeared to have an earlier start to the peak breeding season than elsewhere, and litter sizes seemed to be higher. The diet of Melomys species and P. macrourus appeared to be largely frugivorous (>90%), whereas Rattus species consumed a wide range of food items. While there was considerable overlap between the diets of Ratlus species, R. steini consumed more leafy material and insects, and less fruit, woody and vegetable material than R. exulans. Habitat modification by human activity in the Wau area has radically affected the diversity and relative abundance of rodent species, although it was difficult to discern any strong relationship between diet and habitat. While specific and generic identification of particular food items was not possible, an index of invertebrate diversity in the diet of rodents is suggested as a means of assessing changes in food availability, and therefore habitat change.

Revision of Coronostrongylus (Nematoda : Strongyloidea) parasitic in the stomachs of macropodid marsupials

2002 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 893 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Beveridge
Keyword(s):  
Papua New Guinea ◽  
Host Species ◽  
Related Species ◽  
New Guinea ◽  
Nematode Species ◽  
Closely Related Species ◽  
Nematode Genus ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Species Occurrences

The monotypic nematode genus Coronostrongylus Johnston & Mawson, 1939 from the stomachs of macropodid marsupials was reviewed and was found to consist of a least seven closely related species. Coronostrongylus coronatus Johnston & Mawson, 1939 is found most commonly in Macropus rufogriseus, but occurs occasionally in M. dorsalis, M. parryi and Petrogale inornata. Coronostrongylus johnsoni, sp. nov. is most commonly found in M. dorsalis, but occurs also in M. rufogriseus, M. parma, Thylogale stigmatica, Petrogale godmani and P. brachyotis. Coronostrongylus barkeri, sp. nov. is most prevalent in Onychogalea unguifera, but occurs also in M. rufus, M. robustus and P. brachyotis. Coronostrongylus closei, sp. nov. is restricted to Petrogale persephone. Coronostrongylus sharmani, sp. nov. occurs only in rock wallabies from eastern Australia: P.�coenensis, P. godmani and P. mareeba; C. spratti, sp. nov. occurs in P. inornata and P. assimilis. Coronostrongylus spearei, sp. nov. is restricted to Papua New Guinea where it is found in Dorcopsulus vanhearni, Dorcopsis hageni and D. muelleri. Although all of the nematode species occur in one principal host species or a series of closely related host species, occurrences in geographically disjunct areas and in phylogenetically distant hosts are features of C. coronatus, C. barkeri, sp. nov. and C. johnsoni, sp. nov. The occurrence of seven closely related nematode species found in a wide range of macropodid host species is more readily accounted for by a hypothesis involving multiple colonisations of hosts than by the hypothesis of co-speciation.

Materials and methods.

2022 ◽  
pp. 5-5
Author(s):  
Richard A. I. Drew ◽  
Meredith C. Romig
Keyword(s):  
Papua New Guinea ◽  
New Guinea ◽  
Fruit Fly ◽  
Methyl Eugenol ◽  
Microscopic Identification ◽  
Host Fruit ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract Large numbers of dacine specimens were collected throughout Papua New Guinea by trapping and host fruit sampling. Steinertype fruit fly traps, baited with cue lure, methyl eugenol or vanillylacetone (zingerone), were set in many localities over a wide range of ecosystems. In most cases, the traps were serviced on 2-week cycles for at least 1 year. Samples of rainforest and cultivated fruits were collected in some provinces. All specimens collected were preserved in a dry state and sent to R.A.I. Drew at Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia, for microscopic identification and curation. Data and photographs of Bactrocera longicornis were received from the Museum Nationale d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France. The subgeneric classification used herein follows Drew and Hancock (2016) and Hancock and Drew (2006, 2015, 2016, 2017a,b,c,d,e, 2018a,b,c, 2019).

Stomach Contents of Forty-Two Species of Bats From the Australasian Region.

1977 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 25 ◽  
Author(s):  
WJM Vestjens ◽  
LS Hall
Keyword(s):  
Papua New Guinea ◽  
Aquatic Insects ◽  
Foraging Behaviour ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
New Guinea ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Australasian Region

Bats were killed between 1963 and 1973 during surveys in Australia, Papua New Guinea and Bougainville Island. Results are given as number of stomachs containing particular food items, or as number of items in a stomach. Insect remains on the floor of bat caves were examined also. There were 42 species of bat examined, of 16 genera; stomachs of 36 species had Lepidoptera, 29 had Coleoptera, 27 had Hymenoptera and 23 had Hemiphera. Twelve bat species ate wingless insects and 7 ate aquatic insects, though those may be found away from water. Results are discussed in relation to foraging behaviour of bats.

scholarly journals Review: A PNG media era when development mattered

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 248
Author(s):  
Scott MacWilliam
Keyword(s):  
Papua New Guinea ◽  
Major Change ◽  
New Guinea ◽  
Popular Literature ◽  
Journalism History ◽  
The People ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Press ◽  
Science Methodology ◽  
Social Science Methodology

Review of: Press, Politics and People in Papua New Guinea 1950-1975, by Philip Cass. Auckland: Unitec e-Press, 2014, 205pp. ISBN 978-1-927214-09-1Press, Politics and People should be required reading for people who are concerned with the history and current trajectory of Papua New Guinea. It is also a book with much to offer for university courses in journalism, history and social science methodology. Philip Cass shows in considerable detail how to research and write a detailed study about an important topic by employing a wide range of research methods, including interviews, content analysis of newspapers, analysing academic and popular literature, and engaging in archival searches. Significantly, he does not waste any time ‘interrogating the Other’, but sustains several arguments about the place of the press during a critical moment when major change was in the air for the people of Papua New Guinea.

Observations on Breeding Biologyof some New Guinea Murid Rodents

1975 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 33 ◽  
Author(s):  
PD Dwyer
Keyword(s):  
Papua New Guinea ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
New Guinea ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Breeding Activity ◽  
Live Embryo ◽  
Murid Rodents ◽  
Murine Rodents ◽  
Eastern Highlands

Breeding records are given for 10 murine rodents from the Eastern Highlands District of Papua New Guinea. Reduced breeding activity through the dry season is apparent for Rattus exulans, R. ruber and Melomys rufescens, with a cessation of breeding at this time in R, niobe, R. verecundus, M. levipes, M. rubex, Pogonomys sylvestris, P. mollipilosus and probably Pogonomelomys sevia. Available evidence suggests that M. rubex varies in reproductive performance between years. Mean litter size is low in all species with mean live embryo counts from 3.09 in R. exulans to 1.09 in M. levipes and 0.75 in P. sevia. Pregnancy concurrent with lactation appears to be frequent in M. rufescens and perhaps P. sevia, and was noted on occasion in R, exulans, R, verecundus and M. levipes.

Valuable and Useful: Mid-Holocene Stemmed Obsidian Artefacts from West New Britain, Papua New Guinea

2002 ◽  
Vol 68 ◽  
pp. 61-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick Araho ◽  
Robin Torrence ◽  
J. Peter White
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Papua New Guinea ◽  
Special Functions ◽  
New Guinea ◽  
Settlement Pattern ◽  
Ground Stone ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Competing Models ◽  
New Britain

Distinctive obsidian artefacts from West New Britain appear sometime before 3950 cal BC and terminate abruptly at 1650 cal BC. We propose that they had a wide range of meanings for their users and functioned in both utilitarian and ceremonial contexts, similar to more recent ground stone axes from Highland New Guinea. They therefore represent the earliest evidence for valuables in Papua New Guinea. Here we draw together studies of the technology, spatial distribution, and chemical sourcing of the artefacts, along with considerations of fragility and brightness, to evaluate competing models for their function as utilitarian items and as exchange goods. Whereas many artefacts were probably useful tools integrated within a mobile settlement pattern, others were clearly reserved for special functions, and many may have operated in both the utilitarian and ceremonial spheres.

scholarly journals Pests, diseases and crop protection practices in the smallholder sweetpotato production system of the highlands of Papua New Guinea

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoff M Gurr ◽  
Jian Liu ◽  
Anne C Johnson ◽  
Deane N Woruba ◽  
Gunnar Kirchhof ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Management ◽  
Papua New Guinea ◽  
Crop Protection ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
New Guinea ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
General Level ◽  
Storage Roots ◽  
Cash Crop ◽  
Wide Range

Sweetpotato (Ipomea batatans) is a food crop of global significance. The storage roots and foliage of crop are attacked by a wide range of pests and diseases. Whilst these are generally well controlled in developed countries using approaches such as clean planting material and monitoring with pheromone traps to guide insecticide use, research into methods suitable for developing countries has lagged. In Papua New Guinea (PNG), sweetpotato is grown extensively as a subsistence crop and commercial production as a cash crop is developing. We report results from a survey of 33 smallholder producers located in the Highlands of PNG where the crop is of particular importance. Surveys of interviewees’ crops showed high levels of pest and disease impact to foliage, stems and storage roots, especially in crops that were several years old. Weevils (Curculionidae) were reportedly the most damaging pests and scab (caused by the fungus Elisnoe batatus) the most damaging disease. Most producers reported root damage from the former and foliar damage from the latter but the general level of knowledge of pest and disease types was low. Despite the apparency of pest and disease signs and symptoms and recognition of their importance by farmers, a large majority of producers reported practiced no active pest or disease management. This was despite low numbers of farmers reporting use of traditional cultural practices including phytosanitary measures and insecticidal plants that had the scope for far wider use. Only one respondent reported use of insecticide though pesticides were available in nearby cities. This low level of pest and disease management in most cases, likely due to paucity in biological and technical knowledge among growers, hampers efforts to establish food security and constrains the development of sweetpotato as a cash crop.

Isozyme variability among isolates of Phytophthora cinnamomi from Australia and Papua New Guinea

1984 ◽  
Vol 62 (10) ◽  
pp. 2016-2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. M. Old ◽  
G. F. Moran ◽  
J. C. Bell
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Papua New Guinea ◽  
Phytophthora Cinnamomi ◽  
New Guinea ◽  
Isozyme Variation ◽  
Mating Types ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Isozyme Loci ◽  
Isozyme Variability ◽  
Low Levels

Genetic variation in 183 isolates of Phytophthora cinnamomi from a wide range of hosts and locations in Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) was assessed at 20 isozyme loci. Low levels of isozyme variation were found in both the A, and A2 mating types within Australia. Only two A2 multilocus genotypes were detected among Australian and PNG isolates, the more common one being found throughout the range. Fourteen of the 15 A1 isolates from 12 locations in Australia were identical at all 20 isozyme loci. In contrast there was much higher variability in the eight PNG A1 isolates compared with the Australian Ai isolates and all A2 isolates. The A1 and A2 mating types can be distinguished isozymically suggesting that they are genetically isolated and that sexual reproduction involving both mating types does not occur in the field.

Pigs in the New Guinea Highlands: an ethnographic example

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Sillitoe
Keyword(s):  
Papua New Guinea ◽  
New Guinea ◽  
Pacific Region ◽  
Subsistence Economy ◽  
Archaeological Data ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The World ◽  
Pig Management ◽  
Constructive Engagement

Although archaeologists have long shown an interest in drawing on ethnographic parallels to further understanding of their findings (e.g. Orme 1981), anthropologists proved reluctant to engage in such endeavours for most of the 20th century. This was a reaction to the excesses of 19th century social evolutionary thinking that Europeans used in part to justify colonialism in various parts of the world, which they portrayed as an inevitable process as they, the ‘fittest’, encroached on the territories of ‘savages’. We have gradually been moving towards a more constructive engagement with archaeologists, and it is in this spirit that I offer this contribution to this volume, and have cooperated with archaeologist colleagues on other projects (Shott & Sillitoe 2001; 2004 Sillitoe & Hardy 2003). Nonetheless it comes with the usual anthropological warning about the need to maintain a culturally relative frame of mind when reading this chapter with a view to illuminating any archaeological data. There is no suggestion that the practices discussed here may be taken as somehow representative of any prehistoric population. Although those who live in a subsistence economy may offer more apt, better-scale comparisons with respect to pig-keeping than those who live in a market economy, the implication is not that they are stuck in the past. One cannot assume that such practices reflect those of ancient populations in Europe or elsewhere. They are unique cultural arrangements with their own histories. One of the most valuable lessons that we might draw from a consideration of ethnographic evidence is how enormously variable are human cultural formations, in this case in relation to pig management. In the Papua New Guinea Highlands it is with respect to socio-political exchange, which is developed in this region to extraordinary lengths (Sillitoe 1998), that we have to consider pig-keeping arrangements. The exchange focus conditions attitudes to pigs in ways that are unique, even surprising, for those of us accustomed to think in market terms. Furthermore, the data presented here should not be taken as typical of the Pacific region as they come from only one valley in the Highlands. The Melanesian region displays great cultural variety with regard to pig-keeping, as in other domains, and for a representative view one needs to consult a wide range of sources.

scholarly journals Pests, diseases and crop protection practices in the smallholder sweetpotato production system of the highlands of Papua New Guinea

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e2703 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoff M. Gurr ◽  
Jian Liu ◽  
Anne C. Johnson ◽  
Deane N. Woruba ◽  
Gunnar Kirchhof ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Management ◽  
Papua New Guinea ◽  
Crop Protection ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
New Guinea ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
General Level ◽  
Storage Roots ◽  
Cash Crop ◽  
Wide Range

Sweetpotato (Ipomea batatans) is a food crop of global significance. The storage roots and foliage of crop are attacked by a wide range of pests and diseases. Whilst these are generally well controlled in developed countries using approaches such as clean planting material and monitoring with pheromone traps to guide insecticide use, research into methods suitable for developing countries has lagged. In Papua New Guinea (PNG), sweetpotato is grown extensively as a subsistence crop and commercial production as a cash crop is developing. We report results from a survey of 33 smallholder producers located in the Highlands of PNG where the crop is of particular importance. Surveys of interviewees’ crops showed high levels of pest and disease impact to foliage, stems and storage roots, especially in crops that were several years old. Weevils (Curculionidae) were reportedly the most damaging pests and scab (caused by the fungusElisnoe batatus) the most damaging disease. Most producers reported root damage from the former and foliar damage from the latter but the general level of knowledge of pest and disease types was low. Despite the apparency of pest and disease signs and symptoms and recognition of their importance by farmers, a large majority of producers reported practiced no active pest or disease management. This was despite low numbers of farmers reporting use of traditional cultural practices including phytosanitary measures and insecticidal plants that had the scope for far wider use. Only one respondent reported use of insecticide though pesticides were available in nearby cities. This low level of pest and disease management in most cases, likely due to paucity in biological and technical knowledge among growers, hampers efforts to establish food security and constrains the development of sweetpotato as a cash crop.

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