Draft Genome Sequence of Neobacillus cucumis Strain T4S4, a Stevioside and Rebaudioside A Hydrolytic Strain Isolated from Tropical Forest Soil

Neobacillus cucumis T4S4 was isolated from montane rain forest soil in Thailand. This strain possesses the ability to hydrolyze stevioside and rebaudioside A, the two major steviol glycosides found in the stevia plant. The draft genome sequence of T4S4 yielded a circular chromosome of 5,978,437 bases with 38.9% GC content.

Abundance and nesting sites characteristics of red-headed picathartes Picathartes oreas in Cross River State, Nigeria

This study assessed the abundance and nesting sites characteristics of red-headed picathartes (Picathartes oreas) in protected and unprotected forest in Cross River State, from August 2016 to January 2017. Data were collected through oral interviews, and field observations, using area search and quadrant methods. Data on bird and nest were tested using one-way ANOVA and t-test while tree species diversity indices were calculated using Paleontological Statistics Software Package, version 16. Results revealed that a mean of 38±52 individual bird from six colonies were sighted during the survey. Higher number of 20 (52.63%) individuals from two colonies was recorded in the undisturbed montane rain forest of the Okwangwo Division of the Cross River National Park than the disturbed montane rain forest with 18 (47.37%) individuals from four colonies. A total of 40 (50%; n = 20 each) nests of red-headed picathartes were sighted during the survey around the undisturbed and disturbed montane rain forest respectively. All (100%; n = 40) the nests observed were attached to the south-eastern side of the rocks and all the nests were constructed with mud mixed with grass. Colony Six was on the highest altitude with an elevation of 529 m, followed by colony two with an elevation of 342 m while the lowest elevation was 195 m recorded in colony three. Tree diversity index was higher in the protected forest (3.352; 3.227) than in the unprotected forest (1.846). Characteristic features of Picathartes oreas habitat were rock, hill, valleys and rivers and streams. It was evidenced by the study that Picathartes oreas still nests both in the disturbed and undisturbed forest but the level of disturbance and type of crops grown may have impact on the nesting behaviour. Therefore, anthropogenic activities should be regulated in the area, to ensure the conservation of Picathartes oreas. Keywords: Picathartes oreas; abundance; nesting sites characteristics; unprotected and protected forest.

Vaccinium hamiguitanense (Ericaceae), a new species from the Philippines

Vaccinium hamiguitanense, a new species from the Philippines, is described and illustrated. The new species is most similar to V. gitingense Hook. f. but differs by having smaller leaf blades, leaf blade margins with 2 to 4 impressed more or less evenly distributed crenations (glands) per side, inflorescences with fewer flowers, shorter pedicels that are puberulent and muriculate, and a glabrous floral disk. The new species is endemic to Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary in Davao Oriental Province of Mindanao Island in Tropical Upper Montane Rain Forest and low (“bonsai”) forest on clay derived from ultramafic rock. We assign an IUCN Red List preliminary status as Data Deficient.

Magnolia montebelloensis, a new species in section Magnolia from Lagunas de Montebello National Park, Chiapas, México, with a key to Magnoliaceae of Chiapas

A new species of Magnolia, from the Lagunas de Montebello National Park, in the central highlands of Chiapas, Mexico, is described and illustrated. Magnolia montebelloensis belongs to section Magnolia; it differs from M. poasana in its smaller habit, densely pubescent terminal twig internodes, stipules and spathaceous bracts, shorter peduncular internodes and more numerous stamens. A key, an ecological and a conservation assessment of the eight Chiapan species of Magnoliaceae are included. Magnolia montebelloensis grows in montane rain forest and is contrasted with other Chiapan Magnolia species regarding their climate and vegetation preferences. It was assessed as critically endangered (CR) according to IUCN B1ab(ii, iii) and B2ab(iii) criteria. Half of Magnolia species in Chiapas occur in protected natural areas, and thus immediate action is required to protect the other four species, M. faustinomirandae, M. mayae, M. sharpii and M. zamudioi. Seven out of the eight Magnolia species (88%) are not found in ex-situ collections despite being endangered or critically endangered.

Four new species of terrestrial-breeding frogs of the genus Phrynopus (Anura: Terrarana: Craugastoridae) from Río Abiseo National Park, Peru

We describe four new species of terrestrial-breeding frogs belonging to the genus Phrynopus from specimens collected on the eastern slopes of the Cordillera Oriental (2800–3850 m) near and within Río Abiseo National Park, Provincia Mariscal Cáceres, Departments of San Martín and La Libertad, northeastern Peru. All four species lack a visible tympanum and inhabit the upper ridges and slopes within or adjacent to the Park. Phrynopus anancites sp. nov. and P. capitalis sp. nov. inhabit the wet montane grasslands on the upper ridges and valleys from 3600 to 3850 m. Phrynopus anancites (SVL = 25.3 mm) has coarsely aerolated skin and olive green coloration and has small vomerine teeth, while P. capitalis (female SVL = 35.6 mm) is characterized by a large head, short limbs, and distinctive dorsal pattern. Phrynopus dumicola sp. nov. (female SVL = 25.3 mm) has a short head and dark colored body with granular skin on the flanks, and is known only from forest patches along the treeline from 3225 to 3550 m, whereas P. personatus sp. nov. (female SVL = 28.2 mm) has a dark facemask and bright yellow groin spots (possibly aposematic), and inhabits a narrow band of continuous tropical montane rain forest from 2890 to 3110 m. We report infection with Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis from one specimen of P. dumicola collected in July of 1988. With the addition of these four new species, Phrynopus now includes 32 nominal species.

Análisis florístico de la vegetación secundaria derivada de la selva húmeda de montaña de Santa Cruz Tepetotutla (Oaxaca) México

A floristic analysis war conducted of the secondary vegetation derived from slash and burn agriculture in a montane rain forest region at Santa Cruz Tepetotutla, located in the Northern Oaxaca Range, Mexico. The analysis of the studied chronosequence is based on a collection of 2 668 specimens encountered in 60 parallel 0.01 ha belt transects (25 X 4 m), distributed in 18 second-growth stands with ages ranging between 5 and ca. 100 years. A total of 499 species were distinguished, which are distributed in 223 genera and 104 families (including 38 secondary vegetation species collected outside of the transects), among which the following growth forms are represented: trees, shrubs, herbs, herbaceous and woody climbers, palms, ferns, and epiphytes. Only 28 morphospecies were not determined to any taxonomic level. Floristic richness did not decrease nor increased significantly with stand age. In contrast, changing trends, albeit non significant, were observed for different life forms, as arboreal species gradually replaced herbaceous ones, whereas palms and tree ferns only appeared in stands of intermediate age and their abundances increased thereof. The results of this study suggest that a considerable proportion of the regional floristic diversity occurs in the secondary vegetation. The abandonment of traditional agricultural methods for modern but usually inadequate, productive systems threatens this floristic potential, because it affects characteristics of the system fundamental for the maintenance of species, such as stand age and the area of the primary vegetation matrix in which these stands are embedded.

El bosque mesófilo de la región de Puerto Soledad (Oaxaca), México: Análisis estructural

<p>Spatial variation of a mesophyllous montane forest (=cloud forest, montane rain forest) tree community structure (dbh ≥ 3.18 cm; girth≥ 10 cm) was evaluated by sampling with the point-centered quadrat technique at six contrasting environments at Puerto Soledad, Oaxaca: East-facing slope, North-facing slope, West-facing slope, South-facing slope, Mountain Top and Wet Ravine. Density ranged between 505 and 2,730 ind ha•1, and basal area between 41.8 and 172 m2 ha•1. Forest structure at the Mountain Top greatly differed from that in other environments, as the smallest density and largest basal area were found there. Total canopy cover was &gt; 150% in all environments. Canopy height ranged between 20 and 35 m; no well defined strata were found at any site. Structurally important species were: Arctosta.phylos mguta, Clethra. licanoides, C. mexicana, Cyathea fulva, Ilex discolor, Podocarpus reichei, Quercus acherdophylla, Q. eugenifolia, Q. rysophylla and Ternstroermia lineata. Diameter-based population structures for the most abundant species were very variable, but in general small diameter classes were the best represented. According to an association analysis, around 12% of the 34 examined species pairs showed significant, negative associations. In general, the structural values assessed for the studied mesophyllous montane forest fall within the range for similar forests in other regions; however, the results of this study clearly show the large heterogeneity of the vegetation within a single locality, although this variability is more noticeable for some variables (e.g. density, basal area) than for others (e.g. cover). This study supports the idea that under the mesophyllous montane forest (bosque mesófilo<br />de montaña), a diverse array of plant communities is grouped.</p>