PROJECT AUTHORS, TITLES AND ABSTRACTS

Desalegn Desissa

National Herbarium, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box 3434, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

William Chrispo Hamisy

Silvicultural Research centre, P.O. Box 95, Lushoto, Tanzania

Survey of medicinal plants in Mbomole and Mlessa villages around Amani, East Usambara, Tanzania

Abstract

A survey of medicinal plants in Mlesa and Mbomole villages in Amani (East Usambara) was undertaken in August 1999. A total of 40 people were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. The informants were categorised in to herbalist, age group and gender group (male and female). A total of 55 plant species were recorded as remedies for the cure of 31 diseases. The traditional healers used different plant habit with different species composition in making the medicine. Trees were used more of them (36%) than other physiognomic group. The medicines were reported to come from the leaves, bark, flower and root part of the plant. However, the root portion was the most often used part followed by bark. These parts are collected from the forest, farmland, grassland and woodland habitat. Local people in the Amani area have good knowledge of the use of traditional medicine. Our revealed that study 95% of the informants admitted to have knowledge of medicinal plants. In addition, different age and gender groups were observed to have almost similar knowledge of the use of medicinal plant however no intentional planting of medicinal plants was observed. To that end, more research on the utilisation and conservation of medicinal plant resources is recommended.

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Charles M. Michira

African Conservation Centre, P.o Box 62844 Nairobi, Kenya.

Edward Andama

Deparment of Zoology, Makerere University Kampala, P.o Box 7062 Kampala Uganda.

Gebhard B. Luilo

Department of Zoology, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.P.o Box 35064, DSM, Tanzania.

EPIPHYTE HOST SPECIFICITY AND ASPECTS OF TREE MORPHOLOGY THAT INFLUENCE THEIR OCCURRENCE: A case study of Asplenium nidus in Amani nature reserve, East Usambara mountains, Tanzania

ABSTRACT

The study was carried out to determine whether the epiphyte fern Asplenium nidus is specific to any phorophyte and to determine what aspects of tree morphology influence the distribution of the fern. A total of 307 trees belonging to 47 species in 31 families were studied in Amani nature reserve. The study found out that of the 101 clumps of the fern observed, there was no host specificity but instead they occurred on trees belonging to some families more often than others. The morphology of the host tree was found to influence the distribution of the fern. The result indicate that A. nidus is more abundant in sub canopy over than in the canopy level and emergent canopies. Trees with branches making acute angles to the main trunk hosted more A. nidus clumps than those in which the angle was more than 90 degrees. The presence or absence of the cuts on the host tree proved to be important as they provided potential sites for establishment of the fern. The girth at breast height (GBH) proved important as the fern was more abundant in trees of GBH between 81cm and 130 cm. This indicates that morphology of the host trees is important for occurrence of vascular ferns.

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Clay E. Corbin

Department of Biological Sciences, Ohio University USA

Jasper Mbae Kirika

National Museums of Kenya

Foraging strategies and success rates in a sit-and-wait foraging kingfisher (Halycon albiventris) in the Eastern Usambaras Mountains, Tanzania.

Abstract

A study of foraging behaviour of the Brown-hooded kingfisher Halcyon albiventris was conducted at Amani, Tanga Region, Tanzania. Kingfishers primarily employed a sit-and-wait then pounce foraging strategy. Metrics of search time, handling time, sally distance, and perch height were analysed with non-parametric statistical procedures in light of optimal foraging models. There were no significant relationships between search time and foraging height, handling time, or horizontal distance. Perches that resulted in give-ups were found to be significantly longer than those that resulted in a foraging attempt. However, when plotted in semi-logarithmic space, perch survivorship curves revealed foraging times to be no different than from random. Search times for successful pursuits were found to be no different from failure pursuits. Prey size variability decreased with increasing search time. This may be explained by energetic trade-offs with large prey handling costs, super-abundance of small prey items, or prey specific familiarity by kingfishers. The dietary generalist lifestyle of sit-and-wait foraging kingfishers constrains these birds to expending energy in pursuit, handling, and eating costs rather than in search costs.

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Fanni Aspetsberger

Department of Limnology, University of Vienna, Austria

Djuri Brandsen

Department of Animal Ecology, University of Leiden, The Netherlands

The taxonomic status and ecology of Chaerophon pumila limbata in Amani, East Usambara Mountains

Abstract

In this study we investigated the morphology, echolocation and diet of the Molossid Chaerophon pumila limbata. We recorded echolocation calls for this bat which are distinctively different to those of C. p. pumila and can be used as voucher calls in further investigations. Furthermore we found significant differences between calls emitted in open to those emitted in highly cluttered environment. A comparison of the present insect population and the bat faeces revealed a preponderance of Blattoidea in the bats diet. A discrepancy between the calculated minimum prey size of the bat and the found insect remains in the faeces led us to the conclusion, that C. p. limbata uses other senses besides echolocation, such as vision, in its foraging behaviour. Therefore this study provides new information about the taxonomic status and general ecology of C. p. limbata.

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LEKUNZE L. M.

P.O. BOX 3357, YAOUNDE-MESSA, CAMEROON

HASSAN, M. M.

DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY, FACULTY OF SCIENCE, UNIVERSITY OF KHARTOUM, KHARTOUM, P. O. BOX 321, SUDAN

MISTLETOE (TAPINANTUM BANGWENSIS) INFECTION ON EXOTIC AND INDIGENOUS TREES IN AMANI NATURE RESERVE

ABSTRACT

A survey of the mistletoe Tapinantum bangwensis was carried out in a plantation in the botanic garden at Amani which forms part of the East Usambara Mountain, located in the north eastern part of Tanzania. A total of 173 trees were examined on four transects of 5000m2 each (three established in open woodland and one in closed canopy as control). Out of 105 trees (85 exotics and 20 indigenous) examined in the open canopy, the parasite was present on 24 (18 exotics and six indigenous). Out of all the infested trees, 37.5% was an exotic, silky oak Grevilea robusta. This was followed by an indigenous tree, mzindanguruwe Blighia unijugata(16.65%). There was no significant difference in frequency of infestation between exotics and indigenous trees (P=0.5826). The parasite preferred taller and larger trees (P=0.0002 and 0.0175 respectively). No mistletoes were found on the 68 trees examined in closed canopy.

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Vanessa Aliniaina RASOAMAMPIANINA

University of ANTANANARIVO, MADAGASCAR

Anna-Lena BERRGREN

Swedish Biodiversity Centre, SWEDEN

MAESOPSIS FRUITS AS FOOD RESOURCES FOR VERTEBRATES IN EAST USAMBARA MOUNTAINS

ABSTRACT:

Maesopsis eminii is an introduced species which could rapidly invade the natural forest in the East Usambara mountains, Tanzania. Birds such as Ceratogymna bucinator, and mammal especially Cercopithecus mitis are said to be the main dispersers of the Maesopsis eminii seeds. So the aim of this study was to assess the population of birds and mammals that feed on these trees. 29 species were observed on M. eminii in 12 sites situated around Amani; of which, 27 species were birds and 2 species were mammals. The number of species varies according to the percentage of ripe fruits.

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Philip Mbeke

Department of invertebrate zoology, National Museums of Kenya

Alistair Greer

University of Cambridge, UK.

Home range area and encounters in relation to body size in a Tanzanian waterstrider species (Heteroptera, Gerridae).

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the effects of body size on home range size and aggressive behaviour in a waterstrider species whilst taking sex into account. 785 point location fixes were taken on 39 individuals, and 47 aggressive encounters were observed between marked individuals of known sex and size. It was found that larger individuals were more likely to win aggressive encounters, and that body size did not correlate with home range area size for either sex.

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Ana Trindade

University of Lisbon, Portugal

Mona Abl

University of Vienna, Austria

DOES THE INVASIVE CLIMBER PYROSTEGIA VENUSTA SHOW ANY PREFERENCE CONCERNING SPECIES OR MORPHOLOGY OF ITS HOST TREE IN AMANI WEST?

Abstract:

This field study took place from the 11th to the 18th of August 1999 in Amani, East Usambaras, Tanzania. It tested the host preference of the invasive climber Pyrostegia venusta concerning tree species and morphology and its range. No significant preference of Pyrostegia venusta for any tree species was found. However, the results show a significant influence of root type, GBH and presence/absence of other climbers on the same tree.

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Sara Bluffield

Sussex University, England

Karen Mullen

University of Galway, Ireland

Verena Schafer

University of Basel, Switzerland

A study of conflict and parasitism in Ficus natalensis subsp. leprieurii in Amani Nature Reserve.

ABSTRACT

The study investigates conflict in the mutualism between the fig tree Ficus natalensis subsp. leprieurii and its pollinator wasp of the genus Alfonsiella. An overall negative correlation between wasps and seeds was found confirming the existence of a conflict in their production. The aim was to investigate the possibility that the style length of female flowers regulates whether they produce a wasp or a seed. It was discovered that short-styled flowers had a significantly higher proportion of wasps than seeds while the opposite was true for long-styled flowers. These results suggest that style length does indeed influence whether a seed or a wasp is produced. However, measurements of style length and ovipositor length revealed that this was not the only regulating factor. The distribution of beetle larvae within the figs and the effects of their feeding were also investigated. The distribution was found to be random due to small sample size, caused by ripening of fruit. Simulated results based on earlier observations showed a non-random distribution of beetle larvae - specifically there was always one larva per fig. A significant reduction in flowers was also discovered in those figs containing beetle larvae.

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Neeltje van Hulten

University of Wageningen, The Netherlands

Simon Kaki Aruwa

Osienala (Friends of Lake Victoria), P.O. Box 4580, Kisumu, Kenya.

SURVEY ON TREE GROWING AND FARM FORESTRY IN MBOMOLE AND MLESA VILLAGES, EAST USAMBARA MOUNTAINS, TANZAN

Abstract

Ideally, it is expected that with restricted access of the nature reserve, local people will increase tree planting and change management systems in their farms, to continue the supply of tree products. This study was carried out in Mbomole and Mlesa villages. A total of 34 households within different sub-villages were interviewed. It attempts to investigate how households have adopted to nature reserve restriction by planting trees in their farms. The study looks at the sustainability of tree planting activities and harvesting in the farms in relation to the tree products that are still extracted from the reserve. Results are presented in tables and percentages. Findings show that tree planting activities changed, but probably not only due to the restricted access. Supporting tree planting and management programmes can be of great influence. It is recommended that restrictions should always be supplemented with sufficient alternatives. Farmers need good information about the management of farm trees, as many of the interviewed households would like to have more information.
 

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