One hundred and eighty soil samples from
different parts of Gulbarga region were collected to isolate and identify the
pigmented microorganisms and their importance to the biotechnological field. The
samples were collected during the period of May to July 2004. A total of 30
pigmented organisms were screened, probably these are of Actinomycetes, mainly
Streptomyces from different locations, among them 9 strains have show
very good enzymatic activity (Amylases, Protease, Cellulase) at the wide range
of pH.(6-13)
by Jan Beck, Dept. of Animal Ecology & Tropical Biology,
University of Würzburg, Germany & Ian J. Kitching, The Natural
History Museum, London.
Introduction The biologically and geographically diverse region lying
between tropical oriental Asia and Australia has been the site
of fruitful specimen collection and biological investigation
since A. R. Wallace's travels in "The Malay Archipelago" (1869).
Yet, while there is a wealth of biogeographical information for
some taxa (notably birds and mammals), much of the available
data on insects is scattered in various museums and private
collections and thus not readily accessible. For some of the
more popular groups (e.g. some lepidopteran taxa) there are
checklists for some countries, islands or regions, but no
comprehensive overview of the region.
Here we present a checklist of the hawkmoth species (SPHINGIDAE
Latreille [1802]) of the tropical region of Australasia, both
west and east of 'Wallace’s line'. Hawkmoths are probably second
only to the day-flying butterflies in the amount of data
potentially available. For each of the 376 described species
found in this region, we present a point distribution map (or
maps), overlaid by an estimate of the global range (more
details). We also present colour photographs of the species,
where these are available, and species checklists (recorded &
estimated) for 114 major islands between the Andamans and the
Solomon islands.
The region covered by this website comprises the countries Burma
(Myanmar), Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia,
Singapore, Brunei, the Philippines, Indonesia, East Timor, Papua
New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and the Andaman and Nicobar
Islands of India (see map). However, we exclude some
biogeographically related regions, such as Guam, southern China
(e.g. Hainan Island and Guangdong), Taiwan and northern
Australia (e.g. Arnhemland and the Cape York Peninsula).
Full report here >>
Small
mammals of various taxonomic groups and functional types are an important constituent
of the rainforest canopy. Little is known about their ecology and distribution
patterns, and they are hardly considered in conservational issues. Here we present
some ideas and features that might be relevant for considering these group as
particularly vulnerable to rainforest disturbance. An example of a highly diverse
small mammal assemblage in a canopy is given from Borneo. We conclude by highlighting
the importance of three-dimensional modeling of this habitat to understand the
biology of arboreal small mammals and also the consequences of habitat changes
in the rainforest canopy.
This website is dedicated to
the ants of Poring, Kinabalu National Park, Sabah, Malaysia, a
tropical rainforest with the world's highest ant diversity: 639
species of ants from 81 genera and 8 subfamilies of the
Formicidae have been found there. In our virtual museum of
natural history you find pictures of Aenictinae, Cerapachyine,
Dorylinae, Dolichoderinae, Formicinae, Myrmicinae, Ponerinae,
and Pseudomyrmicinae.
To
date, a total of 22 species of marine mammals have been
confirmed either to reside in or transit Malaysian territorial
and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) waters. The species are the
Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni), fin whale (B.
physalus), sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus),
pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps), Cuvier’s beaked
whale (Ziphius cavirostris), rough-toothed dolphin (Steno
bredanensis), Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphin (Sousa
chinensis), common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus),
Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (T. aduncus), pantropical
spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata), spinner dolphin (S.
longirostris), common dolphin (Delphinus sp.),
Fraser's dolphin (Lagenodelphis hosei), Risso’s dolphin (Grampus
griseus), melon-headed whale (Peponocephala electra),
pygmy killer whale (Feresa attenuata), false killer whale
(Pseudorca crassidens), killer whale (Orcinus orca),
short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus),
Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris), finless
porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides), and dugong (Dugong
dugon). There is also evidence to suggest that a further
eight species of cetaceans stray into or pass through Malaysian
waters at least occasionally.
Latest
compilation of conference papers on "Sea Turtles of the
Indo-Pacific", a useful guide for scientists, managers
and legislators.
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