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A. Plant with inflorescence front view. B. Plant with inflorescence side view. C. Close-up of inflorescence. D. Close-up of flower. E. Fruit.
Reference: Priyadarshana, T.S., I.H. Wijewardhane, A.G. Atthanagoda, N.S. Arangala, A. Jayasooriya & P. Kumar (2017). Oberonia meegaskumburae (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae: Malaxideae), a new species from Sri Lanka. Phytotaxa 302 (3): 259–265. Phytotaxa. 302. 259-265.

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The ecological niche of Oberonia meegaskumburae

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The ecological niche of Oberonia meegaskumburae

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This orchid is an epiphytic plant growing on lichen and moss covered tree trunks; loosely attached on bark, under almost 80% shade. The species was observed only between Seethagagula (6.8223°N, 80.4579°E; 1066 m)  and Madahinna Ambalama (6.8195°N, 80.4642°E; 1141 m) at Adam’s peak (Samanala) Nature Reserve, Kuruwita– Erathna footpath, Ratnapura district, Sabaragamuwa province, Sri Lanka. The area belongs to the lowland–wet zone in Sri Lanka.

Reference: Priyadarshana, T.S., I.H. Wijewardhane, A.G. Atthanagoda, N.S. Arangala, A. Jayasooriya & P. Kumar (2017). Oberonia meegaskumburae (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae: Malaxideae), a new species from Sri Lanka. Phytotaxa 302 (3): 259–265. Phytotaxa. 302. 259-265.

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Simplified trophic pyramid, Sri Lankan leopard

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Simplified trophic pyramid, Sri Lankan leopard

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Example of a trophic pyramid in Sri Lanka. Leopard has no predator and is therefore at the top of the pyramid. Wild boar is part of its diet. Wild boars lives in areas where they can hide from predators, near a forest, but also close to a water point. They are omnivorous. They can eat lizards, frogs, rodents, but also insects or directly grass, leaves.

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Resource partitioning in two species of Dragonflies (Anisoptera: Libellulidae) in two tank ecosystems in Anuradhapura district, Sri Lanka.

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Resource partitioning in two species of Dragonflies (Anisoptera: Libellulidae) in two tank ecosystems in Anuradhapura district, Sri Lanka.

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The spatial niche overlap in Rhyothemis variegata variegata and Crocothemis servilia servilia is influenced by the habitat characteristics especially the vegetation structure and resource availability. This two common skimmer species utilize different ways of resource partitioning to minimize interspecific competition and favor their co-existence. For example, the two species were more active during the morning and shows different levels of perch and fly heights in the morning and evening hours. R.v. variegata was recorded using heights of <100 cm in both habitats.

Reference: Ileperuma Arachchi, Ilesha and Wickramasinghe, Sriyani. (2015). Session I -Biodiversity Conservation and Management (51) Resource Partitioning and Niche Overlap in Three Sympatric Species of Dragonflies (Anisoptera: Libellulidae) in Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka.

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The ecological niche of the Southwestern Ceylon slender loris 

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The ecological niche of the Southwestern Ceylon slender loris 

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Sri Lanka is home of two species of slender lorises: Loris tardigradus and Loris lydekkerianus, small nocturnal primates. Both have their own distribution.

Following a study of Nekaris et al., 2005, the Southwestern Ceylon slender loris, Loris tardigradus tardigradus, has a restricted habitat, in the dwindling rainforests that are highly disturbed by human activity. It is reported that only 3% of forest cover remains in this region. H. laurifolia is the most common tree species found in this forest and has been the tree on which Loris t. tardigradus was the most commonly observed (~30%). H. laurifolia tends to occur  in patches and is commonly associated with climbers, connecting trees at a height at which lorises commonly move. A mutualistic relationship exists between this tree and a variety of insects, that reproduce and live on the tree. Slender lorises are insectivorous with a preference for ants.

H. laurifolia therefore provides a favored and continuous substrate for slender lorises, that also provides large amount of food. Finally, the tree and vines contribute to lorises predator avoidance behavior, since it allows them to move silently on small sized substrates on which predator’s weight could obviously not be supported. Their inability to exist in areas of human disturbance, confined them in clusters of less disturbed forests areas. H. laurifolia living in colonies are therefore the only remaining “islands” of suitable habitat for lorises, even if highly fragmented.

Reference: Nekaris K. A.-I., Liyanage W. K. D. D., Gamage S. N.. Influence of Forest Structure and Composition on Population Density of the red slender loris Loris tardigradus tardigradus in Masmullah Proposed Forest Reserve, Sri Lanka. Mammalia,  69 (2), 2005.

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Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/80/Loris_tardigradus_tardigradus_001.jpg

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Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dinesh_valke/2222511577

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Parasitic organism – Example 2: parasitic angiosperm in Sri Lanka

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Parasitic organism – Example 2: parasitic angiosperm in Sri Lanka

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Cuscuta is a genus of parasitic angiosperm. In Sri Lanka 2 species of this genus have been observed: one in the low country, the other in the mountains. Species of Cuscuta are known as problematic parasites.

During the last decades, irrigation systems were developed to sustain agriculture. Field investigations (analysis and farmers’ interviews) revealed that Cuscuta is widely associated to these systems. It appears that its dispersal was enhanced due to farming systems and intensive agricultural programs.

Cuscuta produces a dense and shady “roof” on the host plant, consequently reducing its growth and vigor. And it could also be a transmitter of viral diseases in crops. The invasive characteristics of Cuscuta spp. could be detrimental to the cultivation of many economically important crops. It could also affect the natural ecological balance and floristic composition in natural ecosystems.

Reference: C. Jayasinghe, D.S.A. Wijesundara, K.U. Tennekoon and B. Marambe. Cuscuta species in the lowlands of Sri Lanka, their host range and host–parasite association. Tropical Agricultural Research Vol. 16: 223-241 (2004).

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Top: The three primate host species / Bottom: Parasites identified from the feacal samples. 1. Entamoeba coli. 2. Entamoeba histolytica / dispar. 3. Trichuris sp. 4. hookworm
Scale: 25 µm for 1 and 2; 50 µm for 3 and 4

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Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/83/Crested_hawk-eagle_%28Nisaetus_cirrhatus_cirrhatus%29_with_Indian_garden_lizard.jpg
Attribution: Charles J Sharp [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)]

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Parasitic organism – example 1 : survey of the distribution of four potentially zoonotic parasite species among primates in Sri Lanka

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Parasitic organism – example 1 : survey of the distribution of four potentially zoonotic parasite species among primates in Sri Lanka

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The occurrence of four typical intestinal parasites was studied in different altitudinal and climatic zones among different species of primates.

The results show a positive altitudinal/climatic gradient in infection : the prevalence decreases with altitude, while it is lower in drier lowlands.
See primates and parasites in the illustration, at the right.

In a country where extraordinary high level of biodiversity cohabits with a population density, this publication draw my attention, because of the risk to see the parasitic organism to develop in human is very high. Zoonoses potentially have a significant impact on the health and well-being of both human populations and the co-existing primate populations. Contacts between humans and primates are more frequent, due to deforestation, human population growth, expansion of various rural development projects. This situation highlights an important point in dealing with biodiversity: what is the place of human is this context? Population increases continuously, putting high pressure on its surrounding environment. Anthropogenic pressure cannot be suppressed and has to be part of the equation.

Reference: Huffman, Michael & Nahallage, Cad & Hasegawa, H & Ekanayake, S & De Silva, Lgdd & Athauda, Irk. (2013). Preliminary survey of the distribution of four potentially zoonotic parasite species among primates in Sri Lanka. Journal of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka. 41. 10.4038/jnsfsr.v41i4.6246.

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Two examples of animals with a predator-prey relation in Sri Lanka:

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Two examples of animals with a predator-prey relation in Sri Lanka:

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1)      Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) – Sri Lankan axis deer (Axis axis ceylonensis)

Reference: Kittle, A.M.; Watson, A.C.; Kumara, P.H.C.; Sandanayake, S.D.K.; Sanjeewani, H.K.N.; Fernando, S. (2014). Notes on the diet, prey and habitat selection of the Sri Lankan leopard in the central highlands of Sri Lanka" Journal of Threatened Taxa. 6(9): 6214–6221.

2)      Crested hawk-eagle (Nisaetus cirrhatus) – Sri Lanka spurfowl (Galloperdix bicalcarata)

Reference: Ali, Salim; J. C. Daniel (1983). The book of Indian Birds, Twelfth Centenary edition. New Delhi: Bombay Natural History Society/Oxford University Press.

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Preliminary question: what are the possible reasons for the decision to reintroduce grey wolves into the National Park?

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Preliminary question: what are the possible reasons for the decision to reintroduce grey wolves into the National Park?

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The disappearance (due to men) of wolfes caused an imbalance in the ecosystem, primarily due increased elk population was overgrazing the deciduous, woody species such as aspen and cottonwood. This had consequences in cascade afterwards...

But this kind of measure cannot be successfully conducted without a good awarness campaign, since wolfes have had a very bad reputaion for many decades over the world.