EDITORIAL : Covid-19, biodiversity conservation and welfare of wild animals partially under human control
Vincent Nijman Section Editor: Taprobanica, the journal of Asian Biodiversity
It would feel wrong if I did not start this editorial with Covid-19 and its impact on biodiversity conservation in the broadest sense. There is no doubt that little will have had as much impact on biodiversity conservation throughout Asia as the Covid-19 pandemic. National and regional lockdowns, a shutdown of international travel, trade restrictions, temporary shutdowns of wet markets as well as live animal markets, closures of zoos and animal parks, closures of national parks to tourists, restriction of budgets for conservation agencies, etc.
Submitted date: 30 May 2015 Accepted date: 24 March 2016 Published date: 26 March 2016 Pp. 37–40.
First substantiated record of Ceriops decandra (Rhizophoraceae) in Sri Lanka
S.P. Ekanayake*, W.L.D.P.T.S. de A. Goonetilleke, A.M.S.M.R.W. Jayasekera, M.D.C. Asela, A.L. Pieris & K.M.A. Bandara *Corresponding author. E-mail: sekanayake@gmail.com
In Sri Lanka there are 20 true mangrove plant species and Rhizophoraceae is the most diverse family represented by six species. Of these the genus Ceriops Arn., has five: C. australis (C.T. White) Ballment, T.J. Sm. & J.A. Stoddart; C. decandra (Roxb. ex Wight & Arn.) W. Theob.; C. pseudodecandra Sheue, H.G. Liu, C.C. Tsai & Yuen P. Yang; C. tagal (Perr.) C.B. Rob.; and C. zippeliana Blume.
The selection of secure and stable sleeping places and the abundance of such sites in the forest can impact each individual’s chances of survival and reproductive success. The avoidance of predators is often stressed as a major influence on the selection of sleeping places in non-human primates. The effect of predators on sleeping site selection has been revealed in many cases: e.g. Hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas) in Saudi Arabia slept on easily accessible slopes when predators were scarce.
Submitted date: 24 October 2014 Accepted date: 24 March 2016 Published date: 26 March 2016 Pp. 24–32.
Herbarium collections of the Botany Department, Fergusson College, Pune, India
Ashish N. Nerlekar *E-mail: ashishadmirerofficus@gmail.com
Herbaria provide researchers with several services and opportunities, including the identification of specimens, the preservation of voucher and type specimens and as teaching aids. They also form the basis for research including the preparation of floras and monographs. Further, herbaria are of value as they can help in mapping the geographical distribution of species, the establishment of ecological relationships, information on ethnobotanical uses, and as a resource for phytochemical analyses
Submitted date: 15 April 2015 Accepted date: 15 March 2016 Published date: 26 March 2016 Pp. 21–23.
27 years: the longest longevity and residency record for northern Indian Ocean blue whales
Asha de Vos *E-mail: asha.devos@lincoln.oxon.org
The blue whale population using the waters around Sri Lanka is little studied and considered a subpopulation of pygmy blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus indica Blyth, 1859) that largely remain in the waters of the northern Indian Ocean with a portion remaining resident around Sri Lanka throughout the year. Blue whales are the most commonly observed baleen whales in Sri Lankan waters.