Golden Sea Restaurant 黄金海岸Lot 13045, Batu 29 1/2, | Kanchong Laut, (Morib), Banting 42700, Malaysia012-331-7353

Golden Sea Restaurant

The menu board

The sitting.

You can choose either the hut or the one without.

you can even sit the swing while waiting!

Coconut! whoots!

The vege. 

Lala... whoots!

Kam Heong Crab!

The nice seaside!

Weaver antFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weaver_ant

"Green ant" redirects here. For the Australian green-head ant, see Green-head ant.

Weaver ant (Oecophylla

smaragdina) major worker (India).

Weaver ant (Oecophylla longinoda)

major worker (Tanzania)

Scientific classification

Kingdom:

Animalia

Phylum:

Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Hymenoptera

Family: Formicidae

Subfamily:

Formicinae

Tribe: OecophylliniEmery, 1895

Genus: OecophyllaSmith, 1860

Type species

Formica virescens (junior

synonym of Oecophylla

smaragdina)

Diversity [1]

2 extant species13 extinct species

Oecophylla range map.

Oecophylla longinoda in

blue, Oecophylla smaragdina in red.

[2]

Weaver ants or green ants (genus Oecophylla) areeusocial insects of the family Formicidae (order Hymenoptera). Weaver ants are obligately arboreal and are known for their unique nest building behaviour where workers construct nests by weaving together leaves using larval silk.[3] Colonies can be extremely large consisting of more than a hundred nests spanning numerous trees and contain more than half a million workers. Like many other ant species, weaver ants prey on small insects and supplement their diet with carbohydrate-rich honey dew excreted by small insects (Hemiptera). Oecophylla workers exhibit a clear bimodal size distribution, with almost no overlap between the size of the minor and major workers.[4][5] The major workers are approximately 8–10 mm (0.31–0.39 in) in length and the minors approximately half the length of the majors. There is a division of labour associated with the size difference between workers. Major workers forage, defend, maintain, and expand the colony whereas minor workers tend to stay within the nests where they care for the brood and 'milk' scale insects in or close to the nests. Oecophylla weaver ants vary in color from reddish to yellowish brown dependent on the species. Oecophylla smaragdina found in Australia often have bright green gasters. These ants are highly territorial and workers aggressively

defend their territories against intruders. Because of their aggressive behaviour, weaver ants are sometime used by indigenous farmers, particularly in southeast Asia, as natural biocontrol agents against agricultural pests. Although Oecophylla weaver ants lack a functional sting they can inflict painful bites and often spray formic acid [6] [7]  directly at the bite wound resulting in intense discomfort.

Contents

1 Species 2 Taxonomy 3 Colony ontogeny and social organization 4 Nest building behaviour 5 Relationship with humans

o 5.1 In agriculture o 5.2 As food and medicine

6 See also 7 References 8 Selected bibliography 9 External links

Species

Extant species:

Oecophylla longinoda (Latreille, 1802) Oecophylla smaragdina (Fabricius, 1775)

Extinct species:

†Oecophylla atavina Cockerell, 1915 †Oecophylla bartoniana Cockerell, 1920 †Oecophylla brischkei Mayr, 1868 †Oecophylla crassinoda Wheeler, 1922 †Oecophylla eckfeldiana Dlussky, Wappler & Wedmann, 2008 †Oecophylla grandimandibula Riou, 1999 †Oecophylla leakeyi Wilson & Taylor, 1964 †Oecophylla longiceps Dlussky, Wappler & Wedmann, 2008 †Oecophylla megarche Cockerell, 1915 †Oecophylla obesa (Heer, 1849) †Oecophylla praeclara Förster, 1891 †Oecophylla sicula Emery, 1891 †Oecophylla superba Théobald, 1937

Taxonomy

Liquid food exchange (trophallaxis) in O. smaragdinaThe weaver ants belong to the ant genusOecophylla (subfamily Formicinae) which contains two closely related living species: O. longinodafound in Sub-Saharan Africa and O. smaragdinafound in southern India, southeast Asia, andAustralia.[8][9] They are provisionally placed in a tribe of their own, Oecophyllini. The weaver ant genus Oecophylla is relatively old, and 15 fossil species have been found from the Eocene to Miocene deposits. [2][10] Two other genera of weaving ants, Polyrhachis and Dendromyrmex, also use larval silk in nest construction, but the construction and architecture of their nests are simpler than those of Oecophylla.[3] In Australia,Oecophylla smaragdina is found in the tropical coastal areas as far south as Rockhampton and across the coastal tropics of the Northern Territory down to Broome in West Australia. [citation needed]

Two O. smaragdina transferring food to their colony

The common features of the genus include an elongated first funicular segment, presence of propodeal lobes, helcium at midheight of abdominal segment 3 and gaster capable of reflexion over the mesosoma. Males havevestigial pretarsal claws.[11]

Colony ontogeny and social organization

Weaver ants collaborating to pull nest leaves together

Weaver ant colonies are founded by one or more mated females (queens).[12] A queen lays her first clutch of eggs on a leaf and protects and feeds the larvae until they develop into mature workers. The workers then construct leaf nests and help rear new brood laid by the queen. As the number of workers increases, more nests are constructed and colony productivity and growth increase significantly. Workers perform tasks that are essential to colony survival, including foraging, nest construction, and colony defense. The exchange of information and modulation of worker behaviour that occur during worker-worker interactions are facilitated by the use of chemical and tactile communication signals. These signals are used primarily in the contexts of foraging and colony defense. Successful foragers lay down pheromone trails that help recruit other workers to new food sources. Pheromone trails are also used by patrollers to recruit workers against territorial intruders. Along with chemical signals, workers also use tactile communication signals such as attenation and body shaking to stimulate activity in signal recipients. Multimodal communication in Oecophylla weaver ants importantly contributes to colony self-organization.[13][14] Like many other ant species, Oecophylla workers exhibit social carrying behavior as part of the recruitment process, in which one worker will carry another worker in its mandibles and transport it to a location requiring attention.[citation needed]

Nest building behaviour

Weaver ant nest on a mango tree

Oecophylla weaver ants are known for their cooperative behaviour used in nest construction. Possibly the first description of weaver ant's nest building behaviour was made by the English naturalist Joseph Banks, who took part in Captain James Cook's voyage to Australia in 1768. An excerpt from Joseph Banks' Journal (cited in Hölldobler and Wilson 1990) is included below:

The ants...one green as a leaf, and living upon trees, where it built a nest, in size between that of a man's head and his fist, by bending the leaves together, and gluing them with whitish paperish substances which held them firmly together. In doing this their management was most curious: they bend down four leaves broader than a man's hand, and place them in such a direction as they choose. This requires a much larger force than these animals seem capable of; many thousands indeed are employed in the joint work. I have seen as many as could stand by one another, holding down such a leaf, each drawing down with all his might, while others within were employed to fasten the glue. How they had bent it down I had not the opportunity of seeing, but it was held down by main strength, I easily proved by disturbing a part of them, on which the leaf bursting from the rest, returned to its natural situation, and I had an opportunity of trying with my finger the strength of these little animals must have used to get it down. [3]

The weaver ant's ability to build capacious nests from living leaves has undeniably contributed to their ecological success. The first phase in nest construction involves workers surveying potential nesting leaves by pulling on the edges with their mandibles. When a few ants have successfully bent a leaf onto itself or drawn its edge toward another, other workers nearby join the effort. The probability of a worker joining the concerted effort is dependent on the size of the group, with workers showing a higher probability of joining when group size is large. [15] When the span between two leaves is beyond the reach of a single ant, workers form chains with their bodies by grasping one another's petiole (waist). Multiple intricate chains working in unison are often used to ratchet together large leaves during nest construction. Once the edges of the leaves are drawn together, other workers retrieve larvae from existing nests using their mandibles. Upon reaching a seam to be joined, these workers tap the head of the clutched larvae, which causes them to excrete silk. They can only produce so much silk, so the larva will have to pupate without a cocoon. The workers then maneuver between the leaves in a highly coordinated fashion to bind them together. [3] Weaver ant's nests are usually elliptical in shape and range in size from a single small leaf folded and bound onto itself to large nests consisting of many leaves and measure over half a meter in length. The time required to construct a nest varies depending on leaf type and eventual size, but often a large nest can be built in significantly less than 24 hours. Although weaver ant's nests are strong and impermeable to water, new nests are continually being built by workers in large colonies to replace old dying nests and those damaged by storms. [16]

Relationship with humans

In agriculture

O. smaragdina tending scale insectsLarge colonies of Oecophylla weaver ants consume significant amounts of food, and workers continuously kill a variety ofarthropods (primarily other insects) close to their nests. Insects are not only consumed by workers, but this protein source is necessary for brood development. Because

weaver ant workers hunt and kill insects that are potentially harmful plant pests, trees harboring weaver ants benefit from having decreased levels of herbivory.[17] They have traditionally been used in biological control in Chinese and Southeast Asian citrus orchards from at least 400 AD. [18][19] Many studies have shown the efficacy of using weaver ants as natural biocontrol agents against agricultural pests.[20] The use of weaver ants as biocontrol agents has especially been effective for fruit agriculture, particularly inAustralia and southeast Asia.[21][22] Fruit trees harboring weaver ants produce higher quality fruits, show less leaf damage by herbivores, and require fewer applications of synthetic pesticides.[22][23] In several cases have the use of weaver ants been shown to be more efficient than applying chemical insecticides and at the same time cheaper, leaving farmers with increased net incomes and more sustainable pest control. [24]

Weaver ant husbandry is often practiced in Southeast Asia, where farmers provide shelter, food and construct ropes between trees populated with weaver ants in order to protect their colonies from potential competitors.[25]

Oecophylla colonies may not be entirely beneficial to the host plants. Studies indicate that the presence of Oecophylla colonies may also have negative effects on the performance of host plants by reducing fruit removal by mammals and birds and therefore reducing seed dispersal and by lowering the flower-visiting rate of flying insects including pollinators. [26][27] Weaver ants also have an adverse effect on tree productivity by protecting sap feeding insects such as scale insects and leafhoppers from which they collect honeydew.[27][28] By protecting these insects from predators they increase their population and increase the damage they cause to trees. [29]

As food and medicine

Leaf packets of larvae in Isaan typically sell for about 20 Thai Baht each (about 0.65 USD)Weaver ants are one of the most valued types of insects eaten by humans (entomophagy). In addition to being used as a biological control agent to increase plant production, weaver ants can be utilized directly as a protein and food source since the ants (especially the ant larvae) are edible for humans and high in protein and fatty acids. [30] In some countries the weaver ant is a highly prized delicacy harvested in vast amounts and in this way contributing to local socioeconomics. [31] In Northeastern Thailand the price of weaver ant larvae is twice the price of good quality beef and in a single Thai province ant larvae worth 620.000 USD are harvested every year. [32][33] It has furthermore been shown that the harvest of weaver ants can be maintained while at the same time using the ants for biocontrol of pest insects in tropical plantations, since the queen larvae and pupae that are the primary target of harvest, are not vital for colony survival. [34]

The larvae of weaver ants are also collected commercially as an expensive feed for insect eating birds in Indonesia and the worker ants are used in traditional medicine in e.g. India and China. [35][36]

See also

Polyrhachis , other ants that weave nests (though less complex)

Where the Green Ants Dream , a 1984 film directed by Werner Herzog Myrmarachne plataleoides , a spider that mimics the weaver ant List of animals that produce silk List of Thai ingredients Nanfang Caomu Zhuang , earliest Chinese record of O. smaragdina "citrus ants" protecting

orange crops

References

1. Jump up ̂  Bolton, B. (2015)."Oecophylla". AntCat. Retrieved 30 January 2015.2. ^ Jump up to: a  b Dlussky, G.M.; Wappler, T.; Wedmann, S. (2008)."New middle

Eocene formicid species from Germany and the evolution of weaver ants". Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 53(4): 615–626.doi:10.4202/app.2008.0406.

3. ^ Jump up to: a  b c d Hölldober, B. & Wilson, E.O. 1990. The ants. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press.

4. Jump up ̂  Weber, NA (1946)."Dimorphism in the AfricanOecophylla   worker and an anomaly (Hym.: Formicidae)" (PDF).Annals of the Entomological Society of America 39: 7–10.

5. Jump up ̂  Wilson,Edward O., and Robert W. Taylor (1964). "A fossil ant colony: new evidence of social antiquity" (PDF). Psyche71 (2): 93–103.doi:10.1155/1964/17612.

6. Jump up ̂  J. W. S. Bradshaw, R. Baker, P. E. Howse (1979) Chemical composition of the poison apparatus secretions of the African weaver ant,Oecophylla longinoda, and their role in behaviour. Physiological Entomology 4(1), 39–46doi:10.1111/j.1365-3032.1979.tb00175.x

7. Jump up ̂  N. Peerzada, T. Pakkiyaretnam and S. Renaud. Volatile constituents of the green ant Oecophylla smaragdina. Agric. Biol. Chem., 54 (12), 3335-3336, 1990 [1]

8. Jump up ̂  Tree of Life Web Project. 2004. Oecophylla9. Jump up ̂  Ant Web. 2008. Search Oecophylla10.Jump up ̂  Azuma, N., Kikuchi, T., Ogata, K. & Higashi, S. 2002. Molecular

phylogeny among local populations of weaver ant Oecophylla smaragdina. Zoological Science 19:1321-1328.

11.Jump up ̂  Bolton, B. 2003. Synopsis and Classification of Formicidae. 370 pp. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute, Vol. 71. Gainesville, FL.

12.Jump up ̂  RK Peng, K Christian, K Gibb (1998) How many queens are there in mature colonies of the green ant,Oecophylla smaragdina(Fabricius)? Australian Journal of Entomology 37 (3) , 249–253doi:10.1111/j.1440-6055.1998.tb01579.x

13.Jump up ̂  Hölldobler, B. 1999. Multimodal signals in ant communication. J Comp Physiol A 184:129-141.

14.Jump up ̂  Hölldobler, B. 1983. Territorial behavior in the green tree ant (Oecophylla smaragdina). Biotropica 15:241-250.

15.Jump up ̂  Deneubourg, J.L., Lioni, A. & Detrain, C. 2002. Dynamics of aggregation and emergence of cooperation. Biological Bulletin 202:262-267.

16.Jump up ̂  Offenberg J. 2014. The use of artificial nests by weaver ants: A preliminary field observation. Asian Myrmecology 6: 119-128 [2]

17.Jump up ̂  Offenberg, J.; Havanon, S.; Aksornkoae, S.; Macintosh, D.J.; Nielsen, M.G. (2004). "Observations on the Ecology of Weaver Ants (Oecophylla smaragdinaFabricius) in a Thai Mangrove Ecosystem and Their Effect on Herbivory of Rhizophora mucronata Lam.". Biotropica 36 (3): 344–351. doi:10.1111/j.1744-7429.2004.tb00326.x.

18.Jump up ̂  Chen, S. (1991). "The oldest practice of biological control: The cultural and efficacy of Oecophylla smaragdina Fabr in orange orchards". Acta Entomologica Sinica 11: 401–407.

19.Jump up ̂  Barzman, M.S.; Mills, N.J.; Thu Cuc, N.G. (1996). "Traditional knowledge and rationale for weaver ant husbandry in the Mekong delta of Vietnam". Agriculture and Human Values 13 (4): 2–9.doi:10.1007/BF01530519.

20.Jump up ̂  Van Mele, P. (2008). "A historical review of research on the weaver antOecophylla in biological control". Agricultural and Forest Entomology 10 (1): 13–22. doi:10.1111/j.1461-9563.2007.00350.x.

21.Jump up ̂  Van Mele, P.; Cuc, N. T. T.; VanHuis, A. (2002). "Direct and indirect influences of the weaver ant Oecophylla smaragdina on citrus farmers' pest perceptions and management practices in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam".International Journal of Pest Management 48 (3): 225–232.doi:10.1080/09670870110118713.

22.^ Jump up to: a  b Peng, R.; Christian, K. (2007). "The effect of the weaver ant, (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), on the mango seed weevil, (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in mango orchards in the Northern Territory of Australia".International Journal of Pest Management 53 (1): 15–24.doi:10.1080/09670870600968859.

23.Jump up ̂  Peng, R. K.; Christian, K. (2008). "The dimpling bug,Campylomma austrinaMalipatil (Hemiptera: Miridae): the damage and its relationship with ants in mango orchards in the Northern Territory of Australia". International Journal of Pest Management54 (2): 173–179.doi:10.1080/09670870701875243.

24.Jump up ̂  Offenberg, J.; Firn, J. (2015). "Ants as tools in sustainable agriculture".Journal of Applied Ecology52 (5): 1197–1205.doi:10.1111/1365-2664.12496.

25.Jump up ̂  Van Mele, P.; Vayssières, J.F. (2007). "Weaver ants help farmers to capture organic markets" (PDF).Pesticides News 75: 9–11.

26.Jump up ̂  Thomas, Donald W. (1988). "The influence of aggressive ants on fruit removal in the tropical tree,Ficus capensis(Moraceae)". Biotropica 20(1): 49–53.doi:10.2307/2388425.

27.^ Jump up to: a  b Tsuji, Kazuki, Ahsol Hasyim, Harlion and Koji Nakamura (2004). "Asian weaver ants, Oecophylla smaragdina, and their repelling of pollinators".Ecological Research 19: 669–673. doi:10.1111/j.1440-1703.2004.00682.x.

28.Jump up ̂  Weber, Neal A. (1949)."The functional significance of dimorphism in the African ant,   Oecophylla" . Ecology30 (3): 397–400.doi:10.2307/1932624.

29.Jump up ̂  Blüthgen, N. Fiedler, K., 2002 Interactions between weaver ants Oecophylla smaragdina, homopterans, trees and lianas in an Australian rain forest canopy. Journal of Animal Ecology, 71:5

30.Jump up ̂  Raksakantong P, Meeso N, Kubola J and Siriamornpun S, 2010. Fatty acids and proximate composition of eight Thai edible terricolous insects. Food Research International 43(1): 350-355

31.Jump up ̂  van Huis, Arnold et al. (2013). Edible insects: future prospects for food and feed security (PDF). FAO Forestry Paper 171. FAO.ISBN 978-92-5-107596-8.

32.Jump up ̂  Sribandit W, Wiwatwitaya D, Suksard S and Offenberg J, 2008. The importance of weaver ant (Oecophylla smaragdina Fabricius) harvest to a local community in Northeastern Thailand. Asian Myrmecology 2: 129-138. http://www.asian-myrmecology.org/publications/sribandit-et-al-am-2008.pdf

33.Jump up ̂  Offenberg J, 2011.Oecophylla smaragdina food conversion efficiency: prospects for ant farming. Journal of Applied Entomology 135(8): 575-581

34.Jump up ̂  Offenberg J and Wiwatwitaya D, 2010. Sustainable weaver ant (Oecophylla smaragdina) farming: harvest yields and effects on worker ant density. Asian Myrmecology 3: 55-62.http://www.asian-myrmecology.org/publications/offenberg-wiwatwitaya-am-2010.pdf

35.Jump up ̂  Césard N, 2004. Harvesting and commercialisation of kroto (Oecophylla smaragdina) in the Malingpeng area, West Java, Indonesia. In: Forest products, livelihoods and conservation. Case studies of non-timber product systems (Kusters K, Belcher B, eds), Center for International Forestry Research, Bogor, 61-77

36.Jump up ̂  Rastogi N, 2011. Provisioning services from ants: food and pharmaceuticals. Asian Myrmecology 4: 103-120.http://www.asian-myrmecology.org/publications/am04_103-120_ragosti_2011.pdf

Selected bibliography

Azuma, N., Ogata, K., Kikuchi, T. & Higashi, S. 2006. Phylogeography of Asian weaver ants,Oecophylla smaragdina. Ecological Research 21:126-136.

Bonabeau, E., Dorigo, M. & Theraulaz, G. 1999. Swarm Intelligence: From Natural to Artificial Systems. NY, Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Chapuisat, M. & Keller, L. 2002. Division of labour influences the rate of ageing in weaver ant workers. Proc of the Royal Society B 269:909-913.

Federle, W., Baumgartner, W. & Hölldober, B. 2004. Biomechanics of ant adhesive pads: frictional forces are rate- and temperature-dependent. Journal of Experimental Biology 207:67-74.

Hölldober, B. & Wilson, E.O. 1977. Weaver ants. Scientific American 237:146. Hölldober, B. & Wilson, E.O. 1977. Weaver ants - social establishment and

maintenance of territory.Science 195:900-902.

Hölldober, B. & Wilson, E.O. 1990. The Ants. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press.

Hölldober, B. & Wilson, E.O. 1994. Journey to the Ants. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press.

Huang, H.T. & Yang, P. 1987. Ancient cultured citrus ant used as biological control agent. BioScience 37:665-671.

Kube, C.R. & Bonabeau, E. 2000. Cooperative transport by ants and robots. Robotics and Autonomous Systems 30:85-101.

Kube, C.R. & Zhang, H. 1993. Collective robotics: from social insects to robots. Adaptive Behavior 2:189-219.

Lioni, A., Sauwens, C., Theraulaz, G. & Deneubourg, J.L. 2001. Chain formation in Oecophylla longinoda. Journal of Insect Behavior 14:679-696.

Offenberg, J. 2015. Ants as tools in sustainable agriculture. Journal of Applied Ecology. Early view. DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12496. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2664.12496/abstract

Peng, R.K., Christian, K. & Gibb, K. 1998. Locating queen ant nests in the green ant, Oecophylla smaragdina (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Insectes Sociaux 45:477-480.

Sharkey, A.J.C. 2006. Robots, insects and swarm intelligence. Artificial Intelligence Review 26:255-268.

Van Mele, P., Cuc, N.T.T. & Van Huis, A. 2001, Farmer's knowledge, perceptions and practices in mango pest management in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. International Journal of Pest Management 47:7-16.

External links

Wikispecies has information related to: Oecophylla

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Oecophylla.

Weaver ants constructing a leaf nest (video) Weaver ant harvest in Thailand (video) Weaver Ants - National Geographic, May 2011 AntWeb - Ants of the world

Tree Of Life - Oecophylla Green tree ants Ants as friends. Insect Pest Management on Tree Crops with Weaver Ants by Paul

Van Mele and Nguyen Thi Thu Cuc

Amboina box turtleFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amboina_box_turtle

Amboina box turtle

Adult C. a. amboinensis from Sulawesi

Conservation status

Vulnerable (IUCN 2.3)

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Reptilia

Order: Testudines

Suborder: Cryptodira

Superfamily: Testudinoidea

Family: Geoemydidae

Subfamily: Geoemydinae

Genus: Cuora

Species: C. amboinensis

Binomial name

Cuora amboinensisDaudin, 1802

Synonyms [1]

Cuora amboinensis amboinensisTestudo amboinensis Daudin, 1801Testudo melanocephala Daudin, 1801Emys amboinensis Schweigger, 1812Emys melanocephala Schweigger, 1812Terrapene amboinensis Merrem, 1820Kinosternon amboinense Bell, 1825(ex errore)Cistuda amboinensis Gray, 1830Clemmys (Clemmys) melanocephala Fitzinger, 1835Cuora amboinensis Gray, 1856Cistudo amboinensis Boulenger, 1889Cyclemys amboinensis Boulenger, 1889Cuora ambionensis Goldsmith, Proctor, Cole & Dadd, 1969 (ex errore)Cuora amboiensis Nutaphand, 1979(ex errore)Cuora amboinensis amboinensisRummler & Fritz, 1991Cuora amboinensis couroEmys couro Schweigger, 1812Terrapene bicolor Bell, 1825Terrapene couro Fitzinger, 1826Emys cuoro Mertens & Wermuth, 1955(ex errore)Cuora amboinensis couro Rummler & Fritz, 1991Cuora amboinensis cuoro Das, 1995Cuora amboinensis kamaromaTerrapene bicolor Bell, 1825Cuora amboinensis kamaromaRummler & Fritz, 1991Cuora amboinensis kanzaromaArtner, 2003 (ex errore)Cuora amboinensis lineataCuora amboinensis lineata McCord & Philippen, 1998

The Amboina box turtle (Cuora amboinensis), or southeast Asian box turtle is a species of Asian box turtle.

It is found in the Nicobar Islands, eastern India (Assam),Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, central and southern Vietnam, west Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines (Leyte,Luzon, Mindanao, Samar, Negros, Panay, etc.), Indonesia(Sulawesi, Ambon Island, Sumatra, Borneo, East Malaysia, Brunei,Nias, Enggano, Simeulue, Java, Sumbawa, Halmahera, Ceram,Seram, Buru, East Timor, Bali, Palawan and Maluku), and possiblyChina(Guangxi and Guangdong) and Sri Lanka.

The type locality is "Amboine" (or "Amboina") Island, today Ambon Island in Indonesia.

Contents  [hide] 

1 Description 2 Ecology and status 3 Pet care 4 Footnotes 5 References 6 Further reading 7 External links

Description[edit]

These turtles have blackish-brown to olive brown colored shells that are not as ornate as many other box turtles. All have a blackish olive head with three yellow stripes on the side. The male can be identified by the slightly concave shape to its plastron. There is no specific pattern to what the underbellies may look like, for either sex. The only true way of telling age is to guess by the texture of the shell, as growth rings form irregularly.[2][3]

There are four subspecies that are primarily differentiated by differences in the color and shape of the carapace:[4]

Cuora amboinensis amboinensis (Wallacean Box Turtle) – eastern Indonesian islands: Ambon Island, Sulawesi, theMoluccas, Buru, Seram, and East Timor and smaller islands in the region.

Have a quite flat shell with a flared marginal scutes. The plastron have a bigger black spots coloration, and possesses a bigger head. Well adapted for an aquatic lifestyle. For individuals suspected to be of this subspecies: Ratio of carapace length / height: 3.08. Average ratio dimensions of plastron spots: 1.21 (almost circular)

Cuora amboinensis couro (West Indonesian Box Turtle)(Schweigger, 1812)[5] – south Indonesian islands: Sumatra, Java, Bali and Sumbawa.Moderate domed carapace, some individual possesses a flared marginal scutes. The plastron shows black markings on every plastral scutes, Darker in Coloration, more oval black spots on plastron.

Cuora amboinensis kamaroma (South East Asian Box Turtle)Rummler & Fritz,

1991[5] – Malayan box turtle or domed Malayan box turtle. Mainland Indochina (South and Central Vietnam, southern Laos & Cambodia), Thailand (Phang Nga Provinceetc.), Singapore and mainland Malaysia and Borneo.

High domed carapace and smaller, more elongated and less spotting of black pigments in the plastron. have smaller and shorter tail compared to other subspecies. do not have any flare in the marginal scutes. Average ratio of carapace length / height: 2.82. Average ratio dimensions of plastron spots: 2.14 (small and elongated)

Cuora amboinensis lineata (Burmese Box Turtle) McCord &Philippen, 1998[5] – Myanmar.Resembles to Cuora amboinensis kamaroma, but in the carapace there is a bright colored mid-dorsal line, and sometimes a bright colored lateral line. The plastral are possesses large black spotting of black similar to the Cuora amboinensis couro.

Several distinct populations are believed to represent up to 4 more subspecies, or at least striking varieties.[6]

Nicobar Islands Eastern India (Assam), Bangladesh, and possibly Sri Lanka Borneo, the Malaysian Islands, Brunei, and Palawan Philippines (Leyte, Luzon, Mindanao, Samar, Negros, Panay, etc.)

C. a. kamaroma from Thailand

 

Plastron of C. a. kamaroma

 

C. a. lineata from Myanmar

 

C. amboinensis"Philippines population" from Leyte

C. a. kamaroma has hybridized in captivity with the Vietnamese pond turtle – a species nearly extinct in the wild – and with males of the Chinese pond turtle (Chinemys reevesii).[7] Other hybrids are known, like C. amboinensis × Cuora trifasciata.[6]

Ecology and status[edit]

They are omnivorous, with younger turtles tending towards more meat consumption and older turtles eating a more herbivorous diet. [2]

Although Cuora amboinensis is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN,[8] they are able to thrive in some areas of the world. For example, they can be found in the storm drains of Brunei. These are seriously polluted, and yet seem to be extremely popular habitat for these turtles and other animals that can withstand eutrophication. In some places, this species is hunted for use in folk medicine.[9]

Cuora amboinensis can be quite difficult to breed in captivity, compared with other box turtles. These turtles have a mating ritual very similar to that of other box turtles. No courtship occurs, the male simply climbs upon the female. He then snaps at her head, so that she closes the front half of her shell, opening the back.

Pet care[edit]

Adult C. amboinensis ssp.

Juvenile Malayan box turtles (Cuora amboinensis kamaroma)

Any individual considering a turtle as a pet should thoroughly research both general care and the care of the particular species in which they are interested. Individuals considering a Cuora amboinensis as a pet should keep in mind that it is a tropical, non-hibernating species who needs much warmer water (about 82 degrees F) than many other semi-aquatic species. The adult Cuora amboinensis is smaller in comparison to more well-known species such as the red-eared slider or cooter, but a fully grown adult will generally need at least a 55-gallon tank and this habitat should be semi-aquatic, not terrestrial.

Cuora amboinensis is far more aquatic than many other box turtle species. Unfortunately, this has often led to pet Cuoras being incorrectly housed in terrestrial habitats. Although they are clumsy swimmers and need shallower water than other semi-aquatic turtles that are stronger swimmers, (e.g., sliders, cooters, and painteds), they tend to vastly prefer being in the water to on land. In the wild, they will often live in almost entirely in water only emerging to bask and to lay eggs. They can even mate in the water.

Footnotes[edit]

1. Jump up ̂  Fritz Uwe; Peter Havaš (2007). "Checklist of Chelonians of the World". Vertebrate Zoology 57 (2): 214–215. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-12-17. Retrieved 29 May 2012.

2. ^ Jump up to: a  b "Cuora amboinensis".3. Jump up ̂  "Jabberwock Reptiles".

4. Jump up ̂  Filella (1997); measurements taken at the LCRC 2006-SEP-20.5. ^ Jump up to: a  b c Cuora amboinensis, The Reptile Database6. ^ Jump up to: a  b Vetter & Van Dijk (2006)7. Jump up ̂  Fritz & Mendau (2002), Galgon & Fritz (2002), Buskirk et al. (2005)8. Jump up ̂  ATTWG (2000)9. Jump up ̂  da Nóbrega Alves et al. (2008)

References[edit]

ASIAN TURTLE TRADE WORKING GROUP (ATTWG) (2000). Cuora amboinensis. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is vulnerable and the criteria used

BUSKIRK, JAMES R.; PARHAM, JAMES F. & FELDMAN, CHRIS R. (2005): On the hybridisation between two distantly related Asian turtles (Testudines: Sacalia × Mauremys). Salamandra 41: 21–26. PDF fulltext

DA NÓBREGA ALVES, RÔMULO ROMEU; DA SILVA VIEIRA; WASHINGTON LUIZ & GOMES SANTANA, GINDOMAR (2008): Reptiles used in traditional folk medicine: conservation implications. Biodiversity and Conservation 17(8): 2037–2049. doi:10.1007/s10531-007-9305-0 (HTML abstract, PDF first page)

FILELLA, EDUARD (1997): Cuora amboinensis la tortuga caja del sudeste asiático y sus subespecies ["C. amboinensis, the southeast Asian box turtle, and its subspecies"]. Reptilia 13: 43–47 [Article in Spanish][verification needed].

FRITZ, UWE & MENDAU, D. (2002): Ein Gattungsbastard zweier südostasiatischer Schildkröten: Cuora amboinensis kamaroma RUMMLER & FRITZ 1991 × Mauremys annamensis (SIEBENROCK 1903) ["An intergeneric hybrid of two Southeast Asian turtles: C. a. kamaroma × M. annamensis"]. Salamandra 38(3): 129–134 [Article in German][verification needed].

GALGON, FRANK & FRITZ, UWE (2002): Captive bred hybrids between Chinemys reevesii (Gray, 1831) andCuora amboinensis kamaroma Rummler & Fritz, 1991. Herpetozoa 15(3/4): 137–148.

MCCORD, WILLIAM P. & PHILIPPEN, HANS-DIETER (1998): A New Subspecies of box turtle, Cuora amboinensis lineata, from Northern Myanmar (Burma), with Remarks on the Distribution and Geographic Variation of the Species. Reptile Hobbyist (March issue)[verification needed]: 51–58.

RUMMLER, H. J. & FRITZ, UWE (1991): Geographische Variabilität der Amboina-Scharnierschildkröte Cuora amboinensis (Daudin, 1802), mit Beschreibung einer neuen Unterart, C. a. kamaroma subsp. nov. ["Geographic variation of C. amboinensis with description of a new subspecies, C. a. kamaroma"].Salamandra 27 (1/2): 17–45 [Article in German][verification needed].

"Cuora amboinensis kamaroma", Rui Pessoa, May 2007, Lisbon, Portugal

VETTER, H. & VAN DIJK, P.P. (2006): Turtles of the World (Vol. 4: East and South Asia) – Schildkröten der Welt(Band 4: Ost- und Südasien). Edition Chimaira, Frankfurt am Main.

Further reading[edit]This article includes a list of references, but its sources remain unclearbecause it has insufficient inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (January 2009)

"Cuora amboinensis kamaroma", Rui Pessoa, May 2007, Lisbon, Portugal

BECKER, H. (1999): Ergänzende Bemerkungen zur Haltung und zur Nachzucht von Cuora flavomarginata(Gray 1863) ["Additional remarks on captive care and breeding of C. flavomarginata"]. Elaphe 7(3): 2–10 [Article in German][verification needed].

ERNST, C.H. (1988): Cuora mccordi, a new Chinese box turtle from Guangxi Province. Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington 101: 466–470.

PAULER, I. (1980): Die Schildkrötengattung Cuora ["The turtle genus Curoa"]. Herpetofauna 2(6): 15–18 [Article in German][verification needed].

PRAEDICOW, G. (1985): Langjährige Erfahrungen bei der Pflege von Cuora amboinensis (Daudin) ["Long-term experiences in captive care of C. amboinensis"]. Herpetofauna 7(36)[verification needed]: 6–14 [Article in German][verification needed].

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons

has media related

to Cuora amboinensis.

Cuora amboinensis  at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database Cuora amboinensis photo The ultimate turtle page article

CatharanthusFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Catharanthus

Catharanthus roseus

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Plantae

(unranked): Angiosperms

(unranked): Eudicots

(unranked): Asterids

Order: Gentianales

Family: Apocynaceae

Genus: Catharanthus

G.Don

Type species

Catharanthus roseus

(L.) G. Don.[1]

Synonyms [2]

Ammocallis Small

Lochnera Rchb. ex Endl.,

illegitimate superfluous

name

Catharanthus is a genus of flowering plants in the dogbane family,Apocynaceae. Like genus Vinca, they are known commonly asperiwinkles.[3] There are eight known species. Seven are endemicto Madagascar,[4] though one, C. roseus, is widely naturalized around the world.[2][5] The eighth species, C. pusillus, is native to India and Sri Lanka.[6] The name Catharanthuscomes from the Greek for "pure flower".[7]

These are perennial herbs with oppositely or almost oppositely arranged leaves. Flowers are usually solitary in the leaf axils. Each has acalyx with five long, narrow lobes and a corolla with a tubular throat and five lobes.[7]

Catharanthus roseus, known formerly as Vinca rosea, is a main source ofvinca alkaloids, now sometimes called catharanthus alkaloids. The plant produces about 130 of these compounds, including vinblastine andvincristine, two drugs used to treat cancer.[8]

Catharanthus roseus is also cultivated as an ornamental plant in gardens. Several cultivars have been bred to produce flowers in many shades of pink, red, lilac, and white, or in light shades with dark throats.[9]

Species[2]

1. Catharanthus coriaceus Markgr. - Madagascar2. Catharanthus lanceus  (Bojer ex A.DC.) Pichon - Madagascar

3. Catharanthus longifolius (Pichon) Pichon - Madagascar4. Catharanthus ovalis  Markgr. - Madagascar5. Catharanthus pusillus  (Murray) G.Don. - India, Sri Lanka, Western Himalayas6. Catharanthus roseus  (L.) G.Don. – Madagascar periwinkle, old-maid, rosy periwinkle, pink

periwinkle - Madagascar; naturalized in Italy, S Asia, Australia, S United States, Central America, and various oceanic islands

7. Catharanthus scitulus  (Pichon) Pichon - Madagascar8. Catharanthus trichophyllus (Baker) Pichon - Madagascar

References[edit]

Wikimedia Commons

has media related

toCatharanthus.

Wikispecies has

information related

to: Catharanthus

1. Jump up ̂  lectotype designated by Pfeiffer, Nom. 1: 627 (1873)2. ^ Jump up to: a  b c "World Checklist of Selected Plant Families". Retrieved May 21, 2014.3. Jump up ̂  Catharanthus .  Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS).4. Jump up ̂  Catharanthus .  Madagascar Catalogue. eFloras.5. Jump up ̂  Catharanthus roseus . Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN).6. Jump up ̂  Catharanthus pusillus . Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN).7. ^ Jump up to: a  b Catharanthus .  The Jepson eFlora 2013.8. Jump up ̂  van Der Heijden, R., et al. (2004). The catharanthus alkaloids: pharmacognosy and biotechnology. Current Medicinal Chemistry 11(5),

607-28.9. Jump up ̂  Catharanthus roseus . Missouri Botanical Garden.

External links[edit]

Madagascar periwinkle (plant) at Encyclopædia Britannica Catharanthus  at theEncyclopedia of Life "Catharanthus" . National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). "Catharanthus" . Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 7 November 2013. Catharanthus  at Encyclopædia Britannica "Catharanthus" . Catalogue of Life. ITIS. Species 2000.

This page was last modified on 4 February 2016, at 17:54.