Norbert J. Cordeiro

Seed-dispersal ecology of tropical montane forests

Seed-dispersal ecology in tropical montane forests (TMF) differs in some predictable ways from tropical lowland forests (TLF). Environmental, biogeographic and biotic factors together shape dispersal syndromes which in turn influence forest structure and community composition. Data on diaspore traits along five elevational gradients from forests in Thailand, the Philippines, Tanzania, Malawi and Nigeria showed that diaspore size decreases with increasing altitude, fleshy fruits remain the most common fruit type but the relative proportion of wind-dispersed diaspores increases with altitude. Probably corresponding to diaspore size decreasing with increasing elevation, we also provide evidence that avian body size and gape width decrease with increasing altitude. Among other notable changes in the frugivorous fauna across elevational gradients, we found quantitative evidence illustrating that the proportion of bird versus mammalian frugivores increases with altitude, while TMF primates decrease in diversity and density, and switch diets to include less fruit and more leaf proportionately. A paucity of studies on dispersal distance and seed shadows, the dispersal/predation balance and density-dependent mortality thwart much-needed conclusive comparisons of seed dispersal ecology between TMF and TLF, especially from understudied Asian forests. We examine the available evidence, reveal knowledge gaps and recommend research to enhance our understanding of seed dispersal ecology in tropical forests. This review demonstrates that seed dispersal is a more deterministic and important process in tropical montane forests than has been previously appreciated.

Isolation and development of microsatellite loci in an African Woodpecker (Campethera nivosa) using polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing.

BackgroundThe Buff-spotted Woodpecker (Campethera nivosa) is a resident bird species that is distributed in lowland rainforest habitats from western to eastern Africa. We developed species-specific microsatellite markers to examine the population genetics of this species.FindingsTwenty-one microsatellite loci were isolated from C. nivosa. Of these, 15 were found to amplify consistently. These loci were then tested for variability in 15 individuals from different lowland forest localities. The number of alleles ranged from 3 to 13 per locus, with observed and expected heterozygosity ranging from 0.100 to 0.917 and 0.485 to 0.901, respectively. Four loci exhibited significant heterozygote deficiency while one had an excess of heterozygotes. None of the loci exhibited linkage disequilibrium.ConclusionThese polymorphic microsatellite markers will be used to study genetic variability in populations of C. nivosa across either sides of the Congo River to evaluate the effect of the river as a barrier to gene flow.

Isolation and development of 13 new, polymorphic microsatellite loci for a threatened, understory tree, Mesogyne insignis, (Moraceae) from the Eastern Arc Mountains

Fourteen microsatellite loci were isolated from Mesogyneinsignis, a threatened, African understory tree. Alleles ranged between two and eight per locus, with expected heterozygosity ranging from 0.063 to 0.845 and observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.000 to 0.733. One locus departed from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium leaving 13 polymorphic loci that will be used to study the genetic variability of fragmented populations so as to enhance the species conservation efforts.

Isolation and development of 15 new, polymorphic microsatellite loci for an unusual, endemic African earwig ( Hemimerus vosseleri )

Eighteen microsatellite loci were isolated from the Hemimerus vosseleri earwig, an insect species endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains, and that lives on African Giant Pouched Rat (Cricetomysgambianus). Alleles ranged between two and 12 per locus, with expected heterozygosity ranging from 0.185 to 0.883 and observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.200 to 0.750. Fifteen of 18 loci were polymorphic. These microsatellite markers will be used to study the population structure of Hemimerusvosseleri among different rat hosts, which will likely enhance the conservation of this unique and unusual rodent-insect partnership.