Natural History Notes

Plant and Animal Life in Southeast Asia

Forest snail

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- January 17, 2011

Snails belong to a group of animals known as gastropod which literally means "stomach-foot". I found this one on the forest floor, releasing a tranparent mucus as it crawls.

gastropod snail

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Macaranga: A Pioneer Tree Species

- May 01, 2012

Perhaps one of the most likely plants one will encounter in disturbed parts of the rainforest is the trees of the genus Macaranga . They are well known pioneer plants, a species that first colonized cleared and vacated areas after disturbance whether it man made or natural such as due to logging or fire. Macaranga trees are well equipped to live in this habitat characterized by high amount of sunlight, among others. Their leaves are large so as to be able to collect large amount of light. One example of pioneer species, Macaranga gigantea aptly displays this adaptation by having a huge leave that reach up to almost a meter long. A Macaranga tree growing in sunlight-exposed part of a riverbank As a pioneer species in primary succession of the rainforest, Macaranga trees grow rather fast and out-compete other species. Trees that initially grow under their shade would then take over as the process of succession continues. Starlings are regular visitor to fruiting Macarang

Eye Arrangement of Spiders

- April 19, 2018

Because of the sheer number of spider species this region, identifying a spider can be a daunting task especially for the amateur naturalist. However, in many cases the arrangement, size as well as the number of eyes can greatly help one identify the family or genus of a spider. Jumping spider has two enlarged forward pointing eyes. For a large majority of spiders, eight eyes in four pairs is the norm. However, spiders with three pairs of eyes or even eyeless also existed but they are rare. These simple eyes, also known as ocelli, are generally arranged in two rows, and their relative size and position are useful features to look for when identifying a spider. Nursery web spider has similar-sized eyes. The jumping spider, for example, has enlarge middle two eyes of the front row that point forward. The wolf spider also has two large eyes, but they are of the second row. The nursery web spider might be mistaken for a wolf spider, but their eyes are approximately of the

Types of Insect Antennas

- May 18, 2012

The antennas or commonly called feelers are one of the most characteristics features of insects’ parts. They are elongated appendages in various length and shape projected from the insect’s head. Essentially a sensory organ, the insect antennas give them the ability to detect chemical and movement. The simplest type of antenna is the filiform which consist of many more or less the same sized subunits. This beetle of the Anobiidae family displays a pectinate antenna A wide array of antenna forms is found as a result of different modification of the subunits. A pectinate antenna, for example, has each subunit prolonged at one side, giving rise to a comb like appearance. In many insects of the order Lepidoptera which include moths and butterflies, the antenna gradually becomes broader at the tip making it looks like a club or knob ( clavate ). The clavate antenna of a butterfly ended in a knob

Mimosa pigra: A Notorious Invasive Tree

- November 17, 2011

Mimosa pigra growing in river bank Mimosa pigra or also known as Catclaw Mimosa is a widespread non-native invasive species that grows gregariously in many parts of the tropics. This invasive tree native habitat is in South America, but have since spread to other topical areas. Indeed Mimosa pigra is a notorious foreign tree that is very difficult to control as it is easily dispersed via its hardy seeds that can survive for many years. Mimosa pigra also grows rapidly especially in sandy soil besides large rivers. As a result, local ecosystem would be altered and the relatively rich native vegetation would become a homogenous stand of only several species of trees, and in turn some local animals like birds have to leave because of decline in fruiting trees or nesting site. Mimosa pigra flowers Mimosa pigra tree bears some resemblance to its close relative the Mimosa pudica or the Sensitive Plant, but it is much larger in size. It is a thorny plant that can grows up to

Cat's Eye Fruit

- May 22, 2011

A bunch of Cat's Eye fruits The Cat's Eye fruit is one of the most popular fruits in Southeast Asia. It is related to the Longan or Dragon's Eye ( Dimocarpus longan ). Taxonomically it is a variety of the Longan. The scientific name of Cat's Eye plant is Dimocarpus longan var malesianus , but this particular variety is widely grown only in Southeast Asia. The small fruit contain a shiny black and smooth seed, surrounded by translucent pulp. It tastes sweet, and slightly juicy. The inflorescence of Cat's Eye fruit tree The tree itself is quite attractive with light brown bark, dark-green pinnate leaves and small, white flowers held in terminal panicles. The flower is visited by numerous flies and butterflies. It then become the fruit which is covered by thin brown and somewhat woody skin that can be easily peel off by hand. Not only people like the fruits, but many kind of animal such as treeshrew and squirrels too.

Mangosteen Tree and Fruit

- July 17, 2012

Ripe Mangosteen fruits ready to serve. The Mangosteen, like the Durian and Rambutan, has its origin in Southeast Asia. Mangosteen fruit is round and crowned with several woody lobes. The rind of a ripe fruit is dark purple. It is rather thick, but soft. If you squeeze lightly each side of the fruit, it would split open, revealing segments of white flesh covering some seeds arranged in a circle. The taste of Mangosteen fruit is sweet but acidic. Mangosteen trees Botanically, the Mangosteen ( Garcinia mangostana ) belongs to the family Guttiferae, and the genus Garcinia in particular consist of hundreds of species found in the tropics. It is a small tree with oppositely arranged thick, dark green leaves. It is not an easy task to grow the Mangosteen tree in large scale for it may takes up to 15 years before fruiting began. Related Post Hairy Rambutan Fruit

Hairy Rambutan Fruit

- February 14, 2012

Bunches of ripe Rambutan fruits Rambutan trees ( Nephelium lappaceum ) are common sight in rural areas in the region as they are grown in orchards and gardens. The Rambutan tree can reach up to 10 m in height. They are planted primarily for the fruit, easily identified by its ellipsoid shape, red colour and characteristically hairy appearance. The name Rambutan is derived from the word rambut which means hair in the Indo-Malayan region in particular. In Vietnam, however, it is known as Hairy Cherry. The outer skin is thin can be readily peel off by hands, and it encloses the white pulp that surrounds the woody seed. It is this pulp with its juicy and sweet taste that is consumed. In terms of nutrition, Rambutan fruit rich in vitamin C. There are many varieties of Rambutan, the most favourable are the ones with the pulp does not adheres to the seed so tightly. Seedless varieties also existed but they are not common.

Animal Pollinated Flowers

- November 30, 2014

Because pollination requires suitable pollinator to be successful, animal pollinated flowers have developed a variety of colors, scent and sizes; thus, restricting the kind of animals that visit them. Consequently, only animals with the right characteristics can feed on the nectar, and in return pollinate the flowers. A butterfly uses its proboscis to feed on nectar. Insects generally has keen sense of sight, hence they tend to visit colorful flowers. Butterflies, for example, often visit red, orange and yellow flowers, including those with long tubular tube for they can easily reach the nectar using their long sucking mouthparts . In contrast, bees cannot see red but they can see blue. This explains why many bee flowers are blue or violet. Bees are attracted to blue, purple and violet flowers. Time of opening also played a crucial part in attracting the right pollinators. Some flowers open at night like those of durian , which are pollinated by bats. Strongly sce

Banana Flowers

- January 20, 2013

Banana flowers The banana tree ( Musa sp.) is essentially a large herb most notable for its fruits. The large flowers are in many cases dioecious, that is the female and male flowers are present in the same plant. The inflorescence initially starts out at the tip of the plant. In the beginning, it is erect but eventually bends downwards. At first, only the female banana flowers develop in cluster around the thick long stalk. They are often referred as hands, and each finger will eventually become the fruit. As the fruits develop, the stalk continues to grow, and the male flowers will appear near the end, at the axil of the conspicuous bracts.

Poisonous Plant: Lantana camara

- January 25, 2018

Flowers of Lantana camara . Originally brought from South America to this region for decorative purposes, Lantana camara has escaped into the wild where it thrived at clearings around villages, cultivation and forested areas. Owing to its toxicity, this shrubby plant belonging to the verbena family has become a cause of concern to the extent that it is categorized as an invasive species in some countries. Some ripe and unripe fruits of Lantana camara . The fruits, for instance, although appear edible, can cause serious implication if consumed. Indeed, fatal cases have been recorded especially among children. Ingestion of the leaves by ruminants such as cows and goats will lead to liver damage followed by death in a few days. Arrangement of leaves and flower clusters of Lantana camara . The unmistakable flower clusters are held on erect stalk from the leaf axil near the top. Most of the flowers are orange and yellow, but variations occur in which the flowers