Ôîðóì » Foreign section » Fauna and Flora of Borneo and nearby islands » Îòâåòèòü
Fauna and Flora of Borneo and nearby islands
JOrnitho: Some time ago, I talked with Àâòîð about Borneo and I learned that there wasn’t many species described for this area. Then I proposed the lembu, a large descendant of the goat. The description of this species was approved. Since then, I had ideas for other animals living here and decided to create this thread. We could discuss ideas for this island here and if someone else have suggestions of creatures to Borneo, they can post here too. I'll start with a carnivore and a herbivore: [more]Borneo wild dog (Canis borneensis) Order: Carnivora Family: Canidae Habitat: Forests of Borneo A descendant of the domestic dog (Canis domesticus), the Borneo wild dog forms clans, rather than packs, to attack large preys. The Borneo wild dog is similar to the modern gray wolf but is distinguished by its smaller size, lighter weight, more elongated torso, less-prominent forehead, shorter legs and a muzzle that is narrower and more pointed. An adult female have 46 cm of length, while the slightly larger male have 54 cm. Their fur is reddish-brown. The throat, chest, flanks, and belly and the upper parts of the limbs are less brightly colored, and are more dark brown in tone. The lower parts of the limbs are black. The muzzle and forehead are greyish-brown. The tail is very fluffy, and is mainly of a reddish-brown color, with a black tip. Bornean wild dogs’ clans frequently break into small packs of 3–5 animals, particularly during the spring season, this way they can disperse to catch more young herbivores. The dominant dogs do not engage in dominance displays as modern wolves, though other clan members will show submissive behaviour toward them. Fights between members of the same group are rare. Their clans can have 6-30 individuals and urinate to mark their territory and travel routes. This canid digs simple dens and avoids killing prey close to them. Bornean wild dogs are primarily diurnal hunters, hunting in the early hours of the morning. They rarely hunt nocturnally, except on moonlit nights, indicating they greatly rely on sight when hunting. Although not a much fast animal, they can chase their prey for many hours. During a pursuit, one or more dog may take over chasing their prey, while the rest of the pack keeps up at a steadier pace behind, taking over once the other group tires. Most chases are short, lasting only 500 m. The Bornean wild dog frequently drives their prey into water bodies, where the targeted animal's movements are hindered. The dominant pair is generally monogamous, they usually remain together for life. The gestation period lasts 59 to 63 days, with litter sizes averaging 4–6 pups. Pups are suckled for at least one month. During this time, the pack feeds the mother at the den site. Once weaning begins, the adults of the clan will regurgitate food for the pups until they are old enough to join in hunting. They remain at the den site 70–80 days. By the age of six months, pups accompany the adults on hunts, and will assist in killing large prey by the age of eight months. Maximum longevity is of 16 years. Elegant deer (Gracilicervus insularis) Order: Artiodactyla Family: Cervidae Habitat: Forests of Borneo A descendant of the barking deer (Muntjac), the Elegant deer have this name because of their elegant build. They have a slim body and long neck and legs and lives in the forests of Borneo. The elegant deer coat is golden tan on the dorsal side and white on the ventral side of the body, the limbs are dark brown to reddish brown, and the face is dark brown. The fawn is spotted. Like their ancestors, the males of the species have tusk-like upper canine teeth. Their typical head-and-body length is about 103 to 115 cm. They stand up to about 70 to 80 cm. The male also have two-tined antlers. This species is an omnivore, eating grass, fruits, shoots, seeds, and birds' eggs, as well as small invertebrates. It can reach higher branches and twigs by standing erect on its hindlegs and elongating its neck; this helps it reach over for leaves and fruits. When in danger, it will do an alert sound similar to the barking sound of their ancestors. The elegant deer forms harems, comprising a dominant male, three adult females and their offspring of the previous and the present year, the young males form “bachelor herds” until they reach maturity. The gestation period is seven to eight months and they usually bear one offspring at a time, but sometimes produce twins. Females usually give birth in dense growth so that they are hidden from the rest of the herd and predators. Weaning is completed at around 7 months and at around 12 months the fawn is independent, the young males are banished from its mother herd after one year. Adult males often fight between one another for possession of a harem of females, using their antlers or their tusk-like upper canine teeth. Elegant deer show no evidence of a specific breeding season within the species. Reaching sexual maturity with 3 years, the elegant deer have a lifespan of 17 to 20 years.[/more]
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: Good idea! Nice! I edited the description to match the new name.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho OK, thanks!
Àâòîð: Talking about South-East Asia, I want to recall one group of birds which seems to be typical for this area. In the chapter "Sunda Land" a nectar-sucking parrot is described - Florilorius (loreeto, but I think, the writing "lorito" is more correct). I placed it to Psittacidae family, but now I think, it is too specialized to be classified as a true parrot. I have two ideas of the related species of flower-sucking psittacids: (automatic translation corrected a little bit) Groggy lorito (Florilorius bibulus) Order: Parrots (Psittaciformes) Family: xxx Habitat: Southeast Asia It feeds on nectar from the flowers of trees of the Solanaceae family, which has an intoxicating effect on other nectarivorous birds A close species, the mithridates lorito (Florilorius mithridaticum) feeds on the nectar of plants of the Apocynaceae family, which is poisonous. *** And of Solanaceae family - trees with tubular flowers? And of Apocynaceae family – bird-pollinated vines? ---- I just tried to make some ecological differences with other nectar-feeding species
Áèîëîã: Àâòîð feeds on nectar from the flowers of trees of the Solanaceae family, which has an intoxicating effect on other nectarivorous birds But why would the plant need to poison other birds? Plants pollinated by hummingbirds (Trochilidae) or sunbirds (Nectariniidae) do not poison other birds, do they. I think it would be more interesting if the plant secreted special volatiles (in its nectar) that attract the parrots you mentioned apart from other birds, while simultaneously having specialized flowers accessible for those parrots only. No need to poison anyone!
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: No need to poison anyone! There is some types of flower that produce toxic nectar. Another possibility for these birds could be that they were resistant to alcoholic and fermented nectar. Maybe even with a "dipsomaniac" species.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho There is some types of flower that produce toxic nectar. Yes, I've already activated my Google and found this: https://www.indefenseofplants.com/blog/2018/6/24/toxic-nectar So, sorry and thank you for the lesson!
Àâòîð: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: But why would the plant need to poison other birds? Ask Nerium oleander about it. As for Solanaceae, I mean not poisoning (lethal), but an intoxication (non-lethal, in slight degree). Plants of this family use poisons for self-defense, so the small anounts of these chemicals may appear in their nectar as a byproduct. The specific epithet "bibulus" means "winebibber" in Latin, as I know.
Áèîëîã: Àâòîð Nerium oleander OK, but that's not victim-specific, so our parrots will have to develop a permanent reliable immunity. OK.
JOrnitho: Àâòîð Do you think that these psittacids could also be resistant to alcoholic fermented nectar?
JOrnitho: By the way, I finished the description for the deer species living in Sulawesi. Rusa raksasa, or giant rusa (Gigantorusa insularis) The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. However some species survived and in the Neocene they gave rise to new species. One of these new species is the Rusa raksasa, a descendant of the Javan rusa (Rusa timorensis). Raksasa means giant in Indonesian. This species inhabits the tropical forests of Sulawesi. The Rusa raksasa is morphologically similar to their ancestors, but with a large size. The adult male stands from 1,40 to 2,0 m high at the shoulder. Their head and body length is from 2,4 to 3,0 m. They are also heavy, with 380 to 700 kg. The females are smaller, with a shoulder height of 1,50 to 1,76 m and a head and body length of 1,60 to 2,70 m, while weighing 261 to 283 kg. Such size make these animals the largest ones in Sulawesi. This species have orangish-brown fur on their bodies, while it's dark brown in their necks and heads. During the mating season, the males develop thin neck manes. However, their greatest characteristic is the leaf-shaped antlers that the males also develop during the mating season. These antlers have a combined length of 155 cm in older males. The mature males also have a rump on their shoulders. Rusa raksasa feed on a wide variety of vegetation, including grasses, foliage, browse, fruit, and water plants, depending on the local habitat. They also consume a great variety of shrubs and tree branches, which they can reach due to their large size The males live alone for much of the year, and the females live in small herds of up to 16 individuals. In some areas, the average herd consists of only three or four individuals, typically consisting of an adult female, her most recent young, and perhaps a subordinate, immature female. They often congregate near water, and are good swimmers. These animals are generally quiet, although all adults can scream or make short, high-pitched sounds when alarmed. However, they more commonly communicate by scent marking and foot stamping. Their mating season starts at the end of the monsoon period and lasts until the middle of the dry season. Oestrus lasts around 18 days. During this period, mature males will join the female groups, with courtship being based more on tending bonds rather than males vocally advertising themselves. Rival stags challenge opponents by belling and walking in parallel. This allows combatants to assess each other's antlers, body size and fighting prowess. If neither stag backs down, a clash of antlers can occur. Given the shape of their antlers, the males fight by ramming the plain part of it against each other. They also sometimes stand on their hind legs and clash downward into each other. Gestation for 8 months. Normally, only one calf is born at a time, although twins can occasionally be born. The calves have light spots which disappear not long after birth. Despite their lack of antlers, female rusa raksasa readily defend their young from most predators, forming a defensive formation, while vocalising and staying on their hind legs to kick the predator. The young begin to take solid food at 5 to 14 days, and begin to ruminate after one month. They reach sexual maturity with 3 years, which is when the males leave their mother's herd. This species have a lifespan of 28, but many rarely survive more than 12 years.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Good deer! Is its name related to rakshasa?
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: Is its name related to rakshasa? More or less. Raksasa means giant and rakshasa is a gigantic demon. Both words seems to gave the same origin.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho I see, thanks.
JOrnitho: I made another description, this one is for a large terrestrial cuscus. Giant ground cuscus (Megaloailurops ursinus) Order: Diprotodontia Family: Phalangeridae Habitat: Forests and woodlands of Sulawesi The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. However some species survived and in the Neocene they gave rise to new species. One of these new species is the giant ground cuscus, a descendant of the Sulawesi bear cuscus (Ailurops ursinus). This species lives in the tropical forests of Sulawesi and shares many morphological traits with the Ursine cuscus, a large marsupial that inhabits New Zealand. However, they aren’t closely related, being a case of convergent evolution. Giant ground cuscus are large animals, with 188 cm of length and a tail of 42 cm. The males are slightly larger than the females. Their fur is dark brown in colour, with a pale gray underbelly. These animals have long highly developed claws in their forepaws that they use to defend themselves against predators and to dig after food. While they walk, these animals move like heavy bears. Thanks to its platingrade limbs and stout tail, this mammal can rear up into a semi-erect position to pick leaves and fruits in trees. These animals eat a variety of plant matter, including fruit, leaves, flowers, and seeds. It may also consume animal matter such as insects, birds' eggs and chicks, and other small vertebrates. They will stand semi-eretic to reach fruit in the trees and use their claws to strip leaves and tear branches. The claws are also used to remove the bark of trunks after larvae and to excavate after roots and invertebrates. The giant ground cuscus is a solitary species with the individuals keeping their distance with scent markings and vocalizations. This animal can breed at any time of the year, but breeding tends to peak in spring and in autumn. During this period, males will become aggressive and fight for the females. Mating is promiscuous and random; some males can sire several young in a season, while over half sire none. The neonate emerges after only 34 days. Usually only one young is born at a time. It is blind, hairless, and only a few centimetres long. Its hind legs are mere stumps; it instead uses its more developed forelegs to climb its way through the thick fur on its mother's abdomen into the pouch, which takes about three to five minutes. Once in the pouch, it fastens onto one of the two teats and starts to feed. After approximately 197 days, the cub is sufficiently large and developed to make its full emergence out of the pouch, after sticking its head out for a few weeks until it eventually feels safe enough to fully emerge. From then on, it spends increasing time in the outside world and eventually, after around 239 days, it leaves the pouch for the last time. However, it will continue to suckle until it reaches about one year of age. They remain with the mother for another 3 months, but by this point she will already have another cub in her pouch. The female cubs usually have territories next to that of their mother and can occasionally interact with her. The males need to travel long distances to find a new one of them. Sexual maturity is reached with 2 years and they have a lifespan of 30 years.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Good one!
JOrnitho: I finished the description of some new mammals for Sulawesi. Rubah, Sulawesi fox (Canis paravulpes) During the Holocene, man introduced species in other continents. Some of these introduced species were capable of surviving in their new habitats and giving rise to descendants. The rubah is one of these species. This animal is a descendant of the domestic dog (Canis domesticus). The word rubah was used by the people of Indonesia to name the fox. This opportunistic species inhabits the forests of Sulawesi. The rubah remembers a fox with the size of a jackal. Males measure 85 cm in body length, while females have 73 cm. They have tails 53 cm long. The head is reddish-brown flecked with white. The ears are large and there is a distinct black spot on the chin. The fur on the back is composed of a mixture of black, brown, and white hairs. The underparts are pale grey. The limbs are tawny and the thighs are crossed by a dark bar. The long, bushy tail has a dark dorsal stripe and dark tip with a paler, mottled underside. These animals are omnivores with a highly varied diet. It consists mainly of mammals, birds, arthropods, bird eggs, reptiles, fruit and carrion. The main prey items seem to be small mammals, especially rodents. They will be seen feeding on carcasses left by Viverratherium. The rubah is monogamous, with the breeding pair being the basic social unit. They are sometimes accompanied by their most recent litter of pups. Scent marking through urination and defecation is common around rubah den areas and on the trails they most often use. Scent marking is used to assist in territorial defense. The females have only one breeding cycle each year. They excavate dens, with the breeding pairs being spaced well apart and maintaining a core territory around their dens. Breeding occurs during the end of the dry season, with the mating period lasting up to 26–28 days. Gestation lasts 63 days, and the timing of the births coincides with the annual abundance of food, usually the beginning of the monsoon. The female gives birth to 3-8 pups. The pups are born with closed eyes that open after 13 days, with the ears erecting after 12 days. Their teeth erupt at 13 days after birth, and the eruption of adult dentition is completed after five months. Pups are born with soft fur that ranges in color from light gray to dark brown. At the age of one month, their fur is shed and replaced with one similar to that of an adult. Lactation lasts for up to 9 weeks and the pups begin to eat meat at the age of 19 days. After three weeks that the lactation is concluded, the parents expel the pups from their territory. Females reach sexual maturity after 11 months, while males at 22 months. They have a lifespan of 15 years. Kambing, or Sulawesi forest ibex (Capra celebensis) During the Holocene, man introduced species in other continents. Some of these introduced species were capable of surviving in their new habitats and giving rise to descendants. The kambing is one of these species. This animal is a descendant of the domestic goat (Capra hircus). The word kambing was used by the people of Indonesian to name the goat. This species inhabits the forests of Sulawesi, both lowland and montane areas. The Kambing are large and slender built goats, with long legs that allow them to run from predators. Males have 110 cm of shoulder height, while the females are noticeably smaller, with a height of 92 cm. The nose is straight in profile, the neck short, and the back straight. The neck is also particularly thick and muscular in males, but much less so in females. Both sexes have beards, although the male's beard is more pronounced, and those of females are sometimes absent altogether. Both sexes also possess a large scent gland, beneath the tail. The female's horns are relatively small, and grey-brown in colour, measuring an average of 21 cm long. Those of fully-grown males are black and typically measure about 115 cm, although in extreme cases they can grow to 148 cm. Both sexes have circular rings around their horns that represent annual growth, but males also have large transverse ridges along the front surface. The horns in males grow upwards, then turn sideways and curve backward, looking somewhat like an upside-down mustache. Males have a dark brown fur, while the females have a more reddish-gold. The males also have a black stripe from the spine that extends over the shoulder, limbs, and neck. This stripe darkens in the mating season. The kambing is generally a mixed feeder between a browser and a grazer, depending on the plant availability. The percentage of each type of resource that is consumed will vary seasonally. They feed on leaves, shoots, buds and flowers. During the monsoon, fruits will become part of their diet. Herds of these animals are seen feeding together with Rusa raksasa and false mandrills, using the presence of this large deer and the constant vigilance and loud callings of the monkeys as protection against predators. The kambing establishes two types of social groups: male-only groups and females with young juvenile groups. It is during rutting season, which happens during the autumn and winter) that the males interact with the females in order to reproduce. In rutting herds, the males attack the others, exerting dominance by clashing each other with their horns. Often, the older males, which are also often the largest, end up the dominant ones and younger males are chased off once the ewes are in estrus. Once dominance is established, the top males begin approaching the females and smell their urine to determine their receptiveness. The male then repeatedly approaches the female and forcibly mounts her. Mating commences around two to three weeks after the rutting begins. The gestation period lasts a little over 165 days. Births occur during the monsoon period, with a variable number of females being barren. While the birth to a single goatling is more common, sometimes wins can be born. The newborn and mother stay around where the birth occurs overnight and, on the next day, both walk together and rejoin her herd. Goatlings often play in groups, jumping up and down together, sometimes being joined by their mothers. While they are already capable of grazing within six months, their mothers will continue nursing them until they have one year. The kambing reaches sexual maturity with two years and have a lifespan of 15 years, but many die early than that. These animals are prey of the makan tutul, with adults being its most common prey. The goatlings can be killed by rubahs. False mandrill (Paramandrilus sociabilis) The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. However some species survived and in the Neocene they gave rise to new species. One of these new species is the false mandrill, a descendant of monkeys of the genus Macaca. This species inhabits the lowland forests of Sulawesi. The false mandrill is a short-tailed monkey species that resembles a true member of the genus Mandrillus. The males have 76 cm of length, while females have 63 cm. The males also have longer canines, which they use to fight each other for dominance. The body is overall a dark grey-brown. Mature males have a pink lower lip and white chin on a black face with raised grooves on the nose. The females lack the pink chin. The face, rump and external genitals are sparsely haired. Both sexes have red genital, rump and anal areas, which became brighter during the mating season. They have an omnivorous diet consisting mostly of fruits and seeds, but will also consume leaves, piths, mushrooms and animals, from insects to rodents. They will forage close to herds of kambings and of rusa raksasa, using their presence to alert in the case of a predator approaching. This species is mostly diurnal and are active around 10 hours per day from morning to dusk. They sleep in trees at a different site each night. False mandrills live in large mixed groups of males and females that can reach 30 individuals. There is a hierarchy among males, based on strength, and among females, based on heredity. Thus, the daughter of the alpha female will immediately be placed above all other females in the group. The alpha female leads the group, while the male role is more to manage conflict within the group and to defend it. They have a great number of different vocalizations Mating occurs mostly during the dry season, with receptive females developing sexual swellings. During this period, the males will become aggressive with each other, with fights happening for access to females. Dominant males try to monopolize access to respective females by mate guarding, which involves the male following and copulating with a female for some days. A subordinate male is also more likely to have reproductive success if they are closely related to an alpha male. Female gestation lasts around 175 days, with the births happening during the monsoon. She will give birth to one infant every two years. Weaning occurs at 5 months. Sexual maturity is reached at 3 years. Their lifespan is of 23 years.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Excellent!
JOrnitho: I was thinking about some species for the Philippines. I think that the already established great crested eagle could be the top predator of the islands, with at least another small to medium-sized carnivore. Perhaps a descendant of the collared mongoose.
Àâòîð: JOrnitho ïèøåò: eagle could be the top predator of the islands Eagles are almost extinct in Neocene, there are only some species in Meganesia.
JOrnitho: Àâòîð ïèøåò: Eagles are almost extinct in Neocene, there are only some species in Meganesia. I mean the Giant crested Eagle (Megaetus cristatus) that is mentioned in the Bestiary. It's present in the Malay Peninsula and nearby islands. It could be the largest predator in the Philippines.
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