Ichneumonid wasps from Madagascar. VI. The genus Pristomerus (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Cremastinae)

Pristomerus species of Madagascar are revised. We report 15 species, of which 12 are newly described: P. guinness sp. nov., P. hansoni sp. nov., P. kelikely sp. nov., P. keyka sp. nov., P. moramora sp. nov., P. melissa sp. nov., P. patator sp. nov., P. ranomafana sp. nov., P. roberti sp. nov., P. vahaza sp. nov., P. veloma sp. nov. and P. yago sp. nov. Pristomerus albescens (Morley) and P. cunctator Tosquinet are newly recorded from Madagascar and new host and/or distribution records are provided for this species. A dichotomous key to all species is provided. The zoogeographical relation of the Malagasy fauna of Pristomerus with respect to mainland Africa is discussed: only three of the 15 species are reported to occur outside of Madagascar, suggesting a high level of endemism in Madagascar which was not unexpected

Genetic diversity and phylogeography of cassava mosaic geminiviruses in Madagascar. [S02-12]

Cassava mosaic disease (CMD) caused by cassava mosaic geminiviruses (CMGs, Geminiviridae) is a major threat on cassava production throughout Africa. In Madagascar, severe symptoms with high prevalence of CMD were observed. From 700 mostly symptomatic cassava leaves, we undertook molecular characterization of the CMGs involved. The PCR diagnosis confirmed the presence of CMGs in Madagascar and six species were detected with the frequent occurrence of mixed infections. Based on rolling circle amplification, cloning and sequencing, we obtained full genome sequences of 281 DNA-A and 119 DNA-B of CMGs. DNA-A sequences were most closely related to those of African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV), South African cassava mosaic virus (SACMV), East African cassava mosaic virus (EACMV), East African cassava mosaic Cameroon virus (EACMCV), East African cassava mosaic Kenya virus (EACMKV) and a new species named cassava mosaic Madagascar virus (CMMGV). DNAB sequences were most closely related to those of ACMV, EACMKV, EACMCV and CMMGV. Phylogenetic reconstruction allowed to assess the geographical structure of CMG populations and to determine the recent history of CMG migrations in Madagascar. Taken together, our results point to Madagascar as a potential major center of begomovirus diversity. (Résumé d'auteur

The genus Prorops Waterson, 1923 (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae) from Madagascar

Three species of the genus Prorops Waterson, 1923 occur in Madagascar. Prorops nasuta Waterson, 1923 is recorded for the first time from Madagascar and two new species are described and illustrated: P. sparsa sp. nov. and P. impotens sp. nov., both based on the morphology of males and females. A brief discussion of the status of the genus, illustrations, and a key to Madagascan species of Prorops are provided

Modelling biodiversity scenarios in madagascar under both the effects of climate change and anthropogenic deforestation

Madagascar is widely known for its exceptional biodiversity which is, for the terrestrial part, mainly concentrated in tropical forests. This biodiversity is severely threatened by both climate change and deforestation. The FRB (Fondation pour la Recherche sur la Biodiversité) project named BioSceneMada (http://bioscenemada.net) aims at modelling the biodiversity scenarios in Madagascar under both the effects of climate change and anthropogenic deforestation. In this study we present the first results of the project. We used presence data for more than 5000 species and bioclimatic envelope models to forecast species distribution under the effects of climate change. Species distribution maps were used to identify potential refugia for biodiversity. Combining these results to the projections of a deforestation model, we also identified the potential biodiversity hotspots under a high risk of deforestation. Project results should help define efficient strategies for conserving Madagascan biodiversity. In particular, we promote the inclusion of top priority areas for biodiversity conservation into the current Madagascar protected areas system

Genetic diversity of Amblyomma variegatum (Acari:Ixodidae), the main vector of Ehrlichia ruminantium in Indian Ocean Islands

The hard ticks Amblyomma variegatum is the main vector of Ehrlichia ruminantium which is the pathogen responsible for heartwater or cowdriosis, a disease of ruminants. This tick originates from sub-Saharan Africa and is now widely widespread. A. variegatum has been described in 1899 for the first time in Madagascar, but its introduction is probably older and very likely concomitant with livestock introduction from Africa. A. variegatum has also been described in the Comoros, Mayotte, La Reunion and Mauritius islands. The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic and demographic phenomena that have shaped the present distribution and structure of A. variegatum populations in the Indian Ocean area. A first phylogeographic approach has been carried out, by analysing two mitochondrial-DNA genes at an intra-specific level through the analysis of tick samples from Madagascar and from the other Indian Ocean Islands included in this study. These samples have been compared to samples from Africa, where this species is originated from, and samples from the French West Indies where A. variegatum was introduced around the 18th century. This study will help to elucidate A. variegatum introduction history in the different Indian Ocean Islands. A population genetics approach, using microsatellite markers, focused on Madagascar and some other islands (La Reunion, Comoros and Mayotte islands), has given an insight into the present population structure. This study has led to two main lineages identification: one covering all the species distribution and one restricted to East Africa and Indian Ocean area. These two lineages are in sympatry in Madagascar. The results seemed to be in keeping with the historical data concerning the introduction of the tick in the Indian Ocean area. In Madagascar, a high genetic diversity has been described whereas a lower genetic diversity is observed in the other islands. In Madagascar tick populations are clearly structured but in a heterogeneous way. This structure is probably shaped by the complex interaction of geographic, climatic and anthropic factors. (Texte intégral

Ralph Linton in Madagascar (1926-1927).

Based on archival records and other writing of the period, the author traces in detail the Ralph Linton Expedition to the Island of Madagascar, 1926-1927. Liliana Mosca also comments on the nature and extent of the American Anthropologists collecting for the Field Museum of Natural History and his encounters while touring the different regions of Madagascar in various locales that would help unravel the web that bedeviled students of Malagasy culture

Plant architectural and genetic diversities in Coffea native from Madagascar : Towards an architectural-functional plant growth model applied to Coffea biodiversity perservation

The Coffea genus includes 103 species with 53 endemic to Madagascar (namely Mascarocoffea).The three main centres of species diversity for coffee trees are Madagascar (naturally low-caffeine species), Cameroon and Tanzania. However, Madagascar has the higher Coffea diversity in terms of total number of species due to the great variety of forest types including littoral, evergreen, gallery, mixed deciduous, dry, xerophytic and high-altitude. During these last 20 years, deforestation in Madagascar has become dramatic and has drastically reduced the distribution area of Coffea species. The collection maintained at the Kianjavato Research Station is unique since no living material is authorized to be conserved out of Madagascar. Conservation strategies based on scientific data are needed and become urgent in terms of biodiversity preservation and sustainable development. Recent studies in Coffea trees showed that their phenotypic plasticity could be explain the restricted distribution of Coffea species. Our recent preliminary results showed a high architectural diversity (i.e. architectural model, growth process, branching degree, branch location) between Coffea species and an interspecific variability of functional traits (Leaf Area Mass, wood density). The functional-structural model GreenLab is a dynamic model taking into account architectural plasticity of the plants and biomass allocation to organ level. Potentials of GreenLab model to represent environment x genotype interactions, in particular through its stable endogenous parameter as such the organ sink functions have been demonstrated in some species and they will be tested for Coffea species. The present study focuses on 5 species endemic to Madagascar with different phenotypic traits and forest habitats. For each species, architecture and genetic comparative analyses between individuals growing in situ (natural forest) and ex situ (common garden test) will be performed. In addition, we have set up two experimental stands to analyse the site effect. These whole results will be used to introduce genetic factors into the GreenLab model. The global aim of our approach is to analyse the adaptive capacity and phenotypic plasticity at the individual level within Coffea populations. (Texte intégral

A review of Gammiella Broth. in Africa : with a range extension to the East African islands and southern Africa

Gammiella ceylonensis (Broth. in Herzog) W.R.Buck & B.C.Tan is the only species of the genus in Africa. Clastobryella pusilla (Thér.) Wijk & Margad., recorded from Madagascar, the only member of the genus still recorded on the moss checklist for Africa, is a synonym of Gammiella ceylonensis. Clastobryella foliicola P.de la Varde is not a synonym of Gammiella ceylonensis but probably an Ectropothecium, thus removing the only west African record for Gammiella. An extension of range into South Africa is also noted, so Gammiella is now known from east and southern Africa and Madagascar

Support the Illegally Dismissed Worker Nisa in Madagascar

The Clean Clothes Campaign details the context of the illegal dismissal of a workers’ representative at the Cote Sud factory in Madagascar