Endophytic fungi associated with four endemic wild coffee species (Mascarocoffea) in Madagascar

Mascarocoffea are wild coffee plants endemic to Madagascar. These plants produce diverse, often specific biomolecules that are not found in cultivated coffee plants. Production of these compounds could be due to interactions between the endophytes and the host plant. Few studies have been carried out on the richness and diversity of microorganisms associated with these coffee plants. The objective of this study was to identify endophytic fungi isolated from the leaves of species of Mascarocoffea by morphological and molecular methods. Fifteen taxa were morphologically identified among the 30 isolated. These included Phyllosticta sp., Colletotrichum sp., Daldinia sp., Diaporthe sp., Cladosporium sp., Fusarium sp.01, Fusarium sp. 02, Fusarium sp. 03, Monilinia sp., Trichoderma sp., Alternaria sp, Penicillium sp., Aspergillus niger , Rhizopus sp. and Nigrospora sp. The phylum Ascomycota was the most represented, with 14 taxa and 1 taxon (Rhizopus sp.) belonging to the phylum of Zygomycota. Molecular characterisation confirmed of the identity of these 15 taxa and those of the morphologically Unidentified (NI) mycotaxa including Colletotrichum karstii , Colletotrichum siamense , Neofusicoccum parvum , Colletotrichum siamense, Punctularia strigosozonata , Stemphylium solani , Phoma multirostrata , Calophoma complonata, Daldinia vanderguchtiae , Phoma exigua and Boremia exigua . This study allowed us to identify the endophytic fungi isolated from Mascarocoffea leaves from Madagascar.Les Mascarocoffea sont des caf\ue9iers sauvages end\ue9miques de Madagascar. Ces plantes produisent des biomol\ue9cules diversifi\ue9es, souvent sp\ue9cifiques et inexistantes chez les caf\ue9iers cultiv\ue9s. La production de ces compos\ue9s pourrait \ueatre due aux interactions des microorganismes endophytes et la plante h\uf4te. Peu d\u2019\ue9tude a \ue9t\ue9 r\ue9alis\ue9e sur la richesse et la diversit\ue9 des microorganismes associ\ue9s \ue0 ces caf\ue9iers. L\u2019objectif de cette \ue9tude est d\u2019identifier les champignons endophytes isol\ue9s \ue0 partir des feuilles de quatre esp\ue8ces de Mascarocoffea par la m\ue9thode morphologique et mol\ue9culaire. Quinze taxons ont pu \ueatre identifi\ue9s morphologiquement parmi les 30 isol\ue9s. Ce sont\ua0: Phyllosticta sp., Colletotrichum sp., Daldinia sp., Diaporthe sp., Cladosporium sp., Fusarium sp.01, Fusarium sp.02, Fusarium sp. 03, Monilinia sp., Trichoderma sp., Alternaria sp., Penicillium sp., Aspergillus niger , Rhizopus sp. et Nigrospora sp. Le phylum des Ascomycota est le mieux repr\ue9sent\ue9 avec 14 taxons et 1 taxon (Rhizopus sp.) appartient au phylum de Zygomycota. La caract\ue9risation mol\ue9culaire a permis de confirmer l\u2019identit\ue9 de ces 15 taxons et celles des mycotaxons morphologiquement Non Identifi\ue9es (NI) dont Colletotrichum karstii , Colletotrichum siamense , Neofusicoccum parvum , Colletotrichum siamense, Punctularia strigosozonata , Stemphylium solani , Phoma multirostrata , Calophoma complonata, Daldinia vanderguchtiae , Phoma exigua et Boremia exigua . Cette \ue9tude nous a permis d\u2019identifier les champignons endophytes des feuilles de Mascarocoffea de Madagascar

Horizontal and vertical distribution of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in the rainforest of Maromizaha, Madagascar: implications for pathogen transmission to humans and animals

International audienceThe horizontal and vertical distribution of mosquito species was studied in Maromizaha rainforest, Madagascar. In November 2014, horizontal distribution was studied using light traps that were placed in four habitat types, ranging from degraded forest to primary rainforest. In November to December 2016, vertical distribution was studied using light traps placed near to the ground and elevated near the canopy. From the horizontal survey, 476 adults were collected: Uranotaenia (52.10%) and Culex (35.2%) were the most abundant genera. The highest numbers of mosquitoes were observed in the rainforest edge habitat, while the highest mosquito diversity was observed within primary rainforest. From the vertical survey, 276 adults were collected: Culex was the most abundant genus and represented 75.70% of adults caught. Mosquitoes were more abundant in traps placed near the ground than those near the canopy. The highest species diversity was observed near the canopy. The higher abundance of mosquitoes at the forest edge agrees with the role of this zone as an ecotone between intact rainforest and the nearest human habitation. Increased mosquito abundance in lower strata might heighten their contact with particular vertebrate hosts. The presence of vectors in different habitats and in varying elevations likely influences the risk of pathogen transmission between animals and humans in this rainforest

At the heart of REDD+: a role for the local people in monitoring forests?

Abstract Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (REDD+) is a policy mechanism now agreed under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from developing countries through the sustainable management of forests, while providing co-benefits of biodiversity conservation and livelihood support. Implementation challenges include linking remote sensing and national forest inventories of carbon stocks, to local implementation and measuring carbon loss from forest degradation. Community-based forest monitoring can help overcome some of these challenges. We show that local people can collect forest condition data of comparable quality to trained scientists, at half the cost. We draw on our experience to propose how and where local REDD+ monitoring can be established. Empowering communities to own and monitor carbon stocks could provide a rapid and cost-effective way of absorbing carbon dioxide emissions, while potentially contributing to local livelihoods and forest biodiversity conservation

Madagascar: Crime threatens biodiversity

[Extract] Madagascar's new president, Andry Rajoelina, was elected on a promise to improve living standards for the millions who live in poverty. To achieve this goal, he must address the declining rule of law. Madagascar fell eight places in the Rule of Law Index between 2016 and 2018, and it is 155th of 180 countries listed in the Corruption Perceptions Index. Weak governance slows development by reducing the willingness of citizens and foreign companies to invest. Since his election, President Rajoelina has expressed a desire to make Madagascar a model of conservation and a destina-tion for ecotourism

Last chance for Madagascar’s biodiversity

Madagascar’s recently elected president ran on a platform of improving the economy and raising people out of poverty. We suggest that addressing the precipitous decline of biodiversity will help to deliver this commitment, and we lay out ways in which President Rajoelina could firmly put the country on a trajectory towards sustainable growth