Diurnal avifaunal diversity, species richness and density along the Bolgoda canal in the Bellanwila- Attidiya sanctuary, western Sri Lanka

Diurnal Avifaunal diversity, density and species richness were studied along the Bolgoda Canal inBellanwi la- Attidiya Sanctuary (70 42/ N, 79° 49!E) of Western Sri Lanka from June 2005 to February2006. Six lines transect (length 500m) totaling 3.00 km and positioned along the Bolgoda canal weretravelled slowly on foot three times per month. The day was divided into three time periods as 0700-1000 (morning), 1200 - 1500 (noon) and 1500 - 1800 (evening). Data were collected three times permonth for each time period. All birds seen within one hundred meters on either side of each transectwere recorded. Fifty-two bird species were recorded including globally endangered spotted billedpelican (Pelecanus philippensisi and four migratory species (Actitis hypoleucos,Burhinusodicnemus, Gelochelidon nilotica, Terpsiphone paradisi). Species diversity was significantly highin December 2005 and low in August 2005. (ANaYA, F= 17.00, p<0.05) Species density wassignificantly high in September 2005 and low in June (ANaYA, F =15.00, p>0.05) Highest speciesrichness was recorded in the morning session (Species richness 26.32 ± 0.021) and the lowest speciesrichness was recorded in the noon session (Species richness 18.82 ± 0.031). Species richness variedfrom33.12 ± 0.023 in August47.54 ± 0.31 in December 2005. Relative abundant indicated that HouseCrow (Corvus splendenss was the most abundant species while Lesser Wh istling Duck (Dendrocyonajavanica) was the least abundance species. Present study revealed that although the study site is inclose proximity to densely populated residential area; it still provides a vital habitat to large number ofbird species and therefore warrants protection

Analysing End-user Energy Rescheduling Intentions Using Signal Detection Theory

AbstractTwo interfaces, co-created by designers and people living in eco-villages, were tested for their effects on end-user energy-use rescheduling intentions. When analysed with Signal Detection Theory both interfaces were implicated in biased user responses, but in opposite directions. Despite some favourable behavioural effects the majority of the 75 respondents chose not to reschedule their energy-use behaviours no matter what interface was displayed. The paper provides a demonstration of the role of behavioural factors in the apparently simple task of providing more information to energy-users on the assumption behaviour will change

Experimental aspects of life cycles of two hard tick species <em>Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus</em> and <em>Hyalomma isaaci</em> (Acari: Ixodidae), on New Zealand white rabbits

Hyalomma isaaci and Rhipicephalus microplus are two common hard tick species infesting buffalo and cattle. Biological data on the ticks’ life cycle were collected by experimental infestation on New Zealand white rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) under controlled conditions (70% - 80% Relative humidity and 27 ± 1 0C Temperature). Life cycle parameters including latency period, oviposition, feeding, moulting periods were determined and the Mean Reproductive Efficiency Index (REI) and Reproductive Aptitude Index (RAI) were calculated. Females of H. isaaci and R. microplus started oviposition after 3 - 14 days and 5 - 8 days, respectively. Hyalomma isaaci laid 15 - 6,166 (1600.8 ± 1940.9) eggs in 1 - 24 days while R. microplus laid 19 - 1,535 (434.2±344.8) eggs in 1 - 11 days. Emerged larvae of H. isaaci spent 19 - 47 days in incubation and moulted on-host. Nymphs dropped after feeding for 15 - 21 days, subsequently taking 14 - 18 days to moult into adults. Females fed for 8 - 10 days, and reached a maximum engorgement weight of 127.0 mg. The non-parasitic phase of R. microplus was 29 - 57 days, while the parasitic phase was confined only to larval engorgement and moulting into nymphs taking of 8 - 14 days. The REI/RAI was 7.1/3.6 and 8.3/5.1 for H. isaaci and R. microplus, respectively. Hyalomma isaaci completed its two-host life cycle within 62 - 166 days while R. microplus could not complete its life cycle because the nymphs did not feed on rabbits and therefore, none of them moulted into adults. The New Zealand white rabbit was not an appropriate laboratory host for the mature stage of R. microplus even though it was a suitable host for H. isaaci

Effect of starch particle size reduction on the performance of sized warp yarns

The mechanical and physical properties of tapioca based starch are known to vary in relation to physical parameters including the particle size of the starch granules. In this study, ultra sonication was used to reduce the particle size of starch solution from 100μm to 8μm and the modified starch was applied on poly cotton warp yarns. The strength, extension, moisture regain and size add-on% was tested and compared with the properties of conventionally sized yarns. The results showed that better strength and extension properties can be obtained by the application of ultra sonicated size solution at lower drying temperatures and lower squeeze roller pressures with minimum size add-on%

Characterization of heterogeneous groups of fungal endophytes isolated from mangroves in Negombo, Sri Lanka

Mangroves are well known for their adaptability to extreme conditions; thus, mangrove habitats help to manage coastlines and carbon cycling against anthropogenic stresses. Fungal endophyte is a type of microorganism that typically has a mutualistic relationship with its plant hosts. These endophytes can be found in several parts of the plant and play a positive role in the production of enzymes, nutrients and secondary metabolites, along with other processes such as toxin assembly and phyto-stimulation. The exploitation of these bioactive substances from endophytic fungi is beneficial in several fields such as pharmaceuticals and agriculture. The objective of the current investigation was to isolate and identify fungal endophytes present in ten mangrove species from Negombo, Sri Lanka: Acanthus ilicifolius, Acrostichum aureum, Avicennia marina, Bruguiera cylindrica, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Excoecaria agallocha, Lumnitzera racemosa, Rhizophora mucronata, Sonneratia alba and Sonneratia caseolaris. A standard potato dextrose agar culturing was used to obtain fungal colonies from leaves, roots and twigs, whose morphological characteristics were used for their identification. Out of the 42 fungal isolates extracted from the samples, nine endophytic genera such as Aspergillus, Candida, Chaetomium, Fusarium, Mucor, Penicillium, Phyllosticta, Rhizopus and Trichoderma were found. The highest number of isolates was obtained from Sonneratia alba. Each mangrove species held varying types of fungal colonies, with the genus Penicillium being isolated the highest number of times and the genus Aspergillus being highly diverse. The findings of this study have helped to confirm the presence of endophytic fungi in all the sample mangroves tested