No abstract

The monotypic Stone Partridge Ptilopachus petrosus (Galliformes: Phasianidae), restricted to arid rocky areas of the northern savanna belt including the Sahel on the southern border of the Sahara Desert, is a taxonomic enigma. Historically, it has been grouped with Asian forest partridges (Galloperdix and Bambusicola spp.). However, recent DNA‐based phylogenetic research has suggested that its closest relative is Nahan's Francolin Francolinus nahani, another taxonomically enigmatic African galliform, and a globally threatened, narrow endemic species associated with the interior of remnant primary forests of the eastern equatorial lowlands of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. This hypothesis is investigated in greater detail using additional DNA evidence and information on behaviour and vocalizations. Phylogenetic analyses of the combined sequences from three nuclear and four mitochondrial markers (5554 bases for 84 galliform taxa) overwhelmingly support the sister relationship between F. nahani and P. petrosus. They, in turn, are the distantly related sister taxon of the New World quails (Odontophoridae), and are not related to any other Old World galliform.

We studied home ranges, habitat use and survival of radio‐tagged Nahan’s Francolin in Budongo Forest Reserve, Uganda during July 1998–December 1999. We studied Nahan’s Francolin in an unlogged nature reserve, in a compartment logged in 1947–1952 and in a compartment logged twice, in 1963–1964 and 1996–1997. Mean home range was 14.22 ± 1.35 ha (n = 17). The home range was significantly larger in the nature reserve than in the recently logged compartment. Birds spent more time during the day in areas with high understorey vegetation density but preferred to roost and nest between buttresses of large trees. Understorey vegetation density and canopy openness were significantly greater in the logged forest than in the nature reserve. Annual survival of adult Nahan’s Francolins was 20.09 ± 7.33% (n = 23). Our results suggest that the maintenance of large trees and areas with high understorey vegetation density are both important for Nahan’s Francolin.

No abstract

Knowledge of how human harvest impacts plants on high demand for non-timber forest products is essential for targeted conservation. Herbs and shrubs are some of the main sources of such products. However, documentation of human impact on forest flora usually focuses trees. We assessed the status of three forest understory shrubs on high demand for various non-timber forest product uses around Mabira Central Forest Reserve, Uganda. Acalypha neptunica is popular for commercial meat roasting and vending. Citropsis articulata and Calamus deerratus are collected for medicine and furniture making respectively. Harvest impact on A. neptunica and C. articulata was assessed using transects with human trails as a reference in 12 of the 66 management compartments of the reserve. C. deerratus , was assessed through a reserve-wide search. A. neptunica and C. articulata increased significantly with distance from human trails (Jonckheere-Terpstra Tests: A. neptunica , p = 0.022; C. articulata , p < 0.0001) suggesting occurence of human harvest impact on density. All species showed significant decrease uphill from the valley bottoms (Jonckheere-Terpstra Tests: C. articulata , p < 0.0001; C. deerratus , p < 0.0001; and A. neptunica , p = 0.004) indicating intrinsic vulnerability due to habitat specificity. Interspecies comparisons of density showed A. neptunica to be much more abundant than C. articulata . C. deerratus was localized to patches along some, but not all valley bottoms. A. neptunica exhibited a high level of post-harvest re-sprouting and appeared favored by moderate forest disturbance. C. articulata also showed frequent re-sprouting. These results complement prevailing understanding that conservation actions are urgently needed for C. articulata and C. deerratus . The results also show that further long-term investigation is required to fully understand the plants’ response to harvesting and this needs to be facilitated by enforcing the existing strict nature reserve status of the core of the forest.