Alphitonia

Abstract: The Republic of Palau is an archipelago of the Caroline Islands (latitudes 8˚12' to 2˚48' and longitudes 131˚07' to 134˚44') with over 802 native plants of which 18.7% are endemic. Forest vegetation growth ranged from 0.04% to 0.22% yr -1 in three decades. Forest patches in Babeldaob showed differential growth rates with an overall rate of expansion of 38 m 2 yr -1 . Nine patches expanded at an average rate of 608 m 2 yr -1 , three patches decreased at a rate of 1267 m 2 yr -1 and 34 patches showed no change. Uncommon endemic species occurred in stable, wet and inaccessible areas of Babeldaob including Parkia parvifoliola and Terminalia crassipes. Dominant trees include Campnosperma brevipetiolata, Horsfieldia spp., Maranthes corymbosa and Alphitonia carolinensis. One large limestone island had a higher percentage of endemic trees (16.4%) than ten smaller limestone islands (11%). Within the island cluster, the larger islands had more species (mean = 26.8) than the smaller islands (mean = 7.8). A 2001 survey of 90 homes indicated that Areca catechu, Cocos nucifera and Mangifera indica were the most common trees. Year round and synchronous spring and fall flowering and fruiting was observed for dominant tree species. Endemic trees tend to have smaller fruits. Broad reproductive periods, easily dispersed seeds, seeds with thick exocarps and dwarfism are adaptations that may help trees survive climate change and human disturbance on small islands. The invasive trees, Falcataria moluccana and Adenanthera pavonina are considered threats to native forests. National land use and forest policies are needed to ensure that Palau's forests remain intact into the next century.

Abstract: The extractives of the barks and leaves of Alphitonia excelsa, A. petriei, and A. whitei, and of the wood, bark, and leaves of A. macrocarpa have been examined. Ceanothic, betulinic, and alphitolic acids were isolated from all species, but A. macrocarpa was exceptional in that its wood contained no benzylhydroxycoumarone derivative, characteristic of the other species, and its leaves gave a small yield of the alkaloid, adouetine X. From the bark of A. excelsa a new triterpene, alphitexolide, was isolated in very small amount. By spectroscopic methods and a partial synthesis its structure was established as(1).

Abstract: We carried out surveys on the Togian islands, situated between the northern and eastern peninsulas of Sulawesi, Indonesia, during 1996– 2002, visiting all but one of the seven largest islands and two offshore islets. A total of 72 species was previously known for the islands, based on collections in 1871 and 1939 and some observations from the 1980s. We recorded 86 species including 34 new records, giving a total of 106 species for the islands. We regard as erroneous the records of five species previously listed for the islands: Yellow-crested Cockatoo Cacatua sulphurea, Blue-eared Kingfisher Alcedo meninting, Sulawesi Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos temminckii, Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis and Grey-sided Flowerpecker Dicaeum celebicum. The 20 species known only from earlier records include a number assumed to be resident and thus expected to be found. Five rails and four owls, (including a new species, Togian Hawk Owl Ninox burhani) were recorded, families previously unknown from the Togian islands. Three subspecies endemic to the Togian islands are currently recognised: Brown Cuckoo Dove Macropygia amboinensis atrata, Golden Bulbul Alophoixus affinis aureus and Sulawesi Babbler Trichastoma celebense togianense. However, we found two additional possible new species and several possible undescribed subspecies, suggesting a greater degree of avian endemism in these islands than hitherto known. 50 cm. It is dominated by ‘manggis hutan’ Garcinia dulcis (Rubiaceae), ‘lasi’ Andinauclea flagifolia (Clusiaceae) and ‘ulos’ Streblus ilicifolius (Moraceae). Forest fires in April 1998, following 18 months with virtually no rain, burnt two-thirds of Malenge (A. Dodoa verbally 1999), but it seems that both forest and wildlife in Malenge are quickly recovering from the fire impacts (A. Dodoa verbally 1999; MI personal observations 2000, 2001). On Togian island, logging activities have left very few trees whose diameter exceeds 50 cm, and the remnant areas are characterised as ‘moderately disturbed’ (Sidiyasa 2000). However, many fruiting trees of economic value remain extensive, such as ‘cempedak’ Artocarpus integer, durian Durio zibethinus, ‘rao’ Dracontomelon dao, ‘tea’ Artocarpus elastica, mango Mangifera foetida, and aren palm Arenga pinnata. Secondary forest trees that are commonly encountered include ‘kole’ Alphitonia excelsa, ‘ndolia’ Cananga odorata, Anthocephalus chinensis, Duabanga moluccana, Alstonia spectabilis, Mallotus spp., and Macaranga spp. Two species that often dominate secondary forest on Sulawesi, Alphitonia incana and Trichospermum morotaense, were found to be abundant. Stands of Duabanga moluccana were frequent in valleys, often co-occurring with Nauclea orientalis and Octomeles moluccana (Sidiyasa 2000).