forest
A forest is usually an area filled with trees is tall and
densely packed. The canopy cover of forests is constant, comprising mostly
evergreen trees, and beneath it the vegetation is multi-layered. Forests are
central to all human life because they provide a diverse range of resources:
they store carbon, aid in regulating the planetary climate, purify water and
mitigate natural hazards such as floods. Forests rarely burn, mainly due to the
high humidity, but under extremely hot and dry conditions fires may occur and
destroy the forest structure. Forest soils are normally low in nutrients. The
forest floor is dominated by shade dominate plant, mosses and fungi. The forest
dynamics are very competition driven and aids in high speciation and adaptation.
Plants and animals are wildly adapted to overcome competition and cope in this frequent
competition driven system.
mammals
Cape fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus)
Diagnostic characteristics: R.aegyptiacus is a medium sized bat with dark grayish brown color. They have a distinctive yellowish chest. The males have well developed stiff hair along the throat that lacks in the females. They have quite large ears and they have very large black eyes that help them to flay at night. There are claws present on the first two digits of the front limbs and 5 toes on the hind limbs. R.aegyptiacus can grow up to 15 cm and weigh about 150g with a wingspan of 60cm.
Biological information: R.aegyptiacus is fruit eaters and they only go and feed under the cover of dark. They use echolocation to successfully maneuver in the dark between one another. They form large colonies where grooming is common and roosts together during the day in caves, while smaller colonies have been seen roosting in trees. R.aegyptiacus is a polygamous species and females give birth to a single pup that is altricial. The pups are solely care for by the mother for up to 9 months when they large enough. These bats can live to be 22 years of age.
Importance: In the competition driven dynamics of a forest system these bats are well adapted to survive. They are nocturnal and dominate the skies at night and do not have to deal or out compete other species, except for themselves. They tend to get aggressive when feeding. These bats are very important in the forest ecosystem as they are the main seed dispersing agent for trees as well as pollinators for trees that flower at night.
Diagnostic characteristics: R.aegyptiacus is a medium sized bat with dark grayish brown color. They have a distinctive yellowish chest. The males have well developed stiff hair along the throat that lacks in the females. They have quite large ears and they have very large black eyes that help them to flay at night. There are claws present on the first two digits of the front limbs and 5 toes on the hind limbs. R.aegyptiacus can grow up to 15 cm and weigh about 150g with a wingspan of 60cm.
Biological information: R.aegyptiacus is fruit eaters and they only go and feed under the cover of dark. They use echolocation to successfully maneuver in the dark between one another. They form large colonies where grooming is common and roosts together during the day in caves, while smaller colonies have been seen roosting in trees. R.aegyptiacus is a polygamous species and females give birth to a single pup that is altricial. The pups are solely care for by the mother for up to 9 months when they large enough. These bats can live to be 22 years of age.
Importance: In the competition driven dynamics of a forest system these bats are well adapted to survive. They are nocturnal and dominate the skies at night and do not have to deal or out compete other species, except for themselves. They tend to get aggressive when feeding. These bats are very important in the forest ecosystem as they are the main seed dispersing agent for trees as well as pollinators for trees that flower at night.
Bush pigs (Poromachoerus porcus)
Diagnostic characteristics: P.porcus is a large heavy pig with thick rough hair that differ n color variation from geographical region. Fur color varies from reddish to brow and even black. Some pigs have distinctive white facial masks. These pigs grow up to 1m and can weigh as heavy as 130kg. Both the male and female have small tusk, those on the top jaw pointing upwards and those on the bottom jaw pointing downwards. Male pigs have distinctive warts above their eyes.
Biological information: P.porcus are monogamous and both sexes provide parental care for their young. The mother gives births once annually to up to 6 pigs (average of 4) that they hind in a large nest that the mother makes out of grass. P.porcus are social animals will old males are normally solitary. Males mark their territory by leaving a scent from their facial glands as well as scraping of bark from trees. They are mostly active during the night and will spend the day time in burrows between dense vegetation. They are considered as food generalists and consume a wide variety of foods.
Importance: These pigs feed at night and on a variety of foods types including bulbs, insects and lizards. They are generalists and do not have to compete for their food. They are normally found on the edges of the forest and have to travel over large distances to consume enough food to sustain their large stature.
Diagnostic characteristics: P.porcus is a large heavy pig with thick rough hair that differ n color variation from geographical region. Fur color varies from reddish to brow and even black. Some pigs have distinctive white facial masks. These pigs grow up to 1m and can weigh as heavy as 130kg. Both the male and female have small tusk, those on the top jaw pointing upwards and those on the bottom jaw pointing downwards. Male pigs have distinctive warts above their eyes.
Biological information: P.porcus are monogamous and both sexes provide parental care for their young. The mother gives births once annually to up to 6 pigs (average of 4) that they hind in a large nest that the mother makes out of grass. P.porcus are social animals will old males are normally solitary. Males mark their territory by leaving a scent from their facial glands as well as scraping of bark from trees. They are mostly active during the night and will spend the day time in burrows between dense vegetation. They are considered as food generalists and consume a wide variety of foods.
Importance: These pigs feed at night and on a variety of foods types including bulbs, insects and lizards. They are generalists and do not have to compete for their food. They are normally found on the edges of the forest and have to travel over large distances to consume enough food to sustain their large stature.
Vervet monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops)
Diagnostic characteristics: The vervet monkey is a relatively small monkey compared to the other monkey species, they reach a height between 400 to 600 mm. They have a long tail (300 – 500mm) that allows superior arboreal locomotion along with a light weight body (between 3-5kg). The males are larger than the females, and all sexes have moderate length gray hair over the whole body except for the face which is black, as well as long white whiskers. A defining character of this species is the presence of green color on the top of the face. The males have blue colored scrotum with a red penis.
Biological information: Vervet monkeys very social animals and they live in large groups. They tend to groom one another which increase their relationships. They exhibit sexual dimorphism with the males larger than the female. They are omnivores are eat a variety of foods including insects, vegetable matter and sometimes small mammals and birds but mostly feed on fruits. During the breeding season dominant males will show their dominance by adapting a dominant stance over the less dominant males by pointing their tails straight up into the air. Females are ready to breed when the vulva swells up. They fall prey to larger mammals like leopards and even baboons. At the first sign of a predator the males will alert the group with loud calls.
Importance: These monkeys feed during the day on the ground as well as in the trees. The fill a variety of niches and do not have to compete with other species for food. They are also important in the forest system in seed dispersal and will keep some populations of other animals at sustain densities.
Diagnostic characteristics: The vervet monkey is a relatively small monkey compared to the other monkey species, they reach a height between 400 to 600 mm. They have a long tail (300 – 500mm) that allows superior arboreal locomotion along with a light weight body (between 3-5kg). The males are larger than the females, and all sexes have moderate length gray hair over the whole body except for the face which is black, as well as long white whiskers. A defining character of this species is the presence of green color on the top of the face. The males have blue colored scrotum with a red penis.
Biological information: Vervet monkeys very social animals and they live in large groups. They tend to groom one another which increase their relationships. They exhibit sexual dimorphism with the males larger than the female. They are omnivores are eat a variety of foods including insects, vegetable matter and sometimes small mammals and birds but mostly feed on fruits. During the breeding season dominant males will show their dominance by adapting a dominant stance over the less dominant males by pointing their tails straight up into the air. Females are ready to breed when the vulva swells up. They fall prey to larger mammals like leopards and even baboons. At the first sign of a predator the males will alert the group with loud calls.
Importance: These monkeys feed during the day on the ground as well as in the trees. The fill a variety of niches and do not have to compete with other species for food. They are also important in the forest system in seed dispersal and will keep some populations of other animals at sustain densities.
birds
The paradise flycatcher (Terpsiphone viridis)
Diagnostic characteristics: T.viridis is a small bird reaching a height of only 17cm. They have brown to maroon colored wings and back with a dark velvety blue head and chest area. At the sides of the wings are white stripes (wingbar). The males have a long tail feathers that lacks in the female.
Biological information: T.viridis are insectivorous and eat a variety of insects such at moths, flies, termites and beetles. They use different techniques to catch their prey, from catching them directly out of the air or swooping donw on them on leaves from above. During the breeding season both the male and the female will help in constructing a small cup shaped nest, that are made out of bark and twigs held together by spider web. The female lays 1-4 eggs which are incubated by both the male and the female
Importance: T.viridis fills a surtain nich in the forest system. The feed on insects in the lower forest strata not to compete with other birds that feed on the ground or higher up the the forest canopy.
Diagnostic characteristics: T.viridis is a small bird reaching a height of only 17cm. They have brown to maroon colored wings and back with a dark velvety blue head and chest area. At the sides of the wings are white stripes (wingbar). The males have a long tail feathers that lacks in the female.
Biological information: T.viridis are insectivorous and eat a variety of insects such at moths, flies, termites and beetles. They use different techniques to catch their prey, from catching them directly out of the air or swooping donw on them on leaves from above. During the breeding season both the male and the female will help in constructing a small cup shaped nest, that are made out of bark and twigs held together by spider web. The female lays 1-4 eggs which are incubated by both the male and the female
Importance: T.viridis fills a surtain nich in the forest system. The feed on insects in the lower forest strata not to compete with other birds that feed on the ground or higher up the the forest canopy.
Terrestrial bulbul (Phyllastrephus terrestris)
Diagnostic characteristics: The bulbuls are small conspicuous mostly brown bird with white under parts and a reddish eye. They have a small beak with large nostrils. It is quite hard to see because it spends most of its time in thick vegetation.
Biological information: These birds form monogamous breeding pairs, and the female with lay eggs between Octobers to January. Communal breeding has not been noticed in this species. They form large flocks with other bird’s species when they eat, but the terrestrial bulbul seems to be the dominant species in those flocks.
Importance: This species of bird feeds on the ground on fallen seeds and fruits not to compete with other birds that feed in the other forest strata.
Diagnostic characteristics: The bulbuls are small conspicuous mostly brown bird with white under parts and a reddish eye. They have a small beak with large nostrils. It is quite hard to see because it spends most of its time in thick vegetation.
Biological information: These birds form monogamous breeding pairs, and the female with lay eggs between Octobers to January. Communal breeding has not been noticed in this species. They form large flocks with other bird’s species when they eat, but the terrestrial bulbul seems to be the dominant species in those flocks.
Importance: This species of bird feeds on the ground on fallen seeds and fruits not to compete with other birds that feed in the other forest strata.
Crowned eagle (Stephanoaetus coronatus)
Diagnostic characteristics: S.coronatus is one of the largest and most powerful eagles in Africa reaching a length between 80-100 cm with a wing span of up to 1.8m. Viewed from above they are mostly black with gray brown stripes on the tail feathers. The chests of these eagles are unique having black, brown and white striped feathers running all the way to the legs. They have a unique crest on the head that can be raised. They have large yellow eyes and a large black downwards curved beak. They have large yellow claws with large black sharp nails. The females are usually larger than the males.
Biological information: S.coronatus is a formidable predators and active hunter. They catch their prey by sweeping down on them form above and knocking them over. Prey includes small mammals, lizards and birds but they primarily eat primates and occasionally small antelope. Sometimes S.coronatus hunt together in pairs, and will share in the meal. These are very vocal birds and use different calls. During the breeding season they build large nests measuring up to 2m in diameter out of sticks and coverd in green leaves, in large trees or on the edges of a rock face. A breading pair will use the same nest for many years. The female will lay up to 2 eggs and the elder chick will the younger sibling.
Importance: S.coronatus are the kings of the air and do not have to compete with other species. They are threatened by habitat loss
Diagnostic characteristics: S.coronatus is one of the largest and most powerful eagles in Africa reaching a length between 80-100 cm with a wing span of up to 1.8m. Viewed from above they are mostly black with gray brown stripes on the tail feathers. The chests of these eagles are unique having black, brown and white striped feathers running all the way to the legs. They have a unique crest on the head that can be raised. They have large yellow eyes and a large black downwards curved beak. They have large yellow claws with large black sharp nails. The females are usually larger than the males.
Biological information: S.coronatus is a formidable predators and active hunter. They catch their prey by sweeping down on them form above and knocking them over. Prey includes small mammals, lizards and birds but they primarily eat primates and occasionally small antelope. Sometimes S.coronatus hunt together in pairs, and will share in the meal. These are very vocal birds and use different calls. During the breeding season they build large nests measuring up to 2m in diameter out of sticks and coverd in green leaves, in large trees or on the edges of a rock face. A breading pair will use the same nest for many years. The female will lay up to 2 eggs and the elder chick will the younger sibling.
Importance: S.coronatus are the kings of the air and do not have to compete with other species. They are threatened by habitat loss
trees/shrubs
White pear (Apodytes dimidiate)
Diagnostic characteristics: A.dimidiate is a small bushy evergreen tree that can reach up to 20m in a forest. They have bright green leaves and smooth pale gray bark. A.dimidiate forms small white flowers blooms that have a sweet fragrant. These flowers give rise to small black flattened bean shaped fruit. A.dimidiate has black seeds and a non invasive root system.
Biological information: The highly fragrant flowers attract lots of pollinators that aid in pollination. The seeds take very long to germinate (up to half a year) and the seedling is slow growing. The larger the tree gets the faster it will grow.
Importance: In a forest system plants have to have unique adaptations to out compete other plant species. A.dimidiate has leathery leaves that limit water los and will protect the leaves form excessive radiation from the sun. The leaves end with a pointed tip to help with water runoff. The wood is of economic value and the leaves have medicinal properties.
Diagnostic characteristics: A.dimidiate is a small bushy evergreen tree that can reach up to 20m in a forest. They have bright green leaves and smooth pale gray bark. A.dimidiate forms small white flowers blooms that have a sweet fragrant. These flowers give rise to small black flattened bean shaped fruit. A.dimidiate has black seeds and a non invasive root system.
Biological information: The highly fragrant flowers attract lots of pollinators that aid in pollination. The seeds take very long to germinate (up to half a year) and the seedling is slow growing. The larger the tree gets the faster it will grow.
Importance: In a forest system plants have to have unique adaptations to out compete other plant species. A.dimidiate has leathery leaves that limit water los and will protect the leaves form excessive radiation from the sun. The leaves end with a pointed tip to help with water runoff. The wood is of economic value and the leaves have medicinal properties.
Stinkleaf (Plectranthus fruticosus)
Diagnostic characteristics: P.fruticosus is a semi woody well branched perennial shrub. There are variation in flower color ranging from pink to dark blue. Flowers have a unique dottet pattern on the showy petals and are arranged in an erect branching panicle inflorescence that produces brown seeds or nutlets. They have large hairy leaves oppositely arranged and have a pungent smell.)
Biological information: P.fruticosus is a shade plant and will flourish when other plants are struggling to cope with small amounts of direct sun light. This plant wil survive for up to 5 years. The pungent leaf smell keeps herbivores away. Butterflies and some moths use this plant to lay their eggs on. This plant is believed to be pollinated by generalist like bees.
Importance: This is a shade plant and will outcompete other plant species in a area where the direct sun is blocked by large canopy cover. This allowes P.fruticosus to grow accros the forest floor.
Diagnostic characteristics: P.fruticosus is a semi woody well branched perennial shrub. There are variation in flower color ranging from pink to dark blue. Flowers have a unique dottet pattern on the showy petals and are arranged in an erect branching panicle inflorescence that produces brown seeds or nutlets. They have large hairy leaves oppositely arranged and have a pungent smell.)
Biological information: P.fruticosus is a shade plant and will flourish when other plants are struggling to cope with small amounts of direct sun light. This plant wil survive for up to 5 years. The pungent leaf smell keeps herbivores away. Butterflies and some moths use this plant to lay their eggs on. This plant is believed to be pollinated by generalist like bees.
Importance: This is a shade plant and will outcompete other plant species in a area where the direct sun is blocked by large canopy cover. This allowes P.fruticosus to grow accros the forest floor.
Yellow wood (Podocarpus latifolius)
Diagnostic characteristics: P.latifolius grows upright and can reach a height of 22m with a canopy cover as wide as 10m. P.latifolius have simple complete linear evergreen leaves that are blue-green in color. Flowers are very inconspicuous and not showy and do not attract wild life. The bark is smooth and grayish with longitudinal fissures.
Biological information: P.latifolius is a unisexual plant. Males produce cone like structures while the female develops round gray/blue seeds on the ends of fleshy receptacles. P.latifolius produces small berry like fruit that attract birds and other arboreal mammals. P.latifolius is very slow growing and can live for many years. They grow well in areas of full sun with well drained loamy clay soils.
Importance: P.latifolius is wind pollinated and is not very effective due to the large distance between species and the dens canopies through which the pollen must travel. These trees grow over most off the other species exposing their leaves to the sun and allowing the pollen to be transported over large distances.
Diagnostic characteristics: P.latifolius grows upright and can reach a height of 22m with a canopy cover as wide as 10m. P.latifolius have simple complete linear evergreen leaves that are blue-green in color. Flowers are very inconspicuous and not showy and do not attract wild life. The bark is smooth and grayish with longitudinal fissures.
Biological information: P.latifolius is a unisexual plant. Males produce cone like structures while the female develops round gray/blue seeds on the ends of fleshy receptacles. P.latifolius produces small berry like fruit that attract birds and other arboreal mammals. P.latifolius is very slow growing and can live for many years. They grow well in areas of full sun with well drained loamy clay soils.
Importance: P.latifolius is wind pollinated and is not very effective due to the large distance between species and the dens canopies through which the pollen must travel. These trees grow over most off the other species exposing their leaves to the sun and allowing the pollen to be transported over large distances.
herbs
Cape primrise (Streptocarpus johannis)
Diagnostic characteristics: S.johannis is a perennial herb that has a horizontal underground stem from which multiple large green slightly pubescent leaves grow. S.johannis have no stems. This plant is unique in terms that each leave is a individual plant having its own flower. The flowers have a unique shape, the petals are semi-fused and make a “S” shape The asymmetrical flowers are white and sometimes have a yellow tint inside the flower petals. S.johannis produces long thin spirally woody fruit that unwinds to release the fine dark seeds when ripe..)
Biological information: S.johannis are sometimes found growing from trees or out of rocks. The seeds are dispersed via wind. They cannot tolerate high temperatures and need sufficient light. Some aphids and whiteflies are known pests for S.johannis.
Importance: S.johannis has very large leaves that creates a large surface area for the capture of sun light in areas where sun light is limited. There is also a purple pigment underneath the leave that reflects the sun light back after it has passed through the leaves, to maximize photosynthesis.
Diagnostic characteristics: S.johannis is a perennial herb that has a horizontal underground stem from which multiple large green slightly pubescent leaves grow. S.johannis have no stems. This plant is unique in terms that each leave is a individual plant having its own flower. The flowers have a unique shape, the petals are semi-fused and make a “S” shape The asymmetrical flowers are white and sometimes have a yellow tint inside the flower petals. S.johannis produces long thin spirally woody fruit that unwinds to release the fine dark seeds when ripe..)
Biological information: S.johannis are sometimes found growing from trees or out of rocks. The seeds are dispersed via wind. They cannot tolerate high temperatures and need sufficient light. Some aphids and whiteflies are known pests for S.johannis.
Importance: S.johannis has very large leaves that creates a large surface area for the capture of sun light in areas where sun light is limited. There is also a purple pigment underneath the leave that reflects the sun light back after it has passed through the leaves, to maximize photosynthesis.
Lily (Cyrtanthus purpureus)
Diagnostic characteristics: C.purpureus is a evergreen herbaceous plant with an underground bulb that grow about 50cm tall. They have bisexual actinomorphic flowers with flowers whorls arranged in 6 (6stamens, 6 petals) that are grouped into a umble inflorescence. Each red flower are tubular in shap and are about 7cm long. They produce a berry fruit from a superior ovary.
Biological information: C.purpureus are mainly pollinated by moths at night. The flowers are sweetly scentedThey have perennial bulbs that ghrow in shallow well drained soils in sun or shaded areas.
Importance: C.purpureus will live for a long time due to the presence of the underground bulb form which C.purpureus can resprout after unfavorable conditions
Diagnostic characteristics: C.purpureus is a evergreen herbaceous plant with an underground bulb that grow about 50cm tall. They have bisexual actinomorphic flowers with flowers whorls arranged in 6 (6stamens, 6 petals) that are grouped into a umble inflorescence. Each red flower are tubular in shap and are about 7cm long. They produce a berry fruit from a superior ovary.
Biological information: C.purpureus are mainly pollinated by moths at night. The flowers are sweetly scentedThey have perennial bulbs that ghrow in shallow well drained soils in sun or shaded areas.
Importance: C.purpureus will live for a long time due to the presence of the underground bulb form which C.purpureus can resprout after unfavorable conditions
Leather leaf fern (Rumohra adiantiformis)
Diagnostic characteristics: R.adiantiformis is a evergreen perennial herbaceous fern that have triangular shaped odd-pinnate leaves comprising out of several leaflets that are has a fine texture and dark green in color and grow directly out of the ground, they do not have a stem. R.adiantiformis can reach up to 3 feet in height and spread out as far as 5 feet. R.adiantiformis is slow growing and very dense. R.adiantiformis does not produce any flowers or fruit. Under the leaves are numerous sori (clusters of sporangia) that are about 2.2mm in diameter.
Biological information: R.adiantiformis spreads through stolons. These ferns are well adapted to grow in the shade and are the forest dwellers occurring in moist areas. They sometimes also occur on rock. These ferns are very fast growers and can establish it’s self within 7 weeks.
Importance: R.adiantiformis leaves are arrange in a light trapping mosaic allowing most of the leave surface to be exposed to shattered sun light for photosynthesis.
Diagnostic characteristics: R.adiantiformis is a evergreen perennial herbaceous fern that have triangular shaped odd-pinnate leaves comprising out of several leaflets that are has a fine texture and dark green in color and grow directly out of the ground, they do not have a stem. R.adiantiformis can reach up to 3 feet in height and spread out as far as 5 feet. R.adiantiformis is slow growing and very dense. R.adiantiformis does not produce any flowers or fruit. Under the leaves are numerous sori (clusters of sporangia) that are about 2.2mm in diameter.
Biological information: R.adiantiformis spreads through stolons. These ferns are well adapted to grow in the shade and are the forest dwellers occurring in moist areas. They sometimes also occur on rock. These ferns are very fast growers and can establish it’s self within 7 weeks.
Importance: R.adiantiformis leaves are arrange in a light trapping mosaic allowing most of the leave surface to be exposed to shattered sun light for photosynthesis.
invertebrates
The garden butterfly (Acraea horta)
Diagnostic characteristics: A.horta is a small butterfly with a wing span of 50mm. The female wing span are generally longer. These beautiful small butterflies has 4 wings. The forewings are slightly transparent towards the farthest sides and the hind wings are orange and dotted with black spots. On the edges are black patterns. The body that is divided into 3 segments are black and covered in tiny hairs. On the head are 2 antennae formed form several segments containing olfactory structures used to help with flight as well as compound eyes, following the head is the thicker thorax that are further divided into separate segments containing the wings and legs.
Biological information: A.horta is one of the most common butterflies in the cape. They lay their eggs in large clusters of about 40 that are protected by a chorion, on the leaves of specific host plants like the wild peach tree. After they have been laid they take up to 9 days to hatch. The larvae are gregarious and can strip the leaves of the host plant within weeks. Various bird species feed on the larvae, and they are a important food source in the forest ecosystem.
Importance: The butterfly is in so large numbers that they act as a major food source for various birds and some animals in the forest system. This butterfly adapted to survive in the forest ecosystem by having a fast life cycle and reproducing large numbers of offspring on a life time.
Diagnostic characteristics: A.horta is a small butterfly with a wing span of 50mm. The female wing span are generally longer. These beautiful small butterflies has 4 wings. The forewings are slightly transparent towards the farthest sides and the hind wings are orange and dotted with black spots. On the edges are black patterns. The body that is divided into 3 segments are black and covered in tiny hairs. On the head are 2 antennae formed form several segments containing olfactory structures used to help with flight as well as compound eyes, following the head is the thicker thorax that are further divided into separate segments containing the wings and legs.
Biological information: A.horta is one of the most common butterflies in the cape. They lay their eggs in large clusters of about 40 that are protected by a chorion, on the leaves of specific host plants like the wild peach tree. After they have been laid they take up to 9 days to hatch. The larvae are gregarious and can strip the leaves of the host plant within weeks. Various bird species feed on the larvae, and they are a important food source in the forest ecosystem.
Importance: The butterfly is in so large numbers that they act as a major food source for various birds and some animals in the forest system. This butterfly adapted to survive in the forest ecosystem by having a fast life cycle and reproducing large numbers of offspring on a life time.
The trapdoor spider (Ummidia spp)
Diagnostic characteristics: Ummidia spp is a small black spider with long legs that are shinny on top but hairy at the lower part of the legs. They have a hairy abdomen and thorax, that houses 2 main eyes and just below them are 4 secondary eyes. Ummidia spp chelicerae are large and strong and well adapted for digging.
Biological information: Ummidia spp construct elaborate burrows along natural insect pathways, which they line with a coating of a mixture of ground and saliva followed by a layer of silk. They also make a roof which is camouflaged with rocks and twigs, that they can flip open with hinges to jump out and catch their prey. The burrows also act as a nussary where the female lays her eggs. She will stay with the small spiders until they are large enough to despurse via a technique called ballooning. Prey include arthropods and small lizards. They are well hidden from predators in their burrow, but there is one parasitic wasp (Pompilidae) that is able to chew through the roof and parasitize Ummidia spp.
Importance: Ummidia spp fills a special niche within the forest system. They have adapted to dig burrows and to live under ground.
Diagnostic characteristics: Ummidia spp is a small black spider with long legs that are shinny on top but hairy at the lower part of the legs. They have a hairy abdomen and thorax, that houses 2 main eyes and just below them are 4 secondary eyes. Ummidia spp chelicerae are large and strong and well adapted for digging.
Biological information: Ummidia spp construct elaborate burrows along natural insect pathways, which they line with a coating of a mixture of ground and saliva followed by a layer of silk. They also make a roof which is camouflaged with rocks and twigs, that they can flip open with hinges to jump out and catch their prey. The burrows also act as a nussary where the female lays her eggs. She will stay with the small spiders until they are large enough to despurse via a technique called ballooning. Prey include arthropods and small lizards. They are well hidden from predators in their burrow, but there is one parasitic wasp (Pompilidae) that is able to chew through the roof and parasitize Ummidia spp.
Importance: Ummidia spp fills a special niche within the forest system. They have adapted to dig burrows and to live under ground.
Snout Beetle (Gonipterus scutellatus)
Diagnostic characteristics: G.scutellatus small grayish brown beetle with black lateral strips down the abdomen, only reaching 13mm in length. They have large black eyes relative to their size and have two long antae. On the end of each leg (6 legs) there is a single sharp curved hook used to grip plant material. The larvae are a faded yellow color with distinctive dark green strips running down the abdomen.
Biological information: G.scutellatus is not native to South Africa, but is a becoming a concern as being a invader in our forest systems. The female will lay up to 200 eggs in batches of 10 on various plant species on the underside of the leaves and will hatch in about a week. After hatching they will extensively feed on the host plant until they are ready to pupate, then they dig down into the soil under the host plant where they go through the last stage of their life cycles.
Importance: Because this is a invasive species it will outcompete other and establishes itself in large numbers and can have catastrophic effects on the native forest species. They can cause tree mortality to increase through excessive feeding.
Diagnostic characteristics: G.scutellatus small grayish brown beetle with black lateral strips down the abdomen, only reaching 13mm in length. They have large black eyes relative to their size and have two long antae. On the end of each leg (6 legs) there is a single sharp curved hook used to grip plant material. The larvae are a faded yellow color with distinctive dark green strips running down the abdomen.
Biological information: G.scutellatus is not native to South Africa, but is a becoming a concern as being a invader in our forest systems. The female will lay up to 200 eggs in batches of 10 on various plant species on the underside of the leaves and will hatch in about a week. After hatching they will extensively feed on the host plant until they are ready to pupate, then they dig down into the soil under the host plant where they go through the last stage of their life cycles.
Importance: Because this is a invasive species it will outcompete other and establishes itself in large numbers and can have catastrophic effects on the native forest species. They can cause tree mortality to increase through excessive feeding.
reptiles/amphibians
Knysna dwarf chameleon (Bradypodion damaranum)
Diagnostic characteristics: B.damaranum is a small chameleon endemic to the Kenyans forest. They have rough body with rounded scales, with a body length of 4cm and a long tail. They have unique eyes with fused eyelids. They have a long tong that they can project outwards to catch their prey, there is a course patch on the tip of the tough that help to grip the insects. They are characterized by having zygodactylous feet to help grip on leaves and branches.
Biological information: B.damaranum are adapted for arboreal locomotion. They have 360 degree vision and they can focus on two objects at once. They move very slowly to simulate blowing leaves. They can change the color of their skin depending on the vegetation and the mood of the chameleon. They are primarily insectivores.
Importance: They have adapted to live in the upped canopy of the forest and to fill s special niche.
Diagnostic characteristics: B.damaranum is a small chameleon endemic to the Kenyans forest. They have rough body with rounded scales, with a body length of 4cm and a long tail. They have unique eyes with fused eyelids. They have a long tong that they can project outwards to catch their prey, there is a course patch on the tip of the tough that help to grip the insects. They are characterized by having zygodactylous feet to help grip on leaves and branches.
Biological information: B.damaranum are adapted for arboreal locomotion. They have 360 degree vision and they can focus on two objects at once. They move very slowly to simulate blowing leaves. They can change the color of their skin depending on the vegetation and the mood of the chameleon. They are primarily insectivores.
Importance: They have adapted to live in the upped canopy of the forest and to fill s special niche.
Black rain frog (Brevisceps fuscus)
Diagnostic characteristics: B.fuscus is a short fat bodied frog with a glandular skin with protruding eyes that are black. B.fuscus has a cleft tongue and does not have a tail and can fold their legs underneath the body
Biological information: B.fuscus live in shallow tunnels in the forest floor. This frog species is endemic to South Africa. During the mating season the females will secrete a sticky substance on her back to keep the male from falling off; this is known as adhesive amplexus. The breeding season starts around September and the froglets grow up without ever coming in contact with water like most frogs. When these frogs are disturbed that will puff up and enlarge their bodies and adopted a more aggressive behavior.
Importance: These frogs are well adapted to live under ground and are mostly nocturnal ground dwellers. They full a special niche in the forest ecosystem and do not have to compete extensively with other species.
Diagnostic characteristics: B.fuscus is a short fat bodied frog with a glandular skin with protruding eyes that are black. B.fuscus has a cleft tongue and does not have a tail and can fold their legs underneath the body
Biological information: B.fuscus live in shallow tunnels in the forest floor. This frog species is endemic to South Africa. During the mating season the females will secrete a sticky substance on her back to keep the male from falling off; this is known as adhesive amplexus. The breeding season starts around September and the froglets grow up without ever coming in contact with water like most frogs. When these frogs are disturbed that will puff up and enlarge their bodies and adopted a more aggressive behavior.
Importance: These frogs are well adapted to live under ground and are mostly nocturnal ground dwellers. They full a special niche in the forest ecosystem and do not have to compete extensively with other species.
Boom slang (Dispholidus typus)
Diagnostic characteristics: D.typus has long slender bodies with a large variation ion body color depending on geographic range. They are normally green in color with a lighter color on their bellies. They have small stubby heads with large black eyes. An adult D.typus can reach up to 1.5 m in length. D.typus is a poisonous snake and when they bite it resembles a chewing action and can open their mouths 180 degrees.
Biological information: D.typus are mostly solitary diurnal snakes that exhibit sexual dimorphism. They live in low lying trees and shrubs and will sometimes venture on the ground to souk up the sun and to hunt. Primarily they will hunt birds and chameleons in the trees. During the breeding season the female will lay up to 14 eggs in pile of rotting stumps or leaves. They mate in the trees and the sex of the offspring in determined by the temperature of the environment. There are no parental care and the young sakes use an egg tooth to break through the egg shell. They use their tough to pickup chemical signals to interoperate their environment.
Importance: These snakes are adapted to an arboreal life style and do not have to compete with other arboreal predators.
Diagnostic characteristics: D.typus has long slender bodies with a large variation ion body color depending on geographic range. They are normally green in color with a lighter color on their bellies. They have small stubby heads with large black eyes. An adult D.typus can reach up to 1.5 m in length. D.typus is a poisonous snake and when they bite it resembles a chewing action and can open their mouths 180 degrees.
Biological information: D.typus are mostly solitary diurnal snakes that exhibit sexual dimorphism. They live in low lying trees and shrubs and will sometimes venture on the ground to souk up the sun and to hunt. Primarily they will hunt birds and chameleons in the trees. During the breeding season the female will lay up to 14 eggs in pile of rotting stumps or leaves. They mate in the trees and the sex of the offspring in determined by the temperature of the environment. There are no parental care and the young sakes use an egg tooth to break through the egg shell. They use their tough to pickup chemical signals to interoperate their environment.
Importance: These snakes are adapted to an arboreal life style and do not have to compete with other arboreal predators.