Brian - LCRC
New member
- Joined
- May 20, 2006
- Messages
- 121
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 0
- Age
- 67
From:
Scientific Journal Section - Fauna Classifieds
Courtesy: POLYPHEMOS
Natural and simulated climate - Corucia
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leeway Corucia Research Center (LCRC)
Abstract:
Little has been studied in the high canopy of the Solomons regarding climate. Through interpretation from lower areas along the coast an estimate
of natural climate of Corucia was deduced. In addition, simulated conditions in captivity have provided more data concerning climate.
Corucia zebrata is a high-canopy arboreal lizard (Schnirel {POLYPHEMOS -2004}) .
In the Solomon archipelago, there is little seasonal variation in temperature.
Rainfall varies in that there is a dry season from June- August and a wet
season from February to May and from September to November.
Temperature varies in latitude with the average temperature declining about
4 degrees F. per 990 feet change in elevation. Taking this and information
from 23 year climate data from Honiara on Guadalcanal which has an
elevation of 594 feet, the following can be complied on Corucia temperature
at the appropriate higher elevation. The general range in temperature would
be from 68 degrees F. at night and 84 degrees F. during the day. Extremes
compensated for elevation would be 59 degrees at the absolute minimum
and 92 degrees at the maximum. The upper canopy in the mountains would
have a descending airflow at night during semi-prime Corucia activity. The
upper elevations at night have Katabatic winds (also known as Fall or Bora
winds) which descend towards the coast as the lower elevations have an
outward flow of air towards the warmer, nighttime ocean.
Evaporation at prime temperature and humidity with a gentle downward
Katabatic wind would be at 6.17 - 9.33 mm (.24 -.37 inches) in a 24 hr.
period. A value greater than the maximum would cause uncomfort and
desiccation to Corucia zebrata. A consistent lower rate of evaporation from
the minimum can lead to parasitic fungal and bacteria infections. The Moon
Condition characterised by crater-like pits (Schnirel, 2002) Is caused by
Pseudomonas bacteria (DuPont, 2002). Since climatic studies have not been
done in the higher terrain of the Solomons; let alone the upper-canopy, this
data is based on research done at the Leeway Corucia Research
Center (LCRC) using a L-2 series evaporimeter with a 30 mm diameter.
Conditions of the upper rainforest canopy in the higher terrain environment
of Corucia zebrata were duplicated as much as possible to the conditions
described above. This included a slight downward Katabatic-like airflow at
night. The conditions used would be optimum and matchable for captive
propagation of Corucia zebrata and thus, these evaporation figures would be
of greatest value for non wild Corucia. Due to no actual studies in the canopies where Corucia zebrata reside, some slight
variation in the above results are possible. Some factors to consider can be
amount of filtered sunlight, % of time the Corucia canopy is in a cloud forest
environment (Quantity of water held in the clouds), height arrangement of
the forest canopy, and velocity / turbulence of the wind. Merriam (1973)
studied the effects of horizontal preciptation (fog drip) using artifical leaves
in a fog wind tunnel. The special distribution of leaves and the properties of
their surface may have to be taken into account for assessment of area
evaporation.
This would be especially so during periods of precipitation. Fog drip depends
on total leaf surface as well as whether the leaves possess drip tips.
Assessment of the leaves of the high canopy of the Solomon archipelago
would depend on the ratio of tree leaves and their relative design to leaves
of Pothos and other vines present in the canopy.
Humidity should be 62% at the minimum, with 84-92% an average. Since
heavy rainshowers are common, especially in the wet season, 100% is
common and relished by Corucia which become very active in a downpour.
However, as mentioned above, excessive periods of stagnant humidity at or
near 100% is unnatural and potentially detrimental.
Discussion:
Corucia based on captive observations seem to prefer to drink water in the
following three categories:
1). Being from a rainforest environment, Corucia seem to prefer first to
obtain drinking water directly from natural rain showers which are often
frequent in the Solomons, primarily in the rainy season.
2). Also indicative of a rainforest environment, Corucia will drink water
secondarily from standing leaves- especially those of a drip-tip design
(designed to eliminate excess water by the plant; thereby stopping fungal
growth).
3). If pools are available, (In the wild tree top canopy, this would manifest
itself through pools in crouches of trees), Corucia will tertiary drink water
from this method.
References:
de Vosjoli Phillippe; Account from the Daily journals of Phillippe Fast, Frank; 1995. de Vosjoli and Frank Fast. The Vivarium,
Volume 6-Number 5, Escondido, California,
U.S.A. pp 4-7, 12-17, 36-38, 40-44.
McCoy, Michael; Reptiles of the Solomon Islands. Wau Ecology
1980. Institute, Handbook No. 7:30. Papua New
Guinea.
Merriam, R.A. Fog drip from artificial leaves in a fog wind
1973. tunnel. Water Resources Research 9(6) :
1591 - 1596.
Parker, F.; 1983. The prehensile tailed-skink (Corucia zebrata)
on Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea.
Advances in Herpetology and Evolutionary
Biology, Museum of Comparative
zoology.
Schnirel,
Brian L.; 2004. Seni biometric analysis on the extinct Scincidae
species:Macroscincus coctei (underlined).
Polyphemos, Volume 2, Issue
1, May, Florence, South Carolina, U.S.A. pp. 12-
22. Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.A. pp.
435-440.
Brian L. Schnirel
LCRC
Scientific Journal Section - Fauna Classifieds
Courtesy: POLYPHEMOS
Natural and simulated climate - Corucia
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leeway Corucia Research Center (LCRC)
Abstract:
Little has been studied in the high canopy of the Solomons regarding climate. Through interpretation from lower areas along the coast an estimate
of natural climate of Corucia was deduced. In addition, simulated conditions in captivity have provided more data concerning climate.
Corucia zebrata is a high-canopy arboreal lizard (Schnirel {POLYPHEMOS -2004}) .
In the Solomon archipelago, there is little seasonal variation in temperature.
Rainfall varies in that there is a dry season from June- August and a wet
season from February to May and from September to November.
Temperature varies in latitude with the average temperature declining about
4 degrees F. per 990 feet change in elevation. Taking this and information
from 23 year climate data from Honiara on Guadalcanal which has an
elevation of 594 feet, the following can be complied on Corucia temperature
at the appropriate higher elevation. The general range in temperature would
be from 68 degrees F. at night and 84 degrees F. during the day. Extremes
compensated for elevation would be 59 degrees at the absolute minimum
and 92 degrees at the maximum. The upper canopy in the mountains would
have a descending airflow at night during semi-prime Corucia activity. The
upper elevations at night have Katabatic winds (also known as Fall or Bora
winds) which descend towards the coast as the lower elevations have an
outward flow of air towards the warmer, nighttime ocean.
Evaporation at prime temperature and humidity with a gentle downward
Katabatic wind would be at 6.17 - 9.33 mm (.24 -.37 inches) in a 24 hr.
period. A value greater than the maximum would cause uncomfort and
desiccation to Corucia zebrata. A consistent lower rate of evaporation from
the minimum can lead to parasitic fungal and bacteria infections. The Moon
Condition characterised by crater-like pits (Schnirel, 2002) Is caused by
Pseudomonas bacteria (DuPont, 2002). Since climatic studies have not been
done in the higher terrain of the Solomons; let alone the upper-canopy, this
data is based on research done at the Leeway Corucia Research
Center (LCRC) using a L-2 series evaporimeter with a 30 mm diameter.
Conditions of the upper rainforest canopy in the higher terrain environment
of Corucia zebrata were duplicated as much as possible to the conditions
described above. This included a slight downward Katabatic-like airflow at
night. The conditions used would be optimum and matchable for captive
propagation of Corucia zebrata and thus, these evaporation figures would be
of greatest value for non wild Corucia. Due to no actual studies in the canopies where Corucia zebrata reside, some slight
variation in the above results are possible. Some factors to consider can be
amount of filtered sunlight, % of time the Corucia canopy is in a cloud forest
environment (Quantity of water held in the clouds), height arrangement of
the forest canopy, and velocity / turbulence of the wind. Merriam (1973)
studied the effects of horizontal preciptation (fog drip) using artifical leaves
in a fog wind tunnel. The special distribution of leaves and the properties of
their surface may have to be taken into account for assessment of area
evaporation.
This would be especially so during periods of precipitation. Fog drip depends
on total leaf surface as well as whether the leaves possess drip tips.
Assessment of the leaves of the high canopy of the Solomon archipelago
would depend on the ratio of tree leaves and their relative design to leaves
of Pothos and other vines present in the canopy.
Humidity should be 62% at the minimum, with 84-92% an average. Since
heavy rainshowers are common, especially in the wet season, 100% is
common and relished by Corucia which become very active in a downpour.
However, as mentioned above, excessive periods of stagnant humidity at or
near 100% is unnatural and potentially detrimental.
Discussion:
Corucia based on captive observations seem to prefer to drink water in the
following three categories:
1). Being from a rainforest environment, Corucia seem to prefer first to
obtain drinking water directly from natural rain showers which are often
frequent in the Solomons, primarily in the rainy season.
2). Also indicative of a rainforest environment, Corucia will drink water
secondarily from standing leaves- especially those of a drip-tip design
(designed to eliminate excess water by the plant; thereby stopping fungal
growth).
3). If pools are available, (In the wild tree top canopy, this would manifest
itself through pools in crouches of trees), Corucia will tertiary drink water
from this method.
References:
de Vosjoli Phillippe; Account from the Daily journals of Phillippe Fast, Frank; 1995. de Vosjoli and Frank Fast. The Vivarium,
Volume 6-Number 5, Escondido, California,
U.S.A. pp 4-7, 12-17, 36-38, 40-44.
McCoy, Michael; Reptiles of the Solomon Islands. Wau Ecology
1980. Institute, Handbook No. 7:30. Papua New
Guinea.
Merriam, R.A. Fog drip from artificial leaves in a fog wind
1973. tunnel. Water Resources Research 9(6) :
1591 - 1596.
Parker, F.; 1983. The prehensile tailed-skink (Corucia zebrata)
on Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea.
Advances in Herpetology and Evolutionary
Biology, Museum of Comparative
zoology.
Schnirel,
Brian L.; 2004. Seni biometric analysis on the extinct Scincidae
species:Macroscincus coctei (underlined).
Polyphemos, Volume 2, Issue
1, May, Florence, South Carolina, U.S.A. pp. 12-
22. Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.A. pp.
435-440.
Brian L. Schnirel
LCRC