Linton Arneaud - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Linton Arneaud

Palms, 2018

Leaf-cutters ants, Atta cephalotes (Formicidae), are known to select the leaves of pioneer plant ... more Leaf-cutters ants, Atta cephalotes (Formicidae), are known to select the leaves of pioneer plant species due to their high nutrient content and low chemical defenses (Farji Brener 2001). The ants do not feed on the leaves directly, but use the leaves as a growing medium to farm an edible fungus (Shripat 2011). Here I report observations of how A. cephalotes may be threatening the seedling bank of the palm Mauritia flexuosa L.f.

Living World, Journal of the Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists' Club, 2020

Moriche Palm Mauritia flexuosa (Arecaceae-Calamoideae) is an arborescent palm species found throu... more Moriche Palm Mauritia flexuosa (Arecaceae-Calamoideae) is an arborescent palm species found throughout much of South America. Observations on M. flexuosa stands were made during field visits to the Erin Forest Reserve in Trinidad and Tobago. Only four M. flexuosa palms were identified in savanna habitat, all of which were male. With no female palms in the Middle Savanna or Erin Savanna, individual palms cannot reproduce.

Brazilian Journal of Biology, 2022

The impact of fire on the stand structure of Mauritia flexuosa Linn f. was investigated in a trop... more The impact of fire on the stand structure of Mauritia flexuosa Linn f. was investigated in a tropical savanna-forest system by comparing savanna margins that are either protected from or regularly exposed to moderate to low intensity savanna fires. Mauritia flexuosa populations within different environments were sampled over two years to measure: stand density, size class distribution, operational sex ratio, and fecundity. It was found that the canopy was significantly more open in the fire-impacted margins. There were no significant differences in diameter at breast height, but non fire-impacted margins had significantly taller adult palms. The overall reproductive output was significantly higher in the fire-impacted margin and there was a marked trade-off in reproductive output, with palms in fire-impacted margins producing lighter fruit, but three times as many individual fruit. In all margins, stands formed an ‘inverseJ’ size class distribution, indicating a stable population st...

Living World, Journal of the Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists' Club, 2019

Endomycorrhizal fungi associated with the palm Mauritia flexuosa L. f. (Arecaceae,Calamoideae) we... more Endomycorrhizal fungi associated with the palm Mauritia flexuosa L. f. (Arecaceae,Calamoideae) were observed in situ and ex situ on the island of Trinidad, West Indies. Root endophytes varied between stage classes (seedling–adult) and amongst palms from different locations and individual species of endophyte were associated with more than one palm species. This suggests that palms with associated endophyte communities may have a greater chance of survival in stressful environments. Further studies on the relative abundance of endophytes and host specificity are warranted as different levels of endomycorrhizal associations and adaptations are expected.

Academia Letters, 2021

Plastics (nano-, micro-, meso-and macro-) have become an integral part of human lives; whether hu... more Plastics (nano-, micro-, meso-and macro-) have become an integral part of human lives; whether humans like it or not, it's in the air they breathe (Gasperi et al. 2018), the water they drink (Danopoulos, Twiddy, and Rotchell 2020), the animal they eat (Garcés-Ordóñez et al. 2020; Banerjee and Shelver 2021), the crop and vegetable they grow for food (Wang et al. 2019), and in almost everything humans eat (Yin et al. 2021). Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) is presently one of the leading solid waste generators (1.47 kg per capita per day) in Latin America and the Caribbean region (Clayton et al. 2020; Kaza et al. 2018). On average, plastic waste accumulation in Trinidad and Tobago's major landfill sites (Beetham, Forres Park and Guanapo) is just under 20% (Singha, Kellyb, and Sastryc 2009). All other plastic waste on the islands are almost guaranteed to end up in the ocean due to improper waste disposal techniques; similar to other small islands in the region (Garcés-Ordóñez, Saldarriaga-Vélez, and Espinosa-Díaz 2021). Persons regularly disposing plastic containers/packages after consumption directly contribute to global climate change. Furthermore, the health and life expectancy of persons living in these general environments are expected to decrease, as nano and micro-plastics end up being an integral part of humans living there for generations. Municipal solid waste education, proper plastic waste recycling capabilities, onshore waste disposal facilities, flash-flooding occurrences, mangroves ecosystem services, and offshore waste accumulation are all interrelated (Bruce and Limin 2021), and contribute to the success or failure of any country's waste management programme. The good news is that it's not too late for the natural environment or "mother nature" to repair the impacts of the destructive actions mankind have been practising for decades in some countries. Nonetheless, governments, environmental managers and ecological advisors need to be cognitive that there is only

Will Mauritia flexuosa (Arecaceae) in the Erin Savanna, Trinidad become locally extinct?, 2020

Moriche Palm Mauritia flexuosa (ArecaceaeCalamoideae) is an arborescent palm species found throu... more Moriche Palm Mauritia flexuosa (ArecaceaeCalamoideae) is an arborescent palm species found throughout much of South America. However, it is only found on one Caribbean island, Trinidad, which represents the species’ northern geographical extent (EMA 2007).
Over the millennia, M. flexuosa has survived in both wet and dry conditions (Rodríguez-Zorro et al. 2017). In Trinidad, it is found predominantly in the Aripo Savannas [Strict Nature Reserve] Environmentally Sensitive Area (ASESA) on ecotones between savannas and swamp forest (Arneaud et al. 2017). Other locations where M. flexuosa exist are associated with open areas that are permanently
or temporarily inundated during the wet season, such as boundaries of the herbaceous swamps in the Nariva and Los Blanquizales wetlands (Arneaud and Duncan 2019, Comeau et al. 2003).

INTRODUCTION Mauritia flexuosa is one of the most common and widespread palms in the neotropics a... more INTRODUCTION Mauritia flexuosa is one of the most common and widespread palms in the neotropics and plays a significant role in the economies of neotropical countries of South America (Virapongse et al. 2017). Trinidad represents the northern limit of the range of distribution for M. flexuosa (Comeau et al. 2003). Although these palms have been thoroughly studied (socioeconomic importance, livelihood, ecology, conservation, management, and sustainability (Virapongse et al. 2017), few records on root-endophyte associations with M. flexuosa can be found (Koolen et al. 2012, Koolen et al. 2013). Endophytes or endophytic fungi are known to exist in every plant species found thus far on the planet (Arnold et al. 2001), however, there is not much information on their associations with individual plant species. Furthermore, little is known of endophyte associations in tropical trees (Asita et al. 2018, Schroeder et al. 2018), especially palms (Froehlich and Petrini 2000). At present, there is no checklist of endomycorrhizal fungi associated with M. flexuosa; leaf-endophytic fungi associations have been documented in palms (Rodrigues 1994, Froehlich and Petrini 2000, Arnold et al. 2001), but for M. flexuosa only the names of the fungi are recorded and not the nature of their associations (Delgado et al. 2007, Vasquez et al. 2008, Alvarez-Loayza et al. 2011). Root endophytes represent a group of understudied microorganisms (Faeth and Fagan 2002) and can be defined as inconspicuous microbial organisms or endosymbionts adapted to mutualistic associations inside root tissues (Schulz and Boyle 2006, Kurissery et al. 2019). In many plant species, root endophytes are known to increase water and nutrient absorption (Kurissery et al. 2019), protect against plant pathogens (Faeth and Fagan 2002), and stimulate growth (Schulz and Boyle 2006). Results from this study will provide baseline information relevant ABSTRACT Endomycorrhizal fungi associated with the palm Mauritia flexuosa L. f. (Arecaceae,Calamoideae) were observed in situ and ex situ on the island of Trinidad, West Indies. Root endophytes varied between stage classes (seedling-adult) and amongst palms from different locations and individual species of endophyte were associated with more than one palm species. This suggests that palms with associated endophyte communities may have a greater chance of survival in stressful environments. Further studies on the relative abundance of endophytes and host specificity are warranted as different levels of endomycorrhizal associations and adaptations are expected.

Do arboreal termite nests increase mortality in Mauritia flexuosa L. f. (Arecaceae) during wildfires?, 2021

Moriche palm (Mauritia flexuosa Linn f. [Arecaceae]) is a dominant species in the savanna margins... more Moriche palm (Mauritia flexuosa Linn f. [Arecaceae]) is a dominant species in the savanna margins of the Caribbean island of Trinidad. The savanna margins are frequently subjected to fires and the� moriche palm, like many palm species, is adapted to cope with a degree of fire damage. These palms also frequently host large termite nests that tend to burn during fires, which causes further damage to the palm stems. This paper explores the possibility that the combination of termite nests and frequent fires can increase tree mortality. Two post-fire surveys were conducted to record, evidence of fire exposure, fire damage to termite nests and fire damage to palm stems. In both surveys, the majority of palms with termite nests suffered fire damage to their stems, while none of the termite-free palms showed damage. Furthermore, a comparison of nest size and damage to the bark showed stems with larger nests had significantly more damage than those with smaller or no nests. The results suggest that the presence of termite nests increases the extent of fire damage to palm trunks by providing a point of combustion that focuses flames on the already compromised stem tissue. Long-term studies are warranted to investigate the impact of repeated fires on wild arborescent palm populations.

Preserving Mauritia flexuosa L.f. (Arecaceae) ecosystems during Guyana’s first oil boom, 2021

In recent years, Guyana has made one of the world’s most significant oil discoveries, boosting i... more In recent years, Guyana has made one of the world’s
most significant oil discoveries, boosting its economy
fourfold. Globally, economic development has contributed
to increased levels of greenhouse gases, and like most
developing countries, Guyana may be at risk of prioritizing
monetary gain over development that is environmentally
sustainable. Mauritia flexuosa L.f. (Arecaceae) is one the
most common palm species that grows in extensive stands
(cananguchal and morichal ecological systems) throughout
tropical South American peatlands (as well as Trinidad), and
may be capable of reducing the impacts of greenhouse gases
(GHGs) at the regional level. Mauritia flexuosa ecological
systems do this by storing carbon (the most abundant
GHG) belowground within their waterlogged environs, in
the form of peat deposits. Atmospheric carbon is absorbed
by M. flexuosa palms and plants growing at the surface, via
photosynthetic carbon assimilation, and then accumulates
in the substrate as a result of the waterlogged conditions
preventing aerobic decomposition and thus the consequent
release of the organic carbon held in dead plant matter.
Ecological managers and policy-makers should, therefore,
be made aware of the importance of these ecosystems in
the global carbon balance and climate change mitigation.

Do Leaf-Cutter Ants Affect Mauritia flexuosa Population Structure?

Gone with the Wind? Dead Apis mellifera Bees Washed Up on a Tropical Beach, 2020

It is very uncommon for thousands of dead honey bees to wash up on beaches (Taylor Jr, 1977). A... more It is very uncommon for thousands of
dead honey bees to wash up on beaches
(Taylor Jr, 1977). As a result of this, little is
known on the mortality of flying insects
along shorelines (Schaefer et al., 1987).
On 14th July 2019, I visited Maracas
beach (10°75′87′′ N, 61°43′95′′ W); a
crescent embayment of the Caribbean Sea,
located on the North coast of Trinidad. I
immediately noticed numerous dead bees
along the shoreline and became interested
in investigating further. At present, there
are few anecdotal records of one-off
occurrences where large masses of dead
bees were found along beaches in Florida
(Fox News, 2017; Scott, 2002) and there
don’t appear to be any published records
of this phenomenon on islands.

Marked reproductive plasticity in response to contrasting fire regimes in a neotropical palm, 2017

The impact of fire on the stand structure of Mauritia flexuosa Linn f. was investigated in a trop... more The impact of fire on the stand structure of Mauritia flexuosa Linn f. was investigated in a tropical savanna-forest system by comparing savanna margins that are either protected from or regularly exposed to moderate to low intensity savanna fires. Mauritia flexuosa populations within different environments were sampled over two years to measure: stand density, size class distribution, operational sex ratio, and fecundity. It was found that the canopy was significantly more open in the fire-impacted margins. There were no significant differences in diameter at breast height, but non fire-impacted margins had significantly taller adult palms. The overall reproductive output was significantly higher in the fire-impacted margin and there was a marked trade-off in reproductive output, with palms in fire-impacted margins producing lighter fruit, but three times as many individual fruit. In all margins, stands formed an ‘inverse-J’size class distribution, indicating a stable population structure. Mauritia flexuosa stands appear to have sufficient plasticity in reproductive output to sustain viable populations across a range of fire regimes.

Palms, 2018

Living World, Journal of the Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists' Club, 2020

Brazilian Journal of Biology, 2022

Living World, Journal of the Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists' Club, 2019

Academia Letters, 2021

Will Mauritia flexuosa (Arecaceae) in the Erin Savanna, Trinidad become locally extinct?, 2020

Do arboreal termite nests increase mortality in Mauritia flexuosa L. f. (Arecaceae) during wildfires?, 2021

Preserving Mauritia flexuosa L.f. (Arecaceae) ecosystems during Guyana’s first oil boom, 2021

Do Leaf-Cutter Ants Affect Mauritia flexuosa Population Structure?

Gone with the Wind? Dead Apis mellifera Bees Washed Up on a Tropical Beach, 2020

Marked reproductive plasticity in response to contrasting fire regimes in a neotropical palm, 2017

The impact of fire on the stand structure of Mauritia flexuosa Linn f. was investigated in a trop... more The impact of fire on the stand structure of Mauritia flexuosa Linn f. was investigated in a tropical savanna-forest system by comparing savanna margins that are either protected from or regularly exposed to moderate to low intensity savanna fires. Mauritia flexuosa populations within different environments were sampled over two years to measure: stand density, size class distribution, operational sex ratio, and fecundity. It was found that the canopy was significantly more open in the fire-impacted margins. There were no significant differences in diameter at breast height, but non fire-impacted margins had significantly taller adult palms. The overall reproductive output was significantly higher in the fire-impacted margin and there was a marked trade-off in reproductive output, with palms in fire-impacted margins producing lighter fruit, but three times as many individual fruit. In all margins, stands formed an ‘inverse-J’size class distribution, indicating a stable population structure. Mauritia flexuosa stands appear to have sufficient plasticity in reproductive output to sustain viable populations across a range of fire regimes.