ScienceDaily (Jan. 15, 2010) - Contrary to a widely held scientific theory that the mammalian Y chromosome is slowly decaying or stagnating, new evidence suggests that in fact the Y is actually evolving quite rapidly through continuous, wholesale renovation.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100113131505.htm

15/01/2010
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Gursky, S. and Supriatna, J. 2010. The History of Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo abelii). Developments in Primatology: Progress and Prospects. 41-55.

The orangutan is the only great ape of Asia. Its present range is confined to dwindling areas on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo (Rijksen and Meijaard 1999). In contrast to its African relatives, the chimpanzee, bonobo (genus Pan), and gorilla (genus Gorilla), it is extremely arboreal (the Sumatra species more so than the Borneo as Sumatra still harbors tigers). In fact, it is the largest and heaviest of all predominantly arboreal mammals. Among the diurnal primates, it is, moreover, exceptional in that it is comparatively solitary.

http://www.springerlink.com/content/w8m86tkr8n7164jj/

15/01/2010
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Gursky, S. and Supriatna, J. 2010. Measuring performance of orangutan protection and monitoring unit: implications for species conservation. Developments in Primatology: Progress and Prospects. 9-22.

The orangutan is the only great ape species that inhabits Asia. During the Pleistocene, they occurred throughout Southeast Asia, from Southern China in the North to Java in the South (Hooijer 1948; von Koeningswald 1981). Current distribution of this species is limited to the northern part of Sumatra and fragmented forest areas in Borneo (Reijksen and Meijaard 1999). Recently, experts have suggested that the orangutan populations on each island represent unique species (Pongo abelii on Sumatra and P. pygmaeus on Borneo; Groves 2001; Warren et al. 2001). The Bornean species is generally divided into three subspecies: P. p. pygmaeus, Pongo p. wurmbii, and P. p. morio (Groves 2001).

http://www.springerlink.com/content/w124h8673wx85j2m/

15/01/2010
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Gursky, S. and Supriatna, J. 2010. Communication, culture and conservation in orangutans. Developments in Primatology: Progress and Prospects. 23-40.

Several fragmented tropical forests within Southeast Asia, namely on northern Sumatra and across Borneo, are home to remnant and declining populations of wild orangutans (Pongo spp), the only extant nonhuman great ape found in Asia. These populations and other sympatric fauna are increasingly threatened by the alteration and destruction of their habitats. The latest available assessments from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recognize Bornean orangutans as an endangered species, whereas their Sumatran counterparts, found at precipitously falling population numbers (Wich et al. 2003; Singleton et al. 2004; Wich et al., 2008b), are identified as critically endangered (IUCN 2008). While the value of preserving species such as orangutans has previously been touted as serving important biological functions, particularly from a community ecology perspective, a more recent emphasis has been on strengthening ties between the goals of biological conservation and socioeconomic development among the impoverished communities that are most likely to face direct human-wildlife conflicts related to local land use practices.

http://www.springerlink.com/content/qk8854826661734u/

15/01/2010
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 New report documents billions of dollars in losses from Indonesia's reforestation fund between 1989 and 2009.

The market for carbon credits generated through forest conservation topped $100 million from 2007 through the first half of 2009, despite a global recession and plunging carbon prices in regulated markets, reports a new assessment by Ecosystem Marketplace.

www.mongabay.com

14/01/2010
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Science Daily

Understanding local human cultures is key
to preserving gorillas, elephants and other wildlife in African parks
and reserves, according to new research from Purdue University.

"Conservation efforts and the management of protected areas are often
designed with the best intentions, but sometimes supporting scientific
data is missing or incorrect assumptions are made about a local  
culture or even the outsiders or trade that plays a role in the area," said
Melissa Remis, a professor of anthropology who studies gorillas.
"Conservation isn't just about protecting wildlife, you also need to
consider the human dimension such as how local hunting technologies or
even migration can change how land is used."

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100113172140.htm

13/01/2010
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