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Host–parasite relations of an angiospermous root parasite ( Thonningia sanguinea Vahl) in logged and unlogged sites of Budongo forest reserve, western Uganda
Author(s) -
Olanya Concy Acen,
Eilu Gerald
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
african journal of ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.499
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1365-2028
pISSN - 0141-6707
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2028.2008.01005.x
Subject(s) - parasite hosting , biology , host (biology) , forest reserve , ecology , zoology , botany , world wide web , computer science
Host–parasite relationships of an angiospermous root parasite ( Thonningia sanguinea ) were investigated in logged and unlogged sites of Budongo Forest Reserve. Host trees were identified and their diameters measured in 20 × 20 m plots established randomly in sites where the parasites were presumed to occur. The distance of the point of attachment of the parasite from the base of the host stem was determined and overstorey density measured at the centre of each plot. There were more parasites in the logged than in the unlogged sites (878 and 425 individual parasites ha −1 respectively). The parasite was not host specific but Alchornea laxiflora (Benth) Pax and K.Hoffm, Celtis mildbraedii Engl and Lasiodiscus mildbraedii Engl had relatively more parasites than other species. The parasite could be found within a radius of 2 m from the base of the host stem. The diameter of hosts ranged from 1 to 95 cm. There was a positive correlation between overstorey density and occurrence of T. sanguinea . Conservation of T. sanguinea, therefore, requires maintenance of intact forests with closed canopies rather than logged sites with many gaps and hence low overstorey density.