Species Endangered (MS-Blog Series from) - III / 09

Bermuda Petrel

• Class: Avia
• Order: Procellariiformes
• Latin name: Pterodroma cahow
• Range: Bermudan Islands
  

• IUCN Status : EN (Endangered) /
• CITES: Not listed (Marine species usually aren't)
• (above a 2008 situation)
  

For centuries supposed an extinct species, Bermuda Petrel (Pterodroma cahow) in some ways resembles one of the frog species (Mallorcan Midwife toad) mentioned in our previous post. Bermuda Petrel was also quite recently found having survived to our times, and has been protected since. The recovery of bird(s) has also been supported with conservation efforts. The story of the Bermuda Petrel is rather famous, but because we're not too familiar with it and it's general popular renown goes back some decades, it's included as next in the series.

Endemic to Bermudan Islands solely, Bermuda P. is counted in gadfly petrels. The upper main order, Procellariiformes contains basically petrels, sometimes also Albatrosses (Diomedeidae) are included within. Other co-families (in that taxonomy) are the Storm Petrels (Hydrobatidae), and Diving-petrels (Pelanoides). The remaining family Procellariids contains the gadfly petrels in addition to some other sub-groups (or about so, I would guess these aren't always that clear/permanent and sometimes the species classifications are changed).

Petrels feed at open sea and are pelagic marine birds (mostly?). In common image petrels have been called the storm birds, due that they are excellent fliers and seem to be almost 'safe at home' in the bad weather. Typical to the petrels is also that they breed slowly, usually only one descendant in successful season, the incubation taking generally long period: In case of Bermuda Petrel for about over 50 days, but for Albatrosses that have the longest incubation time of any birds, it may be from 70 to 80 days. The fledglings leave the nest after around 13-14 weeks age, the young petrels usually returning to the breeding islands when having reached mature age, in about 4 to 5 years. Petrels only spend part of the year in the nests, their breeding period, which also includes the period of parental watch for newborn chicks. Most part of the year they spend on open seas in search of food, practically being dependable on sea fish.

In spite of some successes in recent decades, species population growth for a more stable level has taken about half the century. And basically it's listed as EN because the population has been noticed at slow but stable increase; any sudden change for the worse could immediately turn that to downwards trend, the species being classified critically endangered, CR. Byrds numbers were (2005) just around the 250, often used as some number (/level of criteria) in those classifications. On the other hand, further continued population growth would possibly mean downlisting in the IUCN classification. [But, as we've learned in during these discussions, population numbers usually tell but half the truth, animal populations concerned and even abundant species can quickly become endangered if the habitat is destroyed, or species other ways largely hunted, harmed, etc)]


Whatever one thinks the fitting classification in Petrels case, that's way down from the estimates of the byrds frequency prior human arrival/affect (no reason to suspect those numbers, though the amount is probably difficult to ensure with certainty). It was once 'superabundant', supposedly had a population of about 500 000 individual specimen. Bermuda Petrel becoming endangered and supposed as extinct, like was the belief for over 300 years, has its origins in the times of explorers/travelers arriving its home island. Not any way unusual a story, like we can notice from following paragraphs. The rediscovery is more atypical one and soon became a symbol for hope in concerning the threatened bird species in general and the marine birds in particular. But for the record it can also be mentioned that at least one other species of Petrels was supposed to be extinct for a long time, about 150 years, until in 2003 it was also rediscovered.


There's also lot variation in amounts of populations in between different recognized (Petrel) bird species. Some belong to most numerous from sea birds like Wilson's Storm Petrel (Oceanites Oceanicus) and Short-tailed Shearwater (Puffinus tenuirostris), which both are counted in numbers over tens of millions – but some are so rare that even their nesting sites are still nowadays not known. Fx, Fiji Petrel is mentioned having been seen for only handful of times after it was identified as particular species. Only in Bermuda's petrel's own Pterodroma genus there's number of (pelagic) species which are known to be severely threatened, fx: Chatham Islands petrel (P. axillaris, CR) ; Galápagos petrel (P. phaeopygia, CR) ; Jamaica petrel (P. Caribbaea, CR - possibly extinct) ; Black-capped petrel (P. hasitata, EN) ; Barau's petrel (P. baraui, EN) ; Trindade Petrel (P. arminjoniana, VU) ; Atlantic petrel (P. incerta, VU) ; Murphy's petrel (P. ultima, NT)². Since for the Procellariidaes in addition to gadfly petrels also are counted the shearwater-, fulmarine petrels and prions families, these likely contain several more threatened species, though we don't go listing those more especially here.


But, we can now here re-read (part) of the Bermuda P. story to get the better picture; the human caused impact on birds survival began when early Spanish sea-farers in 16^th century began leaving hogs grazing in wild on island and that way using the place as living food store for passing ships (superstitious from the nocturnal voices of birds on island, they were not building any permanent settlements on islands). A bit later, the actual disappearance of of the species would nevertheless have happened in rather brief period of time, in only about 10 to 15 years as can be read from the following citation:

Lost and found. Bermuda remained uninhabited until 1609, when an English expedition was shipwrecked there. At the time the islands were teemed with seabirds, including vast numbers of Bermuda petrels. Soon, however, settlers arrived in force, bringing with them pigs, rats, and other animals that raided the petrels' nesting burrows. To make matters worse, the settlers themselves also caught and ate huge numbers of the birds, until by 1621 the species was thought to be extinct.

No specimen were recorded for more than 300 years, but then, miraculously, the bird turned up again. The first clue of existence came in 1906, when a dead petrel was found an Castle Island, one of the smallest in Bermuda. At first it was taken to be a previously unknown capped petrel from the Caribbean region, but then in 1916 another individual turned up – and it seemed to fit the 17^th century descriptions of the missing species. The clinching record came in 1931, when a bird that hit St. David's lighthouse was retrieved and identified as Bermuda Petrel. Another definite record was of an individual that struck a telephone pole in St. George, at the northeastern end of the main island.

The puzzle of where these birds came from remained, since none could be found nesting on any of the inhabited islands. In 1951 a search turned up 18 pairs of the petrels on rocky islets in Castle Harbor, near St. George. The total area of these islets was only 2.4 acres (1 ha). Instead of nesting in burrows as they had done in the 17^th century, the petrels were now using natural crevices created by water erosion of the soft limestone rock, since there was little soil on the islets.” ¹

Often marine and other birds of islands have gotten endangered similar way as the Bermuda petrels described above. That may not always have happened such quickly, but following the arrival of human settlement on their living islands. The popularly known examples from the extinct birds are probably Dodo and Moa, that also disappeared directly of human impact (overhunting) and/or indirectly as result from human brought co-threats. In the various islands on seas, that usually have served as nesting sites for large number of marine birds, there's examples more similar to Bermuda P. case.


A typical example, St. Helena's Island in South Atlantic (also renown as the place where Napoleon was finally exiled and later died at early 19^th century), is a more striking one, since from the island in addition to two native sea-water species(St. Helena's Small and Large petrel - Bulweria bifax and Pterodroma rupiram), also main part from the unique terrestrial endemic byrd species disappeared. And, again (largely) because of the above mentioned various threats humans brought along with themselves, the new alien species - cats, rats and pigs. In the pelagic islands where species originally lack such native predators, introduced pets and domestic animals were often been found a more severe threat to native bird species than any other human caused things.


Sometimes the foreign species have been brought to islands unintentionally or for the uses of farming as pest killers. Concerning the pelagic byrds fx, there's Brown tree snake – apparently by accident brought to Guam (at Pacific Ocean) where it killed most from islands native bird population. Another comparable example from human brought invasive species - if not expecially for birds - is Cane Toad (Bufo Marinus) that mainly in the 1930s was introduced for various Pacific and Caribbean islands as elsewhere too (with the intention to dispose the beetles in sugar cane farms.) Toad has certain toxins and so in addition to appearing mainly a failure in its original purpose as biological control agent, the Cane Toads were also often found a threat for several native species (in general, the toad more usually turned out to be a pest itself affecting various native animals populations in host countries - For further information about the past history, consequences and failures of that 'Great Cane Toad pest killer Experiment' , one can read this informative article from Cane toads in Australia (One can check the more recent information/news on Cane toads, too.) It is estimated that world-wide large part (80 per cent) from endangered species suffer from human introduced (intentionally or non-intentionally) competitors or predators. Some may date back in the prehistoric times, some are newer cases.


Also, fx nowadays in the Hawaii native birds are often mentioned among the most endangered; from the islands current species over 40 per cent is by origin not native, but brought by humans. From the land birds the introduced species comprise 69 per cent from the total. Hawaii is to some point an exceptional case since the islands environments, rich with plant and vegetation, as well as the animals had remained in isolation for millions of years. More recently human invasion, (supposedly) first the Polynesians and later in the 19th century European settlers arriving for the Hawaii archipelago both caused new invasive species to spread for the islands original environments (and also some time closer to our days, more intensive deforestation and farming). As result many from native birds are found to habitat only in the higher elevations, likely the mountain-sides. (Nowadays Climate Change is also expected to reduce those safe environments.)

Several albatross species like the Black-footed Albatross (Phoebastria nigripes) that breeds on some North-Pacific islands including Hawaii, have also recently become endangered much because of long-lining fishery (in during 1978-1991, especially when there probably wasn't any level of regulations for that). Having somewhat strengthened in their numbers during the 2oth century (earlier decline's is often attributed to common human practise as well, feather and egg collecting in 1800's and early 1900's), several albatross and petrel species are found still threatened by long-lining, although fisheries should utilize techniques that cause less seabird by-catch. As well, there's nowadays nets more 'safer' to birds, though their use is of course been found less easy to guarantee/control. In 1991 was established a protected species zone where no long-line fishing is allowed (for about 50 nautical miles to the North-western oceans from Hawaii). But, the fisheries by-catch nevertheless still causes unnecessary deaths for many albatross and petrel specimen yearly, and plenty of species are affected.


One of course can remark that recently also more common (bird) species worldwide were observed in decline (though several from those are also capable to recover more quickly, perhaps.). But returning to petrels, amongst marine birds, they are with albatrosses most severely threatened taxa worldwide, though only one species is mentioned confirmed to have gone extinct since the 17th century - That is Guadalupe Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma macrodactyla), which disappeared in the early 20^th century, mostly because of non-native predators on its home island (cats). Various other species are vulnerable since their populations have diminished and/or have not been seen for some time.


Since Bermuda petrels have been protected from 1950s their amount has been slowly in raise with the help of conservationist effort. These have included protection from some competive tropical bird species as well as prevention of rats to reach the birds nesting sites. Other threats for species include fx the long-line fishing, since it not only kills large number birds still, but also effectively weakens the catch of fishes available for birds. Additionally, there's sea-waste (flotsam), general marine pollution including oil spills, and the other pollutants like DDT, noticed a reason for the failure of bird eggs to hatch. More recently, some serious flooding as result of sea level raise and a hurricane few years back caused destruction to their burrows (nest sites), so the other potential suitable environments in close islands for breeding sites have been seeked. But, their population is been now found increasing, now at about 25 per cent breeding success (from 5 per cent in 1950s).



From the variability of particular birds mentioned in this post, we can notice that it of course not mainly tells from the vast number of different (marine) bird species, but the various humans caused threats which have largely increased the number of endangered. Of course, the conservation efforts having success also tells that many species are capable to recover quickly if aided. But, like the example here, it may also take far longer period of time in cases where species is slowly reproducing and also natively limited to/breeds only in certain geographic area (like islands). In this particular case, (if wish) to determine for how long depends from perspective taken; recent limited population growth may be seen as result from last 50-60 years various conservation efforts, but as the actual disappearance only took some decades the recovery can also be seen having been some 300-400 years process.

Notes:
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1. Beer-Morris, 2005, The encyclopedia of Endangered Animals.[Bermuda Petrel]

2. (These related endangered) species are listed in the book (see the note 1 above).



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Species Endangered (MS-Blog Series from) - II / 09

Yellow-Bellied Toad

• Class: Amphibian
• Order: Anura
• Latin name: Bombina Variegata
• Range: From Central-/Eastern Europe to Mediterranean region
• IUCN Status: LC (Least Concern) / Cites: Not listed
  

(Above classifications are a 2008 situation).

Yellow-bellied Toad (Bombina variegata) is quite widespread, small-sized toad (a distinction between toad and frog is a minor but interesting one: in general toads are more accustomed to land-life, they fx usually have shorter legs and drier skin. The differences are not significant and as a term frog practically includes also toads. Therefore, not a clear taxonomic separation exists/is reasonable to make) Toads like frogs also habitat, at least for their breeding behavior, small ponds and lakes, as well as other watery places.

Yellow-bellied Toads are found mostly in foothills and mountain-sides. It can be spotted from coniferous and mixed forests, grasslands, meadows, etc, in the higher altitudes, from deciduous forests in low elevations. The diet includes most typically small terrestrial insects (but also fx small spiders, crustaceans and various aquatic insects). It hunts them by night. The bombinatoridae family are also often mentioned noticeable from their voices, which remind the sound of small clocks clacking merely than more typical frog croaks - one who has heard such 'concerto' on the late walk fx, may perhaps understand/recognize the species especial voices from this description. These toads are easily confused with their 'sister-species' Fire-Bellied Toads (Bombina bombina). Outer distinction in between species is only possible to make of small details, main one being the color in their belly-side (which is believed to serve as warning for the predators as a threatened toad may turn around upwards to show its colorful belly as a sign of being toxic/poisonous). The two parallel (sub-)species also hybridize in many their contact areas.

In contrast to various other amphibian species, Yellow-Bellied Toad is not considered particularly demanding by habitat and even tolerates some wetlands highly polluted by humans. It can also be found on urban forest parks. Since frogs in general are freshwater dependable species, their existence in the water sources often tells from the good condition of waters. Actually, as urbanization and human settlements in Europe are often dense, frogs are in places also dependable from artificial aquatic habitat. Sometimes they are found using for their breeding small wells close to urban housings (but in many places over their range, the replacement of those traditional human water use sources by newer methods is also noticed as one reason in the amphibian disappearance). Both species (-variegata/-bombina) in general are relatively common, the one in question here having a range from Mediterranean Europe to the central and eastern parts of the continent. But, the ongoing population trend in both cases is in decline.

In the strictest sense of endangerment it perhaps would not qualify for this series (from endangered species), as it is only counted LC in the IUCN list and not disappearing so fast as would mean the classification of seriously threatened. But, fx subspecies Apennine Yellow-bellied Toad (Bombina pachypus), found only in Italy is listed as endangered(EN) because of its fast decline. Further, including Bombina variegata here becomes more justified if examining the situation of amphibians in whole. Findings of the European Red List of Amphibians¹ give some hint about the scope of overall decline: in addition to about 15 or more severely endangered - including critically endangered Karpathos Frog(Pelophylax cerigensis) and Montseny Brook Newt(Caloritron arnoldi) - more than half (59 per cent) of the (European) amphibian species populations were in decline and only 36 per cent found in stable state. Main significant threats found (for the amphibians) are; 1^st -Habitat loss (mankind caused loss of natural habitat and suitable living area), 2^nd -Pollution (including causes related to climate change), 3^rd -Invasive alien species (and some hazardous diseases that affect frogs particularly, such as Chytridiomycosis) (p. 11-13 in that IUCN survey mentioned – see the note before). Looks like hard times for frogs, since their general disappearance and declining populations has already been seen happening for some decades, at least.

The disease mentioned in above chapter, chytridiomycosis is relatively recent mysterious killer of amphibian species, and still remains somewhat so. It's origins are according to some studies traceable to certain African frog-species, that was widely transported around the world and therefore seems as most potential vector in diseases spread to several continents. Though, chytridiomycosis has also been shown having existed in amphibian populations some decades, possibly latent. It has supposedly only become virulent in the more recent times. The disease most dramatically affects to amphibian decline in cooler conditions/zones (under 28 C, it is said), but it's also shown having had impact (as co-effect of Climate Change) in the regional amphibian extinctions seen since 1980s. The warming and more unstable/ambient climate may significantly hasten the spread of chytridiomycosis, noticed afterwards in some cases where dramatic population decline had happened.
More conventional and typical reasons for amphibian decline are human caused habitat destruction and urbanization; major ones also include the drying of wet-lands, road construction, water pollution. In addition to those comes the increased land cultivation and agriculturalism, but there's yet several other factors and in general decline is mostly seen a result from various reasons (as often summarised in final conclusive sentences). But, one also finds, among the most significant reasons there is also the overall increase of toxins and use of chemical contaminants(pesticides and some fertilizers, – particularly concerning the amphibians has been the Atrazine, herbicide used about since 1950s, although its more recently been banned in European Union) ; Another, probably more recent, but also mentioned as threat is the raises in UV-B Radiation ; And there's yet more conventional/regular reasons, like the animals being collected for food, pets, etc.

From amount of about over 6300 amphibians species only 85 are endemic to Europe (most numerously there habitating the moisture Mediterranean region where expected drying will cause the largest changes). If enlarging the scope to get the correct picture, that worldwide decline, precisely said, threatens about 30 per cent of their populations - And therefore more seriously than any other animal (order); birds or mammals fx. However, no single most reason is possible to raise aforth as most responsible for that.

But, there's of course plenty of reasons to say (much of) the above mentioned is related to global warming. Some frog populations, restricted to limited range or other ways particularly vulnerable, have in cases been found completely disappeared/extinct in their area. That so, even when inhabitating the protected, conservation habitat - Like that most renown 'iconic Climate Change victim'; the Golden Toad (Bufo periglenes). But, same climatic changes in the region did as well simultaneously cause the disappearance of several other frog populations. Similar losses elsewhere in the world (fx US and Australia) have also been possible to connect in the impacts of general drying. A seemingly small ecologic changes can have a big effects, sometimes; fx according to one research² a slight reduction in the water amount in shallow ponds (from about 50 cm deep to only 20 cm deep) increased the dead-rate from 12 to 80 per cent in the amphibian tadpoles (downright reason for deaths was found from another typical amphibian disease, Saprolgenia ferax³).

For the positive side, most of the amphibians and frogs reproduce by laying multitude of eggs, and can therefore often be successfully increased in captivity. In nature most eggs and/or tadpoles die until mature age, but in the artificial human supervised conditions their great potential for reproductivity can be improved remarkably. Therefore, captive-breeding has sometimes saved threatened species from total extinction and can be used efficiently to return them for the natural wild habitat. A popular example of such, Mallorcan Midwife Toad (Alytes Muletensis) (VU) - now often mentioned as example of living fossil, because it was at first only known from the fossil remains - is a species that was supposed have gone extinct in earlier times, mostly because the early human settlement (in roman times, 2000 years ago) also introduced predators like viper snakes and competitive frogs to the island. Luckily, remains of the small population were found at remote mountains around 1980s. Since that, the toads were increased in protection, new populations from them subsequently later established for suitable areas where mentioned invasive alien species don't reach (in the mountain region of island). Also, it is counted as one of the two European endemic amphibian species that still were on the raise in population numbers, as mentioned in the earlier refered European Red List of Amphibians. (Also, there's pics/some more about the species fx at Arkive.)

Thinking optimistically, resembling that aforementioned newly discovered case, there is still also even new species found, especially in the more biodiversity rich areas like rainforests. But these are of course merely singular examples. Also, as supportive program to improve the amphibian survival, captive-breeding often is mainly a supplementary/last chance protection (in addition to other actions that would be needed in the first place.) In most cases it is always also somewhat risky, fx because there's a possibility from spread of diseases for the wild populations.

So, on the basis discussed things, our example here Bombina Variegata (Yellow-bellied Toad) fits more than adequately to present here in our series from endangered species. Even though it is a common species and not in immediate danger of extinction, seems quite plausible that future seems to hold plenty of things that could cause it becoming so. Wikipedian heading from the decline in the class/taxa also points out a fact not yet mentioned: due that amphibians have two-part life-stages(ie in brief are generally dependable from both aquatic and terrestrial conditions in during life-cycles), they are more vulnerable to human caused changes for world's biodiversity than some other animals. Whatever the most potential reason, globally alarming thing is the extinction rate, according to conservative estimates about 200 times the past rate(if compared to overall amphibians background extinctions from the past).

But, since we don't want end this post in too depressive comments, we'll finally here also remind ourselves that the amphibians have a long evolutionary history, far longer than man. And, as mentioned before, their reproductivity potential gives yet some reasons to optimism also. As well, there's also much not yet known from them; fx frogs are mentioned returning to the same places(ponds, fx) for breeding each year, which is some kind of mystery too, exact reasons unknown, if not for the frogs themselves - Only that one hopes those ponds to remain there in the future still...

Notes:

1. Temple, H.J. And Cox, N.A. 2009, European Red List of Amphibians. Luxembourg. Office for Official Publications of the European Communities. – The report available from: http://www.iucn.org/about/work/programmes/species/?3204/Europes-amphibians-and-reptiles-under-threat--- → under downloads/European Red List of Amphibians (pdf). (A studies carried by IUCN for European Commission)

2. Pounds, A.J. , 2001. Climate Change and Amphibian Declines. Nature 410; 639-40. [Cited via: Flannery, Tim, 2005. The Weather Makers. The history and Future Impact of Climate Change.]

3. Or, the diseases name may be a synomous to Chytrodimycosis(?), since its also fungus-related and Flannery mentions it as one cause in the annihilation of frog species around the world. Whatever the case, a quick search from Wikipedia didn't give us any direct answer/clarification to that important terminological question...Possibly, the term is such a new one, that it's not in any common use yet(?)... (The free Dictionary by Farlex returns us a definition from Saprolegnia Ferax (not from Saprolgenia Ferax): "A fungus that attacks living fish and tadpoles and spawn causing white fungus disease: a coating of white hyphae on especially peripheral parts (as fins)" (though, as the results from the study mentioned seem to date as far as 2001, and probably more recent research has surfaced since then, but those search results, especially the terms absence of directories and definitions, seem just...unlikely. [?])

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Prologue / Anniversary Post #75

It's about some 365 days this blogs been posted / maintained, and it therefore makes this one a full year celebratory post.

Celebrations then left aside (no candles this time and the birthday actually was on the 21st of this Month), as we mentioned before our schedule in these posts has been quite tight so far. So, it makes sense to say that at least during the summer there'll will be a maximum of 3 posts a Month (probably, about so...). Most in the recently started series about endangered species - Related to that there's this recent news information (in MSW if not elsewhere) telling from the plans that may affect the survival of many species (re-)introduced for the lowland forests in Indonesian part of Sumatra. Other news/information we notice, is from the oil and gas projects mentioned to threaten western parts of Amazon rain forests.

And yet another thing, we mention in this intermission (also noticed recently in our weekly chalkboard), that: The statistics always lie ie they don't tell but a half the truth. Fx, we are reminded that there's nowadays still an ever-increasing need for filtering and rating the loads of that data that gets pushed to digital form. An amount of about 500 Exabytes (487 Mrd Gigabytes...) was reached at the end 2008, the total of it doubling in about every 1.5 year (although, the largest part consists from medical records and similar database 'cards' transferred online), and in the future there only is expected a similar increase - If we would follow the same trend, it would mean for us to publish some 200-300 posts until the end of 2010...



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Lastly, as part of our usual practise in these intermissionary posts, here's a music recommendation. This time Captain Beefhearts (and The Magic Band) 1974 recording Unconditionally Guaranteed. Noticeable tracks include Upon the My-o-My, New Electric Ride and Full Moon, Hot Sun. It is also remembered from having been only moderate commercial success, but album was later distributed as bonus with it's subsequent follow-up Bluejeans and Moonbeams. (Pic below a detail from records also impressive Virgin Records label-drawing in the circular inner).



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MuleSkinner Book Recommendations #16

Donald Duck in Ancient Persia

(Carl Barks, p. 1950)

[Recommendation 6/2009]

Having arrived this far (the 16th book recommendation) and now noticing that we've not yet included but only one from comics. So, this matter in need of settling, we'll put the comics review next and leave the cook books et pseudo sciences for later time. If familiar with Carl Barks stories, our story chosen perhaps appears not much a surprise: The selected strip, superior in tale and drawing in my opinion, is quite an obvious selection. But why, I'll try to explain with few words, though, actually the story speaks best for itself. (Also worth noticing, the version published in comics magazines has richer detailed drawing and it's colors are also somewhat better than usually in the reprints.)

First to mention that it's not always counted in the most beloved series by Barks, perhaps it's even a bit over-looked from those created during his best period (from 1950-60 around, I think). Also, it's rather darker and gloomy by subject than most. The origins of Donald Duck in Ancient Persia(1950) are lot in horror fiction. This shows fx in following themes: the Mad Scientist, mythical ancient city hidden under desert sands, the dehydrated people of that city. It may have had some origins in the old time classic tombs-and-treasures-pulp fiction too, like the magazines articles and short-stories about Pharaoh's curse (...well, The Mummy's Ring (1943) actually feels a story more in debt to those.) A typical feature, also found in many of the other early stories is the unsolved mystery and/or treasure hunt; as for example The Seven Cities of Cibola (1954). And, similarly common theme is travels to dreamlands/far away places; also fx in The Magic of Hourglass (1950), Race to the South Seas (1948) and Tralla-La, (1953). After Scrooge's appearance, this theme often is also related to his efforts for to collect more capital/protect his square box filled with that.

But, actually the only Barks story I find slightly comparable with the one in question here is The Terror of the River, noticeably originating from as early as 1946 (and indeed Donald appears a bit pre-Barksian in it). Possibly the similarity in stories is based on that the main crook in both is a lunatic of some kind. None from the other early villains appear presented quite similarly; just think of fx Black Pete (Donald Duck and Pirate's Gold, -42 ; Frozen Gold, -44), or Blacksnake McQuirt (Sheriff of Bullet Valley -48), or Sylvester Sharky and Azure Blue (The Golden Helmet -52) - All more or less cruel, but not any kind of mad men. Or, that aggravated stereotypical figure from African medicine man: Foola Zoola (Voodoo Hoodoo, -49). He may be a revengeful character, but not any mental maniac either. And neither any from those later introduced and more or less regularly used criminals/villains like Beagle Boys, Soapy Slick, Magica de Spell quite fills the criteria to justify for that characterization.

That said we can briefly describe the plot by few words: Mad Scientist captures Donald and the boys in purpose to bring them with himself to excavate the ruins of an ancient Persian city, Itsa Faka (Barks invented pseudonym). With the aim to bring back alive dehydrated citizens of Itsa Faka, he then carries out this experiment on a bath filled with special liquid by directing for that an electricity voltage burst (apparent loan from Frankensteinerian themes and myths) – and Voila! Miracle is been fulfilled and the King of Itsa Faka with his daughter (ao) brought back from behind thousands of years. As the story continues also an ancient prince, an exact copy of Donald by outer appearance, is revived from dust. Later he then tries to perform Donald in the eyes of the Nephews with purpose of getting away from his own weddings with kings daughter...

Prince's character is perhaps some early formation/similarly parallel figure to Donald like Gladstone; although Gladstone had been created couple years before already, in 1948. Concerning this story, some of the Prince's remarks from the outside (modern) world are masterful in the way they connect the story's historical backgrounds to present days. I'm not quite certain if the places and decoration of the city are drawn faithful to archaeological founds in detail, but I suppose so because those often are in Bark's comic stories (doesn't here matter that much, actually). Anyway, the chambers and tunnels in that ancient city success to give very truthful impression.

Among the enchanting features is also that story stands out from the more typical uses of pictorial narration: There's plenty of imaginatively drawn pages, where fx the places and landscape are given more emphasis (fx. The first view from the Mad Scientist's house; the ancient ruins and catacombs where Donald and Nephews are brought by the scientist, the oil-pipe in the middle of deserts outside those ruins).

From the books and papers, most precisely the volume Carl Barks and the Disney Comic Book: Unmasking the Myth of Modernity (by Tom Andrea), we then notice that the story's themes are connected to more recent days (its creation decade, the 1950s) in other ways too. Things like dehydration of people and radium vapor used for that at Donald Duck in Ancient Persia reflect those fears and threats of the modern times. But, I don't actually feel liking to speculate with those underlying themes too much. It's probably because I don't want to contemplate the contents of Barks stories, but just read them as they are, comics. In times when it appeared Barks creations and comics magazines in general weren't possibly that preserved and valued works of art. More like – as Andrea also mentions – those were for the general public just a stuff to read and then throw away, used like paper napkins, toothpicks or something like. In more recent times, older(the good ones if compared to most of the present days crap) cartoons and flicks, but especially the Bark's comic art have received their well-deserved place as cultural heritages. And so, as result the better ones from newer Duck comics more often than as exception use allusions and jokes pointing to that old 'golden age in comics'.

Probably there's opinions fromthe best/favorite stories as many as the readers. And as well, Bark's duck comics/Disney's animated creations concerned, there's almost theological field of study and hobbyists. But, I think it suffices us here to mention lastly that in Unca Carl's most stories the best part is that there's always some kind of lesson, often presented in the final pictures of the story(sometimes not). And after all comics were at that time considered mostly as children's entertainment (read as well by the adults), which perhaps makes them remind fairy-tales in many ways. But what makes them just so good, is that the 'lesson' or 'message' is always hidden inside the story, and not brought too much in the forefront. Also, as well important, the story isn't ever just a simple run-through of fast-and-furious-scenes in queue.

Finally, returning to our original subject, Donald Duck in Ancient Persia. Just for the fun of it, we can quite well then end this post with that hilarious pic where Donald and "The counterfeit" are pointing towards each other, trying to assure others of being the 'real one' (and not the prince of Itsa Faka)...it kind of emphasizes the variability of borders between reality and fiction. (Though I also think, that thr actual peak in story is reached when king of Itsa Faka, just after been brought back to life, says as his first sentence to Mad Scientist that he's not too sure if to thank or kick him.) But just as good is...well, nevermind the rest, but the story indeed is very good...

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In the end of this recommend, we can also mention that valuable database in Barksology; the Duckstories. It contains fx publishing dates for those stories and adventures. There's other sources in web of course, one of them the INDUCK, another vast database (but we haven't had time to check it yet.)

Muleskinner Book Recommendation #15

Le Cousin Pons

( p. 1848)

(by Honoré de Balzac)

[Recommendation 5/2009]

A time for another novel in these series of recommendations, and this time it is Le Cousin Pons (1848) by Honoré de Balzac (1799-1850). The book tells basically a story from struggle over inheritance and testament left after by the main character, an old boy named Pons. Our Balzaccerian realistic drama here contains all the elements and/or personnel typical for many novels of the period, early 19^th century literature/belles lettres. It is presented as some kind of farce, and by subject 'as old as Adam', like goes the phrase. There are (fx) the ruthless (non-direct) relatives seeking for their share, the intriguing neighbours, the greedy jude (antique dealer), the corrupted lawyer, etc.

In short, the plot goes like: Pons, an appreciated Parisian composer is described as an old time tailcoat spending his later days and times in search of a dinner within upper class circles, mainly tolerated because of his great expertise on art works and antiques. Pons also has a passion, collecting the aforementioned things. However, during years Pons's appreciation in among those families has diminished and ultimately as result he becomes discriminated from their part, an unvited guest. Then, partly as consequence from malicious conspiracies against him and partly because unfortunate coincidents, Pons catches an illness and ultimately (in the end of book) dies. The latter part is devoted to describing, how during Pons illnes, all kinds of people try to interlace in the making of his last will, and catch their share from this collection, worth remarkable sum in francs, about Million or so(in 1830s currency, of course).

It must be remarked, that at first the novel gives quite mediocre impression; plot is not always so well captivating, the characters not as cleverly depicted as one would expect. And as such, its also quite typical in resembling some of the techniques of and personnel in the older examples in fiction - Say Moliere's(1622-1673) archetypical characters and drama's(Balzac also wrote few drama's in his latter days). As well, because Balzac's works mostly precede the flourishment of the so called 'Psychological novel' (or; 'Psychological realism', a genre that was just in birth/whose earliest roots are often traced back in the time of Balzacs early works, 1830s in French literature), Le Cousin Pons may appear little old-fashioned (for the modern reader). This so, even if comparing to some contemporary writings we've here earlier discussed. But it's not to say that Balzac's narration wouldn't contain a sharp psychological eye, only that his technique has some older origins. After all, he's often also honored with the title of the 'father' in French realism.

And, we must admit that book is not possibly even the best example from writings that were included in Balzac's magnicifient project, La Comedié Humaine. (A title he planned to combine together all his efforts in fiction by fx making supporting and other characters appear repeatedly in different stories – about some 90 novels and short stories he was able to publish in his life-times, though the complete work was then left partially unfinished because of author's early death). There's probably better representatives in Comedié Humaine, works that also contain the most evident features of Balzac's realism, it's richness in detail and characterization - like fx César Birotteau¹, that we could as well have presented as a noteworthy example. Also, most of his novels clearly lose in comparison to some of the masteful short-stories; like La Fille aux yeux D'or (The Girl with the Golden Eyes; 1833) or Sarrasine (1830), to mention a few.

So, why have we chosen here Le Cousin Pons? Basically, because its also story from the collector, a point of interest to us here.

The collector aspect is in every way deliberate choice for personnel type, and actually the main character (Pons) has later often been also interpreted as some kind of alter ego from Balzac himself (who was collecting paintings and antique). But this is not the only explanation ; It could be seen as intentional choice also because such character often appears as showing opposing kind of attitude to consumerist values and other socially favourable behaviour. Of course, Pons is not any kind of 'rebellious hero', but from literature histories we also learn that those processes (the early formations in the development of capitalism and subsequent change in society values) were largely taking place at the time when Balzac was writing his realistic novels during the early 19^th century - and indeed the bourgeusie life and his disapproval from its features are among the themes in plenty of the works in La Comédia Humaine. Balzac is also recognized as some kind of example from the earliest bohemists, later admired from that by fx Baudelaire (1821-1867), though these attitudes have been also interpretated as expressions of Balzac's royalist opinions.

So, one might then ask what kind values Pons holds different to those of early consumerism in the society at the time of this description? Is his collectorial habit something similar to habit of preservation of the old family furniture and other things that once belonged to owners parents or date back even further times in family's ancestral tree? Kind of more archaic attitude (each object carrying some recollected memories and notes from past relatives and personnel) that can be described as 'curatorial pattern of consumption', like defined by fx Grant McCracken in his research from consumption. This is rarer practise these days and originates back to 18^th century; in times when people generally inherited more than they possibly gained otherways². But in the times of the novels happenings it may have still been more conventional. However, concerning our particular example here (Pons collections); these aren't similarly related to his family lineage's, since he hasn't inherited them, but collected them using his own sharpened skills and foresighted abilities. And indeed, If Pons collections are interpreted as some storehouses for his own memoirs, they are merely memoirs from his personal victories and successes on that field(the collectors hobby). We would even say that in more typical to modern consumerism appears the basic nature of collecting, for some level a capital-related practise, too as shows also quote from Balzac's text:

” [...]and at length, in the pleasures of collecting, he found such ever-renewed compensation for his failure, that if he had been made to choose between his curiosities and the fame of Rossini--will it be believed?--Pons would have pronounced for his beloved collection.

Pons was of the opinion of Chenavard, the print-collector, who laid it down as an axiom--that you only fully enjoy the pleasure of looking at your Ruysdael, Hobbema, Holbein, Raphael, Murillo, Greuze, Sebastian del Piombo, Giorgione, Albrecht Durer, or what not, when you have paid less than sixty francs for your picture. Pons never gave more than ahundred francs for any purchase. If he laid out as much as fifty francs, he was careful to assure himself beforehand that the object was worth three thousand. The most beautiful thing in the world, if it cost three hundred francs, did not exist for Pons. Rare had been his bargains; but he possessed the three qualifications for success--a stag's legs, an idler's disregard of time, and the patience of a Jew. This system, carried out for forty years, in Rome or Paris alike, had borne its fruits. Since Pons returned from Italy, he had regularly spent about two thousand francs a year upon a collection of masterpieces of every sort and description, a collection hidden away from all eyes but his own; and now his catalogue had reached the incredible number of 1907. Wandering about Paris between 1811 and 1816, he had picked up many a treasure for ten francs, which would fetch a thousand or twelve hundred to-day. Some forty-five thousand canvases change hands annually in Paris picture sales, and these Pons had sifted through year by year.

[...]

Pons had begun by collecting snuff-boxes and miniatures; his name was unknown in bric-a-bracology, for he seldom showed himself in salesrooms or in the shops of well-known dealers; Pons was not aware that his treasures had any commercial value." (Le Cousin Pons)³

Clearly, Pons acknownledges the monetary value of his collections though it may not be his principal target in the habit (in the novel also is described that he's quickly pretty aware from the greedy hands reaching for his testament). But, as well the collector seems to some level resemble the more archaic attitude towards objects and buying of them. He is not necessary aware of their exact value and not interested in profit making, but purchases in bargain prices also make part of the exitement in the hobby. Collecting may (for Pons) be a personal enterprise, but it has a social motive. And this perhaps underlines the nature of collecting very well; it sort of makes an 'borderline case' where these objects are freed from the common consumerist circle (new – valued / used – less valued / old – worthless) that keeps the stuff in strickt discipline, devoid from any other values (but not necessary all collecting is as tied to the financial /monetary values as our example here, art collecting. Many collections of objects are not generally valued worth any remarkable sums of money). Therefore, the collector and main character in the story here (Pons) is also some kind of border-line case; he's in-between the past world and current times, and that also emphasizes his being sort of a peculiarity in social circles.

So, we could (perhaps) interpret those collections as some kind of 'ticket' he hopes to achieve for himself– to gain an acceptance in circles of the upper class of the time, dances and celebrations their most obvious expressions. To some level it also perhaps matches with Balzac's bitter despise on the raise of the bourgeousie life-styles, intensifyingly in formation during early 19th century and imitating the aristocracy's manners of life in their outer appearances.

But, it would be reducing the total scope and complete thematics in this novel if we limited this discussion to just collectorial thematics. It's also a well developed (in spite of occasional weaknesses in plot) novel from the human greed, presented with rather naturalistic descriptions. Though almost all Balzac's characters (in La Commédie Humaine) are rather plain in description, they seem to bring in extreme the certain specialities typical for the individual (human). His special form of realism, say it's just Balzaccerian kind, is also acknownledged as having widened the 'gallery' of typical characters in classic literature of the time (as well as affected for the social range of literary heroes to use) and significantly contributed fx in the making novel a dominant form of 19^th century literature.⁴ So, those little simplified side-persons and their actions, exaggerated but not at all to proportions unbelievable, play large part in this hilarious novel from that ever-so timeless topic.

It's of course more or less pessimistic depictorial/drama. But, one gets the feeling that Balzac's opinion from Pons (as well as from some other characters) is rather more warmer than from the people hoping to benefit from mans testament (his collection of art and bric-a-brac). All in all, one might say, the exaggeration and slight caricatures of characterization of course only underline the human greed presented in their typical actions in that drama. The repulsive plan and action carried out by those side-characters are underlined with certain hilarious tone in narritive, also present in many of Balzacs other writings too. And so, we might perhaps say that though the novel lacks some finishing touches in narration and personnel, it more than succeeds in it's rude descriptions from these aspects of life. (Balzac's realism contains at the same time some naturalistic part but also certain idealization as well, not favoring either. As said before, he's often basically just curious from the human kind).

Likewise, we notice that Balzac's main strenghts rest on his capability to draw delicate (not boring) stories from almost anything in life. As well, these descriptions from the collector character – actually only small part in the whole of it - are among the earliest presented in modern literature and also suffice to give us a reason to include it in our series.

^{--------------}

^Notes:

^{1. Histoire de la grandeur et de la décadence de César Birotteau – like the complete name for the novel is (p. 1837).}

^{2. McCracken, G. , Culture and Consumption. New approaches to the Symbolic Character of Consumer Goods and Activities (1988). McCracken's consumption study begins with an examples from this kind of object-relationships where old furniture and other things are interpeted as containing some 'mnemonic value' that strenghtens the relation to past times and personnel and where their 'ownership' is mainly a way for keeping alive the memory from the ancestors in family lineage.}

^{3. Quote from Project Gutenberg Online Book Catalogue (plain-txt edition). Balzac's narrative (which, at least partly tempts to be interpreted as author's own words from the pleasures of collecting) also states: ”Pons had received many objects by trade, which is among the pleasures of the collector. Owning the rare objects gives less joy than trading them.”}

^{4. In addition to some perhaps older archetypical characters like the miser and the abandoned lover, these personifications also include the philistine, the shady dealer, the erotomaniac, arch-crook, genius-inventor, philanthropist, etc (presented in various novels of La Comédie Humaine). Also it's said for Balzac's praise that his fictional world closely resembles the real world of his own days, as presenting the fragmentariness of the ordinary life in these (dis)appearing and reappearing characters. (Answers.com → French literature companion ) ...And we don't disagree, many from these (characters) are quite easy to imagine in existence, especially as most are described only by general appearance, and not too much detaily.}

Species Endangered (MS-Blog Series from) - I / 09

Proboscis Monkey

Class: Mammalia; Order: Primates;

Latin name: Nasalis Larvatus;

IUCN Status: EN (Endangered) / Cites: Appendix I

(as 2009 situation).

Proboscis Monkeys (Nasalis Larvatus - earlier sometimes named as Dutch monkey and also as the Long-nosed monkey) are among the curious looking creatures in nature. They belong in the family of Cercopithecidae (Old World Monkeys) and apparently the name derives from their extremely large noses. The nose even larger on the males, supposition being that it may hold a cooling task in radiating animals excess body heat (other explanations mention that related to their breeding behavior). These animals are only found at the Island of Borneo; thus from Indonesia, Brunei and Malaysia.

The species lives mostly in the jungles close to rivers cutting though islands forests. The habitat areas consist almost exclusively from mangrove forest, that adjoin the rivers and streams. Proboscis monkeys are mostly plant eaters, and they have cellulose digesting bacteria in stomach which allows them to use of food other animals mostly avoid, fx mangrove leaves and other toxic chemicals containing forest plants. Also they are mentioned as most aquatic from all the primates and excellent swimmers.

But, as we don't necessary hold any especial, particular knowledge to present but there's actually amounts of information about them in web in form of pics, videos, etc (see those fx at Arkive), we can as well loan here a brief description:

“Proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) - The swimming star with the giant nose

Everyone who has the opportunity to see a Proboscis monkey is struck by its giant nose. But there is a second feature which is very typical for Proboscis monkeys and their relatives, the so called Leaf-monkeys - it's their large belly. Indicated by the name of that group of apes, they almost exclusively feed on leaves - and leaves are not easy to digest. Moreover leaves are not very rich in energy-content. So Proboscis monkeys have to eat a lot of leaves and spend most of their time on feeding. In order to obtain enough energy from their meagre nourishment, Proboscis monkeys have got a complicated stomach divided into several parts. Their stomach is quite similar to that of ruminants, which have to face the same problems. Adult Proboscis monkeys are large animals. Males reach a length of about 70 cm and a weight up to 24 kg. Females are significantly smaller, reaching lengths of 60 cm and weights of just 12 kg. The tails of Proboscis monkeys are about as long as their bodies. Their fur is brick-red, the front and the cheeks are of brighter colour and the arms and legs are more greyish. The most obvious feature of Proboscis monkeys is the male's extremely long nose, shaped like a cucumber. Noses of females and young are not small either but don't reach the sizes of the noses of males by far.

Proboscis monkeys inhabit Borneo. They are endemic on that South-Asian island. The prefered habitat of Proboscis monkeys are rainforests of the lowlands and most of all mangrove-forests at the river mouths. They live on trees and wander about in groups of sizes from 10 to 30 animals. Mostly several adult males can be found in one group, but groups with just one single adult male are known too. Proboscis monkeys move quite rapidly on the trees. They are able to swing from branch to branch using their hands but are also very skilled in running on all fours. If Proboscis monkeys are in a hurry, they jump from tree to tree. They prefer this way to move when they have to cross rivers or escape from predators like the Clouded leopard, a cat which is closely related to the Tiger. If there's no other opportunity to escape left, Proboscis monkeys drop themselves into the water even from high branches. They are very skilled swimmers and divers. This is not very common among apes, since most ape species are said to be more or less scared of water. But it's a necessity of life to be able to swim in a habitat that is dominated by rivers and river mouths. But accidents are very common; sometimes Proboscis monkeys are driven out to the open sea by river currents.

Adult male Proboscis monkeys are imposing figures. They are quite aggressive towards members of other groups. But before initiating a fight they try to clarify their positions by showing threatening behaviour. Doing a lot of fuss they break branches and give loud calls. But there are not much further details known about Proboscis monkey behaviour and their social life in the wild. Long-term studies of Proboscis monkey groups are extremely difficult, because they can be observed only by boat in the mangrove-forests. In spite of the unapproachability of its habitat the Proboscis monkey is regarded to be endangered, since habitat destruction doesn't stop even at such places.” (This article was originally published at magazine.naturspot.de. Link to the original article )

It seems that until recent times their specialities (in forms of diet and habitat area, mostly) was permitting these monkeys to remain relatively safe, even when many wild animal species next to their habitual areas had become threatened in just few decades. In addition to the best known Orangutans, various other unique species (of Borneo) have suffered from the combined process of loggings and land clearing for agricultural use - Its noticeable, according to these articles from Mongabay that from 1980-90s to recent years about 80 per cent of the primary forests in Borneo witnessed unforeseen(in global scale, even) rate of loggings, leaving then ao remaining 1.2 million hectares of mangrove forests degraded (and as 'refugee areas' for the forests wild animal species). Late in wisdom we (ourselves, here) then also find remarked that most of the timber cut went for such stuff and products sold in the industrialized countries as garden furnitures (and not forgetting to mention here as well: also for paper pulp and chopsticks...), whose material could have easily been obtained from other woods and unquestionably by ecologically less harmful way (; U.S. And Japan markets were the main direction as mentioned in article. But, the European customers wouldn't have too much grounds for condemn and resentment, since at least part of the imported garden stuff for the continent as well still recently originated from uncontrolled destruction of Congo Basin rainforests, carried out by the commercial business needs.)

Returning to our particular topic here, the Proboscis monkeys that prefer mostly habitat impenetrable for humans that until latest times was found of little commercial value. So, they were still (quite) recently flourishing, but the river-sides are now also harvested, and so modern drainage technology has reduced former mangrove swamps to narrow edges along rivers. As consequence, nowadays Farming has been noticed as the most extensive reason to reduction of mangrove forests - these disappearing by faster rate (globally about some 20 per cent loss during 1980-2005) than the regular rainforests, fx. These monkey's in question are not known easily accustomed to living in zoo's, and the likely chance - as well as for the many other particular species in the areas - is in the conservation areas where exist the remaining untouched spots, often surrounded by established plantations.


The mentioned things (and other information, fx one Proboscis monkey population having extinct in during this period of time) of course then leaves a rather anxious feeling from the prospective future and from animal species populations survival chances in general. Fire breaks, expected to increase in the future as result of climate change advancing, now expose the vulnerable forests left for further rapid destruction (Forest fires having caused massive forest destruction in Borneo at the 1997-98 already). But basically, this development don't seem to been much different process from that in the northern hemispheres during some hundred of years (if not comparable, because it has been more directly joined with today's global economics). With modern technology and commercial industrial practices in use all this only seems to have happened in far shorter time, some 30 years. Some of the few regions (in the world) with such rich biodiversity now disappeared by large part, hopefully this not shows what can take place in coming years.


Later (29/07/09) added: It's also newsed that conservation parks maybe also have effect by reducing the deforestation in the areas surrounding them, as noted from parks in Sumatra (although the effect is admitted controversial and in the case of Sumatra may be a result from other co- factors too). As well, although the history and origins of the idea from conservation areas is sometimes mentioned (/recently newsed, see "Yosemite model") as much controversial and often over-romanticed, it feels that the coin always has two sides(as usual) ; (from the MSW perspective) seems clear that the existence of parks in most cases has more benefits for the wildlife than the absence. On the other hand, it is of course as much obvious that people who have lived in the area for longer time, some thousands of years, more often are probably living right (noted in the above Yosemite-article). But it is as much obvious, the need for such parks, in the first place, raises from the phenomenom known/described fx as modernization - and no-one has yet invented the universal model to stop its side-effects/destruction it usually carries.

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