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Two new monotypic genera, Bergbambos and Oldeania are described for African temperate bamboo species in the tribe Arundinarieae, after a comparison of their morphological characteristics with those of similar species from Asia. Morphological differences are supported by their isolated geographical distributions. Molecular evidence does not support the inclusion of these species in related Asian genera, recognising them instead as distinct lineages. New combinations Bergbambos tessellata and Oldeania alpina are made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Giant cane (Arundinaria gigantea) is a native bamboo species that was once abundant in wetlands and riparian areas throughout the Southeastern United States. As part of an effort to identify competitive-dominant native species that can be utilized to maximize the restoration of riparian ecosystem functions/services and reduce non-native community invasibility, we transplanted cane clump divisions into areas either dominated by or recently cleared of Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense), an invasive non-native shrub. We quantified cane survival and growth in the presence of privet and other plants including several common invasive non-natives. Removal of mature privet via a cut and paint application of glyphosate herbicide resulted in 100% mortality. Cane survival was high in both the high and low-light conditions provided by the opposing privet treatments. During the first year, there was little cane growth or expansion in either privet treatment. In the second year, cane growth and expansion in the Privet-Present treatment was also very low. However, during the second year in the Privet-Removed treatment, cane genets produced more ramets, increased in genet area, and developed ramets that were taller and thicker. Despite very high recruitment and cover of Japanese stilt grass (Microstegium vimineum) and other common invasive non-natives in the Privet-Removed treatment, transplanted cane genets continue to grow and expand. Our future research will continue to monitor the rate of cane growth as we investigate whether cane can compete with the common non-native invasive species that are dominant at this site and at other riparian ecosystems throughout the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Periphyton development on bamboo substrate was quantified over six weeks in fertilized mud-bottomed cement tanks. Dry matter, ash and pigment content of periphyton were analyzed at weekly intervals. On dry matter basis, periphyton production reached the maximum on the 21st day and showed a decline thereafter. Periphyton was scraped and fed ad libitum daily over 30 days to fingerlings of cultivable carps (catla, rohu, mrigal, common carp, grass carp and mahseer) and hybrid red tilapia maintained in aerated fibreglass tanks, to evaluate digestibility. Dry matter digestibility was highest (P < 0.05) with mahseer (42.54%) and lowest with catla (20.63%). The values obtained with grass carp, red tilapia, rohu, and mrigal were not significantly different from that of mahseer and common carp. Protein digestibility was highest in grass carp (71.21%) and lowest in common carp (48.81%). Further, protein digestibility in catla, rohu and mrigal was similar. The results of this study would be useful in the selection of fish species for periphytonbased aquaculture. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]