Lorong Halus - Why Did The Hen Cross The Road?

Lorong Halus

East, Singapore

October 2014

 

The first sight while driving along the quiet roads here was the sight of several broods of Amaurornis phoenicurus (White-Breasted Waterhens) running about, hopping over drains and scuttling across the roads - Mother Hen will go first, looking out for any "predators" (Yeah, the big metal ones that make a lot of noise when they vrooom past), and cluck out loudly when the scene is clear. The little ones will then dart about after her, trying to catch up.

 

This was apparently the nesting season. Lots of spiders were found scurrying along the ground, some with egg sacs. At first glance, these appear to be Ground Spiders (family Zodariidae) or even Wandering Spiders (family Ctenidae). But on a closer look, these were in fact Wolf Spiders (family Lycosidae).

 

Spot the spider -

Well-hidden among the pebbles and rocks...

 



Wolf Spiders resemble Nursery Web spiders (family Pisauridae), but Wolf Spiders carry their egg sacs by attaching them to their spinnerets, i.e. at the back of their bodies (Pisauridae carry their egg sacs with their chelicerae and pedipalps, i.e. at the front of their bodies).

 

 

Two of the Wolf Spider's eight eyes are large and prominent, which distinguishes them from the Nursery Web spiders whose eyes are all of approximately equal size. The eye arrangements are another way of distinguishing Wolves from Wanderers (family Ctenidae), and Ground Dwellers (family Zodariidae).

 



 

It was just after a light early morning drizzle. The Lynxes (family Oxyopidae) were out in full force among the long grass. Some were successful, with half-eaten breakfasts, while others were just getting started.

 

Due to the rain, the web of a Big-Jawed Spider (family Tetragnathidae) was damaged, and it was just getting it repaired. With two of its legs, it pulls together several web strands and spreads itself over the gap.

 

A full Big-Jawed Spider with its meal, and not too bothered about the condition of its web.

That can wait till evening...

 

This little Orb-Weaver (family Araneidae) was well-hidden in a waxy waterproof web of its own. And yes, spiders are certainly good predictors of weather changes - Within half and hour of seeing this little one, it started drizzling again...

 



 

Other flora and fauna spotted along the way, including the Agriocnemis femina (Variable Wisp Damselfly) and the Rhodothemis rufa (Common Redbolt Dragonfly)...

 

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Central Catchment Reserve - A Twig In Disguise

Central Catchment Reserve
North-Central, Singapore
October 2014

At first view, from afar, this does not appear to be an insect or arachnid. It appeared more like a brow twig growing on a green stem.

On a closer look, you notice the more distinguishable features, including its huge jaws, the "bow-shaped" carapace "armour" and the eye arrangement typical of Tetragnathidae (Big-Jawed) Spiders. This is a Tylorida Ventralis (Big-Bellied Tylorida) Spider.

In resting position, the spider stretches its first legs forward and close together, camouflaging its self with its thin size, barely wider than the width of a stem.

How the spider clasps the stem, with only two thin legs...

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Pasir Ris Park - Decreasing Biodiversity Sightings

Pasir Ris Park
East, Singapore
June 2014

It's been some time since Merlion Wayfarer been to the Pasir Ris mangrove swamps. And it has been disappointing how the biodiversity sightings there decreases over the past few years.

|   March 2010   |   January 2013   |   July 2013   |

A male Epeus flavobilineatus (Yellow-Lined Epeus) spider, a bug, an ant, a wriggling caterpillar, and an Ardea cinerea (Grey Heron) were spotted in the 1.5 hour walk...

The decreased variety and number of sightings could be attributed to several factors:

• Impending bad weather, e.g. rain
• Water Pollution
  Fecal matter has been detected in the sea near the mangroves. At times, "No swimming" signs have been put up. (See "Thrown Away By The Kelongs")
• Oil Spills
  (The sand in Pasir Ris often has oil stains among its deeper layers. Sometimes, oil streaks can be seen in the mangrove puddles.)
• Increased number of visitors

Merlion Wayfarer hopes the biodiversity of the area can be restored very soon.
 

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Sungei Buloh - The Dark Dangerous Branch

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

North, Singapore

December 2013

A species of mangroves and coastal forests, the Cryptelytrops purpureomaculatus (Shore Pit Viper) has a reputation for being unpredictable and should be approached with caution. Giving no warning signs, this snake will strike readily and far at any threat, and its powerful haemotoxic venom can cause serious illness or even kill. 

This shy snake looks just like another branch in a mangrove tree where it usually coils motionless. A small snake with the typical broad triangular head of a viper, it has large red eyes on a rather angry looking face. It is more active at night.  By day it can be found resting on low branches one or two metres from the ground.

Its colour can vary from a uniform dark grey or purplish-brown to a weakly-patterned brown, with a white stripe along each flank, or even greenish-yellow with dark mottling. The scales are strongly keeled (i.e. ridged). Males grow to a total length of 66.5 centimetres (26.2 inches), females 90 centimetres (35 inches). The maximum tail lengths are then 12.5 centimetres (4.9 inches) and 14 centimetres (5.5 inches) respectively.

Feeding on lizards, frogs and other small animals, possibly small birds, similar to other vipers, it has heat-sensing pits on its lips to detect its prey.

Sources

• "Shore Pit Viper". Ecology Asia. Retrieved from http://www.ecologyasia.com/verts/snakes/shore_pit_viper.htm (06 July 2014).
• "Shore pit viper". Wild Fact Sheets. Retrieved from http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/vertebrates/snakes/purpureomaculatus.htm (06 July 2014).
• "The Dangerously Venomous Snakes of Myanmar, Illustrated Checklist with Keys" by Leviton AE, Wogan GOU, Koo MS, Zug GR, Lucas RS, Vindum JV ( 2003). Proc. Cal. Acad. Sci. 54 (24): 407-462.
• "Trimeresurus purpureomaculatus". Wikipedia. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trimeresurus_purpureomaculatus (06 July 2014).
   
  

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Sentosa - A Billed Visitor

Sentosa

South, Singapore

March 2014

It was a normal hot weekend afternoon at Sentosa when Merlion Wayfarer was startled by a familiar but very unexpected cry from the trees. Looking among the trees above the KFC outlet at Imbiah Station, she spotted this very surprising sight - An Anthracoceros albirostris (Oriental Pied Hornbill) in the urban jungle next to the Resorts World Sentosa!

The Oriental Pied Hornbill disappeared from Singapore in the mid-1800s, possibly due to hunting and loss of suitable habitat. In 1994, a pair was recorded from Pulau Ubin. Once thought to be extinct in Singapore, the bird is re-establishing healthy colonies here, due in large to the collective efforts of the National Parks Board (NParks), Jurong Bird Park, and Singapore Avian Conservation Project (SACP). 

Good to see you enjoying the resorts here in Sentosa, Billed Visitor!

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More photos are available on Merlion Wayfarer Goes Green's Picasa at :  Aves - Bucerotidae (Hornbills)

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