Vertes Demeures

Life in Cameroon through the eyes of a biologist and conservationist serving as Peace Corps agroforestry volunteer. My main interests are appreciating the biological diversity of the Congo Basin and the socio-cultural and political influences brought to bear on the ecosystem(s) of this region. Understanding the interplay of these factors is also of prime importance to successful work as a volunteer. I don't post very consistently though, as I am often far away from internet access.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

A freshly cut trunk of moabi, Baillonella toxisperma. This tree species has one of the greatest girths in this forest, delicious fruits that taste like creme brulee and caramel, seeds that produce a very valuable oil, and is also highly prized for it's timber. Elephants and other mammals eat the fruit and disperse the large seeds. There are many villages named after this tree in the south (adjap in Bulu). Unfortunately, old giants are rapidly disappearing, cut down to sell for export, and younger ones don't reach such majestic proportions before being felled.


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Monday, January 9, 2012

A forest chameleon about 10 cm long. Again, I don't know what species.




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An assortment of insects. And two arachnids?








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A shell-less snail...but not quite a slug?


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Here are some caterpillar pictures from the forest in Mvangan. The last is of a pouch filled with caterpillars. I closed it up again and the caterpillars helped me from the inside, but I left before they metamorphosed. I can't ID any of them, can you?











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    • ▼  January (5)
      • A freshly cut trunk of moabi, Baillonella toxisper...
      • A forest chameleon about 10 cm long. Again, I don'...
      • An assortment of insects. And two arachnids?
      • A shell-less snail...but not quite a slug?
      • Here are some caterpillar pictures from the forest...
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About Me

Andrea
B.S. General Biology, UCSD
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