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New reactive coenzyme analogues for affinity labeling of NAD+ and NADP+ dependent dehydrogenases
(1995)
Reactive coenzyme analogues ω-(3-diazoniumpyridinium)alkyl adenosine diphosphate were prepared by reaction of ω-(3-aminopyridinium)alkyl adenosine diphosphate with nitrous acid. In these compounds the nicotinamide ribose is substituted by hydrocarbon chains of varied lengths (n-ethyl to n-pentyl). The diazonium compounds are very unstable and decompose rapidly at room temperature. They show a better stability at 0 °C. L actate and alcohol dehydrogenase do not react with any of the analogues. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase reacts rapidly with the diazonium pentyl compound. Decreasing the length of the alkyl chain significantly decreases the inactivation velocity. 3α,20β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase reacts at 0 °C with the ethyl homologue and slowly with the propyl compound. The butyl-and pentyl analogues do not inactivate at 0 °C. Tests with 14C -labeled 2-(3-diazoniumpyridinium)ethyl adenosine diphosphate show that complete loss of enzyme activity results after incorporation of 2 moles of inactivator into 1 mole of tetrameric enzyme. 4-(3-Acetylpyridinium)butyl 2 ′-phospho-adenosine diphosphate, a structural analogue of NADP +, was prepared by condensation of adenosine-2,3-cyclophospho-5′-phosphomorpholidate with (3-acetylpyridinium)butyl phosphate, followed by hydrolysis of the cyclic phosphoric acid ester with 2 ′:3′-cyclonucleotide-3′-phosphodiesterase. Because of the redox potential (-315 mV) and the distance between the pyridinium and phosphate groups, this analogue is a hydrogen acceptor and its reduced form a hydrogen donor in tests with alcohol dehyd rogenase from Thermoanaerobium brockii. The reduced form of the coenzyme analogue also is a hydrogen donor with glutathione reductase. With other NADP +-dependent dehydrogenases the com pound has been show n to be a competitive inhibitor against the natural coenzyme. The acetyl group reacts with bromine to form the bromoacetyl group. This reactive bromoacetyl analogue is a specific active-site directed irreversible inhibitor of isocitrate dehydrogenase.
Early features
(1995)
Mosses new to Hong Kong (4)
(1995)
Sixteen moss species - Eurhynchium asperisetum (C. Muell.) Tak.; Rhynchostegium pallidifolium (Mitt.) Jaeg.; Bryum argenteum Hedw.; Bryum caespiticium Hedw.; Bryum capillare Hedw.; Platyhynidium riarioides (Hedw.) Dix.; Dicranella varia (Hedw.) Schimp.;Entodon virudulus Card.; Fissidens strictulus C. Muell.; Ectropothecium obtusulum (Card.) Iwats.; Caduciella guangdongensis Enroth.; Plagiomnium cuspidatum (Hedw.) T. Kop.; Plagiomnium vesicatum (Besch.) T. Kop.; Pyrrhobryum spiniforme (Hedw.) Mitt., Taxithelium nepalense (Schwaegr.) Broth. and Claopodium aciculum (Broth.) Broth. are reported new to Hong Kong. Among them, four are new to Guangdong Province of China.
Chromosome numbers with information on meiotic behaviour are recorded for the first time for the following taxa in the family Orthotrichaceae from Papua New Guinea - Desmotheca apiculata (Dozy & Molk.) Lindb. ex Card. n=6; Macromitrium incurvifolium (Hook. & Grev.) Schwaegr. n=9, M. longicaule C. Muell. n=6 (5+X/y), M. orthostichum Nees ex Schwaegr. n=7 (6+ X/y), M. salakanum C. Muell. n=9, M. similirete Bartr. n=9. M. streimannii Vitt n=9 (8+m); Schlotheimia emarginato-pilosa Herz. n=9 and S. macgregorii Broth. & Geh. n=11.
Studies of epiphyll ecology have been hindered by the biochemical and morphological variability of the leaf substrate. The use of artificial (plastic ribbon tape) leaves solved that problem in a study done at the Braulio Carrillo National Park, Costa Rica. It showed that after nine months of field exposure, relative epiphyll cover was similar in five leaf shapes and two sizes. Driptips do not affect epiphyll cover, which was four times higher under a clearing than in the shaded understory, for all leaf shapes and sizes.
Niche breadth and overlap values of Sphagnum species in Costa Rica are similar to those reported for Sphagnum-dominated peatlands in North America. Sphagnum magellanicum Brid. and S. sparsum Hampe have the broadest niche breadth of the common species in Costa Rica. Although S. sancto-josephense Crum & Crosby has a relatively narrow niche breadth, it is one of the most common species along with S. magellancium and S. sparsum in the Sphagnum habitats of Costa Rica. Niche overlap is high among species with the exception of S. platyphyllum (Braithw.) Warnst. which is found in habitats that are rich in iron. The pH, conductivity, and concentrations of Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn, Na, K, and P of Sphagnum habitats in Costa Rica are similar to those reported for páramo habitats in South America.
Life strategies of epiphytic bryophytes are studied along an altitudinal gradient from the eastern Congo basin (tropical lowland zone) to the mountains of the East-African graben (tropical subalpine/alpine Zone; BRYOTROP III-transect). Three strategies, Colonists, Perennial shuttle species and Perennial stayers can be observed, which are further subdivided according to their reproduction tactic (high sexual reproductive effort, high asexual reproductive effort, moderately or low sexual and asexual reproductive effort). Of these, only taxa with a long life span (perennials) are of importance, indicating the unchanging and constant ecological conditions and long-lasting microsites, provided by the epiphytic habitats. The basis for the life strategy pattern analysis along the altitudinal gradient were plant sociological investigations and the determination of the mean percentage cover values for the different life strategy categories. By this, the distribution and occurrence of the different strategies within the communities and the altitudinal zones can be shown.
Taxonomic results of the Bryotrop expedition to Zaire and Rwanda : 29., Thuidiaceae, Thuidium
(1995)
For a revision of the African species see Touw (1976). The scarcity of Thuidium samples among the expedition’s collections is most surprising and inexplicable, considering the size of the expedition, the range of habitats and altitudes explored, and the many Thuidium collections made by others in this part of Africa.
Distichophyllum meizhii Tan & Lin and D. wanianum Tan & Lin (Hookeriaceae) collected from southwestern region of China are described as new to science. Also, Horikawaea redfearnii Tan & Lin is described as a new species based on collections from Hainan Island of China and Palawan Island of the Philippines. The sporophytic specimen of Horikawaea Nog. was collected for the first time and support a family placement in Pterobryaceae.
Mosses new to Hong Kong (3)
(1995)
Ten moss species - Philonotis turneriana (Schwaegr.) Mitt., Fissidens javanicus Dozy & Molk., Lopidium nazeense (Ther.) Broth., Himatocladium cyclophyllum (C. Muell.) Fleisch., Homaliodendron exigiuum (Bosch & Lac.) Fleisch., Homaliodendron microdendron (Mont.) Fleisch., Homaliodendron scapellifolium (Mitt.) Fleisch., Pinnatella anacamptolepis (C.Muell.) Broth., Calyptothecium wrightii (Mitt.) Fleisch. and Haplocladium angustifolium (Hampe & C. Muell.) Broth. are reported new to Hong Kong. Among them, four are new to Guangdong Province of China. An updated checklist of Hong Kong mosses is provided.
Mosses new to Hong Kong (2)
(1995)
Ten moss species - Thamnobryum plicatulum (Lac.) Iwats., Ditrichum pallidum (Hedw.) Hampe, Brachythecium moriense Besch., Eurhynchium hians (Hedw.) Lac., Atrichum undulatum (Hedw.) P. Beauv., Bryum coronatum Schwaegr., Pseudoleskeopsis zippelii (Dozy & Molk.) Broth., Weissia controversa Hedw., Trichosteleum mammosum (C. Muell.) Jaeg. and Vesicularia reticulata (Dozy & Molk.) Broth. are reported new to Hong Kong. Among them, seven are new to Guangdong Province of China.
Mosses new to Hong Kong (1)
(1995)
Ten moss species - Garkea flexuosa (Griffith) Marg. & Nork., Campylopus laxitextus Lac., Fissidens dubius P. Beauv., Fissidens ceylonensis Dozy & Molk, Fissidens maceratus Mitt., Philonotis thwaitesii Mitt., Isopterygium minutirameum (C. Muell.)Jaeg., Homalia trichomanoides (Hedw.) B.S.G., Pogonatum neesii (C. Muell.) Dozyand Polytrichum formosum Hedw. are reported new to Hong Kong. Among them, five are new to Guangdong Province of China.
2939 moss taxa are listed for sub-Saharan Africa and adjacent islands, with distribution by country. Each distribution record is supported by a literature reference. The following new combinations are made: Calyptrochaeta cristata (Hedw.) O’Shea, Groutiella elimbata (Thér) O’Shea, Meiothecium undulatum (Ren. & Card.) O’Shea, Orthodontium ruwenzorensis (Thér. & Nav.) O’Shea, Pohlia lacouturei (Thér.) O’Shea, Sematophyllum corticolum (Aongstr.) O’Shea, Sematophyllum dixonii (Thér.) O’Shea, Sematophyllum nanopyxis (Geh.) O’Shea, Sematophyllum rigescens (Card.) O’Shea, and Thamnobryum malgachum (Card.) O’Shea.
Nomenclatural changes are presented for eleven species of the genus Arthothelium, resulting in four new combinations and five new synonyms. The new combinations are: Arthothelium subbessale (Nyl.) comb. nov., Cyclographina circumscissa (Vain.) comb. nov., Minksia angolensis (Nyl.) comb. nov. and Thelotrema puniceum (Müll. Arg.) comb. nov. In addition, a new species is described, Arthothelium endoaurantiacum.
Secalonic acid A, a yellow pigment from fungal metabolism, was isolated from the lichens Pseudoparmelia sphaerospora and P. hypomilta. From P. sphaerospora was also isolated the depsidone hypostictic acid. The structure of these compounds was determined by spectroscopic methods and comparison with literature data.
North and South America share about 675 species that show two basic patterns, namely, those with a continuous range and those with a disjunct distribution. Both may have resulted from step-bystep migration, but the latter, including 118 species, may be due to break up of previous distributions by post-Tertiary tectonic and climatic changes or by long-distance dispersal.
194 species of bryophytes, belonging to 61 families are reported from Mount Kenya, of which 38 species are new for Mount Kenya and 30 records are new for the whole country, marked by * and ** respectively. The montane forests between 1600 and 3300m. asl., contain the greatest diversity of life forms and species. This is due to the abundant rainfall providing adequate humidity at relatively low temperature and altitude, coupled with frequent cloud cover. All vegetation belts above the montane forests experience large diurnal fluctuations in temperatures, intense solar radiation, added by the fact that the rainfall is relatively low and erratic or at times fall in the form of hail or snow resulting in a low diversity of species and life forms except in very sheltered habitats such as rock crevices in rocky outcrops. Solifluctions soil conditions occuring between 3850 and 4450m. asl. exhibit moss balls growth forms. The summits of Batian (5199m.), Nelion (5188m.) and Lenana (4985m.) harbour small cushions of Grimmia affinis and Andreaea cucullata. The greatest number of species are found in the wetter southern, south-western and south-eastern slopes unlike the drier northern, north-western and north-eastern slopes of the mountain. Species commonly found in the wetter areas are Bryum preussii, Bryum keniae, Prionodon ciliatus, Hypopterygium viridissimum, Plagiochila barteri, Plagiochila squamulosa, Radula recurvifolia, Porella hoehnelii, Dumortiera hirsuta while Pterogonium gracile, Leptodon smithii and Hedwigia ciliata are characteristic of the drier areas.
Arachnology and the Internet
(1995)
The distribution and habitat of Pocadicnemis pumila and P. juncea (Araneae, Linyphiidae) in Sweden
(1995)
Two species of the genus Pocadicnemis (Araneae, Linyphiidae), P. pumila (Blackwall) and P. juncea (Locket & Millidge) have been reported from Scandinavia. In order to find out the distribution and differences in the habitat, all specimens of Pocadicnemis from the author's collection, the collection of Sven Almquist, the Swedish Museum of Natural History (including the collection of Tullgren), and the Zoological Museum of Lund have been checked.
A review of biological control efforts against Diptera of medical and veterinary importance includes pertinent literature of major dipterous taxonomic groups where some success has been achieved or where work is currently being conducted on species breeding in aquatic (e.g., mosquitoes, blackflies, tabanids) and terrestrial habitats (muscids, tsetse, etc.). Most effort has been directed against aquatic Diptera because of the human and animal disease agents they transmit. Research has established that the natural enemy component frequently is responsible for significant population reduction and indispensable to integrated control which seeks to maintain populations below annoyance or disease transmission levels. The manipulation of natural enemies through introduction and/or augmentation has in some cases provided satisfactory control, and sustained releases of natural enemies over several years may overcome the relative high cost of massive release rates. Ultimately, to guarantee the existence and maximum expression of resident natural enemies has become almost universally accepted, and challenging, to sound control practices. Indeed, chemical industry recognizing this, has sought to manufacture products such as Bacillus toxins, juvenile hormones, and baits that are minimally disruptive to existing natural controls. Although such easily applied products have been widely adopted, their cost continues to become prohibitive with developing resistance, as was observed earlier with many organophosphate and chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides. Further advancements in the control ofthese Diptera should continue to embrace a sound appreciation for the natural control component and nurture ways to allow its maximum expression. Keyword Index: Biological Control, Diptera, Medical, Veterinary.
Extremely short verbs can be found in various Genn::.,nic languages and dialects; the sterns of these verbs do not have a fInal consonant «C-)C-V), and they always have a monosyllabic infinitive and usually monosyllabic fInite forms as weIl. Examples for these 'kinds of short verbs are Swiss Gennan hä 'to have', gö 'to go', g~ 'to give', n~ 'to take' which correspond to the Swedish verbs ha, gä, ge and tao The last example shows that such short verb formations also occur with verbs having (nearly) identical meanings but which do not share the same etymology. Apart from their shortness, these verbs are characterized by a high degree of irregularity, often even by suppletion, which sometimes develops contrary to regular sound laws. Furthermore they are among the most-used verbs and often tend towards grammaticalization. The present paper compares the short verbs of seven Germanic languages; in addition, it describes their various ways of development and strategies of differentiation. Moreover, it examines the question of why some languages and dialects (e.g. Swiss German, Frisian, Swedish, Norwegian) have many short verbs while others (New High German, Icelandic, Faroese) only have few, the paper discusses the contribution of short verbs to questions concerning linguistic change and the morphological organization of languages.
After a short introduction into traditional image transform coding, multirate systems and multiscale signal coding the paper focuses on the subject of image encoding by a neural network. Taking also noise into account a network model is proposed which not only learns the optimal localized basis functions for the transform but also learns to implement a whitening filter by multi-resolution encoding. A simulation showing the multi-resolution capabilitys concludes the contribution.
We present a framework for the self-organized formation of high level learning by a statistical preprocessing of features. The paper focuses first on the formation of the features in the context of layers of feature processing units as a kind of resource-restricted associative multiresolution learning We clame that such an architecture must reach maturity by basic statistical proportions, optimizing the information processing capabilities of each layer. The final symbolic output is learned by pure association of features of different levels and kind of sensorial input. Finally, we also show that common error-correction learning for motor skills can be accomplished also by non-specific associative learning. Keywords: feedforward network layers, maximal information gain, restricted Hebbian learning, cellular neural nets, evolutionary associative learning
Hatching asynchrony and the onset of incubation in birds revisited : when is the critical period?
(1995)
1. Birds are unique among animals in being able to influence the birthing intervals of their young through the timing of the onset incubation. However, many species hatch their young asynchronously, frequently resulting in reduced survivorship for later-hatched young. This is the Paradox of Hatching Asynchrony. 2. The Brood Reduction Hypothesis provided a resolution to the paradox by suggesting an adaptive function to the offspring mortality that results from asynchrony. Experimental tests have provided little support, and 16 alternative hypotheses have been proposed, but few have been tested. Most experimental tests have not measured important parameters such as parental effort and postfledging survival. Many have lacked adequate controls or sufficient statistical power. 3. We divide the hypotheses for hatching asynchrony into four categories based on the effects of intrinsic or extrinsic factors during a critical period of the nesting cycle which constrains reproductive success. Hatching asynchrony could be simply the consequence of the early onset of incubation during egg-laying, either as a result of physiological constraints on incubation or because parents derive fitness benefits from the protective function of early incubation. During the nestling period, hatching asynchrony could be adaptive if it allowed parents to eliminate one or more nestlings selectively, or increased parental efficiency. Alternatively, parents could manipulate the duration of the different periods of the nesting cycle to maximize benefits. 4. Because the onset of incubation generally determines hatching patterns, we encourage refocusing attention from the search for adaptive hatching patterns during the nestling period to the events surrounding the onset of incubation during egg-laying. Many factors can affect when incubation is begun, including physiology, and interactions with the environment, predators, competitors, and mates. 5. Patterns of the onset of incubation are difficult to determine and to quantify, in part because many birds begin incubating gradually, or at night. In some species, the onset of incubation varies with clutch size, but not in others. 6. The onset of incubation is the principle proximate control of hatching patterns, but other factors, such as egg size, embryonic vocalizations, and time of year may also affect hatching patterns. 7. Synchronous hatching is the primitive condition in birds, and is widespread in the lower, primarily precocial taxa. Most altricial species hatch their eggs asynchronously, although some exhibit synchrony as a secondarily derived trait. Hatching patterns show wide variation within some orders and families. 8. Patterns of the onset of incubation and hatching in a species may reflect the influence of multiplefactors. The relative importance of those factors may depend on the trade-offs associated with the potential benefits of early incubation to the survival of eggs and the potential costs to the survivor of later-hatching young associatedwith nestling size hierarchies. 9. The relative effects of multiple factors can be examined by integrating the results of empirical tests of single factors through modeling. 10. We demonstrated the use of a stochastic model by using empirical data from the House Sparrow. Results revealed the trade-offs inherent in the onset of incubation from differences in egg viability and nestling survivorship. An intermediate onset of incubation produced the greatest fledging success. 11. Other factors may be integrated into such models if they can be measured in terms of their effects on fledging success. Different factors, represented by different hypotheses, vary in how readily they may be modeled.
Additions to the known range of Bembidion rufotinctum Chaudoir (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Bembidiini)
(1995)
Previously known from northeastern United States and Virginia, Bembidion rufotinctum Chaudoir is recorded from North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Georgia. Habitat preference for this species appears to remain the same throughout its range. Specimens may be found hiding in cracks in rocks exposed to rapidly flowing water. The presence of this species may be indicated by Pentacora ligata (Say)(Hemiptera: Saldidae) that occurs on the same rocks.
Distributional data for the fourteen species of Gerridae known to occur in Argentina are given: Eurygerris fuscinervis (herein first recorded from San Juan and San Luis Provinces), Limnogonus (Limnogonus) aduncus (herein first recorded from Formosa Prov.), L. (L.) ignotus, L. (L.)profugus, L. (Neogerris) lubricus (herein first recorded from Cordoba Prov.), Brachymetra albinerva albinerva (herein first recorded from Salta Prov.), Rheumatobates (Rheumatobates) bonariensis, R. (R.)crassifemur crassifemur (herein first recorded from Santa Fe Prov.), Halobatopsis platensis, H. spiniventris (herein first recorded from Entre Rios Prov.), Metrobates plaumanni plaumanni, M. vigilis, Ovatametra gualeguay (herein first recorded from Buenos Aires Prov.), and Trepobates taylori (herein first recorded from Jujuy Prov.). In addition distributional maps are provided. The species characteristic for each main geographic area of Argentina are: E. fuscineruis and T. taylori for the Northwestern mountainous area; L. ignotus, L. lubricus, and R. crassifemur for the Chacoan plain; L. ignotus and H. platensis for the Bonarian plain; L. ignotus, R. bonariensis, H. platensis and 0 . gualeguay for the Mesopotamian plain. E. fuscinervis and T. taylori are restricted to mountain rivers and rivulets, whereas the remaining species seem to be genuine inhabitants of either rivulets in forested hilly areas (L. aduncus, L. profugus, B. albinerva, H. spiniventris, M. plaumanni and M. vigilis), or rivers, rivulets and ponds in plains (L. ignotus, L. lubricus, R. bonariensis, R. crassifemur, H. platensis, and 0 . gualeguay). L. ignotus is a pioneer species in lowlands, readily colonizing new pools. Excepting L. aduncus, L. profugus, and 0. gualeguay which are rare, the remaining species are common in Argentina (no enough data are available for B. albinerva, M. plaumanni, and M. vigilis). Gregariousness is high in E. fuscinervis, R. bonariensis, R. crassifemur, and H. platensis, and probably also in B. albinerva. The other species mentioned seem not to be gregarious, but 0 . gualeguay appears sometimes in the dense aggregations of H. platensis, suggesting some gregarious tendency.
It is demonstrated that there is no valid basis on which to sustain the monotypic genus Bathycranium Strobl and concluded that Bathycranium should be recognised as a junior synonym of Syntormon Loew (new status). The species Syntormon bicolorellus Zetterstedt (new combination) falls into a natural grouping of Syntormon species with downcurved facial hairs in females. This species and S. luteicornis Parent are redescribed. Distinctions between Syntormonand Parasyntormon are discussed.
First country records for 5 species of Rutelinae are given for Guatemala, as well as new geographical and altitudinal distributions for Plusiotis prototelica Moron & Howden and Plusiotis quiche Morón. Plusiotis auropunctata Ohaus and Chrysina triumphalis Morón are cited from western Guatemala. Plusiotis luteomarginata Ohaus, Plusiotis strasseni Ohaus and Chrysina karschi Nonfried are cited from eastern Guatemala, near the Honduran border.
Fourteen species of Neoclytus Thomson, 1860 occur in Argentina: N. armaticollis Zajciw, N. aulai Bruch, N. centurio (Chevrolat), N. curvatus (Germ.) N. delicatus (Gounelle), N. famelicus (Burmeister), N. guianensis (Laporte & Gory), N. mulleri Fuchs, N. patagonicus (Bruch) comb. nov., N. pusillus (Laporte & Gory), N. rufus (Olivier), N. sobrinus (Laporte & Gory), N, stillatus Aurivillius (=N. parumnotatus Zajciw syn. nov.) and N. ypsilon (Chevrolat). N. armaticollis, N. delicatus and N. stillatus are new records for Argentina. The geographical distribution in Argentina and a key for species are given.
Calligrapha androwi is newly described from specimens collected in Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Alabama. It is placed in the subgenus BidensomelaMonros. Acalligrapha Monros and Coreopsomela Monros are reduced to subjective junior synonyms of Bidensomela Monros. A key to the striped species of Calligrapha occurring north of Mexico is adapted from Wilcox (1972) to include the new species.
Fifteen species of Megacyllene occur in Argentina: M. acuta (Germ.), M. bonplandi (Gounelle), M. castanea (Laporte & Gory), M. insignita (Perroud), M. falsa (Chevrolat), M. mellyi (Chevrolat), M. minuta (Chevrolat), M. multiguttata Burmeister (status nov.), . murina Purmeister), M. neblinosa new species, M. proxima (Laporte and Gory), M. spinifera (Newman), M. rotundicollis Zajciw, M. rufipes (Laporte and Gory) and M. unicolor Fuchs (=M. lateripilosa Zajciw new synonym). A Lectotype and Paralectotype are designated for M. multiguttata. Megacyllene quinquefasciata Melzer, 1931, is not considered a true Megacyllene but its generic status remains uncertain and needs further revision. Geographica1 distributions in Argentina and a key are provided.
To date, only two references place members of the genus Diplocentrus in Sonora, Mexico. The first was a passing comment by Francke (1975) that D. spitzeri Stahnke occurs in northeastern Sonora. The specimens he examined and used in his systematic studies on that species are the same as the ones reported here for the first time from a specific Sonoran locality. The second reference was by Sissom and Walker (1992) listing a single record of D. gertschi Sissom and Walker from Libertad on the northern coast. Examination of material from the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), the California Academy of Sciences (CAS), and the Academy of Natural Sciences (ANS) indicates that, in addition to D. spitzeri and D. gertschi, another distinct species occurs in the Alamos and Navajoa areas in southern Sonora. This species is described as new below. It should be noted that a juvenile specimen from the vicinity of Benjamin Hill was also examined that was unassignable with certainty to any of the above species. This indicates that the genus has a wider distribution in Sonora than demonstrated even by the specimens listed in this report. Nomenclature and mensuration utilized herein essentially follows that of Stahnke (1970), with the following exceptions: carinal terminology and cheliceral measurements are after Francke (1975,1977) and trichobothrial terminology is after Vachon (1974). Specimens in the senior author's collection are listed in the records sections as "WDS”. Because D. spitzeri and the new species are both quite similar to D. peloncil1ensis Francke, the latter is included in the tables for comparison; in addition, the hemispermatophore of this species is also drawn. D. peloncillensis was described from only 6 males, 1 female, and 1 juvenile. The data presented here for D. peloncillensis are derived from these and new specimens available since the original description was published (Francke 1975), thereby providing a better understanding of variation in this species.
A new genus and species of stygobiontic bidessine dytiscid beetle, Comaldessus stygius, from Comal Springs, Texas, is described and compared with the proposed sister epigean genus Uuarus and the only other known stygobiontic bidessine water beetles, Trogloguignotus concii Sanfilippo from Venezuela and Uvarus chappuisi (Peschet) from Africa. Distinctive characters of the adult are illustrated with pen and ink drawings and scanning electron micrographs. The new taxon is the second stygobiontic bidessine genus with rudimentary eyes known from the Western Hemisphere and the first known from North America.
Druciatus nigritarsus new species is described from St. Vincent, Guyana, Ecuador and Peru, D. trisetus new species is described from Ecuador, Brazil and Guyana, D. dissidens and D. latisternus new species are described from Costa Rica, D. angustus new species is described from Mexico, D. campbelli new species is described from Guatemala, and D. petilus new species is described from Ecuador. A key is provided to the eight species in the genus Druciatus.
In one of her latest papers in the American Entomologist, in 1995, Prof. Berenbaum mentions how young people (and entomologists alike) are martyrizing insects and arachnids, by pulling their wings or their legs, burning them with magnifying glasses, without mentioning the lepidopterists who transfix the thorax of the female butterflies to induce them to lay eggs. Such behavior was once one of the acts of the emperor Nero when he was a child. His tutor, the philosopher Seneca, when he saw him pulling the wings off a fly, predicted that he would be very cruel. It was said t h a t the French biologist Etienne Rabaud, well known for his systematic opposition to everything, verified by the scholars of his time, used to cut in half the legs of the daddy longlegs and to declare that those legs were useless because those Arachnids walked better with shorter appendages. Rabaud was also known for removing the swimming bladder of fish to improve, as he said, their balance in water. Such is the tone of this book.
The new genus Sclerocoelus is described for a large group of New World species including Sclerocoelus sordipes (Adams) new combination, Sclerocoelus regularis (Malloch) new combination, Sclerocoelus plumiseta (Duda) new combination, and about 40 undescribed species. The widespread Nearctic species Limosina sordipes Adams is redescribed and designated as the type species of Sclerocoelus. Lectotypes are designated for Limosina sordipes Adams and Limosina evanescens Tucker. The new genus Druciatus is described for a group of 7 undescribed species fiom Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. The type species, Druciatus ovisternus n.sp., is described from Dominica and the Dominican Republic.
Argentinoeme Bruch (1911) remained as a monotypic genus until the finding of the material herein described. The type species of the genus, A. schulzi Bruch (1911) from Argentina, is characterized by 12-segmented antennae, cylindrical pronotum with granulations at its base, femora narrowing only toward their bases, and divided eyes. Argentinoeme pseudobscura sp. nov., with 11-segmented antennae and appendiculate distal segment, constitutes the second known species of this genus.
Occurrence of the milliped Ergodesmus compactus Chamberlin in Canada (Polydesmida: Nearctodesmidae)
(1995)
Recent collecting in southcentral British Columbia, near the International Border, has confirmed the Canadian occurrence of the milliped Ergodesmus compactus Chamberlin, which was predicted by field work in the adjacent part of the United States. With Nearctodesmus insulanus (Chamberlin) occupying the Shuswap Highlands and the Pacific Coastal region, the Nearctodesmidae is known from three separate regions of Canada, all in British Columbia. Other millipeds in the northwestern United States that may be reasonably anticipated in western Canada are discussed.
Diagnostic characters of Glaresis mendica Horn are discussed, and an undescribed species, confused with G. mendica by authors subsequent to Horn, is described as Glaresis gordoni new species. A second new species, Glaresis zvirgzdinsi, is described from two isolated sand dunes in Yuma County, Arizona, USA. Diagnostic characters of the new species, as well as those of G. mendica, are illustrated.
Diagnostic characters of Glaresis mendica Horn are discussed, and an undescribed species, confused with G. mendica by authors subsequent to Horn, is described as Glaresis gordoni new species. A second new species, Glaresis zvirgzdinsi, is described from two isolated sand dunes in Yuma County, Arizona, USA. Diagnostic characters of the new species, as well as those of G. mendica, are illustrated.
All available material pertaining to Tyrannochthonius Chamberlin from the United States east of the Mississippi River has been examined. The range of the single species already described from this area, T. floridensis Malcolm and Muchmore, is extended. Ten new species are described here; all are troglobites from caves in Alabama.
Seventeen species of Anaphothrips are here recorded and reviewed from the Nearctic Region. Six new species, A. helvolus, A. luteus, A. mexicanus, A. paludicola, A. trimaculatus, and A. univittatus, and 11 nominal species are described. A key to the females of 17 species and to males of 11 species is provided. Anaphothrips flavocastaneus Johansen is reassigned to Oxythrips, A. ripicola Hood is revived as a good species, A. sandersoni Stannard is treated as a junior synonym of A. decolor Hood, and A. sudanensis Trybom is reported from Mexico.