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Inocybe hopeae sp. nov. and first record of Pseudosperma keralense (Inocybaceae) from Thailand
(2023)
Based on genetic studies, supported further by morphological and ecological differences, we present a taxonomic novelty (Inocybe hopeae Raghoonundon & Raspé sp. nov.) and a new geographical record (Pseudosperma keralense) from forests of Northern Thailand. Inocybe hopeae is characterized by medium-sized basidiomes, brownish orange to brown pileus that is darker towards the margin, off-white to pale brown context, light brown to dark brown stipe with off-white basal mycelium and pale brown to grayish brown lamellae. A three-gene phylogeny (LSU, tef1, rpb2) coupled with macroscopic / microscopic descriptions and illustrations are provided confirming the species’ positions in their respective generic clades. Inocybe hopeae was sister to I. thailandica with strong support (BS = 100%, PP = 1.0). Our Thai collections of OR1629 had similar morphological characters and 100% identical sequences with the holotype of Pseudosperma keralense from India.
The rhythm of biodiversity loss vastly surpasses the number of new species described per year, with several taxa going extinct without us even knowing about their existence. After more than 250 years of traditional taxonomy, it is clear that the rate of biodiversity description and discovery needs to be improved. Molecular data has greatly increased the speed of species discovery and accuracy of taxonomic delimitation. Phenotypic documentation, although relatively slower, is still crucial to identify species and communicate taxonomic discoveries to a broader audience. Here, we integrate these data sources to describe a relatively large number of new species of the spider genus Anyphaena and look into its internal phylogenetic relationships. Our findings support the existence of several species groups within Anyphaena (as currently defined), but failed to recover the monophyly of this genus, suggesting a more comprehensive revision of its species groups and closely related anyphaenid genera is necessary. The 21 new species described here are: Anyphaena adnani sp. nov., A. bifurcata sp. nov., A. dulceae sp. nov., A. epicardia sp. nov., A. fernandae sp. nov., A. franciscoi sp. nov., A. ibarrai sp. nov., A. jimenezi sp. nov., A. megamedia sp. nov., A. miniducta sp. nov., A. natachae sp. nov., A. noctua sp. nov., A. porta sp. nov., A. quadrata sp. nov., A. rebecae sp. nov., A. salgueiroi sp. nov., A. sofiae sp. nov., A. stigma sp. nov., A. tonoi sp. nov., A. triangularis sp. nov. and A. urieli sp. nov.
The kinorhynch fauna from Portugal has been explored, yielding a new species of the genus Setaphyes (Kinorhyncha: Allomalorhagida). This is the first description of an allomalorhagid species from Portugal. Specimens of the new species were collected at a subtidal muddy beach in Alvor, a village located in the southernmost region of Portugal. Setaphyes algarvensis sp. nov. may be distinguished from its congeners by a unique arrangement of the setae: paired paradorsal setae on segments 2–7 and 9, paradorsal seta on segment 8 unpaired, laterodorsal setae on segments 2–3 and 6–9 in males and 2–9 in females, paralateral setae on segment 1, lateroventral setae on segments 2–10 (two pairs on segment 5), ventrolateral setae on segment 1 in males and 1–3 in females, and ventromedial setae on segments 3–9 in males and 4–9 in females. The diagnostic features of Setaphyes algarvensis sp. nov. are discussed from a comparative perspective with the congener species. Additionally, morphometric analyses of selected features, namely the total trunk length and the relation between the total trunk length and the length of lateral terminal spines, turned out to be useful to distinguish between the new species and Setaphyes kielensis (its most similar congener).
We herein present the first annotated anuran checklist for the Brazilian state of Amapá, eastern Amazonia, based on a thorough literature review. We recorded the occurrence of 111 species belonging to 13 anuran families distributed across 48 localities throughout Amapá, within two biomes. Among these species, 62.5% occur exclusively in the Tropical Moist Broadleaf Forest biome, ~8% occur exclusively in the Tropical Savanna biome, and ~29% occur in both. Two species were considered endemic to Amapá and were registered only in the central portion of the state. Regarding the conservation status, only one species (Dendropsophus amicorum) is classified as threatened, assigned to the “critically endangered” category. The other species are categorized as either “least concern” or “data deficient” (85 and 8, respectively), whereas 21 are not evaluated. The current annotated list contributes to the incipient knowledge on anuran species richness in Amapá and, despite the research regarding anuran taxonomy has considerably progressed over the past 20 years, there is still much to do. Our data highlight the need for trained taxonomists to develop research in the state.
Benthic samples collected along the Brazilian central continental margin from Espírito Santo State to Rio de Janeiro State (19° S to 24° S) during the last 20 years and at depths of 50–2200 m yielded the description of six new species of Typhlotanais in the deep-sea (> 200 m): Typhlotanais andradeorum sp. nov., T. bolarticulus sp. nov., T. ischnochela sp. nov., T. longiseta sp. nov., T. priscilae sp. nov. and T. spinibasis sp. nov. Within these species, we found members of four Typhlotanais morpho-groups as ‘cornutus’ group, ‘greenwichensis’ group, ‘spinicauda’ and ‘trispinosus’ group. Typhlotanais ischnochela sp. nov. exhibited the greatest bathymetric range, occurring from the continental shelf until the lower slope (46–1898.7 m depth). The bathymetric distribution of the other five species of Typhlotanais herein described were restricted to the slope. Tables of diagnostic characters of the Typhlotanais morpho-groups and an identification key to the species of Typhlotanaidae found in Brazil are provided. This work brings the total number of Tanaidacea known for Brazilian coast to 64 species, and the family Typhlotanaidae from Brazil is now represented by 11 species in five known genera.
During a taxonomic study of the species of Croton sect. Adenophylli occurring in Brazil, approximately 140 collections usually identified as Croton echioides, C. rhamnifolius or C. rhamnifolioides caught our attention due to the distinct morphology of vegetative and reproductive organs. After the analysis of these collections, we concluded that they represent a new species, C. sertanejus Sodré & M.J.Silva sp. nov., which was also corroborated by an anatomical study of their leaves. This new species can be differentiated by pseudomonopodial branching, leaves with petioles up to 1.7 cm long, 4–6 subsessile nectary glands and indumentum of sessile trichomes on both surfaces. Detailed descriptions, including details of leaf anatomy, are provided for C. sertanejus sp. nov. and C. echioides, its closely related species. We also formalize the synonymization of C. kalkmannii under C. echioides and re-evaluate the typification of these names, in order to better clarify their taxonomic status.
The dung beetles belonging to the genus Deltochilum Eschscholtz, 1822 are widely distributed in the Neotropical region. This genus is divided into eight subgenera, of these, the subgenus Deltohyboma Lane, 1946 is the most diverse, with an estimated 212 species. The most recent revision of Deltohyboma divided the subgenus into 19 species group. Here, taxonomy of the gilli species group is revised. Four new species (D. jocelynae sp. nov., D. nonstriatum sp. nov., D. quasistriatum sp. nov. and D. tenuistriatum sp. nov.) are described, making a total of five species within the species group. Keys for species identification and habitus as well as male genitalia morphology are illustrated.
Yemen is provided for the first time. The following genera are recorded in the southern Arabian Peninsula for the first time: tribe Doryctini – Hemispathius Belokobylskij & Quicke, 2000 and Doryctes Haliday, 1836; tribe Spathiini – Parana Nixon, 1941 and Spathius Nees, 1819; tribe Hecabolini – Hemidoryctes Belokobylskij, 1992 and Parallorhogas Marsh, 1993; tribe Heterospilini – Heterospilus Haliday 1936; tribe Rhaconotini – Platyspathius Viereck, 1911 and Rhaconotinus Hedqvist, 1965. Sixteen species and one subspecies are described as new for science: Dendrosotinus (Gildoria) maculipennis Belokobylskij sp. nov., D. (G.) subelongatus Belokobylskij sp. nov., Doryctes (Neodoryctes) arrujumi Belokobylskij sp. nov., Parana arabica Belokobylskij sp. nov., Spathius alkadanus Belokobylskij sp. nov., S. austroarabicus Belokobylskij sp. nov., S. lahji Belokobylskij sp. nov., S. subafricanus Belokobylskij sp. nov., Hecabalodes maculatus Belokobylskij sp. nov., Platyspathius (Platyspathius) longicaudis Belokobylskij sp. nov., P. (P.) brevis Belokobylskij sp. nov., Rhaconotinus albosetosus Belokobylskij sp. nov., Rhaconotus brevicellularis Belokobylskij sp. nov., Rh. magniareolus Belokobylskij sp. nov., Rh. microexcavatus Belokobylskij sp. nov., Rh. vanharteni Belokobylskij sp. nov. and Hemidoryctes carbonarius postfurcalis Belokobylskij subsp. nov. Two new generic combinations are proposed: Hemispathius pilosus (Granger, 1949) comb. nov. (transferred from Doryctes) and Parallorhogas testaceus (Szépligeti, 1914) comb. nov. (transferred from Opius). Rhaconotus decaryi Granger, 1949 is here synonymised with Rh. menippus Nixon, 1939 (syn. nov.). A lectotype for Doryctes pilosus Granger, 1949 is designated. The following species are recorded for the UAE and/or Yemen for the first time: Dendrosotinus ferrugineus (Marshall, 1888), Hemispathius pilosus (Granger, 1949), Mimodoryctes proprius Belokobylskij, 2001, M. arabicus Edmardash, Gadallah & Soliman, 2020, Spathius nixoni Belokobylskij & Maetô, 2009, Hecabalodes anthaxiae Wilkinson, 1929, H. radialis Tobias, 1962, H. xylophagi Fischer, 1962, Parallorhogas testaceus (Szépligeti, 1914), Heterospilus (Eoheterospilus) rubrocinctus (Ashmead, 1905), Rhaconotinus menippus (Nixon, 1939), Rhaconotus arabicus Belokobylskij, 2001, Rh. manolus Nixon, 1941, Rh. scirpophagae Wilkinson, 1927 and Rh. sudanensis Wilkinson, 1927.
Research has suggested that teachers’ beliefs toward culturally diverse classrooms are affected during teacher education. Text reading, as one of the major learning activities in initial teacher education, is supposed to affect teachers’ educational concepts and beliefs. We conducted two experiments to test the impact of reading a positively or negatively oriented persuasive text about diversity on preservice teachers’ belief change. In Study 1 (N = 42), we found that belief change varied significantly as a function of the direction of the text condition, and that the reading of the texts led to a significantly stronger belief change if the text was in alignment with participants’ prior beliefs. Study 2 (N = 57) revealed a middle-sized but non-significant moderator effect for prior knowledge (p = .08, η2p = .06), suggesting that participants with more prior knowledge were less likely to be persuaded by the text. The results provide new insights into factors that may affect the development of preservice teachers’ diversity beliefs.
Three new species of Mesacanthion Filipjev, 1927 were found along Patagonian coasts (Argentina). Mesacanthion bifidum sp. nov. is characterized by short labial and cephalic setae, onchia of equal size, spicule arcuate, and gubernaculum with caudal apophysis, ending in two teeth. The species is related to M. virile (Ditlevsen, 1930) De Coninck & Schuurmans Stekhoven, 1933. However, the spicules and gubernaculum of both species are different in shape. Mesacanthion longigubernaculum sp. nov. is characterized by its long and slender body, striated cuticle, relatively long cephalic and cervical setae, onchia of different sizes, amphidial fovea lentil-shaped, spicule arcuate, gubernaculum surrounding the spicule, and tail conical-cylindrical with terminal setae. Mesacanthion sanantoniensis sp. nov. is characterized by its long and stout body, striated cuticle, long cephalic setae, onchia of different sizes, amphidial fovea pouch-shaped, spicule arcuate, gubernaculum with dorsal apophysis, and tail conical without terminal setae. Following the key of Jeong et al. (2019), the last two species are related to M. pali Wieser, 1959 and M. longissimesetosum Wieser, 1953, so we provide a key to differentiate the four species.
Capparis macrantha Souvannakhoummane, Fici & Lanorsavanh sp. nov., a new shrub species characterized by erect or ascending habit, stipular thorns, large lanceolate-elliptic leaves and large flowers in supra-axillary rows, is described and illustrated from the deciduous forest in Nam Kading National Protected Area (central Lao PDR). The new species belongs to Capparis sect. Monostichocalyx Radlk. and is morphologically similar to C. radula Gagnep., a shrub widespread in the Indochinese area, differing in the shorter, straight stipular thorns, larger leaves, larger sepals and petals, higher number of stamens with longer filaments and longer gynophore and ovary. Its affinities with related taxa are discussed and a key is provided for the species of Capparis L. known from Lao PDR. The conservation status of the new species is provisionally assessed as Vulnerable (VU D1).
This paper treats the planthopper genus, Atracis Stål, 1866 (Flatidae: Flatoidinae) in China. Five new species, A. ocularia sp. nov., A. patefacta sp. nov., A. punctulata sp. nov., A. sphaerica sp. nov. and A. ungulata sp. nov., are described and a checklist of all its known species from China is provided.
This paper describes and illustrates two new nematode species of the genus Paratrilobus Micoletzky, 1922. The species Paratrilobus tankhoyensis sp. nov. was found at the estuary of the Pereyomnaya River (water area of Lake Baikal, near the Tankhoy railway station). Paratrilobus tankhoyensis sp. nov. is most similar to P. expugnator (Tsalolichin, 1976) in the body size, but differs in the comparatively thin body, shorter and thicker tail, shorter stoma and spicules. Another new species, Paratrilobus aquaticus sp. nov., was found in Posolsk Bank (natural underwater elevation of the bottom between the southern and central basins of Lake Baikal). The species is similar to P. granulosus Gagarin & Naumova, 2011 and P. ultimus (Tsalolichin, 1977) in the structure of the precloacal supplements. It differs from the former in the absence of crystalloids, a comparatively longer pharynx, longer stoma and outer labial setae as well as the absence of subterminal seta. It differs from the latter in a longer pharynx, stoma and longer outer labial setae as well as a longer and more slender tail. We also discuss diagnostic features of the males of the genus Paratrilobus.
Diversity and psychological health issues at the workplace are pressing issues in today’s organizations. However, research linking two fields is scant. To bridge this gap, drawing from team faultline research, social categorization theory, and the job-demands resources model, we propose that perceiving one’s team as fragmented into subgroups increases strain. We further argue that this relationship is mediated by task conflict and relationship conflict and that it is moderated by psychological empowerment and task interdependence. Multilevel structural equation models on a two-wave sample consisting of 536 participants from 107 work teams across various industries and work contexts partially supported the hypotheses: task conflict did indeed mediate the positive relationships between perceived subgroups and emotional exhaustion while relationship conflict did not; effects on stress symptoms were absent. Moreover, contrary to our expectations, neither empowerment, nor task interdependence moderated the mediation. Results indicate that team diversity can constitute a job demand that can affect psychological health. Focusing on the mediating role of task conflict, we offer a preliminary process model to guide future research at the crossroads of diversity and psychological health at work.
We report 106 species of caddisflies (Trichoptera) representing 44 genera and 16 families that were collected across 50 sampling sites in the Buffalo River watershed. The species collected represent about 45% of the known Interior Highlands caddisfly fauna. The most speciose families collected were the Hydroptilidae (30), Leptoceridae (21), and Hydropsychidae (17). Two species found during this study, Paduniella nearctica and Ochrotrichia contorta, are listed as species of special concern in the state of Arkansas due to their relative rarity. Similarity analysis values among collection sites ranged from 9% to 77%. Seriation analysis of caddisfly genera and species showed that most are distributed throughout the entire Buffalo National River but some are restricted to either the upper or lower river or its tributaries. This represents the first comprehensive survey of caddisflies completed for the Buffalo National River.
This paper aspires to provide an overview of the issue of diversity of banking and financial systems and its development over time from a positive and a normative perspective. In other word: how different are banks within a given country and how much do banking systems and entire financial systems differ between countries and regions, and do in-country diversity and between-country diversity change over time, as one would be inclined to expect as a consequence of globalization and increasingly global standards of regulation?
As the first part of this paper shows, the general answer to these questions is that there is still today a surprisingly high level of diversity in finance. This raises the two questions addressed in the second part of the paper: How can the persistence of diversity be explained, and how can it be assessed? In contrast to prevailing views, the author argues that persistent diversity should be regarded as valuable in a context in which there is no clear answer to the question of which structures of banking and financial systems are optimal from an economic perspective
Im Rahmen des ERASMUS+-Aktionsforschungsprojektes SHARMED wurden didaktische Werkzeuge entwickelt, um Lehrende darin zu unterstützen, ihrem Auftrag in Zeiten der Inklusion gerecht zu werden. Dabei will SHARMED zu einem Perspektivenwechsel beitragen, bei dem die Diversität der Schüler*innen nicht als eine Herausforderung gesehen wird, die bewältigt werden muss, damit die Schüler*innen bestimmte Kompetenzen erwerben und Inhalte aufnehmen können. SHARMED legt den Fokus stattdessen auf das viel zu selten wahrgenommene, kommunizierte und ausgelebte Bereicherungspotenzial, das in dieser Diversität steckt und lädt ein, Raum dafür zu schaffen. SHARMED setzt auf die dialogische Haltung, wodurch Lernende zu Protagonist*innen des Lernprozesses werden, und ihn aktiv mitgestalten. Um die dazu notwendige Agency der Schüler*innen zu fördern, wurden sowohl die Techniken der dialogischen Prozessbegleitung erforscht, als auch die folgende Methode konzipiert und getestet: Anhand eigener, zu diesem Zweck selbst ausgewählter und mitgebrachter Bilder haben Schüler*innen eigene Erinnerungen erzählt, welche dann als Ausgangspunkt für Dialoge genutzt wurden. In diesem Artikel wird ein solcher Austauschprozess konversationsanalytisch untersucht und so gezeigt, wie bestimmte, die pädagogische Praxis prägende kommunikative Handlungen der Inklusion entgegenstehen. Gleichzeitig wird auch eine konkrete Vorstellung von der konversationsanalytischen Forschungsarbeit und den Materialien vermittelt, die zum Zweck der Aus- und Weiterbildung von Lehrkräften frei zur Verfügung stehen. Die Nutzung der Aufnahmen und Transkriptionen der Dialoge ermöglicht es Lehrenden, sich über die Auswirkung kommunikativer Handlungen auf den pädagogischen Prozess bewusst zu werden. Darüber hinaus geben die Materialien einerseits Impulse zur Selbstreflexion und vermitteln andererseits Wissen und konkrete Ideen, um die Arbeit in Klassenzimmer inklusiver zu gestalten.
Two new nematode species of the genus Tobrilus Andrássy, 1959 from Lake Baikal are described and illustrated. The first species Tobrilus elginus sp. nov. was found in the littoral zone of Maloye More Bays. The second species Tobrilus juliae sp. nov. dwells on bodies of dead sponges Lubomirskia baicalensis (Pallas, 1776). Tobrilus elginus sp. nov. is most similar to T. amabilis Tsalolikhin, 1974 and T. bekmanae Tsalolikhin, 1975. In contrast to the first species it has a shorter body and spicules, longer gubernaculum and a shorter supplements row. Its body is shorter and thinner, tail and supplement row are shorter and the vulva is more posterior as compared to the second species. The body size of Tobrilus juliae sp. nov. is most similar to T. securus Gagarin & Naumova, 2011 and T. saprophagus Naumova & Gagarin, 2017. From the first of these species it differs by the thinner body, shorter tail, comparatively shorter outer labial setae and shorter spicules. It differs from the second species by a thinner body, shorter male tail and shorter labial setae.
A total of nine families of Trichoptera were identified from material collected in Malaise and light traps in the western part of Nyungwe National Park, southwestern Rwanda, late October 2018. Included in the material was an undescribed species of Pisuliidae which is described herein as Silvatares laetae Ngirinshuti & Johanson sp. nov. The new species adds to the six Pisuliidae species previously recorded for the East African region, five endemic to Tanzania and one to Uganda. This study portrays the first results of an ongoing survey on the Trichoptera fauna of Rwanda.
In this study we describe a new species of the click-beetle genus Lacon Laporte, 1838 from the relict Hyrcanian forest in northern Iran. Lacon mertliki sp. nov. is morphologically similar to L. lepidopterus (Panzer, 1801) but differs from the latter in the body coloration and pubescence, the shape of pronotum and scutellar shield, and male and female genitalia. We provide brief data on its ecology as well as an identification key to all Lacon species in Iran. Additionally, we synonymize Lacon nadaii Platia & Németh, 2011 with Lacon unicolor (Candèze, 1874).
The new genus Thaicypridopsis gen. nov. described here belongs to the tribe Zonocypridini Higuti & Martens, 2012 in the subfamily Cypridopsinae Kaufmann, 1900. It is the first record of the Recent representatives within this tribe in Southeast Asia and Oriental regions. Thaicypridopsis gen. nov. has a number of remarkable characters that distinguish it from other genera in the subfamily: a submarginal row of distinctive tubercles on the postero-ventral part of the right valve in the interior view, a strong serrated claw G2 on the second antenna with an apical concavity, large bristles with hirsute endings and spatula-shaped apexes on all three maxillular endites and a bifurcate tip on the terminal claw of the second thoracopod. One new species, Thaicypridopsis longispinosa sp. nov., is described under this new genus in the present contribution. Apart from the above diagnostic characters, the new species also has long spines on the valve surface as its outstanding feature. The new taxon is morphologically compared with other related species and genera within and outside the subfamily Cypridopsinae. In addition, due to the new genus belonging to a group of genera with the left valve overlapping the right valve in the subfamily, a key to the genera within this group is given.
El presente artículo aborda el análisis de los teóricos de Frankfurtrt, especialmente Adorno, Marcuse, Walter Benjamin y Horkheimer, y su actualidad en relación a la educación. La motivación ante un mundo en que ascienden valores de extrema derecha y fundamentalismos religiosos, este escenario motiva a cuestionar cuál es el papel que la educación realiza para combatir extremismos e intolerancias. Ámbito de pertinencia. Este artículo está directamente relacionado con la filosofía de la educación. Justificación y relevancia. Se justifica este tema por tratar de aspectos teleológicos de la función de la educación. En el sentido de problematizar el carácter teleológico de la educación a partir de conceptos filosóficos que buscan la autonomía del sujeto en lugar de sólo adecuarlo a lo que está puesto. Como metodología recurre a los estudios bibliográficos y reflexiones críticas sobre la educación y su carácter político en la construcción de una conciencia social emancipada de valores que legitiman opresión. Resultado y discusión. Se realizó un estudio sobre teoría crítica de Adorno, Horkheimer, Benjamin, Habermas y Marcuse como aportes para la construcción de una educación que además de buscar la inclusión, busque también ser un instrumento político de combate a los valores de prejuicios, que hoy son reavivados con el ascenso de fundamentalismos religiosos, xenofobia y ascensión de la extrema derecha. Conclusión. Se concluye que la escuela tiene una finalidad política de educar para un mundo de solidaridad y respeto por las diferencias.
This article deals with the analysis of Frankfurtrt's theorists, especially Adorno, Marcuse, Walter Benjamin and Horkheimer, and their relevance in relation to education. Motivation, faced with a world in which extreme-right values and religious fundamentalisms are promoted, such a scenario motivates us to question the role that education plays in combating extremism and intolerance. Scope of relevance. This article is directly related to the philosophy of education. Justification and relevance. This topic is justified because it deals with teleological aspects of the function of education. In the sense of questioning the teleological character of education based on philosophical concepts that seek the autonomy of the subject instead of just the human being to what is settled. As a methodology, it resorts to bibliographical studies and critical reflections on education and its political character in the construction of an emancipated social conscience of values that legitimize oppression. Results and discussion. A study on Critical Theory of Adorno, Horkheimer, Benjamin, Habermas and Marcuse was conducted as contributions to the construction of an education that, in addition to seeking inclusion, also seeks to be a political instrument to combat prejudice, which is nowadays alive again with the rise of religious fundamentalisms, xenophobia and the rise of extreme-right political ideas. Conclusion. It is concluded that the school has the political purpose to educate for a world of solidarity and respect for differences.
Taxonomic revision of Brasiloniscus (Oniscidea, Pudeoniscidae) with description of a new species
(2018)
The Neotropical genus Brasiloniscus, erected by Lemos de Castro (1973), is revised and validated herein. The genus was originally described including two species, B. maculatus and B. verrucosus, but no type species was designated. According to § 13 of ICZN (1999) the name of the genus is therefore unavailable. Both species are redescribed, and B. maculatus is designated as the type species of the genus. The genus name will thus be available for the systematics of Oniscidea. In addition, a new species, B. littoralis gen. et sp. nov., is described based on material from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest from the state of Rio de Janeiro.
Conidera Rivalier, 1961 is a well-defined subgenus of tiger beetles (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae) hitherto only known from two species endemic to the island of Luzon. This paper describes the first species from Mindoro, with a doubtful record from Mindanao. Cylindera (Conidera) mindoroana Zettel and Wiesner, new species, differs strongly by an unusual shape of the female’s elytra. A diagnosis for Conidera and a key to the species of this subgenus is presented.
Managing for biodiversity: impact and action thresholds for invasive plants in natural ecosystems
(2017)
Some studies examining the impacts of invasive plant species in native plant communities have demonstrated non-linear damage functions, whereby community components, such as species richness, are seemingly unaffected by the presence of an invader until it has attained relatively high levels of abundance, whereupon there is a marked decrease with further increases in abundance. Given chronic limitations in the resources available for managing invasive species, it has been argued that the most damaging invaders would be controlled most efficiently by maintaining their abundances below such threshold levels. Because many impact studies do not involve sampling over a wide range of invader abundances it is not possible to estimate the prevalence of threshold relationships. Furthermore, studies that have employed appropriate sampling methods have shown that different life forms exhibit different threshold responses, indicating that maintenance management for biodiversity values should be designed to protect the most sensitive species or groups of species. Since control costs increase with invader abundance, economic and ecological considerations are aligned when invaders are sustainably maintained at relatively low abundances. Adopting such an approach should also minimise negative impacts where damage functions are linear.
Im östlichen Südtirol wurden Wiesen entlang der Gradienten Meereshöhe, Bodenfeuchtigkeit, Bewirtschaftungsintensität über saurem bzw. basischem Gestein erhoben und in 12 Vegetationstypen gegliedert. Sie wurden durch numerische Syntaxonomie bzw. den rechnerischen Vergleich mit einer Auswahl von Tabellen aus der Literatur den entsprechenden Pflanzengesellschaften zugeordnet. Aus den Beschreibungen der jeweiligen Syntaxa wurde die Bewirtschaftungsintensität abgeleitet. Dies führte zur Differenzierung von extensiven (ungedüngten), halbintensiven (schwach bis mäßig gedüngten, ohne flüssige Wirtschafts- und Mineraldünger) und intensiven (reichlich gedüngten, meist mit Gülle) Wiesentypen. Da sich die Stickstoffzahlen signifikant unterschieden, stellen die Wiesentypen zuverlässige Indikatoren für die jeweiligen Bewirtschaftungsintensitäten dar. Intensivwiesen wiesen mittlere Stickstoffzahlen über 6,0 auf und wurden dem Poo-Trisetetum poetosum trivialis zugeordnet, halbintensive Wiesen mit Stickstoffzahlen zwischen 4,0 und 5,0 gehören dem Poo-Trisetetum arrhenatheretosum, dem Trisetetum flavescentis typicum bzw. -nardetosum und dem Angelico-Cirsietum oleracei an. Extensive Wiesen hatten durchschnittliche Stickstoffzahlen unter 4,0 und gehören dem Potentillo erectae-Brachypodietum pinnati brometosum erecti und -avenuletosum praeustae, dem Sieversio-Nardetum strictae typicum und -festucetosum nigricantis, dem Carlino-Caricetum sempervirentis, dem Campanulo scheuchzeri-Festucetum noricae und der Scheuchzerio-Caricetea fuscae-Gesellschaft an. Die extensiven und halbintensiven Pflanzengesellschaften entsprechen traditionell bewirtschafteten Wiesen, die eine größere Artenvielfalt und Variation an Vegetationstypen aufweisen als der floristisch triviale Intensivwiesentyp.
Diversity and distribution of adeonid bryozoans (Cheilostomata: Adeonidae) in Japanese waters
(2016)
Adeonid bryozoans construct antler-like erect colonies and are common in bryozoan assemblages along the Japanese Pacific coast. The taxonomy of Japanese adeonid species, however, has not been studied since their original descriptions more than 100 years ago. In the present study, adeonid specimens from historical collections and material recently collected along the Japanese coast are examined. Eight adeonid species in two genera were detected, of which Adeonella jahanai sp. nov., Adeonellopsis parvirostrum sp. nov., and Adeonellopsis toyoshioae sp. nov. are described as new species based on the branch width, size and morphology of frontal or suboral avicularia, shape and size of areolar pores, and size of the spiramen. Adeonellopsis arculifera (Canu & Bassler, 1929) is a new record for Japan. Lectotypes for Adeonellopsis japonica (Ortmann, 1890) and Adeonella sparassis (Ortmann, 1890) were selected among Ortmann’s syntypes. Most species of Adeonellopsis around Japan have a southern distribution from Sagami Bay to Okinawa, while A. japonica shows a more northern distribution from Kouchi to Otsuchi. In contrast, Adeonellopsis arculifera was collected only from southwestern Japan. A key to Japanese adeonid species is provided.
A new scarab species of the genus Lycomedes Brème, 1844 is described, totaling fi ve species of the genus reported for Colombia. Lycomedes salazari was collected in an oak forest at the high Andean region of Santurbán in the municipality of California, Santander Department, Colombia. Besides inhabiting the highest altitude known for the genus, L. salazari has affi nities with L. buckleyi Waterhouse, 1880, but differs on the cephalic, thoracic and leg morphologies. Biological notes and an updated key for the adults of the genus are included.
Volatile organic compounds are secondary metabolites emitted by all organisms, especially by plants and microbes. Their role as aboveground signals has been established for decades. Recent evidence suggests that they might have a non-negligible role belowground and might be involved in root–root and root–microbial/pest interactions. Our aim here was to make a comprehensive review of belowground volatile diversity using a meta-analysis approach. At first we synthesized current literature knowledge on plant root volatiles and classified them in terms of chemical diversity. In a second step, relying on the mVOC database of microbial volatiles, we classified volatiles based on their emitters (bacteria vs. fungi) and their specific ecological niche (i.e., rhizosphere, soil). Our results highlight similarities and differences among root and microbial volatiles and also suggest that some might be niche specific. We further explored the possibility that volatiles might be involved in intra- and inter-specific root–root communication and discuss the ecological implications of such scenario. Overall this work synthesizes current knowledge on the belowground volatilome and the potential signaling role of its constituents. It also highlights that the total diversity of belowground volatiles might be orders of magnitude larger that the few hundreds of compounds described to date.
Central European dry grasslands are remarkably diverse plant communities that occur at the western edge of the Eurasian forest-steppe zone and harbour many species of continental distribution. Although their plant community types have been described in detail, the diversity patterns and their environmental determinants are still poorly known for these grasslands. Here, we study environmental drivers of species composition and richness in dry grasslands of northern Bohemia (České středohoří Mts) and central Bohemia (Křivoklát region), both in the Czech Republic. In vegetation plots of 100 m2 we recorded all vascular plant species, measured soil chemistry variables, above-ground biomass production and nutrient concentrations in biomass. Species richness in these plots ranged from 13 to 55. The relationships between species composition and the environment were explored using detrended correspondence analysis and canonical correspondence analysis, while the relationships between species richness and the environment were assessed using univariate and multiple regression models. In both regions, species composition and richness strongly responded to the soil pH (ranging from 4.0 to 7.8), which was positively correlated with calcium and magnesium concentrations and negatively with annual precipitation. The response of species richness to soil pH was unimodal with a peak at pH of about 6.5 in the České středohoří Mts, and positive in the Křivoklát region. Plots on soils with a pH higher than 5 consistently contained more than 35 species. In the České středohoří Mts, species richness was positively related to the aboveground biomass production, whereas in the Křivoklát region, this relationship was only significant for graminoid species. In both areas, plots with soils deeper than 20 cm and with aboveground biomass dry weight above 200 g/m2 harboured more than 40 species per 100 m2. Moreover, in the České středohoří Mts, nitrogen concentrations in the biomass had considerable effects on both species composition and richness: species numbers were lower at sites with higher nitrogen concentration. This indicates a threat to diversity of these dry grasslands under currently high atmospheric nitrogen deposition coupled with the absence of management at most of the studied sites.
Markets are central to modern society, so their failures can have devastating effects. Here, we examine a prominent failure: price bubbles. We propose that bubbles are affected by ethnic homogeneity in the market and can be thwarted by diversity. Using experimental markets in Southeast Asia and North America, we find a marked difference: Market prices fit true values 58% better in diverse markets. In homogenous markets, overpricing is higher and traders’ errors are more correlated than in diverse markets. The findings suggest that price bubbles arise not only from individual errors or financial conditions, but also from the social context of decision making. Informing public discussion, our findings suggest that diversity facilitates friction that enhances deliberation and upends conformity.
The cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) has recently colonized Brazil. This process offers an excellent opportunity for the study of colonization and dispersal patterns across extensive areas by non-native birds. The aims of the present investigation were a) to determine the genetic diversity of the cattle egret in Brazil and Africa, b) evaluate genetic differentiation between populations in different regions of Brazil and Africa, and c) detect genetic signs of demographic expansion in these two areas. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) Control Region (CR) sequences were obtained from 112 cattle egrets in four Brazilian and four African (Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria) populations. Genetic diversity (H, h, θ) and population structure (AMOVA, Fst) were assessed and the populations were tested for signs of recent demographic expansion. A total of 35 haplotypes were found: 22 exclusive to Africa, 10 exclusive to Brazil and three shared by both samples. The degree of genetic diversity, determined by mtDNA analysis, was similar between Brazil and Africa, demonstrating that the successful colonization of the non-native area occurred with no significant loss of diversity. The pairwise Fst values among the Brazilian and African populations were all significantly different. The population in southern Brazilian exhibited the lowest degree of differentiation with respect to the African population, followed by the southeastern and northeastern populations of the country. The genetic differentiation data suggest that the colonization of Brazil by the cattle egret began in the southern region and expanded to the southeastern and northeastern regions of the country. This genetic differentiation pattern is in accordance with the higher number of cattle per grazing area in southern Brazil, which may have favored the onset of the successful establishment of the species. The findings indicate that mtDNA genetic diversity was retained during the colonization process and colonization began in the southern region of the country. Moreover, signs of demographic expansion were detected in the African sample.
The community-level impacts of invasive plants are likely to vary depending on the character of native species of the target communities and their ability to thrive within the stands of the dominant alien invader. Therefore, I examined the response of native species richness to the cover of the dominant alien Lupinus polyphyllus in two distinct invaded ranges: Czech Republic (Central Europe) and New Zealand. I compared the relation between native species richness and the cover of the dominant alien L. polyphyllus with that in its native range, Pacific Northwest, USA. In the native range, I found no response of native species richness to the cover of L. polyphyllus. In the Czech Republic (central Europe), the richness of native species related to it negativelly, but the relation was only marginally significant. Contrary to that, the richness of species native to New Zealand related to the cover of L. polyphyllus strongly negatively and the negative relation was significantly stronger than that of species native to Europe. Of the two invaded ranges, species native to New Zealand have been documented to be much more vulnerable to the conditions associated with the invasion and dominance of L. polyphyllus, compared to species native to central Europe. This principle has been shown both across these two invaded ranges and in New Zealand, where the aliens of european origin successfully coexist with the dominant invasive alien L. polyphyllus. Similarly, species in the native range of L. polyphyllus showed no relation to its cover, indicating their ability to thrive even in dense stands of this dominant species.
The complex topography of floodplains provides conditions for high diversity and density of transitional areas between different grassland plant communities. Nevertheless, transitions have been almost completely neglected in previous studies of diversity patterns in semi-natural floodplain grasslands. We analyzed α-, β- and γ-components of plant species diversity in transitional areas between neighbouring wet and dry grassland communities in two landscapes of the Gauja River floodplain (Latvia) differing in landscape heterogeneity created by land use history and current management type (grazing versus mowing). In total 9 transition areas and their adjacent vegetation were sampled in 1 m wide and 8 to 28 m long belt transects gridded into 0.5 m × 1 m plots. Cluster analysis was used to analyze varia-tion in species composition of transitional areas and adjacent vegetation. Indicator species analysis was used to determine species specific to transitional areas (ecotonal species). Transitional areas of the homogeneous site had a more distinct species composition (clear division in clusters by cluster analysis) and significantly lower β-diversity than those of the heterogeneous site. α-Diversity was significantly higher in transitions than in wet grasslands and lower than in dry grasslands in both sites. Comparing the two sites, α-diversity was significantly higher in wet grasslands of the heterogeneous site, but no differences were found between transitions and dry grasslands in the two sites. Higher β-diversity of transitional areas in the heterogeneous site could be attributed to a higher density of different habitats per unit area in combination with grazing. No species were restricted to transitions, and no differences were apparent in the number of generalist species (indifferent species sensu Ellenberg indicator values for edaphic factors) between transitions and adjacent grasslands. Nevertheless, the total number of generalist species was considerably higher in the investigated flood-plain grasslands than usually reported for respective vegetation types in Latvia. It was concluded that transitions of neighboring floodplain grassland plant communities were more important in shaping β-diversity compared to α- and γ-diversity. Our results suggest that destroying transitional areas between dry and wet grasslands by leveling the ground or by abandonment of the management practices will decrease habitat heterogeneity and lead to less pronounced ecotonal pro-cesses in the whole riverine landscape. Thus further studies about the role of fine-scale transitional areas for biodiversity of floodplains are important for ecological restoration of floodplain grasslands.
This paper summarizes current knowledge about West African pholcids. West Africa is here defined as the area south of 17°N and west of 5°E, including mainly the Upper Guinean subregion of the Guineo-Congolian center of endemism. This includes all of Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo and Benin. An annotated list of the 14 genera and 38 species recorded from this area is given, together with distribution maps and an identification key to genera. Five species are newly described: Anansus atewa sp. nov., Artema bunkpurugu sp. nov., Leptopholcus kintampo sp. nov., Spermophora akwamu sp. nov., and S. ziama sp. nov. The female of Quamtana kitahurira is newly described. Additional new records are given for 16 previously described species, including 33 new country records. Distribution patterns of West African pholcids are discussed, as well as possible explanations for relatively low West African pholcid species diversity as compared to Central and East Africa.
Epigeic spiders were sampled using pitfall traps during one year in an anthropogenic open site within the city of Karlsruhe (Alter Flugplatz Karlsruhe). The area, historically used as a military parade ground and airport, is protected as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) within the Natura 2000 network of the EU and since 2010 as a German nature reserve. We were interested in the diversity, assemblage structure and distribution of spider species within the area and investigated three different plant formations: sparse grass-dominated vegetation with frequent open sand patches (sandy turf ), closed grassland dominated by the mat-grass (Nardus stricta) and ruderal vegetation with blackberry bushes. 123 species were identified from these captures, including many specialists of xerothermic habitats and rare and endangered species like Alopecosa striatipes, Agroeca lusatica, Haplodrassus dalmatensis, Styloctetor romanus, Typhochrestus simoni and Xysticus striatipes as well as extremely rare species of unclassified red list status like Mysmenella jobi, Theonoe minutissima and Zora parallela. The three investigated habitat types were quite similar concerning α-diversity, while measures of β-diversity indicated a strong species turnover. By performing an ecological habitat analysis (using autecological data on spiders) essential differences between the three habitat types could not be discovered, especially not between mat-grass and sandy turf. However, analysing the guild structures showed that different ways of using habitat resources dominated in the different habitat types. For Nardus-grassland several species could be identified as indicator species. While many xero- and photophiles live in the open grassland, the stenotopic psammophiles of inland dunes in the region were not found. The ruderal area houses a mix of grassland- and forest species.
Cryptogams form a large part of dry grassland plant species richness. As a frequently used tool in grassland restoration, hay transfer is known to transfer cryptogam species. This might result in cryptogam stands differing from those achieved by natural succession. To assess hay transfer as a medium for cryptogam restoration, I analysed species composition of cryptogams in the hay of dry grasslands in Southern Germany, how fast they establish, and how fast they colonize adjacent plots. Cryptogam samples from hay showed species combinations similar to those of the mown sites and large shoot numbers to be present in the hay. Even low-growing and rare species were found in the hay. Hay receptor sites showed larger pleurocarpous moss and fruticose lichen patches than comparable sites without hay transfer, indicating earlier arrival of viable diaspores at the receptor sites. For acrocarpous mosses that colonize new sites by spores, no differences in turf size between succession and restoration plots were found. This shows that species transferred by hay have a distinct advantage over species that have to arrive at newly opened sites by natural means, i.e. many years later. The colonization from small restoration sites into adjacent areas without hay transfer proceeds with moderate speeds of about 1 to 2 m per year, probably with wind drift as the most important dispersal agent. Abundant cryptogam species including most pleurocarpous mosses and some Cladonia species rarely producing spores will be greatly enhanced by hay transfer. Nevertheless, the facilitation of pleurocarpous mosses may be detrimental to acrocarpous moss and epigaeic and saxicolous lichen species diversity, which should be considered in dry grassland restoration. I suggest a combination of different restoration measures in a mosaic pattern to create suitable conditions for a maximum of cryptogam species.
The protected Mediterranean woodland habitats in Israel are undergoing tree encroachment, resulting in loss of open patches with herbaceous vegetation. We suggested that this process results in a ground spider community dominated by shade-loving species. At three Mediterranean woodland sites located along a rainfall gradient, we examined the effects on the ground-spider community of experimental removal of the woody vegetation in 1000 m2 plots by cutting and overall plant biomass reduction by grazing and browsing by livestock. Pitfall traps were placed in replicated plots of four treatments (control, cutting, grazing/browsing, and cutting together with grazing/browsing) and in two different habitat patch types (open, woody). ANOVA and multivariate analyses were performed on family abundance by treatment and habitat patch type. Tree-cutting reduced the number of families in plots at two of the three sites. Grazing did not have a significant effect on the number of families or on the ground spider community composition. The spider community of cut-woody patches was more similar to that of open patches than to that of uncut woody patches. Most spider families separated along an axis of open versus woody patches, with woody habitat families predominating at all sites. Families typical of open habitats were positively associated with cut-woody patches as well. The overall effect on ground spider diversity of such manipulations may depend on the scale of habitat changes.
Spiders were studied around the Pechenganikel smelter combine, Kola Peninsula, north-western Russia. The average spider density was 6-fold greater and the density of Linyphiidae specimens 11.5-fold higher at slightly polluted sites, compared with heavily polluted sites. Altogether, 18 species from 10 families were found at heavily polluted sites, the theridiid Robertus scoticus clearly dominating (23.3 % of identifiable specimens), also Neon reticulatus (9.6 %), Thanatus formicinus (9.6 %) and Xysticus audax (8.2 %) were abundant. The most numerous among 58 species found at slightly polluted sites were Tapinocyba pallens (18.5 %), Robertus scoticus (13.7 %), Maso sundevalli (9.5 %) and Alopecosa aculeata (8.2 %). The family Linyphiidae dominated at slightly polluted sites, 64 % of species and 60 % of individuals; compared with heavily polluted sites, 23 % and 38 % respectively.
Der Offenlandcharakter und der FFH-Status vieler bisher extensiv beweideter Niedermoore Oberbayerns sind aktuell durch ein abnehmendes Nutzungsinteresse seitens der Landwirtschaft gefährdet. Bei abnehmendem Beweidungsdruck breiten sich Waldinseln in die bisher vom Weidevieh offen gehaltenen Moorflächen (Caricion davallianae, Caricion lasiocarpae) aus. Da der Zeitbedarf der progressiven Sukzession und Waldentwicklung das Zeitbudget des normalen Vegetationskundlers bei weitem übersteigt, wurden die wichtigsten Sukzessionspfade durch das Verfahren der "time-by-site-substitution" rekonstruiert. Hierzu wurden Offenland-Wald-Ökotone in noch bestehenden extensiv beweideten, großflächigen Allmendweiden (> 50 ha) auf Anmoor-, Kalkflachmoor- und Zwischenmoorstandorten untersucht. Die Sukzessionen streben über Waldpionierstadien Schwarzerlen-Fichten-Auwäldern, Fichten- Schwarzerlen-Bruchwäldern bzw. Fichten-Moorwäldern entgegen, wobei der Fichte (Picea abies) in den (bisher erreichten) Endstadien der Vegetationsentwicklung gegenüber der in den intermediären Sukzessionsstadien vorherrschenden Schwarzerlen (Alnus glutinosa) und Moorkiefern (Pinus x rotundata) in den voralpinen Standorten eine hohe Bedeutung zukommt. Die Ansiedlung nässeempfindlicher Pflanzenarten, darunter auch der Fichte, wird durch die Bultbildung der Schwarzerle bzw. der Torfmoose (auf den Zwischenmoorstandorten) begünstigt, womit die biogene Bultbildung zu einem entscheidenden sukzessionsbestimmenden Faktor avanciert. Die Beweidung wirkt auf Anmoor- und Kalkflachmoorstandorten sukzessionsbeschleunigend durch die Schaffung von Keimungsnischen für die Schwarzerle, während sie auf Zwischenmoorstandorten die Bultbildung der Torfmoose und damit die Ansiedlung von Moorkiefer und Fichte als späte Sukzessionsarten unterdrückt. Die Artenzahlen (a-Diversität) sind in den späten Sukzessionsstadien der verschiedenen Moorwaldgesellschaften aufgrund der bultbedingten Vielfalt an Kleinstandorten signifikant höher als in den frühen (Grasland betonten) Sukzessionsstadien. Trotzdem sollte naturschutzfachlich ein Nebeneinander von frühen und späten Stadien angestrebt werden, weil es sich bei den lichtbedürftigen Offenlandarten und den schattenverträglichen Waldarten um komplementäre Artengruppen handelt, womit auf kleiner Fläche außergewöhnlich hohe Gesamtartenzahlen (y-Diversität) erreicht werden können.
In left critiques of globalization, it is often argued that liberal-egalitarian principles are inadequate for thinking about and struggling for global justice; that they are, in fact, part of the problem. For the case of identity politics as a left alternative, the paper points at two fallacies in this notion, regarding two ‘liberal’ elements: individualism and universalism. The paper examines groupidentity claims in far right conceptions of global injustice, and shows that cultural diversity of groups does not necessitate or even favour equality and democratic participation. It then examines the left group-based claims in the global justice discourse, showing that the aspirations for equality and freedom assume the liberal notions that have been often rejected as inadequate. The paper concludes that this ambivalent position undermines the democratic and egalitarian aspirations of left critiques of the global order. The analysis is based on manifestos and publications of political parties and movements in Western Europe (France, Germany and Austria).
The development of benthic foraminiferal assemblages during the past 6,000 yrs was investigated in Holocene sediment cores from three carbonate platforms (Turneffe Islands, Lighthouse Reef, and Glovers Reef) of Belize, Central America. Foraminiferal assemblages and their diversity were determined in different time periods to identify their dependence on environmental factors, such as lagoonal age, lagoonal depth, water circulation, substrate, bottom-water temperature, and salinity. Geochemical proxies (δ18O and δ13C), obtained from the common larger foraminifer Archaias angulatus were used to estimate Holocene seasonal BW-temperatures and climate variabilities. A total of 51 samples were taken from 12 vibracores for taxonomic determination and 10 to 15 subsamples of 32 tests of Archaias angulatus were used for stable oxygen and carbon isotope analyses. Based on cluster analyses, seven benthic foraminiferal assemblages are distinguished during the Holocene. The three platforms exhibit characteristic differences in benthic foraminiferal fauna and diversity, which are controlled by their respective environments during the last 6,000 yrs. Turneffe Islands has four benthic foraminiferal assemblages, which are typical for restricted lagoons with fluctuating salinity. Lighthouse Reef is inhabited by two benthic foraminifera associations, which are characteristic of high water exchange with the surrounding ocean and clear waters. Glovers Reef is characterized by two benthic foraminiferal assemblages, which occur in deeper lagoons with slow water circulation. In general, during the Holocene, the highest mean diversity, evenness, and richness of benthic foraminifera were found in the Turneffe Islands and the lowest occurred at Glovers Reef. The foraminiferal faunas of the Lighthouse and Glovers Reefs had been in a “Diversification Stage” since 6,000 yrs, whereas the foraminiferal fauna of the Turneffe Islands reflects the development from a “Colonisation” (~4,000 yrs BP) to a “Diversification Stage” (~2,000 yrs to present time). Lagoonal depth, water circulation, substrate, and BW-temperature have higher influence on foraminiferal diversity as compared to lagoonal size and age. The negative correlation between diversity and lagoonal depth is based on differences in light intensity and substrate. In contrast to Lighthouse Reef, the Turneffe Islands and Glovers Reef show decreasing diversity of benthic foraminifera with increasing lagoon depth, due to finer sediment, turbid waters and/or dense mangrove growth, which reduce the light intensity and the number of species. Water Circulation also affected the benthic foraminifera modes of living and their diversity during the last 6,000 yrs. Increasing abundances of infaunal taxa refer to restricted circulation and/or lower oxygen conditions, as assumed for the Turneffe Islands and Glovers Reef. Increasing abundances of epifaunal foraminifera, as observed in the Lighthouse Reef indicate better circulation and/or higher oxygen conditions. Holocene BW-temperature reconstructions based on δ18O of single Archaias angulatus tests do not correspond to typical Holocene climate models of the Caribbean. In the Belize area, mean BW-temperature trends indicate local climate variations. A decrease of δ13C values during the last 1,000 yrs could be related to the “Suess Effect”. The seasonal BW-temperature variations within single large benthic foraminifera tests correspond to present-day temperature fluctuations in the lagoons, and indicate higher temperatures in Summer and Autumn and lower temperatures in Winter and Spring.
The taxonomy, diversity, and distribution of the aquatic insect order Trichoptera, caddisflies, are reviewed. The order is among the most important and diverse of all aquatic taxa. Larvae are vital participants in aquatic food webs and their presence and relative abundance are used in the biological assessment and monitoring of water quality. The species described by Linnaeus are listed. The morphology of all life history stages (adults, larvae, and pupae) is diagnosed and major features of the anatomy are illustrated. Major components of life history and biology are summarized. A discussion of phylogenetic studies within the order is presented, including higher classification of the suborders and superfamilies, based on recent literature. Synopses of each of 45 families are presented, including the taxonomic history of the family, a list of all known genera in each family, their general distribution and relative species diversity, and a short overview of family-level biological features. The order contains 600 genera, and approximately 13,000 species.
Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit war, zu klären, ob es bei Altarmen aus naturschutzfachlicher Sicht sinnvoller ist, der natürlichen Sukzession durch Entlandung entgegen zu wirken und die aquatischen Lebensräume zu erhalten oder ob gerade das Nebeneinander unterschiedlicher Verlandungsgrade als besonders wertvoll anzusehen ist. Um einen Beitrag zur Beantwortung dieser Fragen zu leisten, wurden 16 Altarmkomplexe entlang der Amper in Oberbayern ausgewählt und nach fünf verschiedenen Verlandungsgraden (Altarmtypen: „Tiefwasser“, „Flachwasser“, „Röhricht“, „Röhricht mit Gehölz“ und „Wald“) und dem Einfluss des Fließgewässer (angeschlossene Altarme, Hochwasser- beeinflusste und Totarme) in 48 Altarmabschnitte eingeteilt. Außerdem wurden die aquatischen Altarmabschnitte in kürzlich entlandete und nicht entlandete Altwasser unterschieden. Bei den Vegetationsaufnahmen im Jahre 2004 wurden pro Altarmabschnitt neben einer Gesamtartenliste drei bis zwölf Stichproben in Form 1 x 1 m großer Quadrate erfasst. Für die Bewertung wurden Artenzahlen, Anteile von Arten unterschiedlicher pflanzensoziologischer Einheiten sowie Anzahl und Anteil von Rote-Liste-Arten ermittelt. Insgesamt wurden 197 Arten gefunden, von denen 42 auf der Roten Liste Bayerns stehen. Die Gesamtartenzahl der Altarmabschnitte und die mittlere Artenzahl der Aufnahmequadrate steigen von den aquatischen Stadien über „Röhricht“ und „Röhricht mit Gehölz“ zum „Wald“ an. Die meisten Rote-Liste-Arten wurden dagegen in den aquatischen Pionierstadien gefunden. Der aus naturschutzfachlicher Sicht allgemein positiv bewertete Einfluss des Fließgewässers auf die Vegetation von Altwässern konnte bestätigt werden. Sowohl Artenzahl als auch Anzahl und Anteil der Rote-Liste-Arten steigen mit dem Einfluss des Fließgewässers von Totarmen über nur durch Hochwasser beeinflusste bis hin zu angeschlossenen Altarmen an. Auch der Anteil der Potamogetonetea-Arten steigt von Totarmen zu angeschlossenen Altwässern, während der Anteil von Phragmiti-Magnocaricetea-Arten sinkt. In entschlammten Altwässern sind die Artenzahlen tendenziell höher als in nicht entschlammten, dabei ist der Unterschied jedoch nicht signifikant. Der Anteil der Potamogetonetea-Arten ist in entlandeten Altwässern jedoch signifikant höher als in nicht entlandeten. In der Naturschutzpraxis sollte angestrebt werden, möglichst alle Verlandungs- und Altersstadien in einem zusammenhängenden Gebiet zu erhalten. Nach Möglichkeit sollten Altwasser an die Fließgewässer angeschlossen werden oder zumindest regelmäßigen Hochwasserereignissen ausgesetzt sein. In einem Altarmkomplex sollten Entschlammungen - soweit notwendig - zyklisch durchgeführt werden. Gegen die Entlandungsmaßnahmen spricht nichts, solange dabei bestmöglich Rücksicht auf die Fauna und die Vegetation angrenzender Flächen genommen wird.
Im Solling (Süd-Niedersachsen, Deutschland) wurden in einer Blockdesign-Studie 18 alte (> 90 Jahre) und mittelalte (58 - 89 Jahre) Fichten-, Misch- (Fichte/Buche) und Buchenbestände untersucht, die in sechs Blöcken angeordnet waren; jeder Block bestand aus einem Fichten-, einem Misch- und einem Buchenbestand. Es sollte überprüft werden, welchen Einfluss der Bestandestyp auf die Diversität und die Struktur von Populationen der epigäischen Bodenmakrofauna hat. In jeder Altersstufe wurde die Fauna über ein Jahr mit Streu- und Bodenproben, Bodenphotoeklektoren und Bodenfallen erfasst; die in diesem Beitrag dargelegten Ergebnisse zu den Weberknechten beziehen sich überwiegend auf Bodenfallenfänge. In beiden Altersstufen waren die Individuendichten der Arten und die Artendichte sowie der Deckungsgrad und die Diversität der Krautschicht in den lichteren Fichten- oder Fichten- und Mischbeständen signifikant am höchsten (nach einer nichtparametrischen zweifaktoriellen Varianzanalyse). Wichtige extrinsische Faktoren, die Diversität und Struktur der Weberknechtgemeinschaften beeinflussen, sind die Habitatdiversität, die Stratifikation der Vegetation und der für Populationen verfügbare Aktivitätsraum. In der vorliegenden Studie wird außerdem über die Phänologie der Weberknechtarten informiert. Im Solling wurden bisher 16 Weberknechtarten nachgewiesen.
Im Koelerion glaucae-Vegetationskomplex der nördlichen Oberrheinebene konnten auf Arenosol-Standorten biologische Krusten identifiziert werden. Die basenreichen offenen Sande werden in den obersten Millimetern der Bodenschicht größerflächig mit Deckungen von 80 bis fast 90 % von diesen Krusten überzogen, wenn keine mechanischen Bodenstörungen auftreten. Es wurden bei der Analyse von 18 Krusten-Kleinflächen (je 5 x 5 cm) insgesamt 10 Taxa der Cyanobacteria, 9 Taxa der Chlorophyta/Chrysophyta, 3 Flechten- und 4 Moostaxa gefunden (mittlere Zahl der Taxa/Kleinfläche: 19,2), wobei vor allem Nostoc, Microcoleus, Oscillatoria, Zygogomum und Protonemata in den Proben dominant auftraten. Funktionelle Leistungen dieser Krusten hegen u. a. in der Festigung von Substrat und der Fixierung von Luftstickstoff (letzteres durch die im Gebiet dominant auftretenden Cyanobakterien). Da einige Gebiete seit 1999 mit Schafen beweidet werden, stellt sich die Frage, ob mechanische Störungen der Bodenoberfläche durch Tritt die Krusten zerstören und wenn, ob sie innerhalb eines Jahres regenerieren können. Um dies zu prüfen, wurde ein Experiment angelegt. Es war möglich, nach Anlage von systematisch verteilten 2 x 65 Flächen (je 20 x 20 cm) nicht nur den Faktor „künstliche“ mechanische Störung, sondern auch Störung durch Trittsiegel von Schaf und Esel zu untersuchen. Alle 65 Flächen wurden mit einer Grundaufnahme (Prozentskala) im August 2002 im Hinblick auf die makroskopisch sichtbaren Organismen und die Krustendeckung aufgenommen. Im Juli 2003 erfolgte dann die erneute Aufnahme nach im Herbst 2002 durchgeführter „künstlicher“ mechanischer Störung von 40 Flächen und Trittsiegel-Störung von 25 Flächen (13 Schaf, 12 Esel). Die Krusten regenerierten weder im Jahre 2003 noch bis Juli 2004. - Durch dieses Ergebnis entsteht eine ambivalente Situation: Auf der einen Seite ist ein Schutz der Krustendiversität vor den mechanischen Effekten der Weidetiere zumindest auf einigen Flächen notwendig. Auf der anderen Seite entstehen durch ein standortgemäßes Weidemanagement aus konsolidierten und oft ruderalisierten Rasen wiederum Koelerion glaucae-Fluren. Eine sehr extensive kurzzeitige Hütehaltung auf Teilen der Koelerion glaucae-Flächen wird empfohlen.
Im Jahr 1993 wurde auf ehemaligen Ackerflächen in der Umgebung des Naturschutzgebiets „Garchinger Heide“ mit der Neuanlage von Kalkmagerrasen begonnen. In den Jahren 2001 bis 2004 wurde der Einfluss verschiedener Renaturierungsmaßnahmen (Bodenabtrag, Mähgutübertragung) auf die Vegetation untersucht und ein Vergleich mit Referenzflächen im Naturschutzgebiet durchgeführt. Trotz hoher P- und K-Gehalte der Böden ist der Phytomasseertrag auf Renaturierungsflächen ohne Bodenabtrag so niedrig, dass die Flächen als Magerrasen bezeichnet werden können. Sowohl die Gesamtartenzahl der Phanerogamen als auch die Anzahl der Magerrasenarten (überwiegend Festuco-Brometea-Arten) als Zielarten der Renaturierung sind auf Flächen mit Mähgut noch deutlich höher als auf Flächen ohne Mähgut, auf denen Molinio-Arrhenatheretea-Arten und Ruderalarten dominieren. Die γ-Diversität der Phanerogamen ist in den nie umgebrochenen Magerrasen der Garchinger Heide zwar niedriger, die Anzahl der Magerrasenarten aber höher als auf den Renaturierungsflächen ohne Bodenabtrag. Hinsichtlich der α-Diversität der Phanerogamen, die auf 0,01 m2 bis 100 m2 großen Aufnahmeflächen untersucht wurde, zeigen sich kaum signifikante Unterschiede zwischen ursprünglichen und neu angelegten Magerrasen. Die Anzahl der Magerrasenarten ist jedoch auf den meisten der untersuchten Maßstabsebenen auf den Renaturierungsflächen niedriger als im Naturschutzgebiet. Bei den Kryptogamen ist bei gleicher γ-Diversität sowohl die α-Diversität als auch die Anzahl der Magerrasenarten in den ursprünglichen Magerrasen höher als in den neu angelegten.
Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Ermittlung von Artenzahlen ohne Angaben zur Artenzusammensetzung oder zur Anwesenheit von Zielarten nicht ausreicht, um den Erfolg von Naturschutz- und Renaturierungsmaßnahmen zu beurteilen. Die Magerrasenarten als Zielarten der Renaturierung sind dagegen gut als Indikatorartengruppe im Rahmen von Erfolgskontrollen geeignet.
Much has been written on the success of the Indian software industry, enumerating systemic factors like first-class higher education and research institutions, both public and private; low labour costs, stimulating (state) policies etc. However, although most studies analyzing the 'Indian' software industry cover essentially the South (and West) Indian clusters, this issue has not been tackled explicitly. This paper supplements the economic geography explanations mentioned above with the additional factor social capital, which is not only important within the region, but also in transnational (ethnic) networks linking Indian software clusters with the Silicon Valley. In other words, spatial proximity is complemented with cultural proximity, thereby, extending the system of innovation. The main hypothesis is that some Indian regions are more apt to economic development and innovation due to their higher affinity to education and learning, as well as, their more general openness, which has been a main finding of my interviews. In addition, the transnational networks of Silicon Valley Indians seem to be dominated by South Indians, thus, corroborating the regional clustering of the Indian software industry. JEL Classifications: O30, R12, Z13, L86
Im Rahmen eines Expertenworkshops an der Bundesforschungsanstalt für Forst- und Holzwirtschaft (Hamburg) wurde die Frage erörtert, welche Gefäßpflanzen im norddeutschen Tiefland als typische Waldarten gelten können. Hintergrund dieser Fragestellung ist der Schutz und die nachhaltige Nutzung von Waldökosystemen im Sinne des Übereinkommens der Vereinten Nationen über die biologische Vielfalt.Als Ergebnis wurde eine Liste der im norddeutschen Tiefland typischen, Waldgefäßpflanzenarten vorgelegt. Sie kann als Bewertungshilfe im Zusammenhang mit der Quantifizierung der Pflanzenartenvielfalt in Wäldern dienen und enthält 634 Taxa, die sechs verschiedenen Gruppen zugeordnet werden. Der Gültigkeitsbereich der Liste wird naturräumlich und über eine Walddefinition eingegrenzt. Anwendungsbeispiele werden gegeben. Eine Ausweitung des Ansatzes auf den deutschen Mittelgebirgsraum sowie auf das Alpenvorland und die Alpen ist vorgesehen.
Die Sphagnum-Vorkommen im nordwestlichen Teutoburger Wald werden nach Angaben einer krenologischen Kartierung sowie nach eigenen Untersuchungen dokumentiert und mit historischen Vorkommen um 1900 sowie aktuellen Vorkommen für den gesamten Teutoburger Wald verglichen. Die Sphagnum-Diversität ist im nordwestlichen Teutoburger Wald mit 10 Arten überraschend hoch. Von den im Teutoburger Wald nachgewiesenen 10 Sphagnum-Arten finden sich bis auf zwei Torfmoose (Sph. flexuosum, Sph. quinquefarium) alle Arten auch im nordwestlichen Ausläufer des Höhenzuges. Zwei Arten (Sph. inundatum, Sph. subnitens) sind jedoch nur für den nordwestlichen Teutoburger Wald belegt. Der historische Vergleich spricht für eine bemerkenswerte Konstanz der Sphagnum-Vorkommen über die letzten 100 Jahre. Ein Verschwinden von Torfmoosen scheint zumindest im nordwestlichen Teutoburger Wald weniger dramatisch als angenommen.
Einleitung
(1996)
Biologische Vielfalt ist ein unersetzbarer Reichtum der Erde. Ihrer zunehmenden Beeinträchtigung Einhalt zu gebieten, galt die internationale Umweltkonferenz 1992 in Rio de Janeiro. Das dort verabschiedete Übereinkommen über die biologische Vielfalt, das inzwischen von über 170 Staaten unterzeichnet worden ist, soll dazu beitragen, dem Schutz der biologischen Vielfalt die ihm gebührende Bedeutung nicht nur beizumessen, sondern ihn auch in verstärktem Maße durchzusetzen. Deutschland hat maßgeblich zu dieser Biodiversitätskonvention beigetragen und sie am 21.12.1993 ratifiziert. Auf die Bedeutung und die Schwerpunkte der Konvention sei hier nur im Hinblick auf die Entwicklung der internationalen Vogelschutzgebiete im europäischen Biotopverbund besonderer Schutzgebiete "Natura 2000" eingegangen.