We report Glyptotermes ceylonicus (Holmgren, 1911), an endemic Sri Lankan termite, for the first time from India. Glyptotermes show a high degree of endemism throughout the world. Record of this ...species from the current location indicates a wide distribution of this species in southern India, in the past, before the complete separation of Sri Lanka from India. The current distribution of Glyptotermes ceylonicus is also an example of discontinuous distribution. Pictorial illustrations of the morphologically important parts and revised key for the Indian species are provided.
The present study provides the morphotaxonomic-based identification of the world species of the subgenus Oligonychus (Oligonychus) Berlese. In this lieu, five diagnostic keys were erected to identify ...Oligonychus (O.) species belonging to five subgroups; smithi, peruvianus, subnudus, aceris, and coffeae. In addition, taxonomic notes on some Oligonychus (O.) species, either briefly described or closely related, were provided, and intraspecific variations were highlighted.
Springs ecosystem classification Stevens, Lawrence E.; Schenk, Edward R.; Springer, Abraham E.
Ecological applications,
January 2021, Letnik:
31, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Springs ecosystems are globally abundant, geomorphologically diverse, and bioculturally productive, but are highly imperiled by anthropogenic activities. More than a century of scientific discussion ...about the wide array of ecohydrological factors influencing springs has been informative, but has yielded little agreement on their classification. This lack of agreement has contributed to the global neglect and degradation of springs ecosystems by the public, scientific, and management communities. Here we review the historical literature on springs classification variables, concluding that site-specific source geomorphology remains the most diagnostic approach. We present a conceptual springs ecosystem model that clarifies the central role of geomorphology in springs ecosystem development, function, and typology. We present an illustrated dichotomous key to terrestrial (non-marine) springs ecosystem types and subtypes, and describe those types. We identify representative reference sites, although data limitations presently preclude selection of continentally or globally representative reference springs of each type. We tested the classification key using data from 244 randomly selected springs of 13 types that were inventoried in western North America. The dichotomous key correctly identified springs type in 87.5% of the cases, with discrepancies primarily due to differentiation of primary vs. secondary typology, and insufficient inventory team training. Using that information, we identified sources of confusion and clarified the key. Among the types that required more detailed explanation were hypocrenes, springs in which groundwater is expressed through phreatophytic vegetation. Overall, springs biodiversity and ecosystem complexity are due, in part, to the co-occurrence of multiple intra-springs microhabitats. We describe microhabitats that are commonly associated with different springs types, reporting at least 13 microhabitats, each of which can support discrete biotic assemblages. Interdisciplinary agreement on basic classification is needed to enhance scientific understanding and stewardship of springs ecosystems, the loss and degradation of which constitute a global conservation crisis.
Worldwide, thousands of orchid species are harvested from the wild. Widespread legal and illegal unsustainable trade has contributed to the decline of many species. However, there is also evidence of ...long-term, sustainable wild harvest of some orchid species that contribute to local livelihoods and cultural traditions. There is a clear need to help guide harvesters and resource managers towards sustainability. However, there is currently no appropriate framework to guide local harvest decisions, which is especially problematic given huge data limitations, variations in on-the-ground capacity to monitor and manage resources, and considering that the potential for sustainable harvest is context-specific. We reviewed the literature on orchid harvest, ecology and demography; assessed information on the life history of 27 harvested species; and drew on our experience with diverse orchid taxa to identify characteristics expected to influence harvest sustainability. We identified 23 characteristics within four themes: abundance and distribution; species traits related to growth and reproduction; local management practices; and demand. We selected 12 characteristics for which information was available for many species and observable in the field, and used an iterative process to develop a decision-making dichotomous key. The key identifies if and how the harvest of a given population at a given time can be conducted more sustainably, offering sets of considerations that harvesters and managers can use and adapt to local contexts. Critical research gaps include techniques for partial plant harvest and for augmentation; and investigation into the traits and protocols that have permitted long-term persistence and that can increase current sustainability.
•Wild orchids are harvested globally, often unsustainably with little management.•Yet, some harvested species have persisted long-term, suggesting sustainability.•We identify observable characteristics that help determine sustainability outcomes.•We present a decision-making key to help guide more sustainable orchid harvest.
Introduction: The family Benthopectinidae is composed of deep-sea sea stars distributed in eight genera and approximately 70 valid species. So far, only five species of this family have been reported ...for the Mexican waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Objective: To provide an updated local taxonomy of this family. Methods: A total of 566 specimens deposited in the Echinoderm National Collection, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, and the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, collected from 1952 to 2015, were taxonomically examined. Results: We present descriptions, photographs, and an illustrated dichotomous key for Benthopecten simplex simplex, Cheiraster (Barbadosaster) echinulatus, Cheiraster (Cheiraster) planus, Cheiraster (Christopheraster) blakei, and Cheiraster (Christopheraster) mirabilis in the region. Conclusions: The five studied species represent 6 % of the world biodiversity of the family and can now be identified with the illustrated key.
This paper is the first of two scheduled publications for this project. It contains a dichotomous key to the identification of the ungual phalanges of European owls and falcons; the second part will ...contain accipitrids. The manual(s) will facilitate the work of zooarchaeologists and palaeontologists, especially since comparative specimens in osteological collections are often difficult to access and/or incomplete. This, in turn, will indirectly contribute to a more in‐depth interpretation of zooarcheological materials, because bird talons were used to produce symbolic objects and decorations in different archeological periods and in various geographical areas.
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