scholarly journals Description of first nursery area for a pygmy devil ray species (Mobula munkiana) in the Gulf of California, Mexico

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta D. Palacios ◽  
Edgar M. Hoyos-Padilla ◽  
Abel Trejo-Ramírez ◽  
Donald A. Croll ◽  
Felipe Galván-Magaña ◽  
...  

AbstractMunk’s pygmy devil rays (Mobula munkiana) are medium-size, zooplanktivorous filter feeding, elasmobranchs characterized by aggregative behavior, low fecundity and delayed reproduction. These traits make them susceptible to targeted and by-catch fisheries and are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Multiple studies have examined fisheries impacts, but nursery areas or foraging neonate and juvenile concentrations have not been examined. This study describes the first nursery area for M. munkiana at Espiritu Santo Archipelago, Mexico. We examined spatial use of a shallow bay during 22 consecutive months in relation to environmental patterns using traditional tagging (n = 95) and acoustic telemetry (n = 7). Neonates and juveniles comprised 84% of tagged individuals and their residency index was significantly greater inside than outside the bay; spending a maximum of 145 consecutive days within the bay. Observations of near-term pregnant females, mating behavior, and neonates indicate an April to June pupping period. Anecdotal photograph review indicated that the nursery area is used by neonates and juveniles across years. These findings confirm, for the first time, the existence of nursery areas for Munk’s pygmy devil rays and the potential importance of shallow bays during early life stages for the conservation of this species.

Author(s):  
Matteo Marchioro ◽  
Massimo Faccoli

AbstractThe Walnut Twig Beetle (WTB), Pityophthorus juglandis Blackman, is a small bark beetle native to Mexico and Southwestern USA recorded for the first time in Europe (NE Italy) in 2013. WTB attacks walnut (Juglans spp.) and wingnut trees (Pterocarya spp.) and is the vector of Geosmithia morbida Kolarík et al., a pathogen causing the thousand cankers disease (TCD). WTB and TCD represent a serious threat for walnut orchards in Europe. Spatiotemporal data of the WTB-TCD infestations recorded from an 8-year-long (2013–2020) monitoring conducted in 106 walnut orchards of NE Italy were used to develop a model in order to analyze: (i) the effective dispersal capacity of WTB, (ii) the factors affecting dispersal and (iii) the colonization risk of healthy walnut orchards. We registered a mean annual dispersal of 9.4 km, with peaks of about 40 km. Pest dispersal is affected by distance of suitable hosts from the nearest infested site, number of walnut orchards in the surroundings (both infested and healthy), orchard size and walnut species in the orchard. Using the model, it was also possible to calculate the colonization risk of a specific walnut orchard according to its characteristics showing, for instance, that a medium-size (5,000 trees) black walnut orchard located at 25 km from the nearest infested orchard has an infestation risk of about 50% of probability.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (S359) ◽  
pp. 72-77
Author(s):  
Luigi Spinoglio ◽  
Juan A. Fernández-Ontiveros ◽  
Sabrina Mordini

AbstractThe evolution of galaxies at Cosmic Noon (1 < z < 3) passed through a dust-obscured phase, during which most stars formed and black holes in galactic nuclei started to shine, which cannot be seen in the optical and UV, but it needs rest frame mid-to-far IR spectroscopy to be unveiled. At these frequencies, dust extinction is minimal and a variety of atomic and molecular transitions, tracing most astrophysical domains, occur. The Space Infrared telescope for Cosmology and Astrophysics (SPICA), currently under evaluation for the 5th Medium Size ESA Cosmic Vision Mission, fully redesigned with its 2.5-m mirror cooled down to T < 8K will perform such observations. SPICA will provide for the first time a 3-dimensional spectroscopic view of the hidden side of star formation and black hole accretion in all environments, from voids to cluster cores over 90% of cosmic time. Here we outline what SPICA will do in galaxy evolution studies.


Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4965 (2) ◽  
pp. 375-384
Author(s):  
MICHEL E. HENDRICKX

Four species of squat lobsters were collected off the northwestern coast of the Baja California Peninsula, Mexico, during an exploratory survey of fishing resources. Janethogalathea californiensis, described from California was previously known from off the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula (two localities) and from the Gulf of California (three localities). Of the three species of Munida collected during the survey, M. tenella is recorded off the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula for the first time. These are the fourth record of M. hispida and the second record of M. quadrispina in western Mexico.


Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4959 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-178
Author(s):  
RODRIGO M. BARAHONA-SEGOVIA ◽  
PAMELA RIERA ◽  
LAURA PAÑINAO-MONSÁLVEZ ◽  
VICENTE VALDÉS GUZMÁN ◽  
PATRICIA HENRÍQUEZ-PISKULICH

Syrphidae, more commonly known as flower flies, are considered one of the most important Diptera families worldwide because of their critical role in pollination, biological control and decomposition of organic matter. The study of these flies in Chile has stagnated due to a lack of local experts as well as the absence of an updated catalog of species. This study is an attempt to remedy the latter of these issues by providing an illustrated and updated catalog to the Syrphidae of Chile. Species are presented under currently accepted names, with synonyms and previous combinations listed and original references. Type localities, world and Chilean distribution by geopolitical Chilean regions, taxonomic and biological notes, a complete record of bibliographic references and extinction risk under IUCN Red List criteria are provided. This catalog recognizes 132 species of Syrphidae, belonging to four subfamilies (Eristalinae, Microdontinae, Pipizinae and Syrphinae), 13 tribes and 47 genera. A total of 46 species (34.84 %) is restricted to the geopolitical territory of Chile. Eight species are considered exotic, one is considered incertae sedis and three are based on doubtful records. Seventeen species of 10 different genera (Copestylum Macquart, 1846; Dolichogyna Macquart, 1842; Eosalpingogaster Hull, 1949b; Eupeodes Osten Sacken, 1877; Meromacrus Rondani, 1848; Palpada Macquart, 1834; Paragus Latreille, 1804; Sphiximorpha Rondani, 1850; Sterphus Philippi, 1865 and Toxomerus Macquart, 1855) are reported from Chile for the first time. A total of 44 species (33.33 %) reported from Chile are directly threatened by human activities such as agriculture, forestry, mining and/or urbanization and indirectly by climate change. The gaps found in the geographic distribution of Chilean flower fly species and what it means for its use by disciplines such as ecology, floral biology and agronomy, are discussed. In addition, the use of this illustrated catalog for biological conservation, the potential definition of priority areas and ecosystem management plans based on this group of Diptera are also discussed. 


2020 ◽  
Vol 57 ◽  
pp. 85-100
Author(s):  
Viktoria Tarasova ◽  
Liudmila Konoreva ◽  
Mikhail Zhurbenko ◽  
Tatiana Pystina ◽  
Sergei Chesnokov ◽  
...  

Thirty-one lichen-forming fungi, 12 lichenicolous fungi, and 5 non-lichenized fungi are reported as new for Arkhangelsk Region; 7 species are new for its mainland area. Micarea fallax is reported for the first time for Russia; M. laeta and M. pusilla are new for the European part of Russia. The second finding of Nicropuncta rugulosa for Russia is recorded; microconidia are first observed in this species. The records of ten species which have been included in the new edition of the Red Data Book of the Arkhangelsk Region (2020) are presented. Nephromopsis laureri from the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation (2008) and Leptogium rivulare from the IUCN Red List are reported for the first time for Arkhangelsk Region.


PhytoKeys ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 172 ◽  
pp. 57-66
Author(s):  
Songzhi Xu ◽  
Qiliang Gan ◽  
Lianzhong Fu ◽  
Mingxi Jiang ◽  
Zhenyu Li

Flueggea acicularis (Phyllanthaceae) is endemic to the karst region of central China. Male specimens of this species were first collected in 1908. In 1989, female plants of F. acicularis were found for the first time, but misidentified as a new species. Throughout this period the male plants of F. acicularis were mismatched with female plants of other species, and male plants had not been collected since 1908. Then, in March, 2009, the authors rediscovered a wild population of F. acicularis consisting of both male and female plants in Wuxi county, Chongqing municipality, China. Based on field investigation and examination of specimens, we matched the correct female and male plants of this species for the first time since its initial publication a century ago. A complete and accurate morphological description, distribution, habitat and phenology of this species are also provided. Furthermore, the conservation status of F. acicularis is assessed as “Near Threatened” (NT) according to the IUCN Red List criteria.


Author(s):  
Anh Van Pham

We report 13 species of treefrogs belonging to six genera of the family Rhacophoridae from Lai Chau Province on the basis of new amphibian collection from Sin Ho District. Four of them, Kurixalus bisacculus, Polypedates mutus, Rhacophorus kio, and Theloderma bicolor are recorded for the first time from this province. We also provide additional data of morphological characters and  natural history of the afore mentioned species. Among 13 recorded species of rhacophorids from Lai Chau Province, two species is listed in the IUCN Red List (2018) and two are listed in the Red Data Book of Vietnam (2007).


2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (S307) ◽  
pp. 389-390
Author(s):  
Coralie Neiner ◽  

AbstractUVMag is a medium-size space telescope equipped with a high-resolution spectropolarimetrer working in the UV and visible domains. It will be proposed to ESA for a future M mission. It will allow scientists to study all types of stars as well as e.g. exoplanets and the interstellar medium. It will be particularly useful for massive stars, since their spectral energy distribution peaks in the UV. UVMag will allow us to study massive stars and their circumstellar environment (in particular the stellar wind) spectroscopically in great details. Moreover, with UVMag's polarimetric capabilities we will be able, for the first time, to measure the magnetic field of massive stars simultaneously at the stellar surface and in the wind lines, i.e. to completely map their magnetosphere.


2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 20160556 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric V. Regehr ◽  
Kristin L. Laidre ◽  
H. Resit Akçakaya ◽  
Steven C. Amstrup ◽  
Todd C. Atwood ◽  
...  

Loss of Arctic sea ice owing to climate change is the primary threat to polar bears throughout their range. We evaluated the potential response of polar bears to sea-ice declines by (i) calculating generation length (GL) for the species, which determines the timeframe for conservation assessments; (ii) developing a standardized sea-ice metric representing important habitat; and (iii) using statistical models and computer simulation to project changes in the global population under three approaches relating polar bear abundance to sea ice. Mean GL was 11.5 years. Ice-covered days declined in all subpopulation areas during 1979–2014 (median −1.26 days year −1 ). The estimated probabilities that reductions in the mean global population size of polar bears will be greater than 30%, 50% and 80% over three generations (35–41 years) were 0.71 (range 0.20–0.95), 0.07 (range 0–0.35) and less than 0.01 (range 0–0.02), respectively. According to IUCN Red List reduction thresholds, which provide a common measure of extinction risk across taxa, these results are consistent with listing the species as vulnerable. Our findings support the potential for large declines in polar bear numbers owing to sea-ice loss, and highlight near-term uncertainty in statistical projections as well as the sensitivity of projections to different plausible assumptions.


Phytotaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 527 (3) ◽  
pp. 161-176
Author(s):  
NATALY QUIROZ-GONZÁLEZ ◽  
MA. EDITH PONCE-MÁRQUEZ ◽  
NORMA LÓPEZ-GÓMEZ ◽  
DENÍ RODRÍGUEZ

Gelidium pusillum is a species reported from the northern Gulf of California to the tropical region of the Mexican Pacific, but there is wide morphological variation among populations. The objective of this research was to evaluate of the Mexican species using morphological and molecular approaches, with the markers rbcL and COI-5P. This study examined 12 samples from four sites in the Mexican tropical Pacific. Phylogenetic analyses resolved these specimens within two clades separated from the topotype material of G. pusillum. The main morphological differences with other Mexican and phylogenetic closely related species were size, branching pattern, branching order, distribution of internal rhizoidal filaments, and shape of the tetrasporangial sori. The sequence divergences between these clades and the morphological differences support their representing distinct species so that Gelidium nayaritense sp. nov. is proposed for tropical specimens of the Mexican Pacific, whose diagnostic characteristics are the little or absent branching, its small size, as well as the presence of internal rhizoidal filaments concentrated in the subcortex, further G. sanyaense is register for first time from Mexico and Eastern Pacific.


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