The striking endemism pattern of the species-richest snake genus Atractus (Dipsadidae: Serpentes) highlights the hidden diversity in the Andes

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Andrés D. Pomar-Gómez ◽  
Paulo Cordeiro ◽  
Thaís B. Guedes ◽  
Paulo Passos
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Species Range ◽  
Museum Specimens ◽  
Mountain Ranges ◽  
The Andes ◽  
Colombian Andes ◽  
Methodological Approaches ◽  
Endemic Areas ◽  
Forest Mountain

Abstract The distribution of the highly diversified and species-rich snake genus Atractus was assessed in search for endemism areas. The dataset of 6000 museum specimens was used to run an Endemicity Analyses in order to identify areas of biogeographic relevance for the genus Atractus. By using distinct methodological approaches and modifying the size and shape of grid cells we obtained a better adjustment to each species range, taking into account species distributed along the Andean and Atlantic Forest mountain ranges or certain vegetation constraints. Three scales of endemism were observed: micro endemic areas, represented by three different regions; intermediate sized endemic areas, represented by nine different regions; and macro-endemic areas, represented by four different provinces. Although most assessed regions corroborate well-defined biogeographic units according to the scientific literature, some, mainly located in the Colombian Andes, are not regularly considered in biogeographic syntheses carried out for vertebrates. Methodological approaches, along with a well curated database and taxonomic accuracy, may significantly influence the recovery of endemism areas, mainly considering mountain topography and local niche structure. The results present herein highlight the relevance of three Colombian Cordilleras, in order to completely understand Neotropical biota patterns of distribution. It is important to note that a well-resolved taxonomy represents both the framework and the first step toward a comprehensive biographical synthesis reducing Wallacean shortfalls in biodiversity.

scholarly journals Detection of areas of endemism on two spatial scales using Parsimony Analysis of Endemicity (PAE): the Neotropical region and the Atlantic Forest

2008 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 33-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mário Sérgio Sigrist ◽  
Claudio José Barros de Carvalho
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Neotropical Region ◽  
Conservation Priorities ◽  
Parsimony Analysis ◽  
Areas Of Endemism ◽  
Endemic Areas ◽  
Analysis Scale ◽  
Parsimony Analysis Of Endemicity

An important biological challenge today is the conservation of biodiversity. Biogeography, the study of the distribution patterns of organisms, is an important tool for this challenge. Endemism, the co-occurrence of several species unique to the same area, has important implications for the preservation of biodiversity, since many areas of endemism are also areas with large human impact. More rigorously defined, areas of endemism are historical units of distributional congruence of monophyletic taxa. These areas often assumed to be due to nonrandom historical events that favored conditions associated with high rates of speciation. Thus, understanding endemism and the delimitation of endemic areas has important implications for conservation. Today, most studies delimit areas of endemism by superimposing maps of distribution for various species. This approach suffers from arbitrary delimitations, however, when a great distributional data is used. In this paper we used the method of Parsimony Analysis of Endemicity (PAE) based on georeferenced quadrats in order to delimit areas of endemism. This modality of the method is important due to its testable nature and can also be used to infer area relationships. We applied the method to raw distributional data from 19 unrelated taxa to delimit general patterns of endemism in the Neotropical Region and in the Atlantic forest domain using different grid scales. Neotropical areas found are comprised over the Panama region, northern Andean region and the Atlantic forest. Atlantic forest showed a major division into two distinct components (northern x southern). Endemic areas delimited using smaller scale grids on the Atlantic forest should be considered for conservation priorities once they showed endemism at regional and local scales. The results were also compared to other studies using different taxa and methods. Finally, some considerations on the analysis scale and future perspectives of the method are presented.

Whole-Earth Decompression Dynamics: New Earth Formation Geoscience Paradigm Fundamental Basis of Geology and Geophysics

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 340-365
Author(s):  
J. Marvin Herndon
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Phenomenological Model ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Geothermal Gradient ◽  
Government Funding ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Submarine Canyons ◽  
Mountain Ranges ◽  
Scientific Principles ◽  
Consensus View

Policymakers and educators depend upon the advice of scientists to warn of natural and anthropogenic dangers to the environment and to Earth’s biota. Decades of mal-administered government-funding have led to the corruption of science, however, and to the formation of unofficial cartels that promulgate a seriously flawed, consensus view of Earth’s origins, structure, and geodynamic behavior. Proponents of this “consensus” view, in contradiction to long-standing scientific principles, suppress or ignore concepts that better explain Earth’s fundamental behavior. Here I present, as published in the peer-reviewed scientific literature over a period of four decades, a fundamentally new, indivisible paradigm that posits Earth’s early formation as a Jupiter-like gas giant, which makes it possible to derive virtually all the geological and geodynamic behavior of our planet, including two previously unanticipated, powerful endogenous energy sources; the origin of mountain ranges characterized by folding; the origin and typography of ocean floors and continents; the origin of fjords and the primary initiation of submarine canyons; the origin of Earth’s magnetic field; the causes of geomagnetic disruptions; the source of the geothermal gradient; the origin of Earth’s petroleum and natural gas deposits; and more. The logical, causally related advances documented here stand as a reference by which to compare and evaluate the phenomenological model-nonsense that has been published for decades by government-funded scientists.

Synopsis of Pentacalia (Compositae: Senecioneae) in Brazil

Rodriguésia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aristônio Magalhães Teles ◽  
Geovana Vieira da Fonseca ◽  
Lidyanne Yuriko Saleme Aona
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
New Record ◽  
Identification Key ◽  
Northeast Region ◽  
Taxonomic Treatment ◽  
The Andes ◽  
Ray Florets

Abstract The genus Pentacalia belongs to the tribe Senecioneae. It is represented by approximately 160 species predominantly distributed in the Andes. Species of Pentacalia are characterized by having a scandent habit, usually alternate leaves, axillary or terminal capitulescence, homogamous or heterogamous capitula, commonly yellow ray-florets, yellowish, creamy, or whitish disc-florets, sagittate to caudate anther-bases, and cypselae with five to ten ribs. The aim of the present study was to perform a taxonomic treatment of Pentacalia in Brazil, where it is represented by two species, P. desiderabilis and P. tropicalis, from the Atlantic Forest Domain. Detailed descriptions, taxonomic discussions, geographical distributions, an identification key, illustrations and a new record of P. tropicalis for the Northeast Region are presented. Moreover, three names (Senecio desiderabilis, S. ellipticus, and S. tropicalis) are lectotypified.

Description of a new species of Andaeschna (Odonata: Aeshnidae) from the Western Colombian Andes

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4615 (3) ◽  
pp. 594-600
Author(s):  
CORNELIO ANDRÉS BOTA-SIERRA ◽  
JULIANA SANDOVAL-H ◽  
FREDY PALACINO-RODRÍGUEZ
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
National Park ◽  
Distal Segment ◽  
The Other ◽  
Northwestern Argentina ◽  
The Andes ◽  
Colombian Andes ◽  
Unique Shape ◽  
A New Species

Andaeschna is a small and poorly known genus of dragonflies that inhabits the Andes, from Venezuela to northwestern Argentina. Here we describe Andaeschna occidentalis sp. nov., first species of the genus recorded in the Western Andes, specifically from the Tatamá National Park in Colombia. Males of this species can be differentiated from the other four species in the genus by the unique shape of the distal segment of the vesica spermalis. Likewise, females can be distinguished by their smaller and broader cerci (slightly shorter than S9) and its subquadrate point. The discovery of this beautiful species expands the range of the genus, previously known only in the Eastern Andes. 

scholarly journals First record of the rain frog Pristimantis myersi (Goin & Cochran, 1963) (Anura, Craugastoridae) for Ecuador

Check List ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 1542
Author(s):  
Fernando J. M. Rojas-Runjaic ◽  
Juan M. Guayasamin
Keyword(s):  
First Record ◽  
Species Range ◽  
Distribution Map ◽  
Cordillera Central ◽  
Colombian Andes ◽  
First Time

Pristimantis myersi is a small Andean frog that inhabits paramos, sub-paramos and upper Andean forests at elevations between 2,900–3,275 m. It is known from about a dozen localities in the southern end of the Cordillera Central of the Colombian Andes. Herein, we report for the first time the presence of this species in Ecuador, based on ten specimens from three localities in the provinces of Imbabura and Sucumbíos. The species’ range is extended and a distribution map with the Ecuadorian records is provided.

scholarly journals Is Myotis lavali (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) endemic to the South American dry diagonal?

2019 ◽  
Vol 100 (6) ◽  
pp. 1879-1888
Author(s):  
Marcelo M Weber ◽  
Roberto Leonan M Novaes ◽  
Mariana Delgado-Jaramillo ◽  
Eder Barbier ◽  
Vinícius C Cláudio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Deciduous Forests ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
South American ◽  
Museum Specimens ◽  
The South ◽  
The Core ◽  
Brazil Current ◽  
Forested Areas ◽  
New Distribution

Abstract Myotis lavali was described from the M. nigricans complex based on museum specimens from the Caatinga of northeastern Brazil. Current records of the species from about 10 localities suggest that M. lavali seems to occur throughout the South American dry corridor, with peripheral records in the Atlantic Forest. Based on new distribution records, we assess if M. lavali is endemic to the South American dry diagonal corridor through species distribution modeling using an ensemble approach. We obtained 35 occurrences for the species and built a consensus scenario based on 12 algorithms to model its distribution. Even using different thresholds to assign presence and absence of M. lavali, 95–99% of its predicted distribution is within the dry corridor, with few areas in the boundary of the Atlantic Forest, especially in deciduous forests. Therefore, our results support that M. lavali is indeed very likely restricted to the dry diagonal and, although it occupies forested areas, the core of its distribution lies in the Caatinga and in the Cerrado regions of Brazil.

New evidence of glacier surges in the Central Andes of Argentina and Chile

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 792-825 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Falaschi ◽  
Tobias Bolch ◽  
Maria Gabriela Lenzano ◽  
Takeo Tadono ◽  
Andrés Lo Vecchio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Satellite Imagery ◽  
Remote Sensing Data ◽  
Central Andes ◽  
Aerial Images ◽  
Mountain Ranges ◽  
The Andes ◽  
Digital Elevation ◽  
Heterogeneous Behavior ◽  
Elevation Changes ◽  
Glacier Surges

In contrast to the large surge-type glacier clusters widely known for several mountain ranges around the world, the presence of surging glaciers in the Andes has been historically seen as marginal. The improved availability of satellite imagery during the last years facilitates investigating of glaciers in more detail even in remote areas. The purpose of the study was therefore to revisit existing information about surge-type glaciers for the Central Andes of Argentina and Chile (32° 40′–34° 20′ S), to identify and characterize possible further surge-type glaciers, providing new insights into the mass balance and evolution of the velocity of selected glaciers during the surge phase. Based on the analysis of 1962–2015 satellite imagery, historical aerial images, differencing of digital elevation models and a literature survey, we identified 21 surge-type glaciers in the study area. Eleven surge events and six possible surge-type glaciers were identified and described for the first time. The estimation of annual elevation changes of these glaciers for the 2000–2011 period, which encompasses the latest surge events in the region, showed heterogeneous behavior with strongly negative to positive surface elevation change patterns (−1.1 to +1.0 m yr−1). Additionally, we calculated maximum surface velocities of 3±1.9 m d−1 and 3.1±1.1 m d−1 for two of the glaciers during the latest identifiable surge events of 1985–1987 and 2003–2007. Within this glacier cluster, highly variable advance rates (0.01–1 km yr−1) and dissimilar surface velocities at the surge peak (3–35 m d−1) were observed. In comparison with other clusters worldwide, surge-type glaciers in the Central Andes are on average smaller and show minor absolute advances. Generally low velocities and the heterogeneous duration of the surge cycles are common between them and glaciers in the Karakorum, a region with similar climatic characteristics and many known surge-type glaciers. As a definitive assertion concerning the underlying surge mechanism of surges in the Central Andes could not be drawn based on the remote sensing data, this opens more detailed research avenues for surge-type glaciers in the region.

Palaeoflood hydrology: an emerging science

2004 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 531-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diane Saint-Laurent
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
River System ◽  
Biophysical Parameters ◽  
Sedimentary Deposits ◽  
Methods And Techniques ◽  
Methodological Approaches ◽  
Fluvial Environments ◽  
Stratigraphic Sequences

On examining the scientific literature of recent years, one notices an increase in the number of studies of global warming and its impact on the Earth’s various environments. Research has been undertaken in various fields such as geomorphology, hydrology and many others. In the context of climatic change, there is growing interest in the study of past floods, or palaeofloods. Researchers are attempting to reconstitute the chronology of past floods, especially with respect to past or subrecent climatic changes. The work involves using different methodological approaches borrowed from various disciplines including geology, geomorphology and ecology. The reconstruction of ancient hydrological events such as palaeofloods in fact requires that different methods and techniques be combined in order to trace the chronology of events as precisely as possible using different biophysical parameters. A wide variety of indicators are used in the chronological reconstruction of ancient fluvial environments, whether in humid, subhumid or desert regions. These indicators involve analysing stratigraphic sequences and sedimentary deposits, organic matter and macrorest deposits, as well as using radiocarbon dating(14C), thermoluminescence (TL), and dendrochronology and lichenometry. In fact, most work on the reconstitution of the frequency and magnitude of ancient floods uses several methods and techniques to obtain the long-term chronology of flood events in relation to the specific conditions (e.g., climate, geomorphology) of a region or study area. With the publication of several studies in palaeohydrology, it was interesting to examine, through a literature review, the various approaches used in the study of palaeofloods. This kind of study has seen major advances, which can be explained partly by the interest generated by global climate change and its effect on river-system dynamics.

Passiflora splendida and P. quinonesiae, two new species of Passiflora supersection Tacsonia (Passifloraceae) from the Colombian Andes

Phytotaxa ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 268 (3) ◽  
pp. 181
Author(s):  
MIGUEL MACGAYVER BONILLA MORALES ◽  
ADRIANA CAROLINA AGUIRRE-MORALES ◽  
CREUCÍ MARÍA CAETANO
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Stem Size ◽  
Eastern Cordillera ◽  
Floral Tube ◽  
Taxonomic Key ◽  
The Andes ◽  
Colombian Andes ◽  
Two New Species

Two new species, Passiflora splendida and P. quinonesiae of the section Colombiana from the Andes of Cundinamarca Department (Colombia Eastern Cordillera) are described and illustrated. Passiflora splendida is morphologically similar to P. cremastantha of the series Leptomischae, but can be distinguished by its linear stipules, petioles up to 1.8 cm long, lance-ovate leaves (6–8.5 × 2.5–3.3 cm), flowers with a diameter of 9–11 cm long, sepals and petals with intermediate disposition, both longer than the floral tube, floral tube of 3.2–4.5 cm long and fusiform ovary. Passiflora quinonesiae is similar to the species of series Colombianae, most closely related to P. cuatrecasasii and P. lanata. It differs from P. cuatrecasasii by its terete stem, size of the leaves 4.4–15 × 10.3 cm, elliptic bracts and floral tube 5.2–6 cm long. It differs from P. lanata by its ovate leaves, bracts halfway down the floral tube, elliptical sepals and petals, and elliptical ovary. In addition, a taxonomic key to section Colombiana ser. Colombianae and Leptomischae for Colombia is included and information about the ecology, distribution, and conservation status of P. splendida and P. quinonesiae are discussed.

scholarly journals Occurrences of Threatened Species included in the Third Edition of the Red Data Book of the Komi Republic (Russia)

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svetlana Degteva ◽  
Anatoly Bobretsov ◽  
Yury Bobrov ◽  
Modest Dolgin ◽  
Mikhail Dulin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Threatened Species ◽  
Rare Species ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Scientific Work ◽  
Komi Republic ◽  
The Third ◽  
Red Data Book ◽  
Data Book ◽  
Methodological Approaches

The purpose of the data paper was to introduce into scientific literature the results of scientific work carried out for the third edition of the 'Red Data Book of the Komi Republic'. The article reflects methodological approaches to the formation of a list of rare and in need of protection species and describes the corresponding datasets published in GBIF. Information about 7,187 occurrences of 438 rare species and infraspecies included in the third edition of the 'Red Data Book of the Komi Republic' have been published.

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