scholarly journals Taxonomy and Natural History of the Crematogaster (Decacrema)-group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Madagascar

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2714 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
BONNIE B. BLAIMER
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Species Identification ◽  
Species Complex ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Species Status ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
History Information ◽  
History Of

The taxonomy of the Malagasy Crematogaster (Decacrema) is revised and a total of six distinct species and one species-complex are recognized. Malagasy Decacrema are widespread ants in Madagascar that nest almost exclusively arboreally, either in carton nests or inside dead twigs or branches, and often tend Coccoidea. Four species are newly described here: Crematogaster mahery sp. nov., C. malala sp. nov., C. sabatra sp. nov. and C. sisa sp. nov.. The species status of Crematogaster grevei Forel 1891 is confirmed by the study, and one described subspecies, C. hova nosibeensis Forel 1891 is raised to species level (C. nosibeensis stat. nov.) and a neotype designated. Crematogaster hova latinoda Forel 1891 is synonymised under C. hova Forel 1887, and the taxonomic status of C. hova, C. ensifera Forel 1910 and C. schencki Forel 1891 is further investigated, but could not be resolved with methods employed here. The C. hova-complex, a species-complex consisting of five morphological forms, is hence defined and the three described species above are associated with these morphotypes. Full descriptions including natural history information are presented for all species and the species-complex, as well as images, distribution maps and a species-identification key to the workers of Malagasy Decacrema. A diagnosis of the Malagasy Decacrema and identification keys to the subgenera of the ant genus Crematogaster in the Malagasy region are also provided.

scholarly journals Notes on the Life Cycle and Natural History of Dismorphia Virgo (Lepidoptera Pieridae: Dismorphiinae) in Costa Rica

1972 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 165-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allen M. Young
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Costa Rica ◽  
Natural History ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Central American ◽  
South American ◽  
Species Status ◽  
New Information ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Common

This paper summarizes the life cycle and some aspects of natural history of the tropical pierid, Dismorphia virgo (Dismorphiinae) in Costa Rica. The precise taxonomic status of the butterfly in Central America has not been established, and it may represent a variable northern isolate of the common South American D. critomedia. Therefore, independent of whether the Central American form discussed in this paper has achieved full species status as the more northern virgo or is a subspecies or variety of critomedia evolving towards species status, this paper provides new information on the biology of the butterfly in Costa Rica. The establishment of precise taxonomic position awaits further study, and for the present purpose, I refer to the butterfly as D. virgo.

scholarly journals Unravelling the Potamonautes lirrangensis (Rathbun, 1904) species complex (Potamoidea: Potamonautidae), with the description of two new species

2021 ◽  
Vol 744 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil Cumberlidge ◽  
Emily Johnson ◽  
Paul F. Clark ◽  
Martin J. Genner
Keyword(s):  
Species Complex ◽  
Central Africa ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Lake Malawi ◽  
Molecular Evidence ◽  
Similar Species ◽  
Freshwater Crab ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
Congo River ◽  
Two New Species

The taxonomic status of the widely distributed freshwater crab Potamonautes lirrangensis (Rathbun, 1904) sensu lato is revised because morphological and molecular evidence indicates that this taxon is a complex comprising more than one species. Four taxa are now recognized: Potamonautes lirrangensis (Rathbun, 1904) s. str. and P. kisangani sp. nov. from the Middle Congo River in Central Africa, P. amosae sp. nov. from the drainages of Lakes Kivu and Tanganyika, and P. orbitospinus (Cunnington, 1907) from Lake Malawi which had been previously synonymised with P. lirrangensis s. lat. Diagnoses, illustrations and distribution maps are provided for each of these taxa and they are compared to similar species from Central and Southern Africa.

Taxonomy, natural history, and conservation of the Great-billed Seed-Finch Sporophila maximiliani (Cabanis, 1851) (Thraupidae, Sporophilinae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4442 (4) ◽  
pp. 551 ◽  
Author(s):  
FLÁVIO KULAIF UBAID ◽  
LUÍS FABIO SILVEIRA ◽  
CESAR A. B. MEDOLAGO ◽  
THIAGO V. V. COSTA ◽  
MERCIVAL ROBERTO FRANCISCO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
South America ◽  
Captive Breeding ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Morphometric Characters ◽  
History Of

Seed-finches are small-sized Neotropical granivorous birds characterized by extremely strong and thick beaks. Among these birds, the Great-billed Seed-Finch Sporophila maximiliani has been selectively and intensively trapped to the extent that has become one of the most endangered bird species in South America, yet its taxonomy remains complex and controversial. Two subspecies have been recognized: S. m. maximiliani (Cabanis, 1851), mainly from the Cerrado of central South America, and S. m. parkesi Olson (= Oryzoborus m. magnirostris), from northeastern South America. Originally, S. m. parkesi was diagnosed as being larger than the Large-billed Seed-Finch, S. c. crassirostris (Gmelin, 1789), but proper comparisons with S. m. maximiliani, which is larger than S. c. crassirostris, were never performed. Here we provide a review of the taxonomic and nomenclatural history of S. maximiliani, reevaluate the validity and taxonomic status of the subspecies based on morphological characters, and significantly revise its geographic distribution. Analyses based on plumage patterns and a Principal Component Analysis of morphometric characters indicated that S. m. parkesi is most appropriately treated as a synonym of the nominate taxon, which results in a monotypic S. maximiliani comprising two disjunct populations. Further, we conducted systematic searches for S. maximiliani in Brazil, in an attempt to obtain natural history information. After more than 6,000 hours of fieldwork in 45 areas of potential and historical occurrence, S. maximiliani was located only in two sites, in marshy environments called veredas, confirming the critical conservation status of this species, at least in Brazil. We discuss the conservation potential for, and the problems involved with, captive breeding of S. maximiliani for reintroduction into the wild. 

scholarly journals Utilization of Natural History Information in Evidence based Herpetoculture: A Proposed Protocol and Case Study with Hydrodynastes gigas (False Water Cobra)

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2021
Author(s):  
Zachary J. Loughman
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Captive Breeding ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Scientific Inference ◽  
New Information ◽  
History Information ◽  
History Of ◽  
Available Information

Herpetocultural practices are based on norms driven by economy of space and time for keepers, with little scientific inference backing their practice. In recent years, a subset of herpetoculturalists have promoted evidence-based husbandry that relies on science and experimental design to generate husbandry practice. A theoretical framework and protocol are proposed herein that enables any individual who has access to the internet the ability to use various outlets of natural history information (scientific literature databases, social media sources, and weather websites) and previously published husbandry reports as evidence to drive the creation of novel herpetocultural practice. A case study is provided which compares readily available information on the care of Hydrodynastes gigas (false water cobra), such as online care sheets for the species, with the proposed evidence based herpetocultural protocol founded on natural history information and published care and captive breeding reports. Results were assessed for protocol efficacy and determined that the natural history informed evidence-based approach increased animal welfare and generated new information specific to the natural history of H. gigas.

New World direct-developing frogs (Anura: Terrarana): Molecular phylogeny, classification, biogeography, and conservation

Zootaxa ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 1737 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. BLAIR HEDGES ◽  
WILLIAM E. DUELLMAN ◽  
MATTHEW P. HEINICKE
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Phylogeny ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
New World ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Caribbean Region ◽  
New Taxon ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
Species Groups

New World frogs recently placed in a single, enormous family (Brachycephalidae) have direct development and reproduce on land, often far away from water. DNA sequences from mitochondrial and nuclear genes of 344 species were analyzed to estimate their relationships. The molecular phylogeny in turn was used as the basis for a revised classification of the group. The 882 described species are placed in a new taxon, Terrarana, and allocated to four families, four subfamilies, 24 genera, 11 subgenera, 33 species series, 56 species groups, and 11 species subgroups. Systematic accounts are provided for all taxa above the species level. Two families (Craugastoridae and Strabomantidae), three subfamilies (Holoadeninae, Phyzelaphryninae, and Strabomantinae), six genera (Bryophryne, Diasporus, Haddadus, Isodactylus, Lynchius, and Psychrophrynella), and two subgenera (Campbellius and Schwartzius) are proposed and named as new taxa, 13 subspecies are considered to be distinct species, and 613 new combinations are formed. Most of the 100 informal groups (species series, species groups, and species subgroups) are new or newly defined. Brachycephalus and Ischnocnema are placed in Brachycephalidae, a relatively small clade restricted primarily to southeastern Brazil. Eleutherodactylidae includes two subfamilies, four genera, and five subgenera and is centered in the Caribbean region. Craugastoridae contains two genera and three subgenera and is distributed mainly in Middle America. Strabomantidae is distributed primarily in the Andes of northwestern South America and includes two subfamilies, 16 genera, and three subgenera. Images and distribution maps are presented for taxa above the species level and a complete list of species is provided. Aspects of the evolution, biogeography, and conservation of Terrarana are discussed.

scholarly journals A revision of the Pyura stolonifera species complex (Tunicata, Ascidiacea), with a description of a new species from Australia

Zootaxa ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 2754 (1) ◽  
pp. 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARC RIUS ◽  
PETER R. TESKE
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Species Complex ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
The Other ◽  
Solitary Ascidian ◽  
Different Populations ◽  
A New Species ◽  
Dorsal Tubercle

Pyura stolonifera is a large solitary ascidian found in Africa, Australasia and South America. The taxonomic status of different populations of this species is disputed, especially since there is evidence for several distinct morphological and genetic units that point towards the existence of multiple cryptic species. While some researchers still recognize P. stolonifera as a single species, others treat the different populations as distinct species. Here, we present a revision of the P. stolonifera species complex based on the examination of samples from all regions where there are reliable reports of this taxon. We recognize four species that are both morphologically and genetically distinct, one of which is new to science and is formally described here. This species is morphologically distinct from the other three members of the species complex in terms of the colour and texture of the tunic, the arrangement of the gonads within the gut and the shape of the dorsal tubercle, among other characters. We name the new species Pyura dalbyi after Dr. J.E. Dalby Jr., whose research on its ecology and distribution provided the incentive for examining this species more closely.

scholarly journals Integrative taxonomy confirms the species status of the Himalayan langurs, Semnopithecus schistaceus Hodgson 1840

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kunal Arekar ◽  
S. Sathyakumar ◽  
K. Praveen Karanth
Keyword(s):  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Integrative Taxonomy ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Species Status ◽  
Species Identity ◽  
Hanuman Langur ◽  
As Species

AbstractTaxonomy is replete with groups where the species identity and classification remain unresolved. One such group is the widely distributed Hanuman langur (Colobinae: Semnopithecus). For most part of the last century, Hanuman langur was considered to be a single species with multiple subspecies. Nevertheless, recent studies using an integrative taxonomy approach suggested that this taxon is a complex, with at least three species. However, these studies did not include the Himalayan population of the Hanuman langur whose taxonomic status remains unresolved. The Himalayan population of Hanuman langurs have been classified as a distinct species with multiple subspecies or have been subsumed into other species. These classification schemes are wholly based on morphological characters and which are sometimes insufficient to delimit different species. Here, we have integrated data from multiple sources viz. morphology, DNA, and ecology to resolve the taxonomy of the Himalayan langur and to understand its distribution limit. Our results with three lines of evidence corresponding to three different species concepts show that Himalayan langur is a distinct species from S. entellus of the plains. Additionally, these results did not show any support for splitting of the Himalayan langur into multiple subspecies. Our study supports the classification proposed by Hill (1939) and we recommend Semnopithecus schistaceus, Hodgson 1840 as species name for the Himalayan langur and subsume all the known subspecies into it.

scholarly journals The Natural History of Sydney

2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 378
Author(s):  
Matt W Hayward
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Editorial Team ◽  
Zoological Society ◽  
Natural History Studies ◽  
History Information ◽  
History Of ◽  
Competitive Nature ◽  
Effective Conservation ◽  
Do So

AUSTRALIA’S relatively recent discovery by Europeans and rapid loss of traditional knowledge without documentation means the accumulated knowledge of our natural history is scant compared to other continents (e.g., search for publications on the top-order predators of each continent for confirmation). Yet, as Mike Archer highlights in the Foreword to this book, this natural history information is fundamental for us to develop effective conservation strategies. Instead of focusing on accumulating this information, the competitive nature of academia limits the value of publishing simple natural history studies because of the low impact such studies invariably have (see Paul Adam’s chapter), while conservation managers are too busy to publish their natural history research particularly while they receive such little incentive to do so. The Natural History of Sydney offers a valuable remedy to this problem and Dan Lunney and his Royal Zoological Society of NSW editorial team deliver once again in servicing the intellectual needs of Australian zoologists.

On the Species of Philonthus Stephens (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylininae: Staphylinini: Philonthina) in the Collections of Romanian Natural History Museums

2012 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-276
Author(s):  
Melania Stan
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Alien Species ◽  
New Record ◽  
Palaearctic Region ◽  
National Museum ◽  
Natural History Museums ◽  
History Museum ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
History Museums ◽  
History Of

Abstract 57 species of the genus Philonthus were identified in the collections of four museums of Romania: Brukenthal National Museum, “Grigore Antipa” National Museum of Natural History, Museum of Natural History of Iaşi and Museum of Oltenia, Craiova. Philonthus wuesthoffi Bernhauer, an alien species from East Palaearctic Region, is a new record for the Romanian fauna. Except for Philonthus pyrenaeus Kiesenwetter, the species treated here are in the Romanian fauna and presented with their distribution maps. An identification key for Romanian Philonthus species found in the studied collections is also provided.

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