Fantastic lizards and where to find them: cis-Andean microteiids (Squamata: Alopoglossidae & Gymnophthalmidae) from the Colombian Orinoquia and Amazonia

Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5067 (3) ◽  
pp. 377-400
Author(s):  
MARÍA F. DIAGO-TORO ◽  
DANIELA GARCÍA-COBOS ◽  
GIOVANNI D. BRIGANTE-LUNA ◽  
JUAN D. VÁSQUEZ-RESTREPO
Keyword(s):  
Species Complex ◽  
New Records ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Political Issues ◽  
Taxonomic Key ◽  
Biological Collections ◽  
Alexander Von Humboldt ◽  
Geographic Data ◽  
Data Coverage

Although Colombia is perceived as one of the most diverse countries in reptiles, the distribution of many microteiid lizards of the Alopoglossidae and Gymnophthalmidae families is still poorly known. This is particularly true for those species in the cis-Andean regions, in part due to the remoteness or socio-political issues within some of these territories. In order to elucidate the diversity and distribution of the cis-Andean microteiids in Colombia, in this study we present a review based on the examination of specimens deposited in the reptile collection at Instituto de Investigación Alexander von Humboldt, one of the most important Colombian biological collections, and data from the literature. We reported a total of 29 taxa, in which three are new records for Colombia and three are range extensions. Two species were assigned to species complex because their morphological determination was non-conclusive, and three were identified just to genus, since they may correspond to more than one entity or be currently non-described. We found that nine species are distributed in both the Amazonia and Orinoquia regions, nine are currently only present in the Amazonia and seven are in the Orinoquia. Based on our data, we highlight the importance of using local museums to increase the taxonomic and geographic data coverage, we discuss the taxonomic difficulties for some taxa, as well as the potential for future research and their constraints. Finally, we present a taxonomic key for the identification of the microteiids present in the Orinoquia and Amazonia regions of Colombia.  

Assessments of User Comments With “Alternative Views” as a Function of Media Trust

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Marlene Kunst
Keyword(s):  
Online Discussions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Political Issues ◽  
Argument Quality ◽  
The Public ◽  
Mainstream Media ◽  
User Comments ◽  
Media Trust ◽  
Heuristic Information Processing

Abstract. Comments sections under news articles have become popular spaces for audience members to oppose the mainstream media’s perspective on political issues by expressing alternative views. This kind of challenge to mainstream discourses is a necessary element of proper deliberation. However, due to heuristic information processing and the public concern about disinformation online, readers of comments sections may be inherently skeptical about user comments that counter the views of mainstream media. Consequently, commenters with alternative views may participate in discussions from a position of disadvantage because their contributions are scrutinized particularly critically. Nevertheless, this effect has hitherto not been empirically established. To address this gap, a multifactorial, between-subjects experimental study ( N = 166) was conducted that investigated how participants assess the credibility and argument quality of media-dissonant user comments relative to media-congruent user comments. The findings revealed that media-dissonant user comments are, indeed, disadvantaged in online discussions, as they are assessed as less credible and more poorly argued than media-congruent user comments. Moreover, the findings showed that the higher the participants’ level of media trust, the worse the assessment of media-dissonant user comments relative to media-congruent user comments. Normative implications and avenues for future research are discussed.

scholarly journals Chiming In: A Computer-Assisted Analysis of Popular Musicians’ Political Engagement on Twitter

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 205630512110190
Author(s):  
Josephine Lukito ◽  
Luis Loya ◽  
Carlos Dávalos ◽  
Jianing Li ◽  
Chau Tong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Hip Hop ◽  
Political Engagement ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Christian Music ◽  
Political Issues ◽  
Qualitative Case Studies ◽  
Systematic Examination ◽  
Assisted Analysis

While music as an artistic form is well studied, the individuals behind the art receive relatively less attention. In this article, we provide evidence of celebrity advocacy with a systematic examination of musicians’ political engagement on Twitter. This study estimates the extent to which musicians use Twitter for political purposes, with particular attention to whether such engagement varies across music genres. Through a computational-assisted analysis of 2,286,434 tweets, we group 881 musicians into three categories of political engagement on Twitter: not engaged (comprising the majority of artists), circumstantial engagement, and active political engagement. We examine the latter categories in detail with two qualitative case studies. The findings indicate that musicians from different genres have distinct patterns of political engagement. The Christian music genre shows the most engagement as a whole, especially in philanthropy. On the contrary, the most active accounts are rock and hip-hop artists, some of whom discuss political issues and call for mobilization. We conclude with suggestions for future research.

New species and new records of Eriococcus (Hemiptera, Coccoidea, Eriococcidae) from South America

Zootaxa ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 1573 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
IMRE FOLDI ◽  
FERENC KOZÁR
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
South America ◽  
New Records ◽  
Widespread Species ◽  
Taxonomic Key ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
First Time

The adult females of five new species in the genus Eriococcus are described and illustrated: Eriococcus christopherus, E. longisetosus E. paranaensis, from Brazil, and E. maximus and E. venezuelaensis from Venezuela. In addition, the following are recorded for the first time: E. dubius (Cockerell), E. maximus and E. venezuelaensis from Brazil and Venezuela and E. rhadinothrix (Miller & González) from Brazil. The most widespread species was E. maximus, which was collected from Brazil, Paraguay and Venezuela. A taxonomic key is provided for the separation of the seven species studied.

Species circumscription of the Caltha leptosepala polyploid complex (Ranunculaceae) based on molecular and morphological data

Phytotaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 316 (3) ◽  
pp. 201 ◽  
Author(s):  
KEIR M. WEFFERLING ◽  
SARA B. HOOT
Keyword(s):  
Species Complex ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Title Page ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Polyploid Complex ◽  
Species Circumscription ◽  
Dichotomous Key ◽  
Field Identification ◽  
Geographic Data

The Caltha leptosepala species complex (Ranunculaceae) is taxonomically unresolved, with authors of various regional floras recognizing different names and numbers of species. Integrating molecular, morphological, cytological, and geographic data, we describe three species in the complex, restoring two species names, C. biflora and C. chionophila, in addition to recognizing C. leptosepala. Based on chloroplast and nuclear ribosomal phylogenies, we illustrate key morphological synapomorphies for the three Caltha species, assess the usefulness of previously used morphological characters, and provide a dichotomous key for their field identification. A neotype is designated for C. leptosepala var. howellii because the originals were lost or destroyed.

scholarly journals Diaspididae on Citrus spp. (Rutaceae) from Colombia: New records and a taxonomic key to their identification

2017 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 8139-8154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Amalia Ramos-Portilla ◽  
Alejandro Caballero
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
New Records ◽  
The United States ◽  
Key To Species ◽  
Physical Evidence ◽  
Taxonomic Key ◽  
First Time ◽  
Citrus Spp

In this manuscript Aonidiella comperei is reported for the first time in Colombia; The specimens were found associated with branches, leaves and fruits of Citrus x latifolia (Rutaceae) in the department of Tolima. Also, we obtained physical evidence of the association of Parlatoria ziziphi and Citrus x limonia (Rutaceae) in Colombia from a sample collected in the field; until this paper the only record of P. ziziphi in the country came from specimens intercepted in a quarantine inspection at a port of entry in the United States. Field and slide-mounted characteristics are provided for A. comperei. Also a taxonomic key to species of Diaspididae present on Citrus spp. in Colombia is given.

Borosilicate Glass: Future Research Requirements or “What We Don't Know”

MRS Bulletin ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 19 (12) ◽  
pp. 20-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Grambow
Keyword(s):  
Borosilicate Glass ◽  
Spent Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Disposal Site ◽  
Solid Matrix ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Fuel Production ◽  
Political Issues ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Backfill Materials ◽  
Deep Underground

Borosilicate glass is the principal solid matrix for immobilizing 99% of the highly radioactive, heat-generating nuclides extracted by reprocessing spent nuclear fuel. Production of the glass has begun in several countries, yet no final disposal site is available anywhere in the world. This is due partly to political issues and partly to the difficulties of credibly demonstrating that nuclear waste can be safely isolated in deep underground repositories for hundreds of generations. The release of hazardous quantities of radionuclides from a repository is prevented by a multiple barrier containment system, including a central engineered system consisting of the canistered glass, an overpack, and backfill materials. If the glass could retain all radionuclides upon contact with groundwater, it would not be necessary to demonstrate that geological isolation is safe. However, the glass corrodes slowly in water and humid air, and inevitably, certain quantities of radionuclides are mobilized. The glass is not inherently corrosion-resistant, but rather depends on the waste package and on surrounding geochemical and hydrological constraints. The difficulty is predicting the release/retention of radionuclides for long time periods while considering the interactions with other engineered and natural barriers.

scholarly journals The molluscs and their habitats in Sashtinska Sredna Gora Mts. (Southern Bulgaria)

2009 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Dilian Georgiev Georgiev ◽  
Slaveya Borisova Stoycheva
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Species Complex ◽  
New Records ◽  
Rock Type ◽  
Alnus Glutinosa ◽  
Artificial Substrate ◽  
Oak Forests ◽  
Calcium Source ◽  
Mollusc Species ◽  
Base Rock

The aim of this study was to investigate the mollusc species diversity of Sashtinska Sredna Gora Mts. (Southern Bulgaria) in detail, and to obtain some data on the distribution of the malacofauna both in habitats and in geographical areas of this mountain. The survey was carried out during the period of 20 Oct 2007 – 12 Nov 2008. Total 49 localities were examined, and their co-ordinates were given, 78 mollusc species were registered in the study area, from which 75 were new records for Sashtinska Sredna Gora Mts. Seventeen molluscan habitats were studied separately, from which the forests on river banks dominated by Salix sp. and Alnus glutinosa, open grassy terrains with short vegetation, and oak forests showed the highest species diversity. Considering the base rock type molluscan communities were separated in two main groups: a complex of species in the limestone areas, and another one inhabiting the volcanic/non limestone terrains. The artificial substrate even considered as a calcium source, in our area had played a little role on diversity. It held a species complex not so close related to the limestone faunas than with the volcanic base rock ones, on which it was situated.

Queer Intercultural Communication

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gust A. Yep ◽  
Ryan M. Lescure ◽  
Sage E. Russo
Keyword(s):  
Intercultural Communication ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Political Issues ◽  
Integrative View ◽  
Developing Area ◽  
Do So

Queer intercultural communication is an emerging and vibrant area of the communication discipline. The examination of this developing area of inquiry, the preliminary mapping of the field of queer intercultural communication, and its potential guidelines for future research deserves our attention. To do so, there are three sections for examination. First is an integrative view of queer intercultural communication by identifying fundamental components of its major contexts – macro, meso, and micro – and a model for understanding this research. Second is the exploration and examination of these major contexts in terms of theoretical, methodological, and political issues and concerns. Lastly, potential guidelines for research in queer intercultural communication are needed.

scholarly journals Effects of Alcohol Taxation on Prices: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Pass-Through Rates

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon P. Nelson ◽  
John R. Moran
Keyword(s):  
Optimal Taxation ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Excise Tax ◽  
Alcohol Taxation ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
Imperfectly Competitive ◽  
Data Coverage ◽  
Pass Through

Abstract This paper conducts the first review and meta-analysis for estimates of alcohol excise tax pass-through rates. A total of 30 empirical studies are examined. Several widely cited studies indicate substantial overshifting, suggesting imperfectly-competitive markets for alcohol. The narrative review provides insights for data coverage by country; econometric models; and results for under- or overshifting by beverage. Weighted-averages calculated for two samples show that beer taxes are overshifted and wine-spirits taxes are fully shifted. Meta-regressions corrected for publication bias indicate, however, that full-shifting cannot be rejected for any beverage. Results are useful for alcohol tax policy and future research on optimal taxation and incidence.

Nereididae (Annelida: Phyllodocida) of the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, including description of two new species and 11 new records 

Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4244 (1) ◽  
pp. 91 ◽  
Author(s):  
ALIEH BONYADI-NAEINI ◽  
NASRULLAH RASTEGAR-POUYANI ◽  
ESKANDAR RASTEGAR-POUYANI ◽  
CHRISTOPHER J. GLASBY ◽  
HASSAN RAHIMIAN
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Persian Gulf ◽  
Species Complex ◽  
New Records ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
Intertidal Zones ◽  
Gulf Of Oman ◽  
Two New Species ◽  
The Persian Gulf ◽  
Neanthes Glandicincta

Currently, only 31 nereidid species are known from the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. The present study was carried out in order to investigate the poorly known diversity of nereidid polychaetes from seas of the southern coasts of Iran. Specimens were collected from 23 locations along the intertidal zones of the two water bodies. Among the 26 species found: two are new, and are described here, including Simplisetia qeshmensis sp. nov. and Neanthes biparagnatha sp. nov.; 11 are new geographical records. Neanthes biparagnatha sp. nov. is most similar to N. deplanata (Mohammed, 1971), which is also found in the Persian Gulf, but can be most easily distinguished from it by the presence of bars in addition to cones in Area IV of the pharynx. Simplisetia qeshmensis sp. nov. may be distinguished from its closest congener, S. erythraeensis (Fauvel, 1918), also reported from the Persian Gulf, by having a greater number of paragnaths in Area I of the pharynx, an additional type of chaeta (homogomph spinigers) in the ventral neuropodial fascicle and having a reduced notopodial lobe in posterior chaetigers. The list of new records includes: one species from both areas, Neanthes glandicincta (Southern, 1921); eight species from the Persian Gulf, Leonnates decipiens Fauvel, 1929, Neanthes acuminata (Ehlers, 1868), Neanthes sp., Neanthes sp. cf. N. acuminata, Nereis sp. cf. N. pelagica Linnaeus, 1758, Perinereis cultrifera (Grube, 1840) species complex., Pseudonereis trimaculata (Horst, 1924), Pseudonereis sp. cf. P. variegata (Grube, 1857) and two from the Gulf of Oman, Leonnates persicus Wesenberg-Lund, 1949 and Perinereis kuwaitensis Mohammed, 1970. The present study brings to 40 the number of nereidid species currently known from the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. A taxonomic key to nereidid species from the intertidal zones of the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman is presented to facilitate future investigations. 

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