scholarly journals A tarsal spinning organ in glomeridesmid millipedes (Diplopoda: Pentazonia: Glomeridesmida)

2021 ◽  
Vol 79 ◽  
pp. 555-567
Author(s):  
Leif Moritz ◽  
Thomas Wesener
Keyword(s):  
East Asia ◽  
Central America ◽  
Indian Subcontinent ◽  
Outer Side ◽  
South East Asia ◽  
Secretion Product

Abstract The production of sticky threads from spinnerets is known from various myriapod groups including some representatives of the millipedes (Diplopoda). In Diplopoda the thread-producing glands are mostly seta-like and positioned terminally on the telson, and the secretion product is typically used to build molting chambers or egg sacs. So far, no such secretions or organs have been documented for the subgroup Pentazonia. Here we describe thread-producing glands from the species-poor Glomeridesmida. These putative spinning organs are single circular fields of small pores (spinning fields) positioned on the outer side of the tarsi of all walking legs of mature and juvenile individuals of both sexes. These pores are the openings of cuticular tubuli (conducting canals), which extend from the tarsus to an aggregation of cells, a putative gland, within the femur. In several specimens thin threads were observed to be extruded from the pores. The tarsal spinning fields are present in all 21 investigated Glomeridesmida morphospecies, including Termitodesmidae and Glomeridesmidae from South East Asia, the Indian subcontinent, Oceania, and South and Central America. These organs might constitute an apomorphic character of the Glomeridesmida, as similar organs are absent in other Myriapoda. The function of the extruded threads in Glomeridesmida remains speculative, because observations of living specimens of the group are almost non-existing. We suggest that the secretion might be used for defense, to build molting chambers or to secure tunnels burrowed in the substrate.

scholarly journals 9-year spatial and temporal evolution of desert dust aerosols over South-East Asia as revealed by CALIOP

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanouil Proestakis ◽  
Vassilis Amiridis ◽  
Eleni Marinou ◽  
Aristeidis K. Georgoulias ◽  
Stavros Solomos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
East Asia ◽  
Aerosol Optical Depth ◽  
Optical Depth ◽  
Indian Subcontinent ◽  
Dust Aerosol ◽  
Observation Data ◽  
South East Asia ◽  
Desert Dust ◽  
Dust Aerosols ◽  
Se Asia

Abstract. We present a 3-D climatology of the desert dust distribution over South-East Asia derived using CALIPSO (Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation) data. To distinguish desert dust from total aerosol load we apply a methodology developed in the framework of EARLINET (European Aerosol Research Lidar Network), the particle linear depolarization ratio and updated lidar ratio values suitable for Asian dust, on multiyear CALIPSO observations (01/2007–12/2015). The resulting dust product provides information on the horizontal and vertical distribution of dust aerosols over SE (South-East) Asia along with the seasonal transition of dust transport pathways. Persistent high D_AOD (Dust Aerosol Optical Depth) values, of the order of 0.6, are present over the arid and semi-arid desert regions. Dust aerosol transport (range, height and intensity) is subject to high seasonality, with highest values observed during spring for northern China (Taklimakan/Gobi deserts) and during summer over the Indian subcontinent (Thar Desert). Additionally we decompose the CALIPSO AOD (Aerosol Optical Depth) into dust and non-dust aerosol components to reveal the non-dust AOD over the highly industrialized and densely populated regions of SE Asia, where the non-dust aerosols yield AOD values of the order of 0.5. Furthermore, the CALIPSO-based short-term AOD and D_AOD time series and trends between 01/2007 and 12/2015 are calculated over SE Asia and over selected sub-regions. Positive trends are observed over northwest and east China and the Indian subcontinent, whereas over southeast China are mostly negative. The calculated AOD trends agree well with the trends derived from Aqua/MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer), although significant differences are observed over specific regions.

Vascular Trouble

2021 ◽  
pp. 108-114
Author(s):  
Dale Walters
Keyword(s):  
East Asia ◽  
Central America ◽  
Papua New Guinea ◽  
Vascular System ◽  
Wilt Disease ◽  
South East Asia ◽  
Crop Losses ◽  
Ceratocystis Wilt ◽  
Cacao Tree ◽  
Ceratocystis Cacaofunesta

This chapter looks at two diseases affecting the vascular system of the cacao tree: vascular streak dieback, caused by the fungus Ceratobasidium theobromae, and wilt disease, caused by the fungus Ceratocystis cacaofunesta. Both diseases are considered as serious threats to cacao production and their impact has already been considerable and severe. Vascular streak dieback nearly destroyed the cacao industry in Papua New Guinea and is mercifully restricted to Indonesia, Malaysia, and South-East Asia, while Ceratocystis wilt has been reported in several countries in South and Central America, where it has caused substantial crop losses. The chapter examines the research being undertaken to better understand these diseases and how best to tackle them.

scholarly journals First photographic record of the Dhole Cuon alpinus (Mammalia: Carnivora: Canidae) from the Sirumalai Hills in Tamil Nadu, India

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 16373-16376
Author(s):  
B.M. Mothilal ◽  
M. Eric Ramanujam
Keyword(s):  
East Asia ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Indian Subcontinent ◽  
Eastern Ghats ◽  
Western India ◽  
South East Asia ◽  
Cuon Alpinus ◽  
Photographic Evidence ◽  
Wild Dog ◽  
Central South

The Asiatic Wild Dog has a wide global range covering Central, South and South-East Asia. It has been recorded over most of the Indian subcontinent except for the deserts of western India and Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu. We hereby provide photographic evidence of the Asiatic Wild Dog Cuon alpinus from Khandige Estate in Sirumalai. 

The ‘Children of the Sun’ and Central America

Antiquity ◽  
1928 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
pp. 161-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Thompson
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
East Asia ◽  
Central America ◽  
Easter Island ◽  
South East Asia ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Natural Death

The theory that American aboriginal civilization was derived from south-east Asia and indirectly from Egypt has received such wide publicity that it is no longer possible to dismiss it lvithout refutation and wait for it to die a natural death. Such was the policy followed when the extravagances of Lord Kingsborough claiming that the inhabitants of Central America were the lost ten tribes first saw the light. Le Plongeon's fantastic claims too had their hour and then passed into the limbo of lost causes. Other heads of this hydra, peopling Central America from the lost continent of Atlantis, from Babylonia, Africa, New Zealand, Easter Island, and in fact from nearly every quarter of the globe, were not lopped off but left to wither away from lack of that blood, so necessary to this type of hydra–reasoned argument and proof.

Opening remarks

1980 ◽  
Vol 209 (1174) ◽  
pp. 3-4 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
East Asia ◽  
National Security ◽  
Rural Health ◽  
Central America ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Royal Society ◽  
Prime Minister ◽  
South East Asia ◽  
Water And Sanitation

Three years ago the Royal Society held a two-day discussion meeting entitled ‘Technologies for Rural Health’. The meeting was well attended, the choice of subject appeared to meet a need and many of those who spoke expressed a wish that another such meeting might take place in a few years’ time. The Society has responded and today and tomorrow we shall be discussing ‘More technologies for rural health’. This is not, however, merely a repeat performance by popular demand. It is an attempt to focus on the dominant points that emerged from the 1976 discussions in seeking to alleviate the burden of ill-health, disease and malnu­trition among the three-quarters of the world’s population who live in rural areas. Early in the programme we have placed water and sanitation, and agri­ culture and nutrition - the same priority as was given in the 1976 meeting, but during the 3 years that have elapsed the solving of the relevant problems has become more urgent and, in many cases, the problems have themselves become more complex. An example of a specific complexity is that of refugees. The forces creating refugees have rarely been absent but, in recent months, these forces have been especially active in Central America, in Africa and in Asia. I introduce this complexity to the problems of rural health with particular feeling. I have just returned from a visit to south-east Asia and was in Bangkok when the Prime Minister of Thailand announced that he had changed his mind about his country’s policy with regard to the refugees on their border with Kampuchea. The Thailand frontier would now be open to the tens of thousands of refugees seeking sanctuary, a decision obviously putting humanitarian motives before the interests of national security and public health.

scholarly journals Trends in the epidemiology of dengue fever and their relevance for importation to Europe

2009 ◽  
Vol 14 (25) ◽  
Author(s):  
T Jelinek
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
East Asia ◽  
Dengue Fever ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Indian Subcontinent ◽  
South East Asia ◽  
Region Of Origin ◽  
Protective Measures ◽  
Important Region ◽  
The Caribbean

Dengue fever continues to spread globally, causing major epidemics and putting major strain on health systems in affected countries. For imported dengue in Europe, south east Asia is the most important region of origin, followed by Latin America, the Indian subcontinent, the Caribbean, and Africa. Information regarding mosquito protective measures is highly recommended for all travellers to affected areas.

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