A reply to ‘Science versus vernacular’: should some taxa of animals and plants be renamed according to ‘indigenous’ practices?

Palma & Heath (2021) have recently commented on our proposal to reinstate indigenous names within the Linnaean system of nomenclature on the basis of their chronological priority. They argue that this challenges rules that have been unquestioned for 250 years. However, we hold that the rules of the various codes of nomenclature are constantly under review. The opinion they prosecute crystallises down, in large part, to one that suggests that because there are pre-existing rules about priority, we should not change these: an argument that involves a degree of circularity. Unfortunately, Palma and Heath misinterpret our proposal throughout much of their discussion. We do not advocate replacing the binomina as is claimed nor do we advocate for name changes where there is no consensus on a given taxon among the people indigenous to the natural distribution of that taxon. Our proposal is that indigenous names can replace the species epithet where there is a consensus on a single indigenous name for a taxon throughout its distribution and where there is demonstrable temporal priority. Without such consensus, species that cover wide distributions and have multiple indigenous names will, under our proposal, remain unchanged in their nomenclature.

Spatial and temporal patterns of genetic diversity in Bombus terrestris populations of the Iberian Peninsula and their conservation implications

The bumblebee Bombus terrestris is used worldwide for crop pollination. Despite its positive impact on crop yield, it has become a widespread threat to biodiversity due to its interactions with local bumblebee populations. Commercial subspecies introduced to the Iberian Peninsula since the 1990s without any regulation have colonized the environment, with evidence of naturalization and introgression with the endemic subspecies Bombus terrestris lusitanicus. We have used mitochondrial and nuclear genetic data to describe the current genetic diversity of the Iberian population and to estimate the expansion of commercial bumblebees. Samples from the natural distribution range of the commercial subspecies, the natural intergradation area between the two subspecies and from a period prior to the use of commercial colonies (i.e., before the 1990s) have been used for comparison. Our results show that the mitochondrial haplotype of the commercial breeds has spread throughout the territory, which, together with subtle changes observed in the nuclear genetic diversity of the populations, indicates that hybridization and consequent introgression are occurring in most of the peninsula. It is, therefore, necessary to improve the existing legislation concerning the management and exportation of commercial bumblebees to conserve locally adapted populations.

The initial growth of tacca (Tacca leontopetaloides) as food crops in the agroforestry pattern with malapari

Indonesia has many types of carbohydrate sources. Tacca (Tacca leontopetaloides) has potential as a source of the functional food industry, especially maltotriose and maltotetraose production. Tacca grows well in an open or a shaded area on sandy soil-mineral, soil pH is slightly alkaline, with very low to low Cation Exchange Capacity. Malapari (Pongamia pinnata) is a biofuel-producing plant with a natural distribution on coastal land. Planting combination between malapari as an energy-producing plant and tacca as a food source has never existed. So, it needs to be incentives in developing agroforestry that can provide intermediate results for farmers. The requirement of good quality tacca seedlings is a crucial factor in supporting food security. This study aimed to determine the effect of the types of tacca seeds used on the initial growth of tacca. The study used a randomized complete block design consisting of 3 (three) treatments: a) large tubers, b) small tubers, and c) the origin of seeds. The results showed that plants from large tubers produced the highest number of shoots, height, and diameter (5.83; 27.77 cm and 0.43 cm). Five years old malapari reaches a diameter of 6.95 cm, a height of 3.89 m, and a crown width of 2.43 m.

Genetic diversity of Pericopsis mooniana from South Kalimantan based on Random Amplified Polymorphism DNA (RAPD) Markers

The genetic diversity and relationship of Pericopsis mooniana collected from Pulau Laut, South Kalimantan, was analyzed using RAPD markers. Currently, the natural distribution of P. mooniana in Pulau Laut no longer exists. Instead, PT Inhutani II, as the concession holder in the area, had collected the remaining P.mooniana and planted it in the seed orchard, arboretum, or around PT Inhutani’s mess/office. Forty-two samples from four locations: mess/residential house (3), seed orchard (33), arboretum (3), and PT Inhutani II Unit Stagen (3) were analyzed using seven RAPD primers. Our study showed that the total genetic diversity of all populations was low (He = 0.191 ± 0.013). P. mooniana collected from seed orchards had the highest diversity (He = 0.289 ± 0.021), while the lowest was from mess/residential houses (He = 0.134 ± 0.025). The genetic relationship data indicated the possibility that P. mooniana from mess/residential house, arboretum, and seed orchard may come from the same origin. These results can be used to support the development of ex-situ conservation plots to avoid inbreeding depression. At the same time, the genetic diversity will be helpful in its conservation and further utilization, such as establishing the plantations to reduce the pressure of the species in nature and provide valuable timber production in Indonesia.

Insecta non gratae: New Distribution Records of Eight Alien Bug (Hemiptera) Species in Turkey with Contributions of Citizen Science

This study is prepared to provide an example for the utility of citizen science in faunistic research, which is becoming popular as a data source, especially for invasive alien species. With the globalization tendency of many living species by human impact, alien species rapidly spread far from their natural distribution range and become invasive in their newly settled ecosystems. Some of these invasive alien species become one of the most important problems for nature. This study focuses on distribution of following eight alien Hemiptera species that have previously been recorded from Turkey: Zelus renardii (Reduviidae), Corythucha arcuata and Corythucha ciliata (Tingidae), Leptoglossus occidentalis (Coreidae), Perillus bioculatus and Halyomorpha halys (Pentatomidae), Stictocephala bisonia (Membracidae) and Metcalfa pruinosa (Flatidae). New distributional and seasonality data for all these species are presented based on observations shared by citizen scientists in the websites Doğalhayat and iNaturalist. New provincial records for each species are given. As a result, it is apparent that citizen science is an important data source, supplies remarkable contribution for increasing the understanding on expansion of invasive alien species as well as providing clear picture on their distribution.

Aloe ×selmarii (Asphodelaceae subfam. Alooideae), a new nothospecies from South Africa, with A. davyana var. davyana and A. parvibracteata as parents

Aloe ×selmarii (Asphodelaceae subfam. Alooideae), a hybrid between A. davyana var. davyana and A. parvibracteata, is described. Although the natural distribution ranges of the parent species do not overlap, this nothospecies is often encountered as a result of the cultivation of A. parvibracteata outside its natural range, in areas where A. davyana var. davyana occurs naturally.

Use of photographic documents for comparative monitoring of the ecology of the region

The water factor has always been the "Achilles' heel" of Uzbekistan. The uneven natural distribution of natural water sources from antiquity to the present day has left its own imprint on the region's economy. The article makes an attempt to reveal the main processes of the influence of the water factor on the ecology of Uzbekistan with the help of visual material based on photographic documents of the National Archives of Uzbekistan, film and photographic documents and modern Internet publications. The article contains only a small part of photographic documents and photographs concerning the water factor of the republic, accumulated over 100 years of photographic documentation in Central Asia.

Mushroom Phorid Flies. A Review

Diptera are among the most serious arthropod pests affecting mushroom crops. Phorid flies, especially Megaselia halterata, have traditionally been globally considered as a minor pest, although they are a very important problem on Spanish mushroom farms. The concerns with respect to the phorid fly populations have recently increased, notably jumping from being a minor to major pest in India, UK and the USA, where yield losses ranging between 10 and 40% were reported. This review updates and summarizes the available literature regarding mushroom phorid populations, stressing the natural distribution of phorids and their seasonal distribution, their biology within the growing substrates and the initial sources of infestation on mushroom farms. Moreover, the review also highlights the scarce available tools for their control and the current alternatives to chemical products.

Calculated Discrimination: Exposing Racial Gerrymandering Using Computational Methods

In Rucho v. Common Cause, the Supreme Court held that challenges to partisan gerrymanders presented a nonjusticiable political question. This decision threatened to discard decades of work by political scientists and other experts, who had developed a myriad of techniques designed to help the courts objectively and unambiguously identify excessively partisan district maps. Simulated redistricting promised to be one of the most effective of these techniques. Simulated redistricting algorithms are computer programs capable of generating thousands of election-district maps, each of which conforms to a set of permissible criteria determined by the relevant state legislature. By measuring the partisan lean of both the automatically generated maps and the map put forth by the state legislature, a court could determine how much of this partisan bias was attributable to the deliberate actions of the legislature, rather than the natural distribution of the state’s population.Rucho ended partisan gerrymandering challenges brought under the U.S. Constitution—but it need not close the book on simulated redistricting. Although originally developed to combat partisan gerrymanders, simulated redistricting algorithms can be repurposed to help courts identify intentional racial gerrymanders. Instead of measuring the partisan bias of automatically generated maps, these programs can gauge improper racial considerations evident in the legislature’s plan and demonstrate the discriminatory intent that produced such an outcome. As long as the redistricting process remains in the hands of state legislatures, there is a threat that constitutionally impermissible considerations will be employed when drawing district plans. Simulated redistricting provides a powerful tool with which courts can detect a hidden unconstitutional motive in the redistricting process.