Micromorphology and Anatomy of the Flowers in Clivia spp. and Scadoxus multiflorus (Haemantheae, Amaryllidaceae)

The general morphology, micromorphology, and anatomy of the flowers of Clivia miniata , Clivia nobilis , and Scadoxus multiflorus were studied using light microscopy. The studied species have large syntepalous and trimerous flowers, short floral tubes with adnate stamens, and inferior ovaries that develop baccate fruit. The gynoecium in the studied species consists of synascidiate, symplicate, and hemisymplicate zones. The style is composed of postgenitally fused carpels. The few ovules are located in a locule in the synascidiate and symplicate zones in C. miniata and C. nobilis , whereas in S. multiflorus , solitary ovules occupy the synascidiate zone in each locule. The septal nectaries are located in the hemisymplicate zone and occupy the uppermost 29% to 56% of the ovary height. Septal nectaries are of the nonlabyrinthine lilioid-type, covered with secretory tissue only in its lower portion. Nectary channels are apical or subapical and open near the style base. A common pattern of the venation of the floral parts was observed in all species: Tepal traces and stamen traces were fused in the ovary wall, the style was supplied by dorsal carpellary bundles, and ovules were supplied by ventral carpellary bundles entering the ovary from the bottom. The observed gynoecium inner structure provides adaptations for the development of fleshy fruit, with thickened parenchymous ovary wall, ovary base, and ovary roof, and numerous branched vascular bundles in the ovary wall around locules.

First record of partial erythrism in a species of poison-dart frog of the family Dendrobatidae: Mindo Poison Frog Epipedobates darwinwallacei Cisneros-Heredia and Yánez-Muñoz, 2010

We report the first recorded case of partial erythrism in a frog belonging to the family Dendrobatidae, Mindo Poison Frog Epipedobates darwinwallacei Cisneros-Heredia and Yánez-Muñoz, 2010. In February 2019, we found an individual in the valley of Mindo, province of Pichincha, Ecuador showing dorsal surfaces uniformly orange, throat and posterior surfaces of legs black, and ventral surfaces yellow. Despite the atypic colouration, its general morphology coincides with E. darwinwallacei, and individuals with typical colouration for the species were abundant syntopically. We include photographs comparing the erythristic individual and a typical colouration frog from the same area. We provide a brief review of chromatic atypic colourations reported in Dendrobatoidea.

Revision of the cricket genus Nisitrus Saussure (Orthoptera: Gryllidae: Eneopterinae) and descriptions of five new species

Nisitrus Saussure, 1878 is a diurnal and monophyletic group of eneopterine crickets found in parts of Southeast Asia. Species often have vivid colourations which make them charismatic photograph subjects among macro photographers. However, their taxonomy has not been revised since their original descriptions, whereas there are also species awaiting to be discovered and described. A synoptic revision is therefore needed prior to studying the phylogenetic relationships of the genus, and before undertaking more precise studies on biogeography and evolution of traits. By holistically incorporating information about general morphology, male and female genitalia, and bioacoustics, we revise the taxonomy of these crickets and recognise 10 valid species of Nisitrus. Five new species are described: N. crucius Robillard & Tan sp. nov. from Borneo; N. danum Robillard & Tan sp. nov. from Borneo; N. hughtani Robillard & Tan sp. nov. from Sumatra; N. malaya Robillard & Tan sp. nov. from Malay Peninsula; and N. rindu Robillard & Tan sp. nov. from Borneo. We redescribe N. brunnerianus and N. insignis; describe the calls of N. malaya sp. nov., N. musicus and N. vittatus. We consider N. sumatrensis as a junior synonym of N. insignis; and N. marginata as a junior synonym of N. vittatus. Nisitrus hyalinus requires further revision. We also consider N. maculosus as a dubious name.

Apologetics in V.N. Ilyin’s Works on Aesthetics

In the article the author tries to view the works of Russian philosopher V.N. Ilyin on aesthetics as apologetic. Ilyin’s philosophic system that he himself termed as general morphology is based on such categories as “form”, “image” and “icon” as key elements, and thus it has obvious aesthetic dimension. General metaphysical principles stated in Ilyin’s theoretic and philosophic works that were not published in his lifetime, were reflected in his publicistic works – on aesthetics and liturgics. According to Ilyin, “form” is something by way of which the invisible ousia (essence) of the thing manifests itself on the surface – the phenomenon of invisible in visible image. For Ilyin the illustration of that principle was icon-painting. Ilyin also called his morphological system materologism – the doctrine on Logos running through the substance. Through the prism of this statement Ilyin views the phenomenon of bell-ringing, the “metaphysical task” of which was in “spiritualization of inorganic substance”, in that case – metal. An important part in Ilyin’s morphology was the metaphysics of light: light was something that allowed initially to discern forms and was the prerequisite for beauty and for admiring the beautiful. The appeal to beauty as something that was perceived directly in inner experience and lead the thought out of the limits of abstract logical construct, according to Ilyin, was part of the ontological argument of the divine being. Not only it contained the logically necessary conclusion of the divine being as the Absolute, but also included as a condition the “fact and act” of the man’s personal religious experience, – the experience of the direct perception of the divine reality in prayer and in church service, that, in its turn, was connected with the perception of the beauty of liturgical forms and with the cult as the phenomenon of the Absolute in circumstantial. This is the reason of the importance of the works on aesthetics and liturgics of Ilyin as an apologist.

Decontamination Assessment of Nanofiber-based N95 Masks

As the world battles with the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, it also prepares for future global pandemics that threaten our health, economy, and survivor. During the outbreak, it became evident that use of personal protective equipment (PPE), specially face masks, can significantly slow the otherwise uncontrolled spread of the virus. Nevertheless, the outbreak has caused shortage of PPE in many regions of the world. Therefore, this study advances the theme of decontaminating used masks. More specifically, the effect of various decontamination techniques on the integrity and functionality of nanofiber-based N95 masks (i.e. capable of at least filtering 95% of 0.3 µm aerosols) were examined. These techniques include 70% ethanol, bleaching, boiling, steaming, ironing as well as placement in autoclave, oven, and exposure to microwave (MW) and ultraviolet (UV) light. Herein, filtration efficiency (by Particle Filtration Efficiency equipment), general morphology, and microstructure of nanofibers (by Field Emission Scanning Electron microscopy) prior and after every decontamination technique were observed. The results suggest that decontamination of masks with 70% ethanol can lead to significant unfavorable changes in the microstructure and filtration efficiency (down to 57.33%) of the masks. In other techniques such as bleaching, boiling, steaming, ironing and placement in the oven, filtration efficiency dropped to only about 80% and in addition, some morphological changes in the nanofiber microstructure were seen. Expectedly, there was no significant reduction in filtration efficiency nor microstructural changes in the case of placement in autoclave and exposure to the UV light. It was concluded that, the latter methods are preferable to decontaminate nanofiber-based N95 masks.

Additional distribution records of Zimiris doriae Simon, 1882 (Araneae: Gnaphosidae) from India

Zimiris doriae Simon, 1882 is rediscovered from new localities in India. Detailed illustrations of the general morphology and copulatory organs are provided. The distribution records of all Zimiris species from India are mapped.

Biological, ecological, morphological and cytogenetic analyses, with taxonomic notes of Zelurus ochripennis (Stål, 1854) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Reduviinae)

Based on specimens of Zelurus ochripennis (Stål, 1854) collected in the entrance zone of a small terrestrial cave, some biological, ecological, morphological and cytogenetic data, as well, as the general morphology of their nymphs are presented for the first time. A short taxonomic summary of the species is also provided.