Limited movement of a hybrid zone in relation to regional variation in magnitude of climate change

Hybrid zones can provide clear documentation of range shifts in response to climate change and identify loci important to reproductive isolation. Using a deep temporal (36-38 years) comparison of the black-capped (Poecile atricapillus) and Carolina (P. carolinensis) chickadee hybrid zone, we investigated movement of the under-sampled western portion of the zone (western Missouri) as well as investigating whether loci and pathways underpinning reproductive isolation were similar to those from the eastern portion of the hybrid zone. Using 92 birds sampled along the hybrid zone transect in 2016, 68 birds sampled between 1978 and 1980, and 5 additional reference birds sampled from outside the hybrid zone, we generated 11,669 SNPs via ddRADseq. We used these SNPs to interpolate spatially and assess the movement of the hybrid zone interface through time, and to assess variation in introgression among loci. We demonstrate that the interface has moved approximately 5-8 km to the northwest over the last 36-38 years, i.e., at only one-fifth the rate at which the eastern portion of the hybrid zone (e.g. Pennsylvania, Ohio) has moved. Temperature trends across the last 38 years reveal that eastern areas have warmed 50% more than western areas in terms of annual mean temperature, possibly providing an explanation for the slower movement of the hybrid zone in Missouri. Using genomic cline analyses, we detected four genes that showed restricted introgression in both Missouri and Pennsylvania, including Pnoc, a gene involved in metabolism, learning and memory, concordant with previous physiological and behavioral findings on hybrids and the parental species.

Molecular and taxonomic evidence unmask hidden species diversity in the genus Acrobrycon (Characiformes, Characidae)

We conducted a review of the Neotropical genus Acrobrycon. A previous study synonymized the two recognized species in the genus: A. ipanquianus, distributed from the western portion of the Amazon River to the northwest region of the La Plata River Basin, and A. tarijae, described from the Lipeo River in Bolivia. We revisited this result by collecting additional morphometric, meristic, and genetic data (COI mitochondrial gene) for 24 individuals distributed along La Plata River Basin in Argentina, and discussed our results in the context of multiple biogeographic process of isolation in this basin. Our results revealed a more complex history of diversification and geographic distribution across Acrobrycon species than previously suspected. We present new evidence that leads us to reconsider the validity of A. tarijae, which is distinguished from A. ipanquianus by the number of vertebrae (37-39 vs. 41-42), pleural ribs (12-13 vs 14), and unbranched anal-fin rays (v-vi vs. ii-iii). These results were supported by molecular analysis which showed a genetic divergence >4% between both nominal species, also, indicated two major genetic clusters of A. tarijae: the first group consisted of specimens from the Bermejo, Pilcomayo, Itiyuro and Juramento River Basins (northern Argentina), and the second group is composed by specimens from the southernmost basins, such as the Salí River in Tucumán and the Quinto River in the province of San Luis. These results suggest that the genetic structure may be a consequence of the geographical distance that separates the two groups and the type of drainage.

Bat species of a karstic region in the Brazilian savanna and extension of the Hsunycteris thomasi (Phyllostomidae: Lonchophyllinae) distribution

We do not have a complete knowledge of the bat species presence in West Central Brazil domain and still do not understand how bats respond to the ecosystems rapid vanishing. We quantified bat diversity in the Parque Estadual de Terra Ronca (PETER), a Cerrado protected area. Additionally, we report an extension of the Hsunycteris thomasi distribution known only in the Amazon and the western portion of Brazil. Over 1.440 m2 h of mist netting and five nights of automatic recording, we recorded five families and 38 species, while the Jackknife first-order estimator predicted the occurrence of 25 species. Besides the register of species for the area, the novelty is the increase in the potential distribution area of H. thomasi in Norwest’s and north of the Midwest of Brazil. We also report the presence of at least one Lonchophylla dekeyseri population, an endemic to Cerrado. The lack of bat captures within the cotton plantation suggests the impoverishment of the bat assemblages due to the extensive loss of native habitats.

Three-dimensional Time-domain Induced Polarization of a Desert Aridisol for Septic Design

Septic leach field design in the arid southwestern US requires direct testing of soils to ensure adequate drainage. We propose that direct testing costs can be reduced if electrical geophysical methods are used to determine soil structure that facilitates proper drainage rates. We demonstrate this concept at a residential site where resistivity and induced polarization data were acquired within a desert soil with variable mixtures of clay (Argid) and calcareous (Orthid) components. Electrode arrays were tested to ensure high data quality and minimal workload during inversion modeling. The resulting resistivity structure identified a sharp boundary between the eastern and western halves of the property. The west was more conductive than the east, which could indicate the presence of higher moisture or higher clay content. Chargeability data gathered from the induced polarization survey showed similar stark patterns between east and west halves of the property. The western portion of the survey area was verified to have some clay based on high chargeability values and direct soil testing from pits. Test pits dug to 3.65 m showed transitions between Argid and Othid conditions; the test pits were in locations of moderate resistivity and low chargeability. From this study, we concluded that resistivity and IP were useful in septic design because they reduce the total amount of direct testing needed when testing locations are carefully chosen based on the geophysical results.

Acoustics of a Music Venue/Bar—A Case Study

A vacant unit, once used by a Portuguese Deli, was converted to a bar/music room in Toronto. The unit was divided into two spaces along its north-south axis. The western portion was designed as a music room that would provide a performance space from a solo artist to a Jazz combo to a small rock band. The eastern part was designed as a regular bar/dining area. The plan also called for a microbrewery unit at the back of the unit. The bar music can be loud, while the music room can be pianissimo to forte depending on the type of performance. The acoustical design aspects are critical for the music room. In addition, the acoustical separation between the two spaces is equally important. The music room/bar is currently in use. The design results are compared to actual field measurements. The results showed that the music venue performed satisfactorily. The acoustical separation between the music venue and the bar/restaurant was better than expected other than an installation deficiency of the south side sound lock doors. The background sound along the northern portion was NC-35 or less. However, the southern portion’s background sound exceeded NC-35 due to the hissing of the return air grille. The acoustical design and the performance results of the music venue-bar/restaurant are presented in this paper.

Acoustics of a Music Venue/Bar—A Case Study

A vacant unit, once used by a Portuguese Deli, was converted to a bar/music room in Toronto. The unit was divided into two spaces along its north-south axis. The western portion was designed as a music room that would provide a performance space from a solo artist to a Jazz combo to a small rock band. The eastern part was designed as a regular bar/dining area. The plan also called for a microbrewery unit at the back of the unit. The bar music can be loud, while the music room can be pianissimo to forte depending on the type of performance. The acoustical design aspects are critical for the music room. In addition, the acoustical separation between the two spaces is equally important. The music room/bar is currently in use. The design results are compared to actual field measurements. The results showed that the music venue performed satisfactorily. The acoustical separation between the music venue and the bar/restaurant was better than expected other than an installation deficiency of the south side sound lock doors. The background sound along the northern portion was NC-35 or less. However, the southern portion’s background sound exceeded NC-35 due to the hissing of the return air grille. The acoustical design and the performance results of the music venue-bar/restaurant are presented in this paper.

Petrographic Studies of Rocks around Arum and Its Environs, North Central Nigeria

A detailed geological mapping of the area around Arum and environs part of Kurra sheet 189 SW was carried out on the scale of 1: 12, 500. Geologic field mapping and petrographic study (both megascopic and microscopic) were the methodology used. The geologic mapping of the area identified four rock units which are; granite, porphyritic granite, granitic gneiss and Porphyroblastic gneiss. These rock types were distributed such that the granite at the north-eastern part covered about 25%, the north –western portion was occupied by the porphyritic granite which occupied the largest portion of about 30% of the area. The third rock unit is the granitic gneiss which covered only about 20%. The fourth (last) and the oldest rock unit is the Porphyroblastic gneiss covering about 25% of the total area at the south-eastern corner. Megascopic and microscopic study revealed that the rocks in the area comprised of minerals such as; quartz, biotite, muscovite, microcline, feldspar, hornblende, garnet, etc. Structures that were clearly evident in the area included fault, foliation, joints, and veins. Structural analysis showed that their rose diagrams proved a NW-SE, NNE-SSW and NE-SW trends to be dominant.

Molecular phylogeny of the Austrolebias adloffi group (Cyprinodontiformes, Rivulidae), with description of two new endangered and highly endemic species of annual killifishes from the Laguna dos Patos system, southern Brazil

The Austrolebias adloffi species group encompasses a diverse lineage of annual killifishes that occurs along the Laguna dos Patos/Lagoa Mirim system, in both Brazilian and Uruguayan territories. We herein employ an integrative taxonomy approach to describe two new species of the group, inferring their phylogenetic relationships and evaluating their conservation status. Austrolebias cheffei sp. nov. and Austrolebias lourenciano sp. nov. are herein described from the western portion of the Laguna dos Patos system. Austrolebias cheffei is distinguished from the remaining species of the A. adloffi species group by presenting a yellowish green or yellowish blue dorsal fin, with wide black to dark brown bars extending from the base to the middle portion of the dorsal and anal fins in the males. Austrolebias lourenciano is distinguished from the remaining species of the A. adloffi species group by presenting a yellowish green dorsal fin, with light yellow or light bluish bars forming small triangles, interspersed with small dark brown rows of blotches in the dorsal fin base, and greenish blue anal fin, sometimes with lighter elongated yellowish iridescent blotches, limited to the basal region. According to mitochondrial cytb sequences, both species are reciprocally monophyletic relative to other species of the A. adloffi species group, and present positive barcoding gap values. Interestingly, both new species form a grade that is closely related to Austrolebias aff. minuano 1, an undescribed species that occurs at the opposite margin of the Laguna dos Patos. Among the other evaluated species, A. bagual, A. aff. minuano 1, A. nigrofasciatus, A. pelotapes, A. pongondo, A. arachan, and A. viarius also revealed to be reciprocally monophyletic, whereas A. minuano and A. adloffi revealed to be paraphyletic in regard to A. charrua and A. aff. minuano 2, respectively, and A. nachtigalli is subdivided in two clades, one of which including A. reicherti, which points to the need of a taxonomic review of the group. In addition, we discussed the conservation status of the new species, corrected the type locality of A. pongondo, and provided a dichotomous identification key of the A. adloffi species group.

Spatiotemporal Prescribed Fire Patterns in Washington State, USA

We investigate the spatiotemporal patterns of prescribed fire and wildfire within Washington State, USA using records from the state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Spatiotemporal comparisons of prescribed fire and wildfire area burned revealed that (1) fire activity broadly differed between the eastern and western portion of the state in terms of total area and distribution of burn sources, (2) over the 2004–2019 period, wildfire largely replaced prescribed fire as the predominant source of burning, and (3) wildfire and prescribed fire occur during distinct months of the year. Spatiotemporal variation in prescribed fire activity at regional levels were measured using five parameters: total area burned, total biomass burned, burn days, burn approval rates, and pile burn frequency. Within-region spatial variability in prescribed fire parameters across land ownership categories and bioclimatic categories were often detectable. Regression models of the annualized prescribed fire parameters suggested that prescribed fire activities have been declining in multiple administrative regions over the 2004–2019 period. A descriptive analysis of seasonal trends found that prescribed fire use largely peaked in the fall months, with minor peaks usually occurring in the spring. Lastly, we described how area burned, biomass burned, and pile burn frequency differed between prescribed fires approved and denied by the DNR, and found that approved prescribed fires were typically smaller and burned less biomass than denied fires.

A new species of Thamnodynastes Wagler, 1830 from western Amazonia, with notes on morphology for members of the Thamnodynastes pallidus group (Serpentes, Dipsadidae, Tachymenini)

The genus Thamnodynastes is the most diverse within the tribe Tachymenini, with an extensive and complex taxonomic history. The brief descriptions and lack of robust diagnostic characters are the main sources for identification errors and for the difficulty to assess the diversity estimates of the genus. The Thamnodynastes pallidus group was briefly designated to encompass the most arboreal species of the genus, with thinner bodies and longer tails: T. pallidus, T. longicaudus, T. sertanejo, and a fourth undescribed species. After its designation, no other paper addressed this group and its morphological variation, especially for the hemipenis, is still undetermined. After the analysis of all species of Thamnodynastes we were able to corroborate the distinctiveness of the T. pallidus group and to accurately diagnose its fourth species from the western portion of the Amazonia lowlands. The new species is distinguishable from all congeners, except T. sertanejo, by the absence of ventral longitudinal stripes, 17/17/11 dorsal scale rows, and dorsal dark brown blotches on the anterior third of the body. The new species is distinguished from T. sertanejo by the higher number of subcaudals, lower number of ventrals, and smaller body and head sizes. We also provide additional diagnostic features for the Thamnodynastes pallidus group, including new data on hemipenial variation. Finally, we briefly discuss the defensive behavior and morphological characters associated with arboreality in members of the T. pallidus species group.