Range extension of the Melogale personata I. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1831 (Mustelidae) in Nepal

Melogale personata I. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1831, Large-toothed Ferret Badger (Mustelidae), is distributed from Nepal to Vietnam with very few records. It historically is known by only one recent sighting record from an unspeci-fied area of Nepal. The IUCN species distribution map shows this species in the Okhaldhunga District. We confirm the presence of M. personata in Nepal based on a sighting of a juvenile individual. This is the first record of this species from Syangja District, Nepal. The geographical range of this species is extended farther west in Nepal.

Rediscovery of Parahyparrhenia bellariensis (Poaceae: Andropogoneae): A presumed extinct grass from Andhra Pradesh, India

Parahyparrhenia bellariensis, an extremely rare and highly narrow endemic grass, has been rediscovered after almost 184 years from Cuddapah [Kadapa] district, Andhra Pradesh. The first description of its complete habit, basal portion and other features of the spikelets are provided along with new locality of its occurrence. In addition, photographs of the habitats, live plants, and a key to distinguish two Indian endemic species, distribution map and illustration are provided. As per the IUCN Red List Criteria this species is assessed here as Critically Endangered (CR). In order to facilitate the prospective conservation of this grass, we have discussed about the peculiarity of its habitat.

New species of termite Pseudocapritermes kunjepu Mathew sp. nov. (Blattodea: Termitidae: Termitinae) from India

The genus Pseudocapritermes Kemner, 1934, endemic to Oriental region is represented by 18 species. A new species, Pseudocapritermes kunjepu Mathew sp. nov. (Isoptera, Termitidae, Termitinae), is described from Kerala, India, based on the characters of soldiers and workers. Morphological measurements of the soldiers and workers are given with suitable illustrations. A revised key to the species of Pseudocapritermes (based on soldier caste) found in India along with the species distribution map are also provided. Key words: Isoptera, new species, Pseudocapritermes, Termitidae

Hyper-Spectral Imaging for Earth Observation Applications

<p>In this study, we present a hyper-spectral imaging (HSI) system that focuses on the spectral window 470-970 nm and meets the demands of static sampling and remote sensing when mounted on an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS).</p><p>The system comprises two HS cameras, a compact industrial PC and a battery pack. It has a total weight of <1.8kg, including the bracket for mounting to an active DJI Ronin gimbal. A labview interface was also developed to collect, process and analyse the images from the two HS cameras. The software has the ability to set the parameters for the cameras’ exposure times and capture frequency, while it can provide the digital counts at a single point of the image or the averaged counts over a rectangular area of the image. For the purposes of aerial applications, the program provides the ability of delayed start and sequentially image capture.</p><p>For the calibration of the raw HS images, an offline workflow is developed to derive absolute reflectance values. The processing chain includes dark and vignetting correction, spectral response characterization, digital number to reflectance conversion and hyperspectral data cube reconstruction.</p><p>The system has been already deployed in several in house studies: detection of dothistroma in Scots pine needles, starch detection in apples and bananas, and avocados maturity indication, while aerial imagery was also acquired during field campaigns in the UK and China aiming to create a tree species distribution map and to early identify tree health issues.</p><p>The development of the system is dynamic as technology is moving forward and the demand for light-weighted multi-sensor UAS surveys is increased during the last decade. Furthermore, the calibration processes and data analysis techniques are constantly updated to meet international requirements and push the accuracy of the products to the highest standards.</p>

Unexpected diversity of Hyboserica chafers in South African forest remnants: cladistic analysis, new species and the new genus Leoserica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae)

A taxonomic revision of Hyboserica uncovers an unexpected diversity of species from Southern African forest remnants. The work results in the description of a new genus, Leoserica gen. nov., a new combination, a new synonymy and 32 new species are described. The lectotypes of Serica capensis and Triodonta caffra are designated. The habitus and male genitalia of all revised species are illustrated. A species distribution map and an identification key to the species are provided. Phylogenetic analysis reveals a deep split into one very diverse eastern clade that is distributed north to Zimbabwe, and one western clade that is restricted to the fynbos of the Cape Region.

Review of Epoicocladius Šulc et Zavřel from China (Diptera, Chironomidae)

Epoicocladius Šulc et Zavřel from China is reviewed. Epoicocladius wangi Liu et Yan sp. n. is described and illustrated as male imago from China. The generic diagnosis is amended. Key to the known adult males of the genus and species distribution map worldwide are presented.

New records and update on the geographic distribution of Lontra longicaudis (Olfers, 1818) (Carnivora: Mustelidae) in Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests of northeastern Brazil

We confirmed occurrences of Lontra longicaudis (Olfers, 1818) in Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests (Caatinga) of 10 river basins in northeastern Brazil, reporting the first records of the species in five of them. The species was not found in river basins totally inserted in Caatinga, nor where Caatinga borders Cerrado (Piauí state), indicating a gap in the species distribution. We report the first otter occurrence in Piauí, in the Cerrado biome of the southern part of the state. The relevance of these results for Neotropical Otter conservation is discussed, and an update of the species distribution map is proposed.

Studies in Guatemalan Ensifera: New Glaphyrosoma species (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae) and additional data for other described species

We describe three new species in the genus Glaphyrosoma: G. magnaproctalis n. sp., G. franciscoasturiasi n. sp. and G. hectorcentenoi n. sp. We provide new data on the distribution of G. karnyi, G. beretka and G. anderi in Guatemala. We propose G. bruneri as nomen dubium and we define the status of specimens recorded as G. gracile in Guatemala and Costa Rica. We also include a species distribution map of this genus with the information available to us up to date and a key to species.

Haplophyllum sahinii (Rutaceae), a new species from Central Anatolia (Turkey)

Haplophyllum sahinii (Rutaceae) is described and illustrated as a new species, growing in the rocky fields near the village of Apasaraycık-Apa (Konya), in Central Anatolia. It is compared with the similar H. vulcanicum from Karadağ (Karaman) in south-central Turkey, from the point of view of plant, pollen and seed morphology. Some morphological characters of leaves, bracts, petals, ovary and capsule appendage are diagnostic in distinguishing the two species. Distribution map, and description of seed and pollen characters of the new species, are also given.

Studi Populasi Elang Jawa (Spizaetus bartelsi Stresemann, 1924) di Gunung Salak, Taman Nasional Gunung Halimun – Salak

Javan Hawk – Eagles is an endemic raptor species in Java Island which is protected by the state and listed as endangered by IUCN and CITES Appendix II. The population of Javan Hawk - Eagles has been greatly reduced due to large-scale of illegal logging and forest destruction. The initial step that could be taken to preserve this species is to study the population in its natural habitat. Thus, studying the population of Javan Hawk - Eagles was the aim of this research. The research was conducted at Gunung Salak, Gunung Halimun – Salak National Park in February to March 2011. Method used was explorative descriptive with look-down method on particular. Data were analyzed descriptively by describing the species’ distribution map by using ArcGIS and ArcView GIS 3.3 softwares. The results showed that the eagle population consisted of 13 individuals with density and abundance values of 0.183 individuals/km2 (1 individual/6 km2) and 2. The values fell into “few category” and the distribution pattern was categorized as “uniform”. The eagles’ habitats were forest and hills at 797-1.383 meters above sea level although they are seen more often in forest. Key words: Gunung Salak, Javan Hawk – Eagles, population