bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contributions to the Knowledge of Callichthyidae (Teleostei: Siluriformes). II. The types of Corydoras paleatus (JENYNS, 1842)
Authors: Knaak Joachim
Published: February 2023

NIJSSEN & ISBRÜCKER (1980) haben im Zuge einer Revision der Gattung Corydoras LACÉPÈDE, 1803 auch die drei Syntypen von Corydoras paleatus (JENYNS, 1842) untersucht und einen Lectotypus festgelegt. Dieser Lectotypus und die beiden Paralectotypen wurden 2006 erneut bearbeitet. Dabei stellte sich heraus, dass das als Lectotypus (BMNH 1917.7.14.18) betrachtete Exemplar nicht der von NIJSSEN & ISBRÜCKER festgelegte Fisch ist und demnach auch kein Exemplar der von DARWIN gesammelten Syntypenserie darstellt. Somit muss der von NIJSSEN & ISBRÜCKER (1980) festgelegte Lectotypus als verschollen gelten. Nachforschungen über den Verbleib des Lectotypus führten zu keinem Ergebnis. Damit wurde die Festlegung eines Neotypus (BMNH 1917.7.14.19) aus den zwei noch verbliebenen Paralectotypen notwendig.
Dicrossus gladicauda sp. n. - a new species of crenicarine dwarf cichlids (Teleostei: Perciformes: Cichlidae) from Colombia, South-America
Authors: Schindler Ingo , Staeck Wolfgang
Published: February 2023

Dicrossus gladicauda sp. n. is described from the drainage of the lower río Atababo in Colombia. It can be distinguished from all other Dicrossus species by the asymmetrical shape of the caudal fin of adult males which develop a long filamentous streamer by the extension of their caudal-fin rays D3 and D4.
Remarks to some small mammals of the Cuc Phuong and Phong Nha-Ke Bang
Authors: Feiler Alfred , Nadler Tilo , Stefen Clara
Published: February 2023

On the basis of literature research, observations and dead finds some small mammals of the Cuc Phuong and Phong Nha-Ke Bang Natural Parks and the Ke Go Nature Reserve are considered in comparison. Expectedly some species are restricted to reserves in central Vietnam. Depending on the local conditions and the state of research the knowledge of small mammals is still limited. However, some regional differences in the distribution of species between the considered areas are indicated. Within the Insectivora Suncus etruscus has so far been documented from the Cuc Phuong National Park, and the Nature Reserves Na Hang and Hoang Lien, Crocidura kegoensis in the Nature Reserve Ke Go only. Two species of Rhinolophus (R. marshalli, R. pearsoni) were found in the Cuc Phuong National Park only. Myotis annamiticus is only known from the Quang Binh Province. 21 species of rodents are discussed and for most of them some body and skull measurements and some ecological observations are given. Synanthrope species are: Mus musculus, Rattus tanezumi, Rattus losea, Rattusnitidus und Rattus norvegicus. Arboricol are: Chiropodomys gliroides and Hapalomys delacouri, typical for primary and secondary woodlands are Rattus sikkimensis, Leopoldamys sabanus and Maxomys surifer, of which pictures are shown
Sex dimorphic dentition and notes on the skull and hypbranchium in the hynobiid salamander Pachyhynobius shangchengensis FEI, QU & WU, 1983 (Urodela: Amphibia)
Authors: Clemen Günter , Greven Hartmut
Published: February 2023

A noticeable sex-dimorphic dentition is described in the hynobiid salamander Pachyhynobius shangchengensis. In the upper and lower jaw, the male possesses pedicellate teeth with a chisel- or spearhead-like crown, i.e. secondary (labial) cusps of teeth are largely reduced, whereas the primary (lingual) cusps are fl attened antero-posteriorly and exhibit sharp edges. In contrast, females have pedicellate, somewhat fl attened teeth more variable in shape, but with small bladed labial and large bladed lingual cusps. Vomeres of both sexes bear typical bicuspid, pedicellate teeth. Skulls including the hyobranchium are largely ossifi ed with some minor differences between males and females. However, females appear to lack the pars hypohyalis in the hyobranchial apparatus.
Snakes of the genus Eirenis in Jordan (Reptilia: Squamata: Colubridae)
Authors: Shwayat Suha , Amr Zuhair , Disi Ahmad
Published: February 2023

Four species of the genus Eirenis that occur in Jordan were studied. Distribution and ecology of these species was investigated. Eirenis coronella was collected from the Mediterranean and Irano-Turanean biotopes. Jordan represents the most southern range of distribution for E. decemlineata, E. lineomaculata and E. rothi. Sexual dimorphism is evident in E. rothi where as females attain larger body size, but shorter tail and accordingly higher ventral and lower caudal scales. The hemipenes of the four examined species were similar to each other; with minor differences. All have cylindrical simple hemipenis; with a single sulcus; with macro-ornamentation of large spines; also with micro-ornamentation of small spines and calyculate. Food remains from examined snakes showed that all four species feeds on arthropods (spider, centipede, scorpions, Acrididae, caterpillars and unidentifi ed beetles).
Description of Dicrossus foirni sp. n. and Dicrossus warzeli sp. n. (Teleostei: Perciformes: Cichlidae), two new cichlid species from the Rio Negro and the Rio Tapajós, Amazon drainage, Brazil
Authors: Römer Uwe , Hahn Ingo , Vergara Pablo
Published: February 2023

Dicrossus foirni sp. n. and Dicrossus warzeli sp. n. are described from the Brazilian Amazon River system. Both species are differentiated from all other Neotropical cichlids by exhibiting three rows of longitudinal lateral spots. Dicrossus foirni sp. n., which is distributed in the northern Rio Negro drainage, exhibits a pattern of lateral spots formed by the clustering of individual dots. By contrast, Dicrossus warzeli sp. n., which is endemic to the Rio Tapajós, exhibits three longitudinal rows of horizontal dash-like spots on the sides of the body. Furthermore, the two species are distinguished by having different relationships between body height and body length.
Description of a new microhylid frog species of the genus Xenorhina (Amphibia: Anura: Microhylidae) from the Fakfak Mountains, far western New Guinea
Authors: Günther Rainer
Published: February 2023

Based on morphological, bioacoustic, and molecular traits, a new species in the microhylid genus Xenorhina is described. It was recently discovered in the Fakfak Mountains, northwestern corner of the Bomberai Peninsula, Papua Province, Indonesia. This new species has no vomero-palatine spikes. According to molecular traits of the 12S and 16S rRNA genes, the new taxon is most closely related to a syntopic Xenorhina cf. oxycephala. It belongs to the smallest species in its genus and to those with the longest hind legs. Its advertisement call consists of a series of melodious notes lasting 5 – 6 seconds; mean note length 77 milliseconds, mean internote interval length 438 ms, and mean repetition rate 2.1 notes per second. The new species is fossorial and it occurs in primary and secondary rain forest at an elevation of from 400 m to 900 m a.s.l.
Mitochondrial DNA sequences suggest a revised taxonomy of Asian flapshell turtles (Lissemys SMITH, 1931) and the existence of previously overlooked taxa (Testudines: Trionychidae)
Authors: Praschag Peter , Stuckas Heiko , Päckert Martin , Maran Jérôme , Fritz Uwe
Published: February 2023

We investigated relationships among Asian fl apshell turtles by using 2286 bp of mitochondrial DNA for phylogenetic reconstructions and relaxed molecular clock calculations. Currently three taxa are recognized, the unspotted species Lissemys scutata and L. punctata, with the unspotted subspecies L. p. punctata and the spotted subspecies L. p. andersoni. However, we found fi ve deeply divergent clades, two of which correspond to L. scutata (Myanmar; perhaps also adjacent Thailand and Yunnan, China) and L. p. andersoni (Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra drainages; western Myanmar), respectively. Within L. p. punctata from peninsular India and Sri Lanka three distinct clades were identifi ed, two from peninsular India and one from Sri Lanka. The two clades from peninsular India are more closely related to L. p. andersoni than to fl apshell turtles from Sri Lanka. Due to a genetic divergence resembling L. scutata, we propose to separate Sri Lankan populations as the distinct species L. ceylonensis (Gray, 1856) from L. punctata. Furthermore, we suggest to restrict the name L. p. punctata (Lacepède, 1788) = L. p. punctata (Bonnaterre, 1789) to populations from southern peninsular India, whereas the name L. p. vittata (Peters, 1854) should be applied to unspotted fl apshell turtles from northern peninsular India. We classify all three taxa from the Indian subcontinent as subspecies because (1) there is morphological and genetic evidence that L. p. andersoni intergrades with L. p. vittata, and (2) the genetic divergence among L. p. punctata, L. p. andersoni and L. p. vittata resembles the degree of differentiation as observed between the latter two subspecies, whereas the differences between L. ceylonensis and L. scutata and among these species and the subspecies of L. punctata are about twice the values as observed among the subspecies of L. punctata. The formation of the subspecies of L. punctata was dated to have occurred between the uppermost Miocene and the Early Pleistocene (mean split ages of approx. 4.5 and 4.2 million years); the origin of L. ceylonensis and L. scutata, to a range between the Early Miocene and the Lower Pliocene (mean split ages of approx. 8 and 11 million years, respectively).
Systematics, distribution and ecology of the snakes of Jordan
Authors: Amr Zuhair S. , Disi Ahmad M.
Published: February 2023

The present study consists of both locality records and of literary data for 37 species and subspecies of snakes reported from Jordan. Within the past decade snake taxonomy was re-evaluated employing molecular techniques that resulted in reconsideration of several taxa. Thus, it is imperative now to revise the taxonomic status of snakes in Jordan to update workers in Jordan and the surrounding countries with these nomenclatural changes. The snake fauna of Jordan consists of 37 species and subspecies belonging to seven families (Typhlopidae, Leptotyphlopidae, Boidae, Colubridae, Atractaspididae, Elapidae and Viperidae). Families Leptotyphlopidae, Boidae and Elapidae are represented by a single species each, Leptotyphlops macrorhynchus, Eryx jaculus and Walterinnesia aegyptia respectively. The families Typhlopidae and Atractaspididae are represented by two and three species respectively. Species of the former genus Coluber were updated and the newly adopted names are included. Family Colubridae is represented by twelve genera (Dolichophis, Eirenis, Hemorrhois, Lytorhynchus, Malpolon, Natrix, Platyceps, Psammophis, Rhagerhis, Rhynchocalamus, Spalerosophis and Telescopus) and includes 24 species. Family Viperidae includes fi ve genera (Cerastes, Daboia, Echis, Macrovipera and Pseudocerastes), each of which is represented by a single species, except the genus Cerastes which is represented by two subspecies. We also included distributional data for all species. Scale counts and body measurements are given for most species. Notes on biology and ecology as well as distribution maps and a complete listing for all previous and recent records are provided for each species. Zoogeographic analysis for the snake fauna of Jordan is also given, along with notes on species status and conservation.
Das Typusmaterial der Characiformes des Museums für Naturkunde zu Berlin. Teil 2a (3): Südamerikanische Characiformes im weiteren Sinne (Teleostei: Ostariophysi: Characiformes: Parodontidae, Curimatidae, Prochilodontidae, Anostomidae, Chilodontidae, Crenuchidae, Hemiodontidae)
Authors: Zarske Axel
Published: February 2023

The type specimens of the Characiformes (Teleostei: Ostariophysi) of the Museum of Natural History of Berlin are listed, investigated and discussed. Each taxon is figured with his historical original picture, a lateral view and an x-ray picture. The South American specimens of the families Parodontidae, Curimatidae, Prochilodontidae, Anostomidae, Chilodontidae, Crenuchidae and Hemiodontidae are listed. There are type specimens of 40 taxa of Characiformes of these families. The type specimens of the families Serrasalmidae, Acestrorhynchidae, Erythrinidae and Lebiasinidae will be listed in a third part. The type specimens of South-American Characidae sensu stricto will be investigated and discussed in a forth and fifth part of this publication.
Number and distribution of Leydig cells (LC) in the epidermis of the growing axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum (Amphibia: Urodela)
Authors: Gerling Sonja , D’Haese Jochen , Greven Hartmut
Published: February 2023

The epidermal Leydig cells (LC) of larval and paedomorphic Urodela (= Caudata) are highly specialized cells, which are characterized by a complex peripheral cytoskeleton (Langerhans’ net) and numerous inclusions usually named secretory granules. We studied number, distribution and development of these cells in larvae up to 100 days after hatching and in some adults of the paedomorphic axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum). With the exception of a short period after hatching, relation between age and total length of larvae was linear. The tail grew positively, the width of the head negatively allometric. Keeping larvae in groups resulted in a somewhat slower growth, in deviations from a strict linearity of some morphological parameters, and in a delayed increase of the number of LC, which is interpreted as crowding effect. LC could be identified already before hatching and developed first in the head, then in the trunk, and finally in the tail. Number of LC increased highly disproportionally during larval growth. Within 6 months, LC differentiated from relatively small cells (20 × 10 μm) with a vacuolated appearance to large round cells (diameter ca. 65 μm) with distinct and stainable granules and a prominent Langerhans’ net forming several layers within the epidermis. LC neither rested directly upon the basal lamella nor reached the epidermal surface. They showed a moderate mitotic activity in all age groups examined. Number of mitoses appeared too small to explain the high number of LC in the epidermis and to guarantee continuous replacement. Mature, most superficially located LC appear to be shed.
A new species of the catfish genus Trichomycterus (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) from the rio Paraná basin, southeastern Brazil
Authors: Barbosa Maria , Azevedo-Santos Valter
Published: February 2023

A new species of the catfish genus Trichomycterus is described from tributaries of the upper rio Grande, rio Paraná basin, southeastern Brazil. Trichomycterus pirabitira new species is diagnosed by the morphology of the metapterygoid and the caudal fin, and number of vertebrae, branchiostegal rays and interopercular odontodes, relative position of the dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins, head length, and body width. The new species seems to be closely related to the species of the T. brasiliensis complex by having the oblique arrangement of opercular odontodes described for the group.
A new Nematocharax species from the middle Contas River basin, Northeastern Brazil (Characiformes: Characidae)
Authors: De Bragança Pedro Henrique Negreiros , Barbosa Maria , Mattos José Leonardo
Published: February 2023

Nematocharax costai, new species is described from the Contas river basin, northeastern Brazil. The new species is included in the genus Nematocharax by possessing elongated branched dorsal-, anal- and pelvic-fin rays; two rows of pre-maxillary teeth in adults and practically complete row of teeth along the free ventral maxillary border. It differs from N. venustus, unique congener, by the number of maxillary teeth in adult males; absence of hooks and spinules on dorsal and pelvic fins; reduced number of anal-fin rays with spinules; presence of a long dark pink horizontal mark on caudal peduncle; number of supraneurals and pelvic-fin filament yellow.
Historical biogeography of aplocheiloid killifishes (Teleostei: Cyprinodontiformes)
Authors: Costa Wilson
Published: February 2023

Aplocheiloid killifishes, a diversified group of primary freshwater fishes occurring in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, Africa and south-eastern Asia, have been the focus of debates among biogeographers using dispersal and vicariance approaches. The aim of the present paper is to infer biogeographical events responsible for the present distribution of aplocheiloid killifishes using an event-based methodology (DIVA) in conjunction to a phylogeny combining mitochondrial DNA sequences and morphology. Optimal ancestral reconstructions support vicariance events chronologically congruent to northern Gondwana break-up, including separation of Madagascar, India, South America and Africa plates (about 121 – 84 Ma), as well as congruent to paleogeographical events within the Africa plate, such as the widening of the Benue Trough (about 90 – 80 Ma) and the start of activity of the East African Rift System (about 30 Ma), and within the South American plate, as the formation of Gaarland (about 35 – 33 Ma), uplift of the Andean Eastern Cordillera (11.8 Ma) and the interruption of the paleo-Amazonas river basin by the uplift of the Vaupés Swell (about 11 – 7 Ma). The reconstructions also support geodispersal events related to the colonization of the Greater Antilles (about 35 – 33 Ma) and Central America areas (3.7 – 3.4 Ma) by aplocheiloids through land connections, besides some dispersal events through the Zaire, East Africa, Amazon and Eastern Brazil areas.
Assessing the diversity of phytotelmic frogs along Madagascar’s east coast: Redefinition of Guibemantis bicalcaratus (BOETTGER, 1913) and revalidation of Guibemantis methueni (ANGEL, 1929)
Authors: Vences Miguel , Rakotoarison Andolalao , Rakotondrazafy Andry Malalan’Ny Aina , Ratsoavina Fanomezana , Randrianiaina Roger , Glaw Frank , Lehtinen Richard , Raxworthy Christopher
Published: February 2023

Guibemantis bicalcaratus (Boettger, 1913) has been considered as a widespread member of the subgenus Pandanusicola of largely phytotelmic-breeding Malagasy frogs. Based on new collections from its type locality, the Malagasy island Nosy Boraha, and several other localities on Madagascar’s east coast, we revise the status of G. bicalcaratus using molecular and morphological data. Mitochondrial DNA sequences of the 16S rRNA gene demonstrate the presence of two deep genealogical lineages of Pandanusicola on Nosy Boraha. Of these, one so far has only been found on Nosy Boraha whereas the second is also present at several other localities along the central east coast of Madagascar. Specimens assigned to the two mtDNA lineages did not share alleles in sequences of the nuclear RAG1 gene except for one specimen, suggesting reduction or absence of gene flow despite sympatry, with occasional hybridization. No differences between the two lineages were found in external morphology but faint differences in color allowed us to discriminate the majority of specimens, and we therefore conclude that they should be considered as belonging to two distinct species. Based on these chromatic differences and comparison with type specimens, we assign the species present only on Nosy Boraha to Guibemantis bicalcaratus whereas the second species also occurs at Ambila, the type locality of Gephyromantis methueni Angel, 1929. We consequently resurrect this nomen as Guibemantis methueni for this species. It is likely that the two species are restricted to relatively small ranges on Madagascar’s central east coast, but due to the rudimentary knowledge on their distribution and habitat requirements we suggest a threat status of Data Deficient for both of them.
First breeding survey of the endemic Madagascar Red Fody Foudia madagascariensis and Forest Fody Foudia omissa at Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar
Authors: Solohery Rasamison , Aristide Andrianarimisa
Published: February 2023

An intensive study of the breeding biology of Foudia madagascariensis and Foudia omissa in the family Ploceidae was first conducted in Ranomafana National Park from November 2003 to April 2004. During the survey, 368 nests of Foudia madagascariensis and 7 nests of Foudia omissa were found. Nest building of F. madagascariensis can be divided into four stages. The male builds the nest up to stage 2. Then the female partner finishes construction of the nest until stage 4. In both species incubation lasts 13 to 17 days and the number of eggs varies from 1 to 5 per brood for F. madagascariensis and 1 to 3 for F. omissa. Males of both species occupied more than one nest in their territory and had at least three different partners, thus are apparently polygamous. They defend their territory and rarely feed their chicks or engage in parental care at all. The females ensure incubation of the eggs, clean the nest and rear the chicks. The nestlings first flew out after 13 to 15 days and were consecutively led by the parents. During the study period a cyclone and especially anthropogenic nest destruction contributed to 26% of nest failures.
Sexual size dimorphism in the extreme SW breeding population of the European Storm Petrel Hydrobates pelagicus (Aves: Procellariformes)
Authors: Castro Guillermo , Delgado Juan , González Javier , Wink Michael
Published: February 2023

We used molecular sexing and morphological analysis to characterise sexual size dimorphism (SSD) in the European Storm Petrel Hydrobates pelagicus (Linnaeus, 1758) in the southernmost and westernmost breeding colony (El Hierro, Canary Islands).We analysed SSD in 79 individuals (46 males, 33 females). We performed discriminant analysis on 9 morphometric variables and correctly classified 70.5% of the original cases. By binary logistic regression, the accuracy in sexing birds previously sexed by DNA analysis was 70.5%. Females were larger than males in wing and tarsus length but there were no differences for bill size and shape. There was a large biometric overlap between sexes in this Canarian breeding colony of H. pelagicus. However, a moderate female-biased dimorphism in flight-relevant variables such as tail and wing traits could be of interest in trophic segregation of sexes and optimization of resource use in these pelagic-feeding birds.
A new genus of miniature cynolebiasine from the Atlantic Forest and alternative biogeographical explanations for seasonal killifish distribution patterns in South America (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae)
Authors: Costa Wilson
Published: February 2023

The analysis of 78 morphological characters for 16 species representing all the lineages of the tribe Cynopoecilini and three out-groups, indicates that the incertae sedis miniature species ‘Leptolebias’ leitaoi Cruz & Peixoto is the sister group of a clade comprising the genera Leptolebias, Campellolebias, and Cynopoecilus, consequently recognised as the only member of a new genus. Mucurilebias gen. nov. is diagnosed by seven autapomorphies: eye occupying great part of head side, low number of caudal-fin rays (21), distal portion of epural much broader than distal portion of parhypural, an oblique red bar through opercle in both sexes, isthmus bright red in males, a white stripe on the distal margin of the dorsal fin in males, and a red stripe on the distal margin of the anal fin in males. Mucurilebias leitaoi is an endangered seasonal species endemic to the Mucuri river basin. The biogeographical analysis of genera of the subfamily Cynolebiasinae using a dispersal-vicariance, event-based parsimony approach indicates that distribution of South American killifishes may be broadly shaped by dispersal events. The analysis supports south-eastern Brazilian coastal plains as the centre of dispersal for cynolebiasine killifishes. Alternative biogeographical explanations are compared and possible dispersal routes and means of dispersal are discussed.
Ecology of the Persian Squirrel, Sciurus anomalus, in Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve, Lebanon
Authors: Said Mounir , Khoury Jeannette , Makhlouf Hassane , Amr Zuhair
Published: February 2023

The ecology of the Persian Squirrel, Sciurus anomalus, was studied in Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve, Lebanon. Trapping yielded very low trapping success (2 out of 572 trapping days), while camera trapping proved to be an efficient method to determine presence/absence of squirrels. The Persian Squirrel was found to feed on pine cones more than cedar cone. Association between feeding areas was established. Based on camera trapping, squirrels’ activity began as early as 6:00 am and lasted until 18:00 pm. Peak activity was recorded between 9:00 am until 14:00 pm. An estimate of 1.04–1.82 squirrels per hectare was determined based on seed consumption and daily energy intake.
A peculiar association: the skin and the subcutaneus diverticula of the Southern Screamer (Chauna torquata, Anseriformes)
Authors: Picasso Mariana , Mosto María , Tozzi Romina , Degrange Federico , Barbeito Claudio
Published: February 2023

The aim of this work is to describe for the first time the skin and the subcutaneous diverticula at histological level (by light microscopy) of the Southern Screamer Chauna torquata. We found that the main distinguishing features of the skin were the presence of deep and branched epidermal invaginations whereas in the dermis abundant elastic fibers were found. These skin features could provide a great stretchability to the skin which, in turn, are related to the change of volume that may experience the subcutaneous diverticula.. Since screamers are flying birds that soar to great heights, the presence of subcutaneous diverticula together with another anatomical features (like a great skeletal pneumaticity) could favor a body mass reduction and an optimization in its mode of locomotion.
Phylogenetic Status and Genetic Diversity of the Turkish Marbled Polecat, Vormela peregusna, (Mustelidae: Carnivora: Mammalia) inferred from the Mitochondrial Cytochrome b Gene
Authors: İbiş Osman , Tez Coşkun
Published: February 2023

Previous genetic studies of marbled polecats did not include samples collected in Turkey. Therefore, the current knowledge is not sufficient to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships among marbled polecat populations. The aim of the present study was to determine the genetic diversity of the Turkish population and to reveal the phylogenetic relationships between the Turkish population and other marbled polecat populations. To accomplish this, we analyzed 17 cytochrome b gene sequences from Turkey and compared these with 10 cytochrome b gene sequences from the GenBank database. To construct the phylogenetic tree, we used the Neighbor-Joining, Maximum Likelihood, Maximum Parsimony and Bayesian methods, and also a median-joining network to assess relationships among haplotypes of the marbled polecat. The performed analyses, except for Bayesian method, yielded three main haplogroups within the marbled polecat. Haplogroup 1 contained haplotypes from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkey (Anatolia), Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, Haplogroup 2 consisted of haplotypes from Turkey (Thrace), Turkmenistan and an unknown location, and Haplogroup 3 (Turkish Main Haplogroup) contained only the Turkish haplotypes. The present study shows that the Turkish population consists of individuals from all these three distinct phylogroups, and emphasized the importance of data obtained from the Turkish samples to reveal the phylogenetic relations among marbled polecat populations.
Evaluating the use of the anterior ceratohyal morphology to diagnose Laetacara KULLANDER, 1986, with comments on other cichlid genera (Cichlidae: Cichlasomatini)
Authors: Ottoni Felipe
Published: February 2023

The morphology of the anterior ceratohyal is herein analyzed in all the species of Laetacara currently known, and in some species of the tribes Cichlasomatini and Heroini, evaluating the use of this structure morphology to diagnose Laetacara as well as a key character to the classification of the tribe Cichlasomatini. It was concluded that the morphology of the anterior ceratohyal is not useful to diagnose species of Laetacara by being quite polymorphic among species of the genus. We can also conclude that the traditional use of this bone morphology in the taxonomy of the tribe Cichlasomatini at present stage of knowledge seems not to be appropriate due to the polymorphism occurring in the species analyzed herein, and until a similar work is done for the whole tribe.
Taxonomic checklist of chameleons (Squamata: Chamaeleonidae)
Authors: Glaw Frank
Published: February 2023

Due to their often brilliant colours, diurnal activity, and fascinating behaviours there is a long lasting high demand for chameleons in the pet trade. Accordingly, the international trade of most chameleon genera is regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Floras (CITES). In order to facilitate operating and control of these regulations by national and international nature conservation authorities an updated taxonomic checklist of the family Chamaeleonidae (202 species plus 23 subspecies in 12 genera) is provided. A comparison with the last taxonomic checklist published in 1997 (132 species plus 39 subspecies in six genera) demonstrates the enormous progress in chameleon taxonomy and systematics in recent years. Although a substantial number of the currently accepted taxa are well defined, the taxonomy of several species and subspecies is in need of revision and many new species both from Africa and Madagascar still await their scientific description.
A taxonomic mystery for more than 180 years: the identity and systematic position of Brachysaura minor (HARDWICKE & GRAY, 1827)
Authors: Veerappan Deepak , Vyas Raju , Giri V. , Karanth K.
Published: February 2023

Brachysaura is a monotypic genus of agamid lizard found in the Indian subcontinent; the identity and systematic position of B. minor has been long debated, and it has at times been subsumed into Agama, Charasia and Laudakia, with some authors suggesting affinities to Calotes. We constructed nuclear and mitochondrial phylogenetic trees including Brachysaura and allied agamid genera to resolve its phylogenetic position. We also compared osteology and external morphology with the genera Agama, Calotes and Laudakia. Hemipenial morphology was compared with Calotes and some other agamids from South Asia. Both nuclear and mitochondrial phylogenies demonstrate that Brachysaura is nested within the widespread South and Southeast Asian genus Calotes, with which it also shares certain external morphological, osteological and hemipenial characters. Adaptations to ground dwelling in Brachysaura minor has resulted in unique modifications to its body plan, which is likely why generic allocation has been long confused. This study also highlights the need for an integrated systematic approach to resolve taxonomic ambiguity in Asian agamids.
Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) from Tabuk Province, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Aloufi Abdulhadi , Amr Zuhair , Nassarat Hussein
Published: February 2023

Additional distributional data on the bats of Tabuk Provence, Saudi Arabia, are given for 10 species. The Asian Barbastelle, Barbastella leucomelas, is recorded for the first time for Saudi Arabia and the Arabian Peninsula. Data on bats calls for four species are also given.
Ancient hairs: need for morphological analysis of prehistoric and extant Mammals
Authors: Gharu Jitendra , Trevedi Seema
Published: February 2023

Hair keratin can stand vagaries of nature and may be well preserved in fossilized hairs found in ice, amber, mummies, scats (or coprolites) of carnivores, bird pellets etc. Ancient hairs are also found in archeological investigations in form of artifacts made by animal hairs like paint brushes, apparel, cordages etc. Analysis of ancient hairs can be useful for study of cuticle patterns, medulla, pigments, isotope ratios etc. Mitochondrial DNA or hair keratin protein or amino acids can be extracted for studying phylogenetic relationship between extinct and extant members. This mini-review presents some examples of fossil hairs found and analyzed so far and points towards the importance of study of ancient hairs. Study of hair morphology and or molecular analysis can help in identification of mammals that lived at the time when the artifacts from hairs were made and used by the prehistoric man. Comparisons of fossil hairs with the present populations may help us understand the biodiversity that prevailed in the regions in the past. Further, such comparisons may possibly throw some light on molecular and or morphological modifications due to the environmental or geographical change that lead to adaptations or alterations in demography or extinction of the species. To the best of our knowledge, morphological analysis has not been done in many samples of fossil hairs and hairs from paint brushes, apparel etc. that were used by ancient civilizations.
Fishes collected by Emanuel Ritter von Friedrichsthal in Central America between 1838 -1841
Authors: Morgenstern Rico
Published: February 2023

The fish specimens sent to Vienna by the Austrian naturalist Emanuel Ritter von Friedrichsthal (1809 – 1842) constitute one of the oldest collections of freshwater fishes from Central America. The holotype of Heros friedrichsthalii and specimens of Atherinella sardina were collected in the Rio San Juan or Lago de Nicaragua drainage in Nicaragua. The types of Cichlasoma urophthalmus stenozonum, Heros melanopogon and Heros triagramma, as well as specimens of Petenia splendida and Eugerres plumieri were most probably collected at Bacalar, Quintana Roo. Cichlasoma loisellei (Bussing, 1989), is synonymized with Parachromis friedrichsthalii (Heckel, 1840). The species hitherto referred to as P. friedrichsthalii takes the valid name Parachromis multifasciatus (Regan, 1905). A lectotype is designated for Cichlasoma urophthalmus stenozonum (Hubbs, 1936), which is synonymized with Mayaheros urophthalmus (Günther, 1862).
Phylogeography and taxonomy of the barred grass snake (Natrix helvetica), with a discussion of the subspecies category in zoology
Authors: Kindler Carolin , Fritz Uwe
Published: February 2023

Using 12 microsatellite loci, mitochondrial DNA sequences and previously published morphological evidence, we examined the phylogeographic and taxonomic structure of Natrix helvetica. Our results support tentatively the recognition of five subspecies: (1) N. h. helvetica (Lacepède, 1789) from Western Europe, (2) N. h. cetti Gené, 1839 from Sardinia, (3) N. h. corsa (Hecht, 1930) from Corsica, (4) N. h. lanzai Kramer, 1970 from the Po drainage and peninsular Italy, except for parts of Calabria and perhaps Apulia, and (5) N. h. sicula (Cuvier, 1829) from Sicily and parts of Calabria. The status of the subspecies from Corsica and Sardinia warrants further research. Grass snakes from the two islands are genetically deeply divergent from their continental and Sicilian conspecifics. However, the mitochondrial haplotypes of N. h. cetti and N. h. corsa are not reciprocally monophyletic, and our analyses of microsatellite data did not unambiguously support their distinctness. Natrix helvetica lanzai comprises three mitochondrial lineages and could represent more than one taxon. Grass snakes of the northern mitochondrial lineage of N. h. lanzai (mainly from the Po drainage system) were previously assigned to N. h. helvetica. We propose that the recognition of subspecies within N. helvetica reflects its genetic differentiation best. Our subspecies concept resembles the definition of Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs) in that subspecies should be ideally confirmed by two independent genetic lines of evidence (mtDNA, nuclear genomic markers). In contrast to species, subspecies are still fully capable of extensive gene flow and may disappear in the evolutionary process as a consequence of secondary contact. Thus, subspecies represent an early stage of (incomplete) speciation. Using the subspecies category facilitates communication within and beyond science (legislation, conservation), a clear advantage compared to the cumbersome concept of ESUs.
À la pêche… aux souvenirs
Authors: Mikanga Emmanuelle
Published: February 2023

Cet article s’appuie sur une pluralité d’expériences d’accompagnement ayant pour point commun la mise en place d’une activité éducative : la pêche à la ligne, et ce auprès de publics différents : enfants migrants, jeunes délinquants et personne handicapée. Au travers de ces expériences, des pratiques professionnelles se dessinent et mettent en évidence les intérêts et les bénéfices pluriels de cette activité éducative.
On the Allee effect and directed movement on the whole space
Authors: Cosner Chris , Rodríguez Nancy
Published: February 2023

It is well known that relocation strategies in ecology can make the difference between extinction and persistence. We consider a reaction-advection-diffusion framework to analyze movement strategies in the context of species which are subject to a strong Allee effect. The movement strategies we consider are a combination of random Brownian motion and directed movement through the use of an environmental signal. We prove that a population can overcome the strong Allee effect when the signals are super-harmonic. In other words, an initially small population can survive in the long term if they aggregate sufficiently fast. A sharp result is provided for a specific signal that can be related to the Fokker-Planck equation for the Orstein-Uhlenbeck process. We also explore the case of pure diffusion and pure aggregation and discuss their benefits and drawbacks, making the case for a suitable combination of the two as a better strategy.
Some new results on the face index of certain polycyclic chemical networks
Authors: Luo Ricai , Dawood Khadija , Jamil Muhammad Kamran , Azeem Muhammad
Published: February 2023

Silicate minerals make up the majority of the earth's crust and account for almost 92 percent of the total. Silicate sheets, often known as silicate networks, are characterised as definite connectivity parallel designs. A key idea in studying different generalised classes of graphs in terms of planarity is the face of the graph. It plays a significant role in the embedding of graphs as well. Face index is a recently created parameter that is based on the data from a graph's faces. The current draft is utilizing a newly established face index, to study different silicate networks. It consists of a generalized chain of silicate, silicate sheet, silicate network, carbon sheet, polyhedron generalized sheet, and also triangular honeycomb network. This study will help to understand the structural properties of chemical networks because the face index is more generalized than vertex degree based topological descriptors.
Tetrahedral sheets of clay minerals and their edge valency-based entropy measures
Authors: Huang Qingqun , Labba Muhammad , Azeem Muhammad , Jamil Muhammad Kamran , Luo Ricai
Published: February 2023

Humanity has always benefited from an intercapillary study in the quantification of natural occurrences in mathematics and other pure scientific fields. Graph theory was extremely helpful to other studies, particularly in the applied sciences. Specifically, in chemistry, graph theory made a significant contribution. For this, a transformation is required to create a graph representing a chemical network or structure, where the vertices of the graph represent the atoms in the chemical compound and the edges represent the bonds between the atoms. The quantity of edges that are incident to a vertex determines its valency (or degree) in a graph. The degree of uncertainty in a system is measured by the entropy of a probability. This idea is heavily grounded in statistical reasoning. It is primarily utilized for graphs that correspond to chemical structures. The development of some novel edge-weighted based entropies that correspond to valency-based topological indices is made possible by this research. Then these compositions are applied to clay mineral tetrahedral sheets. Since they have been in use for so long, corresponding indices are thought to be the most effective methods for quantifying chemical graphs. This article develops multiple edge degree-based entropies that correlate to the indices and determines how to modify them to assess the significance of each type.
Forest vegetation in the Reka gorge between the villages Škoflje and Škocjan (Škocjan Caves Regional Park) / Gozdna vegetacija v soteski Reke med Škofljami in Škocjanom (Regijski park Škocjanske jame)
Authors: Dakskobler Igor
Published: February 2023

Based on our research of forest vegetation in the Reka River gorge between the villages of Škoflje and Škocjan in the Škocjan Caves Regional Park we made phytosociological tables to describe the stands of the following forest and shrub communities: Seslerio autumnalis-Quercetum cerridis, Corydalido ochroleucae-Ostryetum carpinifoliae (a valid description of the previously only provisionally described association), Ornithogalo pyrenaici-Carpinetum betuli, Galantho nivalis-Coryletum avellanae, Salicetum eleagno-purpureae and Lamio orvalae-Alnetum glutinosae. We described marginal sites of the latter association at the contact with other forest communities as three new subassociations: scirpetosum sylvaticae (Brkini, Mlake near Hrušica and the spring area of the Klivnik at Podgrad), fraxinetosum orni (by the creek of Bela between Sanabor and Vrhpolje in the Vipava Valley) and fagetosum sylvaticae (Kazarska Grapa gorge below Bukovo in the Cerkno Hills).

Key words: vegetation, syntaxonomy, riverine forest, southwestern Slovenija, Natura 2000

 

Izvleček

Na podlagi raziskav gozdne vegetacije v soteske reke Reke med Škofljami in Škocjanom v Regijskem parku Škocjanske jame smo s fitocenološkimi tabelami opisali sestoje naslednjih gozdnih in grmiščnih združb: Seslerio autumnalis-Quercetum cerridis, Corydalido ochroleucae-Ostryetum carpinifoliae (veljaven opis do zdaj le provizorno opisane asociacije), Ornithogalo pyrenaici-Carpinetum betuli, Galantho nivalis-Coryletum avellanae, Salicetum eleagno-purpureae in Lamio orvalae-Alnetum glutinosae. Robna rastišča slednje asociacije na stiku z drugimi gozdnimi združbami smo opisali kot tri nove subasociacije: scirpetosum sylvaticae (Brkini, Mlake pri Hrušici in povirje Klivnika pri Podgradu), fraxinetosum orni (ob potoku Bela med Sanaborom in Vrhpoljem v Vipavski dolini) in fagetosum sylvaticae (Kazarska grapa pod Bukovim v Cerkljanskem hribovju). 

Ključne besede: vegetacija, sintaksonomija, obrečni gozd, jugozahodna Slovenija, Natura 2000
Analyse structurale et reconstitution des paléochamps de contraintes tardi-hercyniens dans la boutonnière d’Aouli (massif de la Haute Moulouya, Maroc)
Authors: Yaagoub Driss , Hinaje Saïd , El Fartati Mohamed
Published: February 2023

[fr] La boutonnière d’Aouli fait partie du massif de la Haute Moulouya situé à la jonction du Moyen Atlas et du Haut Atlas central où affleurent un socle paléozoïque et une couverture méso-cénozoïque discordante. Le but de ce papier est de décrire les principaux systèmes de failles et fractures qui ont contribué à la structuration de la région durant son évolution tectonique, ainsi que la reconstitution des paléochamps de contraintes au cours de la période tardi-hercynienne. Ceci en utilisant une approche multidisciplinaire avec des levés et mesures de terrain associés aux calculs des tenseurs de contraintes. L’analyse structurale nous a permis de distinguer des accidents principaux affectant le socle paléozoïque et sa couverture méso-cénozoïque à l’échelle plurikilométrique, ainsi que des accidents secondaires dont l’influence ne s’observe qu’à l’échelle des centaines de mètres à quelques kilomètres. La distribution spatiale de ces failles montre les systèmes de directions suivants: (i) le système NNE-SSW à NE-SW; (ii) le système ENE-WSW à E-W; (iii) le système WNW-ESE à NW-SE et (iv) le système NNW-SSE à N-S. La reconstitution des paléochamps de contraintes tardi-hercyniens nous a permis de mettre en évidence une phase de déformation cassante compatible avec un régime tectonique régional décrochant à transpressif. Cette phase est caractérisée par un axe de contrainte maximal σ1 subhorizontal à horizontal avec une direction subméridienne et un axe minimal σ3 également subhorizontal à horizontal avec une direction subéquatoriale. Ce régime tectonique est responsable du jeu décrochant senestre des failles NNE-SSW à NE-SW, dextre des failles NW-SE et décrochevauchant des failles ENE-WSW à E-W, ainsi que l’apparition de fentes de tension subméridiennes.
Valeur des biens, valeur des hommes. Les prix pour les vainqueurs aux jeux funéraires en l’honneur de Patrocle (Iliade XXIII, 257-897)
Authors: Verger Stéphane
Published: February 2023

L’étude des prix distribués au cours des jeux funéraires en l’honneur de Patrocle, au chant XXIII de l’Iliade d’Homère, permet d’explorer la complexité de la notion de valeur dans les sociétés de l’âge du Fer égéen. À côté de biens anonymes, qui ont des poids standards ou sont convertibles en bœufs, on trouve des objets de très grand prix qui ont une histoire et sont attachés à de grands héros morts pendant la guerre. Tous proviennent des trésors du défunt et de l’organisateur des jeux, Achille. Ils sont attribués aux différents participants selon des modalités complexes, qui obéissent aux règles de l’honneur de différentes manières, en fonction de leur âge, de leur statut et de stratégies subtiles d’optimisation des gains économiques et symboliques.
La valeur des choses au Moyen Âge
Authors: Feller Laurent
Published: February 2023

L’étude de l’échange à l’époque médiévale bute sur l’impossibilité de distinguer clairement les transactions relevant de l’échange marchand de celles relevant d’autres formes d’échange. La possession et le transfert de propriété permettent de faire circuler des valeurs, mais aussi d’affecter des rangs à l’intérieur d’une hiérarchie tout en fournissant des objets ayant une utilité pratique.
Les débuts de la monétarisation des échanges en Europe celtique (IIIe siècle-début du IIe siècle avant notre ère)
Authors: Hiriart Eneko
Published: February 2023

Nos connaissances sur le second âge du Fer ont considérablement évolué depuis 30 ans. Dans le domaine plus particulier de la numismatique, les recherches ont surtout porté sur la civilisation des oppida (fin IIe-Ier siècle avant notre ère), période où l’on constate une monétarisation déjà importante des activités économiques. Mais les réalités antérieures à l’apparition des oppida demeurent largement méconnues. En regardant plus en amont, dès le IIIe siècle avant notre ère, cette étude s’intéresse aux éléments déclencheurs de la monétarisation de l’économie dans les sociétés protohistoriques, en divers points ciblés de l’Europe. La transformation des systèmes d’échanges résulte-t-elle d’une modification structurelle des sociétés européennes ?
Échelles des échanges. Des économies domestiques dans la mondialisation
Authors: Weber Florence
Published: February 2023

À partir d’une définition de plusieurs concepts (économie domestique, mondialisation, représentations et pratiques de l’espace), l’auteure propose une analyse des transformations des sociétés contemporaines qui croise la question de la régulation des échanges (réduction des économies informelles) et celle de leur échelle (acteurs de la mondialisation et mobilité des populations). Elle insiste sur les liens entre hyperconsommation, développement du tourisme et destruction des écosystèmes pour conclure à un développement en peau de léopard dans l’Europe contemporaine.
Économies protohistoriques méditerranéennes
Authors: Séjalon Pierre
Published: February 2023

Aborder les mécanismes économiques qui sont sous-jacents aux échanges entre Gaulois et peuples de la Méditerranée durant la Protohistoire tient de la gageure tant il manque de pièces au puzzle. Au travers de thèmes choisis, forcément réducteurs, il nous a paru utile de mettre en avant un certain nombre de réflexions qui témoignent de la complexité des relations entre les différents acteurs économiques. Largement sous-estimée par les archéologues, l’économie peut être considérée comme moteur des activités humaines.