bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Description of Eretmocerus cocois sp. n. (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea), a parasitoid of Aleurotrachelus atratus (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) on the coconut palm
Authors: DELVARE GÉRARD , GENSON GWENAELLE , BOROWIEC NICOLAS , ÉTIENNE JEAN , KARIMÉ ANLI-LIOCHOUROUTU ABDOUL , BEAUDOIN-OLLIVIER LIOCHOUROUTU
Published: March 2024

Eretmocerus cocois Delvare sp. n. (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea) is described and illustrated. The adults emerge from fourth instar larvae of Aleurotrachelus atratus Hempel (Hemiptera, Aleyrodidae) which presently heavily infests the coconut plantations in Comoros Islands. It is compared with E. pallidus Dozier a diagnosis of which is given, together with new illustrations and with two other Eretmocerus also reared from Aleurotrachelus nymphs. A lectotype is selected for E. pallidus.
African Caridina (Crustacea: Decapoda: Caridea: Atyidae): redescriptions of C. africana Kingsley, 1882, C. togoensisHilgendorf, 1893, C. natalensis Bouvier, 1925 and C. roubaudiBouvier, 1925 with descriptions of 14 new species
Authors: RICHARD JASMINE , CLARK PAUL F.
Published: March 2024

Caridina africana Kingsley, 1882 and C. togoensis Hilgendorf, 1893 are redescribed. The distribution of C. africana is restricted to Zululand, its type locality and the adjacent area, while the distribution of C. togoensis is extended to new localities on the African continent. The subspecies, C. africana natalensis Bouvier, 1925 and C. africana var. roubaudi Bouvier, 1925, are redescribed and given species status. Fourteen new African species are described from specimens previously identified as C. africana, C. nilotica, C. near nilotica and Caridina sp. in various museum collections. These new species are described, illustrated and a key is provided to facilitate identification.
Atlantic occurrence of the genus Bellottia (Teleostei, Bythitidae) with two new species from the Western North Atlantic
Authors: NIELSEN JØRGEN G. , ROSS STEVE W. , COHEN DANIEL M.
Published: March 2024

Thirteen specimens of the bythitid fish-genus Bellottia have been reported from the Western North Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. A comparison with the three known species, B. apoda Giglioli, 1883 from the East Atlantic and the Mediterranean, B. armiger (Smith & Radcliffe, 1913) from the Philippines and B. galatheae Nielsen & Møller, 2008 from the Solomon Sea and Philippines showed that the 13 specimens are different from all three. Furthermore, the 12 specimens from the Gulf of Mexico (B. robusta) are specifically different from the specimen caught off southern Georgia (B. cryptica) based on differences in body depth at origin of anal fin, presence or absence of spine on preopercular crest and number of precaudal vertebrae. The two new species appear to be associated with deep-sea coral or reef habitats and likely may have wider distributions than are apparent at present.
Cave millipeds of the United States. VIII. New genera and species of polydesmidan millipeds from caves in the southwestern United States (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Macrosternodesmidae)
Authors: SHEAR WILLIAM A. , TAYLOR STEVEN J. , WYNNE J. JUDSON , KREJCA JEAN K.
Published: March 2024

Four new species of presumed troglobitic polydesmidan millipeds in two new genera are described from caves in the states of Arizona, Nevada and California. Pratherodesmus, n. gen., is comprised of the type species, P. voylesi , n. sp., P. ecclesia, n. sp., and P. despaini, n. sp. The genus is found in Arizona and California. Nevadesmus ophimontis, n. gen., n. sp., is from White Pine Co., Nevada; the new genus also includes N. hubbsi (Chamberlin) 1943, new combination. All four species were collected in or near United States National Parks, Bureau of Land Management lands, and in a private preserve. All new taxa are authored by W. A. Shear only.
The identity of the crackling, luminescent frog of Suriname (Rana typhonia Linnaeus, 1758) (Amphibia, Anura)
Authors: LAVILLA E. O. , LANGONE J. A. , PADIAL J. M. , DE SÁ R. O.
Published: March 2024

Review of the literature and recently available field notes from the collector of the type allows a reconsideration of the identity of the Linnaean name Rana typhonia. We provide evidence to demonstrate that the Linnaean species is neither a bufonid nor an Asiatic ranid, but a Neotropical hylid. Subsequently, we consider Rana typhonia as an older synonym of Rana venulosa Laurenti, 1768, redescribing its holotype under the new combination, Trachycephalus typhonius (Linnaeus, 1758).
A hypogean new species of Trechus Clairville, 1806 (Coleoptera, Carabidae) from Portugal and considerations about the T. fulvus species group
Authors: REBOLEIRA ANA SOFIA P. S. , ORTUÑO VICENTE M. , GONÇALVES FERNANDO , OROMÍ PEDRO
Published: March 2024

A new hypogean ground beetle species, Trechus tatai n. sp. from the Montejunto karstic massif in Portugal is described. Morphological diagnostic characters of the imago are provided and the new species is included in the Trechus fulvus- group. Comments on the biogeography of hypogean carabid beetles in karstic areas of Portugal and an illustrated key to the males of the T. fulvus-group in the Iberian Peninsula are also included.
The snail-case caddisfly subgenus Helicopsyche (Feropsyche) in Costa Rica, with the description of 3 new species (Trichoptera: Helicopsychidae)
Authors: JOHANSON KJELL ARNE , HOLZENTHAL RALPH W.
Published: March 2024

Thirteen species of Helicopsyche, subgenus Feropsyche (Trichoptera: Helicopsychidae) are recorded from Costa Rica, including 3 new species: H. alajuela, n. sp., H. dorsocurvata, n. sp., and H. golfitoensis, n. sp., as well as 10 previously described species: H. borealis (Hagen), H. chiriquensis Johanson & Malm, H. dampfi Ross, H. incisa Ross, H. lewalleni Denning & Blickle, H. mexicana Banks, H. rentzi Denning & Blickle, H. selanderi Ross, H. truncata Ross, and H. vergelana Ross. The male genitalia of the new species are illustrated and distribution maps are provided for all species.
Revision of the Micronoctuidae (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea). Part 4, Taxonomy of the subfamilies Tentaxinae and Micronoctuinae
Authors: FIBIGER MICHAEL
Published: March 2024

This is the fourth part in a series of papers on the recently described family Micronoctuidae Fibiger, 2005. Part 4 includes the description of Tantaxinae, new subfamily, and Micronoctuinae, and 15 genera (13 new): Acusa, Tentasetae, Pseudobscura, Parens, Alienia, Tentaspina, Tentax, Flax, Medius, Sternitta, Dextella, Paradoxica, and Dorsum (all new). Two genera are redescribed: Micronola Amsel, 1935 and Micronoctua Fibiger, 1997. A total of 93 species are treated (81 new, one new subspecies; 12 species are redescribed). Six new combinations are given. Additions are given to the previously published parts of the revision: Pollexinae Fibiger, 2007 (one new species), Belluliinae Fibiger, 2008a (one species from Fibiger et al. 2011), Parachrostiinae Fibiger, 2011 (one species from Fibiger et al. 2011), Tactusinae Fibiger, 2010 (three species and one subspecies from Fibiger et al. 2011, and 11 new species in three new genera). Taxa inhabit the Arabian Peninsula, and Asian, Oriental, and Oceania regions in tropical, subtropical, and temperate zones both north and south of the equator. Three preoccupied generic names, Dignus Fibiger, Fustis Fibiger, and Obscura Fibiger, proposed as new in Fibiger 2010, are replaced by Dignius Fibiger, 2011, Fustius Fibiger, 2011, and Obscurior Fibiger, 2011, resulting in 15 new combinations.
A new species of Fillus Navás, 1919 (Neuroptera: Ascalaphidae) from the Brazilian Amazon Basin
Authors: MACHADO RENATO JOSÉ PIRES , RAFAEL JOSÉ ALBERTINO
Published: March 2024

Fillus Navás, 1919 is a genus with two species: F. brethesi Navás, 1919 from Argentina and F. paradoxus (Weele, 1908) from Paraguay. Here we describe F. amazonicus n. sp., from Itapiranga, Amazonas, the first genus record for Brazil, extending its geographical distribution to the Amazon Basin.
A new Afrotropical genus and species of Tetrastichinae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) inducing galls on Bikinia (Fabaceae: Caesalpinioideae) and a new species of Ormyrus (Hymenoptera: Ormyridae) associated with the gall
Authors: RASPLUS JEAN-YVES , LA SALLE JOHN , DELVARE GÉRARD , MCKEY DOYLE , WEBBER BRUCE L.
Published: March 2024

Gallastichus mutuus Rasplus & La Salle gen. nov. & sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Eulophidae) and Ormyrus nkoloensis Rasplus sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Ormyridae) are described from Cameroon. Both taxa were collected from leaf galls formed on Bikinia letestui (Pellegr.) Wieringa subsp. letestui (Fabaceae: Caesalpinioideae). Gallastichus mutuus appears to be responsible for gall induction, whereas O. nkoloensis is likely a secondary coloniser, either a parasitoid or an inquiline. This is the first recorded instance of a gall being induced in an extrafloral nectary.
Balkanian species of the genus Isoperla Banks, 1906 (Plecoptera: Perlodidae)
Authors: MURÁNYI DÁVID
Published: March 2024

Ten taxa of Balkan Isoperla Banks, 1906 are described or redescribed on the basis of SEM studies of the penis, traditional morphological features, and egg structure: I. oxylepis oxylepis (Despax, 1936), I. oxylepis balcanica Raušer, 1962, I. bosnica Aubert, 1964 stat. rev., I. citrina sp. n., I. albanica Aubert, 1964, I. vevcianensis Ikonomov, 1980, I. tripartita tripartita Illies, 1954, I. obliqua Zwick, 1978 stat. n., I. pesici sp. n. and I. autumnalis sp. n. The types and arrangement of scales and sensilla on penial lobes are summarized for West Palaearctic species groups with some preliminary changes in species grouping proposed. An annotated checklist of the Balkanian species is given and the known distribution of endemic taxa are depicted on maps. Isoperla oxylepis balcanica and I. vevcianensis are new for the fauna of Albania, while I. bosnica and I. grammatica (Poda, 1761) are new for Montenegro and Greece, respectively. Additional significant new country records are provided for Amphinemura triangularis (Ris, 1902), A. quadrangularis Zwick, 1978, Nemoura caligula Zwick,1978 and Leuctra jahorinensis Kaćanski, 1972.
A new genus of Paguridae (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura) for a new species from the tropical eastern Pacific and Pagurus longimanus Wass, 1963 from the tropical western Atlantic
Authors: LEMAITRE RAFAEL , FELDER DARRYL L.
Published: March 2024

A new genus, Spathapagurus, is described for S. collinae n. sp. from the tropical eastern Pacific and its geminate species Pagurus longimanus Wass, 1963 from the tropical western Atlantic. These congeners share grossly unequal chelipeds, the right being narrowly spatulate and up to four times longer than the left. The males have short sexual tubes consisting of slight extrusions of the vas deferens from the gonopores, though these short tubes are masked by long, forwardly directed setae. The females lack first pleopods and have unpaired left second to fifth pleopods. The new species is fully described, illustrated, and compared to P. longimanus, herein placed in the new genus. The diagnosis of the latter species is emended and its distribution expanded to include the Caribbean coast of Panama in Central America.
Three new species of Neoplecostomus (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the Upper Rio Paraná basin of southeastern Brazil
Authors: ROXO FÁBIO F. , OLIVEIRA CLAUDIO , ZAWADZKI CLÁUDIO H.
Published: March 2024

In this study, we describe three new species of the genus Neoplecostomus: N. bandeirante, from Salesópolis in the stateof São Paulo, N. langeanii from Muzambinho, in the state of Minas Gerais, and N. botucatu from Botucatu, in the state ofSão Paulo. All of the described species are found in the Upper Rio Paraná basin. The new species are different from eachother and from their nominal congeners in their mitochondrial DNA sequences (COI), morphology and meristic traits, inaddition to their color patterns. Morphologically, N. bandeirante can be distinguished from all congeners by the presenceof moderate keels throughout the lateral series of plates and by a naked area between each mid-ventral and ventral platethat is greater in size than the length of these plates. Neoplecostomus botucatu is morphologically distinguished by a re-duction of the adipose fin and the presence of dark spots that are distributed along the body. Neoplecostomus langeaniican be morphologically distinguished by the absence of hypertrophied odontodes and a swollen integument on the head, as well as by morphometric characteristics.Key-words: catfishes, freshwater fishes, molecular identification, Neoplecostominae, Neotropical fishes, taxonomyNo presente estudo, descrevemos três novas espécies do gênero Neoplecostomus: N. bandeirante de Salesópolis, no estadode São Paulo, N. langeanii de Muzambinho, no estado de Minas Gerais e N. botucatu de Botucatu, no estado de São Paulo.Todas as espécies descritas são da bacia do Alto Rio Paraná. As novas espécies são diferenciadas por sequências de DNAmitocondrial (COI), morfologia e caracteres merísticos, adicionalmente por aspectos de coloração. Morfologicamente, N.bandeirante é diferenciada das congêneres principalmente pela presença de quilhas moderadas ao longo das séries de pla-cas laterais e área nua entre cada placa médio ventral e ventral maior que o comprimento dessas placas. Neoplecostomusbotucatu é diferenciada morfologicamente pela redução da nadadeira adiposa e presença de pintas escuras em todo o cor-po. Neoplecostomus langeanii pode ser distinguida morfologicamente pela ausência de odontódeos hipertrofiados e pele intumescida na cabeça, tanto quando por caracteres morfométricos.
Classification of Crangonyx islandicus (Amphipoda, Crangonyctidae) based on morphological characters and comparison with molecular phylogenies
Authors: KORNOBIS ETIENNE , PÁLSSON SNÆBJÖRN , SVAVARSSON JÖRUNDUR
Published: March 2024

Crangonyx islandicus is a groundwater amphipod species endemic to Iceland and a member of the family Crangonyctidaewhich is widespread throughout the Holarctic region. A previous study based on variation in nuclear genes showed thatC. islandicus closest relatives are Crangonyx species from North America, where most of the species diversity of the genusoccurs. In this study, we aim at describing the morphological affinities of C. islandicus with North American Crangonyxspecies and two Eurasian species, C. chlebnikovi and C. subterraneus. We used the morphological characters defined byZhang & Holsinger (2003) and scored them for different populations of C. islandicus as well as for C. chlebnikovi and C.subterraneus. The molecular phylogeny of the Crangonyctidae family and the morphological character states are com-pared in order to detect potential convergence in the morphological traits, common in subterranean species. C. islandicusappears to be close morphologically to C. subterraneus from Europe and C. longicarpus from North America. The morphological proximity of C. islandicus and C. subterraneus is incongruent with the pattern observed from molecular data.
Integrative taxonomy of Asiopodabrus fragiliformis (Kang and Kim, 2000) (Coleoptera: Cantharidae) and its related species
Authors: KANG TAE HWA , HAN TAE MAN , OKUSHIMA YÛICHI , PARK HAE CHUL
Published: March 2024

Both the color patterns of the body and the structures of the male genitalia are important characters used in speciesidentification of traditional taxonomy. However, these characters are often limiting when identifying females of somespecies. In this study, we attempted to evaluate the species reality of Asiopodabrus fragiliformis which often has difficultyin being identified due to individual variation in color pattern and lack of female information. Using DNA barcoding, A.fragiliformis was represented as having three clades strongly supported by a high bootstrap value (>99%) and with over3% branch lengths having a 2.9–3.4% barcoding gap. Morphological reexamination based on the result of DNAbarcoding, demonstrated three clades: A. fragiliformis, A. kurvatovi, and A. koryeoensis n. sp., respectively, that wereclarified based on subtle difference in both male and female morphological characters. This study explicitly showed thatDNA barcoding may clearly and rapidly decide the species delineation for morpho-species in certain cases when the identification of female specimens is not clear using traditional methods.
On the usefulness of ratios for the identification of some Mediterranean species of the genus Ameles Burmeister, 1838 (Insecta, Mantodea)
Authors: OBERTEGGER ULRIKE , AGABITI BARBARA
Published: March 2024

Identification of Ameles species is a difficult task requiring much experience because of ambiguous descriptions with fewdrawings and great intraspecific morphological variability. Our objective was to find characteristics that could be reliablyused for species identification and would be independent of experience. We identified 12 to 60 specimens of each of 5target species, A. spallanzania (Rossi), A. decolor (Charpentier), A. africana Bolivar, A. picteti (Saussure), A. heldreichiBrunner and 1 to 4 specimens of 7 additional species, A. nana Charpentier, A. kervillei Bolivar, A. modesta Bolivar, A.maroccana Uvarov, A. dumonti Chopard, A. fasciipennis Kaltenbach and A. poggii Lombardo, from the Mediterraneanarea and based on traditional keys. For our analysis, we focused on ten morphological characteristics (lengths of body,pronotum, supracoxal dilatation, fore coxa, fore femur, fore tibia, tegmina, width of the head, minimum width of thepronotum, and maximum width of the fore femur) and five ratios (length to width of the frontal sclerite, pronotum, femur,subgenital plate, and hypophallus), analysed with non-metric multidimensional scaling and linear discriminant analysis.Fewer mis-assignments of species resulted when ratios were used instead of absolute measurements. Among the targetspecies, A. decolor was seldom mis-assigned as another species; A. spallanzania was often mis-assigned as A. africana,while the opposite occurred less frequently; A. picteti was also frequently mis-assigned as A. heldreichi. For the targetspecies, we devised an identification key based on ratios along with morphometric descriptions that appears to work well,because ratios are easily applicable and independent of specimen size. Furthermore, we confirm the synonymy of A.spallanzania and A. africana, recognize that Ameles nana is not a synonym of A. spallanzania, and find that A. poggii is more similar to A. spallanzania than to similar to A. picteti.
Erratum: BELOKOBYLSKIJ, S.A., TANG, P., HE, J.H. & CHEN, X.X. (2012) The genus Doryctes Haliday, 1836 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae, Doryctinae) in China. Zootaxa, 3226, 46–60.
Authors: BELOKOBYLSKIJ S. A. , TANG P. , HE J. H. , CHEN X. X.
Published: March 2024

(Erratum)
Shallow-water caridean shrimps from southern Bahia, Brazil, including the first record of Synalpheus ul (Ríos & Duffy, 2007) (Alpheidae) in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean
Authors: ALMEIDA ALEXANDRE O. , BOEHS GUISLA , ARAÚJO-SILVA CATARINA L. , BEZERRA LUIS ERNESTO A.
Published: March 2024

In this contribution, we report 33 species of shallow-water marine and estuarine caridean shrimps from southern Bahia, Brazil. Nine taxa are reported for the first time from Bahia: the alpheids Alpheus cf. paracrinitus Miers, 1881, Alpheus cf. rostratus W. Kim & Abele, 1988, Automate cf. evermanni Rathbun, 1901, Leptalpheus aff. forceps Williams, 1965, Leptalpheus axianassae Dworschak & Coelho, 1999, Salmoneus carvachoi Anker, 2007 [previously reported as Salmoneus cf. ortmanni (Rankin, 1898)] and Synalpheus ul (Ríos & Duffy, 2007) (previously reported as Synalpheus cf. pandionis Coutière, 1909); the hippolytid Thor manningi Chace, 1972; and the processid Ambidexter symmetricus Manning & Chace, 1971. Synalpheus ul is reported for the first time in the South Atlantic Ocean, significantly extending its southern limit in the western Atlantic, and is illustrated herein. The presence of Alpheus bouvieri A. Milne-Edwards, 1878, A. cristulifrons Rathbun, 1900 and A. formosus Gibbes, 1850 in Bahia is confirmed. The southern range limit of the hippolytid Merguia rhizophorae (Rathbun, 1900) is extended from the Mamoã River, Ilhéus (14°35’05.6”S; 39°03’10.5”W) to Barra do Cahy, Prado (17°00’45.0”S; 39°10’21.0”W).
Revision of the genus Scapomegas Lacordaire, 1854 (Coleoptera: Histeridae: Omalodini)
Authors: LEIVAS FERNANDO W. T. , BICHO CARLA L. , DEGALLIER NICOLAS , MOURA DANIEL P.
Published: March 2024

The Neotropical genus Scapomegas Lacordaire, 1854 is revised. All three species are illustrated and keyed, and new distribution records and ecological data are provided. Scapomegas can be recognized, among other characters, by a rudimentary supraorbital stria indicated posteriorly; the base of the antennal scapus abruptly expanded and approximately parallel-sided from there to apex; the prosternum slightly emarginated posteriorly; and the anterior, middle and hind tibiae with a row of spines on the outer margin and another on the submarginal region. Scapomegas aurifer Marseul, 1887 and S. gibbus Marseul, 1855 are associated with the Atlantic Forest biome and have usually been found in rotten meat, whereas S. auritus Marseul, 1855 is associated with the Amazon biome and found in carcasses and dendrophilic mushrooms.
A subgeneric revision of Crematogaster and discussion of regional species-groups (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: BLAIMER BONNIE B.
Published: March 2024

Crematogaster ants are diverse, widespread and abundant in tropical, subtropical and warm-temperate climatesthroughout the world. The species diversity of this genus has been notoriously difficult to manage based upon morphologyalone, and former attempts have generated a vaguely defined subgeneric system. I propose an improvement of the previoussubgeneric classification and recognize two subgenera based upon a concurrent molecular study of the global diversity ofthese ants. Five of 13 former subgenera of Crematogaster are hereby synonymised under the subgenus OrthocremaSantschi: Neocrema Santschi syn. nov., Eucrema Santschi syn. nov., Rhachiocrema Mann syn. nov., Mesocrema Santschisyn. nov. and Apterocrema Wheeler syn. nov.. The eight remaining subgenera are synonymised under the subgenusCrematogaster sensu stricto: Decacrema Forel syn. nov., Oxygyne Forel syn. nov., Atopogyne Forel syn. nov.,Sphaerocrema Santschi syn. nov., Colobocrema Wheeler syn. nov., Paracrema Santschi syn. nov., Physocrema Forelsyn. nov. and Xiphocrema Forel syn. nov.. I present keys, morphological diagnoses and illustrations for the two revised,globally distributed subgenera Orthocrema and Crematogaster sensu stricto, based upon the worker caste. The twosubgenera can be distinguished from each other by a combination of features of the petiole, postpetiole and propodealspiracle. I also provisionally circumscribe a number of species-groups within the subgenus Crematogaster and discuss the utility of species-groups for further taxonomic, phylogenetic and ecological research on the genus Crematogaster.
A new species of Allecula (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Alleculinae) from cork oak stands of Italy
Authors: NOVÁK VLADIMÍR , JANSSON NICKLAS , CHIARI STEFANO , ZAULI AGNESE , AUDISIO PAOLO , CARPANETO GIUSEPPE M.
Published: March 2024

A new species of comb-clawed beetle, Allecula suberina Novák sp. nov., is described, illustrated and compared with all western Palaearctic species. The new species is probably saproxylic, as are other species in the genus, because all specimens were collected by traps set within or near tree cavities on old hollow cork oaks (Quercus suber).
Macropterous form of Paratrephes China, 1940, with new distributional records of Neotrephinae from Brazil (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Helotrephidae)
Authors: RODRIGUES HIGOR D. D. , DE MELO ALAN LANE , FERREIRA-KEPPLER RUTH L.
Published: March 2024

The subfamily Neotrephinae (Nepomorpha: Helotrephidae) includes two genera and is endemic to the Neotropical region. Paratrephes is monotypic and brachypterous specimens have been recorded from French Guiana, Suriname, Colombia, and Bolivia. Neotrephes has nine species and has been recorded from Argentina and Brazil. Presented here are a description of the macropterous form of Paratrephes hintoni China and the first records of this species from Brazil. In addition, Neotrephes lanemeloi Nieser & Chen is recorded for the first time from southern Brazil. Illustrations and a distribution map of both species are presented.
A new cave-dwelling endemic Ischyropsalis C.L. Koch, 1839 (Opiliones: Dyspnoi: Ischyropsalididae) from the karstic region of Cantabria (Spain)
Authors: LUQUE CARLOS G. , LABRADA LUCIA
Published: March 2024

Ischyropsalis cantabrica sp. n. is described from coastal limestone caves in the municipal districts of Alfoz de Lloredo,Ruiloba, Udías and Cabezón de la Sal, in northeastern Cantabria, northern Spain. Its systematic position is discussed asare the differences to morphologically similar and geographically proximal species. Ischyropsalis cantabrica sp. n. is astrictly troglobitic species, adapted to deep cave environment. Discrimination of males is possible by genital morphological characters and especially by the unique shape of the cheliceral apophyses.
Acoustic characteristics of the advertisement and territorial calls of Phyllodytes tuberculosus Bokermann, 1966 (Amphibia: Anura: Hylidae)
Authors: JUNCÁ FLORA ACUÑA , NAPOLI MARCELO FELGUEIRAS , CEDRAZ JULIANA , NUNES IVAN
Published: March 2024

The treefrog genus Phyllodytes Wagler includes 11 species distributed throughout eastern Brazil (Frost 2011), mostly in the Atlantic Forest biome. Hylids of the genus Phyllodytes are bromeligen (sensu Peixoto 1995) and vocalizations of only four species have been described until now (Lima et al. 2008). Here we describe for the first time the acoustic characteristics of the advertisement and territorial calls of P. tuberculosus Bokermann (Fig. 1A) from its type locality.
A new species of Didemnum (Ascidiacea, Tunicata) from the Atlantic coast of North America
Authors: KOTT PATRICIA
Published: March 2024

Didemnum lahillei Hartmeyer, 1909 from Europe, Didemnum vexillum Kott, 2002 from the eastern coast of New Zealand and Didemnum vestum sp.nov. from the Atlantic coast of the USA, have similar three dimensional growth forms and are found attached to vertical and undersurfaces. These three species have been informally proposed as conspecific and invasive, but are found to have significant differences from one another and from some other species that share some of their characteristics. Although the New Zealand species appears not to have been observed before populations were found in Whangamata Harbour late in 2001, both the European and the newly described North American species have been known from the vicinity of their type locations (but not elsewhere) since 1872 and 1921 respectively. Significant taxonomic investigations of the American ascidian fauna have not been pursued since the publication of Van Name's monograph (1945) in which, despite the diversity of this vast continent, only nine Didemnum spp. are documented. Access to previously unexplored habitats and regions will undoubtedly result in the discovery of undescribed indigenous taxa and reflect an urgent need for taxonomic work to reveal their biology .and relationships.
A new genus and species of Collembola from caves of south Iberian Peninsula (Collembola, Poduromorpha, Onychiuridae)
Authors: MARTÍNEZ MAITE , BAQUERO ENRIQUE , BARRANCO PABLO , ARIÑO ARTURO H. , JORDANA RAFAEL
Published: March 2024

A new genus and species of Onychiuridae (Collembola, Poduromorpha) from caves in the south of the Iberian Peninsula is described. The usual dichotomous keys would locate this species somewhere between the genera Protaphorura Absolon and Heteronychiurus Bagnall. The new genus has four rows of setae on abdominal tergite VI, rudimentary furca as a cuticular fold and an anterior granulated area, 2+2 dorsal pseudocelli on the posterior part of the head, 1+1 dorsal pseudocelli on thoracic tergite I, 2+2 dorsal pseudocelli on abdominal tergite V, 1+1 pseudopores in each thoracic sternite, and the microsensillum on the basal part of the apical third of the antennal segment IV.
On the Local Available Potential Energy Perspective of Baroclinic Wave Development
Authors: Federer Marc , Papritz Lukas , Sprenger Michael , Grams Christian M. , Wenta Marta
Published: March 2024

Extratropical cyclones convert available potential energy (APE) to kinetic energy. However, our current understanding of APE conversion on synoptic scales is limited, as the well-established Lorenz APE framework is only applicable in a global, volume-integrated sense. Here, we employ a recently developed local APE framework to investigate APE and its tendencies in a highly idealized, dispersive baroclinic wave, which leads to the formation of a primary and a downstream cyclone. By utilizing a Lagrangian approach, we demonstrate that locally the downstream cyclone not only consumes APE but also generates it. Initially, APE is transported from both poleward and equatorward reservoirs into the baroclinic zone, where it is then consumed by the vertical displacement of air parcels associated with the developing cyclone. To a lesser extent, APE is also created within the cyclone when air parcels overshoot their reference state; i.e., air colder than its reference state is lifted and air warmer than its reference state is lowered. The volume integral of the APE tendency is dominated by slow vertical displacements of large air masses, whereas the dry intrusion (DI) and warm conveyor belt (WCB) of the cyclone are responsible for the largest local APE tendencies. Diabatic effects within the DI and WCB contribute to the generation of APE in regions where it is consumed adiabatically, thereby enhancing baroclinic conversion in situ. Our findings provide a comprehensive and mechanistic understanding of the local APE tendency on synoptic scales within an idealized setting and complement existing frameworks explaining the energetics of cyclone intensification.
Improved data-driven high-order model-free adaptive iterative learning control with fast convergence for trajectory tracking systems
Authors: Huang Liang , Huang Hua
Published: March 2024

The data-driven high-order pseudo-partial derivative-based model-free adaptive iterative learning control (HOPPD-MFAILC) is always slow to converge and difficult to have excellent tracking results. To address the problem, an improved high-order pseudo-partial derivative-based model-free adaptive iterative learning control (iHOPPD-MFAILC) with fast convergence is proposed. First, to reduce the impact of the initial value of the pseudo-partial derivative (PPD) on the convergence speed of the algorithm, the initial PPD is corrected by introducing the high-order model estimation error. Second, to reduce the influence of system noise on the control performance, the original HOPPD-MFAILC control law is improved by introducing time-varying iterative proportional and time-varying iterative integral terms. Then, the convergence of the proposed improved control algorithm is demonstrated by theoretical analysis. Finally, simulations and experiments on the ball screw motion system show that the proposed iHOPPD-MFAILC can track the desired trajectory better. In addition, iHOPPD-MFAILC has better robustness in the noisy environment and achieves better convergence as well as trajectory tracking performance under different initial PPD conditions. The proposed control scheme has excellent application potential in precision motion control.
The Adoption of Council-Manager Model of Governance in Croatia: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Pezer Martina , Stanić Branko , Reilly Thom
Published: March 2024

The purpose of this study was to explore the receptiveness of Croatian local governmental officials in adopting a council-manager reform model of governance, given the low administrative and fiscal capacities of many Croatian cities. We surveyed all 128 cities in Croatia with a response rate of 48% ( n = 61). Sixty-two percent of top administrators were skeptical that this reform model was feasible. Our data suggest a desire of city administrators for shielding administrative functions from political ones as half of all respondents felt political pressure in budgeting and personnel issues. This was amplified through the qualitative data where respondents cited political parties’ control in city administration and interference in administrative functions. Chief obstacles to implementing reform components focused on concerns about the political influence of politicians.
Is Managerial Homeworking New? Assessing strategic, technological and political influences before, during and after coronavirus
Authors: Hassard John , Morris Jonathan
Published: March 2024

In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is often assumed that working at home represents a fundamental transformation in the way managers work. But is managerial homeworking that new? To answer this question, we draw on labour process theory and three empirical studies to place post-pandemic homeworking in historical sociological perspective. Overall, we find that homeworking is not a novel phenomenon, but has been driven by various logics. Explaining these, we contend initially that recent studies of managers working at home have focused on the mandated temporal present of the practice under Covid-19, which has resulted in homeworking being portrayed idiosyncratically. In contrast, and to attain a more comprehensive understanding of what homeworking means for managers, we argue that it is necessary also to understand both the underappreciated past of the phenomenon as well as options for its projected future. A comparative – past, present, future – inquiry therefore portrays how a range of explicit (e.g. corporate restructuring, digital technology, government legislation) and implicit (e.g. responsible autonomy, cultural resistance, work–life balance) factors have influenced and affected the practice of managers working at home in recent times. Through content analysis, these factors are related to broader forces of strategic change, technological innovation and political regulation in describing the ‘contested terrain’ of modern managerial work. Amid a context of economic neoliberalism, work extensification and shifting spatio-temporal (home/work) boundaries, the paradoxical nature of homeworking – symptomatic of managers’ contemporary ‘struggle for a normal working day’ – is documented through a series of interview-based narrative investigations (conducted in 2002–2006, 2015–2019 and 2020–2021). Ultimately, the paper makes a case not only for greater historical retrospection, but also for deeper critical reflection, in studies of managerial homeworking, and notably when considering whether the practice will likely be extended, ended or otherwise in the coming decades.
Evaluating Critical Thinking Disposition, Emotional Intelligence, and Learning Environment of Nursing Students: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Christodoulakis Antonios , Kritsotakis George , Linardakis Manolis , Sourtzi Panayota , Tsiligianni Ioanna
Published: March 2024

Background:

The COVID-19 pandemic may have inhibited the development of critical thinking and emotional intelligence of nursing students due to the transition from traditional to online learning environments.

Objective:

The objective was to evaluate the development of critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and the perceived learning environment of nursing students during the pandemic from their first to second year.

Methods:

This was a longitudinal study of 82 nursing students from 2 universities in Greece. We measured critical thinking disposition, emotional intelligence, and the students’ perceptions of the learning environment in 2 phases, separated by a 10 month interval, before and during the pandemic.

Results:

Students had moderate-to-high critical thinking and emotional intelligence and perceived the learning environment as more positive than negative in both phases. However, there were no statistically significant changes between phases in critical thinking disposition (mean score 44.3 vs 45.1, p = .224) and emotional intelligence (mean score 5.05 vs 5.06, p = .950) between the 2 phases. Nevertheless, students rated the online learning environment (phase 2) higher than the traditional (mean score 137.8 vs 132.2, p = .005).

Conclusions:

Critical thinking and emotional intelligence did not change, but students favored the online learning environment over the traditional. These findings suggest that nurse educators persevered, adapted, and maintained the quality of the learning environment despite the pandemic. Moreover, the utilization of an online learning environment may have led to enhanced enjoyment and engagement for students, which could potentially result in improved learning outcomes.
Knowledge of vitamin D and practices of vitamin D supplementation in a Scottish adult population: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Zaremba Suzanne M.M. , Conduit-Turner Karen
Published: March 2024

Background: Vitamin D supplementation practices (dose and frequency) are relatively unknown in the Scottish population, with no recent up-to-date data available. Reassessing current knowledge, practices, and awareness of vitamin D supplementation following a national health campaign in 2020 by Food Standards Scotland on vitamin D is warranted. Aim: This article aims to present the knowledge and awareness of vitamin D, and current vitamin D supplementation practices in adults living in Scotland. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed between June and July 2022 using an online survey adapted from previous work on assessing knowledge of vitamin D in adults. Participants aged 18+, living in Scotland for ≥6 months were eligible to participate. Scores for knowledge were calculated as a percentage. Univariate associations between demographic and supplement use were established by χ2-test and logistic regression performed to predict factors associated with daily vitamin D intake. Results: Four hundred and three participants (72.7% female), mean age 36.4 (±14.2 years), completed the study. Awareness of vitamin D was very high (99.5%) but the mean overall knowledge score was poor (31.4 ± 15.3%), with those with a university degree more likely to have knowledge scores at/above the mean compared with those with lower levels of education, χ2(1, N = 393) 10.7, p = 0.001, odds ratio (OR) = 2.1 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.7–2.7). Finally, 64.3% took vitamin D supplements, of which 37.5% took them daily during winter months, with only 7.4% taking the recommended daily dose. Conclusion: The current study highlights the need to improve both knowledge of vitamin D and practices of vitamin D supplementation during the autumn and winter months in Scotland.
A Single Institution 19 Year Comparison of Furlow and Straight Line Palatoplasty Techniques in Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate
Authors: Trotter Collean , Choi Dylan G. , Roohani Idean , Alfeerawi Sarah , Naidu Priyanka , Shakoori Pasha , Fahradyan Artur , Lee Jessica A. , Magee William P. , Urata Mark M. , Hammoudeh Jeffrey A.
Published: March 2024

Objective

This study aims to compare patients’ speech correcting surgery and fistula rates between the Furlow and Straight Line (SLR) palatoplasty techniques when combined with greater palatine flaps for complete bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) repair.

Design

This was a single-center IRB approved retrospective cohort study.

Setting

This study took place at an urban tertiary academic center.

Patients, Participants

All patients with BCLP anomalies that underwent repair between January 2003 and August 2022 were included. Patients with index operations at an outside institution or incomplete medical charting were excluded.

Interventions

A total of 1552 patients underwent palatoplasty during the study period. Of these, 192 (12.4%) met inclusion criteria with a diagnosis of BCLP.

Main Outcome Measures

Primary outcomes of this study included rate of fistula and incidence of speech correcting surgery. Secondary outcomes included rate of surgical fistula repair.

Results

One hundred patients underwent SLR (52.1%) and 92 Furlow repair (47.9%). There was no significant difference in fistula rates between the SLR and Furlow repair cohorts (20.7% vs. 15.0%; p = 0.403). However, SLR was associated with lower rates of speech correcting surgery when compared to the Furlow repair (12.5% vs. 29.6%; p = 0.011).

Conclusions

This study compares the effect of Furlow and SLR on speech outcomes and fistula rates in patients with BCLP. Our findings suggest that SLR resulted in an almost three times lower rate of velopharyngeal dysfunction requiring surgical intervention in patients with BCLP, while fistula rates remained similar.
Spindle Cell Hibernoma of Perinephric Adipose Tissue: A Case Report
Authors: Mitra Anupam , Vandewalker Kristen M.
Published: March 2024

Hibernoma is a relatively uncommon benign neoplasm of brown adipose tissue which usually affects head and neck region, thigh and rarely breast. There are different subtypes of hibernoma with the spindle cell-type is the least common one. Herein, we are reporting a case of this rare spindle cell hibernoma in a location which has not been previously reported: perinephric adipose tissue. This tumor was presented as a renal mass on imaging.
The Opportunities, Challenges, and Rewards of “Community Peer Research”: Reflections on Research Practice
Authors: Rees James , Caulfield Laura , Booth Jane , Kanjilal Mahuya , Sojka Bozena , Spicksley Kathryn , Blamire Josh , Arnull Elaine
Published: March 2024

This article shares reflections from a group of academic researchers at the same University on their experience of conducting “community peer research” projects involving nonacademics in social research. We review a range of literature that has influenced the development of our practice, stressing the importance of co-production and power relations. We present six case studies that represent the breadth of our different engagements with community peer research, and then go on to reflect on the challenges and benefits of this approach. We identify a number of practical challenges, ways in which we overcame them, and in particular stress the importance of providing well-designed training for community peer researchers. We conclude with some recommendations for other researchers looking to conduct similar research.
An Achilles Tendinopathy Educational Intervention for Generalist Physicians Raises Awareness and Improves Knowledge for Treating Ballet Dancers
Authors: Coates Wendy C. , Sims Leroy
Published: March 2024

Background:

Achilles tendinopathy can be a devastating condition in ballet dancers. Initial medical evaluation is frequently conducted by generalist physicians, who may lack the perspective of dance and sports medicine focused training and often prescribe complete rest for chronic overuse injuries. In order to provide targeted information about Achilles tendinopathy and the unique needs of elite athletes, such as ballet dancers, we designed an educational intervention that covers relevant anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, clinical presentation and evaluation, and recommendations for initial treatment and sub-specialty referral. The objectives of this study were to determine baseline understanding of Achilles tendinopathy by generalist physicians and to evaluate the efficacy of an educational intervention on their knowledge.

Methods:

This was a prospective pre- post-test study, to measure improvement in knowledge about Achilles tendinopathy. Emergency Medicine and Primary Care physicians participated in an educational intervention with didactic and hands-on components. Data were analyzed using a two-tailed t-test.

Results:

Twenty generalist physicians participated. There was significant improvement in their knowledge of Achilles tendinopathy for all our educational objectives (Pre-test: 59% correct answers; post-test: 79% correct answers; P < .0001; 95% CI: 6.32-10.78.).

Conclusions:

A brief educational intervention leads to increased knowledge of Achilles tendinopathy in generalist physicians. By increasing awareness of Achilles tendinopathy through a standard educational model, we propose that our curriculum can be portable and accessible to all health care providers who encounter dancers and other athletes with Achilles tendinopathy and may serve as a model for expanded education to generalists about other conditions commonly encountered in ballet dancers.
Resilience after combat: A prospective, longitudinal study of Marines and Navy Corpsmen
Authors: Yurgil Kate A , Ricca Hayden , Baker Dewleen G
Published: March 2024

Resilience is common, yet our understanding of key biopsychosocial and environmental correlates is limited. Additionally, perceived resilience is often conflated with absence of psychiatric symptoms. Here we leverage prospective, longitudinal data from 1835 Marines and Navy Corpsmen to examine predictors of perceived resilience 3 months after a combat deployment, while controlling for pre-deployment and concurrent psychiatric symptoms. Marines and Corpsmen did not differ significantly on psychosocial or clinical factors, and 50.4% reported high perceived resilience after deployment. Across groups, the strongest predictors of post-deployment perceived resilience were pre-deployment perceived resilience, positive emotions, and social support. Concurrent depression was the only clinical symptom negatively associated with perceived resilience. Our findings suggest that perceived resilience is a multi-dimensional construct that involves both psychosocial and personality factors, including but not limited to low psychopathology. Notably, establishing strong social support networks and encouraging positive emotions may help promote resilience following deployment.
Quite a Pickle: A 10-Year Increase in Pickleball-Related Hand Injuries
Authors: Firouzbakht Peter K. , Bagdady Kazimir , Gupta Rohun , Lu Stephen M. , Chen Kevin
Published: March 2024

Background:

Pickleball popularity has significantly increased in the United States. Wrist, hand, and finger injuries are commonly seen among pickleball players and are on the rise.

Methods:

The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database was queried from 2013 to 2022 tennis- and pickleball-related injuries in the United States. Data were filtered to include wrist, hand, and finger injuries only.

Results:

There were a total of 12 021 estimated pickleball injuries between 2013 and 2022, most commonly in white women greater than 55 years old. The most common mechanism of injury (90.5%) was a fall. The number of injuries increased by 765.6% between 2013 and 2022. The growth in the number of pickleball-related injuries was found to be statistically significant ( P < .05), whereas the growth for tennis-related injuries was found to be not statistically different from 0. There was a statistical difference between the growth of the number of pickleball injuries per year and the number of tennis injuries. The wrist was the most common location of injury (70.0%) compared with the hand (10.5%) and fingers (19.5%). The most common injury diagnosis was fracture (60.3%). Overall, the most common injury was wrist fracture (50.0%).

Conclusions:

Hand surgeons should be aware of the increasing prevalence of pickleball-related injuries as an alternative mechanism of injury, particularly among the elderly.