Papers by Quentin Wheeler
Background. In a recent work I transformed a complex and integrated text like the International C... more Background. In a recent work I transformed a complex and integrated text like the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature into a network of interconnected parts of text. This new approach allowed understanding that a continuous body of text cannot accurately reflect the true structure of the Code, and provided a scientific methodology to identify a priori parts that could be affected by future revisions. In this next step, I investigate further the structure of the Code, seeking to use the network in order to identify the various conceptual communities grouping the various articles and other text items of the Code. Methods. Using the first version of the network of the Code, I perform a comprehensive modularity analysis in two rounds: the first round aims to identify the fewest and largest communities or modules for the entire network, whereas the second round identifies the sub-modules within each larger module. The potential conflicts between the current structure of the Code and the module composition are evaluated with a parcellation analysis. Results. The optimal modularity search identified 10 different modules in the entire network of varying size (ranging from 75 to 200 nodes). Each module can be further divided into smaller modules, that alltogether allow describing the 65 conceptual groups of text items in the Code. Parcellation analysis revealed that two-thirds of the current chapters of the Code are in excellent or good accordance with the recovered conceptual modules, whereas the current composition of six chapters is in serious conflict with the conceptual structure of the Code. Discussion. Judging only the composition and not the order of appearance of the Articles in the Chapters of the Code, I show that in many cases the current structure of the Code is found to correspond quite well to the concepts presented therein. The most important conflict is found on the provisions related to the various groups of names governed by the Code: family-, genus-, and species-group names. Currently, these provisions are spread out in different Articles in different Chapters, along the entire length of the Code. The modularity analysis suggests that reorganizing the Code in chapters that will deal with all aspects related to a given group (e.g., chapters including information on name formation, availability, typification, and validity for a given group), could potentially improve reader experience and, consequently, the applicability of the Code.
Coleopterists Bulletin, Sep 1, 2015
Abstract Zimpherus nancae Miller and Wheeler, new genus and new species (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: ... more Abstract Zimpherus nancae Miller and Wheeler, new genus and new species (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: Hydroporinae: Bidessini) is described from Cerro de Neblina, Amazonas, Venezuela. Habitus, male genitalia, and other diagnostic features are illustrated.
Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington, 1984
Revue de la mycophagie chez les Eucinetidae et Clambidae. Eucinetus oviformis se nourrissant sur ... more Revue de la mycophagie chez les Eucinetidae et Clambidae. Eucinetus oviformis se nourrissant sur le champignon Coriophora olivacea est le second representant connu parmi les Eucinetidae vivant en association avec un hote basidromycete
Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington., 1980
Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington., 1983
Larvae of Stenichnus turbatus Casey and Stenichnus conjux Casey are tenatively associated with ad... more Larvae of Stenichnus turbatus Casey and Stenichnus conjux Casey are tenatively associated with adults from berlese extracts of samples of sifted, dry, decaying wood in upstate New York. Both species belong to the subgenus Cyrtoscydmus Motschulsky. They do not diifer significantly in size, but differ consistently in several chaetotaxic characters which are correlated. We present a detailed description of S. turbatus larvae, including illustrations, and compare S. conjux larvae which differ in the absence of several structures. Some notes on the natural history of each species are given. There are few published references to larvae of Scydmaenidae (see Brown and Crowson, 1979, and references therein). For North America, there are only illustrations of Eumicrus longicollis Casey and a species assigned to Euconnus by Brown and Crowson (1979), both of which were illustrated by Boving and Craighead (1931; cf. plates 16 and 19). Thus, collection of larvae oi Stenichnus during recent field studies near Ithaca, New York, presented an opportunity to describe
Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington., 1987
Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, 2005
FRONTISPIECE. Male Agathidium vaderi, new species, dorsal habitus. Original by Byron Alexander.
University of California Press eBooks, Oct 28, 2010
John Wiley & Sons, Ltd eBooks, Jul 21, 2017
"A chameleon so tiny it can fit on your thumbnail? A spider named after David Bowie? A fungu... more "A chameleon so tiny it can fit on your thumbnail? A spider named after David Bowie? A fungus that turns ants into zombies? What on Earth? " "What on Earth?" is a compendium of the 100 coolest, weirdest, and most intriguing new species of this century as determined by the International Institute for Species Exploration. From animals to plants, fossils to bacteria, "What on Earth?" is an accessible, informative, and offbeat look at the creatures that also call our planet home, including: - A dangerous cobra that can spit its venom almost ten feet - A miniscule orchid that is less than a half-inch wide - A rainforest mushroom named after the cartoon character Spongebob Squarepants - A beautiful seahorse that changes colors to protect itself from predators - A stick insect that is as long as a man's arm Featuring visually striking images alongside surprising facts about each new species, "What on Earth? "is a testament to the incredible and ever-evolving diversity of our planet.
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research), Dec 31, 2008
A new species of Gyrinidae, Orectochilus orbisonorum n. sp., is described to honor the late Roy O... more A new species of Gyrinidae, Orectochilus orbisonorum n. sp., is described to honor the late Roy Orbison, recording artist and songwriter, and his wife Barbara. The species is unique among Indian Gyrinidae and Orectochilus Lacordaire, in general, since the ventral surfaces are white as the result of clear areas of cuticle allowing internal tissues to be visible.
TAXON, 2004
During the Workshop held on Linnaean Nomenclature in the 21st Century on 26-28 June 2002 at the H... more During the Workshop held on Linnaean Nomenclature in the 21st Century on 26-28 June 2002 at the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (see also Barkley & al. in Taxon 53: 153-158 & 159-161, 2004) it was determined by some that changes should be proposed regarding Articles 3.1, 22.3, and 26.3. Justifications for the proposed changes in the wording can be found in Barkley & al.(Ie 153-158). not establish the limits of any taxon to which the autonym may apply.
The aleocharine genus Tachiona Sharp and the single previously described species T. deplanata Sha... more The aleocharine genus Tachiona Sharp and the single previously described species T. deplanata Sharp from Mexico are redescribed. A lectotype is designated for T. deplanata from the syntype series. Two new species, T. nitida Ashe and T. latipennis Ashe, are described from material collected in Mexico and Panama respectively. A key is provided for separation of the known species of Tachiona. Larvae collected in association with adults of T. latipennis from the interior of a web covering a tree wound were presumed to be conspecific with them, described, and compared with larvae collected with a female of T. nitida from a similar web covered tree hole. Illustrations of diagnostic features of adults and larvae are provided. Based on mouthpart structure, particularly the styliform labial palpi and elongated maxillary lobes, Tachiona is shown to be a member of the probably monophyletic bolitocharine subtribe Silusina. Within the Silusina, members of Tachiona are very similar to those of Diestota Mulsant and Rey in a number of characteristics, especially form of the spermatheca and aedeagus. More precise analysis of relationships among the Silusina must await a more detailed survey of structural features among included taxa.
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Papers by Quentin Wheeler