Biological Collections

We studied the chromosomal distribution of telomere repeats (TTAGGG) n in 8 species of Sigmodon (cotton rats) using chromosome paints fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) from Sigmodon hispidus. In 2 species with the proposed primitive karyotype for the genus, telomere repeats were restricted to telomeric sites. But in the other 6 species that include 3 with proposed primitive karyotypes and 3 with highly rearranged karyotypes, telomere repeats were found on both telomeric sites and within interstitial telomeric sites (ITSs). To explain the distribution of ITS in Sigmodon, we gather data from C-bands, silver nitrate staining, G-bands, and chromosomal paint data from previous published studies. We did find some correlation with ITS and heterochromatin, euchromatic chromosomal rearrangements, and nucleolar organizing regions. No one type of chromosomal structure explains all ITS in Sigmodon. Multiple explanations and mechanisms for movement of intragenomic sequences are required to explain ITS in this genus. We rejected the hypothesis that age of a lineage correlates with the presence of ITS using divergence time estimate analyses. This multigene phylogeny places species with ITS (S. arizonae, S. fulviventer, S. hispidus, S. mascotensis, S. ochrognathus, and S. toltecus) in the clade with a species without ITS (S. hirsutus). Lineages with ITS (S. arizonae and S. mascotensis) arose independently from a lineage absent of ITS (S. hirsutus) around 0.67 to 0.83 Ma. The rearranged karyotypes of S. mascotensis and S. arizonae appear to be an independently derived autapomorphic characters, supporting a fast rate of chromosomal changes that vary among species.

O Herbario ESAL (Universidade Federal de Lavras) constitui um dos mais importantes acervos da biodiversidade vegetal na regiao centro sul de Minas Gerais. Com um importante historico de atuacao na pesquisa da flora do seu entorno, o Herbario iniciou suas atividades de extensao apenas recentemente (ha cerca de cinco anos), a partir de sua reestruturacao e da modernizacao do seu acervo. Como amostra destas atividades, apresentamos aqui breves relatos de quatro acoes elaboradas pela equipe do nosso Herbario: I) um importante e premiado trabalho utilizando a "Horta enquanto recurso pedagogico"; II) um projeto de ilustracao cientifica dos tipos contidos na colecao, favorecendo sua utilizacao em atividades diversas, sem prejudicar sua preservacao; III)a avaliacao do uso de "especies bandeira" em acoes de educacao ambiental e de conservacao da biodiversidade; e IV) a "Realizacao de eventos de divulgacao cientifica em espacos nao usuais", com o intuito de divul...

A small mammal survey was conducted from 18 to 20 July 2016 in Dallam County, Texas. During the survey, several owl pellets were obtained from a Barn Owl (Tyto alba) roosting site. Dental characteristics revealed that the owl pellets contained multiple individuals of small mammals represented by two species of Soricomorpha (Notiosorex crawfordi and Cryptotis parva) and four species of Rodentia (Dipodomys ordii, Perognathus merrami, Peromyscus leucopus, and Sigmodon hispidus). The specimens of Notiosorex and Cryptotis represent the first records of these species in Dallam County and extend the distribution of both species to the extreme northwestern portion of the state.

First records of myxomycetes in the North region of Brazil go back to the 19th century. Nevertheless, the myxobiota of this region is still largely unexplored, with only 42 species recorded, distributed in 20 genera and seven families. The objectives of this paper were to characterize the Myxomycetes collection of the Herbarium of the Federal University of Roraima (UFRR) and to add new records for the myxobiota of this State. The collection holds specimens collected in fragments of Open Ombrophilous Forest, Seasonal Semi-deciduous Forest, Riparian Forest, deforested areas and urban home gardens in the state of Roraima. The 157 exsiccates were analyzed and identified or redetermined based on identification keys, descriptions and illustrations. The collection is in good conditions of preservation and includes all subclasses of Myxomycetes, 83% of its orders, 50% of its families, and 20 species. Trichiales, with one family, three genera and six species, represents 62% of all exsiccates...

COLLECTING BIOLOGICAL specimens for scientific studies came under scrutiny when B. A. Minteer et al. ["Avoiding (re)extinction," Perspectives, 18 April, p. 260] suggested that this practice plays a significant role in species extinctions. Based on a small number of examples (rare birds, frogs, and a few plants), the authors concluded that collection of voucher specimens is potentially harmful to many species, and that alternativesphotographs, audio recordings and nonlethal tissue sampling for DNA analysis-are sufficient to document biological diversity. The isolated examples that Minteer et al. cited to demonstrate the negative impact of scientific collecting have been carefully analyzed, and none of these extinction events can be attributed to that cause (1-3). For example, only about 102 Great Auk specimens (Pinguinus impennis) exist today in scientific collections, many of which are skeletons obtained after extinction, whereas millions were harvested for food, oil, and feathers over millennia (1). Similarly, only nine Mexican elf owls (Micrathene whitneyi graysoni), endemic to Socorro Island, Mexico, are present in natural history collections. Field notes indicate that this species was common when specimens were collected between 1896 and 1932, and the most likely reasons for extinction around 1970 were habitat degradation and predation by invasive species (2). Scientists have come a long way from the days of indiscriminate collecting. Modern collecting adheres to strict permitting regulations and ethics guidelines, including the general practice of collecting a number of specimens substantially below levels that would affect population demography (3, 4). The suggested alternatives to collecting specimens (photographing, recording calls, or sampling tissue nonlethally) are individually problematic, and even together cannot be used to reliably identify or describe the vast majority of Earth's biodiversity [for example, a large proportion of the world's marine LETTERS Undercover. Many Alpheidae shrimps live deep in the reef and are impossible to collect nonlethally.

A biodiversidade resulta de milhões de anos de evolução biológica e é o componente do sistema de suporte à vida de nosso planeta. Além do valor intrínseco de cada espécie, seu conjunto, bem como o de interações entre espécies e destas com o meio físico-químico, resultam em serviços ecossistêmicos imprescindíveis para manter a vida na Terra. Sendo assim, a ciência da biodiversidade é amplamente reconhecida como área prioritária de investigação científica, tanto nos países desenvolvidos como naqueles em desenvolvimento. No Brasil, a pesquisa em biodiversidade pode ser dividida em três principais vertentes: 1) descoberta e caracterização da biodiversidade, inclusive marinha e em paisagens alteradas - sistemática e taxonomia; 2) compreensão do funcionamento de ecossistemas e serviços ambientais, inclusive marinhos e em paisagens alteradas; 3) bioprospecção da quimiodiversidade da biota brasileira.

COLLECTING BIOLOGICAL specimens for scientific studies came under scrutiny when B. A. Minteer et al. ["Avoiding (re)extinction," Perspectives, 18 April, p. 260] suggested that this practice plays a significant role in species extinctions. Based on a small number of examples (rare birds, frogs, and a few plants), the authors concluded that collection of voucher specimens is potentially harmful to many species, and that alternativesphotographs, audio recordings and nonlethal tissue sampling for DNA analysis-are sufficient to document biological diversity. The isolated examples that Minteer et al. cited to demonstrate the negative impact of scientific collecting have been carefully analyzed, and none of these extinction events can be attributed to that cause (1-3). For example, only about 102 Great Auk specimens (Pinguinus impennis) exist today in scientific collections, many of which are skeletons obtained after extinction, whereas millions were harvested for food, oil, and feathers over millennia (1). Similarly, only nine Mexican elf owls (Micrathene whitneyi graysoni), endemic to Socorro Island, Mexico, are present in natural history collections. Field notes indicate that this species was common when specimens were collected between 1896 and 1932, and the most likely reasons for extinction around 1970 were habitat degradation and predation by invasive species (2). Scientists have come a long way from the days of indiscriminate collecting. Modern collecting adheres to strict permitting regulations and ethics guidelines, including the general practice of collecting a number of specimens substantially below levels that would affect population demography (3, 4). The suggested alternatives to collecting specimens (photographing, recording calls, or sampling tissue nonlethally) are individually problematic, and even together cannot be used to reliably identify or describe the vast majority of Earth's biodiversity [for example, a large proportion of the world's marine LETTERS Undercover. Many Alpheidae shrimps live deep in the reef and are impossible to collect nonlethally.

Butterflies are having aesthetic value and great ecological significance as consumers and pollinators in the ecosystem. The objective of the study was to describe the diversity of butterfly communities in habitat types at Menagesha-Suba State Forest in Ethiopia. Five elevation sites at Menagesha-Suba State forestwere selected for the study. Five families comprising 423 individuals were collected. The significant difference in diversity of butterflies among the altitudes as indicated by the values of Shannon Weiner-index H', value at 2200-2500m and the lowest at above 3300 m altitude. The species richness was relatively highest at 22002500m and lowest at 3100-3300 m altitude. The Jaccard's Similarity Index indicated that the butterfly communities similarity was highest between altitudes of 3100-3300m and above 3300m, while the lowest value was noted at altitudes between 2200-2500m and 3100-3300m, 2200-2500m and above 3300m, and 2500-2800m and above 3300m. Among the five famil...

(Ecuador), registered in the Index Herbariorum since 2001, holds over twenty thousand catalogued specimens of 2131 species of Magnoliophyta and Pteridophyta. One third of these specimens keep information on uses and applications of economic value. Asteraceae and Solanaceae are the most represented families in the collection. Almost half of the specimens come from highly diverse Andean cloud forests. The collection has specimens of 23, out of 24, provinces of Ecuador, Pichincha being the most represented province. Seven type specimens of six species are deposited at the QUSF, including the holotypes of Larnax macasiana S. Deanna, Leiva & Barboza, and Tiputinia foetida P.E. Berry & C. Woodw. In this article, we present a historic overview of the herbarium, analyse the collection representativity, and describe future development plans.

Short-tailed shrews (genus Blarina Gray, 1838) are characterized by divergent karyotypes and are genetically distinct. Blarina species are similar morphologically but, in most cases, can be distinguished morphometrically. Blarina distributions tend to be parapatric along well-defined contact zones; however, it has been suggested that the northern short-tailed shrew (Blarina brevicauda (Say, 1823)) and Elliot's short-tailed shrew (Blarina hylophaga Elliot, 1899) occur sympatrically in Iowa and Missouri. To evaluate this possibility, 179 specimens were collected in southwestern Iowa and northwestern Missouri. Karyotypes and total length were used for field identification, and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis was used to verify field identifications and to investigate the extent of hybridization. One hundred seventyeight of 179 specimens were identified to species. The one exception had a karyotype of B. brevicauda (2n = 50, FN = 48); however, AFLP analysis indicated that this individual was likely an F1 hybrid. No backcrosses were detected, so it appears that introgression is minimal. The putative hybrid was trapped at a locality with B. brevicauda just north of a locality having only B. hylophaga. No locality contained both species. Therefore, these species are not broadly sympatric as has been suggested, but rather exhibit a distribution similar to the pattern of parapatry seen in most of the contact zones of Blarina. Résumé : Les musaraignes à queue courte (du genre Blarina Gray, 1838) se caractérisent par des caryotypes divergents et sont génétiquement distinctes. Les espèces de Blarina sont semblables morphologiquement, mais dans la plupart des cas, la morphométrie permet de les distinguer. Les répartitions des Blarina ont tendance à être parapatriques le long de zones de contact bien définies; on croit néanmoins que la grande musaraigne à queue courte (Blarina brevicauda (Say, 1823)) et la musaraigne à queue courte d'Elliot (Blarina hylophaga Elliot, 1899) se retrouvent en sympatrie en Iowa et au Missouri. Afin de vérifier cette possibilité, nous avons récolté 179 spécimens dans le sud-ouest de l'Iowa et le nord-ouest du Missouri. Les caryotypes et la longueur totale nous ont servi pour les identifications de terrain et une analyse du polymorphisme des longueurs des segments amplifiés (AFLP) a permis de confirmer les identifications de terrain et de déterminer l'importance de l'hybridation. Des 179 spécimens, 178 ont été identifiés à l'espèce. La seule exception avait un caryotype de B. brevicauda (2n = 50, FN = 48); cependant l'analyse de ALFP indique que cet individu est vraisemblablement un hybride de F1. Comme il n'y a aucune indication de rétrocroisement, l'introgression semble minimale. L'hybride putatif a été piégé dans une localité contenant B. brevicauda située juste au nord d'une localité où vit seulement B. hylophaga. Aucune localité ne contient les deux espèces. Les deux espèces ne possèdent donc pas une importante zone de sympatrie, comme on le croyait; ils ont plutôt une répartition parapatrique du type observé dans la plupart des zones de contact de Blarina.

Algumas espécies da família Bromeliacea são denominadas de "bromélias-tanque" devido à disposição em roseta de suas folhas que acumulam água e detritos orgânicos, permitindo o desenvolvimento de diferentes organismos. Considerando que informações sobre a presença de mixomicetos em Bromeliaceae são escassas, avaliou-se a disponibilidade e ocupação de microhabitats para estes organismos oferecidos por bromeliáceas em fragmentos de Floresta Atlântica situados no Centro de Endemismo Pernambuco. As coletas de esporocarpos e substratos para cultivo em câmara-úmida foram realizadas na Reserva Ecológica do Janga (Paulista), Estação Ecológica do Tapacurá (São Lourenço da Mata) e Mata do Estado (São Vicente Ferrer) entre 2007 e 2008. Dez espécies de mixomicetos estavam presentes em partes mortas de representantes das Bromelioideae e

Sponge-ophiuroid ecological associations, which are important in the dynamics of marine populations and communities, have been recorded for a long time. In this study, we report new records of interactions between
sponges and ophiuroids, which were obtained by analyzing biological collections, to increase knowledge about the associations between these animals. The study observed 14 interactions between sponges and ophiuroids,
eight of which are new to science: Ophiocnida scabriuscula and Agelas sp., Ophiothrix sp. and Monanchora
arbuscula, Ophiactis quinqueradia and M. arbuscula, O. quinqueradia and Callyspongia (Cladochalina) aculeata,
Ophiactis savignyi and Agelas dispar, O. savignyi and M. arbuscula, O. savignyi and Topsentia ophiraphidites, and
O. savignyi and Dysidea etheria. The specimens found were collected in four areas of the northeastern Brazilian
coast (tropical southwestern Atlantic), including a conservation area and a mesophotic coral ecosystem. Thus, the
continuation of studies and the implementation of conservation strategies for these environments are essential.
Finally, the importance of biological collections as a crucial data source for biodiversity studies is reinforced.

COLLECTING BIOLOGICAL specimens for scientific studies came under scrutiny when B. A. Minteer et al. ["Avoiding (re)extinction," Perspectives, 18 April, p. 260] suggested that this practice plays a significant role in species extinctions. Based on a small number of examples (rare birds, frogs, and a few plants), the authors concluded that collection of voucher specimens is potentially harmful to many species, and that alternativesphotographs, audio recordings and nonlethal tissue sampling for DNA analysis-are sufficient to document biological diversity. The isolated examples that Minteer et al. cited to demonstrate the negative impact of scientific collecting have been carefully analyzed, and none of these extinction events can be attributed to that cause (1-3). For example, only about 102 Great Auk specimens (Pinguinus impennis) exist today in scientific collections, many of which are skeletons obtained after extinction, whereas millions were harvested for food, oil, and feathers over millennia (1). Similarly, only nine Mexican elf owls (Micrathene whitneyi graysoni), endemic to Socorro Island, Mexico, are present in natural history collections. Field notes indicate that this species was common when specimens were collected between 1896 and 1932, and the most likely reasons for extinction around 1970 were habitat degradation and predation by invasive species (2). Scientists have come a long way from the days of indiscriminate collecting. Modern collecting adheres to strict permitting regulations and ethics guidelines, including the general practice of collecting a number of specimens substantially below levels that would affect population demography (3, 4). The suggested alternatives to collecting specimens (photographing, recording calls, or sampling tissue nonlethally) are individually problematic, and even together cannot be used to reliably identify or describe the vast majority of Earth's biodiversity [for example, a large proportion of the world's marine LETTERS Undercover. Many Alpheidae shrimps live deep in the reef and are impossible to collect nonlethally.

COLLECTING BIOLOGICAL specimens for scientific studies came under scrutiny when B. A. Minteer et al. ["Avoiding (re)extinction," Perspectives, 18 April, p. 260] suggested that this practice plays a significant role in species extinctions. Based on a small number of examples (rare birds, frogs, and a few plants), the authors concluded that collection of voucher specimens is potentially harmful to many species, and that alternativesphotographs, audio recordings and nonlethal tissue sampling for DNA analysis-are sufficient to document biological diversity. The isolated examples that Minteer et al. cited to demonstrate the negative impact of scientific collecting have been carefully analyzed, and none of these extinction events can be attributed to that cause (1-3). For example, only about 102 Great Auk specimens (Pinguinus impennis) exist today in scientific collections, many of which are skeletons obtained after extinction, whereas millions were harvested for food, oil, and feathers over millennia (1). Similarly, only nine Mexican elf owls (Micrathene whitneyi graysoni), endemic to Socorro Island, Mexico, are present in natural history collections. Field notes indicate that this species was common when specimens were collected between 1896 and 1932, and the most likely reasons for extinction around 1970 were habitat degradation and predation by invasive species (2). Scientists have come a long way from the days of indiscriminate collecting. Modern collecting adheres to strict permitting regulations and ethics guidelines, including the general practice of collecting a number of specimens substantially below levels that would affect population demography (3, 4). The suggested alternatives to collecting specimens (photographing, recording calls, or sampling tissue nonlethally) are individually problematic, and even together cannot be used to reliably identify or describe the vast majority of Earth's biodiversity [for example, a large proportion of the world's marine LETTERS Undercover. Many Alpheidae shrimps live deep in the reef and are impossible to collect nonlethally.

RESUMEN El estudio de la aeromicobiota de los museos contribuye a la conservación de los materiales que allí se resguardan y a la prevención de enfermedades alérgicas en los visitantes. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar la diversidad y calidad fúngica del aire de la Casa Museo Polo Montañez mediante una metodología volumétrica no viable. Se calculó la razón entre las concentraciones fúngicas del aire interior y exterior para evaluar su calidad. Además, se realizó un análisis ecológico de los hongos detectados. La calidad del aire interior de las salas fue buena y se comprobó la similitud entre los taxones del interior y exterior. El tipo esporal Aspergillus/Penicillium destacó por su abundancia en el aire interior y el tipo esporal Cladosporium en el exterior. De la micobiota detectada 12 géneros se informan con propiedades biodeteriorantes y nueve alergénicas. Los cuatro tipos esporales identificados pueden manifestar ambas potencialidades.

Resumo Os herbários, coleções científicas de registro e referência, agregam especialistas e pesquisadores da área de botânica nas instituições em que ocorrem. Há uma demanda constante das escolas de Ensino Fundamental, Médio, e da população em geral de educação ambiental e científica atualizada e com robustez teórica. Ações de extensão representam uma oportunidade para explicitar a importância da coleção, da pesquisa na área botânica e da sua contribuição na formação de uma sociedade mais comprometida com a conservação dos recursos naturais. O Herbário UNO (Unochapecó, Chapecó, SC) tem executado ações voltadas a diferentes públicos (Ensino Fundamental, Médio e público em geral), organizadas em palestras, oficinas e exposições, executadas em escolas, áreas públicas como praças e shopping centers, e na própria Universidade. Com isso o Herbário tem contribuído para a divulgação, na região em que se encontra inserido, de informações sobre a biodiversidade regional, conservação de florestas e importância das plantas, com conteúdos atuais e linguagem adequada, promovendo e popularizando o conhecimento da botânica. Nos últimos três anos (2014-2016) o Herbário desenvolveu quatro atividades principais que atingiram mais de mil e duzentas pessoas. Palavras-chave: educação ambiental, divulgação científica, ensino de botânica.

This study was carried out during the Geographic Borneo Expedition in 2018 (28 September – 3 October 2018) with the objective to assess the diversity of gingers (Zingerberaceae) at Sungai Kangkawat, Imbak Canyon Conservation Area (ICCA). Four tracks were surveyed, namely, Sungai Kawang, Nepenthes, South Rim and Pelanjau. Any ginger clump along these tracks were visually searched and sampled. The plants (stems, leaves and rhizomes) together with their flowers and fruits, if present, were collected, labelled and kept in a ziplock bag for herbaria preparation and identification. Information on ecology, habitat and location coordinates of each species were also recorded. Species identification was carried out using published taxonomic keys and pictures of the plants. There were 11 genera found along Sungai Kawang track, seven along Nepenthes track, three along South Rim track, and five along Pelajau track. Previous unpublished expedition report stated that there were 48 ginger species i...

Small mammals are ecological regulators in natural habitats. During the present investigation, species composition, distribution and relative abundance of small mammals were studied in Denkoro Forest, South Wollo, and Ethiopia from 2011 to 2012. In this investigation, Capture-Mark-Recapture (CMR) method was used. Data were collected during the wet and dry seasons by using Sherman live-traps (7.6× 8.9 × 22.9 cm. size) and snap-traps, and the traps were randomly laid at different trap sites of the habitats. The area of each live-trap grid was 70 ×70 m. Each of the grids consisted of seven lines, 10 m apart, with a trap station at every 10 m. A total of 49 Sherman traps was set in each grid, for 3 consecutive days. Ten species of small mammals belonging to rodents and insectivores were recorded from the study area. Additional two rodent species (Hystrix cristata and Trachyoryctes splendens)were sighted, but not captured. The small mammals trapped were Lophuromys flavopunctatus (35.7%), Otomys typus (28.5%), Stenocephalemys griseicauda (14.6%), Arvicanthis dembeensis (9.1%), Crocidura flavescens (5.9%), Stenocephalemys albipes (1.9%), Crocidura fumosa (1.4%), Desmomys harringtoni (0.8%), Mus Mahomet (0.6%) and Dendromus lovati (0.3%). Population abundance and species composition of small mammals varied from habitat to habitat and from season to season. Lophuromys flavopunctatus and O. typus were the most widely distributed and abundant species, whereas S. albipes, C. fumosa (in the forest), D. harringtoni, D. lovati and M. mahomet (in the farmland) were restricted species. Seasonal variation and availability of food resulted in variation in abundance and distribution of small mammals from habitat to habitat. Disturbance of small mammals by plant trampling and cutting should be stopped since small mammals are a source of diet to the endemic Ethiopia wolf and other carnivores.

Studying small mammals has a paramount significance for ecological, cultural and economic reasons. A survey on the diversity, abundance and habitat association of small mammals in Wenchi highlands, central Ethiopia, was carried out from August 2019 to January 2021. Small mammals were trapped from six different habitats (Hagenia Woodland, Erica Scrub, Qibate, Lakeshore, Erica and Albesa Forests) using Sherman and snap traps in standard trapping grids. A total of 935 rodents belonging to 12 species (Arvicanthis abyssinicus, Desmomys yaldeni, Mastomys natalensis, M. awashensis, Stenocephaylemys albipes, Lophuromys flavopunctatus, L. brevicaudus, L. chrysopus, Dendromus lovati, Lophiomys imhausi, Graphirius murinus, and an unidentified murid rodent), and 24 insectivores belonging to 3 species (Crocidura bailey, C. fumosa and C. olivieri) were recorded. Hystrix cristata and Tachyoryctes splendens were also recorded through indirect evidences. About 52.9% of the identified small mammals w...

Abundance of rodents and insectivorous mammals was estimated in Pawe area of Ethiopia in natural forest, plantation, bushland, grassland and maize farms. Grids were randomly selected in each of the habitats, and small mammals were live-trapped during the wet and dry seasons. A total of 606 individuals (including recaptures) comprising 10 species of rodents and two species of insectivores were trapped. The rodents trapped were Mastomys natalensis (37.9 %), Arvicanthis dembeensis (28.8 %), Stenocephalemys albipes (9.2 %), Mastomys erythroleucus (7.5 %), Arvicanthis niloticus (4.5 %), Acomys cahirinus (3.6 %), Tatera robusta (2.6 %), Lemniscomys striatus (1.7 %), Mus musculus (0.9 %) and Rattus rattus (0.3 %). The two species of insectivores trapped were Crocidura flavescens (2.2 %) and Crocidura fumosa (0.8 %). M. natalensis was the most abundant and widely distributed species while R. rattus was the least abundant with limited distribution. Most of the rodents and insectivores were a...

A survey on small mammals was conducted at Bukit Taat, Tasik Kenyir from 2 nd to 5 th September 2014. This survey aimed to document the species diversity of small mammals in Bukit Taat. A total of eight mist nets, two four-bank harp traps and 50 cage traps baited with banana slices were used. A total of 36 individuals comprising 14 species of chiropteran but none of non-volant small mammals were recorded. Hipposideros larvatus (36.1% of total individuals) were recorded as the most captured species followed by H. diadema (19.4% of total individuals) and Penthetor lucasi (8.3% of total individuals). This survey formed the first list of chiropterans recorded at Bukit Taat,

A survey on birds was conducted at Sungai Dusun Wildlife Reserve on the 26th until 31th of October 2009. Ten mist nets were deployed throughout the four days sampling period. A total of 27 individuals representing 16 species from 10 families of birds were recorded. The most common species recorded is the Arachnothera longirostra that was represented by six individuals.

We present the catalog of type specimens Mammal´s Collection of the Instituto Humboldt (IAvH-M). This includes three paratypes and a neotype which represent four nominal species. Corrections, additions, and information updating the original descriptions are incorporated for each nominal species. A photo gallery of the types is presented. An electronic version of this catalog with the originals photography in high definition is available at http://colecciones.humboldt.org.co/especimenes-tipo/catalogomamiferos

Se actualizó el número de especies de coleópteros del campus de la Universidad de Piura, utilizando técnicas de colecta directa (colecta manual y red entomológica) e indirecta (trampas pitfall y trampas de luz). Se registraron en total 74 especies agrupadas 68 géneros y 24 familias. Las familias Coccinellidae y Tenebrionidae obtuvieron la mayor cantidad de especies y se cita al género Airora Reitter, 1876 (Familia Trogossitidae) como nuevo registro para el Perú.

Despite the notable plant biodiversity of the Philippines, the country still exhibits increasing anthropogenic activities in many forests of the archipelago that pose a threat to many floral species of the country. Hence, to test the hypothesis that there are differences in plant distributions and diversity between disturbed and undisturbed tropical forest patches, a rapid floristic assessment in Malinao, Aklan was conducted. A total of 106 species were sampled in both sites, with 68 present in the disturbed site, 53 present in the undisturbed site, and 12 present in both. Rarefied species accumulation curves and calculations of Shannon-Wiener Index (H) showed higher species richness and evenness in the undisturbed forest. Analysis of the similarities in species composition using the nonmetric dimensional scaling combined with the statistical test PERMANOVA showed clear significant difference between the two forest categories. In addition, one species (Artocarpus blancoi (Elmer) Merr.) that is classified as "Vulnerable" according to the IUCN was noted. Thus, standard calls for the establishment of priority areas for forest conservation in the country are recommended.

COLLECTING BIOLOGICAL specimens for scientific studies came under scrutiny when B. A. Minteer et al. ["Avoiding (re)extinction," Perspectives, 18 April, p. 260] suggested that this practice plays a significant role in species extinctions. Based on a small number of examples (rare birds, frogs, and a few plants), the authors concluded that collection of voucher specimens is potentially harmful to many species, and that alternativesphotographs, audio recordings and nonlethal tissue sampling for DNA analysis-are sufficient to document biological diversity. The isolated examples that Minteer et al. cited to demonstrate the negative impact of scientific collecting have been carefully analyzed, and none of these extinction events can be attributed to that cause (1-3). For example, only about 102 Great Auk specimens (Pinguinus impennis) exist today in scientific collections, many of which are skeletons obtained after extinction, whereas millions were harvested for food, oil, and feathers over millennia (1). Similarly, only nine Mexican elf owls (Micrathene whitneyi graysoni), endemic to Socorro Island, Mexico, are present in natural history collections. Field notes indicate that this species was common when specimens were collected between 1896 and 1932, and the most likely reasons for extinction around 1970 were habitat degradation and predation by invasive species (2). Scientists have come a long way from the days of indiscriminate collecting. Modern collecting adheres to strict permitting regulations and ethics guidelines, including the general practice of collecting a number of specimens substantially below levels that would affect population demography (3, 4). The suggested alternatives to collecting specimens (photographing, recording calls, or sampling tissue nonlethally) are individually problematic, and even together cannot be used to reliably identify or describe the vast majority of Earth's biodiversity [for example, a large proportion of the world's marine LETTERS Undercover. Many Alpheidae shrimps live deep in the reef and are impossible to collect nonlethally.

Established butterfly monitoring methods are designed for open habitats such as grasslands. Not all rare species occupy habitats that are easy to see across and navigate, in which cases a new approach to monitoring is necessary. We present a novel use of point transect distance sampling to monitor the Miami blue, a highly endangered butterfly that occupies dense shrub habitat. To monitor Miami blue density, we developed surveys consisting of butterfly counts in semi-circular plots. We examined the rate at which an observer detects new butterflies to determine the survey duration that meets the key assumption that butterflies are detected at their initial location. As a related secondary goal, we identified the determinants of adult flight phenology to target monitoring efforts during periods of high adult abundance. We observed peak Miami blue densities in April and July/August 2012, and July/August 2013. We estimated density using detections from a 10-sec survey, our most defensible and conservative estimate. Peak daily density estimates ranged from 592 to 680 butterflies per hectare. Adult density was related to precipitation patterns, with high densities occurring 4-6 weeks after particularly wet 4-week intervals. For butterfly species that exist in high enough densities, we recommend using point transect distance sampling in habitats where traditional methods are impossible to implement.

Natural history collections around the world are currently being digitized with the resulting data and associated media now shared online in aggregators such as the Global Biodiversity Information Facility and Integrated Digitized Biocollections (iDigBio). These collections and their resources are accessible and discoverable through online portals to not only researchers and collections professionals, but to educators, students, and other potential downstream users. Primary and secondary education (K-12) in the United States is going through its own revolution with many states adopting Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS https://www.nextgenscience.org/). The new standards emphasize science practices for analyzing and interpreting data and connect to cross-cutting concepts such as cause and effect and patterns. NGSS and natural history collections data portals seem to complement each other. Nevertheless, many educators and students are unaware of the digital resources available o...

RESUMO Este estudo resume o processo de digitação de cerca de 300.000 espécimes do herbário RB, apresentando os principais resultados em termos de tempo e custo por espécime informatizado (digitado, validado e/ou digitalizado). Tais resultados permitiram apontar o melhor modelo de gestão entre os quatro experimentados no decorrer do período estudado (29 de agosto de 2005 a 12 de julho de 2007). O projeto foi tomado como exemplo de viabilidade para iniciativas similares, e seus resultados indicados como valores de referência. Como tal, foram comparados às estimativas de custo e tempo utilizadas no documento "Diretrizes e estratégias para a modernização de coleções botânicas brasileiras tendo como foco a formação de taxonomistas e a consolidação de sistemas integrados de informação sobre biodiversidade" (Peixoto et al. 2006) e as principais conclusões foram que a estimativa de custo por espécime digitado está de acordo com sugerido pela literatura, porém o tempo foi superest...

Resumo Sistemas de informação são fundamentais para o gerenciamento dos acervos biológicos das instituições de pesquisas em biodiversidade, uma vez que elas vêm fazendo investimentos significativos nos processos de informatização e digitalização de suas coleções. Os sistemas de bancos de dados de herbários e de jardins botânicos têm evoluído no sentido de disponibilizar online os dados de exsicatas e das coleções correlatas, além de suas imagens. Neste trabalho é apresentada a nova versão do Jabot, o sistema de gerenciamento de coleções botânicas desenvolvido no Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro. O sistema reflete hoje o conhecimento adquirido por uma equipe multidisciplinar composta de botânicos e profissionais da área de computação, em uma década de uso intensivo no gerenciamento do conteúdo digital e na curadoria do herbário.

A Rede de Herbarios do Rio Grande do Sul surgiu em 1997, com o objetivo de congregar os herbarios do Estado e, atraves dos seus curadores, promover a valorizacao e a preservacao das colecoes nas respectivas instituicoes. Atualmente 20 herbarios de diferentes regioes do Estado fazem parte da rede, dos quais oito participam do projeto INCT – Herbario Virtual da Flora e dos Fungos. A disponibilizacao dos dados destes acervos permite maior conhecimento acerca da biodiversidade do sul do Brasil. Palavras chave: colecoes biologicas, tipos nomenclaturais, regiao sul do Brasil

Acomys cilicicus is a rodent species endemic to Turkey, with a highly restricted distribution. However, there have been doubts regarding its taxonomic validity as a distinct species. Previous studies investigating the phylogeny of A. cilicicus have been unable to provide conclusive data to address this validity issue, primarily due to their reliance on two specimens from a single locality. In this study, we expanded the sample size to include 16 specimens from 5 different localities and conducted sequencing of a mitochondrial DNA gene region (cyt-b). Initial analysis of genetic distances revealed a close relationship between cilicicus, minous, and nesiotes. To further explore the phylogenetic relationships, we incorporated additional mtDNA sequences from GenBank into our analysis, resulting in the construction of a phylogenetic tree. Our findings demonstrate that cilicicus forms a distinct clade, supporting its status as a separate species. Moreover, the cilicicus clade was identifi...

COLLECTING BIOLOGICAL specimens for scientific studies came under scrutiny when B. A. Minteer et al. ["Avoiding (re)extinction," Perspectives, 18 April, p. 260] suggested that this practice plays a significant role in species extinctions. Based on a small number of examples (rare birds, frogs, and a few plants), the authors concluded that collection of voucher specimens is potentially harmful to many species, and that alternativesphotographs, audio recordings and nonlethal tissue sampling for DNA analysis-are sufficient to document biological diversity. The isolated examples that Minteer et al. cited to demonstrate the negative impact of scientific collecting have been carefully analyzed, and none of these extinction events can be attributed to that cause (1-3). For example, only about 102 Great Auk specimens (Pinguinus impennis) exist today in scientific collections, many of which are skeletons obtained after extinction, whereas millions were harvested for food, oil, and feathers over millennia (1). Similarly, only nine Mexican elf owls (Micrathene whitneyi graysoni), endemic to Socorro Island, Mexico, are present in natural history collections. Field notes indicate that this species was common when specimens were collected between 1896 and 1932, and the most likely reasons for extinction around 1970 were habitat degradation and predation by invasive species (2). Scientists have come a long way from the days of indiscriminate collecting. Modern collecting adheres to strict permitting regulations and ethics guidelines, including the general practice of collecting a number of specimens substantially below levels that would affect population demography (3, 4). The suggested alternatives to collecting specimens (photographing, recording calls, or sampling tissue nonlethally) are individually problematic, and even together cannot be used to reliably identify or describe the vast majority of Earth's biodiversity [for example, a large proportion of the world's marine LETTERS Undercover. Many Alpheidae shrimps live deep in the reef and are impossible to collect nonlethally.

Studying species interactions in nature often requires elaborated logistics and intense fieldwork. The difficulties in such task might hinder our ability to answer questions on how biotic interactions change with the environment. Fortunately, a workaround to this problem lies within scientific collections. For some animals, the inspection of preserved specimens can reveal the scars of past antagonistic encounters, such as predation attempts. A common defensive behaviour that leaves scars on animals is autotomy, the loss of a body appendage to escape predation. By knowing the collection site of preserved specimens, it is possible to assess the influence of organismal biology and the surrounding environment in the occurrence of autotomy. We gathered data on tail loss for 8189 preserved specimens of 33 snake and 11 amphisbaenian species to investigate biological and environmental correlates of autotomy in reptiles. We applied generalized linear mixed effect models to evaluate whether body size, sex, life-stage, habitat use, activity pattern, biome, tropicality, temperature and precipitation affect the probability of tail loss in limbless reptiles. We observed autotomy in 23.6% of examined specimens, with 18.7% of amphisbaenian and 33.4% of snake specimens showing tail loss. The probability of tail loss did not differ between snakes and amphisbaenians, but it was higher among large-sized specimens, particularly in adults and females. Chance of tail loss was higher for diurnal and arboreal species, and among specimens collected in warmer regions, but it was unaffected by biome, precipitation, and tropicality. Autotomy in limbless reptiles was affected by size-dependent factors that interplay with ontogeny and sexual dimorphism, although size-independent effects of life-stage and sex also shaped behavioural responses to predators. The increase in probability of tail loss with verticality and diurnality suggests a risk-balance mechanism between species habitat use and activity pattern. Although autotomy is more likely in warmer regions, it seems unrelated to seasonal differences in snakes and amphisbaenians activity. Our findings reveal several processes related to predator–prey interactions involving limbless reptiles, demonstrating the importance of scientific collections to unveil ecological mechanisms at different spatio-temporal scales.

Surveys conducted during three years (2014-2017) provide the most extensive documentation to date for the possible presence of the Texas kangaroo rat (Dipodomys elator), a Tier II species considered to be of greatest conservation need, in seven counties in southwestern Oklahoma. The project encompassed 15 surveys on 93 nights; 266 localities were surveyed for a total of 9,094 trap nights and more than 32,428 km of paved and unpaved roads were surveyed for potential habitat and activity. No Texas kangaroo rats were captured or observed. However, 2,178 individuals of 17 mammal species were captured and individuals of 12 additional mammal species were collected and/or observed. New locality and natural history information for mammal species was obtained and six county records were recorded based on specimens and/ or observations. Project results and historical information suggest that the Texas kangaroo rat (D. elator) is likely extirpated from the state of Oklahoma. Estudios conducidos en Oklahoma durante tres años (2014-2017) proveen los datos extensivos de la posible presencia de la Texas kangaroo rat (Dipodomys elator), una especie considerado como Tier II que requiere la máxima atención para conservación en siete condados del suroeste de Oklahoma. El estudio incluyó 15 muestreos por 93 noches; 266 localidades distintas fueron muestreados con 9,094 trampa-noches y más de 32,428 km de caminos pavimentados y de tierra fueron examinados para el hábitat y actividad potencialmente. Ningún ejemplar de D. elator fue visto o capturado. Sin embargo, 2,178 individuos de 17 especies de mamíferos fueron colectados o observados. Nuevas localidad e información de la historia natural de las especies fue obtenida, se registran datos ejemplares o observaciones para seis condados. Los resultados de este estudio y datos históricos sugieren que el Texas kangaroo rat (D. elator) fue extirpado del estado de Oklahoma.

The Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve is internationally renowned for its spectacular karst landscape. It covers a large area with hundreds of limestone islands and various ecosystems including caves, tropical forests, and mangroves. However, previous surveys were only conducted in terrestrial ecosystems on Cat Ba Island. Therefore, bats inhabiting mangroves and the remaining islands did not receive attention from scientists up to 2014. To initially fill in the gaps, we conducted ten bat surveys between 2015 and 2020 with an emphasis on mangroves and previously unsurveyed islands. Bats were captured using mist nets and harp traps. Twenty-three species belonging to 13 genera of six families were recorded during the surveys. Of these, four species (Macroglossus minimus, Myotis hasselti, Phoniscus jagorii, Tylonycteris fulvida) are new to the reserve. Remarkably, 15 species belonging to seven genera of five families were captured in mangrove, which is the highest species diversity for bats repo...

categorized under fine sand, moderately sorted and coarsely skewed, respectively during the Northeast monsoon and vary sediment characteristics except skewness of at all transects during the southwest monsoon. Based on this one year measurement of beach profile and sediment characteristics, there is no clear impact of the seagrass meadow as a natural coastal protection for the UMS-ODEC beach.

Known to have a long history of timber extraction, Mursala Island on the west coast of North Sumatra Province is a small island home to the endemic tree Dipterocarpus cinereus and many other Dipterocarpaceae species. In the present study, distance sampling using line-transect was used to assess the species diversity and population status of Dipterocarpaceae species on the Island. A total of 26 Dipterocarpaceae species from 6 genera was identified from Mursala Island. The genus that was represented by the highest number of species was Shorea (13 species), followed by Vatica (5), Dipterocarpus (4), Hopea (2), Cotylelobium (1) and Dryobalanops (1). Among these, two Mursala Island endemic were identified: D. cinereus and H. bancana. Furthermore, according to IUCN Red List category, 11 species (42.3%) were classified as critically endangered, four species (15.4%) were of endangered, 5 species (15.2%) were of vulnerable, one species was of near threatened, 2 species were of least concern and 3 species were not assessed yet. Based on distance analysis, the species with the highest individual density was S. multiflora (21.72±10.96 individual/ha), whereas species with the lowest density was S. johorensis (0.06±0.01 individual/ha). Two main threats for Dipterocarpaceae species in Mursala Island were observed during the survey: illegal logging and habitat conversion. Increasing the protection level of the island was recommended to conserve all the species of Dipterocarpaceae. Besides, providing alternative sources of living for the illegal logger through commercialization of non-timber forest products, ecotourism, and the sustainable fishery was recommended so that they could stop illegal logging activity.

TAKAGI, S. and DE FAVERI, S., 2009. Notes on scale insects of Aulacaspis associated with mangroves and cycads (Sternorrhyncha: Coccoidea: Diaspididae). Ins. matsum. n. s. Six species of the scale insect genus Aulacaspis are dealt with, five of them occurring on mangroves and one on cycads, unusual host plants for members of the genus. A. australis is revised on the basis of specimens collected on Bruguiera at Cairns, Australia, and its close relationship with the Papuan A. martini is discussed. A. crawii is newly recorded from Xylocarpus in Malaya. A. tubercularis is recorded from Rhizophora, Bruguiera, and Xylocarpus Palawan, and its variation in the shape of the median trullae is shown to be remarkable in specimens collected from the leaves and branches of Bruguiera and Xylocarpus. A. pallida, a species known to occur on Litsea in Luzón, is recorded from Xylocarpus on the basis of a single specimen, which is compared with samples collected at four localities of Luzón on Litsea. A. marina, a serious pest of Rhizophora and known also from Palawan and Malaya, is newly recorded from Java and Sulawesi and from Xylocarpus A. yasumatsui, a devastating pest of cycads recently spread in the tropics and subtropics of the world, is examined for its variation on the basis of samples from some localities. In Addendum, Duplachionaspis oblonga and D. yunnanensis are transferred to Aulacaspis A. malayala is invalidated.

Coleoptera es uno de los órdenes más diversos en el planeta y Colombia es uno de los países con mayor biodiversidad. La combinación de estos dos factores determina indiscutiblemente una elevada concentración de especies, cuyas consecuencias sólo se conocen parcialmente en el país. En este trabajo se presenta un ensayo sobre la diversidad de coleópteros en Colombia, resaltando el papel de las colecciones entomológicas y los vacíos de información a la hora de abordar la coleóptero-fauna nacional. Esta contribución constituye un punto de partida para que los coleopterólogos de Colombia comencemos a trabajar colectivamente hacia un conocimiento más amplio y menos fragmentado sobre la historia natural, sistemática, ecología y biogeografía del grupo.

Studying non-avian reptiles in the Colombian Andean region has encompassed various spatial scales and historical times. The knowledge of non-avian reptile diversity in the Department of Caldas (Central Andes; 7,888 sq. km. area; intricate geomorphology) has grown significantly in recent decades, especially in the areas to the east of the department within the Magdalena Valley and near Manizales, the capital city. Here, we consolidate the data from biological collections, literature, and unpublished research in a historical synopsis of the studies conducted in Caldas with an updated account of nonavian reptile species recorded in them. We found that the records of non-avian reptiles in Caldas trace back to pre-Columbian and colonial times, with specimens in biological collections dating back over a century. This non-avian reptile richness comprises 126 species grouped in 69 genera, 25 families, and three orders. Three out of the 27 municipalities in Caldas (La Merced, Marulanda, and Marquetalia) lack validated specimens or records. Furthermore, there is limited information regarding protected areas such as Los Nevados and Selva de Florencia National Natural Parks, which demands further research to unravel the diversity patterns of this biological group within this specific segment of the Andes.