Life Sciences Commons^™

The Recently-Described Ant-Like Leaf Beetle Elonus Gruberi (Coleoptera: Aderidae) In Michigan, Daniel R. Swanson

The Great Lakes Entomologist

The ant-like leaf beetle Elonus gruberi Gompel, 2017 (Coleoptera: Aderidae) is reported for the first time in Michigan. This new state record, initially based on two recent collections by the author and then supplemented with additional material in a Michigan entomological collection, highlights how the constituents of faunal lists can require re-appraisal after taxonomic revision, particularly where splitting of species has occurred. The composition of Elonus Casey, 1895 in Michigan as well as characters for identifying E. gruberi also are discussed.

New Province Records Of Southern Ontario Caddisflies (Trichoptera), David Houghton, David Etnier

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Thirty-two caddisfly species are reported from Ontario for the first time, including 24 in the family Hydroptilidae, three in the Hydropsychidae, and one each in the Leptoceridae, Limnephilidae, Molannidae, and Polycentropodidae. The known caddisfly richness of the province increases from 309 to 341 species, including a doubling of the known hydroptilid fauna. Many more species undoubtedly remain to be discovered in this large and relatively undisturbed province.

Characterizing Insect Communities Within Thin-Soil Environments, Katherine Mcnamara Manning, Kayla I. Perry, Christie A. Bahlai

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Natural thin-soil environments are those which have little to no soil accumulation atop hard substrates. Many of these natural thin-soil environments, such as alvars, rocky lakeshores or glades, cliffs and cliff bluffs, and barrens, are found in the Great Lakes Region of North America. Due to their ubiquity and ecosystem services they provide, characterizing insects in sensitive environments such as these is important. This study monitored insects in nine thin-soil sites, within three regions, on a 630 km latitudinal gradient in the Southeastern Great Lakes Region of North America from June - August 2019. Over 22,000 insect specimens collected were …

On The Resurrection Of Microbes: An Eco-Christological Approach To The Resurrection, Denys Janiga Osb

Obsculta

This article attempts to bring ecology and Christology into conversation through a transdisciplinary approach. It looks at the pastoral implications of eco-anxiety, resurrection ecology in the field of biotechnology, Church teaching on the Resurrection, and concludes by initiating an interpretation of the resurrection appearances in the Gospel of Luke through the lens of the microbiome.

Postmucilage Biodiversity Of Shallow Water Fish Assemblages: A Case Study In The Marmara Sea, Turkey, İsmai̇l Burak Daban, Yusuf Şen, Adnan Ayaz, Uğur Altinağaç, Alkan Özteki̇n, Uğur Özeki̇nci̇, Ali̇ İşmen, Fi̇kret Çakir, Ahsen Yüksek, Teki̇n Demi̇rkiran, Oğuzhan Ayaz, Gençtan Erman Uğur, Bumi̇nhan Burkay Selçuk

Turkish Journal of Zoology

A dense mucilage event occurred between November 2020 and August 2021 in the Marmara Sea, Turkey. In this study, the aim was to understand the effect of mucilage on coastal fish biodiversity. For this purpose, juvenile and small-sized adult fish species were sampled with an experimental beach seine at 12 equally-spaced stations around the Marmara Sea between November 2021 and April 2022. In total, 34 species belonging to 19 families were sampled. Approximately 70% of the total fish abundance were Atherina boyeri Risso, 1810, Chelon auratus (Risso, 1810) and Chelon saliens (Risso, 1810). Highest abundance was detected from S5 …

Hydroponics And Vertical Farming Methods, John Rose

D.U.Quark

No abstract provided.

Introducing Interdisciplinary Curricula Into Conservation Biology: Exploring Changes In Students’ Perceived Proenvironmental Attitudes And Behaviors, Jasmine Janes, Lindsay J. Mccunn

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Today, conserving the natural environment is paramount. Educators have been striving to develop pedagogical approaches that facilitate greater engagement in conservation behaviors. However, many of these reforms have been targeted at an institutional level, without necessarily testing whether changes in proenvironmental perceptions, attitudes, or behaviors occur for students. This step seems important when developing conservation biology courses that provide well-rounded education that may better prepare students for future challenges in biodiverse conservation contexts. Our objective was to assess the proenvironmental attitudes and conservation values of undergraduate students enrolled in an undergraduate conservation biology course before and after instruction to determine …

Biodiversity Of Culicidae (Insecta: Diptera) In The Region Of Khenchela (Northeast Algeria), Imane Halimi, Fatima Zohra Zohra Kara-Toumi, Salim Lebbal, Ruben Bueno Mari, Asma Ghorab, Fairouz Saidi

Journal of Bioresource Management

Mosquitoes are considered as vectors of serious human diseases. The prevention of parasitic and arboviral vector-borne diseases is based mostly on vector control strategies. This control cannot be effective unless a strong knowledge of mosquito biology and distribution in the working area. In this context, and in order to improve the knowledge on the specific diversity of the culicids fauna in the region of Khenchela (northeast of Algeria), an inventory of mosquitoes was carried out for the first time in this region. Larval collection was conducted in various types of habitats through continuous monitoring of seven sites from May 2020 …

A Survey Of The Beetles (Insecta: Coleoptera) In Several Natural Areas Across Indiana, U.S.A., Kyle E. Schnepp, R. Michael Brattain, Gareth S. Powell

The Great Lakes Entomologist

A broad survey of the beetle (Insecta: Coleoptera) fauna of several managed parks and natural areas was undertaken over the past decade across the state of Indiana, USA. These areas represent many of the habitat types present in Indiana including forests, grassland, freshwater streams, and wetlands, as well as more unique habitats found in limited areas in the state such as sand dunes and cypress swamps. The specific localities are: Indiana Dunes State Park, Kankakee Sands, Ross Hills Park, Shades State Park, Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge, and Twin Swamps Nature Preserve. Beetles were surveyed using a variety of active and …

Shape Variation In Head Scales Of Species Of The Genus Ophiomorus Duméril & Bibron, 1839 In Iran, A Geometric Morphometrics Approach, Hossein Nabizadeh, Nasrullah Rastegar-Pouyani, Eskandar Rastegar Pouyani, Mehdi Rajabizadeh, Roman Nazarov, Omid Mozaffari

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Twelve species of the genus Ophiomorus DUMÉRIL & BIBRON, 1839 have been identified and introduced so far and seven species of this genus have been found in Iran which include four endemic species and three nonendemic species. Although geometric morphometry is a powerful tool to analyze morphological changes, the discovery and identification of these species have long relied on traditional morphometric analysis. In this study, geometric morphometric analyses were used to determine the geometric morphometrics of different species of the genus Ophiomorus in Iran. The Multi Focus technique was used to obtain the best image of the dorsal surface of …

Limacella Subtropicana (Amanitaceae, Agaricales), A New Species From Pakistan Based On Morphological And Molecular Phylogenetic Evidences, Aiman Izhar, Abdul Rehman Niazi, Muhammad Asif, Muhammad Haq Nawaz, Hira Bashir, Abdul Nasir Khalid

Turkish Journal of Botany

Basidiomata of a hitherto undescribed Limacella species were collected from the grasslands of Punjab, Pakistan. We describe it as Limacella subtropicana, which is characterized by its viscid, white to creamy pileus, white to the creamy stipe, changing to brown when bruised, subglobose basidiospores measuring 4.0?6.3 × 3.7?5.5 ?m, an ixotrichodermal pileipellis with subcylindric to clavate terminal elements and the common presence of clamp connections in all tissues. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses of ITS sequences and LSU sequences of nrDNA confirmed its placement in the genus Limacella. A comprehensive description and a comparison of the new taxon with other …

Shackletonia Backorii - A New Species Of Lichenised Fungus From James Ross Island (Antarctic Peninsula), Mehmet Gökhan Halici, Mi̇that Güllü, Ekrem Bölükbaşi, Merve Kahraman Yi̇ği̇t

Turkish Journal of Botany

The new lichen species Shackletonia backorii Halıcı, Güllü & Kahraman is described from James Ross Island, which is located in the North-East Antarctic Peninsula region. The new species is morphologically most similar to S. insignis (Søchting & Øvstedal) Søchting, Frödén & Arup, which was described from Livingstone Island (North-West Antarctic Peninsula region). These two species have a similar bluish grey to blackish thallus with a microfruticose and coralloid structure and red brown or almost black zeorine apothecia, but S. backorii has rhomboid ascospores and grows on soil whereas S. insignis has ellipsoid ascospores and occurs in sheltered crevices of rocks. …

Biodiversity Of The Blattopteran Fauna In The Chelia Cedar Forest (The Aures - Eastern Algeria), Nadia Aberkane, Sarra Habbachi, Wafa Habbachi, Nora Belkhiri, Naama Frah

Journal of Bioresource Management

The cedar forests in Algeria represent a model of forests very rich in entomological fauna and especially dictyopterans, notably blattopterans. In the cedar forest of Chelia in the Aurès Mountains, we chose three different sites according to altitude (2020 m, 1920 m, 1820 m) in order to collect existing cockroaches using the sight-hunting method (twice a month). The inventory allowed us to capture more than 1220 cockroaches and we were able to identify three genus (Dziriblatta, Phyllodromica ,Loboptera) and seven species: Dziriblatta stenoptera, Dziriblatta nigrivintris, Phyllodromica zebra, Pyllodromica trivittata, Phyllodromica sp, Loboptera angulata, Loboptera alluaudi, of which …

Abundance And Distribution Of The Forest Cockroaches In Different Algerian Ecosystems, Zakaria Hedjouli, Wafa Habbachi, Fatiha Masna, Saliha Benhissen, Sarra Habbachi, Abdelmadjid Yagoub Asloum, Abdelkrim Tahraoui

Journal of Bioresource Management

Forests have many insect species that are unique to biodiversity and play a crucial role in the functioning of ecosystems. Forest cockroaches are the best example of forest litter insects, which also help decompose fallen leaves. The composition of the Blattoptera fauna can vary from one region to another, depending on the habitat and numerous biotic and abiotic factors In order to study the diversity, abundance, and distribution of forest cockroaches in different Algeria ecosystems, we have selected four sites from three Wilayas: Senalba (Djelfa), Ain achir (Annaba), Seraidi (Annaba), and Lehnaya (El-taref). These sites are classified into two distinct …

Interspersed Denuded Zone (Idz): How Patchy Leaf Litter Dynamics In A Buckthorn-Invaded Urban Woodland Can Affect Microarthropod Species Richness, Angela Stenberg

DePaul Discoveries

Biodiversity loss may serve as a key diagnostic of the Anthropocene. An important driver of this loss is by means of invasive species. In this study of a forest preserve in Chicago, Illinois we examined Interspersed Denuded Zones (IDZs for short), which are areas of patchy leaf litter in invaded forests caused in this case by the rapid decomposition of litter from buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica). We characterized the leaf litter mass in IDZs and enumerated litter-inhabiting microarthropod populations. We found that plots of high buckthorn density are associated with IDZs: there was significantly less leaf litter mass in …

The Role Of Yantak “Alhagi” Species In The Biological Diversity Of The Deserts Of Uzbekistan, Khudargan Mavlonov, Surayyo Kodirova

Mental Enlightenment Scientific-Methodological Journal

This article provides information on the occurrence, importance, role of Alhagi species in biodiversity (phytocenosis), eco-biological features, allelopathy.

Before Beachie Creek, Raine Welterlen

Anthós

An account of the biodiversity observed on a hiking trip in July 2020, three months before devastating wildfires destroyed much of the Opal Creek Wilderness

Main Progress Of Biodiversity Conservation In China And Some Suggestions For Further Work, Ming Yang, Ju Zhou, Yan Zeng, Ming Sun

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Biological diversity is the foundation for the survival and development of human beings. Biodiversity conservation in China has been of great concern to the central government, which has implemented a series of policies and action plans to promote the conservation of biodiversity and species restoration. However, the crisis of biodiversity loss at the global level remains serious due to human activities. Region-wide cooperations are required to strengthen the protection of global biodiversity. The paper systematically reviews the actions and achievements of biodiversity protection in China in recent years, as well as the work of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in …

Important Supporting Role Of Biological Specimen In Biodiversity Conservation And Research, Peng He, Jun Chen, Hongzhi Kong, Lei Cai, Gexia Qiao

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Biological specimens are important materials in the field of biological research and non-renewable strategic biological resources. The specimen collection of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) is the center of conservation, research, and scientific education. It plays an irreplaceable role in the research and protection of biodiversity in China. Biological specimens can provide important information in three dimensions: species, space, and time. The use of different levels of such information supports the research areas of species cognition, biodiversity cataloging, protection and management of endangered species, prevention and control of alien invasion, biodiversity monitoring, and species distribution pattern and biodiversity change. …

Heeding The Call Of Covid-19, David Wiebers, Valery Feigin

Animal Sentience

We are grateful to all of our commentators. They have provided a wide range of valuable perspectives and insights from many fields, revealing a broad interest in the subject matter. Nearly all the commentaries have helped to affirm, refine, expand, amplify, deepen, interpret, elaborate, or apply the messages in the target article. Some have offered critiques and suggestions that help us address certain issues in greater detail, including several points concerning industrialized farming and the wildlife trade. Overall, there is great awareness and strong consensus among commentators that any solution for preventing future pandemics and other related health crises must …

Toniniopsis Bartakii - A New Species Of Lichenised Fungus From James Ross Island(Antarctic Peninsula), Mehmet Gökhan Halici, Merve Kahraman, Sonja Kistenich, Einar Timdal

Turkish Journal of Botany

The new lichen species Toniniopsis bartakii is described from James Ross Island, the North-East Antarctic Peninsula region. It is phylogenetically most closely related to T. bagliettoana but differs mainly in forming a more developed, squamulose thallus. It is morphologically more similar to T. coelestina but differs mainly in the pigmentation in the proper exciple. An identification key to the known species of Toniniopsis is also provided

New Additions To Turkish Mycota From Ankara, Balıkesir, And Kütahya Provinces, Deni̇z Altuntaş, Fuat Bozok, Hatira Taşkin, Şanli Kabaktepe, Hakan Alli, Ilgaz Akata

Turkish Journal of Botany

The current research was conducted on the fungal materials collected from Ankara, Balıkesir, and Kütahya provinces between 2015 and 2019. As a result of the field and laboratory studies, Conocybe dentatomarginata, Entoloma lampropus, Lactarius lilacinus, Otidea nannfeldtii and Sarcopeziza sicula are reported for the first time from Turkey based on macro- and micromorphological studies and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA-based molecular phylogeny. Descriptions of new records are provided together with photos showing their macro and micro-morphology.

Spatial And Temporal Dynamics Of Human–Wildlife Conflicts In The Kenya Greater Tsavo Ecosystem, Joseph M. Mukeka, Joseph O. Ogutu, Erustus Kanga, Eivin Røskaft

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Biodiversity conservation in developing countries is faced with many and mounting challenges, including increasing human–wildlife conflicts (HWCs). In Africa and other developing countries, increasing HWCs, particularly those adjacent to protected areas, can adversely affect local stakeholder perceptions and support for conservation. We analyzed HWC reports for multiple wildlife species compiled >23 years (1995–2017) from the Greater Tsavo Ecosystem (GTE) in Kenya to determine HWC trends. The GTE is the largest protected area in Kenya, covering 22,681 km². Overall, 39,022 HWC incidents were reported in 6 GTE regions (i.e., Taveta, Mutomo, Kibwezi, Rombo, Galana, Bachuma). The 5 wildlife species …

Groundwater Quality In Two Semi-Arid Areas Of Algeria: Impact Of Water Pollution On Biodiversity, Redjaimia Lylia, Hadjab Ramzi, Khammar Hichem, Merzoug Djemoi, Saheb Menouar

Journal of Bioresource Management

The biodiversity and quality of subterranean waters were comparatively studied in the Tarf plain near Oum-El-Bouaghi and in the Ksar S’bahi in Oum-El-Bouaghi, in North-eastern Algeria. For this purpose, physicochemical and faunistic analyses were carried out on the water of ten stations located in the area of Tarf, and thirteen in the area of S’bahi. In the wells of Tarf, the average stygobiologic diversity was relatively high in the wells located upstream the dumping site from the city where the groundwater presented low contents of nitrates and orthophosphates. In contrast, the wells located in the spreading zone of Tarf wastewaters …

Leaf Mining Insects And Their Parasitoids In The Old-Growth Forest Of The Huron Mountains, Ronald J. Priest, Robert R. Kula, Michael W. Gates

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Leaf mining insects in an old-growth forest along the south central shore of Lake Superior in Michigan are documented. We present the results of a 13-year survey of leaf mining species, larval hosts, seasonal occurrence, and parasitoids, as well as report biological observations. Representative larvae, mines, adults, and parasitoids were preserved. Among the larval host associations, 15 are reported as new. Additionally, 42 parasitoid taxa were identified resulting in six first reports from the New World and 32 new host associations. Two undescribed species (Gelechiidae and Figitidae) discovered through this research were described in earlier publications.

Correlation Between Ocean Acidification And Zooplankton In The South Pacific Gyre, Samuel Noonan, Rachel Scudder

DU Undergraduate Research Journal Archive

The South Pacific Gyre is a naturally occurring carbon sink, meaning that it absorbs atmospheric carbon dioxide by dissolving it into the moving surface water.The dissolution of CO2 level will dictate the water’s acidic levels a larger the concentration of dissolved CO2 is known to increase the salt water’s acidity. A great amount of the ocean’s biomass is composed of calcifying organisms,which produce tests or shells made from calcium carbonate CaCO3.The goal of our project is to determine if there is a correlation between the water acidity across various locations, as we sailed through the South Pacific gyre and the …

What The Covid-19 Crisis Is Telling Humanity, David Wiebers, Valery Feigin

Animal Sentience

The planet is in a global health emergency exacting enormous medical and economic tolls. It is imperative for us as a society and species to focus and reflect deeply upon what this and other related human health crises are telling us about our role in these increasingly frequent events and about what we can do to prevent them in the future.

Cause: It is human behavior that is responsible for the vast majority of zoonotic diseases that jump the species barrier from animals to humans: (1) hunting, capture, and sale of wild animals for human consumption, particularly in live-animal markets; …

First Contribution On Distribution, Abundance, And Species Richness Of Blowfly Species (Diptera) Of Isparta Province With Five New Records For The Turkish Fauna, Ozan Demi̇rözer, Gamze Pekbey, Rüstem Hayat, Azi̇me Herdoğan, Jelena Acanski, Marija Milicic, Asi̇ye Uzun

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Despite the increasing importance of species richness of blowfly fauna and their environmental, medical, and agricultural importance in the world they are poorly studied in Turkey. This study was carried out in 2014 and 2015 to determine the distribution, abundance, and species richness of blowfly species in Isparta Province of Turkey. A total of 15 species (10 from Calliphoridae, 4 from Polleniidae, and 1 from Rhiniidae) were identified from 13 different localities. The adult specimens were obtained from areas of organic and decayed organic matters, waste and dumpsite, surrounding waste water deposits, and flowering plants. While all the species were …

Comparison Of Unmanaged And Managed Trojan Fir-Scots Pine Forests For Structuralcomplexity, Ferhat Kara, John M. Lhotka

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Unmanaged forests may exhibit a higher degree of biodiversity compared to managed forests. We examined and compared the stand structure, density, and volume of deadwood components of managed and unmanaged mixed forests of Trojan fir (Abies nordmanniana subsp. equi-trojani [Asch. & Sint. ex Boiss] Coode & Cullen)-Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in northern Turkey. The single-tree selection method has been employed in the managed forests. Density of large live trees ha-1, density of standing deadwood (SDW) ha-1, and volume of lying deadwood (LDW) (m3 ha-1) were calculated for both treatments (i.e. managed or unmanaged). Results showed that unmanaged forests had …

New Approach To Health And The Environment To Avoid Future Pandemics, Serge Morand

Animal Sentience

This commentary expands Wiebers & Feigin’s target article by pinpointing how declining wildlife, expanding livestock and globalisation contribute to the increase in epidemics of zoonotic diseases, the COVID-19 crisis and future health crises. Epidemics and the emergence of zoonoses are manifestations of dysfunctional links with animals, both wild and domestic, requiring a new approach to health and the environment.