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2015

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Articles 1 - 30 of 989

Full-Text Articles in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

The Interrelationships Of Placental Mammals And The Limits Of Phylogenetic Inference, James E. Tarver, Mario Dos Reis, Siavash Mirarab, Raymond J. J. Moran, Sean Parker, Joseph E. O'Reilly, Benjamin L. King, Mary J. O'Connell, Robert J. Asher, Tandy Warnow, Kevin J. Peterson, Philip C.J. Donoghue, Davide Pisani Dec 2015

The Interrelationships Of Placental Mammals And The Limits Of Phylogenetic Inference, James E. Tarver, Mario Dos Reis, Siavash Mirarab, Raymond J. J. Moran, Sean Parker, Joseph E. O'Reilly, Benjamin L. King, Mary J. O'Connell, Robert J. Asher, Tandy Warnow, Kevin J. Peterson, Philip C.J. Donoghue, Davide Pisani

Dartmouth Scholarship

Placental mammals comprise three principal clades: Afrotheria (e.g., elephants and tenrecs), Xenarthra (e.g., armadillos and sloths), and Boreoeutheria (all other placental mammals), the relationships among which are the subject of controversy and a touchstone for debate on the limits of phylogenetic inference. Previous analyses have found support for all three hypotheses, leading some to conclude that this phylogenetic problem might be impossible to resolve due to the compounded effects of incomplete lineage sorting (ILS) and a rapid radiation. Here we show, using a genome scale nucleotide data set, microRNAs, and the reanalysis of the three largest previously published amino acid …


Vestigial Serrula In Scorpion Genera Paravaejovis, , Smeringurus And Vejovoidus (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae), Victor Fet, Michael E. Soleglad, Michael S. Brewer, David P. A. Neff, Michael L. Norton Dec 2015

Vestigial Serrula In Scorpion Genera Paravaejovis, , Smeringurus And Vejovoidus (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae), Victor Fet, Michael E. Soleglad, Michael S. Brewer, David P. A. Neff, Michael L. Norton

Euscorpius

The presence of vestigial serrula on the ventral edge of the cheliceral movable finger is established for vaejovid genera Paravaejovis, Paruroctonus, Smeringurus, and Vejovoidus. Detailed descriptions and SEM images illustrating the various manifestations of this interesting cheliceral structure are provided for many species of these four genera. A brief systematic overview of this structure as it exists in Recent scorpions is also presented.


Serrula In Retrospect: A Historical Look At Scorpion Literature (Scorpiones: Orthosterni), Matthew R. Graham, Victor Fet Dec 2015

Serrula In Retrospect: A Historical Look At Scorpion Literature (Scorpiones: Orthosterni), Matthew R. Graham, Victor Fet

Euscorpius

Serrula, a small comb-like structure on the ventral aspect of cheliceral movable finger in scorpions, has often been overlooked or ignored. Scorpion genera that are currently known to possess serrula belong to six families: Chactidae, Euscorpiidae, Iuridae, Pseudochactidae, Superstitioniidae, and Vaejovidae. All relevant literature on scorpion serrula is reviewed, and serrula of representative scorpion taxa is illustrated by SEM images. We suggest that the inconsistency in reporting serrula is based on several factors (or combination thereof): (a) serrula tines can quite often be broken off partially or completely, especially in adults; (b) serrula can be vestigial and hardly visible under …


On The Poorly Known Genus Mesotityus González-Sponga, 1981 (Scorpiones: Buthidae), Luis F. De Armas, Fernando J. M. Rojas-Runjaic Dec 2015

On The Poorly Known Genus Mesotityus González-Sponga, 1981 (Scorpiones: Buthidae), Luis F. De Armas, Fernando J. M. Rojas-Runjaic

Euscorpius

Examination of new available material (18 females and six males) of the rare Venezuelan scorpion Mesotityus vondangeli González-Sponga, 1981 (Buthidae) demonstrated that there are consistent taxonomic characters to consider it as a genus different from Tityus C. L. Koch, 1836 sensu stricto. Nevertheless, it shares important characters with species of the Tityus clathratus group (=subgenus Archaeotityus Lourenço, 2006). An emended diagnosis of Mesotityus is given, as well as data on natural history, meristic and morphometric variation.


Taxonomic Position Of The Genus Sassanidotus Farzanpay, 1987 (Scorpiones: Buthidae), František Kovařík, Victor Fet Dec 2015

Taxonomic Position Of The Genus Sassanidotus Farzanpay, 1987 (Scorpiones: Buthidae), František Kovařík, Victor Fet

Euscorpius

Sassanidotus Farzanpay, 1987 is a valid genus closely related to Compsobuthus Vachon, 1949, with which it shares most characters including the shape of carinae on the carapace and mesosoma. The main difference is that Sassanidotus has only three granules located proximally to the terminal granule on the movable finger of pedipalp, whereas Compsobuthus and also Mesobuthus Vachon, 1950 have four such granules. Sassanidotus Farzanpay, 1987 includes two species, Sassanidotus zarudnyi (Birula, 1900) (type species) from Iran and Sassanidotus gracilis thus zarudnyi sarghadensis Birula, 1903, syn. n.) from Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan. The neotype is designated for S. zarudnyi.


Mechanisms Of Adaptation In The Newly Invasive Species Brachypodium Sylvaticum (Hudson) Beauv., Gina Lola Marchini Dec 2015

Mechanisms Of Adaptation In The Newly Invasive Species Brachypodium Sylvaticum (Hudson) Beauv., Gina Lola Marchini

Dissertations and Theses

It is common knowledge that invasive species cause worldwide ecological and economic damage, and are nearly impossible to eradicate. However, upon introduction to a novel environment, alien species should be the underdogs: They are present in small numbers, possess low genetic diversity, and have not adapted to the climate and competitors present in the new habitat. So, how are alien species able to invade an environment occupied by native species that have already adapted to the local environment? To discover some answers to this apparent paradox I conducted four ecological genetic studies that utilized the invasive species Brachypodium sylvaticum (Hudson) …


Redescription And Lectotype Designation Of Vaejovis Lapidicola Stahnke, 1940 (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae), Matthew R. Graham Dec 2015

Redescription And Lectotype Designation Of Vaejovis Lapidicola Stahnke, 1940 (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae), Matthew R. Graham

Euscorpius

The original description of the Arizona scorpion species Vaejovis lapidicola Stahnke, 1940 consists of a single paragraph. Furthermore, a holotype for this species was never designated. To remedy this, two syntypes of V. lapidicola were obtained for study. A male syntype is redescribed and designated the lectotype, and a female is assigned as a paralectotype. The taxonomic status of V. lapidicola is also confirmed.


Laterobasal Aculear Serrations (Las) In Scorpion Family Vaejovidae (Scorpiones: Chactoidea), Victor Fet, Michael E. Soleglad, Michael S. Brewer Dec 2015

Laterobasal Aculear Serrations (Las) In Scorpion Family Vaejovidae (Scorpiones: Chactoidea), Victor Fet, Michael E. Soleglad, Michael S. Brewer

Euscorpius

The discovery of a new structure on the laterobasal aspect of the telson aculeus is described here for the first time. This structure, termed the laterobasal aculear serrations (LAS), is a row of minute denticles located on each side of the aculeus base, found exclusively in scorpion family Vaejovidae, thus potentially providing a new synapomorphy for this New World family. The LAS structure of major representative vaejovid genera and Vaejovis groups is illustrated with SEM micrographs. Also provided is a comprehensive list of non-vaejovid Recent scorpion genera examined where the LAS structure was found to be absent.


The Effect Of Insularity On The Seasonal Population Structure Of Mesobuthus Gibbosus (Scorpiones: Buthidae), Dimitris Kaltsas, Iasmi Stathi, Moysis Mylonas Dec 2015

The Effect Of Insularity On The Seasonal Population Structure Of Mesobuthus Gibbosus (Scorpiones: Buthidae), Dimitris Kaltsas, Iasmi Stathi, Moysis Mylonas

Euscorpius

We compared the population structure of Mesobuthus gibbosus from autumn to mid-summer at two similar phryganic ecosystems, one in continental Greece (Thessalia, near Volos city) and one in insular Greece (eastern Crete). Data were collected monthly using the capture-recapture method. At both sites, density was low during the cold period and increased towards summer. During the samplings, only a small percentage of each population was present. Population density and co-occurrence of scorpions with scorpions or other animals was higher in Crete than in Volos, probably due to the higher inter- and intraspecific competition in Volos. The population structure of the …


Duplication Of Pedipalp Segments In The Scorpion Androctonus Crassicauda (Olivier, 1807), Ayşegül Karataş, Mustafa Kürtüllü Dec 2015

Duplication Of Pedipalp Segments In The Scorpion Androctonus Crassicauda (Olivier, 1807), Ayşegül Karataş, Mustafa Kürtüllü

Euscorpius

An unusual duplication of pedipalp segments is reported from the buthid scorpion Androctonus crassicauda. While the right pedipalp is normal, the anomaly described here occurred on the left pedipalp. This abnormally developed pedipalp included nine segments instead of normal six. It has two trochanters, two femurs and two patellae; the segments are arranged in the following order: coxa, trochanter I, femur I, patella I, trochanter II, femur II, patella II, chela hand, and movable finger. Morphometric measurements, photographs, and general features of the specimen are given.


Constellation Array In Scorpion Genera Paruroctonus, Smeringurus, Vejovoidus, And Paravaejovis (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae), Victor Fet, Michael E. Soleglad, Michael Brewer, David P. A. Neff, Michael L. Norton Dec 2015

Constellation Array In Scorpion Genera Paruroctonus, Smeringurus, Vejovoidus, And Paravaejovis (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae), Victor Fet, Michael E. Soleglad, Michael Brewer, David P. A. Neff, Michael L. Norton

Euscorpius

The constellation array (a recently discovered sensory structure on the fixed finger of pedipalp; Fet et al., 2006) is analyzed for a large set of species belonging to four genera in the family Vaejovidae: Paruroctonus, Smeringurus, Vejovoidus, and Paravaejovis. It is shown that this structure is an important taxonomic character. Two distinct configurations are identified, a two-sensilla array for Paruroctonus + Smeringurus + Vejovoidus and a three-sensilla array for genus Paravejovis, both differing from other vaejovid configurations so far investigated. The topology of these two array configurations are analyzed using landmark setae identified in this study.


The Status Of Fishes In The Missouri River, Nebraska: Selected Ancient Fishes, Kirk D. Steffensen Dec 2015

The Status Of Fishes In The Missouri River, Nebraska: Selected Ancient Fishes, Kirk D. Steffensen

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Several ancient fish species have inhabited the Missouri River and its tributaries for thousands of years prior to major mainstem modifications and fragmentation. However post-anthropogenic modifications, populations of these ancient fish species have been highly diminished. Therefore, the objective of this study was to use historic and current ichthyological records to determine the past and present status for Chestnut Lamprey Ichthyomyzon castaneus, Silver Lamprey Ichthyomyzon unicuspis, Bowfin Amia calva, American Eel Anguilla rostrata, and Burbot Lota lota. Currently, these species are rarely captured and perhaps extirpated from Nebraska waters.


Ability Of Skin Bacteria On The Panamanian Frog Species, Craugastor Fitzingeri, To Inhibit The Fungal Pathogen Batrachochytrium Dendrobatidis, Tiffany N. Bridges Dec 2015

Ability Of Skin Bacteria On The Panamanian Frog Species, Craugastor Fitzingeri, To Inhibit The Fungal Pathogen Batrachochytrium Dendrobatidis, Tiffany N. Bridges

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

An emerging infectious disease caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is leading to global amphibian declines and is threatening the biodiversity of amphibians. Bd susceptibility varies among individuals, species, and populations perhaps due to defensive mechanisms such as symbiotic skin microbes. Some species of amphibians such as Craugastor fitzingeri, a terrestrial frog native to Central America, continue to persist in Bd-positive environments in Panama. My study focused on identifying antifungal bacterial isolates and determining the culturability of the bacterial community on 15 individuals of C. fitzingeri. Morphologically distinct isolates were challenged against Bd in …


Contributions To Scorpion Systematics. Ii. Stahnkeini, A New Tribe In Scorpion Family Vaejovidae (Scorpiones: Chactoidea), Michael E. Soleglad, Victor Fet Dec 2015

Contributions To Scorpion Systematics. Ii. Stahnkeini, A New Tribe In Scorpion Family Vaejovidae (Scorpiones: Chactoidea), Michael E. Soleglad, Victor Fet

Euscorpius

The diagnostic characters originally established by Herbert L. Stahnke (1940a, 1940b, 1974) in his description of genus Serradigitus are studied in detail from several new perspectives. A new genus, Stahnkeus, gen. nov., is described based on the presence of inner accessory (IAD) denticles on the chelal fingers, unprecedented in family Vaejovidae. Five species of Serradigitus are transferred to Stahnkeus: Stahnkeus harbisoni (Williams, 1970), comb. nov. (=Serradigitus harbisoni); Stahnkeus deserticola (Williams, 1970), comb. nov. (=Serradigitus deserticola); Stahnkeus subtilimanus (Soleglad, 1972), comb. nov. (=Serradigitus subtilimanus); Stahnkeus allredi (Sissom et Stockwell, 1991), …


Eight New Species Of The Genera Scorpiops Peters, Euscorpiops Vachon, And Chaerilus Simon (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae, Chaerilidae) From Tibet And Yunnan, China, Jian-Xin Qi, Ming-Sheng Zhu, Wilson R. Lourenço Dec 2015

Eight New Species Of The Genera Scorpiops Peters, Euscorpiops Vachon, And Chaerilus Simon (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae, Chaerilidae) From Tibet And Yunnan, China, Jian-Xin Qi, Ming-Sheng Zhu, Wilson R. Lourenço

Euscorpius

Eight new species belonging to the genera Scorpiops and Euscorpiops (Euscorpiidae: Scorpiopinae) and Chaerilus (Chaerilidae) are described from China. These are: Scorpiops atomatus sp. n., Scorpiops langxian sp. n., Scorpiops luridus sp. n., Scorpiops pococki sp. n., Euscorpiops vachoni sp. n., Euscorpiops shidian sp. n., Euscorpiops karschi sp. n., and Chaerilus tessellatus sp. n. New records are also reported for these three genera, and the taxa are redescribed. Descriptions and redescriptions are based mainly on the material collected in Tibet Autonomous Region and Yunnan Province. Checklists and identification keys for Chinese species of …


The Systematic Position Of The Scorpion Genera Heteroscorpion Birula, 1903 And Urodacus Peters, 1861 (Scorpiones: Scorpionoidea), Michael E. Soleglad, Victor Fet, František Kovařík Dec 2015

The Systematic Position Of The Scorpion Genera Heteroscorpion Birula, 1903 And Urodacus Peters, 1861 (Scorpiones: Scorpionoidea), Michael E. Soleglad, Victor Fet, František Kovařík

Euscorpius

Stockwell (1989), in an unpublished revision, suggested the elevation of subfamily Urodacinae to the family rank, and considered Heteroscorpioninae a subfamily of Ischnuridae. Heteroscorpioninae was formally elevated to the family rank by Lourenço (1996a), and Urodacinae, by Prendini (2000). As a result of a detailed cladistic analysis, Prendini (2000, 2003b) considered families Heteroscorpionidae and Urodacidae to be sister groups, although an al-ternative topology was available. Soleglad & Fet (2003b) questioned the results of Prendini (2000) but nevertheless retained the monophyly of Heteroscorpion and Urodacus pending more detailed analysis; they recognized two valid monotypic subfamilies, Heteroscorpioninae and Urodacinae, under Urodacidae. Our …


New Data On Distribution And Ecology Of Seven Species Of Euscorpius Thorell, 1876 (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae), Marco Colombo Dec 2015

New Data On Distribution And Ecology Of Seven Species Of Euscorpius Thorell, 1876 (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae), Marco Colombo

Euscorpius

The author observed seven species of Euscorpius in 1999–2005 (E. alpha, E. sicanus, E. tergestinus, E. concinnus, E. naupliensis, E. italicus, and E. flavicaudis) in their natural environment, mainly in Italy but also in France, Switzerland, and Greece. Ecology of these species is discussed as well as predatory behavior occasionally observed in nature. This work provides new data on the distribution and ecology of European Euscorpiidae.


Editorial: "Euscorpius" At 100, Victor Fet, Michael E. Soleglad Dec 2015

Editorial: "Euscorpius" At 100, Victor Fet, Michael E. Soleglad

Euscorpius

With the publication of Graeme Lowe on Vachoniolus from Oman, our journal Euscorpius celebrates its 100th issue. Euscorpius is the first and only research publication completely devoted to scorpions (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Since its inception in 2001, Euscorpius published 100 issues authored by 79 zoologists from 23 countries (USA, Argentina, China, Colombia, Cuba, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Guadeloupe, India, Iran, Italy, Kazakhstan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Russia, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, and Venezuela.)


Review Of Tunisian Species Of The Genus Buthus With Descriptions Of Two New Species And A Discussion Of Ehrenberg’S Types (Scorpiones: Buthidae), František Kovařík Dec 2015

Review Of Tunisian Species Of The Genus Buthus With Descriptions Of Two New Species And A Discussion Of Ehrenberg’S Types (Scorpiones: Buthidae), František Kovařík

Euscorpius

Buthus chambiensis, sp. n. and Buthus dunlopi, sp. n. from Tunisia are described. Presented is also a key to four Tunisian species of the genus Buthus. The males of B. chambiensis, sp. n. and B. paris (C. L. Koch, 1839) have narrower chela than the females, which distinguishes them from B. tunetanus (Herbst, 1800) and B. dunlopi, sp. n. Uniformly yellowish mesosoma and very narrow chela of pedipalps distinguish B. chambiensis, sp. n. from Buthus paris (C. L. Koch, 1839). Morphologically closest to B. chambiensis sp. n. is Buthus barcaeus Birula, 1909, comb. n. …


A New Species Of The Genus Buthus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) From Northern Cameroon, Wilson R. Lourenço, Elise-Anne Leguin Dec 2015

A New Species Of The Genus Buthus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) From Northern Cameroon, Wilson R. Lourenço, Elise-Anne Leguin

Euscorpius

A new species belonging to the genus Buthus Leach (Scorpiones: Buthidae) is described from northern Cameroon in Central Western Africa. The new species can be included in the “Buthus occitanus” complex of species, and probably can be associated with the “Buthus occitanus” from the former French West Africa (AOF) previously reported by Vachon from this large region. This is the first record of a Buthus species from Cameroon, and with the description of Buthus prudenti sp. n., the status of one more population of Buthus spp. from the sub-Saharan region of Africa is clarified.


A Seven-Legged Scorpion: The First Teratological Leg Absence Found In Scorpio Maurus Fuscus (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae), David David Dec 2015

A Seven-Legged Scorpion: The First Teratological Leg Absence Found In Scorpio Maurus Fuscus (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae), David David

Euscorpius

A teratological leg absence anomaly is reported and discussed in a Scorpio maurus fuscus (Scorpionidae) specimen from Israel. In this scorpion, the third right leg is completely missing, and the fourth right leg has a deformed coxa, which abuts the entire lateral edge of the sternum. The area anterior to the sternum is visibly curved to the right. This is the first leg absence anomaly reported in scorpions.


Malformed Pedipalp Finger Dentition Of The Scorpion Superstitionia Donensis (Scorpiones: Superstitioniidae), Matthew R. Graham Dec 2015

Malformed Pedipalp Finger Dentition Of The Scorpion Superstitionia Donensis (Scorpiones: Superstitioniidae), Matthew R. Graham

Euscorpius

A novel deformity of pedipalp finger dentition is presented from the scorpion Superstitionia donensis. This anomaly, present on the left pedipalp chela only, is herein described and discussed in regards to possible problems it could cause with species identification.


Name-Bearing Types Of Scorpions Deposited At The Institute Of Ecology And Systematics, Havana, Cuba (Arachnida: Scorpiones), Luis F. De Armas Dec 2015

Name-Bearing Types Of Scorpions Deposited At The Institute Of Ecology And Systematics, Havana, Cuba (Arachnida: Scorpiones), Luis F. De Armas

Euscorpius

In the Institute of Ecology and Systematics, Havana, there are deposited 76 name-bearing types (holotypes, lectotypes, and syntypes) of scorpions belonging to 10 genera of the families Buthidae (Alayotityus, Centruroides, Microtityus, Rhopalurus, Tityopsis, Tityus) and Scorpionidae: Diplocentrinae (Cazierius, Didymocentrus, Diplocentrus, Heteronebo). Most of these materials are from the West Indies, mainly the Greater Antilles (Cuba, Hispaniola, Navassa, Jamaica, Puerto Rico), but several are from Mexico. The collection includes species described mostly by P. Franganillo Balboa (1930–1936), A. Moreno Bonilla (1938–1940), and L. F. de Armas and his collaborators …


Scorpions Of Gaziantep Province, Turkey (Arachnida: Scorpiones), Ayşegül Karataş, Mehmet Çolak Dec 2015

Scorpions Of Gaziantep Province, Turkey (Arachnida: Scorpiones), Ayşegül Karataş, Mehmet Çolak

Euscorpius

This study includes the results of the field studies in Gaziantep Province, which is located in the south-southeastern Anatolia, Turkey. In 1998–2005, 112 scorpion specimens were collected in this area. They belong to five species of the family Buthidae (Androctonus crassicauda, Compsobuthus matthiesseni, Leiurus quinquestriatus, Mesobuthus eupeus nordmanni), and one species of Scorpionidae (Scorpio maurus fuscus). Information about these species is provided; ecological notes are included.


The Genus Auyantepuia González-Sponga, 1978 Is Confirmed As A Synonym Of Broteochactas Pocock, 1893 (Scorpiones: Chactidae), Michael E. Soleglad, Victor Fet Dec 2015

The Genus Auyantepuia González-Sponga, 1978 Is Confirmed As A Synonym Of Broteochactas Pocock, 1893 (Scorpiones: Chactidae), Michael E. Soleglad, Victor Fet

Euscorpius

The genus Auyantepuia González-Sponga, 1978 is confirmed as a synonym of Broteochactas Pocock, 1893 (Scorpiones: Chactidae). It was correctly synonymized with Broteochactas by Francke & Boos (1986) and listed as such by Soleglad & Fet (2003) but resurrected by Lourenço & Araújo (2004). We reconfirm that the generic name Auyantepuia, based on the type species Broteochactas scorzai Dagert, 1957 from Venezuela, is a synonym of Broteochactas, based on the type species Broteochactas nitidus Pocock, 1893 from Trinidad. All other seven “short-fingered” species from French Guiana and Brazil, classified by Lourenço & Araújo (2004) under Auyantepuia, belong to …


Taxonomic Position Of Species Of The Genus Buthacus Birula, 1908 Described By Ehrenberg And Lourenço, And Description Of A New Species (Scorpiones: Buthidae), František Kovařík Dec 2015

Taxonomic Position Of Species Of The Genus Buthacus Birula, 1908 Described By Ehrenberg And Lourenço, And Description Of A New Species (Scorpiones: Buthidae), František Kovařík

Euscorpius

Lectotypes are designated for Androctonus (Leiurus) leptochelys Ehrenberg, 1829, Androctonus (Leiurus) thebanus Ehrenberg, 1828 and Androctonus (Leiurus) macrocentrus Ehrenberg, 1828. In recent papers the latter two species have been regarded as synonyms of Buthacus leptochelys, however its type series is composed of seven specimens that in reality belong to three species. The type series of Androctonus leptochelys includes specimens belonging to Buthacus leptochelys and Buthacus spatzi (Birula, 1911), and the type series of Androctonus macrocentrus includes specimens belonging to Buthacus leptochelys and Buthacus tadmorensis (Simon, 1892). In order to preserve stability, I designate …


Three New Species Of The Genera Euscorpiops Vachon, 1980 And Scorpiopsm Peters, 1861 From Asia (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae, Scorpiopinae), František Kovařík Dec 2015

Three New Species Of The Genera Euscorpiops Vachon, 1980 And Scorpiopsm Peters, 1861 From Asia (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae, Scorpiopinae), František Kovařík

Euscorpius

Euscorpiops beccaloniae sp. n. from Myanmar, E. novaki sp. n. from Tibet, and Scorpiops demisi sp. n. from India are described and compared with other species of these and related genera. A key to the species of the Euscorpiops is provided. In Euscorpiops beccaloniae sp. n. external trichobothria on the patella number 18 (5 eb, 2 esb, 2 em, 4 est, 5 et) and ventral trichobothria on the patella number 12. Pedipalp fingers in the male are flexed, female is unknown. In E. novaki sp. n. external trichobothria on the patella number 19 (5 eb …


A Desert In Disguise: The Resilience Of The Nebraska Sandhills, Jeff Hartman Dec 2015

A Desert In Disguise: The Resilience Of The Nebraska Sandhills, Jeff Hartman

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The Nebraska Sandhills are the largest sand dune system in the Western Hemisphere, and are unique because they remain relatively undisturbed from row crop agriculture. Research in the past two decades demonstrated that the Sandhills are dynamic on millennial timescales, switching between stabilized, vegetated states to non-vegetated, mobilized states. The Sandhills are currently stabilized, but understanding how ecological processes are altered as sand dunes transition from stabilized to mobilized states, provides insight into the thresholds, stability, and resilience of this grassland ecosystem. My research investigated the impacts of vegetation disturbances on ecological processes and the sand dune surface stability. For …


Response Of Fishes To Restoration Projects In Bayou St. John Located Within The City Of New Orleans, Louisiana, Including Hydrological Characterization And Hydrodynamic Modelling, Patrick W. Smith Dec 2015

Response Of Fishes To Restoration Projects In Bayou St. John Located Within The City Of New Orleans, Louisiana, Including Hydrological Characterization And Hydrodynamic Modelling, Patrick W. Smith

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Quantifying the impacts of restoration on coastal waterways is crucial to understanding their effectiveness. Here, I look at the impacts of multiple restoration projects on urban waterways within the city limits of New Orleans, LA, with an emphasis on the response of fishes. First I report the effects of two projects designed to improve exchange down estuary on the hydrologic characteristics of Bayou St. John (BSJ). Within BSJ, flow is dominated by subtidal wind driven processes. Removal of an outdated flood control structure did not appear to alter exchange in BSJ, but removal combined with sector gate openings did. I …


Restoration Of A Wet Longleaf Pine (Pinus Palustris) Savanna In Southeast Louisiana: Burning Toward Reference Conditions, Alex K. Entrup Dec 2015

Restoration Of A Wet Longleaf Pine (Pinus Palustris) Savanna In Southeast Louisiana: Burning Toward Reference Conditions, Alex K. Entrup

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This study quantifies the changes in vegetation composition and structure of a fire-excluded Pinus palustris (longleaf pine) wetland savanna restoration site in southeastern in comparison to a proximate contemporary reference site. The restoration site was invaded by hardwood species and off-site pines, and never underwent extensive soil disturbance. The restoration treatments involved logging across portions of the site and the reintroduction of fire across the entire site. All species present in 10m2 quadrats were recorded prior to treatment and throughout the 17 year study at reference and treatment sites. The community composition of both logged and unlogged sites converged …