Money, Morphology and Molecules. Some comments on Wortley, Bennett and Scotland (2002), Taxonomy and phylogeny reconstruction: two distinct research agendas in systematics. (see p. 335 of this issue)

2002 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 451-457 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. F. STEVENS
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Systematics ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Phylogeny Reconstruction ◽  
Reasonable Time ◽  
The Past ◽  
Short Time ◽  
Made In

The state of systematics, for convenience here divided into taxonomy (the delimitation, description and inventory of species) and phylogeny reconstruction, is evaluated. Molecular systematics may seem overemphasized, but the resulting gains made in our understanding of relationships in a relatively short time are very considerable. Although morphological data currently play only a limited role in detecting large-scale phylogenetic pattern, the analysis by Wortley et al. of the role morphology has played in the past is not easily interpreted. At species level, it is unclear what effect molecular techniques will have on our understanding of species limits, but it is likely to be considerable. Although taxonomy is both essential and underfunded, there seems little point in asking for more money until we can justify the limits of the species we describe more clearly and until we have cleared up the impediments that so much slow the practice of taxonomy. Business cannot remain as usual if any of the grand inventory projects we have started are to be finished within a reasonable time, or even to be of much use when they are.

scholarly journals Synthesis of Metal Organic Frameworks by Ball-Milling

Crystals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 15
Author(s):  
Cheng-An Tao ◽  
Jian-Fang Wang
Keyword(s):  
Ball Milling ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Metal Organic Frameworks ◽  
Research Topic ◽  
Mass Ratio ◽  
Time Consumption ◽  
Metal Organic ◽  
Short Time ◽  
Made In

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been used in adsorption, separation, catalysis, sensing, photo/electro/magnetics, and biomedical fields because of their unique periodic pore structure and excellent properties and have become a hot research topic in recent years. Ball milling is a method of small pollution, short time-consumption, and large-scale synthesis of MOFs. In recent years, many important advances have been made. In this paper, the influencing factors of MOFs synthesized by grinding were reviewed systematically from four aspects: auxiliary additives, metal sources, organic linkers, and reaction specific conditions (such as frequency, reaction time, and mass ratio of ball and raw materials). The prospect for the future development of the synthesis of MOFs by grinding was proposed.

Subspecific taxonomy of African porcupines Hystrix spp.: is there anything beyond the species level?

Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5047 (5) ◽  
pp. 501-519
Author(s):  
EMILIANO MORI ◽  
DAVIDE SOGLIANI ◽  
CATERINA SENINI ◽  
ALESSANDRO LAURENZI ◽  
ANDREA VIVIANO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
East Africa ◽  
Nuclear Dna ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Clinal Variation ◽  
Hystrix Cristata ◽  
The Past ◽  
Clear Explanation ◽  
Nomina Dubia

Taxonomy is a mistreated matter, but its role in ecology, behaviour and conservation studies is pivotal. Disentangling amongst different subspecies is challenging given the high arbitrariness level in determining thresholds of genetic and morphological distances. Splitting frenzy trends have increased the number of animal taxa and for most of them a critical redefinition is required. In this work, we reviewed knowledge and validity of subspecific taxa identified for African crested porcupines Hystrix cristata and Hystrix africaeaustralis. In the past, several subspecies were recognized for both the species, but successive works suggested H. cristata and H. africaeaustralis as monotypic species with no clear explanation. Recently, the validity of the taxon H. cristata senegalica has been claimed again. We analysed all available data and discussed all the subspecific taxa in light of both genetic and morphological data. We revalidated here the synonymy Hystrix senegalica Cuvier, 1823 = Hystrix cristata Linnaeus, 1758. Syn. rev. Two names are treated as nomina dubia: Acanthion daubentonii Cuvier, 1823 (formalization) and “Hystrix capensis Gr.”. Hystrix cristata var. alba de Sélys-Longchamps, 1839 has been deleted from the synonymic list of H. cristata. Neither mitochondrial nor nuclear DNA data militate for the existence of any subspecific taxon, although further data are required for H. cristata from East Africa (e.g., Kenya and Tanzania). Similarly, morphology seems to play for a clinal variation in both species. For available data, we thus strongly recommend to keep both H. cristata and H. africaeaustralis as monotypic species.  

scholarly journals First findings and phenology of Hypsugo savii in the Děčín District, Czech Republic (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)

2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-14
Author(s):  
Tomáš Bartonička ◽  
Pavel Benda ◽  
Jakub Juda
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Autumn Migration ◽  
Mediterranean Species ◽  
Elbe River ◽  
The Past ◽  
Migration Phenology ◽  
Automatic Software ◽  
The Elbe River ◽  
Short Time ◽  
Made In

Abstract As a part of the bat research in the Děčín district (northern Bohemia, Czech Republic), two automatic detectors were installed at two locations, i.e. in the Labe (Elbe) river canyon near Hřensko and at the Pavlínka pond near Jetřichovice, for a period from April to September 2016. The acoustic recordings were further analysed using the semi-automatic software SonoChiro, which is capable of evaluating a large number of bat signals in a relatively short time. Altogether 942,000 echolocation signals and 18 bat species were determined. The highest values of the identification reliability index were found for the recordings of echolocation signals of the bat genera Pipistrellus, Nyctalus, and Vespertilio. Conversely, species of the genus Myotis, especially those with the peak frequencies above 35 kHz, were identified with a lesser accuracy. Hypsugo savii, a Mediterranean species that has been spreading over the past decade, was identified in both studied localities. This is the northernmost finding of the species in central Europe so far. Significantly higher flight activity of H. savii was detected in the Elbe canyon. The recordings were made in three periods: (1) from mid-April to late May, during the spring migrations, (2) in the second half of July, during the dispersion of individuals after the desintegration of the nursery colonies, and (3) from late August to early September, during the autumn migration, when the highest numbers of signals were detected. In the period of spring migration and summer dispersion, most of the signals come from the bats heading north, downstream the Elbe river. On the contrary, during the autumn migration, most of the signals were recorded from the bats heading south, upstream the river. The echolocation signals of H. savii can be easily identified and thus an acoustic approach in the study of migration phenology would be an appropriate and very effective method in this species.

scholarly journals OBSERVATIONS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF PRIVATE SHEEP FARMS IN NORTHLAND: 2. The Adviser's Viewpoint

1967 ◽  
pp. 55-63
Author(s):  
J.D. Currie
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
National Average ◽  
Sheep Population ◽  
The Past ◽  
Management Techniques ◽  
Made In ◽  
The Way

THE Northland flock is increasing rapidly. The sheep population reflects the progress made in pasture development over the past fourteen years, the two million sheep wintered this year representing a remarkable 200% increase in numbers since 1953. It is the initiative of progressive farmers in pioneering improved management techniques, and the courage of the Lands and Survey Department in implementing these methods on a large scale, and with such convincing success, that have shown the way. But it is only during the last three favourable growth years that the extension message of more fertilizer and lime, and, above all, more stock, has been widely accepted. Fertilizer sales have doubled over this three-year period, and sheep owners (of which there are 1,000 with 500 or more sheep), reached a climax this year when they increased their flocks by three times the national average.

Russian electric power industry reform: 10 years later

2018 ◽  
pp. 39-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. B. Chubais
Keyword(s):  
Electric Power ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Private Property ◽  
Electric Power Industry ◽  
Power Industry ◽  
Standard Of Living ◽  
The Past ◽  
Foreign Countries ◽  
Made In

The article presents the main results of the reform of the Russian electric power industry — the reorganization of RAO UES of Russia. Over the past 10 years since the reform, it has become clear that its main goals have been achieved. The monopoly branch, controlled by the state, has turned into a market one based on competition and private property. The necessary structural changes were made in the industry; a system of markets was created; large-scale investments were launched. All this led to a sharp increase in capacity inputs in Russia’s electric power industry. As a result of the reform, the price of electricity for the population, taking into account the PPP, that is, the real standard of living in Russia, and for the majority of industrial consumers is lower than in the leading foreign countries. It has become possible to improve the reliability of the power system and preserve its technological integrity. Proposals for further improvement of the Russian electric power industry are formulated.

Laparoscopic liver resections – state of art

2020 ◽  
Vol 99 (3) ◽  
pp. 105-109
Keyword(s):  
Learning Curve ◽  
Liver Surgery ◽  
Oncological Outcomes ◽  
The Past ◽  
Liver Resections ◽  
Miniinvasive Surgery ◽  
Major Resection ◽  
Short Time ◽  
State Of Art ◽  
Made In

Progress had been made in the miniinvasive surgery in the past 30 years. Laparoscopic liver procedures were expanded from limited resections to major resection and complicated procedures. Miniinvasive approach offered better short-time results and similar oncological outcomes compared with open liver surgery. However, it is still challenging to perform some difficult procedures laparoscopically which requires a learning curve and accumulation of experiences in specialized centers.

scholarly journals Relict or colonizer? Extinction and range expansion of penguins in southern New Zealand

2008 ◽  
Vol 276 (1658) ◽  
pp. 815-821 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanne Boessenkool ◽  
Jeremy J Austin ◽  
Trevor H Worthy ◽  
Paul Scofield ◽  
Alan Cooper ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Range Expansion ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Biological Response ◽  
Sister Species ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Human Predation ◽  
Extinction Events

Recent human expansion into the Pacific initiated a dramatic avian extinction crisis, and surviving taxa are typically interpreted as declining remnants of previously abundant populations. As a case in point, New Zealand's endangered yellow-eyed penguin ( Megadyptes antipodes ) is widely considered to have been more abundant and widespread in the past. By contrast, our genetic and morphological analyses of prehistoric, historic and modern penguin samples reveal that this species expanded its range to the New Zealand mainland only in the last few hundred years. This range expansion was apparently facilitated by the extinction of M. antipodes ' previously unrecognized sister species following Polynesian settlement in New Zealand. Based on combined genetic and morphological data, we describe this new penguin species, the first known to have suffered human-mediated extinction. The range expansion of M. antipodes so soon after the extinction of its sister species supports a historic paradigmatic shift in New Zealand Polynesian culture. Additionally, such a dynamic biological response to human predation reveals a surprising and less recognized potential for species to have benefited from the extinction of their ecologically similar sister taxa and highlights the complexity of large-scale extinction events.

scholarly journals Sunflower Genetics from Ancestors to Modern Hybrids—A Review

Genes ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Radanović ◽  
Dragana Miladinović ◽  
Sandra Cvejić ◽  
Milan Jocković ◽  
Siniša Jocić
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Basis ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
The Past ◽  
Breeding Date ◽  
Oil Crops ◽  
Future Challenges ◽  
Substantial Progress ◽  
Domestication Process ◽  
Breeding Techniques ◽  
Made In

Domestication and the first steps of sunflower breeding date back more than 4000 years. As an interesting crop to humans, sunflower underwent significant changes in the past to finally find its place as one of the most significant oil crops today. Substantial progress has already been made in understanding how sunflower was domesticated. Recent advances in molecular techniques with improved experimental designs contributed to further understanding of the genetic and molecular basis underlying the architectural and phenotypic changes that occurred during domestication and improvements in sunflower breeding. Understanding the domestication process and assessing the current situation concerning available genotypic variations are essential in order for breeders to face future challenges. A review of the tools that are used for exploring the genetic and genome changes associated with sunflower domestication is given in the paper, along with a discussion of their possible implications on classical sunflower breeding techniques and goals.

scholarly journals Changes in the Species Composition of Elms (Ulmus spp.) in Poland

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1008
Author(s):  
Anna Napierała-Filipiak ◽  
Maciej Filipiak ◽  
Piotr Łakomy
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Human Activity ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Forest Stand ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Dutch Elm Disease ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Forest Stands ◽  
The Past

In nearly 600 randomly selected forest stands including elms (Ulmus spp.), we conducted field research to identify them to species level and to find trees showing symptoms of Dutch elm disease (DED). The presented data show that all the 3 native elms (U. glabra, U. laevis, and U. minor) still exist in the whole ranges of their distribution in Poland reported earlier, but their role as forest-forming species has changed. In comparison to published data, the contribution of U. minor has markedly decreased, while an increased contribution was observed in the case of U. laevis, a species which in the past was predominantly located out of woodland and was rarely cultivated. In mountains, where the most frequent is U. glabra, the contribution of elms to forest stands is currently clearly lower than in the lowlands and uplands of Poland. The observed changes most probably result from Dutch elm disease. It cannot be excluded that the changes are at least partly linked with natural correction of forest stand composition modified earlier by human activity (silviculture). In all parts of Poland, trees with symptoms of Dutch elm disease are found, but large-scale decline (of a majority of elm trees) is observed only in about 1.5% of the directly investigated localities.

scholarly journals Landscape Level Interactions Among Ungulates, Vegetation, and Large-Scale Fires in Northern Yellowstone National Park

1990 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 179-181
Author(s):  
Monica Turner ◽  
William Romme ◽  
Linda Wallace
Keyword(s):  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
National Laboratory ◽  
Model Development ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Oak Ridge ◽  
The Past ◽  
Substantial Progress ◽  
Made In

Substantial progress has been made in both the modeling and field studies during the first six months of research funding. Yegang Wu, Jennifer O'Hara, and Michael O'Hara all began working full time for the project on September 1, 1990. Wu is based at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and is working primarily on model development and analyses using the geographic information system (GIS) located in Yellowstone. The O'Hara's are based in Yellowstone and are working full time on the field studies. Here we describe our progress during the past six months for each main area of the proposed work: 1. field studies, including aspen (Populus tremuloides) and grassland sampling, and 2. model development and GIS analyses.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document