Accelerated mass extinction in an isolated biota during Late Devonian climate changes

The fossil record can illuminate factors that contribute to extinction risk during times of global environmental disturbance; for example, inferred thermal tolerance was an important predictor of extinction during several mass extinctions that corresponded with climate change. Additionally, members of geographically isolated biotas may face higher risk because they have less opportunity to migrate to suitable climate refugia during environmental disturbances. Here, we investigate how different types of risk intersect in the well-preserved brachiopod fauna of the Appalachian Foreland Basin during the two pulses of the Frasnian–Famennian mass extinction (Late Devonian, ~ 372 Ma). The selectivity of extinction is consistent with climate change (cooling) as a primary kill mechanism in this fauna. Overall, the extinction was mild relative to other regions, despite the many endemic species. However, vulnerable taxa went extinct more rapidly, during the first extinction pulse, such that the second pulse was insignificant. These results suggest that vulnerable taxa in geographically isolated biotas face heightened extinction risk at the initiation of environmental stress, but that taxa in other regions may eventually see elevated extinction risk if environmental stress repeats or intensifies.

Taxonomic notes on the Australian skyhopper genus Kosciuscola Sjöstedt (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Oxyinae)

The Australian skyhopper genus Kosciuscola Sjöstedt consists of brachypterous species that inhabit the Australian alpine and subalpine region. The genus used to include 5 species and 1 subspecies, but according to a recent phylogenomic study, there could be as many as 14 species in the genus, that are genetically and geographically isolated from each other. This study represents the first step in describing and documenting the diversity of this interesting genus. In this study, we redefine the type species K. tristis, and elevate its subspecies K. tristis restrictus as a valid species on the basis of distinct morphological traits, geographical isolation, and phylogenomic evidence.

Southernmost records of Pachyramphus marginatus (Passeriformes: Tityridae) and first observation for Santa Catarina State, southern Brazil

The Black-capped Becard (Pachyramphus marginatus) has two geographically isolated subspecies, including the Atlantic Forest subspecies that is distributed from Pernambuco State to Paraná State. Here we report the first observation of the species in Santa Catarina State, southern Brazil. On 12 November 2019 an adult male of P. marginatus was observed in the municipality of São Francisco do Sul, on the northeastern coast of Santa Catarina, during an inventory for the creation of a protected area. The species was also observed on three other occasions in the same locality. These are the first known records for Santa Catarina and extend the known distribution range of this species 40 km southward. We also discuss some explanations for the records.

Sustaining Successful ICT Integration in Remote Rural Schools

This paper aims to provide insights into how teachers can sustain ICT integration practices in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. A mixed-method case study design was used for the study. Data were collected through interviews, questionnaires, classroom observation, and document examination. Qualitative analysis and descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. For data validity, triangulation of responses and member checking was carried out. The study identified successful technology integration factors in geographically isolated and disadvantaged schools: a strong community of practice, an adequate support system, and contextual ICT integration practices. It suggests that teachers’ pedagogical practices related to ICT toned to undergo a continuous process of review and reflection to ensure that ICT-related practices remain pedagogically effective and relevant to changing needs and contexts. The account of the teachers in this study, focusing on their teaching experiences in a school in a remote, low-income area, creates a paradigm for comparative research on education in challenging contexts. Comparative studies on ICT integration practices in poverty-stricken, post-disaster, and conflict-affected areas, could provide inputs for formulating context-specific policy recommendations that could support successful ICT integration in small rural schools in the Philippines and other developing countries.

Significance of the suture line in cephalopod taxonomy revealed by 3D morphometrics in the modern nautilids Nautilus and Allonautilus

Assessing the taxonomic importance of the suture line in shelled cephalopods is a key to better understanding the diversity of this group in Earth history. Because fossils are subject to taphonomic artifacts, an in-depth knowledge of well-preserved modern organisms is needed as an important reference. Here, we examine the suture line morphology of all known species of the modern cephalopods Nautilus and Allonautilus. We applied computed tomography and geometric morphometrics to quantify the suture line morphology as well as the conch geometry and septal spacing. Results reveal that the suture line and conch geometry are useful in distinguishing species, while septal spacing is less useful. We also constructed cluster trees to illustrate the similarity among species. The tree based on conch geometry in middle ontogeny is nearly congruent with those previously reconstructed based on molecular data. In addition, different geographical populations of the same species of Nautilus separate out in this tree. This suggests that genetically distinct (i.e., geographically isolated) populations of Nautilus can also be distinguished using conch geometry. Our results are applicable to closely related fossil cephalopods (nautilids), but may not apply to more distantly related forms (ammonoids).

Incidence of NUT carcinoma in Western Australia from 1989 to 2014: a review of pediatric and adolescent cases from Perth Children’s Hospital

Background NUT carcinoma (NC), previously known as NUT midline carcinoma, is a rare and very aggressive cancer that occurs in both children and adults. NC is largely chemoresistant, with an overall survival of less than 7 months. Because the carcinoma is not restricted to a particular organ, diagnosis is often a challenge. In the absence of a clearly determined incidence for NC, we sought to study the diagnosis of patients in a well-defined population. Methods We systematically reviewed records of all patients that presented to the Oncology Department of the Princess Margaret Hospital for Children from 1989 to 2014. This institution in the geographically isolated state of Western Australia has a catchment population of around 2 million. We then identified all high grade undifferentiated sarcomas or carcinomas in the 0–16 year age group. Results Over 26 years, we found 14 patients of 16 years or younger with undifferentiated malignant tumors. Of these, five tumors were positive by immunohistochemistry for the NUT/NUTM1 (Nuclear Protein in Testis) protein and/or the translocation t(15;19). Three patients presented with thoracic tumors, one with a para-spinal tumor, and one had an upper airway nasopharyngeal carcinoma. In all five cases, there was an initial response to therapy and then progression. This 26-year survey was conducted in a geographically isolated state with a well-defined population, and we determined an estimated incidence of NC of around 0.41 per million child years (0–16 yrs. of age) at risk. From three patients it was feasible to derive cell lines for further genetic analyses and drug screening. Conclusions For the first time, the incidence of NC could be determined in a well-defined geographic area. The calculated rate of NC incidence is consistent with a history of under-recognition for this malignancy. These findings indicate that improved diagnostic detection of NC would enable better management and counselling of patients. Our findings emphasize the heterogeneity of NC, and they highlight the need to develop personalised therapy options, and to consider a diagnosis of NC in undifferentiated malignant tumors.

Climate Change and Mass Extinction Risk in an Endemic-Rich Late Devonian Fauna

The fossil record can illuminate factors that contribute to extinction risk during times of global environmental disturbance; for example, inferred thermal tolerance is an important predictor of extinction during several mass extinctions that corresponded with climate change1,2. Additionally, members of geographically isolated biotas may face higher risk because they have less opportunity to migrate to suitable climate refugia during environmental disturbances. Here, we investigate how these two types of risk intersect in the well-preserved brachiopod fauna of the Appalachian Foreland Basin during the two pulses of the Frasnian-Famennian mass extinction (Late Devonian, ~372 Ma3,4). The selectivity of extinction supports climate change (cooling) as the primary kill mechanism in this fauna, with warm-adapted taxa going extinct preferentially. Overall, the extinction was mild relative to other regions, despite the many endemic species. However, taxa that were vulnerable to climate change went extinct more rapidly, during the first extinction pulse, such that the second pulse was insignificant. These results suggest that vulnerable taxa in geographically isolated biotas face heightened extinction risk at the initiation of environmental stress, but that other regions may “catch up” if environmental stress repeats or intensifies.

An overview of the Brazilian inselberg genus Ameroglossum (Linderniaceae, Lamiales), with the description of seven new species

Field studies of the inselberg flora of north-eastern Brazil have resulted in the discovery of much greater morphological diversity of the genus Ameroglossum, than previously envisaged. These enigmatic plants are endemic to isolated rock outcrops, which have long been surrounded by unsuitable habitat. The morphological forms are geographically isolated and stable in cultivation when grown under similar conditions. We here provide detailed descriptions of the two previously known species and propose an additional seven new species in the genus. A taxonomic revision of the genus, including an identification key is provided. We hypothesize that the evolution of this genus is driven by the diversity of their hummingbird pollinators. Due to the threatened nature of inselberg habitats and the small populations found for most taxa, the species described here are likely to be under threat and in need for formal redlisting.