Additional Specimens Research Articles

Bond strength of corroded reinforced recycled aggregate concrete with treated wastewater and fly ash

This study investigates the bond strength of steel-to-concrete of 36 cubical pull-out specimens with a side length of 200 mm. The specimens were produced with treated wastewater (TWW), recycled concrete aggregates (RCA), and fly ash (FA) and subjected to corrosion. Potable water and natural coarse aggregates were entirely replaced by TWW and RCA, respectively, whereas FA partially replaced cement by 20%. Three target corrosion levels (CL) were evaluated (0%, 2%, and 10%). Experimental results revealed that TWW and RCA reduced the bond strength of concrete by 30% and 18%, respectively, whereas 20% FA enhanced the bond strength by 10%. In the view of corrosion effect, it was observed that a slight CL of 3.56% or less can improve the bond strength of concrete. In addition, TWW and RCA concrete specimens with a 10% target CL had a 36% and 46% reduction in bond strength compared to their respective non-corroded specimens, respectively. Nonetheless, corroded specimens with FA recorded a drop of only 3% in the bond strength. Furthermore, the specimens’ bond strength was analytically predicted using the available analytical formulations. The models of Seara-Paz et al., Chung et al., and Yalciner et al. provided the most accurate prediction for uncorroded, 2% CL, and 10% CL specimens, respectively.

The Morphological Diversity of Dragon Lacewing Larvae (Nevrorthidae, Neuroptera) Changed More over Geological Time Scales Than Anticipated.

Nevrorthidae, the group of dragon lacewings, has often been considered a relic group. Today, dragon lacewings show a scattered distribution, with some species occurring in southern Europe, Japan, Australia, and one in China. The idea that this distribution is only a remnant of an originally larger distribution is further supported by fossils of the group preserved in ambers from the Baltic region (Eocene, ca. 35-40 MaBP) and Myanmar (Kachin amber, Cretaceous, ca. 100 MaBP). Larvae of the group are slender and elongated and live mostly in water. Yet, larvae are in fact very rare. So far, only slightly more than 30 larval specimens, counting all extant and fossil larvae, have been depicted in the literature. Here, we report numerous additional specimens, including extant larvae, but also fossil ones from Baltic and Kachin amber. Together with the already known ones, this sums up to over 100 specimens. We analysed quantitative aspects of the morphology of these larvae and compared them over time to identify changes in the diversity. Despite the enriched sample size, the data set is still unbalanced, with, for example, newly hatched larvae (several dozen specimens) only known from the Eocene. We expected little change in larval morphology over geological time, as indicated by earlier studies. However, on the contrary, we recognised morphologies present in fossils that are now extinct. This result is similar to those for other groups of lacewings which have a relic distribution today, as these have also suffered a loss in diversity in larval forms.

Rediscovery of <i>Malthesis ater</i> Motschulsky, 1853 and a catalog of the genus <i>Malthesis</i> Motschulsky, 1853 (Coleoptera, Cantharidae)

Malthesis is a Cantharidae genus with a history of ambiguous systematic placement, being sometimes classified within Malthininae and currently placed in Chauliognathinae, sometimes as a probable synonym of Chauliognathus. Part of the problem is a complete lack of knowledge about the identity of their type species, M. ater, from Colombia. The current generic placement is based on the identity of the subsequently described Malthesis species which, in turn, have never been compared with M. ater. One specimen belonging to the type series of M. ater, here designated as the lectotype, has been located at the Zoological Museum of M. V. Lomonosov State University (Moscow, Russia) and the identities of the species and genus could finally be assessed. Here, M. ater is re-described in detail based on the study of the afore mentioned lectotype and additional specimens from Colombia. The morphological study of the species confirms that most of the subsequently described species are indeed congeneric with M. ater and enables a reliable placement of the genus within Chauliognathinae: Chauliognathini. In addition, a fully updated catalog of all the 38 currently valid species and subspecies of Malthesis is given to ease their future taxonomic studies.

Evaluating spotted lanternfly (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae) infestation in the Northern Ohio Valley.

Lycorma delicatula White (spotted lanternfly; SLF) is an invasive pest insect threatening increased agricultural costs as it spreads rapidly westward across the United States. As such, surveying was conducted adjacent to the insect's westernmost quarantine area in 2021-2022 to support multi-state monitoring. Specifically, 2,077 visual and sticky-trap surveys were performed in 13 repeatedly surveyed plots strategically located near high-traffic roadways and rail-lines along the Ohio-West Virginia border. Sites were located in Jefferson (Ohio), Brooke (West Virginia), and Hancock (West Virginia) counties. Only one SLF was detected in 2021 (the third documented Ohio site containing SLF) in close proximity to a railway, consistent with rail-mediated dispersal trends recorded throughout the United States. Thirty-one SLF were captured in 2 Ohio sites in 2022, 30 of which were captured at the same railway site as in 2021. However, 1 of the 31 SLF was found in a plot on a university campus 1.25 km from the nearest railway, along with 10 additional specimens found in a follow-up visual survey of a neighboring woodlot. Failure to detect SLF at nearby survey plots nearer to the closest rail line and commuter parking lots suggests local unaided dispersal in a state with primarily train-mediated dispersal-mirroring trends in affected states with more established SLF populations. Data from this survey are valuable for establishing baselines and early-invasion patterns of SLF dispersal into Ohio, anticipating SLF expansion patterns in Ohio, and eventually contributing to improved SLF dispersal modeling in Ohio, the Midwest, and the United States.

Age, Growth, and Maturity of Painted Comber Serranus scriba (Serranidae) from the Crimea Region, the Black Sea

The painted comber Serranus scriba, a subtropical marine fish species assigned to the famiy Serranidae in the Black Sea is insufficiently studied. It is a simultaneous hermaphrodite fish. Data on age, growth, and maturity of the painted comber inhabiting the Black sea area around Crimea, including its spatial variation within the entire habitat range are reported. Overall, 537 specimens caught from July to October 2022 are analyzed. The biggest specimen ever caught in the Black Sea with 26.1 cm total length and 265.1 g weight at the age of 15 years was registered. The values for the von Bertalnffy equation parameters were estimated. Thus, asymptotic length, asymptotic weight, and growth constant made up 28.3 cm, 358.6 g, and 0.17 year−1, respectively. The exponent of 3.10 in the length-weight relationship equation (positive allometry) was estimated. Maturity was defined in 50% spesimens at 12.0 ± 0.2 cm total length in the third year of life. It was ascertained that spatial variation in the life history traits for the specimens is weakly expressed. The painted comber inhabiting the Black Sea is slightly different from the representatives of this species found in the Aegean and Adriatic Seas in age, size, and growth. In addition, the biggest and faster-growing specimens are recorded more often under the low-latitude climate conditions, in the water areas off Egypt and the Canary Islands.

Cyclic behaviours of superelastic shape-memory alloy plates joined by tungsten inert gas welding

The limitations of connection technology have long been an obstacle to constructing large-dimensional elements made of shape memory alloy (SMA). This is because techniques used to join small SMA elements (e.g., wires) may not be capable of joining the large-dimensional elements required for civil engineering structures. This study explored the feasibility of using tungsten inert gas welding to connect SMA elements. A welding technique was developed and tested on 2.5-mm SMA plates. Experimental studies used three measurement systems (including a smartphone-based digital image correlation system) to capture the cyclic behaviours of the specimens. The initial welded specimen exhibited stable flag-shaped behaviour with a desirable strength and ductility before the weld zone was activated (i.e., yielded). Subsequently, three additional specimens that had 70%, 50% and 30% reductions in the cross-section areas of the weakened segments were fabricated and tested. This weakening was performed to prevent activation of the weld zone and to concentrate any inelastic deformation in the base materials. The test results showed that all of the weakened specimens had desirable performances, showing the limited influence of the welding on cyclic properties. The 70% weakened element exhibited nearly the same behaviour as the unwelded specimen, but the large degree of weakening may result in uneconomical designs. The 50% weakened specimen achieved a good balance between the degree of weakening and delaying the failure. The 30% weakened specimen had a desirable performance, but the fracture occurred in the weld zone. These results successfully demonstrate the feasibility of using tungsten inert gas welding to create connections between large-dimensional SMA specimens, which will allow the production of larger-dimension and complex SMA elements in the future.

The First Discovery of a Fish Fossil (Phareodus sp.) from Paleogene Fluvial Deposits in Western Washington State, USA

The 2023 discovery of a fish fossil from lower Eocene strata of the Chuckanut Formation provides new insights into the paleoenvironment and paleoecology of one of the region’s most prolific fossil deposits. The detrital clastic fluvial and floodplain deposits of the Chuckanut Formation are not favorable for the preservation of fish, but the high quality of preservation of this specimen is evidence that some Chuckanut Formation sediments provide suitable depositional conditions for the preservation of skeletal remains. This information improves our understanding of the range of depositional environments within the Chuckanut Formation, and provides clues for searching for additional specimens. The discovery of this fossil has larger significance; the skeletal remains of fish are scarce in fluvial and floodplain deposits. Despite its incompleteness, dorsal fin and caudal fin ray anatomy suggest that the specimens represent the extinct genus Phareodus, an open-water carnivore that has previously only been reported in North America from the Green River and Bridger Formations in Wyoming and Utah, USA.

Minimally invasive ossiculoplasty via an endoscopic transtympanic approach

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of ossiculoplasty via a minimally invasive endoscopic transtympanic approach (ETTA). Case seriesWe investigated the exposure of target structures (incus and stapes) on 4 human temporal bones by placing an endoscope into the middle ear cleft through the 4 tympanic quadrants. Then, on 3 additional specimens, we performed an incudostapedial disjunction and repaired it with a drop of hydroxyapatite cement via ETTA. We measured the size of tympanic perforation, and the acoustic transfer function of the middle ear (125–8000Hz) before and after repair by placing an insert in the external auditory canal and recording the acoustic signal in the utricle by a microphone. The acoustic signal gain was estimated in dB μV. Exposure was similar in all four quadrants but ergonomics was better with a posteroinferior myringotomy. Ossicular chain repair was conducted successfully in all cases and the acoustic transfer function of the middle ear was significantly improved. Residual tympanic perforation (n=3) was 2±0.3mm in diameter. ConclusionETTA to reconstruct incudostapedial joint with bone cement was feasible and effective. It opens perspectives for robot-based procedures guided by augmented reality.

Novel marrellomorph moulting behaviour preserved in the Lower Ordovician Fezouata Shale, Morocco

Exoskeleton moulting is the process of shedding the old exoskeleton to enable growth, development and repair, representing a crucial recurrent event in the life histories of all euarthropods. The fossil record of moulting allows us to interpret the evolution of this important behaviour and its impact on the evolutionary trajectories of extinct and extant euarthropods. Current knowledge of Palaeozoic euarthropod moulting relates largely to trilobites, with fewer examples known for non-mineralised extinct taxa from early in euarthropod evolutionary history. We describe exuviae from a marrellid marrellomorph found abundantly in the Early Ordovician Fezouata Shale Lagerstätte of Morocco, which allow a novel reconstruction, the second ever, of marrellid moulting behaviours. We identify the moulting suture location, describe preserved moulting assemblages, and suggest how its moulting behaviours are adaptive to its morphology. Several specimens represent complete and nearly complete assemblages and additional disarticulated specimens confirm the suture line location. The suture line is located between the mediolateral and posterolateral spine pairs, dividing the cephalic shield into anterior and posterior parts. The Fezouata marrellid likely exited the exoskeleton during exuviation using posterior and upwards movements, analogous in terms of movement to lobster-like extant arthropods. The suture line is comparable in the closely related marrellid Mimetaster, and distinctive from that of another marrellid, Marrella splendens, which has an exuvial opening at the anterior of the cephalic shield and exited the exoskeleton anteriorly. This difference in moulting behaviour as compared to Marrella is likely adaptive to the greater complexity of the Fezouata marrellid, with upwards rather than forwards movement presumably providing a more favourable angle for the extraction of complex spines. This description of the moulting behaviours and related morphological features of marrellomorphs expands our understanding of this crucial characteristic in extinct euarthropods.

Dyscrituluseuropaeus sp. nov. (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae): description of a new aphid parasitoid species with an identification key for species of the genus.

The braconid genus Dyscritulus Hincks is a small member of the subfamily Aphidiinae, distributed in Europe and Central Asia. All its species are highly specialized parasitoids of aphids of the genera Drepanosiphum Koch and, probably, Periphyllus van der Hoeven which are mostly associated with maple and sycamore trees (genus Acer). Upon examination of specimens from the Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, we unexpectedly noted unusual variability in morphological characters compared to other known Dyscritulus species. Further inspection of other material previously identified as Dyscritulusplaniceps Marshall, 1896 revealed additional specimens with the same morphological variability. Here we describe a new species of the genus, Dyscrituluseuropaeussp. nov., associated with Drepanosiphum aphids on Acer.

Process Setup and Boundaries of Wire Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing of High-Strength Aluminum Bronze

In recent years, in addition to the commonly known wire-based processes of Directed Energy Deposition using lasers, a process variant using the electron beam has also developed to industrial market maturity. The process variant offers particular potential for processing highly conductive, reflective or oxidation-prone materials. However, for industrial usage, there is a lack of comprehensive data on performance, limitations and possible applications. The present study bridges the gap using the example of the high-strength aluminum bronze CuAl8Ni6. Multi-stage test welds are used to determine the limitations of the process and to draw conclusions about the suitability of the parameters for additive manufacturing. For this purpose, optimal ranges for energy input, possible welding speeds and the scalability of the process were investigated. Finally, additive test specimens in the form of cylinders and walls are produced, and the hardness profile, microstructure and mechanical properties are investigated. It is found that the material CuAl8Ni6 can be well processed using wire electron beam additive manufacturing. The microstructure is similar to a cast structure, the hardness profile over the height of the specimens is constant, and the tensile strength and elongation at fracture values achieved the specification of the raw material.

Determination of Final Strand Slips of Prestressed Precast Hollow-Core Slabs Subjected to Flexural Load Using Machine Learning Algorithms

Precast prestressed concrete hollow-core slabs (HCUs) are structural elements with less self-weight, providing improved structural effectiveness in withstanding the straining action and allowing for a long span. This study investigated the additional strand slips and developed machine learning (ML) models for evaluating the final strand slips (Śf) of the precast HCUs. Two groups of HCUs, with nominal widths of 1.2 m and 0.55 m, were subjected to flexural loading conditions. One sample from each group was selected to form composite specimens by casting a concrete topping slab, and the restrain mechanism was attached at the ends of the additional HCU specimens. The experimental datasets used to train the ML models, including the support vector machine (SVM), multi-linear regression (MLR), and improved eliminate particle swamp optimization hybridized artificial neural network (IEPANN) models for the prediction of Śf. The efficacy of the IEPANN model compared to the nonlinear predictive models was evaluated, and the performances of the developed ML models were checked using the evaluation matrices. The results indicated that the prestressing strands with relatively higher initial strand slips may result in larger additional slips during flexural loading. The restraining mechanism and cast-in-place topping slab influenced the additional strand slip rate. The hybridized IEPANN model outperformed other classical models in estimating the additional slips with the R2 values greater than 0.9 in the two modelling stages, indicating the efficacy of the IEPANN compared to the nonlinear predictive modes.

On seven undescribed leaf insect species revealed within the recent "Tree of Leaves" (Phasmatodea, Phylliidae).

With the recent advance in molecular phylogenetics focused on the leaf insects (Phasmatodea, Phylliidae), gaps in knowledge are beginning to be filled. Yet, shortcomings are also being highlighted, for instance, the unveiling of numerous undescribed phylliid species. Here, some of these taxa are described, including Phylliumiyadaonsp. nov. from Mindoro Island, Philippines; Phylliumsamarensesp. nov. from Samar Island, Philippines; Phylliumortizisp. nov. from Mindanao Island, Philippines; Pulchriphylliumheraclessp. nov. from Vietnam; Pulchriphylliumdelisleisp. nov. from South Kalimantan, Indonesia; and Pulchriphylliumbhaskaraisp. nov. from Java, Indonesia. Several additional specimens of these species together with a seventh species described herein, Pulchriphylliumanangusp. nov. from southwestern India, were incorporated into a newly constructed phylogenetic tree. Additionally, two taxa that were originally described as species, but in recent decades have been treated as subspecies, are elevated back to species status to reflect their unique morphology and geographic isolation, creating the following new combinations: Pulchriphylliumscythe (Gray, 1843) stat. rev., comb. nov. from Bangladesh and northeastern India, and Pulchriphylliumcrurifolium (Audinet-Serville, 1838) stat. rev., comb. nov. from the Seychelles islands. Lectotype specimens are also designated for Pulchriphylliumscythe (Gray, 1843) stat. rev., comb. nov. and Pulchriphylliumcrurifolium (Audinet-Serville, 1838) stat. rev., comb. nov. from original type material.

Genetic and morphological assessment of Helichrysum Mill. from Tuscan Archipelago (Italy)

In the Mediterranean area, the species of the genus Helichrysum Mill. (Asteraceae) have very similar genetic traits despite they may show different morphological characteristics. A first genetic and morphological assessment on twelve populations of Helichrysum from Elba, Capraia and Giglio Islands, in the Tuscan Archipelago (Italy) was carried out. To determine their taxonomic identity, additional reference specimens belonging to the three Helichrysum species reported from the Tuscan Islands in the literature -H. italicum (Roth) G. Don subsp. italicum, H. litoreum Guss., and H. stoechas L.-, were also included in the assessments. Our results show that the Tuscan Archipelago populations have low levels of morphological and genetic variation. In particular, the variability was mainly observed at the intra-population level, as revealed by the coefficient of variation and AMOVA-Gst in the morphological and genetic analyses, respectively. Basing on our results, all examined populations from the Tuscan Archipelago seem fit in H. italicum subsp. italicum. However, we detect and discuss the existence of some intermediate specimens, mainly with H. litoreum, reflecting the complexity of Helichrysum’s taxonomy and highlighting the need for additional studies to fully understand the various patterns and the underlying evolutionary events that originated them.

Review of Paraclius arcuatus species-group (Diptera, Dolichopodidae) with description of two new species.

The Paraclius arcuatus species-group is reviewed and includes the following seven species: P. angusticauda Van Duzee, 1933, P. angustipennis Van Duzee, 1929, P. arcuatus (Loew, 1861), P. brooksi sp. nov., P. elongatus Van Duzee, 1930, P. pumilio Loew, 1872, and P. xibun sp. nov. Paraclius angustipennis, P. arcuatus and P. pumilio are redescribed based on photographs of types and additional specimens. Paraclius femoratus Aldrich, 1901 is synonymized with P. arcuatus, syn. nov. and Paraclius magnicornis Van Duzee, 1927 is regarded as a junior synonym of P. pumilio, syn. nov. An identification key, distribution maps and high-resolution photographs of species are provided. In addition, the systematic position of Paraclius is discussed.

Introduction of two novel species of Hymenopellis (Agaricales, Physalacriaceae) from Thailand.

Hymenopellis is the most diverse genus in the group of oudemansielloid/xeruloid taxa (Physalacriaceae). This genus has a worldwide distribution with records mostly from Europe and America. Asian taxa are least represented. In this paper on Hymenopellis from Thailand, two novel species are introduced, and a Hymenopellis collection affine to H.orientalis is described. Macro and micromorphological characters are described. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses were performed on combined ITS and nrLSU regions to confirm taxonomical placement and infer the phylogenetic affinities of the studied species. Hymenopellisstraminea sp. nov. is straw-yellow, with medium-sized basidiomata, abundant and diverse in form cheilocystidia, few, narrowly lageniform to fusiform pleurocystidia, and clamp connections at the lower part of the stipe. Hymenopellisutriformis sp. nov. has mostly utriform pleurocystidia and 2-spored basidia. In the inferred phylogenies, the new species from this study formed distinct clades well supported by bootstrap proportions and posterior probabilities. The studied specimen affine to H.orientalis produced 2-spored basidia whereas published descriptions of other specimens mention 4-spored basidia. Moreover, the genetic distance between ITS sequences of this specimen and that of a Hymenopellisorientalis specimen from GenBank was 1.30-2.57%. Therefore, the conspecificity of our specimen with H.orientalis is uncertain, and additional specimens are needed to fully confirm its identity.

A new species of Stauroteuthis (Octopoda: Cirrata) and further novel cirrate octopods from Australian waters

ABSTRACT New deep-sea finned octopods (Octopoda: Cirrata) in the genera Stauroteuthis and Cirrothauma (Cirroteuthidae) are reported from Australian waters. One new species of Stauroteuthis, S. kengrahami n. sp., is reported from southeastern Australia, a second, S. ?gilchristi from off Macquarie Island, and one specimen collected from off Heard Island is provisionally referred to Cirrothauma magna. A single female Luteuthis dentatus (Grimpoteuthididae) is also reported from Macquarie Island, and additional specimens of Grimpoteuthis greeni are reported from the Great Australian Bight. These new records and new species increase the diversity of Australian cirrate octopuses from six to 10 species, covering all recognised cirrate genera excepting Cryptoteuthis, and emphasise how much remains to be learned regarding Australia’s deep-sea cephalopods.

Northernmost Record of the Ginkgo-Toothed Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon ginkgodens)

The ginkgo-toothed beaked whale (Mesoplodon ginkgodens) is one of the least-known cetaceans in the world, with a formerly recognised distribution that included temperate, subtropical, and tropical waters in the North and South Pacific and Indian Oceans. We report an additional specimen of this species, which also represents the northernmost-known specimen—an adult male found dead, stranded off Hokkaido, northernmost Japan.

A new species of green-eyed Cordylus Laurenti, 1768 from the west-central highlands of Angola, and the rediscovery of Cordylus angolensis (Bocage, 1895) (Squamata: Cordylidae)

Cordylus angolensis (Bocage, 1895) was described 128 years ago on the basis of a single specimen collected at Caconda in the west-central highlands of Angola. Additional specimens referred to this species were collected at ‘Mombolo’ (also in the central highlands) during the Vernay Angola Expedition in 1925. As the holotype was apparently destroyed in the fire of 1978 at the Museu Bocage in Lisbon and no additional specimens have been collected, its taxonomic status and phylogenetic relationships has remained uncertain. The species has eluded all efforts aimed at its re-discovery in the vicinity of the type locality, with a single specimen from near Condé, north of Mombolo—collected in 1970 by Wulf Haacke—the only other specimen of Cordylus known from west-central Angola. Recent field work in the Angolan highlands resulted in the collection of a series of specimens from Taqueta Mountain (west of Caconda), Monte Verde (Sandula, ‘Mombolo’) and Uassamba (Vondo). A phylogenetic analysis, using three mitochondrial and six nuclear genes, indicated the existence of two distinct species-level lineages in the Angolan highlands. These two species are allopatric and morphologically distinct, differing especially in terms of their colour patterns, eye colour and certain scalation characteristics. We therefore confirm that C. angolensis is a valid species and designate a neotype, and describe a new species, Cordylus momboloensissp. nov.

Type catalogue of Oedipodinae (Orthoptera: Acrididae) present in Naturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden (Netherlands).

A type catalogue of Oedipodinae in the collection of Naturalis Biodiversity Center is presented altogether 82 type specimens including 13 primary types and 5 junior synonyms: holotypes (4 species), neotype (1 species), lectotypes (2 species, 1 subspecies), and syntypes (5 species). Furthermore 50 additional secondary type specimens were recorded. Here, we present the full type material catalogue including a locality map of all species and pictures of the 15 primary type species.