Distribution Map Research Articles

On some species of the genus Hygrodromicus Tronquet with description of a new species from Pakistan (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Anthophagini)

Taxonomic and faunistic data for three species of Hygrodromicus Tronquet, 1981 is presented. Two species are (re-)described and illustrated: H. incrassatus sp. n. from Pakistan and Middle Asian H. splendidus Zerche, 1992. A distribution map for these is given. A new synonymy is established: H. coriaceus (Cameron, 1924) = Hygrogeus ledouxi Coiffait, 1983 syn. n. Additionally, H. splendidus is recorded from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan for the first time.

Monitoring soil nutrients using machine learning based on UAV hyperspectral remote sensing

ABSTRACT Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) are rapidly evolving experimental platforms that play an important role in remote sensing. In this study, we investigated a machine learning method for monitoring soil nutrient content using UAV hyperspectral remote sensing. We employed machine learning techniques for feature extraction and soil hyperspectral information modelling. In contrast to traditional mathematical transformation methods, we adopted a combination of random forest and differential evolution algorithms to rank the weights of individual hyperspectral data, thereby obtaining a series of spectral feature subsets for soil organic matter, total nitrogen and available phosphorus and potassium. Furthermore, the analytic hierarchy process was used for weight analysis, and the characteristic bands of the four soil nutrients were successfully extracted. Next, a quantitative inversion model based on a back-propagation (BP) neural network was established to estimate soil nutrient content, with determination coefficients higher than 0.7 and 0.6 for the modelling and verification sets, respectively. The relative percent difference values were greater than 2, among which the highest was for available potassium, with determination coefficients of 0.95 and 0.84 for the modelling and verification sets, respectively. In addition, visualization distribution maps of soil nutrients were obtained by combining the BP model and original reflectance hyperspectral images, and the comparisons of content histograms showed a relatively consistent distribution between the sampling and inversion points. The results verified the effectiveness of the combined machine learning method for large-scale and high-precision monitoring and visualization of soil nutrient contents.

Monitoring soil nutrients using machine learning based on UAV hyperspectral remote sensing

ABSTRACT Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) are rapidly evolving experimental platforms that play an important role in remote sensing. In this study, we investigated a machine learning method for monitoring soil nutrient content using UAV hyperspectral remote sensing. We employed machine learning techniques for feature extraction and soil hyperspectral information modelling. In contrast to traditional mathematical transformation methods, we adopted a combination of random forest and differential evolution algorithms to rank the weights of individual hyperspectral data, thereby obtaining a series of spectral feature subsets for soil organic matter, total nitrogen and available phosphorus and potassium. Furthermore, the analytic hierarchy process was used for weight analysis, and the characteristic bands of the four soil nutrients were successfully extracted. Next, a quantitative inversion model based on a back-propagation (BP) neural network was established to estimate soil nutrient content, with determination coefficients higher than 0.7 and 0.6 for the modelling and verification sets, respectively. The relative percent difference values were greater than 2, among which the highest was for available potassium, with determination coefficients of 0.95 and 0.84 for the modelling and verification sets, respectively. In addition, visualization distribution maps of soil nutrients were obtained by combining the BP model and original reflectance hyperspectral images, and the comparisons of content histograms showed a relatively consistent distribution between the sampling and inversion points. The results verified the effectiveness of the combined machine learning method for large-scale and high-precision monitoring and visualization of soil nutrient contents.

Description of a new species of Parastephanellus Enderlein, 1906 (Hymenoptera: Stephanidae) from Western Ghats, India

A new species of Parastephanellus Enderlein, 1906 Parastephanellus binoyi Amal, Girish Kumar, & van Achterberg sp. nov. is described from Western Ghats, India. A key to the Indian species is provided along with a distribution map.

Brief communication: Storm Daniel flood impact in Greece in 2023: mapping crop and livestock exposure from synthetic-aperture radar (SAR)

Abstract. For this brief communication, we analyzed the crop area and number of livestock exposed to flooding from the historic precipitation caused by Storm Daniel in central Greece on 3–8 September 2023. We derived from the near-real-time RAdar Produced Inundation Diary (RAPID) system an inundated area totaling 1150 km2, located mainly in the Thessalian plain. By overlaying a land cover map on the RAPID inundation map, we found that ∼ 820 km2 (70 %) of the inundated area was agricultural land. A detailed distribution map of crop type and animal farms revealed that the crop most affected by the flooding was cotton; the inundated area of more than 282 km2 comprised ∼ 30 % of the total area planted with cotton in central Greece. In terms of livestock, we estimated more than 14 000 ornithoids and 21 500 sheep and goats were affected. Consequences for agriculture and animal husbandry in Greece are expected to be severe.

Five new species of Heteropoda Latreille, 1804 spiders (Araneae: Sparassidae) from Southeast Asia

Five new species of Heteropoda (Araneae: Sparassidae, Heteropodinae) from Southeast Asia are described: H. acris spec. nov. (male, female; Vietnam), H. cuspidata spec. nov. (male; Malaysia), H. papilionacea spec. nov. (female; Malaysia), H. pilata spec. nov. (female; Thailand), and H. verticalis spec. nov. (male; Malaysia). The female of H. jasminae Jäger, 2008 is described for the first time (locality: Vietnam). All these new species are diagnosed, described, and illustrated. Additionally, a distribution map for all species is given.

First Record of Telenomus dilophonotae (Hymenoptera, Scelionidae), Parasitizing Eggs of Erinnyis ello (Lepidoptera, Sphingidae) in Western Paraná, Brazil, with Molecular Characterization and Records of Occurrences.

There are few records for Telenomus dilophonotae Cameron, 1913 (Hymenoptera, Scelionidae) from South America. In Brazil, the first occurrence was reported in Bahia in rubber crops, Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex Adr. de Juss.) Muell. - Arg., there parasitizing eggs of Erinnyis ello Linnaeus, 1758 (Lepidoptera, Sphingidae). It was also found parasitizing the same host in cassava, Manihot esculenta Crantz (Euphorbiaceae). This is the first record of occurrence of T. dilophonotae in the state of Paraná, parasitizing eggs of E. ello in areas of cassava production in the western region of Paraná, this being the southernmost record of the species. Here, photographs, the first sequence of DNA barcode of this species of parasitoid wasp, and a distribution map are provided.

Sensorless control method of induction motors with new feedback gain matrix and speed adaptive law for low speed range

Abstract The conventional adaptive full-order observer-based speed sensorless control method for induction motor is prone to instability at low-speed region as improper feedback gain matrix and imprecise speed adaptive law are often used. To address these problems, a new feedback gain matrix design approach as well as a new speed adaptive law design technique are proposed in this paper. Firstly, considering that the d-axis current estimation error in the traditional feedback gain matrix design method has a great influence on the stability of the speed estimation algorithm, especially at low speeds, a new feedback gain matrix design method is proposed to minimize the d-axis current estimation error. Secondly, a new speed adaptive law design technique is studied based on the conventional method, which only requires the d-axis and q-axis current estimation error with a weight coefficient to be designed, simplifying the conventional speed adaptive law. Thirdly, the transfer function from the speed observation error to the proposed adaptive error is analyzed by Routh stability criterion theory, and the weight coefficient suitable for full range stable operation is determined by MATLAB software. Fourthly, the stability of the proposed method in this paper is analyzed using the poles distribution maps. Finally, the proposed method is experimentally verified based on a 2.2 kW induction motor experimental platform. The experimental results show that the proposed method can make the induction motor operate steadily at low-speed and zero-speed region with rated load. In addition, the proposed method has better anti-disturbance performance than the existing method.

Mineralogy and rare earth elements spatial distribution in the carboniferous rocks of the eastern El Galala El Bahariya, Egypt

The Carboniferous rocks in the eastern part of El Galala El Bahariya were investigated using integrated field and laboratory techniques to determine their mineralogy, rare earth elements (REEs) distribution, and structural lineament density. The succession is mainly composed of argillaceous and minor arenaceous rocks, exhibiting variations in lithology across the study area. The essential minerals of these rocks are quartz, kaolinite, and illite. The accessory minerals include microcline, gypsum, anhydrite, halite, barite, hematite, pyrite, anatase and gibbsite, in addition to, the radioactive and REEs-bearing minerals such as uranophane, xenotime, monazite, and zircon. These minerals are reported in the rocks of the study area for the first time. The types, forms, habits, and modes of occurrence of the recorded minerals indicate multiple origins: allogenic–authigenic, and primary-secondary. REEs in the rocks exhibit enriched patterns with a negative Eu anomaly, likely due to low plagioclase content or and/or Eu removal by alteration processes. The distribution of REEs is influenced by textural attributes, with finer sediments in the southern part showing higher REEs content, ascribed to the high clay content and presence of gibbsite. The preferential mobility of LREEs is evident, explaining elevated LREEs/HREEs ratios in the rocks. Utilizing remote sensing techniques, lithological units and alteration zones were determined using decorrelation stretch and band ratio methods. The structural features, identified by Laplacian filter and edge enhancement, revealed the presence of NW–SE, N–S, and NE–SW faults that structurally regulate alteration zones and REEs distribution. These alteration zones are associated with clay minerals, REEs concentrations, and high lineament structure density. Spatial distribution maps highlight higher REEs concentrations in the southern part of the study area. These findings were validated using various analytical methods, including mineralogical and geochemical investigations, main component analysis, minimum noise fraction, decorrelation stretch, and spectral reflectance studies. They provide new insights into the REEs potential of the Carboniferous rocks and heighten our understanding of REEs genesis and distribution in the region.

Mapping China's reserved arable lands and its sustainable cropping layout.

Reserved arable lands in China is of great significance for rationally allocating crop planting structures, alleviating the pressure of grain imports, and protecting food security. Owing to data acquisition limitations, obtaining the spatial distribution of reserved arable lands at large spatial scales is relatively rare, and there is little information on predicting the suitability, production capacity, and ecological effects of crop cultivation in reserved arable lands. This study obtained the distribution of reserved arable lands in China by applying restrictive factors, and used the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) suitability index for eight crops to obtain a spatial distribution map of suitable crops, proposed a cropland ecological efficiency index (CEEI) to analyse the ecological impact of crop cultivation in reserved arable lands. China possesses approximately 3.93 million hectares of viable reserved arable lands comprising primarily grasslands (67.68%), sandy land (8.11%), saline-alkali land (20.68%), and bare land (3.53%). The average CEEI for the eight crops under irrigation conditions ranges from 0.844 to 0.865, and that under rain-fed conditions (excluding rice) ranges from 0.609 to 0.779. We proposed the development of rain-fed agriculture with sorghum as the primary crop in the central part of Shanxi and Inner Mongolia, while promoting the cultivation of rapeseed and soybeans in the eastern parts of Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Inner Mongolia. Overall, the development of irrigation agriculture focusing on wheat and barley should be pursued only when water resources are guaranteed, particularly in north-western regions such as Gansu, Ningxia, Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Shaanxi. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Tillandsia tequilana (Tillandsioideae; Bromeliaceae), a new saxicolous species from Jalisco, Mexico

Tillandsia tequilana, a new species from the state of Jalisco, Mexico, is described and illustrated. The proposed species is compared to T. aguascalientensis, T. moronesensis, and T. schusteri, taxa with some morphological similarities. Tillandsia tequilana differs from these species in the shape and size of the leaf sheath, spikes and floral bracts, in the shape of the sepals, and also in the flowering time. Images and a distribution map of the new species are included.

Mapping China's reserved arable lands and its sustainable cropping layout.

Reserved arable lands in China is of great significance for rationally allocating crop planting structures, alleviating the pressure of grain imports, and protecting food security. Owing to data acquisition limitations, obtaining the spatial distribution of reserved arable lands at large spatial scales is relatively rare, and there is little information on predicting the suitability, production capacity, and ecological effects of crop cultivation in reserved arable lands. This study obtained the distribution of reserved arable lands in China by applying restrictive factors, and used the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) suitability index for eight crops to obtain a spatial distribution map of suitable crops, proposed a cropland ecological efficiency index (CEEI) to analyse the ecological impact of crop cultivation in reserved arable lands. China possesses approximately 3.93 million hectares of viable reserved arable lands comprising primarily grasslands (67.68%), sandy land (8.11%), saline-alkali land (20.68%), and bare land (3.53%). The average CEEI for the eight crops under irrigation conditions ranges from 0.844 to 0.865, and that under rain-fed conditions (excluding rice) ranges from 0.609 to 0.779. We proposed the development of rain-fed agriculture with sorghum as the primary crop in the central part of Shanxi and Inner Mongolia, while promoting the cultivation of rapeseed and soybeans in the eastern parts of Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Inner Mongolia. Overall, the development of irrigation agriculture focusing on wheat and barley should be pursued only when water resources are guaranteed, particularly in north-western regions such as Gansu, Ningxia, Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Shaanxi. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

High spatial resolution inversion of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) concentrations in Ebinur Lake of arid Xinjiang, China: Implications for surface water quality monitoring

Utilizing satellite remote sensing for the assessment and temporal-spatial analysis of Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM) is vital for overseeing lake water health and devising management plans. This study focused on the saline, turbid and arid Ebinur Lake, located in China’s northwestern region. The Random Forest (RF) and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) model algorithms were compared to select the one with the highest accuracy. It combined Sentinel-2 remote sensing data and in situ measurement data for the quantitative inversion of CDOM. Monthly CDOM distribution maps were generated with a 10 m resolution for the non-frozen months of May to October from 2018 to 2022, followed by a comprehensive analysis of temporal trends. The primary conclusions are: (1) The XGBoost model yielded highly accurate CDOM estimates, with a training set coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.94, a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 0.06 mg/L, Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of 6.05 %, Relative Percent Difference (RPD) of 4.07; the test set demonstrated an R2 of 0.41 with an RMSE of 0.22 mg/L, MAPE of 22.74 %, RPD of 1.35; (2) Throughout the study period, the main lake portion displayed variable CDOM spatial patterns and trends. The inversion indicated higher CDOM concentrations in the central part than nearshore areas and decreasing CDOM in tandem with seasonable water-surface shrinkage. The findings offer hints for an accurate evaluation of water color parameters of Ebinur Lake and practical references for monitoring arid-region lake water quality via remote sensing.

Aquatic Plants of Northern and Central Europe Including Great Britain and Ireland

The introduction takes the reader back to early explorers of river systems and aquatic habits in the 1800s for the geographical areas highlighted in the book. Pages are filled with color photographs illustrating plant morphological examples along with taxonomic key couplets. Each species is profusely illustrated with line drawings and color photographs along with distribution maps. There is an illustrated glossary (pp. 728–733) that aids in interpreting the species descriptions. A literature citation section (pp. 734–738) is organized by topical headings, e.g., Species Identification and Biology. The Index of Latin Names locates the species by page numbers. I found this book easy to use because the authors have focused their attention on organization, function, and usability for the public, as well as aquatic taxonomists. Everything about this book is first class! The size and weight will limit its use in the field and will be more appropriate for in house laboratory or classroom use. The design, layout, printing, binding, and overall quality of the text is of exceptional high quality. I highly recommend this book for botanists interested in European aquatic habitats at a bargain price.

Notes on Strobilanthes (Acanthaceae) with capitate inflorescences in Thailand

Twenty-three species of Strobilanthes Blume with capitate inflorescences are enumerated in Thailand. Strobilanthes phengklaii Kladwong & Chantar., a new species from North-eastern Thailand, is described and illustrated. Strobilanthes paniculiformis J.R.I.Wood, S. phyllostachya Kurz and S. squalens S.Moore are new records in Thailand. Strobilanthes kerrii Craib is reinstated, and S. evrardii var. parviflora J.B.Imlay, S. bombycina J.B.Imlay, Hemigraphis hispidula Craib and Sericocalyx thailandicus Bremek. are treated as new synonyms. 19 taxa are lectotypified. A key to species, taxonomic notes and photographs are provided as well as a preliminary conservation assessment and distribution maps.

Taxonomic revision of the genus Punjuba (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae)

Punjuba is a Neotropical genus of the mimosoid clade (Leguminosae). The genus was recently restablished and is recognized by presenting shrubs and trees, with lax racemes or spiciform racemes, leaves with 1–3 pairs of pinnae and 2–7 pairs of leaflets in each pinna, thin and lateraly compressed legumes, curved to spiral, and seeds lacking pleurogram. Recent advances on legumes systematics have been producing great challenges on the circumscription of genera, especially on the mimosoid clade. Molecular phylogenetic studies confirm that Punjuba is monophyletic, and a revision of the genus and species circumscriptions are needed. Here we present a taxonomic revision of Punjuba, providing an identification key for all species currently recognized in the genus, morphological descriptions, and distribution maps. We recognize six species in the genus: P. callejasii, P. centiflora, P. killipii, P. lehmannii, P. racemiflora and P. foreroana, being the last one described here as a new species. Abarema josephi is proposed as a new synonym of P. lehmannii. Morphological characters including the inflorescence, indumentum, leaves and leaflets, besides quantitative characters, were applied as diagnostic to recognize the species.

Notes on Strobilanthes (Acanthaceae) with capitate inflorescences in Thailand.

Twenty-three species of Strobilanthes Blume with capitate inflorescences are enumerated in Thailand. Strobilanthesphengklaii Kladwong & Chantar., a new species from North-eastern Thailand, is described and illustrated. Strobilanthespaniculiformis J.R.I.Wood, S.phyllostachya Kurz and S.squalens S.Moore are new records in Thailand. Strobilantheskerrii Craib is reinstated, and S.evrardiivar.parviflora J.B.Imlay, S.bombycina J.B.Imlay, Hemigraphishispidula Craib and Sericocalyxthailandicus Bremek. are treated as new synonyms. 19 taxa are lectotypified. A key to species, taxonomic notes and photographs are provided as well as a preliminary conservation assessment and distribution maps.

Aquatic Plants of Northern and Central Europe Including Great Britain and Ireland

The introduction takes the reader back to early explorers of river systems and aquatic habits in the 1800s for the geographical areas highlighted in the book. Pages are filled with color photographs illustrating plant morphological examples along with taxonomic key couplets. Each species is profusely illustrated with line drawings and color photographs along with distribution maps. There is an illustrated glossary (pp. 728–733) that aids in interpreting the species descriptions. A literature citation section (pp. 734–738) is organized by topical headings, e.g., Species Identification and Biology. The Index of Latin Names locates the species by page numbers. I found this book easy to use because the authors have focused their attention on organization, function, and usability for the public, as well as aquatic taxonomists. Everything about this book is first class! The size and weight will limit its use in the field and will be more appropriate for in house laboratory or classroom use. The design, layout, printing, binding, and overall quality of the text is of exceptional high quality. I highly recommend this book for botanists interested in European aquatic habitats at a bargain price.

NEW FOR THE ASIAN PART OF RUSSIA TAXA OF SPIDERS (ARACHNIDA: ARANEI)

Subfamily Nephilinae (Araneidae), genus Trichonephila Dahl, 1911 and T. clavata (L. Koch, 1878) as well as family Zoropsidae, genus Takeoa Lehtinen, 1967 and T. nishimurai (Yaginuma, 1963) are recorded from Asian part of Russia for the first time. Both widely distributed in Eastern Asia species were collected in Primorsky krai. Redescriptions, diagnosis, photographs and distribution maps are provided for these species.

NEW FOR THE ASIAN PART OF RUSSIA TAXA OF SPIDERS (ARACHNIDA: ARANEI)

Subfamily Nephilinae (Araneidae), genus Trichonephila Dahl, 1911 and T. clavata (L. Koch, 1878) as well as family Zoropsidae, genus Takeoa Lehtinen, 1967 and T. nishimurai (Yaginuma, 1963) are recorded from Asian part of Russia for the first time. Both widely distributed in Eastern Asia species were collected in Primorsky krai. Redescriptions, diagnosis, photographs and distribution maps are provided for these species.