Geographical Distribution Map Research Articles

Recent deep-sea ostracods of the sub-polar North Atlantic Ocean

Presented here is an illustrated checklist of benthic marine Ostracoda (Crustacea) recorded from Recent surface sediments of the sub-polar North Atlantic Ocean (SPNA). It presents 142 species (and species groups) belonging to 62 genera from 41 sampling sites collected from the water depths of 144–2749 m.We provide census data with scanning electron microscope images of representative specimens of most species, as well as geographical and bathymetrical distribution maps of selected species and genera. Samples from the Nordic seas (i.e., Greenland Sea, Norwegian Sea), as well as North Atlantic proper waters (i.e., Irminger Sea, Iceland Sea) are included. The bathymetry covers shelf to continental rise surface sediments from the Irminger Basin, the Iceland Basin, the Iceland Plateau, the Denmark Strait, the Faeroe-Shetland Channel, the Iceland-Faeroe Ridge, the Reykjanes Ridge, and the Faeroe Plateau. The data presented here is an important taxonomic and biogeographical baseline of the SPNA benthic ostracod fauna.

Flora of Espírito Santo: Prepusa and Senaea (Helieae, Gentianaceae)

Abstract The Flora of Espírito Santo presents three species of Helieae (Gentianaceae), circumscribed in the genera Prepusa, with two species, and Senaea with only one species. These poorly known species are described and illustrated here, and had their diagnostic characters and their similarities with other species discussed. In addition, this paper provides an emended key for species and geographic distribution maps of all species of Prepusa and Senaea from Flora of Espírito Santo, with additional comments on their conservation status.

Taxonomic revision and morphological delimitation of Oxalis sect. Ripariae (Oxalidaceae)

Phylogenetic studies indicate that several infrageneric taxa in Oxalis require taxonomic updates to attain monophyly. In this contribution, we update the morphological delimitation of the South American Oxalis sect. Ripariae and provide a taxonomic revision of the currently accepted species. The sectional delimitation was carried out by comparing micro- and macromorphological features of Oxalis sect. Ripariae, O. sect. Corniculatae, and O. sect. Myriophyllum. These sections share yellow flowers and aerial stems. Glandular hairs and larger seeds with the surface longitudinally crested and with projections are exclusive to Oxalis sect. Ripariae. We accept 11 species in the section, including three previously placed in Oxalis sect. Corniculatae (i.e., O. eriocarpa, O. niederleinii, and O. refracta), but excluding O. serpens and O. subvillosa, which are moved to O. sect. Corniculatae. We also describe a new species (Oxalis lourteiginana), propose a new name and status for O. bifrons subsp. littoralis (now O. pampeana), the synonymization of O. irreperta with O. riparia, six second-step lectotypifications, and one epitypification. For each accepted species we provide a morphological description, illustrations, ecological and taxonomic information, conservation status following IUCN, and a geographic distribution map. Most species occur in southern Brazil, but the section is widespread also in Argentina, Uruguay, and eastern Paraguay. Six species are categorized as threatened and further three as near threatened. Besides, we provide an identification key for the taxa of the section.

“Species imperfecte cognita”—enlightening Paepalanthus cordatus (Eriocaulaceae): nomenclatural and taxonomic notes on an endangered species from central Brazil

Paepalanthus cordatus is an endangered species described from a single collection which lacks fully developed inflorescences and flowers. Despite the absence of these characters, the species was unambiguously placed in P. sect. Diphyomene, one of the few groups of Paepalanthus with dimerous flowers and which is mainly distributed in central Brazil. In this manuscript, I provide a full description of the species, detailing and illustrating the fully developed inflorescences and flowers for the first time. The spherical umbel-shaped inflorescence is composed of sets of capitula bearing dimerous flowers; the pistillate flowers have dolabriform sepals and bifid stigmatic branches; the staminate ones have an elongated fleshy anthophore. These characters fully match the current circumscription of P. sect. Diphyomene. Based on the specimens recently collected and additional data, the new conservation status for the species is Endangered instead of Critically Endangered, as previously assessed. I also clarify the inadvertent lectotype selection and previous interpretations of the type specimens. Comments on the species distribution, morphology, and ecology, as well as a geographic distribution map, photos, and a detailed illustration are also provided.

Potential geographic distribution of Ixodes cookei, the vector of Powassan virus.

Ixodes cookei Packard, the groundhog tick or woodchuck tick, is the main known vector of Powassan virus (POWV) disease in North America and an ectoparasite that infests diverse small- and mid-size mammals for blood meals to complete its life stages. Since I. cookei spends much of its life cycle off the host and needs hosts for a blood meal in order to pass to the next life stage, it is susceptible to changes in environmental conditions. We used a maximum-entropy approach to ecological niche modeling that incorporates detailed model-selection routes to link occurrence data to climatic variables to assess the potential geographic distribution of I. cookei under current and likely future climate conditions. Our models identified suitable areas in the eastern United States, from Tennessee and North Carolina north to southern Canada, including Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, eastern Newfoundland and Labrador, southern Quebec, and Ontario; suitable areas were also in western states, including Washington and Oregon and restricted areas of northern Idaho, northwestern Montana, and adjacent British Columbia, in Canada. This study produces the first maps of the potential geographic distribution of I. cookei. Documented POWV cases overlapped with suitable areas in the northeastern states; however, the presence of this disease in areas classified by our models as not suitable by our models but with POWV cases (Minnesota and North Dakota) requires more study.

A New Species of Comolia (Melastomataceae, Marcetieae) from the Sand Dunes of Bahia, Brazil, with Notes on Leaf Anatomy

Abstract— Comolia abaetensis, an endemic new species from the Abaeté and Itapuã sand dunes, Bahia, Brazil, is described and illustrated. Additionally, field images and a geographic distribution map of the new species are provided, together with morphological and leaf anatomy comparisons among the most similar congeners, and a dichotomous key to the species that occur in Brazil. Comolia abaetensis is morphologically similar to C. ovalifolia, but differs from the latter by the following combination of characteristics: glabrous (rarely with sparse trichomes) internodes and hirsute nodes, glabrous leaf blades or rarely with sparse eglandular trichomes, abaxial surface predominantly red with green nuances, glabrous pedicels, cupuliform hypanthium, and filaments of the antesepalous stamens that are 5‐6 mm long. Specimens of C. abaetensis have been confused with and/or tentatively determined as C. berberifolia. However, these two species are readily distinguished by the size of the leaves, the length of the trichomes and filaments, and the color of the abaxial foliar surfaces. Comparisons between the leaf anatomy of C. abaetensis and C. ovalifolia are provided and the occurrence of emergences and hydathodes are here reported for the genus for the first time. Finally, we informally recommend a conservation status of Critically Endangered [CR B1ab (iv) + 2ab (iv)] for C. abaetensis.

GIS mapping of healthcare practices: do older adults have equitable access to dental and medical care in the UK?

Introduction Considering an ageing population with increasing comorbidities, access to oral and general healthcare is a growing concern. This study aimed to identify and compare access to dental and general practices. This study further aimed to ascertain if there exists a socioeconomic distribution of dental and general practices among older adults.Materials and methods A total of 13,007 dental practices and 13,759 general practices were mapped using geographic information system software, and overlaid with the UK older adult population and deprivation data by health areas. Data analysis was carried out by creating a geographical distribution map and by using descriptive statistics, Gini coefficients and Lorenz curves.Results NHS Central London Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) held the highest dental practice-to-population ratio of 958 practices per 100,000 older adults, while NHS Manchester CCG held the highest general practice-to-population ratio of 264.4 general practices per 100,000 older adults. England had the highest Gini coefficients for general and dental practice at 0.214 and 0.195, respectively. Both dental and general practices were socioeconomically distributed among older adults in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but not in Scotland.Conclusions An increasing proportion of older adults need access to healthcare that is based on clinical need, not the ability to pay; a founding principle of the NHS. This nation-wide study captures inequities in the spatial accessibility for older adults in the UK.

TREND PENGUNDIAN DALAM PILIHAN RAYA UMUM 1986-2018 DI MALAYSIA BERDASARKAN PEMETAAN GEOGRAFI

Malaysia adopts a system of parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy which has a first past the post electoral system which is the determination of victory in elections based on a simple majority. Election results are caused by certain factors and will shape certain voting patterns. Therefore, it is the purpose of writing this article to analyze the voting trends in the General Election (GE) 1986-2018 in Malaysia based on the geographical mapping. The writing of this article is based on the 1986-2018 GE results data, field observations during elections, and the production of a geographical distribution map of GE results for Parliament and DUN by using ArcGIS software and analyzed based on authoritative secondary sources. The results show that there are several geographical elements that can be associated with the results and patterns of voting in terms of location and region. The voting pattern between the eight GEs shows a fluctuation or pendulum based on the achievement of the number of seats in both Parliament and DUN between the ruling party which for a long time (1955-2013) namely Perikatan/Barisan Nasional (BN) with opposition parties such as DAP, PAS, PKR, and others. The dynamics of this support are due to, among others, geographical factors and other factors such as issues, leadership, ethnicity, governing experience, media, party ideology, sociological factors, and rational choice. Therefore, it is hoped that the impact of writing this article can provide a new dimension of dynamic electoral political thinking as well as strategic and artistic for the sake of power and can add more data and research information related to electoral politics and electoral geography.

Modeling the ecological niche and features of coprobiontic fungi distribution in Asia by the example of <i>Cyathus stercoreus</i>

Species distribution is undergoing rapid changes in the face of habitat modification and climate change. This leads to concerns about the conservation of declining species and raises ecological questions about the processes that govern species ranges and niches. As a consequence, the predictive distribution models which match species records to patterns in abiotic environmental variables have become an established tool in ecology and conservation. Maximum entropy spatial distribution modelling (MaxEnt) solves this problem by inferring species distributions and environmental tolerance based on the occurrence data. The objectives of this research were the ecological niche and running the habitat suitability modelling on dung fungal species Cyathus stercoreus based on its bioclimatic and substrate features within Asia. We constructed a map of the current geographical distribution of the dung fungus Cyathus stercoreus using MaxEnt method. We included in the model 19 WorldClim bioclimatic variables with the corresponding altitude data, and seven spatially well-dispersed species occurrence records. Despite its narrow substrate specialization, Cyathus stercoreus is climatically quite plastic and is able to develop in a wide range of variations in mean annual temperatures and mean annual precipitation, which follows from the analysis of a two-dimensional niche based on two climatic variables using the Envelope method. Modeling the distribution of basidiomycete dung fungi using the Cyathus stercoreus as an example showed that the area of their potential distribution with a zone of favorable climate is very large. Most of the zone with a favorable climate is located in the area with the probability of the presence of species up to 70%. Cyathus stercoreus is not associated with any particular habitat type. On the territory of Russia, in the south of Siberia, the species is located on the northern border of its range in the area with the least favorable bioclimatic environmental factors.

Stachys semsurensis (Lamiaceae), a new species from Adıyaman province (Turkey) belonging to section Infrarosularis

A new species, Stachys semsurensis (sect. Infrarosularis), is described and illustrated from Adıyaman province, Turkey. From the morphological point of view, it appears to be similar to Stachys cataonica, but it differs in several morphological features including densely covered with short stalked to subsessile glandular hairs in flowering stems, verticillasters congested into ± globose head, calyx teeth lanceolate-subulate, corolla white, tube exserted and nutlets obovoid, greyish-brown, reticulate. A comprehensive description of the new species is provided, including detailed photographs, geographical distribution map, habitat structure and ecology, vernacular name and IUCN conservation status.

Insights into the Taxonomy of Citharexylum (Verbenaceae): A Revision of the South American Taxa

Citharexylum L. belongs to the recently circumscribed tribe Citharexyleae of the Verbenaceae, along with Rehdera Moldenke. It comprises around 50 to 60 species of trees and shrubs growing in the Neotropics. A complete taxonomic revision of Citharexylum in South America is here provided for the first time. Thirty taxa are present in South America, 27 of these are endemic, and three of them also grow in Central America. Detailed morphological descriptions are given for each taxon, as well as a key for their identification; illustrations, photographs, or iconography; updated synonymy; geographic distribution maps and ecological notes; list of selected specimens; and discussion about the relationship among closely related taxa. A new status, C. poeppigii Walp. var. anomalum (Moldenke) N. O’Leary, and a new combination, C. dentatum D. Don var. canescens (Moldenke) N. O’Leary, are proposed. Thirty-five new synonyms are suggested, and lectotypes are designated for C. fruticosum L. var. brittonii (Moldenke) I. E. Méndez, C. laurifolium Hayek, and Rauvolfia spinosa Cav.

Priority areas for restoring ecosystem services to enhance human well‐being in a dry forest

Habitat destruction reduces biodiversity and affects ecosystem functioning, putting at risk the provision of ecosystem services (ESs) essential for human well‐being. Ecological restoration using native species with multiple uses may offer a long‐term supply of natural resources for vulnerable human populations. We selected priority areas for restoration in the Brazilian Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest (Caatinga), targeting areas with high ES demand but low supply. We estimated the supply and demand for three ESs: (1) food/medicine, (2) wood production, and (3) pollination. We estimated ES supply using maps of the potential geographical distribution of 194 native plant species used by the local population as a means of livelihood. For ES demand, we used maps of population density, rural municipalities, wood productivity, and crops dependent on pollination. We used a large‐scale prioritization tool (Zonation) to select two scenarios for each ES: (1) ES supply‐only and (2) ES supply + ES demand, selecting only nonvegetated areas. To select priority areas, where the potential occurrence of species (ES supply) corresponds to areas of high demand for the same services, we overlapped the maps of the two scenarios for each ES. The highest percentage of scenario overlap occurred for food/medicine ES (45%), whereas pollination showed the lowest percentage of overlap (10%), indicating little similarity between potential ES supply and demand areas. Our study shows the importance of including ES in ecological restoration opportunities, taking into account the vulnerable human population in dry regions and their demand for natural resources.

Taxonomic revision of neotropical Connarus (Connaraceae) identifies three undescribed species

An ongoing taxonomic revision of neotropical Connarus has identified three undescribed species of the genus, which are published here. One of them, C. foreroi, is known only from a single gathering from central Peru, probably reflecting scarcity of botanical inventories. Connarus revolutus, on the other hand, seems to be more common, but it is restricted to northeastern Espírito Santo and southern Bahia, Brazil. Connarus pedicellatus, originally described as a variety of C. erianthus, is elevated to the rank of species; it is distributed widely in the Amazon forest of Brazil, extending to southern Suriname. The present study describes and illustrates these three new species and provides a geographic distribution map, comparisons, information on habitat, phenology and preliminary conservation risk assessments, along with a key to distinguish them from similar taxa.Citation: Toledo C. A. P., Souza V. C. & Lucas E. J. 2021: Taxonomic revision of neotropical Connarus (Connaraceae) identifies three undescribed species. – Willdenowia 51: 171–180.Version of record first published online on 9 June 2021 ahead of inclusion in August 2021 issue.

Taxonomy of Central American water beetles in the genus Hydrochus Leach, 1817 (Coleoptera: Hydrochidae).

The taxonomy of Central American water beetles in the genus Hydrochus Leach, 1817 is presented, including the Mexican fauna. The known fauna now consists of 26 species, nine of which are described as new species. The new species are diagnosed, and high-resolution images of the habitus and male genitalia of each species, and detailed descriptions of the male genitalia are given. Geographical distribution maps are given for all species. The following new species are described: H. aeruginosus n. sp. (Mexico), H. argutoides n. sp. (Costa Rica), H. biexcavatus n. sp. (Belize, Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua), H. laevigatus n. sp. (Mexico), H. lubricus n. sp. (Mexico), H. mesoamericanus n. sp. (Belize, Mexico), H. nayaritensis n. sp. (Mexico), H. panamensis n. sp. (Panama), and H. perpunctatus n. sp. (Mexico), Images of the habitus and male genitalia, and detailed descriptions of the male genitalia are also provided for the following previously described species: H. beeneni Makhan 1992, H. bernardi Makhan 1994, H. brianbrowni Makhan 2005, H. elineae Makhan 1994, H. foveatus Haldeman 1852, H. vagus LeConte 1852, H. vanvondeli Makhan 1994, and H. variolatus LeConte 1852. New locality data are provided for 17 species: H. beeneni Makhan 1992, H. bernardi Makhan 1994, H. brianbrowni Makhan 2005, H. debilis Sharp 1882, H. directus Perkins 2020, H. elineae Makhan 1994, H. foveatus Haldeman 1852, H. leei Perkins 2019, H. obscurus Sharp 1882, H. pertuberculatus Perkins 2020, H. piroei Makhan 1992, H. sagittarius Perkins 2019c, H. soekhnandanae Makhan 1992, H. steineri Perkins 2020, H. vagus LeConte 1852, H. vanvondeli Makhan 1994, and H. variolatus LeConte 1852. Lectotypes are designated for H. vagus LeConte 1852. H. otvosi Makhan 1993 is a new synonym of H. variolatus LeConte 1852.

Taxonomic notes on owlflies from Pakistan (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae: Ascalaphinae).

Taxonomic notes are presented on the former Ascalaphidae (owlflies), now subfamily Ascalaphinae of the family Myrmeleontidae from Pakistan. An updated checklist of new records is provided that accounts for all known 15 genera and 22 species from Pakistan, excluding the species of the tribe Palparini. Geographical distribution maps and an updated identification key to all known genera and species from Pakistan are also given. We synonymized two monotypic genera, Horischema Mészáros Ábrahám, 2003 and Perissoschema Mészáros Ábrahám, 2003 both as junior synonyms of Ogcogaster Westwood, 1847 based on very similar male genitalia and external morphological characters. Moreover, Perissoschema evae Mészáros Ábrahám, 2003 is treated as a junior synonym of Ogcogaster segmentator Westwood, 1847. We recorded three genera for the first time from Pakistan, i.e., Acheron Lefèbvre, 1842, Glyptobasis McLachlan, 1873, and Suphalomitus van der Weele, 1909. To more completely resolve the generic or specific status of those poorly known species from Pakistan, broader sampling throughout the country is needed.

Spatial Origin and Diversification of the Lycocerus fainanus Species Group (Coleoptera, Cantharidae), with Descriptions of Four New Species from China and Vietnam.

Simple SummaryLycocerus Gorham, 1889 has about 320 species worldwide at present, of which a small part have been attributed into 13 species groups, but the rest remain uncertain in their status. In the present study, five previously known species and another four new species from China and Vietnam were classified to the Lycocerus fainanus species group, based on their morphological characters. Then the distribution pattern of this group was analyzed with ArcGIS techniques. It showed that all species were constricted to the subtropical area of the Oriental region and distributed in both Taiwan and the continent. Further, the ancestral distribution range was reconstructed with the aid of the Reconstruct Ancestral State in Phylogenies (RASP) software, based on a phylogeny of morphological data. The results showed that the spatial origin was located in northern Vietnam and southwest China. Subsequently, two dispersal routes occurred: the first originated from the continent and then to Taiwan, the second from Taiwan to the continent, and the divergence between the species was caused by dispersal and vicariance. Unfortunately, it was difficult to estimate the timing of origin because of the lack of direct fossil evidence and molecular data.Five previously known species were attributed to the Lycocerus fainanus species group, including L. inopaciceps (Pic 1926), L. oberthueri (Gorham 1889), L. oudai (Švihla 2004), L. metallipennis (Fairmaire 1887), and L. nigripes (Wittmer, 1995). Four new species of this group were discovered from China and Vietnam, L. binotatus sp. nov., L. testacicollis sp. nov., L. daliensis sp. nov., and L. vietnamensis sp. nov. An updated key to all species was provided. A geographical distribution map is presented, which shows that all the members were located between 18.69041–33.93441° N, and between 98.61413–121.77102° E. The ancestral geographical range was reconstructed based on a phylogeny of morphological data by the Bayesian Binary MCMC method. The result showed that the spatial origin of L. fainanus species group was probably located in northern Vietnam and southwest China. The divergence of the species in southwest China and Taiwan was caused by vicariance about 24 Ma ago, when the latter was separated in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and the remaining species of mainland China all originated from Taiwan after traveling around Southeast Asia and back to China. Nevertheless, this conclusion should be verified when fossil evidence and molecular data are available.

Flora of Bahia: Leguminosae – Enterolobium (Clado Mimosoide: Ingeae)

We present the taxonomic treatment of the genus Enterolobium for the state of Bahia, Brazil. Five species were recorded, for which we provide an identification key, descriptions, comments, data on the period of fruiting and flowering, as well as illustrations and maps of geographical distribution in Bahia.

THE VIOLETS OF THE BRAZILIAN SAVANNA: A REVISION OF THE POMBALIA LANATA COMPLEX (VIOLACEAE), WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF TWO NEW SPECIES

Pombalia Vand. (Violaceae) is represented in the Cerrado by a well-supported monophyletic group of species known as the Pombalia lanata complex, characterised by some unique vegetative and reproductive features within the genus. This group includes six species – Pombalia cristalina, P. insignis, P. lanata, P. poaya, P. strigoides and P. velutina – the first two of which are new to science. Pombalia lanata shows the widest geographical distribution throughout the Central Brazilian Plateau and the Espinhaço Range in Minas Gerais state, with a disjunction in Misiones Province, Argentina. Because most species in this group are narrow endemics, we evaluated the conservation status of all taxa. An identification key for the species, descriptions, illustrations, maps of geographical distribution and nomenclatural notes are also provided.

Loncomelos koprulense (Asparagaceae), a new species from southern Turkey.

A new species, Loncomelos koprulense (Asparagaceae), is described and illustrated from southern Turkey. It is a very rare endemic species growing on small semi-rocky escarpments within the Köprülü Kanyon in the province of Antalya. Morphologically for its hairy leaves, L. koprulense shows some relationships with L. malatyanum and L. tardum, species localized in Anatolia too. The chromosome number of the new species is 2n = 2x = 22. Geographical distribution map for L. koprulense, L. malatyanum and L. tardum is provided.

Clinical and Epidemiological Features of Death with COVID-19 in Karnali Province of Nepal

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread to many countries and increased mortality worldwide. Most deaths were either elderly or have underlying medical problems and even relatively young individuals have died from COVID-19. This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 related deaths in Karnali Province, Nepal.
 Materials and Methods: We studied COVID-19 deaths from 19 May 2020 to 25 December 2020. Information from all districts of Karnali Province were included in this study. Demographic characteristics and geographic distribution map of the death toll in each district over time was analyzed. Quantum GIS(QGIS) 3.16.2 version was used to plot the deaths on maps and IBM SPSS Statistics 25 to perform statistical analysis
 Results: As of December 25, 2020, a total of 25 deaths were reported. Mean age of death was 52 (SD 20.99) years. Most of the deaths were distributed in age group of 50 years and above. Additionally, the male to female ratio was 5:2. A total of 56% of the deaths in Karnali were with underlying diseases and was more pronounced among males. Most of the cases were centralized in Surkhet district with highest death rate in Birendranagar municipality.
 Conclusion: COVID-19 poses a greater threat to the elderly people with more devastating effects, particularly in the presence of underlying diseases. The geographical distributions show that the epidemic in the Surkhet district is more serious than that in the surrounding districts. Case investigation, Contract tracing and dedicated ICU ventilator service for critical cases are essential for response of Pandemic.