Geographical Distribution Map Research Articles

Comparative study of the Martian suprathermal electron depletions based on Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Express, and Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN mission observations

AbstractNightside suprathermal electron depletions have been observed at Mars by three spacecraft to date: Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Express, and the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission. This spatial and temporal diversity of measurements allows us to propose here a comprehensive view of the Martian electron depletions through the first multispacecraft study of the phenomenon. We have analyzed data recorded by the three spacecraft from 1999 to 2015 in order to better understand the distribution of the electron depletions and their creation mechanisms. Three simple criteria adapted to each mission have been implemented to identify more than 134,500 electron depletions observed between 125 and 900 km altitude. The geographical distribution maps of the electron depletions detected by the three spacecraft confirm the strong link existing between electron depletions and crustal magnetic field at altitudes greater than ~170 km. At these altitudes, the distribution of electron depletions is strongly different in the two hemispheres, with a far greater chance to observe an electron depletion in the Southern Hemisphere, where the strongest crustal magnetic sources are located. However, the unique MAVEN observations reveal that below a transition region near 160–170 km altitude the distribution of electron depletions is the same in both hemispheres, with no particular dependence on crustal magnetic fields. This result supports the suggestion made by previous studies that these low‐altitudes events are produced through electron absorption by atmospheric CO2.

A new endangered species of Psidium (Myrtaceae, Myrteae) from Bahia, Brazil

This paper describes a new, very distinctive, endangered species of Psidium (Myrtaceae, Myrteae) occurring in Bahia in Northeastern Brazil, in the Diamantina Atlantic Forest center of endemism, considered in the Atlantic Forest domain although transitional with the Caatinga domain. It is a small tree up to 5m tall. The species, that we have named Psidium rotundidiscum, is promptly recognized by the combination of petioles 4–7mm long, young leaves that are densely ferrugineous pubescent, spathulate and strongly revolute and mature leaves that are glabrescent, revolute, with an inconspicuous venation. The inflorescences are terminal precocious (auxotelic) racemes with 1–2 pairs of flowers or solitary flowers on new growth. Floral buds are nearly closed, ca. 7–10mm long and densely ferruginous pubescent; specimens with open flowers are unknown. The oblate fruits, with a rounded disk with relatively few staminal scars and rather thick, explanate calyx lobes are also distinctive. The species is known from only three late 20th/early 21st century collections from deciduous forests, semi-deciduous forests, liana forests and xerophytic forests along a North to South extension of ca. 700 km in inland Bahia. Images of collections in bud and in fruit are furnished as well as a geographic distribution map.

Reinstatement of Kalanchoe montana Compton (Crassulaceae), a Distinctive Species from the Barberton Center of Endemism, Eastern Southern Africa

Kalanchoe montana Compton was regarded as a subspecies of Kalanchoe luciae Raym.-Hamet, as K. luciae subsp. montana (Compton) Toelken, in the Flora of Southern Africa treatment of the family Crassulaceae. We here reinstate K. montana Compton at species rank. Descriptions are provided for K. luciae and K. montana, and characters distinguishing them noted and illustrated. Geographical distribution maps are provided for both species in southern Africa. A lectotype is designated for K. montana.

Air Pollution Study in the Republic of Moldova Using Moss Biomonitoring Technique.

Moss biomonitoring using the species Hypnum cupressiforme (Hedw.) and Pleurocarpous sp was applied to study air pollution in the Republic of Moldova. A total of 41 elements (Na, Mg, Al, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Zr, Cd, Sb, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Tm, Yb, Hf, Ta, W, Pb, Th, and U) were determined by instrumental epithermal neutron activation analysis and atomic absorption spectrometry. Principal component analysis was used to identify and characterize different pollution sources. Geographical distribution maps were prepared to point out the regions most affected by air pollution and relate this to potential sources of contamination. Median values of the elements studied were compared with data from the European moss biomonitoring program. The cities of Chisinau and Balti were determined to experience particular environmental stress.

Flora da Bahia: Winteraceae

The taxonomic treatment of the Winteraceae from Bahia, Brazil, is presented. Drimys brasiliensis was the only species recognized in the state. The Flora consists of descriptions, illustrations, general notes and a geographic distribution map of the species in the state.

Flora da Bahia: Hypoxidaceae

The taxonomic treatment of the Hypoxidaceae from Bahia, Brazil, is presented here. Hypoxis decumbens is the only species found in the state. Descriptions, illustrations, comments and a geographic distribution map of the species in Bahia are presented.

Flora da Bahia: Hirtella (Chrysobalanaceae)

The taxonomic treatment of Hirtella (Chrysobalanaceae) from Bahia State, Brazil, is presented. We recognize 14 species; H. bicornis is recorded for the first time in the state and H. prancei was originally described from this study. The treatment includes an identification key to species, descriptions and comments on taxa, as well as illustrations and geographic distribution maps of species in Bahia. An identification key to the genera of Chrysobalanaceae in the state is also provided.

Flora of Bahia: Aristolochiaceae

The taxonomic treatment of Aristolochiaceae from the state of Bahia, Brazil, is presented here. We recognize 20 species of Aristolochia, the only genus of the family represented in Brazil. Aristolochia melastoma is reported for the first time in Bahia and A. brunneomaculata was recognized as new from this study. Descriptions, an identification key, illustrations, general comments and geographic distribution maps of species in Bahia are presented.

Flora da Bahia: Begoniaceae

The taxonomic treatment of the Begoniaceae from Bahia state is presented. We recognize 38 species, 15 are endemic and four were firstly described based on this study. Most of the species occur in the Atlantic Forest (32 species), followed by the Caatinga (11 species) and Cerrado (one species). Nine names are treated as synonym for the first time here. Descriptions, identification key, phenological data, illustrations, maps of geographical distribution in Bahia and comments are presented.

The Neotropical cuckoo wasp genus Ipsiura Linsenmaier, 1959 (Hymenoptera: Chrysididae): revision of the species occurring in Brazil.

The species of the chrysidid genus Ipsiura are reviewed with emphasis on the taxa occurring in Brazil. In the present study 34 Ipsiura species are recognized, diagnosed, and illustrated. Two new species are described here: Ipsiura bohartiana Lucena sp. nov. and I. duckeana Lucena sp. nov., and two others are transferred from Neochrysis to Ipsiura: I. assecia (Linsenmaier, 1997), comb. nov. and I. guayanensis (Linsenmaier, 1997), comb. nov., increasing to 41 the total of valid species in the genus. New diagnoses and redescriptions are provided for 34 species based on study of their types. For the first time, a comparative and illustrated study of male genitalia is presented for the majority of Ipsiura species. Notes on types and depository collections, a revised key for identification of species along with illustrations of diagnostic features, as well as geographical distribution maps are also given.

Additions to the leafhopper subgenus Pediopsoides (Pediopsoides) Matsumura, 1912 (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Macropsinae) from Southern China.

Three new species of the leafhopper subgenus Pediopsoides (Pediopsoides) Matsumura, 1912, P. (P.) alba Li, Dai & Li sp. nov. from Yunnan Province, Southwestern China, P. (P.) amplificata Li, Dai & Li sp. nov. and P. (P.) longiapophysis Li, Dai & Li sp. nov. from Guangdong Province, Southern China, are described and illustrated. A key and an updated checklist with distribution to the Pediopsoides (Pediopsoides) species along with geographical distribution maps of the new species are given.

<div class="page" title="Page 1"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column">Isoëtes vanensis (Isoëtaceae) sp. nov. from Turkey</div></div></div>

A previously undescribed species, Isoëtes vanensis, is described and illustrated. Isoëtes vanensis is distinguished from allied species by its papery scales and small megaspores bearing a low tuberculate texture and a fimbriate-ecuelate micro-ornamentation. A table of comparative diagnostic characters and character states for I. vanensis and allied taxa, a geographic distribution map, and SEM images of megaspores and microspores showing ornamentation patterns are included.

The effect of geographical indices on left ventricular structure in healthy Han Chinese population.

The left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPWT) and interventricular septum thickness (IVST) are generally regarded as the functional parts of the left ventricular (LV) structure. This paper aims to examine the effects of geographical indices on healthy Han adults' LV structural indices and to offer a scientific basis for developing a unified standard for the reference values of adults' LV structural indices in China. Fifteen terrain, climate, and soil indices were examined as geographical explanatory variables. Statistical analysis was performed using correlation analysis. Moreover, a back propagation neural network (BPNN) and a support vector regression (SVR) were applied to developing models to predict the values of two indices. After the prediction models were built, distribution maps were produced. The results show that LV structural indices are characteristically associated with latitude, longitude, altitude, average temperature, average wind velocity, topsoil sand fraction, topsoil silt fraction, topsoil organic carbon, and topsoil sodicity. The model test analyses show the BPNN model possesses better simulative and predictive ability in comparison with the SVR model. The distribution maps of the LV structural indices show that, in China, the values are higher in the west and lower in the east. These results demonstrate that the reference values of the adults' LV structural indices will be different affected by different geographical environment. The reference values of LV structural indices in one region can be calculated by setting up a BPNN, which showed better applicability in this study. The distribution of the reference values of the LV structural indices can be seen clearly on the geographical distribution map.

First Report of Rhabdodendraceae for the Vascular Flora of Colombia and the Upper Río Negro Basin, with Comments on Phytogeography, Habitats, and Distribution ofRhabdodendron amazonicum

Abstract. Rhabdodendraceae is recorded for the first time in the vascular flora of Colombia and the upper Rio Negro basin, based on collections of Rhabdodendron amazonicum from the upper Cuyari river, Guiania department, Colombia, and the upper Isana (Icana) river, Amazonas state, Brazil, respectively. These two localities extend considerably the northwesternly distribution of this taxon inside the Amazon Basin. Notes about the phytogeography (e.g. insights as to why this species has not yet been found between Manaus and the confluence of the Guainia and Casiquiare rivers), the habitats of R. amazonicum, and an updated overview of the known specimens using a geographic distribution map of this taxon is also included. The discovery of this family in the upper Rio Negro region, demonstrates the value of field work through alliances between private initiatives and the Kuripaco nation.

Taxonomic revision and cladistic analysis of the genusSophistaPlötz, 1879 (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) with description of a new species from north-east Brazil

A new species of Sophista Plotz, 1879 from north-east Brazil (Bahia) is described: Sophista spectrum Siewert, Zacca, Mielke & Casagrande sp. nov. Thracides aristoteles Westwood, 1852 is designated as lectotype. The following taxonomic arrangements are proposed: Sophista plinius Plotz, 1882 stat. rest. [previously treated as a subspecies of Sophista aristoteles (Westwood, 1852)] and Sophista matto Evans, 1953 stat. nov. (originally described as a subspecies of Sophista latifasciata Spitz, 1930). Photos and illustrations of all taxa are provided, including the first description of the females of four species of Sophista. A catalogue, diagnosis, geographical distribution map, and a dichotomous key to the species of Sophista are also provided. The monophyly of Sophista was evaluated using a cladistics analysis based on morphological characters of the adults, and was recovered and supported by eight non-ambiguous synapomorphies.

Are conservation assessments of threatened species reliable? Updated distribution of the Endangered Sardinian newt Euproctus platycephalus and implications for Red List assessments of Italian amphibians

AbstractAssessing and updating the extinction risk and conservation status of species and populations is paramount to guide management strategies. Maintaining up-to-date and realistic geographical distribution maps of individual species is one aspect of this. We report an updated distribution for an Italian island endemic amphibian, the Sardinian newt Euproctus platycephalus, categorized as Endangered on the IUCN global and national Red Lists. The distribution of E. platycephalus was reassessed by means of visual surveys, questionnaires, interviews and scientific literature. The species was found over a geographical range comparable to that used for the IUCN assessment but we recorded a significantly larger number of populations (57 vs 14). There was no appreciable difference in the species’ Extent of Occurrence between 1972–1974 and 2010–2015. Area of Occupancy increased between past (1972–1974 and 1999–2000) and present (2010–2015) distribution records. Based on this updated distribution and considering that several new populations have been found, the distribution of the species may still be underestimated. Given the novel distribution data provided here and the need for new long-term demographic data, we recommend that the conservation status of E. platycephalus be reassessed. In the Italian national Red List a potential overstatement of extinction risk is evident for other amphibian species, possibly because the information used in their assessment is deficient. Considering that monitoring rare and elusive species is costly and time consuming we recommend more extensive use of multiple sources of information for Red List assessments.

A revision of the genus Macrolygistopterus Pic, 1929 (Coleoptera, Lycidae, Calochromini).

A taxonomic review of the Lycid genus Macrolygistopterus Pic, 1929 with illustrations of diagnostic characters, geographic distribution maps and an identification key to the species is presented. Also, a key to the world Calochromini is given. Of the 12 species of the genus, 9 were studied: M. succinctus (Latreille, 1811), M. quadricostatus (Buquet, 1842), M. caeruleus (Gorham, 1884), M. germaini Pic, 1930, M. grandjeani Pic, 1930, M. subparallelus Pic, 1930, M. testaceirostris Pic, 1930, M. simoni Pic, 1930 and M. kirschi Pic, 1931 were redescribed and their status as valid species is confirmed. The lectotypes and paralectotypes were designated for all those examined species. M. bilineatus (Pic, 1923), M. diversicornis Pic, 1930 and M. bipartitus Pic, 1933 remain as valid species since these specimens were not available for this study. M. succinctus var. scutelaris Pic, 1930 is proposed here as new junior synonym of M. succinctus (Latreille, 1811).

Atmospheric deposition of rare earth elements in Albania studied by the moss biomonitoring technique, neutron activation analysis and GIS technology.

Rare earth elements (REEs) are typically conservative elements that are scarcely derived from anthropogenic sources. The mobilization of REEs in the environment requires the monitoring of these elements in environmental matrices, in which they are present at trace level. The determination of 11 REEs in carpet-forming moss species (Hypnum cupressiforme) collected from 44 sampling sites over the whole territory of the country were done by using epithermal neutron activation analysis (ENAA) at IBR-2 fast pulsed reactor in Dubna. This paper is focused on REEs (lanthanides) and Sc. Fe as typical consistent element and Th that appeared good correlations between the elements of lanthanides are included in this paper. Th, Sc, and REEs were never previously determined in the air deposition of Albania. Descriptive statistics were used for data treatment using MINITAB 17 software package. The median values of the elements under investigation were compared with those of the neighboring countries such as Bulgaria, Macedonia, Romania, and Serbia, as well as Norway which is selected as a clean area. Geographical distribution maps of the elements over the sampled territory were constructed using geographic information system (GIS) technology. Geochemical behavior of REEs in moss samples has been studied by using the ternary diagram of Sc-La-Th, Spider diagrams and multivariate analysis. It was revealed that the accumulation of REEs in current mosses is associated with the wind-blowing metal-enriched soils that is pointed out as the main emitting factor of the elements under investigation.

Taxonomic revision of the "Pierella lamia species group" (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae) with descriptions of four new species from Brazil.

Four new species of Pierella Westwood, 1851 from Brazil are described: P. angeloi Zacca, Siewert & Mielke sp. nov. from Maranhão, P. kesselringi Zacca, Siewert & Paluch sp. nov. from Paraíba, Pernambuco, Alagoas and Sergipe, P. nice Zacca, Siewert & Paluch sp. nov. from Bahia and P. keithbrowni Siewert, Zacca & Casagrande sp. nov. from Bahia, Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Paraná and Santa Catarina. Additionally, P. chalybaea Godman, 1905 stat. rest. and P. boliviana F.M. Brown, 1948 stat. nov. are recognized as valid species and not as subspecies of P. lamia (Sulzer, 1776), while P. l. colombiana Constantino & Salazar, 2007 syn. nov. is synonymized to the former. Lectotype and paralectotype of Papilio dyndimene Cramer, 1779 (a synonym of Pierella lamia) and Pierella chalybaea Godman, 1905 stat. rest. are designated. Habitus and illustrations of male and female genitalia are provided for all species, as well as a geographical distribution map.

Distribución Geográfica de los Parientes Silvestres del Acervo Genético Mesoamericano del Frijol Lima (Phaseolus lunatus L.) en México

The Mesoamerican gene pool of wild Lima bean ( Phaseolus lunatus L., Fabaceae) is an important source of genes for genetic improvement of the species. Is widely distributed from northern Mexico to northern Argentina. Reports in Mexico indicate that this gene pool is distributed from Sinaloa to Chiapas on the Pacific Coast and southern Tamaulipas to the Yucatan Peninsula on the Coast of Gulf of Mexico, as well as, in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. However, despite the knowledge we have about the distribution of this gene pool, in Mexico there are still collecting gaps and unexplored regions. The objective of this study was to collect wild populations of Lima bean in Mexico to know its current distribution and establish management and conservation strategies. To do this, we collected within the natural distribution range of the Mesoamerican gene pool of Lima bean in Mexico, with the passport data was designed a geographical distribution map and assessed the conservation status of populations. Results indicated that wild populations of Lima bean have a wide geographical distribution localized mainly in tropical deciduous forest and semideciduous and elevations from zero to 2, 292 meters. In most wild population collected a low conservation status was observed, in consequence was proposed the development of strategies for in situ and ex situ conservation for wild populations with higher degree of erosion.