Teratologische Untersuchungen an Ameisen (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).

Ein Material von 97 Ameisen mit Missbildungen, überwiegend aus der Unterfamilie Myrmicinae, wird beschrieben. Neben elf Gynandromorphen sind darin zwei atavistische Exemplare enthalten. Die übrigen Missbildungen dürften durch Beschädigungen in frühen Entwicklungsstadien hervorgerufen worden sein. Störungen der Antennensegmentierung wurden bei 15 Männchen beobachtet. Verschmelzung von Körpersegmenten und Spaltung von Skleriten treten überwiegend im Stielchenbereich auf; ihr Zentrum liegt in den meisten Fällen dorsal. Die Möglichkeiten der Entstehung und Erhaltung solcher Missbildungen im sozialen Insektenstaat werden diskutiert.Material containing 97 ants with deformities, chiefly of the subfamily Myrmicinae, is described. Besides eleven gynandromorphs there are two atavistic specimens. The other deformities were probably caused by injuries at an early stage of development. Faulty segmentation of the antennae was observed in 15 males. Fusion of body segments and cleavage of the sclerites occurred chiefly in the region of the stalks; its centre is mostly dorsal. The possibilities of the origin and the preservation of such deformed individuals in the social insect state are discussed

Managing Soils for Recovering from the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the global food supply chain and exacerbated the problem of food and nutritional insecurity. Here we outline soil strategies to strengthen local food production systems, enhance their resilience, and create a circular economy focused on soil restoration through carbon sequestration, on-farm cycling of nutrients, minimizing environmental pollution, and contamination of food. Smart web-based geospatial decision support systems (S-DSSs) for land use planning and management is a useful tool for sustainable development. Forensic soil science can also contribute to cold case investigations, both in providing intelligence and evidence in court and in ascertaining the provenance and safety of food products. Soil can be used for the safe disposal of medical waste, but increased understanding is needed on the transfer of virus through pedosphere processes. Strengthening communication between soil scientists and policy makers and improving distance learning techniques are critical for the post-COVID restoration