Atopidae (Trilobita) in the upper Marianian (Cambrian Series 2, Stage 4) of Iberia

New atopid trilobites are described from the early Cambrian Cumbres beds and Herreriás shale of northern Huelva Province (Andalusia, Spain) and are dated as middle-late Marianian (Cambrian Series 2, Stage 4). New specimens of Atops calanus Richter and Richter, 1941 are described and the Laurentian species Pseudatops reticulatus (Walcott, 1890b) is recognized for the first time in the Mediterranean subprovince. The associated trilobite assemblage studied herein suggests an age close to the base of Cambrian Stage 4

First record of the subfamily Psychodinae (Diptera : Psychodidae) from Ecuador.

This is the first record for the subfamily Psychodinae from Ecuador and a new species belonging to genus Arisemus, A. triconnectus, is described

Fostering an EU strategy for security sector reform in the Mediterranean: learning from Turkish and Palestinian police reform experiences

In the absence of an overarching strategy, Turkey and the Palestinian territories depict how the EU has adopted different approaches to security sector reform (SSR) which have not facilitated the consolidation of a common EU foreign policy, though the situation might soon change given respective SSR-related documents from the Council and Commission. This report contributes to the security sector debate by stressing that in conflict and post-conflict scenarios endurable SSR requires fomenting synergies between the police and judicial sectors and the inclusion of DDR, in tandem with the institutional implementation of transparent, accountable and democratic oversight mechanisms. There is an adamant need for constructive consistency when applying this central facet of EU foreign policy in the Mediterranean basin and beyond. SSR is an emerging phenomenon in conflict, post-conflict and development scenarios that has acquired a prominent role within the policy agendas of key international actors. As a prelude to the two case studies, and in order to better understand the EU’s end goal, a brief analysis of the two pivotal European SSR documents is provided with particular emphasis on their contribution to develop a more coherent and effective EU presence in this field. More specific consideration is then given to the role played by SSR-related matters within the framework of two EU foreign policy mechanisms towards the Mediterranean: the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (EMP), also known as the Barcelona Process, and the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). The two case studies - Turkey and the Palestinian territories - are exceptional due to the nature of their geopolitical position in regional and international politics. Both demonstrate different levels of state development and different degrees of monopoly over the legitimate use of force, which have contributed to the development of different EU approaches to SSR, tailored to the specific needs of the local context in which the Union is operating. Both cases also demonstrate how the EU emphasizes democracy or security depending on the respective circumstantial differences. Turkey exemplifies by and large the EU accession process of fulfilling democratic reform in return for EU membership. The Palestinian case illustrates how security demands precede democratic apertures. Together, both highlight the lack of a consistent and comprehensive EU SSR strategy, the lack of which continues to impede the emergence of a common EU foreign policy. This study makes a set of recommendations for the two case studies, and concludes with more general ones applicable to the broader Euro-Mediterranean area. These are mainly addressed to the European Commission, Council of the EU (and thus, Member States) and European Parliament. Moreover, the conclusions and recommendations included in this report could inspire the work of various advocacy groups in the fields of SSR, conflict resolution and democracy and human rights promotion given that, based on the “human security” logic, this report departs from the assumption that police reform encapsulates both modernising and democratising processes

The trilobite Serrodiscus Richter & Richter from Iberia, with systematic review of the genus and its international correlation through the Cambrian Series 2

Serrodiscus is considered one of the first trilobite genera showing global distribution during the Cambrian and a key component for the international correlation of this period. However, this genus encompasses many poorly documented species, ambiguous diagnoses or characters that depend on taphonomy and deformation based on one single specimen. Thus, in the present work, we carry out a systematic overview of the genus, evaluating the taphonomic and deformational variability of a large number of specimens from the same locality and horizon. In addition, and due to the difficulty of making synonymy decisions, closely related species are grouped into three different groups taking into consideration morphologic, stratigraphic and palaeobiogeographic data: bellimarginatus group, scattered along Avalonian and western Gondwanan margins; speciosus group, extending over the Laurentian domain; and daedalus group, being restricted to eastern Gondwana (Australia), North China and, partially, Siberia. Besides, the regional correlation through the early Cambrian of Iberia is arranged, describing specimens from both Ossa-Morena and Central Iberian zones, with a time interval restricted to the upper Marianian Stage. Regarding the biostratigraphy and palaeobiogeography of the genus, Serrodiscus has been reported from Laurentia, Taconic Allochthon, Greenland, Baltica, western and eastern Avalonia, western Gondwana margin, Siberia, North China and eastern Gondwana, with a temporal distribution along with the Cambrian Series 2

Evaluación de la importancia de arbustos y árboles para Hemíptera (Insecta) en un bosque de Panamá

The order Hemiptera is a rich and diverse taxon in habits and species, some of which are considered pests of agricultural crops. Added to this, human activity generates impacts that unbalance the ecosystem, such as the drastic reduction of wild vegetation in favor of urban projects. Parque Natural Metropolitano (PNM) is a protected area located in the city of Panama, Panama; which has several species of trees and vines that can serve as shelter for insects. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the importance of vines in comparison with trees for the order Hemiptera. As these are sap-sucking insects, they may have preferences for vines, due to certain characteristics such as increased leaf mass production. A random sampling was carried out in the canopy of PNM (8º59’24” N, 79º33’00” W). According to the results, a total of 584 biting-sucking insects (Hemiptera) were collected, belonging to 20 families and 92 species: 53 species in trees and 61 in vines, with 24 species in common. The insect communities in trees were more similar to each other than to the insect communities in vines. Also, although some families of insects, such as Tingidae, may prefer vines, this may be due to a specific relationship of the insect to the plant species, rather than the habit of the plant. In conclusion, vines are important constituents, together with trees, for the establishment of trophic interactions with Hemiptera in the ecosystem, requiring future continuation of this kind of research.El orden Hemiptera es un taxón rico y diverso en hábitos alimenticios y especies, de las cuales algunas son consideradas plagas en cultivos agrícolas. Sumado a esto, la actividad humana genera impactos que desequilibran el ecosistema, como la reducción drástica de vegetación silvestre en beneficio de proyectos urbanísticos. El Parque Natural Metropolitano (PNM), corresponde a un área protegida situada en la ciudad de Panamá; la cual cuenta con varias especies de árboles y lianas, que pueden servir como refugio para insectos. Por lo expuesto, el objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar la importancia de las lianas en comparación con los árboles para el orden Hemíptera. Al tratarse de insectos chupadores de savia, puede haber preferencias por las enredaderas, debido a ciertas características como la mayor producción de masa foliar. Se realizó un muestreo aleatorio en el dosel del PNM (8º59’24” N, 79º33’00” O). De acuerdo con los resultados, se colectó un total de 584 insectos picadores-chupadores (Hemiptera), pertenecientes a 20 familias y 92 especies: 53 especies en árboles y 61 en lianas con 24 especies en común. Las comunidades de insectos en los árboles tenían más similitudes entre ellos que con las comunidades de insectos en las enredaderas. Además, aunque algunas familias de insectos, como Tingidae, pueden preferir las enredaderas, eso puede deberse a una relación específica del insecto con la especie vegetal, más que al hábito de la planta. En conclusión, las lianas son constituyentes importantes, conjuntamente con los árboles, para el establecimiento de interacciones tróficas con Hemiptera en el ecosistema, requiriéndose la continuación a futuro de este tipo de investigaciones

VEGETACIÓN ASOCIADA AL GÉNERO NEOTROPICAL Camarotus GERMAR (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE) Y NUEVOS REPORTES PARA PANAMÁ Y PERÚ

The neotropical genus Camarotus Germar, 1833 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is a relatively small group of insects and little is known about their biology and ecology. This work presents the plant species associated with this genus of weevils and their new species reports. To do this, existing publications on the genus were consulted and specimens collected in Panama and other Neotropical countries were identified, thanks to the support of national and foreign institutions, through the loan of type specimens and other materials. We found that the vegetation associated with Camarotus is represented by six orders, eight families, 10 genera and 11 plant species: Brosimum utile, Luehea seemannii, Apeiba membranacea, Miconia theaezans, Vochysia ferruginea, Combretum fruticosum, Acalypha diversifolia, Tapirira guianensis, Eschweilera atropetiolata, Eschweilera rodriguesiana and Corytophora alta; the first eight being present in Panama, associated with five species of Camarotus. Additionally, 12 Camarotus species are recognized for Panama, of which 11 represent new reports: C. angustifrons, C. attelaboides, C. coccinelloides, C. costaricensis, C. crenulatus, C. ferrugineus, C. flammeus, C. fusiger, C. granada, C. ohausi and C. peltatus; while in Peru nine new reports are recognized: C. attelaboides, C. carinatus, C. carrapatus, C. coccinelloides, C. dispar, C. fusiger, C. punctatus, C. submaculatus and C. werneri. The habits of the Camarotus larvae are unknown, therefore the plants are considered associated.El género neotropical Camarotus Germar, 1833 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), es un grupo de insectos relativamente pequeño y del cual se conoce poco sobre su biología y ecología. El presente trabajo da a conocer las especies vegetales asociadas a este género de gorgojos y sus nuevos reportes de especies. Para ello, se consultó las publicaciones existentes acerca del género y se identificaron especímenes colectados en Panamá y otros países del Neotrópico, gracias al apoyo de instituciones nacionales y extranjeras, mediante el préstamo de especímenes tipo y otros materiales. Encontramos que, la vegetación asociada con Camarotus está representada por seis órdenes, ocho familias, 10 géneros y 11 especies vegetales: Brosimum utile, Luehea seemannii, Apeiba membranacea, Miconia theaezans, Vochysia ferruginea, Combretum fruticosum, Acalypha diversifolia, Tapirira guianensis, Eschweilera atropetiolata, Eschweilera rodriguesiana y Corytophora alta; estando presentes en Panamá las ocho primeras, asociadas con cinco especies de Camarotus. Adicionalmente, se reconocen 12 especies de Camarotus para Panamá, de las cuales 11 representan nuevos reportes: C. angustifrons, C. attelaboides, C. coccinelloides, C. costaricensis, C. crenulatus, C. ferrugineus, C. flammeus, C. fusiger, C. granada, C. ohausi y C. peltatus; mientras que en Perú se reconocen nueve nuevos reportes: C. attelaboides, C. carinatus, C. carrapatus, C. coccinelloides, C. dispar, C. fusiger, C. punctatus, C. submaculatus y C. werneri. No se conocen los hábitos de las larvas de Camarotus, por lo cual las plantas son consideradas asociadas

ENERGÍAS RENOVABLES: ALTERNATIVAS PARA EL SECTOR AGROPECUARIO EN PANAMÁ

Energy crisis is a reality that is being faced all around the world, resulting in social, economic and environmental impacts, which in many cases are difficult to quantify and assess objectively. Still most of the vehicles and machinery depend on fossil fuel, without being the agricultural sector the exception. On the other hand, technology and innovation, particularly that developed during the last decade, have made viable energy alternatives available to people, including for use in agricultural production. The present work is a review, which focuses on renewable energies, such as photovoltaic solar, wind energy, biogas and hydrogen; that can contribute to the efficient development of the agricultural sector in Panama, with potential economic benefits, reducing the risk of environmental contamination and also serving as means of integration and social responsibility. Specialized literature on the subject was consulted, in addition to sharing the scope of the authors themselves. It is expected that this work will serve as a guiding element, towards the sustainability and agroindustrial development.La crisis energética es una realidad que se está confrontando en el mundo, derivando en impactos sociales, económicos y ambientales, los cuales en muchos casos resultan difíciles de cuantificar y valorar de manera objetiva. Aún la mayoría de los vehículos y maquinarias dependen del combustible fósil, sin ser el sector agropecuario la excepción. Por otra parte, la tecnología e innovación, en particular la desarrollada durante la última década, ha puesto al alcance de las personas alternativas energéticas viables, inclusive para su utilización en la producción agropecuaria. El presente trabajo es una revisión, que se centra en energías renovables, como la solar fotovoltaica, la eólica, el biogás y el hidrógeno; que pueden contribuir con el desarrollo eficiente del sector agropecuario en Panamá, con potenciales beneficios económicos, reduciendo el riesgo de contaminación ambiental y sirviendo como medios de integración y responsabilidad social. Se consultó literatura especializada sobre la materia, además de compartir alcances de los propios autores. Se espera que este trabajo sirva como elemento orientador, hacia la sostenibilidad y desarrollo agroindustrial