Theclinae of Rondonia, Brazil: Strymon Hübner : with descriptions of new species (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae)

Twenty-two species of Strymon are known from the vicinity of Cacaulandia in Rondonia, Brazil, of which 14 are new species. These belong to 5 species groups: the "oreala" group [Strymon megarus (Godart)]; the "ziba" group [Strymon ziba (Hewitson), Strymon thulia (Hewitson), Strymon spinatus new species, Strymon latamaculus new species, Strymon pallidulus new species, Stlymon tholus new species]; "valentina" group [Strymon rotundum new species]; "crossoea" group [Strymon crossoea (Hewitson), Strymon crambusa (Hewitson), Stlymon germana new species, Strymon novasignum new species, Strymon clavus new species, Strymon implexus new species, Strymon inmirum new species, Strymon incanus new species, Strymon faunalia (Hewitson), Strymon halos new species, Strymon conspergus new species, Strymon bazochii (Godart), Strymon diagonalis new species]; and "eurytulus" group [Strymon bubastus (Stoll)]. Tentative subgroups of species are suggested for the "crossoea" group as they occur in Rondonia. A neotype is designated for Tmolus basilides and the name synonymized with Strymon megarus. The "basilides" group of Johnson et al. (1990) is renamed the "ziba" group. Based on lectotype designations and superficial and genital differences, S. ziba and S. thu.lia are elevated to specific status

Theclinae of Rondonia, Brazil: Gigantorubra and Angulopis : with descriptions of new species (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae)

The species of Gigantombra and Angulopis encountered in the Caca ulandia area of central Rondonia, Brazil, are reviewed. These include ten species (all new) of Gigantombra (G. microserrata, G. dl:vergens, G. quadramacula, G. ampla, G. fuscafascia, G. silva, G. rondonia, G. obscura, G. pelplexa, G. pUlpura) and one new species of Angulo pis (A. tenuis). Thecla sangala Hewitson (1868) is recognized as having priority over Theela autoelea Hewitson (1863-1878 [1877]), new synonym. Rondonia continues to appear as a center ofthecline endemism and to provide abundant examples of sibling species diversity

Nomenclatural faux pas for Speyeria atlantis greyi Moeck, 1950 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

Nomenclatural errors associated with the nymphalid butterfly, Speyeria atlantis greyi Moeck, have persisted in the literature and electronic databases. We present here a synonymy of the various combinations and misspellings associated with it and clearly indicate the correct name and spelling based on Moecks (1950) original description. Additionally, color images of the holotype and allotype specimens are published herein for the first time

New looks at and for Onespa, Buzyges, and Librita (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae: Hesperiinae), with new combinations and descriptions of a new genus and six new species

Thirteen species of skippers (six newly described; Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae: Hesperiinae: Hesperiini) from higher elevations of Mexico and Central America are reviewed. These are included in four genera (one newly described), some with proposed new combinations. Onespa Steinhauser, 1974, originally described as monotypic, is shown to include three species in addition to its type species, Onespa nubis Steinhauser, 1974. One of these, Atrytone gala Godman, 1900, that has been misplaced in several genera since its description, represents a new combination. The other two species, distributed in montane habitats in northwestern Mexico and in Costa Rica, are described as new. Buzyges Godman, 1900, distributed in Mexico and Central America and also formerly considered monotypic, is shown to embrace four species. Besides the type species, Buzyges idothea Godman, 1900, two species long placed in Poanes Scudder, 1872, Pamphila rolla Mabille, 1883, and Poanes benito Freeman, 1979, are included as new combinations. Another species, known only from Costa Rica, is described as new. These are united by several superficial characters, but especially by genital morphology of both sexes. Librita Evans, 1955, was described to include three species of which one, Librita raspa Evans, 1955, was subsequently removed. Augiades heras Godman, 1900 is here also removed from Librita and placed in a new genus with three previously undescribed species. This completes the disintegration of Librita, which is now monotypic. The four genera, although exhibiting similarities suggesting potential alliance, differ in their unique combinations of several superficial and genital traits from each other and other hesperiine skippers

The type of Copaeodes chromis Skinner, 1919 (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae: Hesperiinae)

The holotype of Copaeodes chromis Skinner, 1919 (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae), housed at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, is a typical specimen of Zariaspes mythecus Godman, 1900

Hesperiidae of Rondônia, Brazil: Porphyrogenes Watson (Lepidoptera: Pyrginae: Eudamini), with descriptions of new species from Central and South America

The pyrgine genus Porphyrogenes Watson, 1893 (Hesperiidae) is discussed, especially as it occurs in central Rondônia, Brazil. Of eleven species of Porphyrogenes found in Rondônia, four (P. specularis, P. convexus, P. sparus, and P. spadix) are described as new species. Biological details of the genus are discussed. An additional five new species of Porphyrogenes (P. spina, P. sporta, P. splendidus, P. simulator, and P. speciosus) are described from elsewhere. Porphyrogenes cervinus (Plötz, 1883), new synonym of Porphyrogenes ferruginea (Plötz, 1883), reinstated status, is raised from a subspecies of Porphyrogenes despecta (Butler, 1870) to species-level. Porphyrogenes omphale (Butler, 1871), reinstated status, is not synonymous with Porphyrogenes passalus (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869) and becomes a species-level taxon for which no subspecies are recognized; P. passalus was described from a female with no known male. Porphyrogenes sula Williams and Bell, 1940, reinstated status, is raised from synonymy with Porphyrogenes zohra (Möschler, 1879) to species-level. Porphyrogenes stresa Evans, 1952, new status, is raised from a subspecies of P. zohra to species-level. Porphyrogenes immaculata (Skinner, 1920), new synonymy, was described from a male, which we believe is the male of Porphyrogenes sororcula (Mabille and Boullet, 1912). Porphyrogenes suva Evans, 1952, new synonymy, formerly considered a full species, was described from a male which we believe is the male of, and thus synonymous with, Porphyrogenes probus (Möschler, 1877). Porphyrogenes virgatus (Mabille, 1888) and Porphyrogenes eudemus (Mabille, 1888), considered synonyms of P. zohra and Porphyrogenes vulpecula (Plötz, 1882), respectively, without justification by Evans (1952), are removed from those synonymies and retained, along with P. passalus, as females without confirmed affinities. Lectotypes are here designated for Phareas ferruginea Plötz, 1883; Augiades despecta Butler, 1870; Telegonus omphale Butler, 1871; Eudamus pausias Hewitson, 1867; Telegonus probus Möschler, 1877; Telemiades vulpecula Plötz, 1882; Eudamus passalus Herrich-Schäffer, 1869; Thymele virgatus Mabille, 1888; and Thymele eudemus Mabille, 1888. A neotype is designated for Phareas cervinus Plötz, 1883, that being the lectotype of Phareas ferruginea. Types of all taxa in the genus are illustrated. Three named and five unnamed phenotypes of females, not reconciled with males, are identified and described. Twenty-six species are now recognized, making this one of the largest hesperiid genera in the neotropics

Hesperiidae of Rondônia, Brazil: Taxonomic comments on ‘night’ skippers, with descriptions of new genera and species (Lepidoptera: Eudaminae)

Nineteen species of crepuscular and perhaps nocturnal eudamine skippers (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) included in Evans’ (1952) group “D” genera Bungalotis Watson, Salatis Evans, Sarmientoia Berg, Dyscophellus Godman and Salvin, and Nascus Watson occur in the Cacaulândia area of central Rondônia, Brazil. Their relative abundance and phenology there are given. Taxonomic comments and comparisons with published information are made. Bungalotis lactos Evans, 1952, new status, is considered a species separate from Bungalotis borax Evans, 1952. New genera Nicephellus and Euriphellus are proposed for Eudamus nicephorus Hewitson, 1876, and Papilio euribates Stoll, 1782, respectively, removing both from Dyscophellus and creating new combinations. Discophellus porsena Bell, 1934, reinstated status, is raised from synonymy to a full species of Dyscophellus. The subspecies of Dyscophellus ramusis (Stoll, 1781), as presently recognized, are probably good species; Dyscophellus ramon Evans, 1952, new status, is considered a full species. Pseudonascus, new genus, is proposed for Papilio paulliniae Sepp, [1842], removing this species from Nascus and creating a new combination. Two new species, Bungalotis aureus from Ecuador and Dyscophellus mielkei from Rondônia, Brazil, are described. Male and female genitalia are illustrated for all taxa available from the Rondonian study site plus some from other areas

Hesperiidae of central Rondonia, Brazil: Celaenorrhinus Hübner (Lepidoptera: Pyrginae), with descriptions of three new species and taxonomic comments

Eight species of Celaenorrhinus (Hesperiidae: Pyrginae) occur near Cacaulhdia in central Rondonia, Brazil. Three of these represent unnamed species and are described as new: Celaenorrhinus orneates Austin, Celaenorrhinus par Steinhauser & Austin, and Celaenorrhinus autochton Steinhauser & Austin. The male of C. saviais described for the first time. Both sexes of all 8 species (except female C. orneates) and their genitalia are illustrated. Males of C. savia and C. orneates are similar to C. jao in lacking tibial tufts, modified thoracic scales, and abdominal pouches; C. autochton lacks tibial tufts and modified thoracic scales. This adds to the diversity of secondary sexual characters among New World Celaenorrhinus. The following taxa, treated by Evans (1952) as subspecies, are raised to specific rank: C. shema disjunctus Bell, 1940; C. similis stola Evans, 1952; C. similis approximatus Williams & Bell, 1940; and C. similis bifurcus Bell, 1934

Facial phenotypes in subgroups of prepubertal boys with autism spectrum disorders are correlated with clinical phenotypes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The brain develops in concert and in coordination with the developing facial tissues, with each influencing the development of the other and sharing genetic signaling pathways. Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) result from alterations in the embryological brain, suggesting that the development of the faces of children with ASD may result in subtle facial differences compared to typically developing children. In this study, we tested two hypotheses. First, we asked whether children with ASD display a subtle but distinct facial phenotype compared to typically developing children. Second, we sought to determine whether there are subgroups of facial phenotypes within the population of children with ASD that denote biologically discrete subgroups.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The 3dMD cranial System was used to acquire three-dimensional stereophotogrammetric images for our study sample of 8- to 12-year-old boys diagnosed with essential ASD (<it>n </it>= 65) and typically developing boys (<it>n </it>= 41) following approved Institutional Review Board protocols. Three-dimensional coordinates were recorded for 17 facial anthropometric landmarks using the 3dMD Patient software. Statistical comparisons of facial phenotypes were completed using Euclidean Distance Matrix Analysis and Principal Coordinates Analysis. Data representing clinical and behavioral traits were statistically compared among groups by using χ²tests, Fisher's exact tests, Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests and Student's <it>t</it>-tests where appropriate.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>First, we found that there are significant differences in facial morphology in boys with ASD compared to typically developing boys. Second, we also found two subgroups of boys with ASD with facial morphology that differed from the majority of the boys with ASD and the typically developing boys. Furthermore, membership in each of these distinct subgroups was correlated with particular clinical and behavioral traits.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Boys with ASD display a facial phenotype distinct from that of typically developing boys, which may reflect alterations in the prenatal development of the brain. Subgroups of boys with ASD defined by distinct facial morphologies correlated with clinical and behavioral traits, suggesting potentially different etiologies and genetic differences compared to the larger group of boys with ASD. Further investigations into genes involved in neurodevelopment and craniofacial development of these subgroups will help to elucidate the causes and significance of these subtle facial differences.</p

Overview of the NASA Entry, Descent and Landing Systems Analysis Study

NASA senior management commissioned the Entry, Descent and Landing Systems Analysis (EDL-SA) Study in 2008 to identify and roadmap the Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) technology investments that the agency needed to make in order to successfully land large payloads at Mars for both robotic and human-scale missions. This paper summarizes the approach and top-level results from Year 1 of the Study, which focused on landing 10-50 mt on Mars, but also included a trade study of the best advanced parachute design for increasing the landed payloads within the EDL architecture of the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission