Biogeography of snakes in Liberia: Review and synthesis of current knowledge

The Liberian Forest is a biodiversity hotspot. Detailed knowledge of biogeographical distributions of species could aid conservation efforts there, but such knowledge is sparse for reptiles through most of Liberia. To alleviate this, we present here a synthesis of current biogeographical knowledge of snakes in Liberia. To create the synthesis, we combined information gleaned from a literature search, unpublished records, and a personal communication. This synthesis expands the known ranges of many Liberian snake species and increases their number from 63 to 64 via a new record of Python regius. Our results show that most snake species in Liberia are known from both the coastal plain and the inland mountains. Our results also show that most locality records are from cultivated areas, with very few fully forested areas represented, and that locality records are lacking for large areas within Liberia. We, therefore, recommend that more fully forested areas be included in future biodiversity surveys and that they include localities within areas for which locality records are currently lacking. We further recommend that abundance within species be compared between forested and cultivated areas, to determine which species are put at risk by deforestation

Sleeping Sickness in Liberia – A Historical Review

Sleeping sickness or Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) caused by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense is a vector-borne protozoan disease occurring in central and western Africa. HAT caused devastating epidemics during the last century. Due to sustained efforts of surveillance and control measures the disease incidence dropped dramatically during recent years. HAT is now targeted for elimination for the year 2020. The epidemiological significance of ancient HAT foci not being surveyed or the non-provision of data recording for long periods, due to war riots and civil unrest like in Liberia is not clear. Its assessment, however, is essential for the implementation of future control strategies. The review compiles the history of the HAT of Liberia with results of known but partly unpublished details of active and passive surveillance of ancient HAT foci (Lofa and Bong Counties). Forty-three HAT cases mainly of Bong County are listed for the years 1967 to 1989; no cases were diagnosed in the ancient Kissi focus. An experimentally prooven antelope-Glossina palpalis gambiensis- antelope cycle of T. b. gambiense emphasizes the epidemiological role of animal reservoir hosts in the Liberian rainforest with implication for the resurgence of the disease.

À la marge des sciences coloniales ? La mission Dekeyser-Holas dans l’Est libérien (1948)

En 1948, une mission de recherche et de collecte est organisée par l’Institut français d’Afrique noire (IFAN) à l’initiative de Théodore Monod. Conduite par un ethnologue et un zoologiste, Bohumil Holas et Pierre Louis Dekeyser, elle fournit un cas tout à fait intéressant de mission bidisciplinaire, permettant d’interroger la mixité des pratiques de terrain et les interférences entre sciences sociales et sciences naturelles qui en résultent. La mission Dekeyser-Holas dans l’Est libérien est aussi l’une des rares missions coloniales qui se déroulent dans un pays indépendant. Interroger ce paradoxe oblige ainsi à resituer ces recherches et ces collectes dans le contexte institutionnel et scientifique de l’IFAN à la sortie de la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Décrire et analyser cette mission permet alors d’éclairer de manière inédite les enjeux politiques et disciplinaires de l’ethnographie et de la zoologie à la fin de la période coloniale.In 1948, on Théodore Monod’s initiative, an expedition was mounted by the IFAN, the French institute for French West Africa, for research and field collecting. Headed by scholars from different disciplines - Bohumil Holas, an ethnologist, and Pierre Louis Dekeyser, a zoologist - it provides a particularly interesting example of combined practices in the field and of the interaction between the social and natural sciences which resulted from this. This assignment in Eastern Liberia was also one of the few colonial expeditions to take place in an independent country. In order to understand this paradox, we must situate, describe and analyse the expedition, and its research and collecting, in the institutional and scientific context of the IFAN just after the Second World War. This will enable us to shed new light on critical political and disciplinary questions concerning ethnography and zoology towards the end of the colonial era

Seasons in hell: Charles S. Johnson and the 1930 Liberian Labor Crisis

In 1930, African American sociologist Charles S. Johnson of Fisk University traveled to the Republic of Liberia as the American member of a League of Nations commission to investigate allegations of slavery and forced labor in that West African nation. In the previous five years, the face of Liberia had changed after the large-scale development of rubber plantations on land leased by the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, with headquarters in Akron, Ohio. Political turmoil greeted Johnson in Liberia, an underdeveloped nation teetering on the brink of economic collapse. This dissertation focuses on Johnson’s role as the key member of the League of Nations Commission of Inquiry, and examines events leading up to the investigation. Also touched upon are the life and career of Harvey S. Firestone, the history of the rubber and automobile industries, and Liberia’s relationship with the U. S. Department of State. Central to this dissertation, however, is Charles Johnson, an important and underappreciated figure in African American history. Johnson’s diplomatic approach to race relations in the United States earned him respect from philanthropic foundations that funded his research projects, but also led to criticism and jealousy from his black colleagues and peers. Because Johnson guarded his privacy so closely and left behind little in the way of personal information, the journal that he kept for six months in Liberia becomes all the more important as a clue to his inner thoughts and feelings, as well as a guide to his personality and character. Furthermore, Liberia shaped Johnson’s thinking as a scholar in important ways, particularly in regard to the economic foundations of exploitation, caste and class, and political disfranchisement. Johnson’s mission to Liberia and his spirited defense of that nation’s tribal citizens, as this study shows, suggests a more complicated and assertive individual that contrasts with the largely one dimensional image of him that has metastasized over the years. Indeed, Johnson was one of the few African Americans who showed any interest in the welfare of Liberia’s indigenous tribes. In that regard, he was a maverick, overlooked and underestimated

Herpetological surveys in two proposed protected areas in Liberia, West Africa

In March and April 2018 we surveyed amphibians and reptiles in two Proposed Protected Areas (PPAs) in Liberia. In the Krahn-Bassa Proposed Protected Area (KBPPA) in eastern Liberia 36 species of amphibians and 13 species of reptiles were recorded. In the Foya Proposed Protected Area (FPPA) in western Liberia 39 species of amphibians and 10 species of reptiles were recorded. The encountered herpetological communities in both sites were typical for West African rainforests. However, some species indicated disturbances, in particular at the edges of the study areas, the surrounding villages and plantations, and old artisanal gold mining sites within forests. Of particular conservation interest was the discovery of a high percentage of typical rainforest specialists with ranges restricted to the western part of the Upper Guinea rainforest biodiversity hotspot. Outstanding discoveries in KBPPA were two new species of puddle frogs, and the first country record for the arboreal, parachuting lizard Holaspis guentheri. Remarkable records in FPPA comprise a new species of stiletto snake, a new puddle frog and records of various frog species typically breeding in undisturbed rainforest streams, such as Odontobatrachus natator and Conraua alleni. Both study areas comprise an important proportion of the remaining rainforests in the Upper Guinea forest zone. The new discoveries indicate that within this biogeographic area, southeastern and western Liberian rainforest may still hold various undiscovered species and species of conservation concern. Further surveys in KBPPA and FPPA and nearby forests should clarify the distribution and conservation status of the new taxa. This study also emphasizes that the western part of the Liberian forests comprise at least partly a herpetofauna which differs from that of the East of the country. The recorded threatened amphibian species are all specialized on relatively undisturbed rainforests and they all have only small geographic ranges. The remaining parts of undisturbed or little disturbed forests thus have high importance for the long-term survival of these species. In conclusion the study areas have a high conservation potential and should be urgently protected from any further forest loss degradation and uncontrolled hunting

Ticks in the South African Zoological Survey Collection - Part IX - The Amblyomma marmoreum group

*1. Amblyomma variegatum var. nocens, Robinson 1911, is re-established as a valid species with the new name combination of Amblyomma nocens.* 2. A list of synonyms is given for A. nocens and A. pomposum. 3. A. pomposum is shown to be distributed in the Rhodesian Highland type of vegetation; *A. nocens, according to present records appears to be confined approximately between latitudes 18 - 22° S. and between the Drakensberg and the coast.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 300dpi. Adobe Acrobat XI Pro was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format

Estudo filogenético de Scionini Enderlein, 1922 (Diptera,Tabanidae, Pangoniinae)

Tabanidae is one of most diversity taxa of the order Diptera, has three subfamilies, 156 genera and about 4,450 valid species. Scionini has an austral distribution and is inserted in Pangoniinae. A recent phylogenetic analysis based on molecular data modified the internal relations of the tribe, demonstrating the paraphyly of some groups and generating a new proposal of classification for the tribe. In chapter 1 the first phylogenetic study of Scionini based on morphological characters was conducted. For this, three parsimony analysis were run, all with 108 male and female morphological characters, but with different sampling of species (74, 105 and 84). In all analyzes the characters were treated with equal weights and unordered. The parsimony analysis was performed in the TNT Software, heuristic search. For all analyzes 100,000 trees were stored in memory, with 10,000 replications, holding 10 trees per replication using the TBR algorithm. Analysis I resulted in four equally parsimonious trees with length of 803 steps, whereas the topology of the strict consensus had a length of 805 steps. Analysis II obtained 10 equally parsimonious trees with 912 steps and a strict consensus topology with 928 steps. In analysis III, 38 equally parsimonious trees with a length of 848 steps, whereas for the strict consensus tree was 1003 steps. The topology chosen in this study followed the results of the strict consensus tree from analysis I, in which Scionini is a monophyletic group supported by one synapomorphy: pilose eyes, and two homoplasies: tergite IX with length subequal to tergite X; Sperm pump longer than length of the genital fork. Scionini was divided into 14 genera and ten subgenera: Anzomyia Lessard, 2012; Aotearomyia Lessard, 2014; Copidapha Enderlein, 1922; Fidena (Fidena Walker, 1850; Laphriomyia Lutz, 1911; Leptofidena Kröber, 1930; Neopangonia Lutz, 1909); Lepmia Fairchild 1969; Myioscaptia Mackerras, 1955; Palimmecomyia Taylor, 1917; Pityocera Gilgio-Tos, 1896; Plinthina Walker, 1850; Pseudomelpia Enderlein, 1922; Pseudoscione Lutz, 1918; Scaptia (Apocampta Schiner, 1867 stat. n.; Calliosca Enderlein, 1925 stat. n.; Osca Walker, 1850 stat. n.; Scaptia Walker, 1850; Triclista Enderlein, 1922 stat. n.; and a new subgenus), Scione Walker, 1850; and a new genus. In chapter 2 the taxonomic revision of Pityocera was undertaken, based on internal and external morphological characters of adults, by study of the type-material and additional material from various collections. Five valid species were accepted: P. cervus (Wiedemann); P. festai Giglio-Tos; P. nana (Walker); P. nigribasis Fairchild; e P. patellicornis (Kröber); and five new species were described. Additionally, diagnoses, descriptions, redescriptions, distribution records, illustrations and discussions for all species were provided, besides an identification key for females.Tabanidae é um dos mais diversos táxons da ordem Diptera, possui três subfamílias, 156 gêneros e cerca de 4.450 espécies válidas. Scionini possui distribuição austral e está inserida em Pangoniinae. Recentemente uma análise filogenética baseada em dados moleculares modificou radicalmente as relações internas da tribo, demonstrando a parafília de alguns grupos e gerando uma nova proposta de classificação para a tribo. No capitulo 1 foi realizado o primeiro estudo filogenético de Scionini baseado em caracteres morfológicos. Para isso, foram realizadas três análises de parcimônia, todas com 108 caracteres morfológicos de adultos machos e fêmeas, mas com diferentes amostragens quanto ao número de espécies, respectivamente 74, 105, 84. Em todas as análises os caracteres foram tratados com pesos iguais e de modo não-ordenado. As análises de parcimônia foram realizadas no software TNT, por métodos de busca heurística. Para todas as análises foram estocadas 100.000 árvores na memória, com 10.000 réplicas, retendo 10 árvores por réplica e algoritmo TBR. A análise I teve como resultado quatro árvores igualmente parcimoniosas com comprimento de 803 passos, enquanto a topologia de consenso estrito teve um comprimento de 805 passos. A análise II obteve 10 árvores igualmente parcimoniosas com 912 passos e topologia de consenso estrito com 928 passos. Na análise III foram obtidas 38 árvores igualmente parcimoniosas com comprimento de 848 passos e 1.003 passos para árvore de consenso estrito. A topologia obtida neste trabalho seguiu os resultados da árvore de consenso estrito da análise I, no qual Scionini é um grupo monofilético sustentando por uma sinapomorfia: olhos pilosos, e duas homoplasias: tergito IX, com comprimento subigual ao tergito X; bomba espermática, mais longa em relação ao comprimento da forquilha genital. Scionini foi dividida em 14 gêneros e dez subgêneros: Anzomyia Lessard, 2012; Aotearomyia Lessard, 2014; Copidapha Enderlein, 1922; Fidena (Fidena Walker, 1850; Laphriomyia Lutz, 1911; Leptofidena Kröber, 1930; Neopangonia Lutz, 1909); Lepmia Fairchild 1969; Myioscaptia Mackerras, 1955; Palimmecomyia Taylor, 1917; Pityocera Gilgio-Tos, 1896; Plinthina Walker, 1850; Pseudomelpia Enderlein, 1922; Pseudoscione Lutz, 1918; Scaptia (Apocampta Schiner, 1867 stat. nov.; Calliosca Enderlein, 1925 stat. nov.; Osca Walker, 1850 stat. nov.; Scaptia Walker, 1850; Triclista Enderlein, 1922 stat. nov.; e um novo subgênero), Scione Walker, 1850; e um novo gênero. No capítulo 2 foi realizada a revisão taxonômica de Pityocera, baseado em caracteres de morfologia interna e externa de adultos, por meio da análise do material-tipo e material proveniente de diversas coleções. Foram aceitas cinco espécies válidas: P. cervus (Wiedemann); P. festai Giglio-Tos; P. nana (Walker); P. nigribasis Fairchild; e P. patellicornis (Kröber); e outras cinco novas espécies foram descritas. Adicionalmente foram providas diagnoses, descrições, redescrições, registros de distribuição, ilustrações e discussões para todas as espécies, além de uma chave dicotômica de identificação para fêmeas

Cassaveselectie

Cassava is indigenous in South America, from where it was introduced to all tropical countries of the old world. It was introduced to Java in 1810; the planted area there and on Madura in 1934 far surpassed that of any other country in the world. Seedling selection has achieved important results only in Indo-China and the Netherlands East Indies.Many trials on flowering and fertilization were carried out and have shown how to obtain seed of good provenance, how to germinate them and how to establish plantations with them. Thus techniques of selection had improved gradually. The important nutritive qualities of the roots were described, while externalinfluences on several of them were traced. The choice of parents influenced the behaviour of the seedlings, but this did not imply that a certain quality was transmitted from the parents to their offspring or to many of them. Many correlations demonstrated that generally no genetic objections could be raised to combining of desired qualities.Hybrids between cassava and Manihot glaziovii gave 30 generally fast growing plants, of which a part could be crossed mutually and with both parents. Some directives were given for the future. The desirability was stressed of importing many cassava varieties and Manihot spp. from South America, for large-scale selection of hybrids in the Netherlands East Indies

Ecocinema Theory and Practice 2

This second volume builds on the initial groundwork laid by Ecocinema Theory and Practice by examining the ways in which ecocritical cinema studies have matured and proliferated over the last decade, opening whole new areas of study and research. Featuring fourteen new essays organized into three sections around the themes of cinematic materialities, discourses, and communities, the volume explores a variety of topics within ecocinema studies from examining specific national and indigenous film contexts to discussing ecojustice, environmental production studies, film festivals, and political ecology. The breadth of the contributions exemplifies how ecocinema scholars worldwide have sought to overcome the historical legacy of binary thinking and intellectual norms and are working to champion new ecocritical, intersectional, decolonial, queer, feminist, Indigenous, vitalist, and other emergent theories and cinematic practices. The collection also demonstrates the unique ways that cinema studies scholarship is actively addressing environmental injustice and the climate crisis. This book is an invaluable resource for students and scholars of ecocritical film and media studies, production studies, cultural studies, and environmental studies

Ecocinema Theory and Practice 2

This second volume builds on the initial groundwork laid by Ecocinema Theory and Practice by examining the ways in which ecocritical cinema studies have matured and proliferated over the last decade, opening whole new areas of study and research. Featuring fourteen new essays organized into three sections around the themes of cinematic materialities, discourses, and communities, the volume explores a variety of topics within ecocinema studies from examining specifc national and indigenous flm contexts to discussing ecojustice, environmental production studies, flm festivals, and political ecology. The breadth of the contributions exemplifes how ecocinema scholars worldwide have sought to overcome the historical legacy of binary thinking and intellectual norms and are working to champion new ecocritical, intersectional, decolonial, queer, feminist, Indigenous, vitalist, and other emergent theories and cinematic prac-tices. The collection also demonstrates the unique ways that cinema studies scholarship is actively addressing environmental injustice and the climate crisis. This book is an invaluable resource for students and scholars of ecocritical flm and media studies, production studies, cultural studies, and environmental studies.https://cupola.gettysburg.edu/books/1181/thumbnail.jp