A new genus and species of Sphaeromatidae (Crustacea: Isopoda) with experiments and observations on its reproductive biology, interspecific interactions and color polymorphisms

The new genus, Paraleptosphaeroma, is distinguished from the morphologically similar genus Leptosphaeroma by the fusion of the pleonites, the shape of the peni, the attachment of appendix masculina, and the presence or the absence of an endopod on the first pleopod. The term cingula is introduced to refer to lateral margins fringed with setae and the distinction is drawn between setal and membranous forms of the cingula. Paraleptsphaeroma glynni (sp nov.) occurs on cobble in tidal pools and is associated with three sessile species, two bryozoans and a coralline alga. Experiments demonstrate the isopod to be a sequential hermaphrodite with a socially mediated sexual transformation. Brood mortality is very low. Observations of feeding and analysis of gut contents show anascan bryozoans to be the principal food sources of P. glynni. The principal color polymorphisms of juveniles are illustrated. The apparent concordance between these patterns and those produced by the boring activities of phoronids and barnacles is tested, with results suggesting that the color patterns are adaptations to concealment from fish predators. This interpretation is further supported by morphological evidence and experiments demonstrating the poor swimming ability of P. glynni

Studies on some factors relating to hardiness in the strawberry

This archival publication may not reflect current scientific knowledge or recommendations

Photography-based taxonomy is inadequate, unnecessary, and potentially harmful for biological sciences

The question whether taxonomic descriptions naming new animal species without type specimen(s) deposited in collections should be accepted for publication by scientific journals and allowed by the Code has already been discussed in Zootaxa (Dubois & Nemésio 2007; Donegan 2008, 2009; Nemésio 2009a–b; Dubois 2009; Gentile & Snell 2009; Minelli 2009; Cianferoni & Bartolozzi 2016; Amorim et al. 2016). This question was again raised in a letter supported by 35 signatories published in the journal Nature (Pape et al. 2016) on 15 September 2016. On 25 September 2016, the following rebuttal (strictly limited to 300 words as per the editorial rules of Nature) was submitted to Nature, which on 18 October 2016 refused to publish it. As we think this problem is a very important one for zoological taxonomy, this text is published here exactly as submitted to Nature, followed by the list of the 493 taxonomists and collection-based researchers who signed it in the short time span from 20 September to 6 October 2016

Range Extensions of Some California Marine Isopod Crustaceans

New range extensions are given for 22 species of California marine isopods. Brief ecological data and intermediate localities are included. Dynamenella dianae and Excirolana kincaidi are added to the California fauna. New localities are given for four species previously known only from the type localities

April2015b.pub

Abstract: The video drift method of measuring double stars is a quick and efficient way to obtain position angle and separation measurements. With ordinary video cameras magnitude +12 and deeper double star systems often prove difficult or even impossible to measure without using an image intensifier. A simple modification to the video drift method and corresponding V idPro analysis program now makes reaching magnitude +16 a reality for modest amateur equipment

July2014B.pub

Abstract: Position angles and separations for 240 multiple star systems are presented using the video drift method. The drift method generates a Cartesian (x,y) coordinate pair for the primary and companion star for each video frame during the drift. Position angle and separation are calculated from these coordinates. Most doubles had multiple drifts observed over several nights resulting in 1,000's of (x,y) pairs analyzed per system. Several systems lacked measurements since the early 1900's or had less than 10 measurements since their discovery. The video drift method provides high systematic accuracy

July1F2012.pub

Abstract: This paper gives the position angle and separation for 181 multiple star systems measured using the video drift method from dates September 6, 2010 to July 23, 2011.767 to 2011. The multiple star systems reported on here are located between 2h 03m to 23h 07m Right Ascension and -20° to +50° degrees declination. Preference was given to multiple stars systems with fewer than 35 measurements since their discovery. Factors effecting the position angle and separation standard deviations are discussed. Statistical analysis of results indicates that standard deviations of both position angle and separation are largely due to atmospheric effects and not correlated with variables like star magnitude

April2013C.pub

Abstract: This paper gives the position angle and separation for 242 multiple star systems measured using the video drift method. Standard deviations averaged 0.59" for separation, 1.8° for position angle for single drifts. The drift method generates a Cartesian (x,y) coordinate pair for each star for each video frame during the drift to derive position angle and separation. Many doubles had multiple drifts done over several nights resulting in 4,000 -10,000 (x,y) pairs analyzed per system. Doubles with multiple drifts/nights combined gave probable errors of 0.10" in separation and 0.27° in position angle. An image intensifier was used on some doubles to reach fainter systems in which WDS catalog magnitudes were in the +13 to +15 range. The systematic accuracy of this method is discussed with multiple drifts over several nights