Diversity regained: Precautionary approaches to COVID-19 as a phenomenon of the total environment

As COVID-19 emerged as a phenomenon of the total environment, and despite the intertwined and complex relationships that make humanity an organic part of the Bio- and Geospheres, the majority of our responses to it have been corrective in character, with few or no consideration for unintended consequences which bring about further vulnerability to unanticipated global events. Tackling COVID-19 entails a systemic and precautionary approach to human-nature relations, which we frame as regaining diversity in the Geo-, Bio-, and Anthropospheres. Its implementation requires nothing short of an overhaul in the way we interact with and build knowledge from natural and social environments. Hence, we discuss the urgency of shifting from current to precautionary approaches to COVID-19 and look, through the lens of diversity, at the anticipated benefits in four systems crucially affecting and affected by the pandemic: health, land, knowledge and innovation. Our reflections offer a glimpse of the sort of changes needed, from pursuing planetary health and creating more harmonious forms of land use to providing a multi-level platform for other ways of knowing/understanding and turning innovation into a source of global public goods. These exemplary initiatives introduce and solidify systemic thinking in policymaking and move priorities from reaction-based strategies to precautionary framework

Phenotypic integration and caste characterization in the ant tribe Camponotini

Die vorliegende Dissertation beschreibt kastenspezifische morphologische Merkmale und Proportionen innerhalb der Ameisengattungen Camponotus und Colobopsis. Diese Taxa sind für ihren bemerkenswerten evolutionären Erfolg und ihre komplexen Kastensysteme bekannt. Dies macht sie zu idealen Forschungsobjekten zur Untersuchung kastenspezifischer phänotypischer Integration. Der Schwerpunkt der fünf hier vorgestellten Arbeiten liegt auf der multivariaten statistischen Analyse morphometrischer Daten und wird zusätzlich durch die Anwendung multidisziplinärer Methoden unterstützt. Zusammenfassend zeigen die Studien, dass Kasten der Camponotini zuverlässig mit einfachen Methoden der klassischen Morphometrie charakterisierbar sind. In allen Arbeiten weisen Minor-Arbeiterinnen die proportional längsten Extremitäten sowie die stärkste Größenvarianz auf. Major-Arbeiterinnen hingegen haben große, stämmige Körper, vergrößerte Köpfe und sehr kurze, dicke Extremitäten. Gynen können durch das Vorhandensein eines Flugapparats, eine der Major-Arbeiterin ähnliche Kopfform, Ocellen und große Augen charakterisiert werden. Diese kastenspezifischen Merkmalskomplexe entsprechen zumindest teilweise morphologischen Modulen, die von Strukturen mit gemeinsamer Entwicklung und Funktion gebildet werden. Untersuchungen an mit parasitischen Nematoden der Familie Mermithidae infizierten Gynen zeigen auffällige morphologische Veränderungen. Die Ergebnisse werden im Rahmen theoretisch-biologischer Konzepte interpretiert: Morphologische Modularität, phänotypische Integration und ökologisch-evolutionäre Entwicklungsbiologie (EcoEvoDevo) werden ebenso diskutiert wie Verhaltensökologie und Arbeitsteilung innerhalb der Kolonie. Kastenspezifische morphologischen Merkmale und Merkmalskomplexe können großteils als Anpassungen an die jeweiligen Funktionen und Aufgaben innerhalb der Kolonie interpretiert werden.The present dissertation describes caste-specific morphological characters and proportions in the ant genera Camponotus and Colobopsis. These taxa are known for their evolutionary success and complex caste-systems, thus making them ideal subjects to investigate phenotypic integration – i.e., the propensity of structures to form strongly correlated “modules” linked through common development and function. The five papers presented herein mainly focus on multivariate statistical analyses of morphometric data, but support this approach by application of multidisciplinary methods. In summary, the included studies show that camponotine castes can be reliably characterized using simple, classical methods of morphometry. Consistently across all studies, minor workers show elongated appendages and the highest intraspecific size variation of all castes. Major workers possess large, stout bodies, enlarged heads and extremely short, thick appendages. Gynes may be characterized by the presence of the flight apparatus, ocelli, a head shape similar to conspecific major workers, and large eyes. These caste-specific character complexes are partially shown to represent morphological modules linked to common development and function. The investigation of several gynes infected by pathogenic mermithid nematodes showed striking morphological alterations. The results are mainly interpreted within the framework of morphological modularity and phenotypic integration, EcoEvoDevo, behavioural ecology and division of labour. Character-sets unique to each caste may be interpreted as adaptations to their specialized functions within the colony

Rhagovelia species from Nosy Boraha east of Madagascar (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Veliidae)

Zettel, Herbert, Laciny, Alice (2020): Rhagovelia species from Nosy Boraha east of Madagascar (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Veliidae). Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 60 (2): 419-425, DOI: 10.37520/aemnp.2020.2

Contributions to the taxonomy of the ant genus Echinopla Smith, 1857 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

Sixteen species of Echinopla Smith, 1857 distributed west of Weber’s Line are treated, including eight species described as new: E. madli sp. n. from southern Thailand and Borneo, E. wardi sp. n. from West Malaysia, E. fisheri sp. n., E. circulus sp. n., E. mezgeri sp. n., and E. subtilis sp. n. from Borneo, E. brevisetosa sp. n. and E. angustata sp. n. from the Philippines. Lectotypes are designated for E. lineata Mayr, 1862 and E. senilis Mayr, 1862, stat. rev., and differences between the two species are pointed out. New records are presented for E. melanarctos Smith, 1857 (West Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo), E. pallipes Smith, 1857 (Borneo), E. tritschleri Forel, 1901 (West Malaysia, Borneo), E. cherapunjiensis Bharti & Gul, 2012 (Laos, West Malaysia), E. lineata Mayr, 1862 (Singapore, Borneo), E. cf. pseudostriata Donisthorpe, 1943 (Philippines), and E. cf. vermiculata Emery, 1898 (Philippines)

Review of the genus Rhagovelia Mayr, 1865 (Insecta: Heteroptera: Veliidae) in the Palawan biogeographic region, the Philippines

This paper reports eight species of Rhagovelia Mayr, 1865, from the Palawan biogeographic region, including three that are new to science. Rhagovelia minutissima Hungerford & Matsuda, 1961 (Busuanga Isl.); R. estrella Zettel, 1994 (Central Palawan Isl.); R. palawanensis Zettel, 1994 (South and Central Palawan Isl.); R. matillanoi, new species (North Palawan Isl.); and R. abbreviata, new species (North Palawan Isl.) are members of the R. sarawakensis group, which is absent from other islands of the Philippine archipelago. Rhagovelia kawakamii hoberlandti Hungerford & Matsuda, 1961 (Busuanga Isl., Palawan Isl., Balabac Isl., North Borneo) and R. gapudi, new species (Busuanga Isl., Central and North Palawan Isl.) belong to the R. papuensis group (sensu lato). Rhagovelia lansburyi Zettel, 1995 (Central Palawan Isl.) is an isolated species without clear affinity to other species groups; thus, the Rhagovelia lansburyi species group is defined. The male genitalia and the macropterous morph of R. minutissima are described for the first time. Numerous illustrations, maps, and keys to species and species groups are provided

Workers, soldiers, and gynes – morphometric characterization and description of the female castes of Camponotus singularis (Smith, 1858) (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

Species of Camponotus Mayr, 1861 show a high variation of worker caste numbers, from a monomorphic worker caste to strong polymorphism along a continuous range of worker sizes or true worker dimorphism. Camponotus singularis (Smith, 1858) is used as a model for a Camponotus species with two very distinct worker castes (minors and majors) which are chiefly defined by morphometric data. We investigated shifts in proportions of C. singularis female castes in order to identify major allometric patters useful for characterizing caste differences in this species as well as in other Camponotini. We describe the main morphological traits which are characteristic for the respective morphs. The major worker, or “soldier”, shows many characteristics which deviate from the minor worker, but also from the alate gyne. Its traits are assumingly modified for its function in nest defence. Morphometric data clearly set Bornean specimens of Camponotus singularis (described as var. rufomaculatus Donisthorpe, 1941) apart from specimens with other proveniences, suggesting that this island population is a distinct species

Neurodiversity and anthropomorphism in social insect research

When researching social insects, interpretations drawing parallels between behaviours and social systems of humans and animals are particularly prevalent. While these comparisons have value for illustrative purposes, failing to recognize them as metaphors can result in erroneous interpretations of data. Previous studies have found this anthropomorphic bias to be connected to extraversion and sociability. Autistic individuals are overrepresented in the life sciences, may be less prone to cognitive bias, yet still face significant stigma in the workplace. In this interdisciplinary study, we therefore surveyed an international sample of social insect scientists to explore the impact of autistic traits on their research. We herein present the first results of this study, and discuss them from the standpoints of cognitive science, philosophy of psychiatry, and entomology. We thereby hope to elucidate the role of neurodiversity and atypical modes of perception in science, and contribute to creating a more inclusive academic landscape

Figs 5–8 in The genus Xenobates (Hemiptera: Veliidae) in the Philippines: overview and description of two new species

Figs 5–8. Habitus of 5, 6 – Xenobates murphyi Andersen, 2000 and 7, 8 – Xenobates cf. argentatus Andersen, 2000 from Cebu; (5, 7 – males, 6, 8 – females).Published as part of Zettel, Herbert, Laciny, Alice & Bongo, Juvy P., 2021, The genus Xenobates (Hemiptera: Veliidae) in the Philippines: overview and description of two new species, pp. 221-230 in Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae (Acta. Ent. Mus. Natl. Pragae) 61 (1) on page 226, DOI: 10.37520/aemnp.2021.012, http://zenodo.org/record/503741

A New Species of the Rhagovelia Sarawakensis Species Group (Hemiptera: Veliidae) from Cambodia

Rhagovelia freitagi Zettel; Laciny et Pangantihon; sp. n. is described and illustrated from Cambodia. The new species belongs to the Rhagovelias arawakensis species group. A key to the species of this group that are presently known from Cambodia; Laos and Vietnam is also given

Repeating patterns : Predictive processing suggests an aesthetic learning role of the basal ganglia in repetitive stereotyped behaviors

Recurrent, unvarying, and seemingly purposeless patterns of action and cognition are part of normal development, but also feature prominently in several neuropsychiatric conditions. Repetitive stereotyped behaviors (RSBs) can be viewed as exaggerated forms of learned habits and frequently correlate with alterations in motor, limbic, and associative basal ganglia circuits. However, it is still unclear how altered basal ganglia feedback signals actually relate to the phenomenological variability of RSBs. Why do behaviorally overlapping phenomena sometimes require different treatment approaches−for example, sensory shielding strategies versus exposure therapy for autism and obsessive-compulsive disorder, respectively? Certain clues may be found in recent models of basal ganglia function that extend well beyond action selection and motivational control, and have implications for sensorimotor integration, prediction, learning under uncertainty, as well as aesthetic learning. In this paper, we systematically compare three exemplary conditions with basal ganglia involvement, obsessive-compulsive disorder, Parkinson’s disease, and autism spectrum conditions, to gain a new understanding of RSBs. We integrate clinical observations and neuroanatomical and neurophysiological alterations with accounts employing the predictive processing framework. Based on this review, we suggest that basal ganglia feedback plays a central role in preconditioning cortical networks to anticipate self-generated, movement-related perception. In this way, basal ganglia feedback appears ideally situated to adjust the salience of sensory signals through precision weighting of (external) new sensory information, relative to the precision of (internal) predictions based on prior generated models. Accordingly, behavioral policies may preferentially rely on new data versus existing knowledge, in a spectrum spanning between novelty and stability. RSBs may then represent compensatory or reactive responses, respectively, at the opposite ends of this spectrum. This view places an important role of aesthetic learning on basal ganglia feedback, may account for observed changes in creativity and aesthetic experience in basal ganglia disorders, is empirically testable, and may inform creative art therapies in conditions characterized by stereotyped behaviors.publishe