The Illinois Ferns of Coles, Clark, and Cumberland Counties

A study of the ferns in East Central Illinois was conducted between the spring of 1976 and the spring of 1980. The counties surveyed were Coles, Clark, and Cumberland. The majority of the field investigation was conducted near the moraines and waterways which dissect the area. Keys are provided for the families, genera, and species. There are also descriptions and illustrations for each species considered. The description covers the gross external morphology and any variations that occur. Also included are habitat preference and local distribution data. In addition, there are ethnic comments dealing with the derivation of both folk and scientific names, economic importances, folk history, and horticultural potential. As a result of extensive field and herbarium work the number of species credited to the region is now thirty-three. Two new species were discovered in the study area (Lycopodium flabelliforme (Fern.) Blanch. and Dryopteris goldiana (Hook.) Gray). There were also several county records not previously reported. The new species include five from Cumberland county (Lycopodium flabelliforme (Fern.) Blanch., Botrychium dissectum Spreng. var. dissectum, Ophioglossum vulgatum L. var. pseudopodum (Blake) Farw., Equisetum laevigatum A. Br., and Asplenium rhizophyllum L.), six from Clark county (Botrychium dissectum Spreng. var. dissectum, Ophioglossum vulgatum L. var. pseudopodum (Blake) Farw., Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn var. latiusculum (Devs.) Underw., Athyrium pycnocarpon (Spreng.) Tidestrom, Dryopteris carthusiana (Villars) H. P. Fuchs, and Dryopteris goldiana (Hook.) Gray), and two from Coles county (Dryopteris carthusiana (Villars) H. P. Fuchs and Dryopteris goldiana (Hook.) Gray). Most of the specimens are housed in the Stoner Herbarium at Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, Illinois

The Illinois Ferns of Coles, Clark, and Cumberland Counties

A study of the ferns in East Central Illinois was conducted between the spring of 1976 and the spring of 1980. The counties surveyed were Coles, Clark, and Cumberland. The majority of the field investigation was conducted near the moraines and waterways which dissect the area. Keys are provided for the families, genera, and species. There are also descriptions and illustrations for each species considered. The description covers the gross external morphology and any variations that occur. Also included are habitat preference and local distribution data. In addition, there are ethnic comments dealing with the derivation of both folk and scientific names, economic importances, folk history, and horticultural potential. As a result of extensive field and herbarium work the number of species credited to the region is now thirty-three. Two new species were discovered in the study area (Lycopodium flabelliforme (Fern.) Blanch. and Dryopteris goldiana (Hook.) Gray). There were also several county records not previously reported. The new species include five from Cumberland county (Lycopodium flabelliforme (Fern.) Blanch., Botrychium dissectum Spreng. var. dissectum, Ophioglossum vulgatum L. var. pseudopodum (Blake) Farw., Equisetum laevigatum A. Br., and Asplenium rhizophyllum L.), six from Clark county (Botrychium dissectum Spreng. var. dissectum, Ophioglossum vulgatum L. var. pseudopodum (Blake) Farw., Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn var. latiusculum (Devs.) Underw., Athyrium pycnocarpon (Spreng.) Tidestrom, Dryopteris carthusiana (Villars) H. P. Fuchs, and Dryopteris goldiana (Hook.) Gray), and two from Coles county (Dryopteris carthusiana (Villars) H. P. Fuchs and Dryopteris goldiana (Hook.) Gray). Most of the specimens are housed in the Stoner Herbarium at Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, Illinois

Results of the 2016 Indianapolis Biodiversity Survey, Marion County, Indiana

Surprising biodiversity can be found in cities, but urban habitats are understudied. We report on a bioblitz conducted primarily within a 24-hr period on September 16 and 17, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. The event focused on stretches of three waterways and their associated riparian habitat: Fall Creek (20.6 ha; 51 acres), Pleasant Run (23.5 ha; 58 acres), and Pogue’s Run (27.1 ha; 67 acres). Over 75 scientists, naturalists, students, and citizen volunteers comprised 14 different taxonomic teams. Five hundred ninety taxa were documented despite the rainy conditions. A brief summary of the methods and findings are presented here. Detailed maps of survey locations and inventory results are available on the Indiana Academy of Science website (https://www.indianaacademyofscience.org/)

Expressions 1978

Expressions contains selected work from some of the Creative Writing Contest winners and honorable mentions along with Commercial Art students at Des Moines Area Community College. Design, topography, and layout was accomplished by Journalism students.https://openspace.dmacc.edu/expressions/1000/thumbnail.jp

Genome-wide meta-analysis of 241,258 adults accounting for smoking behaviour identifies novel loci for obesity traits

Few genome-wide association studies (GWAS) account for environmental exposures, like smoking, potentially impacting the overall trait variance when investigating the genetic contribution to obesity-related traits. Here, we use GWAS data from 51,080 current smokers and 190,178 nonsmokers (87% European descent) to identify loci influencing BMI and central adiposity, measured as waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio both adjusted for BMI. We identify 23 novel genetic loci, and 9 loci with convincing evidence of gene-smoking interaction (GxSMK) on obesity-related traits. We show consistent direction of effect for all identified loci and significance for 18 novel and for 5 interaction loci in an independent study sample. These loci highlight novel biological functions, including response to oxidative stress, addictive behaviour, and regulatory functions emphasizing the importance of accounting for environment in genetic analyses. Our results suggest that tobacco smoking may alter the genetic susceptibility to overall adiposity and body fat distribution.Peer reviewe

Asplenium rhizophyllum L.

https://thekeep.eiu.edu/herbarium_specimens_byname/15060/thumbnail.jp

Taxus canadensis Marsh.

https://thekeep.eiu.edu/herbarium_specimens_byname/11063/thumbnail.jp

Asplenium rhizophyllum L.

https://thekeep.eiu.edu/herbarium_specimens_byname/15060/thumbnail.jp

Asplenium montanum Willd.

https://thekeep.eiu.edu/herbarium_specimens_byname/16210/thumbnail.jp