Splendid Hybrids: The Effects of a Tiger Beetle Hybrid Zone on Apparent Species Diversity

Nonexpert citizen groups are being used to monitor species to track ecosystem changes; however, challenges remain for proper identification, especially among diverse groups such as beetles. Tiger beetles, Cicindela spp., have been used for biological diversity monitoring because of their diversity and the ease of recognition. The finding of an apparent hybrid zone among Cicindela denverensis Casey, Cicindela limbalis Klug, and Cicindela splendida Hentz in central Nebraska prompted a detailed study of the biogeography of this species group within Nebraska, a test of characteristics that could be used by citizen scientists, and limited breeding experiments. This study suggests that while C. denverensis appears to hybridize with both C. limbalis and C. splendida within the hybrid zone, all three species maintain their integrity across most of their ranges, largely occupy unique geographic regions, and at least C. denverensis and C. splendida cooccur in many areas with no evidence of hybridization. Evidence of hybridization between C. limbalis and C. splendida was found at only two sites. Furthermore, breeding experiments with virgin C. splendida and C. denverensis showed that they are capable of producing hybrid larvae in the laboratory. The presence of morphological intergrades serves as a cautionary note when using biological indicator species

Splendid Hybrids: The Effects of a Tiger Beetle Hybrid Zone on Apparent Species Diversity

Nonexpert citizen groups are being used to monitor species to track ecosystem changes; however, challenges remain for proper identification, especially among diverse groups such as beetles. Tiger beetles, Cicindela spp., have been used for biological diversity monitoring because of their diversity and the ease of recognition. The finding of an apparent hybrid zone among Cicindela denverensis Casey, Cicindela limbalis Klug, and Cicindela splendida Hentz in central Nebraska prompted a detailed study of the biogeography of this species group within Nebraska, a test of characteristics that could be used by citizen scientists, and limited breeding experiments. This study suggests that while C. denverensis appears to hybridize with both C. limbalis and C. splendida within the hybrid zone, all three species maintain their integrity across most of their ranges, largely occupy unique geographic regions, and at least C. denverensis and C. splendida cooccur in many areas with no evidence of hybridization. Evidence of hybridization between C. limbalis and C. splendida was found at only two sites. Furthermore, breeding experiments with virgin C. splendida and C. denverensis showed that they are capable of producing hybrid larvae in the laboratory. The presence of morphological intergrades serves as a cautionary note when using biological indicator species

Effects of Language Context on Ratings of Shy and Unsociable Behaviors in English Language Learning Children

Purpose The primary goal of this study was to explore the effect of the language context on the socially withdrawn behaviors of school aged-children who are English Language Learners (ELLs) from middle to high SES backgrounds. This is one of the first studies to address the frequently confused concepts of shyness and unsociability as independent constructs within the ELL population. This study also investigated the feasibility of an experimental parent and child questionnaire that examines shyness and unsociability across native and English speaking contexts. Method Children and parents (34 ELL and 37 native English speaking) were administered an experimental questionnaire examining shy and unsociable behavior in native language and English-speaking contexts. Results Parents and children from the ELL group reported significantly higher ratings of shy behavior in English versus native language contexts, whereas unsociable ratings did not differ across language contexts. Conclusions Shyness and unsociability are distinguishable behaviors in ELL children and these constructs should be considered when examining withdrawal. Additionally, examining ELL children’s behavior across language contexts provides a valuable method for investigating language influenced behavioral problems. This study demonstrates the need for service providers to evaluate behavior across subtype and language context before pathologizing withdrawal in ELL children

LARVAL DESCRIPTION OF \u3ci\u3eCICINDELA\u3c/i\u3e (\u3ci\u3eDROMOCHORUS\u3c/i\u3e) \u3ci\u3ePRUININA\u3c/i\u3e (CASEY) (COLEOPTERA: CARABIDAE: CICINDELINAE) WITH NOTES ON HABITAT AND ADULT BEHAVIOR

Cicindela (Dromochorus) pruinina (Casey) is a flightless tiger beetle that was described by Casey in 1897. Since its description, it has had a diverse nomenclatural history. It occurs from Kansas and central Missouri south through Oklahoma to south Texas. Aspects of the life history are poorly known, and the larval stages have not been described. Collections of live adults from Onaga, Kansas, were transferred to a terrarium, eggs were obtained, and larvae were reared and described. Larvae were similar to other known species of Cicindela L. Notes on habitat and adult behavior were also made

Observations of Oviposition Behavior among North American Tiger Beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Cicindelinae) Species and Notes on Mass Rearing

Although the larvae of a large number of North American tiger beetle species have been described, little information exists on the oviposition behavior of female tiger beetles at the species level. In this study, we found that the oviposition behavior varied widely among species, with some species utilizing more than one method. We found that, contrary to many references, several tiger beetle species did not oviposit from above the soil surface by inserting the ovipositor into the soil. Instead, several species oviposited by tunneling over 20 mm below the soil surface. In addition, we outline recently used successful protocols for rearing larvae rapidly and in large quantities

CHANGES IN MEDIA WATER STATUS DURING PREPARATION AND STORAGE

Significant water loss from plant tissue culture media occurs during its preparation and storage. Because medium water status has a recognized influence on culture response, any water loss and resulting increase in gelling agent and other component concentrations should be allowed for or at least accounted for during media preparation, to ensure the final media composition is that specified or expected. Two formulations of gelled-agar plant tissue culture media were prepared according to standard protocol and 42ml portions of the prepared media were dispensed into GA7 vessels for autoclaving and storage. A sample of each mixture was removed and its fresh and oven dry mass measured to determine postpreparation concentration. Likewise the postautoclave and poststorage concentrations were measured to determine the water loss and subsequent concentration increase at each step. The observed water loss indicated about a 3% increase in media agar concentration from water lost during mixing, 6% after autoclaving, and over 25% after 30 days storage in lab conditions. The loss of water under refrigerated storage resulted in considerably less change (<10%) in agar concentration over the same period