Review of the millipede subfamily Amplininae (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Aphelidesmidae) with remarks on phylogeny and the description of some new South American genera and species

A review of the millipede subfamily Amplininae (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Aphelidesmidae) is presented. The genera Meridiurus, Tribrachiorus, Coleocacamus, Kallistopeltis, Sculptoteles and Pastazina are erected as new. Description of the new species Polylepiscus hirmerae n.sp., Meridiurus venitus n.sp., Tribrachiorus suarezi n.sp., T. huila n.sp., Coleocacamus depressus n.sp., C. labialveus n.sp., Thrinoxethus juani n.sp., T. junini n.sp., Z. siolii n.sp. and Pastazina crassa n.sp. are given. Tribrachiorus polygonatus (GERVAIS, 1847), Kallistopeltis kalonota (ATTEMS, 1899), and Sculptoteles braueri (CARL, 1918) are redescribed. An analysis is attempted to elucidate the phylogenetic and, to some extent, biogeographical relationships of the genera as they are conceived of at the present

Climate Change Impact Modelling Cascade – Benefits and Limitations for Conservation Management

Model results can serve as a basis for adaptation in conservation management. They can help understanding the impact of climate change, and support the formulation of management measures. However, model results rely strongly on the quality and the resolution of the input data; they contain significant uncertainties and need to be interpreted in the context of the modelling assumptions. The perception of models and their results differs between disciplines as well as between science and practice. Part of this gap derives from the long ‘model cascade’ used for the assessment of climate related impacts on biodiversity. For this ‘model cascade’ model results from Global Climate Models are often used to drive Regional Downscaled Climate Models and are transferred to hydrological models or distribution models of plants and animals. In fact, most assessments of potential impacts of climate change on biodiversity rely on habitat modelling of plants and animals. But, only few decision makers are trained to analyse the different outcomes of climate impact modelling. If modelling is integrated into conservation management it must be based on an evaluation of the need for information in protected areas and an assessment of model use in the management process, so as to guarantee maximum usability

Climate Change Impact Modelling Cascade – Benefits and Limitations for Conservation Management

Model results can serve as a basis for adaptation in conservation management. They can help understanding the impact of climate change, and support the formulation of management measures. However, model results rely strongly on the quality and the resolution of the input data; they contain significant uncertainties and need to be interpreted in the context of the modelling assumptions. The perception of models and their results differs between disciplines as well as between science and practice. Part of this gap derives from the long ‘model cascade’ used for the assessment of climate related impacts on biodiversity. For this ‘model cascade’ model results from Global Climate Models are often used to drive Regional Downscaled Climate Models and are transferred to hydrological models or distribution models of plants and animals. In fact, most assessments of potential impacts of climate change on biodiversity rely on habitat modelling of plants and animals. But, only few decision makers are trained to analyse the different outcomes of climate impact modelling. If modelling is integrated into conservation management it must be based on an evaluation of the need for information in protected areas and an assessment of model use in the management process, so as to guarantee maximum usability

Review of the Neotropical millipede genus Pycnotropis CARL, 1914 (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Aphelidesmidae)

A review of Pycnotropis is presented, with the description of 14 new species: P. goeldii n.sp., P. madeira n.sp., P. sigma n.sp. and P. urucu n.sp., all from Brazil, P. carli n.sp. from Ecuador, P. curvata n.sp., P. falcata n.sp., P. jeekeli n.sp., P. pallidicornis n.sp., P. similis n.sp., P. subfalcata n. sp., P. unapi n.sp., P. torresi n.sp. and P. zumbii n.sp., all from Peru. P. acuticollis (ATTEMS, 1899), is redescribed upon the holotype from Brazil. Based on abundant strictly topotypic material, P. tida (CHAMBERLIN, l94l), is considered as a subjective senior synonym of P. epiclysmus HOFFMAN, 1995 (syn.n.). A key has been compiled to all 26 species of this diverse genus, with notes on its distribution

Watching or being watched - Enhancing productive discussion between the citizen sciences, the social sciences and the humanities

Citizen science, the active participation of the public in scientific research projects, is a rapidly expanding field in open science and open innovation. It provides an integrated model of public knowledge production and engagement with science. As a growing worldwide phenomenon, it is invigorated by evolving new technologies that connect people easily and effectively with the scientific community. Catalysed by citizens’ wishes to be actively involved in scientific processes, as a result of recent societal trends, it also offers contributions to the rise in tertiary education. In addition, citizen science provides a valuable tool for citizens to play a more active role in sustainable development. This book identifies and explains the role of citizen science within innovation in science and society, and as a vibrant and productive science-policy interface. The scope of this volume is global, geared towards identifying solutions and lessons to be applied across science, practice and policy. The chapters consider the role of citizen science in the context of the wider agenda of open science and open innovation, and discuss progress towards responsible research and innovation, two of the most critical aspects of science today

On the identity of further two millipede species (Diplopoda) from the environs of Manaus, Central Amazonia

The millipede genus Pycnotropis CARL, 1914 is shown to be represented in the floodplains near Manaus by a single, highly variable and obviously eurytopic species which occurs also in secondary upland forest: P. epiclysmus HOFFMAN, 1996 (Polydesmida: Platyrhacidae). To facilitate recognition, especially so vis-a-vis a number of its nominal and by far more poorly known congeners, some of which are possibly its senior synonyms, the variation range of this species is briefly outlined. In addition, a direct, side-by- side re-examination of topotypes of Epinannolene arborea HOFFMAN, 1984 (Spirostreptida: Pseudonannolenidae) and the holotype of Pseudonannolene exilio BRÖLEMANN, 1904, all from Manaus, results in a new formal synonymy and combination: Epinannolene exilio (BRÖLEMANN. 1904), syn. n., comb. n

Associations for Citizen Science: Regional Knowledge, Global Collaboration

Since 2012, three organizations advancing the work of citizen science practitioners have arisen in different regions: The primarily US-based but globally open Citizen Science Association (CSA), the European Citizen Science Association (ECSA), and the Australian Citizen Science Association (ACSA). These associations are moving rapidly to establish themselves and to develop inter-association collaborations. We consider the factors driving this emergence and the significance of this trend for citizen science as a field of practice, as an area of scholarship, and for the culture of scientific research itself

The roles and contributions of Biodiversity Observation Networks (BONs) in better tracking progress to 2020 biodiversity targets: a European case study

The Aichi Biodiversity Targets of the United Nations’ Strategic Plan for Biodiversity set ambitious goals for protecting biodiversity from further decline. Increased efforts are urgently needed to achieve these targets by 2020. The availability of comprehensive, sound and up-to-date biodiversity data is a key requirement to implement policies, strategies and actions to address biodiversity loss, monitor progress towards biodiversity targets, as well as to assess the current status and future trends of biodiversity. Key gaps, however, remain in our knowledge of biodiversity and associated ecosystem services. These are mostly a result of barriers preventing existing data from being discoverable, accessible and digestible. In this paper, we describe what regional Biodiversity Observation Networks (BONs) can do to address these barriers using the European Biodiversity Observation Network (EU BON) as an example. We conclude that there is an urgent need for a paradigm shift in how biodiversity data are collected, stored, shared and streamlined in order to tackle the many sustainable development challenges ahead. We need a shift towards an integrative biodiversity information framework, starting from collection to the final interpretation and packaging of data. This is a major objective of the EU BON project, towards which progress is being made

European Stakeholder Round Table on Citizen and DIY Science and Responsible Research and Innovation

Göbel, C., Agnello, G., Baïz, I., Berditchevskaia, A., Evers, L., García, D., Pritchard, H., Luna, S., Ramanauskaite, E. M., Serrano, F., Boheemen, P. v., Völker, T., Wyszomirski, P., Vohland, K. (2017): European Stakeholder Round Table on Citizen and DIY Science and Responsible Research and Innovation. Doing-it-Together Science Report. URI: http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1563626 / The report is the result of an event on 8th November 2016 in Berlin. The round table has been organized by ECSA as part of the Doing-it-Together Science project (DITOs) and realized in the framework of the Berlin Science Week

Capacity building in citizen science

Citizen science, the active participation of the public in scientific research projects, is a rapidly expanding field in open science and open innovation. It provides an integrated model of public knowledge production and engagement with science. As a growing worldwide phenomenon, it is invigorated by evolving new technologies that connect people easily and effectively with the scientific community. Catalysed by citizens’ wishes to be actively involved in scientific processes, as a result of recent societal trends, it also offers contributions to the rise in tertiary education. In addition, citizen science provides a valuable tool for citizens to play a more active role in sustainable development. This book identifies and explains the role of citizen science within innovation in science and society, and as a vibrant and productive science-policy interface. The scope of this volume is global, geared towards identifying solutions and lessons to be applied across science, practice and policy. The chapters consider the role of citizen science in the context of the wider agenda of open science and open innovation, and discuss progress towards responsible research and innovation, two of the most critical aspects of science today