Sabatieria is the most abundant nematode genus on the Campos Basin continental slope. Two new species are described here. Sabatieria exilis sp. n. has a small rounded head and a narrow pharynx with a cuticularized anterior end. Sabatieria... more
Sabatieria is the most abundant nematode genus on the Campos Basin continental slope. Two new species are described
here. Sabatieria exilis sp. n. has a small rounded head and a narrow pharynx with a cuticularized anterior end. Sabatieria
fidelis sp. n. has a short outstretched testis, spicules directed ventrally and shaped like the tip of a dropper, the
gubernaculum with a v-shaped cuticularized area in the distal part, short cephalic and somatic setae, and a longer tail.
Research Interests:
genetic material was extracted from the rbcL gene from different hawaiian and polynesian plants. the plants were identified by means of genetic barcoding. Their phylogenetic relationships were  investigated.
Research Interests:
El orden Carnivora constituye uno de los grupos de fauna que más ha llamado la atención del hombre. A través de la historia, las comunidades humanas se han beneficiado de estos mamíferos en varios sentidos. Muchas especies han sido... more
El orden Carnivora constituye uno de los grupos de fauna que más ha llamado la  atención del hombre. A través de la historia, las comunidades humanas se han  beneficiado de estos mamíferos en varios sentidos. Muchas especies han sido  cazadas con fines medicinales, de consumo, de vestido, o para ser mantenidas como mascotas. Ecológicamente, los carnívoros ocupan los niveles más altos de las cadenas tróficas y juegan un papel importante en el control de poblaciones de vertebrados. Además, al ser considerados especies carismáticas, los carnívoros juegan un papel importante como objetivo central de programas de conservación de vida silvestre. Sin embargo, a pesar de su gran importancia económica, ecológica y cultural, y a que ocupan todos los ecosistemas del país, el conocimiento sobre la ecología y taxonomía de este grupo de fauna es escaso y en algunos casos no confiable o verificable. Adicionalmente, en muchas ocasiones el acceso a la información es limitado o se presenta en un lenguaje complejo para la comunidad en general. Esta situación dificulta la integración de datos que favorezcan la implementación de planes de manejo y conservación en proyectos de investigación y consultoría.

Ante esta problemática, uno de los primeros pasos consiste en recopilar información que permita sentar bases para el diseño de investigaciones, planes de manejo o programas educativos pertinentes con las necesidades del campo y el manejo de la biodiversidad. La guía “Los carnívoros terrestres y semiacuáticos continentales de Colombia” quiere postularse como una herramienta que pueda ser utilizada por todos aquellos involucrados en el uso, el manejo y la conservación de estos mamíferos. A través de un formato de fichas técnicas, la publicación incluye información sobre las características morfológicas, ecológicas y de distribución para 28 especies del orden registradas en el país. Además, se sintetizan algunos datos de los ejemplares depositados en la colección de mastozoología del Instituto de Ciencias Naturales de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia (ICN), un patrimonio científico de incalculable valor para el entendimiento de la diversidad biológica y cultural nacional.

Este ejercicio de investigación y divulgación contó con el apoyo de la Dirección de Bienestar Universitario de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia, la cual incentiva la realización de proyectos que promuevan la difusión de actividades estudiantiles de carácter social, académico y cultural. Cada día se incrementa el número de personas que se vinculan al mundo de la mastozoología a través de investigaciones, actividades de consultoría, espacios académicos o por interés personal. En este sentido, la guía constituye una herramienta no solo para los mastozoólogos del país, sino para todos aquellos involucrados en el uso, el manejo y la conservación de este grupo de fauna en el Neotrópico. Esperamos que este trabajo sirva de ejemplo no solo sobre la importancia de las colecciones biológicas como fuente de información, sino también como puente entre la academia, los grupos estudiantiles y los actores involucrados en el uso y manejo de nuestra biodiversidad.
Research Interests:
Its exclusive host, Staehelina dubia (Asteraceae), was never mentioned before as a host for Orobanchaceae. The new species is described here and named Orobanche staehelinae. The diagnostic characters are given in comparison with possible... more
Its exclusive host, Staehelina dubia (Asteraceae), was never mentioned before as a host for Orobanchaceae. The new species is described here and named Orobanche staehelinae. The diagnostic characters are given in comparison with possible related species (O. kochii, O. leptantha, O. loscosii, O. canescens and O. santolinae). Its peculiar ecology (thermophilous screes, habitat of community interest) and conservation status (endangered, IUCN red list category) are presented.
Upload File
The present article dedicates itself on the check-list of the pteridological flora in the of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park situated in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). 5987 specimens kept in the herbariums in Belgium,... more
The present article dedicates itself on the check-list of the pteridological flora in
the of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park situated in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo
(DRC). 5987 specimens kept in the herbariums in Belgium, Netherlands and Democratic Republic
of Congo have been analyzed. The specimens have been identified and grouped into families, kinds
and species. The gotten result is made up of 162 species, among which 22 are signalled for the
first time in Democratic Republic of Congo and 63 in our survey area in of the Kahuzi-Biega
National Park. The present study illustrates how poor the floristic knowledge of the Democratic
Republic of Congo remains of used for the studies of the flora of central Africa.
KEY WORDS. Check-list, Pteridophytes, Kahuzi-Biega National Park, DRC.
Research Interests:
Abstract 1 - The phytoplankton from Eastern Mediterranean coastal lagoons is analysed using a multi-scale approach, with the aim of testing if phytoplankton variations follow a hierarchical scheme based on eco-geographical location. The... more
Abstract
1 - The phytoplankton from Eastern Mediterranean coastal lagoons is analysed using a multi-scale
approach, with the aim of testing if phytoplankton variations follow a hierarchical scheme based on
eco-geographical location. The scale similarity is examined by using a taxonomic metric based on
the Kullback-Leibler divergence and a related similarity index.
2 - A hierarchical sampling design was used to investigate variations in taxonomic composition and
richness of phytoplankton assemblages. Data analyzed collected during summer season in 3 coastal
lagoons in the Mediterranean Eco-region: two are located in Turkey (Akgöl and Paradeniz) and
one is located in Greece (Korission). According to the Mediterranean typology, all lagoons are
large, non-tidal and have mean salinity regimes of oligohaline (Akgöl), polyhaline (Paradeniz) and
euhaline (Korission) designations.
3 - The taxonomic composition of phytoplankton assemblages varied markedly among lagoons, with the
most representative phytoplankton in terms of taxa richness belonged to Chlorophyceae (33.33%) in
Akgöl, to Dinophyceae (50.00%) in Paradeniz and to Dinophyceae (30.77%) in Korission.
4 - Within-habitat similarity was very high in all habitats and lagoons. At an ecosystem scale,
phytoplankton was highly homogeneous in Akgöl and Paradeniz, suggesting that the distinctive
physiognomic traits of the habitats exert a limited effect. In contrast, the phytoplankton is significantly
heterogeneous in Korission, mostly because of the effect of the heterogeneous habitats, in fact the
three sampled habitats showed well-differentiated characteristics.
5 - At an eco-regional scale, the pattern of similarity among lagoons suggests that local conditions
(particularly salinity) and geographical location play roles of a comparable importance in determining
the dissimilarity among phytoplankton guilds.
6 - The similarity index between adjacent lagoons having different salinity (Akgöl and Paradeniz) was
comparable to the one between lagoons with similar salinity but different geographical location. This
suggests that local conditions and geographical factors act in a complex way.
Research Interests:
This contribution focuses on the late Tithonian ammonite faunas belonging to the Family Himalayitidae Spath in the key-section of Le Chouet (Drôme, France). The great majority of specimens from the Mediterranean Tethys, previously... more
This contribution focuses on the late Tithonian ammonite faunas belonging to the Family Himalayitidae Spath in the key-section of Le Chouet (Drôme, France). The great majority of specimens from the Mediterranean Tethys, previously referred to Durangites Burckhardt, are now interpreted as juveniles and/or microconchs of the highly variable species Protacanthodiscus andreaei (Kilian). Moreover, comparison between specimens from France, Spain and Bulgaria formerly assigned to Durangites astillerensis Imlay and the type material of this species, supports the introduction of Boughdiriella chouetensis gen. nov. et sp. nov. Further, the revision of the type specimens of D. astillerensis and Durangites of the D. vulgaris group shows that the former species deserves a new generic status, for which Parrasiella gen. nov. is erected. Toucasiella, previously only known from Spain and Tunisia, is also reported for the first time from south east France. The revision of the “Mediterranean Durangites” supports the rejection of a Durangites spp. Zone as part of the standard zonation for the upper Tithonian, and its replacement by the P. andreaei Zone ( = D. vulgaris Zone sensu Sarti, 1988).
Research Interests:
A new cave-dwelling species of Cyrtodactylus Gray is described from Mae Hong Son Province in northern Thailand. The new species, C. erythrops sp. nov., is characterized by its moderate size (snout-vent length to at least 78 mm),... more
A new cave-dwelling species of Cyrtodactylus Gray is described from Mae Hong Son Province in northern Thailand.
The new species, C. erythrops sp. nov., is characterized by its moderate size (snout-vent length to at least 78 mm),
relatively large, closely-spaced, flattened tubercles in 18–20 irregular rows at midbody, low number of ventral scales
across midbody (28), absence of precloacal groove, presence of precloacal and femoral pores separated by a diastema,
broad subcaudal plates, and dorsal pattern of dark spots and blotches. It is the fifth species of cave-dwelling
Cyrtodactylus recorded from Thailand and its discovery adds to the mounting evidence that this genus exhibits
unprecedented levels of localized endemism throughout tropical Southeast Asia.
Research Interests:
We present an ultrastructure-based revision (using light and electron microscopy) of the type species of the genus Cocconeis, C. scutellum var. scutellum, and four often-mentioned but poorly described, morphologically related varieties:... more
We present an ultrastructure-based revision (using light and electron microscopy) of the type species of the genus Cocconeis, C. scutellum var. scutellum, and four often-mentioned but poorly described, morphologically related varieties: C. scutellum var. baldjikiana, C. scutel- lum var. clinoraphis, C. scutellum var. parva, C. scutellum var. posidoniae. In addition, we introduce three new taxa, C. scutellum var. gorensis var. nov., C. scutellum var. posidoniae f. decussata f. nov. and C. scutellum var. sul- livanensis var. nov. The taxonomic relationships between these varieties and the remaining validly described C. scutellum varieties are analyzed on the basis of their ultrastructural differences. We also provide additional information on the geographical distribution of all ana- lyzed C. scutellum taxa.
Research Interests:
We present a taxonomical revision of Cocconeis distans and C. debesi based on historical collections from Hus- tedt, and live material sampled from leaves of Posidonia oceanica. Our observations clarify the specific morphol- ogy of the... more

We present a taxonomical revision of Cocconeis distans and C. debesi based on historical collections from Hus- tedt, and live material sampled from leaves of Posidonia oceanica. Our observations clarify the specific morphol- ogy of the two taxa, which have been confused by past and modern authors. In addition, we demonstrate that the valve structure of C. debesi deviates from that of the genus Cocconeis, but agrees with that of the genus Amphicocconeis. Therefore, we propose a new nomen- clatural combination, Amphicocconeis debesi. The study also provides additional information on the geographical distribution of these taxa.
Research Interests:
We evaluated the occurrence of Sciurillus pusillus in Colombia and present the first confirmed records of the species in the country based on material deposited at Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt,... more
We evaluated the occurrence of Sciurillus pusillus in Colombia and present the first confirmed records of the species in the country based on material deposited at Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt, Villa de Leyva (IAvH, former INDERENA). The mentioned material was collected in two localities from vicinities of town La Chorrera, Igara-Paraná River, Amazonas Department of Colombia. Additionally, we provide a description of the baculum from one of the specimens herein recorded from Colombia.
Research Interests:
Background and aims – After its original description, Cocconeis grata A.W.F. Schmidt and Cocconeis pseudograta Hust. have been rarely quoted and illustrated. Due to the morphological resemblance between both taxa and because of their rare... more
Background and aims – After its original description, Cocconeis grata A.W.F. Schmidt and Cocconeis pseudograta Hust. have been rarely quoted and illustrated. Due to the morphological resemblance between both taxa and because of their rare quotations, a certain degree of taxonomic confusion existed between both diatoms. In order to clarify the taxonomic history of these two taxa, we studied their type materials kept at the Hustedt Collection (Bremerhaven, Germany), and specimens of C. pseudograta recently collected in coastal waters of the Tahiti Island (Society Archipelago, southern tropical Pacific Ocean).
Methods – Light and electron microscopy observations as well as morphometric data of frustules are presented, and an amended description for each taxon is provided.
Key results – In addition to differences in stria and areola density, following frustule features allow to distinguish between both taxa: sternum valves (SV) areolae outline and occurrence of external depressions on the SV of C. grata and granules on the external valve face and marginal row of small processes on the SV mantle of C. pseudograta.
Conclusions – Based on the frustule morphology and morphometric data, we conclude that C. grata and C. pseudograta are independent species. While the former can still be considered ‘American’ in its distribution, the occurrence of C. pseudograta in coastal waters of the Tahiti Island invalids its previous designation as ‘European form’.
Research Interests:
A marine species of Cocconeis (Bacillariophyta) from coral reef lagoon of Tahiti Island (Society Archipelago, South Pacific) was identified as Cocconeis pinnata W. Gregory ex Greville. Neither drawings nor micrographs of the raphe valve... more
A marine species of Cocconeis (Bacillariophyta) from coral reef lagoon of Tahiti Island (Society Archipelago, South Pacific) was identified as Cocconeis pinnata W. Gregory ex Greville. Neither drawings nor micrographs of the raphe valve (RV) of C. pinnata are available in the literature. The examination of Gregory's type material (several slides annotated 'Arran 57' from Greville's collection housed in BM, British Museum, London, U.K.) allowed us to complete and emend the C. pinnata description. Lectotypification of C. pinnata is proposed. Since the raw material used by Gregory was not found, no scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation of type material can be provided. Except for Hustedt (1933) and a few later reports, all descriptions and illustrations agree with the original description. LM and SEM observations demonstrate that the sternum valve (SV) stria arrangement of specimens from Tahiti match those of the type. The description of the RV by Grunow in Van Heurck (1880) refers to a stria pattern very similar to that of C. pseudomarginata W. Gregory. The RV of C. pinnata, as revealed in LM and SEM, has a dense striation and no internal marginal rim. Both valves of C. pinnata have areolae with remarkable arborescent volae, which is a new feature for Cocconeis. Cocconeis pinnata is cosmopolitan, from cold-temperate to tropical areas. Several taxa have been formerly assigned to C. pinnata, though they are probably varieties of C. costata.
Research Interests:
Henri Van Heurck examined a sample collection of sea ice and underlying sea floor sediment material during the Bel- gian Antarctic Expedition (1897–1899). He described eight new taxa of the monoraphid diatom genus Cocconeis from this... more
Henri Van Heurck examined a sample collection of sea ice and underlying sea floor sediment material during the Bel- gian Antarctic Expedition (1897–1899). He described eight new taxa of the monoraphid diatom genus Cocconeis from this collection including: C. antiqua var. tenuistriata, C. gau- tierii var. gautierii and var. inornata, C. heydrichii, C. japon- ica var. antarctica, C. litigiosa, C. schuettii var. schuettii and var. minor. All these Cocconeis taxa share well-silicified sternum valves with wide, apical hyaline areas, more or less lenticular in shape, and narrow hyaline bands at mid-distance between the apical axis and the margin, while the more del- icate raphe-sternum valves bear uniseriate striae, a hemistau- ros associated with the central raphe area, and crescent- shaped terminal hyaline areas. Since their original descrip- tion in the early 20th century, these Cocconeis taxa have been rarely reported. I studied newly described Cocconeis taxa from Van Heurck’s type material by light microscopy. The main valve features of C. gautierii var. gautierii and var. inornata, C. litigiosa, and C. schuettii var. schuettii and var. minor agree well with those of Cocconeis antiqua; I propose these five taxa be reduced to synonymy of C. antiqua.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Systematics (Taxonomy), Entomology, Sustainable agriculture, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function, Taxonomy, and 35 more
Research Interests:
Academia © 2015