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Suivis de biodiversité par la reconnaissance automatique des espèces sur photographies : perspectives et défis
No full textLa reconnaissance d’espèces basée sur des données d’images analysées par l’intelligence artificielle est de plus en plus populaire dans les suivis de biodiversité, pour faire face aux limites des méthodes plus traditionnelles et à l’émergence de considérations déontologiques préconisant le développement de pièges non destructifs (i.e. non létaux, « no kill »). Cette augmentation dans l’utilisation de nouvelles technologies peut largement s’expliquer par un besoin de gain en temps et en précision. Ce type de méthodologie est particulièrement intéressant pour les personnes qui n’ont pas l’expertise nécessaire pour distinguer de nombreuses espèces telles que les Insectes. De plus, les données photographiques sont moins susceptibles de créer un biais observateur que l’observation directe, car elles sont réutilisables et vérifiables. Dans ce document nous allons voir comment les données peuvent être acquises en milieu terrestre (i.e. méthodologies et outils de capture) et la manière dont les images sont ensuite traitées pour la classification des espèces (i.e. gestion des données et analyses). En particulier, nous avons considéré la possibilité d’automatiser les grands volumes de données collectées à l’aide de techniques d’apprentissage automatique et d’apprentissage profond afin de réaliser l’identification des espèces. Cette étude présente également les avantages et les limites de l’utilisation de ces outils pour l’identification automatique des espèces dans un contexte de suivi de biodiversité en milieu terrestre. Species recognition based on image data and analyzed by artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly popular in biodiversity monitoring studies to address the limitations of more traditional methods, and the emergence of ethical considerations advocating the development of non-destructive (i.e. non-lethal, “no kill”) traps. This increase in the use of new technologies can largely be explained by a need to gain time and accuracy. This type of methodology is particularly interesting for people who do not have the expertise to distinguish many species such as insects. In addition, photo data are less likely to create observer bias than direct observation as they are reusable and verifiable. In this paper we will discuss how data can be acquired in terrestrial environments (i.e. capture methodologies and tools) and how images are then processed for species classification (i.e. data management and analysis). In particular, we considered the possibility of automating large volumes of collected data using machine learning and deep learning techniques to perform species identification. This study also presents the advantages and limitations that can be encountered when using these tools in the automatic identification of species in a context of biodiversity monitoring in terrestrial environment.</p
Le papyrus du serpent de Brooklyn: pourquoi l’énigmatique <i>kȝrȝ</i> pourrait être un caméléon
No full textLe papyrus du serpent de Brooklyn (vers 380-343 av. J.-C.) intrigue les égyptologues depuis sa publication en 1989. Trente-sept des 38 entrées de la première moitié du texte décrivent des spécimens de serpents ainsi que les effets physiques de leurs morsures, ce qui a permis l’identification scientifique de beaucoup d'individus au niveau de l’espèce. Cependant, l’identité du dernier animal répertorié dans le traité, le kȝrȝ, fait débat. Le texte décrit l’animal comme vert avec trois divisions sur la tête ou le dos et possédant la capacité de changer de couleur, des caractéristiques qui ont suggéré à de nombreux chercheurs que le kȝrȝ est un caméléon (Famille des Chamaeleonidae), mais comme ces lézards ne sont pas dangereux pour les humains, son association apparente avec des serpents venimeux a amené certains à douter de cette conclusion. La référence dans le texte à la créature possédant « deux pattes en dessous » a ajouté à la confusion. Ici, je présente des informations qui n’ont pas été prises en compte auparavant, qui soutiennent davantage l’identification antérieure du kȝrȝ en tant que caméléon et expliquent pourquoi son regroupement avec les serpents peut avoir été considéré comme logique selon la taxonomie utilisée par les anciens Égyptiens.The Brooklyn snake papyrus (c. 380-343 BC) has intrigued Egyptologists since its publication in 1989. Thirty-seven of the 38 entries in the first half of the text describe individual snakes, as well as outline the physical effects of their bites, which has enabled the scientific identification of many to the species level. However, the identity of the last animal listed in the treatise, the kȝrȝ, is debated. The text describes the animal as green with three divisions on its head or back and possessing the ability to change colour, features that have suggested to many scholars that the kȝrȝ is a chameleon (Family Chamaeleonidae), but because these lizards are not dangerous to humans, its apparent association with venomous snakes has caused others to doubt this conclusion. Reference in the text to the creature possessing “two legs under it” has added to the confusion. Here I present information that has not been considered previously, which further supports the earlier identification of the kȝrȝ as a chameleon and explains why its grouping with snakes may have been considered logical according to the taxonomy used by the ancient Egyptians.</p
New nematode species and genera (Nematoda: Chromadorea) from cold seeps on Hikurangi Margin, New Zealand
No full textRelatively little is known about the taxonomy and ecology of deep-sea nematode species inhabiting cold seep habitats. The available data show that cold seep nematode communities are typically characterized by low diversity and are often dominated by a single species, although no nematode taxon appears to have a strong association with methane seepage. In July 2019, a research voyage to New Zealand’s Hikurangi Margin provided an opportunity to characterize the nematode species communities of New Zealand cold seeps, which had not been investigated until now. Here, six new species and two new nematode genera of the class Chromadorea are described from macrofauna cores obtained at three seep sites (Mungaroa, Glendhu, and Uruti South) on Hikurangi Margin from 1227 to 2077 m depth. The species described here represent a wide range of feeding groups, ranging from deposit feeders (Linhomoeus pycnocricus sp. nov., Deraionema barbatum gen. et sp. nov.) to microvores (Aulostomonema abyssum gen. et sp. nov., Aegialoalaimus magnus sp. nov.) and epigrowth feeders (Desmodora parapilosa sp. nov.). The diet of Siphonolaimus curtisensillus sp. nov., which is characterized by an unusual stylet-like feeding apparatus, remains to be determined, however the presence of several different feeding modes in the species described here indicates that a range of food sources are exploited by macrofaunal nematodes at the study sites. Desmodora, Linhomoeus, and Aegialoalaimus have been reported from cold seep habitats previously, however no records of Siphonolaimus from cold seeps could be found in the literature. Aulostomonema gen. nov. does not appear to have a close association with seeps, whilst Deraionema gen. nov. appears to be restricted to the centre of the seep sites where methane seepage is likely strongest. Ongoing work on the ecology and distribution of nematode communities at the Hikurangi Margin seep sites will help determine spatial patterns in abundance and species distributions in more detail, including the identification of any species/taxa with affinities with methane seepage.</p
A new bamboo-feeding planthopper genus <I>Aodingus</I> Chen & Li (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea: Delphacidae: Tropidocephalini) with descriptions of three new species from China and Vietnam
No full textA new planthopper genus, Aodingus Chen & Li gen. nov. and three new species (A. hainanensis Chen & Li gen. et sp. nov., A. obscurus Chen & Li gen. et sp. nov. and A. cuongi Chen & Li gen. et sp. nov.) are described from China and Vietnam. The new genus is superficially similar to Procidelphax Bartlett, 2009 in general appearance in that the body is strongly dorsoventrally flattened. Distinctive features of the new taxon include broadly compressed body with vertex broad, apical margin broadly rounded, middle part concave, median and submedian carinae absent, frons broad and large, wider at base than at apex, forewing broad and long, aedeagus tubular, curved ventrally. A diagnosis for all species, illustrations and an identification key of new genus are provided. A key to the Chinese genera of Tropidocephalini is also provided.</p
Bumblebees with big teeth: revising the subgenus <I>Alpigenobombus</I> with the good, the bad and the ugly of numts (Hymenoptera: Apidae)
No full textThe mountain bumblebees of the subgenus Alpigenobombus Skorikov, 1914, are uniquely distinctive because the females have enlarged mandibles with six large, evenly spaced teeth, which they use to bite holes in long-corolla flowers for nectar robbing. Recognition of species in this subgenus has been uncertain, with names used in various combinations. To revise the species, we examined COI-like barcodes for evidence of species’ gene coalescents using MrBayes and PTP and we compare the coalescent groups with morphological variation for integrative assessment. While we seek to include only orthologous barcodes (the ‘good’) and exclude all of the more strongly divergent barcode-like numts (the ‘bad’), for some nominal taxa only low-divergence numts could be obtained (the ‘ugly’). For taxa with no orthologous sequences available, using a minimum number of the lowest divergence numts did yield coalescent candidates for species that were consistent with morphologically diagnosable groups. These results agree in recognising 11 species within this subgenus, supporting: (1) recognising the widespread European Bombus mastrucatus Gerstaecker, 1869 stat. rev. as a species separate from the west Asian B. wurflenii Radoszkowski, 1860 s. str.; (2) the recently recognised B. rainai Williams, 2022, as a species separate from B. kashmirensis Friese, 1909, within the western Himalaya; (3) the recognition once again of B. sikkimi Friese, 1918 stat. rev. and B. validus Friese, 1905 stat. rev. as species separate from B. nobilis Friese, 1905 s. str. within the eastern Himalaya and Hengduan regions; (4) confirming the recognition of B. angustus Chiu, 1948, B. breviceps Smith, 1852 s. lat., B. genalis Friese, 1918, and B. grahami (Frison, 1933) as separate species within the Himalaya, China, and Southeast Asia; (5) recognising the conspecificity of the nominal taxa (not species) channicus Gribodo, 1892 (Southeast Asia) and dentatus Handlirsch, 1888 (Himalaya) as parts of the species B. breviceps s. lat. (southern and eastern China); and (6) recognising the conspecificity of the rare taxon beresovskii (Skorikov, 1933) syn. n. as part of the species B. grahami within China. Nectar robbing by bumblebees is reviewed briefly and prospects for future research discussed.</p
On the taxonomic status of <I>Dina ratschaensis</I> Kobakhidze, 1958 with a description of two new species – <I>Dina imeretiensis</I> sp. nov. and <I>D. samegreloensis</I> sp. nov. (Annelida, Hirudinida: Erpobdellidae)
No full textTwo species of leeches were described from Georgia in the past, Dina ratschaensis Kobakhidze, 1958 from the Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti region and Trocheta ariescornuta Grosser, Barjadze & Maghradze, 2021 from the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region. Both species were the only known typical representatives of cave leeches in Georgia. Recently, two more species of the genus Dina R. Blanchard, 1894 have been found in karst caves in this country. These leeches are morphologically similar to D. ratschaensis, from which they differ in the shape of the reproductive system, primarily the shape of the cornua of the genital atrium and the shape and extension of the vasa deferentia and ovisacs, justifying the description of two new species, Dina imeretiensis Grosser, Barjadze & Maghradze sp. nov. from the Imereti region and Dina samegreloensis Grosser, Barjadze & Shavadze sp. nov. from the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region. Data on the cave dwelling invertebrate communities in the studied caves are provided. Molecular data are provided, and a phylogenetic tree based on Cox1 sequences of Dina spp. and related genera is provided and discussed.</p
Une nouvelle petite espèce d’<i>Acanthogonatus</i> Karsch, 1880 (Mygalomorphae, Pycnothelidae) de Patagonie argentine : description d’<i>A. messii</i> Signorotto & Ferretti n. sp. et son emplacement phylogénétique
No full textUne nouvelle espèce de Pycnothelidae Chamberlin, 1917 de la steppe patagonienne, Chubut, Argentine, est décrite et illustrée. Acanthogonatus messii Signorotto & Ferretti n. sp. diffère des autres espèces du genre par le bulbe copulateur du mâle avec une partie basale étroite et la carène de l’embolus légèrement développée en conjonction avec la présence de fortes épines sur le métatarse ventral I, les femelles ayant des spermathèques avec des réceptacles ovales courts, et des expansions internes digitiformes partant de leur base. Il s’agit d’une petite espèce qui construit des terriers dans des environnements ouverts sablonneux avec de petits arbustes. Les résultats de l’analyse phylogénétique montrent qu’elle est proche d’A. birabeni Goloboff, 1995 et d’A. chilechico Goloboff, 1995 dans le groupe “patagonicus”.A new Pycnothelidae Chamberlin, 1917 species from Patagonian steppe, Chubut, Argentina is described and illustrated. Acanthogonatus messii Signorotto & Ferretti n. sp. differs from the remaining species of the genus by the male palpal bulb with a narrow basal portion and keel of embolus slightly-developed in conjuction with the presence of strong spines on ventral metatarsus I, females having spermathecae with short oval receptacles, and digitiform internal expansions arising from their base. This comprises a small species that construct burrows on sandy open environments with small shrubs. Results from phylogenetic analysis showed that is close to A. birabeni Goloboff, 1995 and A. chilechico Goloboff, 1995 inside the “patagonicus” group.</p
Overview of the ant genus <I>Vollenhovia</I> (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in India and Sri Lanka, with an illustrated key and the description of a new species
No full textThe ant genus Vollenhovia Mayr, 1865 (Myrmicinae, Crematogastrini) mostly occurs in the Australasian and Oriental regions. We revised its diversity in India and Sri Lanka based on qualitative and quantitative morphology, recognizing eleven taxa, including a new species which is described herewith: V. escherichi Forel, 1911, V. gastropunctata Bharti & Kumar, 2013, V. karimalaensis Dhadwal et al., 2023, V. keralensis Kripakaran & Sadasivan, 2022, V. mawrapensis Dhadwal et al., 2023, V. oblonga laevithorax Emery, 1889, V. penetrans (Smith, 1857), V. pfeifferi Bharti et al., 2023, V. taylori Rilta et al., 2023, V. terayamai Rilta et al., 2023, and V. yasmeenae sp. nov. The subspecies status of V. oblonga laevithorax and its relationship with V. penetrans, whose type series does not contain workers, still requires to be assessed in the context of a broader revision including the whole Oriental region. The known distribution of the genus in the Indian subcontinent appears to be fragmentary, still requiring extensive sampling efforts. Four species are from the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot in the southern Indian state of Kerala, one is endemic to the biogeographically related Sri Lanka, three are known from Eastern India near the border with Bangladesh, two are reported from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and one is restricted to the Himachal Pradesh in northern India. A comprehensive key of the known Vollenhovia species from India and Sri Lanka is provided.</p
Bryoflore et paysages des Andes orientales au Pérou central : II. Assemblages de bryophytes épiphylles de sous-bois de la Cordillère El Sira
No full textNous documentons la composition de quatre assemblages de bryophytes épiphylles (vivant sur les feuilles) de sous-bois le long d’un gradient d’altitude sur les pentes orientales de la Cordillère El Sira au Pérou. Les épiphylles de deux sites de forêt pluviale de basse altitude (250 et 350 m) et de deux sites de forêt nuageuse de haute altitude (1550 et 1800 m) ont été échantillonnées le long d’un transect couvrant une distance horizontale de 6,8 km et une distance verticale de 1,6 km. 74 taxons épiphylles (69 hépatiques et 5 mousses) ont été identifiés. Nous avons exploré, en utilisant diverses approches de mesure de la diversité et d’analyse multivariée, le changement de composition de la communauté le long du gradient d’altitude ainsi que les facteurs affectant la diversité et la distribution des bryophytes épiphylles de sous-bois.We document the makeup of four understory epiphyllous (leaf-inhabiting) bryophyte assemblages along an elevational gradient on the eastern slopes of the Cordillera El Sira in Ucayali, Peru. Epiphylls from two lowland rainforest (250 and 350 m) and two upland cloud forest (1550 and 1800 m) sites were sampled along a transect spanning 6.8 km horizontal and 1.6 km vertical distance, with 74 epiphyllous taxa (69 liverworts and 5 mosses) identified. Change in community composition along the elevational gradient and factors affecting the diversity and distribution of understory epiphyllous bryophytes are explored using various approaches to diversity measurement and multivariate analysis.</p
Les manchons de mousses corticoles, un micro-habitat riche en Invertébrés
No full textUn inventaire de la faune invertébrée vivant dans le sol et dans les mousses corticoles a été mené dans deux forêts, situées dans la Réserve naturelle nationale du Marais de Lavours et la Réserve naturelle régionale de la Galerie du Pont des Pierres (Département de l’Ain). Au total, 32 338 spécimens ont été collectés, correspondant à trois phylums (Mollusques, Annélides et Arthropodes) et 24 groupes taxonomiques. À surface égale, les manchons de mousses comportent davantage d’Invertébrés que le sol. Les Acariens sont très majoritaires et plus abondants que les Collemboles, eux-mêmes dix fois plus nombreux que les Hyménoptères (Fourmis), les Coléoptères, les Araignées et les Cloportes. En hiver, le peuplement du sol et des mousses à Lavours semble nettement différent de celui d’été et des peuplements du Pont des Pierres. Il existe un gradient d’abondance depuis le sol jusqu’à la hauteur d’environ un mètre, que l’on retrouve également en été, mais qui fait défaut au Pont des Pierres. Les inondations hivernales sont probablement responsables de cette répartition altitudinale des Invertébrés à Lavours, où les manchons muscicoles jouent un rôle de refuge pour les Arthropodes. Plus généralement, les coussins de mousse fonctionnent en annexe de la litière du sol avec un continuum d’espèces. An exhaustive inventory of invertebrate fauna living in the soil and in epiphytic mosses was conducted in two forests, located in the National Nature Reserve of the Marais de Lavours and the Regional Nature Reserve of the Galerie du Pont des Pierres (Department of Ain). A total of 32 338 specimens were collected, corresponding to three phylums (Molluscs, Annelids and Arthropods) and 24 taxonomic groups. If compared to the same surface, mosses sleeves have more invertebrates than the soil. Mites are very majority and more abundant than Springtails, themselves ten times more numerous than Hymenoptera (Ants), Beetles, Spiders and Woodlouse. In winter at Lavours, the soil and moss appear to be very different from the summer and from the Pont des Pierres. There is a gradient of abundance of specimens from the soil to about one meter high above ground, which is also found in summer, but which is lacking at the Pont des Pierres. Winter flooding is likely to be responsible for the elevation distribution of invertebrates at Lavours, where moss sleeves act as refuge for Arthropods. This study shows that moss sleeves work with soil litter in a continuum of species.</p