6932 research outputs found
Sort by
Urophonius from Chile.
No full text44 p. : ill., map ; 26 cm.New data are provided on Chilean species of the bothriurid genus Urophonius Pocock, 1893. Urophonius mondacai, n. sp., from central Chile is described. Urophonius tumbensis Cekalovic, 1981, is redescribed according to modern standards, and information about its distribution and ecology provided. Urophonius transandinus Acosta, 1998, is redescribed, its known distribution enlarged, and data on the morphological variation among its populations provided. A modification to Maury's (1973) group division of the genus is presented. Urophonius is divided into two groups instead of three as proposed by Acosta (1988). A distribution map for the three species covered in this contribution is provided, together with a key to the Chilean species of the genus
Amphibians and reptiles of Indochina.
No full text135 p. : 1 col. ill., maps (1 col.) ; 26 cm.Indochina (Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam) houses over 600 species of amphibians and reptiles, roughly a quarter of which has been described within the last 15 years. Herein, we undertake the first biogeographic synthesis of the regional herpetofauna since the first half of the 20th century. We review the literature to measure and map species richness and endemism, the contributions of regional faunas, and ecological characteristics of Indochina's amphibians (Anura, Caudata), and reptiles (Serpentes, Sauria, Testudines, Crocodylia). Dividing Indochina into 19 subregions defined by topography and geology, we estimate the similarity among the regional faunas and appraise the effects of area and survey effort on these comparative analyses. Variation in species composition is broadly correlated with topography, habitat complexity, and proximity to regions outside Indochina. Indochina's herpetofauna is dominated (in decreasing order) by endemic species, widely distributed species, a South China fauna, and a biota centered in Thailand and Myanmar. Species richness is highest in amphibians and snakes, and peaks in upland forests. Endemism, highest among amphibians and lizards, also peaks in forests of the region's northern uplands and Annamite Range. Endemic species occupy a narrower range of habitats than nonendemics. Patterns of richness and endemism are partially explained by ecological constraints: amphibians and lizards are more restricted to forests than snakes, turtles, and crocodiles; amphibians are more restricted to uplands, turtles to lowlands. We also assess biogeography in the context of Indochina's geology, climate, and land cover. In northern Indochina, the Red River either acts as or coincides with an apparent dispersal barrier. Herpetofauna in northeastern upland areas are closely allied with fauna of southeastern China. In southern Indochina there is little evidence that the Mekong River represents a biogeographic barrier to the regional herpetofauna. The Annamite Range is composed of at least three distinct units and its elevated species richness and endemism are also noted in adjacent lowlands. Contribution of subtropical biota to Indochina's fauna is significantly greater than that of tropical biota and there is little other evidence for intermixing at intermediate latitudes. Our results have implications for biogeography and conservation efforts, although they must be viewed in the context of rapidly evolving systematic knowledge of the region's amphibians and reptiles. Future survey efforts, and the phylogenetic analyses that come from them, are essential for supporting regional conservation efforts, as they will better resolve the known patterns of amphibian and reptile richness and endemism
AMNH type specimens. Zosteropidae and Meliphagidae.
No full text184 p. ; 26 cm.
"Issued April 29, 2011."
Pts. 1-3 & 5-8 issued as v. 150, article 3 (1973), v. 161, article 1 (1978), no. 257 (2000), no. 278 (2003), no. 292 (2005), no. 313 (2008) and no. 333 (2010) of Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History; pt. 4 issued as no. 2879 (1987) of American Museum novitates.This ninth part of "Type specimens of birds in the American Museum of Natural History" includes taxa in the families Zosteropidae and Meliphagidae in Volume 12 of the Check-list of birds of the world, by James L. Peters and subsequent authors. The original description of each taxon has been consulted unless otherwise noted, modern names and coordinates are given for type localities when possible, currently accepted names for the taxa are included, and comments on taxonomic history are provided. In Part 9, 445 names are treated; types of 22 of these are not in AMNH or were not found. This part of the type list, as well as all previous parts, are searchable and available for download from the AMNH Library website: http://digitallibrary.amnh.org/dspace/
The anatomy of Dryptosaurus aquilunguis (Dinosauria, Theropoda) and a review of its tyrannosauroid affinities. (American Museum novitates, no. 3717)
No full text53 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 26 cm.
"May 20, 2011."Although among the first theropod dinosaurs known to science, and an iconic taxon in the history of dinosaur paleontology, the large carnivore Dryptosaurus aquilunguis from the late Cretaceous of New Jersey remains poorly understood. Its anatomy has been described only in brief and its phylogenetic relationships have long been the subject of debate, although recent work proposes Dryptosaurus as a member of the tyrannosauroid clade. Here we present a thorough osteological description of the holotype of Dryptosaurus aquilunguis, supplemented with photographs of all the material, and provide extensive comparisons with other theropods, especially tyrannosauroids. In concert with recent phylogenetic analyses, our description confirms the tyrannosauroid affinities of Dryptosaurus and supports its placement as an "intermediate" taxon bracketed between small, basal forms (e.g., Guanlong, Dilong) and the derived, late Cretaceous tyrannosaurids (e.g., Albertosaurus, Tyrannosaurus). We identify several autapomorphies of Dryptosaurus, including the combination of a reduced humerus and an enlarged hand. These forelimb proportions, which differ from the uniformly large arms of basal tyrannosauroids and uniformly atrophied arms of tyrannosaurids, suggest that forelimb reduction in tyrannosauroids may not have proceeded in a uniform fashion. Functionally, Dryptosaurus may have used both its skull and arms as weapons for prey acquisition and processing
A new species of Riama from Ecuador previously referred to as Riama hyposticta (Boulenger, 1902) (Squamata, Gymnophthalmidae). (American Museum novitates, no. 3719)
No full text16 p. : ill. (chiefly col.), map.
"June 3, 2011."We describe Riama crypta, new species, from the western slopes of the Cordillera Occidental, Ecuador. This taxon was formerly referred to as Riama hyposticta, a rare species described on the basis of an adult male from northern Ecuador and here recorded from southwestern Colombia. The new species differs principally from Riama hyposticta by an incomplete superciliary series, formed just by the anteriormost superciliary scale (superciliary series complete in R. hyposticta, formed by five or six scales), no nasoloreal suture (= loreal absent) (complete (= loreal present) in R. hyposticta), distinct dorsolateral stripes at least anteriorly (scattered brown spots dorsally without dorsolateral stripes in R. hyposticta), and ventral coloration composed of small cream or brown spots or longitudinal stripes (dark brown with conspicuous transverse white bars and spots). Additionally, we document the presence of distal filiform appendages on the hemipenial lobes of both species
Proceedings of the Fourth Caldwell Conference, St. Catherines Island, Georgia, March 27-29, 2009.
No full text391 p. : ill. (chiefly col.), maps (chiefly col.) ; 26 cm.
"Issued March 23, 2011."This edited volume addresses the geoarchaeology of St. Catherines Island (Georgia). The field of geoarchaeology has typically been defined as either geology pursued within an archaeological framework or (sometimes the reverse) as archaeology framed with the help of geological methodology. Either way, the formalized objectives of geoarchaeology define a broad range of pursuits, from placing archaeological sites into relative and absolute temporal context through the application of stratigraphic principles and absolute dating techniques, to understanding the natural processes of site formation, to reconstructing the landscapes that existed around a site or group of sites at the time of occupation. The editors of this volume have generally followed the lead of G.R. Rapp and C.L. Hill (2006, Geoarchaeology : the earth-science approach to archaeological interpretation) by stressing the importance of multiple viewpoints and methodologies in applying geoscience techniques to evaluate the archaeological record. In the broadest sense, then, Geoarchaeology of St. Catherines Island applies multiple earth science concepts, techniques, or knowledge bases to the known archaeological record and the processes that created that record. This volume consists of 16 papers presenting the newest research on the stratigraphic and geomorphological evolution of the St. Catherines Island landscape. Of particular interest are presentations addressing the relative timing and nature of sedimentation, paleobiology, sea level change, stream capture, hydrology, and erosional patterning evident on St. Catherines Island (and to some degree the rest of the Georgia Bight). These papers were initially presented at the Fourth Caldwell Conference, cosponsored by the American Museum of Natural History and the St. Catherines Island Foundation, held on St. Catherines Island (Georgia), March 27-29, 2009.
Table of contents: Why this archaeologist cares about geoarchaeology : some pasts and futures of St. Catherines Island / David Hurst Thomas -- Evolution of late Pleistocene-Holocene climates and environments of St. Catherines Island and the Georgia Bight / Fredrick J. Rich, Anthony Vega, and Frank J. Vento -- Geoarchaeological research at St. Catherines Island : defining the geological foundation / Gale A. Bishop, Brian K. Meyer, R. Kelly Vance, and Fredrick J. Rich -- Development of a late Pleistocene-Holocene genetic stratigraphic framework for St. Catherines Island : archaeological implications / Frank J. Vento and Patty A. Stahlman -- Ichnological diagnosis of ancient storm-washover fans, Yellow Banks Bluff, St. Catherines Island / Anthony J. Martin and Andrew K. Rindsberg -- Quaternary vegetation and depositional history of St. Catherines Island / Fredrick J. Rich and Robert K. Booth -- Recent shoreline erosion and vertical accretion patterns, St. Catherines Island / Donald B. Potter Jr. -- Role of storm events in beach ridge formation, St. Catherines Island / Harold B. Rollins, Kathi Beratan, and James E. Pottinger -- Drainage changes at Ossabaw, St. Catherines, and Sapelo sounds and their influence on island morphology and spit building on St. Catherines Island / Timothy M. Chowns -- Vibracores and vibracore transects : constraining the geological and cultural history of St. Catherines Island / Gale A. Bishop, David Hurst Thomas, Matthew C. Sanger, Brian K. Meyer, R. Kelly Vance, Robert K. Booth, Fredrick J. Rich, Donald B. Potter, and Timothy Keith-Lucas -- Application of ground penetrating radar to investigations of the stratigraphy, structure, and hydrology of St. Catherines Island / R. Kelly Vance, Gale A. Bishop, Fredrick J. Rich, Brian K. Meyer, and Eleanor J. Camann -- Postsettlement dispersal and dynamic repopulation of estuarine habitats by adult Mercenaria mercenaria, St. Catherines Island / Robert S. Prezant, Harold B. Rollins, and Ronald B. Toll -- The foundation for sea turtle geoarchaeology and zooarchaeology : morphology of recent and ancient sea turtle nests, St. Catherines Island, Georgia, and Cretaceous Fox Hills Sandstone, Elbert County, Colorado / Gale A. Bishop, Fredric L. Pirkle, Brian K. Meyer, and William A. Pirkle -- Sea turtle habitat deterioration on St. Catherines Island : defining the modern transgression / Gale A. Bishop and Brian K. Meyer -- Modeling indigenous hunting and harvesting of sea turtles and their eggs on the Georgia Coast / Gale A. Bishop, David Hurst Thomas, and Brian K. Meyer -- Geomorphology, sea level, and marine resources : St. Catherines Island / Harold B. Rollins and David Hurst Thomas -- Appendix 1. Noncultural radiocarbon record from St. Catherines Island : a compendium -- Appendix 2. Vibracore record from St. Catherines Island : a compendium.Conference sponsored by the American Museum of Natural History and the St. Catherines Island Foundation
Primate diversity and ethnobiology in Peru.
No full text81 p. : ill., maps ; 26 cm.
"Issued April 29, 2011."This report is the first installment of a monographic study of mammalian diversity and ethnomammalogy in a sparsely inhabited rainforest region between the Yavarí and Ucayali rivers in northeastern Peru. Our study is based on several large collections of mammals (totaling about 3500 specimens) made at various localities in this region between 1926 and 2003, and on our long-term ethnobiological and linguistic fieldwork with the Matses, a Panoan-speaking group of indigenous Amazonians who still obtain most of their dietary protein by hunting mammals. Our primary objectives are to document the species richness of the regional fauna through taxonomic analysis of collected specimens, and to assess the detail and accuracy of Matses knowledge of mammalian natural history by linguistic analysis of recorded interviews. The regional primate fauna is definitely known to consist of at least 14 species documented by collected specimens and/or repeated sightings of taxa with visually conspicuous diagnostic traits. This fauna includes three atelids (Alouatta seniculus, Ateles belzebuth, Lagothrix lagothricha), eight cebids (Aotus nancymaae, Callimico goeldii, Callithrix pygmaea, Cebus albifrons, Cebus apella, Saguinus fuscicollis, Saguinus mystax, Saimiri sciureus), and three pitheciids (Cacajao calvus, Callicebus cupreus, Pithecia monachus). All 14 species are known to occur sympatrically at one inventory site, but Goeldi's monkey (Callimico goeldii) is rare and uakaris (Cacajao calvus) seem to be patchily distributed, so some local faunas may have only 12 or even fewer species. This regional fauna is unique because neighboring interfluvial regions lack some species that are present in the Yavarí-Ucayali interfluve, and because some species that are present in neighboring interfluvial regions are not known to occur between the Yavarí and the Ucayali. Matses knowledge about primate natural history is clearly correlated with size and cultural importance. For example, information obtained from standardized interviews about spider monkeys (Ateles belzebuth, a large game species) can be parsed into 86 observations about its ecology and/or behavior, whereas interviews about pygmy marmosets (Callithrix pygmaea, a small nongame species) contain only nine observations on these topics. Item-by-item comparisons of Matses observations about spider monkeys with the published results of scientific field research suggests that the Matses are generally accurate observers of primate natural history, a conclusion that is additionally supported by comparing community patterns of resource use compiled from our interview data with community-ecological studies of primate faunas in the scientific literature. Most exceptions (discrepancies between Matses observations and the scientific literature) can be explained by cultural inattention to small nongame species. Although these results suggest that archiving native Amazonian knowledge about mammalian natural history might be a cost-effective alternative to lengthy fieldwork for some research objectives, there are significant linguistic barriers than can inhibit effective cross-cultural communication. Among the Matses, these include a surprisingly large number of zoologically redundant names (synonyms and hyponyms). Relevant primate examples are discussed in substantive detail
A phylogenetic analysis of ant morphology (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) with special reference to the poneromorph subfamilies. (Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, no. 355)
Get PDF90 p. : ill. ; 26 cm.Efforts to reconstruct the phylogenetic history of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) have been boosted in the last few years by accumulation of comprehensive molecular data sets exploring multiple loci on a wide range of taxa within the family. In contrast, the wealth of morphological information for the group remains scattered across the literature comprising more than a century's worth of taxonomic and anatomical research with little standardization. The present study addresses this problem by providing a synthesis of the external skeletal morphology of ants with special emphasis on the poneromorph subfamilies (Amblyoponinae, Ectatomminae, Heteroponerinae, Paraponerinae, Ponerinae, and Proceratiinae). Particular attention was devoted to documenting and standardizing morphological characters for phylogenetic inference. The morphological analysis was undertaken by constructing a digital atlas of 28 standard views containing 5250 scanning electron micrographs documenting worker ant morphology from which detailed anatomical comparison could be accurately performed. The final matrix describes 139 characters (60% of which are completely new or coded cladistically here for the first time) for 105 terminals representing ̃90% of extant poneromorph genera plus all other extant formicid subfamilies, with the exception of the rare Martilinae, and nonformicid outgroups. This matrix was analyzed with parsimony under both equal weights and implied weights (i.e., where characters are downweighted as a function of their homoplasy). The poneromorph subfamilies form a paraphyletic assemblage with the dorylomorphs, leptanillomorphs, and myrmicomorphs nested inside. All the above subfamilies are in turn reconstructed as nested within a paraphyletic group comprising the formicomophs + myrmeciomorphs. These results are in concordance with traditional precladistic views of the subfamily relationships but are markedly different from current estimates based on molecular data
The early evolution of archosaurs : relationships and the origin of major clades. (Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, no. 352)
Get PDF292 p. : ill., map ; 26 cm.
"Issued April 29, 2011."Archosaurs have a nearly 250 million year record that originated shortly after the Permian-Triassic extinction event and is continued today by two extant clades, the crocodylians and the avians. The two extant lineages exemplify two bauplan extremes among a diverse and complex evolutionary history, but little is known about the common ancestor of these lineages. Renewed interest in early archosaurs has led to nearly a doubling of the known taxa in the last 20 years. This study presents a thorough phylogenetic analysis of 80 species-level taxa ranging from the latest Permian to the early part of the Jurassic using a dataset of 412 characters. Each terminal taxon is explicitly described and all specimens used in the analysis are clearly stated. Additionally, each character is discussed in detail and nearly all of the character states are illustrated in either a drawing or highlighted on a specimen photograph. A combination of novel characters and comprehensive character sampling has bridged previously published analyses that focus on particular archosauriform subclades. A well-resolved, robustly supported consensus tree (MPTs = 360) found a monophyletic Archosauria consisting of two major branches, the crocodylian-line and avian-line lineages. The monophyly of clades such as Ornithosuchidae, Phytosauria, Aetosauria, Crocodylomorpha, and Dinosauria is supported in this analysis. However, phytosaurs are recovered as the closest sister taxon to Archosauria, rather than basal crocodylian-line archosaurs, for the first time. Among taxa classically termed as "rauisuchians," a monophyletic poposauroid clade was found as the sister taxon to a group of paraphyletic "rauisuchians" and monophyletic crocodylomorphs. Hence, crocodylomorphs are well nested within a clade of "rauisuchians," and are not more closely related to aetosaurs than to taxa such as Postosuchus. Basal crocodylomorphs such as Hesperosuchus and similar forms ("Sphenosuchia") were found as a paraphyletic grade leading to the clade Crocodyliformes. Among avian-line archosaurs, Dinosauria is well supported. A monophyletic clade containing Silesaurus and similar forms is well supported as the sister taxon to Dinosauria. Pterosaurs are robustly supported at the base of the avian line. A time-calibrated phylogeny of Archosauriformes indicates that the origin and initial diversification of Archosauria occurred during the early Triassic following the Permian-Triassic extinction. Furthermore, all major basal archosaur lineages except Crocodylomorpha were established by the end of the Anisian. Early archosaur evolution is characterized by high rates of homoplasy, long ghost lineages, and high rates of character evolution. These data imply that much of the early history of Archosauria has not been recovered from the fossil record. Not only were archosaurs diverse by the Middle Triassic, but they had nearly a cosmopolitan biogeographic distribution by the end of the Anisian