3,350 research outputs found
Strategus atlanticus Ratcliffe 1976
No full text<i>Strategus atlanticus</i> Ratcliffe <p> <i>Strategus atlanticus</i>, known only by the holotype, is from San Salvador Island (formerly Watling Island) in the Bahamas (Ratcliffe 1976). Christopher Columbus made his first New World landfall at this island on 12 October 1492. The name of the island was changed from Watling to San Salvador, the original name given to it by Columbus, in 1926. The occurrence of <i>S. atlanticus</i> on San Salvador in the southern Bahamas is almost certainly the result of its ancestors being fortuitously rafted from Cuba, Hispaniola, or Puerto Rico, where it has close phylogenetic relationships with <i>S. aenobarbus</i> (Fabr.), <i>S. ajax</i>, and <i>S. talpa</i> (Fabr.) (Ratcliffe 1976).</p> <p> <b>San Salvador</b>, 10-21 October 1891, C. B. Cory, 1 male, MCZC.</p>Published as part of <i>Ratcliffe, Brett C. & Cave, Ronald D., 2008, The Dynastinae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) of the Bahamas with a description of a new species of Cyclocephala from Great Inagua Island, pp. 1-10 in Insecta Mundi 2008 (24)</i> on page 8, DOI: <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/4532768">10.5281/zenodo.4532768</a>
Gorditus Ratcliffe
No full text<i>Gorditus</i> Ratcliffe, new genus <p> <b>Type species</b>. <i>Gorditus rotundus</i> here designated.</p> <p> <b>Description.</b> Body form oval (Fig. 1), highly vaulted posteriorly in lateral view (Fig. 2). Length about 22 mm. Color reddish brown. Clypeus attenuate to a narrowly truncate apex. Interocular distance equals 6 transverse eye diameters. Antenna with 10 antennomeres, club subequal in length to antennomeres 2–7. Mandibles exposed, subtriangular. Pronotum with moderately dense, large punctures; lateral margins with long, reddish brown setae. Elytra smooth, impunctate except for some minute punctures on sides in posterior half. Pygidium completely rugulopunctate. Protibia quadridentate. Metatibia at apex bluntly rounded. Metasternum with anterior half punctate and posterior half smooth. Abdominal spiracles noticeably large, directed posteriorly.</p> <p> <b>Distribution.</b> Cuba.</p> <p> <b>Diagnosis.</b> This genus shares some similarities with <i>Endroedianibe</i> Chalumeau from the Dominican Republic, namely, the plump body form and the form of the apically constricted clypeus. The male parameres are also remarkably similar to those of <i>E. bozzolai</i> Chalumeau. However, <i>G. rotundus</i> is notable for its large interocular distance (six transverse eye diameters); presence of long, reddish brown setae on the lateral margins of the pronotum; smooth elytral surface; pygidium completely rugulopunctate; metasternum with anterior half punctate and the posterior half smooth; and the remarkably large abdominal spiracles that are directed posteriorly. None of these traits are shared with <i>Endroedianibe</i> species.</p> <p>The abdominal spiracles are remarkably large and slightly protuberant, and they may have some correlation to life style or habitat. The fact that they are directed posteriorly is probably advantageous when burrowing through the soil, since soil might be less likely to enter the spiracle. However, many other soil dwelling dynastines do not have spiracles of this nature and seem not to have a problem with soil entering the spiracular opening. For the moment, then, the form of these unique spiracles remains an enigma.</p> <p> <b>Etymology.</b> From the Spanish word “gordo,” meaning fat or plump, here used in the diminutive form, “gordito” for “little fat one” in reference to the small, plump body size. The genus is masculine in gender.</p>Published as part of <i>Ratcliffe, Brett C., 2010, Gorditus rotundus, a new genus and species of Pentodontini from Cuba (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae), pp. 56-60 in Zootaxa 2683</i> on pages 57-59, DOI: <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/199376">10.5281/zenodo.199376</a>
Caymania Ratcliffe and Cave 2010, new genus
No full text<i>Caymania</i> Ratcliffe and Cave, new genus <p> <b>Type Species.</b> <i>Caymania nitidissima</i> Ratcliffe and Cave, new species, here designated.</p> <p> <b>Description.</b> Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Phileurini. Form elongate-oval, slightly flattened dorso-ventrally, pronotum widest at middle. Length 9.5-11.5 mm. Color dark reddish brown, almost black, strongly shining. <b> <i>Head</i>:</b> Surface lacking tubercles, instead with low, transverse carina; carina broadly interrupted at middle. Clypeus triangular, apex acute, reflexed. Eyes small, interocular width equals 9.0 transverse eye diameters. Antenna 10-segmented, antennomeres stout, club subequal in length to segments 2-7. Mandibles arcuate on lateral edge, apex acute. <b> <i>Pronotum</i>:</b> Surface evenly convex, lacking median furrow. Base with marginal bead. <b> <i>Elytra</i>:</b> Surface with weak rows of minute to small punctures, striae absent. <b> <i>Pygidium</i>:</b> Surface with sparse, minute punctures. In lateral view, surface in males weakly convex in basal half, strongly convex (almost protuberant) in apical half, surface in females weakly convex. <b> <i>Legs</i>:</b> Protibia tridentate, teeth subequally spaced. Apex of metatibia with upper angle prolonged into sharp tooth. Apex of first tarsomere of metatarsus prolonged into long spine. <b> <i>Venter</i>:</b> Prosternal process moderately tall, thick, apex broadly rounded. Last sternite impunctate. <b> <i>Parameres</i>:</b> Form symmetrical.</p> <p> <b>Diagnosis.</b> <i>Caymania</i> is distinguished from other phileurine genera, especially <i>Hemiphileurus</i> Kolbe to which it is probably most related, by mandibles entire (not toothed), clypeus acuminate, absence of tubercles on the frons, absence of a pronotal furrow, absence of elytral striae, presence of transverse carinae on the metatibiae, small size (less than 12 mm), and highly polished surface of the body. There are eight species of <i>Hemiphileurus</i> in the West Indies (Ratcliffe and Ivie 1998), but none occur on the Cayman Islands. The species of <i>Caymania</i>, along with the two species of <i>Microphileurus</i> Kolbe from South America, are the smallest of the New World Phileurini.</p> <p> <b>Etymology.</b> Named in reference to the Cayman Islands, to which it is endemic. The name <i>Caymania</i> is feminine.</p>Published as part of <i>Ratcliffe, Brett C. & Cave, Ronald D., 2010, The Dynastinae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) of the Cayman Islands (West Indies), with descriptions of Tomarus adoceteus, new species (Pentodontini) and Caymania nitidissima, new genus and species (Phileurini), pp. 1-15 in Insecta Mundi 2010 (139)</i> on page 11, DOI: <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/5164903">10.5281/zenodo.5164903</a>
Neocorvicoana Ratcliffe and Mico
No full textKey to the species of <i>Neocorvicoana</i> Ratcliffe and Micó <p> 1. Sternites in central third with transverse field of dense, long setae. Males with dense, long setae on ventral side of tarsomeres. Parameres as in Figure 9. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- <i>N</i>. chalybea (Blanchard)</p> <p> 1 <i>9</i>. Sternites in central third glabrous. Males with sparse, short setae on ventral side of tarsomeres ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2</p> <p> 2. Mentum, procoxae, and tibiae usually with piceous or black setae. Pygidium and/or sternites usually with ochre or creamy white maculae or flecks (sometimes absent in females); color may be enamel­like but never with lustrous, metallic color. Mesometasternal process weakly produced anteriorly just beyond mesocoxae. Parameres as in Figure 10. ---------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ <i>N</i>. reticulata (Kirby)</p> <p> 2 <i>9</i>. Mentum, procoxae, and tibiae usually with tawny setae. Pygidium and/or sternites usually with lustrous, metallic, pale green maculae or flecks. Mesometasternal process not produced anteriorly beyond mesocoxae. Parameres as in Figure 11. --------------------------------------------------- <i>N</i>. tricolor (Schürhoff) <b> Clave para las Especies de <i>Neocorvicoana</i> Ratcliffe and Micó</b> </p> <p> 1. Área central de los esternitos provistos de pilosidad densa, y larga. Machos con pilosidad densa y larga cubriendo la zona ventral de los tarsómeros. Parámeros como en Figure 9 ------------------------------------ <i>N</i>. chalybea (Blanchard)</p> <p> 1 <i>9</i>. Área central de los esternitos glabra. Machos con setas cortas y aisladas en la zona ventral de los tarsómeros ------------------------------------------------------------------- 2</p> <p> 2. Pilosidad del mentón, procoxas y tibias normalmente de color marrón oscuro o negra. Pigidio y/o esternitos frecuentemente con manchas de color ocre o beige (a menudo ausentes en las hembras). Colores nunca metálicos, pudiendo mostrar cierta apariencia esmaltada. Apófisis mesometasternal sobrepasando ligeramente las mesocoxas. Parameros como en Figure 10. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- <i>N</i>. reticulata (Kirby)</p> <p> 2 <i>9</i>. Pilosidad del mentón, procoxas y tibias normalmente de color anaranjado. Pigidio y/o esternitos frecuentemente con manchas metálicas de color verdoso pálido. Apófisis mesometasternal no sobrepasando las mesocoxas. Parámeros como en.. Figure 11. --------------------------------- <i>N</i>. tricolor (Schürhoff)</p>Published as part of <i>Ratcliffe, Brett C. & Micó, Estefania, 2001, A Review Of The Neotropical Genus Neocorvicoana Ratcliffe And Micó, New Genus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae: Gymnetini), pp. 279-296 in The Coleopterists Bulletin 55 (3)</i> on pages 283-284, DOI: 10.1649/0010-065x(2001)055[0279:arotng]2.0.co;2, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/4900355">http://zenodo.org/record/4900355</a>
Oryctoantiquus Ratcliffe and Smith, new genus
No full text<i>Oryctoantiquus</i> Ratcliffe and Smith, new genus <p> <b>Type Species.</b> <i>Oryctoantiquus borealis</i> Ratcliffe and Smith.</p> <p> <b>Diagnosis.</b> The same as for the monotypic species, <i>Oryctoantiquus borealis</i>. The pattern of punctures on the metasternum, combined with the large body size and form of the posterior legs, distinguishes <i>Oryctoantiquus</i> from other genera in the tribe Oryctini.</p> <p> <b>Etymology.</b> The generic name is derived from the Greek <i>oryktes</i>, meaning digger (also the stem of the dynastine tribal name Oryctini), and the Latin <i>antiquus</i>, meaning old; hence the ‘‘old digger’’ or ‘‘old oryctine’’ in reference to the 45 million year old age of the fossil and the tribe to which we assign it.</p>Published as part of <i>Ratcliffe, Brett C., Smith, Dena M. & Erwin, Diane, 2005, Oryctoantiquus borealis, New Genus And Species From The Eocene Of Oregon, U. S. A., The World' S Oldest Fossil Dynastine And Largest Fossil Scarabaeid (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae), pp. 127-135 in The Coleopterists Bulletin 59 (1)</i> on pages 128-129, DOI: 10.1649/0010-065x(2005)059[0127:obngas]2.0.co;2, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/4924192">http://zenodo.org/record/4924192</a>
Cyclocephala sarpedon Ratcliffe 1992
No full text<i>Cyclocephala sarpedon</i> Ratcliffe, 1992 <p> <i>Cyclocephala sarpedon</i> Ratcliffe 1992: 188 (Brazil)</p> <p> <b>Distribution. Suriname:</b> Ratcliffe 1992: 188; Moore et al. 2018b: 245. <b>Brazil:</b> Ratcliffe 1992: 188; Moore et al. 2018b: 245. <b>Venezuela:</b> Ratcliffe 1992: 188; Moore et al. 2018b: 245.</p>Published as part of <i>Hielkema, Auke J. & Hielkema, Meindert A., 2019, An annotated checklist of the Scarabaeoidea (Insecta: Coleoptera) of the Guianas, pp. 1-306 in Insecta Mundi 732 (732)</i> on page 181, DOI: <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/3678492">10.5281/zenodo.3678492</a>
Hiekeianus halophilus Ratcliffe 2014, new species
No full text<p> <b> <i>Hiekeianus halophilus</i> Ratcliffe, new species</b> (Figs. 11–12)</p> <p> <b>Type Material.</b> Holotype female with handwritten label: “ PERU: Cusco /Salineras de Maras/ S 13°18′08″ W 72°9′15″/ 5 Jan 2012, 3000m / M. Jameson and L. Russell //Found dead in/salt catchment” and with my red holotype label. Type deposited at the University of Nebraska State Museum (Lincoln, NE).</p> <p> <b>Holotype.</b> Female. Length 30.0 mm; width 14.5 mm. Color dark reddish brown. <b>Head:</b> Frons with large, dense, deep, confluent punctures. Frontoclypeal region at center with short, transversely arcuate tubercle. Clypeus triangular, apex narrowly rounded, not reflexed, surface transversely rugose. Mandibles exposed, large, evenly rounded. Interocular width equals 4.0 transverse eye diameters. Antenna 10-segmented, club subequal in length to antennomeres 2–7. <b>Pronotum:</b> Surface convex, lacking fovea or tubercles, weakly crazed, anterior fifth half with moderately large, dense, deep punctures. Remainder of surface with moderately large punctures sparse to moderate in density. Base with thick marginal bead. <b>Elytra:</b> Sutural stria a row of deep, elongate punctures. Surface completely, densely punctate, punctures mostly large, glabrous. <b>Pygidium:</b> Disc shiny, with small, sparse, glabrous punctures. Base with narrow, transverse band of, setigerous punctures; punctures small to moderate, and setae long, reddish brown. In lateral view, surface convex. <b>Legs:</b> Protibia quadridentate. Metatibia at apex expanded, truncate and minutely crenulate with 17 stout spinules. <b>Venter:</b> Prosternal process moderately long, laminate, apex subtruncate.</p> <p> <b>Etymology.</b> The specific epithet is derived from the Greek words <i>halos</i> for salt and <i>philia</i> for fondness. It is used here in reference to the salt catchments in which it was found. This is not to imply that this species actually has a predilection for salty habitats, but that it was simply found dead in such a place.</p> <p> <b>Distribution.</b> <i>Hiekeianus halophilus</i> is known only from the area of the Maras salt pan area in Cusco Department, Peru.</p> <p> <b>Locality Record. PERU:</b> CUSCO: Salineras de Maras (Fig. 12).</p> <p> <b>Temporal Distribution.</b> January (1).</p> <p> <b>Diagnosis.</b> The female of <i>H. halophilus</i> is described as new because it is so different from the females of <i>H. tuberculatus</i>. The differences between <i>H. halophilus</i> and <i>H. tuberculatus</i> are summarized in Table 2.</p> <p> In size and <i>gestalt</i>, <i>H. halophilus</i> also resembles <i>Barutus hartmanni</i> Ratcliffe from Panama and Costa Rica, but in <i>B</i>. <i>hartmanni</i> the clypeal apex is broader, the mandibles are weakly lobed, the frontoclypeal region has a binodose tubercle, the mentum is lanceolate rather than constricted at the subapex, the last abdominal sternite is subtruncate, and the prosternal process is large, thick, and rounded as opposed to the laminate, subtruncate process in <i>H. halophilus</i>.</p> <p> <b>Natural History.</b> The single holotype was found dead, and so nothing is known of its life history.</p>Published as part of <i>Ratcliffe, Brett C., 2014, A New Genus and Species of Dynastinae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) from the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador, other New Species of Cyclocephalini, Pentodontini, and Phileurini from South America, and a Revised Key to the Genera of New World Pentodontini, pp. 663-680 in The Coleopterists Bulletin 68 (4)</i> on pages 663-680, DOI: 10.1649/0010-065X-68.4.663, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/5369368">http://zenodo.org/record/5369368</a>
Cyclocephala chera Ratcliffe 2008, new species
No full text<i>Cyclocephala chera</i> Ratcliffe, new species <p>(Fig. 8)</p> <p> <b>Type Material.</b> Holotype female, labeled ‘‘ GUYANA: White Water Cmp., Burra Burra (sic) R. Iwokrama Res., 250–300 m, 16.II.02, 4 <i>°</i> 40 <b>9</b> 31 <b>0</b> N / 58 <i>°</i> 40 <b>9</b> 59 <b>0</b> W, Davis, Pogue & Solis. ’’ Five paratypes with same data; three paratypes with same data but with date of 15.II.02, and one paratype with same data but with date of 14.II.02.</p> <p>Holotype and three paratypes deposited at the U. S. National Museum, Washington, D. C.; two paratypes deposited at the University of Nebraska State Museum, Lincoln, NE; four paratypes placed in the Brett C. Ratcliffe Collection (Lincoln, NE).</p> <p> <b>Holotype.</b> Female. Length 15.2 mm; width across humeri 9.1 mm. Color of clypeus, tibiae, pygidium, and venter dark brown; pronotum, scutellum, and femora light orange; frons black with small, orangish subtriangular spot at center apex; elytra black and weakly suffused with dark orange on disc behind humeri. <i>Head</i>: Frons with moderately dense, moderately large punctures. Frontoclypeal suture biarcuate, distinct. Clypeus with surface roughened, vaguely rugopunctate; apex semicircular with thin, marginal bead. Interocular width equals 2.7 transverse eye diameters. Antenna 10-segmented, club slightly longer than segments 2–7. <i>Pronotum</i>: Surface weakly shagreened, punctate; punctures moderate in density and size. Base without marginal bead. Posterior angles broadly rounded. <i>Elytra</i>: Surface weakly shagreened, punctate; punctures large, dense, double rows of punctate striae distinct. Apical angles with sparse, minute setae. <i>Pygidium</i>: Surface vaguely shagreened, punctate; punctures small, moderate in density, setigerous; setae minute, tawny. In lateral view, surface weakly convex. <i>Legs</i>: Protibia tridentate, basal tooth small and strongly removed from apical teeth. Protarsus simple. Metatarsus subequal in length to metatibia. <i>Venter</i>: Prosternal process long, columnar, apex transversely oval and flat with a raised, transverse ‘‘button’’ on anterior half.</p> <p> <b>Variation.</b> Females (9 paratypes). Length 13.9–14.8 mm; width across humeri 7.6–8.5 mm. The paratypes do not differ significantly from the holotype except that the pronotal punctures become denser on the sides in some specimens.</p> <p> <b>Etymology.</b> The specific epithet is the Greek word <i>chera</i>, meaning a widow and is used here as a noun in apposition in reference to the type series of females only.</p> <p> <b>Distribution.</b> <i>Cyclocephala chera</i> is known only from Guyana. The specimens were taken in lowland rainforest at the Iwokrama Field Station along the Burroburro River nearly in the middle of the country at its narrowest point.</p> <p> <b>Diagnosis.</b> Normally, I am hesitant to describe a new species of <i>Cyclocephala</i> based upon females only, because it is usually the male characters of enlarged protarsi, protibial teeth, pygidium, and parameres that provide the most reliable features for distinguishing species. I make an exception in this case because (1) the body form and coloration are so distinctive, (2) it will not key out in Endrödi (1985) nor is it described in any new species descriptions that have appeared since Endrödi (1985), and (3) I have not seen anything like it in any collection.</p> <p> The broadly oval and vaulted body form most closely resembles <i>C. conspicua</i> Sharp and <i>C. gregaria</i> Heyne and Taschenberg. In those species, however, the elytral margin is thickened into a distinct swelling or flange, whereas the margin in <i>C. chera</i> is imperceptibly thickened. Moreover, those species have characteristic black patterns on the pronotum and/or elytra, whereas <i>C. chera</i> does not. The darkest and relatively uncommon forms of <i>C. complanata</i> Burmeister resemble the color in <i>C. chera</i>, but <i>C. complanata</i> has the base of the pronotum with a marginal bead, has a more slender body form, and occurs only in Mesoamerica. In short, I know of nothing else like <i>C. chera</i>. In Endrödi (1985), it will key on so far as couplet 382 in the female key, and then no other choices fit.</p>Published as part of <i>Ratcliffe, Brett C., 1821, More New Species ofCyclocephalaDejean, 1821 from South America (Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Cyclocephalini), pp. 221-241 in The Coleopterists Bulletin 62 (2)</i> on pages 221-241, DOI: 10.1649/1066.1, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/5369967">http://zenodo.org/record/5369967</a>
Gymnetis rhaegali Ratcliffe 2018
No full text<i>Gymnetis rhaegali</i> Ratcliffe, 2018 <p> <i>Gymnetis rhaegali</i> Ratcliffe 2018: 187 (French Guiana)</p> <p> <b>Distribution. French Guiana:</b> Ratcliffe 2018: 187.</p>Published as part of <i>Hielkema, Auke J. & Hielkema, Meindert A., 2019, An annotated checklist of the Scarabaeoidea (Insecta: Coleoptera) of the Guianas, pp. 1-306 in Insecta Mundi 732 (732)</i> on page 232, DOI: <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/3678492">10.5281/zenodo.3678492</a>
Science and sustainability: evaluation of integration of science concepts with global issues
No full textScience and Sustainability is an innovative Grade 10 SEPUP course which aims to integrate important concepts of science with the study of global sustainability in a motivating and interactive fashion to address National Science Education Standards. The purpose of this study was to examine the extent of integration in principle and in practice and is based on documentary analysis of the teaching materials and detailed analysis of a succession of evaluation questionnaires to teachers at field test centres. Integration happened effectively in principle, but contradictions were evident in teachers’ expectations of the balance between coverage of key science concepts and their contextualisation for citizenship. The course was considered very motivating with a high conceptual demand. The tensions between developing understanding of science concepts and encouraging wider skills of social responsibility are not easy to resolve. The maintenance of the sustainability concept throughout the course promoted change in teachers’ practice
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