8 research outputs found
THE SPECIES CONCEPT, THEMATIC SUBJECT IN NATURAL SCIENCES – THE SCIENTIFIC APPROACHES OF EMIL G. RACOVITZA AND NICOLAE BOTNARIUC
No full textSpecies concepts represent one of the “hot” topics of the current evolutionary biology. The Romanian natural scientists EMIL G. RACOVITZA and NICOLAE BOTNARIUC defined animal species in different ways:
EMIL G. RACOVITZA supported a Genealogic species concept, expressed as “a colony of isolated consanguines”. The RACOVITZA’s concept considers species as homogenous
lineages of organisms which evolve during their history. Description of such entities requires the recognition of primitive and derived states of the morphologic traits. Hence EMIL G. RACOVITZA’s ideas preceded the principles of phylogenetic systematics of WILLY HENNIG and his followers. Geographic isolation is viewed by RACOVITZA as one of the main drivers of the speciation process.
NICOLAE BOTNARIUC developed an innovative Systems-species concept where quasiindependent organisms through their relationships within populations build a supraindividual system. The integrative properties of the population offer the necessary
traits allowing the identification of species. Evolution is the emergent property of species (represented by populations) within the context of ecosystems and within the interpopulation relationships of a biocoenosis (the next level of the organizational
hierarchy of the living matter). NICOLAE BOTNARIUC applied his concept to interbreeding and agamous populations. In this latter case the exchange of genetic information is realised through the self-reproducing individuals changing, under selection pressure, the clonal genetic structure of the population. The systems-species concept of BOTNARIUC applies to populations living within a wide spectrum of ecological conditions and existing during various time-frames; it offers a different perspective as compared to the narrow ecological species-concept of VAN VALEN.
Recent research offers additional confirmation of the views of the two Romanian biologists. It is argued that the species-concepts discussed should be used within a pluralistic cultural framework of the evolutionary systems biology. Finally, it is emphasized that the ideas of EMIL G. RACOVITZA and NICOLAE BOTNARIUC should represent stimulating arguments for new innovative research projects
EMILE G. RACOVITZA (1868–1947): HIS VIEWS ON THE ADVANCEMENT OF BIOSPELEOLOGY ARE STILL USEFUL TODAY
No full textThe views of EMILE G. RACOVITZA proposed in his Essay on biospeleological problems (1907) represent a scientific revolution. The major contribution of RACOVITZA to the development of biospeleology, as modern research, is exemplified through excerpts from his publications dealing with various aspects of taxonomy and systematics of cave fauna. We show that RACOVITZA considered taxonomy an important factor for the advancement of biospeleological research. The present contribution documents the long-term effort of RACOVITZA to establish robust taxonomic methods which support the development of new directions in biospeleology, related to the origin and evolution of those organisms. This essay offers a snapshot of the original ideas of RACOVITZA and in this way contributes to keep alive the legacy of a remarkable scientist
Sur la remarquable conformation des apophyses g\ue9nitales m\ue2les chez an polydesmide n\ue9otropical
No full textVolume: 169Start Page: 67End Page: 7
Contribution à l’étude des Spelaeonethini (Isopoda, Oniscidea, Trichoniscidae)
No full textFollowing a brief review of the classification of the family Trichoniscidae Sars, 1899, problems related to the definition of the tribe Spelaeonethini Schmőlzer, 1965 are emphasised. Obvious conflicts between the diagnosis of several genera of the tribe Spelaeonethini are pointed ou
IN MEMORY OF EMIL G. RACOVITZA (1868–1947) – HIS IDEAS REVERBERATE IN OUR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
No full textThe ideas of E. G. Racovitza which led to the development of biospelaeology (biospeology, is the term used by Racovitza and adopted here) are reviewed. We emphasize the important research programme named Biospeologica which allowed to implement practical investigations on the subterranean animals due to enthusiastic cooperative work of many scientists. It leads to the exploration of many caves and other hypogean habitats. It is stressed out that the aim of Racovitza’s efforts was to stimulate
scientists to contribute with their research to the development of an encyclopedic view of the “Natural History of the Subterranean Domain”. Examples from our own research reflect such ideas. We adopted Racovitza’s views on the phylogenetic systematics,
on the way to identify the relict aspect displayed by many subterranean animal groups. Also it is pointed out the importance of Racovitza’s ideas for reconstruction of the dynamic dispersion of homogeneous phylogenetic animal lineages in time and space. Such ideas help us to develop biogeographic scenarios which are important for understanding earth’s history. It is confirmed this
way that the ambitious programme of Racovitza, became during the time a real research tradition that merits being pursued by young naturalists interested in solving exciting problems related to the origin and evolution of the subterranean domain and its ecosystems
TRAIAN ORGHIDAN (1917 – 1985)
No full textTraian Orghidan aurait eu 100 ans cette année. Malheureusement il nous a quitté prématurément à l’âge de 68 ans. Ce naturaliste d’une exceptionnelle valeur laisse des souvenirs particulièrement marquants pour ses amis et collaborateurs. Voici quelques réflexions, sur la personnalité de ce naturaliste et sur sa contribution scientifique, qui nous reviennent en mémoire après avoir eu le privilège de le connaître directement et de travailler dans les laboratoires qu’il a dirigés avec enthousiasme et beaucoup de tact. Nous retracerons ici deux volets de sa personnalité scientifique: le chercheur passionné pour la connaissance de la nature et l’organisateur dynamique de l’Institut de Spéologie qui après 1956 a permis une renaissance des recherches spéologiques en Roumanie. Ses qualités ont marqué aussi notre façon de voir la nature, surtout celle du monde souterrain, un milieu caléidoscopique fascinant
Vegrandosoma tabacarui
No full textVegrandosoma tabacarui gen. et sp. nov. Figs 161–165 Diagnosis. Same as for the genus. Etymology. The new species is named after Dr. Ionel Tabacaru, a prominent diplopodologist with significant contributions to the taxonomy of Anthroleucosomatidae, and certainly one of the greatest artists among myriapodologists. Material studied (total: 7 males, 21 females). Holotype. RUSSIA: male, Stavropol Province, Mamaysky forest, near Stavropol, Pinus plantation, 16 Mar. 2014, R. Zuev leg. (ZMUM ρ3232). Paratypes (total: 6 males, 21 females). All from RUSSIA, Stavropol Province, near Stavropol: 5 females, same data as holotype (ZMUM ρ3233); 2 males, 3 females, same data, except: broadleaved forest, soil (ZMUM ρ3234); 2 males, 4 females, Tamansky forest, broadleaved forest, 29 Nov. 2014, R. Zuev leg. (ZMUM ρ3235); 6 females (ZMUM ρ3236), 2 males, 3 females (IZB), same data, except: 1 Mar. 2015. Type locality. RUSSIA: Stavropol Province, Mamaysky forest, near Stavropol. Description. Body with 28 segments (including telson) in adults. MEASUREMENTS. Males 4.5–5 mm long, vertical diameter of the largest pleurotergite 0.4 mm. Females 5–6 mm long, vertical diameter of the largest pleurotergite 0.45–0.5 mm. COLORATION (Fig. 161). Anterior and posterior part of the body somewhat brownish, rest pale yellowish white. HEAD. Without frontal depression in males. Labrum with three medial teeth and 4+4 labral and 2+2 supralabral setae. Promentum triangular, without setae. Lingual plates with 4+4 setae, on each plate arranged in one row. Stipites with ca 15+15 setae. Antennae 0.7 mm long in paratype male from Tamansky forest, Stavropol, Russia. Length of antennomeres (in mm): I (0.05), II (0.09), III (0.15), IV (0.09), V (0.16), VI (0.08), VII (0.07) and VIII (0.01). Length/breadth ratios of antennomeres I–VII: I (1), II (1.5), III (2.5), IV (1.8), V (1.8), VI (1) and VII (1.2). Antennomeres II, IV, V, VI and VII with one, three, one, four and one sensillum, respectively. Number of ocelli 3– 4, arranged in 3–4 rows in males; 3–5 in 3–4 rows in female. COLLUM. Narrower than head, with six macrochaetae Anterior edge semi-circular, posterior margin gently concave. BODY SEGMENTS (Figs 161, 162). Lateral keels like poorly developed lateral swellings. Macrochaetae relatively long and trichoid. CIX (pleurotergite 15) ~ 1.2; MIX (pleurotergite 15) ~ 2.5; PIX (pleurotergite 15) ~ 0.45; MA (pleurotergite 15) ~ 90˚. TELSON. Epiproct with a pair of spinnerets and 3+3 setae (1+1 paramedian, 2+2 marginal). Hypoproct with 1+1 apical setae. Paraprocts with 3+3 marginal setae. WALKING LEGS. In both sexes, leg-pairs 1 and 2 with tarsal combs; prefemora with several long and robust setae; femora and postfemora with a group of several long and robust setae. MALE SEXUAL CHARACTERS (Fig. 163). Leg-pairs 3–7 enlarged. Leg-pairs 3 and 4 each with a basal exterior protrusion on prefemur. Leg-pairs 5 and 6 without peculiarities. Leg-pair 7 with a posterior coxal horn. Leg-pairs 10 and 11 with coxal glands, no other peculiarities. ANTERIOR GONOPODS (Figs 164, 165 A–F). Sternal plate (sp) with a small, medial, hairy, sternal sac (ss). The most characteristic structures of the anterior gonopods are a pair of long and robust sternal processes (asp) on anterior side, fused to each other in distal ¾. Remaining parts of gonopods consisting of two coxal parts (cp) connected to each other, only with a medial longitudinal groove (lg). Both parts anteriorly with a small process (sap) orientated anteriorly and with an opening (o); apically, with numerous long setae on lateral sides and with short setae mesally. Posteriorly, gonopods with a medial subtriangular structure (mt), laterally with numerous long setae. Lateral parts of gonopods with a row of setae posteriorly. Between medial and lateral parts, a cavity (ca) present. POSTERIOR GONOPODS (Fig. 165 G, H). Coxites (c) divided. Telopodites (t) present on lateral sides. Coxites with two coxal processes: an anterior (ap) and a posterior (pp) one. Anterior process longer, arrow-like and curved posteriorly. Posterior one much shorter, horn-like. Coxal vesicles (cv) present on anteromesal side. Notes. One female representing this genus was collected at Novoprokhladnoye, Adygea, Russia, some 160 airkm from the type locality of Vegrandosoma tabacarui gen. et sp. nov., but in the absence of an adult male, we omit this specimen from treatment [Novoprokhladnoye, Adygea, Russia, 20 May 2004, K. Voigtländer leg. (SMNG) (Fig. 170, white square with a question mark)].Published as part of Antić, Dragan Ž. & Makarov, Slobodan E., 2016, The Caucasus as a major hotspot of biodiversity: Evidence from the millipede family Anthroleucosomatidae (Diplopoda, Chordeumatida), pp. 1-205 in Zootaxa 4211 (1) on pages 193-200, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4211.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/27275
Los isópodos terrestres de Galicia, España (Crustacea: Isopoda, Oniscidea)
No full textThe revision of the Isopoda collections belonging to the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales de Madrid (MNCN) and to the author, allowed the study of 431 specimens ascribed to 19 species of the terrestrial iso-pods from Galicia, Spain. One species is cited for the first time from Pontevedra and Galicia, Tylos europaeus Arcangeli, 1938, and Porcellio herminiensis (Vandel, 1946) is cited for the first time from the province of A Coruña. The known terrestrial isopodological fauna of Galicia is formed by 38 species, 28 of them are found in the province of Pontevedra, 24 species in A Coruña, 15 species in Orense and 14 species in Lugo.La revisión de la colección de Isopoda del Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales de Madrid (MNCN) y la del autor, ha permitido estudiar 431 ejemplares de 19 especies de isópodos terrestres de Galicia, España. Una especie se cita por la primera vez para Pontevedra y Galicia, Tylos europaeus Arcangeli, 1938, y Porcellio herminiensis (Vandel, 1946) se cita por primera vez para la provincia de A Coruña. La fauna conocida de isópodos terrestres de Galicia está formada por 38 especies, 28 de ellas se encuentran en la provincia de Pontevedra, 24 especies en A Coruña, 15 especies en Orense y 14 especies en Lugo
