100,550 research outputs found
Callulina hanseni Loader, Gower, Müller & Menegon, 2010, sp. nov.
No full textCallulina hanseni sp. nov. Figures 1, 2, 3, 4; Tables 1, 2, 3. Callulina sp. 2 Menegon et al. (2008) p. 114, appendix 1, and table 3, 4. Holotype. BMNH 2008.130 (Field Tag MW 6960), an adult female, BMNH 2008.17. Collected on the Maskati side of the Nguru South Forest Reserve, Tanzania, 06º 03' 51.1 "S, 37 º 30 ' 33.3 "E, 1790 m (Figure 1 b) by David Gower, Roy Hinde, Simon Loader, Hendrik Müller, Maria Perkins, and Mark Wilkinson on January 19 th 2008. Paratypes. 13 specimens: BMNH 1983.45 collected near Maskati Mission 1900m West side of Nguru Mountains, Mwomero District, Morogoro Region, Tanzania by Jan Keilland in Sept. 1982. BMNH 2008.127 - 128, 2008.131 - 134, 2008.136 - 138 collected on the Maskati side of the Nguru South Forest Reserve, Mwomero District, Morogoro Region, Tanzania, 06º 03' 51.1 "S, 37 º 30 ' 33.3 "E, 1790 m by David Gower, Roy Hinde, Simon Loader, Hendrik Müller, Maria Perkins, and Mark Wilkinson between January 19 th– 21 st 2008. MTSN 8138, 8140 and 8192 collected on the Maskati side of the Nguru South Forest Reserve, Mwomero District, Morogoro Region, Tanzania, 06º 03' 51.1 "S, 37 º 30 ' 33.3 "E, 1790 m by Michele Menegon between October 26 th– 30 th 2004 (see Menegon et al. 2008, Table 1, Nguru Site 1 ‘Maskati’). BMNH 2008.136 and MTSN 8138 and 8140 have been sequenced for partial fragments of 12 S, 16 S, and cytb (see Genetic difference section and Appendix 1). Diagnosis. The new species of Callulina is assigned to the brevicipitid genus based on the following characteristics: Truncated or expanded terminal phalanges (simple in Spelaeophyrne, Probreviceps, Breviceps, and Balebreviceps); single posterior denticulated row in the palate of Callulina (two denticulated rows in Probreviceps, glandular mass in Breviceps). A large, robust Callulina. SUL 20.6– 42.5mm. TL: SUL ratio 36–42 %. Tympanum present, 0.25– 0.60 % of SUL. Tympanum to eye distance 1.2 – 3.0 mm, 0.04–0.07 % of SUL. Fingertips expanded (width of subarticular tubercle> 0.78–0.94 % of the width of fingertips). Dark brown dorsally, and ventrally, with distinctive darker brown colouration on anterior margin of chin against cream colouration. Legs have large continuous glandular ridge on both tibiofibulae and tarsal joints. Callulina hanseni differs from C. laphami and C. shengena in the presence of a tympanum, more granular skin, expanded fingertips, and absence of interocular patterning. Callulina hanseni differs from C. dawida in having expanded fingertips. Callulina hanseni differs from C. stanleyi and C. kisiwamsitu in the presence of large continuous glands on legs. Callulina hanseni differs from C. kreffti in the degree of expansion of fingertips and the presence of large continuous glands on legs (see also Table 2 and Figure 4 for comparative measures). The distinctiveness of C. hanseni from other Callulina species is also supported by its disjunct distribution, and mtDNA sequence data (see Genetic difference). The extent of the expansion of the fingertips is, in general, a useful character to distinguish Callulina species but some specimens of some species fall outside the main range of variation and might question the usefulness of this character. Some specimens of C. kreffti (BMNH 2000 - 189, 2000 - 196, 2005.1508, FMNH 250471) have> 0.75 % width at first subarticular, relative to expansion at fingertip. Also C. stanleyi FMNH 251384 has larger expansion of finger tips ( 0.00096), although relative proportions of limbs are not significantly different (tibia, tarsus, and humerus, student t-test = 0.048); and the position of the tympanum relative to the eye (ttest => 0.046) is significantly different. Colour in life. A brown or dark brown animal with scattered black mottlings (especially in smaller animals) and white tipped warts on flanks, throat and belly. Wide paler dorsolateral bands can be present. Iris is bright orange. See Figure 3. Advertisement call. No calls were recorded for this species. Natural history. The specimen collected by Jan Keiland in 1982 was found inside a rotting log in moist evergreen forest. The new series collected in 2004 (MTSN) and 2008 (BMNH) were mainly collected from branches both below and above head height. This included specimens located low down on small shrubs but also climbing to a great heights (observed and collected ca. 10 m above ground) on branches, tree trunks and bare rock in montane forest (see Figure 9). All specimens were collected in primary montane rainforest. Conservation status. Callulina hanseni has been found only in the Nguru South Forest Reserve at an elevation of 1790m and above (Figure 1 c). This distribution comprises a maximum distributional area of less than 100km 2, qualifying this species as critically endangered (CR B 1 b (iii)) under IUCN criteria. The conservation status will need to be re-evaluated if specimens are discovered below 1790m. Population density is unknown. The distribution pattern is similar to that seen in the recently described species Arthroleptis nguruensis (Poynton et al. 2008), and is indicative of a distinct Nguru upper montane fauna. Other undescribed taxa also appear to be confined to this upper montane belt (e.g. Callulina sp. Hoplophryne sp., and Probreviceps sp.). Etymology. The species name is a patronym for Dr. James Hansen, who has made important scientific contributions towards climate science and as a supporter of the African Rainforest Conservancy trust has contributed towards the conservation of Eastern Arc forests. The specific epithet should be treated as a noun in genitive case.Published as part of Loader, Simon P., Gower, David J., Müller, Hendrik & Menegon, Michele, 2010, Two new species of Callulina (Amphibia: Anura: Brevicipitidae) from the Nguru Mountains, Tanzania, pp. 26-42 in Zootaxa 2694 on pages 28-33, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.19964
Prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis C virus the elderly: a seroepidemiological study in a nursing home and in an open population. T collaborative Group.
No full textBACKGROUND:
The prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) increases in the general population with advancing age. Several discrepancies exist in the epidemiology of HCV, however, when selected elderly population groups are tested.
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the HCV prevalence in two groups of elderly people living in the same geopgraphical area of northeast Italy, i.e., one including residents of a nursing home, the other including subjects living at home.
METHODS:
The overall sample included 496 subjects (mean age 79.31 +/- 8.9 years); 288 were in a nursing home, and 208 were living at home. Enrollment in the latter group was based on all subjects over 65 years old listed under the public health service in the same district. The overall rate of adhesion to the study was 90%. Each subject was administered an anonymous questionnaire testing sociodemographic data and risk factors for HCV infection. Serological tests included: anti-HCV and hepatitis B virus serum markers. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate risk factors for anti-HCV positivity.
RESULTS:
Anti-HCV positivity was found in 34 of 288 (11.8%) elderly in the nursing home and in 23 of 208 (11.1%) in the open population. When the total population was considered, females exhibited a significantly a higher prevalence of anti-HCV than males (13.4 vs. 7.5%, p < 0.05). In both males and females, the highers rate of anti-HCV prevalence was found among the 75- to 79-year-old subjects. A decline in anti-HCV prevalence was observed in the very old subjects (over 80 years of age). None of the anti-HCV-positive subjects was found to be coinfected with hepatitis B surface antigen. However, multiple logistic regression analysis identified the age group between 70 and 79 years, female gender, and positivity for antihepatitis B surface antigen and/or antihepatitis B core antigen as independent variables significantly associated with HCV prevalence.
CONCLUSIONS:
The prevalence of anti-HCV proved identical among elderly people living in the nursing home or at home, suggesting that nursing homes do not represent a risk factor for HCV infections; the significant association between HCV prevalence and antihepatitis B surface antigen and/or antihepatitis B core antigen positivity supports a common route of transmission of the two viruses; these findings would suggest that there was an epidemic of HCV infection during the Second World War and in the years immediately afterwards
Callulina meteora Menegon, Gower & Loader, 2011, sp. nov.
No full textCallulina meteora sp. nov. (Figs. 1 –3, 5– 7; Table 1) Callulina sp. 1 Menegon et al. (2008: p. 114, appendix 1, tables 3, 4). Holotype. BMNH 2008.450 (Field tag MW 6825) a mature female (Fig. 1). Collected from the Maskati side of the Nguru South Forest Reserve, Tanzania, 6.069027778 S - 37.50066667 E, 1980 m (Fig. 6) by David Gower, Roy Hinde, Simon Loader, Hendrik Müller, Maria Müller, and Mark Wilkinson in January 2008. Paratypes. MTSN 8129-8134 (MTSN 8134, 39 ova in vitellogenesis; MTSN 8130 cleared and stained), MTSN 8141, collected by Michele Menegon between October 26 and November 0 2, 2004 in the Nguru South Forest Reserve, 6.06630176 S - 37.49802743 E, Nguru Mountains, Morogoro Region. Tanzania. BMNH 2008.118 - 451-452 - 453-454 - 455-456 - 457-458 - 459-460 - 461-462 - 463-464 same collection data as holotype. Diagnosis. The species is assigned to Callulina within Brevicipitidae based on the following morphological features: Moderately sized wedge-shaped lobes on the mentomecklian elements, posteroventrally directed (variably reduced/enlarged in Probreviceps, Balebreviceps, and Breviceps, see Largen & Drewes 1989); cultriform process of the parasphenoid with broad base but narrow alary processes, tapering laterally (cultriform process of the parasphenoids widely variable in breviciptids, Largen & Drewes 1989); nasals almost meet at midline (broadly separated in Breviceps and Balebreviceps); clavicle well-developed and straight though slightly curved anteriorly at the point of contact between coracoid and scapulae (clavicle straight in Breviceps, Probreviceps, Spelaeophryne); omosternum large (rudimentary or small in Breviceps, Probreviceps, moderate in Balebreviceps); tympanum present and usually well-differentiated (absent in Balebreviceps and Probreviceps uluguruensis); double condylar articulation between the urostyle and the sacral vertebrae (fused in Balebreviceps, Breviceps, and Probreviceps); truncated terminal phalanges (simple in Spelaeophyrne, Probreviceps, Breviceps, and Balebreviceps); single posterior denticulated row in the palate of Callulina (two denticulated rows in Probreviceps, glandular mass in Breviceps). Callulina meteora is morphologically distinct from most other species of Callulina (C. kreffti, C. kisiwamsitu, C. dawida, C. kanga, C. laphami and C. stanleyi) in having large glands on the limbs. The new species is distinguished from C. shengena and C. hanseni (also with enlarged limb glands) by the presence of a tympanum (absent in C. shengena) and limb glands that are distinctly differently coloured to the rest of the limbs (no distinctive gland colour in C. hanseni). Description of holotype. Female. Body stout, head short but as wide as body. Snout truncate in lateral view, snout-tip extending slightly beyond upper and lower jaws. Snout tip rounded at edges, flattened not pointed at apex. Canthus rostralis rounded. Dorsal aspect of head covered by small, rounded, irregular-shaped warts. Ventral region with larger, granular like warts on chin and underside. Eyelids smooth with very small irregular shaped warts. Pupil was horizontal before preservation. Tympanum distinct, suboval (not as tall as long), smooth, with granular warts on slightly raised rim around edge of disc. Dorsum of body with small, irregular glandular masses giving warty appearance. Ventral surface with larger irregular shaped glandular masses, slightly larger and more granular on flanks. Forelimb slender. Massive continuous glands covering dorsal and ventral aspects of forearm. Surface of massive arm gland with smaller, irregular, slightly smoother bumps. Webbing almost absent on hand, only marginal rudimentary skin joining each finger. Distal phalanges moderately long, thick, truncate, expanded only slightly, rounded at edges. Inner tubercle smaller than outer tubercle, separated by a mid-palmar tubercle. First finger shortest, followed by second, fourth, third. Tubercles darker than silvery/metallic background of hand. Hind limbs stout, tibia, metatarsus and carpal area of tarsus covered by an enlarged glandular mass. Distal phalanges of feet moderately long, thick, truncate, expanded only slightly, rounded at edges. First toe marginally the shortest, followed by second, third, fifth, fourth. On toes and fingers, terminal phalanx darker, with a fold of skin, marked by a white line at the dorsal junction between the penultimate and ultimate phalanges. Webbing almost absent on foot, only marginal rudimentary skin joining each toe. Inner and outer tubercle in contact, equal in size. Vent ventro-posteriorly positioned. Measurement of holotype. SUL = 38.2; TL = 13.5; ED = 4.2; TD = 2.0; ETD = 2.2; ND = 2.5; NED = 2.8; JW = 13.8; LF 3 = 4.4; LT 4 = 5.7, TSL = 11; HL = 12.1; NLD = 1.7; WDF 3 = 1.3; WDTF 3 = 1.2; IOD = 6.1. Colour. In preservative, the holotype dorsal ground colour is pale grey/brown, with darker brown patterning as irregular lateral dorsal markings. The flanks are a paler grey/brown. The dorsal and ventral surfaces of the thighs are dark brown, contrasting strongly with the silvery/metallic colouration of the glands. The ventral surface of the body is cream, with a dark brown colouration on the lateral edges. In life, the holotype has the same patterning as in preservative but with more vivid colours. The massive glands on the limbs are silvery, giving a striking metallic sheen to the surface (see Fig. 2). Variation. The tympanum is usually distinct in Callulina meteora, but in some paratypes (BMNH 2008.464, BMNH 2008.453 - 455, BMNH 2008.461, BMNH 2008.451) it is poorly demarcated and was measured by dissecting the skin around the region. Otherwise there is little notable (non-colour) morphological variation among individuals apart from between the sexes. Males are significantly smaller in body length (T-test: <0.05, females, SUL= 34.8–40.6 mm, x= 41.55 mm, number= 8; males, 26.5–35.4 mm, x= 30.1 mm, number= 9), and head width (T-test: <0.05). All other morphological characters analysed are not significantly different between the sexes. Colour variation. Callulina meteora individuals show wide colour variability with some rather constant patterns. In all examined individuals, the massive limb glands are paler than surrounding areas, often whitish or silvery with, as in the rest of the body, a metallic sheen (see Fig. 2). The body can be almost completely white or coppery brown, with darker areas on the dorsum, inguinal, axillary and tympanic zones and on limbs. In some specimens (e.g., MTSN 8129), darker areas on the dorsum are extensive and almost black. The entire animal has a metallic sheen that persists after preservation. Eye colour in life is bright yellow to orange. Call. Advertisement calls of two males Callulina meteora were recorded at the collecting site by M.M. between October 26 and November 2 2004 both during the day and the night. Calling males were seen at the base of trees. The call is composed of a single periodic pulse train, introductory notes, and repeated notes. These three elements are sometimes arranged in different ways: a single periodic pulse train could be heard with or without introductory notes. Full calls in rainy weather were heard to comprise three or four modules of introductory notes followed by a single pulse train and a final introductory note followed by a group of similar pulse trains. The presence of the introductory note was previously known for the recently described C. kanga only (Loader et al., 2010 b). The last call element of C. meteora considered alone shows temporal properties similar to the call of the other Callulina species. The single periodic pulse train is composed of six pulses and has a length ranging from 0.067 to 0.078 sec, but the temporal properties of repeated note remains the same. The introductory notes usually rising in intensity are composed of 16 to 21 pulses and have a length ranging from 0.203 to 0.238 sec. All sound emissions have an average intensity maximum around 1.6 kHz (see Fig. 3). Habitat and natural history. Callulina meteora is partly sympatric with C. hanseni (Loader et al., 2010 b) and seems to be restricted to the montane and upper montane forest of the Nguru South Forest Reserve (Menegon et al., 2008). All specimens were collected between 1950–2100 m asl but calls were heard up to 2200 m. This distribution is similar to that reported for Arthroleptis nguruensis (Poynton et al., 2009). Some specimens were found during the day by digging in soft soil and leaf litter accumulating at the base of large trees. This microhabitat together with the presence of strongly keratinized and well-raised metatarsal tubercles is suggestive of semifossoriality. On the basis of the presence of large eggs found in the oviduct of a dissected female, we presume that the species is oviparous with direct development. Although no direct evidence is known for the genus Callulina, oviparity with direct development is regarded as the most likely reproductive mode for this genus of breviciptids (Müller et al., 2007). Conservation status. Based on current knowledge of the species’ distribution and habitat preference, the estimated extent of occurrence of Callulina meteora is equal to or less than 42 km 2, and the estimated area of occupancy not larger than 26 km 2; these are respectively the area including the elevational distribution (1980–2100 m) of this species in the Nguru South Forest Reserve and the area included in the polygon obtained by linking the localities where the presence of the species was recorded (Fig. 6). Therefore, according to Red List (IUCN 2009) categories based on the criterion of an extent of occurrence estimated to be less than 100 km 2, the presence of one population at only a single location, compounded with an observed decline in area, extent and quality of the habitat (IUCN, 2010), we suggest that C. meteora qualifies as critically endangered or, more technically, CR B 1 b (iii). The proposed conservation status would need to be re-evaluated if specimens are recovered below 1980 m, but herpetological surveys examining species turnover between 800–2200 m have been conducted in the area over the past seven years (S.P.L. and M.M. unpublished data; Owen et al., 2008) and C. meteora has never been recovered below 1980 m. Currently the population density appears to be locally high but with increasing pressure due to land-use changes in the region (pers. obs.), and predicted climate-mediated changes that could affect the high montane zone, the species is clearly facing threats. Etymology. The specific epithet is used as an adjective and derives from the greek word meteoron, meaning "thing high up," in reference to the type locality of the species, situated close to the top of the Nguru Mountains. Molecular analyses. To examine the distinctiveness of and relationships among Callulina species, we analysed sequence data for 12 S, 16 S, and cytb mt genes for all nine nominal species, including C. meteora. The dataset comprised 24 individuals and 1124 unambiguously aligned characters, of which 707 were constant, 140 variable and uninformative, and 277 informative under parsimony. Breviceps mossambicus was used to root trees and Probreviceps m. macrodactylus and Spelaeophryne methneri were used as additional outgroups (see Loader et al. 2010 a). Parsimony analysis yielded two most parsimonious (MP) trees of 915 steps (Fig. 5 b). These topologies differ from the optimal likelihood tree (Fig. 5 a). The two MP trees differ in the position of C. shengena and C. kanga. In one MP tree, C. shengena is sister to C. laphami, and in the other it is sister to all other (except C. laphami) Callulina species. Callulina kanga is recovered as sister to a clade comprising a Nguru radiation (C. meteora, C. hanseni), C. dawida, C. stanleyi and C. kisiwamsitu in the former MP tree. In the second, C. kanga is sister to C. kreffti. Neither of the alternative topologies is well supported. Most analyses supported the monophyly of Callulina (best trees with a non-monophyletic Callulina are significantly suboptimal in Templeton but not likelihood topology tests). All nominal species are robustly monophyletic (Fig. 5). Likelihood analysis recovered a tree similar to that presented by Loader et al. (2010 a: fig. 8 b) differing only in the position of C. shengena. In Loader et al. (2010 a) C. shengena was sister to all other Callulina species (but not well supported) whereas here C. shengena is sister to C. laphami, also only very weakly supported. The new species, C. meteora, forms a clade with C. hanseni in all analyses. Pairwise distances values highlight the genetic distinctiveness of all named Callulina species (as previously shown in Loader et al., 2010 b), including the new species C. meteora (3.8 –4.0 % different to its sister group C. hanseni). Despite the genetic distinctiveness of the nominal species, the phylogenetic signal in the available mt sequence data is insufficient to provide a compelling resolution of their interrelationships using the methods employed here.Published as part of Menegon, Michele, Gower, David J. & Loader, Simon P., 2011, A remarkable new species of Callulina (Amphibia: Anura: Brevicipitidae) with massive, boldly coloured limb glands, pp. 15-26 in Zootaxa 3095 on pages 16-22, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.20244
Letter, [Author unclear] to Paulina T. Merritt
No full textHandwritten letter to Paulina Merritt from an unknown author, October 1, 1876.
Callulina stanleyi Loader & Gower & Ngalason & Menegon 2010, SP. NOV.
No full textCALLULINA STANLEYI SP. NOV. <p>(FIGS 1, 4, 5C, 6–8, TABLE 1, 2)</p> <p> <i>Holotype:</i> BMNH 2000.207, adult (gravid) female, collected at Chome Forest Reserve, South Pare Mountains (04°09′60″S, 37°50′48″E) by MC on 18 April 1996. Found under a rotten log in forest. This specimen has been sequenced for <i>12S</i>, <i>16S</i>, and cyt <i>b</i>. Specimen in good condition, slightly desiccated in parts, with a cross-like midventral incision into the coelom.</p> <p> <i>Paratypes:</i> Ten specimens: BMNH 2008.467 (male; sequenced for <i>12S</i> and <i>16S</i>) and 2008.468 (male; cleared and stained), formerly MTSN 7540 and 7543, respectively; FMNH 251381–251384, collected by WTS, SMG, and CM in a pitfall trap, 7 km south of Bombo (4°20′S, 38°00′E; 1100 m a.s.l.), Chome Forest Reserve, South Pare Mountains on 20–24 July 1993; MTSN 7541 (male), 7542 (female), 7544, and 7559 (female), collected at Chome Forest Reserve, South Pare Mountains (04°19′41.382″S, 37°59′44.262″E; <i>c</i>. 1230 m a.s.l.), by MM between 13 and 15 March 2008.</p> <p> <i>Diagnosis:</i> A medium- to large-sized robust <i>Callulina</i>. Snout–urostyle distance reaching 42.5 mm, snout: tibia ratio 0.33–0.39. Tympanum present but sometimes obscured by granular skin. Finger tips usually expanded, with the ratio between the width at first subarticular and the width at distal phalanx 0.8–1.0. Subarticular tubercles of hands and feet prominent.</p> <p> <i>Callulina stanleyi</i> sp. nov. differs from <i>C. kreffti</i> in having a less expanded third finger (distal width at third terminal phalanx/distal width at subarticular tubercle> 0.75). <i>Callulina stanleyi</i> sp. nov. differs from <i>C. dawida</i> in having expanded finger and toe tips. <i>Callulina stanleyi</i> sp. nov. differs from <i>C. laphami</i> sp. nov. and <i>C. shengena</i> sp. nov. in the presence of a tympanum, and expanded toe and finger tips. <i>Callulina stanleyi</i> sp. nov. is morphologically very similar to <i>C. kisiwamsitu</i>, although the two species can be distinguished on the basis of DNA sequence, call, and distribution data. Additionally, the following morphometric characters (against SUL) differ significantly (<i>P</i> <0.05) in the two species, based on Student’s <i>t</i> -test analyses: ED, IOD, HW, ND, NLD, TD, snout length (as measured from lower lip to apex of anterior dorsal margin of snout), and outer metatarsal tubercle of the hand (as measured along its longest axis). Many of the head character differences between <i>C. stanleyi</i> sp. nov. and <i>C. kisiwamsitu</i> indicate the larger, more robust head of <i>C. stanleyi</i> sp. nov.</p> <p> <i>Description of holotype:</i> Body robust. Tips of fingers expanded, distal width of terminal phalanx 0.85 of the width of distal subarticular tubercle. Tips of fingers expanded laterally, with circummarginal grooves posterior to distal phalanx. First finger shortest, second and fourth equal, third longest. Inner metatarsal tubercle rounded and raised, separated by a middle palmar tubercle from an even larger, rounded, raised, outer metatarsal tubercle. Slightly smaller palmar tubercles present on palm. Subarticular tubercles at the base of each finger, large subarticular tubercles on third and fourth finger at the phalangeal joints. Third finger with smaller tubercles between basal articular tubercle and subarticular tubercles. Slightly dessicated but dorsoventrally expanded toe tips, with slightly folded but smooth ventral surfaces. Tips of toes slightly expanded laterally, with circummarginal grooves posterior to distal phalanx. Toe tips with smooth ventral surfaces. First toe same length as second, third and fifth equal, fourth longest. Inner metatarsal tubercle large, rounded, and raised, almost touching a similar sized, rounded, raised, outer metatarsal tubercle. Smaller palmar tubercles present on base of foot. Subarticular tubercles at the base of each toe, large subarticular tubercles on third and fourth toe at the phalangeal joints.</p> <p>All tubercles on hands and feet bluish grey against brown–grey background. Dorsum brown with scattered, darker brown–black symmetric vermiculations. Skin granular, with slightly larger glandular masses on lateral sides, and posterior end around the thighs and urostyle region. Large glandular mass slightly paler brown. Ventral surface paler brown, cream–tan. Tympanic region pale brown–cream. Dark edged tympanic ridge from posterior edge of eyelid to arm insertion. Incision around tympanic region on right side. Loreal and canthal regions dark brown. Snout visible from ventral view.</p> <p> <i>Measures of</i> <i>holotype (all measurements are given in mm):</i> ED = 3.0; ETD = 1.2; HL = 12.1; HW = 11.8; IN = 1.8; IOD = 7.2; LF3 = 4.7; LT4 = 6.6, NED = 2.2; NLD = 1.5; SUL = 42.5; TD = 1.3*; TL = 9.6; TSL = 10.8; WDF3 = 1.3; WDTF3 = 1.1. (* Difficult to discern, was dissected to clarify exact measurement.) <i>Measures of male paratype (MTSN 7541)</i> <i>:</i> ED = 4.6; ETD = 2.8; HL = 8.3; HW = 8.7; IN = 2.8; IOD = 4.4; LF3 = 3.6; LT4 = 4.7; NED = 3.1; NLD = 1.2; SUL = 24.6; TD = 1.7*; TL = 14.8; TSL = 6.9; WDF3 = 1.1; WDTF3 = 0.9. (* Difficult to discern, was dissected to clarify exact measurement.)</p> <p> <i>Morphological and colour variation:</i> Morphological features of paratypes generally match the holotype. The proportion of TL to SUL is 0.33–0.39. The size and position of the tympana varies: TD / TL = 0.04– 0.06; ETD / TL = 0.04–0.07. The ratio of the widths of the third distal phalanx to the subarticular tubercle is 0.77–1.0; most specimens are in the range 0.77– 0.86. FMNH 251381 is a small (19.9 mm SUL) juvenile that is dessicated, with only marginally expanded finger tips (WDF3 = 0.6; WDTF3 = 0.6; ratio = 1), and FMNH 251384 is a small juvenile with expanded finger tips (WDF3 = 0.7; WDTF3 = 0.5; ratio = 0.71).</p> <p>The juveniles FMNH 251381–251384 resemble the holotype in colour, but show different degrees of dark mottling on the dorsum, with FMNH 251382 most strongly mottled and FMNH 251383 the least mottled. The tympanum is obscured by granular skin in MTSN 7541, 7543, and 7544.</p> <p> <i>Colour in life:</i> Generally brown, with irregular darkbrown marbling. Warts on the lateral surfaces of body clearly white. Ventral surface cream with brown marbling on edges. Eyes orange to red (Fig. 3C).</p> <p> <i>Advertisement call:</i> Males were only calling during the night, from low bushes and branches of small trees. The call is a fast series of between seven and nine trills (Fig. 5), produced at a rate of approximately fve per second, with maximum energy at 1720 Hz. The quality of the few call recordings was not high enough to allow a detailed description of the train of pulses forming the trill. Pulse-group duration was about 25 ms, and intergroup duration was about 116 ms.</p> <p> <i>Natural history:</i> The holotype was collected in a rotten log in the forest. The FMNH specimens were all collected in bucket pitfalls in the forest. Specimens were found on low bushes during the night, both in dense forest and along a forest road.</p> <p> <i>Distribution and threat: Callulina stanleyi</i> sp. nov. was found only in submontane forest at elevations between 1200 and 1300 m. Based on current knowledge of the species’ distribution and evidence of dependency on the forest, the estimated extent of occurrence of <i>C. stanleyi</i> sp. nov. is less than or equal to 9.7 km 2: this is the area including an elevational distribution (1200–1600 m) of the submontane habitat in Chome. As with the two other newly described species, population density does not appear to be low, but <i>C. stanleyi</i> sp. nov. is confined to a small fragment of submontane forest existing along the eastern boundary of Chome forest reserve, which is bordered by extensive farmlands. The presence of one population at only a single, small location is compounded by an observed decline in the area and quality of the habitat (Hall <i>et al.</i>, 2009).</p> <p> <i>Etymology:</i> This species is named after our colleague and good friend William T. Stanley of the Field Museum, Chicago. Bill has made numerous contributions to understanding the biological diversity of the Eastern Arc Mountains. He has also made several important field discoveries of amphibians (including those we describe from the South Pare), and we name this species in recognition of his excellent work.</p>Published as part of <i>Loader, Simon P., Gower, David J., Ngalason, Wilirk & Menegon, Michele, 2010, Three new species of Callulina (Amphibia: Anura: Brevicipitidae) highlight local endemism and conservation plight of Africa's Eastern Arc forests, pp. 496-514 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 160 (3)</i> on pages 505-509, DOI: 10.1111/j.1096-3642.2010.00652.x, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/5494130">http://zenodo.org/record/5494130</a>
The effect of Dauphin, twinning on plastic strain in quartz
No full textWe present an electron backscatter diffraction analysis of five quartz porphyroclasts in a greenschist facies (T = 300–400°C) granitoid protomylonite from the Arolla unit of the NW Alps. Mechanical Dauphiné twinning developed pervasively during the incipient stage of deformation within two porphyroclasts oriented with a negative rhomb plane {z} almost orthogonal to the compression direction (z-twin orientation). Twinning was driven by the anisotropy in the elastic compliance of quartz and resulted in the alignment of the poles of the planes of the more compliant positive rhomb {r} nearly parallel to the compression direction (r-twin orientation). In contrast, we report the lack of twinning in two porphyroclasts already oriented with one of the {r} planes orthogonal to the compression direction. One twinned porphyroclast has been investigated with more detail. It shows the localization of much of the plastic strain into discrete r-twins as a consequence of the higher amount of elastic strain energy stored by r-twins in comparison to z-twins. The presence of Dauphiné twins induced a switch in the dominant active slip systems during plastic deformation, from basal (regions without twinning) to {π} and {π′} (pervasively twinned regions). Dynamic recrystallization is localized along an r-twin and occurred dominantly by progressive subgrain rotation, with a local component of bulging recrystallization. Part of the recrystallized grains underwent rigid-body rotation, approximately about the bulk vorticity axis, which accounts for the development of large misorientation angles. The recrystallized grain size piezometer for quartz yields differential stress of 100 MPa. The comparison of this palaeostress estimate with literature data suggests that mechanical Dauphiné twinning could have a potential use as palaeopiezometer in quartz-bearing rocks
Handwritten biographical information on Paulina T. McClung Merritt
No full textA handwritten biography of Paulina T. McClung Merritt by an unknown author, 1892.
Heterogeneous and tissue-specific regulation of effector T cell responses by IFN-gamma during Plasmodium berghei ANKA infection.
No full textIFN-γ and T cells are both required for the development of experimental cerebral malaria during Plasmodium berghei ANKA infection. Surprisingly, however, the role of IFN-γ in shaping the effector CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell response during this infection has not been examined in detail. To address this, we have compared the effector T cell responses in wild-type and IFN-γ(-/-) mice during P. berghei ANKA infection. The expansion of splenic CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells during P. berghei ANKA infection was unaffected by the absence of IFN-γ, but the contraction phase of the T cell response was significantly attenuated. Splenic T cell activation and effector function were essentially normal in IFN-γ(-/-) mice; however, the migration to, and accumulation of, effector CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells in the lung, liver, and brain was altered in IFN-γ(-/-) mice. Interestingly, activation and accumulation of T cells in various nonlymphoid organs was differently affected by lack of IFN-γ, suggesting that IFN-γ influences T cell effector function to varying levels in different anatomical locations. Importantly, control of splenic T cell numbers during P. berghei ANKA infection depended on active IFN-γ-dependent environmental signals--leading to T cell apoptosis--rather than upon intrinsic alterations in T cell programming. To our knowledge, this is the first study to fully investigate the role of IFN-γ in modulating T cell function during P. berghei ANKA infection and reveals that IFN-γ is required for efficient contraction of the pool of activated T cells
Dispelling the Myths Behind First-author Citation Counts
No full textWe conducted a full-scale evaluative citation analysis study of scholars in the XML research field to explore just how different from each other author rankings resulting from different citation counting methods actually are, and to demonstrate the capability of emerging data and tools on the Web in supporting more realistic citation counting methods. Our results contest some common arguments for the continued
use of first-author citation counts in the evaluation of scholars, such as high correlations between author rankings by first-author citation counts and other citation
counting methods, and high costs of using more realistic citation counting methods that are not well-supported by the ISI databases. It is argued that increasingly available digital full text research papers make it possible for citation analysis studies to go beyond what the ISI databases have directly supported and to employ more
sophisticated methods
Pelevin’s Trinity in the novel “t”: author – protagonist – reader
No full textThe article attempts to interpret Pelevin's artistic strategy in the novel "T" by exploring its subject organization and addressing the key problems of the author, the protagonist, and the reader as they are seen by the researcher. The article analyzes the peculiarities of constructing the narrative reality in the novel "T", and goes on to discuss Pelevin's philosophic models of the development of the humankind, and the emergence of his new anthropology
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