4,529 research outputs found
Syncordulia serendipator Dijkstra, Samways & Simaika, 2007, n. sp.
No full textSyncordulia serendipator n. sp. —‘Rustic Presba’ Figs 4, 8, 12, 16, 21. Type material: Holotype ď, paratype Ψ (in copula with holotype), paratype Ψ (ovipositing), Western Cape, Witrivier, Bain’s Kloof, 17.iii. 2006, J.P. Simaika and M.J. Samways (SUEC). Further material: 1 Ψ, Cape Province, Riebeeck Kasteel [= Riebeek-Kasteel] Mtn, 9.iii. 1971, C.G.C. Dickson (NMBZ); 1 ď, Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, Stellenbosch, 19.iii. 2006, J.P. Simaika (SUEC); 1m #, Bain's Kloof, 18.ii. 2007, M.J. Samways, M. Samways and J.P. Simaika (SUEC). Description. Holotype male. Measurements (mm): total length: 51.6; abdomen length (excluding appendages): 34.8; Fw length: 34.0; Hw length: 31.4; Fw Pt: 2.9. Head, including postgenae, warm brown-yellow throughout, with two small dark spots on central postclypeus and black margins posteriorly along eyes. Labium cream, with brown smudges along inner borders of central and lateral lobes. Anterior surfaces (up to vertex) of head covered with dense black hairs, posterior (up to occipital triangle) surfaces with finer and longer pale hairs. Thorax glossy brownish black, with paler areas concentrated on central and dorsal portions of thoracic plates: middorsal carina and antealar sinuses are warm brown-yellow, as is a band across the mesepisterna adjacent to (and of similar width as) sinuses; most of the central mesepimeron, dorsal corner of metepisternum and posterior half of metepimeron. Thorax densely covered in long whitish hairs. Legs black, femora dorsally warm brown-yellow. Pale tibial keels present on anterior face of just under apical half of fore and middle tibiae, and just over three-quarters of hind tibiae. Venation and Pt black, except for pale brown subnode and basal antenodal cross-veins. Base of costa and adjacent plate dorsally pale brown, marked with black. Wings clear, very faintly yellow at base. Membranule grey. Venation typical of genus. 9 Ax in both Fw, 7 in Hw; 7–8 Px in Fw, 8 in Hw; anal loop of 9 cells. Abdomen club-shaped, black, S 1–8 with warm brownyellow paired dorso-apical markings as shown in Fig. 4, S 9 unmarked and S 10 with small dorso-subapical spot. Basal halves of S 3–5 dorsally blackish brown with centres grading to paler brown. Sternites brownblack. Auricles and intersegmental rings brown-yellow. Tergites covered with fine whitish hairs, longest on undersides of S 1–2 and S 8. Appendages (Fig. 12) robust, epiproct two-thirds as long as cerci; cerci stout and dark brown, becoming paler grey-brown towards tips. Cercus bearing two blunt teeth: one ventral and subbasal, the other lateral and subapical. Epiproct broad, warm brown-yellow, shallowly and widely incised posteriorly, separating into two diverging tips that each bear a single black tooth at apex. Secondary genitalia as in Fig. 8. Hamules massive, leaf-shaped, folded longitudinally, with black-brown exterior and cream interior. Ventral borders of tergite of S 1 not drawn out to form a pair of spikes. Paratype female. Measurements (mm): total length: 50.0, abdomen length (excluding appendages): 35.5, Fw length: 34.2, Hw length: 33.3, Fw Pt: 2.7. More robust than holotype and pale areas more extensive but darker in tone (thus less distinct). Anterior face of frons darker and dark spots on postclypeus larger. Centres of most thoracic plates broadly pale, with black stripes along sutures and beside middorsal carina. Venation darker than in holotype; all wings lightly but distinctly yellow at base, approximately to arculus. 9–10 Ax in both Fw, 7 in Hw; 8 Px in Fw, 8–9 in Hw; anal loops of 9 cells. Abdomen thicker than in holotype, not clubbed, S 9–10 relatively longer than in other Syncordulia females (Fig. 16). Abdominal pattern as in male, but pale markings more extensive (extending about to midpoint of each segment), also present on S 9, and enclosing pairs of small black transverse hyphens near segment’s apex and dorsal carina on S 2–8 (connected to black dorsal carina on S 2–4), approximately in middle of each pale area. These dashes are obscured by the greater extent of black in the holotype. Vulvar scale appressed, black with narrow brown-yellow border with wide medial incision and short (less than a third of lateral length of S 9) lateral extensions (Fig. 16). Cerci black, pointed but with blunt tips, about 1.3 x as long as S 10 and paraprocts. Variation. Females may have strongly reduced dark markings, e.g. no spots on postclypeus and abdomen dorsally largely pale brown, although broadly black laterally. The Riebeek-Kasteel female has the thorax pale with only dark lines over the sutures; its abdomen is only narrowly black along the dorsal carina and transverse subbasal sutures of S 2–8; the dorsum of S 9–10 and the cerci are pale. Males (n = 2): abdomen length (excluding appendages): 34.5–34.8mm, Hw length: 31.4–32.4mm, Fw 9 Ax and 7–8 Px, anal loops of 8–9 cells. Females (n = 2): abdomen length (excluding appendages): 35.5–36.7 mm, Hw length: 33.3–33.7 mm, Fw 8–10 Ax and 6–7 Px, anal loops of 9–10 cells. Range and ecology. This species is only known from three separate localities, in different mountain ranges in the CFR (Fig. 21). Probably owing to habitat specialization, it has a very small area of occupancy. It is a powerful flier, patrolling deposition pools of streams strewn with large boulders, and virtually treeless. It oviposits in pools by swiftly flying over and dipping its abdomen. On overcast days and late in the afternoon, it may leave the water’s edge and fly swiftly over mountain sides even near mountain peaks.Published as part of Dijkstra, Klaas-Douwe B., Samways, Michael J. & Simaika, John P., 2007, Two new relict Syncordulia species found during museum and field studies of threatened dragonflies in the Cape Floristic Region (Odonata: Corduliidae), pp. 19-34 in Zootaxa 1467 on pages 28-29, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17660
Syncordulia venator Barnard
No full textSyncordulia venator (Barnard) — ‘Mahogany Presba’ Figs 3, 7, 11, 15, 20. Presba venator Barnard, 1933: 167. Lectotype ♂ (designated by Kimmins 1968: 301): Cape Province, French Hoek [= Franschhoek], xii. 1932, K.H. Barnard (BMNH) [examined]. Syncordulia venator (Barnard, 1933) – Lieftinck (1961: 415). Further type material: Paratype Ψ (‘allotype’), Cape Province, French Hoek, xii. 1932, K.H. Barnard (BMNH); paratype ď, Hott[entots] Holl[and] Mts, East side, 4000 ft, i. 1933, K.H. Barnard (BMNH). Further material: 1 ď Hott[entots] Holl[and] Mts, East side, 4000 ft, xi. 1932, K.H. Barnard (SAMC); 1 Ψ Hott[entots] Holl[and] Mts, East side, 4000 ft, i. 1933, K.H. Barnard (SAMC); 1 ď, 2 Ψ Cape Province, French Hoek, xii. 1932, K.H. Barnard; 3 ď, 1 Ψ Cape, Table Mt, Orange Kloof, i. 1933, H.G. Wood (SAMC); 1 ď, Cape, Bain’s Kloof, Wellington Mts, Witte River, i. 1934, H.G. Wood (SAMC); 1 ď, Cape, Table Mt, Orange Kloof, 7.i. 1934, K.H. Barnard (BMNH); 1 ď, Cape, Table Mt, Orange Kloof, 7.i. 1934, leg. unknown (NMBZ); 1 Ψ, Cape Province, Ladismith, Garcia’s Pass Forestry, 15.xi. 1940, G. van Son (TMSA); 1 ď, George, Jonkersberg, 18.xi. 1940, G. van Son (TMSA); 1 Ψ, Cape, Bain’s Kloof, Wit River, xii. 1949, Museum Staff (SAMC); 2 Ψ, Cape Province, Knysna, Kruis Valley, N. of Buffelsnek Forest, 22.i. 1971, Cottrell (NMBZ); 3 ď, Robinson Pass, N. of Mosselbaai, 9–13.xii. 1987, D.A.L. Davies (CUMZ); 1 ď, Ψ, Du Toit’s Kloof, 13.xii. 1996, M.J. Samways (SUEC); 1 ď, Villiersdorp, 15.xii. 1996, M.J. Samways (SUEC); 1 Ψ, Du Toit’s Kloof, 9.xi. 1999, M.J. Samways (SUEC); 1 Ψ, Villiersdorp, 11.xi. 1999, M.J. Samways (SUEC); 1 Ψ (teneral), Table Mountain, 22.xi. 2005, J.P. Simaika, M.J. Samways & T.R. New (SUEC); 1 ď, border of Western and Eastern Cape, Bloukrans River at crossing of R 102, broad rocky river in forested gorge, 30.i. 2006, K.- D.B. Dijkstra (RMNH); 1 ď, Western Cape, Table Mountain, gorge above Hely Hutchinson Dam, rocky stream in fynbos, 22.ii. 2006, K.-D.B. Dijkstra (RMNH); 1 Ψ, Western Cape, Limietberg Nature Reserve, Du Toit’s Kloof, Kromrivier, 12.xi. 2006, M. Samways, M.J. Samways, J.P. Simaika & J. Ott (SUEC); 1 ď, 1 Ψ, Limietberg Nature Reserve, Bain’s Kloof, Witte River, 14.xi. 2006, J.P. Simaika & J. Ott (SUEC); 2 ď, Western Cape, Villiersdorp Wild Flower Garden and Nature Reserve, 16.xi. 2006, A.A. Johnson, J.P. Simaika & J. Ott (SUEC); 1 ď, without data (SAMC). Observations: 1 ď, Western Cape, Kogelberg Nature Reserve, 15.xii. 2003, M.J. Samways. Unverified records: larval exuviae (cannot be identified to species), Keerom[s]berg, Worcester, i. 1930, K.H. Barnard (Barnard 1937; not found in SAMC); larval exuviae (cannot be identified to species), Great Winterhoek Mountains, Tulbagh, i. 1934, K.H. Barnard and H.G. Wood (Barnard 1937; not found in SAMC). Range and ecology. This species, although localized, is widely distributed throughout the mountains of the Western Cape (Fig. 20). It occurs with the three other species in the mountains of the south-western Western Cape, but it is the only Syncordulia known from Table Mt and in a string of sites along the Langeberg range, east to the Eastern Cape border. It is associated with fast-flowing streams with large boulders and deposition pools, bordered by bushes or trees. It is mainly a summer species, with records from early November to late February.Published as part of Dijkstra, Klaas-Douwe B., Samways, Michael J. & Simaika, John P., 2007, Two new relict Syncordulia species found during museum and field studies of threatened dragonflies in the Cape Floristic Region (Odonata: Corduliidae), pp. 19-34 in Zootaxa 1467 on pages 25-27, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17660
Syncordulia gracilis Burmeister
No full textSyncordulia gracilis (Burmeister) — ‘Yellow Presba’ Figs 1, 5, 9, 13, 17–18. Epophthalmia gracilis Burmeister, 1839: 847. Holotype ♂: origin unknown (MCZ) [not examined, but diagnosed in detail by Lieftinck (1961: 414)]. Oxygastra gracilis (Burmeister, 1839) – Selys-Longchamps (1871: 307 bulletin, 73 reprint). Gomphomacromia (Syncordulia) gracilis (Burmeister, 1839) – Selys-Longchamps (1882: clxviii). Syncordulia gracilis (Burmeister, 1839) – Kirby (1890: 52). Presba piscator Barnard, 1933: 168. Lectotype ♂ (designated by Kimmins 1968: 299): Cape Province, Groot Drakenstein, xii. 1931, A.C. Harrison (BMNH) [examined]; junior synonym – Lieftinck (1961: 410). Chlorosoma gracilis (Burmeister, 1839) – Anonymous, in litt. in Lieftinck (1961: 414). Further material: 1 ď, Natal, Cat[h]kin Peak, 5.x. 1948, Dr. H.A. Newton (NMBZ); 1 Ψ, Cape Province, Ouderbosch [= Oubos], near Rivier Zonderend [= Riviersonderend], 15.xii. 1968, C.G.C. Dickson (NMBZ); 1 Ψ, Cape Province, Matroosberg, 16.xii. 1975, Neville Duke (NMBZ); 5 ď, 3 Ψ, Bain’s Kloof, N. of Stellenbosch, 1–6.xii. 1987, D.A.L. Davies (CUMZ); 1 ď, Du Toit’s Kloof, N. of Stellenbosch, 1.xii. 1987, D.A.L. Davies (RMNH); 1 ď, Western Cape, Bontebok National Park, rest camp at Breede River, 9.xi. 1997, D. Paulson (Coll. D. Paulson); 1 Ψ, Eastern Cape, Prentjiesberg, Mooirivier, 10.xi. 2000, M.J. Samways and R. Kinvig (SUEC); 7 ď, Kogelberg Nature Reserve, Oudeboschrivier, 18.xi. 2000, M.J. Samways (SUEC); 1 Ψ, Kogelberg Nature Reserve, hawking over fynbos, date unknown, P.B.C. Grant (Coll. M. May). Observations: 1 ď, Kogelberg Nature Reserve, Palmiet River, 16.xi. 2000, M.J. Samways; 1 Ψ, Kogelberg Nature Reserve, Oudeboschrivier, 2.i. 2002, M.J. Samways. Unverified records: larval exuviae (cannot be identified to species), Ceres, iii. 1922, K.H. Barnard (Barnard 1937; not found in SAMC); larval exuviae (cannot be identified to species), Bain’s Kloof, Wellington Mts, Breede River side, v. 1933, K.H. Barnard (Barnard 1937; SAMC). Range and ecology. This species has a greater extent of occurrence than other Syncordulia (Fig. 17), but the area of occupancy is relatively small. In the Western Cape it is restricted to the south-western mountains, but is fairly widespread there (Fig. 18), while single locations in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal are the only ones of the genus outside the Western Cape. This disjunct distribution suggests that the species’s area of occupancy was once much greater. Details of adult activity in the Western Cape are given by Samways & Grant (2007), with the first individuals appearing in October, a peak in November and December, and rapid decline in January. At least in the Western Cape, S. gracilis is distinctly a fynbos species, associated with small, rapid, stony-bottomed streams and rivers. In the Eastern Cape, it is known from streams with solid rocky bottoms. Adults typically remain away from water, hawking over low bushes.Published as part of Dijkstra, Klaas-Douwe B., Samways, Michael J. & Simaika, John P., 2007, Two new relict Syncordulia species found during museum and field studies of threatened dragonflies in the Cape Floristic Region (Odonata: Corduliidae), pp. 19-34 in Zootaxa 1467 on pages 22-23, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17660
Syncordulia legator Dijkstra, Samways & Simaika, 2007, n. sp.
No full textSyncordulia legator n. sp. — ‘Gilded Presba’ Figs 2, 6, 10, 14, 19. Type material: Holotype ď, paratype Ψ, Cape Province, Fransc[h]hoek Pass, 20.xi. 1975, Neville Duke (NMBZ). Further material: 1 ď, 1 Ψ (paratypes venator), Cape Province, French Hoek [= Franschhoek], 8.x. 1933, K.H. Barnard (RMNH); 1 ď Hott[entots] Holl[and] Mts, Steenbras, xi. 1932, K.H. Barnard (SAMC); 1 ď, W. Cape Province, Clanwilliam, 17.ix. 1977, Neville Duke (NMBZ); 2 ď, 1 Ψ, Cape Prov., Hawekwasberg [= Hawequas Mts], Du Toit’s Kloof, 5.xi. 1977, Neville Duke (NMBZ); 1 Ψ, SW Cape, upper reaches of the Palmiet River (19 ° 25 ’E 34 ° 34 ’S), 20.xii. 1992, leg. unknown (SUEC); 3 Ψ Western Cape Province, Franschhoek Pass, lower Du Toit’s River, 18.x. 2006, M.J. Samways and J.P. Simaika (SUEC). Description. Holotype male. Measurements (mm): total length: 49.4, abdomen length (excluding appendages): 34.7, Fw length: 32.3, Hw length: 30.9, Fw Pt: 3.0. Head brownish yellow, darkened at base of labrum, centres of postclypeus and antefrons, dorsum of vertex and lateral corners of occipital triangle; postgenae with two smudged dark bars near excision of eye margin. Anterior and dorsal surfaces of head covered with dense black hairs, posterior surfaces with longer but equally dense pale hairs. Thorax glossy dark brown, broadly but indistinctly black on humeral, metapleural and ventral part of interpleural sutures; middorsal carina contrasting pale brown-yellow. Thorax densely covered with pale long hairs, especially long on mesepisternum. Legs black, pale keels present on anterior face of slightly more than apical half of fore and middle tibiae, and just over three-quarters of hind tibiae. Venation and Pt blackish, more basal Ax brown. In contrast, dorsal sclerites at base of costa of all four wings (the ‘intermediary’ or ‘distal costal’ plates) pale yellow. Wings clear, very faintly smoky towards tips. Membranule pale grey, slightly darker on outer-posterior border. Venation typical of genus. 8 Ax in both Fw, 5 in Hw; 6 Px in Fw, 7 in Hw; anal loops of 7 cells. Abdomen slightly clubbed, brown-yellow, marked with black as in Fig. 2, ventral border of tergites narrowly pale yellow (broadest on border of genital fossa), contrasting with black sides. Sternites black. Appendages black, save yellow spot at base of cerci, shaped as in Fig. 10; in lateral view, cerci straighter and epiproct shorter than in S. venator (epiproct 40–47 % as long as cerci vs 50–56 %). Secondary genitalia as in Fig. 6. Hamules deeply folded longitudinally, their borders concealed behind border of genital fossa. Anterior half of hamule black, posterior half pale yellow. Ventral borders of tergite of S 1 posteriorly drawn out into elongate processes: this pair of ventral spikes reaching about 20 % of distance from base of S 2 to tip of genital lobe (about 40 % in S. venator). Profile of genital fossa (lateral view) straighter than in S. venator. Paratype female. Measurements (mm): total length: 48.9, abdomen length (excluding appendages): 35.5, Fw length: 33.5, Hw length: 32.0, Fw Pt: 3.0. Heavier than holotype with straight-sided abdomen, but coloration similar. All wings lightly but distinctly yellow in subcostal and cubital spaces, approximately to Ax 2 and Cux 1, and faintly smoky anteriorly from base to tip. 8 Ax in both Fw, 5 in Hw; 6 Px in Fw, 7–8 in Hw; anal loops of 11 cells. Vulvar scale appressed, black, as in Fig. 14 with distinct finger-like lateral extensions. Cerci black, slender with pointed tips, about twice as long as S 10 and paraprocts (clearly longer than in S. venator). Variation. Coloration rather consistent, but may be darker than in Fig. 2 and wings are tinged deeper in younger specimens. Size variation is considerable, as in S. venator. Males (n = 5): abdomen length (excluding appendages): 31.1–34.7 mm, Hw 27.4–32.5 mm, Fw 7–8 Ax and 5–7 Px, anal loop of 6–9 cells. Females (n = 5): abdomen length (excluding appendages): 32.0– 35.7 mm, Hw 31.6–33.2 mm, Fw 7–8 Ax and 5–6 Px, anal loop of 10–11 cells. Range and ecology. This species has been recorded from the Cederberg and the Hawequas and Hottentots-Holland Mountains (Fig. 19). It is associated with tree-lined streams with distinct deposition zone pools. It flies swiftly up and down streams, over boulders and pools, and over fynbos. It has been recorded from September, earlier than any other Syncordulia, to December.Published as part of Dijkstra, Klaas-Douwe B., Samways, Michael J. & Simaika, John P., 2007, Two new relict Syncordulia species found during museum and field studies of threatened dragonflies in the Cape Floristic Region (Odonata: Corduliidae), pp. 19-34 in Zootaxa 1467 on pages 23-25, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17660
Vacuum Insulation Panels Applied in Building Constructions
No full textDue to sustainability and due to international treaties, it is desired and required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions drastically. One contributor to these emissions is the burning of fossil fuels for generating power and electricity to be used in and for buildings. Buildings and building-related processes are responsible for about 40% of the primary energy consumption in the European Union. More than half of this energy is applied for heating systems in dwellings and commercial buildings. The European Union therefore has laid down new energy performance requirements for buildings in the European Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings. Moreover, a reduction of energy losses of buildings during their occupational phase is important for facilitating the implementation of sustainable energy sources in the built environment. Increasing the insulation value of the envelope of buildings may contribute to this reduction of primary energy use. Two strategies can be followed. The first strategy is to increase the thickness of the thermal insulation layer. Until recently, this strategy has primarily been adopted. If, however, German or Swiss Passivhaus standard is applied, the thickness of this insulation layer would increase to beyond 30 cm, resulting in very thick building enclosures. The second, more innovative, strategy for reducing energy losses through the building skin would be the application of more effective thermal insulators. One such more effective thermal insulator is a vacuum insulation panel, abbreviated as VIP. A VIP consists of an open-celled core material which is evacuated and then tightly sealed into a barrier envelope to maintain this vacuum. The vacuum inside the pores of the core material reduces the thermal conductivity of the product significantly, as a result of which the thickness of the insulation layer can be reduced to obtain a certain performance. This reduction of thickness is among the most promising features for large-scale application of VIPs in the building industry. However, integration of VIPs into buildings must be performed very meticulously for several reasons; first, due to its nature a VIP cannot be processed on site and needs careful planning in advance; second, it is very sensitive to mechanical damage thus requiring careful handling; third, thermal bridges along the panel’s edges reduce its performance; fourth, the composite system is highly subjected to aging. This dissertation therefore looks into many of these aspects, presents several calculation tools and shows how VIPs can be applied in façade panels, EPS insulation boards and as under-floor insulation. With the wide-spread proliferation of VIPs in buildings a more sustainable and healthy environment can then be achieved.Building TechnologyArchitectur
Book Review: Reginald M.J. Oduor’s Introduction to Ethics
No full textTITLE OF BOOK: Introduction to Ethics
AUTHOR: Reginald M.J. Oduor
Nairobi: Sophia Publications Ltd., 2009, 116 pages
COVER: Paperback
ISBN: 9966-7457-0-X
This book is a product of more than a decade of Oduor’s experience in teaching ethics (moral philosophy) at the University of Nairobi. In the course of this introduction, the reader gets to see the techniques of philosophic reflection in action, as they are employed to scrutinise various pertinent moral questions
Comments on “Precipitation kinetics of Al–1.12Mg2Si–0.35Si and Al–1.07Mg2Si–0.33Cu alloys”
No full textIt is shown that in analysing DSC data of precipitation reactions in Al–1.12Mg2Si–0.35Si, Al–1.07Mg2Si–0.33Cu and Al–1.0Mg2Si–0.5Ag alloys in work by Gaber et al., accurate values for the activation energies are obtained by applying the method derived by the present author (the Type B-1.92 method). Values obtained from other analysis methods reported by Gaber et al. are less accurate. Averaging activation energies obtained by different methods introduces inaccuracies and obscures these inaccuracies, especially if the set of methods applied includes highly inaccurate ones, such as the Ozawa and Takhor methods
Looking after the woof and weft of life: Arthropod diversity and its conservation
No full text[No abstract available]Editoria
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