Population structure and breeding biology of the hairy crab Pilumnus vespertilio (Fabricius, 1793) (Crustacea: Brachyura: Pilumnidae) in southern Mozambique

The population structure and reproduction of Pilumnus vespertilio were studied for the first time in Mozambique. Random samples of crabs were taken monthly from January to December 2002 from a pebble area of Inhaca Island, southern Mozambique. A clear sexual dimorphism was observed in the present population with males reaching greater sizes than females. Sex ratio was female‐biased, and the monthly size–frequency distributions were often bimodal. The annual reproductive cycle of Pilumnus vespertilio was continuous with peaks of breeding in summer. Results suggest that embryonic development may be synchronized within the population as a result of the very high reproductive activity observed in summer. Juveniles are recruited mostly in winter in the study area.     

Specialist and generalist species in habitat use: implications for conservation assessment in snakes

Habitat specialization is recorded as one of the central factors that make species vulnerable to extinction. Among snakes, there is considerable variation in this trait, as some species are specialists and others are generalists in habitat use. We have quantified habitat specialization in the snakes of the southern Iberian Peninsula, and compared it with their abundance and IUCN categories. All data were combined for a principal components analysis that discriminated two main groups: three generalist species that live in all types of habitat, and five specialist species that ranged from rather scarce to extremely rare and are found only in unaltered habitats. The three generalist snakes are not threatened and their IUCN category is Least Concern. Three out of the five specialist species are categorized as Near Threatened, Vulnerable, and Endangered at regional or national levels. The other two species are currently considered Not Threatened and we discuss whether they are incorrectly classified. The conservation status of snakes is difficult to evaluate because of their secretive habits and low population densities. We suggest that quantifying habitat specialization may be a useful tool for assessing the conservation status of secretive organisms such as snakes.     

Can the behavioral sciences self-correct? A social epistemic study

Advocates of the self-corrective thesis argue that scientific method will refute false theories and find closer approximations to the truth in the long run. I discuss a contemporary interpretation of this thesis in terms of frequentist statistics in the context of the behavioral sciences. First, I identify experimental replications and systematic aggregation of evidence (meta-analysis) as the self-corrective mechanism. Then, I present a computer simulation study of scientific communities that implement this mechanism to argue that frequentist statistics may converge upon a correct estimate or not depending on the social structure of the community that uses it. Based on this study, I argue that methodological explanations of the “replicability crisis” in psychology are limited and propose an alternative explanation in terms of biases. Finally, I conclude suggesting that scientific self-correction should be understood as an interaction effect between inference methods and social structures.     

Reproductive behaviour of Physalaemus kroyeri (Anura: Leiuperidae) in the municipality of Jequié, state of Bahia

From August 2010 to April 2011 we surveyed two different areas, located in the municipality of Jequié, State of Bahia, to obtain information about the reproductive biology of Physalaemus kroyeri. Data on the spatial and temporal distribution of P. kroyeri were recorded. Physalaemus kroyeri may be classified as a prolonged breeder with a reproductive period linked to rainfall. The average number of eggs in the foam nest of P. kroyeri is one of the highest recorded for the genus. Our results are coincident with the known reproductive behaviour of congeneric species and may be viewed as reproductive adaptations to open and highly seasonal environments.     

The pre-overwintering nests and the immature stages of the hornet Vespa fumida van der Vecht (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

The pre-overwintering nest structure and the immature stages of the hornet Vespa fumida van der Vecht are for the first time reported. All three adult forms (queen, worker and drone) are briefly described. The eggs have many micropyles concentrated at the larger end of the egg. The mature larvae can be identified by having the ecdysial sulcus obliterated ventrally; the parietal band distinctly margined ventrally on the outer side; the palate with a median patch and a pair of dorsal patches; the collar processes of the spiracle long and thick, with many branches over almost all the surface. Morphology and distribution of the different types of sensilla (setae, conical papillae, campaniform sensilla, basiconic sensilla, etc.) and the spicules are illustrated in detail. Close relationship between the Vespa affinis-group and V. fumida previously suggested by adult morphology is briefly discussed in terms of the morphology of the mature larvae.     

Soil oribatid mite (Acari: Oribatida) diversity and composition in semi-deciduous forest fragments in eastern Amazonia and comparison with the surrounding savanna matrix

We recorded species abundance and richness of oribatid mites along 16 plots established in semi-deciduous forest fragments in Amazonia. The results were compared with a published dataset consisting of an inventory carried out in 38 plots in the surrounding savanna. Totals of 143 and 91 species were recorded in the forest fragments and savanna, respectively. Sørensen similarity index between both environments was 0.44. Ordination of sites according to oribatid mite species composition showed a clear separation between forest fragments and savanna. Rostrozetes ovulum, Archegozetes longisetosus and Eohypochthonius (Eohypochthonius) becki were abundant and frequent in the forest fragments but exceedingly rare in the savanna. Neoppia (Neoppia) schauenbergi, Pseudoppia sp. C, Microppia sp. A and Cosmochthonius sp. A were limited to the savanna. This study also represents an early step toward knowing which groups of species are exclusive to one or another vegetation type or are sensitive to their inherent environmental conditions.     

Spatial niche variation in two sympatric species of Bokermannohyla (Anura: Hylidae) in southeastern Brazil

We studied patterns of microhabitat use by adults of two sympatric Bokermannohyla species at the Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural Santuário do Caraça, southeastern Brazil. We selected three streams, one where both species occurred in syntopy and the other two where each one occurred alone. We sampled 150-m transects in each stream throughout 1 year, recording microhabitat features for each frog located (substrate type, height and distance from water). Microhabitat availability varied between dry and wet seasons in all streams, and overall microhabitat diversity changed in two streams. Bokermannohyla nanuzae seemed to have a niche contraction in the presence of Bokermannohyla martinsi, but this only happened during the dry season. Microhabitat requirements during the wet season may be closely linked to similar reproductive needs that probably represent a strong selective pressure, forcing niche overlap.     

LiCl对脂肪族聚氨酯脲结构与性能的影响

通过FT-IR和DSC等研究了L iC l对脂肪族聚氨酯脲溶液粘度以及聚氨酯脲膜的结构和性能的影响。研究结果表明:L iC l的加入使聚氨酯脲溶液的初期粘度降低,后期粘度升高;含L iC l的聚氨酯脲的Tg和氨酯羰基的氢键化程度提高,但脲羰基的氢键化程度降低;L iC l的加入使聚氨酯脲的拉伸模量、硬度、撕裂强度和吸水率显著升高。     

Preliminary report on the genetic structure of Glyphoglossus molossus (Anura: Microhylidae) from the Khorat Plateau,north-eastern Thailand

Glyphoglossus molossus, is one of the most economically important amphibians in the Khorat Plateau, north-eastern Thailand. It is categorised as a near-threatened species by IUCN due to over-exploitation. Here, we examined the genetic structure of G. molossus using partial mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene sequences from specimens collected at 11 localities. The sequence analysis revealed the presence of 15 haplotypes, 5 of which are shared by 2 or more populations, and 10 haplotypes that are confined to a single population. The relatively low haplotype (h) and nucleotide (π) diversities suggest that the Phu Phan Mountain Range is not high enough to act as an effective dispersal barrier between the Sakon Nakhon and Khorat Basins. However, AMOVA and phylogenetic analyses based on Maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) strongly supported the presence of two genetically divergent clades, Sakon Nakhon Basin and the northern part of the Khorat Basin (clade A) and the southern part of the Khorat Basin (clade B). These two lineages are separated by substantial geographical distance, which has putatively resulted in a reduction of gene flow. Further studies, with more extensive genetic sampling, especially from throughout the species range will aid in better interpreting our results.     

风险视角下城镇化建设项目进度投资优化研究框架

系统分析了城镇化建设项目的工期、质量、投资特征,并通过文献归纳法阐明了现有项目进度投资优化方法存在的理论不足,构建了风险视角下城镇化建设项目进度投资优化的理论框架。该理论框架的建立融合了众多交叉学科的研究前沿,能够有效描述城镇化建设项目的动态复杂性,为进一步推进新一轮城镇化建设提供智力支持。