New findings of Hexalona-branch representatives in Brazil,with a description of Prenda gen. nov. (Crustacea: Anomopoda: Aloninae)

Altogether, Coronatella and Hexalona-branches are considered the main lineages of Aloninae – a subfamily of common bottom-dwelling microcrustaceans in freshwater environments. Although the taxonomic features of Brazilian members of the Hexalona-branch have been summarised for species from the costata-group and affinis-group, a revision of other widely distributed species in the world is still lacking in this country. The aim of this paper was to study the morphology of Brazilian populations from the guttata-group and intermedia-group, and to describe a new genus from the Hexalona-branch. The parthenogenetic females of Alona cf. guttata from Brazil have similar morphology when compared to data from the literature, but the armature of the terminal claw of its males seems to be different from those of Alona guttata sensu stricto, Alona barbulata and Alona werestschagini. The intermedia-group is formed by Alona elisae sp. nov., which seems to be endemic to the Cerrado of Brazil Central, and Alona isabellae sp. nov., which is widely distributed in Brazil; this species has a labral keel armed with 2–4 setulae, and postabdomen with setulae of lateral fascicles longer than the level of marginal denticles, morphological traits that differentiate it from Alona elisae sp. nov. Another endemic species from the Hexalona-branch is Prenda arvensis gen. nov. and sp. nov., which has two main head pores, a reduced seta on endite 1 of the first limb, sixth limb is a wide lobe. The potential of biodiversity from the Hexalona-branch from Brazil is still underestimated, and a global revision of the guttata-group and intermedia-group is very important for the progress of Aloninae taxonomy and systematics.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:0A2E4A30-0C9C-43E8-8E72-1DEDA6AFF3C3     

A new species of Friesea (Collembola: Neanuridae) from the Antarctic Continent

A new species of Friesea was found in East Antarctica and is described here as Friesea eureka sp. nov. This is the first new collembolan species to be described from the Antarctic continent in 30 years, even though ice-free areas have been intensively surveyed over that time. It brings to five the number of described species of the genus Friesea known from the Antarctic continent and Peninsula, so is the most speciose genus of Collembola in the region. However, one of these, F. grisea Schäffer, comprises a number of cryptic species of different molecular lineages. The new species is distinguished by having 4 + 4 ocelli plus 1 + 1 hardly visible, a very reduced furca, up to four or five faintly clavate tenent hairs, four anal spines and four spinose chaetae in adult. The restricted distribution of the species emphasises the importance of protecting ice-free areas on the continent as they often contain at least one locally endemic faunal species

www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:865B9AE6-0428-4364-99A4-AF38A764D6D9     

Nest structure and all stages of the long-cheeked yellow jacket Dolichovespula intermedia Birula (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

Nest structure, morphology of all stages and behaviour have contributed to the phylogenetic and taxonomic studies of social vespids. Two aerial nests of Dolichovespula intermedia were discovered in China. The morphology of the three castes, the five larval instars, and the nest structure of D. intermedia Birula, are described in detail and illustrated. The presence of only one campaniform sensillum above each labial palp and the dense minute spicules on the posterior gena found in D. intermedia larvae are mentioned here for the first time for Dolichovespula. The identification characters between D. intermedia and Dolichovespula sylvestris are briefly discussed.     

Synopsis of ‘onychocellid’ cheilostome bryozoan genera

Genera assigned to the cheilostome bryozoan family Onychocellidae are revised based on the skeletal morphology of the type species and, when possible, the type material of these species. All genera are illustrated using scanning electron micrographs, some for the first time. Onychocellidae, which ranges from the Cenomanian stage of the Cretaceous to the Recent, has been a particularly troublesome family because of poorly defined generic concepts correlating at least in part with a paucity of morphological characters. Thirty-five genera are described in this review. Of these, two are recognised as subjective synonyms of other onychocellid genera (Rhebasia and Semieschara), one cannot be sufficiently characterised from the type material (Collura), and two are new: Aechmellina gen. nov. (type species Aechmella falcifera) and Kamilocella gen. nov. (type species Eschara latilabris). A neotype is chosen for Rhagasostoma hexagonum, the type species of Rhagasostoma. A key is provided to assist in the identification of onychocellid genera. Phylogenetic relationships between genera remain obscure and are unlikely to be fully resolved based on skeletal morphology alone. The family as an entity is loosely circumscribed and almost certainly paraphyletic, containing stem genera of other anascan familes such as Lunulitidae, Coscinopleuridae and Aspidostomatidae.

www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:org:pub:63A31AD2-F049-42CB-A45B-557014DC286E     

Multiple paths to aquatic specialisation in four species of Central American Anolis lizards

Aquatic anoles present an interesting ecomorphological puzzle. On the one hand, the link between habitat use and morphology is well established as convergent within the Caribbean anole radiation. On the other hand, aquatic anoles do not appear to form an ecomorphological group – rather, it appears that there may be several ways to adapt to aquatic habitats. We explore this issue by examining the ecology, morphology and performance of four species of Central American aquatic anoles belonging to two different lineages. Overall, we find that aquatic anoles overlap in multiple ecological and morphological dimensions. However, we do find some differences in substrate use, claw and limb morphology, and bite force that distinguish Anolis aquaticus from the other three species (A. lionotus, A. oxylophus and A. poecilopus). Our results suggest that A. aquaticus is adapted to climb on boulders, whereas the other species utilise vegetation in streamside habitats.     

Muhaka icipe,an enigmatic new genus and species of Kleidotomini (Hymenoptera: Figitidae: Eucoilinae) from an East African coastal forest

A remarkable new eucoiline genus and species, Muhaka icipe, is described herein. The genus is clearly a Kleidotomini, but is distinguished from other genera in the tribe by a unique head and scutellar morphology. The genus belongs to the ‘wedge-head’-syndrome group of species that, to date, is unique to Afrotropical eucoilines. The new genus and species is reminiscent of Stentorceps Quinlan and Nanocthulhu Buffington, but is readily distinguished from these genera. Muhaka was collected from a threatened kaya (sacred forest) of coastal Kenya. The biological importance of this and other kaya forests, as well as their protection, is discussed.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:6918ED2C-69A4-48FC-A1E4-2B5DFF58E876     

两亲性羟乙基纤维素的合成及溶液性质

选择羟乙基纤维素(HEC)作为两亲性聚合物主体,合成具有两亲性的活性单体二甲基十四烷基环氧丙烷氯化铵(M EQ),采用大分子反应法,制备出具有不同增粘性能和表面活性的羟乙基纤维素(M EQHEC)。系统地对M EQHEC的溶液性质进行了研究,包括增粘性、盐敏性、温敏性、流变性、表面活性等,并采用荧光光谱和原子力显微镜(AFM)分析对聚合物在溶液中超分子聚集形态进行了探索研究。     

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。     

改性氨基聚硅氧烷膜与膜形貌及应用

用原子力显微镜(AFM)和接触角测量仪对乙酸酐改性氨基聚硅氧烷的成膜性及膜形态进行了研究。结果发现,氨基聚硅氧烷在单晶硅基底上均能成膜,但不同氨基聚硅氧烷所形成的膜形貌是不同的,膜的表面形貌实际上与基团的排列方式有关,氨乙基氨丙基聚二甲基硅氧烷在单晶硅基底上形成均匀、平整、光滑的疏水膜;而乙酸酐改性的氨乙基氨丙基聚二甲基硅氧烷则形成凹凸不平、粗糙的具有弱亲水性的非均匀膜。     

不同退火温度下ZnO薄膜表面形貌的演变及粗化机制

采用磁控溅射方法在Si(001)制备ZnO薄膜,利用原子力显微镜对不同退火温度的ZnO薄膜表面形貌进行表征.结果表明:薄膜的微观形貌、表面粗糙度和分形维数取决于退火温度的变化.在退火温度从室温上升到1000℃过程中,薄膜表面粗糙度逐渐降低,700℃降至最小,而后又迅速粗糙.探讨了不同退火温度下薄膜表面的粗糙机理.