Nomenclatural benchmarking: the roles of digital typification and telemicroscopy

Nomenclatural benchmarking is the periodic realignment of species names with species theories and is necessary for the accurate and uniform use of Linnaean binominals in the face of changing species limits. Gaining access to types, often for little more than a cursory examination by an expert, is a major bottleneck in the advance and availability of biodiversity informatics. For the nearly two million described species it has been estimated that five to six million name-bearing type specimens exist, including those for synonymized binominals. Recognizing that examination of types in person will remain necessary in special cases, we propose a four-part strategy for opening access to types that relies heavily on digitization and that would eliminate much of the bottleneck: (1) modify codes of nomenclature to create registries of nomenclatural acts, such as the proposed ZooBank, that include a requirement for digital representations (e-types) for all newly described species to avoid adding to backlog; (2) an "r" strategy that would engineer and deploy a network of automated instruments capable of rapidly creating 3-D images of type specimens not requiring participation of taxon experts; (3) a "K" strategy using remotely operable microscopes to engage taxon experts in targeting and annotating informative characters of types to supplement and extend information content of rapidly acquired e-types, a process that can be done on an as-needed basis as in the normal course of revisionary taxonomy; and (4) creation of a global e-type archive associated with the commissions on nomenclature and species registries providing one-stop-shopping for e-types. We describe a first generation implementation of the "K" strategy that adapts current technology to create a network of Remotely Operable Benchmarkers Of Types (ROBOT) specifically engineered to handle the largest backlog of types, pinned insect specimens. The three initial instruments will be in the Smithsonian Institution(Washington, DC), Natural History Museum (London), and Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle (Paris), networking the three largest insect collections in the world with entomologists worldwide. These three instruments make possible remote examination, manipulation, and photography of types for more than 600,000 species. This is a cybertaxonomy demonstration project that we anticipate will lead to similar instruments for a wide range of museum specimens and objects as well as revolutionary changes in collaborative taxonomy and formal and public taxonomic education.     

Taxonomic, nomenclatural and chorological notes on several taxa of the genus Echinodorus (Alismataceae)

Taxonomic, nomenclatural and chorological notes on several taxa of the genus Echinodorus are given. A new species E. maculatus is described. The name Alisma intermedium (basionym of the name E. intermedius) is lectotypified. Echinodorus major and E. martii should be treated as two distinct taxa. The name E. xinguensis was invalidly published. It is also confirmed that E. africanus, E. veronikae and E. viridis (all belonging to the E. uruguayensis group) do not originate from Africa. The name E. bleherae should be written with a female suffix (-ae); this name is considered here as a synonym of the earlier name E. grisebachii.     

Taxonomic review of the subfamily Schoenobiinae(Lepidoptera:Pyraloidea:Crambidae) from China

The taxonomy of the Chinese Schoenobiinae is revised.In total,12 genera and 49species are recognized.This paper presents keys to the genera and species,illustrations of wing venation for each genus,and line drawings of genitalia of most species.Two new species,namely,Schoenobius scirpus sp.nov.and Ramila minima sp.nov.,are described.The female of Scirpophaga adunctella Chen,Song,and Wu,2006 is reported for the first time.Donacaula forficellus(Thunberg,1794) reported by Wang(1980) is proven to be a misidentification of S.scirpus sp.nov.The diagnostic characteristics of Schoenobiinae and the taxonomic status of some genera are discussed.Acropentias,Leechia,Brihaspa,and Promacrochilo are suggested to be removed from the subfamily because these genera do not share any synapomorphic characters with Schoenobiinae.     

Taxonomic study of the genus Stericta Lederer (Lepidoptera:Pyralidae: Epipaschiinae) from China

The genus Stericta Lederer,1863 is reviewed in China.Of the ten species treated,two species are described as new:S.corollina sp.nov.and S.digitata sp.nov.Photographs of adults and genitalia are provided.Keys to the available species are given,based on superficial characters and male genitalia.     

Taxonomic Identity in Microbial Eukaryotes: A Practical Approach Using the Testate Amoeba Centropyxis to Resolve Conflicts Between Old and New Taxonomic Descriptions

ABSTRACT. The present work focuses on 12 taxa of the genus Centropyxis Stein, 1857 to explore the conflict between traditional and contemporary taxonomic practices. We examined the morphology, biometry, and ecology of 2,120 Centropyxis individuals collected from Tiete River, Sao Paulo, Brazil; with these new data we studied the consistency of previously described species, varieties, and forms. We encountered transitional forms of test morphology that undermine specific and varietal distinctions for three species and nine varieties. Biometrical analyses made comparing the organisms at the species level suggest a lack of separation between Centropyxis aculeata and Centropyxis discoides, and a possible distinction for Centropyxis ecornis based on spine characteristics. However, incongruence between recent and previous surveys makes taking any taxonomic–nomenclatural actions inadvisable, as they would only add to the confusion. We suggest an explicit and objective taxonomic practice in order to enhance our taxonomic and species concepts for microbial eukaryotes. This will allow more precise inferences of taxon identity for studies in other areas.     

Avian haematozoa: some taxonomic and nomenclatural problems arising from the Russian literature.

It is evident from a survey of the Russian literature that many species of avian haematozoa recorded do not meet the basic criteria required by the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. Thus 28 species of Haemoproteus and 4 species of Leucocytozoon are considered to be nomina nuda, while 1 species, Leucocytozoon turtur orientalis is a synonym of L. marchouxi.     

Middle and Late Permian stratigraphic correlations on the Russian Platform: significance of ostracodes

During the International Peri-Tethys Program, the realization of the maps required efficient correlation tools. During the Late Paleozoic and particularly during the Wordian (Middle Permian), the Russian Platform was under continental and/or marginal paleoenvironmental conditions. This paper draws up the synthesis of the ostracode species recognized in the Middle-Late Permian in this area, from the Barents Sea up to the Precaspian Depression, and shows their importance as a stratigraphic tool for the correlations of continental series.     

Pyramidal spiriferids (brachiopods) from the Middle and Upper Devonian of the Russian Plate: Morphology, systematics, and shell wall structure

The pyramidal spiriferids Thomasaria Stainbrook, 1945 and Pyramina Ljaschenko, 1969 from the collection of brachiopods of Ljaschenko are examined. New data on the shell microornamentation and inner structure support the validity of the genus Piramina and its type species P. oskolensis Ljaschenko. A new species of the genus Thomasaria, T. rotunda is described.     

Induced life cycle transition from holocycly to anholocycly of the Russian wheat aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae)

The Russian wheat aphid (RWA), Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko),exists with holocyclic life cycle in Tacheng, Xinjiang in Northwest China. It produces males and oviparae to mate and oviposit for overwintering by eggs. Under laboratory conditions with 14 h/d photophase and temperature not lower than 15℃, RWA occurred in parthenogenesis and produced no males. The laboratory popu-lations of Russian wheat aphid, which were kept under natural conditions in fall by 15th, 49th and 81st generation while wild populations produced males and oviparae for mating, produced males and oviparae with their number decreased gradually, but viviparae and nymphs increased sequen-tially. As a result, it produced a small amount of oviparae and no males emerged in fields by 49 generations' reproduction in laboratory. After development of 81 generations, oviparae happened occasionally and no eggs occurred for overwintering instead of viviparae and nymphs. A hypothesis of RWA disastrous process was proposed. The life cycle of RWA can be changed from holocycly to anholocycly in its long-term spread and evolution. Anholocycly is more dangerous than holocycly to small grains for its strong adaptability and dispersal ability.     

Taxonomic study of the genus Niwaella (Cypriniformes:Cobitidae) from East China,with description of four new species

Four loaches,Niwaella brevipinna Chen & Chen,sp.nov.,N.fimbriata Chen & Chen,sp.nov.,N.nigrolinea Chen & Chen,sp.nov.and N.qujiangensis Chen &Chen,sp.nov.,are described based on specimens collected from Zhejiang and Anhui Provinces,East China.The mitochondrial cytochrome b gene of 28 individuals of seven species from seven locations collected from Zhejiang,Anhui and Jiangxi Provinces were amplified and analyzed.Morphological and molecular data showed that N.fimbriata Chen & Chen,sp.nov.and N.nigrolinea Chen & Chen,sp.nov.,N.brevipinna Chen& Chen,sp.nov.and N.laterimaculata (Yan & Zheng),N.qujiangensis Chen & Chen,sp.nov.and N.longibarba Chen & Chen are closely related.The seven Chinese Niwaella species,N.brevipinna Chen & Chen,sp.nov.,N.fimbriata Chen & Chen,sp.nov.,N.laterimaculata,N.longibarba,N.nigrolinea Chen & Chen,sp.nov.,N.qujiangensis Chen & Chen,sp.nov.,and N.xinjiangensis are clearly distinguished by the combination of the color patter,mental lobes,suborbital spine,caudal peduncle,body shape,and subdorsal scales.     

Taxonomic revision of the genus Chiloporter Lestage (Ameletopsidae: Ephemeroptera) with notes on its biology and distribution

A taxonomic revision of the genus Chiloporter is presented confronting new material collected in Chile and Argentina, with the literature of the genus. Unknown developmental stages are described; association of larvae and winged stages is confirmed here by rearing. The synonymy of the extant species is proposed. Notes on the biology and distribution are also included.     

Taxonomic notes on the genus Syndiamesa Kieffer (Diptera: Chironomidae) from Japan, with description of a new species

The Japanese species of the genus Syndiamesa are revised. A new species, Syndiamesa longipilosa sp. nov., from Honshu, Japan is described from male and female material. The male of Syndiamesa mira (Makarchenko) from Japan is redescribed and figured. Syndiamesa chuzemagna Sasa is synonymized with Syndiamesa yosiii Tokunaga. Syndiamesa bicolor Tokunaga is transferred to the genus Sympotthastia. A key to males of Japanese Syndiamesa is provided.     

New upper permian superfamily compositelasmatoidea (Brachiopoda, Terebratulida) from the east of the Russian platform: The specificity of ontogenetic transformations

A previously unknown type of ontogeny is discussed that unites features of two different types of loop development: the ancient dielasmoid type, which is typical of Upper Paleozoic terebratulids, and the angustothyridid type, which is typical of the Lower Mesozoic terebratulids. A new superfamily, Compositelasmatoidea, and a new family, Compositelasmatidae, with its type genus Compositelasma gen. nov., are established based on their unique ontogenetic changes.     

Taxonomic notes on the Halymeniaceae (Gigartinales,Rhodophyta) from Japan. III. Synonymization of Pachymeniopsis Yamada in Kawabata with Grateloupia C. Agardh*

The taxonomic status of the red algal genus Pachymeniopsis (Halymeniaceae) was evaluated based on a morphological study of the type species Pachymeniopsis lanceolata (Okamura) Yamada in Kawabata (=Aeodes lanceolata Okamura). Features used to separate Pachymeniopsis from allied genera such as Aeodes or Grateloupia were found to be inconsistently expressed within even single populations, and P. lanceolata is considered to be best placed in Grateloupia. The two remaining species, P. yendoi and P. elliptica, are judged to be conspecific, with P. elliptica also best placed in Grateloupia. The genus Pachymeniopsis is, therefore, considered synonymous with Grateloupia. The transfer of P. lanceolata to Grateloupia is proposed as Grateloupia lanceolata (Okamura) Kawaguchi, comb. nov. The reinstatement of Grateloupia elliptica Holmes, which includes Pachymeniopsis yendoi as a synonym, is also proposed.     

Managing the Unmanageable: Elderly Russian Jewish Émigrés and the Biomedical Culture of Diabetes Care

In this article, we examine the apparent resistance of elderly Russian Jewish émigrés to the dominant U.S. biomedical model of diabetes treatment. Cultural competence on the part of medical professionals who make assumptions about Russian culture tends to be based on particularly American values of self-control and individual agency. The American consumer model of health care incorporating risk, individual responsibility, autonomy, and choice, when applied to elderly Russian Jewish émigrés, results in a reading of different values and choices as failed self-management or noncompliance. This article argues for a more reflexive understanding of U.S. biomedical culture as a replacement for the current "sound bite" model of cultural diversity.