Genetic cohesion of Eresus walckenaeri (Araneae, Eresidae) in the eastern Mediterranean

The eresid spider genus Eresus is morphologically and ecologically conservative. At least three species occur in Europe. However, deep genetic divergence among geographical samples within two species, E. cinnaberinus and E. sandaliatus , may suggest more cryptic species. In the present study we investigate the genetic cohesion of the third species, Eresus walckenaeri , throughout its eastern Mediterranean distribution range, relative to the E. cinnaberinus–E. sandaliatus species complex. Eresus walckenaeri specimens were monophyletic. Genetic discreteness of E. walckenaeri in a region of sympatry with its sister species in Greece provides evidence for species integrity of E. walckenaeri within the European Eresus species complex. Eresus walckenaeri exhibited high concordance between geographical location and mtDNA genealogy. Two major phylogeographical clades were found in the Greek–Turkish and Syrian–Israel parts of the investigated area, respectively (∼6.5% sequence divergence). Concordance between geography and genetic divergence was further observed between Aegean island samples and their corresponding Greek and Turkish mainland samples, suggesting regional subdivision with gradual but potentially high dispersal propensity. Monophyly and limited regional distribution indicate Mediterranean endemic origin.  © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 86 , 1–9.     

The genus Troglophilus Krauss, 1879 (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae) in the west Balkans

We present a revision of the genus Troglophilus in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula based on morphological and genetic analysis, and provide distribution data for the species. The results of these analyses reduced the number of the known taxa within the genus Troglophilus in this area to five valid species: Troglophilus cavicola ( Kollar, 1833 ), Troglophilus neglectus Krauss, 1879 , Troglophilus ovuliformis Karny, 1907 , Troglophilus brevicauda Chopard, 1934, and Troglophilus lazaropolensis Karaman, 1958. A new species Troglophilus zorae sp. nov. is described and Troglophilus neglectus serbicus Maran, 1958, Troglophilus neglectus vlasinensis Maran, 1958, Troglophilus bukoviki Karaman, 1968 and Troglophilus pretneri Us, 1970 are synonymized. The distribution pattern of the western Balkan species supports a general east?west migration route. We also determined the centres of origin and spreading directions of particular species according to the distribution of the taxa and the structure of the haplotypes. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 163 , 1035–1063.     

The Psychological Interdependence of Family, School, and Bureaucracy in Japan

The Japanese "examination hell" phenomenon is viewed as a series of crisis rites through which the child passes from family-centered to peer group-centered values in a "particularistic" society. It is held that this model has greater explanatory power than the "minimization of competition" model proposed by others and that it also helps to explain the phenomenon of student radicalism and centrifugal relationships in middle-class communities.