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Article Reference Implications of extensive addition of new sea star mitogenomes for sea star phylogenetics and evolution (Echinodermata: Asteroidea)
Despite their ecological and evolutionary interests, the phylogeny of Asteroidea (sea stars) is still subject to debate at several taxonomic levels. In the present study, we assemble new mitochondrial genomes for 15 species, including three newly characterized families (Odontasteridae, Poraniidae, and Stichasteridae) and representing an important addition for two orders (Velatida and Spinulosida). By analysing them alongside the 31 previously available mitogenomes, we evaluate mitogenomic variation (mitogenome organization and phylogenetic relationships) within the class. Gene order and sizes were concordant with previous studies. However, an alternative initiation codon (ATT for NAD1) was found in two Pterasteridae species. Evolutionary patterns between orders provided some interesting insights (e.g. Spinulosida as the sister-group to the Valvatida + Paxillosida), but the most novel patterns were observed among families (e.g. close relationships of Stichasteridae and Paulasteriidae; close relationships of Odontasteridae and Poraniidae; Brisingidae and Freyellidae as sister-group to the Asteriidae, Paulasteridae, and Stichasteridae). Finally, we found Pterasteridae to be paraphyletic, which could lead to the incorporation of Myxasteridae within Pterasteridae. Altogether, this study confirms that mitogenomes provide valuable and cost-effective markers to complement evolutionary patterns derived from nuclear data.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2024
Article Reference Role of windbreaks on ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) conservation in a cotton-growing agroecosystem of the humid savannah in Togo
Intensive agriculture and monoculture lead to significant reduction, or loss, of the initial biodiversity. This reduction or loss of biodiversity, can be mitigated by the presence of windbreaks around the fields that serve not only as natural barrier against adverse weather conditions but also as refuge for critical organisms. The aim of this study was to determine the role of natural windbreaks in the conservation of ants at the Experimental Station of the Centre de Recherche Agronomique de la Savane Humide in Kolokop´e (Togo). Ants’ diversity was assessed in two cotton fields and their surrounding natural windbreaks using pitfall traps and monolith method in 100 m x 2 m transects. In total, 58 ant species belonging to 22 genera in six subfamilies (Dolichoderinae, Dorylinae, For- micinae, Myrmicinae, Ponerinae and Proceratinae) were identified. The species richness of ants was higher in the windbreaks (43 and 36 species) than the cotton fields (15 and 19). The occurrence of ants was also higher in the windbreaks (35.65 % and 36.24 %) than the cotton fields (11.69 % and 16.42 %). Thirty-four out of the 58 species were sampled exclusively in the windbreaks, compared to only two species exclusively sampled in the cotton fields (Crematogaster sp.3 and Lepisiota sp.3), while only three species were common for all the habitats (Camponotus flavomarginatus Mayr, 1862, Tetramorium sp.1 and Tetramorium simillimum (Smith, 1851)). The study shows that ants were more diversified and active in the windbreaks than the cotton fields. Windbreaks, characterized by less anthropic disturbance, could function as refuge for ants within this agroecosystem.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2024
Article Reference Familie-indeling en diversiteit van wespen (Hymenoptera) in de Lage Landen
De classificatie van de families van de orde Hymenoptera is de afgelopen vijf jaar aanzienlijk veranderd, onder meer door meer moleculair onderzoek. De evolutionaire geschiedenis van de orde wordt ook steeds duidelijker. Op basis van onderzoek uit recente literatuur en in lijn met nieuwe inzichten presenteren wij een nieuw familieoverzicht voor Nederland en België. In Nederland en België zijn vertegenwoordigers gevonden van 88 families. Om een idee te krijgen van de diversiteit van de verschillende families wordt een overzicht gegeven van het aantal genera en het (geschatte) aantal soorten voor elke familie. Deze cijfers zijn gebaseerd op literatuuronderzoek, websites of deskundig oordeel van specialisten. Een groot aantal foto’s toont de enorme soortendiversiteit van de wespen. Er valt echter ook in beide landen nog veel te ontdekken, vooral in de Parasitica-groep.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2024
Article Reference 107 Ants in the clouds: A preliminary checklist of the ant (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) fauna of a Honduran cloud forest ecosystem, featuring a key to country genera
Ant diversity in tropical montane rainforests is globally understudied. This is true for Cusuco National Park (CNP), a cloud forest ecosystem in northwestern Honduras that supports geographically isolated and threatened habitats. The current study presents the first comprehensive ant species checklist for CNP, which is also the first ant check- list for Honduras in over a century. Species records from several projects are also com- bined and presented. Sampling occurred along an elevational range (mainly between 1170 and 2030 m a.s.l.), with methodologies and intensities varying among projects and dates. Overall, 162 ant species belonging to nine subfamilies and 60 genera are reported from the CNP. Five species are recorded for the first time in Honduras (Pheidole natalie Longino, 2019; Strumigenys cf. calamita; Solenopsis invicta Buren, 1972; Solenopsis tex- ana/carolinensis; Pseudomyrmex pallens Mayr, 1870). For the first time, male individuals are reported in Pheidole balatro Longino, 2019. For each species, we provide informa- tion on observed habitat preference, elevational range, and sampling technique. Species accumulation curves are provided for each sample technique, representing sampling intensity and community sample coverage. We also provide a key to the ant genera of Honduras to aid future taxonomic efforts in the country. Our research demonstrates that CNP harbours a surprisingly rich diversity of ant species, despite its small area, similar to many other taxa in the park. The information provided here represents baseline infor- mation for future work on ants in CNP and other Honduran cloud forests and will help guide research in these otherwise poorly explored yet highly threatened ecosystems.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2024
Article Reference Estimation of Mud and Sand Fractions and Total Concentration From Coupled Optical‐Acoustic Sensors
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2024
Inproceedings Reference L’occupation humaine du Grognon à Namur au Mésolithique : résultats préliminaires des études archéobotaniques et archéozoologiques
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2024
Article Reference Rediscovery of Camponotus herculeanus (Linnaeus, 1758) in Belgium (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Camponotus herculeanus (Linnaeus, 1758) was rediscovered in Belgium near Ouren. Throughout the spring and summer of 2023, workers were collected on multiple occasions in a Picea abies stand near the Belgian-German boarder.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2024
Article Reference Des crémations à la fin de la période romaine. L’exemple de la cité des Tongres et du cimetière de Fexhe-le-Haut-Clocher
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2024
Article Reference Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Suspended Particulate Matter in Water Environments: A Review
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2024
Article Reference Review of the historical collection of Charipinae (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) preserved in the RBINS
Specimens from the subfamily Charipinae (Figitidae) deposited in the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS) were examined, in total 44 individuals were identified, belonging to eleven species. Five species are reported for the first time in Belgium: Alloxysta citripes (Thomson, 1862), A. fuscipes (Thomson, 1862), A. halterata (Thomson, 1862), A. ramulifera (Thomson, 1862) and Phaenoglyphis fuscicornis (Thomson, 1877); making 14 known species of Charipinae in Belgium. Additionally, for the first time, host information is reported for P. fuscicornis and A. consobrina (Zetterstedt, 1838).
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2024