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Four new species of the lanternfly genus Zanna Kirkaldy, 1902 from Cambodia and Vietnam (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Fulgoridae)
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RBINS Staff Publications 2024
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Twelve new species of Platypalpus Macquart (Diptera: Hybotidae) from Morocco, with additional new records
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RBINS Staff Publications 2024
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Digital Animal Sound Archive: a collaborative repository for bio-acoustics
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The use of animal sounds is widespread but yields extensive and scattered individual collections. Making this data FAIR will lead to deeper knowledge. The overall objective of DASA is to set-up a robust data model and a user-friendly website enabling Belgian bio-acoustic workers to collect, archive and explore biological acoustic data. The starting point is bats, but the data model is kept open for any biological or mechanical sounds. We will build a digital archive that adds to RBINS' collections, serves as a reference collection of species and call types, offers a validated dataset for classifiers and will be a resource for meta-analyses.
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RBINS Staff Publications 2024
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Rediscovery and redescription of Dixonius siamensis (Boulenger, 1899) (Squamata: Gekkonidae), type species of the genus, with lectotype designation
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We redescribe the type material of Phyllodactylus siamensis Boulenger, 1899, type species of the Southeast Asian gekkonid genus Dixonius Bauer, Good & Branch, 1997, using external morphology and cranial osteology (by Micro-Computed Tomography, µ-CT). There is some evidence that the type series contains more than one species; we hence designate a lectotype in order to stabilize nomenclature and provide more precision on the geographical location of the type locality. Because the current concept of Dixonius siamensis auctorum is incomplete and composite, we provide a revised diagnosis based on the presently designated lectotype and a paralectotype from the same locality, as well as observations on new material from the type locality and the first photographs of live topotypical individuals. We regard Dixonius siamensis as probably geographically restricted to the Dong Phaya Yen mountain range in central Thailand, and the numerous published mentions of this species from outside this range likely refer to other or undescribed taxa. We treat Phyllodactylus burmanicus Annandale, 1905 from Tavoy, southern Myanmar, as a valid species, as Dixonius burmanicus comb. nov.
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RBINS Staff Publications 2024
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Vertebral morphology and intracolumnar variation of the iconic African viperid snake Atheris (Serpentes, Viperidae)
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We here provide a detailed description of the vertebral morphology of the African arboreal viperid snakes of the genus Atheris. Vertebrae of three different species of the genus, i.e., Atheris desaixi, Atheris hispida, and Atheris katangensis, were investigated via the aid of μCT (micro‐computed tomography) scanning. We describe several vertebrae from different regions of the vertebral column for all three species, starting from the atlas‐axis complex to the caudal tip, in order to demonstrate important differences regarding the intracolumnar variation. Comparison of these three species shows an overall similar general morphology of the trunk vertebrae among the Atheris species. We extensively compare Atheris with other known viperids. As the sole arboreal genus of Viperinae the prehensile nature of the tail of Atheris is reflected in its caudal vertebral morphology, which is characterized by a high number of caudal vertebrae but also robust and anteroventrally oriented pleurapophyses as a skeletal adaptation, linked with the myology of the tail, to an arboreal lifestyle. We anticipate that the extensive figuring of these viperid specimens will also aid identifications in paleontology.
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RBINS Staff Publications 2024
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Issid planthoppers from Bach Ma and Phong Dien in Central Vietnam. I. Tribe Parahiraciini (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Issidae)
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RBINS Staff Publications 2024
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Stick insects from Vietnam: The new genus Mycovartes gen. nov., with two new species and two new species of Neooxyartes Ho, 2018 (Phasmida: Lonchodidae: Necrosciinae)
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RBINS Staff Publications 2023
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Biofluorescence of the Crocodile Skinks, genus Tribolonotus: first report in Scincidae
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Biofluorescence, the phenomenon where organisms absorb short wavelengths of light and re-emit longer wavelengths, has been documented in various reptile and amphibian groups. This study reports the first observation of UV-induced biofluorescence in the genus Tribolonotus (crocodile skinks), marking the first such report for the family Scincidae. Specimens of Tribolonotus novaeguineae, T. brongersmai, and T. gracilis were examined under UV light, revealing distinct fluorescence patterns. The fluorescence is primarily bone-induced, linked to the presence of osteoderms, although some skin-based fluorescence was also observed, particularly around the eyes. The study suggests potential ecological roles for this fluorescence, such as intraspecific signaling or predator-prey interactions, and highlights the need for further research to understand the functional significance of biofluorescence in these skinks.
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RBINS Staff Publications 2024
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Biofluorescence in Morelia, Malayopython and Python: first reports for the Pythonidae
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Ultraviolet (UV) induced biofluorescence in snakes has been underexplored compared to lizards. This study reports for the first time UV fluorescence in several Pythonidae species, including Morelia viridis, Malayopython reticulatus, and Python regius. Specimens were examined under both white and UV light, revealing that UV fluorescence in these snakes is likely skin-based, induced by chemical compounds rather than bone-based as seen in other reptiles. Notably, Morelia viridis and M. azurea exhibited a golden mustard yellow fluorescence, while Malayopython reticulatus displayed a complex pattern with intense yellow fluorescence. The study also found that UV fluorescence is absent in ethanol-preserved specimens, suggesting the degradation of fluorescent compounds during preservation. These findings contribute to the understanding of UV fluorescence in snakes and highlight the need for further research on its functional significance and the specific molecules involved.
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RBINS Staff Publications 2024
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Revision of the Eurybrachidae XVIII. The Australian genus Olonia Stål, 1862: Four new species, new records and biological data (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha)
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RBINS Staff Publications 2024