Search publications of the members of the Royal Belgian institute of natural Sciences
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Biofluorescence in Morelia, Malayopython and Python: first reports for the Pythonidae
- 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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Biofluorescence of the Crocodile Skinks, genus Tribolonotus: first report in Scincidae
- 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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Ostracod across the Frasnian/ Famennian boundary in the Hony railway section (Southern border of the Dinant Synclinorium, Belgium) - Geochemical consequences.
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Discovery of ichtyofauna at the Cenomanian-Turonian boundary in Ouarsenis (Algeria)
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Osteology and relationships of Libanopycnodus wenzi gen.et sp. nov. and Sigmapycnodus giganteus gen. et sp. nov. (Pycnodontiformes) from the Late Cretaceous of Lebanon.
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Osteology and relationships of Furloichthys bonarellii gen. and sp. nov. (Teleostei, Ichthyodectidae) from the Upper Cretaceous deposits of the Furlo River (the Marche, central Italy).
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The Mesozoic fish genus Pholidophorus (Teleostei, Pholidophoriformes), with an osteological study of the type-species Pholidophorus latiusculus. Comments on some problems concerning the “pholidophoriform” fishes
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Osteology and phylogenetic relationships of Haqelpycnodus picteti gen. and sp. nov., a new pycnodont fish genus (Pycnodontidae) from the marine Late Cretaceous tropical sea of Lebanon
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Les poissons crétacés de Nardo. 40°. Nardoglossus sanctibernardini gen. et sp. nov. (Teleostei, Gonorynchiformes, Gonorynchoidei)
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Osteology and relationships of Italoalbula pietrarojae gen. and sp. nov. (Teleostei, Albuliformes) from the marine Lower Cretaceous of Pietraroja (Campania, southern Italy)
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A new small-sized species of Pedicularia Swainson, 1840 (Gastropoda: Pediculariidae) from Ascension Island
- Pedicularia ciliai n. sp., a small-sized member of the Pediculariidae from Ascension Island, is described based on its morphological features. The new taxon is compared to similar species of the same genus Pedicularia found in the Atlantic Ocean.
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Interchange of individuals between two Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus populations, and its effect on population size estimates
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RNA sequencing of avian paramyxovirus (Paramyxoviridae, Avulavirinae) isolates from wild mallards in Belgium, 2021: complete genomes and coinfections
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Programme de sauvegarde du Tétras lyre dans les Hautes Fagnes Rapport finale 2023
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North American Branchiobdellida (Annelida: Clitellata) or Crayfish Worms in France: the most diverse distribution of these exotic ectosymbionts in Europe
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Governance of shallow geothermal energy resources
- Successful electrification of cities' heating and cooling demands depends on the sustainable implementation of highly efficient ground source heat pumps (GSHP). During the last decade, the use of shallow geothermal energy (SGE) resources in urban areas has experienced an unprecedented boost which nowadays is still showing a steady 9% market growth trend. However, the intensive market incorporation experienced by this technology entails different responsibilities towards the long-term technical and environmental sustainability in order to maintain this positive trend. Here we present a SGE management framework structure and a governance model agreed among 13 European Geological Surveys, providing a roadmap for the different levels of management development, adaptable to any urban scale, and independent of the hydrogeological conditions and the grade of development of SGE technology implementation. The management approach reported is based on the adaptive management concept, thus offering a working flow for the non-linear relationship between planning, implementation and control that establishes a cyclical and iterative management process. The generalized structure of the SGE management framework provided allows the effective analysis of policy to identify and plan for management problems and to select the best management objectives, strategies and measures according to the policy principles proposed here.
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FRAME’s (Forecasting and Assessing Europe’s Strategic Raw Materials Needs) contribution to the “European Green Deal”.
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FRAME’s (Forecasting and Assessing Europe’s Strategic Raw Materials Needs) innovative research in mineral raw materials on the eve of the EU’s “Green Deal”.
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EuroGeoSurveys: from a non-profit association to ageological service for Europe
- EuroGeoSurveys (EGS) is a not-for-profit organization representing 37 national geological surveysand some regional surveys; it has an overall workforce of several thousand experts. EGS members provide offi-cial, interoperable, homogeneous, reliable, INSPIRE (infrastructure for spatial information in the EuropeanCommunity)-compliant public data on the subsurface for the benefit of society in terms of circular economydevelopment, sustainable management of the subsurface resources, understanding and combatting climatechange and the development of infrastructures and mitigation of geology-related natural hazards. The EGSis committed to establishing a geological service for Europe based on three pillars: (1) joint research withimpact on EU policy level, which is being implemented through the GeoERA programme (Establishing theEuropean Geological Surveys Research Area to deliver a Geological Service for Europe); (2) harmonizingand sharing pan-European geological data, through the European Geological Data Infrastructure (EGDI);and (3) sharing knowledge, capacities and infrastructure, through the pan-African support to the EGS-Organi-zation of African Geological Surveys (OAGS) Partnership (PanAfGeo project). The EGS will continue to sup-port the EU in its transition to a low-carbon, climate-neutral, resource-efficient, socially and environmentallyresilient economy, in full compliance with the United Nations 2030 Agenda and the 17 Sustainable Develop-ment Goals.
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State of the art report - Carbon Capture and Storage
