Search publications of the members of the Royal Belgian institute of natural Sciences
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Phylogenetics and Integrative Taxonomy of African Water Snakes (Squamata: Colubridae: Grayia)
- Grayia is a genus of relatively large (1.5 – 2.5 m) aquatic Afrotropical snakes that is currently comprised of four species. Recent molecular phylogenies recovered Grayia in its own distinct subfamily (Grayiinae), which was strongly supported as the sister group to Colubrinae. Because tropical African snakes are generally understudied, the relationships within Grayia are poorly known. Due to morphological conservatism, identification is often difficult and previous studies involving Grayia included misidentified specimens in other genera. The goal of this study is to build a phylogenetic tree that can be used to understand the relationships and taxonomy of Grayia via an integrative taxonomic approach that combines molecular and morphological data. One nuclear (BDNF) and four mitochondrial genes (COI, cyt b, 16S and ND4) were used to construct a phylogenetic tree with Maximum likelihood methods; outgroups included the genera Calamaria, Sibynophis and Masticophis. Preliminary trees suggest G. ornata and G. smithii are sister taxa, whereas G. caesar (originally described as the sole member of the genus Xenurophis) is sister to G. tholloni. At least two divergent lineages of G. ornata suggest cryptic species are likely present in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Republic of Congo.
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Philothamnus ruandae Loveridge, 1951. Rwandan Green Snake. Reproduction.
- We provide new data on the reproduction of the Rwandan Green Snake Philothamnus ruandae (Squamata : Colubridae) based on high resolution x-ray computed tomography of five adult pregnant females, including the holotype and three paratypes. The smallest gravid female has a snout-vent length of 552 mm, and clutch size varies from 4 to 12.
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The taxonomic impediment: a shortage of taxonomists, not the lack of technical approaches
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Seasonality at Middle and Upper Palaeolithic sites based on the presence and wear of deciduous premolars from nursing mammoth calves
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Mothering the Orphaned Pup: The Beginning of a Domestication Process in the Upper Palaeolithic
- Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the initial steps in the domestication process of the wolf. We discuss the human-initiated model in which wolf pups were brought to camp sites by male hunters and cared for by nursing women. A good relation between the more sociable and playful pups and the women and their children likely formed affiliative bonds and led to the survival of such pups into maturity. Some of these animals could have reproduced and delivered at least one litter. A selection on the behaviour of subsequent generations could ultimately have led to Palaeolithic dogs.
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Upper Pleistocene hominins and wooly mammoths in the East European Plain.
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Natural and human-driven selection of a single non-coding body size variant in ancient and modern canids
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The delusion of stripes: A century-old mystery of five-lined sun skinks (Reptilia: Scincidae: Eutropis) of Peninsular India elucidated
- We re-evaluate the taxonomic identities of five-lined skinks of the genus Eutropis (E. trivittata, E. beddomei, E. nagarjunensis, and E. bibronii) inhabiting the Indian subcontinent. Previously it has been considered that E. trivittata is distributed in the western India and E. dissimilis in the northern India (from north-eastern India up to Pakistan). Based on our analysis, we revealed that the illustration (iconotype) of the untraceable type specimen of E. trivittata depicted by Hardwicke in Gray (1834) from “Dumdum” near Kolkata, West Bengal matches the typical E. dissimilis, also described from “Bengal”. The senior synonym, E. trivittata is a morphologically unique species, which is also supported by divergence in the mitochondrial 12S and 16S regions. E. trivittata is clearly separated with divergences of 5–7% from E. beddomei, E. vertebralis and E. nagarjunensis for 16S rRNA. After placing E. dissimilis with the synonymy of E. trivittata, the taxonomic status of the western Indian ‘E. trivittata’ required to be clarified. Therefore, we resurrect Mabuia vertebralis Boulenger, 1887, a junior synonym of western Indian E. trivittata, and redescribe its holotype collected from “Belgaum”, Karnataka. Although, morphologically closest to E. beddomei, Eutropis vertebralis comb. nov. is sister to E. nagarjunensis with divergence of 4% in the same mitochondrial regions. Based on our update of the currently confirmed localities for E. vertebralis comb. nov. and E. trivittata, we conducted Species Distribution Modelling (SDM) using the Maximum Entropy algorithm to predict its distribution range, and we discuss its conservation status.
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Amphibians
- I provide a commented list of the amphibian species found in the Lower Ogooué region, western Gabon, Equatorial Africa, from Ndjolé and Lambaréné to Port-Gentil and Omboué. The list includes 44 species (Dermophiidae, Arthroleptidae, Bufonidae, Conrauidae, Hyperoliidae, Phrynobatrachidae, Pipidae, Ptychadenidae, Pyxicephalidae, Ranidae and Rhacophoridae).
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Conservation
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Reptiles
- I provide a commented list of the reptile species found in the Lower Ogooué region, western Gabon, Equatorial Africa, from Ndjolé and Lambaréné to Port-Gentil and Omboué. The list includes 85 species (Pelomedusidae, Cheloniidae, Dermochelyidae, Testudinidae, Trionychidae, Crocodylidae, Agamidae, Chamaeleonidae, Gekkonidae, Gerrhosauridae, Lacertidae, Scincidae, Varanidae, Amphisbaenidae, Typhlopidae, Boidae, Pythonidae, Colubridae, Elapidae, Lamprophiidae, Natricidae and Viperidae).
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Cranial osteology of Hypoptophis (Aparallactinae: Atractaspididae: Caenophidia), with a discussion on the evolution of its fossorial adaptations
- Fossoriality evolved early in snakes, and has left its signature on the cranial morphology of many extinct Mesozoic and early Caenozoic forms. Knowledge of the cranial osteology of extant snakes is indispensable for associating the crania of extinct lineages with a particular mode of life; this applies to fossorial taxa as well. In the present work, we provide a detailed description of the cranium of Hypoptophis wilsonii, a member of the subfamily Aparallactinae, using micro-computed tomography (CT). This is also the first thorough micro-CT-based description of any snake assigned to this African subfamily of predominantly mildly venomous, fossorial, and elusive snakes. The cranium of Hypoptophis is adapted for a fossorial lifestyle, with increased consolidation of skull bones. Aparallactines show a tendency toward reduction of maxillary length by bringing the rear fangs forward. This development attains its pinnacle in the sister subfamily Atractaspidinae, in which the rear fang has become the “front fang” by a loss of the part of the maxilla lying ahead of the fang. These dentitional changes likely reflect adaptation to subdue prey in snug burrows. An endocast of the inner ear of Hypoptophis shows that this genus has the inner ear typical of fossorial snakes, with a large, globular sacculus. A phylogenetic analysis based on morphology recovers Hypoptophis as a sister taxon to Aparallactus. We also discuss the implications of our observations on the burrowing origin hypothesis of snakes.
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AVONET: morphological, ecological and geographical data for all birds
- Functional traits offer a rich quantitative framework for developing and testing theories in evolutionary biology, ecology and ecosystem science. However, the potential of functional traits to drive theoretical advances and refine models of global change can only be fully realised when species-level information is complete. Here we present the AVONET dataset containing comprehensive functional trait data for all birds, including six ecological variables, 11 continuous morphological traits, and information on range size and location. Raw morphological measurements are presented from 90,020 individuals of 11,009 extant bird species sampled from 181 countries. These data are also summarised as species averages in three taxonomic formats, allowing integration with a global phylogeny, geographical range maps, IUCN Red List data and the eBird citizen science database. The AVONET dataset provides the most detailed picture of continuous trait variation for any major radiation of organisms, offering a global template for testing hypotheses and exploring the evolutionary origins, structure and functioning of biodiversity.
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PITYOSTROBUS ANDRAEI(PINACEAE) FROM THE BARREMIAN (LOWER CRETACEOUS)OF BELGIUM: A MORPHOMETRIC REVISION
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Thatchtelithichnus on a Pliocene grey whale mandible and barnacles as possible tracemakers
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Valuation of ecosystem services in marine protected areas: A comprehensive review of methods and needed developments
- Effectively managing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) requires recognising and understanding the fundamental services offered by marine ecosystems and the socio-economic consequences that their changes will have. A systematic literature review was performed to generate a first in-detail screening and assessment of monetary and non-monetary methods for the valuation of ecosystem services (ES) and their application in MPAs and MPA networks. A total of 100 peer-reviewed papers on ES valuation within MPAs and MPA networks were identified and analysed. Valuation methods can be classified into nine monetary and seven non-monetary methodologies. There is a predominant use of monetary valuation methodologies, especially stated preference methods. However, combining monetary with non-monetary valuation approaches can provide deeper insights into the underlying reasons for assigning values to ES and offer enhanced opportunities to capture the value of services that may be challenging to express solely in monetary terms. Besides, the review underscores the gaps in assessment methodologies, particularly in addressing supporting and regulating ES, as well as non-use and option values related to MPAs, underscoring the need for innovative approaches to overcome challenges in capturing these essential components of marine ecosystems.
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Comprendre le droit de la protection de la nature. La dimension scientifique du droit de la protection de la nature.
- Cette vidéo a pour objet de montrer un mouvement continu de scientifisation du droit de la nature. Elle s’articule autour d’un dialogue entre, d’une part, les sciences naturelles et, d’autre part, les règles juridiques. A la suite d'un interview sur les enjeux de la conservation de la biodiversité, les différentes approches conceptuelles de la conservation sont abordées par l'entremise d'une série d'interviews se déroulent à l'Institut royal des sciences naturelles de Belgique. Sont ainsi abordés: - l’approche par espèce, -l’approche par type d’habitat naturel, - le concept de réseau écologique, - l’approche par écosystème.
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CEBioS capacity building programme in the Congo Basin.
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Jaarverslag 2020 van het Leopold III-Fonds voor Natuuronderzoek en Natuurbehoud / Rapport annuel 2020 du Fonds Léopold III pour l'Exploration et la Conservation de la Nature
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Tidal inlets in the Anthropocene: Geomorphology and benthic habitats of the Chioggia inlet, Venice Lagoon (Italy)
