tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42630919190085492682024-03-14T06:47:44.988+13:00The Praise of InsectsThe South Pacific, insect taxonomy, and anything else that takes my interest....Samuel Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10744958603866234922noreply@blogger.comBlogger272125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263091919008549268.post-64694541406123203372016-12-12T00:53:00.000+13:002016-12-12T00:53:25.065+13:00Cook Islands Insect Expedition: Black Twig Borer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8jtF5Yd-jCpdZ1aOS9c5mTmWMFQoUxBf2Dlx-IJigelXuBWKg9pp1RXOzDdMQozRniCemFuuFzqxws4azhaA7n1DKAmo0tosVdwjwv7j0lgg74jBuyCnVVUBA3aWrTTYVB7Ram3_XkDQ/s1600/X_compactus_Padil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8jtF5Yd-jCpdZ1aOS9c5mTmWMFQoUxBf2Dlx-IJigelXuBWKg9pp1RXOzDdMQozRniCemFuuFzqxws4azhaA7n1DKAmo0tosVdwjwv7j0lgg74jBuyCnVVUBA3aWrTTYVB7Ram3_XkDQ/s320/X_compactus_Padil.jpg" width="320" height="240" /></a></div>
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The black twig borer <i>Xylosandrus compactus</i> (Eichhoff, 1875). Image courtesy of Ken Walker via <a href="http://www.padil.gov.au/pests-and-diseases/pest/main/136017">PaDIL</a>. Licence: CC: BY.
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<p />
A timely interview on Radio New Zealand aired this week demonstrates the importance of taxonomic expertise, and the need for my research on the weevils of the Cook Islands. A <a href="http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/programmes/datelinepacific/audio/201826688/black-twig-borer-causing-havoc-in-cook-islands">Radio NZ interview</a> with Cook Islands Minister of Agriculture, Kiriau Turepu, discusses the impact of black twig borer on agriculture in the country.
<p />
The black twig borer is the common name of <a href="http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/trees/black_twig_borer.htm"><i>Xylosandrus compactus</i></a>, an ambrosia beetle belonging to the weevil subfamily Scolytinae. This species has not been previously recorded from the Cook Islands, though a related species, <i> Xylosandrus morigerus</i> was recorded in a <a href=" http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222939000770821">1990 paper</a> on the Scolytinae of the Cook Islands. Scolytine beetles are tricky beasts to identify due to their size, and so distinguishing between these two species is no easy task. Could this be a case of mistaken identity? Without seeing specimens or knowing more details of who identified it, it's hard to say.
<p />
Although it is suspected that the beetle may have been introduced from New Zealand or Australia, <i>Xylosandrus compactus</i> is not known from either country. However, it is known from other South Pacific countries, including Hawaii, Fiji, American Samoa and New Caledonia. The timing of establishment also seems to be in doubt, which will make investigating the invasion pathway somewhat tricky. Once again, specimens would provide valuable data, if regular collections have been made.
<p />
Mention is also made of damage on mango fruits. While the black twig borer has a wide host range (upwards of 200 species of plant), I am doubtful that the damage described can be attributed to it. <i>Xylosandrus compactus</i> bores in twigs and cultivates fungi along the tunnel walls (That's right! They're farmers!). The damage to mangos sounds like the work of a different beetle, the mango seed weevil <i>Sternochetus mangiferae</i> which has been in <a href="http://cookislands.bishopmuseum.org/species.asp?id=14218">Rarotonga since around 2000.</a> Knowing the difference is important for effective control and mitigation of damage.
<p />
For better or worse, it sounds like the black twig borer is well established on Rarotonga now, and I look forward to collecting specimens and adding it to the list of weevils known from the island. Once published, my research will hopefully allow rapid identification of future invaders, leading to more certain recognition of invasion pathways, and fast implementation of eradication or control measures.
<p /><span style="font-size:78%;">References:<br />
<a href = "http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222939000770821">Beaver RA, Maddison PA. 1990. The bark and ambrosia beetles of the Cook Islands and Niue (Coleoptera: Scolytidae and Platypodidae). <i>Journal of Natural History</i> 24: 1365–1375.</a>
</span>Samuel Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10744958603866234922noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263091919008549268.post-50409439604238747172016-11-27T01:16:00.000+13:002016-11-27T01:17:30.743+13:00Cook Islands Insect Expedition: Funding Granted!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rarotonga_Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLM18EMHSCA_CfQjJUVcCiT4RSa3BD-1efOp6wQ4Z6cz45aHaLK4889EoqQDGuPr8_ZdoZrJBkT8ASkfLTcs2E3heeBha8FSjsN1clM__wP6AMmjads1FC_ZVv31C0NFeAU6O_XxSmkmU/s320/Rarotonga_Island_wikimediaCommons.jpg" /></a></div>
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Satellite image of Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Image via <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page">Wikimedia Commons</a>. Licence: Public Domain.
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<p />
As the tagline of this blog suggests, I have a profound interest in the biota and people of the South Pacific. I was fortunate to spend an influential part of my childhood in the Solomon Islands, then managed to work on beetles across the South Pacific for my <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2012.04.018">MSc research</a>. Since I've moved on to studying weevils, I've been very keen to contribute to a greater knowledge of the weevil fauna of the Pacific; but until now I haven't had the financial support, nor a topic that is simultaneously ambitious enough to be useful but also achievable.
<p />
The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cook_Islands">Cook Islands</a> caught my eye about a year or so ago, when I realised that the weevil fauna of the group was essentially unknown. What little was published usually didn't get beyond a mention of "Rarotonga" or "Cook Islands" in the Distribution section of a species account in papers that had a different geographic focus. The superb <a href="http://cookislands.bishopmuseum.org/">Cook Islands Biodiversity Database</a> lists 35 species of weevil from the Islands, which included several undescribed species and unidentified taxa. Further investigation of the literature revealed that it wasn't just the weevils that were barely known from the Cooks—few collecting expeditions have been undertaken, and not many insect taxa have published data available.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/collections-research/collections/record/am_naturalsciences-object-139746?k=Ptilopodius&ordinal=0" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaz1UeP7Q-viy1svi76t0YZV4K1tCEQFJ6tqSrvEbzZJvFOkNeeBqhooe3Sov-rGR7vE_WK5vIqezxn4JewBsxCSDLLwst9Y7wCqSXXH1FPi4dgzAI35bJOcUjNec9DDA3LW9lhVHgCd0/s320/vernon-av-261895.jpg" /></a></div>
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Holotype of <i>Ptilopodius aitutakii</i> Beaver and Maddison. One of two weevils described from the Cook Islands. Image courtesy of <a href="http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/collections-research/collections/record/am_naturalsciences-object-139746?k=Ptilopodius&ordinal=0">Auckland Museum</a>. Licence: CC: BY.
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<p />
This lack of knowledge surprised me, given the Cook Islands' strategic location in the South Pacific. Being approximately halfway between Samoa and Tahiti, it's in a key position to test hypotheses of the cause of the eastward attenuation of species richness and diversity that is such a feature of the biogeography of the South Pacific. Much has also been made of the fact that several taxa find their eastward limit around Samoa and Tonga, without having data from Niue or the Cook Islands to ascertain if this eastward limit is truly the case or not. A comprehensive work on the weevils of the Cook Islands would be able to confirm or refute some of these ideas of distribution of species in the South Pacific.
<p />
The small size of the islands made them attractive too. Rarotonga, the largest and highest of the group, is still only 62 km<sup>2</sup> in area and 650 m at its highest point. Not too much time (in theory at least!) would be required to make comprehensive collection in the available habitats.
<p />
The combination of the geographic location of the Cook Islands, and their small size lets me predict that weevil fauna will be fairly small and depauparate. I'm expecting that the total number of species will be around 200 or so. This is also beneficial, as it gives me hope that I may be able to write up the results of any collecting done in a timely and efficient manner. Additionally, although I expect a lot of the species to be endemic to the Cooks, the genera they represent are likely to be widely distributed, which would result in this work giving me a good foundation for further, future work on the weevils of other Pacific archipelagos
<p />
So there were the Cook Islands: small enough to collect everywhere in the space of a few weeks, an unknown fauna with a low number of species that could be written up in a short period of time and opportunity for first-hand experience with Pacific weevil taxa. In my opinion at least, this potential project held a lot of promise.
<p />
I am honoured that the board of the <a href="http://www.communitymatters.govt.nz/Funding-and-grants---Trust-and-fellowship-grants---New-Zealand-Winston-Churchill-Memorial-Trust">New Zealand Winston Churchill Memorial Trust</a> considered it to have a lot of merit also. The trust funds overseas travel that bring New Zealanders into contact with other cultures, learn from their experiences and contribute to the community through their research and knowledge. Over 850 fellowships have been granted since the establishment of the Trust in 1965 and includes artists, educators, economists, academics and musicians. It's an impressive list of highly talented people and it's very humbling to be included among them.
<p />
The Trust has offered funding to cover two months in the Cook Islands, collecting weevils and other insects on Rarotonga, Atiu, Mangaia and Mitiaro. I expect it to be a great adventure, and one that I hope will prove productive and useful. I plan to go in March 2017, and intend to post semi-regular updates on aspects of the preparation for the trip, the expedition as it happens, and the aftermath of specimen sorting, preparation and identification. I very grateful that the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust has provided support for this expedition, and I'm excited about being able to make a significant contribution to our knowledge of the insects of the Cook Islands.Samuel Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10744958603866234922noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263091919008549268.post-54597312611921467262015-02-12T12:44:00.000+13:002015-02-12T12:46:28.524+13:00Stereo microscope stage for insects made out of LEGO®<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxh8ioxXG_UU7o3hI42TP9UkgWXXuRlkAiewzFFJ93hu1DJKgxax8H019ua4HXshBI8MNefiBVmN-bWhm8mzg7Kyf3crfOBSyb1RDsxfocPtdn6R2UspyygB4Bst7uAFQaveXaEcPT7PM/s1600/oo_38203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxh8ioxXG_UU7o3hI42TP9UkgWXXuRlkAiewzFFJ93hu1DJKgxax8H019ua4HXshBI8MNefiBVmN-bWhm8mzg7Kyf3crfOBSyb1RDsxfocPtdn6R2UspyygB4Bst7uAFQaveXaEcPT7PM/s320/oo_38203.jpg" /></a></div>
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The IMps. Photo courtesy of <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.481.8788">Dupont et al</a> via <a href="http://zookeys.pensoft.net">ZooKeys</a>. Licence: CC: BY.
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<p />
I loved <a href="http://www.lego.com/en-gb">LEGO®</a> as a child. It's been a long, long time since I last played with it, but I think I've just found a project that will encourage me back into it. A group of entomologists at the <a href="http://nhm.ac.uk/">Natural History Museum</a> have developed some designs to create microscope stages (dubbed IMps) with two axes of movement out of LEGO pieces, and have released them to the world in a <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.481.8788">paper</a> published in <a href ="http://zookeys.pensoft.net">Zookeys</a>. These microscope stages allow fine movement of specimens under the microscope, allowing one to precisely manoeuvre the specimen in order to see or photograph particular structures. The designs published by Dupont et al are an elegant, portable and cheap solution; with the added benefit of playing with LEGO.
<p /><span style="font-size:78%;">References:<br />
<a href = "http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.481.8788">Dupont S, Price B, Blagoderov V. 2015. IMp: The customizable LEGO® Pinned Insect Manipulator. <i>ZooKeys</i> 481: 131–138.</a>
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Samuel Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10744958603866234922noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263091919008549268.post-49596577777601014712013-06-16T12:23:00.000+12:002013-07-26T00:30:26.862+12:00PhD week 67: 15 Month Report<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Diplacodes_trivialis,_West_Bengal,_India_13_09_2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOKRGb-PUUmmkX11DNz2-1wszNQmFrwv-kcpZaUDwcUAkRCHcxdxu55ooYEEmai4jtuTUTrusNWy_x7o_JnzGh77CbxTY1UNjpuC26ooRpgbV5HFU9qGmYC6gKgGxYKpmhX-9Rci8agk/s320/Diplacodes_trivialis.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>Diplacodes trivialis</i>—Today's picture of the day on <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page">Wikimedia Commons</a>. Licence: CC: BY-SA.
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<p />
One of the more critical pieces of administration that Lincoln University requires of PhD students is that at around 15 months after starting their studies, the student gives a presentation to a select group of academics, including the student's supervisory team. This presentation explains what progress has been made to that point, what problems had been encountered, and what the plan is from that point onward. It's a process that is designed to identify problems fairly early in the piece and to revise the scope of the study where everyone has a bit more of a realistic view than in the <a href="http://the-praise-of-insects.blogspot.sg/2012/06/phd-week-15proposal.html">proposal</a> stage.
<p />
This past week, I had mine. I didn't find it particularly arduous, and the general consensus was that I was doing fairly well. A couple of concerns were raised, mainly around timing of certain aspects of my research, and encouraging that I clarify the exact questions in one of my objectives. I found it encouraging, looking back over the past 15 months, and comparing what I said I would do with what I've actually done. Happily enough, I wasn't too unrealistic in most of my proposals, but there are a few aspects which I haven't done to the extent that I would've liked. The timing of the report was a little annoying, as it took time away from other things that I would've liked to have done, but overall I found the process to be a valuable one.
<hr />
<p />Websites:<br />
<a href="http://books.google.co.nz/books?id=7AgdUYZ6U0wC&printsec=frontcover&dq=American+Hardcore:+A+Tribal+History.&hl=en&ei=Ws9vTb_vEcX7lwepsaTSDg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=bill%20rich&f=false">American Hardcore: A Tribal History</a>
Samuel Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10744958603866234922noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263091919008549268.post-17721187465291550412013-06-08T12:04:00.000+12:002013-07-26T00:15:10.721+12:00PhD week 66: LaTeX fontsAs part of my research, I will be making labels that indicate the type status of a number of weevil specimens. To create these, I have adapted my previous <a href="http://the-praise-of-insects.blogspot.sg/2010/03/latex-insect-labels.html">method of creating specimen labels in LaTeX</a> to include a coloured background. The result of this is that I need to make the font on the labels bigger and bolder.
<p />
Unfortunately, because of the idiosyncratic way that I had established my fonts in the document, this ended up being not as trivial as checking out the <a href="http://www.tug.dk/FontCatalogue">TeX font catalogue</a>. Instead I wanted to get an idea of what fonts were available on my system, and set about trying to create a font sampler of my very own.
<p />
While it wasn't difficult to get a list of the fonts on my computer (using the advice given at <a href="http://tex.stackexchange.com/questions/2305/what-fonts-are-installed-on-my-box">StackExchange</a>), it became somewhat more tricky to get an idea of what they looked like. Attempting to compile a test document revealed two errors: The first was that some fonts could not be loaded:
<blockquote>
"Font xxxx not loadable: Bad metric (TFM) file"
</blockquote>
In addition, some that passed the first test, threw a second error when compiled by themselves:
<blockquote>
"mktexpk: don't know how to create bitmap font for xxxx"
</blockquote>
<p />
A quick email to the <a href="http://www.tug.org/pipermail/texhax/2013-June/020345.html">texhax mailing list</a> quickly elicited some useful responses, including a very useful code fragment that gets around the first error. The second one was a little harder to overcome. Updating my map file (as suggested by another <a href="http://tex.stackexchange.com/questions/55881/local-font-installation-problems">StackExchange</a> post) didn't seem to do the trick, and messing around in the man pages of mktexpk and related programs didn't suggest any possibilities to one as unfamiliar with the programs as I am.
<p />
The breakthrough came when I had the realisation that I could extract the names of the fonts directly from the map file itself. Using this in conjunction with the code fragment mentioned above, I was able to get a document that compiled correctly when broken into three parts of c. 3000 fonts to get around size and space limitations.
<p />
I did encounter the error
<blockquote>
"pdfTeX error: (file xxxxx.pfb): cannot open Type 1 font file for reading"
</blockquote>
which I solved by manually removing the offending lines from the .tex document. There (thankfully!) weren't many of these, so this was not a particularly arduous step. If you try and replicate this though, you have been warned! If you figure out how to get around this, please let me know.
<p />
I used R (via Sweave) to extract the names of the fonts from the map file and to create the tex file. Undoubtedly other languages could do the same thing, but I chose to stick with what I'm familiar with. The file is available from <a href="https://github.com/sdjbrown/publicFiles/blob/master/fonts6.Rnw">gitHub</a>
<hr />
<p />Websites:<br />
<a href="http://www.sprep.org/Pacific-Invasives-Learning-Network-PILN/pilndocuments">PILN Soundbites</a><br />
<a href="http://www.fao.org/docrep/018/i3253e/i3253e00.htm">FAO report: Edible insects. Future prospects for food and feed security</a><br />
<a href="http://www.tangohub.co.uk/2013/05/where-to-buy-your-tango-music/">Where to buy tango music</a><br />
<a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/">RSPB</a><br />
<a href="http://www.nhbs.com/title.php?bkfno=202976&ad_id=1508">NHBS: Relentless Evolution by John Thompson</a>
Samuel Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10744958603866234922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263091919008549268.post-85289226359384404632013-06-02T22:36:00.000+12:002013-07-01T22:39:01.008+12:00PhD week 65: DMHF<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/70692523@N03/9181150907/in/photostream/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSNBWgzkZaqo8SR0SpxKSrSq7W_S04qPx4AeNrItt3GDUKY9DCeoUXsVjCkxcc9PNfurNlP_4tzrruuJ2CmTk2tDcEzJK3dK1Q34G7pkBmIO7fcPsTLn98MyZcSXRyDzHhs7lOPB4G9c/s640/9181150907_601e8c7af8_z.jpg" width=400px/></a>
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Male (left) and female (right) weevil parts mounted in DMHF.
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<p />
The internal morphology of insects is a veritable gold mine of interesting characters. Obviously, in order to find investigate these characters it is necessary to dissect specimens. Unfortunately, this results in disarticulated beetle bits that one needs to store somehow in order to look at them again in the future.
<p />
The classic method of storing dissected materials is in very small vials that can be kept on the pin that holds the remainder of the specimen. This can be useful, but is a bit fiddly to remove the pieces from the vial when one needs to look at them again. In addition, it's become difficult to buy smaller glass vials, and I'm not a fan of the <a href="http://www.bioquip.com/Search/DispProduct.asp?itemnum=1133NA">polyurethane vials</a> that are readily available.
<p />
An alternative method that I've been exploring this past week is using the mounting medium <a href="http://www.angleps.com/dissection.php">DMHF</a>. This mountant is soluble in water and dries crystal clear. The method that I've been using is to put a drop of DMHF on a card, immediately place the parts into the medium, add sufficient DMHF to cover the parts entirely, and leave for a couple of days to set. The card is then pinned below the specimen, and the parts are both protected and readily viewable (see picture above). I haven't tried it yet, but I understand that removing the parts is as simple as placing the card in a small dish of water and waiting a few minutes for the DMHF to dissolve.
<p />
A frustrating part of working with DMHF is that it forms a skin soon after exposure to air (c. 30 seconds). This skin can make it a little tricky to manoeuver pieces after placing them into the medium. After a little bit of experience though, one can usually get pieces in without needing to do too much messing around with them after the fact. I've had a positive first experince with the stuff, and am intending to carry on using it for the time being at least.
<hr />
<p />Websites:<br />
<a href="http://www.logicmatters.net/">Logic Matters</a><br />
<a href="http://www.netknots.com/rope_knots/tautline-hitch/">NetKnots—Tautline Hitch</a><br />
<a href="http://www.buwa.nl/en/migration-arctic-tern.html">Arctic Terns breeding in Netherlands migrate via Australia</a><br />
<a href="http://tex.stackexchange.com/questions/2305/what-fonts-are-installed-on-my-box">LaTeX Stack Exchange: What fonts are installed on my box?</a>
<p />Listened:<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RDOZimMpIM">Norma Jean—<i>Disconnecktie: The Faithful Vampire</i></a>
<p />Watched:<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek:_The_Original_Series"><i>Star Trek (Original Series)</i> Season One</a><br />
Samuel Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10744958603866234922noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263091919008549268.post-60636054338216315702013-05-25T21:48:00.000+12:002013-07-01T21:52:01.290+12:00PhD week 64: Canterbury Museum<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acroamatic/2129879539/in/photostream/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWdJbBn1XhRRW0bg_zH7jSxO7pbEaSjAzKkEk9QK8daClCECTmaJOozQTpQwKilGkpvjMtOyqUgkLTkWi3hyphenhyphenQY9Tay3KFA1yQzrn1M9oBgcDegfAoeUjpQlHu6S_mSj3X9uYwgIi-9DWQ/s640/2129879539_46d595f1cf_z.jpg" width=400px/></a>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%">
Canterbury Museum. Image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acroamatic/2129879539/in/photostream/">acroamatic</a> via Flickr. License: CC: BY-SA-NC.
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<p />
One of the things that I love about doing what I do is going to insect collections I haven't been to before, and discovering what cool things they have in them. Last week I visited the <a href="http://www.canterburymuseum.com/">Canterbury Museum</a> to look through their weevil collection to see what specimens of <i>Irenimus</i> they had. In the process I was able to identify a number of previously unidentified specimens, as well as correcting a couple of errors that had been made previously. There's not many jobs that can make a priceless national treasure even more valuable. and I'm lucky enough to have one that does!
<hr />
<p />Websites:<br />
<a href="http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/05/22/pope_at_mass:_culture_of_encounter_is_the_foundation_of_peace/en1-694445">Vatican Radio—Culture of Encounter is the Foundation of Peace</a>
<p />Watched:<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek:_The_Original_Series"><i>Star Trek (Original Series)</i> Season One</a><br />
Samuel Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10744958603866234922noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263091919008549268.post-44080544837246157472013-05-20T21:36:00.000+12:002013-07-01T21:45:23.659+12:00PhD week 63: Geographic data extractionA natural part of the taxonomic process is the collection of distribution data. These can be useful for figuring out species limits, and for determining geographical areas where some interesting biology may be found. They can also be used with other geographic data to get an idea of the spatial patterns of species diversity, or for inferring the environmental preferences of a species—the subject of a field called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_niche_modelling">environmental niche modelling</a> or species distribution modelling.
<p />
Some of the different data that can be used include climatic information such as that available from <a href="http://www.worldclim.org/bioclim">WorldClim</a>, geological data (e.g. GNS' <a href="http://www.gns.cri.nz/Home/Products/Maps/Geological-Maps/QMAP.-1-250-000-Geological-Map-of-New-Zealand">QMAP</a>), or composite datasets such as the Land Environments of New Zealand (<a href="http://koordinates.com/#/layer/1134-land-environments-new-zealand-lenz-level-4-grid/">LENZ</a>) dataset.
<p />
A nice little summary as to how one can do this sort of stuff in R is given on the <a href="http://www.molecularecologist.com/2013/04/species-distribution-models-in-r/">The Molecular Ecologist</a> blog.
<hr />
<p />Websites:<br />
<a href="http://www.zegrahm.com/blog/2013/05/rare-birds-ahoy">Zegrahm Expeditions review of journey to Melanesia</a>
<p />Watched:<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek:_The_Original_Series"><i>Star Trek (Original Series)</i> Season One</a><br />
<p />Twelve weeks of Star Trek:<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1408101/">Star Trek Into Darkness</a>Samuel Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10744958603866234922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263091919008549268.post-40634677202157756052013-05-13T21:32:00.000+12:002013-06-02T21:59:14.342+12:00PhD week 62: Detective work<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Paget_holmes.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeOtEDTeCFcxLxW6SkKUDYB5cMdlnetMzpGCwx8d-iJDtGefWggUSKmZj5q5i5_TGuFS21qezWj6ZyzmfSZ8R8kuHob673LNq3jESs5Jm82p1snK3S4ARe_GmoRM06TaXiXsjcuKwxMLU/s320/Paget_holmes.png" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%">
Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson discuss the intricacies of <a href="http://iczn.org/nontaxonomy/term/419">type specimens</a>. <br />
Image courtesy of <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Paget_holmes.png">Wikimedia Commons</a>, and is in the public domain.
</span></div>
<p />
The foundation of biological taxonomy is formed by the designation of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_%28biology%29">type specimens</a>. These are specimens that were examined by the person who described the species in question, and which bear the name they proposed. They are important in that, in the event of confusion regarding the status of the name, the species represented by the type specimen gets the name. For more information on the categories and establishment of type specimens, read the wikipedia page linked to above, or the <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Paget_holmes.png">ICZN</a>.
<p />
On this last trip to NZAC, I had the excitement of discovering some previously undetected type specimens, and the pain of realising that some types that should've been deposited there were either not present, or not adequately labelled. This required a degree of detective work involving checking original descriptions and specimen label data. The process is not yet completed, but progress it being made.
<p />
While I was in Auckland (and truth be told, the reason for the timing of this visit) I was able to catch Norma Jean playing at the Kings Arms Tavern on Friday. Compared with the Sydney concert, this was a more intimate show, featuring support bands that I know and love, and attended by people whom I hadn't seen for some time. Antagonist A.D. played with an intensity that belied their arrival from the USA that morning, and one wouldn't have guessed that it was Cold by Winter's first show in a good many years. The quality of the support was such that Norma Jean did not stand out as prominently as in Sydney. They played an excellent set, and it was great seeing them in NZ. Discussions after the show suggested that they may try and get here again in the near future, which will be amazing. If they don't make it, however, Friday was a worthy show by which to remember Norma Jean's visit to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God%27s_Own_Country">God's own country</a>.
<p /><hr/>Read:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Penguin-Classics-Saint-Augustine/dp/014044114X">Pine-Coffin RS (translator). 1961. <i>The confessions of Saint Augustine</i> Middlesex: Penguin</a>
<p />Websites:<br />
<a href="http://faunanativadechile.blogspot.co.nz/2012/03/aegorhinus-vitulus.html">Fauna of Chile blog: <i>Aegorhinus superciliosus</i></a>
<p />Watched:<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek:_The_Original_Series"><i>Star Trek (Original Series)</i> Season One</a>
<p />Twelve weeks of Star Trek:<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0796366/?ref_=tt_rec_tt">Star Trek (2009)</a>
Samuel Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10744958603866234922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263091919008549268.post-75719278887929367112013-05-06T10:27:00.000+12:002013-05-28T10:29:42.158+12:00PhD week 61: Sydney<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/70692523@N03/8859828990/in/photostream/" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBlehB0jze0hxrCi7ej2ETBryGfE4jeAkvg7A7dMTvaMu1iVAwcE8oM0R7j9g91EF8xGV201GdQ1NxI9gTFTBhjhIN8YVCkjo9erQ6qOSVjY4Zxib33rsrT_V5O9Ie5KTEn1UAPP2RT18/s320/Screenshot-Norma_Jean_2013-05-03_Sydney.MOV-1.png" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%">
Norma Jean take the stage at the <a href="http://www.thehifi.com.au/">Hi Fi</a>, Sydney, 3 May 2013.
</span></div>
<p />
I've been a fan of metalcore band <a href="http://www.normajeannoise.com">Norma Jean</a> for eight or so years; so when I learned that they were touring Australia, I wanted to make sure that I caught them while they were in this part of the world. In this way, I found myself in Sydney on Friday night enjoying one of the best concerts I have ever experienced. From the pre-set sound check, one knew that something special was about to happen; and from the moment the curtains opened, they played with an intensity that few other bands I've seen have been able to match. They played a good variety of songs from across their releases, including one from their upcoming album that is due to be released in a few months. Personal highlights were their opening song "Disconnecktie", <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ned8zt0DspY">"Bastardizer"</a>, crowd favourite <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agdu9IQoywE">"Memphis Will be Laid to Waste"</a>, and "Vipers, Snakes and Actors". I was impressed by the bands attitude, and have come away with a greater respect for the band and enjoyment for their music; something I hardly thought possible.
<p />
Check out the following links to see the <a href="http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/norma-jean/2013/the-hi-fi-sydney-australia-23d808db.html">setlist</a> of the show, as well as photos from the night by <a href="http://www.theaureview.com/photos/norma-jean-vanna-asecretdeath-safe-hands-more-the-hi-fi-03-05-13">Gwendolyn Lee</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.568249373209449.1073741841.164473913586999&type=3">Rebecca Pacey</a>.
<p />
In addition to the concert, I was also able to spend some time in the <a href="http://australianmuseum.net.au/">Australian Museum</a> looking at broad-nosed weevils from Australia, walked through <a href="http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/royal-national-park">Royal National Park</a> and <a href="http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/wolli-creek-regional-park">Wolli Creek Regional Park</a>, and enjoyed a milonga at <a href="http://www.tangopasion.net/">Tango Pasión</a>. I managed to pack a decent amount into a short visit. I liked Sydney, and would like to visit it again in the not-so-distant future.
<p /><hr/>Read:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Penguin-Classics-Saint-Augustine/dp/014044114X">Pine-Coffin RS (translator). 1961. <i>The confessions of Saint Augustine</i> Middlesex: Penguin</a><br />
<p />Websites:<br />
<a href="http://www.ga.gov.au/topographic-mapping.html">Geoscience Australia: Topographic mapping</a>
<p />Watched:<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek:_The_Original_Series"><i>Star Trek (Original Series)</i> Season One</a><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tB_I8rQPv8">Norma Jean Australian Tour Trailer</a>
<p />Twelve weeks of Star Trek:<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0253754/?ref_=sr_1">Star Trek X: Nemesis</a>
Samuel Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10744958603866234922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263091919008549268.post-56380383268367092582013-04-25T21:23:00.000+12:002013-05-08T21:30:57.910+12:00PhD week 60: ANZAC day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hill_60_Commonwealth_War_Graves_Commission_Cemetery.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCXit9FyAFxiKFwFldISjjpfwqLfAKNC3A_yk6R1SjN9A7Z4pe4ax59W8cLAF_fJZOZgfO4biSvV5MmZdUjcYbN-HzvW2u-HE3k3Ypx49YXNBivo7efKUxwO_5WJharN2FxUMAcn28shA/s320/Hill_60_Commonwealth_War_Graves_Commission_Cemetery.jpg" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%">
Hill 60 Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery. Gallipoli.<br />
Image courtesy of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hill_60_Commonwealth_War_Graves_Commission_Cemetery.jpg">Wikimedia Commons</a>. License: CC: BY-SA
</span></div>
<p />
<strong>Secret Music</strong>
<p />
I keep such music in my brain<br />
No din this side of death can quell;<br />
Glory exulting over pain,<br />
And beauty, garlanded in hell.<br />
<p />
My dreaming spirit will not heed<br />
The roar of guns that would destroy<br />
My life that on the gloom can read<br />
Proud-surging melodies of joy.<br />
<p />
To the world's end I went, and found<br />
Death in his carnival of glare;<br />
But in my torment I was crowned,<br />
And music dawned above despair.<br />
<p />
<a href="http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/secret-music/"><i>Siegfried Sassoon</i></a>
<p /><hr/>Read:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/City-Penguin-Classics-Augustine-Hippo/dp/0140448942"> St Augustine, Betteson H (Translator). 2003. <i>City of God</i>. London: Penguin Classics</a><br />
<p />Websites:<br />
<a href="http://climateecology.wordpress.com/2013/04/23/python-compliments-rs-shortcomings/">Climate Change Ecology—<i>Python complements R's shortcomings</i></a><br />
<a href="http://christophergandrud.blogspot.co.nz/2013/04/reinhart-rogoff-everyone-makes-coding.html">Christopher Gandrud—<i>Reinhart & Rogoff: Everyone makes mistakes</i></a><br />
<a href="http://onebigphoto.com/most-amazing-macro-insect-photography/">One Big Photo—Most Amazing Macro Insect Photography</a>
<p />Watched:<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek:_The_Original_Series"><i>Star Trek (Original Series)</i> Season One</a><br />
<a href="http://www.3news.co.nz/Mr-Pip-trailer/tabid/337/articleID/295127/Default.aspx"><i>Mr Pip</i> Trailer</a><br />
<p />Twelve weeks of Star Trek:<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120844/?ref_=fn_al_tt_4">Star Trek IX: Insurrection</a>
Samuel Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10744958603866234922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263091919008549268.post-34112998976317180122013-04-21T17:47:00.000+12:002013-05-07T17:50:56.651+12:00PhD week 59: Disappointment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/70692523@N03/8662141520/in/photostream/
" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQv-qlKA7tG7S8fRKTzcNdf9G4EKg5r8aH3hi38Urm8SJ17yx5gQ20emqdhPUFEV1Wc36ojiN2Zulr5thWlk1NN2vpACZeujc_Sz1Jk8teC_feGugW3a2Q-CwFvcOifeKqZzYg8kTSCX0/s320/8662141520_700319e2c8.jpg" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%">
Tautuku Bay, Catlins, Southland.
</span></div>
<p />
The great thing about working in systematics and conservation is that there is often the opportunity to go to some really cool places.
<p />
Last week, the intention was to go to <a href="http://maps.google.co.nz/?q=-46.40543,167.99091">Pig Island</a>, off the coast of Southland to assist a fellow student to a survey of the giant weta (<i>Deinacrida carinata</i>) that are found on the island. We were to be dropped off by the coastguard and spend three nights on the island looking for weta. To this end we drove down, staying in Owaka on Monday night, and driving through the Catlins on Tuesday morning. Not far out of Invercargill, we got a call from the coastguard informing us that the weather was not looking good and that the trip was cancelled. Disappointing!
<p />
Despite the change of plans, we did manage to salvage sufficient collecting in some cool places (such as Forest Hill and Trotters Gorge Scenic Reserves) to make the trip worthwhile. Also, getting home a couple of nights earlier than expected meant that I was able to do a few more things at work and socially that I would've missed if we had made it to the island.
<p /><hr/>Read:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Penguin-Classics-Saint-Augustine/dp/014044114X">Pine-Coffin RS (translator). 1961. <i>The confessions of Saint Augustine</i> Middlesex: Penguin</a><br />
<p />Websites:<br />
<a href="http://spidermanbryce.blogspot.co.nz/2013/04/weevils.html">Bryce McQuillan macro photography—Weevils</a>
<p />Twelve weeks of Star Trek:<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117731/?ref_=fn_al_tt_4">Star Trek VIII: First Contact</a>
Samuel Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10744958603866234922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263091919008549268.post-91263926620879005442013-04-19T10:42:00.000+12:002013-04-19T11:50:43.026+12:00Norma Jean to play in New ZealandI've been waiting a long time for this....
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.undertheradar.co.nz/gig/32950/Norma-Jean.utr">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKk7J7s8IRQSj3WkUTwPlxtFTgEttRRNzxdPhGtWT7XUwuY6jbMJgPjq4zAoN42aXtcRAyPS_zxyNEUW_KWON7Uw4VgCmnLoTUPw_PTpME_DYRTJAB5nSiLPxH_UrvvmxrSs_RTG4r8U4/s320/normajeanmay2013.jpg" /></a>
</div>
<p />
Examples of what to expect:<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuUYvUubi38"><i>Absentimental:Street Clam</i> music video</a><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHkcRAO14yE"><i>Leaderless and Self Enlisted</i> live</a><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFzYgaAmRHM"><i>Surrender Your Sons</i> live</a>Samuel Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10744958603866234922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263091919008549268.post-3110930587326983042013-04-13T19:23:00.000+12:002013-04-29T19:50:27.278+12:00PhD week 58: Graduation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/70692523@N03/8662141426/sizes/l/in/photostream/" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJUTbSeUsu7yoSGbozfZvDRkXjx-_AskSUg3heXq5tFJWOQJ4dCHbooA8_5Axo97O4FLyo8pqgxsf1ZIcaoidr_ejNLwfdSNEz3UQwMCUHVup-LRiNwSa7aEtkkjGQzCjHZANfZV1nSgA/s320/8662141426_ed2f05a473.jpg" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%">
The graduation procession begins.
</span></div>
<p />
Friday was graduation day. Since the earthquakes, Lincoln University has moved their graduation ceremony from in Christchurch city where it was formerly held, to Lincoln township. This move means that graduands muster at the university before their march down the road to the Events Centre; with the result that the University is filled with a vibrancy and an air of celebration at a level that is rarely reached by other occasions. It is enjoyable to walk through the throng and see proud parents and supporters congratulating their person on a job well done. Seeing fellow students graduating is also a great encouragement, particularly when one knows the trials they had to undergo to get there.
<p />
To all who graduated yesterday, congratulations!
<p /><hr />
Websites:<br />
<a href="http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/">NSW National Parks</a><br />
<a href="http://geolabs.wordpress.com/2012/04/24/r-interactive-3d-webgl-plot-of-time-space-cube-with-rgl/">GeoLabs Blog—Interactive WebGL plot exported from R</a><br />
<p />Watched:<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek:_Enterprise"><i>Star Trek: Enterprise</i> Season Four</a><br />
<p />Twelve weeks of Star Trek:<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111280/?ref_=sr_1">Star Trek VII: Generations</a>Samuel Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10744958603866234922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263091919008549268.post-16931877492131122842013-04-08T12:52:00.000+12:002013-04-19T12:53:54.773+12:00PhD week 57: Entomological Society<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://naturewatch.org.nz/observations/340761" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CJcX3ZDBqNsIY1OrzCaFieHUgJbHMY7o17Che0raQWwuNqLseQ8ulC5RmZZUghSHt6GNK-OvQLmrdj6o4zNNV8YV6RQKOvfVKzG6geef63Rl9v7B0MzF1hc5kpDOVMTdKkrObMO16Yc/s320/7935957166_4cb72a5df0.jpg" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%">
Auckland Tree Weta (<i>Hemideina thoracica</i>). <br />
Image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16921893@N00/7935957166">Jon Sullivan</a>. Licence: CC: BY-NC.
</span></div>
<p />
Over the three days from 3 to 5 April was the 62<sup>nd</sup> annual conference of the Entomological Society of New Zealand, held at Massey University in Palmerston North. The conference was a typically enjoyable event, with a lot of catching up with old friends and meeting new ones, as well as a neat overview of some of the cool things that people are studying around the country. There were a large number of talks on various aspects of weta biology—unsurprising given that Massey is a hotbed of weta research; but great to see that New Zealand's most iconic insect is becoming better known.
<p />
After the conference, I spent three very pleasant days collecting in and around Wellington. I was looking two species of <i>Irenimus</i> that were described from the region; specifically Titahi Bay and Wadestown. Obtaining topotypic specimens (i.e. specimens collected from the same locality as the type specimen) is a useful exercise when sorting out taxonomic problems. As it is unlikely that several similar species live in the same spot, collecting fresh material from the type locality can help bring clarity as to what the species actually is. It so happened that I managed to find good numbers of both species that I hoped to find, so the trip was most definitely a good one!
<p /><hr/>Read:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Penguin-Classics-Saint-Augustine/dp/014044114X">Pine-Coffin RS (translator). 1961. <i>The confessions of Saint Augustine</i> Middlesex: Penguin</a><br />
<p />Websites:<br />
<a href="http://www.abc.net.au/religion/articles/2013/03/20/3719969.htm">Stanley Hauerwas—Living well in ordinary time: A tribute to Rowan Williams</a><br />
<a href="http://www.abc.net.au/religion/articles/2013/03/27/3725071.htm">Alison Milbank—Christ is not divided: The Easter journey into paradox</a><br />
<p />Watched:<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek:_Enterprise"><i>Star Trek: Enterprise</i> Season Four</a><br />
<p />Twelve weeks of Star Trek:<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102975/?ref_=sr_1">Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country</a>
Samuel Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10744958603866234922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263091919008549268.post-70420493691942286772013-03-29T12:38:00.000+13:002013-04-19T12:42:16.628+12:00PhD week 56: Easter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Crucifixion_of_Jesus,_Russian_icon_by_Dionisius,_1500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt18SQOPgA90LNqyM6YWlhM8KP_w-AobxnehWy1AlQOvpwWn6vD3hCeFuKngmq4U7eEmu3F_12fSXYrcffHNaOKHVf5UbpS9jr8e7S61K_F_pi3e2ZVZENLAvdgrA-ltvUhU-VeikzL7s/s320/Crucifixion_of_Jesus,_Russian_icon_by_Dionisius,_1500.jpg" />
</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%">
The crucifixion of Christ. Icon by Dionisius (1500 AD).
Image courtesy of <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Crucifixion_of_Jesus,_Russian_icon_by_Dionisius,_1500.jpg">WikiMedia Commons</a>. Image is in the Public Domain.
</span></div>
<p />
<strong>When I Survey the Wondrous Cross</strong>
<p />
When I survey the wondrous cross <br />
On which the Prince of glory died, <br />
My richest gain I count but loss, <br />
And pour contempt on all my pride. <br />
<p />
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, <br />
Save in the death of Christ my God! <br />
All the vain things that charm me most, <br />
I sacrifice them to His blood. <br />
<p />
See from His head, His hands, His feet, <br />
Sorrow and love flow mingled down! <br />
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, <br />
Or thorns compose so rich a crown? <br />
<p />
Were the whole realm of nature mine, <br />
That were an offering far too small; <br />
Love so amazing, so divine, <br />
Demands my soul, my life, my all. <br />
<p /><span style="font-size:78%;">
Isaac Watts, 1707. From the <a href="http://openhymnal.org/Lyrics/When_I_Survey_The_Wondrous_Cross-Rockingham_Old.html">Open Hymnal</a>.
</span>
<p /><hr/>Read:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Science-Religion-Introduction-Gary-Ferngren/dp/0801870380">Ferngren GB (Editor). 2002. <i>Science and Religion. A Historical Introduction</i> Baltimore: The John Hopkins University Press</a><br />
<a href="http://www.saintsbooks.net/books/St.%20Thomas%20Aquinas%20-%20Meditations%20for%20Lent.pdf">Hughes P (Translator). 1937. <i>Meditations for Lent from St. Thomas Aquinas.</i> London: Sheed and Ward</a><br />
<p />Websites<br />
<a href="http://rchn.biologiachile.cl"><i>Revista Chilena de Historia Natural</i> online</a><br />
<a href="http://registry.gimp.org/node/120">GIMP contact sheet plugin</a>
<p />Watched:<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek:_Enterprise"><i>Star Trek: Enterprise</i> Season Four</a><br />
<p />Twelve weeks of Star Trek:<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098382/?ref_=fn_al_tt_4">Star Trek V: The Final Frontier</a>
Samuel Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10744958603866234922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263091919008549268.post-12214251196092204292013-03-23T16:06:00.000+13:002013-04-19T12:34:51.305+12:00PhD week 55: Outreach<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/70692523@N03/8662141468/in/photostream" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_AVlZFYoli25N7c55qa9kx6clqiQK8rOmrK9AWf0xuA-q7umhGgNfL8qiKbG9ioiMLtdeQQ-prNbhHSQZlSZVaVqfnGo8h822dqfWyrDRzDAJxKY7Fns_DIg1zbSBGLHMpD1ouH3veM/s320/8662141468_c26a2daf4e.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%">
Ivey Hall, Lincoln University
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<p />
This year marks 150 years since the establishment of Lincoln township, and the occasion was marked by a range of activities and festivities held over the past week. On Thursday, the University welcomed the community onto the grounds and held tours around the campus, and had a bunch of stalls manned by enthusiastic people to show people a few of the things that happen at the university. I was one of these enthusiastic people, and my job was showing off the diversity of invertebrates that can be found in pasture.
<p />
I do enjoy talking to people about insects, and seeing their reactions to their encounters with them. It find it interesting how different age groups respond in different ways. Pre-school to early primary school age children show a great interest in things and will happily poke, prod and otherwise engage with insects. Late primary school kids start expressing fears and misgivings about various invertebrates, but usually end up interacting extensively with them. High school students loudly voice how gross and disgusting they find everything when they're with their peers, but if you get them by themselves they tend to show a lot more interest. Finally, adults take a very utilitarian view of things, asking what functions the organisms provide, and ask how to control particular species.
<p />
What I like most about this sort of outreach though is that most people, despite having a negative view of insects initially, tend to go away with at least a grudging respect for them. This, for me, makes it all worthwhile.
<p /><hr/>Read:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Science-Religion-Introduction-Gary-Ferngren/dp/0801870380">Ferngren GB (Editor). 2002. <i>Science and Religion. A Historical Introduction</i> Baltimore: The John Hopkins University Press</a><br />
<a href="http://www.saintsbooks.net/books/St.%20Thomas%20Aquinas%20-%20Meditations%20for%20Lent.pdf">Hughes P (Translator). 1937. <i>Meditations for Lent from St. Thomas Aquinas.</i> London: Sheed and Ward</a><br />
<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs 22-24&version=NKJV">Proverbs 22–24</a>
<p />Websites<br />
<a href="http://idtools.org/id/leps/tortai/index.html">Tortricids of agricultural importance</a><br />
<p />Watched:<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek:_Enterprise"><i>Star Trek: Enterprise</i> Season Three</a><br />
<p />Twelve weeks of Star Trek:<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092007/?ref_=fn_al_tt_4">Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home</a>
Samuel Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10744958603866234922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263091919008549268.post-52531588034268108452013-03-16T07:56:00.000+13:002013-04-04T07:57:15.367+13:00PhD week 54: PrimersA critical part of the process of sequencing DNA involves the development of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primer_%28molecular_biology%29">primers</a>. These are short stretches of DNA that bind to the gene of interest in the specimen DNA and provide a starting point to copy that gene. Two primers are required for amplication in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymerase_chain_reaction">PCR</a> in order to amplify both strands of DNA and get the eponymous chain reaction. The easiest way of designing primers is to use ones that other researchers have used sucessfully for related organisms. Primer sequences are usually published in papers, and it is a simple matter to get them made. However, there is no standard convention to naming primers, which can be annoying at times. My preference is that the name include the name of the gene, the direction of the primer, and some measure of the position of where the primer binds to the gene. Unfortunately, many published primers lack some (or all!) of this information, which can make it tricky to make decisions as to which primers to try out. The primer numbering system of <a href="10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.37.091305.110018">Simon et al</a> is, in my opinion, a good model to follow.
<p /><hr/>Read:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Science-Religion-Introduction-Gary-Ferngren/dp/0801870380">Ferngren GB (Editor). 2002. <i>Science and Religion. A Historical Introduction</i> Baltimore: The John Hopkins University Press</a><br />
<a href="http://www.saintsbooks.net/books/St.%20Thomas%20Aquinas%20-%20Meditations%20for%20Lent.pdf">Hughes P (Translator). 1937. <i>Meditations for Lent from St. Thomas Aquinas.</i> London: Sheed and Ward</a><br />
<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs 20-21&version=NKJV">Proverbs 20–21</a>
<p />Watched:<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek:_Enterprise"><i>Star Trek: Enterprise</i> Season Three</a><br />
<p />Listened:<br />
<a href="http://grooveshark.com/#!/album/And+They+Came+Baring+Bones/6633776">Vanna—<i>And They Came Bearing Bones</i></a>
<p />Twelve weeks of Star Trek:<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088170/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1">Star Trek III: The Search for Spock</a>
Samuel Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10744958603866234922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263091919008549268.post-73854786801965119742013-03-09T12:29:00.000+13:002013-03-20T12:29:50.164+13:00PhD week 53: Auckland, second journey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sondyaustin/5914006310/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihi7-3Wo9PSjZqaWqPTWzFbYCw1wcDlBNW7MaQfXZT7UyLu0968sh5feX0x2cF-t-cTTkaaJA2s1W-u4AUA9W6klFTIq0bg5GtzH7JCdLThyphenhyphenQ7dXfutxlptu3IcPXROa1Ra_dFV_GIYvQ/s320/5914006310_94a3560b7f.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%">
Rangitoto Island from St Helier's Beach <br />
Photo courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sondyaustin/5914006310/">Sandy Austin</a> via Flickr. Licence: CC: BY-NC-ND.
</span></div>
<p />
I was in Auckland over the past week, looking at specimens held by <a href="http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/resources/collections/nzac">NZAC</a>. I was also able to visit Guillermo Kuschel and Beverley Holloway, who are both internationally respected weevil taxonomists, who have been retired for some time. I greatly enjoy their company, and learn a lot with each visit.
<p />
This time I showed them some of my illustrations made using <a href="http://inkscape.org/">Inkscape</a>. I found their reaction very interesting. They did have a few concerns about the accuracy of the drawings, particularly with regard to the representation of fine detail. However, their main concern was that the process, which I think they perceived to be largely mechanical and automatic, did not respect the organisms involved. They felt that the slight imperfections in the lines of inked drawings expressed a humanity that the vector graphics lacked, and that the simplicity of the illustration process showed a certain callousness.
<p />
While the previous paragraph makes them sound overly negative. In our conversation, Beverley and Guillermo also spoke of the sense of discovery that they experienced as they sketched structures directly from the microscope, and the feelings of excitement as they observed aspects of insect morphology that had been rarely encountered. It was very cool to see their passion that extended beyond being an occupation to having emotional regard for their study subjects.
<p />
Will I change the way that I operate? Unlikely. The benefits of using tools like Inkscape are too great. However, it will make me think further regarding the philosophical implications of my methods of choice.
<p /><hr/>Read:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Penguin-Classics-Saint-Augustine/dp/014044114X">Pine-Coffin RS (translator). 1961. <i>The confessions of Saint Augustine</i> Middlesex: Penguin</a><br />
<a href="http://www.saintsbooks.net/books/St.%20Thomas%20Aquinas%20-%20Meditations%20for%20Lent.pdf">Hughes P (Translator). 1937. <i>Meditations for Lent from St. Thomas Aquinas.</i> London: Sheed and Ward</a><br />
<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9744.2011.01243.x">Howe JT. 2012. Affirmations after God: Friedrich Nietzsche and Richard Dawkins on Atheism. <i>Zygon</i>. 47(1) 140–155</a>
<p />Websites:<br />
<a href="http://www.photowarehouse.co.nz/nikon-10x25-cf-travelite-v-binoculars/">Nikon Travelite V Binoculars</a><br />
<a href="http://www.canadensys.net/2012/why-we-should-publish-our-data-under-cc0">Canadensys—Why we should publish our data under Creative Commons Zero (CC0)</a>
<p />Watched:<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek:_Enterprise"><i>Star Trek: Enterprise</i> Season Three</a><br />
<p />Twelve weeks of Star Trek:<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084726/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1">Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan</a>
Samuel Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10744958603866234922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263091919008549268.post-50620779798041900192013-03-02T20:21:00.001+13:002013-03-02T20:22:08.850+13:00PhD week 52: One year in<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://openclipart.org/detail/167980/birthday-cake-ns-by-rduris" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHhrfc20sNseXyIMkjojW0TIPb27gQ-VmxbvNZFOTMcMkQ4FSzqucvZSaU2jJHTYkf1LOOrGnATM3R7dkxPoeo53JOo1zHjhRRKOyCKRfZqKCcujZzSA-9LkBCSOA46PgPCCXo0toOdM/s320/Birthday_Cake_ns.png" /></a>
</div>
<p />
Well. One year ago, I started my PhD. Since then I done some pretty cool things like attending a <a href="http://www.the-praise-of-insects.blogspot.co.nz/2012/08/phd-week-22-arizona.html">weevil taxonomy workshop in Arizona</a>, going to the <a href="http://www.the-praise-of-insects.blogspot.co.nz/2013/01/phd-week-47-vii-southern-connections.html">Southern Connections Congress in Dunedin</a>, and collecting in <a href="http://www.the-praise-of-insects.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/phd-week-35-central-otago.html">Central Otago</a> and the <a href="http://www.the-praise-of-insects.blogspot.co.nz/2013/02/phd-week-48-alpine-collecting.html">Two Thumb Range</a>. I have also become better schooled in some of the key techniques of taxonomic research including <a href="http://www.the-praise-of-insects.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/phd-week-31-sorting.html">sorting</a>, <a href="http://the-praise-of-insects.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/phd-week-19-dissections.html">dissecting</a>, and <a href="http://the-praise-of-insects.blogspot.co.nz/2013/02/phd-week-49-slide-mounting.html">slide-mounting</a>. Overall, I've been enjoying it greatly.
<p />
How things go over the next 12 months will be in determining how close I will get to finishing on time. At this stage, everything is progressing nicely in the right direction. Long may it last.
<p /><hr/>Read:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Science-Religion-Introduction-Gary-Ferngren/dp/0801870380">Ferngren GB (Editor). 2002. <i>Science and Religion. A Historical Introduction</i> Baltimore: The John Hopkins University Press</a><br />
<a href="http://www.saintsbooks.net/books/St.%20Thomas%20Aquinas%20-%20Meditations%20for%20Lent.pdf">Hughes P (Translator). 1937. <i>Meditations for Lent from St. Thomas Aquinas.</i> London: Sheed and Ward</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/City-Penguin-Classics-Augustine-Hippo/dp/0140448942"> St Augustine, Betteson H (Translator). 2003. <i>City of God</i>. London: Penguin Classics</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Smith-Wootton-Major-J-Tolkien/dp/0007202474">Tolkien JRR. 1967. <i>Smith of Wootton Major</i>. London: HarperCollins</a><br />
<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs 17-19&version=NKJV">Proverbs 17–19</a>
<p />Websites:<br />
<a href="http://www.birdlife.org/community/2013/02/new-zealand-storm-petrel-discovered-breeding-50-km-from-auckland-city/">Breeding grounds of NZ Storm Petrel discovered</a><br />
<a href="http://www.sanzarrugby.com/superrugby/">Super Rugby</a><br />
<a href="http://www.betterviewdesired.com/">Better View Desired—Binocular reviews</a><br />
<p />Listened:<br />
<a href="http://grooveshark.com/#!/s/Numb+number/42hIto?src=5">Project 86—<i>Numb</i></a><br />
<p />Twelve weeks of Star Trek:<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079945/">Star Trek I: The motion picture</a>
Samuel Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10744958603866234922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263091919008549268.post-40246197250880994662013-02-26T21:08:00.000+13:002013-02-26T21:08:55.832+13:00PhD week 51: Corbels<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/70692523@N03/8509779992/in/photostream" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIvfAC4pKN4Owzw_2SzF4NMazeky4QTZUHQH35lUniZfNVvHZAGUFGi_R9ef568MwpJUS01QcpjU43NFfg2m6wAyIhvHQmMctv1Y3N5wU-yVzPToPk2_hwzQ58BiVRwpqbz3DMxcF2IHg/s320/Corbel--Montage.jpg" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%">
A selection of corbels. For larger pictures and my interpretation of the structures, see the examples on my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/70692523@N03/8509779992/in/photostream">Flickr</a> page.</span></div>
<p />
The corbel is a character on the hind leg that is frequently used in the higher classification of broad-nosed weevils. It is a feature that is difficult to describe in words, and can be tricky to see at first. Unfortunately, there are few easily accessable pictures that show the different types of corbel. This post is an attempt to rectify the situation.
<p />
The corbel refers to the form of the apex of the hind tibia. An "Open" corbel has no particular modification to the apex. An "Enclosed" or "Closed" corbel has a flat area (often with scales or short setae) lying between two rows of setae on the outer edge of the tibial apex. When the corbel is large, such as in <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/70692523@N03/8509772790/in/photostream/"><i>Leptopius</i></a> and <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/70692523@N03/8509764140/in/photostream/"><i>Cecyropa</i></a>, it is easily seen. However, sometimes the corbel can be very slender, as shown by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/70692523@N03/8509772820/in/photostream/"><i>Naupactus leucoloma</i></a>. In such casees, it can be difficult to determine whether the corbel is open or enclosed. A "Semi-enclosed" corbel has a concave area between the apex of the tibia and the insertion of the tarsus that is always bare. It is important to note that the semi-enclosed corbel is not homologous with the enclosed corbel.
<p />
An excellent discussion on the corbel, that goes into a lot more depth than I've covered here, can be found on the <a href="http://weevil.info/corbels">International Weevil Community Website</a>.
<p /><span style="font-size:78%;">References:<br />
<a href = "http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222939200770511">Thompson RT. 1992. Observations on the morphology and classification of weevils (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) with a key to major groups. <i>Journal of Natural History</i> 26: 835–891.</a>
</span>
<p /><hr/>Read:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Science-Religion-Introduction-Gary-Ferngren/dp/0801870380">Ferngren GB (Editor). 2002. <i>Science and Religion. A Historical Introduction</i> Baltimore: The John Hopkins University Press</a><br />
<a href="http://www.saintsbooks.net/books/St.%20Thomas%20Aquinas%20-%20Meditations%20for%20Lent.pdf">Hughes P (Translator). 1937. <i>Meditations for Lent from St. Thomas Aquinas.</i> London: Sheed and Ward</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/City-Penguin-Classics-Augustine-Hippo/dp/0140448942"> St Augustine, Betteson H (Translator). 2003. <i>City of God</i>. London: Penguin Classics</a><br />
<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs 13-16&version=NKJV">Proverbs 13–16</a>
<p />Watched:<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek:_Enterprise"><i>Star Trek: Enterprise</i> Season Two</a><br />
<a href="http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2013/02/15/best-videos-from-meteor-strike-in-russia/?source=meteorite_crosspromo_russia_gallery">National Geographic—Best videos of the Russian meteor strike</a>Samuel Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10744958603866234922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263091919008549268.post-25452812019942570182013-02-16T19:48:00.000+13:002013-02-25T14:11:50.641+13:00PhD week 50: Thomas Broun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDaVgqKYyVGC0ANnx5zPRVoRRS_8mqMh4FSBViIz_ru64Uee1dkEQCU0IcVYOxUqeDj0YvhPCBPPWUE9yAMzpxB8C0pVGl36zHH3wa9eF2CInZrHmD-unxnmLzWjkSLDx8CDV8tG898bI/s1600/ThomasBroun.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDaVgqKYyVGC0ANnx5zPRVoRRS_8mqMh4FSBViIz_ru64Uee1dkEQCU0IcVYOxUqeDj0YvhPCBPPWUE9yAMzpxB8C0pVGl36zHH3wa9eF2CInZrHmD-unxnmLzWjkSLDx8CDV8tG898bI/s320/ThomasBroun.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%">
Portrait of Thomas Broun. From Searell P, Watt JC. 1974. Science gallery: Thomas Broun (1838–1919). <i>New Zealand's Natural Heritage</i>. 3(37) via <a href="http://www.bugz.org.nz">Bugz</a>
</span></div>
<p />
The key figure in the study of New Zealand beetles is without a doubt <a href="http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/3b52/broun-thomas">Thomas Broun</a> (1838–1919). Born in Scotland, he served in the British Army, seeing action in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crimean_War">Crimean War</a> and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Rebellion_of_1857">Indian Rebellion</a>. He arrived in New Zealand in 1863, where he served in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_Wars">New Zealand wars</a> before becoming a school teacher on retirement from the army. While he had a strong interest in natural history from a young age, it was not until his arrival in New Zealand he began serious taxonomic research, describing insects in the evenings after work. Over the course of his 56 years in New Zealand, he described 3538 beetle species, covering all families.
<p />
While his work has not, in the words of Elwood Zimmerman "stood the test of time", it must be remembered that it was done in testing conditions and with the aid of substantially poorer optics than we have today. Being so distant from the centre of entomological research at the time, he had to rely on the literature he was able to obtain from European colleagues. His decision to bequeath his collection to the British Museum of Natural History has indeed limited further research into New Zealand beetles; but this decision was a prudent one in an age where New Zealand institutions were still very much in their infancy.
<p />
He described approximately 70 species of <i>Irenimus</i>, though he described them in the genus <i>Catoptes</i>. He recognised the difficulty of the group, and made the following comment in 1904:
<blockquote>
[<i>Catoptes (= Irenimus) duplex</i>] is one of several species that do not accord exactly with
<i>Catoptes</i>, <i>Brachyolus</i> or <i>Inophloeus</i>, but partake
more or less the structure and appearence of all three. In order to avoid confusion
it will be necessary before long to redescribe these genera and define their limits
more accurately; when that is accomplished the aberrant species alluded to above
may be referred to new but certainly very intermediate genera. As I have not
seen some of these species as yet, and as very few examples of some others are
possessed by me, the difficult task must be allowed to stand over at present
</blockquote>
This "difficult task" has been left until now. Here's hoping that my contribution will finally make this group tractable.
<p /><span style="font-size:78%;">References:<br />
<a href="http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/3b52/broun-thomas">Crosby TK. 2012. 'Broun, Thomas - Broun, Thomas', from the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. <i>Te Ara—the Encyclopedia of New Zealand</i></a><br />
<a href="http://rsnz.natlib.govt.nz/volume/rsnz_52/rsnz_52_00_000090.html">Cheesman TF. 1920. Major Thomas Broun 1838–1919. <i>Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute</i> 52: ix–x</a></span>
<p /><hr/>Read:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Science-Religion-Introduction-Gary-Ferngren/dp/0801870380">Ferngren GB (Editor). 2002. <i>Science and Religion. A Historical Introduction</i> Baltimore: The John Hopkins University Press</a><br />
<a href="http://www.saintsbooks.net/books/St.%20Thomas%20Aquinas%20-%20Meditations%20for%20Lent.pdf">Hughes P (Translator). 1937. <i>Meditations for Lent from St. Thomas Aquinas.</i> London: Sheed and Ward</a><br />
<p />Websites:<br />
<a href="http://ibc.lynxeds.com/">The Internet Bird Collection—Videos, photos and recordings of a number of birds around the world</a>
<p />Watched:<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKGtfOrtJ1s">Project 86—<i>Fall, Goliath, Fall</i> music video</a><br />
<a href="http://www.topdogtheatre.com/">Open AIr Summer Shakespeare 2013—Twelfth Night</a><br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek:_Enterprise"><i>Star Trek: Enterprise</i> Season Two</a><br />Samuel Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10744958603866234922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263091919008549268.post-9410619485134315992013-02-09T18:34:00.000+13:002013-02-25T14:10:17.983+13:00PhD week 49: Slide mounting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/70692523@N03/8504731073/in/photostream" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoba3LmAnRPoNcwU7uC-Su5KwnJnzVKeFGxrMG7NcTkty5TnacGtTpXvvEO3ytXLndumo8WxXPT1PDyOuFe-Iqbx_qAbe1Qaejmk13G-1V9_r32d0JqeRKnkjOJzD_bUf_xqHh4beFLug/s320/8504731073_f97408daf1.jpg" /></a>
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Weevils slide mounted in Euparal
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If you look back over previous blogposts (such as <a href="http://the-praise-of-insects.blogspot.co.nz/2010/09/microscope-mounting-media.html">this one</a> and <a href="http://the-praise-of-insects.blogspot.co.nz/2011/10/microscopy-mounting-media-ii.html">this one</a>), you'll see that I've agonised over different microscope mounting media like I were a character from Twilight. Swayed by my colleague, Rich Leschen, I have thrown my lot in with Euparal, and have spent the past week dissecting and slide-mounting weevil specimens. I will be unable to see the results for another two weeks or so, but initial indications suggest that it will have been a worthwhile exercise. The features that I particularly hope to see are characters of the mouthparts, where I hope to see differences between species that suggest different food preferences. Determining these differences will require careful observation, and it is hoped that these slide mounts will make the task much easier.
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While it seems that I am currently at peace with my decision of slide mountant, there remain some dark clouds on the horizon. I recently read a paper that states that Euparal is becoming difficult to source due to a combination of concerns over its toxicity, and its continued availability. This paper suggests <a href="http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=3080741">dimethyl hydantoin formaldehyde (DMHF)</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyvinylpyrrolidone">polyvinylpyrrolidone homopolymer (PVP)</a> as possible substitutes. Maybe my slide mountant angst will continue for a little while yet.
<p /><span style="font-size:78%;">References:<br />
<a href="http://www.mwpress.co.nz/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=386">Leschen RAB. 2005. Erotylidae phylogeny and review (Insecta: Coleoptera: Cucujoidea). <i>Fauna of New Zealand</i> 47: 1–108</a><br />
<a href="http://www.coleopterist.org.uk/">Liberti G. 2005. Improved solutions of two water-soluble media for mounting beetle genitalia. <i>The Coleopterist</i> 14(1): 29–35.</a></span>
<p /><hr/>Read:<br />
<a href="http://www.guardianbookshop.co.uk/BerteShopWeb/viewProduct.do?ISBN=9780141021898">McCulloch D. 2010. <i>A History of Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years</i> London: Penguin</a><br />
<p />Websites:<br />
<a href="http://dna-barcoding.blogspot.co.nz/2013/01/the-seven-deadly-sins-of-dna-barcoding.html">DNA barcoding blog—Seven Deadly sins of DNA barcoding</a><br />
<a href="http://www.tomrobinson.co.nz/work/macrons.html">Tom Robinson—Māori Macron Characters</a><br />
<p />Listened: <br />
<a href="http://grooveshark.com/#!/s/Adios+Arrabal/4XK0kZ?src=5">Angel D'Agostino—<i>Adios Arrabel</i></a><br />
Samuel Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10744958603866234922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263091919008549268.post-72472864201376969992013-02-03T19:35:00.000+13:002013-02-03T19:35:04.377+13:00PhD week 48: Alpine collecting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/70692523@N03/8439362377/in/photostream/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaKOvRq4dhpKavcFYOf9WHmwP3zirtxBPbnv4L4a_xDZsH3E6KQFi538awOREp_PJIiZnJqlRs0OVN9204bcML0wUnIX_5hSuosFZY_n9lG07H4s4mGEdyb-GmMDbB5LNZP1yJcG582w/s400/8439362377_c179f12e8c.jpg" /></a></div>
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Camping at <a href="http://www.roundhill.co.nz/">Round Hill Skifield</a>.
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I love skifields. Only at this time of year though. In a few months time they get covered with snow, and all the insects hide away making them not worth visiting in the slightest. In the past week, I had two very pleasant days in the Two Thumb Range at <a href="http://www.roundhill.co.nz/">Round Hill</a> and <a href="http://www.mtdobson.co.nz/">Mt Dobson</a> Skifields. The point of the trip was to search for <i>Haplolobus saevus</i>, which was collected from the "mountains near Lake Tekapo" according to the original description. We managed to track some down in some spent flowers of <i>Celmisia lyalli</i> at Round Hill. We also found some specimens of <i>Inophloeus</i> in <i>Aciphylla</i> plants growing at the top of Mt Dobson skifield at an elevation of 1950 m. Pretty hardy organisms! The weather was perfect, the company was enjoyable, and the collecting was excellent. The total was one very succcessful field trip.
<p /><hr/>Read:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Orfthodoxy-G-K-Chesterton/dp/0385015364/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310799876&sr=8-1">Chesterton GK. 1908. <i>Orthodoxy</i>. Image, New York (2001 Edition)</a><br />
<a href="http://www.guardianbookshop.co.uk/BerteShopWeb/viewProduct.do?ISBN=9780141021898">McCulloch D. 2010. <i>A History of Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years</i> London: Penguin</a><br />
<p />Listened: <br />
<a href="http://phantomempire.bandcamp.com/album/if-the-world-burns">Phantom Empire—<i>If the World Burns</i></a><br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Depression_%28Blindside_album%29">Blindside—<i>The Great Depression</i></a><br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meridional_%28album%29">Norma Jean—<i>Meridonal</i></a><br />
<p />Watched:<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek:_Enterprise"><i>Star Trek: Enterprise</i> Season One</a><br />Samuel Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10744958603866234922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263091919008549268.post-38584932729494422532013-01-29T18:06:00.000+13:002013-02-03T18:08:31.636+13:00PhD week 47: VII Southern Connections Congress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/68777870@N00/437400509/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZeIawIUaoMOnHOwjJLe1Za5TgsrU5Cy4FqdDGtRxzwv_UQnzmJBN_X1NYIqtifHfFZnrc1IjsNVAbgPMdMaw7n2Vg-xrbphWqYvOhmyk11NL3dimMTTYACFwrfVrssS3dJljTJOhyHQ/s400/437400509_7206858ed0.jpg" /></a></div>
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The Otago University clock tower. <br />
Photo courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/68777870@N00/437400509/">Velvet Android</a> via Flickr. Licence: CC: BY-NC-SA.
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Over the past week I had the priviledge of attending the 7th Southern Connections Congress, held this year at the University of Otago in Dunedin. This congress, held every three years, seeks to bring together scientists from a variety of disciplines including biology, climatology, palaeontology and geology to discuss factors which have influenced the distribution of plants and animals in the Southern Hemisphere. For me, the highlights of this conference included:
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<b>Microclimate:</b> A number of talks highlighted the variation in environmental conditions that exist at very localised scales. For example, a rock may be heated up to 50°C, while a couple of metres away, it may be only 12°C in the shade of a plant. Alpine areas are particularly variable in this respect. This is somewhat intuitive, but it is worth being reminded about, particularly when regional-level climatic data is being used to try to infer the effect of climate change on species responses.
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<b>NZ in the Oligocene:</b> It is well known in geological circles that the extent of New Zealand was much reduced during the Oligocene period, as much of the land was submerged below the ocean. A few years ago, some biologists and geologists questioned whether there any part of New Zealand was actually above the water, with the implication that all of NZ's biota got here from somewhere else after this time. This contention has spurred a significant amount of geological research to figure out where land may have been during this time. Evidence is appearing that there may have been islands north of New Zealand, and emergent land in the Otago and Catlins area during this time of maximum inundation.
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<b>Evolutionary Radiations:</b> I had the priviledge of talking in a symposium of papers considering evolutionary radiations. All the talks were excellent, and included both conceptual overviews of the subject, as well as more in-depth case studies.
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Overall, I had a great time. Many thanks to the organisers! The next congress is in 2016 and will be held in Chile. I hope to get there, depending on my situation at that time.
<p /><hr/>Read:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Penguin-Classics-Saint-Augustine/dp/014044114X">Pine-Coffin RS (translator). 1961. <i>The confessions of Saint Augustine</i> Middlesex: Penguin</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Orfthodoxy-G-K-Chesterton/dp/0385015364/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310799876&sr=8-1">Chesterton GK. 1908. <i>Orthodoxy</i>. Image, New York (2001 Edition)</a><br />
<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs 6-8&version=NKJV">Proverbs 6–8</a>, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans 1-11&version=NKJV">Romans 1–11</a>
<p />Websites:<br />
<a href="http://www.naturalearthdata.com/">Public access data for mapmaking</a><br />
<a href="http://www.taperjeanmusic.com/">Norma Jean Australia Tour 2013 tickets</a>
Samuel Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10744958603866234922noreply@blogger.com0