Natural history study of an understudied sea catfish species from Panama (Siluriformes: Ariidae)

The semi-anadromous sea catfish species Cathorops tuyra (Ariidae, Besudo sea catfish) from the Tropical Eastern Pacific has been found reproductively active in the freshwater rivers and lakes of the Panama Canal. Despite growing concerns for biodiversity, reports on natural history are lacking for many Neotropical sea catfishes. We aimed to provide data on the diet and seasonal timing of spawning of C. tuyra for an autochthonous, semi-anadromous, brackish water population from Rio Santa Maria and an allochthonous freshwater non-migrating population from Rio Chagres, an affluent to the Panama Canal, to understand how changing from semi-anadromous to residential lifestyle affects the natural history of a species. Fish from both sampling sites were dissected and information on stomach content, size, weight, parasitic load, sex, maturity, and number of eggs were recorded. In Rio Chagres, there was a female bias and individuals were larger and in pre-spawning mode compared to Rio Santa Maria. Parasite prevalence was low in Rio Chagres and zero in Rio Santa Maria. The diets were very similar between populations: gastropods, bivalves, and insects were the most important prey items in both rivers representing a diverse omnivorous diet that is similar to that of other catfishes.(AU)

El bagre de mar semi-anádromo Cathorops tuyra (Ariidae, Bagre besudo) del Pacífico Oriental Tropical se encuentra reproductivamente activa en los ríos y lagos del Canal de Panamá. A pesar de la creciente preocupación por la biodiversidad, faltan informes sobre la historia natural de muchos de los bagres Neotropicales. Nuestro objetivo es proporcionar datos básicos sobre la dieta y el momento del desove estacional de C. tuyra para una población autóctona semi-anádroma de agua salobre de Río Santa María y una población alóctona residente de agua dulce de Río Chagres para comprender cómo el cambio de un estilo de vida semi-anádromo a residencial afecta la historia natural de una especie. Se disecaron peces de ambos sitios de muestreo y se registró la información de contenido del estómago, tamaño, peso, carga parasitaria, sexo, madurez y número de huevos. En Río Chagres hubo un sesgo femenino y los individuos eran más grandes y estaban en modo pre-desove que en Río Santa María. La prevalencia de parásitos fue baja en el Río Chagres y cero en Río Santa María. Las dietas fueron muy similares entre poblaciones: gasterópodos, bivalvos e insectos fueron las presas más importantes en ambos ríos, lo que representa una dieta omnívora diversa, que es similar a la de otros bagres.(AU)

Bravo Murillo y el Reglamento de estudios de 1852 / Bravo Murillo and the study regulations of 1852

OBJETIVOS: Analizar el extenso Reglamento de estudios de 1852, donde se legisla todo lo relativo a la enseñanza secundaria y universitaria de España, decantándonos por lo legislado para la enseñanza en la Facultades de Farmacia y Medicina. MÉTODO: El desarrollo de este trabajo es fruto de otro mucho más amplio. En general, se han consultado los Archivos Históricos de Madrid y Sevilla, 39 libros, 60 citas de internet, 3 números de Colección legislativa de España, y numerosísimas Gaceta de Madrid de los años comprendidos entre 1845 y 1931; y revisado 5 Boletín Oficial de Estado. RESULTADOS: En el siglo XIX, antes de decretarse el Reglamento de Estudios de 1852, siendo Bravo Murillo Presidente del Gobierno, se aprobaron una serie de Reformas, Proyectos, Planes, Reglamentos, etc., hasta un total de 17. El Reglamento de Estudios de 1852 consta de 10 secciones, 36 títulos, siete capítulos y 420 artículos, donde se legislan sobre el gobierno general de la instrucción pública, los distritos universitarios, el régimen interior y económico, el curso literario y métodos de enseñanza, el profesorado público, los alumnos, con sus derechos y obligaciones y los establecimientos privados, para finalizar hablando del traje académico y las insignias. CONCLUSIONES: El Reglamento de estudios de 1852 significó un paso adelante en la organización de la enseñanza de aquella época y, muy particularmente, de la enseñanza universitaria. En más de 400 artículos se legisla prácticamente todo, desde el Rector, que recobra su poder, hasta los bedeles, pasando por catedráticos, profesorado, alumnos, etc

OBJECTIVES: Analyze the extensive Regulation of studies of 1852, where everything related to secondary and university education in Spain is legislated, choosing the legislated for teaching in the Faculties of Pharmacy and Medicine. METHOD: In general, we have consulted the Historical Archives of Madrid and Seville; 39 books; 60 internet appointments; 3 issues of the "Colección legislativa de España"; and numerous "Gaceta de Madrid" of the years between 1845 and 1931; and revised 5 "Boletín Oficial de Estado". RESULTS: In the 19 th century, before the Regulation of Studies of 1852 was enacted, with Bravo Murillo as President of the Government, a series of Reforms, Projects, Plans, Regulations, etc. were approved, up to a total of 17. The Study Regulations of 1852 consist of 10 sections, 36 titles, seven chapters and 420 articles. The Regulation legislates on the general government of public instruction, the university districts, the internal and economic regime, the literary course and teaching methods, the public teaching staff, the students, with their rights and obligations and the private establishments, the academic dress and the badges. CONCLUSIONS: The Study Regulations of 1852 represented a step forward in the organization of education at that time and, very particularly, in university education. In more than 400 articles almost everything is legislated: the Rector to the bedeles, also professors, lecturers, students, etc

Un magisterio en la distancia: la relación epistolar entre los entomólogos José María Dusmet y Modesto Quilis / A teaching in the distance: the corresponce between José María Dusmet y Modesto Quilis, and the entomological practice in Spain before Civil War

José María Dusmet (1869-1960) fue un reconocido entomólogo español, especialista en macrohimenópteros, que desarrolló su labor vinculado al Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales aun sin ocupar oficialmente puesto alguno. En 1925 un joven universitario de Valencia, Modesto Quilis (1904-1938), contactó con él para solicitarle consejo para progresar en su afición por los insectos. A partir de ese momento, y durante más de diez años, Dusmet fue iniciando a Quilis en la práctica entomológica profesional. Así, le asesoraba en la adquisición de ejemplares y bibliografía, al tiempo que le facilitaba contactos entre especialistas nacionales y extranjeros y le resolvía dudas de nomenclatura y taxonomía. Además, le inició en un cierto ethos caballeresco de la práctica naturalista. Con el tiempo, Quilis logró una inserción profesional como entomólogo especialista en microhimenópteros y control biológico de las plagas del campo, iniciando una prometedora carrera que frustró su temprana muerte. Las cartas que ambos intercambiaron, conservadas en el Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, ponen de relieve los detalles de un magisterio en la distancia intensamente cargado de admiración mutua y cultivo de la amistad

José María Dusmet (1869-1960) was a renowned Spanish entomologist. He specialized in big Hymenoptera, developing his tasks at the National Museum of Natural Sciences in Madrid, despite the fact he never occupied an official position. In 1925, Modesto Quilis (1904-1938), a student from Valencia, wrote Dusmet in order to obtain advice on how to make progress in entomological studies. From that moment and for more than a decade, Dusmet gave Quilis guidance to the practice of professional entomology in a diversity of aspects, e.g., acquisition of specimens and bibliography, contacts with other colleagues in Spain and other countries, or questions on taxonomy and nomenclature. He also introduced his young disciple in a certain kind of scientific ethos, based on a chivalric sense of the relationship between natural history practitioners. Some years went by and Quilis obtained an official job as entomologist specialized in microhymenoptera and pest control. His promising career was cut short by his premature death. Exchange letters between both naturalists have been consulted at the Archive of the National Museum of Natural History. This correspondence highlights the details of a sort of teaching-in-distance, pervaded by friendship and mutual admiration

Relaciones ocultas a fines del siglo XVIII: la specimen florae americae meridionalis (1780) del Real Jardim Botânico da ajuda y los diseños científicos de la Real Expedición Botánica al virreinato peruano / Hidden relationships in late eighteen century: the specimen florae americae meridionalis (1780) of the Real Jardim Botânico da Ajuda and the scientific drawings of the Royal Botanical expedition to the Peru viceroyalty

Este artículo muestra que en las décadas finales del siglo XVIII, más allá de las relaciones diplomáticas y los conflictos militares entre Portugal y España, existieron importantes conexiones científicas, que han sido poco estudiadas. Teniendo como punto de partida la casi desconocida Specimen Florae Americae Meridionalis (1780), una obra botánica compuesta de cuatro volúmenes, producida en el Real Museu da Ajuda (Lisboa), exploraremos el interés que suscitó en los círculos de estudiosos y aficionados a la botánica en Lisboa la llegada de más de doscientos dibujos de plantas procedentes de la Real Expedición Botánica al Virreinato del Perú (1777-1788). Considerando las personalidades portuguesas, españolas e inglesas que estuvieron implicadas en la presencia de estos diseños en Portugal, recuperaremos algunas de las prácticas que posibilitaban en este período la circulación de conocimientos científicos y el adelanto de la botánica. En este sentido, este estudio pretende realizar una aportación novedosa a la Historia de la Botánica en Portugal y España y apuntar caminos para futuras investigaciones (AU)

This paper shows that in the final decades of the eighteenth century, beyond the diplomatic and military conflicts between Portugal and Spain, there were important scientific connections, which have been little studied. Having as a starting point the almost unknown Specimen Florae Americae Meridionalis (1780), a four volumes botanical work produced in Real Museu da Ajuda (Lisbon), we will explore the interest aroused in the circles of scholars and amateur botanists the arrival in Lisbon of over two hundred drawings of plants from the Royal Botanical Expedition to the Viceroyalty of Peru (1777-1788). Considering the Portuguese, Spanish and English personalities who were involved in the presence of these drawings in Portugal we will recover some of the practices that made possible in this period the circulation of scientific knowledge and the advancement of botany. In this sense, this study aims to make a novel contribution to the History of Botany in Portugal and Spain, and point paths for future research (AU)

"An aristocracy of talent": the South Carolina physician-naturalists and their times.

During the natural history movement of the 18th and early 19th centuries, Charleston as a center was rivaled in the United States only by Philadelphia, New York, and Boston. Prominent physician-naturalists included Alexander Garden (for whom the gardenia is named), John Edwards Holbrook ("father of American herpetology"), and Francis Peyre Porcher (whose Resources of Southern Fields and Forests helped Confederates compensate for drug shortages). The Charleston physician-naturalists belonged to an "aristocracy of talent" as distinguished from the "aristocracy of wealth" of lowcountry planters, who probably did more than any other group to perpetuate slavery and propel the South toward a disastrous civil war. None of the physician-naturalists actively opposed slavery or secession, a reminder that we are all prisoners of the prevailing paradigms and prejudices of our times.

Fostering the rebirth of natural history.

Natural history as we have known it is in decline. A growing movement is emerging across disciplines, to understand its decline, and nurture its rebirth. A network of like-minded scientists, resource managers, educators, writers and artists-natural historians-recently convened four consecutive Natural History Initiative workshops to move past the forensic study of natural history, and instead focus on solutions, conspiring to identify opportunities that dovetail the practice of natural history with essential needs of modern science and society, and suggest ways forward. This series of workshops occurred at various locations in the western United States during the winter and spring of 2011, and recently culminated in a Synthesis Summit on 20-24 June 2011.

The role of images in the development of Renaissance natural history.

This review surveys recent scholarship on the history of natural history with special attention to the role of images in the Renaissance. It discusses how classicism, collecting and printing were important catalysts for the Renaissance study of nature. Classicism provided inspiration of how to study and what kind of object to examine in nature, and several images from the period can be shown to reflect these classical values. The development of the passion for collecting and the rise of commerce in nature's commodities led to the circulation of a large number of exotic flora and fauna. Pictures enabled scholars to access unobtainable objects, build up knowledge of rare objects over time, and study them long after the live specimens had died away. Printing replicated pictures alongside texts and enabled scholars to share and accumulate knowledge. Images, alongside objects and text, were an important means of studying nature. Naturalists' images, in turn, became part of a larger visual culture in which nature was regarded as a beautiful and fascinating object of admiration.

A botanical group in Lahore, 1864.

The sitters in a previously misunderstood nineteenth-century Indian group photograph are identified as four East India Company surgeons with wider interests in natural history: William Jameson, Thomas Caverhill Jerdon, John Lindsay Stewart and Hugh Francis Clarke Cleghorn, taken in Lahore at the Punjab Exhibition of 1864. The image was previously believed to depict the committee of the Madras Literary Society and to have been taken in Madras. No portraits of Jameson or Stewart have previously been known, and Jameson had mistakenly been identified as E.G. Balfour. Brief biographies are given of the individuals figured, the circumstances under which they coincided in Lahore explained, and their roles in forest conservation and the documentation of Indian biodiversity outlined. The photographer is confirmed as Samuel Bourne, and information is provided on the Scottish individuals to whom Cleghorn sent copies of the photography.

Biagio Bartalini's "Catalogo dei corpi marini fossili che se trovano intorno a Siena" (1776).

In 1776, the Sienese botanist Biagio Bartalini (1750-1822) published a catalogue of wild plants growing around Siena, adding an appendix on fossils found in the same area, that is the first monograph on Sienese fossils and one of the first works of its kind in Italy. This paper provides tentative identifications of the species and an analysis of the value and meaning of Bartalini's work. The catalogue reports 72 species, each denoted by a list of names applied to analogous living taxa. Identification of single entities is extremely problematical because it can only be attempted through analysis of the literature, since the original material cannot be traced. The most interesting report is the first record of a Euro-Mediterranean Pliocene species of Sthenorytis (Gastropoda, Epitoniidae). Though important, the catalogue is incomplete, with oversights and mistakes, suggesting little familiarity with the subject. Shortcomings include some inconsistencies in the species sequence, the report of giant clams and the absence of molluscs ubiquitous in the Sienese Pliocene and sharks. Nor is it true that it is the first Italian palaeontological work in which binomial nomenclature was used, as sometimes claimed.

Visualizing "race" in the eighteenth century.

This paper looks at the conditions of the emergence of "race" as a new scientific category during the eighteenth century, arguing that two modes of discourse and visualization played a significant role: that on society, civility, and civilization -- as found principally in the travel literature -- and that on nature, as found in natural history writings, especially in botanical classifications. The European colonizing enterprise had resulted in an extensive flow of new objects at every level. Visual representations of these new objects circulated in the European cultural world and were transferred and transformed within travelogue and natural history writings. The nature, boundaries, and potentialities of humankind were discussed in this exchange within the conceptual grid of classifications and their visual representations. Over the course of the century the discourse on society, civility, and civilization collapsed into the discourse on nature. Humans became classified and visually represented along the same lines as flora, according to similar assumptions about visible features. Concurrently, these visible features were related necessarily to bundles of social, civilized, and cognitive characteristics taken from the discourse on society, civility, civilization, as found in the contemporaneous travelogue.

Carl Linnaeus and the visual representation of nature.

The Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778) is reputed to have transformed botanical practice by shunning the process of illustrating plants and relying on the primacy of literary descriptions of plant specimens. Botanists and historians have long debated Linnaeus's capacities as a draftsman. While some of his detailed sketches of plants and insects reveal a sure hand, his more general drawings of landscapes and people seem ill-executed. The overwhelming consensus, based mostly on his Lapland diary (1732), is that Linnaeus could not draw. Little has been said, however, on the role of drawing and other visual representations in Linnaeus's daily work as seen in his other numerous manuscripts. These manuscripts, held mostly at the Linnean Society of London, are peppered with sketches, maps, tables, and diagrams. Reassessing these manuscripts, along with the printed works that also contain illustrations of plant species, shows that Linnaeus's thinking was profoundly visual and that he routinely used visual representational devices in his various publications. This paper aims to explore the full range of visual representations Linnaeus used through his working life, and to reevaluate the epistemological value of visualization in the making of natural knowledge. By analyzing Linnaeus's use of drawings, maps, tables, and diagrams, I will show that he did not, as has been asserted, reduce the discipline of botany to text, and that his visual thinking played a fundamental role in his construction of new systems of classification.

[Odón de Buen: forty-five years of commitment to the university]. / Odón de Buen: cuarenta y cinco años de compromiso con la universidad.

The aragonese naturalist Odón de Buen y del Cos for twenty-two annual academic courses professor of natural history at the University of Barcelona and for twenty-three of the University of Madrid. Strong supporter of Darwin's evolutionary theory, experimental work in the field and laboratory, in this paper puts the value of their efforts, as an educator, to popularize the natural sciences and thus separated from the concerns, superstition and fanaticism, which they were basic reasons of the moral and material backwardness in which Spain was found.

[To God through science. Natural theology in Francoism]. / A Dios por la ciencia. Teología natural en el Franquismo.

In Spain, during Franco's dictatorship (1939-1975) the teaching and divulgation of science were subordinated to the Catholic religion and many books defended a theistic and creationistic point of view of biology that accepted a literal interpretation of the Book of Genesis and denied the theory of evolution, especially as it relates to human origin. This article is devoted to the main books and characteristics of this way of thinking which reproduced arguments and metaphors of the pre-Darwinian natural theology, arguing that nature was ruled by God and living organisms were the results of his design.