World Heritage Research: Search

Publications

Showing 26521 – 26540 of 30315 publications

Neoliomera moana, a new cavernicolous species of xanthid crab from the Marquesas Islands (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura)

Te Henua Enata – The Marquesas Islands — 2013 — WHE1B5E9744A8

Scientists have discovered Neoliomera moana, a new species of cavernicolous xanthid crab endemic to the Marquesas Islands, part of Te Henua Enata. This unique crab, characterized by its double crest on the chela palm and distinctive red-spotted carapace, was found in submarine caves at depths of 6–28 meters. Belonging to a group of six cristate species within the genus Liomerinae, this discovery highlights the Marquesas Islands' rich biodiversity and potential for harboring additional endemic marine life. The findings were based on hand-collected specimens, offering new insights into the region's subterranean ecosystems.

Neoproterozoic-Early Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the western part of the Kyrgyz Ridge (Northern Tian Shan) caledonides

Western Tien-Shan — 2013 — WHE3816835AB8

A comprehensive study of the western Kyrgyz Ridge reveals significant new insights into the Neoproterozoic-Early Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the Northern Tian Shan. Key findings include the identification of a diverse age spectrum spanning from the Neoproterozoic to the Early Ordovician for sedimentary units, the reconstruction and dating of Cambrian ophiolite complexes in suprasubduction settings, and the discovery of an Early-Middle Ordovician volcano-sedimentary complex with island-arc affinity. Additionally, the study confirms the widespread presence of Late Ordovician granitoids, some of which host Cu-Au-Mo ores. The research also elucidates the multi-stage thrust-and-fold structure formation from the Middle Cambrian to the Middle Ordovician, highlighting the critical role of the Early Ordovician stage and the intrusion of large batholiths in the early Late Ordovician, which marked the culmination of the Caledonide structural evolution. These findings suggest a prolonged and complex evolutionary history for the active continental margin.

Neoselachians from the Danian (Early Paleocene) of Denmark

Stevns Klint — 2013 — WHEC9797040D6

A diverse elasmobranch fauna, including the earliest European records of Chlamydoselachus and Heptranchias howelli, was discovered in early to middle Danian deposits at Stevns Klint, Denmark. The study reveals that the K-T boundary did not mark the complete extinction of Cretaceous fauna; several species persisted into the early Paleogene. The research analyzed teeth from 27 shark species across three formations (Rødvig, Stevns Klint, and Faxe), highlighting a transition from an impoverished Maastrichtian fauna to a pronounced cold-water assemblage in slightly younger deposits. This provides critical insights into shark diversity and paleoecological shifts during the earliest Paleogene in the Boreal Sea.

Nesting of the Yellow-Breasted Warbling-Antbird ( Hypocnemis subflava ) With Notes On the Nesting Biology of the Hypocnemis cantator Complex

Manú National Park — 2013 — WHE86F803B554

Researchers document the first detailed nesting biology of the Yellow-breasted Warbling-Antbird (Hypocnemis subflava), revealing unique incubation behaviors within the Hypocnemis cantator complex. The study, conducted in Peru's Manu National Park, found that both parents engage in prolonged incubation sessions (averaging 93.7 minutes) and maintain high nest attentiveness (85.8%), resulting in stable inner nest temperatures around 32.3°C. Nestlings were brooded and fed by both parents for approximately 11 days. While nest structure and location mirrored other species in the complex, egg coloration varied significantly. The findings highlight species-specific adaptations within this antbird group.

Net Primary Productivity of Subalpine Meadows in Yosemite National Park in Relation to Climate Variability

Yosemite National Park — 2013 — WHEAD186DEBC9

Subalpine meadows in Yosemite National Park exhibit distinct responses to climate variability, with net primary productivity (ANPP) showing contrasting trends across xeric, mesic, and hydric conditions. Xeric meadows experience reduced ANPP under higher snow water content and increased thawing degree days, while mesic meadows show a negative relationship with snow water content alone. Hydric meadows, however, display high within-year variability in ANPP, limiting sensitivity to climatic factors. These findings suggest that under projected warmer and drier conditions, ANPP may increase in mesic meadows but remain stable in xeric ones due to offsetting declines from temperature increases. The study employed a mixed-effects analysis of covariance model to evaluate relationships between ANPP and climatic variables—spring snow water content, snow-free date, and thawing degree days—across 64-m² plots sampled annually from 1994 to 2000.

New coelacanth material from the Middle Triassic of eastern Switzerland, and comments on the taxic diversity of actinistans

Monte San Giorgio — 2013 — WHE31D9E86B2D

A new coelacanth specimen from the Middle Triassic Prosanto Formation in eastern Switzerland reveals anatomical features that challenge previous assumptions about its juvenile status. This sub-complete individual, larger than the holotype of Ticinepomis peyeri, shares diagnostic characters with this species and provides additional details on its branchial apparatus, including relatively large ceratobranchial teeth and possible ossified hypobranchials. Phylogenetic analysis confirms that Ticinepomis is nested within the Latimeriidae family, contributing to a better understanding of post-Palaeozoic coelacanth diversity. The study also assesses taxic diversity trends, suggesting that an Early Triassic peak likely resulted from biological radiation, while a Late Jurassic peak may be attributed to Lagerstätten effects.

New evidence for self‐medication in bonobos: Manniophyton fulvum leaf‐ and stemstrip‐swallowing from LuiKotale, Salonga National Park, DR Congo

Salonga National Park — 2013 — WHE23F73C57A4

Researchers present new evidence supporting the hypothesis that bonobos engage in self-medication by consuming leaves and stemstrips of Manniophyton fulvum without chewing, a behavior observed at LuiKotale in Salonga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo. The study meets four out of six criteria proposed by Huffman for identifying plants ingested for medicinal purposes, suggesting that bonobos may use this plant to alleviate parasite infestations or other stressors. Analysis of 1,094 dung piles and phenological data revealed that ingestion occurred seasonally, correlating with rain and temperature patterns, which are predictors for parasite development and immune response challenges in hosts. The findings also highlight potential pharmacological effects of the plant, drawing parallels to its ethnomedicinal uses by humans.

New geographies of conservation and globalisation: the spatiality of development for conservation in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa

iSimangaliso Wetland Park – Maputo National Park — 2013 — WHE4AB8CA0C62

Spatial conflicts in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (IWP) highlight tensions between state-led conservation goals and local community needs. The study reveals that market-based modernization strategies alienate local people from land and management practices, perpetuating historical insecurities while reshaping ethnic identities and imposing new social-ecological values. Using Henri Lefebvre's theory on the production of space, the research examines two key conflict arenas: fencing and punitive actions against conservation transgressors, illustrating how state power interacts with local space. The findings underscore the socially differentiated effects of governance rules and the challenges of balancing ecological preservation with livelihood generation in a globalized context.

New heights in climbing and tourism: Jordan's Wadi Rum

Wadi Rum Protected Area — 2013 — WHEA09DD110C7

Wadi Rum's landscape is marketed and experienced as a gendered, racialized, and classed 'adventure space' through intersecting discourses of risk, extremism, and ethnic difference. The study reveals how Western climbing tourists perceive the site as a performance of extreme leisure, with marketing emphasizing its harsh environment, Bedouin inhabitants, and the climbers' need to conquer inhospitable summits. This analysis highlights the role of individual narratives in shaping perceptions of otherness and selfhood within tourism contexts.

New insights into ‘les interminables listes nominatives d’esclaves’ from numerical analyses of the personnel in Angkorian inscriptions

Koh Ker: Archaeological Site of Ancient Lingapura or Chok Gargyar — 2013 — WHE01EE9689B0

A decline in non-sanctuary personnel and juvenile workers is evident after the early Angkorian period, suggesting shifts in labor availability and workforce demographics. The study reveals that sanctuaries employed more females than males, while non-sanctuary lists reflected natural sex ratios. Additionally, the relative status of male categories si and gho reversed after Jayavarman IV's reign, potentially indicating his rule from Koh Ker to consolidate power and prevent an impending shift in the power structure.

New Lepidium (Brassicaceae) from New Zealand

New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands — 2013 — WHE0E4F2B0CB8

A groundbreaking revision of Lepidium species in New Zealand identifies sixteen distinct species, ten of which are newly described. These include Lepidium castellanum from the Kermadec Islands and Lepidium seditiosum, the sole vascular plant endemic to the remote Bounty Islands group—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The study leverages morphological traits alongside molecular data from three DNA markers (two rDNA and one cpDNA) to segregate species, revealing a rich diversity of Lepidium in New Zealand's subantarctic islands. Notably, two North Island species, Lepidium amissum and Lepidium obtusatum, are now extinct, while others like Lepidium juvencum extend to Stewart Island. The research also clarifies taxonomic ambiguities by typifying key species, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding this genus in the region.

New records of Neuroptera from the North-Western Caucasus

Western Caucasus — 2013 — WHEDB689BB95F

A recent study reports new records of 28 Neuroptera species from the North-Western Caucasus, including four species documented for the first time in the region: Chrysopa hummeli, Micromus lanosus, Hemerobius marginatus, and Neuroleon nemausiensis piryulini. Additionally, Micromus lanosus is recorded from Dagestan and Azerbaijan for the first time. The research contributes to the understanding of Neuroptera distribution in the North-Western Caucasus, with notable additions to the fauna of Adygea, Karachaevo-Cherkessia, and Krasnodar Province. The study likely employed field surveys and taxonomic identification to document these new records.

New Research in Polarimetric SAR Technique for Archaeological Purposes using ALOS PALSAR Data

Samarra Archaeological City — 2013 — WHE0360425B24

A novel application of polarimetric Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) techniques using ALOS PALSAR data has advanced the study of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, particularly Samarra Archaeological City and Djebel Barkal. The research demonstrates that polarimetric parameters such as Freeman and Yamaguchi decompositions can effectively validate backscattered responses in SAR images as archaeological structures, offering a non-invasive method to analyze and monitor these sites. This approach provides deeper insights into scattering mechanisms, revealing the prevalence of double-bounce and volume scattering, which are crucial for understanding the integrity and changes in these heritage areas. The study also highlights the potential of multi-temporal SAR data to track urban and agricultural expansions affecting site preservation.

New specimens of the logrunnerOrthonyx kaldowinyeri(Passeriformes: Orthonychidae) from the Oligo-Miocene of Australia

Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh / Naracoorte) — 2013 — WHEB17873F951

Researchers have uncovered new fossil evidence of the logrunner, Orthonyx kaldowinyeri, from the Oligo-Miocene period in Australia's Riversleigh World Heritage Area. This discovery extends the known temporal range of the Orthonychidae family into the late Oligocene, marking the oldest record for this group and the earliest Cenozoic passerine fossils confidently linked to an extant family in Australia. The study analyzed eight fossil tarsometatarsi and a distal tibiotarsus, revealing distinctive features associated with the bird's unique foraging behavior. These findings provide valuable insights into the palaeoenvironment of Riversleigh during this period, assuming similar vegetation requirements to extant logrunners.

New Worlds: A Religious History of Latin America

Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis: San Ignacio Mini, Santa Ana, Nuestra Señora de Loreto and Santa Maria Mayor (Argentina), Ruins of Sao Miguel das Missoes (Brazil) — 2013 — WHEEE52BECB66

A comprehensive analysis of the Catholic Church's role in Latin America, from conquest to present, reveals its dual legacy: significant contributions to social justice and pastoral care alongside notable failures. The study, by distinguished historian John Lynch, employs a top-down approach focusing on the church hierarchy, intellectual debates, intrachurch dynamics, and church-state relations. While strong in addressing institutional and philosophical aspects, particularly in 19th and 20th centuries, it faces limitations in incorporating recent scholarship on grassroots religious practices and daily experiences of the faithful. The book underscores Catholic religion's dominance over five centuries but acknowledges challenges from non-Catholic religions. It serves as a selective yet authoritative synthesis on the church's history, offering deep insights into key topics while leaving gaps in areas like popular religion.

New York: Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

Statue of Liberty — 2013 — WHE935AD38714

A century ago, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island stood as symbols of hope and freedom for millions of immigrants arriving in New York Harbor. These landmarks represented both a beacon of opportunity and a gateway through which newcomers navigated complex regulations, examinations, and challenges to gain entry into the United States. Many immigrants fled political or religious oppression and economic hardship, making their journey a profound one of resilience and aspiration. The study highlights the historical significance of these sites as pivotal elements in the immigrant experience, capturing the emotional and psychological dimensions of their passage.

News and Views January 2014

Historic Site of Lyon — 2013 — WHE26D2D37A85

Lyon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998, is recognized for its unique horizontal urban development that preserves structures from Roman times to the present. The city's historical significance as the capital of the silk trade and France's gastronomic hub was highlighted during the 2014 European Nuclear Medicine Congress, which took place there. The congress featured discussions on radiopeptide therapy and dosimetry, including the imminent introduction of radium-223 chloride (Xofiga), an alpha particle-emitting radiopharmaceutical for treating castration-resistant prostate cancer. This marks a significant advancement in molecular radiotherapy, addressing previous challenges such as limited gamma emissions from daughter products. The congress also addressed regulatory hurdles, such as the European Medicines Agency's (EMA) focus on centrally licensed products and the need for harmonized clinical trials processes. Additionally, it covered the approval of amyloid imaging agents like florbetapir and flutemetamol, which are subject to restrictive indications for use.

Niche specialization of novel Thaumarchaeota to oxic and hypoxic acidic geothermal springs of Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park — 2013 — WHE87C7504820

Novel Thaumarchaeota lineages, endemic to Yellowstone National Park's acidic geothermal springs, exhibit unique metabolic adaptations. These archaea, thriving in high-temperature (65-72 °C) and low-pH (~3) environments, display niche specialization by coupling growth with oxygen or nitrate reduction in iron oxide habitats and sulfur reduction in hypoxic sediments. Metabolic reconstruction reveals their chemoorganotrophic nature, including a novel reverse sulfate reduction pathway for sulfide oxidation, and the use of aromatic compounds, carbohydrates, oligopeptides, and amino acids as carbon sources. Phylogenetic analysis positions these populations near the root of the Thaumarchaeota branch, indicating deeply rooted lineages within this phylum. The study integrated metagenome sequencing, geochemical measurements, and reverse-transcriptase PCR to confirm in situ activity, providing insights into their ecological roles and evolutionary significance.

Ningaloo Reef: Shallow Marine Habitats Mapped Using a Hyperspectral Sensor

Ningaloo Coast — 2013 — WHEDA2375B56F

Hyperspectral remote sensing emerges as a powerful tool for mapping and monitoring shallow marine habitats, particularly in large, remote, and inaccessible areas like the Ningaloo Marine Park in north-western Australia. This study demonstrates that hyperspectral imagery can efficiently classify benthic cover with high accuracy (70% for the most detailed maps), revealing that macro-algal communities dominate the seabed while hard and soft corals constitute only about 7%. Dense tabulate coral was identified as the largest coral mosaic type, accounting for 37% of all corals. The research utilized HyMap airborne hyperspectral imagery corrected for atmospheric and water column influences, combined with field-validated spectra and fuzzy logic techniques to generate five thematic classification levels. This approach offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional methods, enabling detailed habitat mapping crucial for conservation and management efforts.

No Clocks in His Castle: The Threat of the Durée in Bram Stoker’s Dracula

Maritime Greenwich — 2013 — WHE0FBE4D5D76

This study reveals that Bram Stoker's Dracula (1897) reflects the tension between quantitative and qualitative understandings of time during a period of global spatiotemporal standardization. The novel embodies the conflict between positivist science, represented by the vampire hunters who reject subjective experience in favor of clock time and scientific measurement, and metaphysical interpretations of time, embodied by Dracula's Bergsonian durée. Written after the 1884 International Meridian Conference established Greenwich as longitude zero, Dracula critiques the repression of intuitive, qualitative time in favor of standardized, measurable time. The research analyzes how the novel destabilizes the vampire hunters' faith in narratives and scientific rationality, exposing the fragility of their worldview when confronted with Dracula's supernatural, subjective experience of time.