Rhinoceros Beetles, Subfamily Dynastinae

Rhinoceros Beetles, Subfamily Dynastinae Members of the beetle subfamily Dynastinae include some impressive-looking beetles with impressive-sounding names: rhinoceros beetles, elephant beetles, and Hercules beetles. The group includes some of the largest extant insects on Earth, many with impressive horns. For purposes of this article, we will use the term rhinoceros beetles to represent all members of this subfamily. Description: Rhinoceros beetles and other members of the subfamily Dynastinae are usually convex and rounded in shape (similar to lady beetles in shape, but much larger). The species that inhabit North America aren’t as large as those found in other parts of the world, but our eastern Hercules beetles (Dynastes tityus) reach a still-impressive 2.5 inches long. Identification of this subfamily requires some knowledge of beetle morphology and its associated terminology. In rhinoceros beetles, the labrum (upper lip) is hidden beneath a rounded, shield-like structure called the clypeus. Rhinoceros beetle antennae consist of 9-10 segments, usually with the last 3 segments forming a small club. For additional identifying traits of this subfamily, please refer to the details provided on the Generic Guide to the New World Scarab Beetles website. Classification: Kingdom – AnimaliaPhylum – ArthropodaClass – InsectaOrder – ColeopteraFamily - ScarabaeidaeSubfamily - Dynastinae Diet: Rhinoceros beetles and other members of the subfamily Dynastinae generally feed on decomposing vegetation (rotting wood, leaf litter, etc.) as larvae. Many adults feed on decaying plant roots underground, although some species also appear to feed on sap and fermenting fruit. Life Cycle: Like all beetles, rhinoceros beetles undergo complete metamorphosis with four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Some species are relatively long-lived as insects go, and may take up to two years to reach maturity. Special Adaptations and Defenses: Male rhinoceros beetles often bear large horns, either on the head or the pronotum, which they use to joust with other males in battles over territory. Remarkably, recent research showed these enormous and bulky horns don’t impede the male rhinoceros beetle’s ability to fly. Range and Distribution: Rhinoceros beetles and their kin live throughout the world, with the exception of the polar regions, and are most diverse in the tropics. Scientists have described about 1,500 species to date and subdivided these into eight tribes within the subfamily Dynastinae. Sources: Borror and DeLong’s Introduction to the Study of Insects, 7th edition, by Charles A. Triplehorn and Norman F. Johnson.Subfamily Dynastinae - Rhinoceros Beetles, BugGuide.Net. Accessed July 20, 2013.Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America, by Eric R. Eaton and Kenn Kaufman.Dynastinae, Generic Guide to New World Scarab Beetles, University of Nebraska State Museum. Accessed July 20, 2013.Volume 1: Morphology and Systematics (Archostemata, Adephaga, Myxophaga, Polyphaga partim), by Rolf G. Beutel and Richard Leschen. Accessed via Google Books on July 20, 2013.Elaborate horns in a giant rhinoceros beetle incur negligible aerodynamic costs, Erin L. McCullough and Bret W. Tobalske, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. Accessed online July 20, 2013.

Justify and explain how the complexities associated with the Web minimizes competitive business advantage essays

Justify and explain how the complexities associated with the Web minimizes competitive business advantage essays One of the most essential results of corporate strategy is for a business to create competitive advantages. This allows a business to differentiate from its competitors. The advantage can be a process, resource, copyright or an intangible asset. Furthermore, these competitive advantages should be sustainable for the company to have lasting success. The web has minimized competitive business advantages by limiting barriers to entry, while improving the flow of communication, and often simplifying The web has greatly changed the environments for many industries. It has increased communication, made information more accessible and has become a viable platform for commerce and trade. The Internet has affected business in many different ways. Relationships with suppliers and customers, information exchange with competitors and business processes are all altered by the Internet. As the web, and its users, continues to grow the capabilities of the web will expand and further change the landscapes In many industries the web has greatly limited the barriers to entry for new participants. The first mover advantage that many companies had uses as their competitive advantage lost some significance. Since start up costs to new businesses was often lower, companies' market shares were more easily challenged. For Instance, the publication Industry was dominated by a few huge conglomerates that held power and influence. The web gave rise to smaller news companies that could easily start their business for low costs and not fear the major players. Traditionally, many competitive advantages were successful and sustained because competitors were unsure of how to copy a process or strategy. The web brings down barriers and exposes more of company's processes. A challenging company can view the customers, product offering ...

Theodore Roosevelt Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Theodore Roosevelt - Essay Example It will close with a discussion of the relevance of his decision today, some one hundred years later, and the benefits that have accrued to America. 1.1 The Origins of the Transfer Act of 1905 As an initial matter, it is important to note that Theodore Roosevelt did not create the United States Forest Service; quite the contrary, this federal agency was created and given legal powers by virtue of the United States Land Revision Act of 1891 which provided, in relevant part, that the president would thereafter have the authority to "set aside and reserve...any part of the public lands wholly or partly covered with timber or undergrowth, whether of commercial value or not." At the time, this was a skeletal piece of legislation with little immediate effect. It looked good on paper, it played well at social gatherings, but the reality was that the Act itself was lacking in real substance. This is because this initial legislation, vesting power in the American president, did not provide for any guidelines or mechanisms for using or for developing these set aside lands (Balogh, 2002). Thus, while the lands might be protected from economic exploitation, there was no mention of nat ional parks or development for public use. These lands, in short, were not only placed out of the reach of capitalistic interests but also out of the reach of purely scientific and public interests as well. Nonetheless, it was a piece of legislation, a perogative of presidential power, which Theodre Roosevelt would take advantage of a mere two decades later in order to more firmly entrench public interests, both in terms of research and public benefits more generally, with the Transfer Act... As an initial matter, it is important to note that Theodore Roosevelt did not create the United States Forest Service; quite the contrary, this federal agency was created and given legal powers by virtue of the United States Land Revision Act of 1891 which provided, in relevant part, that the president would thereafter have the authority to "set aside and reserve...any part of the public lands wholly or partly covered with timber or undergrowth, whether of commercial value or not.† At the time, this was a skeletal piece of legislation with little immediate effect. It looked good on paper, it played well at social gatherings, but the reality was that the Act itself was lacking in real substance. This is because this initial legislation, vesting power in the American president, did not provide any guidelines or mechanisms for using or for developing these set-aside lands (Balogh, 2002). Thus, while the lands might be protected from economic exploitation, there was no mention of n ational parks or development for public use. These lands, in short, were not only placed out of the reach of capitalistic interests but also out of the reach of purely scientific and public interests as well. Nonetheless, it was a piece of legislation, a prerogative of presidential power, which Theodore Roosevelt would take advantage of a mere two decades later in order to more firmly entrench public interests, both in terms of research and public benefits more generally, with the Transfer Act of 1905.