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Nomenclature of fungi

Hey there. I recently stumbled across an issue of Nova Hedwigia Beheift titled "the genera of fungi" (or was it agaricaceae?). It's filled to the brink with mind-numbing nomenclatural discussions of all the genera ever described (I think, anyway). Would it be any use if I looked up the specific ref or any specific genera? Circeus 00:20, 14 June 2007 (UTC)[reply]

That would be friggin' trés bién. The first one that would be absolutely great to get a clarification on is Agaricus which was called Psalliota in many texts fro many years and I've been mystified as to why. Other articles I intend cleaning up are Amanita muscaria, which is the one I intended taking to FA first but it just didn't come together well, Gyromitra esculenta as a future FA, Agaricus bisporus as a future FA, and cleaning up the destroying angels – Amanita virosa, Amanita bisporiga and Amanita verna. Boletus edulis would be a good one to check too. let me know if anything interesting pops up. I'll see ifd I can think of any other taxonomic quagmires later today. Work just got real busy :( cheers, Cas Liber | talk | contribs 02:01, 14 June 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Generally, that's pretty arcane and only relevant to genus articles, or species that were tightly involving in defining them (for example, there seems to be an odd debate over the multiple type species for Amanita). I'll look up Agaricus, Amanita (since A. muscaria's the current type) and Psalliota. I'll also dig up the ref so you can look it up yourself, with any chance. Circeus 04:52, 14 June 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Cool, keen to see what pops up. Cheers, Cas Liber | talk | contribs 05:17, 14 June 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I only quickly thumbed through it and noted the full ref (Donk, M.A. (1962). "The generic names proposed for Agaricaceae". Beiheifte zur Nova Hedwigia. 5: 1–320. ISSN 0078-2238.) because I forgot about it until the last minute. Psalliota looks like a classic synonym case. It shares the same type with Agaricus, and might be older. Circeus 01:02, 16 June 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Weird! I thought Linnaeus was calling all sorts of things Agaricus so I wonder how it could predate that really....anyway I am curious.cheers, Casliber (talk · contribs) 02:46, 16 June 2007 (UTC)[reply]


Okay, First thing I have to say is... Damn, 18th–19th century taxonomy and nomenclature of fungi is a right mess. Whose bright idea was it to give fungi 3 starting dates in the ICBN???

LOTS of "per" in citation here. See [1]

On Agaricus
Etym.: Possibly "from Agarica of Sarmatica, a district of Russia" (!). Note also Greek ἀγαρικ[1]όν "a sort of tree fungus" (There's been an Agaricon Adans. genus, treated by Donk in Persoonia 1:180)
Donk says Linnaeus' name is devalidated (so that the proper author citation apparently is "L. per Fr., 1821") because Agaricus was not linked to Tournefort's name (Linnaeus places both Agaricus Dill. and Amanita Dill. in synonymy), but truely a replacement for Amanita Dill., which would require that A. quercinus, not A. campestris be the type. This question compounded by the fact that Fries himself used Agaricus roughly in Linnaeus' sense (which leads to issues with Amanita), and that A. campestris was eventually excluded from Agaricus by Karsten and was apparently in Lepiota at the time Donk wrote this, commenting that a type conservation might become necessary.
All proposals to conserve Agaricus against Psalliota or vice versa have so far been considered superfluous.

References

  1. ^ Letter is script and looks like a Russian и.
On Lepiota
Etym. Probably greek λεπις, "scale"
Basionym is Agaricus sect. Lepiota Pers. 1797, devalidated by later starting date, so the citation is (Pers.) per S.F.Gray. It was only described, without species, and covered an earlier mentioned, but unnamed group of ringed, non-volvate species, regardless of spore color. Fries restricted the genus to white-spored species, and made into a tribe, which was, like Amanita repeatedly raised to genus rank.
The type is unclear. L. procera is considered the type (by Earle, 1909). Agaricus columbrinus (L. clypeolarus) was also suggested (by Singer, 1946) to avoid the many combination involved otherwise in splitting Macrolepiota, which include L. procera. Since both species had been placed into different genera prior to their selection (in Leucocoprinus and Mastocephalus respectively), Donk observes that a conservation will probably be needed, expressing support for Singer's emendation.
On Psalliota
Etym.: ψάλιον, "ring"
Psalliota was first published by Fries (1821) as trib. Psalliota. The type is Agaricus campestris (widely accepted, except by Earle, who proposed A. cretaceus). Kummer (not Quélet, who merely excluded Stropharia) was the first to elevate the tribe to a genus. Basically, Psalliota was the tribe containing the type of Agaricus, so when separated, it should have caused the rest of the genus to be renamed, not what happened. It seems to be currently not considered valid, or a junior homotypic synonym, anyway the explanation is that it was raised by (in retrospect) erroneously maintaining the tribe name.
On Amanita
Etym.: Possibly from Amanon,a mountain in Cilicia.

A first incarnation from Tentamen dispositionis methodicae Fungorum 65. 1797 is cited as devalidated: "Introduced to cover three groups already previously distinguished by Persoon (in [...] Tent. 18. 1797) under Agaricus L., but at that time not named. It is worth stressing that [The species now known as Amanita caesarea] was not mentioned."

With Agaricus L. in use, Amanita was a nomen nudum per modern standard, so Persoon gave it a new life unrelated to its previous incarnations, and that is finally published after a starting date by Hooker (the citation is Pers. per Hook., 1821). He reuses Withering's 1801 definition (A botanical arrangement of British plants, 4th ed.). "The name Amnita has been considered validly published on different occasions, depending on various considerations." Proposed types include (given as Amanita. Sometimes they were selected as Agarici):
  • A. livida Pers. (By Earle, in 1909). Had been excluded in Vaginata or Amanitopsis and could not be chosen.
  • A. muscaria Pers. (By Clemens & Shear, 1931) for the genus (1801) from Synopsis fungorum, was generally transferred to the one from Hooker's Flora of Scotland, which is currently considered the valid publication of Amanita (or was in the 50s).
  • A. phalloides (by Singer, 1936) for the 1801 genus.
  • A.bulbosa (by Singer & Smith, 1946) for Gray's republication. This is incorrect as Gray's A. bulbosa is a synonym of A. citrina. Some authors consider Gray to be the first valid republisher.
  • A. caeserea (by Gilbert, 1940). Troublesome because not known personally to Persoon or Fries.

Donk concludes the earliest valid type is A. muscaria, the species in Hooker, adding that he'd personally favor A. citrina.

The name has been republished three times in 1821: in Hooker, Roques and Gray (in that order). Roques maintained Persoon's circumscription, including Amanitopsis and Volvaria. Gray excluded Amanitopsis and Volvariella into Vaginata. Right after, Fries reset the name by reducing the genus to a tribe of Agaricus, minus pink-spored Volvariella. This tribe became a subgenus, than genus via various authors, Quélet, altough not the first, often being attributed the change. Sometimes it was used in a Persoonian sense (whether that is a correct use according to ICBN is not clear to me).
Homonyms of Amanita Pers. are Amanita adans. (1763, devalidated) and Amanita (Dill) Rafin. (1830)
On Boletus
Not including (Not in Agaricaceae, sorry).

Phew! Circeus 18:52, 18 June 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I hope you intend to clean that prose ASAP? It's definitely not article-worthy as is. Circeus 01:05, 20 June 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I'm working on it. Got distracted this morning...cheers, Casliber (talk · contribs) 01:08, 20 June 2007 (UTC)[reply]

LOL, I love your sense of humour. Maimonedes is a good reference. The reality is that Islam takes food restrictions from Judaism; and Christianity doesn't have any restriction (courtesy of three references in the New Testament). The reason why pork should be restricted (along with many other things) is not given explicitly in the Hebrew Bible, hence Bible commentators have been offering guesses since ancient times. My own favourite, however, is Mary Douglas, wife of Louis Leakey, daughter of a Lutheran pastor. Her theory is excellent, based on her cultural anthropological observations, with a decent feel for how Biblical text works. It's rather an abstract theory though. Anyway, I'll see if I can manage a literature review of dietry restrictions in the ANE, especially if there's anything explicit about pork. Don't think I'll find a reference for "why" the pork taboo is in place, though, if it's documented, I'd have read about that in commentaries. Perhaps a clay tablet with the answer has been destroyed in only the last few years during the "troubles" in Iraq. :( Alastair Haines (talk) 21:27, 7 April 2008 (UTC)[reply]

This is the great thing about uncertainty. Lacking an answer, the reports of Maimonides, Mary Douglas and the other guy mentioned are fascinating.Cheers, Casliber (talk · contribs) 22:15, 7 April 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Scotish pork taboo is a remarkable article! Thanks for that, lol. Alastair Haines (talk) 21:59, 8 April 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Spotted this. I'll look for a ref to the Maimonides comment. The normal teaching is that pork is no more or less offensive to Jews than any other forbidden meat (dog, horse etc) or forbidden part of kosher animal (blood, Gid Hanasheh etc). The pig (NB pig, not pork – an important distinction which is relevant for the Maimonides comment too, I note) is "singled out" because it alone of the animals that have one of the two "signs" (it has split hooves but doesn't chew the cud) lies down with its legs sticking out. Most quarapeds have their legs folded under them. There's a midrashic lesson to be learned there, apparently, that the pig is immodestly and falsely proclaiming its religious cleanliness, when it is not. Anyway, that said, I'll look into the M comment – he was quite ahead of his time in terms of medical knowledge (check his biog). And NB my OR/POV antennae buzzed when I read that little section. --Dweller (talk) 22:52, 7 April 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Someone has tagged the Religious restrictions on the consumption of pork for OR, though the talk page seems to indicate it is for a different reason....Cheers, Casliber (talk · contribs) 23:03, 7 April 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Hmm... makes me more dubious, but I'll check. btw... I'm not Alastair! --Dweller (talk) 23:10, 7 April 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Have found good stuff, including online version of Maimonides text. I'll dump it here for you to use as you wish.

I maintain that the food which is forbidden by the Law is unwholesome. There is nothing among the forbidden kinds of food whose injurious character is doubted, except pork (Lev. xi. 7), and fat (ibid. vii. 23). But also in these cases the doubt is not justified. For pork contains more moisture than necessary [for human food], and too much of superfluous matter. The principal reason why the Law forbids swine's flesh is to be found in the circumstance that its habits and its food are very dirty and loathsome. It has already been pointed out how emphatically the Law enjoins the removal of the sight of loathsome objects, even in the field and in the camp; how much more objectionable is such a sight in towns. But if it were allowed to eat swine's flesh, the streets and houses would be more dirty than any cesspool, as may be seen at present in the country of the Franks.[1]

So, Maimonides argues "pork contains more moisture than necessary [for human food], and too much of superfluous matter", whatever that means! More importantly, the "principal reason" is that if you keep pigs, you end up with a dirty and unhealthy environment. Important note: Maimonides was writing from Islamic Egypt at the time, which is why he mentions "as may be seen at present in the country of the Franks." (ie France)

The comments about the pig's habit of lying with its legs outstretched come from Midrash Vayikra Rabba (ch 13) where it is mentioned as part of an elaborate metaphor, but not in connection with any reason for particularly abhorring the creature.

Hope that helps. --Dweller (talk) 09:48, 8 April 2008 (UTC)[reply]

References

  1. ^ Maimonides, Guide for the perplexed, Book III ch.48. Can be viewed online at http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/gfp/gfp184.htm

Bract pattern

You know what I don't get? On page 245 of George (1981), and again on page 40 of Collins (2007), George gives a diagram showing the arrangement of unit inflorescences on a Banksia flower spike. Both diagrams clearly show a hexagonal layout; i.e. every common bract is surrounded by six equidistant common bracts, thus forming little hexagons. In support of this, George (1981) states "The unit inflorescences are so arranged on the axis that there are three pattern lines—vertical, and both dextral and sinistral spiral."

I haven't dissected an inflorescence, but in some species the pattern persists right through flowering and can be seen on the infructescence. You won't get a better example than this B. menziesii cone. Look at that pattern. There's no way you could call it hexagonal. It is a rectangular (or rather diamond, since the lines are diagonal) grid. Depending on how you define a neighbourhood, you could argue that each common bract has 4 or 8 neighbours, but there's no way you could argue for 6. Similarly, you could argue for two pattern lines (dextral and sinistral spiral) or four (dextral, sinistral, vertical and horizontal), but there is no way you could argue for 3, because there is no reason to include vertical whilst excluding horizontal). On top of that there is a beautiful symmetry in the way each common bract is surrounded by its own floral bracts and those of its neighbours. But George's diagrams destroy that symmetry.

I thought maybe B. menziesii was an exception to a general rule, but you can see the same diamond grid, though not as clearly, in File:Banksia serrata4.jpg, and I reckon (but am not certain) I can see it in my B. attenuata cone. And in File:Banksia prionotes mature cone.jpg too. What the heck is going on?

(I'm not just being a pretentious wanker here. I thought the diagram was interesting and informative enough for me to whip up an SVG version for Wikipedia. But since copying George's diagram isn't really on, and it is much better to go straight from nature if possible, I was basing my version on this B. menziesii cone. But it isn't going to work if the diagram shows a rectangular grid and the text has to say it is hexagonal.)

Hesperian 13:28, 29 August 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks for reminding me on this one – I think it was Alex (or Kevin??) who told me that every bract pattern was unique to a species and hence diagnostic, but as far as I know not much if anything has been published on this area. The similarity between archaeocarpa and attenuata was noted (the bract pattern remaining in the fossils). I seem to recall feeling bamboozled as well by the description when I read it some time ago. I will have to refresh myself with some bedtime reading....Casliber (talk · contribs) 13:50, 29 August 2009 (UTC)[reply]
Update: I had a look at the pages in question in the banksia book(s), there is a little bit more in the 1981 monograph but not much. I meant to ring Alex George about this and should do so in the next few days...I guess the photos look sort of like hexagons stretched vertically :P Casliber (talk · contribs) 06:46, 2 September 2009 (UTC)[reply]
Dipsacus fullonum Just passing through. I am not an expert with flora but I do take photos now and again. Does this image from my personal collection help or hinder your discussion? I see diamonds --Senra (talk) 12:58, 22 July 2010 (UTC)[reply]
Haha yeah. Not a bad comparison at all. a diamond pattern it is there as well. You sorta let your eyes go a little out of focus and see two diagonal lines....Casliber (talk · contribs) 14:12, 22 July 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Question

If this is what developing flower pairs look like...
then what are these brown and white furry things?

I note that the last six images to be posted on your talk page were posted by me. I'm not sure whether to apologise....

What is going on in the lower image? Clearly this is an inflorescence in very early bud, but those furry white things are apparently not developing flower pairs. Are they some kind of protective bract or something?

Hesperian 01:24, 1 September 2009 (UTC)[reply]

You certainly see those thingies on the developing buds of alot of banksias. I'd be intrigued what the Nikulinsky book, which is essentially a series of plates of a developing menziesii inflorescence, says (not sure, I don't recall whether it had commentary...). Another thing to look up. Was about to look up the patterns just now. Casliber (talk · contribs) 02:35, 1 September 2009 (UTC)[reply]
Now I have looked at the books and bract architecture, question is are they common bracts or are they something which falls off (don't think so but..). Something else to ask Alex. Casliber (talk · contribs) 06:49, 2 September 2009 (UTC)[reply]
Having found nothing in George, I've been reading Douglas's stuff on ontogeny of Proteaceae flowers, and found nothing there either.

If you snap a spike axis in half, they are just that brown colour, and essentially made of closely packed fuzz. I wonder if there is initially no gap in the axis for the flower to grow, so the developing flower literally has to shove some of the axis out in front of it as it extends. This would explain everything except for the white tip. Hesperian 10:23, 2 September 2009 (UTC)[reply]


I have today taken a long lunch and gone bushwalking with Gnangarra. While he took happy-snaps, I did some OR on this question. My diagnosis is: these are peduncles that have developed common bracts, but have not yet developed floral bracts or flowers.

In very young spikes like the one pictured here, they are not yet very densely packed together, so they can be perceived as individual peduncles. Given time, they will continue to grow, and as they do so they will become more and more densely packed together, until eventually they are jammed together so tightly that their dense coverings of hairs form the fibrous brown material that comprises a typical flower spike, and the common bracts at their apex will form the bract pattern on the surface of the spike. At that point, they will no longer be distinguishable as individual peduncles, but will simply be part of the spike.

When the flowers start to develop, they get squeezed together even more. At this point, sometimes, a peduncle may break off the axis and be squeezed right out of the spike as the flowers around it develop. Thus you may see one or two of these furry things sitting at random positions on the surface of a developed flower spike.

As evidence for this hypothesis I offer the following observations:

  1. Wherever one of those "furry things" is found loose on the surface of a spike, you will also find a gap in the bract pattern beneath it, where the common bract is absent;
  2. "Furry things" may occasionally be found partly out of the spike, but partly in, in which cases the white tip is quite obviously the common bract. In such cases removal of the "furry thing" leaves behind a visible hole in the spike where a common bract ought to be.

Hesperian 05:58, 15 September 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Interesting – Gah! Forgot to ring Alex – evening is a crazy time with little availability for me, but will see what I can do. Casliber (talk · contribs) 20:57, 15 September 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Not OR any more. Look at the picture of "Banksia flower bud seen in profile" here: clear evidence of the common and floral bracts forming one of those little furry upside-down pyramids, with the flower arising from it. Hesperian 03:38, 19 September 2009 (UTC)[reply]

On a tangential point, the first image would most likely pass FPC if it ever finds a home that is appropriate. Noodle snacks (talk) 06:55, 17 October 2010 (UTC)[reply]
Hmmm, okay, hopefully Hesperian will see this thread. :) Casliber (talk · contribs) 11:31, 17 October 2010 (UTC)[reply]
Gosh, would it really?! I was quite proud of it but a bit unsure whether it had enough depth of field. But if I'll take anyone's word that it would probably pass, I'll take Noodle snacks. :-) Hesperian 23:27, 17 October 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Banksia menziesii with persistent florets

While I was out a-walking in the bush one day last week, I spied a banksia with an unfamiliar jizz. Even on closer inspection I was bamboozled for half a minute until the pieces fell together and I realised I was looking at a B. menziesii with persistent florets. Not just a bit late to fall: there were old cones from previous seasons with the florets still bolted on. In fact, there wasn't a single bald cone on the whole tree. I've never seen anything like it. Have you? Hesperian 04:42, 2 February 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Hmm..interesting. I have not ever noticed a menziesii like this, but not to say it can't happen. Might it be a menziesii/prionotes hybrid – how far is the tree from you? I'd compare the newgrowth/leaf dimensions/trunk all for comparison. Did it have any new flowers? Some of these old cones have an aura of prionotes about them...Casliber (talk · contribs) 05:11, 2 February 2010 (UTC)[reply]
prionotes crossed my mind at first, but the bark is that of menziesii, and nothing like the distinctive prionotes bark. And the flower spikes lack the woolliness of old prionotes florets.

It's quite near my place; about ten minutes drive. Even closer to where Alex lives (assuming he still lives at the address he has been publishing under lately): only five minutes drive from there I would guess. If it's prionotes (which it isn't), then we've extended the known range of that species 10km south. Likewise, a hybrid means there's a prionotes population nearby, so it amounts to the same thing. Hesperian 05:30, 2 February 2010 (UTC)[reply]

I finally made it to the library and got a hold of the article you had asked about a couple of weeks ago. There's enough info there to make DYK-worthy stubs on the genus, and three of the species (macrocarpus, katerinae, toomanis), or, alternatively, maybe enough for a GA on the genus. What are the chances of images? Apparently these fungi make small but visible apothecia on the seed capsules. Berkeley and Broome first wrote about the fungus in 1887, so maybe there's a sketch from the protologue that's useable. Anyway, I'll start adding text in a day or two and maybe we can have the first Banksia/Fungi wikiproject collaboration? Sasata (talk) 14:25, 18 February 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Berkeley & Broome (1887) is online at http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/13683 — see page 217. There is a picture at Plate 29 figure 18. Hesperian 02:09, 19 February 2010 (UTC)[reply]
That's a nice image on plate 29 there. They call it Tympanis toomanis on page 224 decription of plate. How do we capture that image and replicate it on commons? Casliber (talk · contribs) 03:06, 19 February 2010 (UTC)[reply]
Like this. Hesperian 03:37, 19 February 2010 (UTC)[reply]
On page 222, they talk about finding it on a banksia cone near the Tooma River in southern NSW, which leaves me thinking it is a cone of Banksia marginata although they do not state this (OR alert ++++). Funny looking marginata cone but marginata is a hugely variable species....Casliber (talk · contribs) 03:11, 19 February 2010 (UTC)[reply]
Check your email; I've sent you a copy of Beaton (1982), where they do state that the cone is B. marginata. (You guys should have asked me first; I could have saved Sasata a walk to the library.) Hesperian 03:26, 19 February 2010 (UTC)[reply]
@Sasata – I'll leave it up to you whether a solid GA and one DYK for the whole shebang, or 4 species articles – you've got the material and I am happy either way. cheers, Casliber (talk · contribs) 03:11, 19 February 2010 (UTC)[reply]
Am working on the article behind-the-scenes now... that picture you uploaded is excellent, and thanks Hesp for finding the protologue. Too bad the scan resolution is so crappy; I can upload a screen capture/crop to Commons, but will first investigate to see if there's a copy of the original around here so I might rescan at higher resolution. Four DYKs and 1 GA doesn't sound unreasonable for the lot, but I'll see what I can come up with. Sasata (talk) 03:32, 19 February 2010 (UTC)[reply]
The resolution is good. I guess you were looking at it at 25%. Try zooming in. Hesperian 03:40, 19 February 2010 (UTC)[reply]
Yeah, it'll do the trick. I gave the article a good push towards GA. Hesp, do you have easy access to Beaton 1984, or maybe Fuhrer, B,; May, T. (1993). "Host specificity of disc-fungi in the genus Banksiamyces on Banksia." Victorian Naturalist (South Yarra) 110 (2):73–75? I think once those two are located and added, that'll be it from journals (but you may find stuff to add from your Banksia books?). I could start stubs for the species, but it would be a shame to have to leave out B. maccannii. Sasata (talk) 07:09, 19 February 2010 (UTC)[reply]
I can probably get Vic Naturalist at UNSW Library next tuesday or friday (slim chance on weekend). Casliber (talk · contribs) 07:25, 19 February 2010 (UTC)[reply]
When you get to Victorian Naturalist, you'll also want to grab Sommerville, K.; May, T. (2006). "Some taxonomic and ecological observations on Banksiamyces". The Victorian Naturalist. 123: 366–375.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) Hesperian 08:43, 19 February 2010 (UTC)[reply]
Thanks for finding that, wonder why it didn't show up in my database search. Cas, if it's too mush hassle for you to get these, let me know and I can order them, would take 1–2 weeks to get here.
I'll have easy access to Beaton (1984) on Monday. No access to Victorian Naturalist. Hesperian 08:38, 19 February 2010 (UTC)[reply]
Sorry, forgot again. I've just scanned it now. Cas: I'll forward shortly; if you have Sasata's email address, can you forward it on please? Otherwise, Sasata: send me an email so I know where to send this scan. Hesperian 04:16, 25 February 2010 (UTC)[reply]
I don't see any email link on your user page... I can wait until Cas forward a copy. Thanks kindly Sasata (talk) 15:25, 25 February 2010 (UTC)[reply]
I guess you've never noticed the "Email this user" link in the sidebar toolbox.... Hesperian 23:22, 25 February 2010 (UTC)[reply]
! Wouldya look at that... That's embarrassing! Now excuse me while I go give eyewitness testimony in a murder trial. Sasata (talk) 23:46, 25 February 2010 (UTC)[reply]
Hang on a sec, will send. Also, will be near the library again for Vic Naturalist. Casliber (talk · contribs) 20:03, 25 February 2010 (UTC)[reply]
Hahaha. Fantastic. I just realised I never uplaoded a funny photo I took in WA a few years ago. I need to double check.
This old cone of Banksia violacea had these dark objects on it which might be a fungus as they certainly weren't on any other cones I saw about the place.
Casliber (talk · contribs) 20:25, 18 February 2010 (UTC)[reply]

As OZtrylia has a notoriously under described rang of and field of mycology study – any signs of further fungi or algae work is to be encouraged at all points SatuSuro 01:51, 19 February 2010 (UTC)[reply]


Taking pity on poor Cas, whose Banksia books are still packed up in boxes:

From Collins, Collins and George (2008), page 47, first paragraph of a section entitled "Fungi and lichens":

"Many kinds of fungi are associated with Banksias. There is even a genus of fungi named for their association with these plants—Banksiamyces. The first species of these was recognised in the 1880s and placed in the genus Tympanis, then in the 1950s transferred to the genus Encoelia. Further collections and research led to the description of the genus Banksiamyces by Beaton and Weste in 1982, with two further species. Six taxa are now recognised, so far known from 13 species of Banksia (Sommerville & May, 2006). Commonly known as banksia discs, they have all been found on eastern Australian Banksias and one is also known in Western Australia. They are discomycete fungi, growing on the fruit and appearing as small, shallow dark cups on the follicles (Fuhrer, 2005). When dry they fold inwards and look like narrow slits. Their effect is unk[n]own but it seems unlikely that they are responsible for degradation of the seeds."

At the bottom of the page there is a photo of Banksiamyces on B. lemanniana. They look like little light grey maggots on the follicles. Based on the photo and textual description, I would suggest that the B. violacea photo doesn't show this genus. Hesperian 11:17, 19 February 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Hmmm, that's what I initially thought when I read the description and sketches in Beaton 1982, but after seeing B&B's 1872 sketches, I was pretty sure Cas's pic was a Banksiamyces. I guess I should reserve judgment until I get more info. Sasata (talk) 17:09, 19 February 2010 (UTC)[reply]
From the abstract of Somerville and May 2006: "Apothecia of these crops are of different macroscopic appearance, with lighter apothecia being mostly immature, and darker apothecia producing spores." ... so who knows? Sasata (talk) 17:11, 19 February 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Anything else to add to this article? Shall we put it up for GAN? Sasata (talk) 17:39, 18 May 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Yeah put it up, there might be some bits and pieces. I'll take a look. Casliber (talk · contribs) 20:32, 18 May 2010 (UTC)[reply]
Any Banksia experts you're chums with that might be able to give a confirmation on your putative Banksiamyces photo? Sasata (talk) 05:45, 21 May 2010 (UTC)[reply]
damn, I meant to contact Tom May about it (who has been helpful before). Will dig up his email and see what he says. Casliber (talk · contribs) 07:09, 21 May 2010 (UTC)[reply]

More bedtime reading

[2]—the most recent phylogeny and dating of Proteaceae. Easy to miss with such an obscure title. Hesperian 12:08, 28 February 2010 (UTC)[reply]

You may want to have a look there as well. Appears to have been improved by a Szasz fan. I've read diagonally this article, but even that doesn't seem to support the light in which the Halpern-Szasz issue is presented in Wikipedia. Tijfo098 (talk) 13:19, 3 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Just go back from a weekend break with no innernet..now where was I.....Casliber (talk · contribs) 10:21, 7 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Figs

Okay, I'm giving my impression on F. maxima, since I'm not clear what you are actually asking. The description, I must say, is a particularly lacking part of the article under any evaluation criterion. Even as one who appreciates the topic, I'm finding the taxonomy section very confusing. As in Entoloma sinuatum, I'll gladly have a look into rewriting it if you want me to. The huge list of synonym suggest there is significant variation in the plant, possibly infraspecific taxa? I agree the Reproduction section is possibly too detailed. It can probably be reduced to a 2-paragraph primer and merged into "Ecology", though I have a hard time identifying what is species (or could be!) species-specific and what is not, as I have no familiarity with the plants in question (not to mention I am not an actual plant scientist even compared to you).

One of the greater-scale problem I see, which you might want to work on if you're going to take aim at several of these articles, is that information on the peculiar reproduction suystem in figs as a whole is spread across multiple articles (the genus article, Common fig and other species, syconium) and poorly focused, leaving no good article to aim {{main}} links at. I suspect using syconium as he main article and linking to it from others (including Ficus) might be, in the long run, the best course of action. Circéus (talk) 02:56, 18 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Sounds good. Don't worry about rewriting anything yet. I was looking at overall meta-article structure WRT reproduction, which you've given me a good idea to work with. Cheers, Casliber (talk · contribs) 03:21, 18 March 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Constellation task force assessment

Certainly Assessment boxes like the one for the cardiology task force are made by User:WP 1.0 bot. Just post to talk there and it can make your box easily. —Justin (koavf)TCM 18:37, 12 August 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks for that! I've not used bots in my time here. Casliber (talk · contribs) 01:07, 13 August 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Aboriginal Astronomy

Hi Casliber – thanks for your note. Yes there's quite a bit more out there which Duane Hamacher and I are slowly trying to get written up. You can find some more stuff on www.emudreaming.com and you may find some papers you havent come across on http://www.atnf.csiro.au/people/rnorris/papers/papers.htm

Have fun! RayNorris (talk) 03:34, 8 October 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Great! I'll have a look and if I find anything specific to nag you on...I will :) cheers, Casliber (talk · contribs) 03:49, 8 October 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Gene migration research, India --> Australia

This http://www.economist.com/news/science-and-technology/21569688-genetic-evidence-suggests-four-millennia-ago-group-adventurous-indians points to a gene study you may be interested in.... Likely people from the Indian sub-continent mixed with Australian aboriginies 4xxxx years ago. An maybe brought dingos. Regards, Ariconte (talk) 09:24, 22 January 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Will read anon. Casliber (talk · contribs) 10:59, 22 January 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Could use some work if you're interested. Someone not using his real name (talk) 09:36, 28 January 2014 (UTC)[reply]

ok – will take a look soonish....Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 14:14, 28 January 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Orange-bellied Parrot

Neophema99 (talk) 07:58, 19 February 2014 (UTC) Hi. I would like to open for discussion the format of the entry for 'Orange-bellied Parrot'. As news occurs in the recovery program for this species, the limitations of the current format of the Wikipedia entry become more obvious. The heading, 'Conservation Status' should, I believe, be reserved for the actual conservation status in Australia, and in the three states, SA, Tasmania and Victoria. What follows after that, but still under that heading, at present, is a running commentary of events since about 2010. This is not acceptable. I propose another heading be inserted, 'Recovery Program' or similar. In it, a short history of the OBP recovery program could be given – since 1980 or so – and then, new events could be smoothly inserted as they happen. What do others think? The Wikipedia entry is an important first port of call for many people interested in this bird. We owe it to them, and to history, to provide a better entry.[reply]

Neophema99 (talk) 07:58, 19 February 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Agreed. Will take a look. sounds good – helps with seamless updating and no doubt there is a lot of info that could be added. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 08:52, 19 February 2014 (UTC)[reply]

got any advice for writing a constellation FA?

Thinking of diversifying and trying Corona B. Double sharp (talk) 16:17, 7 September 2014 (UTC)[reply]

It's easier than stars as there is less hardcore physics involved, but trickier as you have to make the material not "listy", which it sort of is by very nature. Smaller constellations are easier as there is less material to list generally. Star guide books, alot of which are on google, are good for general overview, how to find things, what's next to what etc. but alot of their factual info (distance/luminosity) is outdated. I have even suspected this in newer reprints/editions where new material is coming out. SIMBAD is a godsend and makes finding other material easy. I was using it as a ref itself but probably better to use the refs it cites. Overall I find astronomy articles more challenging than biology ones – trickeir to make engaging. We can collaborate on CrB if you like as I did plan on taking it All the Way at some point and then having it as a double mainpage with CrA. Collaborating is good as it makes for less work in some ways – each of us can copyeidt the other etc. 20:43, 7 September 2014 (UTC)
Just popping in during some of the rare free time I have at the moment to say that the hardest part of the constellation articles is figuring out exactly what objects to write about, since there is generally quite a bit of discretion in whether or not something should be in the article. I generally try to write about all stars brighter than magnitude 5.0, and the most-studied astronomical objects within the constellation, as well as a few other things such as extremes (e.g. R136a1) and unusual objects. One tip to find notable stars, I've found, is this SIMBAD query, which lists all Bayer, Flamsteed, and variable stars in each constellation by number of refs. Of course further research is necessary for other stars without said designations, but it's a good start. I would help, but I don't anticipate having much free time at all until at least December. StringTheory11 (t • c) 21:18, 7 September 2014 (UTC)[reply]
StringTheory11 Wow! Great idea/find! That really helps. Agree with what you've said. I think it is good to get these in order as it also highlights what other articles are underdone or incorrect etc. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 01:51, 8 September 2014 (UTC)[reply]
Yup the small size was part of the reason I chose CrB (it's not the only reason though :-P). I'm cool with a collaboration. ST11's suggestions, as always, make a lot of sense. Going to read through some constellation FAs to get an idea of what to write – not least CrA... Double sharp (talk) 02:38, 8 September 2014 (UTC)[reply]
Double sharp, I have started buffing with this one. Just arting with the brighter stars – SIMBAD is best place to start and then chasing refs. Not sure how much you know about them (figuring distance from parallax etc...) so just ask away..or start on deep sky objects and I'll continue with stars (??) Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 01:05, 12 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Carcinoma in situ

The carcinoma in situ page has been updated and it explains the different views that sometimes carcinoma in situ is seen as a cancer and sometimes it is not. You will probably remember earlier this year that you supported changing my use of the term "invasive cancer" to "cancer". The expression "invasive cancer" is used frequently in books particularly when talking about cancer of the cervix and in my opinion using the term "invasive cancer" can improve clarity. What do you think of the explanations in the carcinoma in situ article? Snowman (talk) 13:13, 4 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]

As it reads right now, which ones are you thinking should have invasive added to them? Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 19:35, 4 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]
Whoops, I have phrased it badly above, but you seem to have understood me. I should have said that you did not support my use of "invasive cancer" and you preferred the use of "cancer" instead. Actually, to me, it is not as simple as just inserting the word "invasive". Back then, I saw a better phrase in a reference and I thought about using it, because I thought that it would be accurate, readable, and I hoped keep everyone happy; however, the situation become unnecessarily tense and I felt like I was walking on eggs (and you know what that means). I did not get around to developing the article any further nor mentioning the "magical" phrase. I will see if I can find the phrase again. I recall that the solution was to use a short phrase in the place of cancer or invasive cancer in the introduction. I am talking in riddles at the present time, because I want to make sure that I can find that phrase again, and that will mean thinking about the introduction again. Snowman (talk) 20:32, 4 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]
Okay, let me know what you are thinking of once you get it clear. It is an intriguing question. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 11:56, 5 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]
I would recommend the amendment belew, because the demarcation between non-cancer and cancer varies according to the literature, as we have seen, and this is made more difficult by a simplified language and vocabulary used to communicate the complex situation to patients. A definition of cancer that includes in-situ cancer is well established, but perhaps the world of the cytologist or histopathologist is a small world, where to say "invasive cancer" is not unusual. This is the current line in the introduction; "Cervical cytology tests can often detect precursors of cervical cancer and enable early successful treatment.". I think that it would be more accurate if it said something like; "The main aim of cervical cytology screening is to detect precursors of cancer and early cervical cancer to enable early successful treatment.". In this new line a full spectrum from viral changes to dysplasia to carcinoma-in-situ to early invasive cancer is included, so the controversy over where to put the non-cancer/cancer line disappears, and the meaning is clear no matter where the reader puts the line in his or her own mind-map. Snowman (talk) 13:05, 6 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]
I reworded it like this to make it flow better yet be inclusive and cover all interpretations. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 13:24, 6 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]
After some deep thought, I think that your edit is good enough. Snowman (talk) 14:09, 6 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]
  • What do you think about making a joint nomination with me to take the cervix article to FA review sometime? I would not be planning to edit much of the "History" and "Other animals" sections, because I do not know much about those topics. I am not usually on the nominator's side of the fence, but I would be willing to step into that role here, partly to test the water. Snowman (talk) 13:29, 6 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]
I think it is a good idea – the prerequisites for being a nominator are being reasonably familar with the article and having the ability to address issues raised at FAC. Do you see anything else that needs fixing before listing it at FAC? 02:15, 7 November 2014 (UTC)
Oh good. I would like to have a long look at the article before FA nomination, and I expect that I will not feel happy with the article as a potential FA nomination for several weeks. There is some content and page organization in the article (as it is now) that I would like to reflect on. The peer review is also worth re-visiting to see what was not achieved there. I will probably attempt to start a few discussions on the article talk page where relevant. Do you have any time frame in mind or any particular schedule of your own to work around? Of course, I would ask you to constructively criticize my work whenever you think that anything can be improved, and I will try to focus on the issue and answer honestly and objectively trying not to be fractious nor stubborn, with a view to learning from my errors. It think that it will work better like that, than keeping quite or not speaking up when you do not agree with your co-nominator. I am saying that because I guessed that you have not felt easy about not supporting your co-nominator in FA reviews previously. Also, as before, please be alert to my writing style, which can sometimes need re-phrasing owing to clumsy grammar, although the content is often unambiguous (to me at least). Apart from that, it could be challenging writing for general readers and even more challenging writing for specialist readers that are unfamiliar with the small world of histopathology. Snowman (talk) 12:08, 7 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]
Snowmanradio I have no time scale on this so it sorta takes as long as it takes. The refs need fixing for page numbers. The material is pretty good – only thing from PR left is double checking lymphatic drainage really I thought. Anyway. Posting things step by step on talk page is good. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 20:39, 7 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]
  • I would have though that the "Function" heading would be about normal function. Surly, putting a barrier in front of the cx is not a normal function of the cervix. Also, oc pills are more about pharmacology and modified functioning of the cervix. Should the "Contraception" heading have its own level-2 heading? This has been discussed before, but it is worth starting another discussion on the talk page about this? Snowman (talk) 21:42, 7 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]
I think that the human altering of function is fine there. I think it is fine as a level 3 heading underneath function Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 23:10, 7 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]
When medicines affect function, it is called pharmacology. Snowman (talk) 22:49, 12 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]
  • In the introduction; "... the cervix is usually between 2 and 3 cm long and roughly round in shape". Change to: ?
1. "... the cervix is cylindrically shaped usually between 2 and 3 cm long and roughly round in cross section".
2. "... the cervix is usually between 2 and 3 cm long and roughly round in in cross section" Snowman (talk) 17:30, 8 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]

I think the first one or something like it – will take a look now. I wonder if the fact it is roughly cylindrical makes saying it's round in cross-section redundant. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 22:22, 8 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Your amendment looks find to me. Snowman (talk) 11:32, 10 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]
Snowmanradio Yes that sounds like a good idea. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 18:54, 12 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]
OK, I expect that I will add some when I do some editing there. Snowman (talk) 20:47, 12 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]
I think it should be merged. Will post something. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 21:42, 12 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]
I plan to watch for a while and express an opinion, if needed. Snowman (talk) 22:49, 12 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]
It is off to a good start over there. I think that there is nothing on the unreferenced portio page that can be copied over to the cervix page. We could start planing how to present the portio (and its various names) on the cervix page. Snowman (talk) 12:04, 13 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]
  • In have found what to me looks like a 2003 copyrighted version of File:Cervix dilation sequence.svg, so I have started a deletion discussion on Commons. Commons administrators will now have a look at it. Initially, I left an message with the uploader on Commons to ask a technical question about the image, and I noticed that he is currently blocked for three months, so I did a search for other copies of the cervix dilation image. The image should show the babies head moving down the birth canal as the cervix dilates, but the head looks stuck. The image is on about a dozen or more Wikis, so they might all be removed by a bot in due course. I am not sure if the image needs removing from the Cervix page at this juncture or not, so I wonder what you think about removal from the en Wiki. Snowman (talk) 09:01, 13 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]
Oh dear – I suspect it will have to be removed, though maybe hold for a moment and see if an explanation is forthcoming. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 09:23, 13 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]
I recently found a photograph of a rare parrot with the wrong copyright and it was deleted from Commons one week after I started the deletion discussion. Snowman (talk) 14:23, 13 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]
That sounds in keeping with deletion discussions elsehwere – around 1 week. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 19:17, 13 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]
Update: Image was deleted this yesterday. Snowman (talk) 13:10, 21 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]
  • The Cervical cancer article has had a lot of work on it since about June, and it is well worth looking at. I expect that we could shorten (or otherwise amend) the section on cervical cancer in the "cervix" article, because the "cervical cancer" article offers a good readable account. Snowman (talk) 12:40, 14 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]
@Snowmanradio: I will take a look. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 10:05, 15 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]
  • Re HPV vaccines. Sometimes, I like to tidy up the linked pages. This article was moved from the singular to the pleural in March 2014. I am aware that there is more than one HPV vaccine, but I would expect this to be on the singular name, unless there something controversial about it that I have missed. Snowman (talk) 12:59, 14 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]
@Snowmanradio: yes that is unusual and I think I prefer it at singular. I think it is worth discussing on the talk page. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 10:05, 15 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]
  • The "Anatomical abnormalities" section looks like a mixture of acquired and congenital diseases. Could this be organized differently? I nearly did a reorganization, but a little re-organization does not change much, and I suspect that it would be easier to do a bit of a re-write. Also, it may be possible to expand the section with a little about the developmental abnormalities of the female genital tract seen in Cryptophthalmos syndrome, Johanson-Blizzard syndrome, Rokitansky Anomalod, and as less commonly seen in Roberts syndrome and Trisomy 18 syndrome. These diseases are not at the front of my mind, however these are in the index of my rather old second-hand book on human malformation. This is not a small change, so I welcome your opinion. Snowman (talk) 13:34, 14 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]
@Snowmanradio: let me take a look. I don't recall it right now and I thought I was happy with it before but will look. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 10:05, 15 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]
I have become unexpectedly busy in real life, so I have not had much time for editing the Wiki. I hope that I will be able to contribute with more editing and work on the cervix article again after about two or three months . Snowman (talk) 10:03, 15 December 2014 (UTC)[reply]
@Snowmanradio: no worries. I found that I have lost interest in it. My free time (of which I have little) has to be enjoyable and thus something I have real enthusiasm for. I found I did get a bit enthusiastic about this one but comes and goes. More interested in frigatebird and brachychiton rupestris now. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 10:11, 15 December 2014 (UTC)[reply]
Also orange-bellied parrot – very interesting story. I find writing about extinct species makes me sad (I leave them to FunkMonk) but rare ones are ok. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 10:12, 15 December 2014 (UTC)[reply]
Apart from manual editing, I was hoping to write a few scripts for fun to do scanning and mass editing tasks on the Wiki this Autumn and Winter, but can not participate in a meaningful way at the present time. I plan to return when I can and I will look to see what you and User FunkMonk are doing then. Incidentally, have you any thoughts on why discussions about anatomy topics tend to be rather brittle? I might ask that question on the WP Anatomy talk page. Snowman (talk) 10:49, 15 December 2014 (UTC)[reply]
What do you mean by 'brittle'? Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 12:30, 15 December 2014 (UTC)[reply]
I will ask open-ended questions instead. Do you have any observations about discussions on anatomy topics? Snowman (talk) 12:48, 15 December 2014 (UTC)[reply]


Running a contest (talk page watchers welcome)

Right folks...I can't decide which (long overdue) contest to run again. Putting this out there to see what folks reckon the 'pedia most needs or would be most fun (as without enthusiasm, it won't work). For folks unfamiliar, I try to get a wikigrant so several folks have a chance of winning a $25 (or more) Amazon voucher. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 00:37, 19 September 2019 (UTC)[reply]

  1. 99of9 (talk) 03:08, 19 September 2019 (UTC)[reply]
  2. Caeciliusinhorto-public (talk) 10:03, 19 September 2019 (UTC)[reply]
  3. Vanamonde (Talk) 20:39, 19 September 2019 (UTC)[reply]
  1. Nessie (talk) 03:21, 19 September 2019 (UTC)[reply]
  2. Nosebagbear (talk) 09:16, 19 September 2019 (UTC) (just as a side-note I wouldn't take any voucher but would chuck it back into the pot)[reply]
  3. SpicyMilkBoy (talk) 11:58, 19 September 2019 (UTC)[reply]
  4. Guettarda (talk) 12:36, 19 September 2019 (UTC)[reply]
  5. Mcampany (talk) 17:36, 19 September 2019 (UTC)[reply]
  1. Nessie (talk) 03:21, 19 September 2019 (UTC)[reply]
  2. Loopy30 (talk) 11:47, 19 September 2019 (UTC)[reply]
  3. Guettarda (talk) 12:36, 19 September 2019 (UTC)[reply]
  4. Mcampany (talk) 17:37, 19 September 2019 (UTC)[reply]

Ping?

@CaptainEek: I only got one ping - either via email or alert at top of page (yours). Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 11:41, 25 April 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Hi Cas; I wonder if you might have time to offer a second opinion on a GA review? We're ideally looking for someone with some experience editing medical articles. The topic is sufficiently quirky that I hope it'd be of interest. If not, don't worry! Josh Milburn (talk) 14:42, 26 April 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Sure will take a look Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 19:26, 26 April 2020 (UTC)[reply]
Great - thanks a lot! Josh Milburn (talk) 20:58, 26 April 2020 (UTC)[reply]

This week's article for improvement (week 18, 2020)

Elements of the human body by mass. Trace elements are less than 1% combined (and each less than 0.1%).
Hello, Casliber.

The following is WikiProject Today's articles for improvement's weekly selection:

Human body

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TFA

Thank you today for the Black honeyeater, saying "Another day another bird..this was well-buffed many moons ago by a long-departed user"! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 09:42, 27 April 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Heh thanks! Forgot about that....Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 10:35, 27 April 2020 (UTC)[reply]
... today for another collaboration on Isopogon anemonifolius, - and thank you also for moving DYK preps to queue, - I am an offender by causing too much admin work by nominating too many things, but now I'm interested in many things and wouldn't know what not to show ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:20, 30 April 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Hello there. This is an invitation to join the 50,000 Destubbing Challenge Focus of the Week. £250 (c. $310) up for grabs in May, June and July with £20 worth of prizes to give away every week for most articles destubbed. Each week there is a different region of focus, though half the prize will still be rewarded for articles on any subject. Sign up if you want to contribute at least one of the weeks or support the idea! † Encyclopædius 19:13, 27 April 2020 (UTC)[reply]

FA

There are more comments for secretarybird. I don't know how to fix many of them since I didn't write the taxonomy section. LittleJerry (talk) 13:22, 29 April 2020 (UTC)[reply]

I'm looking now. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 13:38, 29 April 2020 (UTC)[reply]
@LittleJerry: it's late here (after midnight) and I need to sleep as I need to get up early. Can you keep going with ones you feel confident with? I'll take another look in about 12 hours. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 14:17, 29 April 2020 (UTC)[reply]
Do you know anyone who can source review for reliability? LittleJerry (talk) 22:13, 8 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]

TFA

Banksia speciosa is next up in the barrel - see Wikipedia:Today's featured article/May 10, 2020 where I attempted to write the blurb. You know the drill. --Ealdgyth (talk) 16:20, 29 April 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Ok will look Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 20:48, 29 April 2020 (UTC) looks fine Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 20:50, 29 April 2020 (UTC)[reply]
Thank you for a special one ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:30, 10 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]

WikiCup 2020 May newsletter

The second round of the 2020 WikiCup has now finished. It was a high-scoring round and contestants needed 75 points to advance to round 3. There were some very impressive efforts in round 2, with the top ten contestants all scoring more than 500 points. A large number of the points came from the 12 featured articles and the 186 good articles achieved in total by contestants, and the 355 good article reviews they performed; the GAN backlog drive and the stay-at-home imperative during the COVID-19 pandemic may have been partially responsible for these impressive figures.

Our top scorers in round 2 were:

  • New York (state) Epicgenius, with 2333 points from one featured article, forty-five good articles, fourteen DYKs and plenty of bonus points
  • England Gog the Mild, with 1784 points from three featured articles, eight good articles, a substantial number of featured article and good article reviews and lots of bonus points
  • Botswana The Rambling Man, with 1262 points from two featured articles, eight good articles and a hundred good article reviews
  • Somerset Harrias, with 1141 points from two featured articles, three featured lists, ten good articles, nine DYKs and a substantial number of featured article and good article reviews
  • England Lee Vilenski with 869 points, Gondor Hog Farm with 801, Venezuela Kingsif with 719, Cascadia (independence movement) SounderBruce with 710, United States Dunkleosteus77 with 608 and Mexico MX with 515.

The rules for featured article reviews have been adjusted; reviews may cover three aspects of the article, content, images and sources, and contestants may receive points for each of these three types of review. Please also remember the requirement to mention the WikiCup when undertaking an FAR for which you intend to claim points. Remember also that DYKs cannot be claimed until they have appeared on the main page. As we enter the third round, any content promoted after the end of round 2 but before the start of round 3 can be claimed now, and anything you forgot to claim in round 2 cannot! Remember too, that you must claim your points within 14 days of "earning" them. When doing GARs, please make sure that you check that all the GA criteria are fully met.

If you are concerned that your nomination—whether it is at good article nominations, a featured process, or anything else—will not receive the necessary reviews, please list it on Wikipedia:WikiCup/Reviews Needed (remember to remove your listing when no longer required). Questions are welcome on Wikipedia talk:WikiCup, and the judges are reachable on their talk pages or by email. Good luck! If you wish to start or stop receiving this newsletter, please feel free to add or remove your name from Wikipedia:WikiCup/Newsletter/Send. Godot13 (talk), Sturmvogel 66 (talk), Vanamonde (talk) and Cwmhiraeth. - MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 17:44, 1 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]

This week's article for improvement (week 19, 2020)

The beach promenade in Kühlungsborn, Germany runs along the coast of the Baltic Sea.
Hello, Casliber.

The following is WikiProject Today's articles for improvement's weekly selection:

Coast

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Previous selections: Human body • Russian Academy of Natural Sciences


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Happy First Edit Day!

Gawd...14 years already?! Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 03:08, 5 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]

do you have a taxonomy and conservation status knowledge on this?. 49.149.102.252 (talk) 01:26, 10 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]

I'll take a look. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 02:42, 10 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]

This week's article for improvement (week 20, 2020)

The original map by John Snow showing the clusters of cholera cases in the London epidemic of 1854, which is a classical case of using human geography.
Hello, Casliber.

The following is WikiProject Today's articles for improvement's weekly selection:

Human geography

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Previous selections: Coast • Human body


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Posted by: MusikBot talk 00:05, 11 May 2020 (UTC) using MediaWiki message delivery (talk) on behalf of WikiProject TAFI • Opt-out instructions[reply]

Just reminding you. GamerPro64 19:48, 13 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Sorry, alot on my plate IRL. Will try today. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 00:43, 14 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]
You've got mail. GamerPro64 00:29, 15 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]
Ok check yer inbox Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 02:10, 15 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]

This week's article for improvement (week 21, 2020)

Hello, Casliber.

The following is WikiProject Today's articles for improvement's weekly selection:

Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden

Please be bold and help to improve this article!


Previous selections: Human geography • Coast


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Posted by: MusikBot talk 00:05, 18 May 2020 (UTC) using MediaWiki message delivery (talk) on behalf of WikiProject TAFI • Opt-out instructions[reply]

translation

Hey Cas, I've translated the featured article in Spanish Wikipedia and expanded the prominent Red-winged blackbird with a high views rate, do you think its ready to be GA? I nominated it already as GA, I could need to use your help on GA review if you have time. Thank you. 47.187.215.98 (talk) 03:39, 19 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]

I'll take a look Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 06:18, 19 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]
Cas Liber, this user was blocked by bot after a little over ten hours editing on Wikipedia; this was one of two nominations they made, both of which I've reverted. This particular one is not ready for GA; aside from a one-paragraph lead on a 66k-character article, there are places that need copyediting. I suspect this isn't the first time they've tried this—just before they were blocked, they reverted a GAN of another bird article by an IP that was blocked a week ago. So we may need to keep our eyes open for more of the same. BlueMoonset (talk) 14:08, 19 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]
Okay thanks Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 14:11, 19 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]

More WPMEDF issues

Sheesh, it keeps coming. We now have a newish editor adding very old Cochrane reviews to Featured articles and the leads of fully comprehensive, updated articles. Encouraged by WPMEDF board member. [3] SandyGeorgia (Talk) 15:19, 22 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]

@SandyGeorgia: sigh...trying to multitask like crazy this weekend Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 22:10, 22 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]

TFA (June 2020)

This is to let you know that the Omphalotus nidiformis article has been scheduled as today's featured article for June 13, 2020. Please check the article needs no amendments. If you're interested in editing the main page text, you're welcome to do so at Wikipedia:Today's featured article/June 13, 2020.—Wehwalt (talk) 20:12, 22 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you and Sasata for another good one! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:42, 13 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]

This week's article for improvement (week 22, 2020)

Abu Nuwas drawn by Khalil Gibran in 1916
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Abu Nuwas

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Stockport County

Hi Casliber, I posted this a month or so ago to you but it seems to have gone into your latest archive for some reason. Anyway a few years ago you helped get the page for Stockport County F.C. through GAN to become a GA. I am looking at making this a FA. I have had the article peer reviewed and copy edited. I have already had another user go through the page and I have already made amends based on their comments. I have put the Article back up for re-nomination It would be great to have another set of eyes on it, as there has been comments regarding images rights and structure of the article, even after a copy edit and peer review. If you have any comments or can provide assistance in any way either put them on the nomination page or my talk page. Thanks, Wna247 (talk) 17:03, 25 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]

@Casliber: I see you have saved a space in the FAC of this article however after restructuring the History section based on The Rambling Man's notes I have been advised to take the article back through the GA process and go for a GAR as there has been significant changes. I know you did the original GA and you did say that you like to push things as far as they can to FA so any advice and pointers would be appreciated.Wna247 (talk) 14:20, 10 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Arb Med

Hi Casliber. Regarding your comment [4]: My understanding on the use of the talk page for the proposed decision is that we should not be commenting in other editors' sections, but instead create our own section for comment. --Hipal/Ronz (talk) 21:44, 25 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Good point/removed Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 02:43, 26 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]

This week's article for improvement (week 23, 2020)

An invention is a unique or novel device, method, composition or process, and the invention process is a process within an overall engineering and product development process.
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Invention

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This week's article for improvement (week 24, 2020)

Anna Holmlund in 2015 at the FIS Ski Cross World Cup 2015 Finals
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Anna Holmlund

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Comment on Erin Phillips at FAC?

Hi Casliber, I put your compatriot Erin Phillips up at FAC and was wondering if you would be interested in commenting? Thank you! Sportsfan77777 (talk) 10:05, 8 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Been busy - will try to get to it tomorrow Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 14:37, 9 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]

9th millennium BC GA2 request

Hi Casliber, I've agreed to review 9th millennium BC, which was nominated by No Great Shaker, without realising he has retired suddenly. If he doesn't return to Wikipedia over the next few days, could you possibly help the article to reach GA, as you nominated it before? Big ask, and I understand of course if you can't help. I should be able to get things done and dusted within days, as I'm well and truly 'locked down'. Amitchell125 (talk) 09:59, 9 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Err, I was the reviewer not the nominator. Late here in Oz - need to sleep and do some RL stuff. Will get keep an eye on it and think it over Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 14:37, 9 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]
Thanks, apologies for misreading it. Amitchell125 (talk) 14:56, 9 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]

FA continued

Do you know anyone who can source review for reliability? LittleJerry (talk) 21:53, 9 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Not specifically - best thing I can think of it to review other peoples' and hope one reciprocates. Sorry I have been really busy IRL. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 23:15, 9 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]

I see you're busy, so no rush, but Jim wants to run two of yours at TFA in July, including this one ... if you feel like doing a blurb for it, that would be great ... post it here. - Dank (push to talk) 20:03, 11 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]

No problems - I can do this Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 23:50, 11 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]
Actually ... sorry, can you do the other one you nommed instead, Tricholoma pardinum? - Dank (push to talk) 15:38, 12 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]
Sure Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 19:52, 12 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]
Okay @Dank: done below - didn't mention the common names as there are several and none particularly takes precedence or is widely used. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 20:16, 12 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]
Great, thanks much! - Dank (push to talk) 20:18, 12 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]
I can do the bird now if you haven't alreeady Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 20:20, 12 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]
Jim asked over email what he could do ... a bird seemed more up his alley ... feel free to collaborate on it if you like. - Dank (push to talk) 20:24, 12 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]
Tricholoma pardinum

Tricholoma pardinum is a gilled mushroom widely distributed across North America and Europe, as well as parts of Asia. It was first officially described by Christiaan Hendrik Persoon in 1801. The imposing fruit bodies (mushrooms) of Tricholoma pardinum appear in beech woodland in summer and autumn. The pale grey cap, up to 15 cm (6 in) in diameter, is covered with dark brownish to greyish scales. The gills are whitish, and are not attached to the stout white to pale grey-brown stalk. The spore print is white. One of the more toxic members of the genus Tricholoma, the species has been implicated in many episodes of mushroom poisoning, probably because it is a large, attractive mushroom with a pleasant smell and taste, and it bears a superficial resemblance to several edible species, like Tricholoma terreum. Ingesting T. pardinum—even in small quantities—results in a severe, persistent gastroenteritis caused by an unknown mycotoxin. (Full article...)

... and Tricholoma pardinum article has been scheduled as today's featured article for July 12, 2020. Jimfbleak - talk to me? 06:54, 14 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]
Great/thanks for the work on both Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 07:51, 14 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]
Thank you and the much missed Sasata today for the mushroom, "This was another funny poisonous mushroom which fascinated me as a kid, and its drawings always looked sinister to me. Anyway, I buffed this to a point and then felt stuck for a long time, but finally called in Sasata, as alot of the information (particularly taxonomic history) was really fiddly and took some time, discussion and maybe even a little lateral thinking to get (hopefully) right. Two of us are here to address concerns super-quick, and hopefully it is a good read (and has about every damn thing written on the fungus in it :))"! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:21, 12 July 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Black Currawong scheduled for TFA

This is to let you know that the Black Currawong article has been scheduled as today's featured article for July 5, 2020. Please check the article needs no amendments. If you're interested in editing the main page text, you're welcome to do so at Wikipedia:Today's featured article/July 5, 2020, but note that a coordinator will trim the lead to around 1000 characters anyway, so you aren't obliged to do so.

For Featured Articles promoted recently, there will be an existing blurb linked from the FAC talk page, which is likely to be transferred to the TFA page by a coordinator at some point.

We suggest that you watchlist Wikipedia:Main Page/Errors from the day before this appears on Main Page. Thanks! Jimfbleak - talk to me? 12:38, 13 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you for the article! - You mentioned featured topic, - you are invited to Wikipedia:Featured topic candidates/Operas by Claudio Monteverdi/archive1, - a first for me. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:41, 5 July 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you for your support, and it became now a featured topic! ... exactly 10 years after both Brian and I were declared awesome ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:38, 3 August 2020 (UTC)[reply]

This week's article for improvement (week 25, 2020)

The Panama Canal is an example of a ship canal.
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Ship canal

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Posted by: MusikBot talk 00:05, 15 June 2020 (UTC) using MediaWiki message delivery (talk) on behalf of WikiProject TAFI • Opt-out instructions[reply]

Mentoring for FAC

Hi Casliber, the Burnley F.C. article I nominated for FAC had been archived yesterday due to the lack of responses (actually none, if you exclude the image review). As it's the first time I nominated an article for this status (and too soon), I was advised to seek help from a mentor. I saw your name on the list, and wanted to know if you could help me in guiding and preparing this article for (possibly) another shot at FAC. But only if you have the time and desire, obviously. I have created a breakaway article in History of Burnley F.C. to reduce the page length and word count. The page is now a lot shorter and I think it's a good start. I'm looking forward to any comments. Thanks in advance! WA8MTWAYC (talk) 14:59, 15 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Sorry didn't get round to it. Will take a look soon. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 20:40, 15 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]
That's alright. I don't think it would have passed anyway, since the history section was too large (about 4,500 words; now less than 2,000). I've also requested a copy edit, since English is not my native language, so there might be a lack of "free-flowing sentences" in some places, and the occasional errors. Your help is much appreaciated, thank you. WA8MTWAYC (talk) 21:46, 15 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]
Hi Casliber, I've made some amends to the article over the past few days. I'd like to hear your opinions and what can be improved. Cheers. WA8MTWAYC (talk) 23:02, 22 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]
Good evening, Casliber. The article received a copy edit. What's your opinion on it now? Is it worth a shot at FAC or are there many things to be improved? Thanks. WA8MTWAYC (talk) 20:44, 14 July 2020 (UTC)[reply]
Will take another look Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 05:52, 15 July 2020 (UTC)[reply]
Hello, Casliber. I've been through the article a few times and don't think there's much to improve. I think it's "ready". What do you think? Cheers, WA8MTWAYC (talk) 18:15, 23 July 2020 (UTC)[reply]
@WA8MTWAYC:, just giving it a lookover now. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 23:31, 23 July 2020 (UTC) looks alright to me. I will keep an eye on the FAC. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 00:49, 24 July 2020 (UTC)[reply]
That's good to hear. Thanks for your great help and comments, it's much appreciated! WA8MTWAYC (talk) 07:19, 24 July 2020 (UTC)[reply]

This week's article for improvement (week 26, 2020)

William Mariner was an Englishman who lived in Tonga from 29 November 1806 to (probably) 8 November 1810. He later published Tonga Islands, an account of his experiences that is now one of the major sources of information on Tonga before it was significantly influenced by European culture and Christianity. Pictured is Mariner in Tongan attire.
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William Mariner (writer)

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Posted by: MusikBot talk 00:05, 22 June 2020 (UTC) using MediaWiki message delivery (talk) on behalf of WikiProject TAFI • Opt-out instructions[reply]

Featured article length & Laura Harrier

FAC Laura Harrier is currently in a standstill. One editor supported the promotion to FA status but the current editor believes the article is too short to be a Featured Article. Could you assist with this article or quickly look over it for a review, or if not interested in reviewing it, let me know if it is indeed too short please? Factfanatic1 (talk) 13:40, 22 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Okay Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 13:47, 22 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Request for unprotection of Dork Diaries

The vandal responsible for the indefinite semi-protection is now gone, making the protection outdated already. The article doesn't seem to be problematic, and wasn't protected prior to the 2012 protection, so I think it's safe to say it can now go unprotected. In fact, the article could use some cleanup in several areas (which I already did). ❤︎PrincessPandaWiki (talk | contribs) 17:43, 23 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]

@PrincessPandaWiki: Sure, why not? Let's see what happens.... Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 00:21, 24 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Reasonableness check

If I'm being unreasonable at Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Plants#Article titles, as the other editor involved seems to think, please tell me. I respect your judgement in such matters. Peter coxhead (talk) 11:12, 25 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Okay- I think BHG is correct regarding the genus Dracaena due to the term being used for both plants and lizards, though the plant term is the most notable by a long stretch. Commenting there. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 13:38, 25 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Sorry to prolong this, but how can this edit by Ymblanter be acceptable? I have clearly objected to the move of Category:Alsophila and have used it as an example for discussion at Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Plants#Back to the issue. Why is discussion not acceptable? Peter coxhead (talk) 07:25, 27 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]

@Peter coxhead: Because according to local consensus it is within their rules/process, unless it can be shown to be an exception for some reason. I seriously wouldn't bother about it. Life's too short. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 02:30, 29 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]
No, I won't! I do still find it wrong that proper discussion before action is circumvented by incorrectly claiming that a move is unopposed, when it isn't. However, I accept that it's the way it is. (15 articles with incorrect taxoboxes or taxonomy templates to be fixed right now. Much more important and useful!) Peter coxhead (talk) 08:30, 30 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]
Precisely. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 08:34, 30 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]

This week's article for improvement (week 27, 2020)

Apelles painting Campaspe, an artwork by Willem van Haecht, circa 1630, depicting people surrounded by fine art
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Fine art

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Posted by: MusikBot talk 00:05, 29 June 2020 (UTC) using MediaWiki message delivery (talk) on behalf of WikiProject TAFI • Opt-out instructions[reply]

Gaugamela protection

I have a question (with all respect 🙂). Why was the page on the Battle of Gaugamela protected? I did not violate any rules - I strictly adhered to 3RR, I was only following a guideline next to the field, and did not violate any rules. I tried to explain this on the protection request page itself, but Coltsfan removed my explanation. Could the page be unlocked again? Thank you, 183.83.146.145 (talk) 08:25, 1 July 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Unstable article. Lots of turbulent editing. Discuss on article talk page. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 14:06, 1 July 2020 (UTC)[reply]

WikiCup 2020 July newsletter

The third round of the 2020 WikiCup has now come to an end. The 16 users who made it into the fourth round each had at least 353 points (compared to 68 in 2019). It was a highly competitive round, and a number of contestants were eliminated who would have moved on in earlier years. Our top scorers in round 3 were:

  • New York (state) Epicgenius, with one featured article, 28 good articles and 17 DYKs, amassing 1836 points
  • Botswana The Rambling Man , with 1672 points gained from four featured articles and seventeen good articles, plus reviews of a large number of FACs and GAs
  • England Gog the Mild, a first time contestant, with 1540 points, a tally built largely on 4 featured articles and related bonus points.

Between them, contestants managed 14 featured articles, 9 featured lists, 3 featured pictures, 152 good articles, 136 DYK entries, 55 ITN entries, 65 featured article candidate reviews and 221 good article reviews. Additionally, Denmark MPJ-DK added 3 items to featured topics and 44 to good topics. Over the course of the competition, contestants have completed 710 good article reviews, in comparison to 387 good articles submitted for review and promoted. These large numbers are probably linked to a GAN backlog drive in April and May, and the changed patterns of editing during the COVID-19 pandemic. As we enter the fourth round, remember that any content promoted after the end of round 3 but before the start of round 4 can be claimed in round 4. Please also remember that you must claim your points within 14 days of "earning" them. When doing GARs, please make sure that you check that all the GA criteria are fully met. Please also remember that all submissions must meet core Wikipedia policies, regardless of the review process.

If you are concerned that your nomination—whether it is at good article nominations, a featured process, or anywhere else—will not receive the necessary reviews, please list it on Wikipedia:WikiCup/Reviews Needed (remember to remove your listing when no longer required). Questions are welcome on Wikipedia talk:WikiCup, and the judges are reachable on their talk pages or by email. Good luck! If you wish to start or stop receiving this newsletter, please feel free to add or remove your name from Wikipedia:WikiCup/Newsletter/Send. Godot13 (talk), Sturmvogel 66 (talk), Vanamonde (talk), Cwmhiraeth (talk) MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 12:33, 2 July 2020 (UTC)[reply]

This week's article for improvement (week 28, 2020)

Hello, Casliber.

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Russian Academy of Natural Sciences

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This week's article for improvement (week 29, 2020)

The phrase "omakase" is most commonly used when dining at Japanese restaurants where the customer leaves it up to the chef to select and serve seasonal specialties. Pictured is omakase at a restaurant.
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Omakase

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This week's article for improvement (week 30, 2020)

Hello, Casliber.

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Teenage rebellion

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Posted by: MusikBot talk 00:05, 20 July 2020 (UTC) using MediaWiki message delivery (talk) on behalf of WikiProject TAFI • Opt-out instructions[reply]

Victoria wants to run this one in August ... it's your nom, and you're welcome to do the blurb if you want it. - Dank (push to talk) 16:40, 20 July 2020 (UTC)[reply]

sure. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 21:24, 20 July 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Banksia sessilis scheduled for TFA

This is to let you know that Banksia sessilis has been scheduled as WP:TFA for 3 August 2020. Please check that the article needs no amendments. If you're interested in editing the main page text, you're welcome to do so at Wikipedia:Today's featured article/August 3, 2020. Thanks! Ealdgyth (talk) 16:01, 26 July 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you for another one, "the first of the dryandra group"! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:11, 3 August 2020 (UTC)[reply]

September

Every once in a while, I have a TFA as well, happy that it was also a tribute to Brian, in great collaboration, fine Main page, and see also. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 13:26, 4 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]

In contrast: matching colours music to the Dahlias, "brute loud and secretly quiet". - The music (specifically "Meermenschen") was given to me for my birthday. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 13:58, 15 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you today for Banksia blechnifolia. - Nice match with a park, Nerotalanlagen, DYK? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:31, 26 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you today for Rigel, done in collaboration: "I felt bad that Betelgeuse got lots of love and attention and its buddy Rigel was ignored...so a few of us astronomical-interested editors have been buffing this article for some time. After a few pauses and deep breaths (and second looks and a productive GA review from The Rambling Man, which was great for accessibility....here we are."! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:18, 28 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]

This week's article for improvement (week 31, 2020)

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Double standard

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Mail Notice

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This week's article for improvement (week 32, 2020)

The potato (Solanum tuberosum) is an example of a New World crop, a crop native to the New World (mostly the Americas) before 1492 CE and not found anywhere else at that time.
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New World crops

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Posted by: MusikBot talk 00:05, 3 August 2020 (UTC) using MediaWiki message delivery (talk) on behalf of WikiProject TAFI • Opt-out instructions[reply]

"Wikipedia talk:Wikipedia:WikiProject Palaeontology/Pterosaurs task force/Archive 4" listed at Redirects for discussion

A discussion is taking place to address the redirect Wikipedia talk:Wikipedia:WikiProject Palaeontology/Pterosaurs task force/Archive 4. The discussion will occur at Wikipedia:Redirects for discussion/Log/2020 August 7#Wikipedia talk:Wikipedia:WikiProject Palaeontology/Pterosaurs task force/Archive 4 until a consensus is reached, and anyone, including you, is welcome to contribute to the discussion. 1234qwer1234qwer4 (talk) 20:23, 7 August 2020 (UTC)[reply]

This week's article for improvement (week 33, 2020)

Abraham Ortelius's world map, from the Typus Orbis Terrarum ("Theatre of the Orb of the World") atlas, first published in 1564
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World map

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This week's article for improvement (week 34, 2020)

An act is a division or unit of a theatre work, including a play, film, opera, and musical theatre. Pictured is a visual representation of the three-act structure.
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Act (drama)

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Posted by: MusikBot talk 00:06, 17 August 2020 (UTC) using MediaWiki message delivery (talk) on behalf of WikiProject TAFI • Opt-out instructions[reply]

Thanks for tackling a blurb every month ... it's been very helpful. Wehwalt has picked a dinosaur that you reviewed, Opisthocoelicaudia, for September. It's yours if you want it. - Dank (push to talk) 17:52, 20 August 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Okay, where would you like the blurb to be parked? Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 20:32, 20 August 2020 (UTC)[reply]
WT:Featured article candidates/Opisthocoelicaudia/archive1, posted above the other stuff, would be good. Thx. - Dank (push to talk) 21:11, 20 August 2020 (UTC)[reply]

This is to let you know that the above article has been scheduled as today's featured article for September 26, 2020. Please check the article needs no amendments. If you're interested in editing the main page text, you're welcome to do so at Wikipedia:Today's featured article/September 26, 2020. Congratulations on your work!—Wehwalt (talk) 23:17, 22 August 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Ditto Rigel on September 28.--Wehwalt (talk) 23:17, 22 August 2020 (UTC)[reply]
Thx x 2. Will be interesting to see how many hits Rigel gets.... Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 01:03, 23 August 2020 (UTC)[reply]

This week's article for improvement (week 35, 2020)

Delivery is the process of transporting goods from a source location to a predefined destination. Pictured is a man delivering charcoal by bicycle in Uganda.
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Delivery (commerce)

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Posted by: MusikBot talk 00:05, 24 August 2020 (UTC) using MediaWiki message delivery (talk) on behalf of WikiProject TAFI • Opt-out instructions[reply]

FAR reminder

... to remove from FA and add to FFA :). https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Featured_article_review/Witold_Pilecki/archive1&diff=prev&oldid=975356221 In case you are busy, I’ll ping @Nikkimaria:. SandyGeorgia (Talk) 14:06, 28 August 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Oops - done now Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 14:55, 28 August 2020 (UTC)[reply]

This week's article for improvement (week 36, 2020)

Skurfing as a sport has two common forms: "water skurfing" and "street skurfing". Pictured is an example of water skurfing, water skiing on a surfboard.
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Skurfing (sport)

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Posted by: MusikBot talk 00:05, 31 August 2020 (UTC) using MediaWiki message delivery (talk) on behalf of WikiProject TAFI • Opt-out instructions[reply]

WikiCup 2020 September newsletter

The fourth round of the competition has finished, with 865 points being required to qualify for the final round, nearly twice as many points as last year. It was a hotly competitive round with two contestants with 598 and 605 points being eliminated, and all but two of the contestants who reached the final round having achieved an FA during the round. The highest scorers were

  • Free Hong Kong Bloom6132, with 1478 points gained mainly from 5 featured lists, 12 DYKs and 63 in the news items;
  • IndonesiaHaEr48 with 1318 points gained mainly from 2 featured articles, 5 good articles and 8 DYKs;
  • England Lee Vilenski with 1201 points mainly gained from 2 featured articles and 10 good articles.

Between them, contestants achieved 14 featured articles, 14 featured lists, 2 featured pictures, 87 good articles, 90 DYK entries, 75 ITN entries, 95 featured article candidate reviews and 81 good article reviews. Congratulations to all who participated! It was a generally high-scoring and productive round and I think we can expect a highly competitive finish to the competition.

Remember that any content promoted after the end of round 4 but before the start of round 5 can be claimed in round 5. Remember too that you must claim your points within 10 days of "earning" them. If you are concerned that your nomination will not receive the necessary reviews, please list it on Wikipedia:WikiCup/Reviews. It would be helpful if this list could be cleared of any items no longer relevant. If you want to help out with the WikiCup, please do your bit to keep down the review backlogs! Questions are welcome on Wikipedia talk:WikiCup, and the judges are reachable on their talk pages or by email. If you wish to start or stop receiving this newsletter, please feel free to add or remove yourself from Wikipedia:WikiCup/Newsletter/Send. Godot13 (talk), Sturmvogel 66 (talk), Vanamonde (talk), Cwmhiraeth (talk) MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 19:51, 1 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Adminship request

Hello

I have been a user on Wikipedia for a long time now. I wanted to acquire adminship to stop vandalism on particular pages that contain topics which are extremely communal in our country but are protected by extended protection. I request you to please nominate me as I gone through the rFa guidelines and I think I am capable of being an Admin.

Thank you! Superbsic (talk) 08:14, 2 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Superbsic, you have been going to multiple administrators' talk pages asking to become a sysop. As Lee Vilenski said, you are likely thinking about becoming an extended confirmed user. Becoming an admin requires outstanding contributions to the encyclopaedia and having been here for at least a few months, please stop asking administrators to make you an admin as you clearly do not pass the requirements. — Yours, Berrely • TalkContribs 09:30, 2 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Felling Blue...

You protected the article over a decade ago  :) time to downgrade, perhaps? 2A02:C7F:BE34:3C00:2CD4:4D8F:D583:125A (talk) 13:10, 4 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]

O-kay. Done. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 13:16, 4 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]

This week's article for improvement (week 37, 2020)

Hello, Casliber.

The following is WikiProject Today's articles for improvement's weekly selection:

Grease (song)

Please be bold and help to improve this article!


Previous selections: Skurfing (sport) • Delivery (commerce)


Get involved with the TAFI project. You can: Nominate an article • Review nominations


Posted by: MusikBot talk 00:05, 7 September 2020 (UTC) using MediaWiki message delivery (talk) on behalf of WikiProject TAFI • Opt-out instructions[reply]

Banksia petiolaris scheduled for TFA

This is to let you know that the Banksia petiolaris article has been scheduled as today's featured article for October 6, 2020. Please check the article needs no amendments. If you're interested in editing the main page text, you're welcome to do so at Wikipedia:Today's featured article/October 6, 2020, but note that a coordinator will trim the lead to around 1000 characters anyway, so you aren't obliged to do so.

For Featured Articles promoted recently, there will be an existing blurb linked from the FAC talk page, which is likely to be transferred to the TFA page by a coordinator at some point.

We suggest that you watchlist Wikipedia:Main Page/Errors from the day before this appears on Main Page. Thanks! Jimfbleak - talk to me? 13:35, 8 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Great! Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 00:17, 9 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Eastern green mamba scheduled for TFA

This is to let you know that the Eastern green mamba article has been scheduled as today's featured article for October 14, 2020. Please check the article needs no amendments. If you're interested in editing the main page text, you're welcome to do so at Wikipedia:Today's featured article/October 14, 2020, but note that a coordinator will trim the lead to around 1000 characters anyway, so you aren't obliged to do so.

For Featured Articles promoted recently, there will be an existing blurb linked from the FAC talk page, which is likely to be transferred to the TFA page by a coordinator at some point.

We suggest that you watchlist Wikipedia:Main Page/Errors from the day before this appears on Main Page. Thanks! Jimfbleak - talk to me? 13:10, 10 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks

Thank you for the DYK credit to day. That was my 100th - yippee! Storye book (talk) 13:21, 11 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]

congrats! Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 13:22, 11 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]
:-D Storye book (talk) 13:29, 11 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]

User page

Hi Cas, can you delete my user page, again, pls. Nothing untwart, just want to loose the history of endless preening, ahem. Ceoil (talk) 23:01, 11 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]

done - cheers. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 23:02, 11 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]
Sound. Deadly bassline as thanks.[5] Ceoil (talk) 23:31, 11 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]
Heh @Ceoil: finally had some alone to to whack on some headphones...not a bad track at all that! Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 11:41, 14 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]

This week's article for improvement (week 38, 2020)

The history of Asian art includes a vast range of influences from various cultures and religions. Pictured is Buddhist Temple in the Mountains, 11th century, China, ink on silk, by Li Cheng.
Hello, Casliber.

The following is WikiProject Today's articles for improvement's weekly selection:

Asian art

Please be bold and help to improve this article!


Previous selections: Grease (song) • Skurfing (sport)


Get involved with the TAFI project. You can: Nominate an article • Review nominations


Posted by: MusikBot talk 00:05, 14 September 2020 (UTC) using MediaWiki message delivery (talk) on behalf of WikiProject TAFI • Opt-out instructions[reply]

 You are invited to join the discussion at Wikipedia talk:Did you know § DYK Twitter bot. KCVelaga (talk) 11:35, 15 September 2020 (UTC)Template:Z48[reply]

Unprotecting "pish"

Hi Casliber – would you consider removing the indefinite semi-protection from pish? It seems unnecessary for such an obscure article without any prior history of protection. Could always try pending changes if problems crop back up. Conifer (talk) 19:05, 15 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Wow @Conifer: ten years! ok let's give this a whirl...have unprotected now. Why not add to watchlist and see what happens. I just find pending changes makes more work for everybody without being particularly helpful in most cases. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 20:53, 15 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]
Added to my watchlist :) Conifer (talk) 21:38, 15 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]

This week's article for improvement (week 39, 2020)

Hello, Casliber.

The following is WikiProject Today's articles for improvement's weekly selection:

Pig Latin

Please be bold and help to improve this article!


Previous selections: Asian art • Grease (song)


Get involved with the TAFI project. You can: Nominate an article • Review nominations


Posted by: MusikBot talk 00:05, 21 September 2020 (UTC) using MediaWiki message delivery (talk) on behalf of WikiProject TAFI • Opt-out instructions[reply]

Hello

Please check Talk:Triangulum_Australe#source_issue, thanks.--Jarodalien (talk) 07:09, 25 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]

This week's article for improvement (week 40, 2020)

Hello, Casliber.

The following is WikiProject Today's articles for improvement's weekly selection:

August 2016 Aden bombing

Please be bold and help to improve this article!


Previous selections: Pig Latin • Asian art


Get involved with the TAFI project. You can: Nominate an article • Review nominations


Posted by: MusikBot talk 00:05, 28 September 2020 (UTC) using MediaWiki message delivery (talk) on behalf of WikiProject TAFI • Opt-out instructions[reply]

Edit to your to-do list

Hi Cas, long time no speak, hope that you're well in these crazy times. I've taken the liberty of making a small edit to your to-do page, which you should see on your watchlist. Essentially you're one of two editors directly transcluding Wikipedia:Peer review/backlog/items. As the only (I think) active technical editor on peer review I'm trying to decrease its complexity and maintenance burden, and so I've replaced backlog/items in favour of a more simple approach using a sidebar. Because of this I've updated its use on your page. Let me know if there's any issues (please ping me in your reply). Cheers, --Tom (LT) (talk) 06:24, 29 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]

@Tom (LT):, it looks fine - thanks for updating template Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 09:40, 29 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Micrographs

Hi Cas,

I see Banksia petiolaris is scheduled for TFA – congratulations! If you've got the materials and the inclination, you could mail me some seeds or leaves or any other bits'n'bobs of interest. Between my university's fancy microscopes and the focus stacking technique, I could make us some nice micrographs. Adrian Hunter, The Braggs, North Terrace, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia. Adrian J. Hunter(talkcontribs) 06:57, 30 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Ack. Sadly my B. petiolaris shuffled off to that great big nursery in the sky many moons ago. Was it only that one you were interested in or other species? Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 10:48, 30 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]
Just looked - Banksia serrata has not been on mainpage. Could send some of that Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 10:58, 30 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]
Sure, whatever you think is worth photographing. Adrian J. Hunter(talkcontribs) 12:04, 30 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]
Am just checking which of mine have not been on the mainpage and I have a plant of in my garden....Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 15:21, 30 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Great work, thanks. Just to let you know my style: when several people are involved, I try not to be effusive with praise, because that can be interpreted as "It's perfect as is, everyone should leave it alone". But you knew that. - Dank (push to talk) 15:36, 1 October 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Heh, all good Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 05:27, 2 October 2020 (UTC)[reply]

A barnstar for you!

The Original Barnstar
Great sir would love to interact more Thaeon (talk) 15:00, 4 October 2020 (UTC)[reply]