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[Invertebrate • 2017] Pseudoceros auranticrinis, Pseudoceros vishnui & Prostheceraeus fuscolineatus • Two New Pseudoceros (Polycladida: Pseudocerotidae) and A Prostheceraeus (Polycladida: Euryleptidae) from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

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Pseudoceros auranticrinis 
Dixit, Raghunathan & Chandra, 2017 

  DOI:  
10.11646/zootaxa.4269.4.5 

Abstract

Polyclads are free-living marine flatworms known for their striking colour and patterns. These animals though frequently encountered are still understudied in the Indian context. The present paper describes three new species, two belonging to the genus Pseudoceros Lang, 1884 and one to the genus Prostheceraeus Schmarda, 1859. Pseudoceros auranticrinis sp. nov. is characterised by whitish cream background colour, brown mottling with numerous white and dark brown spots all over the body except margins and a smooth dorsal surface with orange pseudotentacles, Pseudoceros vishnui sp. nov. is characterised by having purple to violet spots on dorsum with margin made up of blue spots, while Prostheceraeus fuscolineatus sp. nov. is characterised by presence of brown longitudinal lines on dorsum and black erected tentacles. This is the first description of any species under the genus Prostheceraeus from central Indo-Pacific as well as Indian Ocean. Some insights on feeding behaviour of P. vishnui sp. nov. are also provided.

Keywords: Polyclad, Pseudoceros, Prostheceraeus, new species, taxonomy, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India, Platyhelminthes




Sudhanshu Dixit, C. Raghunathan and Kailash Chandra. 2017. Two New Pseudoceros (Polycladida: Pseudocerotidae) and a Prostheceraeus (Polycladida: Euryleptidae) from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. 
Zootaxa. 
4269(4); 495–512.  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4269.4.5


[Cnidaria • 2017] Sinularia mesophotica • Search for Mesophotic Octocorals (Cnidaria, Anthozoa) and Their Phylogeny. II. A New Zooxanthellate Species from Eilat, northern Red Sea

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Sinularia mesophotica 
Benayahu, McFadden, Shoham & van Ofwegen, 2017   


Abstract
An octocoral survey conducted in the mesophotic coral ecosystem (MCE) of Eilat (Gulf of Aqaba, northern Red Sea) yielded a new species of the speciose reef-dwelling genus Sinularia. It features encrusting colony morphology with a thin, funnel-shaped polypary. Sinularia mesophotica sp. n. (family Alcyoniidae) is described and compared to the other congeners with similar morphology. Both the morphological and molecular examination justified the establishment of the new species, also assigning it to a new genetic clade within Sinularia. The results highlight its unique phylogenetic position within the genus, and this is the first described species of a mesophotic zooxanthellate octocoral.

Keywords: Octocorallia, taxonomy, new species, mesophotic coral ecosystem, Eilat, Red Sea

Figure 4. Underwater photographs of Sinularia mesophotica sp. n. A patch of colonies 

Systematic description

Order Alcyonacea Lamouroux, 1912
Family Alcyoniidae Lamouroux, 1912

Genus Sinularia May, 1898

Sinularia mesophotica sp. n.

Figure 1. Sinularia mesophotica sp. n.; A Holotype ZMTAU Co 37425 B paratypes ZMTAU Co 37492.
Scale bar: 1 cm (A also applies to B). 

Diagnosis: The holotype is part of an encrusting colony with a thin, funnel-shaped polypary, also featuring a curly margin (Fig. 1A). In a side-view its maximum dimensions are 5 × 2.5 cm. Polyps with tentacle rods and collaret sclerites (Fig. 2A–C). Tentacle rods up to 0.10 mm long (Fig. 2A). Collaret consists of almost straight spindles, up to 0.20 mm long (Fig. 2B), and shorter bent ones, up to 0.14 mm long (Fig. 2C). Surface layer of the polypary with clubs (Fig. 2D), some featuring a central wart, while in others it is less discernible, or even absent. Clubs vary from 0.10 mm long to 0.25 mm long, and a few with poorly developed heads attain 0.27 mm (Fig. 2E). Surface layer of the colony base contains clubs up to 0.22 mm; some similar to those of polypary, and others have wide heads (Fig. 3A). Polypary and base interior bear spindles, some branched, up to 3.2 mm long (Fig. 3B), with well-spaced simple tubercles (Fig. 3C).

Etymology: The new species name reflects its mesophotic habitat.

Figure 4. Underwater photographs of Sinularia mesophotica sp. n.  B funnel-shaped morphology of colonies. 




Yehuda Benayahu, Catherine S. McFadden, Erez Shoham and Leen P. van Ofwegen. 2017. Search for Mesophotic Octocorals (Cnidaria, Anthozoa) and Their Phylogeny. II. A New Zooxanthellate Species from Eilat, northern Red Sea. ZooKeys. 676: 1-12.  DOI:  10.3897/zookeys.676.12751
  

[Ichthyology • 2017] Pempheris familia • A New Species of Pempheris (Perciformes: Pempheridae) endemic to the Ogasawara Islands, Japan

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Pempheris familia  Koeda & Motomura, 2017

    DOI:  10.1007/s10228-017-0586-3 

Abstract
Pempheris familia sp. nov. is described on the basis of two specimens collected from the Ogasawara Islands, Japan. The new species is most similar to Pempheris japonica Döderlein in Steindachner and Döderlein 1883, endemic to Japanese and Korean waters, in having adherent scales with strong ctenii on the lateral and ventral surfaces of the body, each scale expanded basally and distally due to central narrowing, the abdomen with a U-shaped cross-sectional outline, a large ventral fenestra between the coracoid and cleithrum, 10 dorsal-fin soft rays and 35 or 36 anal-fin soft rays. However, Pempherisfamilia can be distinguished from P. japonica by the following combination of characters: 84–88 pored lateral-line scales; 14 or 15 scale rows above the lateral line; 50–55 predorsal scales; 26 circumpeduncular scales; and a distinct blackish blotch on the pectoral-fin base. Pempheris familia appears to be endemic to the Ogasawara Islands.

Keywords: Sweeper, Taxonomy, Morphology, New species, Coral reefs 


Fig. 1 Fresh specimens of Pempheris familia sp. nov. from Ototo-jima Island, Ogasawara Islands, Japan.
 
KAUM–I. 74713, holotype, 153.1 mm SL (upper); NSMT-P 124563, paratype, 139.5 mm SL (lower); photo by K. Kuriiwa  

Pempheris familia sp. nov.
(Standard Japanese name: Bonin-hatampo) 

Diagnosis. A species of Pempheris with the following combination of characters: lateral and ventral body scales strongly ctenoid, adherent, with distinct basal and distal portions; abdomen cross-sectional outline U-shaped; large ventral fenestra between coracoid and cleithrum; 10 dorsal-fin soft rays; 35–36 anal-fin soft rays; 84–88 pored lateral-line scales; 14–15 scale rows above lateral line; 50–55 predorsal scales; 26 circumpeduncular scales; body orange-copper; blackish blotch on fins limited to tip of dorsal, anal and caudal fins; distinct blackish blotch on pectoral-fin base.

Etymology. The specific name of the new species, familia, means “family” in Greek. The Ogasawara Islands include ca. 30 islands, many of them having been given family-like names; for example, Chichi-jima = father island, Haha-jima = mother island, Ane-jima = older sister island. Ototo-jima, where the type specimens were collected, and Ani-jima, where the underwater photographs were taken, refer to younger and older brothers, respectively.

Fig. 2 Underwater photographs of Pempheris familia sp. nov. from Ani-jima Island, Ogasawara Islands, Japan.
Single individual (upper); school in an underwater rock recess (lower) (ca. 10 individuals) 


 Keita Koeda and Hiroyuki Motomura. 2017. A New Species of Pempheris (Perciformes: Pempheridae) endemic to the Ogasawara Islands, Japan.
  Ichthyological Research.  DOI:  10.1007/s10228-017-0586-3




[Invertebrate • 2017] Overview of the Ferdina-like Goniasteridae (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) Including A New Subfamily, Ferdininae, Three New Genera and Fourteen New Species

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Ferdina mena  Mah, 2017


Abstract

Recent assignment of some goniasterid-like Ophidiasteridae into the Goniasteridae has led to further re-evaluation of other ophidiasterids as possible goniasterids. This led to the discovery of new genera and species supported by a distinctive set of characteristics which support a new subfamily, the Ferdininae, a group originally outlined by Marsh and Price (1991) within the Goniasteridae. The historical Ophidiasteridae is paraphyletic and includes several nominal ophidiasterid genera (e.g., Fromia, Neoferdina, etc.). Newly described material has led to the inclusion of six genera,within this group, of which three, Bathyferdina n. gen.Eosaster n. gen., and Kanakaster n. gen.are newly describedFourteen new species in five genera are described. This includes Bathyferdina aireyae n. gen., n. sp.Eosaster nadiae n. gen., n. sp.Ferdina mena n. sp.Kanakaster balutensis n. gen., n. sp.Kanakaster convexus n. gen., n. sp.Kanakaster discus n. gen., n. sp.Kanakaster larae n. gen., n. sp.Kanakaster plinthinos n. gen., n. sp.Kanakaster solidus n. gen., n. sp.Neoferdina annae n. sp.Neoferdina antigorum, n. sp.Neoferdina momo, n. sp.Neoferdina oni, n. sp., and Paraferdina plakos, n. sp. Identification keys, synopses, and description of these taxa are included.

Keywords: New species, mesophotic zone, Ophidiasteridae, New Caledonia, South Africa, Indian Ocean, Eosaster n. gen., Ferdina, Bathyferdina n. gen., Kanakaster n. gen., Neoferdina, Paraferdina, Echinodermata


  In situ image of living Ferdina mena (not collected) Aliwal Shoal, South Africa
 (image by Georgina Jones). 

  Ferdina mena nov. sp.

 Etymology. The species descriptor is taken from the Malagasy word mena for red, alluding to this species’ red spots in each interradius. 

Christopher L. Mah. 2017. Overview of the Ferdina-like Goniasteridae (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) Including A New Subfamily, Three New Genera and Fourteen New Species. Zootaxa. 4271(1); 1–72.  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4271.1.1


[Botany • 2017] Begonia ignita • A New Species (sect. Petermannia, Begoniaceae) with Orange Flowers from Sulawesi, Indonesia

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Begonia ignita  C.W.Lin & C.I Peng

ABSTRACT
 Begonia ignita C.W.Lin & C.I Peng, a new species of Begonia sect. Petermannia from Sulawesi, Indonesia, is here described and illustrated. It is distinct from other species in Begonia section Petermannia by a character combination including a procumbent stem ascending only at the apex, symmetric or subsymmetric leaves, the presence of a pale band or maculation running parallel to the leaf margin, and orange tepals. A detailed comparison with a morphologically similar species, the Sulawesi endemic Begonia mendumiae M.Hughes, is provided. 

Keywords. Begonia ignitaBmendumiae, Indonesia, new species, Sulawesi

Fig. 2. Begonia ignita C.W.Lin & C.I Peng.
A, B. Habit, showing variation in leaf colours. C, D. 5-tepaled pistillate flower (occasional), face and side views. E. Inflorescence, showing 2-tepaled staminate flowers. F. Staminate flower, face view. G. 4-tepaled pistillate flower in inflorescence. H. 2-tepaled pistillate flower (occasional). I. Cross section of ovary showing axile, bilamellate placentae. (Photos: Y.-Z. Siaw) 

Begonia ignita C.W.Lin & C.I Peng, sp. nov.§ Petermannia 

This species is distinct from other species in Begonia section Petermannia by a character combination including a procumbent stem ascending only at the apex, symmetric or subsymmetric leaves, the presence of a pale band or maculation running parallel to the leaf margin, and orange tepals.
 TYPE: Collected in Indonesia, Sulawesi, precise locality unknown, grown in cultivation in Bogor Botanic Gardens and vouchered on 9 October 2016 as Wisnu H. Ardi WI 117 (holotype BO; isotype SING). (Fig. 1, 2)

Distribution. Only known from cultivation; likely endemic to Sulawesi (see Notes). 

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the flame-coloured tepals (Latin: igneus – flame-coloured).


C.-W. Lin, D.C. Thomas, W.H. Ardi and C.-I Peng. 2017. Begonia ignita (sect. Petermannia, Begoniaceae), A New Species with Orange Flowers from Sulawesi, Indonesia. Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore. 69(1); 89–95. DOI: 10.3850/S2010098116000081

[Botany • 2017] Macrosolen brunsing • A A New Hemiparasitic Shrub (Loranthaceae)from Brunei Darussalam [Novitates Bruneienses, 8]

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Macrosolen brunsing  Y.W.Low & Ariffin


ABSTRACT
 Macrosolen brunsing Y.W.Low & Ariffin is described and illustrated here as a new species of aerial hemiparasite based on two collections from the Ladan Hills Forest Reserve, Tutong, Brunei Darussalam. The new species differs from all Macrosolen taxa enumerated in Borneo by its distinct linear leaves ((4–)8–14.5 cm long, 0.1–0.2(–0.25) cm wide). 

Keywords. Borneo, endemic, linear-leaved, Malesia, new species

Fig. 2. Macrosolen brunsing Y.W.Low & Ariffin.
A. Pendulous flowering branch showing distichous almost needle-like linear leaves and a terminal inflorescence. B. Close-up of mature flower buds that somewhat resemble bowling pins. C. Close-up of open flowers. D. Close-up of fruits. All from type Y.W. Low et al. LYW 1081. (Photos: Y.W. Low) 

Macrosolen brunsing Y.W.Low & Ariffin, sp. nov. 
Similar to Macrosolen brevitubus Barlow but differs in having narrow linear leaves ((4–)8–14.5 cm long, 0.1–0.2(–0.25) cm wide), and inflorescence a raceme of two opposite pairs of flowers.

– TYPE: Brunei, Tutong District, Rambai, Ladan Hills Forest Reserve, Nyamokning Dam, BRUN-SING botanical exploration campsite on the edge of forest near water body, lowland mixed dipterocarp forest on yellow sandy clay soils, 75 m asl, 22 August 2016, Y.W. Low, M.I. Siti Nur Bazilah, A.K. Muhd. Ariffin, A. Watu, E. Jangarun, P. Azlan, K. Muhd. Khairul Nizam & Z.A. Muhd. Wafiuddin LYW 1081 (holotype BRUN (including spirit material as part of a single specimen); isotypes E, K, L, SAN, SAR, SING [[SING0166300] & spirit material [SING0202921]). (Fig. 1, 2)


Etymology. The epithet brunsing is composed by merging two herbaria acronyms together, namely BRUN (the Brunei National Herbarium) and SING (Herbarium of the Singapore Botanic Gardens). This new species is named for the two herbaria to celebrate the close working relationship between the two herbaria that can be traced back to the early 80’s. The on-going MoU programme “The Botanical Survey of Brunei Darussalam” continues this cooperation.


 Y.W. Low, A.K. Muhammad Ariffin, A.A. Joffre and D. Duratul Ain. 2017. Novitates Bruneienses, 8. Macrosolen brunsing (Loranthaceae), A New Hemiparasitic Shrub from Brunei Darussalam. Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore. 69(1); 67–73.
https://www.sbg.org.sg/images/4_4_Research_Gardens_Bulletin/4_4_69_1_pdf_Vol_69_Part_1_2017/69_1_67_y2017_V69P1_GBS_pg67.pdf

   

[Ichthyology • 2017] Compsaraia iara • A New Species of Deep-Channel Electric Knifefish Compsaraia (Apteronotidae, Gymnotiformes) from the Amazon River

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Compsaraia iara
Bernt & Albert, 2017
The deep channels of large rivers throughout the humid Neotropics are occupied by diverse and abundant assemblages of electric knifefishes. Historically this habitat has been poorly sampled, but extensive benthic trawling efforts in the Brazilian Amazon in the 1990s produced large numbers of electric fishes especially in the family Apteronotidae. A large number of these specimens, initially identified as Porotergus, have been found to belong within Compsaraia, a genus with two species described from the Orinoco and western Amazon. From this material we describe a new species, from the Amazon River in Brazil, and provide a new diagnosis for the genus. This species is readily distinguished from congeners by a short, rounded snout and small, subterminal mouth with reduced dentition. This species inhabits large rivers in the Eastern and Central Amazon between Ilha Grande de Gurupá and the mouth of the Rio Içá. This description brings the total number of valid apteronotid species to 95.

Fig. 3. Detail of head and pigmentation for Compsaraia samueli (top), MUSM 37172, 241 mm TL, and Compsaraia iara, FMNH 128428, 235 mm TL in lateral view (A), dorsal view (B), and ventral view (C). Scale bar equals 1 cm. 

Compsaraia iara, new species

Etymology.— This species is named for the Iara, a water nymph from Tupi-Brazilian folklore said to reside in the rivers of the Brazilian Amazon and often blamed for the disappearance of fishermen. A noun in apposition. 


Maxwell J. Bernt and James S. Albert. 2017. A New Species of Deep-Channel Electric Knifefish Compsaraia (Apteronotidae, Gymnotiformes) from the Amazon River.
 Copeia. 105(2); 211-219.  DOI: 10.1643/CI-16-529

[Paleontology • 2017] Luskhan itilensis • Plasticity and Convergence in the Evolution of Short-Necked Plesiosaurs

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Luskhan itilensis 
Fischer, Benson, Zverkov, Soul, Arkhangelsky, Lambert, Stenshin, Uspensky & Druckenmiller, 2017

  Reconstruction by Andrey Atuchin. Andrey-Atuchin.blogspot.com

Highlights
• A new unusual pliosaur marine reptile is described from the Cretaceous of Russia
• Ecomorphological convergence is assessed in short-necked plesiosaurs
• Pliosaurs repeatedly evolved longirostrine piscivorous forms
• Profound convergence characterizes the evolution of short-necked plesiosaurs

Summary
Plesiosaurs were the longest-surviving group of secondarily marine tetrapods, comparable in diversity to today’s cetaceans. During their long evolutionary history, which spanned the Jurassic and the Cretaceous (201 to 66 Ma), plesiosaurs repeatedly evolved long- and short-necked body plans. Despite this postcranial plasticity, short-necked plesiosaur clades have traditionally been regarded as being highly constrained to persistent and clearly distinct ecological niches: advanced members of Pliosauridae (ranging from the Middle Jurassic to the early Late Cretaceous) have been characterized as apex predators, whereas members of the distantly related clade Polycotylidae (middle to Late Cretaceous) were thought to have been fast-swimming piscivores. We report a new, highly unusual pliosaurid from the Early Cretaceous of Russia that shows close convergence with the cranial structure of polycotylids: Luskhan itilensis gen. et sp. nov. Using novel cladistic and ecomorphological data, we show that pliosaurids iteratively evolved polycotylid-like cranial morphologies from the Early Jurassic until the Early Cretaceous. This underscores the ecological diversity of derived pliosaurids and reveals a more complex evolutionary history than their iconic representation as gigantic apex predators of Mesozoic marine ecosystems suggests. Collectively, these data demonstrate an even higher degree of morphological plasticity and convergence in the evolution of plesiosaurs than previously thought and suggest the existence of an optimal ecomorphology for short-necked piscivorous plesiosaurs through time and across phylogeny.

Keywords: Plesiosauria, Thalassophonea, convergence, ecomorphology, morphospace, Jurassic, Cretaceous, Luskhan itilensis, plasticity, evolution

Luskhan itilensis 
  Reconstruction by Andrey Atuchin. 


Plesiosauria Blainville, 1835 
Pliosauridae Seeley, 1874
Thalassophonea Benson & Druckenmiller, 2014 
Brachaucheninae Williston, 1925 sensu Benson & Druckenmiller

Luskhan itilensis gen. et sp. nov

Etymology: The Volga river area is the heartland of Golden Horde from the Mongol Empire. In Mongolian and Turkic mythology, ‘‘luuses’’ are spirits and masters of water, and ‘‘khan’’ means chief. ‘‘Itil’’ is the ancient Turkic name of the Volga.


Holotype, Horizon, and Locality: YKM 68344/1_262, a nearly complete, three-dimensionally preserved skeleton excavated in 2002 by one of us (G.N.U.) in the upper portion of the Speetoniceras versicolor Zone, upper Hauterivian, Lower Cretaceous on the right bank of the Volga river, 3 km north of the Slantsevy Rudnik village, western Russia. The horizon is level g-5 in local stratigraphy


Valentin Fischer, Roger B.J. Benson, Nikolay G. Zverkov, Laura C. Soul, Maxim S. Arkhangelsky, Olivier Lambert, Ilya M. Stenshin, Gleb N. Uspensky and Patrick S. Druckenmiller. 2017. Plasticity and Convergence in the Evolution of Short-Necked Plesiosaurs. Current Biology. DOI:  10.1016/j.cub.2017.04.052 

New species of fossil marine reptile, by Valentin Fischer @UniversiteLiege https://eurekalert.org/e/7pZh via @EurekAlert



[Botany • 2017] Acropogon mesophilus • A Rare and Threatened New Species (Malvaceae, Sterculioideae) from the Mesic Forest of New Caledonia [Novitates Neocaledonicae VI]

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Acropogon mesophilus  Munzinger & Gâteblé


Abstract

A new species, Acropogon mesophilus Munzinger & Gâteblé (Malvaceae, Sterculioideae), is described from New Caledonia. This species is endemic to non-ultramafic areas, along the southwestern coast of Grande-Terre. The species has large leaves, widely ovate to ovate, and entire, and might be confused with only two other endemic species, namely A. bullatus (Pancher & Sebert) Morat and A. veillonii Morat. However, A. mesophilus differs from the other two species most evidently by its leaves 3-nerved, flat, and with truncate to rounded bases, versus leaves 5-nerved, bullate, and with cordate bases. A line drawing and color photos are provided for the new species, along with a discussion of its morphological affinities and a preliminary risk of extinction assessment of Endangered.

Keywords: Acropogon, Malvaceae, mesic forest, New Caledonia, new species, Sterculioideae, taxonomy, threatened species, Eudicots


Acropogon mesophilus Munzinger & Gâteblé spec. nov.A. Overview of a single big tree. B. Flowering branch. C. Leaves. D. Inflorescence. E. Male (left) and female (right) flowers. 


Acropogon mesophilus Munzinger & Gâteblé, spec. nov. 

Type:— NEW CALEDONIA. Province Sud: Boulouparis, Camp Brun, le long de la Diahot, 130 m, 21°49’29.85”S, 165°54’50.71”E, 30 September 2015, Gâteblé 711 (holotype P-01069417!; isotypes G!, K!, MEL!, MPU-028533!, MO!, NOU-081994!, NOU-081995!, P-01069418!). 

Diagnosis:—Acropogon mesophilus Munzinger & Gâteblé differs from A. bullatus and A. veillonii by its flat, ovate leaf blade, with base truncate to rounded, three main palmate veins and many evident domatia, and by its yellow sepals with 2–4 grayish-purple stripes per calyx lobe.

Etymology:— The plant is named after the mesic forests where it grows.

FIGURE 2.— Acropogon mesophilus Munzinger & Gâteblé spec. nov. (A–F), A. bullatus (G) & A. veillonii (H):
A. Overview of a single big tree. B. Flowering branch. C. Leaves. D. Inflorescence. E. Male (left) and female (right) flowers. F. Follicles. G–H. Inflorescences.

Gâteblé 711 (A–B), Gâteblé et al. 685 (C), Gâteblé 719 (D), Le Borgne 58 (E–F), Gâteblé & Butaud 733 (G), photos by G. Gâteblé (A–D & G), T. Le Borgne (E–F) & J.-F. Butaud (H).   DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.307.3.2 


Jérôme Munzinger and Gildas Gâteblé. 2017. Novitates Neocaledonicae VI: Acropogon mesophilus (Malvaceae, Sterculioideae), A Rare and Threatened New Species from the Mesic Forest of New Caledonia. Phytotaxa. 307.3; 183-190. DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.307.3.2


[Botany • 2017] A Revision of Hoya (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae) of Papuasia. Part I: Ten New Species, One New Subspecies and One New Combination

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Hoya edholmiana, H. evelinae, H. krusenstierniana H. carrii
Simonsson & Rodda 


ABSTRACT
 The large majority of Hoya R.Br. species known from Papuasia were described in the first half of the 20th century and most of these are endemic. Along with Borneo and the Philippines the region is a centre of diversity of the genus. Since 2006 herbarium materials have been studied for a revision of Hoya of New Guinea along with field investigations on Papuasian Hoya since 2010. In the present paper we publish ten new species, Hoya brassii P.I.Forst. & Liddle ex Simonsson & Rodda, H. carrii P.I.Forst. & Liddle ex Simonsson & Rodda, H. edholmiana Simonsson & Rodda, H. evelinae Simonsson & RoddaH. juhoneweana Simonsson & Rodda, H. krusenstierniana Simonsson & Rodda, H. koteka Simonsson & Rodda, H. stenakei Simonsson & Rodda, H. versteegii Simonsson & Rodda and H. yvesrocheri Simonsson & Rodda, one subspecies, H. juhoneweana ssp. lindforsiana Simonsson & Rodda, and make one new combinationH. urniflora (P.I.Forst.) Simonsson & Rodda, which is also lectotypified. 

Keywords: Indonesia, Marsdenieae, Papua New Guinea





Hoya brassii P.I.Forst. & Liddle ex Simonsson & Rodda, sp. nov.

Etymology. Named after Leonard John Brass (1900–1971), an Australian botanist who collected the type specimen in 1936 on the Fly River Expedition of the American Museum of National History (the second Archbold New Guinea Expedition).


Hoya carrii P.I.Forst. & Liddle ex Simonsson & Rodda sp. nov.

Etymology. Named after C. E. Carr (1892–1936), who first collected the taxon in 1935, and again in 1936, on a collecting expedition supported by the British Museum, London, which started in 1934. He died of malaria in June 1936, just a few months after discovering the second locality of Hoya carrii.


Hoya edholmiana Simonsson & Rodda, sp. nov. 

 Etymology. Named after the siblings CharlizeDiesel and Evelize Edholm of Sweden, supporters of the first author’s work in PNG.


Hoya evelinae Simonsson & Rodda, sp. nov.

Etymology. Named after the late Mrs Evelina Eriksson (1932–2009) of Sweden who supported the first author’s work in PNG.

Hoya juhoneweana Simonsson & Rodda, sp. nov. 
subsp. juhoneweana 

Etymology. Named after the first author’s colleague, Foreting Juhonewe, who is also from Hoboc village. He has been of great importance for this research. He has eagerly tried to find more of this rare and diminishing Hoya and promoted its conservation in situ amongst his clan’s people.

Hoya juhoneweana subsp. lindforsiana Simonsson & Rodda, subsp. nov. 

Etymology. Named after Constantinus Lindfors in Sweden, a supporter of the first author’s work in PNG.


Hoya krusenstierniana Simonsson & Rodda, sp. nov. 

Etymology. Named after the Krusenstiern family, supporters of the first author’s work in PNG.


Hoya koteka Simonsson & Rodda, sp. nov. 

Etymology. Named after its elongated style-head that resembles the traditional koteka, or penis-gourd traditionally worn by male natives of New Guinea.


Hoya stenakei Simonsson & Rodda, sp. nov. 

Etymology. Named after the late Mr Sten-Åke Svensson (1947 – 2011) of Sweden, whose children supported the first author’s work in PNG.
   

Hoya versteegii Simonsson & Rodda, sp. nov.

Etymology. Named after its collector, G. Versteeg (1876–1943).


Hoya yvesrocheri Simonsson & Rodda, sp. nov. 

Etymology. Named after the Yves Rocher Foundation which supported the first author’s Hoya Project for five years during 2011–2015.


N. Simonsson Juhonewe and M. Rodda. 2017. Contribution to A Revision of Hoya (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae) of Papuasia. Part I: Ten New Species, One New Subspecies and One New Combination. Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore. 69(1); 97–147.  

[Ichthyology • 2017] Palatogobius incendius • A New Mesophotic Goby (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the Caribbean, and the First Record of Invasive Lionfish Preying on Undescribed Biodiversity

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Palatogobius incendius 
Tornabene, Robertson & Baldwin, 2017


Abstract

A new species of deep-reef fish in the goby genus Palatogobius is described from recent submersible collections off Curaçao and Dominica. Video footage of schools of this species reveal predation by the invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois spp.), the first record of undescribed fauna potentially being eaten by lionfish outside of its native range. We present molecular phylogenetic data for all valid species of Palatogobius and related genera, as well as a taxonomic key to the species of Palatogobius and a generic key to Palatogobius and related genera in the western Atlantic. Lastly, we discuss ecological and behavioral aspects of some deep-reef fishes in light of potential threats from invasive lionfish.


Fig 2. Palatogobius incendius, live in aquarium, USNM 415430, 18.3 mm SL, Curacao. Photo by Barry Brown. 

Fig 1. Palatogobius incendius, prior to preservation.
A) USNM 436470, tissue CUR15135, 19 mm SL, Curacao; B) USNM 436483, tissue CUR15148, 21 mm SL, Curacao; C) USNM 431354, tissue CUR14029, 22 mm SL, Curacao; D) USNM 435318, 18.1 mm, Curacao. Photos by Carole C. Baldwin. 

Palatogobius incendius Tornabene, D. Ross Robertson & Baldwin, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Side of body with yellow/orange stripe along lateral midline, stripe continuing onto and extending entire length of caudal fin; second dorsal fin I,14–16; anal fin I,14–17; pectoral fin 18–20; no teeth on vomer; body scales absent except for occasionally 2 to 3 cycloid scales on base of caudal fin; interorbital pore C absent; interorbital pores D paired; eye diameter 7.0–9.0% SL.

Etymology: The specific epithet incendius is an adjective formed from the Latin root incendium meaning ‘fire.’ The scientific and proposed common names refer to the bright orange, yellow and reddish-pink coloration on the body, head and fins.


Fig 6. School of Palatogobius incendius at type locality, sta. CURASUB15-30, 152 m depth, Curacao. 

Habitat and distribution: Palatogobius incendius has been collected on deep reefs from Curacao (119–128 m) and Dominica (88–168 m) and observed off Roatan, Honduras (94–201 m). The species occurs exclusively in hovering schools ranging in size from as small as 5 to 10 individuals (rare) to 50->200 individuals (Fig 6). Schools are most frequently found at the top or bottom of vertical walls off Curaçao and Dominica, but off Roatan we observed more than a dozen schools of P. incendius collectively comprising as many as 1000 individuals over a long, gradually inclining stretch of sand and small rocks from ~150–170 m depth. Over this stretch, P. incendius co-occurred with many individuals of P. grandoculus, which were closer to the bottom rather than hovering well off the bottom like P. incendius. Schools of P. incendius generally comprise individuals at multiple life stages, ranging from moderately developed larvae (~9 mm SL) to adults. Off Dominica we also observed larger swarms of minuscule fish (~5 mm TL) that could possibly be very recently recruited P. incendius larvae, given their size, abundance and depth range. Individuals in these swarms were too small to be captured, and were observed traveling only a few cm off the bottom rather than hovering in a cloud well above the substrate. These schools of post-larvae were 1–2 m wide and up to 5 m long, and moved steadily upslope at approximately 0.15 m/s, navigating laterally around obstacles in a fashion superficially similar to a wide chain of marching army ants.


Luke Tornabene and Carole C. Baldwin. 2017. A New Mesophotic Goby, Palatogobius incendius (Teleostei: Gobiidae), and the First Record of Invasive Lionfish Preying on Undescribed Biodiversity. PLoS ONE. 12(5): e0177179.  DOI:  10.1371/journal.pone.0177179

[Botany • 2017] Bulbophyllum jingdongense • A New Species in the Cirrhopetalum alliance (Orchidaceae) from South China and Laos

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Bulbophyllum jingdongense 
A. Q. Hu, D. P. Ye & Jian W. Li


Abstract

Bulbophyllum jingdongense, a new species from South China and Laos belonging to the Cirrhopetalum alliance (Orchidaceae), is described and illustrated. It is morphologically distinct from all other known species in the alliance on account of the following diagnostic characters: pseudobulbs compressed subglobose; sepals and petals with dense, reddish-purple papillae on abaxial surfaces; lateral sepals basally connivent along their lower edges, the upper edges strongly incurved and connivent at the middle and then becoming separate again towards their incurved, horn-shaped, obtuse apex; column with a single orange-yellow gland below the stigma; and stelidia well-developed, 2.5–3 mm long, truncate at base, acuminate, merging with the column wings on each side of the column. The conservation status of B. jingdongense is assessed and taxonomic notes are provided.

Keywords: Bulbophyllum, Cirrhopetalum alliance, new species, taxonomy, Monocots



  


Bulbophyllum jingdongense A. Q. Hu, D. P. Ye & Jian W. Li, sp. nov.  

Distribution:— Bulbophyllum jingdongense is currently only recorded from Yunnan Province in Southwest China and Khammouane Province in central Laos.

FIGURE 2. Bulbophyllum jingdongense, sp. nov.:
 A. Plants in natural habitat at holotype locality in Jingdong County, Yunnan Province, South China. B. Plants epiphytic on a pine tree in Jingdong County. C. Living collection from Nakai District, Khammouane Province, central Laos, brought into cultivation at the Biotechnology and Ecology Institute, Laos. D. Close-up of habit with inflorescence. E. Close-up of a single inflorescence. F. Close-up of the column, highlighting the orange-yellow gland below the stigma.
 (A, D, E & F from holotype A.Q.Hu et al. 803, photographed by A.Q. Hu; B from paratype Jian-Wu Li 4494, photographed by Jian W. Li; C from paratype HNL-KFBG 0409, photographed by S.W. Gale). 


 Ai-Qun Wu, De-Ping Ye, Stephan W. Gale, Richard M. K. Saunders, Gunter A. Fischer and Jian-Wu Li. 2017. Bulbophyllum jingdongense (Orchidaceae), A New Species in the Cirrhopetalum alliance from South China and Laos. Phytotaxa. 307(3); 199-204. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.307.3.4

A New Species of Orchid Found in Jingdong, Yunnan 


  



[Herpetology • 2017] Limnonectes quangninhensis • A New Species of Limnonectes (Anura: Dicroglossidae) from northeastern Vietnam

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Limnonectes quangninhensis Pham, Le, Nguyen, Ziegler, Wu & Nguyen, 2017

Quangninh Wart Frog | Ếch nhẽo quảng ninh  || DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4269.4.8  VNCreatures.net

Abstract

A new species of Limnonectes is described from northeastern Vietnam based on morphological and molecular differences. Morphologically, the new species is distinguishable from its congeners on the basis of a combination of the following diagnostic characters: Large size (SVL 50.1–68.9 in males, 45.5–63.0 mm in females); males with moderately enlarged head (HL/SVL 0.48), head longer than wide; vomerine teeth present; external vocal sacs absent; rostral length short (RL/SVL 0.16 in males, 0.15 in females); tympanum distinct (TD/ED 0.63 in males, 0.60 in females); dorsal surface of head, body and flanks with flattened tubercles; dorsal surface of tibia possessing small tubercles; supratympanic fold present; dorsolateral fold absent; webbing formula I0–0II0–1/3III0–1/3IV1/2–0V; in life, dorsum yellowish brown with a dark brown marking; throat and chest white with dark brown marking; ventral surface of fore and hind limbs as well as belly white. In phylogenetic analyses, the new species is placed as the sister taxon to Limnonectes fujianensis with strong statistical support in all analyses.

Keywords: Limnonectes quangninhensis sp. nov., molecular phylogeny, taxonomy, Quang Ninh Province, Amphibia



ventral view of the holotype (IEBR 3907, male) of Limnonectes quangninhensis sp. nov.   

Etymology. The specific epithet “quangninhensis” refers to the type locality of the new species, Quang Ninh Province. For the common names we suggest Quangninh Wart Frog (English) and Ếch nhẽo quảng ninh (Vietnamese).


 The C. Pham, Minh D. Le, Tao T. Nguyen, Thomas Ziegler, Zheng J. Wu and Truong Q. Nguyen. 2017. A New Species of Limnonectes (Amphibia: Anura: Dicroglossidae) from Vietnam. Zootaxa.  4269(4); 545–558. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4269.4.8

[Botany • 2017] Satyrium liltvedianum • A Newly Discovered Orchid Species from the Kogelberg Mountains of the Cape Floristic Region, South Africa

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Satyrium liltvedianum Van der Niet


 Highlights
• A new orchid species was discovered in the well-botanised Kogelberg Mountains.
• The new species was not present among historical museum collections.
• The new species resembles other Satyrium species, but is phylogenetically distinct.
• The compound β-Linalool dominates the floral scent, indicative of moth pollination.

Abstract
Individuals of plant populations with traits which are inconsistent with any existing species description may represent intraspecific variants, products of hybridisation, or a novel species. To distinguish among these possibilities for a population of unusual Satyrium individuals from the Kogelberg Mountains in the Cape Floristic Region (CFR), morphological traits and floral scent were documented, and phylogenetic analyses implemented. Plants from the Kogelberg population were characterised by long-spurred white flowers and a bifid rostellum. Floral scent was dominated by the common floral monoterpene volatile β-linalool. Although these traits characterise several southern African members of the genus, DNA sequences from the nuclear and plastid genomes of an accession from the Kogelberg population were highly distinct from other Satyrium species. The Kogelberg accession occupied an isolated phylogenetic position within the ‘Satyrium clade’ and was not sister to any other species with similar traits. There was weak support for membership of a clade of species with which plants from the Kogelberg population share the possession of lateral sepals that project at a perpendicular angle to the median sepal, and cover the side of the labellum, and which also produce β-linalool as dominant scent compound. Given the congruence of phylogenetic relationships inferred from plastid and nuclear DNA sequences respectively, a hybrid status of the Kogelberg population was rejected. Based on these results, the new species, Satyrium liltvedianum, which is uniquely characterised by the size, shape and orientation of sepals and lateral petals, is described in this study. Other Satyrium species with similar floral traits are pollinated by crepuscular moths, which therefore can also be inferred for the new species. A dichotomous key to the white-flowered, long-spurred Satyrium species of South Africa is provided. The restricted distribution range, a typical phenomenon for many CFR plant species, in combination with the isolated phylogenetic position, suggests that S. liltvedianum represents a palaeoendemic species.

Keywords: β-Linalool; Moth pollination; Orchidaceae; Palaeoendemic; Floral scent

Fig. 1. Satyrium liltvedianum in situ on 10 November 2009 at the type locality in the Kogelberg Mountains after the veld fire, showing maroon coloration of the stem, sheathing leaves and abaxial side of the bracts.

Photograph by Herbert Stärker. 


Satyrium liltvedianum Van der Niet sp. nov. is morphologically similar to S. candidum, but differs from this species by having lateral sepals that overlap with the outside surface of the labellum and project at a ninety-degree angle from the median sepal instead of projecting from the same plane, and lateral sepals and petals that are approximately equal in size instead of smaller lateral petals than lateral sepals, and a median sepal that is narrower and longer than the lateral sepals instead of more or less similarly-sized.

TYPE.— Western Cape Province, 3418 (Somerset West): Steenbras Catchment area near Rockview Dam, Kogelberg Mountains (–BB), 18 Nov 2009, W.R. Liltved 120 (NBG, holo.).

Distribution: S. liltvedianum is known from a single population in the Steenbras Catchment area of the Kogelberg Mountains.

Etymology: This species is named in honour of William Rune Liltved (1960–) who, over the past two decades, has made an invaluable contribution to recording the orchids of the Cape Floristic Region. This work culminated in publication of the book, The Cape Orchids ( Liltved and Johnson, 2012).

Conservation status: Similar to several other orchids from the CFR, S. liltvedianum is known only from a single localised population of about 50 individuals (Linder and Kurzweil, 1999). The species is therefore considered highly vulnerable.


Conclusion: 
There are many reasons why efforts to discover and describe species should be ongoing. Only recognised taxa can be adequately conserved; the success of scientific research often depends on sound taxonomic classification; beneficial properties of species can only be communicated if a species has a formal name; and recently Dijkstra (2016) argued that because naming species is inherent to human nature, continued exploration for the vast majority of species that are still unknown will improve our consciousness of the natural world. Much of Earth's biotic diversity is currently highly threatened and many species are on the brink of extinction, or have recently gone extinct (Wake and Vredenburg, 2008; Barnosky et al., 2011;  McCallum, 2015), which provides a great sense of urgency to taxonomic enterprise. Several studies, including this study, have shown that new species are regularly still discovered in the field (e.g. Linder and Hitchcock, 2006 ;  Steiner, 2011). Therefore, taxonomy cannot solely rely on historical herbarium or museum collections, even from within relatively well-botanised areas such as the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve of the CFR, only 70 km from the city of Cape Town.


T. Van der Niet. 2017. Satyrium liltvedianum: A Newly Discovered Orchid Species from the Kogelberg Mountains of the Cape Floristic Region (South Africa).  South African Journal of Botany. 111; 126-133. DOI:   10.1016/j.sajb.2017.03.018
New species named after the man who co-wrote the ultimate Cape orchid book http://scibraai.co.za/new-species-named-after-the-man-who-wrote-the-ultimate-cape-orchid-book/   @SciBraai


[Tunicata • 2017] Rhopalaea bilobata • A New Species of Sea Squirt (Ascidiacea: Diazonidae) from the Andaman Islands, India

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 Rhopalaea bilobata 
Mondal, Raghunathan & Mondal, 2017 

Abstracts
 Rhopalaea bilobata, a new species of the class Ascidiacea, under the family Diazonidae has been described from the Andaman Islands of Andaman & Nicobar, India. The species was found in sandy bottoms, reef areas and artificial structures at a depth range of 10–40 m. This species has bilobed anal border, six lobed branchial and atrial siphons, transparent thorax with pigmented spots at the anus, between the two siphons and at the anterior end of endostyle, and ramified basal test. The species is closely related to R. idonetaRmacrothorax and R. tenuis in several sets of anatomical and morphological features.

Keywords: Anal border, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Ascidians, Rhopalaea, Tunicata.



Etymology: The species bears distinctive triangular bilobed anal border.

Distribution: India: Havelock Island, Trilby Island and Pongibalu of Andaman Islands.
  
Jhimli Mondal, C. Raghunathan and Tamal Mondal. 2017. A New Species of Sea Squirt, Rhopalaea bilobata (Ascidiacea: Diazonidae) from the Andaman Islands, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa.  9(5); 10187–10193.  DOI: 10.11609/jott.2620.9.5.10187-10193



[Herpetology • 2017] The Advertisement Call and Comments on the Distribution of Eleutherodactylus bilineatus Bokermann, 1975 (Amphibia, Anura), An Endemic Frog of Bahia State, Brazil

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 Eleutherodactylus bilineatus Bokermann, 1975


Abstract
Advertisement calls can be used to aid solving taxonomic problems and understanding the evolution of certain groups. In this study, the advertisement call of Eleutherodactylus bilineatus is described. It is composed by two different notes with a total duration of 0.529–4.241 seconds and dominant frequency of 1.72–3.45 kHz. Additionally, new data is provided on the geographical distribution of Eleutherodactylus bilineatus and the most inland record for this species.

Keywords: Atlantic Forest, bioacoustics, vocalization, Holoadeninae, range extension


Figure 1. Different individuals of Eleutherodactylus bilineatus showing some variation of the dorsal pattern of the species. 
A and B RPPN Mata do Passarinho, Macarani C Estação Ecológica Wenceslau Guimarães and D Serra do Corcovado, Almadina, Bahia, Brazil

 (photographs A, B and D Iuri R. Dias, C Rafael O. Abreu). 


 Iuri Ribeiro Dias, Caio Vinicius de Mira-Mendes, Carlos Augusto Souza-Costa, Flora Acuña Juncá and Mirco Solé. 2017. The Advertisement Call and Comments on the Distribution of Eleutherodactylus bilineatus Bokermann, 1975, An Endemic Frog of Bahia State, Brazil (Amphibia, Anura).  ZooKeys. 677: 151-159. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.677.12309

[Botany • 2017] Calliandra mayana • A New Narrowly Endemic Species (Leguminosae, Mimosoideae) from Campeche, Mexico

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Calliandra mayana  H.M. Hern.


Abstract

A new species of Calliandra (Leguminosae, Mimosoideae, tribe Ingeae) from a restricted locality of Campeche, Mexico is herein described and illustrated. The species appears to be closely related to C. molinae, a species from Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua, from which it may be distinguished by being allopatric, and by a more limited development of suberose bark in stems and branches, comparatively smaller leaflets, consistently glabrous leaflets and corollas, and by the scarcely villous pods. Calliandra mayana appears to be restricted to an extremely small seasonally flooded savannah surrounded by tropical deciduous forest and, based on IUCN criteria, it is provisionally considered Critically endangered.

Keywords: Calakmul, Calliandra belizensis, Fabaceae, Flora Mesoamerica, legumes, Eudicots

Figure 2. Calliandra mayana in its habitat.
A. Habit. B. Main stem. C. Branch. D. Inflorescence with three flowers beginning anthesis. E. Branchlets showing remains of inflorescences damaged by Lepidoptera and Coleoptera larvae (arrows). Voucher: H.M. Hernández et al. 4122 (MEXU). 

Calliandra mayana H.M. Hern., sp. nov. 

Calliandra mayana is closely related to C. molinae from which may be distinguished by being smaller shrubs up to 4 m (vs. 7 m), by the branchlets with bark slightly suberose (vs. thickly suberose), by the smaller petioles, rachis, rachillae and leaflets and less numerous pairs of pinnae and leaflets (vs. leaf parts larger and more numerous), and by the glabrous leaflets and corollas (vs. pubescent leaflets and villous corollas). 

Type:— MEXICO. Campeche, municipality Hopelchén, 9 km S of Pachuitz, 20 August 2016 (fl), H.M. Hernández et al. 4122 (holotype: MEXU 1446712!; isotypes: CICY!, ENCB!, K!, MEXU!, MO!, NY!, TEX!, US!, XAL!). 


Etymology:— This species in named to honour the Maya, an indigenous people that has continuously inhabited parts of south-eastern Mexico and Central America during several millennia. The Maya civilization flourished in the Yucatan Peninsula, Chiapas, Guatemala and Belize, and the western portions of Honduras and El Salvador, from 2000 BC to 950 AD.

Distribution and habitat:— Calliandra mayana is currently known only from an extremely small seasonally flooded savannah area surrounded by forest in Calakmul, eastern Campeche, Mexico, close to the Quintana Roo border, at 80 meters elevation (Figure 4). The Calakmul area is the largest tract of well-preserved tropical deciduous and sub-deciduous forest in Mesoamerica.


Héctor M. M. Hernández and Carlos Gómez-Hinostrosa.  2017. Calliandra mayana (Leguminosae, Mimosoideae), A New Narrowly Endemic Species from Campeche, Mexico.  Phytotaxa.  307(4); 278–284. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.307.4.5

 

  

[Entomology • 2017] Austrolecanium cryptocaryae • A Newly Recognised Australian Endemic Species of Austrolecanium Gullan & Hodgson 1998 (Hemiptera: Coccidae) from Queensland

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Austrolecanium cryptocaryae  Lin & Cook


Abstract

Austrolecanium cryptocaryae Lin & Cook sp. n. is described based on adult female morphology and DNA sequences from mitochondrial and nuclear loci. This Australian endemic species was found on the underside of leaves of Cryptocarya microneura (Lauraceae) in Queensland. All phylogenetic analyses of four independent DNA loci and a concatenated dataset show that A. cryptocaryae is monophyletic and closely related to A. sassafras Gullan & Hodgson, the type species of Austrolecanium Gullan & Hodgson. The adult female of A. cryptocaryae is described and illustrated and a table is provided of the characters that differ among adult females of the three species of Austrolecanium currently recognised (A. cappari (Froggatt), A. cryptocaryae sp. n. and A. sassafras).

Keywords: Coccomorpha, Coccoidea, Paralecaniini, Cryptocarya, COI DNA barcode, taxonomy, Hemiptera, Queensland


An adult female of Austrolecanium cryptocaryae sp. n. on a leaf of Cryptocarya microneura (Lauraceae) in Queensland, Australia.
Photo by L.G. Cook.  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4272.1.6

Etymology. The other two species of Austrolecanium are named after their host plants, so we continue this tradition here. The species epithet cryptocaryae is derived from the genus name of the host plant, Cryptocarya microneura, and means "of Cryptocarya".


 Yen-Po Lin, Zheng Y. Ding, Penny J. Gullan and Lyn G. Cook. 2017. A Newly Recognised Australian Endemic Species of Austrolecanium Gullan & Hodgson 1998 (Hemiptera: Coccidae) from Queensland. Zootaxa.  4272(1); 119–130.   DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4272.1.6


[Entomology • 2017] Neotibicen similaris apalachicola • A New Neotibicen Cicada Subspecies (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) from the southeastern USA Forms Hybrid Zones with A Widespread Relative Despite A Divergent Male Calling Song

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Neotibicen similaris apalachicola
Marshall & Hill, 2017  


Abstract  

A morphologically cryptic subspecies of Neotibicen similaris (Smith and Grossbeck) is described from forests of the Apalachicola region of the southeastern United States. Although the new form exhibits a highly distinctive male calling song, it hybridizes extensively where it meets populations of the nominate subspecies in parapatry, by which it is nearly surrounded. This is the first reported example of hybridization between North American nonperiodical cicadas. Acoustic and morphological characters are added to the original description of the nominate subspecies, and illustrations of complex hybrid song phenotypes are presented. The biogeography of N. similaris is discussed in light of historical changes in forest composition on the southeastern Coastal Plain.

Keywords: Hemiptera, Acoustic behavior, sexual signals, hybridization, hybrid zone, parapatric distribution, speciation

Neotibicen similaris apalachicola, n. subsp., dorsal view, (holotype specimen 08.US.FL.TRA.03). 

Neotibicen similaris apalachicola, n. subsp.

Etymology. Named for the Apalachicola River of the Florida panhandle. The subspecies epithet is a noun in apposition and need not agree in gender with its genus following the Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN, 1999), articles 11.9.1.2 and 31.2.1.

 David C. Marshall and Kathy B. R. Hill. 2017. A New Neotibicen Cicada Subspecies (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) from the southeastern USA Forms Hybrid Zones with A Widespread Relative Despite A Divergent Male Calling Song.  
 Zootaxa. 4272(4); 529–550. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4272.4.3

[Mammalogy • 2017] Phylogeny and Systematic Revision of the Genus Typhlomys (Rodentia, Platacanthomyidae), with Description of A New Species; Typhlomys nanus

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Typhlomys nanus
Cheng, He, Chen, Zhang, Wan,  Li, Zhang & Jiang. 2017

Abstract
The “blind mouse” genus, Typhlomys, is an ancient taxon in the family Platacanthomyidae, comprising 2 living species and 4 living subspecies. We sequenced 3 mitochondrial (CytB, COI, and ND2) and 2 nuclear (GHR and IRBP) gene segments to estimate the phylogenetic relationships of the species and subspecies, and to delimit species boundaries. We also evaluated patterns of morphological and morphometric variation of the skull. The molecular results suggest at least 5 species are present, corresponding to the 2 recognized species (Typhlomys cinereus and T. chapensis), 1 species previously considered a subspecies (T. cinereus daloushanensis), 1 new species (Typhlomys nanus sp. nov.), and 1 putative new species, for which we lack adequate morphological specimens. We also determined that the subspecies Typhlomys cinereus jingdongensis is conspecific with T. chapensis. Diversification of the genus occurred in the late Miocene and Pliocene. The new species, T. nanus, is distributed in eastern and northeastern Yunnan at middle to high elevations (2,000 m to > 3,000 m above sea level). Interestingly, we detected a frameshift mutation within the IRBP gene, which is the 1st molecular evidence for the degradation of vision.

Keywords: frameshift mutation, interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP), Platacanthomyidae, species delimitation, Typhlomys


Fig. 2.— Dorsal, ventral, and lateral external views of the skin of the holotype of Typhlomys nanus (KIZ 033585). 


Feng Cheng, Kai He, Zhong-Zheng Chen, Bin Zhang, Tao Wan, Jia-Tang Li, Bao-Wei Zhang and Xue-Long Jiang. 2017. Phylogeny and Systematic Revision of the Genus Typhlomys (Rodentia, Platacanthomyidae), with Description of A New Species.  Journal of Mammalogy.  98(3); 731-743. DOI:  10.1093/jmammal/gyx016 

A New Species of Blind Mouse Was Found in Yunnan, China

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