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[Ichthyology • 2017] Trichomycterus pascuali • A New Species of Trichomycterus (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) Lacking Pelvic Fins from Paranapanema Basin, southeastern Brazil

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Trichomycterus pascuali
Ochoa, Silva, Silva, Oliveira & Datovo, 2017


Abstract

A new species of trichomycterid catfish, Trichomycterus pascuali, is described from Paranapanema basin and is distinguished from all congeners by the possession of five pectoral-fin rays and the absence of pelvic fin, girdle, and muscles. Additional features further differentiate the new species from the other congeners lacking pelvic fins, T. candidus, T. catamarcensis, and T. tropeiro. The identification of T. pascuali is additionally corroborated by genetic divergence based on DNA-barcode analysis. Osteological and myological data unequivocally support the inclusion of the new species in the Trichomycterinae and molecular analyses justify its allocation to the genus Trichomycterus rather than Eremophilus, a trichomycterine taxon traditionally diagnosed by the lack of pelvic fins. Our genetic analysis further indicates that pelvic fins were independently lost in E. mutisii, T. candidus, and T. pascuali.

Keywords: Pisces, Upper Paraná Basin, Freshwater catfish, pelvic-fin loss, taxonomy


FIGURE 2. Body coloration patterns observed in Trichomycterus pascuali, LBP 23323, (A) 45.4 mm SL, (B) 52.2 mm SL. 


Luz E. Ochoa, Gabriel S. C. Silva, Guilherme J. Costa E. Silva, Claudio Oliveira and Alessio Datovo. 2017. New Species of Trichomycterus (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) Lacking Pelvic Fins from Paranapanema Basin, southeastern Brazil.   Zootaxa. 4319(3); 550–560. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4319.3.7


[Herpetology • 2017] Eumeces persicus • A New Species of Eumeces Wiegmann 1834 (Sauria: Scincidae) from Iran

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Eumeces persicus
Faizi, Rastegar-Pouyani, Rastegar-Pouyani, Nazarov, Heidari, Zangi, Orlova & Poyarkov, 2017

Persian Striped Skink  || DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4320.2.5 
  
Abstract
We describe a new species of skink in the genus Eumeces Wiegmann 1834 from Iran. Eumeces persicus sp. nov. is a medium sized skink, distinguished by two clear, wide, and brown lateral lines extending from the ear opening to the hindlimbs, with scattered light orange spots, and two median rows of dorsal scales broadly enlarged in eight longitudinal rows. The new species ranges from southern Tehran to Kerman Province along the eastern slopes of the Zagros Mountains towards the Iranian plateau. We provide morphological comparisons of the new species with other Eumeces species from the region and molecular analyses of two mitochondrial markers (16S and Cytb). We also present taxonomic and phylo-genetic accounts, with an updated identification key for the genus Eumeces in Iran and surrounding regions. 

Keywords: Reptilia, Eumecespersicus sp. nov., Iranian Plateau, Morphology, Phylogeny, Skink


FIGURE 4. (A) Holotype of Eumeces persicus sp. nov. RUZM-SE-07. Inset shows close-up of the lateral side of the head. (B) Paratype specimen (ZMMU R-14723-1) alive in its habitat.




Eumeces persicus sp. nov. 
Proposed vernacular name: Persian Striped Skink

Etymology. The species epithet “persicus” is an adjective that refers to the current known distribution of the new species—Iran (=Persia).

Distribution. The new species is widely distributed at the eastern Zagros Mountain slopes, in the central plains of Iran from the deserts of southern Tehran to Kerman Province encompassing a distribution range of about 900 km. .... Further investigation is necessary to find more records in other regions with similar habitats situated between the two current localities. Eumecespersicus sp. nov. is also found in sympatry with other reptile species including snakes and lizards such as Bunopus crassicauda, Tenuidactylus caspium, Trachylepis aurata, Varanus griseus, Spalerosophis diadema, Malpolon insignitus, Lytorhynchus ridgewayi and Platyceps karelini, and specifically in close syntopy with Trapelusagilis.  


  Hiva Faizi, Nasrullah Rastegar-Pouyani, Eskandar Rastegar-Pouyani, Roman Alexeevich Nazarov,  Nastaran Heidari, Bahman Zangi, Valentina Orlova and Nikolay Poyarkov. 2017.  A New Species of Eumeces Wiegmann 1834 (Sauria: Scincidae) from Iran. Zootaxa. 4320(2) 289-304. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4320.2.5

[Entomology • 2017] Taxonomic Review of Eidmanacris Chopard, 1956 (Orthoptera: Grylloidea: Phalangopsidae)

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Eidmanacris desutterae  Campos, 2017


Abstract

Eidmanacris Chopard, 1956 is revised, redescribed and eleven species are redescribed. Seven new species from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and Cerrado (E. scopula Campos, sp. nov.; E. gigas Campos, sp. nov.; E. neomarmorata Campos, sp. nov.; E, desutterae Campos, sp. nov.; E. putuhra Campos, sp. nov.; E. fontanettiae Campos, Nihei & de Mello, sp. nov. and E. melloi Campos, sp. nov.) are described, based on adults. One new generic synonymy with Endophallusia de Mello, 1990 syn. nov., resulting in two new combinations (E. minuta (de Mello, 1990) comb. nov. and E. endophallica (de Mello, 1990) comb. nov.), a new combination with Phalangopsis spelucae Mello-Leitão, 1937 (E. speluncae (Mello-Leitão, 1937) comb. nov.), and one species synonymy (E. lencionii Bolfarini, 2016 = E. dissimilis Desutter-Grandcolas, 1995, syn. nov.) are proposed. Following this revision, Eidmanacris comprises a total of 29 species. An identification key to species, and distribution maps are also given.

Keywords:  Orthoptera, Neotropical region, cricket, taxonomy, description, new species




 Lucas Denadai De Campos, Pedro G. B. Souza-Dias and Silvio S. Nihei. 2017. Taxonomic Review of Eidmanacris Chopard, 1956 (Orthoptera: Grylloidea: Phalangopsidae). Zootaxa. 4321(1);  1–93.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4321.1.1  

[Herpetology • 2017] Worms in the Sand: Systematic Revision of the Australian Blindsnake Anilios leptosoma (Robb, 1972) Species Complex (Squamata: Scolecophidia: Typhlopidae) from the Geraldton Sandplain, with Description of Two New Species

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 Anilios obtusifrons
Ellis, Doughty, Donnellan, Marin & Vidal, 2017 


Abstract

The blindsnake genus Anilios (formerly Ramphotyphlops) is the largest and most diverse genus of snakes in Australia with 45 currently recognized species. Recent molecular genetic studies of the genus have identified high levels of cryptic diversity within many taxa, suggesting true species diversity is greatly underestimated. Anilios leptosoma is a slender blindsnake endemic to the mid-west of Western Australia. Although morphological variation has been identified within the species in the past, the systematics and true diversity remained unstudied. Here we use recent molecular data to guide a reappraisal of morphology in order to provide a taxonomic revision of the A. leptosoma species complex. We redescribe Aleptosoma and describe two new species that occur to the south of most of true A. leptosoma’s distribution: A. systenos sp. nov. and Aobtusifrons sp. nov. Anilios systenos sp. nov. is known from the Geraldton region with the furthest record only 100 km to the north-east, a very small range for a species of snake. Anilios obtusifrons sp. nov. has an even smaller distribution, as it is only known from a small coastal area south of Kalbarri and may represent a range-restricted taxa. All species are genetically divergent from each other and can be distinguished by consistent morphological characteristics, including the shape of the snout, the termination point of the rostral cleft and number of mid-body scale rows and ventral scales.

Keywords:  Reptilia, taxonomy, morphology, mtDNA, nDNA, cryptic species, cryptic diversity, Ramphotyphlops leptosomaAnilios systenos sp. nov., Anilios obtusifrons sp. nov., Western Australia




Ryan J. Ellis, Paul Doughty, Stephen C. Donnellan, Julie Marin and Nicolas Vidal. 2017. 
Worms in the Sand: Systematic Revision of the Australian Blindsnake Anilios leptosoma (Robb, 1972) Species Complex (Squamata: Scolecophidia: Typhlopidae) from the Geraldton Sandplain, with Description of Two New Species.   Zootaxa. 4323(1); 1–24.  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4323.1.1


[PaleoOrnithology • 2017] Late Pleistocene Songbirds of Liang Bua (Flores, Indonesia); The First Fossil Passerine Fauna Described from Wallacea

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Figure 3: Late Pleistocene passerines from Liang Bua.
 (A) Left tarsometatarsus of Philemon sp. (LB-Av-740), (B) left tarsometatarsus of P. buceroides (NMNH 347688); (C) right femur of Philemon sp.(LB-Av-795), (D) right femur of P. buceroides (NMNH 347688); (E) right tibiotarsus of cf. Philemon (LB-Av-857), (F) right tibiotarsus of P. buceroides (NMNH 347688), (G) left tibiotarsus (LB-Av-726) of cf. Philemon, (H) right tibiotarsus (LB-Av-775) cf. Philemon;
(I) right humerus of Rhipidura sp. (LB-Av-762), (J) right humerus of R. albicollis (NMNH 620568);
 (K) distal fragment of right humerus of Corvus cf. macrorhynchos (LB-Av-856), (L) right humerus of C. macrorhynchos (NMNH 641775); (M) right scapula of Corvus cf. macrorhynchos (LB-Av-766), (N) right scapula of C. macrorhynchos (NMNH 641775).
 (scale bars 1 cm) DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3676

Abstract

Background
Passerines (Aves: Passeriformes) dominate modern terrestrial bird communities yet their fossil record is limited. Liang Bua is a large cave on the Indonesian island of Flores that preserves Late Pleistocene–Holocene deposits (∼190 ka to present day). Birds are the most diverse faunal group at Liang Bua and are present throughout the stratigraphic sequence.

Methods
We examined avian remains from the Late Pleistocene deposits of Sector XII, a 2 × 2 m area excavated to about 8.5 m depth. Although postcranial passerine remains are typically challenging to identify, we found several humeral characters particularly useful in discriminating between groups, and identified 89 skeletal elements of passerines.

Results
At least eight species from eight families are represented, including the Large-billed Crow (Corvus cf. macrorhynchos), the Australasian Bushlark (Mirafra javanica), a friarbird (Philemon sp.), and the Pechora Pipit (Anthus cf. gustavi).

Discussion
These remains constitute the first sample of fossil passerines described in Wallacea. Two of the taxa no longer occur on Flores today; a large sturnid (cf. Acridotheres) and a grassbird (Megalurus sp.). Palaeoecologically, the songbird assemblage suggests open grassland and tall forests, which is consistent with conditions inferred from the non-passerine fauna at the site. Corvus cf. macrorhynchos, found in the Homo floresiensis-bearing layers, was likely part of a scavenging guild that fed on carcasses of Stegodon florensis insularis alongside vultures (Trigonoceps sp.), giant storks (Leptoptilos robustus), komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis), and probably H. floresiensis as well.


Hanneke J.M. Meijer​, Rokus Awe Due​, Thomas Sutikna, Wahyu Saptomo, Jatmiko, Sri Wasisto, Matthew W. Tocheri and Gerald Mayr. 2017. Late Pleistocene Songbirds of Liang Bua (Flores, Indonesia); The First Fossil Passerine Fauna Described from Wallacea.
 PeerJ. 5: e3676.  DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3676

[Herpetology • 2017] Preliminary Estimation of Home Range Size for Meristogenys orphnocnemis, A Common Bornean Ranid, in An Altered Forest Ecosystem using Radiotelemetry

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Meristogenys orphnocnemis (Matsui, 1986)

[upper] Female Meristogenys orphnocnemis showing transmitter and attachment belt.
[lower] Section of stream in SAFE Project experimental site, known as logged forest edge (LFE) stream, where all radiotracking occurred.

RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 65

Abstract

 We tracked six female Meristogenys orphnocnemis for 17 ± 4.3 days (11.5–22 days) in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo to determine core area (home range size) and movement patterns. We found that the core usage area was 3351.0 ± 963.4 m2 . Mean distance of each female from the stream during tracking was between 4.9–29.3 m and median distance from the stream for individual females was 4–20 m. Net distance between first and last observation was 80.6 ± 24.5 m, and there was no relationship between number of days tracked and total distance traversed or core area size, nor between body size and core area size, though our sample sizes were likely too small to detect such patterns. We suggest additional radio-tracking to determine differences in movement ecology between sexes and across species, to better predict impacts on anurans from logging and fragmentation in Southeast Asia.

 Key words. behaviour, radio-tracking, frogs, Malaysia



Fig. 1. Section of stream in SAFE Project experimental site, known as logged forest edge (LFE) stream, where all radiotracking occurred.

 Jennifer A. Sheridan, Nicolas Rakotopare and Rachel Mebberson. 2017. Preliminary Estimation of Home Range Size for Meristogenys orphnocnemis, A Common Bornean Ranid, in An Altered Forest Ecosystem using Radiotelemetry. RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY65; 539–544. 

    

[Herpetology • 2017] Buergeria otai • Acoustic Differentiation and Behavioral Response reveals Cryptic Species within Buergeria Treefrogs (Anura, Rhacophoridae) from Taiwan

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Buergeria otai 
Wang, Hsiao, Lee, Tseng, Lin, Komaki & Lin, 2017


Abstract

Buergeria japonica is a widely distributed treefrog occurring from Ryukyu Archipelago to Taiwan. Across this wide distributional range, we combined molecular, acoustic, morphological, and behavioral characters to clarify the taxonomic status among these insular populations. Genetic differentiation in mitochondrial sequences indicated an over 16% divergence among two deeply divergent clades: Japanese clade distributes in Ryukyu Archipelago and northwestern drainages of Taiwan, while Taiwanese clade distributes in the remaining drainages on Taiwan. The Taiwanese clade can be distinguished from the nominative species not only by molecular and morphological differences, but also distinguishable by considerable acoustic differentiation, which is extraordinarily noticeable for an additional type of long call that never recorded from Japanese clade. The two clades form a parapatric distribution pattern with narrow contact zones both in western and eastern Taiwan. Playback experiments indicated that male frogs show significantly stronger defensiveness against conspecific calls rather than heterospecific calls, indicating that these signals play a crucial role in species recognition. Here we describe the Taiwanese clade as a new species; the behavioral response and the magnitude of gene flow across their contact zones are especially worth for detailed studies.



Species description

Family Rhacophoridae Günther, 1859
Genus Buergeria Tschudi, 1838

Buergeria otai sp. nov.
Synonymy: 
Ixalus japonicus—Hallowell, 1861 "1860", Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 12: 501. 
Polypedates japonicus—Stejneger, 1907, Bull. U.S. Natl. Mus., 58: 155. 
Rhacophorus (Rhacophorusjaponicus—Ahl, 1931 in Das Tierreich, 55: 111. 
Rhacophorus (Rhacophorusbuergeri japonicus—Wolf, 1936, Bull. Raffles Mus., 12: 166. 
Buergeria japonica—Liem, 1970, Fieldiana, Zool., 57: 90.

Etymology:  The specific epithet of the new species “otai” is a latinized patronymic noun in genitive case, dedicated to Prof. Hidetoshi Ota for his great contribution to herpetology and biogeography in East Asia, including Taiwan and adjacent regions. During 1980s to 1990s, Ota published four reptile species in Taiwan, carefully reviewed the herptile fauna across the East Asian Arc, and provided great assistance and encouragement to new-generation herpetologists in this region. We suggest the following common name “Ota’s stream tree frog” in English.

Diagnosis: Buergeria otai sp. nov. is characterized by a combination of the following characters: (1) a small-sized rhacophorid, body moderately slender; (2) SVL in adult males 23.1–29.3 mm (N = 133; mean ± SD = 26.57 ± 1.21 mm); females 29.7–37.5 mm (N = 3; 32.44 ± 4.42 mm); (3) dorsum slightly tubercular, with a pair of parallel tubercles on scapula; (4) head triangular, snout rounded and somewhat acute; (5) tips of fingers and toes dilated, forming expanded disks (over twice the width of phalanges); (6) tibiotarsal articulation on adpressed limb reaching beyond snout tip; (7) forelimb webbing absent; (8) hindlimb webbing partial, webbing formula (the number of phalanges free of web): I 1–1 II 1–2 III 1–1 IV 2–1 V; (9) vertebral stripe absent; (10) dark dorsal marking in the shape of inverted triangle between the eyes; (11) dark dorsal marking in a form of letter X or H extending from scapula to the middle of the back; (12) chin gray-white, with small irregular mottling; belly gray-white; (13) arms and thighs with sparse brownish bands; (14) regular tiny white spots on the ventral side of the thighs; usually concentrated at the base of the thighs.

Fig 6. Buergeria japonica (A, C) andBuergeria otai sp. nov. (B, D, E, F) in live. The irregular patches of B. japonica on the thighs could be compared to the regular tiny spots of Buergeria otai sp. nov., regardless the intraspecific variation from very few (E) to many (F).
Photographed by YJ Liang (A, C), CM Tsao (B), and HN Nguyen (D, E, F).

Natural history notes.
Although belonging to the Old-world treefrog family Rhacophoridae, Buergeria otai sp. nov. is specialized to live in the streams like all its congeners. They prefer to gather in small ditches or shallow waters near by the streams, but seldom entering into the major river course. Breeding season usually lasts from February to October, with a major peak from April to July (personal observation in this study), but may appear all year round in some habitats. Males gather to form chorus beside the streams after sunset, and the chorus reach its climax near midnight. Eggs 1.2–1.4 mm in diameter, attached on vegetation or spread on the substrates in shallow water, hatched after 24–36 hr. Tadpoles herbivorous or detritivorous, live benthically in shallow waters, with a larval stage period 15–30 days, depending on the water temperature.

Both Buergeria otai sp. nov. and B. japonica are well known for their special tolerance in geothermal hot springs, which seems to be an extraordinary adaptation from all anuran species in the world. The tadpoles of the frogs often show thermal affinity by approaching hot waters with temperature higher than 30°C, and their critical thermal maxima could reach more than 41°C. This adaptation was deduced to extend the breeding season, decrease the hatching rate, and increase the tadpole size. Furthermore, B. japonica was also well addressed for their special to salt tolerance. Although Buergeria otai sp. nov. is suspected to share the same tolerance, there was not yet an experiment designed to test this ability in this clade.


Ying-Han Wang, Yu-Wei Hsiao, Ko-Huan Lee, Hui-Yun Tseng, Yen-Po Lin, Shohei Komaki and Si-Min Lin. 2017. Acoustic Differentiation and Behavioral Response reveals Cryptic Species within Buergeria Treefrogs (Anura, Rhacophoridae) from Taiwan. PLoS ONE. 12(9); e0184005.  DOI:  10.1371/journal.pone.0184005



[Entomology • 2017] Themira lohmanus • Hidden in the Urban Parks of New York City: A New Species of Themira (Sepsidae, Diptera) Described Based on Morphology, DNA Sequences, Mating Behavior, and Reproductive Isolation

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 Themira lohmanus   Ang, 2017


Abstract
New species from well-studied taxa such as Sepsidae (Diptera) are rarely described from localities that have been extensively explored and one may think that New York City belongs to this category. Yet, a new species of Themira (Diptera: Sepsidae) was recently discovered which is currently only known to reside in two of New York City’s largest urban parks. Finding a new species of Themira in these parks was all the more surprising because the genus was revised in 1998 and is not particularly species-rich (13 species). Its status is confirmed as a new species based on morphology, DNA sequences, and reproductive isolation tests with a closely related species, and is described as Themira lohmanus Ang, sp. n. The species breeds on waterfowl dung and it is hypothesized that this makes the species rare in natural environments. However, it thrives in urban parks where the public feeds ducks and geese. The mating behavior of Themira lohmanus was recorded and is similar to the behavior of its closest relative T. biloba.

Keywords: cryptic species, Sepsidae, species description


Figure 2. Adult male (A–M), showing lateral (A) and dorsal (B) views of habitus, anterior (C) and ventral (D) views of head capsule, anterior and posterior views of fore leg (E), mid leg (F) and rear leg (G); ventral view of abdomen (H) showing modified 4th sternites; anterior (I), dorsal (J), left (K) and right (L) views of hypopygium, as well as various views of the penis (M).

Figure 3. Adult female (A–H), showing lateral (A) and dorsal (B) views of habitus (sans abdomen), anterior (C) and ventral (D) views of head capsule, anterior and posterior views of fore leg (E), mid leg (F) and rear leg (G), and ventral view of abdomen (H).

Themira lohmanus Ang, sp. n.

Diagnosis:  Themira lohmanus is a relatively large, robust-looking sepsid species that resembles T. biloba. However, adult T. lohmanus males can be readily differentiated from the latter by their uniquely shaped, asymmetrical surstyli, which is symmetrical in T. biloba(Fig. 1A, see Morphological analysis section). While females of these two species do not have distinct structural differences, they can potentially be distinguished based on the color of the sclerous cuticle: in T. biloba, it tends to be glossy black while T. lohmanus tends to have a cupreous tinge. However, these characters may not be easily differentiated in faded specimens.

Etymology:  The new species is named after David J. Lohman, for his generous contributions of specimens to sepsid taxonomy.

Distribution: Nearctic. Thus far only found in New York City (Central Park and Prospect Park); likely to be found in more localities in the future, especially where waterfowl congregate.


 Yuchen Ang, Rudolf Meier, Kathy Feng-Yi Su and Gowri Rajaratnam. 2017. Hidden in the Urban Parks of New York City: Themira lohmanus, A New Species of Sepsidae Described Based on Morphology, DNA Sequences, Mating Behavior, and Reproductive Isolation (Sepsidae, Diptera).  ZooKeys. 698; 95-111.  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.698.13411




[Diplopoda • 2017] Two New Species of the Millipede Genus Glyphiulus Gervais, 1847 (Spirostreptida: Cambalopsidae) from Southwest China

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Glyphiulus latus Jiang, Lv,  Guo, Yu & Chen, 2017


Abstract

Two new Chinese species of the millipede genus Glyphiulus Gervais, 1847,Glyphiulus latus sp. nov. and Glyphiulusliangshanensis sp. nov., from three caves in Sichuan Province are described. According to the structure of the first male leg pair, the new species belong to the javanicus-group.

Keywords:  Myriapoda, taxonomy, troglobitic, endemic, biodiversity


  

Xuan-Kong Jiang, Jing-Cai Lv, Xuan Guo, Zhi-Gang Yu and Hui-Ming Chen. 2017. Two New Species of the Millipede Genus Glyphiulus Gervais, 1847 from Southwest China (Diplopoda: Spirostreptida: Cambalopsidae). Zootaxa4323(2); 197–208.   DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4323.2.3

[Crustacea • 2017] Diogenes heteropsammicola • A New Species of Hermit Crab (Decapoda, Anomura, Diogenidae) Replaces A Mutualistic Sipunculan in A Walking Coral Symbiosis

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 Diogenes heteropsammicola 
 Igawa & Kato, 2017


Abstract

Symbiont shift is rare in obligate mutualisms because both the partners are reciprocally dependent on and specialized to each other. In the obligate accommodation–transportation mutualism between walking corals and sipunculans, however, an unusual saltatory symbiont shift was discovered. In shallow waters of southern Japan, an undescribed hermit crab species was found living in corallums of solitary scleractinian corals of the genera Heterocyathus and Heteropsammia, replacing the usual sipunculan symbiont. We described the hermit crab as a new species Diogenes heteropsammicola (Decapoda, Anomura, Diogenidae), and explored its association with the walking corals. This hermit crab species obligately inhabits the coiled cavity of the corals, and was easily distinguished from other congeneric species by the exceedingly slender chelipeds and ambulatory legs, and the symmetrical telson. Observations of behavior in aquaria showed that the new hermit crab, like the sipunculan, carries the host coral and prevents the coral from being buried. This is an interesting case in which an organism phylogenetically distant from Sipuncula takes over the symbiotic role in association with a walking coral. The hermit crab species is unique in that its lodging is a living solitary coral that grows with the hermit crab in an accommodation–transportation mutualism.


Fig 6. Diogenes heteropsammicola sp. nov. in life. A, an individual in an aquarium, carrying the coral. 

Fig 6. Diogenes heteropsammicola sp. nov. in life. B, an individual removed from its host coral. Scale bar: 1 mm.

Taxonomic account
Genus Diogenes Dana, 1851

Diogenes heteropsammicola sp. nov.

Fig 7. Behavior of Diogenes heteropsammicola sp. nov.
A–C, sequence of behaviors to recover from an overturned to upright position in which the hermit crab leans out of the overturned coral (A), grasps the bottom with its ambulatory legs and left cheliped (B), and turns the coral upright using the pleon (C); D–F, sequence of behaviors to overcome burial in sediment, whereby the buried hermit crab (D) pushes away the sediment using its chelipeds and ambulatory legs (E), and then crawls away (F). 

Remarks: Diogenes heteropsammicola sp. nov. belongs to the D. edwardsii species group because of the intercalary rostriform process being smooth on the lateral margins, the antennal peduncle distinctly overreaching the distal corneal margin, and the antennal flagellum bearing a pair of long setae on the distal margin of each article ventrally. The new species is readily distinguished from all other species in this group by its exceedingly slender chelipeds and ambulatory legs, its symmetrical telson, red and white coloration, and the unique symbiotic habit with solitary corals.

Etymology: The new species is named after its mutualistic relationship with the solitary scleractinian corals of the genera Heteropsammia, keeping in mind that this hermit crab is also associated with Heterocyathus corals.

Distribution: At present, known only from Oshima Strait, between Kakeroma Island and Amami-Oshima Island, Kagoshima, Japan, depths of 60–80 m, and Ikomo Bay, western coast of Kakeroma Island, depth of 31 m.


Momoko Igawa and Makoto Kato. 2017. A New Species of Hermit Crab, Diogenes heteropsammicola (Crustacea, Decapoda, Anomura, Diogenidae), Replaces A Mutualistic Sipunculan in A Walking Coral Symbiosis. PLoS ONE. 12(9); e0184311.  DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184311

New hermit crab uses live coral as its home

   

[Botany • 2017] Gelidocalamus xunwuensis • A New Species (Poaceae, Bambusoideae) from southeastern Jiangxi, China

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Gelidocalamus xunwuensis  W.G.Zhang & G.Y.Yang


Abstract
Gelidocalamus xunwuensis W.G.Zhang & G.Y.Yang, a new species collected from Xunwu County of Jiangxi Province in China, is described and illustrated. The new species is similar to G. stellatus in the habit, but differs by internodes sparsely hairy with granuliferous warts, culm sheath stiffly hairy, culm sheath blade broadly lanceolate to narrowly triangular, each node with a ring of appressed trichomes below, foliage leaves broadly lanceolate to narrowly oblong, and new shoots occurring in late October.

Keywords: Arundinarieae, Bambusoideae, bamboo, leaf epidermis, SEM, taxonomy



Figure 4. Gelidocalamus xunwuensis.
A habitat plants B new shoot CL detailed characters, show branch and branch sheath (CD), transection of culm and pith-cavity (E), culm and its leaf sheath (FJ), buds (K) and foliage leaf (L). Scale bar: 5 cm (A–D, F, L), 5 mm (E, G–K).

Gelidocalamus xunwuensis W.G.Zhang & G.Y.Yang, sp. nov.

Diagnosis:  Similar to G. stellatus Wen (1982: 22) in the habit and branch, but differs by culms sparsely hairy (early period) with granuliferous warts (adult or later period), each node with a ring of fulvous appressed trichomes below, culm leaf sheath densely hispidulous with a blade broadly lanceolate and 3–5–paired oral setae, branch sheath glabrous, foliage leaves broadly lanceolate to narrowly oblong, and new shoots late October.

Etymology:  The species epithet xunwuensis refers to the locality of the type specimen: Xunwu County, Jiangxi, China.

Distribution and habitat:  Gelidocalamus xunwuensis occurs under evergreen broad-leaved forests, along ravine, and roadsides at elev. ca. 400–600 m. It grows together with Castanopsis kawakamii Hay., Dicranopteris pedata (Houtt.) Nakaike, Gnetum parvifolium (Warb.) C. Y. Cheng & Chun, Eurya chinensis R. Br., Semiliquidambar cathayensis H. T. Chang, and Ormosia semicastrata Hance. Gelidocalamus xunwuensis is currently known from only one small populations (less than 100 culms) in the southern China.



 Wen-Gen Zhang, Xue-Nan Ji, Yu-Guang Liu, Wei-Jian Li and Guang-Yao Yang. 2017. Gelidocalamus xunwuensis (Poaceae, Bambusoideae), A New Species from southeastern Jiangxi, China. PhytoKeys. 85: 59-67.  DOI:  10.3897/phytokeys.85.13804


[Herpetology • 2017] Phylogenetic Systematics of Dart-Poison Frogs and Their Relatives Revisited (Anura: Dendrobatoidea)

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Grant, Rada, Anganoy-Criollo, et al., 2017.
South American Journal of Herpetology. 12(s1) 
 DOI: 
 10.2994/SAJH-D-17-00017.1

Abstract 
Despite the impressive growth of knowledge on the phylogenetic systematics of dart-poison frogs and their relatives (Dendrobatoidea) over the past decade, many problems remain to be addressed. We analyzed up to 189 phenomic characters (morphology, behavior, defensive chemicals) and 15 mitochondrial and nuclear loci scored for 564 dendrobatoid and outgroup terminals, including 76 newly sequenced terminals and > 20 previously unanalyzed species, using tree-alignment and the parsimony optimality criterion in the program POY v.5.1.1 and additional analyses of the implied alignment using TNT v.1.5. Even though data coverage was highly heterogeneous, the strict consensus of 639 optimal trees is highly resolved and we detected only one instance of wildcard behavior involving a small clade of outgroup species. The monophyly of the median lingual process (MLP) possessing genus Anomaloglossus is decisively refuted, with the cis-Andean species being sister to Rheobates within Aromobatidae and the trans-Andean species nested within Hyloxalinae, implying two independent origins of the structure in Dendrobatoidea. Although this result was unexpected, it is not surprising given that the MLP evolved at least five times in Asian and African ranoids, including Arthroleptidae, Dicroglossidae, Mantellidae, and Rhacophoridae and either once in the most recent common ancestor of the massive clade Victoranura followed by independent losses or multiple times within component lineages. We restrict Anomaloglossus to the cis-Andean MLP-possessing species, describe a new genus for the trans-Andean MLP-possessing species, and resurrect Paruwrobates for its sister group, which includes Dendrobates andinus (formerly Ameerega), D. erythromos (formerly Hyloxalus and, until recently, Ameerega), and Prostherapis whymperi (formerly Hyloxalus). We also transfer Dendrobates maculatus from Ameerega to Epipedobates, making Ameerega an exclusively cis-Andean group. We describe two new species of the trans-Andean MLP-possessing genus—one from Cerro Tacarcuna, near the Colombo-Panamanian border, and the other from 800–900 m elevation on the western versant of the Colombian Cordillera Occidental (Cauca Department)—bringing the total number of species in the genus to seven. The discrete, round, white to yellowish-brown dots found on the venter of the new species from Cerro Tacarcuna and at least one other trans-Andean MLP-possessing species are formed by large, ellipsoid, densely distributed (up to 80 glands/mm) granular glands. Although specimens of the new species from Cerro Tacarcuna exuded a noxious milky substance when handled, lipophilic alkaloids were not detected. In addition to the unexpected placement of the trans-Andean MLP-possessing species, major findings include the unexpected placement of Colostethus ruthveni and its undescribed sister species (the “C.” ruthveni group) within Dendrobatinae as sister of the newly recognized tribe Dendrobatini (all dendrobatines except Phyllobates and the “C.” ruthveni group). We describe a new genus for C. argyrogaster and C. fugax to remedy the paraphyly of Colostethus caused by the placement of those species as sister to Ameerega. Our evidence rejects the sister group relationship of Dendrobates + Oophaga in favor of Dendrobates + Adelphobates, which is consistent with their uniquely low diploid chromosome number of 2n = 18 (2n = 20 in Oophaga). With the exception of Anomaloglossus and Colostethus, all other genera are monophyletic. We recognize several monophyletic species groups—including the Atlantic Forest, trans-Andean, and 22-chromosome groups within Allobates, the An. stepheni, An. megacephalus, and An. beebei groups in Anomaloglossus, the C. latinasus (formed by the C. inguinalis and C. latinasus clades) and C. fraterdanieli groups within Colostethus, and the Am. braccata and Am. rubriventris groups within Ameerega—identify unambiguously optimized phenomic synapomorphies, and summarize patterns in the evolution of the diploid chromosome number, swelling of Finger IV in males, relative length of Fingers II and III, length of Finger V, and testicular and intestinal pigmentation. Finally, we address criticisms of the current taxonomy of Neotropical poison frogs and their relatives, concluding that they are either overstated, misguided, or false, and that the current system of names better communicates knowledge of the diversity of these frogs. Our results highlight the importance of increased taxon sampling, and we conclude by identifying key species to include in future phylogenetic analyses.

Keywords: Andes, Aromobatidae, Chocó, Dendrobatidae, Median lingual process, New genus, New species, Phylogeny, Total evidence



.....

Figure 10(A): Juvenile female Ectopoglossus saxatilis sp. nov. photographed with the assistance of a camera-mounted flash (IAvH 14614, 18.3 mm SVL; photos: M. Rada). .

Ectopoglossus gen. nov.
Type species. Ectopoglossus saxatilis sp. nov.
Immediately more inclusive taxon. Hyloxalinae Grant et al., 2006.
Sister group. Paruwrobates Bauer, 1994.

Content (7 species).Ectopoglossus absconditus sp. nov., Eastralogaster (Myers et al., 2012) comb. nov., Eatopoglossus (Grant et al., 1997) comb. nov., Econfusus (Myers and Grant, 2009) comb.  nov., Eisthminus (Myers et  al., 2012) comb.  nov., Elacrimosus (Myers, 1991) comb. nov., and Esaxatilis sp. nov.

Etymology. Ectopoglossus gen. nov. (gender masculine) is derived from the Greek ektopos, meaning away or out of a place (ek- “out”  + topos “place”), and glossa, meaning tongue, in reference to the geographically and phylogenetically ectopic distribution of this median lingual process-possessing clade.


Ectopoglossus absconditus sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific epithet is the Latin absconditus, hidden, in reference to this species being hidden in plain site, abscondita in campo visum, for nearly 80 years. The type specimens were collected in 1938 and 1939 and lay ensconced in the KU amphibian collection until finally being “discovered” almost 80 years later when TG examined the contents of a jar labeled “Colostethus  sp.” that contained this and several other species of dendrobatids. To our knowledge the species has not been collected again, although biological surveys in the region have been limited in recent decades due to armed conflict.


Ectopoglossus saxatilis sp. nov. 
Etymology. The specific epithet is Latin and means “found among rocks” in reference to the streamside habitat of the species.




Taran Grant, Marco Rada, Marvin Anganoy-Criollo, Abel Batista, Pedro Henrique Dias, Adriana Moriguchi Jeckel, Denis Jacob Machado and José Vicente Rueda-Almonacid. 2017. Phylogenetic Systematics of Dart-Poison Frogs and Their Relatives Revisited (Anura: Dendrobatoidea). South American Journal of Herpetology. 12(s1); S1-S90. DOI:  10.2994/SAJH-D-17-00017.1

[Ichthyology • 2017] Pomacentrus flavioculus • A New Species of Damselfish (Teleostei: Pomacentridae) from Fiji and Tonga

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Pomacentrus flavioculus
Allen, Erdmann & Pertiwi, 2017

Abstract

Pomacentrus flavioculus n. sp. is described on the basis of 140 specimens, 17.1–86.8 mm SL, from Fiji and Tonga in the South Pacific Ocean. The new species was formerly identified as Pomacentrus imitator (Whitley, 1964), which now appears to be restricted to the Coral Sea. The new species clearly differs from P. imitator on the basis of several color-pattern features, including a bright yellow ring that encircles the pupil, a more uniform body color (vs. contrasting pale scale centers and dark scale margins), a yellowish caudal fin (vs. whitish), and a small orange marking immediately above the large black spot that covers the pectoral-fin base (absent in P. imitator). Although meristic and morphological features are broadly similar, P. flavioculus has a strong mode of 14 anal-fin rays vs. 15 in P. imitator. Additionally, P.flavioculus usually has a greater preanal distance and almost always has a longer pelvic-fin spine. A phylogenetic analysis of concatenated mtDNA sequences shows the new species is 8.4% divergent (average pairwise distance) from its nearest relatives and is part of the broad Pomacentrus philippinus species complex.


Figure 1. Pomacentrus flavioculus, Lau Archipelago, Fiji, underwater photographs:
A) approx. 70 mm SL, B) approx. 55 mm SL, C) subadult, approx. 45 mm SL, D) juvenile, approx. 20 mm SL (G.R. Allen).


Pomacentrus flavioculus, n. sp. 
Yelloweye Damselfish

Etymology. The new species is named flavioculus (Latin: yellow eye) with reference to the diagnostic yellow ring that encircles the pupil.

Distribution. The new species is known only from Fiji and Tonga (Fig. 3), where it is commonly encountered in depths of about 4–30 m. It occurs on both outer reefs and in lagoons, usually adjacent to steep coral formations with abundant ledges and overhangs.


Gerald R. Allen, Mark V. Erdmann and P.D. Pertiwi. 2017. Pomacentrus flavioculus, A New Species of Damselfish from Fiji and Tonga (Teleostei: Pomacentridae). Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation. 28, 22–33.  DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.896910



[Hexapoda • 2017] Turkmenocampa mirabilis • A Striking New Genus and Species of Troglobitic Campodeidae (Diplura) from Central Asia

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Turkmenocampa mirabilis Sendra & Stoev, 2017 


Abstract
A striking new genus and species of Campodeidae (Diplura), Turkmenocampa mirabilis Sendra & Stoev, gen.n., sp.n., found in Kaptarhana cave in Eastern Turkmenistan is described. This represents the first record of Diplura from Central Asia and also the first terrestrial troglobiont found in Turkmenistan. The new taxon shows several unique characters such as the lack of crests on the telotarsus, the presence of a side-shoot process and the shape of barbs on the ventral side of the laminar telotarsal processes hitherto unknown in other members of this family. Although T. mirabilis is tentatively placed in the subfamily Plusiocampinae, its true affinities remain uncertain. The new finding provides further support to the importance of Kaptarhana as a refuge for a number of endemic invertebrates.

Keywords: Turkmenistan, Koytentag Mountain, Turkmenocampa mirabilis, identification key, Plusiocampinae, cave fauna

Figures 1–2.Turkmenocampa mirabilis Sendra & Stoev, sp. n.
 1 Dorsal view of the frontal process and right side of the head, holotype 2 Head, ventral view, E23 female paratype. Scale bars: 0.2 mm.


A two-pronged bristletail of the family Campodeidae.
photo: Alberto Sendra

Turkmenocampa Sendra & Stoev, gen. n.

 Type species: Turkmenocampa mirabilis Sendra & Stoev, sp. n.

Etymology: Turkmenocampa is a composite name comprising “Turkmeno”-referring to the type locality and the suffix ‘-campa’ traditionally used in Campodeidae taxonomy. Gender: feminine.


Turkmenocampa mirabilis Sendra & Stoev, sp. n.

Etymology: mirabilis’ is a Latin adjective meaning “unusual, amazing, wonderful, remarkable”. The specific epithet refers to the unique micro-sensilla in the cupuliform organ which resemble sponges and micro-corals.

Habitat: Although Turkmenocampa mirabilis has so far been found only in the larger gallery of the cave, some 200–250 m inside the cave, it might well be that it also inhabits the other main passage of the cave. The species is a troglobiont, all records deriving from the aphotic zone of the cave. No specimens were however observed during the exploration of the cave, those that were trapped being found in humid locations, rich in guano.

Entrance of the cave Kaptarhana, Lebap Province, Eastern Turkmenistan.
photo: Aleksandr Degtyarev


 Alberto Sendra, Boris Sket and Pavel Stoev. 2017. A Striking New Genus and Species of Troglobitic Campodeidae (Diplura) from Central Asia.  Subterranean Biology. 23; 47-68.  DOI:  10.3897/subtbiol.23.14631
Strange troglodyte species found in Turkmenistan cave  upi.com/6632360t ข้อมูลจาก @upi

    

[Herpetology • 2017] A Taxonomic Revision of the Philautus (Anura: Rhacophoridae) of Sumatra with the Description of Four New Species; P. amabilis, P. polymorphus, P. thamyridion & P. ventrimaculatus

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Philautus amabilis, P. thamyridion & P. ventrimaculatus
Wost, Riyanto, Hamidy, Kurniawan, Smith & Harvey, 2017 


Abstract
This paper is the first taxonomic treatment of Sumatran Philautus since the early 20th century. We redescribe P. cornutus and P. petersi from new specimens, restrict P. petersi to Great Natuna Island, and reinstate the name P. larutensis for the populations on Borneo, Peninsular Malaysia, and Sumatra. We then synonymize P. similis with P. larutensis. We report Sumatran populations of P. kerangae and P. refugii, two species previously thought to be endemic to Borneo and discuss the presence of P.aurifasciatus on the island. We describe four new species of Philautus collected during large-scale herpetological surveys of Sumatra between 2013 and 2015 and propose a hypothesis of their relationship to the other Sunda Shelf Philautus on the basis of 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid sequences. Additionally, we provide a key to the Philautus of Sumatra. In the course of this work we transfer P. vittiger from Java to the genus Chiromantis.

Keywords: Anuran taxonomy, Biodiversity, Biogeography, Sunda Shelf

Philautus amabilis, P. polymorphus, P. thamyridion & P. ventrimaculatus


Wost, Riyanto, Hamidy, Kurniawan, Smith & Harvey, 2017

 Previously Described Species 

• Philautus cornutus (Boulenger 1920)
• Philautus kerangae Dring 1987
• Philautus larutensis (Boulenger 1900)  
• Philautus petersi (Boulenger 1900) 
• Philautus refugii Inger and Stuebing 1996


New Species 

FIG. 10.—Philautus amabilis. MZB.Amph.26879, holotype, male, 20.79 mm snout–vent length (SVL), Bur Ni Telong Aceh (A and B). MZB.Amph.26887, female, 22.46 mm SVL, Gunung Marapi, Bengkulu (C and D). UTA-A 63816, male, 20.64 mm SVL, Gunung Sibuatan, Sumatera Utara (E and F).

• Philautus amabilis sp. nov.

Etymology.—The name amabilis is a masculine adjective from Latin meaning lovely. It is an apt description of this charming species.

FIG. 11.—Philautus polymorphus. MZB.Amph.26789, holotype, male 25.30 mm snout–vent length (SVL), Gunung Patah, Sumatera Selatan (A). MZB.Amph.26755, female, 25.89 mm SVL, Gunung Kerinci, Jambi (B). UTA-A 63953, female 28.93 mm SVL, Gunung Dempo, Sumatera Selatan (C). UTAA 63935, male, 21.28 mm SVL, Sumatera Barat Province, Gunung Marapi (D). MZB.Amph.26814, female, 26.04 mm SVL, Bukit Kaba, Bengkulu (E). UTAA 63909, female, 23.02 mm SVL, Gunung Daun, Bengkulu (F).

• Philautus polymorphus sp. nov.

Etymology.—The name polymorphus is a masculine adjective derived from the Greek words poly, meaning many, and morph, meaning shape or form. The name refers to the high levels of phenotypic variation displayed in this species.

FIG. 12.—Philautus thamyridion. MZB.Amph.26763, holotype, male 17.88 mm, Gunung Pesawaran, Lampung (A and B). UTA-A 63987, paratype, female, 19.82 mm snout–vent length (SVL), Gunung Pesawaran, Lampung (C). UTA-A 63976, female, 19.91 mm SVL, Gunung Daun, Bengkulu (D). MZB.Amph.26796, male, 17.37 mm SVL Gunung Patah, Sumatera Selatan (E). UTA-A 63982, male, 15.42 mm SVL, vicinity of Ngarip, Lampung, showing black spot surrounding vent and black coloration on inferior surface of tarsus (F).

• Philautus thamyridion sp. nov. 

Etymology.—The new name, thamyridion, is a masculine noun in apposition and is a diminutive of the proper name Thamyris, a boastful singer of Greek mythology. The name refers to this species’ small size and loud distinctive call.

FIG. 13.—Philautus ventrimaculatus. MZB.Amph.26815, holotype, female, 21.61 mm snout–vent length (SVL), Gunung Dempo, Sumatera Selatan (A and B). UTA-A 63882, paratype, female, 21.22 mm SVL, Gunung Dempo, Sumatera Selatan (C and D). UTA-A 63873, female, 16.87 mm SVL, Gunung Patah, Sumatera Selatan (E and F).  

• Philautus ventrimaculatus sp. nov. 

Etymology.—The specific name ventrimaculatus is a masculine adjective derived from the latin words venter, referring the stomach, and macula, meaning spot. The name is in reference to the distinctive pattern on the venter of this species.


Elijah Wost, Awal Riyanto, Amir Hamidy, Nia Kurniawan, Eric N. Smith and Michael B. Harvey. 2017. A Taxonomic Revision of the Philautus (Anura: Rhacophoridae) of Sumatra with the Description of Four New Species. Herpetological Monographs. 31(1); 70-113.  DOI: 10.1655/HERPMONOGRAPHS-D-16-00007 

 


Specimens of the newly described species — Philautus amabilis, Philautus polymorphus, Philautus thamyridion and Philautus ventrimaculatus — were collected from 2013 to 2015 in jungles over 1,000 meters above sea level.
Four new toads discovered in Sumatra  news.mongabay.com/2017/09/four-new-toads-discovered-in-sumatra/   @Mongabay




[PaleoMammalogy • 2017] Inticetus vertizi • A New Odontocete (Toothed Cetacean) from the Early Miocene of Peru Expands the Morphological Disparity of Extinct Heterodont Dolphins

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Inticetus vertizi
Lambert, de Muizon, Malinverno, Celma, Urbina & Bianucci, 2017

Abstract
A key step in the evolutionary history of Odontoceti (echolocating toothed cetaceans) is the transition from the ancestral heterodont condition – characterized by the presence of double-rooted cheek teeth bearing accessory denticles – to the homodont dentition displayed by most extant odontocete species. During the last few decades, new finds and the reassessment of specimens in collections revealed an increased morphological disparity amongst the Oligo–Miocene heterodont odontocetes. Based on a partly articulated skeleton from late Early Miocene (Burdigalian, 18.8–18.0 Ma) beds of the Chilcatay Formation (Pisco Basin, Peru), we describe a new genus and species of heterodont odontocete, Inticetus vertizi, in the new family Inticetidae. This large dolphin is characterized by, amongst other things, a long and robust rostrum bearing at least 18 teeth per quadrant; the absence of procumbent anterior teeth; many large, broad-based accessory denticles in double-rooted posterior cheek teeth; a reduced ornament of dental crowns; the styliform process of the jugal being markedly robust; a large fovea epitubaria on the periotic, with a correspondingly voluminous accessory ossicle of the tympanic bulla; and a shortened tuberculum of the malleus. Phylogenetic analyses (with and without molecular constraint; with and without down-weighting of homoplastic characters) yielded contrasting results, with Inticetus falling either as a stem Odontoceti or as an early branching member of a large Platanistoidea clade. With its large size, robust rostrum and unusual dental morphology, and the absence of conspicuous tooth wear, Inticetus increases the morphological and ecological disparity of Late Oligocene–Early Miocene heterodont odontocetes. Finally, this new taxon calls for caution when attempting to identify isolated cetacean cheek teeth, even at the suborder level.
Keywords: Cetacea, Odontoceti, heterodont, Miocene, Burdigalian, Peru


Figure 4. Cranium and mandibles of Inticetus vertizi, MUSM 1980 (holotype). A, left lateral view; B, corresponding explanatory line drawing. Scale bar = 200 mm.

Figure 17. Cranium and mandibles of Inticetus vertizi, MUSM 1980 (holotype). A, detail of the posterior part of the right lower quadrant including cheek teeth C8–12, in medial view. 

Systematic palaeontology

Order Cetacea Brisson, 1762
Pelagiceti Uhen, 2008a
Neoceti Fordyce & Muizon, 2001
Suborder Odontoceti Flower, 1867

Family Inticetidae fam. nov.
Type genus. Inticetusgen. nov.

 Genus Inticetus gen. nov.
Type species.Inticetus vertizi sp. nov.
Derivation of name. From Inti, the sun deity of the Inca Empire, and cetus, whale in Latin, for the typical, subcircular and ray-like arrangement of accessory denticles in posterior cheek teeth of MUSM 1980, reminiscent of artistic reconstructions of the rising sun.

 Inticetus vertizi sp. nov.

Derivation of name. Honouring the discoverer of the holotype MUSM 1980, the Peruvian artist Álvaro Suárez Vértiz.


Olivier Lambert, Christian de Muizon, Elisa Malinverno, Claudio Di Celma, Mario Urbina and Giovanni Bianucci. 2017. A New Odontocete (Toothed Cetacean) from the Early Miocene of Peru Expands the Morphological Disparity of Extinct Heterodont Dolphins. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. DOI:  10.1080/14772019.2017.1359689

[Paleontology • 2017] Burianosaurus augustai • A Basal Ornithopod Dinosaur from the Cenomanian of the Czech Republic

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 Burianosaurus augustai 
 Madzia, Boyd & Mazuch, 2017


Abstract
During their long evolutionary history, neornithischian dinosaurs diverged into several clades with distinctive adaptations. However, the early evolution within Neornithischia and the resolution of the phylogenetic relationships of taxa situated near the base of the clade remain problematic. This is especially true for those taxa traditionally placed at the base of Ornithopoda, either as ‘hypsilophodontids’ or at the base of the diverse clade Iguanodontia. Recent studies are improving our understanding of the anatomy and relationships of these taxa, with discoveries of several new non-ankylopollexian ornithopods from South America and Europe providing key insights into early ornithopod evolution and palaeobiogeography. Here, we describe a new basal ornithopod, Burianosaurus augustai gen. et sp. nov., based on a well-preserved femur from the upper Cenomanian strata (Korycany Beds of the Peruc-Korycany Formation) of the Czech Republic. The new taxon is diagnosed by a unique suite of characters and represents the only occurrence of a Cenomanian non-avian dinosaur in Central Europe north of the Alpine Tethyan areas. Histological examination of the type specimen reveals the presence of a loosely packed Haversian system which suggests relatively mature bone from a possible young adult. Phylogenetic analyses of two different data sets, selected to test the placement of B. augustai in various parts of the neornithischian tree, reconstruct B. augustai as a basal ornithopod, firmly nested outside Ankylopollexia. These results also support a diverse Elasmaria as a basal clade within Ornithopoda and reconstruct Hypsilophodon outside Ornithopoda as the sister taxon to Cerapoda. However, the relationships of ‘hypsilophodontids’ within Neornithischia remain contentious.

Keywords: Ornithopoda, Dinosauria, phylogeny, Cenomanian, Czech Republic

[2017] Figure 1. The holotype left femur (NMP Ob 203) of Burianosaurus augustai gen. et sp. nov.

[2005] Fig. 3. Left femur of cf. Iguanodontidae gen. et sp. indet. (Ornithischia, Ornithopoda), IGP MZHLZ/2003/1, in posterior (A), lateral (B), medial (C), ante− rior (D), and distal (F) views, with transverse cross−section through the femoral shaft (E).
(Fejfar, Košťák, Kvacek, et al. 2005) app.pan.pl/article/item/app50-295.html

Systematic palaeontology
Dinosauria Owen, 1842
Ornithischia Seeley, 1887
Neornithischia Cooper, 1985
Ornithopoda Marsh, 1881
Genus Burianosaurus gen. nov.
2005 cf. Iguanodontidae gen. et sp. indet.
Fejfar, Košťák, Kvacek, Mazuch, & Moucka: 297, fig. 3.

Age. Late Cenomanian, early Late Cretaceous.

Derivation of name. The name Burianosaurus is derived from the surname of the Czech palaeoartist Zdenek Burian (1905–1981) who greatly influenced the perception of dinosaurs during most of the twentieth century, and saῦro & (sauros), the Greek word for ‘reptile’ or ‘lizard’.

 Burianosaurus augustai sp. nov.

Holotype. NMP Ob 203, a well-preserved, nearly complete left femur.

Derivation of name. The name augustai refers to the prominent Czech palaeontologist and prolific science populariser Josef Augusta (1903–1968).

 Burianosaurus augustai sp. nov.
 Illustration: Edyta Felcyn

Conclusions
Only two definitive non-avian dinosaur specimens have been described from the Czech Republic to date: NMP Ob 203, a well-preserved left femur from the upper Cenomanian (Upper Cretaceous), introduced by Fejfar et al. (2005) under temporary catalogue number IGP MZHLZ/ 2003/1, and IGS-MJ-0001 (currently DGSMU Pa 222), an isolated tetanurine tooth crown from the Oxfordian (Upper Jurassic) published by Madzia (2014).

A re-evaluation of the phylogenetic relationships of NMP Ob 203 demonstrates that this specimen actually represents a non-ankylopollexian ornithopod, here named Burianosaurus augustai gen. et sp. nov. Analysis of a modified version of the Boyd (2015) basal neornithischian data set reconstructs Baugustai as a basal member of Ornithopoda, positioned more rootward than the rhabdodontomorphs but more derived than the Gondwanan elasmarians. The new taxon can be distinguished from all other ornithopods by a unique suite of morphological characters present in the femur. From a palaeobiogeographical perspective, B. augustai represents the only occurrence of a non-avian dinosaur from the Cenomanian of Central Europe north of the Alpine Tethyan areas (Fejfar et al. 2005; Csiki-Sava et al. 2015). This discovery adds to the growing body of work demonstrating the importance of the European fossil record for studying the evolution of non-ankylopollexian ornithopods (e.g. Ősi et al. 2012; Ruiz-Omeñaca et al. 2012).


Daniel Madzia, Clint A. Boyd and Martin Mazuch. 2017. A Basal Ornithopod Dinosaur from the Cenomanian of the Czech Republic. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. DOI:  10.1080/14772019.2017.1371258



Reconstruction of the possible form of the first "Czech" dinosaur, which was named Burianosaurus augustai. Only the femur is preserved from the specimen, so based on data on related species.... Illustration: Edyta Felcyn,
První český dinosaurus se změnil: byl primitivnější a nebyl zakrslý  technet.idnes.cz/cesko-kosti-dinosaurus-burianosaurus-augustai-f57-/veda.aspx via @iDNEScz


We describe the first dinosaur skeletal remains found in the Czech Republic, consisting of one complete femur and indeterminable bone fragments. They were recovered from the upper Cenomanian near-shore marine sediments deposited on the slopes of an ancient archipelago, several kilometres north of the larger Rhenish-Bohemian Island that was situated in what is now the middle of Europe. Sediments yielding dinosaur remains are of late Cenomanian age, Inoceramus pictus-I. pictus bohemicus inoceramid zone of the local lithostratigraphic unit, the Peruc-Korycany Formation. These are the first uncontested dinosaurian fossils reported from this formation and also the first Cenomanian dinosaur record in Central Europe. They document a small ornithopod belonging to an iguanodontid species comparable with similar Late Cretaceous European forms. The herbivorous dinosaur lived among a vegetation transitional between salt marsh flora, with abundant halophytic conifer Frenelopsis alata; and an alluvial plain assemblage dominated by lauroid angiosperms.
Key words: Dinosauria, Iguanodontidae, palaeoenvironment, vegetation, Cenomanian, Bohemian Cretaceous Basin, Czech Republic, Europe.

Oldřich Fejfar, Martin Košťák, Jiří Kvaček, Martin Mazuch, and Michal Moučka. 2005. First Cenomanian dinosaur from Central Europe (Czech Republic). Acta Palaeontologica Polonica. 50(2); 295-300.  app.pan.pl/article/item/app50-295.html

[Crustacea • 2017] Athanas alpheusophilus (Decapoda: Alpheidae) • A New Alpheus-associated Shrimp from the Russian Coast of the Sea of Japan

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Athanas alpheusophilus Marin, 2017


Abstract

A new alpheid shrimpAthanas alpheusophilus sp. nov., is described on the basis of numerous mature specimens collected from burrows of Alpheus brevicristatus De Haan, 1844 in Vityaz Bay, which is part of Posjeta Bay on the Russian side of the Sea of Japan. The new species belongs to “Athanas dimorphus” species complex and can be clearly separated from Athanas japonicus Kubo, 1936 and relative species by unique combination of morphological features of male and female pereiopods I (chelipeds) and some other features. Moreover, Athanas alpheusophilus sp. nov. is the first species of the genus Athanas Leach, 1814 reported as a symbiont of larger burrowing snapping shrimps of the genus Alpheus Fabricius, 1798 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Alpheidae). Some taxonomic remarks on A. japonicus and related species are provided and Athanas lamellifer Kubo, 1940 is revalidated based on morphology of the male pereiopods I.

Keywords:  Crustacea, Malacostraca, Decapoda, Alpheidae, shrimp, Athanas, new species, commensalism, Alpheus-associated, Sea of Japan, Russia, North-West Pacific


 Ivan Marin. 2017. Athanas alpheusophilus sp. nov. (Decapoda: Alpheidae)— A New Alpheus-associated Shrimp from the Russian coast of the Sea of Japan. Zootaxa. 4324(1); 50–62.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4324.1.3


[Entomology • 2017] Coeliccia duytan • A New Species of Damselfly (Odonata: Platycnemididae) from the Central Highlands of Vietnam

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Coeliccia duytan  Phan, 2017


Abstract

Coeliccia duytan sp. nov. (holotype male, from Chu Mom Ray National Park, Kon Tum Province, the Central Highlands of Vietnam, deposited in zoological collection of Duy Tan University) is described based on both sexes. The new species is closely related to C. hayashii Phan & Kompier, 2016 by the extensive rectangular pruinosity on the synthorax but differs in lacking a pale antehumeral stripe, genital ligula with flagella pointed at tip and the shape of cerci.

Keywords: Odonata, Platycnemididae, Coeliccia duytan sp. nov., Vietnam


FIGURE 4. Coeliccia duytan sp. nov. in nature (4a) male; (4b) female.

Coeliccia duytan sp. nov.

Etymology. This specific epithet is derived from my office Duy Tan University; duytan, a noun in apposition.

Habitat and Ecology. This is a shy species, usually perching ca. 20–30 cm high in dark forest underlain with decomposing leaf litter. It was found at streams (4–6m width) with large stones in pristine forest. At the type locality, this species occurs with two other congeners C. mientrung Kompier & Phan, 2017 and C. dydima (Selys, 1863) (new record for Vietnam, unpublished).  


Quoc Toan Phan. 2017. Coeliccia duytan sp. nov. from the Central Highlands of Vietnam (Odonata: Platycnemididae). Zootaxa. 4324(1); 195–200.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4324.1.12


[Herpetology • 2017] Naja peroescobari • A New Species of Naja Laurenti, 1768 (Squamata: Elapidae): The “Cobra-preta” of São Tomé Island, Gulf of Guinea

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Naja (Boulengerina) peroescobari  
Ceríaco,Marques,Schmitz & Bauer, 2017

Photo: T. Pisoni. 
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4324.1.7 

Abstract

The Cobra-Preta (black snake in Portuguese) of Sao Tomé Island in the Gulf of Guinea has historically been referred to as Naja (Boulengerina) melanoleuca (Squamata: Elapidae). Its presence on the island has been traditionally explained as an introduction from the mainland by Portuguese settlers, supposedly to control the rat population. This explanation has been widely accepted by local authorities and even international conservation agencies. The taxonomic identity of this snake has remained undisputed by all taxonomists who have published about it, with the exception of L. Capocaccia in 1961. Arguments supporting the human introduction hypothesis are weak and are contradicted by historical, morphological and molecular data. Further, the biogeographic history of the Gulf of Guinea oceanic islands and recent insights on the taxonomic identity and evolutionary history of other taxonomic groups occurring there suggest that the Cobra-Preta, in fact, represents a distinct lineage of the melanoleuca group, endemic to São Tomé. We here describe the Cobra Preta as a new species. The new species differs from N. (B.) melanoleuca, its sister species, by a distinct coloration ventral pattern and the type of contact of the sublingual scales. Data on the toxicology, distribution, ecology, folklore and conservation status of the new species are presented.

Keywords: Reptilia, NajaBoulengerina, taxonomy, São Tomé & Príncipe, conservation, Naja (Boulengerina) peroescobari sp. nov.



FIGURE 4. Holotype of Naja (Boulengerina) peroescobari sp. nov. (MUHNAC / MB 03 – 001065).

FIGURE 5. Live picture of Naja (Boulengerina) peroescobari  sp nov. from near Santa Josefina. Specimen not collected. Photo by Tiziano Pisoni. 


Luis M. P. Ceríaco,Mariana P. Marques,Andreas Schmitz andAaron M. Bauer. 2017. The “Cobra-preta” of São Tomé Island, Gulf of Guinea, is A New Species of Naja Laurenti, 1768 (Squamata: Elapidae). Zootaxa. 4324(1); 121–141.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4324.1.7

    

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