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[Herpetology • 2014] On Trimeresurus sumatranus (Raffles, 1822), with the Designation of A Neotype and the Description of A New Species of Pitviper (Viperidae: Crotalinae) from the mountainous areas of western Sumatra; Trimeresurus gunaleni | Ular Hijau Gunung | Sumatran Montane Pitviper

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Trimeresurus gunaleni spec. nov.
Fig. 3A. Live adult female Holotype | Fig. 4B. Live male
from Mt. Sibayak, ca. 1,800 m a.s.l., west of Brastagi, Sumatera Utara Province, Sumatra

Abstract
Variation in morphological characters were investigated among 126 specimens from at least 67 populations covering the whole range of the large pitviper currently known as Trimeresurus sumatranus (Raffles, 1822). The results showed that two distinct taxa are involved. Herein Trimeresurus sumatranus is redefined. In order to fix the status of this species, a neotype is selected and described. Its type locality is restricted to the vicinity of Bengkulu, Bengkulu Province, Sumatra. The second taxon represents a distinct, previously unnamed species, which is described. The new species differs from Trimeresurus sumatranus by a lower number of ventrals in males (162–179 against 178–185) and females (164–171 vs. 175–191); a distinctly longer tail in males (value of the ratio tail length/total length: 0.201–0.210 vs. 0.150–0.168), the color of the tail (see the description), the color of the eyes: green in the new species, vs. dark grey in T. sumatranus, the color of the ventrals, which are green with a pale posterior suture in the new species and pale with dark posterior suture in T. sumatranus. The new species lives in higher elevations than T. sumatranus and seems to be endemic to the higher mountain ranges of western Sumatra.

Key words. Sumatra, West Malaysia, Borneo, Trimeresurus gunaleni spec. nov., Trimeresurus malcolmiTrimeresurus sumatranus 


Fig. 13. MZB.Ophi.5452 holotype of Trimeresurus gunaleni spec. nov., adult female.
Photo: N. Maury.

Trimeresurus gunaleni Vogel, David & Sidik, 2014

 Suggested common names: English: Gunalen’s Pitviper.
Bahasa Indonesia: Ular Hijau Gunung.
Karo: Nipe Ratah. Padang (Minang): Ular Ijo Babiso. French: Trimérésure de Gunalen. German: Gunalen’s Grubenotter.



Etymology: The specific nomen is dedicated to Mr. Danny Gunalen, who was the first to find the species alive and who greatly supported the work resulting in the description of this new species.


Distribution: Indonesia; Sumatra. Endemic; Trimeresurus gunaleni spec. nov. is known only from two provinces: Sumatera Barat (Solok and Padang Mountains) and Sumatera Utara (Mt. Sibayak, Mt. Sinabung and Mt. Singkut near Berastagi).
This species can be expected in higher elevations all over the mountainous areas of Sumatra.

Natural History: Trimeresurus gunaleni spec. nov. inhabits regions typically covered with tropical moist montane forests, from 1,500 m to as high as at least 2,000 m, perhaps as much as 2,200 m, where it has been observed by local insect collectors (Figs. 15 and 16). There is no record of populations lower than 1,500 m. On Mount Sibayak, Danny Gunalen collected specimens of Trimeresurus hageni at elevation of 500 m, and Tropidolaemus wagleri at 200 m. Trimeresurus gunaleni is clearly isolated as a high montane dweller.

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These species or complexes of pitvipers show the close zoogeographic relationships of the islands of Borneo and Sumatra with Peninsular Malaysia. Furthermore, it can also be seen that Sumatra is split into a northern and a southern region, with the larger northern region closely connected to Western Malaysia and Borneo, and the smaller southern region connected with Java. The limit between these two regions seems to be located between Padang and Bengkulu. Previously, these species complexes were regarded as widely distributed species, obscuring the zoogeographical relations of these regions. We are not confident that the taxonomy of the genus Trimeresurus is fully resolved and previously mentioned taxa might still prove to be endemic for one of the regions.
The finding of such a large and venomous pitviper as T. gunaleni spec. nov. in a group that was supposed to be well known is quite surprising. It is hard to understand that it was overlooked for such a long time despite thefact that the three specimens in the collection of Vienna have been available for a long time (collected 1899) and were already examined by other groups of herpetologists. The mountainous areas of Sumatra are still very incompletely known and further research in these areas is highly desirable.


Gernot Vogel, Patrick David and Irvan Sidik. 2014. On Trimeresurus sumatranus (Raffles, 1822), with the Designation of A Neotype and the Description of A New Species of Pitviper from Sumatra (Squamata: Viperidae: Crotalinae).
Amphibian & Reptile Conservation 8(2) [General Issue]: 1–29 (e80).


[Herpetology • 2014] Rhombophryne vaventy • A New microhylid Frog, genus Rhombophryne, from northeastern Madagascar, and a re-description of R. serratopalpebrosa using micro-computed tomography

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Rhombophryne vaventy Scherz, Ruthensteiner, Vences & Glaw, 2014

Abstract
The rainforests of the Marojejy massif in northern Madagascar are a well-known hotspot of amphibian species diversity and endemism. In the present paper, we re-describe Rhombophryne serratopalpebrosa (Guibé 1975), a cophyline microhylid frog from high altitude on this massif, based on a re-examination of its holotype, and describe Rhombophryne vaventy sp. nov. using characters of external morphology and osteology, illustrated by pdf-embedded comparative 3D models of their skeletons. Rhombophryne serratopalpebrosa differs from R. vaventy sp. nov. by smaller size (28 mm snout-vent length vs. 52.9 mm), skin texture (granular vs. rough and tubercular skin respectively), supratympanic fold shape (strong, long and straight reaching the eye vs. curved and not extending anteriorly beyond the tympanum), relative tympanum diameter (78% vs. 41% of eye diameter), shape of the postchoanal prevomerine palate, shape of the footplate of the columella, length of prepollex, and by other subtle osteological features. Morphological comparisons suggest that a specimen from Ambolokopatrika assigned to R. serratopalpebrosa in previous genetic studies might belong to yet another undescribed species, closely related to R. vaventy sp. nov., whereas DNA sequences of the topotypic R. serratopalpebrosa remain unknown. We therefore emphasise the need for collecting additional material from high altitudes of the Marojejy massif to understand the systematics, as well as the natural history, of this poorly known species. For the new species described herein, we propose a Red List threat status of Vulnerable, in line with other Marojejy endemics from a similar altitude.


Keywords: Amphibia, Anura, Microhylidae, Rhombophryne vaventy sp. nov., Madagascar, micro-computed tomography




Scherz, Mark D., Bernhard Ruthensteiner, Miguel Vences & Frank Glaw. 2014. A New microhylid Frog, genus Rhombophryne, from northeastern Madagascar, and a re-description of R. serratopalpebrosa using micro-computed tomography. Zootaxa. 3860(6): 547–560.

[Paleontology • 2014] Eousdryosarus nanohallucis • A New dryosaurid Ornithopod (Dinosauria, Ornithischia) from the Late Jurassic of Portugal

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Eousdryosarus nanohallucis
Escaso, Ortega, Dantas, Malafaia, Silva, Gasulla, Mocho, Narváez & Sanz, 2014 
Reconstruction: Raúl Martin

ABSTRACT
A new dryosaurid ornithopod, Eousdryosaurus nanohallucis, gen. et sp. nov., is described here based on a single specimen from the Late Jurassic Alcobaça Formation of Portugal. Eousdryosaurus nanohallucis is distinguished from all other dryosaurids by eight autapomorphic features and an unique combination of characters, some of which are also shared by other dryosaurids. Eousdryosaurus is linked with Dryosauridae, because the fourth trochanter is proximally placed and widely separated from the scar for the insertion of the M. caudifemoralis longus, which is restricted to the medial surface of the femoral shaft. Phylogenetic analysis nests Eousdryosaurus in an unresolved polytomy at the base of Dryosauridae together with CallovosaurusDryosaurus, and Kangnasaurus. The complete pes of Eousdryosaurus, which has a phalangeal formula of 1-3-4-5-0, supports the putative autapomorphic reduction of the dryosaurid pes that also occurs in parallel in more derived ornithopods.




Fernando Escaso, Francisco Ortega, Pedro Dantas, Elisabete Malafaia, Bruno Silva, José M. Gasulla, Pedro Mocho, Iván Narváez & José L. Sanz. 2014. A New dryosaurid Ornithopod (Dinosauria, Ornithischia) from the Late Jurassic of Portugal. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 34(5): 1102 - 1112. doi: dx.doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2014.849715.



[Paleontology • 2014] Ziapelta sanjuanensis • A New Ankylosaurid Dinosaur from the Upper Cretaceous (Kirtlandian) of New Mexico with Implications for Ankylosaurid Diversity in the Upper Cretaceous of Western North America

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Ziapelta sanjuanensis
Arbour,  Burns, Sullivan, Lucas, Cantrell, Fry & Suazo, 2014

Abstract
A new ankylosaurid (Ankylosauria: Dinosauria),Ziapelta sanjuanensis, gen. et sp. nov., is based on a complete skull, an incomplete first cervical half ring, a possible fragment of the second cervical half ring, and additional fragmentary osteoderms. The holotype specimen is from the Upper Cretaceous (Upper Campanian, Kirtlandian Land-Vertebrate Age) Kirtland Formation (De-na-zin Member) at Hunter Wash, San Juan Basin, in northwestern New Mexico, USA. Diagnostic characters of Ziapelta include: a large, prominent triangular median nasal caputegulum; a mixture of flat and bulbous frontonasal caputegulae; ventrolaterally oriented squamosal horns with a sharp, prominent dorsal keel; and the ventral surface of basicranium with three prominent anteroposteriorly oriented fossae. A phylogenetic analysis suggests that Ziapelta is not closely related to the other ankylosaurid from the De-na-zin Member, Nodocephalosaurus, but allies it to the northern North American ankylosaurids Ankylosaurus, Anodontosaurus, Euoplocephalus, Dyoplosaurus, and Scolosaurus.


Figure 2.Ziapelta sanjuanensis, gen. et sp. nov., (holotype NMMNH P-64484), complete skull.
A, dorsal view; B, ventral view; C, anterior view; D, occipital view; and E, left lateral view.
Abbreviations: asca, anterior supraorbital caputegulum; bas, basioccipital; ch, choana; fm, foramen magnum; j, jugal; laca, lacrimal caputegulum; loca, loreal caputegulum; ltf, laterotemporal fenestra; mnca, median nasal caputegulum; nar, external naris; oc, occipital condyle; orb, orbit; pal, palatine; par, parietal; parocc, paroccipital process; pmx, premaxilla; psca, posterior supraorbital caputegulum; pt, pterygoid; q, quadrate; qj, quadratojugal; qjh, quadratojugal horn; snca, supranarial caputegulum; socc, supraoccipital; sqh, squamosal horn; tr, tooth row; v, vomer. doi: dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0108804.g002

Speculative life restoration of Ziapelta sanjuanensis
Illustration: Sydney Mohr

Systematic Paleontology

Dinosauria Owen, 1842 
Ornithischia Seeley, 1888  

Thyreophora Nopcsa, 1915  

Ankylosauria Osborn, 1923 
Ankylosauridae Brown, 1908 

Ziapelta gen. nov. 

Type and only known species. Ziapelta sanjuanensis sp. nov. 

Etymology.Zia, after the Zia sun symbol, a stylized sun with four groups of rays, having religious significance to the Zia people of New Mexico, and the iconic symbol on the state flag of New Mexico; pelta (Latin), a small shield, in reference to the osteoderms found on all ankylosaurids; sanjuanensis, In reference to San Juan County and the structural basin from which the specimen was derived.


Figure 4. Cervical half rings of Ziapelta sanjuanensis.
A) Incomplete first and second cervical half rings of NMMNH P-64484 (holotype), with isolated post-cervical osteoderm, as preserved in situ. First cervical half ring is in posterior view. B) Dorsal view of left medial osteoderm showing smaller interstitial osteoderms, anterior is up. C) Isolated first cervical half ring NMMNH P-66930 (referred specimen) in anterior view.
Abbreviations: b, band; g, groove; i, interstitial osteoderm; ld, left distal osteoderm; ll, left lateral osteoderm; lm, left medial osteoderm; mid, midline of the cervical half ring; os, osteoderm; pc os, post-cervical osteoderm; rl, right lateral osteoderm; rm, right medial osteoderm. doi: dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0108804.g004


Victoria M. Arbour,  Michael E. Burns, Robert M. Sullivan, Spencer G. Lucas, Amanda K. Cantrell, Joshua Fry and Thomas L. Suazo. 2014. A New Ankylosaurid Dinosaur from the Upper Cretaceous (Kirtlandian) of New Mexico with Implications for Ankylosaurid Diversity in the Upper Cretaceous of Western North America. PLoS ONE. 9, 9: e108804. doi: dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0108804


[Herpetology • 2014] A Checklist and Key to the Homalopsid Snakes (Reptilia, Squamata, Serpentes), with the Description of New Genera

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TABLE 2. Homalopsid species are grouped based on morphological and molecular work.
 The Fangless Indonesian Group was recently recognized and placed within the Homalopsidae by Murphy et al. (2011). (Photo A Brachyorrhos raffrayi by J.C.M.) Alfaro et al. (2008) recognized four clades. Their clade A corresponds with our Plumbea Group, containing a highly aquatic undescribed species from Lake Towuti, Sulawesi. (Photo B Hypsiscopus plumbea by Daryl R. Karns.) The South China Group is linked by similar morphology, and was long considered to be part of Enhydris. Kumar et al. (2012) found Myrrophis chinensis to be the sister to the southwest Indian Dieurostus dussumierii (also previously considered part of Enhydris). (Photo C Myrrophis chinensis by Steve Mackessy.) The two species in the Fossorial-Aquatic Group share similar morphology and geography but remain unconfirmed by molecular studies. (Image D Miralia alternans from Jan & Sordelli, 1860–1881.) Similarly, most members of the South Asian Group have not been included in molecular studies. The group shares some morphology and geography. (Photo E Dieurostus dussumierii by Biju Kumar.) The Pahang Mud Snake, Kualatahan pahangensis, is of uncertain relationship. It may be allied with the South Asian Group or the Enhydris Group. The Enhydris Group is centered in Indochina, they use freshwater habitats, and group membership of all but Enhydris chanardi has been supported with molecular and morphological data (Alfaro et al., 2008; Karns et al., 2010a). (Photo F Enhydris enhydris by J.C.M.) The Punctata Group is centered on the Sunda Shelf and shares similar morphology. Only Phytolopsis punctata has been included in molecular studies. (Photo G Homalophis doriae by Daryl R. Karns.) The Saltwater Group has been well documented with molecular data (Alfaro et al., 2008). (Photo H Cantoria violacea by J.C.M.) The Australasian Group is well supported by a close genetic relationship between Pseudoferania and Myron (Alfaro et al., 2008; Kumar et al., 2012; Pyron et al., 2013) and shared morphology and geography with the other members of the group. (Photo I Pseudoferania polylepis by J.C.M.) The Sunda Group is at best tentative, Alfaro et al. (2008) found a sister relationship between Erpeton and Subsessor bocourti, while Murphy et al. (2011) found Erpeton to be the sister to Bitia, and Subsessor to be the sister to the Homalopsis and Cerberus groups; and Kumar et al. recovered Subsessor as the sister to Homalopsis. (Photo J Subsessor bocourti by J.C.M.) The Homalopsis Group is linked by similar morphology. (Photo K Homalopsis mereljcoxi by J.C.M.) The Cerberus Group has three of the five species linked with molecular data (Alfaro et al., 2004) and is strongly supported by Alfaro et al. (2008). (Photo L Cerberus dunsoni by J.C.M.)

Abstract
The colubroid snake family Homalopsidae contained 10 genera and 34 species of rear-fanged semi-aquatic and aquatic snakes in 1970 with the publication of Gyi's monograph. In 2007 Murphy had updated Gyi's work and the family held the same 10 genera with 37 species plus two genera with uncertain status (Anoplohydrus, Brachyorrhos). Molecular studies published in the first decade of the 21st century demonstrated that while the Homalopsidae is monophyletic, the species-rich genus Enhydris is polyphyletic. Molecular analysis also found Brachyorrhos to be the most basal member of the clade, confirming an earlier hypothesis that it was a fangless homalopsid. Subsequently, two other fangless genera of homalopsids were discovered. We revalidate the genera: Homalophis Peters, Hypsiscopus Fitzinger, Miralia Reuss, Phytolopsis Gray, and Raclitia Gray. Also, we describe five new genera for species lacking available names: Gyiophis, Kualatahan, Mintonophis, Sumatranus, and Subsessor. The new arrangement for homalopsid names resolves the problem of the formerly polyphyletic genus Enhydris. For all species, we provide a synonymy, information on types and type localities, a diagnosis, as well as remarks on taxonomic and nomenclatural problems and a dichotomous key. Recent evidence suggests homalopsids show high levels of endemism and cryptic speciation.

Keywords: aquatic snakes, mud snakes, Homalopsidae, terrestrial–aquatic transition, geographic distribution, taxonomy


CoverEnhydris jagorii Peters from the Bung Ka Lo wetland in Thailand’s Central Plain. This is the only confirmed extant population of this snake. Enhydris jagorii inhabits a marshy wetland with a shallow central lake bordered by rice paddy.
Photo by J.C.M.

John C. Murphy and Harold K. Voris. 2014. A Checklist and Key to the Homalopsid Snakes (Reptilia, Squamata, Serpentes), with the Description of New Genera. Fieldiana Life and Earth Sciences. 8 :1-43. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3158/2158-5520-14.8.1

[Ichthyology • 2014] Schistura megalodon • A New River Loach (Cypriniformes: Nem­a­c­heilidae) from the Irrawaddy basin in Dehong, Yunnan, China

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Abstract  
 A new species of river loach, Schistura megalodon sp. nov., is described from the Irrawaddy basin in Yingjiang County, Dehong Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China. The following combination of diagnostic characters serve to distinguish it from all other congeners in the given zoogeographical region: a large processus dentiformes in the upper jaw, a short pre-anus length of 65.4%-66.3% of SL, long paired fins (pectoral: 20.8%-24.2% of SL; pelvic: 17.9%-20.6% of SL), a wide body of 9.7%-11.3% of SL at anal fin origin, an incomplete lateral line, the absence of an orbital lobe, and a broad and distinct basicaudal bar with forward extensions. 

Keywords:Schistura megalodon; Irrawaddy; Dehong; Yunnan


Marco Endruweit. 2014. Schistura megalodon species nova, A New River Loach from the Irrawaddy basin in Dehong, Yunnan, China (Teleostei: Cypriniformes: Nem­a­c­heilidae). [J]. ZOOLOGICAL RESEARCH. 35(5) http://www.zoores.ac.cn/EN/Y0/V/I/30

[Herpetology • 2014] New Ooccurrence of Sinovipera sichuanensis in Guizhou, southwestern China

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Figure 1: General view of adult male Sinovipera sichuanensis from Jiangkou, Guizhou

Abstract
 Three Asian green pit vipers were collected in August 2013 during a field trip in Fanjin Mt. National Conservation Area, Guizhou. These specimens were identified as Sinoviperasichuanensis, based on subsequent examination and comparison. This is a new record of the genus Sinoviperaand S. sichuanensis in Guizhou, and the first time that male specimens have been 
collected in the field. 

Keywords: Snake; Hemipenis; Distribution; Morphology 

Qin LIU, Guang-Hui ZHONG, Shi-Ze LI, Jing-Cai LÜ and Peng GUO. 2014. New Ooccurrence of Sinovipera sichuanensis in Guizhou. Zoological Research. 35 (4): 350−352 

[Herpetology • 2014] Reclassification of Oligodon ningshaanensis Yuan, 1983 (Ophidia: Colubridae) into a New Genus, Stichophanes gen. nov. with Description on Its Malacophagous Behavior

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Stichophanes gen. nov. ningshaanensis [syn. Oligodon ningshaanensis]
 An extremely rare colubrid from Hubei Province, China. A single specimen was discovered in 1983 and none have been seen since, until I uncovered approximately 25 specimens in 2006 and 2008 at the site where this individual was photographed. Unlike other members in the genus [Oligodon], this species does not prey on eggs, but preys exclusively on snails and slugs.
 text & photo: K. Messenger [July 2011] flic.kr/p/ajY5UU

Abstract

The complete mitochondrial cytb gene and the partial nuclear c-mos gene of Oligodon ningshaanensis Yuan, 1983 were sequenced and used for reconstructing the phylogenetic relationship of this taxon amongst alethinophidian snakes. Its strong affinity to the New World subfamily Dipsadinae and the Old World species Thermophis baileyi was inferred. Hemipenial morphology found by authors conflicts with the original description and its similarity with those of the dipsadid snakes is in accordance with our molecular results. Feeding tests show that O. ningshaanensis is a malacophagous predator, which is another matchless character for this species. This behavior is described and compared with other known slug- and snail-feeding snakes. The discovery of the particular position of our subject indicates that erecting a new genus is necessary accommodate this unique species.

Keywords: Stichophanes gen. nov. ningshaanensis, Dipsadinae, molecular phylogeny, hemipenial morphology, mollusks-predator


Xiaohe WANG, Kevin MESSENGER, Ermi ZHAO and Chaodong ZHU. 2014. Reclassification of Oligodon ningshaanensis Yuan, 1983 (Ophidia: Colubridae) into a New Genus, Stichophanes gen. nov. with Description on Its Malacophagous Behavior. 
Asian Herpetological Research. 
5(3): 137–149. 


[Herpetology • 2014] Cyrtodactylus saiyok | ตุ๊กกายไทรโยค | Saiyok Bent-toed Gecko • A New Dry Evergreen Forest-dwelling Bent-toed Gecko (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Kanchanaburi Province, western Thailand

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Cyrtodactylus saiyok 
Panitvong, Sumontha, Tunprasert & Pauwels, 2014
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3869.1.6

Abstract
We describe Cyrtodactylus saiyok sp. nov. from a dry evergreen forest on a limestone hill in Khao Krajae, Sai Yok District, Kanchanaburi Province, western Thailand. It is characterized by a maximal known SVL of 61.0 mm; 18–19 longitudinal rows of dorsal tubercles; 23 or 24 ventral scale rows between ventrolateral skin folds; a continuous series of enlarged femoro-precloacal scales, including 5 pore-bearing precloacal scales (males); no precloacal groove or depression; transversely enlarged subcaudal scales; a complete black nuchal loop; a W-shaped band above shoulders and 3–5 irregular, medially interrupted or not, black dorsal bands between limb insertions. Cyrtodactylus saiyok sp. nov. is the sixth reptile species that is possibly endemic to Sai Yok District.

Keywords: Cyrtodactylus saiyok sp. nov., new species, taxonomy, limestone



Etymology. The specific epithet saiyok refers to the name of the district in which the type locality is situated. It is a noun in apposition, invariable. We suggest the following common names: Took-kai Sai Yok (Thai), Sai Yok bent-toed gecko (English), Cyrtodactyle de Saï Yok (French), Saiyok Bogenfingergecko (German), Saiyokkromvingergekko (Dutch). The common name Sai Yok Bent-toed Gecko had been proposed by Ellis and Pauwels (2012) for Cyrtodactylus tigroides, for which we here propose the new common name Tiger Bent-toed Gecko.


Panitvong, Nonn, Montri Sumontha, Jitthep Tunprasert & Olivier S. g. Pauwels. 2014. Cyrtodactylus saiyok sp. nov., A New Dry Evergreen Forest-dwelling Bent-toed Gecko (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Kanchanaburi Province, western Thailand.
Zootaxa. 3869(1): 64–74. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3869.1.6

[Entomology • 2014] Sirindhornia Pinkaew and Muadsub • A New Enarmoniine Genus (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) from Thailand

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FIGURE 1. Head of Sirindhornia spp.
 A–B. S. pulchella, n. sp. (holotype male). C–D. S. chaipattana, n. sp. (holotype male). E–F. S. curvicosta, n. sp. (holotype male). G–H. S. bifida, n. sp. (holotype male). I–J. Sirindhornia sp. (female).

Abstract

A new enarmoniine genus, Sirindhornia, n. gen., is described based on the type species, Sirindhornia pulchella, n. sp., and three additional new species: Sirindhornia chaipattana, n. sp., Sirindhornia curvicosta, n. sp., and Sirindhornia bifida, n. sp., all from Thailand. A fifth species represented only by a single female is morphologically characterized but not formally described. Sirindhornia is most closely related to Anthozela Meyrick and Irianassa Meyrick but is easily distinguished by unique appendages of the tegumen and a conspicuous henion in the male genitalia.

Keywords: Ang-Ed Community forest, Enarmoniini, Khao Nan National Park, new genus, new species, Olethreutinae, Trat Agroforestry Research and Training Station




Muadsub, Sopita & Nantasak Pinkaew. 2014. SirindhorniaPinkaew and Muadsub (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), A New Enarmoniine Genus from Thailand. Zootaxa. 3869(1): 53–63.

[Herpetology • 2004] Glaphyromorphus clandestinus • A New Species of Glaphyromorphus (Reptilia: Scincidae) from Mt Elliot, north-eastern Queensland, Australia

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Glaphyromorphus clandestinus
Hoskin & Couper, 2004

photo: Stephen Zozaya | SZozaya.wordpress.com

Abstract
Glaphyromorphus clandestinus, sp. nov., is described from granite-slab habitat on Mt Elliot, north-eastern Queensland. This species can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: large size (SVL 72 mm), adpressed limbs of adult separated by noticeably more than the length of the forelimb, 26 mid-body scale rows, and flanks patterned with dark flecks forming a series of longitudinal lines. The distribution, habitat preferences and habits of this species are poorly known. Currently G. clandestinus is known from a single locality where individuals have been found in an exposed area of exfoliating granite, set in a mosaic of rainforest and eucalyptus woodland. The discovery of this species brings to three the number of vertebrate species known to be endemic to Mt Elliot and highlights the evolutionary significance of this southerly outlier to the mountainous rainforest of the Wet Tropics.





Conrad J. Hoskin and Patrick J. Couper. 2004. A New Species of Glaphyromorphus (Reptilia : Scincidae) from Mt Elliot, north-eastern Queensland. Australian Journal of Zoology. 52(2) 183 - 190. doi: dx.doi.org/10.1071/ZO03035 

The Endemic Herpetofauna of Mt Elliot by Stephen Zozaya

[Herpetology • 2014] Carlia wundalthini | Cape Melville Rainbow Skink • A New Skink (Scincidae: Carlia) from the Rainforest Uplands of Cape Melville, north-east Australia

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Carlia wundalthini Hoskin, 2014
Cape Melville Rainbow Skink

Abstract
Carlia skinks are widespread in New Guinea, Wallacea, and northern and eastern Australia. Most Australian species occur in dry woodlands and savannas or marginal rainforest habitats associated with these. There are two rainforest species, parapatrically distributed in coastal mid-eastern Queensland (C. rhomboidalis) and the Wet Tropics of north-eastern Queensland (C. rubrigularis). These two sister species share a diagnostic morphological trait in having the interparietal scale fused to the frontoparietal. Here I describe a third species in this group, Carlia wundalthini sp. nov., from rainforest uplands of the Melville Range, a rainforest isolate 170 km north of the Wet Tropics. This species is diagnosable on male breeding colouration, morphometrics and scalation. The description of C. wundalthini sp. nov. brings the number of vertebrate species known to be endemic to the rainforest and boulder-fields of Cape Melville to seven. Carlia wundalthini sp. nov. is distinct among these endemics in being the only one that does not appear to be directly associated with rock, being found in rainforest leaf-litter.


Keywords: Carlia rubrigularis, Carlia rhomboidalis, Cape York, rainforest, boulder-field, lithorefugia, Queensland


Etymology. Wundalthini was the name of Charlie Monaghan, a Traditional Owner who was born in the Cape Melville area and who passed on much of the knowledge and responsibility for that country to the current generation of its Traditional Owners. The species was named by the bubu gudjin of Cape Melville, the Traditional Owners who have the responsibility to speak for the land where the species lives.

Distribution. Known only from the uplands of the Melville Range, Cape Melville, north-eastern Australia (Fig. 7). Recorded in the vicinity of the type locality (14°16'33" S, 144°29'32" E), at elevations between 450 and 520 m a.s.l., and also in the vicinity of the highest peak (14°16'59" S, 144°29'59" E) at about 600 m a.s.l. Carlia wundalthini sp. nov. was not recorded during surveys of lowland rainforest at the west and south-east of Melville Range.

Habitat and habits. Found in upland rainforest (Fig. 8). Individuals were found during the day active on the surface of leaf-litter or basking in small sun-patches. When disturbed the skinks hid under the leaf-litter or retreated to tangles of fallen branches or rock crevices. Male C. wundalthini sp. nov. were in breeding colour in December but not in March. The other skinks found in micro-sympatry were an undescribed species of Glaphyromorphus (Hoskin & Couper, in press) and a species of Lygisaurus (Hoskin & Hines, under investigation) in the leaf-litter, while Saproscincus saltusHoskin, 2013 was found on rock surfaces in the same habitat. Carlia longipes(Macleay, 1877), Eulamprus brachysoma (Lönnberg & Andersson, 1915), Cryptoblepharus fuhniCovacevich & Ingram, 1978, Cryptoblepharus virgatus (Garman, 1901) and Bellatorias frerei (Günther, 1897) were found in more open, rockier habitats nearby.

Hoskin, Conrad J. 2014. A New Skink (Scincidae: Carlia) from the Rainforest Uplands of Cape Melville, north-east Australia. Zootaxa. 3869(3): 224–236.

[Herpetology • 2003] Plethodontohyla mihanika • New microhylid Frog (Plethodontohyla) from Madagascar, with Semi-Arboreal Habits and Possible Parental Care

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ABSTRACT
We describe a new microhylid frog of the endemic Malagasy subfamily Cophylinae and designate a lectotype for Plethodontohyla notosticta.Plethodontohyla mihanika sp. n. has enlarged terminal disks on all fingers and toes, a distinct border between its dorsal and lateral coloration, and a pointed snout. The new species is recognized by its longer hind limbs, smaller body size (SVL 26–31 mm), and advertisement call. Together with P. notosticta and possibly Plethodontohyla inguinalis, the new species forms a partially arboreal subgroup within the otherwise terrestrial Plethodontohyla. The eggs of the new species are most likely laid in strings, which may be a preadaptation to egg transport by the parents. Males cohabit with eggs, tadpoles, and recently metamorphosed juveniles, suggesting parental care as known from other cophylines.


Etymology.— The specific name is noun in apposition derived from the Malagasy verb mihanika (=to climb), pronounced ‘‘me-hawn-eek-a,’’ and refers to the arboreal habits of the species.

Vences, M., C. J. Raxworthy, R. A. Nussbaum & F. Glaw. 2003. New microhylid Frog (Plethodontohyla) from Madagascar, with Semi-Arboreal Habits and Possible Parental Care. Journal of Herpetology. 37(4): 629-636.

[Herpetology • 2003] Rhombophryne coronata • New microhylid frog (Microhylidae) with A Supraocular Crest from central eastern Madagascar

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Fig. 1. Male holotype of Rhombophryne (Plethodontohylacoronata (ZFMK 57459)
from Ankeniheny, central eastern Madagascar.

Rhombophryne coronata (Vences & Glaw, 2003)
Synonym: Plethodontohyla coronata Vences & Glaw, 2003

We describe a new microhylid frog from the rain forests of central eastern Madagascar. Plethodontohyla coronata reaches 21–23 mm snout–vent length and is similar to Plethodontohyla serratopalpebrosa by having a supraocular crest of three dermal spines. It differs by having a smaller body size, shorter hind limbs, relative finger and toe length, and smaller relative tympanum size. Its first toe is very short, reminiscent of the state in miniaturized species of Stumpffia, but the presence of vomerine and maxillary teeth clearly confirm the assignation of P. coronata to Plethodontohyla. The advertisement call of this fossorial frog is a series of notes with complex frequency modulation.


Vences, M. and Glaw, F. 2003. New microhylid frog (Plethodontohyla) with a supraocular crest from Madagascar. Copeia. 789-793.

[Herpetology • 2007] Plethodontohyla guentheri • A New Montane Microhylid Frog (Microhylidae: Cophylinae) from northeastern Madagascar

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Fig. 1. Plethodontohyla guentheri, dorsolateral view of holotype in life.


Abstract
We describe a new microhylid frog (subfamily Cophylinae) from a high elevational habitat of the Marojejy National Park in northeastern Madagascar, based on a single specimen. Plethodontohyla guentheri sp. n. has enlarged terminal discs on fingers and toes, greenish dorsal coloration, a distinct border between its dorsal and lateral colours, and a pointed snout. The new species has obvious relationships to the other Plethodontohyla species with enlarged fingertips (P. inguinalis, P. notosticta, P. mihanika) but differs from these by hand morphology, body size, coloration, and genetic traits. We discuss the unusual greenish dorsal colours of P. guentheri and its diurnal activity as possible adaptations to montane habitats and consider the conservation status of this poorly known new species as “data deficient”. Furthermore, a lectotype of Mantipus pulcher Ahl, 1929, a junior synonym of P. notosticta (Gunther, 1877), is designated.

Key words: Amphibia: Anura: Microhylidae: Plethodontohyla guentheri sp. n., Madagascar.


Frank Glaw and Miguel Vences. 2007. Plethodontohyla guentheri, A New Montane Microhylid Frog Species from northeastern Madagascar. Mitt. Mus. Nat.kd. Berl., Zool. Reihe. 83 (Supplement), 33–39 / DOI dx.doi.org/10.1002/mmnz.200600023


[Invertebrate • 2014] Hausera hauseri • A New Genus and Species for the First Recorded Cave-dwelling Cavernicola (Platyhelminthes) from South America

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Hausera hauseri Leal-Zanchet & Souza, sp. n.  photograph of live specimens in dorsal view, with intestine containing food and the pharynx visible

Abstract

Species diversity of Brazilian cave fauna has been seriously underestimated. A karst area located in Felipe Guerra, northeastern Brazil, which is a hotspot of subterranean diversity in Brazil, has revealed more than 20 troglobitic species, most of them still undescribed. Based on recent samplings in this karst area, we document the occurrence of the suborder Cavernicola (Platyhelminthes) in South American hypogean environments for the first time and describe a new genus and species for this suborder. Hausera Leal-Zanchet & Souza, gen. n. has features concordant with those defined for the family Dimarcusidae. The new genus is characterized by two unique features, viz. an intestine extending dorsally to the brain and ovovitelline ducts located dorsally to the nerve cords, which is complemented by a combination of other characters. The type-specimens of Hausera hauseri Leal-Zanchet & Souza, sp. n. are typical stygobionts, unpigmented and eyeless, and they may constitute an oceanic relict as is the case of other stygobiotic invertebrates found in this karst area in northeastern Brazil.

Type-locality of Hausera hauseriLeal-Zanchet & Souza, sp. n.:
1–2 location in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, showing the range of limestone outcrops from the Apodi Group in detail (black) and the location of the Crotes cave (star) 3

Type-locality of Hausera hauseri Leal-Zanchet & Souza, sp. n.:
the location of the Crotes cave surroundings of the main cave entrance (3) and aerial view of the region (4) indicating the cave contours (red/yellow line), main entrance (white arrow) and secondary gallery (red arrow); 5 perennial stream representing the sampling site.

Systematic account

Order Tricladida Lang, 1884
Suborder Cavernicola Sluys, 1990
Family Dimarcusidae Mitchell & Kawakatsu, 1972

Genus Hausera Leal-Zanchet & Souza, gen. n.

Type-species: Hausera hauseri Leal-Zanchet & Souza, sp. n. Monotypic

Diagnosis: Dimarcusidae without eyes and without a copulatory bursa; female genital duct communicating with the intestine; ovovitelline ducts without caudal dichotomy, uniting to form a common ovovitelline duct; follicular testes; sperm ducts separately penetrating the penis bulb.

Distribution: Felipe Guerra (Crotes cave), Brazil

Etymology: The new genus is dedicated to the late Prof Dr Josef Hauser SJ as acknowledgement of his great enthusiasm for the study of freshwater flatworms. Gender: feminine.


Ana Leal-Zanchet, Stella Souza and Rodrigo Ferreira. 2014. A New Genus and Species for the first recorded Cave-dwelling Cavernicola (Platyhelminthes) from South America. ZooKeys. 442: 1-15 doi: dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.442.8199

Brazilian zoologists discovered the first obligate cave- dwelling flatworm in South America

[Herpetology • 2014] Sea Snakes in Australian Waters (Serpentes: subfamilies Hydrophiinae and Laticaudinae) — A Review with an Updated Identification Key

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some Australian Sea snakes 

Abstract
Sea snakes (Elapidae, subfamilies Hydrophiinae and Laticaudinae) reach high species richness in the South China Sea and in the Australian region; however, most countries in the two regions still lack up-to-date checklists and identification tools for these snakes. We present an updated reviewed checklist and a new complete identification key to sea snakes in Australian waters. The identification key includes 29 species documented and 4 possibly occurring taxa and is based mostly on easy-to-use external characters. We find no evidence for breeding populations of Laticauda in Australian waters, but include the genus on the list of possibly occurring taxa.

Keywords: biodiversity, Australian sea snake species, identification key



Checklist of Sea Snake Species Known to Occur in Australia

Aipysurus apraefrontalis Smith, 1926
Aipysurus duboisii Bavay, 1869
Aipysurus foliosquama Smith, 1926
Aipysurus fuscus (Tschudi, 1837)
Aipysurus laevis Lacépède, 1804
Aipysurus mosaicus Sanders et al. 2012
Aipysurus pooleorum Smith, 1974
Aipysurus tenuis Lønnberg and Anderson, 1913
Emydocephalus annulatus Krefft, 1869
Ephalophis greyae Smith, 1931
Hydrelaps darwiniensis Boulenger, 1896
Hydrophis atriceps Günther, 1864
Hydrophis belcheri (Gray, 1849)
Hydrophis caerulescens (Shaw, 1802)
Hydrophis coggeri (Kharin, 1984a)
Hydrophis curtus (Shaw, 1802)
Hydrophis czeblukovi (Kharin, 1984a)
Hydrophis donaldi Ukuwela, Sanders and Fry 2012
Hydrophis elegans (Gray, 1842)
Hydrophis kingii Boulenger, 1896
Hydrophis macdowelli Kharin, 1983
Hydrophis major (Shaw, 1802)
Hydrophis ocellatus Gray, 1849
Hydrophis pacificus Boulenger, 1896
Hydrophis peronii (Duméril, 1853)
Hydrophis platurus (Linnaeus, 1766)
Hydrophis stokesii (Gray in Stokes, 1846)
Hydrophis zweifeli (Kharin, 1985)
Parahydrophis mertoni (Roux, 1910)

List of Sea Snakes Possibly Occurring in Australia
Hydrophis laboutei Rasmussen and Ineich, 2000
Hydrophis vorisi Kharin, 1984b
Microcephalophis gracilis (Shaw, 1802)
Laticauda sp. Laurenti, 1768

Arne Redsted Rasmussen, Kate Laura Sanders, Michael L. Guinea and Andrew P. Amey. 2014. Sea Snakes in Australian Waters (Serpentes: subfamilies Hydrophiinae and Laticaudinae) — A Review with an Updated Identification Key. Zootaxa. 3869 (4): 351–371 

[Ichthyology • 2014] Trichopodus poptae • A New Anabantoid Fish (Teleostei: Osphronemidae) from Borneo

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Trichopodus poptae, new species, is distinguished from all other species in the genus by an almost non-discernible colour pattern, except for a single black blotch at the base of the caudal fin; fewer lateral scales (34-38, vs. 40-65); fewer total dorsal-fin rays than T. pectoralis (14-16, vs. 17-18); more total dorsal-fin spines than T. microlepis (6-7, vs. 3-4); fewer total anal-fin rays than T. microlepis and T.pectoralis (38-41, vs. 44-50). An artificial key to the genus is provided.

  Bi Wei, Heok Hui Tan and Ralf Britz. 2014. Trichopodus poptae, A New Anabantoid Fish from Borneo (Teleostei: Osphronemidae). Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters. 25(1): 69-77.

[Ichthyology • 2014] A Review of the Glyptosternine Catfish genus Exostoma Blyth 1860 (Teleostei: Siluriformes) from Thailand, with Descriptions of Two New Species; Exostoma effrenum & E. peregrinator

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Abstract
We review members of the sisorid catfish genus Exostoma known from Thailand. Three species are recognized, of which two from the headwaters of the Chao Phraya River drainage in northwestern Thailand, are described here as new: Exostoma effrenum and E. peregrinator. In addition to the two new species, E. berdmorei (which is here redescribed) is also known from the Salween River drainage in western Thailand. The three species can be distinguished from each other and other congeners by the morphologies of the adipose and caudal fins, as well as morphometric data for the eye diameter, head width, dorsal-to-adipose distance, body depth at anus, caudal-peduncle length, caudal-peduncle depth, and numbers of branched pectoral-fin rays and preanal vertebrae.

 Keywords: Sisoridae, Glyptosternini, Salween River, Chao Phraya River


Ng, Heok H. & Chavalit Vidthayanon. 2014. A Review of the Glyptosternine Catfish genus Exostoma Blyth 1860 from Thailand, with Descriptions of Two New Species (Teleostei: Siluriformes). Zootaxa. 3869(4): 420–434.

[Crustacea • 2014] Geothelphusa cilan • Description of A New Montane Freshwater Crab (Crustacea: Potamidae) from northern Taiwan

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FIGURE 2. Geothelphusa cilan sp. nov.
A, B,
dorsal and frontal views of the holotype (NCHUZOOL 13617);
D–G, live coloration of the male, dorsal view (D, E) and frontal view (F, G); D, F, NCHUZOOL 13618 (CW 20.6 mm); G, NCHUZOOL 13620 (CW 15.5 mm);
H, habitat in a montane creek in the headstream of Danshuei River, Jianshih, Hsinchu County.

Abstract
A new freshwater crab is described from a montane area in northern Taiwan based on morphological characters and molecular evidence. Geothelphusa cilan sp. nov., from the Cilan Forest, situated on the boundary of Hsinchu and Yilan (= Ilan) counties, is close to G. monticola Shy, Ng & Yu, 1994, and G. takuan Shy, Ng & Yu, 1994, but can be distinguished by its male first gonopod (G1) and the ratio of thoracic sternites. Molecular evidence from mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) also supports the identity of the new species.

Keywords: Potamidae, freshwater crab, new species, Taiwan, DNA, COI


Taxonomy
Family Potamidae Ortmann, 1896
Subfamily Potamiscinae Ortmann, 1896 (sensu Yeo & Ng 2003)

Geothelphusa 
Stimpson, 1858

Geothelphusa cilan sp. nov.

FIGURE 2.Geothelphusa cilansp. nov.
A, dorsal views of the holotype (NCHUZOOL 13617);
D–G, live coloration of the male, dorsal view (D) and frontal view (F, G); D, F, NCHUZOOL 13618 (CW 20.6 mm); G, NCHUZOOL 13620 (CW 15.5 mm);
H, habitat in a montane creek in the headstream of Danshuei River, Jianshih, Hsinchu County.

Etymology. The species is named for the type locality, the Cilan Forest, in northern Taiwan. The name is used as a noun in apposition.

Coloration. Carapace and ambulatory legs grayish brown, mottled with dark brown spots; chelae orange-red, with dark brown spots; tip and inner edge of fingers white (Fig. 2D–G).

Ecological notes. The specimens were collected from the headstream of Danshuei River (Fig. 2H) near the boundary of Hsinchu and Yilan counties, near Yuanyang Lake Nature Reserve, with an altitude about 2000 m. The mean monthly water temperatures were 10.3–14.6°C during April to December, 2012 (mean 12.6°C) for the adjacent Yuanyang Lake, with the same drainage


Shy, Jhy-yun, Hsi-te Shih & Jean-jay Mao. 2014. Description of A New Montane Freshwater Crab (Crustacea: Potamidae: Geothelphusa) from northern Taiwan.
Zootaxa. 3869(5): 565–572. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3869.5.6.
http://mapress.com/zootaxa/2014/f/zt03869p572.pdf

Shy, J.-Y., Ng, P.K.L. & Yu, H.-P. 1994. Crabs of the genus Geothelphusa Stimpson, 1858 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Potamidae) from Taiwan, with descriptions of 25 new species. The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 42, 781–846. http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/rbz/biblio/42/42rbz781-846.pdf

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