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[Botany • 2018] Bruguiera × dungarra (Rhizophoraceae) • A New Hybrid between Mangrove Species B. exaristata and B. gymnorhiza recently discovered in north-east Australia

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Bruguiera × dungarra  N.C.Duke & Hidetoshi Kudo
in Duke & Kudo, 2018. 

Abstract
Bruguiera × dungarra (Rhizophoraceae), a previously undescribed hybrid species between B. exaristata and B. gymnorhiza is recorded from north-east Australia. Eight taxa are currently recognised in this Indo West Pacific genus, including three putative hybrids. The newly described hybrid is widely occurring, and it is described here with notes provided on typification, phenology, distribution and habitat. A revised identification key to all Bruguiera taxa is presented, along with a table of comparative diagnostic characters.

Keywords: Bruguiera × dungarra; Rhizophoraceae; hybrid; identification key; intermediate; mangrove; taxonomy


Fig. 4 Bruguiera × dungarra N.C.Duke & Kudo, hybrid nov. a. Foliage with inflorescences; b. trunk and exposed roots; c. habit; d. bark; e. leaves upper and lower surfaces; f. open and closed flower buds; g. leafy rosette with flower buds and mature propagule; h. mature hypocotyl; l. leaf scar node; j. colleter at inner base of interpetiolar stipule; k. petal dehisced and open; l. calyces of mature propagule, expended flower and closed flower bud; m. diagram of open petal (bar length = 10 mm); n. sectioned flower bud showing petals and style. — Collection field reference images for Hidetoshi Kudo & Brian Venables, HK190916A, (CNS!), Cairns, Machans Beach.

Bruguiera × dungarra N.C.Duke & Hidetoshi Kudo, hybrid nov.

Etymology. The location of the type of this new hybrid occurs on the ancestral lands of the Yirrganydji people. For these traditional custodians of the narrow coastal strip from Cairns to Port Douglas, the epithet Dungarra means, ‘belonging to Machans Beach area’.

Distribution — Type location is Machans Beach, near Cairns in Queensland,Australia. Other localities include Holloways Beach also near Cairns in Queensland, Australia, south to around Hinchinbrook Channel and Shoalwater Bay, and further north to the Marrett River estuary in Princess Charlotte Bay. Distribution elsewhere is likely, although possibly restricted to the zone of overlap of putative parents (Fig. 3). Putative parent species co-occur in eastern Indonesia, Timor Leste, southern New Guinea and northern Australia. In Australia, B. × dungarra is likely to occur from Darwin Harbour in the Northern Territory to Port Curtis in Queensland. 

Ecology & Local influences — Uncommon hybrid in the midhigh intertidal zone of intermediate estuarine position (sensu Duke 2006). Often in proximity of stands of higher intertidal B. exaristata, and mid-high intertidal B. gymnorhiza.


Norm C. Duke and Hidetoshi Kudo. 2018. Bruguiera × dungarra, A New Hybrid between Mangrove Species B. exaristata and B. gymnorhiza (Rhizophoraceae) recently discovered in north-east Australia. Blumea - Biodiversity, Evolution and Biogeography of Plants.  DOI:  10.3767/blumea.2018.63.03.03

A Cairns-based citizen scientist has made yet another remarkable discovery. 


[Arachnida • 2018] Cyclosa bulla • A New Species of Cyclosa (Araneae: Araneidae) from Southeast Asia

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Cyclosa bulla  
Tanikawa & Petcharad, 2018


Abstract
A new species of Cyclosa is described under the name of Cyclosa bulla n. sp. using specimens collected from Thailand, Singapore and Brunei. Females of the species can be easily distinguished from other congeners by the shape of the abdomen, which has a globose posterior end. In contrast, males cannot be distinguished from those of Cyclosa bifida, which seems to be the most closely related species, even by the shape of the palpal organ. In this study, male specimens are identified by DNA barcoding.

Keywords: Cyclosa bulla, taxonomy, COI, barcoding, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei


 Cyclosa bulla n. sp. 
A, female (holotype), dorsal view; B, same, lateral view; C, paratype (male), dorsal view..
 Scales: A–C, 1 mm.

Cyclosa bulla new species 
[Thai name: Mangmoum-Taai-Klom-Cyclosa]

Diagnosis. The new species seems to be closely related to Cyclosa bifida, but females can be easily distinguished from Cyclosa bifida by the posteriorly globose abdomen (Figs. 2A–B). Males of these species cannot be separated morphologically, even by the shape of the palpal organ. Male specimens of the new species can be identified only by DNA sequencing data, e.g. mt-COI.

Etymology. The specific name is derived from the knob-like shaped posterior part of the abdomen; “bulla” is a Latin word that means “globe”. 


Akio Tanikawa and Booppa Petcharad. 2018. A New Species of Cyclosa (Araneae: Araneidae) from Southeast Asia. Acta Arachnologica. 67(2); 87-90. DOI: 10.2476/asjaa.67.87


[Botany • 2019] Holoparasitic Orobanchaceae (Cistanche, Diphelypaea, Orobanche, Phelipanche) in Armenia: Distribution, Habitats, Host Range and Taxonomic Problems

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Diphelypaea tournefortii 

in Piwowarczyk, Pedraja, Moral, et al., 2019.

Abstract
The species of holoparasitic genera from the family Orobanchaceae have a specific lifestyle associated with the host, greatly reduced vegetative organs, very variable features and quickly lose their color, resulting in difficulties and mistakes in identification. This study represents the first comprehensive monograph of 36 species from the four holoparasitic genera, Cistanche, Diphelypaea, Phelipanche and Orobanche (Orobanchaceae), in Armenia. This country, as a part of the Caucasus, is one of the most important biodiversity centers in the world, a diversity which includes rich and insufficiently understood holoparasitic plants. Our investigations were based on five years of field work in the Caucasus, and complemented by examination of ca. 1200 herbarium sheets with ca. 3000 specimens from 37 herbaria. We present information on distribution, list of localities, habitat, phenology, host range, taxonomic clarification, illustrations and descriptions for problematic ones, images from the field, proposals for new synonymisations, new combination Phelipanche cernua subsp. sinaica(Beck) Piwow., Ó. Sánchez & Moreno Mor., 20 lectotypes, two epitypes, one neotype are designated here, as well as a key and geospatial conservation assessments for all species based on IUCN criteria.

Keywords: Caucasus, western Asia, parasitic plants, taxonomy, typification, new synonyms, new records, conservation assessment, Eudicots




 Renata Piwowarczyk,  Óscar Sánchez Pedraja, Gonzalo Moreno Moral, George Fayvush, Narine Zakaryan, Nune Kartashyan and Alla Aleksanyan. 2019. Holoparasitic Orobanchaceae (Cistanche, Diphelypaea, Orobanche, Phelipanche) in Armenia: Distribution, Habitats, Host Range and Taxonomic Problems. Phytotaxa.  386(1); 1-106.  DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.386.1.1

[Herpetology • 2018] Chiropterotriton aureus & C. nubilus • Two New Species of Chiropterotriton (Caudata: Plethodontidae) from central Veracruz, Mexico

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[upper] Chiropterotriton aureus 
[lower] Chiropterotriton nubilus 

García-Castillo, Soto-Pozos, Aguilar-López, Pineda & Parra-Olea, 2018

Abstract
The lungless salamanders of the tribe Bolitoglossini show notable diversification in the Neotropics, and through the use of molecular tools and/or new discoveries, the total number of species continues to increase. Mexico is home to a great number of bolitoglossines primarily distributed along the eastern, central, and southern mountain ranges where the genus Chiropterotriton occurs. This group is relatively small, with 16 described species, but there remains a considerable number of undescribed species, suggested by the use of molecular tools in the lab more than a decade ago. Most of these undescribed species are found in the state of Veracruz, an area characterized by diverse topography and high salamander richness. Described herein are two new species of Chiropterotriton based on molecular and morphological data. Both new species were found in bromeliads in cloud forests of central Veracruz and do not correspond to any previously proposed species. Phylogenetic reconstructions included two mitochondrial fragments (L2 and COI) and identified are two primary assemblages corresponding to northern and southern species distributions, concordant with previous studies. The two new species are closely related but morphologically and molecularly differentiated from other species of the C. chiropterus group.

 Keywords. Salamanders, bolitoglossines, bromeliads, phylogenetics, cryopreservation, living tissue, biobanking

Fig. 4. Photos in life of two new species from central Veracruz.
A) Chiropterotriton aureus (male) holotype IBH 31042, B) C. aureus (female) paratype IBH 31044,
 C) Chiropterotriton nubilus (male) paratype CARIE 0739, and D) C. nubilus (female) holotype IBH 31048.

 Photos: Maria Delia Basanta (A, B, D) and J. Luis Aguilar-López (C).

A) Chiropterotriton aureus (male) holotype IBH 31042, B) C. aureus (female) paratype IBH 31044,  
Photos: Maria Delia Basanta.
Landscape from type locality of C. aureus (Atzalan, Veracruz). 

Chiropterotriton aureus sp. nov. 
Atzalan Golden Salamander 
Salamandra Dorada de Atzalan


Habitat and distribution. Western side of Sierra de Chiconquiaco, part of the Sierra Madre Oriental in central Veracruz. Specimens found in a cloud forest with extensive deforestation (near crops and paddocks), exclusively in arboreal bromeliads over oaks at 1,249 m asl (Figs. 5A and 5B). 

Natural History.Chiropterotriton aureus was found exclusively in bromeliads in cloud forest around 1,200 m asl. Examined were approximately 40 bromeliads and found only five specimens, including four adults (one male and three females). Sampled bromeliads were at 1.5–3.0 m from the ground and small (approximately 20– 40 cm in diameter). Sampling site was disturbed and deforested, but adjacent zones with similar environmental conditions could be explored to delimit the distributional range of this species. Species possibly sympatric with C. aureus may be Aquiloeurycea cafetalera, Bolitoglossa platydactyla, Isthmura gigantea, Pseudoeurycea lynchi, and Thorius minydemus.

Etymology. Latin epithet aureus (feminine aurea, neuter aureus) is derived from “aurumgold + derivational suffix “-eus,” meaning made of gold or gold in color, which is the featured characteristic color of the species.


  C) Chiropterotriton nubilus (male) paratype CARIE 0739, and D) C. nubilus (female) holotype IBH 31048.  Photos: Maria Delia Basanta (A, B, D) and J. Luis Aguilar-López (C).

 View of type locality of C. nubilus (Coxmatla, Veracruz). 

Chiropterotriton nubilus sp. nov. 
Cloud Forest Salamander from Cofre de Perote 
Salamandra del Bosque de Niebla del Cofre de Perote 

Chiropterotriton sp.: Rovito et al. 2015

Habitat and distribution. Eastern slopes of Cofre de Perote in central Veracruz among cloud forest between 1,520 and 2,023 m asl. Specimens found in arboreal bromeliads of cloud forest fragments with low or moderate disturbance of habitat. The majority of the specimens found were juveniles so the possibility of finding them in terrestrial environments (under cover objects) is not rejected (Figs. 5C and 5D). Two localities where C. nubilus occurs are within protected areas: municipal (La Cortadura) and the other under private ownership (Rancho Viejo). 

Natural History. Chiropterotriton nubilus was exclusively found in bromeliads and six localities on the eastern slope of Cofre de Perote. Distribution could include a fragmented band along cloud forests from Coxmatla to Banderilla at 1,500–2,000 m asl. Samples included three collections in three study locations (Banderilla, La Cortadura, and Rancho Viejo) for a total of nine sampling events. Each sampling event applied 16 person-hours for a total sampling effort of 144 person-hours. In four of the nine sampling events collected were C. nubilus, varying between one to three specimens per sampling event. Bromeliads where C. nubilus were found measured 1.5–5.0 m from the ground and were medium in size (approximately 40–60 cm in diameter). Species found in sympatry with C. nubilus were Aquiloeurycea cafetalera, Parvimolge townsendi, Pseudoeurycea lynchi, and Thorius pennatulus. It is conceivable that C. nubilus could be found in sympatry with C. lavae because distributions converge at the W slope of Cofre de Perote at 2,000 m asl. However, C. lavae (La Joya) is found eight km away from the nearest location (Banderilla) C. nubilus occurs. 

Etymology. Latin epithet nubilus (adjective: feminine nubile, neuter nubilum) means cloudy or rain clouds, referring to the cloud forest of Cofre de Perote where it occurs.


Mirna G. García-Castillo, Ángel F. Soto-Pozos, J. Luis Aguilar-López, Eduardo Pineda and Gabriela Parra-Olea. 2018. Two New Species of Chiropterotriton (Caudata: Plethodontidae) from central Veracruz, Mexico. Amphibian & Reptile Conservation. 12(2) [Special Section]: 37–54 (e167). amphibian-reptile-conservation.org

    

Ariadna x Epipompilus

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  Adult female of Ariadna mollis (Holmberg, 1876) (Segestriidae) 
parasitized by Epipompilus excelsus (Bradley, 1944) (Pompilidae).


in Villanueva-Bonilla, Brescovit, Santos & Vasconcellos-Neto, 2018. 

Abstract 
Epipompilus Kohl comprises 52 species of wasps that are parasitoids of spiders; 16 species occur in the Neotropical region and 36 species occur in the Australian region. The biological knowledge of this genus is limited and its interactions and host spiders are still incipient. Here, we report some behavioural and biological characteristics of E. excelsus, a parasitoid of the tube-dwelling spider Ariadna mollis. We observed an E. excelsus female attacking an adult female of A. mollis in São Paulo, Brazil. We photographed daily the larval development of the wasp, from the egg stage to adult emergence. The entire developmental cycle of the wasp took 24 days. This period was shorter than the developmental periods of wasps belonging to other genera of Pompilidae. Although all species within Pompilidae use spiders as host, they present great behavioural diversity, characterized by different ethological sequences. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the Neotropical species of Epipompilus exhibit biological characteristics similar to the Australian species, acting as a koinobiont ectoparasitoid, but displays differences in larval morphology. Studies on other species could elucidate the extent of these differences and similarities, contributing to our understanding of the evolutionary history of Epipompilus, and consequently of Pompilidae.

Keywords: Egg-wasp development, Neotropical, Parasitoid, Tube-dwelling spider


Figure 1. Adult female of Ariadna mollis (Segestriidae) parasitized by Epipompilus excelsus (Pompilidae).
A) Wasp on the back of the spider (the arrow indicates the position of the egg in the abdomen). B) A. mollis moving slowly minutes after being paralyzed. C) Larval I instar of the wasp adhered to the abdomen of the spider.
D) Larval II instar. E) Larval III instar. F) Larval IV instar feeding from the abdomen of the spider.
G) Larva eating the remains of the legs and abdomen of the spider. H) The cocoon containing the meconium (red arrow). I) Adult female of E. excelsus.


 German Antonio Villanueva-Bonilla, Antonio Domingos Brescovit, Eduardo dos Santos and João Vasconcellos-Neto. 2018. First Record of Epipompilus excelsus (Bradley, 1944) (Hymenoptera, Pompilidae) As A Koinobiont Ectoparasitoid of Ariadna mollis (Holmberg, 1876) (Araneae, Segestriidae). Journal of Hymenoptera Research. 66: 15-21.  DOI:  10.3897/jhr.66.28915

[Botany • 2019] Globba kanchigandhii (Zingiberaceae) • A New Species of Globba from North-East India

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Globba kanchigandhii A. Joe & M. Sabu

in Joe, Sabu, Sanoj & Thomas, 2019.

Abstract
A new species of Globba, Globba kanchigandhii, from North-East India is described, illustrated and compared with its allied species. A detailed description, illustration, photographs, distribution, ecology, phenology and relevant notes also provided. A comparison table is also provided.

Keyword: Globba kanchigandhii; G. multiflora; G. macroclada; India; Nagaland; Phek; Zingiberaceae


Fig 1. Globba kanchigandhii:
A: Habit. B: Bulbil. C: Entire flower. D: Bract. E: bracteole. F: Basal part of flower. G: Labellum with lateral staminode and stamen. H: Corolla lobes. I: Dorsal corolla lobe. J: Anther (ventral view). K: Stigma. L: Ovary with epigynous glands and base of style. M: Cross-section of ovary. Illustration by Alfred Joe.

Fig 2. Globba kanchigandhii.
 A: Habit. B: Bulbil. C: Inflorescence. D–E: Flower. D: Front view. E: Lateral view. F: Basal part of flower. G: Bract. H: Corolla lobes. I: Labellum with lateral staminodes. J: Lateral staminode. K: Stamen. L: CS of ovary. Photos by Alfred Joe.

Globba kanchigandhii A. Joe & M. Sabu sp. nov. 

Similar to Globba multiflora Wall. ex Baker, but differs from it in having lesser number of flowers in an inflorescence, glabrous peduncle, erect and horn-like free triangular lateral staminodes, short corolla tube, stigma cylindric and presence of persistent bracts even at flowering stage. 


Distribution and Habitat: Globba kanchigandhii  is so far only known from the type locality, ie. Phek, Nagaland and grows as undergrowth in the evergreen and semi-evergreen forests. 

Etymology: This new species has been named in honour of Dr. Kanchi Gandhi, Harvard University for his valuable contributions to the field of plant nomenclature. 

Notes: This new species is closely allied to G. multiflora in its plant stature, bulbils and labellum colouration. But markedly differ from it in having fewer number flowers in inflorescence, erect and horn-like lateral staminodes, presence of persistent bracts and in its flowering period. The erect lateral staminodes make the species distinct from all known species of Globba

Fig. 3. Comparison of related species.
A–B: Globba kanchigandhii. C–D: G. multiflora. E–F: G. macroclada.
Photos A–E by Alfred Joe; F by E. Sanoj.


Alfred Joe, Mamiyil Sabu, E. Sanoj and Valukattil Ponnachan Thomas. 2019. A New Species of Globba (Zingiberaceae) from India. Taiwania. 64(1); 4-8. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2019.64.4  

     

[Ichthyology • 2019] Carcharhinus obsolerus • Lost before Found: A New Species of Whaler Shark (Carcharhiniformes: Carcharhinidae) from the Western Central Pacific known only from Historic Records

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Carcharhinus obsolerus
White, Kyne & Harris, 2019

Lost Shark  || DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209387  
Painting by Lindsay Marshall (www.stickfigurefish.com.au

Abstract
Carcharhinus obsolerus is described based on three specimens from Borneo, Thailand and Vietnam in the Western Central Pacific. It belongs to the porosus subgroup which is characterised by having the second dorsal-fin insertion opposite the anal-fin midbase. It most closely resembles C. borneensis but differs in tooth morphology and counts and a number of morphological characters, including lack of enlarged hyomandibular pores which are diagnostic of C. borneensis. The historic range of C. obsolerus sp. nov. is under intense fishing pressure and this species has not been recorded anywhere in over 80 years. There is an urgent need to assess its extinction risk status for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. With so few known records, there is a possibility that Carcharhinus obsolerus sp. nov. has been lost from the marine environment before any understanding could be gained of its full historic distribution, biology, ecosystem role, and importance in local fisheries.

Fig 1. Lateral view of Carcharhinus obsolerus sp. nov. (NMW 61463; female holotype 433 mm TL).
A. Preserved specimen; B. Painting by Lindsay Marshall (www.stickfigurefish.com.au). 

Fig 2. Head of Carcharhinus obsolerus sp. nov. (NMW 61463; Holotype). 433 mm TL female:
A. lateral view; B. ventral view.

Fig 5.In situ teeth of Carcharhinus obsolerus sp. nov. (ANSP 77121, paratype). 370 mm TL female:
A. upper teeth; B. lower teeth.

Carcharhinus obsolerus White, Kyne & Harris sp. nov.  

Synonymy: Carcharhinus sp.: [Compagno, 1979]: 517, 520, 523, 536 (Borneo); [Compagno, 1988]: 319, 321, 327 (Vietnam, Borneo, and Thailand); [Compagno et al., 1998]: 1359, fig (Vietnam, Borneo, and Thailand)
Carcharhinus porosus: [Compagno et al., 2005]: 71 (Borneo, Saigon, and Bangkok)
Carcharhinus undescribed small species: [Compagno, 1984]: 497 (Borneo, Vietnam, and Thailand)
Carcharhinus sp. (= ‘Carcharhinus porosus’): [Compagno et al., 1998]: 1322.
Carcharhinus sp. A: [Compagno et al., 2005]: 307, fig, pl. 62 (Borneo, Vietnam, and Thailand); [Voigt et al., 2011]: 103, fig 50

Holotype: NMW 61463, female 433 mm TL, Bangkok, Thailand, no date or collector recorded.

Paratypes: ANSP 76859, female late-term embryo 339 mm TL, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Dec. 1934, coll. H. Rutherfurd; ANSP 77121 (paratype of Carcharhinus tephrodes Fowler), female 370 mm TL, Baram, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, 1897, coll. A.C. Harrison Jr. & H.M. Hiller.

Diagnosis.: A small species of Carcharhinus with: a slender body and tail; no interdorsal ridge; head parabolic in dorsal view, relatively wide, interorbital space 11.2–12.0% TL; eyes relatively large, length 2.4–2.9% TL, 10.0–15.1 times in head length; no row of enlarged hyomandibular pores alongside each mouth corner; upper anterior teeth broadly triangular and serrated, with large and coarse (non-lobate) serrations basally; lower anterior teeth with narrower, mostly straight cusps; cusps of upper and lower anterolateral teeth with apical margin slightly recurved; no lateral cusplets; total tooth row counts 27–31/26–29; posterior edge of the mandibular plate with an elongate and crescentic indentation; second dorsal-fin origin well posterior of anal-fin origin, about opposite anal-fin midbase, second dorsal-fin origin to anal-fin origin 1.3–2.5% TL, 0.3–0.6 times second dorsal-fin base; first dorsal fin triangular, not falcate, origin about opposite first third of pectoral-fin inner margin length, free rear tip just anterior to pelvic-fin origins, length 1.7–1.9 times height, inner margin 1.9–2.5 in base; second dorsal fin much smaller than first, slightly smaller than anal fin; base 1.4–2.0 times height; height 22–31% of first dorsal-fin height; anal fin height 1.2–1.5 times second dorsal height, base 1.1–1.2 times second dorsal-fin base; total vertebral counts 114–120, monospondylous precaudal counts 36–40, diplospondylous precaudal counts 18–19, diplospondylous caudal counts 56–66, precaudal counts 54–58; no distinct black markings on fins.
....


Distribution: Uncertain; collection records indicate southern South China Sea (Gulf of Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysian Borneo).

The distribution of Carcharhinus obsolerus is uncertain. Given that this species has not been seen in many decades, a better understanding of the distribution of this species is unlikely unless archaeological or paleontological records are found. While Baram in Sarawak is likely an accurate collection locality, both Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City specimens may have been caught in other South-east Asian locations and brought into these cities where bigger markets exist. Thus, there is a possibility it had a much more restricted distribution than the three known specimens allude to, but it cannot be ruled out that it had a wider distribution in the South-east Asian region.


Etymology: The specific name is Latin for ‘extinct’ (obsolerus) in allusion to the fact that the species has not been recorded in many decades. Proposed English vernacular name: Lost Shark.


William T. White, Peter M. Kyne and Mark Harris. 2019. Lost before Found: A New Species of Whaler Shark Carcharhinus obsolerus from the Western Central Pacific known only from Historic Records. PLoS ONE. 14(1): e0209387. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209387  

        

[Botany • 2019] Amomum nagamiense (Zingiberaceae) • A New Species of Amomum Roxb. from Nagaland, India

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Amomum nagamiense  V.P. Thomas & M. Sabu

in Thomas, Sabu & Nissar, 2019. 

Abstract
A new species of Amomum from Nagaland is described and illustrated. The photographs and illustrations are provided. The species shows similarity with A. maximum in having bi-lobed ligule and white flowers and non-stoloniferous rhizome, but differs in slender habit, glabrous lamina, ligule with rounded apex, nonperishable, smaller bracteole, obtuse dorsal corolla lobe, pubescent anther lobe and ridged fruits.

Keyword: Amomum; India; Nagaland; New species; Zingiberaceae

Fig. 2. Photographs of Amomum nagamiense.
 A: habit. B & C: inflorescences. D: inner bract. E: bracteole. F: flower. G: calyx. H: corolla lobes. I: labellum. J: stamen. K: ovary with epigynous glands and style. L: stigma. M: fruit. Photos by V.P. Thomas.

Fig. 1. Illustration of Amomum nagamiense.
 A: habit. B: ligule. C: inflorescence. D: inner bract. E: bracteole. F: flower. G: calyx. H: corolla lobes. I: stamen. J: labellum. K: ovary with epigynous glands and style. L: stigma. M: cross section of ovary. N: fruit. Illustration by V.P. Thomas 

Amomum nagamiense V.P. Thomas & M. Sabu, sp. nov.

Similar to Amomum maximum in having bilobed ligule, white flowers, and non-stoloniferous rhizome, but differs in slender habit, glabrous lamina, ligule with rounded apex, non-perishable, smaller bracteole, obtuse dorsal corolla lobe, pubescent anther lobe and ridged fruits.
....

Distribution: India (Nagaland).

Ecology: Found growing as undergrowth in the semi-evergreen forest at an altitude of 1000 m asl in NE India. 

Etymology: Named for the Indian State Nagaland

Affinities: The species shows similarity with Amomum maximum in having bi-lobed ligule, white flowers, and non-stoloniferous rhizome, but differs in many attributes. A comparison with two other related species Amomum glabrum S. Q. Tong and A. menglaense S. Q. Tong are also presented (Table 1).  


Valukattil Ponnachan Thomas, Mamiyil Sabu and Vettathukattil Abdul Gafoor Muhammed Nissar. 2019. A New Species of Amomum Roxb. (Zingiberaceae) from Nagaland, India. Taiwania. 64(1); 9-12. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2019.64.9  



[Botany • 2018] Crepidium falcifolium (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae) • A New Species of Crepidium from peninsular Thailand

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 Crepidium falcifolium Nuammee, Seelanan & H.A.Pedersen 

in Nuammee, Seelanan & Pedersen, 2018. 

   photographed by Wins Buddhawong.

Abstract
While preparing an account of Crepidium (Orchidaceae) for Flora of Thailand, a new species was discovered on limestone hills in peninsular Thailand; it is described here as Crepidium falcifolium. It has previously been collected and identified as C. godefroyi, but is more similar to C. khasianum. We demonstrate that the new species differs from either in both vegetative and floral characters. A detailed description and illustrations are provided together with notes on taxonomy, habitat requirements, and conservation status.

Keywords: Malaxideae, SE Asian biodiversity, systematics, taxonomy.

 Crepidium falcifolium Nuammee, Seelanan & H.A.Pedersen, Flower, front view.
photographed by A. Nuammee.

 Crepidium falcifolium Nuammee, Seelanan & H.A.Pedersen, from Surat Thani.

   photographed by Wins Buddhawong.


 Crepidium falcifolium Nuammee, Seelanan & H.A.Pedersen, from Surat Thani.

 photographed by Wins Buddhawong.

Crepidium falcifolium Nuammee, Seelanan & H.A.Pedersen, sp. nov. 

TYPE: THAILAND. Nakhon Si Thammarat: ..., Nopphitam District, Krung Ching Subdistrict, humus-rich soil in shaded areas of limestone hill, ca. 240 m alt., ... 

Malaxis godefroyi auct. non (Rchb.f.) Kuntze: Seidenf., Bot. Tidsskr. 65: 127 p.p., figure 18. 1969; Dansk Bot. Arkiv 33(1): 54 p.p., figure 40. 1978. 

Similar to C. khasianum but differs in having distinctly falcate to narrowly lanceolate, less than 2 cm wide, usually green leaves, reflexed lateral sepals with recurved margins, and a labellum that is less than 4 mm wide and shallowly bilobed at apex with rounded lobes.
....

Habitat and Ecology— All individuals encountered up to now were found growing in humus-rich soil in shaded areas in mixed deciduous forest on limestone hills at 200–250 m in elevation. 

Etymology—The epithet refers to the falcate leaf shape, a feature that distinguishes C. falcifolium from most other species in the genus.

   


Anchalee Nuammee, Tosak Seelanan and Henrik Æ. Pedersen. 2018. A New Species of Crepidium (Orchidaceae) from Thailand.  Systematic Botany. 43(4); 950-956. DOI:  10.1600/036364418X697788 

[Cnidaria • 2018] Heliopora hiberniana • Integrated Evidence Reveals A New Species in the Ancient Blue Coral Genus Heliopora (Octocorallia)

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Heliopora hiberniana 
 Richards, Yasuda, Kikuchi, Foster, Mitsuyuki, Stat, Suyama & Wilson, 2018


Abstract
Maintaining the accretion potential and three dimensional structure of coral reefs is a priority but reef-building scleractinian corals are highly threatened and retreating. Hence future reefs are predicted to be dominated by non-constructional taxa. Since the Late Triassic however, other non-scleractinian anthozoans such as Heliopora have contributed to tropical and subtropical reef-building. Heliopora is an ancient and highly conserved reef building octocoral genus within the monospecific Family Helioporidae, represented by a single extant species – H. coerulea, Pallas, 1766. Here we show integrated morphological, genomic and reproductive evidence to substantiate the existence of a second species within the genus Heliopora. Importantly, some individuals of the new species herein described as Heliopora hiberniana sp. nov. feature a white skeleton indicating that the most diagnostic and conserved Heliopora character (the blue skeleton) can be displaced. The new species is currently known only from offshore areas in north Western Australia, which is a part of the world where coral bleaching events have severely impacted the scleractinian community over the last two decades. Field observations indicate individuals of both H. coerulea and H. hiberniana sp. nov. were intact after the 2016 Scott Reef thermal stress event, and we discuss the possibility that bleaching resistant non-scleractinian reef builders such as Heliopora could provide new ecological opportunities for the reconfiguration of future reefs by filling empty niches and functional roles left open by the regression of scleractinian corals.

Systematics

Subclass OCTOCORALLIA Haeckel, 1866
Order HELIOPORACEA Bock, 1938

Family Helioporidae Moseley, 1876
Genus Heliopora de Blainville, 1830

Diagnosis as for Family. Massive skeleton of crystalline aragonite, polyps in cylindrical tubes, interconnected via solenia.

Type species Heliopora coerulea Pallas, 1766.

Heliopora hiberniana sp. nov.

Etymology: Latin, feminine, in reference to the type locality, adjectival form of Hibernia.

Distribution: Hibernia Reef, Ashmore Reef, Scott Reef, Browse Is., NW Australia.

Figure 1: Two sympatric morphs of Heliopora occur in NW Australia.
(A) The slender-branching Heliopora hiberniana sp. nov. (foreground) growing in situ with Heliopora coerulea (background) at the type locality, Hibernia Reef, NW Australia. (B) A broken branch reveals the characteristic blue skeleton of H. coerulea. (C) A broken branch (red circle) reveals the white skeleton of H. hiberniana sp. nov.

      

Figure 2 Comparative morphology of Heliopora coerulea and Heliopora hiberniana sp. nov.
(A) Close up of H. coerulea showing the blue coloration of the skeleton. (B) Simple elaborations on echinulations in H. coerulea. (C) Close up of H. hiberniana sp. nov. showing the presence of autopores and absence of worm tubes. (D) Highly elaborated echinulations in H. hiberniana sp. nov. (E) Cladistic semi-strict consensus tree (of four equally-parsimonious trees) based on ten morphological characters confirms white and intermediate forms of Heliopora hiberniana sp. nov. are monophyletic and derived within blue Heliopora coerulea.

Diagnosis: Heliopora hiberniana sp. nov. is distinguished from H. coerulea by a slender branching growth form, smaller and more numerous autopores, and highly elaborated echinulations. Some colonies (like the type material) are clearly distinguished by the presence of a white skeleton however this does not appear to be a fixed diagnostic trait as some H. hiberniana sp. nov. individuals retain the blue or intermediate colouration. H. hiberniana sp. nov. is distinguished from H. compressa Verrill, 1864 by its fine branching clump growth form and highly elaborated echinulations. Heliopora compressa is described to have a thick, massive or encrusting base that forms plates with thin edges or lobe-like branches. It also has 2–3 elaborations per echinulation rather than 3–6 as in H. hiberniana sp. nov. Heliopora hiberniana sp. nov. is distinguished by H. fijiensis Hoffmeister, 1945 by its fine branching clump form, smaller autopores (0.58–0.69 mm) and smaller number of pseudosepta (12–15). Heliopora fijiensis is known only from fossil material and it is described as having an encrusting growth form with 14–17 pseudosepta and an autopore diameter of 0.75–0.9 mm. The number of elaboration on echinulations were not recorded.

Remarks: There are only three available names of Heliopora listed in the World Register of Marine Species: H. coerulea (Pallas, 1766), H. fijiensis Hoffmeister, 1945 † and H. compressa Verrill, 1864. All are differentiated from H. hiberniana sp. nov. by morphology. Heliopora fijiensis remains known only from fossil material, and H. compressa is considered a nomen dubium.

The new species was observed growing in close association with Halimeda sp. at the type locality (Fig. 5). Squat lobster Alpheus obesomanus Dana, 1852 (Arthropoda; Crustacea; Malacostracea; Decapoda; Alpheidae) were observed residing in colony tips (Fig. 5F).

Figure 5 Heliopora hiberniana sp. nov. growing in situ at the type locality, Hibernia Reef.
 (A) Branching clump growing in close association with Halimeda sp., (B) Small branching clump. (C) Heliopora hiberniana sp. nov. (top) growing in situ with H. coerulea (bottom) at the type locality. (D) Heliopora hiberniana sp. nov. with a broken branch showing the white skeleton, (E) Side attached open branching colony with encrusting base; (F) Heliopora hiberniana sp. nov. (background) growing in situ with Stylophora pistillata in the foreground.


Zoe T. Richards, Nina Yasuda, Taisei Kikuchi, Taryn Foster, Chika Mitsuyuki, Michael Stat, Yoshihisa Suyama and Nerida G. Wilson. 2018. Integrated Evidence Reveals A New Species in the Ancient Blue Coral Genus Heliopora (Octocorallia). Scientific Reports. 8, 15875.  DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32969-z

     

[Botany • 2019] Primulina anisocymosa (Gesneriaceae) • A New Species with A Unique Inflorescence Structure from Guangdong, China

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Primulina anisocymosa F. Wen, Xin Hong & Z.J. Qiu

in Hong, Keene, Qiu & Wen, 2019.

Abstract
 A new Primulina species from Guangdong, China with an unusual inflorescence is described here. Primulina anisocymosa is vegetatively most similar to P. bobaiensis. It can be distinguished from all species within Primulina morphologically by its unique zigzag monochasial cyme and infructescence. To confirm the phylogenetic relationships and generic placement of this species, not only morphological anatomical features but also chromosome and DNA sequence data were examined and analysed here. Two samples from different populations identified as Primulina anisocymosa are monophyletic and were nested in a monophyletic clade within Primulina with high branch support. The somatic chromosome number of the new species is also reported (2n = 36), supporting its placement in the genus.

Figure 3: Line-drawing of Primulina anisocymosa F. Wen, Xin Hong and Z.J. Qiu.
(A) Plant in flower. (B) Corolla opened showing stamens and staminodes. (C) Calyx and pistil with ovary, style and stigma. (D) Seed. —Drawn by Ms. Xiao-Ming Xu and Ms. Wen Ma.  

Figure 4: Photos of Primulina anisocymosa two populations in natural habitat.
(A, B) Habitat (A, Gaozhou; B, Yangchun) (C, D) Vegetative part of plants (C, Yangchun; D, Gaozhou) (E) Bracteoles, showing not-paired, aligned on one side at the base of pedicel. (F) Cymule, reduced to the point attachment and forming swollen nodules at the base. (G) Zigzag monochasial infructescence. Photos by Fang Wen.




Primulina anisocymosa F. Wen, Xin Hong & Z.J. Qiu, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Primulina anisocymosa differs from other congeners by the presence of a zigzag monochasial cyme.

Distribution. The new species is known from two locations: Gaozhou City and Yangchun City, Guangdong Province, southern China. This area is in the transitional zone between the tropics and subtropics.

Habitat and ecology. Primulina anisocymosa is locally abundant in Yangchun, although very rare in Gaozhou, Guangdong. The total number of this species in Gaozhou does not exceed 100 individuals. It grows in rocky crevices of moist shady cliffs on a red sedimentary rock hill, at an elevation of 50 m a.s.l in Gaozhou City. The species also grows on the moist rock surface of limestone cave entrances in Yangchun. The average annual temperature of the two localities is similar (ca. 21 °C) and the average annual precipitation is around 2,380 mm. P. anisocymosa occurs in subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest. Flowering from September to October and fruiting from October to December.

Etymology. The scientific name is derived from its unusual zigzag monochasial cyme. The latin prefix, “aniso-”, means different, uneven or asymmetrical; “cyma” refers to the predominant inflorescence type seen in Primulina a pair-flowered cyme.


Xin Hong, Jeremy Keene, Zhi-Jing Qiu and Fang Wen​. 2019. Primulina anisocymosa (Gesneriaceae), A New Species with A Unique Inflorescence Structure from Guangdong, China.  PeerJ. 7:e6157.   DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6157

[Botany • 2018] Colura sigmoidea • The Genus Colura section Gamolepis (Lejeuneaceae, Marchantiophyta) in Malesian Region, with the Description of A New Species

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Colura sigmoidea  Sangratt., Chantanaorr. & R.L.Zhu

in Sangrattanaprasert, Chantanaorrapint & Zhu, 2019. 

Abstract
The taxonomic account of the genus Colura sect. Gamolepis in the Malesian region is presented based on fresh materials from field surveys and herbarium specimens. Five species are recognised including: C. cristata, C. meijeri, C. valida, C. verdoornii, and one new species, C. sigmoidea, described and illustrated. The new species is similar to C. cristata, but differs in having dioicous sexuality, ovate to lanceolate lobule sac ending with a small apical crest (consisting of 3–5 cells), small valve consisting of 30–40 cells and basal median cells of valve adnate with hinge cells forming a sigmoid curve in outline. A key to species, taxonomic descriptions and illustrations are provided; ecology and geographical distribution of the species are noted.

Keywords: Colura, Colura sigmoidea, leafy liverwort, Malesian region, sect. Gamolepis, Bryophytes


Colura sigmoidea  Sangratt., Chantanaorr. & R.L.Zhu 

    

    

  Jiroat Sangrattanaprasert, Sahut Chantanaorrapint and Rui-Liang Zhu. 2019. The Genus Colura section Gamolepis (Lejeuneaceae, Marchantiophyta) in Malesian Region, with the Description of Colura sigmoidea.  Phytotaxa. 387(1); 40–54. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.387.1.3

  

[Crustacea • 2018] The Freshwater Crabs (Decapoda, Potamidae) of Macau, with the Description of Nanhaipotamon macau and the Redescription of Nanhaipotamon wupingense

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Nanhaipotamon macau 
Huang, Wong & Ahyong, 2018


Abstract
Four species of freshwater crabs from three genera and two families (Cantopotamon hengqinense Huang, Ahyong & Shih, 2017, Nanhaipotamon guangdongense Dai, 1997, Nanhaipotamon macau sp. n., and Somanniathelphusa zanklon Ng & Dudgeon, 1992) are documented from Macau for the first time. One new species, Nanhaipotamon macau sp. n., is described. The large flap on the male first gonopod terminal segment sets it apart from all other known congeners except N. wupingense Cheng, Yang, Zhong & Li, 2003, from Fujian. Characters of the carapace, male first gonopod and size, however, clearly differentiate these two species. Preliminary genetic studies also suggest that the two are not closely related. A neotype is designated for N. wupingense. The taxonomic status of Nanhaipotamon guangdongense is also discussed. Notes on the general biology and conservation status of these crabs are also included.

Keywords: Freshwater crabs, Gecarcinucidae, Macau, new species, Potamidae, systematics


Figure 2. The freshwater crabs of Macau, colour in life.
 Nanhaipotamon macau sp. n., male (29.0 × 24.2 mm), SYSBM 001654 (A);
Nanhaipotamon guangdongense Dai, 1997, male (35.9 × 28.8 mm), SYSBM 001645 (B);
Cantopotamon hengqinense Huang, Ahyong & Shih, 2017, male, specimen not collected (C);
Somanniathelphusa zanklon Ng & Dudgeon, 1992, photographed in Zhuhai, specimen not collected (D).

Taxonomy
•  Family Potamidae Ortmann, 1896
Subfamily Potamiscinae Bott, 1970

Genus Cantopotamon Huang, Ahyong & Shih, 2017

••  Cantopotamon hengqinense Huang, Ahyong & Shih, 2017

Distribution: Hengqin Island, Zhuhai, Guangdong; Coloane, Macau.


 Nanhaipotamon macau sp. n., male (29.0 × 24.2 mm), SYSBM 001654 

Genus Nanhaipotamon Bott, 1968

•• Nanhaipotamon macau sp. n.

Diagnosis: Carapace broader than long, regions indistinct, dorsal surface convex, anterolateral region weakly rugose (Figs 3A, 4B); postorbital cristae sharp, laterally expanded, almost fused with epibranchial teeth and epigastric cristae (Figs 3A, 4B); external orbital angle sharply triangular, outer margin gently convex to almost straight, separated from anterolateral margin by conspicuous gap (Figs 3A, B, 4B); sub-orbital regions covered by sparse low granules, pterygostomial regions covered with short rows of a few rounded granules; sub-hepatic regions covered with lined striae (Fig. 3B); maxilliped III exopod reaching to proximal one-third of merus with short flagellum (Fig. 5A); female vulva ovate, medium-sized, positioned closely to one another (Fig. 4D); male pleon triangular, lateral margins almost straight (Fig. 3C); G1 slender, subterminal segment tapering distally, terminal segment large, distally expanded, distal margin laminar, apex blunt, directed outward (Figs 5C–E, 6A–C). G2 basal segment subovate (Fig. 5B).

Etymology: This species is named after the type locality, Macau; used as a noun in apposition.


Habitat: Nanhaipotamon macau sp. n. is a typical semi-terrestrial species that burrows in wet soil in the bank adjacent to hill streams. It was sympatric with Cantopotamon hengqinense at three localities. 

Distribution: Coloane, Macau.


••  Nanhaipotamon guangdongense Dai, 1997

 •• Nanhaipotamon wupingense Cheng, Yang, Zhong & Li, 2003


• Family Gecarcinucidae Rathbun, 1904
Genus Somanniathelphusa Bott, 1968

 •• Somanniathelphusa zanklon Ng & Dudgeon, 1992


 Chao Huang, Kai Chin Wong and Shane T. Ahyong. 2018. The Freshwater Crabs of Macau, with the Description of A New Species of Nanhaipotamon Bott, 1968 and the Redescription of Nanhaipotamon wupingense Cheng, Yang, Zhong & Li, 2003 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Potamidae). ZooKeys. 810: 91-111.  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.810.30726

Chao Huang, Shane T. Ahyong and Hsi-Te Shih. 2017. Cantopotamon, A New Genus of Freshwater Crabs from Guangdong, China, with Descriptions of Four New Species (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Potamidae). Zoological Studies. 56; 41. DOI: 10.6620/ZS.2017.56-41  

[Botany • 2019] Eugenia megamalayana (Myrtaceae) • A New Species from the Western Ghats, India

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Eugenia megamalayana Murugan & Arum.

in Murugan & Arumugam, 2019. 

Abstract
Eugenia megamalayana sp. nov., is described and illustrated as a new species from the Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu, India. It is very closely allied to Eugenia calcadensis Bedd. but differs in habit, leaf, floral and fruit characters. The comparison of the two species is tabulated here.

Keyword: Eugenia, India, Myrtaceae, New species, Western Ghats

Fig. 2. Eugenia megamalayana Murugan & Arum. sp. nov.
A-B. Habit; C-D. Flowering Twigs; E. Pistil without Petals; F. Fruiting Twig.

Eugenia megamalayana Murugan & Arum., sp. nov.


Ecology: This new species is hitherto known only from the type locality. Here it grows as big trees between 1100 m and 1500 m asl. The main associated species are, Acrocarpus fraxinifolius Arn., Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam., Bischofia javanica Blume, Chukrasia tabularis A. Juss. and Coffea sp. the coffee plantation. 

Etymology: The specific epithet is derived from the type locality Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary, a potential area for plant diversity.

Fig. 1. Eugenia megamalayana Murugan & Arum, sp. nov. (Myrtaceae).
A. Flowering twig; B, Fruiting twig; C. Flower bud; D. Flower; E. Petal; F. Stamens; G. Pistil with calyx; H-I. Ovary (C.S. & L.S.) 



Chidambaram Murugan and Senniappan Arumugam. 2019. Eugenia megamalayana sp. nov. (Myrtaceae), A New Species from the Western Ghats, India.  Taiwania. 64(1); 23-27. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2019.64.23

     


[Herpetology • 2019] Amolops sinensis & A. yatseni • Two Cryptic Species of the Amolops ricketti group (Anura, Ranidae) from southeastern China

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Amolops yatseni Lyu, Wang & Wang

in Lyu, Huang, Wang, Li, et al., 2019.
Yat-sen’s Torrent Frog  |  逸仙湍蛙  ||  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.812.29956

Abstract
Two cryptic species, which were previously reported as Amolops ricketti, are revealed on the basis of significant morphological and genetic divergences. Amolops sinensis sp. n. from central Guangdong, northeastern Guangxi and southwestern Hunan can be distinguished by the longitudinal glandular folds on the skin of the shoulders and other character combinations. Amolops yatseni sp. n. from the coastal hills of west Guangdong can be distinguished by the dense tiny round translucent, or white, spines on the dorsal skin of the body, dorsal and dorsolateral skin of the limbs, and other character combinations. The phylogenetic interrelationships of the A. ricketti group have been inferred as (A. wuyiensis + A. ricketti) + (A. yunkaiensis + (A. albispinus + (A. sinensis sp. n. + A. yatseni sp. n.))). This work indicates that the current records of A. ricketti might be a species complex composed of multiple species, and further work is needed to figure out this puzzle.

Keywords: Amolops sinensis sp. n., Amolops yatseni sp. n., mitochondrial DNA, morphology, phylogeny, species complex, torrent frog

Figure 3. Morphological features of the adult male holotype SYS a007107 of Amolops sinensis sp. n. in life.
A Dorsolateral view B Ventral view C A longitudinal glandular folds on skin of shoulder D Beige nuptial pad and nuptial spines E Left hand F Left foot. 

Figure 4. A Juvenile SYS a004722 of Amolops sinensis sp. n. in life B Female paratype SYS a007109 in life C Male paratype SYS a005710 in life, eating an earthworm.

Amolops sinensis Lyu, Wang & Wang, sp. n.

Diagnosis: The new species was assigned to genus Amolops and further to the A. ricketti group morphologically based on the absence of dorsolateral folds, the presence of a circummarginal groove on the disk of the first finger, the absence of tarsal glands, and the presence of nuptial pads with conical nuptial spines on the first finger in males.

Amolops sinensis sp. n. is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following morphological characteristics: (1) body stout and robust, SVL 40.2–46.5 (43.1±2.2, n=6) mm in adult males, 47.7–52.7 (50.5±2.0, n=5) mm in adult females; (2) dorsal body olive-brown to dark brown, with irregular light strip-shaped patches or not; (3) ventral surface creamy white or beige, with dark gray patches; (4) dorsal skin of body very rough, granular and scattered with conical tubercles and raised large warts in males; (5) vomerine teeth strong, tongue cordiform, deeply notched posteriorly; (6) absence of dorsolateral folds; (7) a longitudinal glandular fold on skin of shoulder on each side; (8) supernumerary tubercles below base of fingers III and IV indistinct; (9) heels overlapping; (10) absence of outer metatarsal tubercles and tarsal glands; (11) absence of vocal sacs; (12) nuptial pad on first finger prominent with beige spines in breeding males; and (13) white conical spines present on skin of temporal region (including tympanum in several individuals) and loreal region in breeding males.

Etymology: The specific name “sinensis” refers to “Chinese”, for this new species takes a wide distribution in southern China. We suggest its English common name “Chinese Torrent Frog” and Chinese name “Zhong Hua Tuan Wa (中华湍蛙)”.

Distribution and habits: Currently, the Chinese Torrent Frog is recognized from the Shimentai Nature Reserve and Mt. Nankun in Guangdong, Mt. Dupangling in Guangxi, and Mt. Yangming and Mt. Hengshan in Hunan, which indicates the potential distribution area of Amolops sinensis sp. n. is from central Guangdong, to northeastern Guangxi and southwestern Hunan.

Amolops sinensis sp. n. inhabits rocky, fast-flowing streams (ca 500–1300 m a.s.l.) surrounded by moist subtropical secondary evergreen broadleaved forests. All individuals were observed from April to August. Males bear nuptial spines from April to July; females bear mature light yellow oocytes from April to August. Nevertheless, much of the ecology and behavior of this species remains unknown.


Figure 6. Morphological features of the adult male holotype SYS a006807 of Amolops yatseni sp. n. in life.
A Dorsolateral view B Ventral view C Dense white conical spines on skin of temporal region, loreal region, snout, lips and chin D Nuptial pad and nuptial spines E Right hand F Left foot. 

Figure 7. A Male paratype SYS a004643 of Amolops yatseni sp. n. in life B Female paratype SYS a003981 in life, showing denser and more distinct rounded spines on dorsal skin C Habits on Shangchuan Island.

Amolops yatseni Lyu, Wang & Wang, sp. n.

Diagnosis: The new species was assigned to genus Amolops and further to the A. ricketti group morphologically based on the absence of dorsolateral folds, the presence of a circummarginal groove on the disk of the first finger, the absence of tarsal glands, and the presence of nuptial pads with conical nuptial spines on the first finger in males.

Amolops yatseni sp. n. is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following morphological characteristics: (1) body stout and robust, SVL 39.3–44.7 (42.5±2.1, n=6) mm in adult males, 42.1–48.9 (46.4±2.0, n=11) mm in adult females; (2) dorsal body olive-brown or light brown, with irregular light strip-shaped patches or not; (3) ventral surface creamy white, with nebulous dark gray patches or not; (4) dorsal skin of body very rough, granular and scattered with tubercles and raised large warts, lacking warts on central back of trunk in females; (5) dense tiny round translucent, or white, spines present on dorsal skin of body, dorsal and dorsolateral skin of limbs in males, denser in females; (6) vomerine teeth strong, tongue cordiform, deeply notched posteriorly; (7) absence of the dorsolateral folds; (8) supernumerary tubercles below the base of fingers II, III and IV distinct and prominent; (9) heels just meeting; (10) absence of outer metatarsal tubercles and tarsal glands; (11) absence of vocal sacs; (12) nuptial pad on the first finger prominent with developed white conical spines in breeding males, tip of nuptial spines brown; and (13) dense white conical spines present on the skin of the temporal region (including the tympanum in several individuals), loreal region, snout, lips and chin in males during breeding season, and such spines less developed and rounded only on skin of temporal region except the tympanum and lower lips in females.

Etymology: The specific name “yatseni” refers to the founder of Sun Yat-sen University, Dr. Sun Yat-sen, who was born in Cuiheng Village, Zhongshan City, about five kilometers from the type locality, Mt. Wugui. We suggest its English common name “Yat-sen’s Torrent Frog” and Chinese name “Yi Xian Tuan Wa (逸仙湍蛙)”.

Distribution and habits: Currently, the Yat-sen’s Torrent Frog is known from the Zhongshan City, as well as from Mt. Gudou, Shangchuan Island, Ehuangzhang Nature Reserve, and Yunkaishan Nature Reserve. All these localities are situated in the coastal hills of west Guangdong, indicating the potential distribution area of Amolops yatseni sp. n. is from the west border of Pearl River Delta to the Yunkai Mountains. However, the five known localities of the new species are being threatened by hydropower station construction and tourism development respectively, and surveys are needed in western Guangdong to investigate the accurate population status and the distribution of this species.

Amolops yatseni sp. n. inhabits rocky, fast-flowing streams (ca 250–1000 m a.s.l.) surrounded by moist subtropical secondary evergreen broadleaved forests (Fig. 7C). All individuals were observed from March to August when males bear nuptial spines and females bear mature oocytes. Nevertheless, much of the ecology and behavior of this species remains unknown.


Discussion: 
The species Amolops ricketti was originally described based on two specimens from Mt. Wuyi, Fujian (Boulenger 1899), and was recorded subsequently over wide area from southern China to northern and central Indochina (Bourret 1942; Liu 1950; Fei et al. 2012; Frost 2018). In this work, we have found that the recorded population of A. ricketti from central Guangdong, northeastern Guangxi and southwestern Hunan (now recognized as A. sinensis sp. n.) and from coastal hills of west Guangdong (now recognized as A. yatseni sp. n.), are markedly different from the topotype of A. ricketti from Fujian, both morphologically and genetically. This indicates that the current records of A. ricketti might be a species complex (designated here as A. ricketti sensu lato) composed of multiple species. Further surveys and studies are required to clarify the concept of A. ricketti, especially for the reported populations from southwestern China and Indochina and to determine the accurate distribution of A. sinensis sp. n. and A. yatseni sp. n.

Southwestern China has been considered as hotspot area with highest species diversity over time, while southeastern China, which suffers from more human activities, is considered as much less diverse, which may reflect the lack of biodiversity surveys over time. Recently, a number of new amphibian species were described from southeastern China (Lyu et al. 2017; Wang et al. 2017; Yuan et al. 2017; Zeng et al. 2017; Lyu et al. 2018; Wang et al. 2018a; Wang et al. 2018b; this study), to be the greatest number of new amphibian species in China in recent times. These discoveries indicate that the species diversity in southeastern China is highly underestimated. Comprehensive and careful surveys are urgently demanded to investigate the biodiversity status in this area, especially for herpetological species which are sensitive to rapid environmental changes.


 Zhi-Tong Lyu, Lin-Sheng Huang, Jian Wang, Yuan-Qiu Li, Hong-Hui Chen, Shuo Qi and Ying-Yong Wang. 2019. Description of Two Cryptic Species of the Amolops ricketti group (Anura, Ranidae) from southeastern China. ZooKeys. 812: 133-156.  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.812.29956


[Herpetology • 2019] Rhadinaea eduardoi • A New Species of Forest Snake of the Genus Rhadinaea (Squamata, Dipsadidae) from Tropical Montane Rainforest in the Sierra Madre del Sur of Oaxaca, Mexico

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Rhadinaea eduardoi 
Mata-Silva, Rocha, Ramírez-Bautista, Berriozabal-Islas & Wilson, 2019


Abstract
Content of the dipsadid genus Rhadinaea has changed considerably since Myers’ 1974 revision. Three species groups are recognized currently in the genus. Our fieldwork in Oaxaca in June 2018 produced a single specimen of Rhadinaea considered to represent a new taxon. This new species is described from converted Premontane Wet Forest in the municipality of Santa Catarina Juquila in the Sierra Madre del Sur of southern Oaxaca, Mexico. It is most closely related to Rhadinaea laureata, from which it can be distinguished easily by color pattern and scutellation, and represents a species group distinct from the other three occupying the genus.

Keywords: Morphology, new serpent species, Santa Catarina Juquila municipality, Southern Mexico, taxonomy

Figure 2. Head and anterior portion of body of holotype of Rhadinaea eduardoi.

Figure 3. Holotype of Rhadinaea eduardoi in life. 

Rhadinaea eduardoi sp. n. 

Common name: English: Eduardo’s forest snake. 
Spanish: Hojarasquera de Eduardo

Diagnosis: A snake of the genus Rhadinaea that can be distinguished from all congeners by the following combination of morphological features: supralabials 7, with 3rd and 4th entering orbit; 120 ventrals; 71 subcaudals; one subpreocular (lower preocular); 17 dorsal scales throughout body; a head pattern lacking postorbital pale markings but having a pale line extending from the lower rear quadrant of the eye to the ultimate supralabial and slightly beyond, and a midbody dorsal color pattern of a lateral series of black dots in the lower apex of the scales of row V and a middorsal line confined to the middorsal scale row consisting of a series of disjunct spots on the posterior apex of otherwise dark brown scales.



Etymology: This species is named in honor of Eduardo Mata-Silva, collector of the holotype. Eduardo is the younger brother of the senior author of this paper, is a resident of Río Grande, Oaxaca, and is a highly valued member of our field crew working in Oaxaca. He also outshines the rest of the crew when it comes to finding snakes, as evidenced by his discovery of the holotype of the snake described herein.

Habitat and natural history observations: Rhadinaea eduardoi is resident in an area of converted Premontane Wet Forest, which presently supports a plantation of shade-grown coffee (Fig. 5). The holotype was found active at 1800 hrs on leaf litter approximately 10 m from a stream after a very light rain. Other herpetofaunal species encountered at this site were the anurans Craugastor pygmaeus, Ptychohyla leonhardschultzei, and Exerodonta sumichrasti, and the lizards Norops sp. and Holcosus undulatus.

Figure 5. Habitat where holotype of Rhadinaea eduardoi was found.


 Vicente Mata-Silva, Arturo Rocha, Aurelio Ramírez-Bautista, Christian Berriozabal-Islas and Larry David Wilson. 2019. A New Species of Forest Snake of the Genus Rhadinaea from Tropical Montane Rainforest in the Sierra Madre del Sur of Oaxaca, Mexico (Squamata, Dipsadidae).  ZooKeys. 813: 55-65. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.813.29617

Resúmen: La conformación del género Rhadinaea ha cambiado considerablemente desde la revisión de Myers en 1974. Tres grupos de especies son reconocidos actualmente en el género. Nuestro trabajo de campo en Oaxaca en junio de 2018 produjo un espécimen de Rhadinaea que consideramos que representa un nuevo taxón. Describimos esta nueva especie de bosque húmedo premontano en el Municipio de Santa Catarina Juquila en la Sierra Madre del Sur en el sur de Oaxaca, México. Esta especie está más estrechamente relacionada con Rhadinaea laureata, de la cual se puede distinguir fácilmente por medio del patrón de color y escutelación, y representa un grupo distinto a los tres que forman parte del género.
Palabras claves: Morfología, nueva especie de serpiente, municipalidad de Santa Catarina Juquila, el sur de México, taxonomía

[Botany • 2018] Xylacanthus laotica (Acanthaceae, Acanthoideae) • A New Genus and Species from Laos

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Xylacanthus laotica Aver. et K. S. Nguyen


in Averyanov, Nguyen & Maisak, 2018.

Summary: 
 A new monotype genus Xylacanthus Aver. et K. S. Nguyen with one species, X. laotica Aver. et K. S. Nguyen (Acanthaceae, Acanthoideae, Ruellieae), is described and illustrated. Described genus has arborous living form rather unusual among in Acanthaceae. This small deciduous tree was observed as a main co-dominant of primary deciduous xerophytic karst scrub on extra dry tops of remnant limestone mountains in Pon Xay district of Luang Prabang province in central part of northern Laos. New genus has rather isolated taxonomic position for its floral morphology, xerophytic living form and obligatory deciduous xerophytic character. The distribution of this plant is limited by limestone karstic areas of central part of northern Laos in the limits of Luang Prabang province. 

Keywords: Acanthaceae, karstic flora, Laos, new genus, plant endemism, plant taxonomy, Xylacanthus

Fig. 2. Xylacanthus laotica. A – Flowering and fruiting stem with removed bud scales, young leaves, floral bracts and flowers. B – Bud scales. C – Young leaves. D. Floral bracts. E – Flower. F – Calyx with young fruit. G – Dissected and flattened perianth tube with removed style. H – Intact anther, side view. I – Anther with removed hairs, half side view. J – Sagittal section of calyx and gynoecium. K – Ovary and style. L – Calyx and capsule. M – Sagittal section of the calyx and ripe capsule. N – Individual calyx lobe, adaxial surface. O – Ripe open capsule, side view. P – Capsule valve with ripening seeds, half side view. Q – Ripening seed with falcate retinaculum. R – Ripe seed, frontal and side view, and view from the base. All drawn from the type – LA-VN 2050 by L. Averyanov and T. Maisak.

Fig. 1. Xylacanthus laotica. A – Natural habitat of species in Phou Hua Ben Toc Mountain (Luang Prabang province, Pon Xay district, between Houay Man and Nam Bo villages, LA-VN 2130). B – Monodominant deciduous scrub on mountain summit formed by S. arborescens (LA-VN 2130). C – Individual tree of the species on mountain top (LAVN 2130). D, E – Flowering branches of canopy (LA-VN 2130). F-I, K – Flowering and fruiting shoots (Type – LAVN 2050). J, L – Flower, frontal and side view (LA-VN 2157). M – Stamens (LA-VN 2157). N – Hairiness of anther connective and filament (LA-VN 2157).
 Photos of L. Averyanov and Khang Sinh Nguyen.

 Xylacanthus Aver. et K. S. Nguyen, gen. nov. 
Type: X. laotica Aver. et K. S. Nguyen 
Monotype genus.

Description: Deciduous monoecious tree to 5 m tall flowering and fruiting before leaf formation; shoots isophyllous; leaves in terminal rosette, opposite, decussate, pilose; flowers solitary, axillary, sessile; floral bracts 0–2, lanceolate, villose, persistent; calyx 5-lobed, villose, with many cystoliths; corolla dark blue, cylindric, hairy, 5-lobed, lobes rounded, recurved, forming almost actinomorphic limb; stamens 4, didynamous, monadelphous, all fertile, pairwise distally connivent, filaments glandular hairy, at base with many long hairs; anthers basifixed, 2-thecous, thecae with prominent recurved, sterile, acuminate base; connective with many long hairs; ovary erect, narrowly ovoid, setose, 2-locular; style filiform, comose; stigma 2-cleft; capsule ellipsoid, shortly hairy, 6–8-seeded; seeds lenticular, pilose with appressed mucilaginous hairs. 

Etymology: Generic name refers to an arboreous plant habit. 

Note: The discovered plant superficially somewhat resembles species of Strobilanthes Blume, large widespread genus well presented in tropical southeast Asia and in countries of Indochinese Peninsular as well (Benoist, 1935; Pham Hoang Ho, 2000; Deng et al., 2006, 2011; Newman et al., 2007). However, it strikingly differs from all known Strobilanthes species in its unusual arborous plant habit, spurred anthers, filaments and anther connective densely hairy with long white hairs, as well as in many (more than 4)-seeded capsule. Some of these characters, as well as similar pollen grain structure, remind representative of the genus Echinacanthus Nees. However, the only true Echinacanthus species (E. attenuatus Nees) is a lowland slender herb of the Nepal-Darjeeling area, which is totally different in habit from our plant being also geographically separated. It is highly probable that discovered plant represents new undescribed genus endemic for limestone areas of central Laos. Like its expected relatives, it may be placed into subtribe Strobilanthinae (Acanthaceae, subfam. Acanthoideae, tribe Ruellieae) in the family classification proposed by A. Takhtajan (2009). Newly described genus includes one species described below. 



Xylacanthus laotica Aver. et K. S. Nguyen, sp. nov.

Etymology The species epithet refers to the country of its origin.

Distribution Northern Laos, Luang Prabang province, Pon Xay district (Houay Man, Nam Bo and Bane Phou Souong villages). Endemic. 

Note: This remarkable plant strikingly differs from almost all known representatives of Acanthaceae family in its arborous living form, xerophytic deciduous character, as well as flowering and fruiting before leaves formation. Oldest observed trees have age at least 2–3 decades and stands in obvious contrast with herbaceous and semi-woody commonly pliestesial Acanthaceae species commonly adopted to humid conditions of shady wet evergreen forests. Like many deciduous xerophytes of extra dry exposed karstic fields, described species has fairly short period of vegetation forming leaves only during rainy season from middle April till September. Tree remains completely leafless during dry rainless winter. Described monotype genus represents typical element of ancient strictly endemic xerophytic limestone flora historically adapted to extra dry summits of karstic limestone formations of northern Laos. This curious, highly specialized flora includes many convergent xerophytic derivates from different families. Unfortunately, it remains still weakly studied. Some other remarkable plants described recently from extra dry karstic limestone fields of northern Laos (Averyanov, Nguyen, 2012; Pimenov et al., 2016) are also similarly woody deciduous xerophytes, e. g. Begonia viscosa (Begoniaceae) and Xyloselinum laoticum (Apiaceae). Like X. laotica, these species also strikingly differ from its herbaceous mesophytic congeners.


 L. V. Averyanov, K. S. Nguyen and T. V. Maisak. 2018. Xylacanthus laotica (Acanthaceae, Acanthoideae), A New Genus and Species from Laos. Turczaninowia. 21(2); 101–110 DOI: 10.14258/turczaninowia.21.2.11


Аннотация.Новый монотипный род Xylacanthus Aver. et K. S. Nguyen с единственным видом, X. laotica Aver. et K. S. Nguyen (Acanthaceae, Acanthoideae, Ruellieae), описан в качестве нового для науки. Описание сопровождается цветными фотографиями и черно-белыми рисунками. Описываемое растение имеет древесную жизненную форму, что крайне редко встречается в семействе Acanthaceae. Открытый вид представляет из себя маленькое листопадное деревцо, являющееся главным доминантом первичной ксерофильной листопадной кустарниковой растительности, покрывающей исключительно сухие карстовые обитания на вершинах известняковых столовых останцев района Пхонсай провинции Луангпхабанг в центральной части северного Лаоса. Новый род занимает изолированное таксономическое положение по морфологии цветка, ксерофитному древесному характеру жизненной формы и облигатной листопадности. Распространение этого растения ограничено карстовыми реликтовыми скальными известняками центральной части северного Лаоса в пределах провинции Луангпхабанг. 
Ключевые слова: карстовые флоры, Лаос, новый род, таксономия растений, эндемизм растений, Acanthaceae, Xylacanthus
Л. В. Аверьянов, К. С. Нгуен, Т. В. Майсак. 2018. Xylacanthus laotica (Acanthaceae, Acanthoideae) – новый род и вид из Лаоса.  Turczaninowia. 21(2); 101–110 DOI: 10.14258/turczaninowia.21.2.11

[Herpetology • 2019] Microhyla aurantiventris • A New Species of the Genus Microhyla Tschudi, 1838 (Anura: Microhylidae) from Tay Nguyen Plateau, Central Vietnam

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Microhyla aurantiventris 
Nguyen,Poyarkov,Nguyen,Nguyen,Tran,Gorin,Murphy & Nguyen, 2019

Orange-bellied Narrow-mouth Frog  ||  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4543.4.4  

Abstract
We describe a new species of Microhyla from Tram Lap forest, Gia Lai Province, Central Vietnam based on morphological, molecular, and acoustic data. The new species resembles M. butleri morphologically, but differs from all congeners by a combination of the following morphological attributes: (1) medium-sized adult snout–vent length 25.2–27.0 mm in 15 males and 30.5 mm in a single female; (2) body habitus moderately stocky; (3) head flat, snout rounded, slightly prominent in ventral profile; (4) dorsum and flanks slightly shagreened with evenly scattered tiny tubercles, ventral skin smooth; (5) first finger well developed, more than one-half the length of the second finger; (6) tips of three outer fingers slightly enlarged, forming weak disks and tips of all toes distinctly dilated into wide disks with narrow peripheral grooves; (7) finger and toe disks with dorsal median longitudinal grooves; (8) three palmar tubercles and two metatarsal tubercles; (9) tibiotarsal articulation of adpressed limb reaching slightly beyond the orbit; (10) webbing formula: I 1¾–2 II 1½–2¾ III 2–31/3 IV 3¼–1½ V; (11) in life, chin and throat yellowish to bright-orange with tiny dark brown speckling laterally; and (12) a call consisting of 15–26 pulses with a dominant frequency of 1.8–2.2 kHz (recorded at 18.5ºC). We also provide a preliminary genealogy of Microhyla based on analysis of a 2644 bp fragment of 12S–16S rRNA mitochondrial DNA. Based on the examed data, the new species and M. butleri are sister-species (genetic p-distance: 9.0%) and it can be distinguished from M. butleri by its morphology (size, webbing on toes, color) and advertisement call. Interspecific genetic p-distances between the new species and its congeners vary from 9.0% to 14.8%. Microhyla aurantiventris sp. nov. occurs in evergreen montane tropical forests at elevations around 1200 m a.s.l. and is known only from the type locality. The new species appears to be threatened due to intensive logging and agriculture plantation.

Keywords: Amphibia, Acoustics, amphibians, mtDNA genealogy, Microhyla aurantiventris sp. nov., Microhylinae, Tram Lap Forest, Gia Lai Province






FIGURE 1. Type locality (red dot) of Microhyla aurantiventris sp. nov. in Gia Lai Province, Vietnam.

FIGURE 5. Male holotype of Microhyla aurantiventris sp. nov. in life.
A, dorso-lateral view; B, dorsal view; C, ventral view; D, palmar view of left hand; E, thenar view of left foot; and F, iris coloration. (Note: the semicircle seen in the eye of frog in F is from a ring flash and not a natural coloration). Photos by L.T. Nguyen.

Microhyla aurantiventris sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific name “aurantiventris” is a Latin adjective in the nominative singular, feminine gender, derived from “aurantiacus”—“orange-colored” and “venter”—“belly”, referring to the distinctive bright orange-yellow coloration of ventral surfaces in adult males of the new species.
The recommended common name in English is “Orange-bellied narrow-mouth frog”.
The recommended common name in Vietnamese is “Nhái bầu bụng vàng”.

Distribution.Microhyla aurantiventris sp. nov. is currently known only from the type locality in ...., Gia Lai Province, Vietnam (Fig. 1). The species was recorded from elevation ca. 1210 m a.s.l. The distribution of the new species is unknown, and discovery of new localities within the Kon Tum Plateau is anticipated.





FIGURE 9. Breeding habitat of Microhyla aurantiventris sp. nov. at the type locality in Tram Lap forest, Gia Lai Province; note the dead trees due to construction of a new road across the forest.

FIGURE 10. The four sympatric species of Microhyla recorded at the type locality of Microhyla aurantiventris sp. nov. (Vietnam, Gia Lai Province, Tram Lap Forest).
A, M. butleri; B, M. heymonsi; C, M. mukhlesuri; and D, M. pulverata.


Luan Thanh Nguyen,Nikolay A. Jr. Poyarkov,Tiep Tan Nguyen,Tam Ai Nguyen,Vy Huu Tran,Vladislav A. Gorin,Robert W. Murphy and Sang Ngoc Nguyen. 2019.  A New Species of the Genus Microhyla Tschudi, 1838 (Amphibia: Anura: Microhylidae) from Tay Nguyen Plateau, Central Vietnam. Zootaxa. 4543(4); 549–580. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4543.4.4  

    

[Botany • 2018] Begonia garrettii & B. pseudodryadis • Reassessment of Begonia arboreta and B. sonlaensis (Begoniaceae) based on Field Observation and Type Examination

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Begonia garrettii Craib

in Chen,Radbouchoom,Nguyen,Phutthai,Averyanov & Shui, 2018. 
 photographs by Yu-Min Shui. [Begonia arboreta Y.M.Shui]

Abstract
Due to the unavailability of specimens and publications in the past, some gaps exist in knowledge of similar species from various adjacent countries. After more recently detailed observations from field surveys and examinations on herbaria specimens, we confirmed the status of Begonia arboreta and B. sonlaensis as synonyms of B. garrettii and B. pseudodryadis from China and Thailand, and from China and Vietnam, respectively. The taxonomic treatment is based on the examination of both available herbarium specimens and living plants from different populations. Taxonomy revision of the allied species is very important for understanding plant diversity in the above neighboring countries.

Keywords: Begonia, Indochina, Karstic limestone, Plant diversity, Plant taxonomy, Eudicots

Living plants of Begonia garrettii Craib [Begonia arboreta Y.M.Shui]
C. & D. Habitats; E. Plant, abaxial leaf and inflorescence; F. Male flower and close up of anther; G. Inflorescence; H. Fruit, side and front views (C–H photographs by Yu-Min Shui)

•• Begonia garrettii Craib, Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew: 411, 1930. 
Type:—THAILAND. Chiang Mai: east slope ending in Doi Pa Mawn, elev. 1450 m, 22 September 1927, flower white with violet red tinge, on rocks, aneroid, H.B.G. Garrett 462 (holotype: ABD [ABDUH 2/620]!; isotype: ABD [ABDUH: 2/619]!, K [000761183, 000761184, 000761185]!, E [00265176]!, TCD [0017184]! (Figs. 2 & 3). 

Begonia arboreta Y.M.Shui, Acta Bot. Yunnan. 24(3): 307, fig. 1, 2002. 
Type:—CHINA. Yunnan, S.K. Wu, Y.M. Shui, Y.P. Yang, L.H. Liu, J.H. He, J. Murata, H. Nagamasu, T. Sugawara, X. Chen, N. Murakami 144 (holotype: KUN [0773200]!).syn. nov. 

Distribution and Ecology:— South Yunnan in Southwestern China and Chiang Mai province in the north of Thailand (Fig. 1). It grows exclusively as an epiphyte in montane forests at elevation 1400–1860 m a.s.l. 


 •• Begonia pseudodryadis C.Y.Wu, Acta Phytotaxonom. Sin. 33(3): 251, fig. 22, 1995. 
Type:—CHINA. Yunnan: Pingbian county, Yaoshan, elev. 1320 m, on mossy rocks in valley, 6 July 1953, P.Y. Mao 2389 (holotype: KUN [0371714]!; isotype: KUN [0371713]!, IBSC [19530706]!) (Figs. 4 & 5).

 —Begonia sonlaensis Aver., Turczaninowia 15(2): 26, 2012. Type:—VIETNAM. Son La Province: L. Averyanov, CPC 1876aa (holotype: LE!). syn. nov. 

Distribution and Ecology:— The species is distributed in Southeastern Yunnan, Southwestern China, and Sonla and Dien Bien provinces, northwestern Vietnam (Fig. 1). It grows exclusively as a lithophyte on limestone karstic hills, commonly on cliffs or among rocks at elevation 670–1800 m a.s.l. 


Wen-Hong Chen,Sirilak Radbouchoom,Hieu Quang Nguyen,Thamarat Phutthai,Leonid V. Averyanov and Yu-Min Shui. 2018. Reassessment of Begonia arboreta and B. sonlaensis (Begoniaceae) based on Field Observation and Type Examination. Phytotaxa. 381(1); 132–140. DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.381.1.17   

[Paleontology • 2019] Descriptive Anatomy of the Largest Known Specimen of Protoichthyosaurus prostaxalis (Reptilia: Ichthyosauria) including Computed Tomography and Digital Reconstruction of A Three-dimensional Skull

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Protoichthyosaurus prostaxalis Appleby, 1979

in Lomax, Porro & Larkin, 2019.  

Abstract
Ichthyosaur fossils are abundant in Lower Jurassic sediments with nine genera found in the UK. In this paper, we describe the partial skeleton of a large ichthyosaur from the Lower Jurassic (lower Sinemurian) of Warwickshire, England, which was conserved and rearticulated to form the centrepiece of a new permanent gallery at the Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum in 2015. The unusual three-dimensional preservation of the specimen permitted computed tomography (CT) scanning of individual braincase elements as well as the entire reassembled skull. This represents one of the first times that medical imaging and three-dimensional reconstruction methods have been applied to a large skull of a marine reptile. Data from these scans provide new anatomical information, such as the presence of branching vascular canals within the premaxilla and dentary, and an undescribed dorsal (quadrate) wing of the pterygoid hidden within matrix. Scanning also revealed areas of the skull that had been modelled in wood, clay and other materials after the specimen’s initial discovery, highlighting the utility of applying advanced imaging techniques to historical specimens. Additionally, the CT data served as the basis for a new three-dimensional reconstruction of the skull, in which minor damage was repaired and the preserved bones digitally rearticulated. Thus, for the first time a digital reconstruction of the skull and mandible of a large marine reptile skull is available. Museum records show the specimen was originally identified as an example of Ichthyosaurus communis but we identify this specimen as Protoichthyosaurus prostaxalis. The specimen features a skull nearly twice as long as any previously described specimen of P. prostaxalis, representing an individual with an estimated total body length between 3.2 and 4 m.




Figure 1: Three-dimensional skull of BMT 1955.G35.1, Protoichthyosaurus prostaxalis.
 (A) Original photograph of the first skull reconstruction (left lateral view) within a couple of years of the 1955 excavation. Note that the prefrontal and postorbital are present, which we have been unable to locate in our study. (B) Skull in left lateral view, as reconstructed in 2015. (C) Skull in right lateral view, as reconstructed in 2015. Note the distinctive asymmetric maxilla with long, narrow anterior process. Teeth are not in their original positions. Scale bar represents 20 cm.



Conclusions: 
In this study, we describe a large, partial ichthyosaur skeleton from the Early Jurassic of Warwickshire, England. In addition to examining the specimen, we carried out CT scanning of individual skull bones as well as the entire, reassembled skull, one of the first times the skull of a large marine reptile has been successfully CT-scanned, visualized and reconstructed in 3D (see McGowan, 1989; Foffa et al., 2014a). CT scanning contributed greatly to our anatomical description by revealing features not visible on original fossil material such as: branching, longitudinal vascular canals within the premaxilla and dentary; short canals penetrating the nasal, lacrimal, stapes and articular; trabecular bone within the opisthotic; canals in the basisphenoid and supraoccipital; the presence of the quadrate process of the pterygoid; and the sutural morphology. We also demonstrate the utility of applying medical imaging techniques to historic specimens to differentiate between original fossil material and reconstructed regions, as well as the advantage of using digital visualization to accurately reconstruct large fossil specimens in 3D.

The detailed description of the three-dimensional skull and braincase presented herein also provides information that can be used in phylogenetic studies. Although incomplete, the skull and braincase preserve various elements that have not previously been reported or described in any specimen of Protoichthyosaurus and therefore it provides more information about this taxon so that its phylogenetic position can be explored in more detail. Furthermore, our study has found additional characters that may lend further support for the distinction of Protoichthyosaurus from its sister taxon Ichthyosaurus, such as the morphology of the pterygoid and anteroventral surface of the parietal, which differ from that described for Ichthyosaurus (McGowan, 1973). However, considering that only a couple of specimens preserve these elements, it is possible that the differences may be the result of individual variation; more three-dimensional specimens of both taxa are needed to test and clarify these findings.

Based on a unique combination of characters, we identify the studied specimen as P. prostaxalis. With a skull nearly twice as long as any previously described specimen of P. prostaxalis, this specimen greatly increases the known size range of this genus. Compared with known, contemporaneous Sinemurian ichthyosaurs, the estimated size suggests it was larger than all species of Ichthyosaurus (Lomax & Sachs, 2017), and comparable with the largest known specimens of Leptonectestenuirostris (McGowan, 1996a), but smaller than L. solei (McGowan, 1993), Excalibosaurus costini (McGowan, 2003) and Temnodontosaurusplatyodon (McGowan, 1996b). Thus, our study also provides new information on ichthyosaur diversity and potential ecology in the Early Jurassic of the UK.


Dean R. Lomax, Laura B. Porro and Nigel R. Larkin. 2019. Descriptive Anatomy of the Largest Known Specimen of Protoichthyosaurus prostaxalis (Reptilia: Ichthyosauria) including Computed Tomography and Digital Reconstruction of A Three-dimensional Skull.   PeerJ. 7:e6112. DOI:  10.7717/peerj.6112


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