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[Crustacea • 2014] Description of Ghatiana, A New Genus of Freshwater Crab, with Two New Species and A New Species of Gubernatoriana (Decapoda: Brachyura: Gecarcinucidae) from the Western Ghat Mountains, India

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Figure 8. Newly described crabs from their natural habitats. (A)Ghatiana aurantiaca sp. nov., from laterite rocks in Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary, Raigad district; (B) Ghatiana hyacintha sp. nov., from bank of a stream in Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary, Kolhapur district; (C) Gubernatoriana triangulus sp. nov., from bank of a stream in Tahmini Ghat, Pune district.
Pati& Sharma, 2014 DOI:  10.1080/00222933.2013.859315

Abstract
A new genus of freshwater crab, Ghatiana, with two new species, Ghatiana aurantiacaand Ghatiana hyacintha, and a new species of Gubernatoriana Bott, 1970, are described from the Western Ghat Mountains in Maharashtra State, India. Ghatiana is most similar to Gubernatoriana by its wide, highly arched carapace and by the shape of the male abdomen. Nevertheless, the new genus can be distinguished from Gubernatoriana by the broadness of carapace, length of male abdomen, shape of sixth abdominal somite, length of telson and length of G1 terminal article. Ghatiana aurantiaca sp. nov. and G. hyacintha sp. nov. are distinguished by differences in body colour, carapace width, and G1 morphology, whereas Gubernatoriana triangulus sp. nov. is distinguished from two other known species [Gubernatoriana gubernatoris (Alcock, 1909) and Gubernatoriana pilosipes (Alcock, 1909)] by its triangular G1 subterminal segment and by its carapace morphology. Keys to the species of both the genera are provided.

Keywords: freshwater crabs, taxonomy, new genus, new species, India


Figure 8. Newly described crabs from their natural habitats. (A) Ghatiana aurantiaca sp. nov.,from laterite rocks in Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary, Raigad district; (B) Ghatiana hyacintha sp. nov., from bank of a stream in Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary, Kolhapur district; (C) Gubernatoriana triangulus sp. nov., from bank of a stream in Tahmini Ghat, Pune district.



S.K. Pati and R.M. Sharma. 2014. Description of Ghatiana, A New Genus of Freshwater Crab, with Two New Species and A New Species of Gubernatoriana (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Gecarcinucidae) from the Western Ghat Mountains, India, Journal of Natural History. 8:21-22, 1279-1298, DOI:  10.1080/00222933.2013.859315
researchgate.net/publication/262576257_Description_of_Ghatiana_a_new_genus_of_freshwater_crab_with_two_new_species_and_a_new_species_of_Gubernatoriana_Crustacea_Decapoda_Brachyura_Gecarcinucidae_from_the_Western_Ghat_Mountains_India

  


[Botany • 2016] Impatiens guiqingensis • A New Species (Balsaminaceae) from Gansu, China

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Impatiens guiqingensis
S. X. Yu 

Abstract

Impatiens guiqingensis S. X. Yu (Balsaminaceae), a new species from Gansu Province, China, is described and illustrated. The new species is superficially similar to I. dicentra in having 1–2 flowered racemose inflorescences, lateral sepals with dentate margin, top of lower and upper petals of lateral united petals with bristle appendages, but differs from the latter by yellow flower, lower sepal without spur and dorsal petal with unapparent crest. Moreover, the occurrence of the new species is also different from the related one.

Keywords: Impatiens, Balsaminaceae, new species, taxonomy, Eudicots



Hui Guo, Caiming Zhang, Lin-Jing Zhang and Sheng-Xiang Yu. 2016. Impatiens guiqingensis (Balsaminaceae), A New Species from Gansu, China. Phytotaxa.  247(3) 

[Herpetology • 2016] Varanus semotus • A New Blue-tailed Monitor Lizard (Squamata, Varanus) of the Varanus indicus group from Mussau Island, Papua New Guinea

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Varanus semotus 
Weijola, Donnellan & Lindqvist, 2016

an adult in its habitat at the outskirts of Nai (photos by VW), and a juvenile (photo by Quetzal Dwyer).

Abstract
We describe a new species of Varanus from Mussau Island, north-east of New Guinea. The new species is a member of the Varanus indicus species group and is distinguished from all other members by both morphological and molecular genetic characters. It is the third species of Varanus reported from the Bismarck Archipelago and the first record of a yellow tongued member of the Varanus indicus species group from a remote oceanic island. The herpetofauna of Mussau Island has not been well studied but the discovery of this new species is in accordance with recent findings indicating that the island may harbor several unknown endemic vertebrates. The distribution of the closely related Varanus finschi is also discussed in the light of recent fieldwork and a review of old records.

Keywords: Melanesia, Bismarck Archipelago, St. Matthias islands, Varanidae, Varanus doreanus, Varanus finschi, Varanus yuwonoi, mitochondrial phylogeny, biogeography, taxonomy


Figure 3. A–C Images of live Varanus semotus at Nai on Mussau Island.
A an adult in its habitat at the outskirts of Nai B an adult basking on the trunk of a palm tree (photos by VW), and C a juvenile (photo by Quetzal Dwyer).

Etymology: The specific epithet semotus is Latin for distant or remote and refers to the isolated occurrence on Mussau, separated by several hundred kilometers from its closest relatives. The term is employed as a masculine adjective.

Diagnosis: Varanus semotus sp. n. is distinguished from all other species of Varanus by a combination of the following characters. (1) Tongue white/pinkish to pale yellow (white in preservative) occasionally with small patches of dark pigmentation, the yellow pigment concentrated along the mid-dorsal line and the dorsal surface of the tines (Fig. 2). (2) Gular region marbled in black and cream-white. (3) The tail of adult individuals is indistinctly banded on the distal half, with a varying degree of turquoise to bluish pigmentation on the distal 2/3. (4) Juveniles are black with white spots on the head, yellow and orange spots on the dorsum, and have well defined cream colored to pale greenish tail bands (Fig. 3C). (5) The number of dorsal scales, XY, ranges from 149 to 153. (6) The number of midbody scale rows, S, ranges from 152 to 161. (7) The dorsum is black with single- and clustered groups of dispersed yellow/orange scales. (8) There are several complete rows of paryphasmata across the asulcal side of the hemipenis below the lobes. (9) Geographical distribution restricted to Mussau Island.



Distribution: Varanus semotus is known so far only from Mussau, an island of 414 sq.km in the northern Bismarck Sea (Fig. 5). According to some of the locals on Mussau, monitors are absent from Emirau, the second largest island of the St. Matthias group, but this needs confirmation from fieldwork. It is also unknown whether this species occurs on the other two nearby islands Emananus and Eloaua.


Natural history: A total of 16 observations were made during fieldwork on Mussau, all of them along the coast near the village of Nai at the SE corner of the island. Searches in the secondary growth forest of the interior of the island and in the mangrove forests near Palakau did not produce any observations. The relatively dry coastal vegetation near Nai comprises a mixture of coconut palms, pandanus and other trees and shrubs able to persist in the karst, limestone and salt spray affected area (Fig. 6). In this vegetation type monitors appeared to be relatively common. Just south of the village there is a freshwater spring with a small area of Sago palms which was also a popular site for monitors. The lizards were usually spotted either as they were foraging on the ground and quickly fled up in trees, or while they were basking on the trunks of palms or other trees. The specimens collected as vouchers were noosed from trees with a long pole. As is typical of the closely related V. doreanus, V. finschi and V. yuwonoi the specimens were exceedingly aggressive and inclined to bite when captured and handled. Stomach content analysis of the three ZMUT specimens revealed a total of five reptile eggs (3,2,0) and one small skink. All stomachs contained the remains of crabs. Philipp et al. (2007) recorded a bird as the stomach content of ZMUC 4272.


Conservation. The field observations indicate that V. semotus doesn’t occur, or possibly only at low densities, in the highly degraded secondary forest/bush of large parts of the interior of the island. It is likely that the species occurred throughout Mussau prior to the large scale logging activities of the past three decades (Venter and Arihafa 2015). Thus the species is now mostly restricted to the coastal strip of a relatively small isolated island. Possible threats to the future survival of this species would be the introduction of cane toads which were widely established in the PNG islands during WW2 (Zug et al. 1975). According to unconfirmed accounts by locals they already occur on Emirau Island which also according to local inhabitants on Mussau lack monitor lizards. Varanus semotus is the only large-sized terrestrial generalist predator and scavenger on the island, and may well fill an important ecological function, making it of particular conservation concern. The new species is unusual inasmuch as it fills a role normally occupied by Mangrove monitors on isolated Pacific islands and it can well be considered a biogeographical oddity.


 Valter Weijola, Stephen Donnellan and Christer Lindqvist. 2016. A New Blue-tailed Monitor Lizard (Reptilia, Squamata, Varanus) of the Varanus indicus group from Mussau Island, Papua New Guinea. ZooKeys. 568: 129-154. DOI:  10.3897/zookeys.568.6872


[Paleontology • 2016] Fukuivenator paradoxus • A Bizarre Theropod from the Early Cretaceous of Japan Highlighting Mosaic Evolution among Coelurosaurians

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Fukuivenator paradoxus
Azuma, Xu, Shibata, Kawabe, Miyata & Imai, 2016

Figure 1: Skeletal silhouette of FPDM-V8461 and the stratigraphic section of the Lower Cretaceous Kitadani Formation in the Kitadani Dinosaur Quarry.

Abstract
Our understanding of coelurosaurian evolution, particularly of bird origins, has been greatly improved, mainly due to numerous recently discovered fossils worldwide. Nearly all these discoveries are referable to the previously known coelurosaurian subgroups. Here, we report a new theropod, Fukuivenator paradoxus, gen. et sp. nov., based on a nearly complete specimen from the Lower Cretaceous Kitadani Formation of the Tetori Group, Fukui, Japan. While Fukuivenator possesses a large number of morphological features unknown in any other theropod, it has a combination of primitive and derived features seen in different theropod subgroups, notably dromaeosaurid dinosaurs. Computed-tomography data indicate that Fukuivenator possesses inner ears whose morphology is intermediate between those of birds and non-avian dinosaurs. Our phylogenetic analysis recovers Fukuivenator as a basally branching maniraptoran theropod, yet is unable to refer it to any known coelurosaurian subgroups. The discovery of Fukuivenator considerably increases the morphological disparity of coelurosaurian dinosaurs and highlights the high levels of homoplasy in coelurosaurian evolution.


Systematic palaeontology

Dinosauria Owen, 1842
Theropoda Marsh, 1881
Maniraptora Gauthier, 1986

Fukuivenator paradoxus gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology: Fukui” refers to Fukui Prefecture in the central Japan, where the specimen was recovered; “venator”, a Latin word for hunter; the species name refers to the surprising combination of characters in this theropod dinosaur.

Figure 2: Cranial skeletal morphology of FPDM-V8461.
 (a) Partial right premaxilla in lateral view. (b) Partial left maxilla in lateral view. (c) Partial left lacrimal in lateral view. (d) Right frontal in dorsal view. (e) Right postorbital in lateral view. (f) Left squamosal in lateral view. (g) Partial right dentary in lateral view.
Scale bar = 10 mm. Abbreviations: aofe, antorbital fenestra; en, external naris; mxfe; maxillary fenestra, prfe; premaxillary fenestra.   DOI: 10.1038/srep20478


Figure 1: Skeletal silhouette of FPDM-V8461 and the stratigraphic section of the Lower Cretaceous Kitadani Formation in the Kitadani Dinosaur Quarry.

Holotype: FPDM-V8461 (Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum), a disarticulated but closely associated skeleton found within a 50 by 50 cm area, preserved elements include: incomplete right premaxilla with two isolated premaxillary teeth, left maxilla with one isolated and four intact teeth, left lacrimal, right jugal, right postorbital, left squamosal, both frontals, braincase, possible left ectopterygoid, left pterygoid, right palatine, posterior part of right dentary with two intact dentary teeth, eight cervical vertebrae, 10 dorsal vertebrae, five sacral vertebrae, and 30 caudal vertebrae, several cervical ribs, dorsal ribs, gastralia and chevrons, nearly complete scapulas and coracoids, most of both forelimbs, portions of both pubes, partial left ischium, and nearly complete hindlimbs (Fig. 1).


Figure 1: Skeletal silhouette of FPDM-V8461 and the stratigraphic section of the Lower Cretaceous Kitadani Formation in the Kitadani Dinosaur Quarry.
Skeletal silhouette shows preserved bones in dark grey and missing bones in light grey. Positions of notable fossils including FPDM-V8461 are shown in the stratigraphic section.
 Scale bar = 50 mm. Abbreviations: cl, claystone; sl, siltstone; vfs, very fine sandstone; fs, fine sandstone; ms, medium sandstone; cs, coarse sandstone.   DOI: 10.1038/srep20478


Type locality and horizon: FPDM-V8461 was found in the Kitadani Dinosaur Quarry, which is on the Sugiyama River in the northern part of the city of Katsuyama, Fukui, Japan (36° 7′ 17.9″ N, 136° 32′ 41.4″ E) (see Supplementary Figs. S1 for quarry maps, and S2 for a field photograph). The quarry is locally referred to the Lower Cretaceous Kitadani Formation (Akaiwa Subgroup, Tetori Group). The age of the Kitadani Formation could be assigned to the Barremian to the Aptian on the basis of occurrences of the freshwater mollusk Nippononaia ryosekiana17 and charophytes18, and radioisotopic dates obtained from related sedimentary units (127–115 Ma?)19.

Diagnosis: A relatively small theropod with the following unique features: 1. unusually large external naris (slightly smaller than antorbital fenestra in dorsoventral height); 2. large premaxillary fenestra subequal in size to maxillary fenestra; 3. large oval lacrimal pneumatic recess posterodorsal to the maxillary fenestra on antorbital fossa medial wall; 4. lacrimal with a distinct groove on lateral surface of anterior process and a ridge on lateral surface of descending process; 5. postorbital frontal process with T-shaped-cross section and laterally-flanged squamosal process; 6. an elongate tubercle on posterior surface of basal tuber of the basicranial region; 7. highly heterodont dentition featuring robust unserrated teeth including small spatulate anterior teeth, large and posteriorly curved middle teeth, and small and nearly symmetrical posterior teeth; 8. cervical vertebrae with a complex lamina system surrounding the neural canal resulting in deep and wide grooves for interspinous ligaments and additional deep sockets; 9. anterior cervical vertebrae with interprezygapophyseal, postzygadiapophyseal, prezygadiapohyseal, and interpostzygapophyseal laminae connecting to each other to form an extensive platform; 10. anterior and middle cervical vertebrae with transversely bifid neural spines; 11. dorsal, sacral, and anterior caudal vertebrae with strongly laterally curved hyposphene and centropostzygapophyseal laminae that, together with the postzygapophyseal facet, form a socket-like structure for receiving the prezygapophysis; 12. dorsoventrally bifurcated sacral ribs; 13. caudal zygapophyseal facets expanded to be substantially wider than the zygapophyseal processes; and 14. middle caudal vertebrae with transversely and distally bifid prezygapophyses.


 Yoichi Azuma, Xing Xu, Masateru Shibata, Soichiro Kawabe, Kazunori Miyata and Takuya Imai. 2016.  A Bizarre Theropod from the Early Cretaceous of Japan Highlighting Mosaic Evolution among Coelurosaurians. Scientific Reports.  6(20478); DOI: 10.1038/srep20478


[Herpetology • 2016] Tropidurus sertanejo • A New Tropidurus (Tropiduridae) from the Semiarid Brazilian Caatinga: Evidence for Conflicting Signal between Mitochondrial and Nuclear Loci Affecting the Phylogenetic Reconstruction of South American Collared Lizards

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(AB)  Tropidurus sertanejo
Carvalho, Sena, Peloso, Machado, Montesinos, Silva, Campbell & Rodrigues, 2016

FIGURE 2. Syntopic species of Tropidurus found at the Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural (RPPN) Fazenda Pé da Serra, Serra do Arame, Ibotirama, Bahia, Brazil, and their respective habitats:
(A, B) Tropidurus sertanejo, n. sp. (MZUSP 104274, allotype); (C, D) T. hispidus (MZUSP 104276); (E, F) T. pinima (MZUSP 104271).

ABSTRACT
Tropidurus Wied, 1825, is one of the most ubiquitous lizard genera distributed in open habitats of tropical and subtropical South America. Nevertheless, the broad representation of specimens of this group in scientific collections is hardly reflected in our knowledge of its taxonomic diversity. Most species currently assigned to Tropidurus began to be uncovered in the early 1980's and additional populations in need of formal taxonomic treatment have been cataloged ever since. Herein, we name Tropidurus sertanejo, n. sp., a new species of the T. torquatus group endemic to the semiarid Brazilian Caatinga. Tropidurus sertanejo, n. sp., is currently known from two isolated populations in the municipalities of Caetité and Ibotirama, State of Bahia, Brazil. This is the only species of the T. torquatus group lacking granular mite pockets on the lateral neck, and it is also diagnosable by having a conspicuous bronze-colored head, a light-brown dorsal body with small pale salmon spots, and small body size in comparison with most congeners. Phylogenetic analyses recovered a paraphyletic Tropidurus, but firmly supported T. sertanejo, n. sp., as member of a monophyletic T. torquatus species group. Trees generated by independent analyses of nuclear and mitochondrial sequence data conflicted with our total evidence phylogenetic hypotheses. Since topological disagreements were detected among phylogenetic trees resulting from maximum parsimony (MP) and maximum likelihood (ML) reconstructions, and MP analyses do not require distinct evolutionary models or partition schemes to be defined prior to conduction of phylogenetic reconstruction, these factors were considered unlikely to explain all the variation in the observed results, favoring the interpretation of conflicting phylogenetic signal. Because detailed information on the distribution, population size, and ecological requirements of T. sertanejo, n. sp., are currently unavailable, we recommend the species to be listed as “data deficient” following the rules proposed by IUCN.


André L.G. Carvalho, Marco A. Sena, Pedro L.V. Peloso, Fabio A. Machado, Rachel Montesinos, Hélio R. Silva, Gwyneth Campbell and Miguel T. Rodrigues. 2016.  A New Tropidurus (Tropiduridae) from the Semiarid Brazilian Caatinga: Evidence for Conflicting Signal between Mitochondrial and Nuclear Loci Affecting the Phylogenetic Reconstruction of South American Collared Lizards.
  AMERICAN MUSEUM NOVITATES. 3852:1-66.  DOI:  10.1206/3852.1

[Herpetology • 2016] Tropidurus lagunablanca, T. tarara & T. teyumirim • Three New Species of the Tropidurus spinulosus group (Squamata: Tropiduridae) from Eastern Paraguay

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Tropidurus lagunablancaT. tarara T. teyumirim
Carvalho, 2016 

FIGURE 3. Tropidurus lagunablanca, n. sp.  B. Adult male (not collected). E. Female (AMNH-R 176293, paratype);  G. Biological station inside the Reserva Natural Laguna Blanca, showing the trees used by T. lagunablanca, n. sp., at the type locality.
FIGURE 5. Tropidurus tarara, n. sp. A. Adult male (MNHNP 12044, holotype), B. Adult female (AMNH-R 176305, paratype). E. Natural Cerrado landscapes from Reserva Natural Cerrados del Tagatiya and sur-roundings, Department of Concepción, Paraguay. 
FIGURE 7. Tropidurus teyumirim, n. sp.A. Adult male (MNHNP 12045, holotype). B. Adult female (AMNH-R 176285, paratype). G. Exposed sedimentary rocks used by T. teyumirim, n. sp., along the margins of the Arroyo Corrientes at a site known as Salto Mbocarusu, located in the Parque Nacional Ybycui.

ABSTRACT
Tropidurus Wied, 1825, is one of the most ubiquitous lizard genera endemic to South America. Herpetologists from different regions of the continent have progressively mapped new populations, including undescribed species hidden under widely distributed nominal taxa. Currently, four monophyletic species groups are recognized in Tropidurus (T. bogerti group [monotypic], T. semitaeniatus group [four species], T. spinulosus group [five species], and T. torquatus group [16 species]), but none have been comprehensively revised taxonomically. During a collection expedition carried out in Paraguay in 2013, I recognized three new, distinct morphotypes among populations of the Tropidurus spinulosus group formerly assigned to T. guarani Alvarez et al., 1994. To delimit these new taxa, I analyzed coloration patterns, and quantified meristic and morphometric variables, comparing freshly collected samples with specimens housed in five museum collections. In this paper, I describe and illustrate the allopatric Tropidurus lagunablanca, n. sp., T. tarara, n. sp., and T. teyumirim, n. sp., and provide notes on their distribution limits, natural history, and conservation status.


André Luiz Gomes de Carvalho. 2016. Three New Species of the Tropidurus spinulosus group (Squamata: Tropiduridae) from Eastern Paraguay. AMERICAN MUSEUM NOVITATES. 3853:1-44. DOI:  10.1206/3853.1

[Botany • 2016] Rafflesia consueloae • The Smallest among Giants; A New Species (Rafflesiaceae) from Luzon Island, Philippines

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Rafflesia consueloae 
  Galindon, Ong & Fernando 

Figure 2. Colour illustration of Rafflesia consueloae Galindon, Ong & Fernando based on the holotype, Fernando & Galindon 3373 (PUH).
Colour illustration by Ms Yasmin S. Ong.

Abstract
A new species of Rafflesia (Rafflesiaceae) from Luzon Island, Philippines, Rafflesia consueloae Galindon, Ong & Fernando, is described and illustrated. It is distinct from all other species of Rafflesia in its small-sized flowers, the upright perigone lobes, and prominently cream-white disk surface that is often devoid of processes. Its small-sized flowers, with an average diameter of 9.73 cm when fully expanded, make it the smallest of the largest flowers in the world.

Keywords: Conservation, ecology, holoparasitic plants, taxonomy

Figure 1. Distribution of the six species of Rafflesia on Luzon Island, Philippines, including the new species, Rafflesia consueloae.
All Rafflesia images were drawn by Ms Yasmin S. Ong, five of which were originally published in David et al. (2011). Their use here is with permission of the book publisher, the Energy Development Corporation. All images are scaled relative to the actual sizes of each species.

Introduction
Rafflesia R.Br. (Rafflesiaceae) is a genus of endophytic, holoparasitic plants, well-known for producing the largest flowers on record (Kuijt 1969, Meijer 1985, 1997, Nais 2001). The Philippines is one of the centers of diversity of the genus (Barcelona et al. 2009b, Pelser et al. 2013), with at least 12 species thus far recorded from the archipelago (Teschemacher 1842, Blanco 1845, Hieronymus 1885, Barcelona and Fernando 2002, Fernando and Ong 2005, Barcelona et al. 2006, 2008a, 2008b, 2009a, 2009b, 2011, 2014, Galang and Madulid 2006, Balete et al. 2010, Pelser et al. 2013), eight of which were described only since 2002. Of all known Philippine species, five are recorded from Luzon Island, viz., Rafflesia aurantia Barcelona, Co & Balete (Barcelona et al. 2009a) from Quirino Province; R. baletei Barcelona & Cajano (Barcelona et al. 2006) from Camarines Sur Province; R. lagascae Blanco (Blanco 1845, Barcelona et al. 2009, 2011 [as R. manillana Teschem.], Pelser et al. 2013) from Cagayan, Bataan, Rizal, Laguna, Quezon, and Camarines Norte Provinces; R. leonardi Barcelona & Pelser (Barcelona et al. 2008a, 2011) from Cagayan and Kalinga Provinces, and R. philippensis Blanco (Blanco 1845, Barcelona et al. 2009) [as R. banahawensis Madulid, Villariba & Agoo (2007), and as R. banahawBarcelona, Pelser & Cajano (2007)] from Laguna and Quezon Provinces (Figure 1).

In this paper, we describe Rafflesia consueloae, the 6th species from Luzon Island, and the 13th for the entire Philippine archipelago.


Rafflesia consueloae, A few minutes after full bloom, note immaculate surface.
Photo by Biodiversity Research Laboratory, UP Biology

Figure 3. Rafflesia consueloae Galindon, Ong & Fernando.
Open flower Longitudinal section of flower showing details of ramenta Cross section through column neck showing undersurface of disk with anthers and dense fine bristles Longitudinal section of female bud showing ovary
 A–C Fernando & Galindon 3373 D Fernando & Galindon 3378 E Fernando & Galindon 3376.
All photographs by Edwino S. Fernando.

Taxonomy
Rafflesia consueloae Galindon, Ong & Fernando, sp. nov.

urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77153385-1

Diagnosis: This species is distinct from all other Rafflesia species in its small-sized flowers (average of 9.73 cm diameter), the upright perigone lobes, and the prominently cream-white disk surface which is often devoid of processes. On Luzon Island, it overlaps in the size of mature buds and number of anthers with Rafflesia baletei and Rafflesia aurantia (Table 1).

Distribution: Endemic to the Philippines. Luzon Island, Nueva Ecija Province, Municipality of Pantabangan. The species is currently known only from two mountain sites with remnants of tropical lowland evergreen rain forests, Mt Balukbok and Mt Pantaburon, about 2 km apart, all within the Pantabangan-Carranglan Watershed.

Rafflesia consueloae population, 22 Feb 2014 [11 days after discovery].
Note the pink flags to indicate where R. consueloae in various stages of development and decay were located. Eventally more than 160 individuals were counted in this sub-site alone.

  Photo by Biodiversity Research Laboratory, UP Biology  ||  up.edu.ph




Etymology: The specific epithet honors Ms Consuelo ‘Connie’ Rufino Lopez, lifelong partner of industrialist Oscar M. Lopez, and a plant lover in her own right. Both delight in culturing, growing and tending their garden which includes more than 100 species of trees, orchids and other plants. With her demure but strong personality, traits which Rafflesia consueloae possess, she provides the inspiration for Mr Lopez’s pursuit of biodiversity conservation in the Philippines.

Conservation status: Following the IUCN Categories and Criteria (IUCN 2012), we regard this species as Critically Endangered (CR B1+2bc). The extent of occurrence of the two small populations of R. consueloae is less than 100 km2. Both populations are under the jurisdictional control of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and the Pantabangan-Carranglan Watershed Protected Area Management Board. The First Gen Hydro Power Corporation operates the Pantabangan hydroelectric facilities in the area and helps provide support in monitoring the surrounding forests and its biodiversity. However, the continued protection of the R. consueloae populations and other biodiversity in the area needs to be ensured as some local people still hunt wildlife there and forest fires are likely in the dry season. The vertebrate wildlife may also play a role in the biology of the R. consueloae.

How new Tetrastigma hosts get infected with Rafflesia seeds remains unknown. Several species of wildlife such as tree shrews, rodents, squirrels, wild pigs, elephants, and even ants have been suggested as potential seed dispersers of Rafflesia (Emmons et al. 1991, Hidayati et al. 2000, Nais 2001, Pelser et al. 2013); that these wildlife species might play an important role in the completion of the Rafflesia’slife cycle through the infection of new Tetrastigma hosts, had long been suspected but remains unproven. However, using motion-activated camera traps set up around fruits of R. consueloae, we were able to photograph at least two species of rodents feeding on different occasions (unpublished data, this study). What role these rodents and other wildlife species play in the life cycle of R. consueloae is subject of further study. The current two sites are known hunting grounds of wildlife by some members of the local community. Given the restricted range of this new species, hunting of wildlife might further exacerbate its fragile existence. Also, hunting might increase the chances of forest fires occurring, which are likely in the dry season based on personal observations and interviews with locals.


John Michael M. Galindon, Perry S. Ong and Edwino S. Fernando. 2016. Rafflesia consueloae (Rafflesiaceae), The Smallest among Giants; A New Species from Luzon Island, Philippines. PhytoKeys. 61: 37-46. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.61.7295

UP [University of the Philippines] biologists discover “the smallest among giant flowers”

[Herpetology • 2016] Odorrana mutschmanni • A New Species of Odorrana (Anura: Ranidae) from the karst forests in northeastern Vietnam

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Odorrana mutschmanni  
Pham, Nguyen, Le, Bonkowski & Ziegler, 2016

Abstract

A new species of Odorrana is described from the karst forests in northeastern Vietnam based on morphological differences and molecular divergence. Morphologically, the new species is distinguishable from its congeners on the basis of a combination of the following diagnostic characters: (1) size large (SVL 85.9–91.6 mm in males, 108.7–110.1 mm in females); (2) head longer than wide; (3) vomerine teeth present; (4) external vocal sacs absent; (5) snout short (SL/SVL 0.16–0.17); (6) tympanum large (TD/ED 0.70 in males, 0.68 in females); (7) dorsal surface of head and anterior part of body smooth, posterior part of body and flanks with small tubercles; (8) supratympanic fold present; (9) dorsolateral fold absent; (10) webbing formula I0–0II0–0III0–1/2IV1/2–0V; (11) in life, dorsum green with dark brown spots; (12) flanks greyish brown with dark brown spots; (13) throat and chest grey, underside of limbs with large dark brown spots, edged in white, forming a network. In the phylogenetic analyses, the new species is unambiguously nested within the O. andersonii group, and placed as the sister taxon to O. wuchuanensis.

Keywords: Amphibia, Odorrana mutschmanni sp. nov., karst forest, molecular phylogeny, taxonomy, Cao Bang Province

FIGURE 2. Dorsolateral view of the holotype (IEBR 3723, male) ofOdorrana mutschmanni sp. nov. in life.


Cuong The Pham, Truong Quang Nguyen, Minh Duc Le, Michael Bonkowski and Thomas Ziegler. 2016. A New Species of Odorrana (Amphibia: Anura: Ranidae) from Vietnam. 

[Entomology • 2016] Mayacephalus dickmanorum • Studies in Guatemalan Ensifera: A New Cone-headed Katydid Genus (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) from eastern Guatemala

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Mayacephalus dickmanorum
Cadena-Castañeda, Monzón-Sierra & Cortés-Torres. 2016 zootaxa.4084.2.9

Abstract

Mayacephalus dickmanorum n. gen. et n. sp., from eastern Guatemala is described in this contribution. This new genus highlights from other related ones by its short tegmina; unusual for the tribe Copiphorini, and only present in three neotropical genera: Toledopizia, Brachycaulopsis and Daedalellus, being closer to the first one.

Keywords: Orthoptera, Copiphorini, Copiphora, Toledopizia, brachypterous, Central America


Oscar J Cadena-Castañeda; José Monzón-Sierra and Carolina Cortés-Torres. 2016. Studies in Guatemalan Ensifera: Mayacephalus (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) A New Cone-headed Katydid Genus. Zootaxa. 4084(2); http://www.mapress.com/j/zt/article/view/zootaxa.4084.2.9

[Botany • 2015] Yunorchis pingbianensis • A New Myco-Heterotrophic Genus, Yunorchis, from Yunnan, southern China and the Molecular Phylogenetic Relationships of the Tribe Calypsoeae (Epidendroideae, Orchidaceae) Inferred from Plastid and Nuclear DNA Sequences

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Yunorchis pingbianensis 
Z. J. Liu, G. Q. Zhang et M. H. Li
A. Flowering in nature habitat; B. Flowering plant; C. Inflorescence; D. Pedicel and ovary; E. Lip, bottom view; F. Flower, front view; G. Floral part.

Abstract

We identified a new holomycotrophic orchid that is related to the myco-heterotrophic Calypsoeae. Because chloroplast genes are primarily lacking or are highly divergent, key morphological characters are either reduced or lost from many myco-heterotrophs, and the phylogenetic relationships of weakly supported paraphyletic Calypsoeae within Epidendroideae have been poorly understood in previous molecular systematic studies. Using chloroplast rbcL, psaB, and matK and nuclear Xdh and ITS sequences, we determined the circumscription and systematic positions of the new orchid and the tribe. The results indicate that the epidendroid taxa include most of the clades that are successively sister to the grade of clades representing previously recognized tribes. Calypsoeae comprising four well-supported clades with 12 genera (except for the previous temporarily placed Wullschlaegelia) is supported as a monophyletic and sister clade to Epidendreae (excluding Coeliinae). The new orchid is nested in Calypsoeae and is a sister to Dactylostalix and/or Calypso. This new holomycotrophic orchid presents a subumbel inflorescence that grows underground, and flower with a long pedicel reputing the ground to open and two fragments at the base of the hook, which are obviously morphologically different from those of Calypsoeae. To accommodate this species in the current generic circumscription, a new genus Yunorchis was created.


Fig 4. Yunorchis pingbianensis  Z. J. Liu, G. Q. Zhang et M. H. Li:
A. Flowering in nature habitat; B. Flowering plant; C. Inflorescence; D. Pedicel and ovary; E. Lip, bottom view; F. Flower, front view; G. Floral part; H. Pollinarium.

Conclusions: 
The new orchid entity is restricted to Pingbian County in southern Yunnan, China, and is characterized by plants that have subumbel inflorescences growing underground. The flowers of these plants have a long pedicel rupturing the ground, a sac-shaped labellum, and a sac mouth that is connate on the front half of the edges, forming a hook that has two fragments at the base. These features distinguish the new orchid from all of the other known orchids.

Based on the combined sequences of the chloroplast genes rbcL, psaB, and matK and the nuclear low-copy protein-coding gene Xdh, the subfamily-wide molecular analysis revealed better topology and higher support compared to previous studies, with strong evidence that Calypsoeae is a monophyletic sister tribe to Epidendreae (except for Coelia) and that Wullschlaegelia is not a member of Calypsoeae. Based on the combined sequences of the chloroplast genes rbcL and matK and the nuclear ITS gene, the subfamily-wide molecular analysis revealed that Calypsoeae comprises four well-supported clades with 12 genera. The newly identified orchid has several distinct features, and molecular analyses indicate that this plant represents an independent lineage under the tribe Calypsoeae. This lineage should be treated as a new genus in the Calypso Clade with the following classification:


Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Tribe: Calypsoeae

Yunorchis pingbianensis Z. J. Liu, G. Q. Zhang et M. H. Li, gen. et sp. nov. (Figs 3 and 4) [urn:lsid:ipni.org:names: 77145331–1] Type: China, Yunnan, Pingbian, in a forest, alt. 2100 m, 2013. 5.31. Z. J. Liu 7103 (holotype, NOCC).

Etymology: The generic name alludes to the type locality, Yunnan, and incorporates the Greek name for orchid; Yunorchis refers to an orchid genus in Yunnan province, China. The specific epithet pingbianensis refers to the type of species of Yunorchis that grows in Pingbian county of Yunnan.

Diagnosis: This new remarkable genus is distinct from all known orchid genera; it comprises an entire plant with a subumbel inflorescence growing underground, flowers that each have a long pedicel that ruptures the ground to open and that has a sac-shaped labellum, a sac mouth that is connate on the front half edges, forming a hook and two fragments at the base of the hook, and four waxy pollinia in two pairs, each containing two pollinia that are unequal in size, and there are no conspicuous caudicles that are attached directly to a common viscidium.


Guo-Qiang Zhang, Ming-He Li, Yong-Yu Su, Li-Jun Chen, Si-Ren Lan and Zhong-Jian Liu. 2015. A New Myco-Heterotrophic Genus, Yunorchis, and the Molecular Phylogenetic Relationships of the Tribe Calypsoeae (Epidendroideae, Orchidaceae) Inferred from Plastid and Nuclear DNA Sequences.
PLOS ONE. 
 10(4):E0123382. DOI:  10.1371/journal.pone.0123382

[Crustacea • 2016] Five New Species of Freshwater Crabs of the Genera Ghatiana Pati & Sharma, 2014, and Gubernatoriana Bott, 1970 (Decapoda, Brachyura: Gecarcinucidae) from the Western Ghats, India; Ghatiana atropurpurea, Ghatiana splendida, Gubernatoriana alcocki, Gubernatoriana thackerayi & Gubernatoriana waghi

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FIGURE 2. Live crabs of new species of Ghatiana and Gubernatoriana.
A, Ghatiana atropurpurea n. sp. from Amboli; B, Ghatiana splendida n. sp. from Chaukul;
C, Gubernatoriana alcocki  n. sp. from Vankusawade; D, Gubernatoriana thackerayi n. sp. from Raghuvir Ghat; C, Gubernatoriana waghi n. sp. from Malshej Ghat.

Photos: A, B, A. Kamdar; C, B.V. Jadhav; D, S. Bhosale; E, R. Shah. 
 Pati, Thackeray& Khaire. 2016

Abstract

Five new species of gecarcinucid freshwater crabs, Ghatiana atropurpurea n. sp., Ghatiana splendida n. sp., Gubernatoriana alcocki Pati n. sp., Gubernatoriana thackerayi Pati n. sp., and Gubernatoriana waghiPati n. sp. are described from the Western Ghats in Maharashtra and Goa states of India.

Ghatiana atropurpurea n. sp. can be differentiated from other species of GhatianaPati & Sharma, 2014 by the shape and colour of its carapace, and the sigmoid-shaped male first pleopod (G1). Ghatiana splendida n. sp. is separated from its congeners mainly by its long anterolateral margin of the carapace and short terminal article of the G1. Besides, the colour pattern (deep pink carapace and chelipeds, orange ambulatory legs) of G. splendida n. sp. is exceptional among its congeners. Gubernatoriana alcocki n. sp. is unique among species of Gubernatoriana Bott, 1970 due to its inwardly curved tip of the terminal article of the G1. The stout and cone-shaped terminal article of the G1 of Gubernatoriana thackerayi n. sp. is characteristic among its congeners. In addition, G. thackerayi n. sp. has a unique colouration amongst congeners (violet-red carapace and ambulatory legs, orange-red chelipeds). Gubernatoriana waghi n. sp. can be distinguished from its congeners by the quadrate-shaped carapace, narrow frontal margin, pointed tips of the cheliped fingers, short terminal article of the G1 and very short or vestigial terminal article of the male second pleopod (G2). The body colour (burnt orange carapace and ivory coloured chelipeds and ambulatory legs) of G. waghi n. sp. is also important to distinguish live crabs of the genus. Key to the species of Ghatiana and Gubernatoriana is provided.

Keywords: Crustacea, taxonomy, new species, western India

Ghatiana atropurpurea from Amboli 
photo: Arjun Kamdar

Gubernatoriana waghi was discovered in Malshej Ghat
photo: Rachit Shah  indianaturewatch.net

S.K. Pati,T. Thackeray andA. Khaire. 2016. Five New Species of Freshwater Crabs of the Genera Ghatiana Pati & Sharma, 2014, and Gubernatoriana Bott, 1970 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Brachyura: Gecarcinucidae Rathbun, 1904) from the Western Ghats, India.
Zootaxa. 4083(4);  http://mapress.com/j/zt/article/view/zootaxa.4083.4.7
ResearchGate.net/publication/295626478_Five_new_species_of_freshwater_crabs_of_the_genera_Ghatiana_Pati_Sharma_2014_and_Gubernatoriana_Bott_1970_Crustacea_Decapoda_Brachyura_Gecarcinucidae_Rathbun_1904_from_the_Western_Ghats_India



Shiv Sena chief's younger son discovers new species of crabs in Western Ghats https://shar.es/1Csg5J 

[Ornithology • 2014] Rufous-headed Parrotbill Paradoxornis bakeri and Pale-billed Parrotbill P. atrosuperciliaris in Thailand

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Plate 2. Painting of Rufous-headed Parrotbill [นกปากนกแก้วหัวสีส้ม] Paradoxornis bakeriand Black-browed (Pale-billed) Parrotbill [นกปากนกแก้วคิ้วดำ] P. atrosuperciliarisbased on field notes made in Mae Moei National Park on 25 June 2000 and field notes and photographs subsequently during 20–21 July 2014.
P. Round, K. Komolphalin, W. Limparungpatthanakij & A. J Pierce, 2014 || Illustration: K. Komolphalin

When Lekagul & Round (1991) was published, Lesser Rufous-headed Parrotbill Paradoxornis atrosuperciliaris was known from the far north of Thailand but Greater Rufous-headed Parrotbill P. ruficeps was listed only as a hypothetical species which was thought likely to occur in Thailand because it was found in both south and east Myanmar, and in north Laos. Since that time, King & Robson (2008) have examined the taxonomic status of P. ruficeps and proposed that the three subspecies be rearranged with P. r. ruficeps (Bhutan) being separated from P. r. bakeri (north-east India and Myanmar) and P. r. magnirostris (Laos and Vietnam), with P. ruficeps taking the new common name White-breasted Parrotbill andP. bakeri becoming Rufous-headed Parrotbill with magnirostris as a subspecies. In the same paper they proposed P. atrosuperciliaris be renamed Pale-billed Parrotbill.

We document the discovery of a population of Rufous-headed Parrotbill P. bakeri in Mae Moei National Park (NP), Tha Song Yang district, Tak province, west Thailand. We also confirm a range extension of the Pale-billed Parrotbill P. atrosuperciliaris at the same site.

...........

 Philip Round, Kamol Komolphalin, Wichyanan Limparungpatthanakij and Andrew J Pierce. 2014. Rufous-headed Parrotbill Paradoxornis bakeri and Pale-billed Parrotbill P. atrosuperciliaris in Thailand. BirdingASIA. 22; 32-36. 

 facebook.com/WeranutN/posts/10204741918772543


[Ornithology • 2016] Integrative Taxonomy reveals Europe’s Rarest Songbird Species, the Gran Canaria Blue Chaffinch Fringilla polatzeki

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Figure 1. (a) adult male Fringilla teydea polatzeki, Gran Canaria (J. A. Luksenburg); (b) adult male F. teydea teydea, Tenerife (I. Merrill);
sonagrams of (c) song of F. t. polatzeki (G. Sangster); (d) song of F. t. teydea (G. Sangster);
oscillograms of (e) same song of F. t. polatzeki; (f) same song of F. t. teydea;
sonagrams of (g); social call of F. t. polatzeki (M. S. Robb); (h) flight call of F. t. polatzeki (M. S. Robb); (i) social call of F. t. teydea (G. Sangster); (j) flight call of F. t. teydea (M. S. Robb).

ABSTRACT

The conservation of endangered taxa often critically depends on accurate taxonomic designations. The status of the Gran Canaria population of the Blue Chaffinch Fringilla t. polatzeki has not been reevaluated since the early 1900s when this taxon was described as a subspecies and combined with the much more common Tenerife Blue Chaffinch F. t. teydea in a single species. We show that multiple diagnostic differences in plumage, songs, calls and morphometrics distinguish F. t. polatzeki from F. t. teydea. Preliminary playback experiments suggest that F. t. polatzeki is able to discriminate between songs of both taxa. Along with previously reported differences in mitochondrial DNA, these findings show that the blue chaffinches on Gran Canaria and Tenerife represent two highly distinctive species: F. polatzeki and F. teydea. Gran Canaria Blue Chaffinch is Europe’s rarest passerine species and should be classified as Critically Endangered. Its long-term survival in the wild currently depends on a very small (<20 sq.km.) area in southwest Gran Canaria. Reclassification of Gran Canaria Blue Chaffinch as a species increases the urgency of ongoing conservation efforts. Our study underscores the critical importance of taxonomic clarification of threatened taxa that are currently classified as ‘subspecies’. 

 George Sangster, Felipe Rodríguez-Godoy, C. S. Roselaar, Magnus S. Robb and Jolanda A. Luksenburg. 2016. Integrative Taxonomy reveals Europe’s Rarest Songbird Species, the Gran Canaria Blue Chaffinch Fringilla polatzeki. JOURNAL OF AVIAN BIOLOGY.   DOI:  10.1111/jav.00825

[PaleoOrnithology • 2016] Dromornis murrayi • The Extinct Flightless Mihirungs (Aves, Dromornithidae): Cranial Anatomy, A New Species, and Assessment of Oligo-Miocene Lineage Diversity

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ABSTRACT
Giant flightless fowl (Aves, Dromornithidae) similar to the Northern Hemisphere gastornithids and weighing up to 350–650 kg evolved on Gondwana and existed in what is now Australia from the Eocene to the late Quaternary. Understanding cranial morphology of dromornithids has until now been based almost wholly on species of Dromornis, with that of species in three other genera either previously unknown or very fragmentary. Here we rectify this deficiency and describe a well-preserved cranium from the middle Miocene Bullock Creek Local Fauna referred to Ilbandornis woodburnei, rich, fragmentary crania, quadrates, pterygoids, and mandibles for the Oligo-Miocene Barawertornis tedfordi Rich, and additional material of the species of Ilbandornis. The morphological similarity of this cranial material suggests that the emu-sized B. tedfordi is a smaller precursor to and differs little from species of IlbandornisDromornis murrayi, n. sp., from late Oligocene–Early Miocene sites at Riversleigh, based on cranial and postcranial elements, is the oldest and smallest species in its genus. Placed in the context of other data, these observations suggest that the dromornithids comprised only two lineages throughout the Oligo-Miocene. The Barawertornis-Ilbandornis lineage attained maximum diversity in the middle Miocene Bullock Creek and late Miocene Alcoota local faunas (LF), with two species in each, but the Dromornis lineage seems to have been monotypic throughout its temporal range. The low diversity of these giant galloanseres in Australia mirrors that of the giant herbivorous ratites (ostriches and kin), which similarly have low diversity where they coevolved with diverse mammalian faunas.


Dromornis murrayi, A newly discovered flightless bird, reached 1.5 metres high and weighed up to 250 kilograms.
Illustration: Brian Choo/ Flinders University

Trevor H. Worthy, Warren D. Handley, Michael Archer and Suzanne J. Hand. 2016. The Extinct Flightless Mihirungs (Aves, Dromornithidae): Cranial Anatomy, A New Species, and Assessment of Oligo-Miocene Lineage Diversity. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.  DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2015.1031345

Researcher discovers ancestor of biggest bird ever http://phy.so/375346820 via @physorg_com

[Ichthyology • 2016] Peckoltia wernekei • A New Species of Peckoltia (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) from the Upper Orinoco River in Amazonas State, Venezuela

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Figure 5. Live photos of A Peckoltia lujani (uncataloged), photograph by N.K. Lujan, and
B Peckoltia wernekeisp. n. AUM 39313 (was used as a live photo of P. vittata in Armbruster 2008).
Photograph by M.H. Sabaj Pérez.  DOI:  10.3897/zookeys.569.6630

Abstract
A new species of the suckermouth armored catfish genus Peckoltia is described from the lower Ventuari River, a tributary of the upper Orinoco River in Amazonas State, Venezuela. Specimens of this species were formerly included in the wide-ranging Amazonian species P. vittata, but a recent molecular phylogeny found Orinoco individuals to be distantly related to Amazon Basin individuals spanning the range of P. vittata syntypes. Detailed morphological examination confirmed distinctiveness of Orinoco specimens, and found them to be diagnosable from true P. vittata by having generally greater than 25 teeth (vs. less), spots on the nape (vs. nape lacking spots), the upper lip with two to three black bar-shaped markings in a line like a moustache (vs. lips generally with a hyaline wash), and by the snout having a medial black line disconnected from the moustache markings (vs. medial snout stripe connected to a bar just above the lip). Peckoltia wernekei displays remarkable genetic similarity to its sister species, P. lujani, but differs morphologically by having dentary tooth rows meet at an angle less than 90° (vs. >90°), by having large faint blotches on the abdomen (vs. abdomen with no blotches), by a smaller internares width (21.2–26.6% vs. 28.5–46.5% of interorbital width), and a larger dorsal spine (148.1–178.6% vs. 80.1–134.5% of abdominal length).

Keywords: Ancistrini, Hypostominae, Molecular Phylogeny, Morphology, Peckoltia, Systematics, Taxonomy



Taxonomy

Peckoltia wernekei Armbruster & Lujan, sp. n.
http://zoobank.org/3488FBE3-34F0-4F5B-94D2-60BFA849D945

Peckoltia aff. vittata (Orinoco) Lujan et al., 2015 [molecular phylogeny]


Type locality: Ventuari River drainage, Amazonas State, Venezuela, South America

Holotype: AUM 54314, 104.6 mm SL, VENEZUELA, Amazonas State, Ventuari River drainage, Marujeta Creek, 159 km E of San Fernando de Atabapo, 04.2948°, -066.2889°, N.K. Lujan, M. Sabaj Pérez, D.C. Werneke, T. Carvalho, V. Meza-Vargas, 02 April 2010.

Diagnosis: Peckoltia wernekei can be separated from all other Peckoltia by having a broken black line of pigment on the upper jaw (vs. solid line of pigment along snout edge or snout uniformly colored or mottled). Peckoltia wernekei can be further separated from P. vittata by generally having 25 or more teeth in at least one dentary or one premaxilla (vs. generally 24 or fewer; one specimen of P. wernekei had both upper and lower jaws with <25 teeth/ramus), by having a largely naked abdomen (abdomen with a few plates below pectoral girdle, between pelvic fins and along sides of abdomen; vs. most of ventral surface from the throat to the anus with small plates), and by having large, faint blotches on the abdomen (vs. abdomen uniform). Peckoltia wernekei can be further separated from upper Orinoco congeners as follows: from P. brevis and P. lineola by lacking short lines and spots on the head (vs. lines and spots present), from P. brevis, P. caenosa and P. lineola by having a largely naked abdomen (vs. abdomen fully plated), and by generally having 25 or more teeth per jaw ramus (vs. 22 or fewer in P. brevis, 21 or fewer in P. caenosa, and 19 or fewer in P. lineola); from P. lujani by having the dentaries meet at an angle less than 90° (vs. >90°), by having large, faint blotches on the abdomen (vs. abdomen with no blotches), by a smaller internares width to interorbital width ratio (21.2–26.6% vs. 28.5–46.5%), and a larger dorsal spine to abdominal length ratio (148.1–178.6% vs. 80.1–134.5%); and from P. sabaji by having bands in the dorsal and caudal fins (vs. spots) and prominent dorsal saddles on the body (vs. large spots).


Distribution: Known only from the Ventuari River, a right-bank tributary of the upper Orinoco River in Amazonas State, Venezuela (Fig. 7).

Etymology: Patronym honoring David C. Werneke, Collection Manager of Fishes at the Auburn University Museum, for his diligence, camaraderie and humor during three expeditions to the upper Orinoco Basin and for his long service as a Collection Manager at Auburn University.


Jonathan W. Armbruster and Nathan K. Lujan. 2016. A New Species of Peckoltia from the Upper Orinoco (Siluriformes, Loricariidae). ZooKeys. 569: 105-121. DOI:  10.3897/zookeys.569.6630


[Herpetology • 2016] Five New, Microendemic Asian Leaf-litter Frogs (Leptolalax) from the southern Annamite mountains, Vietnam; Leptolalax ardens, L. kalonensis, L. pallidus, L. maculosus & L. tadungensis

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[Left] Pale Leaf-litter Frog Leptolalax pallidus, Spotted Leaf-litter Frog Leptolalax maculosus, and Ta Dung Leaf-litter Frog Leptolalax tadungensis. 
[Right] Brilliant Leaf-litter Frog Leptolalax ardens and Kalon Leaf-litter Frog Leptolalax kalonensis
Photographers: D. Tran, J. Rowley, P. Peloso
 twitter: @JodiRowley

Abstract

The Leptolalax applebyi group of Asian leaf-litter frogs currently comprises four species of particularly small-bodied (<40 mm SVL) species distributed in the Central Highlands of Vietnam and northeastern Cambodia. In addition to their small size, the group is characterized by their morphological and genetic similarities, as well as their breeding habitat at headwaters of small mountain streams and seeps. A recent study suggested that at least two-thirds of the diversity of the group remained hidden within morphologically cryptic lineages. We expand upon the molecular, morphometric, and acoustic data and formally delineate and describe five of these lineages as distinct species: Leptolalax ardens sp. nov., Leptolalax kalonensis sp. nov., Leptolalax pallidus sp. nov., Leptolalax maculosus sp. nov., and Leptolalax tadungensis sp. nov. Due to habitat loss, the current ranges of these species are likely to be a fraction of their historical extent and under continued threat from deforestation.

Keywords: Amphibia, Bioacoustics, Leptolalax ardens sp. nov., Leptolalax kalonensis sp. nov., Leptolalax pallidus sp. nov., Leptolalax maculosus sp. nov., and Leptolalax tadungensis sp. nov., microendemism, Southeast Asia


 Five new species of Asian Leaf-litter Frog [Top] Brilliant Leaf-litter Frog Leptolalax ardens and Kalon Leaf-litter Frog Leptolalax kalonensis. 
[Bottom] Pale Leaf-litter Frog Leptolalax pallidus, Spotted Leaf-litter Frog Leptolalax maculosus, and Ta Dung Leaf-litter Frog Leptolalax tadungensis
Photographers: D. Tran, J. Rowley, P. Peloso
 twitter: @JodiRowley

Leptolalax kalonensis
Rowley, Tran, Le, Dau, Peloso, Nguyen, Hoang, Nguyen & Ziegler, 2016 


Discussion

Species in the Leptolalax applebyi group are likely to have historically occurred over a large area of hilly northeastern Cambodia, central and southern Vietnam (~30,000 km2;Rowley et al. 2015). However, each species appears to occur over a relatively small area, with mountain ridges and valleys appearing to present barriers to dispersal (Rowley et al. 2015). This microendemism is perhaps not surprising given their small body size, specific habitat preferences and thus low dispersal ability. Frogs in the group breed in (and perhaps are more broadly restricted to) small seeps and rivulets, often at or near stream headwaters. This is in contrast to other, generally larger, species of Leptolalax most of which breed in larger streams. The specific habitat preferences of the group are likely to further restrict  adults  to  particular  drainage  basins  (as  suitable  breeding  habitat  is  not  present  on  mountain  ridges  or  valleys), and may limit the probability of larval dispersal along streams (except perhaps in high rainfall events).

Habitat loss is the greatest threat to amphibians in Southeast Asia, and the amphibians of the region appear to be particularly vulnerable to habitat alterations (Rowley et al. 2010d). Range-restricted species such as species in the L. applebyi group are likely to be most at risk (Rowley et al. 2010d), and frogs of the L. applebyi group appear to be restricted to relatively undisturbed broadleaf evergreen forest. A considerable portion of their historical range is likely to have already been lost due to deforestation (Rowley et al. 2005) and habitat loss and modification is a continued threat in the region (Meyfroidt & Lambin, 2008).

This study confirms significant species richness underestimation in the Leptolalax applebyi species group. The five additional species named herein almost triple the known species diversity in a group of frogs first identified in only 2009 (Rowley & Cao 2009). Further diversity in this group is likely to be revealed with additional surveys, particularly  in  drainage  basins  adjacent  to  known  species.  In  particular,  ‘Lineage  7’  of  the  L.  applebyi  group  (Rowley et al. 2015) is likely to be a new species, and additional material and/or call recordings are needed to confirm this. Due to rapid and ongoing deforestation, species in this group are at great risk of disappearing before they are even discovered (Rowley et al. 2015). Further survey work and additional systematic work to understand the true diversity of amphibians in the region is urgently required for effective conservation management.






Jodi J. L. Rowley, Dao T. A. Tran, Duong T. T. Le, Vinh Q. Dau, Pedro L.V. Peloso, Truong Q. Nguyen, Huy D. Hoang, Tao T. Nguyen and Thomas Ziegler. 2016. Five New, Microendemic Asian Leaf-litter Frogs (Leptolalax) from the southern Annamite mountains, Vietnam. Zootaxa. 4085(1): 63–102.   http://mapress.com/j/zt/issue/view/zootaxa.4085.1.3
ResearchGate.net/publication/296468073_Five_new_microendemic_Asian_Leaf-litter_Frogs_Leptolalax_from_the_southern_Annamite_mountains_Vietnam




Five new species discovered in fast-disappearing forests
  http://australianmuseum.net.au/blogpost/amri-news/amri-five-new-frog-species-discovered @JodiRowley

[Herpetology • 2012] Pachytriton xanthospilos • A New Species of Pachytriton (Caudata: Salamandridae) from the Nanling Mountain Range, southeastern China

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 Pachytriton xanthospilos 
Wu, Wang & Hanken, 2012  

Abstract 

New species of amphibians are being reported at an astonishingly fast rate. These include some that have been known to the commercial pet trade for years but have not been formally described due to uncertain origin. The distinctive phenotype of “Pachytriton B” among the Chinese stout newts (also known as paddle-tailed newts) is one such example. Through examination of museum specimens, we locate a population from Mt. Mang within the Nanling Mountain Range with morphology and coloration similar to Pachytriton B. Molecular phylogenetic analyses strongly suggest that this population and Pachytriton B belong to the same species, which differs from congeners morphologically and chromatically and is described here as a new species. This species is characterized by a large and stout body, uniformly light brown dorsum, and orange spots or blotches that extend ribbon-like along the dorsolateral sides of the body. A mitochondrial genealogy suggests that the new species is the sister taxon to the group (P. brevipes + P. feii). Morphologically, this species is significantly stouter than P. feii and has significantly longer limbs than P. brevipes. 

Key words: Chinese stout newt; salamander; mitochondrial genealogy; principal-components analysis; Pachytriton xanthospilos sp. nov.


Yunke WU, Yuezhao WANG and James HANKEN. 2012. New Species of Pachytriton (Caudata: Salamandridae) from the Nanling Mountain Range, southeastern China. Zootaxa. 3388: 1–16. 

[Herpetology • 2016] Pachytriton wuguanfui • A New Species of the Genus Pachytriton (Caudata: Salamandridae) from Hunan and Guangxi, southeastern China

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Pachytriton wuguanfui  
 Yuan, Zhang & Che. 2016 


Abstract

Despite recent descriptions of multiple new species of the genus Pachytriton (Salamandridae), species richness in this China-endemic newts genus likely remains underestimated. In this study, we describe a new species of Pachytriton from northeastern Guangxi and southern Hunan, southeastern China. Both molecular analyses and morphological characters reveal that the new species can be distinguished from its congeners. The mitochondrial gene tree identified the new lineage highly divergent (uncorrected p-distance > 5.8 % by mitochondrial gene) from currently recognized species and placed it as the sister species of P. xanthospilos and P. changi. Furthermore, a nuclear gene haplotype network revealed a unique haplotype in the new populations. Statistical species delimitation using Bayes factor strongly supported the evolutionary independence of the new species from the closely-related P. xanthospilos. Morphologically, the new species is characterized by a uniformly dark brown dorsum without bright orange dots or black spots; irregular orange blotches on the venter; tips of fingers and toes orange on the dorsal side; moderately developed webs on the side of digits; absence of costal grooves between the axilla and groin; and widely open vomerine tooth series.

Keywords: Amphibia, Amphibians, cryptic diversity, Bayes factor species delimitation, Pachytriton wuguanfui sp. nov.





Zhi-Yong Yuan, Bao-Lin Zhang and Jing Che. 2016. A New Species of the Genus Pachytriton (Caudata: Salamandridae) from Hunan and Guangxi, southeastern China. Zootaxa. 4085(2);

[Paleontology • 2016] A Large Abelisaurid (Dinosauria, Theropoda) from Morocco and comments on the Cenomanian Theropods from North Africa

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  Large Moroccan abelisaurid [Abelisauridae indet. femur OLPH 025]
Illustration: Davide Bonadonna

Abstract

We describe the partially preserved femur of a large-bodied theropod dinosaur from the Cenomanian “Kem Kem Compound Assemblage” (KKCA) of Morocco. The fossil is housed in the Museo Geologico e Paleontologico “Gaetano Giorgio Gemmellaro” in Palermo (Italy). The specimen is compared with the theropod fossil record from the KKCA and coeval assemblages from North Africa. The combination of a distally reclined head, a not prominent trochanteric shelf, distally placed lesser trochanter of stout, alariform shape, a stocky shaft with the fourth trochanter placed proximally, and rugose muscular insertion areas in the specimen distinguishes it from CarcharodontosaurusDeltadromeus and Spinosaurus and supports referral to an abelisaurid. The estimated body size for the individual from which this femur was derived is comparable to Carnotaurus and Ekrixinatosaurus (up to 9 meters in length and 2 tons in body mass). This find confirms that abelisaurids had reached their largest body size in the “middle Cretaceous,” and that large abelisaurids coexisted with other giant theropods in Africa. We review the taxonomic status of the theropods from the Cenomanian of North Africa, and provisionally restrict the Linnean binomina Carcharodontosaurus iguidensis and Spinosaurus aegyptiacus to the type specimens. Based on comparisons among the theropod records from the Aptian-Cenomanian of South America and Africa, a partial explanation for the so-called “Stromer’s riddle” (namely, the coexistence of many large predatory dinosaurs in the “middle Cretaceous” record from North Africa) is offered in term of taphonomic artifacts among lineage records that were ecologically and environmentally non-overlapping. Although morphofunctional and stratigraphic evidence supports an ecological segregation between spinosaurids and the other lineages, the co-occurrence of abelisaurids and carcharodontosaurids, two groups showing several craniodental convergences that suggest direct resource competition, remains to be explained.

Systematic Palaeontology

Dinosauria Owen (1842).
Theropoda Marsh (1881).
Abelisauridae Bonaparte (1991).

Locality and age: Based on the registry of the OLPH, the specimen was collected nearby the Moroccan-Algerian boundary just south of Taouz (Errachidia Province, Meknès−Tafilalet Region), Morocco. Following Cavin et al. (2010), the age of this fossil is considered as Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian).

Material: OLPH 025, partial proximal portion of a right femur (Fig. 1).


Figure 1: Abelisauridae indet. femur OLPH 025.
(A) proximal view, (B) anterior view, (C) medial view, (D) posterior view, (E) lateral view, (F) distal view (not at same scale as other views). Scale bars, 5 cm.
Abbreviations: gt, greater trochanter; iMie, insertion for the M. iliofemoralis externus; fn, femoral neck; s, shallow sulcus.   DOI: 10.7717/peerj.1754



Conclusions
The taxonomy and inclusiveness of the theropod clades from the “middle” Cretaceous of North Africa is complex and problematic. Since Stromer (1931) and Stromer (1934) the minimum number of taxa recovered from these fossil associations has been considered controversial, in particular due to the fragmentary nature of most of the specimens found. Stromer himself (1934) was aware of this as one of the main problems in North African dinosaur palaeontology. Several factors, both biological and geological, may bias the taxonomic composition of the North African theropod faunas. Most North African units are poorly constrained stratigraphically (see Cavin et al., 2010; Fanti et al., 2014), thus preventing detailed correlations between the various localities. For example, the age of the KKCA has been alternatively placed between the Aptian and the Cenomanian (Russell, 1996; Cavin et al., 2010), and both number of and relationships among the units represented by that assemblage remain controversial (Sereno et al., 1996; Cavin et al., 2010). The temporal extent of these assemblages is uncertain, possibly spanning several million years (Cavin et al., 2010). Therefore, the application of biological (neontological) “rules,” based on ecological models and data from modern ecosystems (in order to constrain the number of carnivorous taxa included in a fossil assemblage) is often not adequately justified or not testable. This is particularly problematic for fossil assemblages, like the KKCA, that lack present-day analogues and where an unusually unbalanced ecological web has been suggested (e.g., Läng et al., 2013). Since the co-occurrence in the same North African theropod associations of distinct species belonging to the same clade has been documented (e.g., spinosaurids, Fanti et al., 2014; Hendrickx, Mateus & Buffetaut, 2016; carcharodontosaurids, Cau, Dalla Vecchia & Fabbri, 2012; Cau, Dalla Vecchia & Fabbri, 2013), the referral of all isolated elements of one lineage to a single species cannot be justified. Furthermore, the referral of isolated and non-overlapping material to the same species is a phylogenetic hypothesis itself that needs to be explicitly tested by numerical analyses. In absence of positive evidence supporting the referral of such material to a particular species, the inclusion of non-overlapping elements into a single taxon may led to the creation of a potential chimera, with unpredictable effects on the phylogenetic and palaeoecological interpretation of these faunas.

We have described the fragmentary femur of a large-bodied theropod from the “Kem Kem Compound Assemblage” of Morocco. The specimen lacks tetanuran synapomorphies and is referred to Abelisauridae as it shares the overall morphology of the femora of ceratosaurians and the stocky robust proportions of some Late Cretaceous abelisaurids (e.g., EkrixinatosaurusMajungasaurusCarrano, 2007; Juarez-Valieri, Porfiri & Calvo, 2011). The large size of the preserved femur suggests an individual comparable in body size with the type specimens of Carnotaurus sastrei and Ekrixinatosaurus novasi, both estimated to reach 9 meters in length and approaching two tons in body mass (Juarez-Valieri, Porfiri & Calvo, 2011). This discovery further supports that abelisaurids had evolved their largest size no later than the “mid-Cretaceous” (Smith et al., 2010; Juarez-Valieri, Porfiri & Calvo, 2011) and that abelisaurids and carcharodontosaurids co-existed and ecologically overlapped in both North Africa and South America during the Aptian-Turonian. Based on comparison with other “middle Cretaceous” units (Juarez-Valieri, Porfiri & Calvo, 2011; Fanti et al., 2014), we suggest that the co-occurrence of spinosaurids and other large theropods (abelisaurids and carcharodontosaurids) in the KKCA may be mainly an artefact due to poor stratigraphic resolution rather than genuine evidence of  ecological and environmental overlap. Given the convergent evolution of several craniodental features among abelisaurids and carcharodontosaurids (Lamanna, Martinez & Smith, 2002; Sampson & Witmer, 2007; Carrano & Sampson, 2008; Cau, Dalla Vecchia & Fabbri, 2013), suggesting similar ecological adaptations in these clades, how these apparently competing groups co-existed for at least 30 million years in both Africa and South America remains to be resolved.




Alfio Alessandro Chiarenza and Andrea Cau. 2016. A Large Abelisaurid (Dinosauria, Theropoda) from Morocco and comments on the Cenomanian Theropods from North Africa.  PeerJ. 4:e1754; DOI: 10.7717/peerj.1754

Fossil find reveals just how big carnivorous dinosaur may have grown

[Herpetology • 2016] Wallaceophis gujaratensis • A New Miocene-Divergent Lineage of Old World Racer Snake (Serpentes: Colubridae) from India

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Wallaceophis gujaratenesis 
Mirza, Vyas, Patel, Maheta & Sanap, 2016

Abstract

A distinctive early Miocene-divergent lineage of Old world racer snakes is described as a new genus and species based on three specimens collected from the western Indian state of Gujarat. Wallaceophis gen. et. gujaratenesis sp. nov. is a members of a clade of old world racers. The monotypic genus represents a distinct lineage among old world racers is recovered as a sister taxa to Lytorhynchus based on ~3047bp of combined nuclear (cmos) and mitochondrial molecular data (cytb, ND4, 12s, 16s). The snake is distinct morphologically in having a unique dorsal scale reduction formula not reported from any known colubrid snake genus. Uncorrected pairwise sequence divergence for nuclear gene cmos between Wallaceophis gen. et.gujaratenesis sp. nov. other members of the clade containing old world racers and whip snake is 21–36%.

Fig 6. Wallaceophis gen. etgujaratensis sp. nov. holotype male NCBS HA-105 in life.
Photo by Z. Mirza.  DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0148380 

Systematics

Wallaceophis gen. nov. Mirza, Vyas, Patel & Sanap, 2016.
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:43CA682D-4EE0-4653-95B6-6F4E0C2FAEDE

Type species: Wallaceophis gujarateneis sp. nov.

Diagnosis: A medium sized snake in relation to members of the family measuring SVL 250–930 mm differing from most colubrid genera in lacking hypapophyses on posterior dorsal vertebrae (Fig 2) and in bearing nine maxillary teeth and the posterior-most teeth are subequal, nine palatine teeth. Dorsal scale reduction characterized by vertebral reductions, increase of scale rows posterior to neck, a single lateral reduction at midbody and regular vertebral reductions in posterior half of the body. Rostral not visible from above, a small presubocular present. Eight supralabials, fourth and fifth in contact with orbit, anal undivided, 215–216 ventrals, 51–54 subcaudals, hemipenis subcylindrical, spinose throughout and 3–4 dorsal scale row wide black longitudinal stripe running from the post nasal to the tail tip on each side on a wheat colored dorsum.


Wallaceophis gen. nov. may be distinguished from most members of the family Colubridae in lacking hypapophyses on posterior dorsal vertebrae. This condition is present in racers and whip snake of the genera Platyceps, Hemorrhois, Spalerosophis, Hemerophis, Dolichophis, Hierophis, Eirenis, Orientocoluber, Coluber, Macroprotodon, Bamanophis and Lytorhynchus. Wallaceophis gen. nov. differs from these genera in bearing unique vertebral dorsal scale reductions (vs. lateral reductions in Platyceps, Hemorrhois, Hemerophis, Dolichophis, Hierophis, Eirenis, Orientocoluber, Coluber, Macroprotodon, Bamanophis and Lytorhynchus); nine maxillary teeth (vs. 15–17 in Spalerosophis, 14–19 in Platyceps, 13–16 in Hemorrhois, 17–20 in Hemerophis, 16–18 in Hierophis, 16–26 in Eirenis, 15–19 in Bamanophis); presubocular present (vs. absent in Macroprotodon, Orientocoluber, Bamanophis). The new genus is closely related to the genus Lytorhynchus based on ~3047bp of nuclear and mitochondrial gene sequences however differs from it in having vertebral dorsal scale reduction (vs. lateral in Lytorhynchus); nine palatine teeth (vs. 3–5 in Lytorhynchus).

Etymology: The proposed generic name is a compound of two words, the first being a patronym honoring Alfred Russel Wallace for his pioneering work on biogeography and for co-discovering the theory of natural selection with a suffix ‘ophis’ (όφις) meaning snake in Greek. Gender of the proposed generic name is masculine.


Fig 6.Wallaceophis gen.et. gujaratensis sp. nov. holotype male NCBS HA-105 head illustration showing scalation, (A) lateral view, (B) dorsal view.

Wallaceophis gujaratensis sp. nov. Mirza, Vyas, Patel, Maheta & Sanap, 2016.
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:6616529A-8EC2-4606-878C-253F2CD0E6B1

Holotype: male, NCBS HA-105, collected from Khengariya village, Viramgam taluka, Ahmedabad district, Gujarat state, India (23.0217946 N, 72.0217584 E, altitude 21m) by Jaydeep Maheta on 24th July 2014.
Paratypes: female BNHS 3503, collected form near Amreli, Amreli district,
Gujarat state, India by Viral Joshi on 20th March 2013.

Etymology: The specific epithet refers to Gujarat state in western India where the new species was discovered.

Suggested common name: Wallace’s striped snake/ Wallace’s racer


Natural History & Distribution: The type specimen was collected from a manmade water hole near an irrigation canal along with a few juveniles of Xenochropis piscator. The species appears to be diurnal as it was collected at ca. 11:15 hours. The type locality, Khengariya village, is situated in the dry plains of central-western region of Gujarat state. According to Champion and Seth [29] the type locality falls under Desert thorn forest. The floral composition of this area is made up of Acacia senegal, Acacia leucophloea, Euphorbia neriifolia, Capparis spp., Zizyphus spp., etc. The region falls under the drier parts of the country. The annual precipitation is 838mm. Majority of the precipitation occurs during the months of July and August. The temperature varies from as low as 12°C during winter and as high as 43°C during the hot summer days. These conditions create a harsh environmental condition for any life form living in this area. The snake was immersed in water to wash it upon which the snake dived to the base of the bucket and remained submerged for about five minutes. The holotype was also found in water suggesting that the snake might prefer areas in proximity to water sources. While photographing the snake, the snake made attempts to dig into the substrate which suggest that the snake is fossorial in nature. An individual retained in captivity was offered a Hemidactylus sp. which was readily accepted. We have also been able to collect the secondary information about the species’ habits and habitat from local ‘snake rescuers’ and wildlife photographers on the basis of colored images/photographic evidences. This yielded information denotes that the species inhabits other parts of the state too, including the holotype, paratype and the specimen NCBS HA-108 (Fig 7). The information from various sources and collection sites of specimens shows that species is distributed in four different sub biotic land regions as 4B1Saurashtra Plateau, 4B2-Bhal, 4B4 Plains and 4B5Plains of Gujarat and this entire land mass further falls in 4B Semi-Arid Gujarat-Rajputana Provinces as per the Biogeographic Zone Classification of Rodgers and Panwar. For a summary of distribution localities.


Discussion and Conclusion

Phylogenetic analysis based on a total of 3047bp of concatenated nuclear and mitochondrial genes shows that Wallaceophis gen. nov. is a member of a clade of arid snake species within Colubrinae containing the genera Hemorrhois, Platyceps, Hierophis, Hemerophis, Eirenis, Dolichophis, Orientocoluber, Bamanophis, Macroprotodon and Lytorhynchus (Fig 8). The relationships recovered from our analysis are congruent with those of Pyron et al.. Wallaceophis gen. nov. is genetically most similar to the genus Lytorhynchus with an uncorrected pairwise sequence divergence of 21.5% for nuclear cmos gene and is recovered as a sister taxa of the new genus with a deep divergence. The new genus shows 23–36% uncorrected pairwise sequence divergence for nuclear cmos gene from other genera of the clade (Table 3). Our analyses are preliminary and must however be confirmed after incorporation of more taxa of the genus Lytorhynchus as well as data for additional nuclear genes. Based on morphology Wallaceophis gen. nov. can be readily distinguished from all members of the old world racers in have a unique dorsal scale row reduction pattern in addition to bearing fewer maxillary teeth.


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Zeeshan A. Mirza, Raju Vyas,  Harshil Patel,  Jaydeep Maheta  and  Rajesh V. Sanap. 2016. A New Miocene-Divergent Lineage of Old World Racer Snake from India. PLoS ONE. 11(3): e0148380. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0148380

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