[Botany • 2016] Cleisostoma yersinii • A New Species of Cleisostoma (Orchidaceae) from the Hon Ba Nature Reserve in Vietnam: A Multidisciplinary Assessment

June 7, 2016, 9:31 pm

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Cleisostoma yersinii    J. Ponert & Vuong  DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150631

Abstract

A new species, Cleisostoma yersinii J. Ponert & Vuong, is described and illustrated based on the material collected in the Hon Ba Nature Reserve in southern Vietnam. In addition to conventional (macro)morphological examination we comparatively investigated root and leaf anatomy (using light and fluorescent microscopy), assessed nectar characteristics (using HPLC analysis), determined nuclear genome size (using DNA flow cytometry) and reconstructed phylogenetic relationships (using nrITS sequences). Cleisostoma yersinii differs from its putative closest relative C. birmanicum in wider and shorter leaves, larger flowers, distinct lip with S-shaped tip of the mid-lobe, and a shallow spur with two large nectar sacks separated by prominent calli and septum. Nectar is sucrose-dominant and very rich in sugars. Stomata are developed on both sides of the leaf and have prominent hyperstomatal chambers and substomatal cavities. Roots with well-developed exodermis and tracheoidal idioblasts are covered by a two-layer Vanda-type velamen. Chloroplasts occur not only in the cortex but are also abundant in the stele. Mean 1C-value was estimated to 2.57 pg DNA. An updated identification key is provided for SE Asian sections and all Vietnamese species of Cleisostoma.

Fig 4. Cleisostoma yersinii   J. Ponert & Vuong  (A) Habit. (B) Inflorescence. (C) Flower from the front. (D) Flower from the side. (E) Column from the front. (F) Peduncle. (G) Ovary. (H) Column with a removed cap. (I) Pollinarium on the column with a removed cap. (J) Papillate surfaces of lip calluses. (K) Tip of the lip with a single tail (arista).   Scale bars: C, D, F, G– 1 cm; E, H, I, J, K– 1 mm. A specimen cultivated in the Prague Botanical Garden collected as holotype. Photo J. Ponert.   DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150631

Etymology: The species is named after Alexandre Emile Jean Yersin (1863–1943), a Swiss-French physician and bacteriologist who significantly contributed to the exploration of the Hon Ba mountain area.

Ecology: Several plants of C. yersinii were found growing as terrestrial on bare mineral soil exposed by road building (Figs 1 and 2). However, their roots spread along the ground surface and did not penetrate into the soil. The ground was only sparsely covered by lichens and mosses, and the growing conditions of C. yersinii resembled those of epiphytes or lithophytes. In addition, root anatomy showed several adaptations typical of epiphytes, including the two-layered velamen, thickened exodermal cell walls, well-developed pneumatodes and chlorenchymatous cortex. A well-developed leaf hypodermis as observed in C. yersinii is also unlikely to occur in a terrestrial plant inhabiting wet montane forest. All available evidence thus supports the epiphytic or lithophytic nature of C. yersinii. Eroded roadsides with bare mineral soil seem to accurately mimic epiphytic conditions and offer a suitable secondary habitat to plants otherwise growing on trees or rocks. Other epiphytic species (e.g., C. birmanicum and Thrixspermum annamense) grew there in sympatry. Primary habitats of the new orchid species are most likely trunks of trees; a single epiphytic plant was recorded close to locus classicus in 2014.

Jan Ponert, Pavel Trávníček, Truong Ba Vuong, Romana Rybková and Jan Suda. 2016. A New Species of Cleisostoma (Orchidaceae) from the Hon Ba Nature Reserve in Vietnam: A Multidisciplinary Assessment. PLoS ONE. 11(3): e0150631.   DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150631

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[Ichthyology / Behaviour • 2016] Leaping Eels Electrify Threats, Supporting Humboldt’s Account of A Battle with Horses

June 7, 2016, 9:33 pm

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Fig. 1. Fishing with horses. (A) This illustration depicts the battle between eels and horses observed by Alexander von Humboldt in March 1800. It was published in 1843 as the frontispiece for The Naturalist Library, Ichthyology, Volume V, Part II, the Fishes of Guiana, authored by Robert H. Schomburgk, a friend and protégé of Humboldt’s (3). (B) Example of an eel leaping from the water to shock a simulated predator. LEDs are powered by the eel through a conductive carbon strip taped to the front of the plastic prop. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1604009113

Significance

Electric eels are shown to leap from the water to directly electrify threats. This shocking behavior likely allows electric eels to defend themselves during the Amazonian dry season, when they may be found in small pools and in danger of predation. The results support Alexander von Humboldt’s story of electric eels attacking horses that had been herded into a muddy pool during the dry season in 1800. The finding highlights sophisticated behaviors that have evolved in concert with the eel’s powerful electrical organs.

 Abstract

In March 1800, Alexander von Humboldt observed the extraordinary spectacle of native fisherman collecting electric eels (Electrophorus electricus) by “fishing with horses” [von Humboldt A (1807) Ann Phys 25:34–43]. The strategy was to herd horses into a pool containing electric eels, provoking the eels to attack by pressing themselves against the horses while discharging. Once the eels were exhausted, they could be safely collected. This legendary tale of South American adventures helped propel Humboldt to fame and has been recounted and illustrated in many publications, but subsequent investigators have been skeptical, and no similar eel behavior has been reported in more than 200 years. Here I report a defensive eel behavior that supports Humboldt’s account. The behavior consists of an approach and leap out of the water during which the eel presses its chin against a threatening conductor while discharging high-voltage volleys. The effect is to short-circuit the electric organ through the threat, with increasing power diverted to the threat as the eel attains greater height during the leap. Measurement of voltages and current during the behavior, and assessment of the equivalent circuit, reveal the effectiveness of the behavior and the basis for its natural selection.

Keywords: evolution; behavior; Humboldt; electroreception; neuroethology

Kenneth C. Catania. 2016. Leaping Eels Electrify Threats, Supporting Humboldt’s Account of A Battle with Horses. PNAS. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1604009113

Video: Jumping electric eels pack more zap http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/06/video-jumping-electric-eels-pack-more-zap

Jumping electric eels pack more zap https://youtu.be/KYK7Zc7IIkk via @YouTube

Electric eels make leaping attacks: Research confirms 200-year-old story by Alexander von Humboldt https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/06/160606154859.htm

[Paleontology • 2011] Pterofiltus qiui • A New Ctenochasmatid Pterosaur from the Lower Cretaceous, western Liaoning, China

June 8, 2016, 8:28 am

≫ Next: [Herpetology • 2012] Ptychozoon kaengkrachanense | ตุ๊กแกบินแก่งกระจาน • A New Species of Parachute Gecko (Squamata: Gekkonidae: Genus Ptychozoon) from Kaeng Krachan National Park, western Thailand

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Pterofiltus qiui  Jiang & Wang. 2011   DOI:  10.1590/S0001-37652011000400011

ABSTRACT

A nearly complete skull of a new ctenochasmatid pterosaur, Pterofiltus qiui gen. et sp. nov., from the Lower Cretaceous deposits of Liaoning, China, is described here. The specimen (IVPP V12339), was collected from the shale of the lower Yixian Formation (125 Ma) at the Zhangjiagou locality. It has the following combination of characters: about 112 teeth in total (including the upper and lower jaws); the dentition occupies more than 50% of the skull length; the anterior teeth vary in size; the mandibular symphysis is longer than half of the whole mandible length; in ventral view, an apparent symphyseal trough in the median part of the symphysis.

Key words: Lower Cretaceous, Yixian Formation, Pterofiltus qiui, Ctenochasmatidae, Liaoning, China.

SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY

Pterosauria Kaup, 1834 

Pterodactyloidea Plieninger, 1901 

Archaeopterodactyloidea Kellner, 2003 

Ctenochasmatidae Nopcsa, 1928

Pterofiltrus gen. nov.

Etymology - ptero-, from pteron (Greek), means wing; filtrus, from filtrum (Medieval Latin), means filter.

Type species - Pterofiltrus qiui gen. et sp. nov.

Fig. 2 – Pterofiltrus qiui gen. et sp. nov., IVPP V12339;  photograph (A); line drawing (B) showing the general position of the elements; their relationship (C), blue, rostrum; green, mandible; red, posterior part of the skull; white, indeterminate; The anterior teeth in the upper jaw, the teeth are numbered based mainly on the presence of the alveoli. The 2nd and 5th teeth are the longest ones (D).

Pterofiltrus qiui sp. nov.

Etymology: In honor of Prof. Qiu Zhanxiang, who has made great contributions to the Chinese paleontology.

Type specimen: IVPP V12339 (Fig. 2), most part of skull and mandible, and first two cervical vertebrae, housed in the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (IVPP), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.

Locality and horizon: Zhangjiagou, Beipiao City, Liaoning Province, China. Jianshangou Bed, lower Yixian Formation, Lower Cretaceous, about 125 Ma (Swisher et al. 2001).

Diagnosis: A Ctenochasatid pterosaur with the following combination of characters that distinguish it from the other members of this clade (autapomorphies are marked with an asterisk): about 112 teeth in total (including the upper and lower jaws); the dentition occupies more than 50% of the skull length; the anterior teeth vary in size; the mandibular symphysis is longer than half of the whole mandible length*; in ventral view, an apparent symphyseal trough in the median part of the symphysis*.

Fig. 2 – Pterofiltrus qiui gen. et sp. nov., IVPP V12339; photograph (A); line drawing (B) showing the general position of the elements; their relationship (C), blue, rostrum; green, mandible; red, posterior part of the skull; white, indeterminate; The anterior teeth in the upper jaw, the teeth are numbered based mainly on the presence of the alveoli. The 2nd and 5th teeth are the longest ones (D); photograph (E) and line drawing (F) of the anterior mandibles, the teeth are directed laterally, and the anterior teeth directed anterolaterally, which is an important feature of Ctenochasmatidae.  ang, angular; art, articular; at, atlas; ax, axis; d, dentary; f, frontal; hy, hyoid; j, jugal; m, maxilla; naof, nasoantorbital fenestra; p, parietal; pm, premaxilla; por, postorbital; q, quadrate; qj, quadratojugal; sq, squamosal; sym.t, symphyseal trough; t, tooth; utf, upper temporal fenestra; l, left; r, right.   DOI:  10.1590/S0001-37652011000400011

CONCLUSIONS

Based on a series of combination of characters, the new genus and species Pterofiltus qiui is established. The Jehol Biota comprises many pterosaurs and ctenochasmatids play a very important role. The amount of clade members is not big, but this clade has more taxa than many others. This new member provides further information on the global distribution of the ctenochasmatid, in Asia, Europe and America (Rodrigues and Kellner 2010).

Shunxing Jiang and Xiaolin Wang. 2011. A new ctenochasmatid pterosaur from the Lower Cretaceous, western Liaoning, China. An. Acad. Bras. Ciênc. 83(4); DOI:  10.1590/S0001-37652011000400011 

RESUMO: Um crânio quase completo de um novo pterossauro ctenochasmatídeo, Pterofiltus qiui gen. et sp. nov., de depósitos do Cretáceo Inferior de Liaoning, China é descrito. O exemplar (IVPP V12339) foi coletado de um argilito da parte inferior da Formação Yixian (125 Ma) na localidade Zhangjiagou. A nova espécie possui a seguinte combinação de caracteres: aproximadamente 112 dentes (incluindo ambas as arcadas); dentição ocupando mais de 50% do comprimento do crânio; dentes anteriores de tamanho variado; sínfise mandibular ocupando mais da metade do comprimento da mandíbula; abertura ventral na parte média da sínfise mandibular.

Palavras-chave: Cretáceo Inferior, Formação Yixian, Pterofiltus qiui, Ctenochasmatidae, Liaoning, China.

New Ctenochasmatid Pterosaur found from the lower Cretaceous of China
  http://phy.so/243248235 via @physorg_com

[Herpetology • 2012] Ptychozoon kaengkrachanense | ตุ๊กแกบินแก่งกระจาน • A New Species of Parachute Gecko (Squamata: Gekkonidae: Genus Ptychozoon) from Kaeng Krachan National Park, western Thailand

June 9, 2016, 2:33 am

≫ Next: [Herpetology • 2016] Ptychozoon bannaense • A New Species of the Genus Ptychozoon (Squamata: Gekkonidae), Representing A New National Record of This Genus from southern Yunnan Province, China

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Kaengkrachan Parachute Gecko | Ptychozoon kaengkrachanense Sumontha, Pauwels, Kunya, Limlikhitaksorn, Ruksue, Taokratok, Ansermet & Chanhome, 2012 ตุ๊กแกบินแก่งกระจาน |  siamensis.org

Abstract

A new species of Parachute Gecko, Ptychozoon kaengkrachanense sp. nov., is described from montane evergreen forest in Kaeng Krachan National Park, western Thailand. It differs from all known Ptychozoon species by having three dark dorsal chevrons between limbs insertions, homogeneous dorsal scalation without enlarged scales, original tail without long terminal flap, supranasals widely in contact, a continuous series of 14–19 enlarged precloacofemoral scales, bearing 13–17 pores in males, the absence of a predigital notch in the preantebrachial cutaneous expansion and the presence of cutaneous expansions on sides of head. It is the eighth species described in the genus and the only species of Ptychozoon endemic to Thailand.

Key words: Thailand, Phetchaburi Province, Kaeng Krachan National Park, Ptychozoon kaengkrachanense, new species, taxonomy

Seven species of parachute geckos of the genus Ptychozoon are known, there is now an eighth species Ptychozoon kaengkrachanense a Thailand endemic which inhabits montane evergreen forest in Kaeng Krachan National Park, in western Thailand. The new species differs from all known Ptychozoon species by having three dark dorsal chevrons between limbs insertions, homogeneous dorsal scalation without enlarged scales, original tail without long terminal flap, supranasals widely in contact, a continuous series of 14–19 enlarged precloacofemoral scales, bearing 13–17 pores in males, the absence of a predigital notch in the preantebrachial cutaneous expansion and the presence of cutaneous expansions on sides of head.

Ptychozoon kaengkrachanense is the fifth species of Ptychozoon recorded from Thailand, along with P. horsfieldii, P. kuhli, P. lionotum and P. trinotaterra. and it is the only Ptychozoon species endemic to Thailand. It is the 68th reptile species recorded from Kaeng Krachan National Park, which was already known to house the richest herpetofauna of all protected areas of Thailand and it thus reinforces the exceptional value of the park in terms of biodiversity and its conservation.

Sumontha, Montri, Olivier S. G. Pauwels, Kirati Kunya, Chaiwat Limlikhitaksorn, Sirichai Ruksue, Apirat Taokratok, Michel Ansermet & Lawan Chanhome. 2012. A New Species of Parachute Gecko (Squamata: Gekkonidae: Genus Ptychozoon) from Kaeng Krachan National Park, western Thailand . Zootaxa. 3513; 68-78. 

mapress.com/zootaxa/2012/f/z03513p078f.pdf

ResearchGate.net/publication/236980374_A_new_species_of_Parachute_Gecko_(Squamata_Gekkonidae_genus_Ptychozoon)_from_Kaeng_Krachan_National_Park_western_Thailand

siamensis.org/species_index: Ptychozoon kaengkrachanense

http://squamates.blogspot.com/2012/10/a-new-thai-parachute-gecko.html

[Herpetology • 2016] Ptychozoon bannaense • A New Species of the Genus Ptychozoon (Squamata: Gekkonidae), Representing A New National Record of This Genus from southern Yunnan Province, China

June 9, 2016, 3:48 am

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Banna Parachute Gecko | Ptychozoon bannaense  Wang, Wang & Liu, 2016    DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4084.3.6  || NSSI.org.cn

Abstract

A new species of the Parachute Gecko,Ptychozoon bannaense sp. nov., is described on the basis of two specimens from Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province, China. The new species can be distinguished from eight known congeners by the following combination of morphological characters: body size moderate, SVL 83.2–87.5 mm; rostral with a short dorsomedian groove; dorsal head and body covered with granular scales without enlarged tubercles, but male with several enlarged tubercles on the occipital region; two supranasals separated from each other by a large internasal; the absence of a predigital notch in the preantebrachial cutaneous flap; male possesses 17 preanofemoral pores in a continuous scale row; tail tubercle absent, 24 pairs of lateral denticulate cutaneous lobes of the tail; width of tail and caudal lobes progressively decreasing posteriorly; the terminal caudal flap short, semicircle, not expanded; lack of lobe fusion at the terminal caudal flap border; the presence of four dark dorsal bands between fore- and hind limbs insertions, the third and fourth dorsal bands fused into a X-shaped mark. The new species is also divergent from known taxa in mitochondrial gene sequences, supporting its recognition based on morphological characters. The discovery and description of Ptychozoon bannaense brings the total number of Ptychozoon to nine, and represents the first record of the genus Ptychozoon in China.

Keywords: Reptilia, Gekkonidae, Ptychozoon, morphology, mtDNA, new species, taxonomy, China

  

Diagnosis.Ptychozoon bannaense sp. nov. can be diagnosed by the combination of the following characters: (1) body size moderate, SVL 83.2 and 87.5 mm for two specimens; (2) rostral with a short dorsomedian groove; (3) dorsum of head and body covered with granular scales without enlarged tubercles, but male with several enlarged tubercles on the occipital region; (4) supranasals separated from each other by a large internasal; (5) predigital notch in preantebrachial cutaneous flap absent; (6) digits of hands and feet strongly webbed; (7) male possesses 17 preanofemoral pores in a continuous row; (8) the tail with 24 pairs of lateral denticulate cutaneous lobes, ending in a small terminal cutaneous flap; (9) width of tail and caudal lobes progressively decreasing posteriorly; (10) lack of lobe fusion at the terminal caudal flap border; (11) tail tubercle absent; (12) four dark dorsal bands between fore- and hind limbs insertions, the third and fourth dorsal bands fused into an X-shaped mark.

FIGURE 3. The holotype SYS r001242 ofPtychozoon bannaense sp. nov.. A: general aspect of the living holotype with broken tail; B: dorsal view of head; C: showing the infra-auricular cutaneous flap and squamation of head; D: ventral view of head; E: showing body cutaneous flap, forelimb, hand.

Etymology. The specific epithet “bannaense” refers to the type locality, Xishuangbanna, which is usually referred to as “Banna” in Chinese. In the local aboriginal language, the “Xishuang” means “twelve”, the “Banna” means “a small administrative district”. We propose the English vernacular name “Banna Parachute Gecko” and the Chinese vernacular name “Banna San Hu”.



Distribution, ecological notes and behavior. Currently, Ptychozoon bannaense sp. nov. has only been recorded from Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China. The paratype (SYS r001237), lacked a tail, was difficult to discern from its surroundings and was captured at 0:25 a.m.on the surface of a road within a moist tropical rainforest. The next night, three adult individuals with original tails, including the holotype (SYS r001242), were simultaneously discovered at about 22:00 on the branches of a tall tree (3 m dbh)at heights between 13–14 m. The tree was very close (2 m) to the collection site of the paratype and about 10 m from a nearby stream (see Fig. 6). The color pattern of these individuals perfectly matched the mottled tree bark, and they could be detected only by noting their occasional slowly crawling movements along the branches. After disturbance from a long bamboo pole, one individual (SYS r001242) parachuted from a height of 13 m to another tree trunk. During this directed areal descent, its cutaneous flaps and digital webbings expanded, limbs were stretched out, tail was held out straight, and mouth was held open, while it travelled in a descending arc for a horizontal distance of 2.5 m, and a vertical distance of about 10 m.

Ying-Yong Wang, Jian Wang and Zu-Yao Liu. 2016. Description of A New Species of the Genus Ptychozoon (Squamata: Gekkonidae), Representing A New National Record of This Genus from southern Yunnan Province, China.
Zootaxa. 4084(3); DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4084.3.6  

 http://www.nsii.org.cn/node/590

[Herpetology • 2016] The Evolution of Scale Sensilla in the Transition from Land to Sea in Elapid Snakes

June 9, 2016, 4:47 am

≫ Next: [Entomology • 2015] Three New Species of Dzhanokmenia (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) from Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China; D. muleica, D. karamayica & D. gobica

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Figure 2. High-depth-of-field photographs of the heads of six elapid species: (a) Hydrophis schistosus, (b) Hydrophis platurus, (c) Aipysurus duboisii, (d) Emydocephalus annulatus, (e) Hydrelaps darwiniensis and (f) Pseudonaja textilis. Species are representative of (a–d) fully aquatic, (e) semi-aquatic and (f) terrestrial ecologies. Insets show sensilla within the postocular scale(s).  Scale bar, 3 mm.  DOI: 10.1098/rsob.160054

Abstract

Scale sensilla are small tactile mechanosensory organs located on the head scales of many squamate reptiles (lizards and snakes). In sea snakes and sea kraits (Elapidae: Hydrophiinae), these scale organs are presumptive scale sensilla that purportedly function as both tactile mechanoreceptors and potentially as hydrodynamic receptors capable of sensing the displacement of water. We combined scanning electron microscopy, silicone casting of the skin and quadrate sampling with a phylogenetic analysis to assess morphological variation in sensilla on the postocular head scale(s) across four terrestrial, 13 fully aquatic and two semi-aquatic species of elapids. Substantial variation exists in the overall coverage of sensilla (0.8–6.5%) among the species sampled and is broadly overlapping in aquatic and terrestrial lineages. However, two observations suggest a divergent, possibly hydrodynamic sensory role of sensilla in sea snake and sea krait species. First, scale sensilla are more protruding (dome-shaped) in aquatic species than in their terrestrial counterparts. Second, exceptionally high overall coverage of sensilla is found only in the fully aquatic sea snakes, and this attribute appears to have evolved multiple times within this group. Our quantification of coverage as a proxy for relative ‘sensitivity’ represents the first analysis of the evolution of sensilla in the transition from terrestrial to marine habitats. However, evidence from physiological and behavioural studies is needed to confirm the functional role of scale sensilla in sea snakes and sea kraits.

KEYWORDS: sea snake; sensilla; mechanoreceptor; hydrodynamic; sensory; elapid

..............

 Conclusion

Our study devised a novel approach to quantify the traits of scale sensilla, which enabled meaningful comparison across a broad sample of elapid snakes. In particular, our estimates of overall coverage of sensilla provided a proxy for putative mechanoreceptor sensitivity and allowed the first analysis of sensilla evolution in the transition from terrestrial to marine habits in snakes. Our results indicate multiple increases in overall coverage of sensilla within the fully aquatic sea snakes, in addition to a more dome-shaped sensillum ultrastructure in fully aquatic and semi-aquatic lineages compared with terrestrial lineages. These findings are consistent with a derived, possibly hydrodynamic, sensory role for scale sensilla in sea snakes and sea kraits, but rigorous testing of this hypothesis will ultimately require behavioural and physiological studies. The novel methodological approach presented here is easily transferable to other reptilian lineages that have undergone adaptive shifts.

Jenna M. Crowe-Riddell, Edward P. Snelling, Amy P. Watson, Anton Kyuseop Suh, Julian C. Partridge and Kate L. Sanders. 2016. The Evolution of Scale Sensilla in the Transition from Land to Sea in Elapid Snakes. [Royal Society] Open Biology. DOI: 10.1098/rsob.160054

Sea snakes can sense objects at a distance by feeling movements in the water http://phy.so/384584007 via @physorg_com

[Entomology • 2015] Three New Species of Dzhanokmenia (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) from Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China; D. muleica, D. karamayica & D. gobica

June 10, 2016, 3:01 am

≫ Next: [Botany • 2016] Palmophyllophyceae class. nov. • Chloroplast Phylogenomic Analyses Reveal the Deepest-Branching Lineage of the Chlorophyta

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Dzhanokmenia gobica  Li, Wang & Zhu, 2016 DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4121.4.5

Abstract

Three new species of Dzhanokmenia Kostjukov (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae), D. muleica Li, Wang & Hu sp. n., D. karamayica Li, Wang & Zhu sp. n. and D. gobica Li, Wang & Zhu sp. n. from Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China are described and illustrated. A key to all known species of the genus is provided.

Keywords: Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, taxonomy, desert, Junggar Basin, Palearctic

Qin Li, Chao Wang, Hong-Ying Hu, Viktor V. Kostjukov, John La Salle and Chao-Dong Zhu. 2016. Descriptions of Three New Species of Dzhanokmenia (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) from China. Zootaxa. 4121(4)   DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4121.4.5

[Botany • 2016] Palmophyllophyceae class. nov. • Chloroplast Phylogenomic Analyses Reveal the Deepest-Branching Lineage of the Chlorophyta

June 10, 2016, 5:46 am

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Verdigellas peltata Seaweed in the order Palmophyllales, such as the specimen shown here, live at great depth. photo: Suzanne Fredericq  nature.com DOI: 10.1038/srep25367

Abstract

The green plants (Viridiplantae) are an ancient group of eukaryotes comprising two main clades: the Chlorophyta, which includes a wide diversity of green algae, and the Streptophyta, which consists of freshwater green algae and the land plants. The early-diverging lineages of the Viridiplantae comprise unicellular algae, and multicellularity has evolved independently in the two clades. Recent molecular data have revealed an unrecognized early-diverging lineage of green plants, the Palmophyllales, with a unique form of multicellularity, and typically found in deep water. The phylogenetic position of this enigmatic group, however, remained uncertain. Here we elucidate the evolutionary affinity of the Palmophyllales using chloroplast genomic, and nuclear rDNA data. Phylogenetic analyses firmly place the palmophyllalean Verdigellas peltata along with species of Prasinococcales (prasinophyte clade VI) in the deepest-branching clade of the Chlorophyta. The small, compact and intronless chloroplast genome (cpDNA) of V. peltata shows striking similarities in gene content and organization with the cpDNAs of Prasinococcales and the streptophyte Mesostigma viride, indicating that cpDNA architecture has been extremely well conserved in these deep-branching lineages of green plants. The phylogenetic distinctness of the Palmophyllales-Prasinococcales clade, characterized by unique ultrastructural features, warrants recognition of a new class of green plants, Palmophyllophyceae class. nov.

Figure 4: Plastid tree of green plants showing the phylogenetic position of the new class Palmophyllophyceae.

Class Palmophyllophyceae Leliaert et al. class. nov.

Description: Marine green algae. Cells planktonic, solitary or in loose colonies, or cells grouped in a gelatinous matrix forming benthic macroscopic thalli. Cells spherical or subspherical, lacking flagella and organic body scales, with a single cup-shaped chloroplast enclosing a mitochondrion, nucleus, and large Golgi body. Cell surrounded by a cell wall, with or without pores. Chloroplast surrounded by two membranes, with chlorophylls a and b, with or without pyrenoid. Cell division by unequal binary fission. Strongly supported clade in plastid multi-gene and nuclear ribosomal DNA phylogenetic analyses.

Order Palmophyllales Zechman et al. 2010.

Family Palmophyllaceae Zechman et al. 2010.

Genera Palmophyllum Kützing (type genus), Verdigellas D.L. Ballantine & J.N. Norris, Palmoclathrus Womersley.

Order Prasinococcales Guillou et al.2014.

Description: Marine planktonic green algae. Cells solitary or forming loose colonies. Cells spherical or subspherical, lacking flagella and organic body scales, with a thin cell wall surrounded by a thick ellipsoidal gelatinous capsule, or with a thick, multi-layered cell wall without gelatinous capsule. Cells with a single cup-shaped chloroplast enclosing a mitochondrion, nucleus, and large Golgi body. Chloroplast with a large pyrenoid surrounded by a starch sheath; pyrenoid matrix penetrated by a bifurcate extension of the cytoplasm and the mitochondrion. Cell division by unequal binary fission in which one of the daughter cells retains the parent wall, while the other is released with a newly produced cell wall. Main pigments include chlorophylls a and b, prasinoxanthin, Mg-2,4-divinylphaeoporphyrin a5 monomethylester (MgDVP), uriolide, and micromonol.

Family Prasinococcaceae Leliaert fam. nov.

Genera Prasinococcus H. Miyashita & M. Chihara (type genus) and Prasinoderma T. Hasegawa & M. Chihara.

Nomenclatural notes: The order Prasinococcales was originally described by Chadefaud (1960) for the single species Halosphaera viridis (descriptive order name according to article 16.1 of the International Code of Nomenclature (ICN)). Since Halosphaera is now considered a member of the Pyramimonadales, Prasinococcales Chadefaud is a synonym of Pyramimonadales. More recently, Guillou et al. (2004) used the name Prasinococcales to label “prasinophyte clade VI”, which includes Prasinococcus (Miyashita et al. 1993) and Prasinoderma (Hasegawa et al. 1996). In the interpretation of Guillou et al.11, which is different from Chadefaud, Prasinococcales is an automatically typified name according to article 16.1 of the ICN, with type Prasinococcus. Because Guillou et al. (2004) did not provide a description for the order, we provide one here. Although the family Prasinococcaceae is flagged as an accepted family name in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF: www.gbif.org) and in AlgaeBase (algaebase.org), the name has never been described nor validly published, hence the formal description in this paper.

Figure 1: Gene map of the chloroplast genome of Verdigellas peltata.  Genes shown on the outside of the circle are transcribed counterclockwise. Genes are coloured according to the functional categories shown in the legend inside the gene map. Thick lines in the inner rings represent conserved gene clusters between the cpDNAs of V. peltata and Mesostigma viride, and between V. peltata and Prasinococcus sp. CCMP 1194.

Conclusion

We provide solid phylogenetic evidence that the enigmatic Palmophyllales together with the Prasinococcales form the deepest-branching clade of the Chlorophyta, which we describe as a new class, the Palmophyllophyceae. Our phylogenetic results improve our understanding of morphological evolution in the green plants. Until present, the early-diverging lineages of the Chlorophyta (the prasinophytes) were only known to comprise unicellular planktonic algae. Our results point to an independent origin of macroscopic growth and multicellularity outside of the core Chlorophyta. Our study also contributes to a better understanding of plastid genome evolution in green plants. The small, compact and intronless cpDNA of Verdigellas peltata shows remarkable similarities in gene content and organization with the cpDNAs of Prasinococcales and the streptophyte Mesostigma viride, indicating that cpDNA architecture has been extremely well conserved in the early-branching lineages of green plants.

Frederik Leliaert, Ana Tronholm, Claude Lemieux, Monique Turmel, Michael S. DePriest, Debashish Bhattacharya, Kenneth G. Karol, Suzanne Fredericq, Frederick W. Zechman and Juan M. Lopez-Bautista. 2016. Chloroplast Phylogenomic Analyses Reveal the Deepest-Branching Lineage of the Chlorophyta, Palmophyllophyceae class. nov.. Scientific Reports. 6, Article number: 25367. DOI:  10.1038/srep25367 

ResearchGate.net/publication/302726154_Chloroplast_phylogenomic_analyses_reveal_the_deepest-branching_lineage_of_the_Chlorophyta_Palmophyllophyceae_class_nov_OPEN

Strange seaweed rewrites history of green plants http://www.nature.com/news/strange-seaweed-rewrites-history-of-green-plants-1.19863

http://currentsinbiology.tumblr.com/post/144095918292/strange-seaweed-rewrites-history-of-green-plants

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[Ichthyology • 2016] Molecular Phylogeny, Analysis of Character Evolution, and Submersible Collections Enable A New Classification of A Diverse Group of Gobies (Gobiidae: Nes Subgroup), including Nine New Species and Four New Genera

June 10, 2016, 6:47 am

≫ Next: [Ichthyology • 2016] Varicus lacerta • A New Species of Goby (Gobiidae, Gobiosomatini, Nes Subgroup) from A Mesophotic Reef in the southern Caribbean

≪ Previous: [Botany • 2016] Palmophyllophyceae class. nov. • Chloroplast Phylogenomic Analyses Reveal the Deepest-Branching Lineage of the Chlorophyta

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Psilotris laurae, Pinnichthys saurimimica, Varicus decorum, Psilotris laetarii, Varicus veliguttatus, Varicus adamsi, Varicus cephalocellatus, Pinnichthys aimoriensis& Varicus nigritus Tornabene, Van Tassell, Gilmore, Robertson, Young & Baldwin. 2016.  DOI:  10.1111/zoj.12394

The Nes subgroup of the Gobiosomatini (Teleostei: Gobiiformes: Gobiidae) is an ecologically diverse clade of fishes endemic to the tropical western Atlantic and eastern Pacific oceans. It has been suggested that morphological characters in gobies tend to evolve via reduction and loss associated with miniaturization, and this, coupled with the parallel evolution of adaptations to similar microhabitats, may lead to homoplasy and ultimately obscure our ability to discern phylogenetic relationships using morphological characters alone. This may be particularly true for the Nes subgroup of gobies, where several genera that are diagnosed by ‘reductive characters’ have been shown to be polyphyletic. Here we present the most comprehensive phylogeny to date of the Nes subgroup using mitochondrial and nuclear sequence data. We then evaluate the congruence between the distribution of morphological characters and our molecular tree using maximum-likelihood ancestral state reconstruction, and test for phylogenetic signal in characters using Pagel's λ tree transformations (Nature, 401, 1999 and 877). Our results indicate that all of the characters previously used to diagnose genera of the Nes subgroup display some degree of homoplasy with respect to our molecular tree; however, many characters display considerable phylogenetic signal and thus may be useful in diagnosing genera when used in combination with other characters. We present a new classification for the group in which all genera are monophyletic and in most cases diagnosed by combinations of morphological characters. The new classification includes four new genera and nine new species described here, many of which were collected from rarely sampled deep Caribbean reefs using manned submersibles. The group now contains 38 species in the genera Carrigobius gen. nov., Chriolepis, Eleotrica, Gobulus, Gymneleotris, Nes, Paedovaricus gen. nov., Pinnichthys gen. nov., Psilotris gen. nov., and Varicus. Lastly, we provide a key to all named species of the Nes subgroup along with photographs and illustrations to aid in identification.

Keywords: ancestral state reconstruction; Caribbean; coral reef fish; deep reefs; gobies; Gobiidae; systematics

Systematics

• Carrigobius Van Tassell, Tornabene & Gilmore gen. nov. 

Type species:Carrigobius amblyrhyncus (Smith & Baldwin, 1999: 434, Figs 1-3, described as Psilotris amblyrhyncus) 

Etymology: The name Carrigobius is formed from the Latin gobius (goby or gudgeon) and Carrie, in reference to Carrie-Bow Cay, Belize, home of the Smithsonian Institution's field station, where many specimens of Carrigobius amblyrhynchus were collected.

• Chriolepis Gilbert, 1892
Type Species:Chriolepis minutilla Gilbert, 1892 (Original Spelling Chriolepis minutillus), by Monotypy 


• Pycnomma Rutter, 1904
Type Species:Pycnomma semisquamatum Rutter, 1904, by monotypy

• Cryptopsilotris Van Tassell, Tornabene & Gilmore gen. nov. 
Type Species: Cryptopsilotris batrachodes (Böhlke, 1963: 6, fig. 2, Described as Psilotris batrachodes)

Etymology: The genus name is formed from ‘Psilotris’, the genus the type species was formerly classified under, and the root ‘crypto-’, which is taken from the Greek ‘kruptos’ meaning hidden. The name is in reference to the cryptic coloration of the type species.

• Eleotrica Ginsburg, 1933
Type Species: Eleotrica cableae Ginsburg, 1933 (p. 10, by Original Designation)

• Gobulus Ginsburg, 1933
Type Species: Gobulus crescentalis (Gilbert, 1892) (Ginsburg, 1933: 12, by Original Designation)

• Gymneleotris Bleeker, 1874
Type Species: Gymneleotris seminudus (Günther, 1864: 304, Described as Eleotris seminudus Günther, 1864, by Original Designation)

• Nes Ginsburg, 1933
Type Species: Nes longus (Nichols, 1914) (Ginsburg, 1933: 25, Described as Gobiosoma longum Nichols, 1914, by Original Designation; Proposed as a Subgenus of Gobiosoma)

• Paedovaricus Van Tassell, Tornabene & Gilmore gen. nov. 
Type Species:Paedovaricus imswe (Greenfield, 1981: 269, Described as Varicus imswe)

Etymology: The genus name Paedovaricus is formed from the root ‘paed-’ (the English spelling of the Greek root ‘ped-’, meaning ‘child’) and Varicus. The name is in reference to the small size of the type species Paedovaricus imswe and its general similarity to the genus Varicus.

• Pinnichthys Van Tassell, Tornabene & Gilmore gen. nov. 
Type Species:Pinnichthys aimoriensis Van Tassell, Tornabene & Gilmore sp. nov.

Etymology: The name Pinnichthys is formed from the roots pinna (Latin, feminine; fin) and ichthys (Latinized form of the Greek acronym ichthus; fish). The name is given in reference to the high number of fin rays in the second dorsal fin and anal fin of all species in the genus.

Pinnichthys aimoriensis Van Tassell & Tornabene sp. nov.   | Thiony's Goby 

Habitat: Collected from the seafloor near the Peroá natural gas platform. The substrate was predominately rhodoliths and other calcareous substrate.

Distribution: Known only from the margin of the continental shelf of Brazil off Espírito Santo.

Etymology: The species epithet aimoriensis is an adjective formed from the proper noun Aimorés, an indigenous warrior people from the lands now belonging to the Brazilian states Espírito Santo, Bahia, and Minas Gerais. The Aimorés people were virtually extirpated by European settlers during the Aimorés War (1555–1673), and much of their native forest has been replaced by agriculture. The type locality for Pinnichthys aimoriensis gen. et sp. nov. is adjacent to the Peroá natural gas platform, and the nearby coastal region is facing rapid development from the petroleum industry and mining of rhodolith beds (carbonates) for agriculture, and may be under threat of losing biodiversity before it can be adequately studied and described. This situation is analogous to the loss of Aimorés culture and the forest biodiversity that inhabited their native lands of the Central Brazilian coast.

Pinnichthys saurimimica Gilmore, Van Tassell & Tornabene sp. nov.  | Lizardfish Goby

Habitat: Holotype was collected on a calcareous sand and dead Halimeda spp. algal rubble zone, with scattered shallow calcareous rock ledges.

Distribution: Known only from San Salvador, Bahamas, the type locality.

Etymology: The name saurimimica is derived from ‘saurus’, a genus of lizard fish and the Greek ‘mimic’, as the colour pattern closely resembles that of a lizard fish.

• Psilotris Ginsburg, 1953
Type Species:Psilotris alepis Ginsburg, 1953 (by Original Designation)

Psilotris laetarii Van Tassell & Young sp. nov.  | Burrow Splitfin Goby 

Distribution: Known only from the type series collected off the south shore of Marathon, Florida.

Etymology: Named in honor of Heath Jens Laetari, 28 years old, Vice President of Dive Operations, Partner & Acquisition Manager for Dynasty Marine, who was lost at sea on 14 September 2006, doing what he loved to do.

Psilotris laurae Van Tassell, Tornabene & Baldwin sp. nov.  | Thin-barred Goby 

Habitat: The only known specimen was found inside a glass bottle collected along a sandy slope between 114 and 137 m depth. There is no additional information on the natural microhabitat of this species.

Distribution: Known only from the type location off Bonaire.

Etymology: Named after Laura Albini, wife of Adriaan ‘Dutch’ Schrier, the owner of Substation Curaçao, through whose efforts new, tropical, deep-water species are being discovered. Laura has generously fed and hosted numerous researchers during their visits to Curaçao.

• Varicus Robins & Böhlke, 1961
Type Species:Varicus bucca Robins & Böhlke, 1961 (p. 47, Figs 1-3, by Original Designation)

Varicus adamsi Gilmore, Van Tassell & Tornabene sp. nov. | Twilight Goby 

Distribution: Known only from the western shore of San Salvador, Bahamas and from Tobago.

Etymology: Named for the late famed research submersible pilot, Mr. Michael Adams, who painstakingly captured both Bahamas specimens during a 30–45 min chase using a 26 ton submarine (JSL – II) in simultaneous multiple thrust, multi-directional mode to allow this description. Mr. Adams was one of the five original research submersible pilots within the United States.

Varicus cephalocellatus sp. nov., Gilmore, Van Tassell, and Baldwin | Ocellated Splitfin Goby

Distribution: All specimens are known from southern Lesser Antilles, St. Vincent, Barbados and Bonaire.

Etymology: Named for series of ocelli on head extending from mouth diagonally to nape.

Varicus decorum sp. nov., Van Tassell, Baldwin and Tornabene | Decorated Splitfin Goby

Habitat: This species has been collected from sand habitats with scattered rocks and calcareous rubble, from depths of 99 m to at least 197 m, and possibly 251 m. It has been observed perching on open sand and retreating into crevices when disturbed.

Distribution: Known only from deep reefs off Curaçao.

  

Etymology: The specific epithet decorum is Latin for “decorated”, “adorned”, “beautiful” or “elegant” and is in reference to the beautiful round yellow markings on the dorsal surface of the body.

Varicus nigritus sp. nov., Gilmore, Van Tassell, and Baldwin | Banded Splitfin Goby

Habitat: The holotype was captured off Rocky Point along the northwest shore of San Salvador, Bahama Islands on a steep rocky slope (45° slope) with thin and sparse calcareous Halimeda rubble layer mixed with scattered flat rock outcroppings, hard rock unlayment and scattered rock boulders 1–30 m in diameter.

Distribution: A single specimen captured at 243.8 m off San Salvador, Bahama Islands.

Etymology: The epithet nigritus, Latin for “black”, is given in reference to the diagnostic dark black wide bars on the trunk of this species.

Varicus veliguttatus sp. nov., Van Tassell, Baldwin and Gilmore | Spotted-sail Goby

Habitat: In the Bahamas this species was collected from oolite sedimentary rock at 287.6 m depth. In Curaçao this species was collected at depths between 152 m and 225 m, over sand habitats with rubble, gravel and shells.

Distribution: Known from San Salvador, Bahamas, Curaçao, and Tobago.

Etymology: The specific epithet veliguttatus is formed from the Latin roots veli- (sail) and guttatus (spotted or speckled). The scientific name and common name refer to the scattered black markings on the first dorsal fin.

Summary of Systematic Changes

Based on our combined analysis of molecular data from mtDNA, nuclear genes, and morphological characters, we have made the following changes in the classification of the Nes subgroup in order to render all groups monophyletic (see Table 2). We synonymize the genus Pycnomma with Chriolepis. Two Atlantic species previously belonging to Chriolepis (C. vespa and C. benthonis) are now reassigned to the genus Varicus, which now also contains five new species described here (Varicus adamsi sp. nov., Varicus cephalocellatus sp. nov., Varicus decorum sp. nov., Varicus nigritus sp. nov., Varicus veliguttatus sp. nov.). The genus Pinnichthys is erected for the new species Pinnichthys aimoriensis gen. et sp. nov., and also contains three other species formerly included in Chriolepis (C. atrimela, C. bilix, C. prolata). The new genus Paedovaricus is erected for Paedovaricus imswe (formerly Varicus imswe), and the new genus Carrigobius is erected for Carrigobius amblyrhynchus (formerly Psilotris amblyrhynchus). Chriolepis fisheri is considered incertae sedis, as its phylogenetic position is either sister to Pinnichthys, or nested within Psilotris. The latter genus now includes the two new species P. laetarii sp. nov. and P. laurae sp. nov.

Luke Tornabene, James L. Van Tassell, Richard G. Gilmore, David Ross Robertson, Forrest Young and Carole C. Baldwin. 2016. Molecular Phylogeny, Analysis of Character Evolution, and Submersible Collections Enable A New Classification of A Diverse Group of Gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae: Nes subgroup), including Nine New Species and Four New Genera.

Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society.  DOI:  10.1111/zoj.12394 

Nine new species of Goby Fish are discovered http://curacaochronicle.com/main/nine-new-species-of-goby-fish-are-discovered/

facebook.com/israquarium/photos/1078457968887468

[Ichthyology • 2016] Varicus lacerta • A New Species of Goby (Gobiidae, Gobiosomatini, Nes Subgroup) from A Mesophotic Reef in the southern Caribbean

June 10, 2016, 7:01 am

≫ Next: [Herpetology / Evolution • 2016] Historical Contingency in a Multigene Family Facilitates Adaptive Evolution of Toxin Resistance

≪ Previous: [Ichthyology • 2016] Molecular Phylogeny, Analysis of Character Evolution, and Submersible Collections Enable A New Classification of A Diverse Group of Gobies (Gobiidae: Nes Subgroup), including Nine New Species and Four New Genera

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Varicus lacerta  Tornabene, Robertson & Baldwin, 2016 Figure 2. Holotype, USNM 434796, 36.2 mm SL, male, live. Photo by Barry Brown. Figure 3.  Holotype, USNM 434796, prior to preservation.  DOI:  10.3897/zookeys.596.8217

Abstract

We describe a new species of goby, Varicus lacerta sp. n., which was collected from a mesophotic reef at Curacao, southern Caribbean. The new species is the tenth species of Varicus, all of which occur below traditional SCUBA depths in the wider Caribbean area. Its placement in the genus Varicus is supported by a molecular phylogenetic analysis of three nuclear genes and the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b. In addition, the new species has one anal-fin pterygiophore inserted anterior to the first haemal spine, which distinguishes Varicus species from most species in the closely related and morphologically similar genus Psilotris. Varicus lacerta sp. n. is distinguished from all other named species of Varicus by the absence of scales, having highly branched, feather-like pelvic-fin rays, and in its live coloration. We provide the cytochrome c oxidase I DNA barcode of the holotype and compare color patterns of all species of Varicus and Psilotris for which color photographs or illustrations are available. This study is one of several recent studies demonstrating the utility of manned submersibles in exploring the diversity of poorly studied but species-rich deep-reef habitats.

Keywords: Systematics, molecular phylogeny, deep reefs, submersible, Curaçao, Psilotris

Figure 2. Varicus lacerta sp. n., holotype, USNM 434796, 36.2 mm SL, male, live. Photo by Barry Brown.

Diagnosis: Second dorsal fin I,9; anal fin I,7; pectoral fin 18; no scales; cephalic papillae rows 5s and 5i connected, forming a single row; pelvic rays 1-4 highly branched and feather-like; one anal-fin pterygiophore inserted anterior to first haemal spine; body with five broad, indistinct, dark vertical bands washed with bright yellow in life; pelvic, pectoral and anal fins yellow-orange in life, dorsal, anal, and caudal fins yellow with faint orange tint.

Habitat: The only known specimen was collected at 129–143 m. Quinaldine was dispersed around a yellow sponge (~20 cm tall) tentatively identified from videos by Allen Collins (National Marine Fisheries Service) as Dactylocalyx pumiceus, situated on a rocky outcropping along the deep-reef slope. After approximately 20 seconds the stunned fish emerged from a space in the rocky substrate at the base of the sponge and was captured. It is unclear whether the fish was originally in direct association with the sponge itself or was instead sheltering in spaces within the rock. Video of the capture taken from a high-definition video camera mounted on the outside of the Curasub is available online (youtu.be/UvxJEi-vER0). Subsequent collections targeting similar sponges and rocky substrates within this depth range at the type locality have not yielded additional specimens.

Distribution: Known only from the type location in Curaçao.

Etymology: The specific epithet ‘lacerta’ (Latin for ‘lizard’) is in reference to the reptilian or saurian appearance of this species, as indicated by its bright yellow and orange coloration, green eyes, disproportionately large head possessing raised ridges of papilla, and multiple rows of recurved canine teeth in each jaw. The common name Godzilla goby (gobio Godzilla in Spanish) refers to the radioactive reptilian monster from the sea that appeared in Japanese science-fiction films as Gojira, renamed Godzilla in subsequent English-language films.

Figure 6. Coloration of species of Varicus. All illustrations by R. Grant Gilmore. Photographs by Barry Brown, Ross Robertson and Carole Baldwin (Varicus sp. 1), and the crew of the R/V Bellows (for V. vespa). Photos of V. bucca and V. benthonis not available. DOI:  10.3897/zookeys.596.8217

 Luke Tornabene, D. Ross Robertson and Carole C. Baldwin. 2016. Varicus lacerta, A New Species of Goby (Teleostei, Gobiidae, Gobiosomatini, Nes Subgroup) from A Mesophotic Reef in the southern Caribbean. ZooKeys. 596: 143-156. DOI:  10.3897/zookeys.596.8217

[Herpetology / Evolution • 2016] Historical Contingency in a Multigene Family Facilitates Adaptive Evolution of Toxin Resistance

June 11, 2016, 12:04 am

≫ Next: [Herpetology • 2014] Pristimantis latericius • A New Species of the Pristimantis lacrimosus Group (Amphibia: Craugastoridae) from Sangay National Park, Ecuador

≪ Previous: [Ichthyology • 2016] Varicus lacerta • A New Species of Goby (Gobiidae, Gobiosomatini, Nes Subgroup) from A Mesophotic Reef in the southern Caribbean

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An international research team led by Virginia Tech discovered how snakes evolved the ability to eat extremely toxic species. photo: Richard Greene

Highlights

• Toxin resistance in sensory neurons evolved in reptiles before the origin of snakes

• Resistant motor neurons evolved four times in snakes that eat amphibians

• Coevolutionary arms races with toxic prey were facilitated by resistant nerves

Summary

Novel adaptations must originate and function within an already established genome. As a result, the ability of a species to adapt to new environmental challenges is predicted to be highly contingent on the evolutionary history of its lineage. Despite a growing appreciation of the importance of historical contingency in the adaptive evolution of single proteins, we know surprisingly little about its role in shaping complex adaptations that require evolutionary change in multiple genes. One such adaptation, extreme resistance to tetrodotoxin (TTX), has arisen in several species of snakes through coevolutionary arms races with toxic amphibian prey, which select for TTX-resistant voltage-gated sodium channels (Nav). Here, we show that the relatively recent origins of extreme toxin resistance, which involve the skeletal muscle channel Nav1.4, were facilitated by ancient evolutionary changes in two other members of the same gene family. A substitution conferring TTX resistance to Nav1.7, a channel found in small peripheral neurons, arose in lizards ∼170 million years ago (mya) and was present in the common ancestor of all snakes. A second channel found in larger myelinated neurons, Nav1.6, subsequently evolved resistance in four different snake lineages beginning ∼38 mya. Extreme TTX resistance has evolved at least five times within the past 12 million years via changes in Nav1.4, but only within lineages that previously evolved resistant Nav1.6 and Nav1.7. Our results show that adaptive protein evolution may be contingent upon enabling substitutions elsewhere in the genome, in this case, in paralogs of the same gene family.

Santa Cruz Garter Snake Thamnophus atratus & Rough-skinned Newt Taricha granulosa. pbase.com/inaturalist

Joel W. McGlothlin, Megan E. Kobiela, Chris R. Feldman, Todd A. Castoe, Shana L. Geffeney, Charles T. Hanifin, Gabriela Toledo, Freek J. Vonk, Michael K. Richardson, Edmund D. Brodie Jr., Michael E. Pfrender, Edmund D. Brodie III. 2016. Historical Contingency in a Multigene Family Facilitates Adaptive Evolution of Toxin Resistance. Current Biology.  In Press.  DOI:  10.1016/j.cub.2016.04.056 

How an evolutionary arms race with snakes turned newts super toxic http://wpo.st/ASoe1

Snakes and newts have been locked in an evolutionary arms race since before they even existed. http://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2016/06/the-very-long-war-between-snakes-and-newts/486311/

[Herpetology • 2014] Pristimantis latericius • A New Species of the Pristimantis lacrimosus Group (Amphibia: Craugastoridae) from Sangay National Park, Ecuador

June 11, 2016, 5:17 am

≫ Next: [Herpetology • 2016] Pristimantis tinguichaca • A New Species of Pristimantis (Amphibia: Strabomantidae) from the Cloud Forest of Sangay National Park, Ecuador

≪ Previous: [Herpetology / Evolution • 2016] Historical Contingency in a Multigene Family Facilitates Adaptive Evolution of Toxin Resistance

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Pristimantis latericius   Batallas & Brito, 2014  DOI: 10.1590/0031-1049.2014.54.05

ABSTRACT

We describe a new species of terrestrial frog of the genus Pristimantis of medium-size (the SVL of males from 22.18 to 25.13 mm) found in the cloud forests of the eastern foothills of the Sangay National Park, located in the mid-eastern region of Ecuador at an elevation of 2750 meters. We assign the new species Pristimantis latericius sp. nov., to the Pristimantis lacrimosus group, differentiating it from the rest of the members of this group for having prominent tubercles on the upper eyelid and red-orange coloration on its dorsum. Calls are short, one-note, with two harmonic bands. In the last few years in the Sangay National Park, important faunal developments have been made. However further studies are necessary to help document the ecology and natural history of the amphibians, as they will help to understand ecological processes. The discovery of this and other new species in this region demonstrates its biological importance, validating the development of conservation plans in this important World Heritage Site.

Key-words: New species; Parque Nacional Sangay; Pristimantis lacrimosus group; Pristimantis latericius sp. nov.; calls.

RESULTADOS

Pristimantis latericius sp. nov. (Figs. 1A-B; 2-4)

Holotipo: Un macho adulto (MEPN 15135, numero de campo JBM 445), colectado en Tinguichaca, Parque Nacional Sangay, parroquia Zuñac, cantón Morona, provincia de Morona Santiago, República del Ecuador, el 22 de julio del 2012, por Jorge Brito M.

Paratopotipos: Cinco machos adultos: (MEPN 14427-30), colectados el 28 de noviembre del 2011 y (MEPN 14425) colectado el 29 de febrero del 2012, todos recolectados en la localidad tipo, por Jorge Brito M.

Etimología: El epíteto es un adjetivo del término griego latericius que significa ladrillo, el mismo que hace referencia a la coloración del dorso muy parecido a un ladrillo, el cual difiere del resto de especies del grupo Pristimantis lacrimosus presentes en Ecuador.

Nombre propuesto en español: Cutín anaranjado de Tinguichaca.

Proposed English names: Orange robber frog of Tinguichaca.

Figura 1: Holotipo de Pristimantis latericius sp. nov., y miembros del grupo lacrimosus presentes en Ecuador.  (A) Holotipo en vista dorsal (B) holotipo en vista ventral, MEPN 15135 ♂, LRC = 24.72 mm; (C) Pristimantis bromeliaceus, QCAZ 56454 ♂, LRC = 22.38 mm; (D) Pristimantis schultei, DHMECN 8088 ♂, LRC = 24.3 mm; (E) Pristimantis lacrimosus, QCAZ 40261 ♀, LRC = 28.69; (F) Pristimantis waoranii, DHMECN 7847 ♀, LRC = 30.51 mm; (G) Pristimantis aureolineatus, QCAZ 42286 ♂, LRC = 23.23; (H) Pristimantis eremitus, DHMECN 4909 ♂, LRC = 19.43. Fotografías: P. latericius, P. bromeliaceus (J. Brito); P. schultei (P. Meza); P. lacrimosus, P. aureolineatus (S.R. Ron – FaunaWebEcuador); P. schultei, P. waoranii (M. Yánez-Muñoz).

Diego Batallas R. and Jorge Brito M. 2014. Nueva especie de rana del género Pristimantis del grupo lacrimosus (Amphibia: Craugastoridae) del Parque Nacional Sangay, Ecuador. Pap. Avulsos Zool. (São Paulo). 54(5); DOI: 10.1590/0031-1049.2014.54.05

Diego Batallas R. and Jorge Brito M. 2014. A New Species of the Pristimantis lacrimosus Group (Amphibia: Craugastoridae) from Sangay National Park, Ecuador. Pap. Avulsos Zool. (São Paulo). 54(5); DOI: 10.1590/0031-1049.2014.54.05

RESUMEN: Describimos una nueva especie de rana terrestre del genero Pristimantis de tamaño mediano (LRC en machos desde 22.18 a 25.13 mm) descubierta en los bosques nublados de las estribaciones orientales del Parque Nacional Sangay, al centro oriente de Ecuador, a elevaciones de 2750 m. Asignamos a Pristimantis latericius sp. nov., al grupo Pristimantis lacrimosus, el cual se diferencia del resto de miembros de este grupo por presentar tubérculos prominentes en el parpado superior y una coloración rojo anaranjado en el dorso. Las llamadas son cortas, conformadas por una sola nota y dos bandas armónicas. Importantes levantamientos de información faunística se han venido generando en los últimos años en el Parque Nacional Sangay, sin embargo es necesario incrementar estudios que ayuden a documentar la ecología e historia natural de los anfibios, ya que sin lugar a dudas ayudaran a comprender procesos ecológicos. El descubrimiento de esta y otras nuevas especies en este sector, demuestra su importancia biológica confortando al desarrollo de planes de conservación en este importante Patrimonio Natural de la Humanidad.

Palabras-clave: Nueva especie; Parque Nacional Sangay; Grupo Pristimantis lacrimosus; Pristimantis latericius sp. nov.; llamadas.

[Herpetology • 2016] Pristimantis tinguichaca • A New Species of Pristimantis (Amphibia: Strabomantidae) from the Cloud Forest of Sangay National Park, Ecuador

June 11, 2016, 5:24 am

≫ Next: [Ichthyology • 2016] Eviota asymbasia & E. bipunctata • Two New Dwarfgobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae: Eviota) from the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans

≪ Previous: [Herpetology • 2014] Pristimantis latericius • A New Species of the Pristimantis lacrimosus Group (Amphibia: Craugastoridae) from Sangay National Park, Ecuador

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Pristimantis tinguichaca   Brito, Ojala-Barbour, Batallas & Almendáriz. 2016.    DOI: 10.1670/13-103 | flickr.com

Abstract

We describe Pristimantis tinguichaca sp. nov., a member of the Pristimantis unistrigatus species group, from the cloud forests of Sangay National Park located on the eastern slopes of the Andes in southeastern Ecuador. The new species was collected in cloud forests and cattle pastures at 2,750–2,830 m elevation. It differs from other members of the P. unistrigatus group by the presence of small conical tubercles on the upper eyelids and heels, as well as by its reddish-colored iris. It is further distinguished by its small conical ulnar and tarsal tubercles. A single sharp metallic note composed of a modulated frequency characterizes the call. Stomach content analysis revealed a diet composed principally of beetles (51.7%).

Jorge Brito M., Reed Ojala-Barbour, Diego Batallas R. and Ana Almendáriz C.. 2016. A New Species of Pristimantis (Amphibia: Strabomantidae) from the Cloud Forest of Sangay National Park, Ecuador. Journal of Herpetology. 50(2):327-336.  DOI: 10.1670/13-103

Resumen: Describimos aPristimantis tinguichaca sp. nov. del grupo Pristimantis unistrigatus, de los bosques nublados del Parque Nacional Sangay de las estribaciones orientales de los Andes en el sureste de Ecuador, a elevaciones de 2,750–2,830 m. Difiere de otros miembros del grupo unistrigatus por la presencia de tubérculos cónicos pequeños en el párpado y talón, tubérculos ulnares y tarsales cónicos pequeños, e iris rojizo. El canto se caracteriza por un sonido metálico, grave; presenta llamados de frecuencia modulada, los mismos que están compuestos de una sola nota. El análisis de los contenidos estomacales reveló una dieta basada principalmente en coleópteros (51.7%).

[Ichthyology • 2016] Eviota asymbasia & E. bipunctata • Two New Dwarfgobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae: Eviota) from the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans

June 13, 2016, 2:58 am

≫ Next: [Botany • 2016] The Andean Paepalanthus pilosus complex (Eriocaulaceae): A Revision with Three New Taxa

≪ Previous: [Herpetology • 2016] Pristimantis tinguichaca • A New Species of Pristimantis (Amphibia: Strabomantidae) from the Cloud Forest of Sangay National Park, Ecuador

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Eviota asymbasia  Greenfield & Jewett, 2016.    DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4121.5.9

Abstract

Two new species of dwarfgobies are described, Eviota asymbasia from the Sulu Sea, Philippine Islands, south to Java and west to Damar, and E. bipunctata occurring from the Indian Ocean eastward into the western Pacific Ocean. Eviota asymbasia lacks the IT pore of the cephalic sensory-pore system and usually also the POP, has a dorsal/anal-fin formula of 8/8, has some pectoral-fin rays branched and usually 15 rays, two spots on the pectoral-fin base, no dark spot over the preural centrum, first dorsal fin may be filamentous, six ventral postanal spots, and the male genital papilla is not fimbriate. Eviota bipunctata belongs to the group with cephalic sensory-pore system pattern 2 (lacking only the IT pore), some pectoral-fin rays branched, pectoral-fin base with 1 or 2 prominent dark spots, dorsal/anal-fin formula usually 8/8, and no occipital spots.

Keywords: Pisces, gobies, Eviota asymbasia, Eviota bipunctata, Eviota piperata, Dwarfgoby, coral-reef fishes, new species, taxonomy

David W. Greenfield and Susan L. Jewett. 2016. Two New Dwarfgobies from the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans (Teleostei: Gobiidae: Eviota). Zootaxa. 4121(5);  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4121.5.9

researchgate.net/profile/David_Greenfield2

[Botany • 2016] The Andean Paepalanthus pilosus complex (Eriocaulaceae): A Revision with Three New Taxa

June 13, 2016, 10:27 pm

≫ Next: [Botany • 2015] Arquita grandiflora • A New Cryptic Species in A New Cryptic Genus in the Caesalpinia group (Leguminosae) from the seasonally dry inter-Andean valleys of South America

≪ Previous: [Ichthyology • 2016] Eviota asymbasia & E. bipunctata • Two New Dwarfgobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae: Eviota) from the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans

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DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.64.6864

Abstract

A herbarium-based revision is provided for Paepalanthus pilosus and allies, five commonly confused species of cushion plants native to Andean paramo. These are placed in the recircumscribed Paepalanthus subsect. Cryptanthella Suess. The group includes P. pilosus, P. dendroides, and P. lodiculoides. An additional two species and one variety are newly described: Paepalanthus caryonauta, P. huancabambensis, and P. pilosus var. leoniae. The latter two are Peruvian endemics, while P. caryonauta is known from four countries, and has long been confused with other species. An additional, possibly undescribed taxon is noted from the Serrania de Perijá, Colombia. Five new synonyms and three lectotypes are proposed, and the common misapplication of some names is noted. Within the P. pilosus complex, species differences were found in timing of peduncle elongation, sex ratio, and leaf, perianth, diaspore and nectary morphology. Ecological differences are suggested by specimen data and a review of ecological literature. Descriptions, photographs and maps are provided for all species, as is a key to the groups of eriocaulaceous cushion plants from Andean South America.

Keywords: Andes, cushion plants, diaspores, leaf anatomy, nectaries, new species, paramo, taxonomy

Figure 1. Cushion habit of Paepalanthus pilosus var. pilosus in Venezuela, November 2012.  A P. pilosus cushions with bunchgrasses, Páramo Batallón B Individual cushion, with graminoids emerging, Páramo Los Conejos.  Photos by Serge Aubert, Station Alpine Joseph Fourier, France. www.cushionplants.eu. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.64.6864

 Nancy Hensold. 2016. The Andean Paepalanthus pilosus complex (Eriocaulaceae): A Revision with Three New Taxa. PhytoKeys. 64: 1-57. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.64.6864

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[Botany • 2015] Arquita grandiflora • A New Cryptic Species in A New Cryptic Genus in the Caesalpinia group (Leguminosae) from the seasonally dry inter-Andean valleys of South America

June 13, 2016, 10:38 pm

≫ Next: [Botany • 2015] Oberholzeria etendekaensis • A New Monotypic Legume Genus (Fabaceae subfam. Faboideae) from north-western Namibia

≪ Previous: [Botany • 2016] The Andean Paepalanthus pilosus complex (Eriocaulaceae): A Revision with Three New Taxa

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Arquita ancashiana, a new genus of legume shrub from the Andes.  Photograph: G.P. Lewis/Royal Botanic Gardens  DOI: 10.12705/643.6

Abstract

The generic affiliation of the Andean species Caesalpinia trichocarpa, C. mimosifolia, and their close relatives has remained uncertain in all recent studies of Caesalpinia s.l. (Leguminosae, subfamily Caesalpinioideae). A new densely sampled phylogeny based on four DNA sequence regions (rps16, trn D-trnT, ycf6- psbM, ITS) strongly supports the monophyly of an Andean clade. We propose that despite the lack of obvious diagnostic morphological synapomorphies, this Andean group should be considered as a distinct genus, here described as the new genus Arquita. Phylogenetic analyses also suggest a problem with species delimitation in this group. Within C. trichocarpa, accessions from disjunct geographic areas in Argentina, Bolivia and Peru each form a robustly supported, unresolved clade that includes C. mimosifolia. The morphological and genetic cohesiveness of the C. trichocarpa complex is investigated using morphometric phenetic analyses of qualitative and quantitative flower and leaf traits, and reconstruction of a densely sampled phylogeny using three plastid and one nuclear ribosomal DNA sequence loci. Our results suggest that the most geographically isolated of these clades, narrowly endemic to two inter-Andean valleys in central-north Peru and separated by ∼1350 km, and extensive high Andean cordilleras above 4000 m, from the nearest populations in Bolivia, represents a genetically highly distinct and morphologically cryptic lineage here described as a new species (Arquita grandiflora). A full taxonomic account of the new genus Arquita and its component species is provided, with a distribution map and a key to the species.

Keywords: Andes; Caesalpinia ; Caesalpinioideae; Cryptic species; Generic delimitation; Leguminosae; morphological analysis; phylogenetic analysis; seasonally dry thorn scrub 

Edeline Gagnon, Colin E. Hughes, Gwilym P. Lewis and Anne Bruneau. 2015. A New Cryptic Species in A New Cryptic Genus in the Caesalpinia group (Leguminosae) from the seasonally dry inter-Andean valleys of South America.
Taxon. 64(3):468-490.  DOI: 10.12705/643.6

ResearchGate.net/publication/279448077_A_new_cryptic_species_in_a_new_cryptic_genus_in_the_Caesalpinia_group_Leguminosae_from_the_seasonally_dry_inter-Andean_valleys_of_South_America

Kew's successful year of discoveries http://www.kew.org/discover/blogs/kew-science/kews-successful-year-discoveries  @KewGardens

https://stateoftheworldsplants.com/new-plant-discoveries

https://stateoftheworldsplants.com/report/sotwp_2016.pdf

New plant species discovered in 2015 - in pictures http://gu.com/p/4jv6p

Five amazing plants new to science http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/05/five-amazing-plants-new-science

[Botany • 2015] Oberholzeria etendekaensis • A New Monotypic Legume Genus (Fabaceae subfam. Faboideae) from north-western Namibia

June 13, 2016, 11:08 pm

≫ Next: [Invertebrate • 2016] Parariukiaria cucfuongensis • A New Genus and New Species of Millipede (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Xystodesmidae) from northern Vietnam

≪ Previous: [Botany • 2015] Arquita grandiflora • A New Cryptic Species in A New Cryptic Genus in the Caesalpinia group (Leguminosae) from the seasonally dry inter-Andean valleys of South America

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Oberholzeria etendekaensis  Swanepoel, M.M.le Roux, M.F.Wojc. & A.E.van Wyk,  DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0122080

Abstract

Oberholzeria etendekaensis, a succulent biennial or short-lived perennial shrublet is described as a new species, and a new monotypic genus. Discovered in 2012, it is a rare species known only from a single locality in the Kaokoveld Centre of Plant Endemism, north-western Namibia. Phylogenetic analyses of molecular sequence data from the plastid matK gene resolves Oberholzeria as the sister group to the Genisteae clade while data from the nuclear rDNA ITS region showed that it is sister to a clade comprising both the Crotalarieae and Genisteae clades. Morphological characters diagnostic of the new genus include: 1) succulent stems with woody remains; 2) pinnately trifoliolate, fleshy leaves; 3) monadelphous stamens in a sheath that is fused above; 4) dimorphic anthers with five long, basifixed anthers alternating with five short, dorsifixed anthers, and 5) pendent, membranous, one-seeded, laterally flattened, slightly inflated but indehiscent fruits.

Taxonomic Treatment

Oberholzeria Swanepoel, M.M.le Roux, M.F.Wojc. & A.E.van Wyk, gen. nov. [urn:lsid:ipni.org: names: 77145129–1] (Figs. 1, 5 and 6). 

Type:— Oberholzeria etendekaensis Swanepoel, M.M.le Roux, M.F.Wojc. & A.E.van Wyk, here designated.

Oberholzeria etendekaensis Swanepoel, M.M.le Roux, M.F.Wojc. & A.E.van Wyk, sp. nov. [urn:lsid:ipni.org: names: 77145130–1] (Figs. 2–4). 

Type:— NAMIBIA. Kunene Region: Etendeka Mountains, 32 km NNW of Puros, 1812 (–DB), 850 m, 3 May 2012, Swanepoel 316 (HOLOTYPE: WIND; ISOTYPE: PRE).

Fig 6. Habit and macromorphology of Oberholzeria etendekaensis. Photographs illustrating the morphology of the plants. (A) Flowers with rostrate keels, reflexed standards, paired dark-brown spots at the bottom of the standard blades and dorsiventrally flattened, equally 5-lobed calyces. (B) Laterally flattened and somewhat inflated fruit. (C) Succulent stem. (D) Leaf-opposed inflorescences and pinnately trifoliolate leaves. (E) Habit; biennial or short-lived perennial succulent shrublet. Photos: W. Swanepoel.  DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0122080

Distribution, habitat and ecology: Oberholzeria etendekaensis is known from a single population (comprising two small subpopulations) in the Kaokoveld Centre of Endemism, a biogeographical region rich in restricted-range plants and animals [32], in north-western Namibia (Fig. 2). Its only known locality is from the Great Escarpment, in the Etendeka Mountains, on the watershed between the Khumib and Hoarusib Rivers, ± 50 km from the Atlantic coast at elevations ranging from 850–950 m. Average annual rainfall is around 100 mm and the substrate is derived from basalt of the Etendeka Group, Karoo Supergroup [33]. Oberholzeria etendekaensis is rare and has only been found in one location. It grows in two south-facing ravines (two subpopulations), approximately 500 m apart, in association with another succulent, Euphorbia pergracilis Meyer [34], also a restricted-range species. It is found on stony soil and scree in small colonies of usually less than ten plants each, in full sun (Fig. 1).

Flowering occurs in April and May; this follows the end of the main rainy season (late summer).

Conservation status: Although rare and localised, O. etendekaensis does not appear to be threatened at present. No signs of browsing by livestock or game were noticed and plants seem to be healthy and occur in an area unpopulated or sparsely populated by humans.

Etymology: Johanna Allettha Oberholzer [1965–], beloved and venerated wife of the first author, is commemorated in the genus name. Known as Hannelie, she proposed that this specific part of the Etendeka Mountains be explored, accompanied the expedition during which the new species was discovered and first saw and brought the plants to the attention of one of us (WS). The specific epithet refers to the Etendeka Mountains, the type locality of the new species.

   

Wessel Swanepoel, M. Marianne le Roux, Martin F. Wojciechowski and Abraham E. van Wyk. 2015. Oberholzeria (Fabaceae subfam. Faboideae), A New Monotypic Legume Genus from Namibia.  PLoS ONE.  10(3): e0122080.  DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0122080

[Invertebrate • 2016] Parariukiaria cucfuongensis • A New Genus and New Species of Millipede (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Xystodesmidae) from northern Vietnam

June 14, 2016, 2:24 am

≫ Next: [Paleontology • 2015] Padillasaurus leivaensis • A New Early Cretaceous Brachiosaurid (Dinosauria, Neosauropoda) from northwestern Gondwana (Villa de Leiva, Colombia)

≪ Previous: [Botany • 2015] Oberholzeria etendekaensis • A New Monotypic Legume Genus (Fabaceae subfam. Faboideae) from north-western Namibia

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Parariukiaria cucfuongensis  Nguyen. 2016 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4121.3.7

Abstract

A survey in Cuc Phuong National Park has revealed the first record of a xystodesmid millipede in Vietnam and also the southernmost locality for the family in Asia. A new genus and species, Parariukiaria cucfuongensis gen. nov, sp. nov. is proposed and described. In addition, three former Riukiaria species from Sichuan Province (China) are reallocated to the new genus, Parariukiaria belousovi (Golovatch, 2014) comb. nov., P. korolevi (Golovatch, 2014) comb. nov., P. kabaki (Golovatch, 2014) comb. nov.. A key to species of the new genus is also provided.

Keywords: Myriapoda, millipede, Xystodesmidae, Parariukiaria, Sichuan, Vietnam, new genus, new species, new combination

Genus Parariukiaria gen. nov.

Type species. Parariukiaria cucfuongensis sp. nov., by original designation.

Etymology. The gender is feminine. The genus is named after its similarity to the genus Riukiaria.

  Anh D. Nguyen. 2016. Discovery of A New Millipede Species in northern Vietnam, and the Proposal of A New Genus, Parariukiaria (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Xystodesmidae).
Zootaxa. 4121 (3): 331–336. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4121.3.7

facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1036358769747247

[Paleontology • 2015] Padillasaurus leivaensis • A New Early Cretaceous Brachiosaurid (Dinosauria, Neosauropoda) from northwestern Gondwana (Villa de Leiva, Colombia)

June 14, 2016, 2:27 am

≫ Next: [Ichthyology • 2016] Microplecostomus forestii • Description of A New Catfish Genus (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) from the Tocantins River Basin in central Brazil, with Comments on the Historical Zoogeography of the New Taxon

≪ Previous: [Invertebrate • 2016] Parariukiaria cucfuongensis • A New Genus and New Species of Millipede (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Xystodesmidae) from northern Vietnam

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Padillasaurus leivaensis  Carballido, Pol,  Ruge, Bernal, Páramo-Fonseca & Etayo-Serna, 2015 DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2015.980505

ABSTRACT

Brachiosaurid sauropods achieved a broad distribution during the Late Jurassic, which has been considered to provide evidence of their origins during the Middle Jurassic, prior to the breakup of Pangea. In contrast to their broad geographic distribution during the Late Jurassic, formally named brachiosaurid species from the Cretaceous have so far been restricted to the Aptian–Albian of North America, which has been interpreted as a signal of differential extinction and/or a bias in the Early Cretaceous fossil record. Here we describe a new brachiosaurid titanosauriform taxon from the Early Cretaceous of Colombia, which is represented by axial elements. The material was recovered from marine sediments of the Paja Formation (Barremian), close to the locality of Villa de Leiva. The weakly laterally expanded and divided transverse processes of the anterior-most caudal vertebrae allows the recognition of a new sauropod taxon, Padillasaurus leivaensis, gen. et sp. nov. In order to test the phylogenetic relationships of the new taxon, we performed a cladistic analysis that recovered Padillasaurus as a brachiosaurid titanosauriform. This position is supported by a combination of characters, including the presence of blind fossae in anterior caudal vertebrae. Among titanosauriforms, the presence of blind fossae in anterior caudal vertebrae is an apomorphic character that is exclusive to Giraffatitan, Venenosaurus, Cedarosaurus, and Abydosaurus. Although more complete remains are needed to test more thoroughly the affinities of the new taxon, the available evidence indicates that brachiosaurids survived at lower latitudes in Gondwana until at least the Early Cretaceous.

José L. Carballido, Diego Pol, Mary L. Parra Ruge, Santiago Padilla Bernal, María E. Páramo-Fonseca and Fernando Etayo-Serna. 2015. A New Early Cretaceous Brachiosaurid (Dinosauria, Neosauropoda) from northwestern Gondwana (Villa de Leiva, Colombia). Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 35(5) DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2015.980505
ResearchGate.net/publication/281571449_A_new_Early_Cretaceous_brachiosaurid_Dinosauria_Neosauropoda_from_northwestern_Gondwana_Villa_de_Leiva_Colombia

http://lapaleontologiaencolombia.blogspot.com/2015/08/padillasaurus-leivaensis-un-nuevo.html

La megafauna colombiana http://www.elcolombiano.com/tecnologia/ciencia/la-megafauna-colombiana-XJ2821123

El hombre detrás del Padillasaurus http://tinyurl.com/q2r4ble via @ElEspectador

Científicos descubren el primer dinosaurio en suelo colombiano http://www.scientificamerican.com/espanol/noticias/cientificos-descubren-el-primer-dinosaurio-en-suelo-colombiano/

Fósil de primera especie de dinosaurio en América es revelado en Boyacá - RCN La Radio http://www.rcnradio.com/locales/fosil-de-primera-especie-de-dinosaurio-en-america-es-revelado-en-boyaca/ via @RCNLaRadio

http://zimices.deviantart.com/art/Padillasaurus-556837809

http://blog.daum.net/_blog/BlogTypeView.do?blogid=0Zakq&articleno=679&_bloghome_menu=recenttext

[Ichthyology • 2016] Microplecostomus forestii • Description of A New Catfish Genus (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) from the Tocantins River Basin in central Brazil, with Comments on the Historical Zoogeography of the New Taxon

June 14, 2016, 11:04 pm

≫ Next: [Paleontology • 2016] Wahlisaurus massarae • A New Leptonectid Ichthyosaur from the Lower Jurassic (Hettangian) of Nottinghamshire, England, UK, and the Taxonomic Usefulness of the Ichthyosaurian Coracoid

≪ Previous: [Paleontology • 2015] Padillasaurus leivaensis • A New Early Cretaceous Brachiosaurid (Dinosauria, Neosauropoda) from northwestern Gondwana (Villa de Leiva, Colombia)

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Microplecostomus forestii   Silva, Roxo, Orrego & Oliveira, 2016 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.598.7400

Abstract

This study presents the description of a new genus of the catfish subfamily Neoplecostominae from the Tocantins River basin. It can be distinguished from other neoplecostomine genera by the presence of (1) three hypertrophied bicuspid odontodes on the lateral portion of the body (character apparently present in mature males); (2) a large area without odontodes around the snout; (3) a post-dorsal ridge on the caudal peduncle; (4) a straight tooth series in the dentary and premaxillary rows; (5) the absence of abdominal plates; (6) a conspicuous series of enlarged papillae just posterior to the dentary teeth; and (7) caudal peduncle ellipsoid in cross section. We used maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods to estimate a time-calibrated tree with the published data on 116 loricariid species using one nuclear and three mitochondrial genes, and we used parametric biogeographic analyses (DEC and DECj models) to estimate ancestral geographic ranges and to infer the colonization routes of the new genus and the other neoplecostomines in the Tocantins River and the hydrographic systems of southeastern Brazil. Our phylogenetic results indicate that the new genus and species is a sister taxon of all the other members of the Neoplecostominae, originating during the Eocene at 47.5 Mya (32.7–64.5 Mya 95% HPD). The present distribution of the new genus and other neoplecostomines may be the result of a historical connection between the drainage basins of the Paraguay and Paraná rivers and the Amazon basin, mainly through headwater captures.

Keywords: Molecular phylogeny, Freshwater fishes, headwater capture, catfish, taxonomy

Microplecostomus gen. n.

Type species: Microplecostomus forestii sp. n.

Diagnosis: The new genus and species differs from all members of the Loricariidae by having (1) three hypertrophied bicuspid odontodes on the lateral portion of the body (character apparently present only in mature males – observed in the holotype, but not present in the paratypes) (Fig. 2a, b); and differs from all members of the Neoplecostominae by having (2) a large area without odontodes around the snout, observed in all specimens, Fig. 3 (vs. margin of snout bearing odontodes); and from all members of the Neoplecostominae, except Hirtella carinata Pereira, Zanata, Cetra & Reis, 2014, Pareiorhina carrancas Bockmann & Ribeiro, 2003 and Pareiorhina hyptiorhachis Silva, Roxo & Oliveira, 2013 by (3) the presence of a post-dorsal ridge on the caudal peduncle, see dorsal view of holotype in Figs 1, 4 (vs. the absence of a post-dorsal ridge). Microplecostomus forestii sp. n. differs from species of the genera Isbrueckerichthys, Neoplecostomus and Pseudotocinclus by (4) the absence of abdominal plates, Fig. 1 (vs. abdomen covered by pentagonal or hexagonal platelets); from Kronichthys by having (5) the tooth series in dentary and premaxillary rows straight (vs. tooth series strongly curved medially); from Neoplecostomus by (6) the absence of a conspicuous series of enlarged papillae just posterior to the dentary teeth (vs. presence of enlarged papillae); and from Pseudotocinclus by having (7) the caudal peduncle ellipsoid in cross section (vs. caudal peduncle square in cross-section).

Etymology: The generic name is a combination of Greek, micro (mikrós) = small, related to the small size of the adult type-specimen, and plecostomus = a former generic name of species currently included in Loricariidae, also in reference to the small adult size of the type-species. A masculine name.

Figure 1. Microplecostomus forestii sp. n., MZUSP 118673, holotype, male, 38.3 mm SL, Goiás state, Brazil, Tocantins River basin. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.598.7400

Microplecostomus forestii sp. n.

http://zoobank.org/2A1A0D93-ED90-4C5F-9562-D3209D951630

Holotype: MZUSP 118673 (adult male, 38.3 mm SL), Brazil, Goiás state, municipality of São João D’Aliança, Roncador Stream, a tributary of das Brancas Stream, tributary of the Tocantizinho River, Tocantins River basin, 14°53'47.2"S, 47°34'58.4"W, 9 November 2014, FF Roxo, GSC Silva, LEO Ochoa, LH Roxo.

Etymology: The specific name, forestii, is given in honor of Fausto Foresti, Professor of the university of São Paulo state “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (Unesp) in Brazil, for his contributions to fish genetics, with more than 250 papers published in this field.

Distribution: Microplecostomus forestii sp. n. is known from two localities, the Roncador Stream and the das Brancas Stream, both tributaries of the Tocantizinho River, in the Tocantins basin (Fig. 7a).

Figure 7. a Map showing the distribution of Microplecostomus forestii sp. n. Type locality at Roncador Stream, red star – 14°43'51.3"S, 47°32'34.0"W. Paratype locality at das Brancas Stream, red circle – 14°53'47.2"S, 47°34'58.4"W. Habitat where Microplecostomus forestii sp. n. is found at b Roncador Stream and c das Brancas Stream. These are small size streams with a depth of less than 1 m, clear water, the bottom covered with loose stones and shaded margins.  Photographs: LH Roxo. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.598.7400

Habitat: Microplecostomus forestii sp. n. was collected in shallow, clear waters of about 0.5 m in depth and fast-flowing currents, with an underlying substrate of rock, in areas of flat terrain. The fishes captured were associated with pebbles (Fig. 7b, c). This species is relatively hard to collect and is not abundant. In seven expeditions to the Roncador and das Brancas streams in different periods of the year, we were able to collect only 16 specimens. Microplecostomus forestii sp. n. is sympatric with species such as Creagrutus sp., Rhinolekos capetinga Roxo, Ochoa, Silva & Oliveira, 2015, Hypostomus sp., Phenacorhamdia sp., Ancistrus sp., and Ituglanis sp.

 Gabriel S.C. Silva, Fábio F. Roxo, Luz E. Orrego and Claudio Oliveira. 2016. Description of A New Catfish Genus (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) from the Tocantins River Basin in central Brazil, with Comments on the Historical Zoogeography of the New Taxon.
ZooKeys. 598: 129-157. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.598.7400