[Mammalogy • 2011] Taxonomic Revision of the Genus Asellia (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae) with A Description of A New Species, Asellia arabica, from southern Arabia

November 5, 2016, 10:30 am

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Asellia arabica   Benda, Vallo & Reiter, 2011 from Ain Jarziz, Dhofar, SW Oman, photo by A. Reiter  || DOI:  10.3161/150811011X624749

Two species are currently recognised within the genus Asellia, a typical inhabitant of arid areas of northern Africa and south-western Asia. Most of the distribution range of the genus is covered by Asellia tridens, while the other species, A. patrizii, is restricted to Ethiopia, Eritrea and several Red Sea islands. We analysed the morphological variation in an extensive set of Asellia samples covering the range of the genus, including most of the available type material. In a representative subset of samples, we employed molecular genetic analysis to infer the phylogenetic relationships within the broadly distributed A. tridens. Morphological comparisons revealed four distinct morphotypes. Except for the endemic A. patrizii, almost all African Asellia were found to belong to the same morphotype as most of the Middle Eastern specimens. This morphotype was unambiguously identified as A. tridens. Two other morphotypes of tentative A. tridens were further recognised based on skull shape differences; one in the southern Arabian region of Dhofar, the other in Socotra and Somalia. Phylogenetic analysis of complete sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene yielded three main monophyletic groups, which corresponded to the morphotypes revealed for A. tridens. Significant genetic divergences reaching over 5% and 12%, respectively, were discovered between them. Based on the morphological and molecular data obtained, we propose a split of the current A. tridens into three separate species: A. tridens in northern Africa and most of the Middle East, A. italosomalica in Socotra and Somalia, and Asellia sp. nov. in southern Arabia. Molecular dating, along with the available paleontological information and geological history of the Arabian Peninsula, supports an Arabian origin of the contemporary Asellia. While profound divergence of the Socotran form may be linked to the split of Socotra from the southern Arabian coast in the Middle Miocene, the low sequence variation of Asellia in most of Africa and the Middle East suggests a relatively recent colonisation of this vast area during the Pleistocene. The newly described form from southern Arabia most likely represents a relic of aridisation during the Miocene-Pliocene transition.

 Keywords: Asellia, morphology, morphometry, mfDNA, taxonomy, phylogeny

FIG. 10. Portrait of   Asellia arabica sp. nov. from Ain Jarziz, Dhofar, SW Oman photo by A. Reiter

Asellia arabica sp. nov.

Synonymy: 

Asellia tridens (Geoffroy, 1813): Pockock, 1935: 442; Harrison, 1964: 98; Harrison, 1980: 390; Kingdon, 1990: 37; Harrison and Bates, 1991: 55.

Asellia tridens tridens (Geoffroy, 1813): Harrison, 1957: 5; Kock, 1969: 129; Nader, 1990: 340; Al-Jumaily, 1998: 483.

Asellia patrizii De Beaux, 1931: Al-Jumaily, 2004: 60.

Type locality: Republic of Yemen, Province of Al Mahra, oasis of Hawf (easternmost edge of the country), 16°39’N, 53°03’E, 410 m a.s.l.

Derivatio nominis: The name arabica (Arabian) reflects the area of occurrence of the new species, i.e. the southern part of Arabia

Distribution: Coastal areas of southern Arabia stretching from the Hadramaut Province in south-eastern Yemen (ca. 49°E) to the Dhofar Province in south-western Oman (ca. 55°E), i.e., ca. 650 km of a narrow coastal strip.

Petr Benda, Peter Vallo and Antonín Reiter. 2011. Taxonomic Revision of the Genus Asellia (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae) with A Description of A New Species from southern Arabia. Acta Chiropterologica. 13(2); 245–270. DOI:  10.3161/150811011X624749

http://www.nm.cz/admin/files/PM/download/zivotopisy-publikace/benda2011ac.pdf

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[Paleontology • 2017] Kaikaifilu hervei • A New Large Mosasaur (Squamata, Mosasauridae) from the upper Maastrichtian of Antarctica

November 6, 2016, 6:46 pm

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Kaikaifilu hervei  Otero, Soto-Acuña, Rubilar-Rogers & Gutstein, 2017   DOI:  10.1016/j.cretres.2016.11.002

Highlights

• A new mosasaur from Antarctica.

• The second skull known in the continent.

• A new genus and species of a large austral mosasaur.

Abstract

We present a large, fragmentary skull and the humerus of a mosasaur (Squamata, Mosasauroidea) recovered from upper Maastrichtian beds of the López de Bertodano Formation in Marambio (=Seymour) Island, Antarctica. The material belongs to a large, adult individual with marked heterodonty as well as unusual humeral features. Different phylogenetic analyses returned the studied specimen within the Tylosaurinae, while the unique features of the skull and humerus allow distinguish it from the unique Antarctic known tylosaurine species, Taniwhasaurus antarcticus (Novas et al., 2002), as well as from other known Late Cretaceous mosasaurids from the Southern Hemisphere, thus, justifying the erection of a new taxon, Kaikaifilu hervei gen. et. sp. nov. The different dental types documented in the specimen studied have been previously recorded through isolated teeth from the same locality and were subsequently referred to several genera. This new find and its importance to comprehend the previously known fragmentary records strongly suggests that the diversity of Antarctic mosasaurids could be more reduced than previously interpreted, including taxa which are different to the genera and species from the Northern Hemisphere. The new material represents the youngest occurrence of tylosaurines in Antarctica.

Keywords: Marine reptiles; Mosasaurs; Upper Cretaceous; Marambio Island; Antarctic Peninsula

 Systematic paleontology

Squamata Oppel, 1811

Mosasauridae Gervais, 1853

Russellosaurina Polcyn and Bell, 2005

Tylosaurinae Williston, 1897

Kaikaifilu gen. nov.

Tylosaurinae indet.: In Otero, 2012.

Tylosaurinae gen. et sp. nov.: Otero et al., 2015

Type species: as for the only known species within the genus, Kaikaifilu hervei sp. nov., below.

Derivation of name. From the Mapudungun language of the ancient people of southern South America. From the Mapuche cosmology, Kai-Kai filú is the almighty giant reptile owner of the seas, rival of Treng-Treng filú, both creators of the lands through their continuous fight that causes the earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis and all the events that molded the earth where we live (pronunciation: Khai-khai feelóo).

Kaikaifilu hervei sp. nov.

Holotype. SGO.PV.6509. Fragmentary skull preserved in several blocks, including part of the maxillae and the premaxillar, frontal, prefrontals, part of the parietal, partial cast of the braincase, cast of the right orbit, a portion of the right pterygoid, a partial cast of the meckellian canal of one dentary, near 30 isolated teeth, fragments of the mandible, and the proximal part of the left humerus.

Type Locality. Marambio Island, Antarctica, about 1500 m south from the López de Bertodano Bay.

Horizon and Age. López de Bertodano Formation, Klb9 sensu Macellari (1988), Manumiella bertodano Interval Zone ( Bowman et al., 2012) and Pachydiscus riccardi Zone ( Olivero, 2012), upper Maastrichtian.

Derivation of the name. Honoring Dr. Francisco Hervé, Chilean geologist, for their major contribution to the knowledge of the geology of Chile and Antarctic Peninsula.

Diagnosis. Specimen with the following unique combination of characters: Presence of a prominent lateral process anterior to the orbits, conformed by the posterior end of the prefrontal and the anterior end of the postorbitofrontal; well-marked heterodonty including both faceted and non-faceted functional teeth with very soft striations; articular head of the humerus very thick dorsoventrally; K. hervei differs from other mosasaurids from the WBP in the following features: it differs from Tylosaurus (‘Leiodon’) haumuriensis and from the genus Taniwhasaurus (Ta. antarcticus, Ta. oweni and Ta. mikasaensis) by possessing a well-marked heterodonty, condition absent in the two latter genera; it also differs from these taxa on the frontal midline forming an internarial process which is absent in Ta. mikasaensis (premaxillar extends far beyond external naris) and seems to be absent in Ta. antarcticus; K. hervei differs from Moanasaurus mangahouangae in the outline of the frontal which is axially shorter in the latter and without anterolateral concave margins; K. hervei also differs from Rikisaurus tehoensis in having a frontal contacting the pineal foramen, and by the possession of a preorbital constriction of the rostrum. Unique known specimen here referred to K. hervei comprises the largest known skull of a mosasauroid from the Southern Hemisphere.

Conclusions

SGO.PV.6509 comprises a fragmentary skull and fragmentary humerus of a single specimen recovered from upper Maastrichtian levels (lower Klb9 unit) of the López de Bertodano Formation in Marambio Island, Antarctica. This is here identified as a large mosasaurid with prominent anterorbital processes, an axially elongated and triangular frontal that extends between the external naris, a well-marked heterodonty and a dorsoventrally massive humerus. Morphological features of SGO.PV.6509 differ from all known mosasaurids from the Southern Hemisphere and especially from the better known austral tylosaurine, Taniwhasaurus antarticus. Thus, a new genus and species, Kaikaifilu hervei, is proposed here. This new skull from the upper Mastrichtian of Antarctica represents the best evidence on the presence of very large tylosaurines on high latitudes (65°) of the Southern Hemisphere prior to the K/Pg boundary. Previous to this research, this clade remained poorly documented in high latitudes. The marked heterodonty of SGO.PV.6509 suggest that several taxa previously reported from the Upper Cretaceous of Antarctica and based on isolated teeth, should be reviewed under the new evidence, since most of them appear to match with the different dental types of the specimen here described.

 Rodrigo A. Otero, Sergio Soto-Acuña, David Rubilar-Rogers and Carolina S. Gutstein. 2017. Kaikaifilu hervei gen. et sp. nov., A New Large Mosasaur (Squamata, Mosasauridae) from the upper Maastrichtian of Antarctica. Cretaceous Research. In Press.  DOI:  10.1016/j.cretres.2016.11.002

[Ichthyology • 2016] Badis pancharatnaensis • A New Percoid Fish Species (Teleostei: Badidae) from Brahmaputra River drainage, Assam, India

November 6, 2016, 7:34 pm

≫ Next: [Mammalogy • 2017] Ochotona sikimaria • Genetics, Morphology and Ecology reveal A Cryptic Pika Lineage in the Sikkim Himalaya

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Badis pancharatnaensis  Basumatary, Choudhury, Baishya, Sarma & Vishwanath, 2016

Abstract

Badis pancharatnaensis, a new percomorph, is described from the Brahmaputra River drainage of Assam, India. It is distinguished from its congeners by having the following combination of characters: a conspicuous black blotch on the superficial part of cleithrum; pointed soft dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins, the 2nd soft ray of pelvic-fin reaching slightly beyond the vent; 13 ‒ 14 pectoral-fin rays; circumpeduncular scales 14 ‒ 17; body depth 28.2 ‒ 33.8% of SL; interorbital distance 7.1 ‒ 9.4% of SL; and 28 number of vertebrae.

Key words:  Badidae, Badis, taxonomy, new species, River Brahmaputra, Assam.

Fig. 2. Colouration in life of Badis pancharatnaensis sp. nov. Fig. 4. Map showing type locality of Badis pancharatnaensis sp. nov. Fig. 5. Hasila Beel, type locality of Badis pancharatnaensis sp. nov. showing habitat.

Diagnosis: Badis pancharatnaensis sp. nov. is distinct from all its congeners in having a combination of characters: presence of dark brownish black bars on sides; a series of dark blotches along middle of dorsal-fin; a prominent black blotch on the superficial part of cleithrum; elongate median caudal blotch with a posterior bar surrounding the caudal-fin base; pointed pelvic-fin reaching beyond vent in both the sexes; pointed soft dorsal and anal-fin; 28.2 ‒ 33.8% SL body depth; 7.1 ‒ 9.4% SL interorbital distance; 14 ‒ 17 circumpeduncular scales; 31 ‒ 33 lateral scale rows; 6 ‒ 8 number of gill rakers; and 28 (15+13) number of vertebrae

Distribution and habitat. Presently the species is known from Hasila Beel – a riverine wetland of Brahmaputra drainage at Goalpara district, Assam, India (Fig. 4). The type locality is a low lying wetland having dense macrophytic vegetation well connected with the River Brahmaputra and often flooded by the river water; that shows high degree of rise and fall of water level depending on seasonal climatic variations (Fig. 5).

The associated fish fauna caught along with the species were Amblypharyngodon mola, Anabas testudineus, Channa gachua, Lepidocephalichthys guntea, Mastacembelus armatus, Macrognathus pancalus, Puntius sophore and Trichogaster fasciata which commonly occur in the region. 

 Etymology. The species is named after the historical place called ‘Pancharatna’ in Goalpara district of Assam, India.

Sudem Basumatary, Hrishikesh Choudhury, Ratul A. Baishya, Dandadhar Sarma and Waikhom Vishwanath. 2016. Badis pancharatnaensis, A New Percoid Fish Species from Brahmaputra River drainage, Assam, India (Teleostei: Badidae).Vertebrate Zoology. 66(2); 151-156.
 http://www.senckenberg.de/files/content/forschung/publikationen/vertebratezoology/vz66-2/05_vertebrate_zoology_66-2_basumatary-sarma_151-156.pdf

[Mammalogy • 2017] Ochotona sikimaria • Genetics, Morphology and Ecology reveal A Cryptic Pika Lineage in the Sikkim Himalaya

November 7, 2016, 6:51 am

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Ochotona sikimaria   Photo by Prasenjeet Yadav  theladiesfinger.com   DOI:  10.1016/j.ympev.2016.09.015

Highlights

• We investigated the taxonomic position of Ochotona thibetana sikimaria, a pika subspecies with a disjunct range.

 • Our phylogenetic analyses confirm O. t. sikimaria as a cryptic species, sister to O. curzoniae and O. cansus, while morphologically similar to O. thibetana.

• We propose this clade be recognised as a new species, and recommend naming it Ochotona sikimaria.

Abstract

Asian pika species are morphologically ∼similar and have overlapping ranges. This leads to uncertainty and species misidentification in the field. Phylogenetic analyses of such misidentified samples leads to taxonomic ambiguity. The ecology of many pika species remains understudied, particularly in the Himalaya, where sympatric species could be separated by elevation and/or substrate. We sampled, measured, and acquired genetic data from pikas in the Sikkim Himalaya. Our analyses revealed a cryptic lineage, Ochotona sikimaria, previously reported as a subspecies of O. thibetana. The results support the elevation of this lineage to the species level, as it is genetically divergent from O. thibetana, as well as sister species, O. cansus (endemic to central China) and O. curzoniae (endemic to the Tibetan plateau). The Sikkim lineage diverged from its sister species’ about 1.7–0.8 myr ago, coincident with uplift events in the Himalaya. Our results add to the recent spate of cryptic diversity identified from the eastern Himalaya and highlight the need for further study within the Ochotonidae.

 Keywords: Cryptic lineage; Himalaya; Ochotona; Phylogeny; Sikkim

Nishma Dahal, Andrey A. Lissovsky, Zhenzhen Lin, Katherine Solari, Elizabeth A. Hadly, Xiangjiang Zhan and Uma Ramakrishnan. 2017. Genetics, Morphology and Ecology reveal A Cryptic Pika Lineage in the Sikkim Himalaya. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 106; 55-60. DOI:  10.1016/j.ympev.2016.09.015

ResearchGate.net/publication/308184867_Genetics_morphology_and_ecology_reveal_a_cryptic_pika_lineage_in_the_Sikkim_Himalaya

Ph.D Student Nishma Dahal has Discovered a Whole New Rabbit Species in the Himalayas

http://theladiesfinger.com/pika-rabbit-new-species/

Bengaluru researchers discover rat-like mammal species in Sikkim Himalayas
 http://toi.in/3szyvb55   @TOIBengaluru

[PaleoMammalogy • 2016] Skeletal Anatomy of the North American Pangolin Patriomanis americana (Mammalia, Pholidota) from the Latest Eocene of Wyoming (USA)

November 7, 2016, 7:22 am

≫ Next: [Botany • 2015] Puya loca • A New Species of Puya (Bromeliaceae) from the Páramos near Bogotá, Colombia

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Life reconstruction of Patriomanis americana foraging for termites in the treetops. The tree is from the genus Carya, which, according to Prothero (1994), was present in this part of Wyoming during the Chadronian North American Land Mammal Age (latest Eocene).  Illustration by Julia Morgan Scott for Smithsonian Institution.  opensi.si.edu

 Patriomanis americana is the only pangolin (Mammalia, Pholidota), living or extinct, known from the Western Hemisphere. It derives from latest Eocene (Chadronian North American Land Mammal Age) deposits from central Wyoming and western Montana. Since its initial description more than 40 years ago based on a partial skeleton, several nearly complete skeletons have been discovered, together including nearly every bone in the skeleton. This taxon is thus not only the most completely preserved fossil pangolin but is also among the best preserved of any Eocene mammal taxon. In the present study we have prepared a detailed, bone-by-bone description of the osteology of Patriomanis, comparing it with other well-known fossil pangolin skeletons (Eomanis, Euromanis, Cryptomanis, and Necromanis), as well as representatives of the three extant pangolins genera (Manis, Smutsia, Phataginus). We provide a catalog of all known Patriomanis specimens and their provenance and an extensive series of measurement tables incorporating the comparative taxa. We analyze the alpha-level taxonomy of the genus, concluding that all specimens should be kept in a single species, Patriomanis americana, based on currently available fossil material. We summarize the taxonomic and phylogenetic position of Patriomanis and discuss its implications for the biogeographic history of the order Pholidota. We analyze the paleobiology of Patriomanis, concluding that it was likely a myrmecophagous, arboreal animal with a prehensile tail. Last, we discuss its paleoecology, suggesting that its late appearance in the Eocene record, during a time of global cooling, may imply that earlier pangolins are waiting to be discovered in the Eocene record of Asia and North America. 

KEY WORDS: Eocene, fossils, morphology, osteology, pangolins, Patriomanis, Pholidota, skeleton, skull.

Timothy J. Gaudin, Robert J. Emry and Jeremy Morris. 2016. Skeletal Anatomy of the North American Pangolin Patriomanis americana (Mammalia, Pholidota) from the Latest Eocene of Wyoming (USA). Smithsonian Contributions to Paleobiology. 98; 1-102.

http://opensi.si.edu/index.php/smithsonian/catalog/book/98

Paleo Profile: North America's Pangolin https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/laelaps/paleo-profile-north-america-s-pangolin

 

[Botany • 2015] Puya loca • A New Species of Puya (Bromeliaceae) from the Páramos near Bogotá, Colombia

November 7, 2016, 8:50 am

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Pollinators of Puya loca observed at the Tunjaque hill, Pterophanes cyanopterus (male). Photographs by J. P. Lopez-Ordonez.   DOI: 10.18257/raccefyn.223

Puya loca Madriñán    DOI: 10.18257/raccefyn.223

Abstract

A new species of Puya from the páramos in the vicinity of Bogotá, Colombia, is described. Puya loca differs from all known species of the genus Puya by its ferrugineo-tomentose bracts and sepals abaxially, and deep-purple colored petals. It is, until now, endemic to small isolated patches of páramos North-East of Bogotá, in the Chingaza Páramo Complex. It forms dense mats of rosettes on rocky cliffs. The new species is compared to other known species from the surroundings of Bogotá, as well as to species with similar colored flowers from other regions.

Key words: Bromeliaceae, Chingaza Complex, Cerro Tunjaque, Páramos, Puya loca.

Etimología: el nombre de la especie rinde honor a la ‘puya loca’, canción popular del Caribe colombiano compuesta por Diofante Jiménez Robles, del conjunto folclórico ‘Cumbia Soledeña’, que se interpreta al compás de la ‘puya’, un subgénero musical de la cumbia caracterizado por su ritmo rápido y jocoso. El epíteto específico proviene del adjetivo femenino ‘loca’, utilizado algunas veces como sinónimo de excéntrica, y que se refiriere al color inusual de sus flores.

Resumen: Se describe una nueva especie de Puya de los páramos cercanos a Bogotá, Colombia. Puya loca difiere de todas las especies conocidas del género Puya por el envés de sus brácteas y sépalos ferrugíneo-tomentosos y pétalos de color púrpura intenso. Esta nueva especie forma masas densas de rosetas en acantilados rocosos. Hasta el momento es endémica de pequeños parches aislados de páramos al noreste de Bogotá, en el complejo de páramos de Chingaza. La nueva especie se compara con otras que tienen flores de color similar y crecen en los alrededores de Bogotá y en otras áreas.

Palabras clave: Bromeliaceae, complejo Chingaza, cerro Tunjaque, páramos, Puya loca.

Santiago Madriñán. 2015. Una nueva especie de Puya (Bromeliaceae) de los páramos cercanos a Bogotá, Colombia [A New Species of Puya (Bromeliaceae) from the Páramos near Bogotá, Colombia]. Rev. acad. colomb. cienc. exact. fis. nat. 39(152).   DOI: 10.18257/raccefyn.223 

[Ichthyology • 2016] The Glyptothorax of Sundaland: A Revisionary Study (Teleostei: Sisoridae)

November 7, 2016, 11:58 pm

≫ Next: [Ichthyology • 2016] Hidden Diversity in Deep-water Bandfishes: Review of Owstonia with Descriptions of Twenty-One New Species (Teleostei: Cepolidae: Owstoniinae)

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Glyptothorax platypogonides   (Bleeker, 1855) DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4188.1.1

Abstract  

The species of Glyptothorax of Sundaic Southeast Asia (Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo and Java) are revised in this study. A total of 17 species are recognized, of which six (G. amnestus, G. decussatus, G. famelicus, G. keluk, G. pictus and G. stibaros) are described as new here. A lectotype is designated for G. platypogon. The Sundaic Glyptothorax species are diagnosed by combinations of color pattern, morphometry (with particular regard to the eye, head, body depth, and caudal peduncle), dorsal-spine and thoracic adhesive apparatus morphology.

Keywords: Pisces, Teleostei, Sisoridae

 Heok Hee Ng and Maurice Kottelat. 2016. The Glyptothorax of Sundaland: A Revisionary Study (Teleostei: Sisoridae). Zootaxa.   4188(1); 1–92.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4188.1.1

  

[Ichthyology • 2016] Hidden Diversity in Deep-water Bandfishes: Review of Owstonia with Descriptions of Twenty-One New Species (Teleostei: Cepolidae: Owstoniinae)

November 9, 2016, 3:41 am

≫ Next: [Ichthyology • 2016] Eidinemacheilus proudlovei • A New Subterranean Loach (Teleostei; Nemacheilidae) from Iraqi Kurdistan

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Abstract

The bandfish family Cepolidae, comprising the subfamilies Owstoniinae and Cepolinae, is characterized, and defining characters of the three groups are identified and discussed. Characters of larvae of both subfamilies are described and illustrated. Six nominal genera of owstoniines had been proposed by various authors, but we recognize only Owstonia Tanaka. Utility of selected identification characters of the genus are discussed. Differences in lateral-line patterns have been the primary character used by some recent authors for recognition of two owstoniine genera, with Sphenanthias Weber possessing the plesiomorphic lateral-line condition. Several other patterns also occur in these fishes bringing into question the phylogenetic significance of lateral line plasticity. Sexual dimorphism in pelvic fin lengths is also present in several species. Identification keys, descriptions, synonymies, distribution maps and photographs or illustrations are provided for all Owstonia species for which adults are available.

        Although only 15 valid species were previously known, a remarkable hidden diversity of these fishes was discovered in major museum collections with the following 21 species here described as new: O. ainonaka (eastern Australia), O. contodon (Philippines), O. crassa (New Caledonia and Solomon Islands), O. dispar (Solomon Islands), O. elongata (New Caledonia and Vanuatu), O. fallax (eastern Australia and New Caledonia), O. geminata (Vanuatu and Philippines), O. hastata (eastern Australia), O. hawaiiensis (Hawaiian Islands); O. ignota (Mariana Islands), O. lepiota (Tanzania), O. melanoptera (Philippines), O. merensis (eastern Australia, Torres Strait), O. mundyi (Kiribati, Christmas Island), O. nalani (eastern Australia and New Caledonia), O. nudibucca (eastern Indian Ocean, Mentawai Islands and off Myanmar), O. psilos (Western Australia), O. raredonae (Mozambique), O. rhamma (Vanuatu), O. scottensis (Western Australia, Scott Reefs) and O. similis (Madagascar). Several specimens based on small juveniles, which we describe as Owstonia sp.,  appear to be additional new species but are not formally described as such.

Keywords: Pisces, Cepolidae, Owstonia, bandfishes, taxonomy, Indo-West Pacific

William F. Smith-Vaniz and G. David Johnson. 2016.  Hidden Diversity in Deep-water Bandfishes: Review of Owstonia with Descriptions of Twenty-One New Species (Teleostei: Cepolidae: Owstoniinae). Zootaxa.  4187(1); 1–103. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4187.1.1

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[Ichthyology • 2016] Eidinemacheilus proudlovei • A New Subterranean Loach (Teleostei; Nemacheilidae) from Iraqi Kurdistan

November 9, 2016, 6:35 am

≫ Next: [Botany • 2016] Blakea nangaritzana • A New Species of Blakea (Blakeeae, Melastomataceae) from Ecuador

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Eidinemacheilus proudlovei   Freyhof, Abdullah, Ararat, Ibrahim & Geiger. 2016 FIGURE 4.Eidinemacheilus proudlovei, alive, not preserved, 45 mm SL; Iraqi Kurdistan: Ephemeral spring in Tabeen Gorge. photo: Younis Sabir Abdullah.   DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4173.3.2

Abstract

Eidinemacheilus proudlovei, new species, is described from subterranean waters in the Little Zab River drainage in Iraqi Kurdistan. After the discovery of E. smithi in 1976, E. proudlovei is the second troglomorphic nemacheilid loach found in the Middle East and the second species placed in Eidinemacheilus. Eidinemacheilus proudlovei is distinguished from E. smithi by having 8+8 or 8+7 branched caudal-fin rays, no adipose keel on the caudal peduncle, enlarged jaws and a fully developed head canal system. It furthers differs substantially in its DNA barcode (>8% K2P distance) from all other nemacheilid loaches in the Middle East, Europe and Western India. 

Keywords: Pisces, Freshwater fish, Middle East, Kurdistan, Iraq, troglomorphic, new species, DNA barcoding, cave fishes, subterranean fishes

Eidinemacheilus proudlovei is the name given by researchers from IGB and ZMFK to the new species of fish they described together with colleagues from Kurdistan. photo: Younis Sabir Abdullah

Etymology. Named for Graham Proudlove (Manchester Museum, the University of Manchester), a world expert on subterranean fishes, for his continuous efforts documenting the diversity of troglomorphic fishes. 

Freyhof, J., Younis S. Abdullah, Korsh Ararat, Hamad Ibrahim & Matthias F. Geiger. 2016. Eidinemacheilus proudlovei, A New Subterranean Loach from Iraqi Kurdistan (Teleostei; Nemacheilidae). Zootaxa. 4173(3): 225–236.  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4173.3.2

Blind species of fish discovered by chance in Kurdistan
http://phy.so/397819038 via @physorg_com

[Botany • 2016] Blakea nangaritzana • A New Species of Blakea (Blakeeae, Melastomataceae) from Ecuador

November 9, 2016, 7:00 am

≫ Next: [Paleontology • 2016] Sichuanchelys palatodentata • A Toothed Turtle from the Late Jurassic of China and the Global Biogeographic History of Turtles

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Flower in anthesis, Blakea nangaritzana  D. Fernández, C. Ulloa & Penneys   Photo: E. Cueva  DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.284.1.7

Abstract

A new species, Blakea nangaritzana D. Fernández, C. Ulloa & Penneys from Nangaritza canton, Zamora-Chinchipe, southern Ecuador is described and illustrated. It differs from all other species of the genus by the character combination of terrestrial trees up to 25 m tall, outer and inner floral bracts free, narrowly oblanceolate to linear, hypanthium ca. 7 × 8 mm, and calyx lobes 4–5 mm long.

Keywords: Blakea, Melastomataceae, Ecuador, endemic, Eudicots

Diagnosis:— Blakea nangaritzana is similar to Blakeacampii Wurdack, but distinguished from that species by being terrestrial trees 4–25 m tall (vs. mostly lianescent hemiepiphytes), hypanthium ca. 7 × 8 mm (vs. ca. 4 × 5 mm), and calyx lobes 4–5 mm long (vs. 0.5–1 mm long). Blakeanangaritzana is also similar to B. calyptrata Gleason, but differs in having distinct, valvate calyx lobes (vs. calyx lobes completely united and calyptrate).

Habitat and Distribution:— Blakeanangaritzana is only known from a small area in Zamora-Chinchipe province, between 900 and 1840 m. The area is a dense wet forest on a sloping sandstone plateau in the Cordillera del Cóndor protected by the Bosque Protector Alto Nangaritza, the Conservation Area of Los Tepuyes, and adjacent to the Podocarpus National Park. It is expected to occur across the border in Peru.

 Conservation status:— The Area of Occurrence is of 36 sq.km. and the Extension of Occurrence (EOO) of 20 sq.km. The species has been collected over a 30 year period, but remained undescribed until now, stressing the importance of long-term exploration, detailed studies, well-maintained herbaria, and most importantly, well conserved forests. Based on our current knowledge, we assigned this taxon a provisional IUCN (2012) conservation status of Endangered (EN) because of the small size of the population

Etymology:— The species name refers to the Nangaritza river watershed where this species occurs. 

Diana Fernández Fernández, Carmen Ulloa Ulloa and Darrin S. Penneys. 2016.   A New Species of Blakea (Blakeeae, Melastomataceae) from Ecuador.
Phytotaxa.  284(1); 69–74. DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.284.1.7

Resumen: Se describe e ilustra una nueva especie, Blakea nangaritzana D. Fernández, C. Ulloa & Penneys, del cantón Nangaritza, Zamora-Chinchipe, sur de Ecuador. Se diferencia de todas las demás especies del género por la combinación de caracteres de árboles terrestres de hasta 25 m de alto, brácteas florales externas e internas libres y estrechamente oblanceoladas a lineares, hipanto ca. 7 × 8 mm, y lóbulos del cáliz 4–5 mm de largo.

Keywords: Blakea, Melastomataceae, Ecuador, endemic

[Paleontology • 2016] Sichuanchelys palatodentata • A Toothed Turtle from the Late Jurassic of China and the Global Biogeographic History of Turtles

November 9, 2016, 7:23 am

≫ Next: [Ornithology • 2016] Stiphrornis dahomeyensis, S. inexpectatus & S. rudderi • Three New Species of Stiphrornis (Aves: Muscicapidae) from the Afro-tropics, with A Molecular Phylogenetic Assessment of the Genus

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Sichuanchelys palatodentata    Joyce, Rabi, Clark & Xu, 2016   DOI:  10.1186/s12862-016-0762-5

Abstract

Background

Turtles (Testudinata) are a successful lineage of vertebrates with about 350 extant species that inhabit all major oceans and landmasses with tropical to temperate climates. The rich fossil record of turtles documents the adaptation of various sub-lineages to a broad range of habitat preferences, but a synthetic biogeographic model is still lacking for the group.

Results

We herein describe a new species of fossil turtle from the Late Jurassic of Xinjiang, China, Sichuanchelys palatodentata sp. nov., that is highly unusual by plesiomorphically exhibiting palatal teeth. Phylogenetic analysis places the Late Jurassic Sichuanchelys palatodentata in a clade with the Late Cretaceous Mongolochelys efremovi outside crown group Testudines thereby establishing the prolonged presence of a previously unrecognized clade of turtles in Asia, herein named Sichuanchelyidae. In contrast to previous hypotheses, M. efremovi and Kallokibotion bajazidi are not found within Meiolaniformes, a clade that is here reinterpreted as being restricted to Gondwana.

Conclusions

A revision of the global distribution of fossil and recent turtle reveals that the three primary lineages of derived, aquatic turtles, including the crown, Paracryptodira, Pan-Pleurodira, and Pan-Cryptodira can be traced back to the Middle Jurassic of Euramerica, Gondwana, and Asia, respectively, which resulted from the primary break up of Pangaea at that time. The two primary lineages of Pleurodira, Pan-Pelomedusoides and Pan-Chelidae, can similarly be traced back to the Cretaceous of northern and southern Gondwana, respectively, which were separated from one another by a large desert zone during that time. The primary divergence of crown turtles was therefore driven by vicariance to the primary freshwater aquatic habitat of these lineages. The temporally persistent lineages of basal turtles, Helochelydridae, Meiolaniformes, Sichuanchelyidae, can similarly be traced back to the Late Mesozoic of Euramerica, southern Gondwana, and Asia. Given the ambiguous phylogenetic relationships of these three lineages, it is unclear if their diversification was driven by vicariance as well, or if they display a vicariance-like pattern. The clean, primary signal apparent among early turtles is secondarily obliterated throughout the Late Cretaceous to Recent by extensive dispersal of continental turtles and by multiple invasions of marine habitats.

Keywords: Testudinata, Sichuanchelyidae, Helochelydridae, Meiolaniformes, Sichuanchelys palatodentata, Jurassic, Xinjiang, China, Phylogeny, Biogeography

Reconstruction of the well preserved palate of the previously unknown Sichuanchelys palatodentata with remnants of teeth. Illustration: Lida Xing     DOI:  10.1186/s12862-016-0762-5

Systematic paleontology

TESTUDINATA Klein, 1760.

SICHUANCHELYIDAE Tong et al., 2012.

SICHUANCHELYS Ye and Pi, 1997.

Sichuanchelys palatodentata sp. nov.

Etymology: In reference to the presence of palatal teeth. The species epithet is here formed and used explicitly as a noun in apposition and therefore does not have a gender.

Locality and horizon: All specimens herein referred to the new taxon were collected from the early Upper Jurassic (Oxfordian) upper part of the Shishugou Formation at the Wucaiwan Locality in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. The holotype and referred specimens IVPP V18094–18096 were found in close association to one another, along with nearly complete, articulated skeletons of a squamate and a shartegosuchid crocodyliform. IVPP V18097 was recovered 1.2 km to the north of the type locality and IVPP V18102 an additional 2.2 km northward. The type locality is positioned between two tuffs (T-2 and T-BW of [20]) and can thereby be dated securely to the early Oxfordian. V18102 and V18097 were recovered from sediments slightly higher in the formation, just above the T-BW tuff dated 159.7+/-0.3 million years ago, but still thought to be Oxfordian in age considering locally calculated sedimentation rates. Precise locality information is unavailable for V18101 and V18103 within Wucaiwan, but they are likely from the upper part of the Shishugou Formation, and therefore Oxfordian as well.

Fig. 10: The vicariant origin of the primary clades of turtles. a the early or complete fossil record of the clades Pan-Chelidae, Pan-Pelomedusoides, Paracryptodira, Pan-Cryptodira and Cryptodira imposed upon a paleogeographic reconstruction for the Late Jurassic highlighting the biogeographic areas of southern Gondwana, northern Gondwana, Euramerica and Asia, respectively. b the complete fossil record of the clades Meiolaniformes, Helochelydridae, and Sichuanchelyidae imposed upon the paleogeographic reconstruction for the Late Jurassic illustrating the biogeographic areas of southern Gondwana, Euramerica and Asia, respectively    DOI:  10.1186/s12862-016-0762-5

 Walter G. Joyce, Márton Rabi, James M. Clark and Xing Xu. 2016. A Toothed Turtle from the Late Jurassic of China and the Global Biogeographic History of Turtles. BMC Evolutionary Biology.  

DOI:  10.1186/s12862-016-0762-5

Ancient toothed turtles survived until 160m years ago http://phy.so/397813100 via @physorg_com

http://www.uni-tuebingen.de/en/newsfullview-landingpage/article/noch-vor-160-millionen-jahren-hatten-schildkroeten-zaehne.html

  

[Ornithology • 2016] Stiphrornis dahomeyensis, S. inexpectatus & S. rudderi • Three New Species of Stiphrornis (Aves: Muscicapidae) from the Afro-tropics, with A Molecular Phylogenetic Assessment of the Genus

November 9, 2016, 5:22 pm

≫ Next: [Herpetology • 2016] Tepuihyla shushupe • Systematics of Ecnomiohyla tuberculosa with the Description of A New Species (Anura, Hylidae) and Comments on the Taxonomy of Trachycephalus typhonius

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[from top to bottom]    Stiphrornis rudderi, S. dahomeyensis &  S. inexpectatus    Voelker, Tobler, Prestridge, Duijm, Groenenberg, Hutchinson,  Martin, Nieman, Roselaar & Huntley, 2016   DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2016.1226978

 Abstract

We describe three new species of forest robin in the genus Stiphrornis; two from West Africa and one from the Congo Basin. Each species represents a distinct phylogenetic lineage based on genetic analysis. In addition to genetic differentiation, each new species is diagnosable from other Stiphrornis lineages by morphology, and by plumage. One of the new species [Stiphrornis inexpectatus] appears to be restricted to the Central and Brong-Ahafo Regions of Ghana, and another [Stiphrornis dahomeyensis] is restricted to Benin and the Central Region of Ghana. In Ghana, these two new species presumably come into contact with Stiphrornis erythrothorax (Western Region of Ghana and westward), and there is evidence that one of the new species has a distinguishably different song from erythrothorax. The distribution of the third new species [Stiphrornis rudderi] is primarily on the south bank of the Congo River, near the city of Kisangani. Recognition of these species provides additional evidence that Afrotropical forests are harbouring substantial cryptic diversity, and that our knowledge of the drivers of this diversity remains poorly documented across the region.

Key words: Africa, cryptic species, speciation, systematics, tropical forests,

Fig. 1. Visual comparisons of new Stiphrornis taxa and their closest relatives. Column (A) dorsal, lateral and ventral views of (from left to right): erythrothorax, the type specimen of inexpectatus (LSUMZ 168539), the type specimen of dahomeyensis (TCWC 15743) and gabonensis. Column (B) dorsal, lateral and ventral views of (from left to right): the type specimen of rudderi (TCWC 15204) and xanthogaster.

Stiphrornis dahomeyensis sp. nov. 

Dahomey Forest Robin

ETYMOLOGY: Named after the Dahomey Gap, that separates the otherwise broadly distributed western and eastern expanses of Guineo-Congolian tropical forests, and in which the isolated Lama Forest is located. The Gap derives its name from the African kingdom of Dahomey, which lasted c. 300 years and was located in the area of what is now Benin.

DISTRIBUTION: The known distributional range of the new species is currently limited to one locality in Benin, the Lama Forest (6 57.61’N, 2 10.12’E) and a second locality from c. 30 km south of Assin Foso, Central Region, Ghana (5 19’59.88“N, 1 13’ 0.1194”E). 

Stiphrornis inexpectatus sp. nov. 

Ghana Forest Robin

ETYMOLOGY:  Named both for the unexpected nature of its distribution, being restricted to two provinces in Ghana, and the fact that there are no obvious geographic barriers that separate it from two other members of the genus.

DISTRIBUTION: The known distributional range of the new species is currently limited to three locations in Ghana, one 30 km south of Assin Foso, Central Region (5 20.300 N, 1 13.58’W), one in Kakum National Park, Central Region (5 210 3000N, 1 230 W) and another 26 km south-west of Goaso, Brong-Ahafo Region (6.71 N, 2.73 W). 

Stiphrornis rudderi sp. nov. 

Rudder’s Forest Robin

ETYMOLOGY:Named in honour of James Earl Rudder, who led the 2nd Ranger Battalion during the invasion of Normandy, and was later President of Texas A&M University; his presidency was a transformative steppingstone in driving A&M’s success.

DISTRIBUTION:The known distributional range of the new species is currently limited to two localities near the city of Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The first is Yoko Forest Reserve, Ubundu District (0.29400 , 25.288917 ), on the south side of the Congo River. The second locality is Turumbu, c. 8 km N of Yelenge, Yawenda District (0.633483 , 25.073933 ), on the north side of the Congo River.

Rudder’s Forest Robin, Stiphrornis rudderi

Gary Voelker, Michael Tobler, Heather L. Prestridge, Elza Duijm, Dick Groenenberg, Mark R. Hutchinson, Alyssa D. Martin, Aline Nieman, Cees S. Roselaar and Jerry W. Huntley. 2016. Three New Species of Stiphrornis (Aves: Muscicapidae) from the Afro-tropics, with A Molecular Phylogenetic Assessment of the Genus.  Systematics and Biodiversity.  DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2016.1226978

ResearchGate.net/publication/308697529_Three_new_species_of_Stiphrornis_Aves_Muscicapidae_from_the_Afro-tropics_with_a_molecular_phylogenetic_assessment_of_the_genus

facebook.com/BRTCTAMU/posts/10154443381201760

Team discovers three new bird species in Africa http://phy.so/397725009 via @physorg_com

[Herpetology • 2016] Tepuihyla shushupe • Systematics of Ecnomiohyla tuberculosa with the Description of A New Species (Anura, Hylidae) and Comments on the Taxonomy of Trachycephalus typhonius

November 10, 2016, 8:00 am

≫ Next: [Botany • 2016] Lecanorchis tabugawaensis • A New Mycoheterotrophic Plant (Orchidaceae, Vanilloideae) from Yakushima Island, Japan

≪ Previous: [Ornithology • 2016] Stiphrornis dahomeyensis, S. inexpectatus & S. rudderi • Three New Species of Stiphrornis (Aves: Muscicapidae) from the Afro-tropics, with A Molecular Phylogenetic Assessment of the Genus

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[A–B, H] Tepuihyla shushupe   Ron, Venegas, Ortega-Andrade, Gagliardi-Urrutia & Salerno, 2016   Figure 3. External morphology of Tepuihyla shushupe sp. n. and Tepuihyla tuberculosa comb. n.  A–B Tepuihyla shushupe sp. n. CORBIDI 12513 (holotype), adult male, SVL = 85.3 mm, Ere river, Peru; H iris coloration of Tepuihyla shushupe sp. n., (CORBIDI 12513). C–D Tepuihyla tuberculosa comb. n. QCAZ 55423, adult male, SVL = 83.1 mm, Parque Nacional Yasuní, Tambococha, Ecuador;  G iris coloration of Tepuihyla tuberculosa comb. n. (QCAZ 55423).  Photographs: A–B, H by P. Venegas, C–G by D. Quirola.  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.630.9298

Abstract

Ecnomiohyla tuberculosa is an Amazonian hylid of uncertain phylogenetic position. Herein DNA sequences of mitochondrial and nuclear genes are used to determine its phylogenetic relationships. New sequences and external morphology of Trachycephalus typhonius are also analyzed to assess the status of Ecuadorian and Peruvian populations. The phylogeny shows unequivocally that Ecnomiohyla tuberculosa is nested within the genus Tepuihyla, tribe Lophiohylini. This position was unexpected because the remaining species of Ecnomiohyla belong to the tribe Hylini. To solve the paraphyly of the genus Ecnomiohyla, E. tuberculosa is transferred to the genus Tepuihyla. Comparisons of DNA sequences, external morphology, and advertisement calls between populations of Ecnomiohyla tuberculosa from Ecuador and Peru indicate that the Peruvian population represents an undescribed species. The new species is described and a species account is provided for Ecnomiohyla tuberculosa. Trachycephalus typhonius is paraphyletic relative to T. cunauaru, T. hadroceps, and T. resinifictrix. The phylogenetic position of populations from western Ecuador indicates that they represent a species separate from T. typhonius sensu stricto. We resurrect the name Hyla quadrangulum (Trachycephalus quadrangulum comb. n.) for those populations. Amazonian populations of “T. typhonius” from Ecuador and Peru are genetically and morphologically distinct from T. typhonius sensu stricto and are conspecific with the holotype of Hyla macrotis. Therefore, we also resurrect Hylamacrotis, a decision that results in Trachycephalus macrotis comb. n.

Keywords: Advertisement call, Amazon basin, biodiversity, Ecuador, Lophiohylini, Peru, phylogeny, Tepuihyla

Figure 10. Life individuals and habitat of Tepuihyla shushupe sp. n. and Tepuihyla tuberculosa comb. n.  A habitat of Tepuihyla tuberculosa comb. n. at Juyuintza, Provincia Pastaza, Ecuador B Adult male of Tepuihyla tuberculosa comb. n. (QCAZ 53542) sitting at the entrance of the tree hole where he was calling C Adult male of Tepuihyla shushupe sp. n. (CORBIDI 12513, holotype) partly submerged in the water accumulated on the tree hole where he was calling D Tepuihyla tuberculosa comb. n. (CRBIIAP 1839) from the vicinity of Puerto Almendras, Loreto, Peru. Photographs: A, B by M. Ortega, C by A. Del Campo, D by G. Gagliardi-Urrutia.

B Adult male of Tepuihyla tuberculosa comb. n. (QCAZ 53542) sitting at the entrance of the tree hole where he was calling

Figure 3. External morphology of Tepuihyla shushupe sp. n. and Tepuihyla tuberculosacomb. n. A–B Tepuihyla shushupe sp. n. CORBIDI 12513 (holotype), adult male, SVL = 85.3 mm, Ere river, Peru C–D Tepuihyla tuberculosa comb. n. QCAZ 55423, adult male, SVL = 83.1 mm, Parque Nacional Yasuní, Tambococha, Ecuador; E–F Tepuihyla tuberculosa comb. n., QCAZ 55413 juvenile, SVL = 58.1 mm, Parque Nacional Yasuní, Tambococha, Ecuador G–H iris coloration of Tepuihyla tuberculosa comb. n. (QCAZ 55423) and Tepuihyla shushupe sp. n., (CORBIDI 12513). Photographs: A–B, H by P. Venegas, C–G by D. Quirola.   DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.630.9298

Tepuihyla shushupe sp. n.

Ecnomiohyla tuberculosa: Venegas and Gagliardi-Urrutia (2013)..

Etymology: The specific epithet is a noun in apposition. The word shushupe is used by native people to refer to the bushmaster Lachesis muta (Squamata: Viperidae), the largest viper in the Americas. Our field assistants in Ere river, Alpahuayo Mishana (Peru) and Juyuintza (Ecuador) believed that the advertisement calls of T. shushupe and T. tuberculosa were produced by L. muta. The belief that L. muta can sing seems to be widespread among hunters, colonists, and indigenous people from the Amazon basin (Lamar 1998). The association of the calls from Tepuihyla with L. muta by people on widely separated localities in Amazonian Peru and Ecuador deserves investigation.

Distribution and natural history: Tepuihyla shushupe is only known from the type locality in the headwaters of rivers Ere and Campuya, at an elevation of 145 m, in the Putumayo river basin near the boundary between Peru and Colombia. According with Vriesendorp (2013), the type locality consists of a complex of forest terraces, at elevations between 90 and 170 m above sea level, with a canopy reaching 35 to 40 m; terraces have heavy loads of leaf litter (~50 cm deep) and a dense mat of fine roots; the depressions between terraces have small palm swamps (~10 m wide) of Oenocarpus bataua; the soil varies between sandy and clayey; most streams have a muddy bottom, few have gravel and sand, and one has big cobbles.

The holotype was calling at the base of a big tree inside a narrow hole, 150 cm above the ground. The hole had 30 cm of height and had water accumulated. The frog had most of its body submerged (Fig. 10C) and the top of its head was covered by flies (probably Corethrella midges). We recorded its call and immediately made playbacks. The male answered by calling quickly and perching on the hole entrance. We detected at least six individuals during 18 hours of visual encounter surveys (0.375 individuals/hour,) in areas nearby where the holotype was found (primary forest). All individuals were detected by their advertisement calls and none could be collected. No females, amplectant pairs, clutches, or tadpoles have been observed.

 Santiago R. Ron, Pablo J. Venegas, H. Mauricio Ortega-Andrade, Giussepe Gagliardi-Urrutia and Patricia E. Salerno. 2016. Systematics of Ecnomiohyla tuberculosa with the Description of A New Species and Comments on the Taxonomy of Trachycephalus typhonius (Anura, Hylidae).

ZooKeys. 630: 115-154. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.630.9298

[Botany • 2016] Lecanorchis tabugawaensis • A New Mycoheterotrophic Plant (Orchidaceae, Vanilloideae) from Yakushima Island, Japan

November 10, 2016, 4:47 pm

≫ Next: [Ichthyology • 2016] Xenotoca doadrioi & X. lyonsi • Two New Species of the Genus Xenotoca Hubbs and Turner, 1939 (Teleostei, Goodeidae) from central-western Mexico

≪ Previous: [Herpetology • 2016] Tepuihyla shushupe • Systematics of Ecnomiohyla tuberculosa with the Description of A New Species (Anura, Hylidae) and Comments on the Taxonomy of Trachycephalus typhonius

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Lecanorchis tabugawaensis   Suetsugu & Fukunaga   DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.73.10019

Abstract

A new species, Lecanorchis tabugawaensis Suetsugu & Fukunaga, sp. nov. from Yakushima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, is described and illustrated. Lecanorchis tabugawaensis is similar to L. taiwaniana, but it is easily distinguished by the straight column, the glabrous status of the base of the column, the almost entire and narrow labellum morphology, the shorter part of the column fused with the labellum and the glabrous status of the apical part of the adaxial labellum surface. The new species appears to be restricted to two locations, each consisting of only dozens of mature individuals, and is assessed as Critically Endangered [CR D1] according to IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Keywords: IUCN conservation status, mycoheterotrophy, new species, reproductive biology, taxonomy

Lecanorchis tabugawaensis Suetsugu & Fukunaga, sp. nov.

  Diagnosis: Lecanorchis tabugawaensis differs from its close relative L. taiwaniana in having a straight column, a narrow and almost entire labellum and the glabrous apical part of the adaxial labellum surface.

Type: JAPAN. Kyushu: Kagoshima Pref., Yakushima Island, Yakushima Town, Koseda, along Tabu River, alt. 170m, 16 July 2015, H. Yamashita s.n. (holotype KYO; isotype OSA).

Etymology: The specific epithet is derived from“Tabugawa”, which is the Japanese name for the Tabu River, the type locality that also harbors other rare mycoheterotrophic plants.

Kenji Suetsugu and Hirokazu Fukunaga. 2016. Lecanorchis tabugawaensis (Orchidaceae, Vanilloideae), A New Mycoheterotrophic Plant from Yakushima Island, Japan.
PhytoKeys. 73: 125-135. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.73.10019

   

   

[Ichthyology • 2016] Xenotoca doadrioi & X. lyonsi • Two New Species of the Genus Xenotoca Hubbs and Turner, 1939 (Teleostei, Goodeidae) from central-western Mexico

November 10, 2016, 5:42 pm

≫ Next: [Cnidaria • 2016] Erenna insidiator & E. sirena • A Description of Two New Species of the Genus Erenna (Siphonophora: Physonectae: Erennidae), with Notes on Recently Collected Specimens of Other Erenna species

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Xenotoca doadrioi & X. lyonsi  Domínguez-Domínguez, Bernal-Zuñiga, & Piller, 2016  FIGURE 5. a) Xenotoca doadrioi, Holotype male CPUM-9589 and female from San Sebastian b) Xenotoca lyonsi, Holotype male CPUM-9590 and female from Tamazula c) Xenotoca eiseni, male and female from Compostela population picture by Wolfgang Gessl [www.pisces.at] DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4189.1.3

Abstract

The subfamily Goodeinae (Goodeidae) is one of the most representative and well-studied group of fishes from central Mexico, with around 18 genera and 40 species. Recent phylogenetic studies have documented a high degree of genetic diversity and divergences among populations, suggesting that the diversity of the group may be underestimated. The species Xenotoca eiseni has had several taxonomic changes since its description. Xenotoca eiseni is considered a widespread species along the Central Pacific Coastal drainages of Mexico, inhabiting six independent drainages. Recent molecular phylogenetic studies suggest that X. eiseni is a species complex, represented by at least three independent evolutionary lineages. We carried out a meristic and morphometric study in order to evaluate the morphological differences among these genetically divergent populations and describe two new species. The new species of goodeines, Xenotoca doadrioi and X. lyonsi, are described from the Etzatlan endorheic drainage and upper Coahuayana basin respectively.

Keywords: Pisces, taxonomy, morphometric, meristic, conservation, Central Mexico

Domínguez-Domínguez, O., Bernal-Zuñiga, D.M. and Piller, K.R. 2016. Two New Species of the Genus Xenotoca Hubbs and Turner, 1939 (Teleostei, Goodeidae) from central-western Mexico.  Zootaxa. 4189(1); 81-98. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4189.1.3

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[Cnidaria • 2016] Erenna insidiator & E. sirena • A Description of Two New Species of the Genus Erenna (Siphonophora: Physonectae: Erennidae), with Notes on Recently Collected Specimens of Other Erenna species

November 10, 2016, 6:25 pm

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Erenna laciniata Pugh, 2001   DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4189.3.1

Abstract

Two new Erenna species, Erenna insidiator sp. nov. and Erenna sirena sp. nov., are described from specimens collected in the vicinity of Monterey Bay, California, and also, for E. sirena at the southern end of the Gulf of California, Mexico. Further information on the three extant Erenna species is given, based on specimens collected in the same areas. These have enabled, for instance, the identification of three types of tentilla on the tentacles of E. cornuta Pugh, 2001, rather than the two noted on the single previously known specimen. The genus is remarkable for the presence of bioluminescent lures on the tentilla of all five species. In E. sirena sp. nov. the tentilla are also covered by a red-fluorescent layer, which was briefly described by Haddock et al. (2005), and further details are given herein. Another extraordinary feature of the colonies E. sirena sp. nov. is that the main part of the tentacle, with its tentilla, can be extended away from the siphosomal stem on a long peduncle. This phenomenon also appears to occur in E. laciniata Pugh, 2001, and has not been observed before for other physonect species.

Keywords: Coelenterata, Siphonophora, Physonectae, Erennidae, Erenna, taxonomy, Morphology, Lures

P.R. Pugh  and S.H.D. Haddock. 2016. A Description of Two New Species of the Genus Erenna (Siphonophora: Physonectae: Erennidae), with Notes on Recently Collected Specimens of Other Erenna species. Zootaxa. 4189(3); 401–446.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4189.3.1

[Ichthyology • 2016] Panaqolus tankei • A New Species of Tiger Pleco Panaqolus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the Xingu Basin, Brazil

November 10, 2016, 7:05 pm

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Panaqolus tankei  Cramer & de Sousa, 2016  DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165388

Abstract

Panaqolus tankei is described from the Xingu River, Brazil. The new species is diagnosed from P. albomaculatus, P. dentex, P. nix, P. nocturnus, and P. koko by its color pattern consisting of dark and light diagonal bars on the body and bands on the fins (vs. body and fins without bars or bands); from P. albivermis, P. maccus, and P. purusiensis by the width of the dark bars being more or less the same of the light bars (vs. dark bars at least two or three times wider than light bars) and from P. changae by the absence of vermiculation on the head (vs. vermiculation present on head). The new species differs from P. gnomus by the orientation of the bars from posterodorsal to anteroventral direction (vs. anterodorsal to posteroventral direction), and from P. claustellifer by the orientation of the bands in the dorsal fin that are not parallel to the margin (vs. parallel to the margin). The barcoding region (COI) was sequenced for the new species, sequences were deposited in GenBank and were compared with congeners from other drainages. With regard to the current construction of a hydroelectric power plant (a so-called mega dam) in the Xingu River, herewith we increase knowledge of the river Xingu’s ichthyofauna and, thus improve the assessment of the impacts of that construction on the river.

Fig 7. Live coloration of Panaqolus tankei. (a) from the region of Vitória do Xingu (live aquarium specimen; photo by R. Heidemann) and (b) from the region of Porto de Moz with more and finer lines on the head (live aquarium specimen; photo by A. Tanke).

Fig 10. Underwater picture of the natural habitat of Panaqolus tankei.

Distribution and habitat: The species is only known from the lower Xingu River, downstream Belo Monte Waterfalls (Fig 8). Panaqolus tankei are usually found on fallen trees and sunken wood alongside the riverbank, in depths varying from 1 to 10 m (Figs 9 and 10).

Etymology: A patronym in honor of Andreas Tanke, a German aquarist very dedicated to the genus Panaqolus, studying its behavior, reproduction, and differences between known forms, keeping these fishes in the aquarium, visiting their habitats, and publishing his findings. He probably was the first to reproduce Panaqolus tankei in captivity. For his (successful) efforts to improve communications between aquarists and scientists to join their forces in an era of less and less money for research and an ever accelerating destruction of natural habitats.

Fig 2. Live photos of all described species of Panaqolus.  (photo credits: A. Tanke [a, b, c, l], R. Heidemann [d], I. Seidel [e, h], J. Dignall [f], J. Gottwald [g], H.-G. Evers [i], E. Bertelsen [j], and C. Cramer [k]).

Christian Andreas Cramer and Leandro Melo de Sousa. 2016. A New Species of Tiger Pleco Panaqolus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the Xingu Basin, Brazil.
 PLoS ONE. 11(11); e0165388.  DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165388

  

[Paleontology • 2016] Tongtianlong limosus • A Late Cretaceous Diversification of Asian Oviraptorid Dinosaurs: Evidence from A New Species preserved in An Unusual Posture

November 10, 2016, 7:38 pm

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Tongtianlong limosus  Lü, Chen, Brusatte, Zhu & Shen, 2016  An artistic reconstruction, showing the last-ditch struggle of Tongtianlong limosus as it was mired in mud, one possible, but highly speculative, interpretation for how the specimen was killed and buried. (Drawn by Zhao Chuang)  DOI: 10.1038/srep35780

Abstract

Oviraptorosaurs are a bizarre group of bird-like theropod dinosaurs, the derived forms of which have shortened, toothless skulls, and which diverged from close relatives by developing peculiar feeding adaptations. Although once among the most mysterious of dinosaurs, oviraptorosaurs are becoming better understood with the discovery of many new fossils in Asia and North America. The Ganzhou area of southern China is emerging as a hotspot of oviraptorosaur discoveries, as over the past half decade five new monotypic genera have been found in the latest Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) deposits of this region. We here report a sixth diagnostic oviraptorosaur from Ganzhou, Tongtianlong limosus gen. et sp. nov., represented by a remarkably well-preserved specimen in an unusual splayed-limb and raised-head posture. Tongtianlong is a derived oviraptorid oviraptorosaur, differentiated from other species by its unique dome-like skull roof, highly convex premaxilla, and other features of the skull. The large number of oviraptorosaurs from Ganzhou, which often differ in cranial morphologies related to feeding, document an evolutionary radiation of these dinosaurs during the very latest Cretaceous of Asia, which helped establish one of the last diverse dinosaur faunas before the end-Cretaceous extinction.

Figure 2: The whole skeleton of the holotype Tongtianlong limosus gen. et sp. nov. in dorsal view (a) and lateral view (b). Scale bar = 10 cm.

Systematic Paleontology

Dinosauria Owen, 184231.

Theropoda Marsh, 188132.

Maniraptora Gauthier, 198633.

Oviraptorosauria Barsbold, 197634.

Oviraptoridae Barsbold, 197634.

Tongtianlong limosus gen. et sp. nov. (Figs 2, 3 and 4)

Holotype: A nearly complete, three-dimensionally preserved skeleton with skull and lower jaws (DYM-2013-8). The specimen is accessioned at the Dongyang Museum, Dongyang City, Zhejiang Province.

Type locality and horizon: The building site of the No. 3 high school of Ganxian (GPS coordinates are provided on request from the first author); Nanxiong Formation (Maastrichtian, Upper Cretaceous).

Etymology: Tongtian, Chinese Pinyin, refers to Tongtianyan of Ganzhou, the first grotto south of the Yangtze River. Tongtian also means the road to heaven, a fitting epitaph for a deceased dinosaur preserved with outstretched arms. Long, Chinese Pinyin for dragon. Limosus, Latin for muddy, refers to the holotype specimen being found in an unusual posture in a mudstone (Fig. 5).

Junchang Lü, Rongjun Chen, Stephen L. Brusatte, Yangxiao Zhu and Caizhi Shen. 2016. A Late Cretaceous Diversification of Asian Oviraptorid Dinosaurs: Evidence from A New Species preserved in An Unusual Posture. Scientific Reports. 6, Article number: 35780. DOI: 10.1038/srep35780

  

[Entomology • 2016] Magneuptychia pax • A Remarkable New Butterfly Species (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae) from western Amazonia

November 10, 2016, 8:29 pm

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Magneuptychia pax  Huertas, Lamas, Fagua & Willmott, 2016  proaves.org

Abstract

 A distinctive new species of butterfly in the subtribe Euptychiina (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae), which is widespread throughout the upper Amazon in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, is here described. The species is provisionally placed in the genus Magneuptychia Forster, 1964, although this is likely to change as the higher level taxonomy of Euptychiina is resolved and the genus is reviewed in detail. 

Keywords: Systematics, Euptychiina, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador. 

Magneuptychia pax sp. nov. Huertas, Lamas, Fagua & Willmott

‘Euptychia’? sp.: D’Abrera 1988: 786-787, figs. (Peru? Ecuador).

Magneuptychia sp. n. 1: Lamas, Robbins & Harvey. [1997]: 65.

Magneuptychia [n. sp.]: Lamas, 2004: 220 (no. 1416).

Magneuptychia sp. 3: Piñas, 2004: 34, figs. 271-272. 

Distribution: Magneuptychia pax n. sp. has been found to date only in a limited area of western Amazonia, where it is confirmed from specimens collected in Colombia (north to Caquetá), Ecuador and Peru (south to Loreto). All known localities are situated within 4 degrees of the Equator, suggesting a specialisation to warmer habitats within western Amazonia. This species is known to range from 115 to 300 metres above sea level (Fig. 3).

 Etymology: The name pax is the nominative singular of a third declension Latin noun, meaning ‘peace’. The name is non-variable. Magneuptychia pax n. sp. is dedicated to the peace process in Colombia and to every person affected there by a conflict that has lasted more than five decades, including in the remote forests that this butterfly inhabits. This dedication is made in the hope that a lasting peace agreement can be reached and to focus attention on the need for conservation of Amazon forests and improvement in conditions for research and scientific discovery in that region. 

Blanca Huertas, Gerardo Lamas, Giovanny Fagua, James Mallet, Shinichi Nakahara and Keith Willmott. 2016. A Remarkable New Butterfly Species from western Amazonia (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae).  [Una notable nueva especie de mariposa de la Amazonía occidental (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae)]. Conservación Colombiana. No. 24 – 27; 5-11. 

http://www.proaves.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Nueva-especie-de-mariposa-Cons-Col-24-5-11-Huertas-et-al.pdf

Discovery of a new species of butterfly for science

http://www.proaves.org/discovery-of-a-new-species-of-butterfly-for-science/?lang=en  @ProAvesColombia
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/our-science/science-news/2016/november/new-butterfly-name-dedicated-to-colombian-peace-process.html

[Ichthyology • 2012] Puntigrus (Systomus) navjotsodhii • A New Cyprinid Fish from Central Kalimantan, Borneo

November 11, 2016, 1:41 am

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Puntigrus (Systomus) navjotsodhii   (Tan, 2012)  Systomus navjotsodhii: MZB 17198, holotype, 41.7 mm SL, life colour. A, a pair near the rocky substratum; B, male near submerged river bank vegetation. Insitu photographs in type location, a hill stream habitat (Aug.2007).

Abstract

A deep-bodied tiger barb with broad black bars is described from hill stream habitats in the headwaters of the Katingan River in Central Kalimantan, Borneo. Systomus navjotsodhii differs from other tiger barbs in having four complete broad black bars and the deepest body (body depth at dorsal-fin origin 53.6–59.2 % SL). The species is named in memory of Navjot Sodhi.

Key words:  taxonomy, tiger barb, cypriniformes, Southeast Asia, biodiversity

Distribution. — Systomus navjotsodhii is currently only known from both the upper Katingan and Barito river basins in Central Kalimantan, Borneo (Fig. 4).

Etymology. — Named after the late Professor Navjot S. Sodhi(1962–2011), for his inputs to conservation and ecological research in Southeast Asia, also for his considerable contributions and services to the editorship of the Raffles Bulletin of Zoology (as Editor-in-Chief from 1996 to 2001, Associate Editor from 2001 to 2005, and Editorial Board member from 2006 to 2011). 

Discussion. — Systomus navjotsodhii belongs to the group of tiger barbs with a rhomboidal body, which include S. anchisporus (Fig. 5A), S. partipentazona (Fig. 5B), S. pulcher (Fig. 5C), and S. tetrazona (Fig. 5D). These are unlike the tiger barbs with an elongated body form, viz. S.endecanalis, S. foerschi, S. hexazona, S. pentazona, and S. rhomboocellatus. This former (rhomboid) group possesses a unique colour pattern, consisting of four or five black bars, with a dorsal fin with black pigmentation; whereas the group with the elongate body has five or six black bars, with a hyaline dorsal fin. 

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Heok Hui Tan. 2012. Systomus navjotsodhii, A New Cyprinid Fish from Central Kalimantan, Borneo.  THE RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 25: 285–289.  

https://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/pdf/PUBLICATION/Raffles%20Bulletin%20of%20Zoology/Supplements/Supplement%2025/s25rbz285-289.pdf