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[Entomology • 2017] Zopherisca analis • The Mythic Species Issus analis Brullé, 1833 (Hemiptera, Fulgoroidea, Issidae): Still An Enigmatic Taxon

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Zopherisca analis  (Brullé, 1833)

FIGURE 2.
 Zopherisca analis (Brullé), specimen from the Puton Collection in MNHN, dorsal view.

Abstract

One Issidae specimen stored in Paris museum historical collections is reported as holotype of Issus analis Brullé, 1833. From the original description, which is confirmed by study of this specimen, the species is moved to the genus Zopherisca Emeljanov, 2001 under a new combination Zopherisca analis (Brullé, 1833), comb. n. Date of description is discussed and modified from 1832 to 1833 accordingly. Unfortunately being a female as type specimen, the species remains quite enigmatic until some molecular analsysis could be undertaken on this old material.

Keywords: Hemiptera, taxonomy, new combination, Issidae, Zopherisca, Greece



 Vladimir M. Gnezdilov and Thierry Bourgoin. 2017. The Mythic Species Issus analis Brullé, 1833 (Hemiptera, Fulgoroidea, Issidae): Still An Enigmatic Taxon. 
Zootaxa. 4216(2); 197–200. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4216.2.6



[Arachnida • 2017] Allocosa marindia • On the Taxonomy of southern South American Species of the Wolf Spider Genus Allocosa (Araneae: Lycosidae: Allocosinae)

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Allocosa marindia  Simó, Lise, Pompozzi & Laborda, 2017

Living specimen of Allocosa marindia sp. nov. from Playa Pascual, San José, Uruguay.

Abstract

Three species of the genus Allocosa Banks, 1900 from southern South America are redescribed: Allocosa alticeps (Mello-Leitão, 1944), A. brasiliensis (Petrunkevitch, 1910) and A. senex (Mello-Leitão, 1945). The female of A. senex is described for the first time and the species is revalidated. A new species, Allocosa marindia sp. nov. from southern Uruguay and southern Brazil is described. The new species is distinguished by the flattened terminal apophysis of the male bulb and the conspicuous pointed projections on the posterior margin of the female epigynum. The species inhabits in sandy estuarine and oceanic coasts with psammophile vegetation.

Keywords: Araneae, Neotropical, wolf spiders, redescription, new species



Allocosa marindia

Etymology. The specific epithet is a noun in apposition taken from the type locality, where, for a long time, several studies on Uruguayan wolf spiders have been developed.

Distribution. Southern Uruguay and coastal Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. 


Taxonomy
Lycosidae Sundevall, 1833
Allocosinae Dondale, 1986
Allocosa Banks, 1900. 
Type species by monotypy, A. funerea (Hentz, 1844)

• Allocosa marindia sp. nov. 
• Allocosa brasiliensis (Petrunkevitch, 1910)
• Allocosa senex (Mello-Leitão, 1945) revalidated  
• Allocosa alticeps (Mello-Leitão, 1944)  

Miguel Simó, Arno A. Lise, Gabriel Pompozzi and Álvaro Laborda. 2017. On the Taxonomy of southern South American Species of the Wolf Spider Genus Allocosa (Araneae: Lycosidae: Allocosinae). Zootaxa. 4216(3); 261–278. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4216.3.4

[Herpetology • 2016] Oedipina berlini • A New Species of Salamander (Caudata: Plethodontidae: Oedipina) from the central Caribbean Foothills of Costa Rica

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Oedipina berlini  Kubicki, 2016

Abstract 
 I describe a new salamander of the genus Oedipina, subgenus Oedopinola, from two sites in Premontane Rainforest along the foothills of the central Caribbean region of Costa Rica, at elevations from 540 to 850 m. The type locality lies within the Guayacán Rainforest Reserve, a private reserve owned and operated by the Costa Rican Amphibian Research Center, located approximately 2 km north of Guayacán de Siquirres, in the province of Limón. The new taxon is distinguished from its congeners based on phenotypic and molecular (16S and cyt b) characteristics. Additionally, I describe and illustrate a standardized method for taking morphological measurements on bolitoglossine salamanders.

Key Words: Amphibia, Central America, Guayacán, morphometrics, Oedopinola

With the discovery of a new species of Oedipina from the foothills along the Caribbean versant of Costa Rica, the number of species of salamanders in the country has risen to 51. When compared to other countries, this diversity of salamanders places Costa Rica 5th among all countries on the planet, behind the United States (1st), Mexico (2nd), China (3rd), and Guatemala (4th). When considering countries with an area greater than 5,000 sq.km. , the highest diversity density of salamanders is found in the small country of Costa Rica, with one species/1,000 sq.km.
photo: Brian Kubicki   CRAmphibian.com 


Etymology: The specific epithet is a patronym honoring Mr. Erick Berlin, a naturalist native to the United States but living in Costa Rica since 1972, and who has a deep passion for the conservation of nature in the central Caribbean region of Costa Rica, especially along the northeastern slopes of Volcán Turrialba. Erick has been a close friend for many years, and during this time has supported and encouraged my research and conservation efforts with Costa Rican amphibians. I am extremely grateful for his friendship and encouragement. 

Habitat and natural history observations: Oedipina berlini has been found within leaf litter in young secondary to old-growth forest with varying topography. This species is known from five individuals, so a detailed accounting of its natural history cannot be presented here.


Brian Kubicki. 2016. A New Species of Salamander (Caudata: Plethodontidae: Oedipina) from the central Caribbean Foothills of Costa Rica.  Mesoamerican Herpetology. 3: 819–840.


Resumen: Describo una nueva salamandra perteneciente al género Oedipina, subgénero Oedopinola, de dos sitios de Bosque Premontano Lluvioso en las zonas montañosas del Caribe central de Costa Rica, entre los 540 a 850 m de altura. La localidad tipo se encuentra dentro de la Reserva del Bosque Lluvioso de Guayacán (Guayacán Rainforest Reserve), una reserva privada que pertenece y es operada por el Centro de Investigacíon de Anfibios de Costa Rica (Costa Rican Amphibian Research Center), ubicada aproximadamente a 2 km al norte de Guayacán de Siquirres, en la provincia de Limón. Este nuevo taxón se distingue de sus congéneres basándose en características fenotípicas y moleculares (16S y cyt b). Además, describo e ilustro un método estandarizado para tomar medidas morfológicas en las salamandras bolitoglossinas.
Palabras Claves: Amphibia, Centroamérica, Guayacán, morfometría, Oedopinola

[Ichthyology • 2016] Engraulicypris spp. • Phylogeographic, Morphometric and Taxonomic Re-evaluation of the River Sardine, Mesobola brevianalis (Boulenger, 1908) (Cyprinidae, Chedrini)

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Engraulicypris gariepinus Barnard, 1943
Engraulicypris howesi  Riddin, Bills & Villet, 2016
Engraulicypris ngalala  Riddin, Bills & Villet, 2016

Abstract
The river sardine, Mesobola brevianalis (Boulenger, 1908), is the type species of Mesobola Howes, 1984. Standard phylogenetic analyses of partial sequences of the cytochrome oxidase I gene of individuals from populations across southern Africa that are currently identified as M. brevianalis showed that these populations represent four genetically distinct allopatric lineages. Furthermore, Engraulicypris sardella (Günther, 1868), the type species of Engraulicypris Günther, 1894, was convincingly nested amongst these clades. These findings support synonymisation of Engraulicypris and Mesobola syn. n.; restoration of Engraulicypris gariepinus (Barnard, 1943), stat. rev. for the lower Orange River population; description of two new speciesEngraulicyprisngalala sp. n. and Engraulicyprishowesi sp. n. from the Rovuma and Kunene river systems, respectively; affirmation of the synonymy of Engraulicypris brevianalis (Boulenger, 1908), comb. n. sensu stricto and Engraulicypris whitei van der Horst, 1934; and restoration of Engraulicypris bredoi Poll, 1945, stat. rev. and Engraulicypris spinifer Bailey & Matthes, 1971, stat. rev. from Mesobola. Discriminant function analysis of a truss network of five traditional morphometric measurements and 21 morphometric measurements that characterised the shape of the fishes was used to seek morphological markers for the genetically distinct populations. Only E. gariepinus was morphometrically distinctive, but live colouration differed between the lineages. Detailed taxonomic descriptions and an identification key for the species are provided.

Keywords: Phylogeography, morphometrics, nomenclature, Mesobola, Engraulicypris, new species, new combinations, new synonym



Engraulicypris 

Etymology: Engraulicypris alludes to the anchovy-like form (eggraulis, -eos [eggraulis, -eos]; Greek) of these relatives of the carp (kyprinos [kyprinos]; Greek).

Distribution: Southern and Eastern Africa.


• Engraulicypris brevianalis (Boulenger, 1908), comb. n.

• Engraulicypris gariepinus Barnard, 1943, stat. rev.

Etymology: Gariepinus’ refers to the Gariep, a San name for the Orange River that means ‘Great water’.



• Engraulicypris howesi Riddin, Bills & Villet, sp. n.

Etymology: This species is named in honour of Gordon John Howes (1938-2013), whose studies of the osteology of the Danioninae (Howes 1980, 1984) laid the foundations of their modern classification. The epithet is a genitive noun.

Distribution: Namibia, Angola: Cunene River system.

Type locality: Olushandja Dam at channel outlet (17°25’53’’S 14°38’36’’E), Kunene River System, Namibia.

Biology: Very little is known of the biology of this species. Individuals appear to favour turbid, rocky, river regions where they can gather in pockets of recirculating currents. The holotype and some paratypes were collected in the shallow, turbid Olushandja Dam in the Namibian upper reaches of the system. They feed on drifting invertebrate larvae and adults and plankton.


Engraulicypris ngalala Riddin, Villet & Bills, sp. n.

Etymology: In the Cyao language spoken in the Niassa region of northern Mozambique, the name ‘ngalala’ denotes any, small, compressed, silvery fish, including Mesobola and species of Brycinus Valenciennes, 1850 and Hemigrammopetersius Pellegrin, 1926. The epithet is treated as a nominative singular noun in apposition.

Distribution: Mozambique, Malawi: Rovuma River system and Lake Chiuta.

Type locality: Lucheringo River below rapids at Singa hunting camp (11°48'56"S 36°13'15"E), Mozambique.

Biology: This species is found in ecological conditions very similar to those characteristic of E. gariepinus (Bills 2004). It favours big rivers, gathering in slack, turbid and shallow regions with sandy, rocky or muddy substrates. In Lake Chiuta specimens were caught in reed beds along the margins. The Lake Chiuta and Rovuma River stocks may differ ecologically because Lake Chiuta offers a lacustrine pelagic and benthic prey community (copepods, etc.) that is not found in the Rovuma River channel, where fish would predominantly have access to invertebrate drift.


 Megan A. Riddin, I. Roger Bills and Martin H. Villet. 2016. Phylogeographic, Morphometric and Taxonomic Re-evaluation of the River Sardine, Mesobola brevianalis (Boulenger, 1908) (Teleostei, Cyprinidae, Chedrini). ZooKeys. 641; 121-150. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.641.10434

[Entomology • 2017] Shuangheaphaenops elegans • A New Highly Cave-adapted Trechine Genus and Species (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Trechinae) from northern Guizhou Province, China

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Shuangheaphaenops elegans 
Tian, 2017  


Abstract
A remarkable aphaenopsian beetle, a sympatric species of Qianotrechus tenuicollis Uéno, 2000, was newly discovered in Cave Mahuang Dong of Shuanghe Dong cave system, the longest cave system of China in Suiyang County, northern Guizhou Province. To categorize this striking but still unknown species, a new genus and species are proposed: Shuangheaphaenops elegans gen. n., sp. n. Relationships of Shuangheaphaenops and other highly modified aphaenopsian genera from southern China Karsts are discussed.

Keywords: aphaenopsian, ground beetle, hypogean, southern China Karsts


  



Genus Shuangheaphaenops gen. n.

Type species: Shuangheaphaenops elegans sp. n.

Diagnosis: Large sized blind beetles, fore body evidently elongated and as long as elytra, shape intermediate between Uenotrechus and Dongodytes species, presence of three pairs of supraorbital setae on head, two dorsal and preapical pores on elytra, the first and second protarsomeres in male distinctly modified.

Etymology: Shuanghe + Aphaenops”. To indicate that the highly modified trechine genus occurs in Shuanghe Dong, the longest cave system in China.

Figure 6. Cave Mahuang Dong, the type locality ofShuangheaphaenops elegans gen. n., sp. n., and some sympatric cave animals
a opening, showed by arrowhead b entrance c Shuangheaphaenops elegans d Qianotrechus tenuicollis Uéno, 1998 e amphipod f cave cricket. 

Shuangheaphaenops elegans sp. n.

Diagnosis: A large-sized, eyeless cave trechine beetle, highly modified in morphology, with very elongated and slender body which is about four times longer than wide, fore body about as long as elytra, antennae as long as body including mandibles, extending beyond elytral apex; body glabrous, except for basal half of pronotum which is covered with erected setae.

Etymology: To indicate the slender shape of this beautiful aphaenopsian beetle.


 Mingyi Tian. 2017. A New Highly Cave-adapted Trechine Genus and Species from northern Guizhou Province, China (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Trechinae).
ZooKeys. 643: 97-108. DOI:  10.3897/zookeys.643.11050


[Ichthyology • 2016] Gymnogeophagus terrapurpura • A New Species of Gymnogeophagus Miranda Ribeiro (Teleostei: Cichliformes) from Uruguay

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Gymnogeophagus terrapurpura 
Loureiro, Zarucki, Malabarba & González-Bergonzoni, 2016 


ABSTRACT

We describe a new species of a substrate-brooding Gymnogeophagus , based on coloration characters. The new species can be distinguished from the remaining substrate-brooding species in the genus by the unique pigmentation of the dorsal fin which consists of light blue, diagonal stripes over a red background in the spiny section and a combination of round, elliptic, and elongated bright blue spots over a red background in the soft section. It can be further distinguished from all other species of Gymnogeophagus by the following combination of characters: a discontinuous bright blue band above the upper lateral line in the humeral area, light blue roundish spots over a red to orange background on the anal fin, and conspicuous bright blue horizontal bands on body. The new species inhabits a wide range of freshwater habitats in the lower rio Uruguay basin, Rio de la Plata coastal drainages and Atlantic Ocean coastal drainages in Uruguay.

Keywords: Cichlidae; Gymnogeophagus meridionalisGymnogeophagus rhabdotus; Substrate brooding; Systematics


Fig. 2: Non-type live specimens of (A) Gymnogeophagus terrapurpura from rio Santa Lucía basin, Canelones Department, Uruguay,
(B) G. rhabdotus and (C) G. meridionalis. (B) and (C) both from rio Negro basin, Tacuarembó Department, Uruguay. 


Sexual dimorphism. There is no evident sexual dimorphism except from slight differences in size. In the breeding season males are usually larger than females (10%-50% larger).

Geographic distribution.Gymnogeophagus terrapurpura is distributed from the rio Arapey (in the middle rio Uruguay basin) to all tributaries of the lower rio Uruguay basin and in the eastern coastal drainages of the Río de la Plata estuary and Atlantic Ocean in Uruguay (Fig. 6).


Ecological notes. Gymnogeophagus terrapurpura has been found in a large variety of habitats including shallow lakes, floodplain lakes, rivers, and streams, mainly associated with cobble, sandy or muddy substrates. Gymnogeophagus terrapurpura is an omnivore, feeding on zooplankton, macroinvertebrates, and periphyton (to a lesser extent), reducing greatly its feeding activity during autumn and winter when water temperature decreases, as described in a low-impacted lowland stream in Florida Department by González-Bergonzoni et al. (2016, named therein as "Gymnogeophagus sp.") and in a eutrophic shallow lake of Montevideo by Yafe et al. (2002, named therein as G. rhabdotus). Gymnogeophagus terrapurpura has been observed to brood on the substrate and exhibits substantial parental care, including aggressive territorial behavior in both males and females during the reproductive season, from November to January.

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the G. E. Hudson novel "La Tierra Purpúrea" (as it is known in the Spanish translation), in which the main character makes a trip through the same region where the new species occurs. A noun in apposition.


Conservation status.Gymnogeophagus terrapurpura is relatively frequent and abundant in the rio Negro, the middle and lower rio Uruguay basin, and in the oriental coastal drainages of Río de la Plata estuary and Atlantic Ocean in Uruguay. No specific threats were detected, and the species can be categorized as Least Concern (LC) according to IUCN criteria (International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), 2011).


Marcelo Loureiro, Matías Zarucki, Luiz R. Malabarba and Iván González-Bergonzoni. 2016.  A New Species of Gymnogeophagus Miranda Ribeiro from Uruguay (Teleostei: Cichliformes).
Neotropical Ichthyology. 14(1); e150082.  DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-20150082


RESUMEN: Describimos una nueva especie de Gymnogeophagus con incubación de sustrato, en base a caracteres cromáticos. La nueva especie puede ser diferenciada de las restantes especies del género por la exclusiva pigmentación de la aleta dorsal, la que consiste de bandas oblicuas de color celeste sobre fondo rojo en la porción espinosa y una combinación de manchas redondas, elípticas, o alargadas azul brillantes sobre fondo rojo en la porción blanda. Además puede ser distinguida de las otras especies de Gymnogeophagus por la siguiente combinación de caracteres: banda horizontal azul iridiscente situada por encima de la línea lateral superior discontinua en la región humeral, manchas azules brillantes redondeadas sobre fondo rojo anaranjado en la aleta anal, bandas horizontales azul brillante en el cuerpo conspicuas. La nueva especie habita una amplia gama de hábitats de agua dulce en el sector inferior de la cuenca del río Uruguay, los drenajes costeros del Río de la Plata y drenajes costeros del Océano Atlántico en Uruguay.

[Herpetology • 2016] Celestus laf • A New Species of Celestus (Squamata: Anguidae) from western Panama

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Celestus laf  
Lotzkat, Hertz & Köhler, 2016   

Abstract
 We describe the second specimen of the anguid genus Celestus collected in Panama as representative of a new species. The holotype of this new taxon was collected in the Reserva Forestal La Fortuna, about halfway between the type localities of the Panamanian endemic C. adercus and the Costa Rican endemic C. orobius. The new form is most similar to these two species, but differs from them and all other Mesoamerican congeners in scalation and coloration. 

Key Words: Cryptozoic diversity, endemism, Lower Central America, Reserva Forestal La Fortuna, Talamancan highlands 


    

Etymology: The specific name is composed of the initials of the “Lost and Found” ecohostel and given in appreciation of the type locality. Ever since their first visit, which occurred at the beginning of their respective Ph.D. projects in May of 2008, Andreas Hertz and Sebastian Lotzkat have benefited greatly from the exceptional hospitality they always experienced at the ecohostel, and were happy to use its facilities as a convenient base for their herpetological explorations of the La Fortuna Forest Reserve and other areas nearby. Through this mutual partnership, the beautifully situated and by now widely known cloud forest lodge has contributed significantly to our herpetodiversity research in western Panama, and we are glad to honor this exceptional venture by dedicating the second new species we found on its grounds to it, well-timed in its 10th anniversary year.

  
Sebastian Lotzkat, Andreas Hertz and Gunther Köhler. 2016. A New Species of Celestus (Squamata: Anguidae) from western Panama. 
Mesoamerican Herpetology. 3; 962–975.


Resumen: Describimos el segundo espécimen hallado en Panamá del género ánguido Celestus como representante de una nueva especie. El holotipo de este nuevo taxón fue colectado en la Reserva Forestal La Fortuna, aproximadamente al medio entre las localidades tipo correspondientes al endémico panameño C. adercus y el endémico costarricense C. orobius. La nueva especie es más similar a estas dos especies, pero se diferencia de ellas, así como de las demás especies del género conocidas de Mesoamérica, en escamación y coloración. 
Palabras Claves: Baja Centroamérica, diversidad criptozoológica, endemismo, Reserva Forestal La Fortuna, tierras altas de Talamanca 

[Botany • 2014] Allium akirense • A new Allium (section Molium) species (Amaryllidaceae) from Israel

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Allium akirense 
 N.Friesen & Fragman 

  
Abstract

As part of the phylogenetic revision of the Eurasian representatives of the subgenus Amerallium we have discovered a new Allium species (section Molium) in Israel, related to A. qasyunense. It is described here as Allium akirense, based on living plants and recent herbarium specimens. Independence of the new species is confirmed by morphological and ecological features, and also by molecular ones. To learn more about the phylogenetic relationships within a group of closely related species of section Molium, we used maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses of combined nuclear (ITS—internal transcribed and ETS—external transcribed spacers of rRNA genes) and chloroplast (rpl32–trnL intergenic spacer) dataset of 7 taxa. Discussion on geographic distribution, conservation status and habitat is provided, as well as an identification key including the closest related species.

Keywords: Allium, Allium akirense, Molium, plant taxonomy, ITS, ETS, rpl32–trnL


Allium akirense N.Friesen & Fragman, sp. nov.
From the closely related Allium qasyunense it differs in white-pinkish perigone, smaller only 3–5 mm long flowers, smaller capsules, included (to equal) stamens, and in a completely different habitat.

Allium (sect. Moliumakirense (AB. photos O. Hochberg).
D. Sandstone hill near Kibbutz Giv’at-Brenner with 
A. akirense (photo N. Friesen). 

  

Etymology:— The plant is named akirense after the Hebrew Biblical name “Ekron” and the Arabic name “Akir”, both relate to the hills and villages where the species is found. 

Distribution:— Allium akirense was found in 8 neighbouring sites in the southern Coastal Plain of Israel around Kibbutz Giv’at Brenner (Fig. 2). Since the coastal plain of Israel is densely settled, we cannot know the historical full range of the species. We believe it could have been growing in more sites that are now urban.


 Nikolai Friesen and Ori Fragman-Sapir. 2014. A new Allium species from section Molium from Israel: A. akirense (Amaryllidaceae).
  Phytotaxa. 173(2);  140–148. DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.173.2.4

     


[Botany • 2015] Cycas andamanica • A New Species of Cycad (Cycadaceae) from Andaman Islands, India

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Cycas andamanica 
K. Prasad, M. V. Ramana, Sanjappa & B. R. P. Rao 

Abstract
Cycas andamanica is described as a new species from Andaman Islands, India and this new species belonging to subsection Rumphiae. It's closely affinities with C. edentata and C. zeylanica are discussed and also provides detailed description, distribution, conservation status and photographs.

Key Words: Cycas, Rhumphiae, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, C. zeylanica, C. edentata

  
  

Diagnosis Distinguishing characters of Cycas andamanica: stems 20–120 cm diameter; longer leaves; young leaves bluish-green; leaflets 128–170; median leaflets strongly falcate, midrib raised both surface; cataphylls linear, 8–10 cm long; pollen cones narrowly ovoid; microsporophylls dorsiventrally thickened, 4.5–6.5 cm long, with apical wings; megasporophylls with six ovules, semi-orbicular at ovule bearing area; sterile lamina triangular at apex, margins entire or obscurely undulating, with or without two lateral spines, acumen spine 4–6.2 cm long; sclerotesta apically crested.


Distribution: Endemic to Andaman Islands (North and Middle Andaman Islands).

 Habitat and distribution: Humus-rich black soils in littoral vegetation from the sea level–20 m.

Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the name of the locality (Andaman Islands) from where the species is described.


 Kothareddy Prasad, M. Venkat Ramana, Ravi prasad rao Boyina and Munivenkatappa Sanjappa. 2015.  Cycas andamanica (Cycadaceae): A New Species from Andaman Islands, India. International Journal of Innovation Sciences and Research. 4(9); 473-476. 

[Ichthyology • 2017] Multilocus Molecular Phylogeny of the Ornamental Wood-eating Catfishes (Siluriformes, Loricariidae, Panaqolus and Panaque) reveals Undescribed Diversity and Parapatric Clades

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Fig. 1. Voucher specimens examined in this study, from the new subgenus Panafilus (lyretail clown plecos):
(1) Pf. albivermis, (2) Pf. albomaculatus, (3) Pf. nocturnus, (4) Pf. n. sp. Huallaga L329, (5) Pf. n. sp. Huallaga L351, (6) Pf. n. sp. Ucayali L425, (7) Pf. n. sp. Moa L453, (8) Pf. n. sp. Napo L466, (9) Pf. nix, (10) Pf. n. sp. Madeira;
 new subgenus Panaqoco (Orinoco clown plecos): (11) Pc. maccus, (12) Pc. n. sp. Tomo L465, (13) Pc. n. sp. Orinoco L448;
new subgenus Panaqolus (the tiger clown plecos): (14) Pq. changae, (15) Pq. gnomus, (16) Pq. purusiensis, (17) Pq. n. sp. Curua Una, (18) Pq. n. sp. Tocantins L002, (19) Pq. n.sp. Negro L169, (20) Pq. n. sp. Ucayali L206, (21) Pq. n. sp. Branco L306, (22) Pq. n. sp. Amazon L397, (23) Pq. tankei, (24) Pq. n. sp. Itaya L459;
and new genus Pseudoqolus: (25) Ps. koko.

Highlights
• Respective genera Panaqolus (exclusive of putative congener ‘Panaqolus’ koko) and Panaque are strongly monophyletic. 
• Within Panaqolus s.s., species are distributed across three strongly monophyletic clades.
• New subgenera are erected for each of the three subclades within Panaqolus.
• A new genus is erected for the enigmatic species ‘Panaqolus’ koko.
• Western tributaries of the Amazon Basin are an epicenter of wood-eating catfish diversity.

Abstract
Approximately two-dozen species in three genera of the Neotropical suckermouth armored catfish family Loricariidae are the only described fishes known to specialize on diets consisting largely of wood. We conducted a molecular phylogenetic analysis of 10 described species and 14 undescribed species or morphotypes assigned to the wood-eating catfish genus Panaqolus, and four described species and three undescribed species or morphotypes assigned to the distantly related wood-eating catfish genus Panaque. Our analyses included individuals and species from both genera that are broadly distributed throughout tropical South America east of the Andes Mountains and 13 additional genera hypothesized to have also descended from the most recent common ancestor of Panaqolus and Panaque. Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses of two mitochondrial and three nuclear loci totaling 4293 bp confirmed respective monophyly of Panaqolus, exclusive of the putative congener ‘Panaqolus’ koko, and Panaque. Members of Panaqolus sensu stricto were distributed across three strongly monophyletic clades: a clade of 10 generally darkly colored, lyretail species distributed across western headwaters of the Amazon Basin, a clade of three irregularly and narrowly banded species from the western Orinoco Basin, and a clade of 11 generally brown, broadly banded species that are widely distributed throughout the Amazon Basin. We erect new subgenera for each of these clades and a new genus for the morphologically, biogeographically and ecologically distinct species ‘Panaqolus’ koko. Our finding that perhaps half of the species-level diversity in the widespread genus Panaqolus remains undescribed illustrates the extent to which total taxonomic diversity of small and philopatric, yet apparently widely distributed, Amazonian fishes may remain underestimated. Ranges for two Panaqolus subgenera and the genus Panaque overlap with the wood-eating genus Cochliodon in central Andean tributaries of the upper Amazon Basin, which appear to be a global epicenter of wood-eating catfish diversity.

Keywords: Neotropics; undescribed species; L-numbers; biogeography; western Amazon; introgression




Conclusions
Our finding that approximately half of the species-level diversity in the widespread genus Panaqolus may remain undescribed is illustrative of the extent to which total taxonomic diversity of even commercially exploited Amazonian fish lineages may remain underestimated by current taxonomies. Our erection of strongly monophyletic subgenera for the species-rich genus Panaqolus should help to facilitate both the conservation and taxonomic description of species by making at least the major clades easier to identify and by restricting the number of congeners that future taxonomists would have to examine to adequately diagnosis new Panaqolus species. Moreover, our strong phylogenetic support for large-scale biogeographical influence on the diversification of Panaqolus helps to justify and spatially delimit studies by regional researchers with regular access only to collections representing regional diversity.

It is clear from the biogeographical patterns observed in both Panaqolus and Panaque, as well as the Cochliodon group examined elsewhere (e.g., Armbruster, 2003), that Andean affluents of the southwestern Amazon Basin are an epicenter of wood-eating fish diversity, with some drainages having up to five different sympatric but unrelated species of wood-eating catfish coexisting on the same pieces of submerged wood. See Lujan et al. (2011) for a detailed study of trophic resource partitioning in one such diverse assemblage.


Nathan K. Lujan, Christian A. Cramer, Raphael Covain, Sonia Fisch-Muller and Hernán López-Fernández. 2017. Multilocus Molecular Phylogeny of the Ornamental Wood-eating Catfishes (Siluriformes, Loricariidae, Panaqolus and Panaque) reveals Undescribed Diversity and Parapatric Clades. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. In Press.  DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2016.12.040
  

[Botany • 2017] Espeletia praesidentis • A New Species of Espeletiinae (Millerieae, Asteraceae) from northeastern Colombia

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Espeletia praesidentis  Diazgr. & L.R.Sánchez

Figure 1. Espeletia praesidentis: A habitat, showing a large population B holotype collection (M. Diazgranados & L.R. Sánchez 3865), with stemmed rosette habit and very long capitulescences C frontal view of capitulum D dorsal view of capitulum.

Abstract
A new species of Espeletia from the Páramo de Presidente in northeastern Colombia is described. The species is named Espeletia praesidentis after the name of the páramo, and it is dedicated to the President Juan Manuel Santos, for his persistent efforts in working for peace for Colombia. The new species is closely related to Espeletia dugandii, but differs in the shape and colour of the leaves and arrangements of the capitulescences. A large population was found, but its total extension is yet to be determine.

Keywords: Colombia, Compositae, Espeletiinae, Espeletia, frailejón, Millerieae, Norte de Santander, Santander, páramos, Presidente

Taxonomy

Espeletia praesidentis Diazgr. & L.R.Sánchez, sp. nov.

 Type: COLOMBIA, Norte de Santander, Páramo de Presidente. En vía a Chitagá, llegando al páramo. En frailejonal-pajonal típico. Muy abundante. Caulirrósula. Alt. tot.: 0.8 m; alt. de la roseta: 0.4 m; inflorescencias: 2 maduras y 4 secas, con escapo desnudo, con 3–5 capítulos, cada uno de 2.1 cm de diámetro; hojas más angostas que otros individuos simpátricos. Alt. 3503 m, -72°40.8828'W, 6°59.8362'N. 3 Oct. 2009, M. Diazgranados & L.R. Sánchez 3865 (holotype: COL; isotypes: HECASA and to be distributed).

Diagnosis: Caulescent rosette of yellowish-whitish appearance, with leaf laminae linear or linear-obovate, naked scapes with long peduncles and 3(–5) capitula, small in diameter, disc paleae oblong, oblanceolate or narrowly obtrullate, very short yellow ray flowers, and lobes of disc corollas with hairs. Similar to E. dugandii, but more yellowish, with much linear and narrower leaf laminae, much longer peduncles, smaller capitula and ray flowers, and disc corolla lobes with more hairs.

Description: Caulescent polycarpic rosette of yellowish-whitish appearance (not cinereous), 0.8–1.5 m tall (including capitulescences), growing in grassland of páramo proper. Excluding reproductive parts, rosette 40–60 cm in diameter, on stems 0–40 cm tall (Fig. 1 A–B).


Figure 4. Comparison of similar Espeletia species.
 AE. brassicoidea B E. canescens C E. conglomerata D E. dugandii E E. praesidentis F E. standleyanaGE. steyermarkii. The hygrophilous and always monocephalous E. estanislana was not included because of its very distinctive morphology. Above: plant habit; below: adult leaves with sheaths, and complete capitulescences. 

Figure 6. Distribution map showing the collection locality for Espeletia praesidentis (red circle), and collections of other Espeletia species found in the area: E. brassicoidea (green circles), E. canescens (orange squares), E. conglomerata (blue squares), E. standleyana (yellow triangles) and E. steyermarkii (pink pentagons). Topographic map from Environmental Systems Research Institute (Esri), HERE, DeLorme, TomTom, Intermap, Increment P Corp., General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO), United States Geological Survey (USGS), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), National Park Service (NPS), Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN), GeoBase, Institut Géographique National (IGN), Kadaster NL, Ordnance Survey, Esri Japan, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan (METI), Esri China (Hong Kong), Swisstopo, MapmyIndia, © OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community. 

Distribution: Endemic to Colombia. This species has been found only in the Páramo de Presidente (part of the great Páramo de Almorzadero), at elevations of 3400–3600 m (Fig. 6). The known area of distribution is about 2 sq.km.

Ecology: A large population of several hundreds of individuals growing in the grasslands of the páramo proper was observed (Fig. 1, 6). Other Espeletia species found in the area are: Espeletia brassicoidea Cuatrec., E. canescens A.C.Sm., E. conglomerata A. C. Sm., E. dugandii Cuatrec., E. standleyana A. C. Sm., and E. steyermarkii Cuatrec. (Fig. 6). E praesidentis can be found in slightly humid plains and on relatively drained slopes.

Etymology: The specific epithet of this new species, “praesidentis”, taken from the locality where the species is found, is dedicated also to the President of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos Calderón, for his persistent efforts to achieve peace with the guerillas FARC in Colombia, after 52 years of conflict. The Páramo de Presidente has been one of those places that has been closed to researchers for decades. With the peace agreement this and other places will be open for fruitful botanical explorations during the post-conflict times in Colombia. May this publication inspire the President to continue with further actions for the preservation of Colombian biodiversity.

Conservation status: Despite seeing a relatively large population, this páramo area is not under any sort of protection, and there are signs of grazing activity. Also, very close there are extensive potato plantations in areas that were covered by páramo vegetation in the past. This combination of elements suggests that the species is probably Critically Endangered (CR, according to the IUCN criteria: extent of occurrence estimated to be less than 100 sq.km., habitat fragmentation, and likely decline of the extent of the páramo; http://jr.iucnredlist.org/documents/redlist_cats_crit_en.pdf), or Critically Imperiled (G1, according to NatureServe; http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/ranking.htm).


    Mauricio Diazgranados and Luis Roberto Sánchez. 2017. Espeletia praesidentis, A New Species of Espeletiinae (Millerieae, Asteraceae) from northeastern Colombia.
PhytoKeys. 76; 1-12. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.76.11220

[Crustacea • 2017] Systematics and Biogeography of Cuban Porcelain Crabs (Decapoda: Anomura: Porcellanidae)

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Parapetrolisthes tortugensis (Glassell, 1945) 
Abstract

Marine crustaceans are a well-known invertebrates group in Cuban waters, but some taxa are not well catalogued and the literature about them is scattered. In this work, we present the checklist of porcelain crabs of Cuban Archipelago, including the literature registers and unpublished author’s data. A key to the identification of 8 genera and 23 species of the Cuban porcelain crabs is provided. Information about the local distribution of species is presented. In addition, we analyzed the porcelain crab faunal affinities between the ecoregions of the Cuban platform, Greater Antilles islands and the Tropical Northwestern Atlantic (TNA) province. For the first time, we record the presence of the monotypic genus Parapetrolisthes Haig in Cuba. On the Cuban platform, the highest similarities are between the Southcentral and Northwestern ecoregions (50%) and between Northcentral and Northeastern (40%). In the Greater Antilles, Cuba and Puerto Rico are the most similar (54%), but in general, the porcelain crab composition shows a high variation (e. g. 19% between Hispaniola and Puerto Rico). In the Tropical Northwestern Atlantic, five homogeneous groups of porcelain crab species are distinguished. Cuban fauna is most similar to that of Floridian, Western Caribbean and Southern Gulf of Mexico ecoregions. The decrease in species richness is evident from south to north in the TNA Province.

Keywords: Clastotoechus, Crustacea, Caribbean Sea, Madarateuchus, Megalobrachium, Neopisosoma, Pachycheles, Parapetrolisthes, Petrolisthes, Polyonyx, Porcellana

FIGURE 2.Parapetrolisthes tortugensis (Glassell, 1945), María la Gorda, Pinar del Río Province, Cuba. 


Carlos Lira and Yander L. Diez. 2017. Systematics and Biogeography of Cuban Porcelain Crabs (Decapoda: Anomura: Porcellanidae).
Zootaxa. 4216(5); 441–456. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4216.5.2

[Ichthyology • 2016] Eigenmannia correntes • A New Species of Eigenmannia Jordan and Evermann (Gymnotiformes: Sternopygidae) from the upper rio Paraguai basin, Brazil

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Eigenmannia correntes 
  Campos-da-Paz & Queiroz, 2017  


Abstract

Eigenmannia correntes, a new species belonging to the Eigenmannia trilineata species-group, is described from tributaries of rio Correntes, a major affluent of the rio Piquiri system, upper rio Paraguai basin (Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul states, Brazil). Eigenmannia correntes is included in the currently poorly defined sternopygid genus Eigenmannia (Ostariophysi: Gymnotiformes) by presenting characters that are either primitive or of uncertain polarity, such as eyes covered by skin, scales present over entire postcranial portion of body, teeth absent from oral valve, infraorbital bones 1+2 with enlarged posterodorsal expansion, and gill rakers short and unossified. The new species is distinguished from all congeners, except those species included in the Eigenmannia trilineata species-group, by the presence of a conspicuous superior midlateral stripe (synapomorphy of this clade). Eigenmannia correntes can be differentiated from all members of the Eigenmannia trilineata species-group, except E. vicentespelaea, E. waiwai and E. besouro, by its subterminal mouth (vs. terminal in remaining species of that group). Further, it differs from these aforementioned species by a number of meristic and morphometric characters, including number of premaxillary and dentary teeth, number of longitudinal series of scales above lateral line, number of pectoral-fin and anal-fin rays, eye diameter, postorbital distance, and snout length. Finally, notes on reproduction and parasitism for E. correntes are presented.

Keywords: Pisces, Eigenmannia trilineata, Eigenmanninae, glass knifefish, Systematics, taxonomy



Etymology. The specific epithet correntes refers to the rio Correntes, the main river at the rio Piquiri system, upper rio Paraguai basin, from where all specimens used in the original description were collected. A noun in apposition.


Ricardo Campos-Da-Paz and Igor Raposo Queiroz. 2017. A New Species of Eigenmannia Jordan and Evermann (Gymnotiformes: Sternopygidae) from the upper rio Paraguai basin.
Zootaxa.4216(1); 073–084.   DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4216.1.5

[Invertebrate • 2017] Cratera cryptolineata, C. nigrimarginata & C. aureomaculata • Three New Species of Cratera Carbayo et al., 2013 (Platyhelminthes, Continenticola) from Araucaria Forests with A Key to Species of the Genus

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Cratera cryptolineataC. nigrimarginata & C. aureomaculata  
Rossi & Leal-Zanchet, 2017  

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.643.11093 

Abstract
Areas of Araucaria moist forest have been considered to constitute hotspots of land flatworm diversity, harbouring a high number of undescribed species. Herein we describe three new species of land flatworms of Cratera Carbayo et al., 2013 occurring in such type of forest in south Brazil. The three species are differentiated from their congeners mainly by their colour pattern, anatomy of the pharynx and prostatic vesicle, and details of the penis papilla and male atrium. An identification key to species of the genus in the Neotropical region is provided.

Keywords: Atlantic Forest, Geoplaninae, land flatworms, Neotropical region, taxonomy, Tricladida


Taxonomy
Family Geoplanidae Stimpson, 1857
Subfamily Geoplaninae Stimpson, 1857
Cratera Carbayo et al., 2013

• Cratera cryptolineata sp. n.

Diagnosis: Species of Cratera with dark-brown dorsal colour, thin median stripe and greyish margins; eyes dorsal with clear halos; pharynx cylindrical; prostatic vesicle almost horizontal; penis papilla conical and symmetrical occupying distal portion of female atrium.

Etymology: The specific name is a composite of the Greek adjective kryptós (hidden) and the Latin noun linea (stripe), referring to the thin median stripe, visible only under the stereomicroscope.


• Cratera nigrimarginata sp. n.

Diagnosis: Species of Cratera with light-brownish dorsal colour bordered by dark margins; eyes dorsal with clear halos and bilobed appearance; pharynx cylindrical; prostatic vesicle with unbranched and dilated proximal portion; tip of penis papilla with infolds projecting into ejaculatory duct; cyanophil glands pierce male atrium evenly distributed.

Etymology: The specific name is a composite of the Latin adjective niger (black) and the Latin noun margo (margin), referring to the colour pattern with dark margins.


• Cratera aureomaculata sp. n.

Diagnosis: Species of Cratera with dorsal ground colour yellowish covered by brownish pigmentation in cephalic region and blackish pigmentation constituting irregular flecks over rest of dorsum; eyes dorsal with clear halos; pharynx cylindrical; prostatic vesicle unpaired with proximal portion displaced ventrally, laterally expanded and T-shaped; penis papilla conical and symmetrical with ventral insertion posteriorly displaced.

Etymology: The specific name is a composite of the Latin adjective aureus (golden) and the Latin noun macula (spot), referring to the colour pattern with yellowish ground colour covered by black irregular flecks.

  
 Ilana Rossi and Ana Leal-Zanchet. 2017. Three New Species of Cratera Carbayo et al., 2013 from Araucaria Forests with A Key to Species of the Genus (Platyhelminthes, Continenticola). ZooKeys. 643: 1-32. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.643.11093

Hidden diversity: 3 new species of land flatworms from the Brazilian Ara...  bit.ly/2jusW5B via @Pensoft @EurekAlert

[Ichthyology • 2014] Nothobranchius chochamandai • A New Species of Annual Killifish (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae) from the Luapula drainage, Democratic Republic of Congo

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Nothobranchius chochamandai Nagy, 2014

Nothobranchius chochamandai, new species, is described from ephemeral swamps of the Kinikabwimba River, tributary of Lufutishi River in the lower Luapula drainage in Katanga province of Democratic Republic of Congo. It is identified as belonging to the N. brieni species-group of which it shows the diagnostic characters in males: proximal portion of caudal and anal fins spotted; dorsal fin lacking dark distal margin; head without dark spots and scales without a black posterior margin. Nothobranchius chochamandai is distinguished from all other species of this species-group by the unique combination of the following characters in males: caudal and anal fins with light blue distal margins and without a submarginal band; dorsal fin without a light blue distal margin; postorbital length 56-60 % HL; snout length 16-19 % HL; head width 65-69 % of its depth, and caudal peduncle length 135-142 % of its depth.

Nothobranchius chochamandai, male (photograph by B. Nagy) 


Béla Nagy. 2014. Nothobranchius chochamandai, A New Species of Annual Killifish from the Luapula drainage, Democratic Republic of Congo (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae). 
 Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwaters. 25(2); 167-183. 


[Paleontology • 2016] Reappraisal of Europe’s Most Complete Early Cretaceous Plesiosaurian: Brancasaurus brancai Wegner, 1914 from the “Wealden Facies” of Germany

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Brancasaurus brancai in its natural habitat with pycnodontiform fish; Caturus and Hybodus in the far background

Artwork by Joschua Knüppe.    Hyrotrioskjan.Deviantart.com

Abstract

The holotype of Brancasaurus brancai is one of the most historically famous and anatomically complete Early Cretaceous plesiosaurian fossils. It derived from the Gerdemann & Co. brickworks clay pit near Gronau (Westfalen) in North Rhine-Westphalia, northwestern Germany. Stratigraphically this locality formed part of the classic European “Wealden facies,” but is now more formally attributed to the upper-most strata of the Bückeberg Group (upper Berriasian). Since its initial description in 1914, the type skeleton of B. brancai has suffered damage both during, and after WWII. Sadly, these mishaps have resulted in the loss of substantial information, in particular many structures of the cranium and limb girdles, which are today only evidenced from published text and/or illustrations. This non-confirmable data has, however, proven crucial for determining the relationships of B. brancai within Plesiosauria: either as an early long-necked elasmosaurid, or a member of the controversial Early Cretaceous leptocleidid radiation. To evaluate these competing hypotheses and compile an updated osteological compendium, we undertook a comprehensive examination of the holotype as it is now preserved, and also assessed other Bückeberg Group plesiosaurian fossils to establish a morphological hypodigm. Phylogenetic simulations using the most species-rich datasets of Early Cretaceous plesiosaurians incorporating revised scores for B. brancai, together with a second recently named Bückeberg Group plesiosaurian Gronausaurus wegneri (Hampe, 2013), demonstrated that referral of these taxa to Leptocleididae was not unanimous, and that the topological stability of this clade is tenuous. In addition, the trait combinations manifested by B. brancai and G. wegneri were virtually identical. We therefore conclude that these monotypic individuals are ontogenetic morphs and G. wegneri is a junior synonym of B. brancai. Finally, anomalies detected in the diagnostic features for other “Wealden” plesiosaurians have prompted reconsiderations of interspecies homology versus intraspecific variability. We therefore propose that the still unresolved taxonomy of B. brancai should emphasize only those character states evident in the examinable fossil material, and specifically accommodate for growth-related modifications delimited via osteologically mature referred specimens.


Figure 3:Brancasaurus brancai, GPMM A3.B4 (holotype).
(A) Cranium and mandible in lateral view, showing its condition in the late 1980s. (B) Reconstructed cranium and mandible in lateral and dorsal views; recovered components identified by Wegner (1914) (blue); (C) components restored in the present mount (orange). 
.....


Conclusions

The holotype specimen of Brancasaurus brancai from the uppermost strata of the Bückeberg Group (upper Berriasian) of northwestern Germany is one of the anatomically most complete Early Cretaceous plesiosaurian fossils known from Europe. Since its initial description in 1914, the specimen has suffered severe damage. Nonetheless a unique combination of diagnostic traits is present, including: rectangular conjoined frontals with a concave dorsal surface and ventrally confluent lateral sides; parietals forming a parietal table; cranial and middle cervicals with distinctly triangular neural spines; dorsal transverse processes bearing subdiapophyseal fossae; scapula with a prominent lateral shelf; pelvic bar formed by the pubes and ischia; and craniolateral cornua present at the pubes. Pointedly, the holotype specimen of B. brancai was ostologically immature, as indicated by the unfused neural arches and vertebral centra. However, other features (e.g., presence of cornuae on the pubes, and well defined epipodial facets on the propodials) indicate expression of at least ‘sub-adult’ character state development. Another but more incomplete plesiosaurian skeleton from the B. brancai type locality in the upper Bückeberg Group has been named Gronausaurus wegneri, but likely represents a more mature conspecific individual. Some variation is present in the number of dorsal/sacral vertebrae. Our phylogenies otherwise detected character state conflict only in the height of the cervical neural spines, proportions of the cervical centra, and basal constriction of the dorsal neural spines. Nevertheless, these constituted polymorphisms that probably reflect specimen completeness and/or differing ontogenetic stage, suggesting that G. wegneri represents a junior synonym of B. brancai. Finally, in our opinion, the weakly supported alternative topological nesting of B. brancai + G. wegneri either within Leptocleididae, or interpolated between Elasmosauridae and Leptocleididae + Polycotylidae dictates that the taxonomic affinities of B. brancai must, at present, remain provisional.


Sven Sachs​, Jahn J. Hornung and Benjamin P. Kear. 2016. Reappraisal of Europe’s Most Complete Early Cretaceous Plesiosaurian: Brancasaurus brancai Wegner, 1914 from the “Wealden Facies” of Germany. PeerJ. 4:e2813. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2813

"Brancasaurus - a forgotten and beaten beauty" by Hyrotrioskjan hyrotrioskjan.deviantART.com/art/Brancasaurus-a-forgotten-and-beaten-beauty-564992991

[Entomology • 2017] Gomphus kinzelbachi Schneider, 1984 (Odonata: Gomphidae), in Iran: Identification, Habitat and Behaviour

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Gomphus kinzelbachi Schneider, 1984 


Abstract

Gomphus kinzelbachi was described by Wolfgang Schneider (1984) on the basis of a single teneral male captured by B. L. Sage on the Alwand River in eastern Iraq. In late April to early May 2016 two of the authors (TS and DI) discovered three individual-rich populations of this species on the large lowland river Karkeh in southwestern Iran (Khuzestãn). This is the first report of a breeding population of this species. Based on collected material we confirmed the structural differences of the male secondary genitalia between G. kinzelbachi and G. davidi on a larger number of animals. The female of the species is described. Gomphus kinzelbachi resembles most closely G. davidi, compared to all other West-Palearctic Gomphus species. Therefore, a direct comparison of the two species is given, and additionally some differential diagnostic hints for two other Gomphus species reported from Iran is provided. Our observations suggest that G. kinzelbachi reproduces on large clean lowland rivers in SE Iraq and SW Iran. In SW Iran only a free flowing stretch of the Karkeh, one of three parallel rivers (Karkeh, Karoon, Dez), seems to be suitable for this species. The other two rivers are affected by dams, dam construction, and increasing salinization. Additional dam constructions are also planned on the Karkeh River, thus, G. kinzelbachi may be on the brink of extinction.

Keywords: Odonata, Southwest Iran, Karkeh River, Khuzestãn, Iranian Gomphus species, Gomphusubadschii, Gomphusschneiderii


 Gomphus kinzelbachi, male, from Iran, Karkeh River.  
Photos by D. Ikemeyer.   DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4216.6.4 


Thomas Schneider, Dietmar Ikemeyer, Sónia Ferreira and Ole Müller. 2017. Gomphus kinzelbachi Schneider, 1984, in Iran: Identification, Habitat and Behaviour (Odonata: Gomphidae). Zootaxa. 4216(6); 572–584. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4216.6.4

  

[Invertebrate • 2017] Henricia djakonovi • A New Sea Star Species (Echinodermata, Echinasteridae) from the Sea of Japan

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Henricia djakonovi Chichvarkhin, 2017


Abstract

A new sea star species, Henricia djakonovi sp.n., was discovered in Rudnaya Bay in the Sea of Japan. This is a sympatric species of the well-known and common species HenriciapseudoleviusculaDjakonov, 1958. Both species are similar in body size and proportions, shape of skeletal plates, and life coloration, which distinguishes them from the other Henricia species inhabiting the Sea of Japan. Nevertheless, these species can be distinguished by their abactinal spines: in both species, they are short and barrel-like, but the new species is the only Henricia species in Russian waters of the Pacific that possesses such spines with a massive, smooth, bullet-like tip. The spines in H. pseudoleviuscula are crowned with a variable number of well-developed thorns. About half (<50%) of the abactinal pseudopaxillae in the new species are oval, not crescent-shaped as in H. pseudoleviuscula.
  ,  
Keywords:  Sea of Japan, East sea, New species, Asteroidea, Spinulosida, Taxonomy


Henricia djakonovi  Chichvarkhin, 2017

Figure 4: Henricia djakonovi in natural environment, Rudnaya Bay, 5 Oct 2015 (specimen not preserved).

Ecology: The species was found on solid rock at the depths of 14–18 m at water temperature of 2–6°C.

Etymology: The name is dedicated to A.M. Djakonov, the famous Russian (Soviet) echinoderm taxonomist who described several species in the genus Henricia.


Anton Chichvarkhin. 2017. Henriciadjakonovi sp. nov. (Echinodermata, Echinasteridae): A New Sea Star Species from the Sea of Japan.
 PeerJ. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2863 

[PaleoOrnithology • 2017] The Extreme Insular Adaptation of Garganornis ballmanni Meijer, 2014: A Giant Anseriformes of the Neogene of the Mediterranean Basin

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Figure 4. Reconstruction of Garganornis ballmanni Meijer, 2014 based on the newly described fossil remains. This reconstruction is based on a generic Western Palaearctic Goose with short and robust tarsometatarsus, short toes and very short wings according to the known elements of Garganornis ballmanni.

Illustration made by Stefano Maugeri. 
DOI: 10.1098/rsos.160722 

Abstract

New skeletal elements of the recently described endemic giant anseriform Garganornis ballmanni Meijer, 2014 are presented, coming from the type-area of the Gargano and from Scontrone, southern and central Italy, respectively. The new remains represent the first bird remains found at Scontrone so far, and another shared element between these two localities, both part of the Apulia-Abruzzi Palaeobioprovince. The presence of a very reduced carpometacarpus confirms its flightlessness, only previously supposed on the basis of the very large size, while the morphologies of tarsometatarsus and posterior phalanges clearly indicate the adaptation of G. ballmanni to a terrestrial, non-aquatic, lifestyle. Its very large body size is similar to that observed in different, heavily modified, insular waterfowl and has been normally interpreted as the response to the absence of terrestrial predators and a protection from the aerial ones. The presence of a carpal knob in the proximal carpometacarpus also indicates a fighting behaviour for this large terrestrial bird species.

KEYWORDS: fossil bird, Anseriformes, flightlessness, insular gigantism, Miocene, Italy



Systematic Palaeontology

Class AVES Linnaeus, 1758
Order ANSERIFORMES Wagler, 1831

Family Insertae sedis

GARGANORNIS n. gen.
Meijer, 2014. DOI:  10.1016/j.crpv.2013.08.001 

Type species. Garganornis ballmanni n. sp.

Derivation of name. Masculine, after the Italian region Gargano where the quarries are located, and ‘ornis’, Greek for bird.; ‘ballmanni’ refers to Peter Ballmann who was the first to describe the fossil avifauna of Gargano.

Holotype. Distal left tibiotarsus (RGM 443307), Fig. 2.

Diagnosis. A very large representative of the order Anseriformes characterized by the following unique combination of characters; central placement of the canalis extensorius, medially displaced condylus medialis, fossa intercondylaris very wide and shallow, distal opening of canalis extensorius circular, a less pronounced difference in width of the condylus lateralis and condylus medialis, condylus medialis projecting further cranially than condylus lateralis, a reduced epicondylus lateralis and a modestly developed epicondylus medialis, a reduced sulcus m. fibularis, a deep sulcus extensorius and the lateral half of pons supratendineus sunken.

Type locality. Posticchia 5 fissure filling, Gargano pedemountain belt (41.8° N, 15.4° E), Province of Foggia, Italy.



Conclusion

The data presented here confirm the taxonomic validity of G. ballmanni as a strongly modified species of crown-group Anatidae endemic to the Late Miocene Apulia-Abruzzi Palaeobioprovince of central-southern Italy, on the basis of fossil remains found in the Gargano area and at Scontrone.

The newly described material, although not perfectly preserved, gives new osteological details of the morphology of G. ballmanni, which confirms its flightlessness and its extreme adaptation to a terrestrial, non-aquatic, lifestyle. Furthermore, we observed evidence for wing fighting behaviour.

Garganornis ballmanni also demonstrates the strong endemic character of the Late Miocene Apulia-Abruzzi Palaeobioprovince, already suggested by the highly modified mammals and birds. The Mediterranean Sea thus confirms its role as centre of speciation and its islands can also be confirmed to be an intermediate type of island, with faunal composition halfway between oceanic and continental ones, characterized by a very impoverished mammal fauna with high degree of endemism and no terrestrial carnivores, and by a diversified bird fauna with highly modified taxa.


Marco Pavia, Hanneke J. M. Meijer, Maria Adelaide Rossi and Ursula B. Göhlich. 2017. The Extreme Insular Adaptation of Garganornis ballmanni Meijer, 2014: A Giant Anseriformes of the Neogene of the Mediterranean Basin.  Royal Society Open Science.  DOI: 10.1098/rsos.160722 

Hanneke J. M. Meijer. 2014 A Peculiar Anseriform (Aves: Anseriformes) from the Miocene of Gargano (Italy) [Un ansériforme particulier (Aves : Ansériformes) en provenance du Miocène du Gargano, Italie]. C. R. Palevol. 13(1); 19–26. DOI:  10.1016/j.crpv.2013.08.001 


Abstract
A new large representative of the Anseriformes, Garganornis ballmanni n. gen. et n. sp., from the Miocene of Gargano, Italy, is described from the distal end of a left tibiotarsus. G. ballmanni displays morphological features that are characteristic of the Anseriformes, but differs from all extant and fossil Anseriformes, as well as from taxa closely related to Anseriformes. G. ballmanni is characterized by a very wide and shallow fossa intercondylaris, a less pronounced difference in width of the lateral and medial condyle, reduced epicondyli, and a circular opening of the distal canal. G. ballmanni is larger than any living member of Anseriformes, and with an estimated body mass between 15.3 and 22.3 kg, it was most likely flightless. Although the observed similarities between G. ballmanni and basal taxa might indicate that G. ballmanni represents an insular relict of a stem lineage, it is considered more likely that G. ballmanni was a species of waterfowl highly adapted to a terrestrial lifestyle in an insular environment where mammalian carnivores are rare.
Keywords: Anseriformes; Gargano; Italy; Miocene; Insular evolution

Conclusion: Garganornis ballmanni n. gen. et n. sp. displays morphological features that are characteristic for Anseriformes, but differs from all extant and fossil Anseriformes, as well as from taxa closely related to Anseriformes. Given the marked differences between G. ballmanni and related taxa, as well as the fact that important diagnostic features of the condyles are not preserved, I consider an “incertae sedis” position most appropriate. It should be noted however, that insular evolution can result in morphologies that deviate from the ancestral state, and make it difficult to trace a taxon's ancestry. The observed similarities between G. ballmanni and basal taxa might indicate that G. ballmanni represents an insular relict of one of these basal lineages. Although insular environments can serve as refugia and preserve stem lineages, an alternative hypothesis considers G. ballmanni a species of waterfowl highly adapted to an insular environment, with a morphology that is interpreted as adaptations to a terrestrial lifestyle in an environment where mammalian carnivores are rare. Given similar adaptations in waterfowl from other islands and the highly insular nature of the Gargano fauna, I consider the latter scenario most likely. G. ballmanni thus represents an example of convergent evolution of waterfowl in island ecosystems.

Résumé: Un nouveau grand représentant des ansériformes, Garganornis ballmanni n. gen. et n. sp., est décrit sur la base de l’extrémité distale d’un tibiotarse gauche dans le Gargano (Miocène, Italie). G. ballmanni présente des traits morphologiques qui sont caractéristiques des ansériformes, mais diffèrent de tous les ansériformes actuels et fossiles, ainsi que des taxons étroitement liés aux ansériformes. G. ballmanni est caractérisé par une fosse antérieure intercondylienne large et peu profonde, une différence peu prononcée dans la largeur des condyles latéral et médial, des épicondyli réduits, et une ouverture circulaire du canal distal. G. ballmanni est plus grand que tous les ansériformes actuels, et, avec une masse estimée entre 15,3 et 22,3 kg, il était probablement incapable de voler. Bien que les similitudes observées entre G. ballmanni et les taxons de base puissent indiquer que G. ballmanni représente une relique insulaire d’une lignée primitive, il est considéré comme plus probable que G. ballmanni ait été une espèce d’oiseau aquatique très adaptée à un mode de vie terrestre, dans un environnement insulaire où les mammifères carnivores étaient rares.
Mots clés: Ansériformes; Gargano; Italie; Miocène; Évolution insulaire

[Herpetology • 2013] Oligodon cattienensis • A New Species of Kukri Snake (Oligodon Fitzinger, 1826; Squamata: Colubridae) from the Cat Tien National Park, southern Vietnam

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Oligodon cattienensis 
Vassilieva, Geissler, Galoyan, Poyarkov, Devender & Böhme, 2013 


Abstract
We describe a new species of the genus Oligodon from the lowland forests of Cat Tien National Park, Dong Nai Province, in southern Vietnam. Oligodon cattienensis sp. nov. is distinguished from the remaining Southeast Asian kukri snakes by the combination of the following characters: medium-sized, deeply forked hemipenes without spines, 17-17-15 dorsal scale rows, nasal entire, 2 small postoculars, almost equal in size, 167–178 ventrals, 31–35 subcaudals, 24–35 + 5 large dark-edged vertebral blotches in combination with a yellow-orange or red vertebral stripe between blotches, head pattern including ocular band, temporal bands and elongated chevron, ventrals pink or whitish (reddish in juveniles) in life, some bearing a quadrangular dark blotch on each lateral side, or ventrals being entirely dark. Based on the hemipenial morphology the new species is assigned to the Oligodon cyclurus species group. A comparison table for all Indochinese Oligodon
is provided.

Key words: Oligodon cattienensis sp. nov., Dong Nai Province, southern Indochina, taxonomy, natural history



FIGURE 2. Holotype of Oligodon cattienensis sp. nov. (ZMMU R-13865) in life, dorsal (A) and ventral view (B). Photos by Anna B. Vassilieva.
FIGURE 4. Variation in life coloration of Oligodon cattienensis sp. nov. : (A) ZFMK 88921 (juvenile paratype); (B) ZMMU R-13866 adult male paratype; (C) ZMMU R-13815 adult male paratype; (D) uncollected adult specimen from Cat Tien National Park. Photos by Anna B. Vassilieva, Vitaly L. Trounov, Eduard A. Galoyan, Peter Geissler and Robert Wayne Van Devender

EtymologyThe new species is named after its type locality, the Cat Tien National Park. Established in 1978, and covering about 72.000 hectares, CTNP is one of the most important areas for the conservation of biodiversity of the lowland forests in southern Indochina.


FIGURE 2. Holotype of Oligodon cattienensis sp. nov. (ZMMU R-13865) in life, dorsal (A) and ventral view (B). Photos by Anna B. Vassilieva.
FIGURE 4. Variation in life coloration of Oligodon cattienensis sp. nov. : (A) ZFMK 88921 (juvenile paratype); (B) ZMMU R-13866 adult male paratype; (C) ZMMU R-13815 adult male paratype; (D) uncollected adult specimen from Cat Tien National Park. Photos by Anna B. Vassilieva, Vitaly L. Trounov, Eduard A. Galoyan, Peter Geissler and Robert Wayne Van Devender

Vassilieva, Anna B., Peter Geissler, Eduard A. Galoyan, Nikolay A. J. Poyarkov, Robert W. V. Devender and Wolfgang Böhme. 2013. A New Species of Kukri Snake (OligodonFitzinger, 1826; Squamata: Colubridae) from the Cat Tien National Park, southern Vietnam.
Zootaxa. 3702(3): 233-246.   DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3702.3.2
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