[Botany • 2017] Taxonomic Revision of Sabicea Subgenus Anisophyllae (Ixoroideae, Rubiaceae) from Tropical Africa, with Four New Species

February 3, 2017, 2:12 am

≫ Next: [Herpetology • 2016] Euphlyctis karaavali • A New Species of Euphlyctis (Anura, Dicroglossidae) from the West Coastal Plains of India

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Sabicea sthenula   (N. Hallé) Razafimandimbison, B. Bremer, Liede & S.A. Khan DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.293.1.1

Abstract

A taxonomic revision of Sabicea subgenus Anisophyllae (Rubiaceae), a group restricted to Central and East Africa, is presented here. This work, based on a study of herbarium specimens and field observations in Cameroon and Gabon, includes a survey of the morphological features of the group, a key to the species, descriptions of all the taxa, and IUCN conservation status assessments. Fifteen species are recognised, four of which are described as new (Sabicea mapiana, S. ndjoleensis, S. parmentierae, S. sciaphilantha), three former varieties are raised to species rank (S. crystallina, S. jacfelicis, S. tersifolia), and one species previously sunk into synonymy is restored (S. bequaertii). Two new infraspecific taxa are also described, Sabicea crystallina subsp. engongensis and S. sciaphilantha subsp. hirsuta. The group has its center of diversity in Gabon, where 10 of the 15 species occur, three of them being endemic to the country.

Keywords: Conservation status, Guineo-Congolian Region, IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, Lower Guinea, taxonomy, Rubiaceae, Sabicea, tropical African flora, Eudicots

Lise L.A. Zemagho, Sigrid Liede-Schumann, Olivier Lachenaud, Steven Dessein and Bonaventure Sonke. 2017.  Taxonomic Revision of Sabicea Subgenus Anisophyllae (Ixoroideae, Rubiaceae) from Tropical Africa, with Four New Species.  Phytotaxa. 293(1); 1–68. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.293.1.1

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[Herpetology • 2016] Euphlyctis karaavali • A New Species of Euphlyctis (Anura, Dicroglossidae) from the West Coastal Plains of India

February 3, 2017, 7:30 am

≫ Next: [Ichthyology • 2016] Gobius incognitus • A New Species of Gobius (Perciformes: Gobiidae) from the Mediterranean Sea and the Redescription of Gobius bucchichi

≪ Previous: [Botany • 2017] Taxonomic Revision of Sabicea Subgenus Anisophyllae (Ixoroideae, Rubiaceae) from Tropical Africa, with Four New Species

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Euphlyctis karaavali    Priti, Naik,  Seshadri, Singal, Vidisha, Ravikanth & Gururaja, 2016  DOI: 10.16373/j.cnki.ahr.160020

The genus Euphlyctis is widely distributed across Southwestern Arabian Peninsula into parts of Southeast Asia. Five of the seven known Euphlyctis species are found within the Indian subcontinent. Here, we describe a new species, Euphlyctis karaavali sp. nov. from South-west coast of India, which was discovered during surveys engaging citizens. This species was identified to be distinct based on molecular and morphological evidence. We provide a detailed description of this species along with its call description and compare it with closest congeners. Previous studies in the region had identified this species as E. hexadactylus but suggested the possibility of it being cryptic. Genetically E. karaavali sp. nov. is distinct from E. hexadactylus with a genetic divergence of 9.2%(12S and 16S) and shows a high divergence with E. kalasgramensis and E. ehrenbergii (13.04% each). Our findings are discussed in the context of cryptic species discovery, citizen engagement in scientific progress and conservation measures while suggesting future directions.

Keywords: Karaavali skittering frog; citizen science; molecular identification; agriculture; cryptic species

Hebbar PRITI, Chandrakanth Rukkappa NAIK, Kadaba Shamanna SESHADRI, Ramit SINGAL, Madhava Kulkarni VIDISHA, Gudasalmani RAVIKANTH and Kotambylu Vasudeva GURURAJA. 2016. A New Species of Euphlyctis (Amphibia, Anura, Dicroglossidae) from the West Coastal Plains of India. Asian Herpetological Research. 7(4); 229–241. DOI: 10.16373/j.cnki.ahr.160020
  academia.edu/30610660/A_New_Species_of_Euphlyctis_Amphibia_Anura_Dicroglossidae_from_the_West_Coastal_Plains_of_India

http://www.gururajakv.net/publications.html

The frog we thought was a kingfisher | BirdLife https://shar.es/1OLN9A
Scientists find new frog species - Bangalore Mirror
 http://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/news/state/scientists-find-new-frog-species/articleshow/56171398.cms via @bangaloremirror

   

[Ichthyology • 2016] Gobius incognitus • A New Species of Gobius (Perciformes: Gobiidae) from the Mediterranean Sea and the Redescription of Gobius bucchichi

February 3, 2017, 11:28 pm

≫ Next: [Diplopoda • 2016] The Millipede Family Anthroleucosomatidae (Diplopoda, Chordeumatida): The Caucasus as A Major Hotspot of Biodiversity

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Gobius incognitus  Kovačić & Šanda, 2016     DOI:  10.1111/jfb.12883

Abstract

A new species of the gobiid genus Gobius (Gobiidae, Perciformes), Gobius incognitus sp. nov. is described from the Mediterranean Sea, and its most morphologically similar species Gobius bucchichi is redescribed. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by: scales in lateral series 51–59; predorsal scales 25–35; opercle scaled in adults with 10–16 scales present; pectoral fin with ray count 18–20 and free tips on upper rays well developed and on the first ray longer than two thirds of the entire ray length; pelvic disc complete and with well-developed anterior membrane without lateral lobes; anterior oculoscapular canal with pore α at rear of orbit; oculoscapular row x1 not extending forwards to pore β; suborbital row d discontinuous with large gap below suborbital rows 3 and 4; eye diameter 1·08–1·32 in snout length; by pigment rows on cheek and pigmentation on pectoral-fin base.

Figure 1. Gobius incognitus sp. nov. (a) preserved holotype, NMP P6V 141129, male, 67·0 + 16·4 mm standard length + caudal-fin length, France, Gulf of Lyon, Banyuls-sur-Mer and (b) live specimen, NMP P6V 141128, male, 59·3 + 14·2 mm, France, Gulf of Lyon, Banyuls-sur-Mer.

Diagnosis: Gobius incognitus sp. nov. is unique among species of Gobius by the following combination of characteristics: (1) LL 51–59; (2) PD 25–35; (3) opercle scaled in adults with 10–16 scales present; (4) P count 18–20; (5) free tips on upper P rays well developed and the first ray longer than two thirds of the entire ray length; (6) V disc complete; (7) V disc anterior membrane without lateral lobes; (8) anterior oculoscapular canal with pore α at rear of orbit; (9) oculoscapular row x1 not extending forwards to pore β; (10) suborbital row d discontinuous with large gap below suborbital rows 3 and 4; (11) eye diameter 1·08–1·32 in snout length; (12) the pigment dots on cheek irregularly scattered or, if rows are visible, then additional dots or a third row present across the middle of the cheek between the lower row starting anteriorly at the angle of mouth and the upper row that touches ventral margin of eye; (13) the upper mark on the P base single or doubled, reaching downwards to eighth to 10th rays counting from the upper part of fin.

Etymology: The species name is from the Latin incognitus meaning unknown in reference to the long period of time that passed until this common and widespread species was recognized and described.

Ecological and geographical distribution: The species was collected in the north, middle and south Adriatic Sea, in the north-western Mediterranean in France, Banyuls-sur-Mer and in the eastern Mediterranean at Crete Island and in Israel (Fig. 3).  

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M. Kovačić and R. Šanda. 2016. A New Species of Gobius (Perciformes: Gobiidae) from the Mediterranean Sea and the Redescription of Gobius bucchichi.
 Journal of Fish Biology. 88(3); 1104–1124.  DOI:  10.1111/jfb.12883 

[Diplopoda • 2016] The Millipede Family Anthroleucosomatidae (Diplopoda, Chordeumatida): The Caucasus as A Major Hotspot of Biodiversity

February 3, 2017, 11:53 pm

≫ Next: [Herpetology • 2017] Pristimantis ashaninka • A New Species of Pristimantis (Anura, Craugastoridae) from A Montane Forest of the Pui Pui Protected Forest in central Peru (Región Junín)

≪ Previous: [Ichthyology • 2016] Gobius incognitus • A New Species of Gobius (Perciformes: Gobiidae) from the Mediterranean Sea and the Redescription of Gobius bucchichi

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Paranotosoma subrotundatum   Antić & Makarov, 2016  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4211.1.1

Abstract

Fifteen new genera and 36 new species of the diplopod family Anthroleucosomatidae Verhoeff, 1899 are described from the Caucasus, one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots: Golovatchosoma bacillichaetum gen. et sp. nov., G. trichochaetum sp. nov., Alpinella waltheri gen. et sp. nov., Brachychaetosoma turbanovi gen. et sp. nov., Caucaseuma elephantum sp. nov., C. fanagoriyskaya sp. nov., C. glabroscutum sp. nov., C. kelasuri sp. nov., C. minellii sp. nov., C. variabile sp. nov., Caucasominorus billi gen. et sp. nov., C. polylobatus sp. nov., Georgiosoma bicornutum gen. et sp. nov., Heterocaucaseuma feminaepectorum gen. et sp. nov., H. longicorne sp. nov., Paranotosoma attemsi gen. et sp. nov., P. cordatum sp. nov., P. subrotundatum sp. nov., Dentatosoma denticulatum gen. et sp. nov., D. magnum sp. nov., D. zeraboseli sp. nov., Enghoffiella insolita gen. et sp. nov., Metamastigophorophyllon hamatum sp. nov., M.lamellohirsutum sp. nov., M. torsivum sp. nov., Acanthophorellabarjadzei gen. et sp. nov., A. chegemi sp. nov., A. irystoni sp. nov., Cryptacanthophorella manubriata gen. et sp. nov., Flagellophorella hoffmani gen. et sp. nov., Pseudoflagellophorella eskovi gen. et sp. nov., P. mirabilis sp. nov., P. papilioformis sp. nov., Herculina oligosagittae gen. et sp. nov., H. polysagittae sp. nov., Vegrandosoma tabacarui gen. et sp. nov.

All anthroleucosomatids from the Caucasus, both new and previously described, are classified in eight endemic complexes, arranged as follows in alphabetic order: the Alloiopus complex, the Caucaseuma complex, the Dentatosoma complex, the Enghoffiella complex, the Flagellophorella complex, the Herculina complex, the Ratcheuma complex and the Vegrandosoma complex. The genus Metamastigophorophyllon Ceuca, 1976 (the type-species: Mastigophorophyllon giljarovi Lang, 1959, adequately redescribed from new material), is a new subjective senior synonym of Persedicus Mauriès, 1982, syn. nov., being also newly transferred from the family Mastigophorophyllidae to the family Anthroleucosomatidae, comb. nov. The following two new combinations are also proposed: Heterocaucaseuma mauriesi (Golovatch and Makarov, 2011), comb. nov. ex Anamastigona Silvestri, 1898; and Metamastigophorophyllon martensi (Mauriès, 1982), comb. nov. ex Persedicus Mauriès, 1982. An identification key to and distribution maps for all known species of Caucasian Anthroleucosomatidae are provided, as well as brief remarks on distributions and on cave-dwelling taxa.

Keywords: Myriapoda, Anthroleucosomatidae, Caucasus, taxonomy, new genera, new species, new synonymy, new combination

Dragan Ž. Antić and Slobodan E. Makarov. 2016. The Caucasus as A Major Hotspot of Biodiversity: Evidence from The Millipede Family Anthroleucosomatidae (Diplopoda, Chordeumatida).   Zootaxa.  4211(1); 1–205. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4211.1.1 

[Herpetology • 2017] Pristimantis ashaninka • A New Species of Pristimantis (Anura, Craugastoridae) from A Montane Forest of the Pui Pui Protected Forest in central Peru (Región Junín)

February 4, 2017, 12:12 am

≫ Next: [Mammalogy • 2017] Hapalomys suntsovi • A New Species of Marmoset Rat, Hapalomys (Rodentia: Muridae), from Binh Phuoc Province, southern Vietnam; New Insights Into the Taxonomy of the Marmoset Rats Hapalomys

≪ Previous: [Diplopoda • 2016] The Millipede Family Anthroleucosomatidae (Diplopoda, Chordeumatida): The Caucasus as A Major Hotspot of Biodiversity

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Pristimantis ashaninka   Lehr & Moravec, 2017    DOI:  10.3897/zookeys.645.11221

Abstract

A new species of frog of the genus Pristimantis is described from a montane forest between 1700 and 1800 m a.s.l. of the Pui Pui Protected Forest (Región Junín) in central Peru. Pristimantis ashaninka sp. n. is described based on five adult females (snout–vent length 23.1–26.7 mm) and ten juveniles (snout-vent length 10.6–13.4). It differs from its congeners by having the skin on dorsum shagreen with many conical tubercles giving it a spinose appearance, lacking a tympanum, having groin, anterior and posterior surfaces of thighs uniformly grayish brown, and a pale bronze iris with fine black reticulations, a median reddish hint horizontally across iris, and a black narrow vertical streak from pupil across lower and upper half of iris. Among the Peruvian Pristimantis that lack a tympanum, P. ashaninka sp. n. is morphologically most similar to P. lirellus, P. martiae, and P. rhabdocnemus. However, 16S DNA barcoding revealed clear distinctions between all four species of Pristimantis.

Keywords: Andes, montane forests, anuran diversity, Pristimantis ashaninka new species, Peru

  

Figure 2. Life holotype (MUSM 36517, SVL 24.0 mm) of Pristimantis ashaninka sp. n.

Pristimantis ashaninka sp. n.

Suggested English name: Asháninka Rubber Frog

Suggested Spanish name: Rana cutín asháninka

Pristimantis sp. Pui Pui in Lehr et al. (in press, Fig. 2)

Etymology: The species epithet ashaninka is used in reference to the indigenous people Asháninka who inhabit forests in the Peruvian Regions Huánuco, Junín, Pasco, and Ucayali.

Distribution, natural history, and threat status: Pristimantis ashaninka is only known from the type locality, which is located at the northeastern border of the Pui Pui Protected Forest, ca. 18 km (straight airline) NW of the town of Satipo, Distrito de Pichanaqui, Privincia de Chanchamayo, Región Junín, Peru (Fig. 1). The type locality lies in the valley of a tributary of the Rio Bravo at an elevation between 1700 and 1800 m a.s.l. and can be reached by walking in one and a half day starting at the village of Ayte (11°09‘46.7‘‘S, 74°55‘14‘‘W, 1295 m a.s.l.), which serves as a control station for the administration of the PPPF. The valley is surrounded by steep mountain slopes, which gives it a narrow character. The surrounding mountains are covered by a primary mountain rainforest characterized by 15–20 m high canopy and frequent occurrence of bromeliads, ferns, and epiphytic mosses. The adult specimens of P. ashaninka were collected at night on vegetation up to 150 cm above the ground whereas juveniles occupied lower positions in the vegetation. Other craugastorid species found at the type locality in sympatry with P. ashaninka included Pristimantis cf. albertus, P. bipunctatus (Duellman and Hedges, 2005), P. cruciocularis, P. cf. platydactylus, and Pristimantis sp. nov. According to the sparse data available, we here classify P. ashaninka as “Data Deficient” according to the IUCN red list criteria.

Figure 2. Life holotype (MUSM 36517, SVL 24.0 mm) of Pristimantis ashaninka sp. n. in lateral (A), dorsal (B), dorsolateral (C), ventral (D) views, and (E) posterior surface of thighs. Photos by E. Lehr.

 Edgar Lehr and Jiří Moravec. 2017. A New Species of Pristimantis (Amphibia, Anura, Craugastoridae) from A Montane Forest of the Pui Pui Protected Forest in central Peru (Región Junín).
ZooKeys. 645; 85-102.  DOI:  10.3897/zookeys.645.11221

 

[Mammalogy • 2017] Hapalomys suntsovi • A New Species of Marmoset Rat, Hapalomys (Rodentia: Muridae), from Binh Phuoc Province, southern Vietnam; New Insights Into the Taxonomy of the Marmoset Rats Hapalomys

February 6, 2017, 1:20 am

≫ Next: [Paleontology • 2017] Calvapilosa kroegeri • Ancestral Morphology of Crown-group Molluscs revealed by A New Ordovician Stem Aculiferan

≪ Previous: [Herpetology • 2017] Pristimantis ashaninka • A New Species of Pristimantis (Anura, Craugastoridae) from A Montane Forest of the Pui Pui Protected Forest in central Peru (Región Junín)

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Hapalomys suntsovi   Abramov,  Balakirev & Rozhnov, 2017  LKCNHM.nus.edu.sg

Abstract

 A new species of marmoset rat, Hapalomys suntsovi, is described from Binh Phuoc Province, southern Vietnam. The species seems to be endemic to Vietnam. It is diagnosed on the basis of cranial morphology, the diversity of COI gene sequences and karyotypic peculiarities. A comparison with the two currently recognised Hapalomys species is provided. This finding represents the southernmost record of marmoset rats in Vietnam.

Key words. rodents, skull morphology, genetic diversity, Southeast Asia, new species

Diagnosis. A medium-sized Hapalomys that on the average is smaller in its external and cranial measurements than H. longicaudatus. It is comparable to H. delacouri in its body and cranium size, but can be distinguished by the longer tail, the relatively short incisive foramina, and the cytochrome oxidase c subunit I (COI). Distinguished from both known species by the karyotype composition.

Etymology. The new species is dedicated to Dr Viktor V. Suntsov (A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow), in recognition of his many contributions to the study of rodents of Vietnam. During 1992–2010, Dr Suntsov headed the Southern Division of the Joint Russian-Vietnamese Tropical Research and Technological Centre in Ho Chi Minh City.

Distribution. Currently known from the type locality, the Bu Gia Map National Park, Binh Phuoc Province, Southern Vietnam. It is likely to occur in the adjacent forest regions of Eastern Cambodia. 

Natural history. The series of type specimens was collected in old, mature, thick trunk bamboo thickets growing along a forest road (Abramov et al., 2011). All specimens were taken by traps set 5–7 m over the ground surface. Two females caught on 13 January 2010 were pregnant (at early stage) bearing four and five small embryos.

A.V. Abramov, A.E. Balakirev and V.V. Rozhnov. 2017. New Insights Into the Taxonomy of the Marmoset Rats Hapalomys (Rodentia: Muridae).
 RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 65: 20–28.

http://LKCNHM.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/vol65/65rbz020-028.pdf

ResearchGate.net/publication/313361619_New_insights_into_the_taxonomy_of_the_marmoset_rats_Hapalomys_Rodentia_Muridae

[Paleontology • 2017] Calvapilosa kroegeri • Ancestral Morphology of Crown-group Molluscs revealed by A New Ordovician Stem Aculiferan

February 7, 2017, 12:26 am

≫ Next: [Herpetology • 2017] Geckolepis megalepis • Off the Scale: A New Species of Fish-scale Gecko (Squamata: Gekkonidae: Geckolepis) with Exceptionally Large Scales from the Limestone Karst of Ankarana in northern Madagascar

≪ Previous: [Mammalogy • 2017] Hapalomys suntsovi • A New Species of Marmoset Rat, Hapalomys (Rodentia: Muridae), from Binh Phuoc Province, southern Vietnam; New Insights Into the Taxonomy of the Marmoset Rats Hapalomys

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Calvapilosa kroegeri  Vinther, Parry, Briggs & Van Roy, 2017  DOI: 10.1038/nature21055  Bristol.ac.uk

Exceptionally preserved fossils provide crucial insights into extinct body plans and organismal evolution. Molluscs, one of the most disparate animal phyla, radiated rapidly during the early Cambrian period (approximately 535–520 million years ago (Ma))2. The problematic fossil taxa Halkieria and Orthrozanclus (grouped in Sachitida) have been assigned variously to stem-group annelids, brachiopods, stem-group molluscs or stem-group aculiferans (Polyplacophora and Aplacophora), but their affinities have remained controversial owing to a lack of preserved diagnostic characters. Here we describe a new early sachitid, Calvapilosa kroegeri gen. et sp. nov. from the Fezouata biota of Morocco,  (Early Ordovician epoch, around 478 Ma). The new taxon is characterized by the presence of a single large anterior shell plate and polystichous radula bearing a median tooth and several lateral and uncinal teeth in more than 125 rows. Its flattened body is covered by hollow spinose sclerites, and a smooth, ventral girdle flanks an extensive mantle cavity. Phylogenetic analyses resolve C. kroegeri as a stem-group aculiferan together with other single-plated forms such as Maikhanella (Siphogonuchites) and Orthrozanclus; Halkieria is recovered closer to the aculiferan crown. These genera document the stepwise evolution of the aculiferan body plan from forms with a single, almost conchiferan-like shell through two-plated taxa such as Halkieria, to the eight-plated crown-group aculiferans. C. kroegeri therefore provides key evidence concerning the long debate about the crown molluscan affinities of sachitids. This new discovery strongly suggests that the possession of only a single calcareous shell plate and the presence of unmineralised sclerites are plesiomorphic (an ancestral trait) for the molluscan crown.

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Mollusca Linnaeus, 1758

Sachitida He, 1980

(This clade includes Aculifera plus the stem taxa Halkieriidae, Orthrozanclus, Siphogonuchitidae)

Siphogonuchitidae Qian, 1977

(This clade contains Calvapilosa, Siphogonuchites, Dabashanites, Drepanochites, Lomasulcachites, Lopochites and Quadrosiphogonuchites)

Calvapilosa kroegeri gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology. The generic name derives from the Latin calva, scalp and pilosus, hairy/shaggy for the head plate covered by densely spiculated mantle. Species named after Björn Kröger for ‘discovering’ the holotype in the collections at Yale.

Holotype. Yale Peabody Museum (YPM) 237255

Figure 1: Calvapilosa kroegeri, holotype YPM 237255, from the Lower Ordovician epoch (Tremadocian age) Fezouata formation, near Zagora, Morocco.

Locality and horizon. Calvapilosa can be found throughout the classical collecting area of the Fezouata biota to the north of Zagora. The holotype was collected in the Bou Zorgan area. The other specimens were found at additional excavations in this area, near Bni Zoli, in the Bou Glf and Tamagroute areas and on the western flank of Jbel Tigzigzaouine. All localities belong to the Fezouata Formation, Araneograptus murrayi graptolite biozone, upper Tremadocian stage (Lower Ordovician series). Detailed locality data are curated with the specimens.

Figure 3: Reconstruction of Calvapilosa kroegeri, juvenile. a, Dorsal view. b, Ventral view. c, Lateral view. Colour scheme is speculative, whereas soft tissues are inferred by phylogenetic bracketing. Resin model constructed by E. Horn (http://www.10tons.dk/).

Figure 4: Time tree of aculiferan evolution based on a Bayesian total evidence analysis.

 J. Vinther, L. Parry, D. Briggs and P. Van Roy. 2017. Ancestral Morphology of Crown-group Molluscs revealed by A New Ordovician Stem Aculiferan.  Nature.  DOI: 10.1038/nature21055

Spiny, armoured slug reveals ancestry of molluscs  Bristol.ac.uk/news/2017/february/mollusc-evolution.html

[Herpetology • 2017] Geckolepis megalepis • Off the Scale: A New Species of Fish-scale Gecko (Squamata: Gekkonidae: Geckolepis) with Exceptionally Large Scales from the Limestone Karst of Ankarana in northern Madagascar

February 7, 2017, 10:30 pm

≫ Next: [Botany • 2017] Heliconia berguidoi • A New Species of Heliconia (Heliconiaceae) with Pendent Inflorescence, from Chucantí Private Nature Reserve, eastern Panama

≪ Previous: [Paleontology • 2017] Calvapilosa kroegeri • Ancestral Morphology of Crown-group Molluscs revealed by A New Ordovician Stem Aculiferan

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Geckolepis megalepis   Scherz​, Daza, Köhler, Vences & Glaw, 2017  DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2955

Abstract

The gecko genus Geckolepis, endemic to Madagascar and the Comoro archipelago, is taxonomically challenging. One reason is its members ability to autotomize a large portion of their scales when grasped or touched, most likely to escape predation. Based on an integrative taxonomic approach including external morphology, morphometrics, genetics, pholidosis, and osteology, we here describe the first new species from this genus in 75 years: Geckolepis megalepis sp. nov. from the limestone karst of Ankarana in northern Madagascar. The new species has the largest known body scales of any gecko (both relatively and absolutely), which come off with exceptional ease. We provide a detailed description of the skeleton of the genus Geckolepis based on micro-Computed Tomography (micro-CT) analysis of the new species, the holotype of G. maculata, the recently resurrected G. humbloti, and a specimen belonging to an operational taxonomic unit (OTU) recently suggested to represent G. maculata. Geckolepis is characterized by highly mineralized, imbricated scales, paired frontals, and unfused subolfactory processes of the frontals, among other features. We identify diagnostic characters in the osteology of these geckos that help define our new species and show that the OTU assigned to G. maculata is probably not conspecific with it, leaving the taxonomic identity of this species unclear. We discuss possible reasons for the extremely enlarged scales of G. megalepis in the context of an anti-predator defence mechanism, and the future of Geckolepis taxonomy.

Geckolepis megalepis Scherz​, Daza, Köhler, Vences & Glaw, 2017   DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2955

Figure 3: Specimens of Geckolepis megalepis sp. nov. in life.  (A) A specimen observed by A. Anker (photograph used with permission); (B) a specimen observed by FG, and (C) a specimen photographed after scale loss, with inset indicating the transparent ‘tear zone’ at the base of a scale. None of the photographed animals were collected, but their attribution to G. megalepis is clear on the basis of the large size of their scales. Note that the tails of all three specimens are regenerated.  DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2955

Diagnosis. A species of the genus Geckolepis based on its overall morphology and large, fish-like scales (similar to cycloid scales in terms of the extent of overlap), as well as its phylogenetic position (Lemme et al., 2013; Fig. 1). Geckolepis megalepis differs from all of its congeners by the possession of the following suite of characters: innermost pair of postmental scales in broad contact (condition A/B, Fig. 4), SVL ≤ 69.5 mm, infralabials to anterior margin of eye 4.5–4.8, 17–18 scales rows around the midbody, 27–31 ventral scales between the postmentals and the vent, and the absence of a dark lateral stripe, and typical midbody dorsal scales measuring 7.3–8.3% of the SVL in length. Osteologically, G. megalepis is characterised by a narrow infraorbital fenestra, a bulging nasal cavity, nasals with straight sides, a well developed anterior extension of the subfrontal process, a notched premaxilla-vomer fenestra, scapular ray of scapulocoracoid not surpassing the clavicle, and posteriorly curved pubic tubercle of the pubis. Additionally, it is separated by an uncorrected pairwise genetic distance in the mitochondrial ND4 gene of ≥10.1% from all other lineages of Geckolepis and has a unique CMOS haplotype (Lemme et al., 2013).

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the two Greek stems μέγας (mégas) meaning ‘very large’ and λεπίς (lepís) meaning ‘scale’, and refers to the large size of the scales of this species in comparison to its congeners and other geckos, which aids also in its diagnosis.

Habitat, natural history, and conservation status.Geckolepis megalepis was observed active at night both in the rainy and dry seasons, on trees (see Figs. 3A–3B) and tsingy limestone rock. When captured, these geckos showed a strong tendency to autotomize large parts of their scales, leading to partly ‘naked’ geckos without any visible (bloody) lesions (Fig. 3C). In a subjective comparison this tendency appeared to be even more developed than in other Geckolepis species.

Mark D. Scherz​, Juan D. Daza, Jörn Köhler, Miguel Vences and Frank Glaw. 2017. Off the Scale: A New Species of Fish-scale Gecko (Squamata: Gekkonidae: Geckolepis) with Exceptionally Large Scales.  PeerJ. 5:e2955. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2955

A new species of gecko with massive scales and tear-away skin!
 https://eurekalert.org/e/7hWp via @ThePeerJ @EurekAlert

New Gecko Sheds Skin on Demand, Looks Like Raw Chicken
http://www.nationalgeographic.com.au/animals/new-gecko-sheds-skin-on-demand-looks-like-raw-chicken.aspx

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[Botany • 2017] Heliconia berguidoi • A New Species of Heliconia (Heliconiaceae) with Pendent Inflorescence, from Chucantí Private Nature Reserve, eastern Panama

February 8, 2017, 2:09 am

≫ Next: [Entomology • 2017] Five New Species of Grass Cicadas in the Genus Graminitigrina (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Cicadettinae: Cicadettini) from Queensland and Northern Territory, Australia: Comparative Morphology, Songs, Behaviour and Distributions

≪ Previous: [Herpetology • 2017] Geckolepis megalepis • Off the Scale: A New Species of Fish-scale Gecko (Squamata: Gekkonidae: Geckolepis) with Exceptionally Large Scales from the Limestone Karst of Ankarana in northern Madagascar

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Heliconia berguidoi   R.Flores, C.Black & A.Ibáñez  DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.77.11190

Abstract: Heliconia berguidoi (Heliconiaceae), a new species from premontane forest of eastern Panama, is described, illustrated and its conservation status evaluated. H. berguidoi bears pink flowers, an uncommon color in this group. It differs from the Colombian species Heliconia rhodantha and Heliconia sanctae-theresae, the most similar taxa, by the combination of a petiole glabrous except for the woolly base, a very long peduncle, the perianth pubescent at the apex and staminode with cuspidate apex. H. berguidoi is also similar to Heliconia pogonantha in all four of its varieties and to Heliconia ramonensis in two of its four varieties, but differs by a combination of the long peduncle, pink flowers and staminode with cuspidate apex. Fifty-six Heliconia species have been found in Panama, eighteen of them endemic.

Keywords: Barbatae, Cerro Chucantí, Griggsia, Heliconia, Heliconiaceae, Serranía de Majé, Zingiberales

Figure 2. A Habit of Heliconia berguidoi B Inflorescences touching the ground C Plant with two of the authors (R. Flores and C. Black). Photos: A, C – R. Flores; B – C. Black.   DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.77.11190

Taxonomic treatment

Heliconia berguidoi R.Flores, C.Black & A.Ibáñez, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: This species is distinguished from other species of Heliconia by the combination of the long petioles (up to 180 cm), glabrous but woolly at the base; blade splitting into narrow lateral segments; peduncle red, woolly with golden hairs, very long (125-150 cm); slightly flexuous rachis; bracts spirally arranged; pink flowers, perianth pubescent at the apex and staminode with cuspidate apex.

Type: PANAMÁ. Provincia de Darién: Reserva privada Chucantí, Sendero al filo (roca grande). Bosque premontano. 900 m. 8°47'33.46"N, 78°27'6.72"W, 26 agosto 2006, individuo colectado por Carla Black. Floreció en cultivo el 12 de marzo de 2016, Finca las Chichicas, corregimiento de Volcán, distrito de Bugaba, Provincia de Chiriquí. Col. R. Flores, O. Ortiz y C. Black, 3855 RF (Holotype PMA!, Isotype, MO!, SEL!, UCH!, US!).

  

Etymology: The specific epithet, berguidoi, honors the Panamanian biologist Guido Cesar Berguido F., who first brought national attention to Cerro Chucantí after witnessing not only its natural splendor, but the rampant ongoing deforestation. He mustered support from family and friends to purchase a property and set it aside for conservation before the previous owners could burn the forest to ashes. He received further private support and acquired more lands to create the Chucantí Private Nature Reserve. Mr. Berguido continues to invite fellow biologists to study the flora and fauna of Cerro Chucantí, which has resulted in the discovery of various species new to science. He recently founded the Asociación Adopta el Bosque Panamá, Adopt a Panama Rainforest, ADOPTA (www.chucanti.org) to further his conservation mission. It is an honor to thus recognize Mr. Berguido´s contributions to increased biological knowledge and his great efforts to conserve the unique forests of Cerro Chucantí. His generous logistical assistance to the authors was invaluable.

.....

Rodolfo Flores, Carla Black and Alicia Ibáñez. 2017. A New Species of Heliconia (Heliconiaceae) with Pendent Inflorescence, from Chucantí Private Nature Reserve, eastern Panama. PhytoKeys. 77: 21-32. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.77.11190

Resumen: Heliconia berguidoi (Heliconiaceae), una nueva especie de bosque premontano del este de Panamá, es descrita, ilustrada y su estado de conservación evaluado. H. berguidoi tiene flores rosadas, color poco común en este grupo. Difiere de las especies de Colombia Heliconia rhodantha y Heliconia sanctae-theresae, taxones más similares, por la combinación de un pecíolo glabro aunque lanudo en la base, pedúnculo muy largo, ápice del perianto pubescente y estaminoide con el ápice cuspidado. H. berguidoi es también similar a Heliconia pogonantha en sus cuatro variedades y a Heliconiaramonensis en dos de sus cuatro variedades, pero difiere por la combinación de su largo pedúnculo, el color rosado de las flores y el estaminoide con ápice cuspidado. En Panamá se han encontrado cincuenta y seis especies de Heliconia, dieciocho de ellas endémicas.

Palabras claves: Barbatae, Cerro Chucantí, Griggsia, Heliconia, Heliconiaceae, Serranía de Majé, Zingiberales

[Entomology • 2017] Five New Species of Grass Cicadas in the Genus Graminitigrina (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Cicadettinae: Cicadettini) from Queensland and Northern Territory, Australia: Comparative Morphology, Songs, Behaviour and Distributions

February 8, 2017, 5:32 am

≫ Next: [Arachnida • 2017] The Superficial Ant: A Revision of the Neotropical Ant-mimicking Spider Genus Myrmecium Latreille, 1824 (Araneae, Corinnidae, Castianeirinae)

≪ Previous: [Botany • 2017] Heliconia berguidoi • A New Species of Heliconia (Heliconiaceae) with Pendent Inflorescence, from Chucantí Private Nature Reserve, eastern Panama

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Graminitigrina uluruensis  Ewart, L.W. Popple and K.B.R Hill. 2017       DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4228.1.1

Abstract

Five new species of small grass cicadas belonging to the genus Graminitigrina Ewart and Marques are described, together with detailed analyses of their calling songs. Four species occur in Queensland,Graminitigrinaaurora n. sp. from eastern central Queensland near Fairbairn Dam; Graminitigrina flindensis n. sp. from central Queensland between Hughenden northwards for at least 108 km; Graminitigrina einasleighi n. sp. from near The Lynd, Einasleigh River, northeastern Queensland; Graminitigrina selwynensis n. sp. from the Selwyn Range, northwestern Queensland, at locations about 40 km east of Mount Isa and 25 km southwest of Cloncurry, this latter here transferred from G. bowensis Ewart and Marques; Graminitigrina uluruensis n. sp. from Uluru and the Olgas in southwestern Northern Territory, extending northwards through Tennant Creek and apparently further north to near Larrimah, a linear distance of approximately 1190 km. These new species bring the known Graminitigrina species to ten, all superficially similar in colour and morphology. A key to male specimens is provided for the 10 species. Additional distribution records and additional aural song recordings are presented for G. bowensis, these requiring the transfer of populations previously identified as G. bowensis from Croydon and Georgetown, northern Gulf region, to G. karumbae Ewart and Marques. Detailed comparative analyses, including NMDS analyses, of the songs of all 10 species are provided, which show that the song parameters are appropriate to distinguish the species, although some partial overlap is noted in the waveform plots between the songs of G. uluruensis n. sp. and G. flindensis n. sp. Regional variations of song parameters are noted in the calling songs of most of the species described.

Keywords: Hemiptera, Auchenorrhyncha, bioacoustics, acoustic signaling, mating signals, song structure, song specificity, systematic taxonomy, identification key, non-metric multi-dimensional scaling

Graminitigrinauluruensis n. sp., paratype female, WSW. side of Ayers Rock, 25˚21.127'S 131˚01.495'E. Total body lengths 13.3 mm.

Graminitigrina uluruensis n. sp.

 from Uluru and the Olgas in southwestern Northern Territory

Etymology. Name derived from Uluru, the Aboriginal name for Ayers Rock, the type location for this species.

A. Ewart, L.W. Popple and K.B.R Hill. 2017. Five New Species of Grass Cicadas in the Genus Graminitigrina (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Cicadettinae: Cicadettini) from Queensland and Northern Territory, Australia: Comparative Morphology, Songs, Behaviour and Distributions. Zootaxa. 4228(1); 1–62. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4228.1.1

[Arachnida • 2017] The Superficial Ant: A Revision of the Neotropical Ant-mimicking Spider Genus Myrmecium Latreille, 1824 (Araneae, Corinnidae, Castianeirinae)

February 8, 2017, 5:53 am

≫ Next: Harryplax

≪ Previous: [Entomology • 2017] Five New Species of Grass Cicadas in the Genus Graminitigrina (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Cicadettinae: Cicadettini) from Queensland and Northern Territory, Australia: Comparative Morphology, Songs, Behaviour and Distributions

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Myrmecium malleum   Candiani & Bonaldo, 2017   DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4230.1.1

Abstract

The ant-mimiking spider genus Myrmecium Latreille, 1824 is revised, including 38 species, all herein diagnosed, described and illustrated. The following synonymies are proposed: Myrmeciumaurantiacum Mello-Leitão, 1941 syn. nov. with M. camponotoides Mello-Leitão, 1932; M. gounellei Simon, 1896 syn. nov. and M. obscurum Keyserling, 1891 syn. nov. with M. latreillei Lucas, 1857; M. itatiaiae Mello-Leitão, 1932 syn. nov. and M. vertebratum Walckenaer, 1837 syn. nov. with M. rufum Latreille, 1824. Myrmeciumbonaerense Holmberg, 1881 is considered as speciesinquirenda. Males of M. dacetoniforme, Mello-Leitão, 1932, M. fuscum Dahl, 1907, M. latreillei Lucas, 1857, M. trifasciatum Caporiacco, 1947 and adults of M. viehmeyeri Dahl, 1907 and M. reticulatum Dahl, 1907 are described for the first time. Myrmecium bifasciatum Taczanowski, 1874, M. monacanthum Simon, 1897 and M. rufum Latreille, 1824 are also redescribed and illustrated. The following 28 new species are described, diagnosed and illustrated:M. amphora sp. nov. (female from Chichiriviche, Venezuela);M. bolivari sp. nov. (male and female from Caracas and Sucre, Venezuela and Colombia); M. carajas sp. nov. (male from Pará, Brazil); M. carvalhoi sp. nov. (female from Piauí, Tocantins and Goiás, Brazil);M. catuxy sp. nov. (female from Amazonas, Brazil and Puerto Lopez, Colombia); M. chikish sp. nov. (female from Huánuco, Peru); M. cizauskasi sp. nov. (male and female from Amazonas, Brazil); M. oliveirai sp. nov. (male from Amazonas, Brazil); M. deladanta sp. nov. (male from Sucúmbios, Ecuador); M. diasi sp. nov. (male and female from Amazonas, Brazil); M. erici sp. nov. (female from British Guiana); M. ferro sp. nov. (female from Paraiba, Brazil);M. indicatti sp. nov. (male and female from Pará, Brazil); M. nogueirai sp. nov. (female from Amazonas, Brazil and Madre de Dios, Peru);M. lomanhungae sp. nov. (male and female from Amazonas and Pará, Brazil); M. machetero sp. nov. (female from Beni, Bolivia);M. malleum sp. nov. (male and female from Aragua and Lara, Venezuela and Caldas, Colombia);M. oompaloompa sp. nov. (male and female from Bahia, Brazil and Kurupukari, Guyana); M. otti sp. nov. (male and female from Pará, Amazonas and Mato Grosso, Brazil and Madre de Dios in Peru); M. pakpaka sp. nov. (male and female from Huánuco, Peru);M. raveni sp. nov. (male and female from Amazonas and Pará, Brazil); M. ricettii sp. nov. (male and female from the states of Pará, Alagoas, Sergipe, Bahia, Goiás and Mato Grosso, Brazil and Puerto Lopez, Colombia);M. luepa sp. nov. (male from Bolívar, Venezuela);M. souzai sp. nov. (male from Amazonas, Brazil); M. tanguro sp. nov. (male and female from Rondonia, Mato Grosso, Brazil); M. tikuna sp. nov. (male from Amazonas, Brazil); M. urucu sp. nov. (female from Amazonas, Brazil); M. yamamotoi sp. nov. (male and female from Amapá, Amazonas and Pará, Brazil and Marowijne, Suriname).

Keywords: Araneae, taxonomy, new species, synonymy, Myrmecomorphy, morphology

Myrmecium malleum sp. nov.: live male Photo by Daniel Llavaneras

 David F. Candiani and Alexandre B. Bonaldo. 2017. The Superficial Ant: A Revision of the Neotropical Ant-mimicking Spider Genus Myrmecium Latreille, 1824 (Araneae, Corinnidae, Castianeirinae). Zootaxa.  4230(1); 1–95.  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4230.1.1

Harryplax

February 8, 2017, 6:30 am

≫ Next: [Crustacea • 2017] Spelaeogammarus uai • A New Troglobitic Amphipod (Bogidielloidea: Artesiidae) from Brazil

≪ Previous: [Arachnida • 2017] The Superficial Ant: A Revision of the Neotropical Ant-mimicking Spider Genus Myrmecium Latreille, 1824 (Araneae, Corinnidae, Castianeirinae)

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Harryplax severus  Mendoza & Ng, 2017    DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.647.11455

Abstract

Harryplax severus, a new genus and species of coral rubble-dwelling pseudozioid crab is described from the island of Guam in the western Pacific Ocean. The unusual morphological features of its carapace, thoracic sternum, eyes, antennules, pereopods and gonopods place it in the family Christmaplacidae Naruse & Ng, 2014. A suite of characters on the cephalothorax, pleon and appendages distinguishes H. severus gen. & sp. n. from the previously sole representative of the family, Christmaplax mirabilis Naruse & Ng, 2014, described from Christmas Island in the eastern Indian Ocean. This represents the first record of Christmaplacidae in the Pacific Ocean. With the discovery of a second genus, a revised diagnosis for Christmaplacidae is provided.

Keywords: Pacific, Mariana Islands, taxonomy, Decapoda, Pseudozioidea, coral reef, coelobite, cryptofauna

Figure 1. A–D Harryplax severus gen. & sp. n., holotype, female (ZRC 2016.0253) A habitus, dorsal view B cephalothorax, frontal view C cephalothorax, ventral view D thoracic sternum and vulvae, ventral view.

Taxonomy

Superfamily Pseudozioidea Alcock, 1898

Family Christmaplacidae Naruse & Ng, 2014

Harryplax gen. n.

Etymology: The new genus is named primarily in honor of the intrepid field collector, the late Harry T. Conley, who collected many interesting crustaceans in the rubble beds of Guam, including the species presently being described. The name is also an allusion to a famous namesake, Harry Potter, the magical hero of the popular book series by J.K. Rowling, and Mr. Conley’s uncanny ability to collect rare and interesting creatures as if by magic. The name is an arbitrary combination of “Harry” and the suffix “-plax”. Gender feminine.

Harryplax severus sp. n.

Etymology: The specific epithet, severus (L., harsh, rough, rigorous), alludes to the rigorous and laborious process by which this crab was collected. It is also an allusion to a notorious and misunderstood character in the Harry Potter novels, Professor Severus Snape, for his ability to keep one of the most important secrets in the story, just like the present new species which has eluded discovery until now, nearly 20 years after it was first collected. The name is used here as a noun in apposition.

 Jose C.E. Mendoza and Peter K.L. Ng. 2017. Harryplax severus, A New Genus and Species of An Unusual Coral Rubble-inhabiting Crab from Guam (Crustacea, Brachyura, Christmaplacidae). ZooKeys.  647: 23-35.   DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.647.11455

New crab species shares name with 2 'Harry Potter' characters and a hero researcher
http://blog.pensoft.net/2017/01/23/new-crab-species-shares-name-with-2-harry-potter-characters-and-a-hero-researcher/

[Crustacea • 2017] Spelaeogammarus uai • A New Troglobitic Amphipod (Bogidielloidea: Artesiidae) from Brazil

February 8, 2017, 8:06 pm

≫ Next: [Ornithology • 2016] Cinnyris whytei • A New Member of the Greater Double-collared Sunbird Complex (Passeriformes: Nectariniidae) from the Eastern Arc Mountains of Africa

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Spelaeogammarus uai   Bastos-Pereira & Ferreira, 2017    DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4231.1.2

Abstract

A new species was recently found in a cave from Southeastern Brazil, in the state of Minas Gerais, which is here described. Considering all the species of the genus, Spelaeogammarus uai sp. nov. is very similar to S. santanensis and S. sanctus, although the new species differs mainly in relation to the number of plumose setae in the apical margin of maxilliped inner plate, number of setae in the anterior margin of gnathopod 1 basis and number of setae in the posterior margin of gnathopod 2 basis. Furthermore, the ratio “length/width” of several articles of the new species is higher than in other species. An identification key of the Spelaeogammarus genus is provided, as well as a complemented multivariate statistical approach of the morphometry of the genus based on a previous work of the genus.

Keywords: Crustacea, Subterranean biodiversity, Amphipoda, taxonomy, Brazil

Rafaela Bastos-Pereira and Rodrigo L. Ferreira. 2017. Spelaeogammarus uai (Bogidielloidea: Artesiidae): A New Troglobitic Amphipod from Brazil.
Zootaxa. 4231(1); 38–50.  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4231.1.2

[Ornithology • 2016] Cinnyris whytei • A New Member of the Greater Double-collared Sunbird Complex (Passeriformes: Nectariniidae) from the Eastern Arc Mountains of Africa

February 8, 2017, 10:52 pm

≫ Next: [Crustacea • 2017] Revision of Family Megacalanidae (Copepoda: Calanoida)

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Cinnyris whytei skye  Bowie, Fjeldså, Kiure & Kristensen, 2016   DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4175.1.3

Abstract

We document the discovery of the first population of greater double-collared sunbird (Cinnyris afer complex) from the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania. We assessed phylogenetic relationships and taxonomic rank based on mtDNA sequence data, nine microsatellite loci and morphology. This new taxon, locally distributed in the Rubeho and Udzungwa Highlands, has close affinities (< 1% uncorrected sequence divergence) with Cinnyris whytei (split here from C. ludovicensis) of the Nyika Plateau in Malawi, but differs in having longer tarsi and in subtle plumage details. Although the birds from Nyika and Udzungwa-Rubeho are reciprocally monophyletic for mitochondrial DNA, coalescent analyses of the microsatellite data and the total molecular dataset could not reject the possibility of continued gene flow between the two populations. Thus, although we favour the phylogenetic species concept, we adopt a cautious approach and formally describe the Rubeho and Udzungwa greater double-collared sunbird population as a subspecies of Cinnyris whytei. This new sunbird taxon has been recorded only above 1700 m in scrub on the forest/grassland ecotone in a very restricted area in the Rubeho and Udzungwa Highlands of Tanzania. The effects of human settlement and agriculture threaten this taxon.

Keywords: Aves, Rubeho, Udzungwa, Tanzania, biodiversity hotspot, microsatellite loci

Cinnyris whytei, species nov.

Cinnyris whytei skye, subspecies nov.

Bowie, Rauri C. k., Jon Fjeldså, Jacob Kiure and Jan B. Kristensen. 2016. A New Member of the Greater Double-collared Sunbird Complex (Passeriformes: Nectariniidae) from the Eastern Arc Mountains of Africa. Zootaxa. 4175(1); 23–42.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4175.1.3

ResearchGate.net/publication/309024924_A_new_member_of_the_greater_double-collared_sunbird_complex_Passeriformes_Nectariniidae_from_the_Eastern_Arc_Mountains_of_Africa

[Crustacea • 2017] Revision of Family Megacalanidae (Copepoda: Calanoida)

February 9, 2017, 2:33 am

≫ Next: [Ichthyology • 2017] Hydrolagus erithacus • A New Species of Chimaerid (Chimaeriformes: Chimaeridae) from the southeastern Atlantic and southwestern Indian oceans

≪ Previous: [Ornithology • 2016] Cinnyris whytei • A New Member of the Greater Double-collared Sunbird Complex (Passeriformes: Nectariniidae) from the Eastern Arc Mountains of Africa

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Elenacalanus princeps (Brady, 1883). photo: David Shale, UK. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4229.1.1

Abstract

The Megacalanidae were revised based on new and archived material. Taxonomic confusion that has existed in the family is discussed and a method is suggested for stabilising names. A detailed examination of the morphology of this family, using the light microscope, has added further useful characters that distinguish genera and species. The added, hitherto undescribed species include character states incompatible with aspects of previous generic definitions (e.g. presence or absence of setae on the maxillule coxal endite). Nevertheless, the cladistic and molecular analyses confirmed that there are at least four monophyletic clades mostly with high bootstrap support. These clades represent already defined genera, one of which [Elenacalanus nom. nov. (nomen novum)] replaces the preoccupied name Heterocalanus Wolfenden, 1906. Four previously described species have been re-assigned to Elenacalanus in new combinations: E. princeps (Brady, 1883), E. eltaninae (Björnberg, 1968), E. sverdrupi (Johnson, 1958) and E. inflatus (Björnberg, 1968). Eleven new species are described: three Megacalanus, one Bradycalanus, six Bathycalanus, and one Elenacalanus nom. nov. Bradycalanus pseudotypicus enormis Björnberg, 1968 has been raised to species status based on genetic data although it can be only be distinguished morphologically from Br. typicus by its large size. All four genera are differentially diagnosed and keys are provided to the genera and species. We confirm that all male right antennules are geniculate in the Megacalanidae. Thirteen males are known. Of these males, eight are newly described (Megacalanus frosti n. sp., M. ericae n. sp., M. ohmani n. sp., Bathycalanus bradyi (Wolfenden, 1905a), Ba. dentatus n. sp., Ba. milleri n. sp., Ba. unicornis Björnberg, 1968, and Elenacalanus tageae n. sp.). We cannot be absolutely certain that the correct males have been assigned to the appropriate female so our decisions await testing with new data. The cladistic analysis provides the first morphology-based phylogeny. This scheme served as a working hypothesis which was tested and corroborated using the newly gathered molecular data. Vertical and horizontal distributions are summarised.

Keywords: Crustacea, Megacalanus, Bradycalanus, Bathycalanus, Elenacalanus nom. nov., key, morphology, genes, phylogeny, Atlantic, Indian, Pacific, bathypelagic, abyssopelagic, Megacalanus frosti n. sp., M. ericae n.sp., M. ohmani n. sp., Bradycalanus abyssicolus n. sp., Bathycalanus dentatus n. sp., Ba. milleri n. sp., Ba. tumidus n. sp., Ba. adornatus n. sp., Ba. pustulosus n. sp., Ba. bucklinae n. sp., Elenacalanus tageae n. sp.

Janet M. Bradford-Grieve, Leocadio Blanco-Bercial and Geoffrey A. Boxshall. 2017. Revision of Family Megacalanidae (Copepoda: Calanoida). 

Zootaxa. 4229(1); 1–183. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4229.1.1

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[Ichthyology • 2017] Hydrolagus erithacus • A New Species of Chimaerid (Chimaeriformes: Chimaeridae) from the southeastern Atlantic and southwestern Indian oceans

February 9, 2017, 3:22 am

≫ Next: [Botany • 2017] A Revision of the Genus Syagrus (Arecaceae)

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Hydrolagus erithacus  Walovich, Ebert & Kemper, 2017   DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4226.4.4

Abstract

A new species of chimaerid, Hydrolagus erithacus sp. nov., is described from nine specimens collected from the southeast Atlantic and southwest Indian oceans from depths of 470–1,000 meters. This species is distinguished from all other Hydrolagus species based on the following characteristics: head bulky, relatively large, followed by stocky body; head and body height from about pectoral fin origin to pelvic fin origin similar, then tapering rapidly to filamentous tail; first dorsal fin spine height about equal to, or slightly less than first dorsal fin apex height; second dorsal fin up to 81% of total body length and uniform in height; trifurcate claspers forked for approximately 20% of total length; robust frontal tenaculum nearly uniform in width, prepelvic tenaculae with five to seven medial spines, and a uniform black coloration with robust, non-deciduous skin. Comparison of mitochondrial NADH2 gene sequences with other morphologically similar Hydrolagus species suggests that H. erithacus is a distinct species.

Keywords: Pisces, Chimaera, ghost shark, taxonomy, NADH2 gene

FIGURE 1. Photograph of the Hydrolagus erithacus holotype, SAIAB 200578, mature male, 1290 mm TL, 790 mm BDL. Scale bar = 5 cm.

Hydrolagus erithacus sp. nov

 Common Name: Robin’s Ghostshark 

Hydrolagus sp. nov. (Big black chimaera): Compagno 1999: 120.

Etymology. The species name erithacus derives from the avian genus of the robin (Aves: Passeriformes: Muscicapidae: Erithacus Cuvier, 1800). Named after Robin Leslie of South African Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), a fanatic birder, in recognition of his help and support on this project, and his overall contribution to Chondrichthyan research in southern Africa.

Kristin Walovich holds the 50th described species of ghost shark,  Hydrolagus erithacus, on record. The animal's nose is usually pointy, but it became crooked during its preservation.

Kristin A. Walovich, David A. Ebert and Jenny M. Kemper. 2017. Hydrolagus erithacus sp. nov. (Chimaeriformes: Chimaeridae), A New Species of Chimaerid from the southeastern Atlantic and southwestern Indian oceans. Zootaxa. 4226(4); 509–520. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4226.4.4

A new species of chimaerid, Hydrolagus erithacus sp. nov., is described from nine specimens collected from the southeast Atlantic and southwest Indian oceans from depths of 470–1,000 meters.

 shark-references.com/species/view/Hydrolagus-erithacus

facebook.com/sharkreferences/photos/1343922852294482

Smile! New Bucktoothed Ghost Shark Species Discovered

 https://shar.es/192FtT via @LiveScience

[Botany • 2017] A Revision of the Genus Syagrus (Arecaceae)

February 9, 2017, 3:43 am

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Abstract

Presented here is a taxonomic revision of the Neotropical palm genus Syagrus (Arecaceae, Arecoideae, Cocoseae, Attaleinae), which is mostly from South America and primarily from Brazil. The history of the genus is reviewed. The revision includes a key, a complete list of synonymy, species descriptions, a list of specimens, distribution maps, color plates, and a conservation assessment of each species. Included herein are 65 species, 2 subspecies, and 14 natural hybrids. Of these palms, one is new (Syagrus pimentae); three are new combinations (S. cataphracta, S. elata, S. × dickensonii); and two have changed their status (S. graminifolia subsp. graminifolia and S. graminifolia subsp. glazioviana). Of the fourteen naturally occurring hybrids, eleven have hybrid names and three do not. This revision is an important contribution to the taxonomy and identification of Syagrus species from South America and the Caribbean, and is the culmination of many years of lab and fieldwork.

Keywords: morphology, Palmae, Monocots, South America, Brazil

 Syagrus pimentae Noblick sp. nov. 

Type:— BRAZIL. Mato Grosso: Rondonópolis, BR: 163, km: 90, Habitat: Cerrado; solo: argissolo vermelho-amarelo. Elevation ca. 220 m, –16.66, –54.68; 21 August 2010, Ricardo Pimenta & Antonio Campos-Rocha s.n. (holotype HPL! [HPL-13801], isotypes FTG!, K, RB) 

Syagrus romanzoffiana

 Larry R. Noblick. 2017. A Revision of the Genus Syagrus (Arecaceae).

 Phytotaxa. 294(1); 1–262. DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.294.1.1

[Ichthyology • 2017] Review of the Genus Banjos (Perciformes: Banjosidae) with Descriptions of Two New Species and A New Subspecies

February 9, 2017, 4:23 am

≫ Next: [Entomology • 2016] A Systematic Catalogue of Butterflies of the former Soviet Union (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lituania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan) with Special Account to their Type Specimens (Lepidoptera: Hesperioidea, Papilionoidea)

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Banjos aculeatus sp. nov. (a–b), B. banjos banjos (c–e), and B. banjos brevispinis ssp. nov. (f–i)  Matsunuma & Motomura, 2017.   DOI: 10.1007/s10228-016-0569-9

Abstract

A taxonomic review of the genus Banjos (Perciformes: Banjosidae), previously restricted to a single species, Banjos banjos (Richardson 1846), recorded from the northwestern Pacific Ocean from the South China Sea north to Japan, as well as Lombok (Indonesia), New Caledonia and Australia, resulted in the recognition of three species, including B. banjos (northwestern Pacific Ocean, Indonesia and western Australia), Banjos aculeatus sp. nov. (eastern Australia) and Banjos peregrinus sp. nov. [northern Australia (Timor Sea)]. Records of B. banjos from New Caledonia probably also represent B. aculeatus, which is clearly distinct from other congeners in having a relatively long, strongly serrated spine at the posteroventral angle of the preopercle and an entirely dusky membrane on the spinous dorsal fin in juveniles < ca. 70 mm SL, in addition to slightly longer first and second dorsal-fin spines. Banjos peregrinus is characterized by a relatively greater head length, orbit diameter, postorbital length and pre-pelvic-fin length, as well as poorly developed serration of the exposed margin of the cleithrum. Within B. banjos, a population from the southeastern Indian Ocean, including Indonesia and western Australia, is regarded as a distinct subspecies (Banjos banjos brevispinis ssp. nov.), distinguishable from B. b. banjos from the northwestern Pacific Ocean by a relatively narrow least interorbital width, and shorter second and eighth dorsal-fin spines. Ontogenetic morphological changes within the genus and the status of the holotype of Anoplus banjos Richardson 1846 are discussed in detail.

Keywords: Banjo, fish, Anoplus banjos, Morphology, Taxonomy, Antitropical distribution

Fig. 1 Fresh specimens of Banjos aculeatus sp. nov. (a–b), B. banjos banjos (c–e), andB. banjos brevispinis ssp. nov. (f–i). a AMS I.23956-004, paratype, 154 mm SL, Ballina, NSW, Australia (photo: K. Graham); b NSMT-P 117236, 310 mm SL, Capel Bank, Australia [photo: Far Seas Fisheries Research Laboratory (FSFL)]; c KAUM–I. 12836, 286 mm SL, Minami-Kyushu, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan; d KAUM–I. 35676, 209 mm SL, East China Sea; e KAUM–I. 29847, 109 mm SL, Tosa Bay, Kochi Prefecture, Japan;  f NSMT-P 113708, paratype, 249 mm SL, WA, Australia (photo: FSFL); g CSIRO H2037-02, paratype, 278 mm SL, Houtman Abrolhos, WA (photo: D. Wright and A. Williams); h CSIRO CA994, paratype, 131 mm SL, Bedout Islet, WA (photo: G. Leyland); i CSIRO H6422-07, paratype, 80.6 mm SL, Shark Bay, WA (photo: L. Conboy)  DOI: 10.1007/s10228-016-0569-9

Banjos aculeatus Matsunuma & Motomura, 2017

Banjos banjos brevispinis Matsunuma & Motomura, 2017

Banjos peregrinus Matsunuma & Motomura, 2017

Mizuki Matsunuma and Hiroyuki Motomura. 2017. Review of the Genus Banjos (Perciformes: Banjosidae) with Descriptions of Two New Species and A New Subspecies.
Ichthyological Research.  DOI: 10.1007/s10228-016-0569-9

[Entomology • 2016] A Systematic Catalogue of Butterflies of the former Soviet Union (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lituania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan) with Special Account to their Type Specimens (Lepidoptera: Hesperioidea, Papilionoidea)

February 9, 2017, 5:21 am

≫ Next: [Crustacea • 2017] New Data on the Taxonomy, Ecology, and Conservation of the Rediscovered Louisea edeaensis (Bott, 1969) (Brachyura: Potamoidea: Potamonautidae), an Endangered Freshwater Crab from Cameroon

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Melanargia parce   Staudinger 1882  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4160.1.1

Abstract

A catalogue of butterflies of Russia and adjacent countries is given, with special account to the name-bearing types depository. This catalogue contains data about 86 species (3 of them are questionable) of Hesperiidae (22 genera); 47 species of Papilionidae (14 genera); 89 species of Pieridae (5 of them are questionable)  (15 genera); 1 species (1 genus) of Libytheinae(dae); 2 species of Danainae(dae) (2 genera); 160 species of Nymphalinae(dae) (1 of them is questionable) (23 genera); 259 species of Satyrinae(dae) (14 of them are questionable, mainly from genera Oeneis and Pseudochazara) (34 genera); 3 species of Riodinidae (2 genera); 318 species of Lycaenidae (11 of them are questionable, mainly from genera Neolycaena and Plebeius) (57 genera). In total: 965 species of butterflies, 174 genera, by countries: Armenia—244, Azerbaijan—225, Belarus—107, Estonia—113, Georgia—211, Kyrgyzstan—316, Kazakhstan—344, Latvia—115, Lituania—126, Moldova—87, Russia—522, Tajikistan—295, Turkmenistan—159, Ukraine—192, Uzbekistan—241. Detailed distribution and subspecific structure (if present) for every species is provided. Lectotypes of the following species-group taxa are designated: Hesperia poggei Lederer, 1858, Parnassius felderi Bremer, 1861, P. eversmanni Eversmann, 1851, P. boedromius Püngeler, 1901, Limenitis moltrechti Kardakov, 1928, L. sydyi Kindermann, 1853, L. amphyssa Ménétriès, 1859, L. doerriesi Staudinger, 1892, L. helmanni duplicata Staudinger, 1892, L. homeyeri Tancré, 1881, Argynnis penelope Staudinger, 1891, A. thore borealis Staudinger, 1861, Vanessa io geisha Stichel, [1908], Melitaea maturna staudingeri Wnukowsky, 1929 (=uralensis Staudinger, 1871), M. didymina Staudinger, 1895, Papilio fascelis Esper, 1783, Thecla quercivora Staudinger, 1887, Lycaena orion var. ornata Staudinger, 1892. The following nomenclatural acts are established: Neolycaena submontana baitenovi (Zhdanko, 2011), comb. et stat.n. The following new synonymy is provided: Hesperia comma repugnans (Staudinger, 1892) = lena Korshunov et Gorbunov, 1995, syn.n.; Argynnis niobe orientalis Alphéraky, 1881 = ornata Staudinger, 1901, syn.n. = tanjusha Zhdanko, 2011, syn.n.; Boloria frigga gibsoni (Barnes & Benjamin, 1926) = kosarevi Korb, 2011, syn.n., B. erubescens houri Wyatt, 1961 = ancilla Churkin, 2004, syn.n.; Melitaea fergana maracandica Staudinger, 1882 = irinae Churkin, Kolesnichenko et Tremasov, 2012, syn.n.; M. asteroida clara Staudinger, 1887 = ludmilla Churkin, Kolesnichenko et Tuzov, 2000, syn.n.; Paralasa jordana jordana (Staudinger, 1882) = khramovi Churkin et Pletnev, 2012, syn.n.; P. jordana subocellata (Staudinger, 1901) = kipnisi Churkin et Pletnev, 2012, syn.n.; P. kusnezovi kusnezovi (Avinov, 1910) =bosbutaensis Churkin et Pletnev, 2012, syn.n.; Erebia meta Staudinger, 1886 = gertha Staudinger, 1886, syn.n.; Oeneis ammon ammon Elwes, 1899 =smirnovi Yakovlev, 2011, syn.n.; O. norna tundra A.Bang-Haas, 1912 = ivonini Yakovlev, 2011, syn.n.; Chazara briseis ianthe (Pallas, 1771) = lyrnessus Fruhstorfer, 1908, syn.n., Plebejides stekolnikovi (Stradomsky et Tikhonov, 2015), comb.n.

Keywords: Lepidoptera, butterflies, Russia, East Europe, Caucasus, Central Asia, catalogue, nomenclatural acts, name-bearing types, distribution

Stanislav K. Korb and Lavr V. Bolshakov. 2016. A Systematic Catalogue of Butterflies of the former Soviet Union (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lituania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan) with Special Account to their Type Specimens (Lepidoptera: Hesperioidea, Papilionoidea).  

  Zootaxa. 4160(1); 1–324.   DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4160.1.1

[Crustacea • 2017] New Data on the Taxonomy, Ecology, and Conservation of the Rediscovered Louisea edeaensis (Bott, 1969) (Brachyura: Potamoidea: Potamonautidae), an Endangered Freshwater Crab from Cameroon

February 9, 2017, 7:08 pm

≫ Next: [Botany • 2017] Impatiens bokorensis • A New Species (Balsaminaceae) from southwestern Cambodia

≪ Previous: [Entomology • 2016] A Systematic Catalogue of Butterflies of the former Soviet Union (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lituania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan) with Special Account to their Type Specimens (Lepidoptera: Hesperioidea, Papilionoidea)

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Louisea edeaensis (Bott, 1969)    DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4231.2.9

Abstract

The rare and endangered Cameroonian potamonautid freshwater crab Louisea edeaensis (Bott, 1969) was recently rediscovered during a biological inventory of the freshwater decapods of southern Cameroon. The previous record dated back more than 100 years. The new specimens allow an updated diagnosis of the species based on comparisons of important taxonomic characters. Photographs of the carapace, gonopods, third maxillipeds, and chelipeds of the largest adult male specimen from Lake Ossa, Cameroon are provided, as are the first photographs of living specimens. The conservation implications of the new data on habitat, population structure, distribution, and threats for this rare and endangered species are discussed.

Keywords: Crustacea, taxonomy, Lake Ossa, IUCN Red List

Pierre A. Mvogo-Ndongo, Thomas von Rintelen, Christoph D. Schubart, Christian Albrecht, Joseph L.Tamesse and Neil. Cumberlidge. 2017. New Data on the Taxonomy, Ecology, and Conservation of the Rediscovered Louisea edeaensis (Bott, 1969) (Brachyura: Potamoidea: Potamonautidae), an Endangered Freshwater Crab from Cameroon.
Zootaxa. 4231(2); 273–280. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4231.2.9

Cumberlidge, N. 1994. Louisea, a new genus of fresh-water crab (Brachyura, Potamoidea, Potamonautidae) for Globonautes macropus edeaensis Bott, 1969 from Cameroon. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington. 107, 122–131.

http://commons.nmu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1074&context=facwork_journalarticles