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

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Impatiens bokorensis
S.H.Cho & B.Y.Kim


Abstract
Impatiens bokorensis, a new species of family Balsaminaceae from Phnum Bokor National Park in southwestern Cambodia, is described and illustrated. The species is similar to I. patula, but is readily distinguished by the orbicular-obovate dorsal petal, shorter pedicels and larger seeds.

Keywords: Phnum Bokor National Park, Endemic species, Impatiens, Cambodia


Taxonomy

Impatiens bokorensis S.H.Cho & B.Y.Kim, sp. nov.

Type: CAMBODIA. Kampot Province, Phnum Bokor National Park, sandstone tables in evergreen forest margin, 10°38'20.8"N, 104°00'16.0"E, a.s.l. 1,050 m, 24 August 2015, with flowers, Cho S.H, Kim B.Y., Park H.S., Chhang Phourin CB-3112 (holotype HHU!, isotypes KB!, KRIB!, RUPP!).

Diagnosis: Impatiens bokorensis is most similar to the Thailand endemic species I. patula Craib in habit but is readily distinguished from the latter by the orbicular-obovate dorsal petal, shorter pedicels and larger seeds (Table 1).

Figure 2. A–E Impatiens bokorensis
 A Habit BC Flower D strigose-ciliate at leaf base E Capsule.

 Photos by Seong-Hyun Cho. 


Distribution and habitat: Impatiens bokorensis grows on sandstone tables in evergreen forest margins at 1,050 m a.s.l.. Endemic to southwestern Cambodia, I. bokorensis is at present known only in the type locality.


    Seong-Hyun Cho, Bo-Yun Kim, Han-Sol Park, Chhang Phourin and Young-Dong Kim. 2017. Impatiens bokorensis (Balsaminaceae), A New Species from Cambodia.   PhytoKeys. 77: 33-39. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.77.11345


[Entomology • 2016] Revision of the Oriental subfamily Heteropteryginae Kirby, 1896 (Phasmatodea: Areolatae: Heteropterygidae), with A Re-arrangement of the family Heteropterygidae and the Descriptions of Five New Species of Haaniella Kirby, 1904

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Heteropteryx dilatata  (Parkinson, 1798)


Abstract  

The areolate Oriental family Heteropterygidae Kirby, 1893 is critically reviewed and the results of the present study contradict the arrangement suggested by Zompro (2004), but in most aspects agree with a molecular study presented by Whiting et al (2003) and a phylogenetic study presented by Bradler (2009). The family is critically discussed and new hypotheses are presented for the phylogeny and intra-familiar relationships, placing the subfamily Dataminae Rehn & Rehn, 1939 as the basalmost clade of Heteropterygidae. The subfamilies Obriminae Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1893 and Heteropteryginae Kirby, 1893 together represent the sister-group of Dataminae. Arguments and a tree are presented to support this hypothesis. New diagnoses and lists of genera are provided for all three subfamilies contained in Heteropterygidae, along with keys to distinguish between them.

        The subfamily Obriminae is critically reviewed and the distinction between the three tribes Obrimini Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1893, Eubulidini Zompro, 2004 and Miroceramiini Zompro, 2004 introduced by Zompro (2004) is shown to be poorly supported. While Obrimini sensu Zompro, 2004 is generally accepted (but now also contains genera that were placed in Eubulidini or Miroceramiini by Zompro (2004)), the tribes Eubulidini and Miroceramiini are not supported. A new arrangement is introduced, which is based on morphological characters neglected or overlooked by Zompro (2004) but were partly discussed by Bradler (2009). The genus Mearnsiana Rehn & Rehn, 1939 is removed from Miroceramiini and transferred to Obrimini. The genera Eubulides Stål, 1877Heterocopus Redtenbacher, 1906Theramenes Stål, 1875 and Stenobrimus Redtenbacher, 1906 are removed from Eubulidini and also transferred to Obrimini. Consequently, Eubulidini is synonymised with Obrimini (n. syn.). Miroceramiini is a monotypical tribe and only includes the Wallacean genus Miroceramia Günther, 1934. The new tribe Tisamenini n. trib. is established for the three basal genera Tisamenus Stål, 1875Ilocano Rehn & Rehn, 1939 and Hoploclonia Stål, 1875 all of which were placed in Eubulidini by Zompro (2004). The latter genus differs from the other two genera by the morphology of the female genitalia, which is unique amongst the entire family. Three generic groups are recognized within Obrimini, the Obrimus-group, Stenobrimus-group and Theramenes-group. Keys are presented to distinguish between the three tribes now contained in the Obriminae, i.e. Obrimini, Tisamenini n. trib. and Miroceramiini. The genus Hennobrimus Conle, 2006 is synonymised with Mearnsiana Rehn & Rehn, 1939, based on the fact that the type-species of both genera are conspecific (n. syn.). Hennobrimus hennemanni Conle, 2006, the type-species of Hennobrimus, and Trachyaretaon manobo Lit & Eusebio, 2005 are synonymised with Mearnsiana bullosa Rehn & Rehn, 1939, the type-species of Mearnsiana (n. syn.).Theramenes dromedarius Stål, 1877 from the Philippines is removed from synonymy with the Wallacean Theramenes olivaceus (Westwood, 1859) and re-established as a valid species (rev. stat.).

        The subfamily Heteropteryginae Kirby, 1896 is revised at the species-level and a new diagnosis is presented. Keys to the two genera and all 16 known species are provided along with new descriptions, differential diagnoses, lists of examined material, detailed information on the known distributions, measurements and illustrations of the insects and eggs. The intra-subfamiliar and intra-generic relationships are discussed and a cladogram is presented. Heteropteryginae contains two genera: Heteropteryx Gray, 1835 (Type-species: Phasma dilatatum Parkinson, 1798) and Haaniella Kirby, 1896 (Type-species: Phasma (Heteropteryx) muelleri de Haan, 1842). The distribution of this subfamily is restricted to Sundaland with the exception of a single species that is found in Vietnam. All other species are distributed in Borneo, Sumatra, the Mentawai Islands, Singapore, Peninsular Malaysia and Thailand. Heteropteryginae contains the largest and most striking members of the entire family Heteropteryginae, some of which are amongst the heaviest insects known. The subfamily is characterized by apomorphies such as the presence of wings, having a tympanal area (= stridulatory organ) in the basal portion of the alae, straight profemora, strongly shortened tarsi, lack of rough sensory-areas on the prosternum and typically X-shaped micropylar plate of the eggs. The sister-group of Heteropteryginae is represented by the Obriminae, with which it shares a beak-like secondary ovipositor in the females and presence of a medio-apical spine on the area apicalis. Both features are synapomorphies of Heteropteryginae + Obriminae.

        The genus Haaniella Kirby, 1904 contains 16 known species, five of which are newly described herein. The genus Miniopteryx Zompro, 2004 (Type-species: Haaniella parva Günther, 1944) is synonymised with Haaniella on the basis that the distinguishing feature mentioned in the original description is a character that is frequently found throughout the genus (n. syn.). The type-species H. parva Günther, 1944 is automatically retransferred to Haaniella (rev. stat.). Haaniella aculeata n. sp. from western Sumatra is described from the male. Haaniella macroptera n. sp. from Singapore and the Johor state in southern Peninsular Malaysia is described from both sexes and the eggs. Haaniella gintingi n. sp. from Central Sumatra is described from both sexes and the eggs and Haaniella kerincia n. sp. from Western Sumatra is described from the insects only, the eggs being still unknown. One new species, Haaniella gorochovi n. sp., is the only representative of the genus and subfamily Heteropteryginae known from Vietnam and both sexes as well as the eggs are described. Haaniella erringtoniae (Redtenbacher, 1906) is endemic in Peninsular Malaysia, here removed from synonymy with H. muelleri(de Haan, 1842) and re-established as a valid species (rev. stat.). The Sumatran Haaniellaglaber(Redtenbacher, 1906) is removed from synonymy with H. muelleri (Haan, 1842) and re-established as a valid species (rev. stat.). Leocrates glaber Redtenbacher, 1906 and Haaniella muelleri simplex Günther, 1944 are removed from synonymy with H. muelleri (Haan, 1842) (rev. stat.) and synonymised with H. glaber.Haaniellamecheli(Redtenbacher, 1906) andH. rosenbergii(Kaup, 1871) are removed from synonymy with H. muelleri (Haan, 1842) and re-established as valid species (rev. stat.). Haaniella erringtoniae novaeguineaeGünther, 1934 and Haaniella muelleri var. b. (Haan, 1842) are synonymized with H. rosenbergii (Kaup, 1871) (n. syn.). The type-species Haaniella muelleri (Haan, 1842) is shown to be a fairly rare species that is restricted to Sumatra. All subsequent records of H. muelleri from outside Sumatra and references to captive breeding of stock originating from Peninsular Malaysia in Europe relate to H. erringtoniae (Redtenbacher, 1906). The previously unknown males and eggs of H. rosenbergii (Kaup, 1871) as well as the previously unknown females and eggs of H. parva Günther, 1944 are described and illustrated for the first time. Based on morphological characters of the insects and eggs three distinct species-groups are recognized within Haaniella. The muelleri species-group contains nine species that are distributed throughout Sumatra, the Mentawei Islands, Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia. These are characterized by the smooth ventral surface of the meso- and metafemora and lemon-shaped eggs which entirely lack the setae seen in the two other species-groups. The grayii species-group comprises four species, two of which are endemic in Borneo, one endemic in Sumatra and the fourth species being the only known representative of the subfamily in Vietnam. These species are characteristic for the prominent pair of spines on the abdominal tergites II–IV of males and long apically multidentate epiproct of females. The echinata species-group contains three exceptionally Bornean species, which are characterized by the long and apically pointed subgenital plate of females, which clearly projects beyond the epiproct, as well as the sub-basal lateral tooth of the anal segment of males. The muelleri species-group is sister to the remainder two species-groups.

        Heteropteryx Gray, 1853 is a monotypical genus and only contains the type-species H. dilatata (Parkinson, 1798), which is found throughout Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand, Sumatra and Northeastern Borneo. This genus differs from Haaniella by the strongly conically elevated head, which posteriorly projects over the anterior margin of the pronotum, females being bright green or yellow in colour with plain and translucent pink alae and having distinct spines on the abdominal tergites, and males having a strongly shortened mesothorax and dull pink alae. 

Lectotypes are designated for Haaniella parva Günther, 1944, Heteropteryx echinata Redtenbacher, 1906, Heteropteryx saussurei Redtenbacher, 1906 and Heteropteryx scabraRedtenbacher, 1906 to guarantee stability of these names.

        Information on the habitats, host-plants, biology, life cycle, parasitism and captive breeding of the species of Heteropteryginae is presented and a list summarising all taxonomic changes presented herein.

Keywords: Phasmatodea, Heteropterygidae, Heteropteryginae, Obriminae, Dataminae, HeteropteryxHaaniella, taxonomic revision, classification, new tribe, new species, new subspecies, new synonyms, lectotypes, keys, differentiations, descriptions, illustrations, eggs




Frank H. Hennemann, Oskar V. Conle, Paul D. Brock and Francis Seow-Choen. 2016. Revision of the Oriental subfamily Heteropteryginae Kirby, 1896, with A Re-arrangement of the family Heteropterygidae and the Descriptions of Five New Species of Haaniella Kirby, 1904. (Phasmatodea: Areolatae: Heteropterygidae).  Zootaxa. 4159(1); 1–219. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4159.1.1

[Botany • 2017] Thismia inconspicua • A New Mycoheterotrophic Species (Thismiaceae) from Borneo

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Thismia inconspicua Sochor & Dančák


Abstract

A new species belonging to the mycoheterotrophic genus Thismia is described and illustrated. Thismia inconspicua was found in a lowland mixed dipterocarp forest in Ulu Temburong National Park, Brunei Darussalam. It is characterized by its sepia-brown perianth with free equal lobes with very short terminal appendages, two pairs of appendages on connective apices, perianth tube displaced from the ovary axis and short stem. DNA sequence data from commonly studied nuclear and mitochondrial loci are provided. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the close relationship with other members of section Thismia, subsection Odoardoa. An updated determination key of Thismia species of Borneo is included.

Keywords: atpA, Burmanniaceae, Malesia, SSU rDNA, Monocots, Borneo




FIGURE 2. Thismia inconspicua Sochor & Dančák:
flowering plant (A), plants in different developmental stages (B, C, E), capsule with stigma (D), outer view of stamens (F), appendages on connective apices (G), mature capsule with seeds (H) and the type locality (I)  

Thismia inconspicua Sochor & Dančák, sp. nov.

Thismia inconspicua differs from congeneric species in having the following combination of morphological traits: short stem, all perianth lobes free and equal, tapering into very short terminal appendages, perianth tube displaced from the ovary axis, two pairs of dimorphic appendages on connective apices, three-lobed stigma with lobes entire or bifid.

Etymology:— The specific epithet reflects the inconspicuous colour and appearance of the plants on decaying wood during flowering period.

....


Michal Sochor, Rahayu Sukmaria Sukri, Faizah Metali and Martin Dančák. 2017. Thismia inconspicua (Thismiaceae), A New Mycoheterotrophic Species from Borneo.  
 Phytotaxa. 295(3); 263–270. DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.295.3.7


“We called it Thismia inconspicua, which reflects the fact that the plant is brown, very small and inconspicuous on rotting leaves and rotting wood where it grows.”


Radio Prague - Czech botanist discovers new Thismia plant in Borneo rainforest http://www.radio.cz/en/section/panorama/czech-botanist-discovers-new-thismia-plant-in-borneo-rainforest via @RadioPrague
Čeští vědci náhodou objevili nový druh rostlin. Dostaly jméno hvězdnatky http://www.ceskatelevize.cz/ct24/veda/1932904-cesti-vedci-nahodou-objevili-novy-druh-rostlin-dostaly-jmeno-hvezdnatky
Radio Prague - Czech botanist discovers new Thismia plant in Borneo rainforest http://www.radio.cz/en/section/panorama/czech-botanist-discovers-new-thismia-plant-in-borneo-rainforest via  @RadioPrague

[Entomology • 2017] Manoa xianjuensis • A New Species of Manoa (Diptera: Chironomidae), with DNA Barcodes from Xianju National Park, Oriental China

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Manoa xianjuensis 
Qi & Lin, 2017


Abstract

The genus Manoa and the tribe Pseudochironomini are recorded from the Oriental region for the first time. Manoa xianjuensis Qi & Lin sp. n. from Xianju National Park, Zhejiang, China is described and illustrated as adult male and female, the latter associated with the male by standard DNA barcodes. A neighbor joining tree based on available Pseudochironomini DNA barcodes and keys to the adults in Manoa are given.

Keywords: Diptera, Culicoidea, Chironominae, taxonomy, COI sequence




Xin Qi, Xin-Hua Wang, Trond Andersen and Xiao-Long Lin. 2017. A New Species of Manoa Fittkau (Diptera: Chironomidae), with DNA Barcodes from Xianju National Park, Oriental China.  Zootaxa. 4231(3); 398–408. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4231.3.6

[Mammalogy • 2017] Comparative Phylogeography of Bamboo Bats of the Genus Tylonycteris (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) in Southeast Asia; Revalidation of T. fulvida & T. malayana and Description of A New Species, T. tonkinensis, endemic to northern Indochina

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Tylonycteris tonkinensis  
 Tu, Csorba, Ruedi & Hassanin, 2017

 DOI:  10.5852/ejt.2017.274 

Abstract 

In Southeast Asia, bats of the genus Tylonycteris Peters, 1872 have traditionally been classified into two wide-ranging species, T. pachypus (Temminck, 1840) and T. robustula Thomas, 1915. Our comparative phylogeographic analyses based on two mitochondrial and seven nuclear genes, combined with our multivariate morphological analyses, show that these species actually represent cryptic species complexes that share a similar biogeographic history in three major regions, i.e., Sundaland, southern Indochina, and northern Indochina. Our molecular dating estimates suggest that Pleistocene climatic oscillations and sea level changes have repeatedly isolated ancestral populations of Tylonycteris spp. in distant bamboo forest refugia. The analyses indicate, however, that populations of the T. pachypus complex were less affected by forest fragmentation in mainland Southeast Asia than those of the T. robustula complex. Accordingly, we propose several taxonomic changes within the genus Tylonycteris: the species T. fulvida and T. malayana are revalidated, and a new species, Tylonycteris tonkinensisTu, Csorba, Ruedi & Hassanin sp. nov., endemic to northern Indochina, is described.

Keywords: Vespertilioninae; Tylonycteris; DNA phylogeny; taxonomy; biogeography


T. robustula Thomas, 1915 (corrected taxon name is Tylonycteris tonkinensis Tu, Csorba, Ruedi & Hassanin sp. nov.), holotype, IEBR-VN11-0055. Head profiles, ventral and dorsal views, fleshy pads at the base of the thumb and on the sole of the foot, and different views of the skull (dorsal, ventral and lateral). Scale = 10 mm.  

Phylum Chordata Haeckel, 1874
Class Mammalia Linnaeus, 1758
Order Chiroptera Blumenbach, 1779

Family Vespertilionidae Gray, 1821
Subfamily Vespertilioninae Gray, 1821

Tylonycteris tonkinensis Tu, Csorba, Ruedi & Hassanin sp. nov.
Tylonycteris robustula Thomas, 1915 (partim): 227.
Tylonycteris robustula – Osgood 1932: 236. — Tate 1942: 268. — Hendrichsen et al. 2001: 90. —
Kruskop 2013: 221. — Thomas et al. 2013: 229.

Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the current restricted occurrence of the new species in north-eastern Laos and northern Vietnam (Fig. 1). The Vietnamese portion of this region was previously called “Tonkin” during the Nguyễn dynasty and French colonial era (from the 19th to the mid-20th centuries) to separate it from the country’s centre (Annam) and southern regions (Cochinchina). The proposed English name is “Tonkin’s Greater Bamboo Bat” and the proposed Vietnamese name is ‘Dơi ống tre Bắc Bộ’.

Fig. 5. Morphological characteristics of the two nominal species of the genus Tylonycteris Peters, 1872.
 A. T. pachypus (Temminck, 1840) (corrected taxon name is T. fulvida (Blyth, 1859)), IEBR-VN11- 0015. B. T. robustula Thomas, 1915 (corrected taxon name is Tylonycteris tonkinensis Tu, Csorba, Ruedi & Hassanin sp. nov.), holotype, IEBR-VN11-0055. Head profiles, ventral and dorsal views, fleshy pads at the base of the thumb and on the sole of the foot, and different views of the skull (dorsal, ventral and lateral). Scale = 10 mm. 

Vuong Tan TU, Gábor CSORBA, Manuel RUEDI, Neil M. FUREY, Nguyen Truong SON, Vu Dinh THONG, Céline BONILLO and Alexandre HASSANIN. 2017. Comparative Phylogeography of Bamboo Bats of the Genus Tylonycteris (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) in Southeast Asia. European Journal of Taxonomy. 274: 1–38. DOI:  10.5852/ejt.2017.274


[Ichthyology • 2017] Goliath Catfish (Brachyplatystoma spp., Pimelodidae) Spawning in the far western Amazon confirmed by the Distribution of Mature Adults, Drifting Larvae and Migrating Juveniles

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Figure 1: Migratory goliath catfishes (Brachyplatystoma, Pimelodidae).
 
(ABrachyplatystoma vaillantii (piramutaba in Portuguese, pirabutón in Spanish); (BB. rousseauxii (dourada in Portuguese, dorado in Spanish); (CB. platynemum (babão in Portuguese, mota flemosa in Spanish); (DB. juruense (zebra in Portuguese, zebra in Spanish);
(lower) Dorado migrations exploited by fishermen. The Santo Antônio Dam on the Madeira River now drowns the Teotônio Rapids (shown here) where
 B. rousseauxii (species in photo) and B. platynemum were previously exploited and easily detected when migrating.

Photos by M. Goulding.   DOI: 10.1038/srep41784 

Abstract
We mapped the inferred long-distance migrations of four species of Amazonian goliath catfishes (Brachyplatystoma rousseauxiiBplatynemumB. juruense and B. vaillantii) based on the presence of individuals with mature gonads and conducted statistical analysis of the expected long-distance downstream migrations of their larvae and juveniles. By linking the distribution of larval, juvenile and mature adult size classes across the Amazon, the results showed: (i) that the main spawning regions of these goliath catfish species are in the western Amazon; (ii) at least three species — B. rousseauxiiB. platynemum, and B. juruense — spawn partially or mainly as far upstream as the Andes; (iii) the main spawning area of B. rousseauxii is in or near the Andes; and (iv) the life history migration distances of B. rousseauxii are the longest strictly freshwater fish migrations in the world. These results provide an empirical baseline for tagging experiments, life histories extrapolated from otolith microchemistry interpretations and other methods to establish goliath catfish migratory routes, their seasonal timing and possible return (homing) to western headwater tributaries where they were born.





Dorado migrations exploited by fishermen. The Santo Antônio Dam on the Madeira River now drowns the Teotônio Rapids (shown here) where Brachyplatystoma rousseauxii (B) and B. platynemum (Cwere previously exploited and easily detected when migrating.

Photos by M. Goulding.   DOI: 10.1038/srep41784  

Figure 1: Migratory goliath catfishes (Brachyplatystoma, Pimelodidae).
(A) Brachyplatystoma vaillantii (piramutaba in Portuguese, pirabutón in Spanish); (B) B. rousseauxii (dourada in Portuguese, dorado in Spanish); (C) B. platynemum (babão in Portuguese, mota flemosa in Spanish); (D) B. juruense (zebra in Portuguese, zebra in Spanish); (E) Dorado migrations exploited by fishermen. The Santo Antônio Dam on the Madeira River now drowns the Teotônio Rapids (shown here) where B. rousseauxii (species in photo) and B. platynemum were previously exploited and easily detected when migrating. Photos by M. Goulding. 

Ronaldo B. Barthem, Michael Goulding, Rosseval G. Leite, Carlos Cañas, Bruce Forsberg, Eduardo Venticinque, Paulo Petry, Mauro L. de B. Ribeiro, Junior Chuctaya and Armando Mercado. 2017. Goliath Catfish Spawning in the far western Amazon confirmed by the Distribution of Mature Adults, Drifting Larvae and Migrating Juveniles.  
 Scientific Reports. 7, Article number: 41784. DOI: 10.1038/srep41784

   

Giant catfish clocks longest ever freshwater migration https://news.mongabay.com/2017/02/giant-catfish-clocks-longest-ever-freshwater-migration/ via @mongabay
Scientists confirm dorado catfish as all-time distance champion of freshwater migrations  scienmag.com/scientists-confirm-dorado-catfish-as-all-time-distance-champion-of-freshwater-migrations/ via @scienmag

[Paleontology • 2017] Neck Biomechanics indicate that Giant Transylvanian Azhdarchid Pterosaurs, Hatzegopteryx sp., were Short-necked Arch Predators

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 Transylvanian giant azhdarchid pterosaur Hatzegopteryx sp. preys on the rhabdodontid iguanodontian Zalmoxes. Because large predatory theropods are unknown on Late Cretaceous Haţeg Island, giant azhdarchids may have played a key role as terrestrial predators in this community. 

Abstract

Azhdarchid pterosaurs include the largest animals to ever take to the skies with some species exceeding 10 metres in wingspan and 220 kg in mass. Associated skeletons show that azhdarchids were long-necked, long-jawed predators that combined a wing planform suited for soaring with limb adaptations indicative of quadrupedal terrestrial foraging. The postcranial proportions of the group have been regarded as uniform overall, irrespective of their overall size, notwithstanding suggestions that minor variation may have been present. Here, we discuss a recently discovered giant azhdarchid neck vertebra referable to Hatzegopteryx from the Maastrichtian Sebeş Formation of the Transylvanian Basin, Romania, which shows how some azhdarchids departed markedly from conventional views on their proportions. This vertebra, which we consider a cervical VII, is 240 mm long as preserved and almost as wide. Among azhdarchid cervicals, it is remarkable for the thickness of its cortex (4–6 mm along its ventral wall) and robust proportions. By comparing its dimensions to other giant azhdarchid cervicals and to the more completely known necks of smaller taxa, we argue that Hatzegopteryx had a proportionally short, stocky neck highly resistant to torsion and compression. This specimen is one of several hinting at greater disparity within Azhdarchidae than previously considered, but is the first to demonstrate such proportional differences within giant taxa. On the assumption that other aspects of Hatzegopteryx functional anatomy were similar to those of other azhdarchids, and with reference to the absence of large terrestrial predators in the Maastrichtian of Transylvania, we suggest that this pterosaur played a dominant predatory role among the unusual palaeofauna of ancient Haţeg.

Figure 9: Diversity in predicted life appearance and ecologies for giant azhdarchid pterosaurs.
(A) two giant, long-necked azhdarchids—the Maastrichtian species Arambourgiania philadelphiae—argue over a small theropod;
(B) the similarly sized but more powerful Maastrichtian, Transylvanian giant azhdarchid pterosaur Hatzegopteryx sp. preys on the rhabdodontid iguanodontian Zalmoxes. Because large predatory theropods are unknown on Late Cretaceous Haţeg Island, giant azhdarchids may have played a key role as terrestrial predators in this community. 

Darren Naish​​ and Mark P. Witton​. 2017. Neck Biomechanics indicate that Giant Transylvanian Azhdarchid Pterosaurs were Short-necked Arch Predators.
   PeerJ. 5:e2908. DOI:   10.7717/peerj.2908

  

[Crustacea • 2017] Diyutamon cereum • A New Genus and New Species of Potamidea (Decapoda: Brachyura: Potamoidae), the First Stygomorphic Cave Crab Known from China and East Asia

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Diyutamon cereum  
Huang, Shih & Ng, 2017 


Diyutamon cereum 

Abstract

A new genus and species of freshwater crab, Diyutamon cereum n. gen., n. sp., is described from a cave in Guizhou, China. This is the first record of a true stygomorphic crab from China and East Asia, possessing pale body coloration, strongly reduced eyes, and long ambulatory legs. While superficially similar to Chinapotamon Dai & Naiyanetr, 1994, and Tiwaripotamon Bott, 1970, the new genus possesses a diagnostic combination of carapace, ambulatory leg, thoracic sternal, and male abdominal characters that easily distinguishes it from other genera. Molecular data derived from the mitochondrial 16S rDNA supports the establishment of the new genus.

Keywords: Crustacea, Diyutamon cereum, new genus, new species, caves, stygobite, 16S rDNA




tweets.seraph.me/user/mshuangchao/2245250241

Chao Huang, Hsi-Te Shih and Peter K. L. Ng. 2017. A New Genus and New Species of Potamidea (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Potamoidae), the First Stygomorphic Cave Crab Known from China and East Asia.
  Zootaxa. 4232(1); 71–84. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4232.1.5



[Botany • 2017] Impatiens tanintharyiensis • A New Species (Balsaminaceae) from Southern Myanmar

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Impatiens tanintharyiensis  
Ruchisansakun, Suksathan & Saw-Lwin


Abstract

Impatiens tanintharyiensis Ruchisansakun, Suksathan & Saw-Lwin from the Tanintharyi region of Southern Myanmar is described and illustrated as a new species. The presence of connate lateral united petals and a four-locular ovary, as well as results of molecular phylogenetic analyses of nuclear ITS and plastid atpB-rbcL spacer DNA sequences, suggest that the new species is a member of Impatiens section Semeiocardium (Zoll.) S.X. Yu & Wei Wang. The new species is morphologically most similar to I. spectabilis Triboun & Suksathan, but can be distinguished by its asymmetric flowers, saccate-bucciniform lower sepal, and shorter, slightly incurved spur. Floral traits, including the presence of a large floral chamber with a wide entrance, are consistent with the bee-pollination syndrome in Impatiens. Since I. tanintharyiensis is only known from two small populations, its conservation status is assessed as Endangered.

Keywords: floral asymmetry, Impatiens, lithophyte, Myanmar, Semeiocardium, taxonomy, Eudicots


Impatiens tanintharyiensis Ruchisansakun, Suksathan & Saw-Lwin is morphologically similar to I. spectabilis Triboun & Suksathan but can be distinguished by having asymmetric flowers due to anticlockwise distorted lateral united petals, a saccate-bucciniform lower sepal, and a shorter, slightly incurved spur. 

Type:— MYANMAR. Tanintharyi Region: Dawei, Thet Kal Kwet Village. ...

Distribution:— Endemic to Southern Myanmar (Tanintharyi Region), only known from two localities.
Ecology:— Growing among decaying organic material on low granular metamorphic rock of granitic schist facies (Phongphat Prasong, pers. comm), along a waterfall at 146–155 m above sea level.

Etymology:— The specific epithet refers to its locality, the Tanintharyi region of Myanmar.
Common name:— Tanintharyi Dan Pan, Tanintharyi balsam. 

Pollination ecology:— A recent comparative study of floral morphology and pollination ecology demonstrated that the closely related and morphologically similar I. daraneenae, is pollinated by bees (Ruchisansakun et al. 2016). The presence of a large floral chamber with a wide entrance are traits associated with bee pollination in Southeast Asian Impatiens (Ruchisansakun et al. 2016). Based on the traits of the new species, we hypothesize that the new species is also bee-pollinated.


Saroj Ruchisansakun, Piyakaset Suksathan, Timotheüs van der Niet, Saw Lwin and Steven B. Janssens. 2017.  Impatiens tanintharyiensis (Balsaminaceae), A New Species from Southern Myanmar. Phytotaxa.  296(2); 171–179. DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.296.2.6

[Herpetology • 2017] Taxonomy of the Capensibufo rosei Group (Anura: Bufonidae) from South Africa

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Landdroskop Mountain Toadlet  | Capensibufo magistratus 
  Channing, Measey, de Villiers, Turner & Tolley, 2017 

Abstract 

A molecular and morphological study of the Mountain Toadlets, previously included in Capensibufo rosei, showed that there are several previously unrecognised species in this group. We describe three new species from the Hawekwas, Hottentots-Holland, Groenland and Riviersonderend Mountains; the DuToitskloof Mountains, and the Akkedis, Koeël and Kleinriviers Mountains, South Africa. Capensibufo rosei is restricted to the Table Mountain chain of the Cape Peninsula.

Keywords: Amphibia, Capensibufo rosei, new species, South Africa


Capensibufo deceptus sp. nov. 
Deception Peak Mountain Toadlet

Etymology. This species is named for the type locality, below Deception Peak, DuToits Mountains, South Africa. The specific epithet is Latin for 'deceive'.


Capensibufo selenophos sp. nov. 
Moonlight Mountain Toadlet

Etymology. The specific epithet derives from the Greek selenóphos (moonlight), in reference to the type locality Maanskyn Nature Reserve (Afrikaans maanskyn = moonlight). It is used as a noun in apposition.



Capensibufo magistratus sp. nov.
Landdroskop Mountain Toadlet

Etymology. The specific epithet derives from the Latin magister (magistrate), referring to the type locality, Landdroskop. The Afrikaans Landdroskop = Magistrates Peak. It is used as a noun in apposition. 
  

A. Channing, G.J. Measey, A.L. de Villiers, A.A. Turner and, K.A. Tolley. 2017. Taxonomy of the Capensibufo rosei Group (Anura: Bufonidae) from South Africa. 
 Zootaxa. 4232(2); 282–292. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4232.2.11


[Ichthyology • 2017] Phycocharax rasbora • A New Genus and Species of Brazilian Tetra (Characiformes: Characidae) from Serra do Cachimbo, rio Tapajós Basin

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Phycocharax rasbora
Ohara, Mirande & de Lima, 2017 


Abstract
A new genus and species of characid fish is described from rio Braço Norte, a tributary of rio Teles Pires, Tapajós basin, Mato Groso, Brazil. The new taxa can be diagnosed from the remaining characids by a unique combination of characters that includes the presence of a single row of relatively compressed premaxillary teeth, large teeth with four to nine cusps on premaxillary and dentary, absence of pseudotympanum, incomplete lateral line with 7–13 pored scales, sexually-dimorphic males with distal margin of anal fin approximately straight, and presence of a nearly triangular and horizontally elongated blotch from the posterior half of the body to caudal peduncle. The most parsimonious phylogenetic hypothesis, using morphological data, recovered the new genus and species in a clade including Paracheirodon axelrodi and Hyphessobrycon elachys.


Fig 3. Phycocharax rasbora, MZUSP 119843, paratype, 29.1 male (a) and MZUSP 115313, paratype, 26.4 mm SL, female (b), immediately after collection. 

Family Characidae Agassiz

Phycocharax, new genus.

Type species: Phycocharax rasbora, new species, by monotypy and original description.

Diagnosis: Phycocharax can be diagnosed from the remaining characid genera by the combination of the following character-states, none of them unique: 1) presence of single row of relatively compressed premaxillary teeth (Fig 2); 2) large teeth on premaxillary, and dentary with four to nine cusps (Fig 2); 3) pseudotympanum absent; 4) incomplete lateral line with 7–13 pored scales; 5) anal fin dimorphic, males with distal margin approximately straight, and decreasing gently posteriorly (Figs 1a and 3a), while females present slightly concave margin of anal fin with anteriormost branched rays distinctly longer than remaining rays (Figs 1b and 3b); 6) presence of horizontally-elongated somewhat triangular blotch extending from vertical through dorsal-fin terminus to caudal peduncle end (Figs 1 and 3).

Etymology: From the Greek phykos, meaning “algae”, in allusion to the feeding habit of the new taxon owing to the dominance of this resource in its stomach contents, plus charax, meaning “pointed stake” or “palisade of pointed sticks”, the first generic name in Characidae. Gender masculine.


Phycocharax rasbora, new species.

Distribution: Phycocharax rasbora is so far known only from its type locality at upper rio Braço Norte, a right-bank tributary of the rio Peixoto de Azevedo, part of rio Teles Pires drainage, rio Tapajós basin (Fig 5). The rio Braço Norte drains the Serra do Cachimbo at northern Mato Grosso State, Brazilian Amazon.

Etymology: From the Bengali word “rasbora”, the common name of the fish Rasbora rasbora (Hamilton). Rasbora is a generic name encompassed a great radiation of small cyprinids from southeastern Asia, including the species currently allocated in the genus Trigonostigma, which possess a dark triangular blotch on body sides very reminiscent in shape and position similarly as found in the new species. Gender masculine. A noun in apposition.


Willian Massaharu Ohara, Juan Marcos Mirande and Flávio Cesar Thadeo de Lima. 2017. Phycocharax rasbora, A New Genus and Species of Brazilian Tetra (Characiformes: Characidae) from Serra do Cachimbo, rio Tapajós Basin.
  PLoS Biology. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0170648

[Paleontology • 2017] Triunfosaurus leonardii • A New Basal Titanosaur (Dinosauria, Sauropoda) from the Lower Cretaceous of Brazil

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 Triunfosaurus leonardii 
Carvalho, Salgado, Lindoso, Araújo-Júnior, Nogueira & Soares, 2017


Highlights
• A new Gondwanan Early Cretaceous (Berriasian – early Hauterivian) dinosaur species is described.
• The specimen comes from the Rio Piranhas Formation, Triunfo Basin - Brazil.
• It is one of the oldest described basal titanosaur ever recorded in Gondwana.
• The discovery reinforces the South American origin for Titanosauria during the early Cretaceous.

Abstract
Although dinosaurian ichnofaunas are common in the Northeastern Brazilian Interior Basins, osteological remains are poorly represented in these areas. One of the main challenges in vertebrate paleontology in the Lower Cretaceous of this region is to recognize body-fossils, which can unveil the anatomy, functional morphology and paleoecological aspects of the dinosaurian fauna recorded until now only by footprints and trackways. The discovery of a new dinosaur specimen in the Rio Piranhas Formation of the Triunfo Basin opens new perspectives into the comprehension of paleogeographical and temporal distribution of the titanosaur sauropods. Titanosaurs are common in Upper Cretaceous rocks of Brazil and Argentina. The age of the Rio Piranhas Formation is considered to range from Berriasian to early Hauterivian. Thus, the description of this new species opens new viewpoints concerning the paleobiogeographical aspects of these sauropod dinosaurs.

Keywords: Triunfo Basin; Titanosauria; Triunfosaurus leonardii gen. et sp. nov




Ismar de Souza Carvalho, Leonardo Salgado, Rafael Matos Lindoso, Hermínio Ismael de Araújo-Júnior, Francisco Cézar Costa Nogueira and José Agnelo Soares. 2017. A New Basal Titanosaur (Dinosauria, Sauropoda) from the Lower Cretaceous of Brazil. Journal of South American Earth Sciences. 75; 74–84.  DOI: 10.1016/j.jsames.2017.01.010

[Ichthyology • 2017] Acanthurus albimento • A New Species of Surgeonfish (Acanthuriformes: Acanthuridae) from northeastern Luzon, Philippines, with Comments on Zoogeography

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Acanthurus albimento 
 Carpenter, Williams & Santos, 2017

  OceanScienceFoundation.org 

Abstract

Acanthurus albimento is described as a new surgeonfish from northeastern Luzon from six specimens collected during extensive fish-market surveys in the Philippines.The new species is characterized by a distinctive white band below the lower jaw; many irregular, wavy, thin, blue lines on the head; a brown-orange pectoral fin with a bluish tinge on the outer membrane of the rays and a dark band on the posterior margin; a narrow rust-orange stripe along the base of the dorsal fin; and a large blackish caudal spine and sheath with the socket broadly edged in black. An analysis using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI), supported by an independent multi-locus analysis, suggests phylogenetic affinities with an Acanthurus clade that includes A. auranticavusAbariene, A. blochii, A. dussumieri, A. gahhm, A. leucocheilus, A. maculiceps, A. mata, A. nigricauda, and A. xanthopterus; a clade that shares a suite of color characteristics. Based on the sampling history in the region, the new species may be a limited-range endemic in the westernmost Pacific Ocean, which is unusual for members of this genus. This raises potential questions about drivers of dispersal and long-held assumptions about zoogeographic patterns along the Kuroshio Current.

Acanthurus albimento, n. sp.

[upper] fresh paratype, USNM 438101, 226.6 mm SL, northeast Luzon, Philippines
[lower] fresh holotype, PNM 15199, 252.4 mm SL, northeast Luzon, Philippines.
photos: J.T. Williams.
      
Acanthurus albimento, n. sp. 
Whitechin Surgeonfish

Etymology. The new species is named albimento for its distinctive white chin. The specific epithet is derived from a combination of white (Latin albus) and a variation of the word for chin (Latin mentum), and is treated here as a noun in apposition


Kent E. Carpenter, Jeffrey T. Williams and Mudjekeewis D. Santos. 2017.
Acanthurus albimento, A New Species of Surgeonfish (Acanthuriformes: Acanthuridae) from northeastern Luzon, Philippines, with Comments on Zoogeography.
Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation. 25 33–46. 


[Arachnida • 2017] Stygophrynus orientalis • A New Species (Amblypygi: Charontidae) from Banggai Island, Indonesia with the Description of A Remarkable Spermatophore

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Stygophrynus orientalis 
Seiter & Wolff. 2017 


Abstract

Here Stygophrynus orientalis sp. nov. is described, a new charontid whip spider from Banggai Island, Indonesia, representing the most eastern record of the genus exceeding the formerly postulated restriction of its distribution western of the Wallace Line. In addition, the third known spermatophore of a Stygophrynus species is presented, which differs remarkably from those previously described from the genus. Finally, the cerotegument structure of the new species is depicted and compared with that of other Charontidae and Charinidae.

Keywords: Amblypygi, Whip spider, Charontidae, Stygophrynus new species, spermatophore, cerotegument structure, South-East Asia, distribution, biodiversity


FIGURE 4. Photographs of living adult Stygophrynus orientalis sp. nov. individuals in captivity.
  C Adult female with protonymphs (shortly after moulting). 

Etymology: The name, orientalis, refers to this species representing the easternmost record of the genus known to date. 


Michael Seiter and Jonas O. Wolff. 2017. Stygophrynus orientalis sp. nov. (Amblypygi: Charontidae) from Indonesia with the Description of A Remarkable Spermatophore. 
Zootaxa. 4232(3); 397–408.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4232.3.8

[Paleontology • 2017] Douzhanopterus zhengi from the Late Jurassic of western Liaoning, China • New Evidence from China for the Nature of the Pterosaur Evolutionary Transition

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Douzhanopterus zhengi 
Wang, Jiang, Zhang, Cheng, Yu, Li, Wei & Wang, 2017

DOI: 10.1038/srep42763 

Abstract
Pterosaurs are extinct flying reptiles, the first vertebrates to achieve powered flight. Our understanding of the evolutionary transition between basal, predominantly long-tailed forms to derived short-tailed pterodactyloids remained poor until the discovery of Wukongopterus and Darwinopterus in western Liaoning, China. In this paper we report on a new genus and species, Douzhanopterus zhengi, that has a reduced tail, 173% the length of the humerus, and a reduced fifth pedal digit, whose first phalange is ca. 20% the length of metatarsal III, both unique characters to Monofenestra. The morphological comparisons and phylogenetic analysis presented in this paper demonstrate that Douzhanopterus is the sister group to the ‘Painten pro-pterodactyloid’ and the Pterodactyloidea, reducing the evolutionary gap between long- and short-tailed pterosaurs.


Systematic palaeontology

Pterosauria Kaup, 1834
Monofenestrata Lü, Unwin, Jin, Liu et Ji, 2010

Douzhanopterus zhengi gen. et sp. nov.

Figure 1: The holotype of Douzhanopterus zhengi gen. et sp. nov.
 (a) Part of the holotype; (b) close up of the tail, green arrows indicating the anterior and posterior ends of each caudal vertebra; (c) close up of the right foot. Scale bars are 50 mm, 10 mm, and 10 mm in (a,b and c), respectively. 

Etymology: Douzhan, Chinese pinyin, the name of a buddha granted by Wukong, the Monkey King in the Chinese legend, indicating the relationship between this new pterosaur and other non-pterodactyloid monofenestratans, such as Wukongopteruspterus, Greek, referring wings; species name in honor of Professor Xiaoting Zheng, who supported our research on this specimen.

Locality and Horizon: Linglongta, Jianchang, Liaoning, China; Daohugou Bed (or Tiaojishan Formation), Late Jurassic.

Diagnosis: Monofenestratan pterosaur diagnosed by autapomorphies including a reduced tail that is 173% the length of the humerus as well as a reduced fifth pedal digit, whose first phalange is ca. 20% length of metatarsal III. It can be further distinguished from other monofenestratan pterosaurs on the basis of the following combination of characters: the length of the mid-cervical 2.5–3.5 times of width; 22 caudal vertebrae with elongated zygapophyses and chevrons; pteroid over half length of ulna; tibia ca. 180% length of femur, and; fifth pedal digit V having two phalanges.



.....


Xiaoli Wang, Shunxing Jiang, Junqiang Zhang, Xin Cheng, Xuefeng Yu, Yameng Li, Guangjin Wei & Xiaolin Wang. 2017. New Evidence from China for the Nature of the Pterosaur Evolutionary Transition. Scientific Reports 7, 42763. DOI: 10.1038/srep42763 


[Herpetology • 2010] Cyrtodactylus dumnuii • A New Cave-dwelling Gecko (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Chiang Mai Province, Thailand

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ตุ๊กกายดำนุ้ย, Cyrtodactylus dumnuii 
 Bauer, Kunya, Sumontha, Niyomwan, Pauwels, Chanhome & Kunya, 2010

Abstract

A new cave-dwelling species of Cyrtodactylus is described from Chiang Mai Province in northern Thailand. Cyrtodactylus dumnuii sp. nov. may be distinguished from all other congeners by the possession of a series of enlarged femoral scales, disjunct precloacal and femoral pores in males (minute precloacal pores variably present in females), a relatively high number (18–22) of closely spaced, regularly arranged dorsal tubercle rows, well-defined non-denticulate ventrolateral folds, transversely enlarged subcaudal plates, and a color pattern of approximately six pairs of alternating light and dark transverse bands on the trunk. It is the nineteenth member of the genus recorded from Thailand and the eighth Thai Cyrtodactylus known to be a facultative troglophile.

Keywords: Thailand; Chiang Mai; Reptilia; Gekkonidae; Cyrtodactylus dumnuii; new species; taxonomy; cave-dwelling





Aaron M. Bauer, Kirati Kunya, Montri Sumontha, Piyawan Niyomwan, Olivier S. G. Pauwels, Lawan Chanhome and Tunyakorn Kunya. 2010.
 Cyrtodactylus dumnuii (Squamata: Gekkonidae), A New Cave-dwelling Gecko from Chiang Mai Province, Thailand.
 Zootaxa. 2570: 41–50.   mapress.com/j/zt/article/view/9399

ตุ๊กกายดำนุ้ย Cyrtodactylus dumnuii (Squamata : Gekkonidae)
ตุ๊กกายถ้ำสายพันธุ์ใหม่ที่พบในจังหวัดเชียงใหม่(2551)
ตุ๊กกายตัวแรกที่ได้ตั้งชื่อให้ ตั้งเป็นเกียรติ กับนายโสภณ ดำนุ้ย ขณะที่ดำรงตำแหน่งผู้อำนวยการองค์การสวนสัตว์ในพระบรมราชูปถัมภ์
ค้นพบตุ๊กกายสายพันธุ์ใหม่ในสกุล Cyrtodactylusที่จังหวัดเชียงใหม่ สามารถแยกตุ๊กกายดำนุ้ย (Cyrtodactylus dumnuii sp. nov.) จากตุ๊กแกในชั้นเดียวกันโดย การมีเกล็ดขา (femoral scales) ขนาดใหญ่ การมีรูเปิดหน้าทวารร่วม (precloacal pore) และรูเปิดขาพับใน (femoral pore) ที่ไม่ต่อกันในเพศผู้ (สามารถพบรูเปิดหน้าทวารร่วม (precloacal pore) ขนาดเล็กได้บ้างในเพศเมีย) แนวปุ่มนูนกลางหลัง (dorsal tubercle) เรียงชิดกันอย่างเป็นระเบียบจำนวนมาก (18-22) รอยพับข้างลำตัว (ventrolateral folds) ชัดเจน subcaudal platesขยายขนาดในแนวข้าง และลายแถบขวางบริเวณช่วงลำตัว (trunk) สลับสีอ่อนเข้มจำนวน 6คู่ ตุ๊กกายดำนุ้ยเป็นตุ๊กกายในสกุล Cyrtodactylus ชนิดที่ 19 ที่พบในประเทศไทย และเป็นตุ๊กกายไทยชนิดที่ 8ในกลุ่มตุ๊กกายที่อาศัยอยู่ในถ้ำ (facultative troglophile)
Key words:Thailand, Chiang Mai, Reptilia, Gekkonidae, Cyrtodactylusdumnuii, new species, taxonomy, cave-dwelling

สกุล Cyrtodactylus Gray เป็นสกุลที่มีจำนวนชนิดของตุ๊กกายมากที่สุดในวงศ์ตุ๊กแก โดยมีประมาณ 120 ชนิด ประมาณครึ่งหนึ่งของสกุลนี้ถูกค้นพบในทศวรรษที่ผ่านมา (Uetz 2010) แหล่งที่มีการค้นพบมากที่สุดอยู่ในแถบเอเชียตะวันออกเฉียงใต้ ตัวอย่างเช่น การศึกษาในประเทศเวียดนาม ได้มีการค้นพบตุ๊กกายทั้งหมด 19 ชนิด ซึ่งส่วนใหญ่เป็นสัตว์ท้องถิ่น และส่วนมากพบในเขตหินปูน หรือตามถ้ำหินปูน (e.g., Nazarov et al. 2008; Ngo 2008; Ngo & Bauer 2008; Ngo et al. 2008; Ziegler et al. 2010 และอ้างอิงอื่นๆที่มีการกล่าวถึง) ในประเทศไทย Baueret al.(2002) ค้นพบ Cyrtodactylus จำนวนทั้งสิ้น 13ชนิด อีก 5ชนิดได้มีการค้นพบในพื้นที่ต่างๆทั่วประเทศในเวลาต่อมา (Baueret al.2003; Pauwels et al. 2004; Baueret al. 2009; Sumontha et al. 2010) ซึ่งหลายชนิดมาจากถ้ำหินปูน (Sumontha et al. 2010) ในครั้งนี้จะทำการอธิบายลักษณะของตุ๊กกายชนิดใหม่ที่ค้นพบในถ้ำหินปูนในจังหวัดเชียงใหม่
กีรติ กันยาและมนตรี สุมณฑา


[Ichthyology • 2017] Syngnathus chihiroe • A New Species of Pipefish (Syngnathidae) collected off Yakushima Island (East China Sea), southern Japan

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Syngnathus chihiroe 
Matsunuma, 2017  

Abstract

A new species of pipefish, Syngnathus chihiroe sp. nov., (Syngnathidae), is described on the basis of a single specimen collected off Yakushima Island (East China Sea), southern Japan in a depth of 160–162 m. The new species is readily distinguished from all congeners by the combination of the following characters: dorsal-fin rays 38, pectoral-fin rays 17, trunk rings 18, tail rings 40, subdorsal rings 3.25 + 10.0 = 13.25, head length 8.7 in standard length, snout length 2.3 in head length and snout depth 3.7 in snout length. The new species is similar to Syngnathus schlegeli Kaup 1853, the only other northwestern Pacific Ocean congener, characterized by dorsal-fin rays 30–47, trunk rings 18–20 and tail rings 38–46. However, it differs from S. schlegeli in having a greater number of pectoral-fin rays (17 in the former vs. 11–15 in the latter), and a short deep snout (snout length 2.3 in head length and snout depth 3.7 in snout length vs. 1.6–2.0 and 5.6–11.3, respectively).

Keywords: Pisces, East China Sea, southern Japan, Kagoshima Prefecture, Syngnathidae, new species, taxonomy



Distribution: The species is currently known only from the type locality, southwest of Yakushima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan (East China Sea), in a depth of 160–162 m (Fig. 3).

Etymology: The specific name, chihiroe, is derived from Japanese “chihiro”, meaning great depth, alluding to the depth of capture of the holotype and only known specimen (160–162 m), one of the deepest recorded for any member of the genus (Table 4).


Matsunuma, Mizuki. 2017. Syngnathus chihiroe, A New Species of Pipefish (Syngnathidae) from southern Japan.  Zootaxa. 4232(3); 385–396.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4232.3.7


[Paleontology • 2017] Xingxiulong chengi • A New Basal Sauropodiform Dinosaur from the Lower Jurassic of Yunnan Province, China

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Xingxiulong chengi 
Wang, You & Wang, 2017 

   DOI: 10.1038/srep41881 

Abstract
The Lufeng Formation in Lufeng Basin of Yunnan Province, southwestern China preserves one of the richest terrestrial Lower Jurassic vertebrate faunas globally, especially for its basal sauropodomorphs, such as Lufengosaurus and Yunnanosaurus. Here we report a new taxon, Xingxiulong chengi gen. et sp. nov. represented by three partial skeletons with overlapping elements. Xingxiulong possesses a number of autapomorphies, such as transversely expanded plate-like summit on top of the neural spine of posterior dorsal vertebrae, four sacral vertebrae, robust scapula, and elongated pubic plate approximately 40% of the total length of the pubis. Phylogenetic analysis resolves Xingxiulong as a basal member of Sauropodiformes, and together with another two Lufeng basal sauropodiforms Jingshanosaurus and Yunnanosaurus, they represent the basalmost lineages of this clade, indicating its Asian origin. Although being relatively primitive, Xingxiulong displays some derived features normally occurred in advanced sauropodiforms including sauropods, such as a four sacral-sacrum, a robust scapula, and a pubis with elongated pubic plate. The discovery of Xingxiulong increases the diversity of basal sauropodomorphs from the Lufeng Formation and indicates a more complicated scenario in the early evolution of sauropodiforms.


Figure 2: Representative elements of Xingxiulong chengi gen. et sp. nov. and reconstruction of the skeleton.
 (a) Cervical vertebrae of LFGT-D0001 (3–10); (b) articulated posterior dorsal vertebrae (10–14) and dorsosacral of LFGT-D0001 in lateral and dorsal views; (c) scapula with articulated dorsal vertebrae of LFGT-D0003 in left lateral view; (d) left humerus of LFGT-D0003 in posterior and anterior views; (e) left forelimb of LFGT-D0003 in medial view; (f) right articulated humerus, ulna and radius in medial view, and detail of the proximal end of ulna and radius; (g) left ilium of LFGT-D0002 (photograph and line drawing) in lateral view; (h) right ilium of LFGT-D0003 in lateral view; (i) right ischium of LFGT-D0002 in lateral view; (j) left femur of LFGT-D0002 in anterior, lateral, posterior and medial views; (k) distal end of left tibia of LFGT-D0003 in anterior and distal views; (l) left astragalus of LFGT-D0002 in posterior view; (m) left pes of LFGT-D0002 in lateral and ventral views; (n) right pes of LFGT-D0002 in dorsal and ventral views, with detailed metatarsal I in dorsal view; (o) reconstruction of the skeleton of Xingxiulong chengi gen. et sp. nov. (scaled to the size of the holotype). Abbreviations: 4t, fourth trochanter; alp, anterolateral process; ds, dorsosacral; epls, expanded plate-like summit; it, internal tuberosity; ls, longitudinal sulcus; lt, lesser trochanter; mt I, metatarsal I; mt V, metatarsal V; plp, posterolateral process; pmb, posterior median bulge; pop, postacetabular process; prp, preacetabular process. Dashed lines represent highlighting (c,b, and f) or reconstruction (g and h). Scale bars equal 10 cm in (a–n) and 1 m in (o). 

SYSTEMATIC PALAEONTOLOGY

Dinosauria Owen, 1842
Saurischia Seeley, 1887

Sauropodomorpha Huene, 1932
Massopoda Yates, 2007

Sauropodiformes Sereno, 2007

Xingxiulong chengi gen. et sp. nov.


Type locality and horizon: The specimens were excavated near Sankeshu (Three Trees) Village, Jinshan Town, Lufeng County, Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, southwestern China (Fig. 1). The specimens were from the base of the Shawan Member of the Lower Jurassic Lufeng Formation, composed of dark purple silty mudstones.

Etymology: The generic name “Xingxiu”, meaning constellation in Chinese, is derived from the name of the ancient “Xingxiu Bridge” in Lufeng County, which was built during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644). The specific name is dedicated to Prof. Zheng-Wu Cheng (1931–2015), for his lifetime contribution to Chinese terrestrial biostratigraphy, including the Lufeng Basin.

Diagnosis: A medium-sized basal sauropodiform with the following unique combination of character states (autapomorphies are marked by *): both surangular and angular extended more anteriorly with respect to the external mandibular fenestra; transversely expanded plate-like summit on top of posterior dorsal vertebrae* (convergent in basal saurischians); four sacral vertebrae, with two primordial sacrals bounded by a dorsosacral and a caudosacral* (convergent in derived sauropodiforms); robust scapula with both ends extremely expanded; ilium with ventral margin of postacetabular process strongly concave*; pubis with elongated proximal pubic plate relative to the pubic apron, with pubic plate approximately 40% of the total length of the pubis*(convergent in basal sauropods); posterolateral process of distal tibia much narrower anteroposteriorly and extended more laterally and distally than anterolateral process*; a median bulge present on the dorsoposterior margin of the astragalus; metatarsal V with strongly expanded proximal end with a proportion of proximal width/total length 0.85*.

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Ya-Ming Wang, Hai-Lu You & Tao Wang. 2017. A New Basal Sauropodiform Dinosaur from the Lower Jurassic of Yunnan Province, China. Scientific Reports 7, 41881. DOI: 10.1038/srep41881


[Entomology • 2017] Neoclita pringlei • A New Relict Genus and Species (Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae) from the Drakensberg Range of South Africa

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Neoclita pringlei 
Perissinotto, 2017 


Abstract

A new genus is erected within the Cetoniini to describe a newly discovered species with characters shared between Heteroclita Burmeister, 1842Ichnestoma Gory & Percheron, 1833 and Meridioclita Krikken, 1982. Neoclita pringlei gen. et sp. nov. exhibits a simple clypeal structure without specialized armour, along with hypertrophic and hairy tarsal segments as well as a fully winged female. The new species also exhibits an aedeagal structure closest to Meridioclita, with dorsal lobes of parameres substantially narrower than the ventral ones. The species appears to be restricted to high altitudes in the southwestern peri-Drakensberg area of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Similarly to other mountain relicts known from the southern African region, adults emerge only after major rainfall events during the late spring to early summer season and do not show any evidence of feeding. It appears that flying activity may be temporarily interrupted following soil desiccation, to resume promptly after the next rainfall.

Keywords: new genus; new species; HeteroclitaIchnestomaMeridioclita; Afrotropical region


Fig. 4.  Neoclita pringlei gen. et sp. nov., ♂, specimen in its natural habitat
(photo: Lynette Clennell, Matatiele, 6 Dec. 2008).

Order Coleoptera Linnaeus, 1758
Family Scarabaeidae Latreille, 1802
Subfamily Cetoniinae Leach, 1815

Tribe Cetoniini Leach, 1815

Genus Neoclita gen. nov.

Etymology: The name of the new genus arises from the latest discovery of another taxon in the “clita” grouping

Neoclitapringlei gen. et sp. nov.  

Etymology: The species is named after the renowned South African lepidopterologist Ernest Pringle, who first collected the new species in the Matatiele Nature Reserve and promptly brought it to my attention.


 


 Renzo Perissinotto. 2017. Neoclita pringlei (Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae), A New Relict Genus and Species from the Drakensberg Range of South Africa. European Journal of Taxonomy. 279: 1–12.  DOI:  10.5852/ejt.2017.279


[Ichthyology • 2017] Parotocinclus fluminense • A New Species of Parotocinclus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from Coastal Drainages of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil

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 Parotocinclus fluminense
Roxo, Melo, Silva & Oliveira, 2017


Abstract

A new species of Parotocinclus is described from tributaries of rio São João, an Atlantic coastal river of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by the possession of a triangular patch of dark pigmentation on the anterior portion of the dorsal-fin base, a fully developed adipose fin, complete exposure of the ventral surface of the pectoral girdle, and a distinctive pigmentation pattern of the caudal fin. The caudal fin has a hyaline background with a large black blotch covering its anterior portion, tapering irregularly through distal portions of the ventral lobe with a hyaline rounded area, and a small patch of dark pigmentation on distal portions of the dorsal lobe.

Keywords: Pisces, biodiversity, freshwater fishes, Neotropical, Otothyrini, taxonomy




Roxo, F.F., Melo, B.F., Silva, G.S.C. and Oliveira, C. 2017. New Species of Parotocinclus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from Coastal Drainages of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil. Zootaxa. 4232(2);  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4232.2.9

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