Species New to Science

Figure 1: In situ photographs of Cyphoma species. Cyphoma species showing different mantle patterns and colouration.

(A) Cyphoma gibbosum on Pseudoplexaura sp. (B) C. gibbosum on Pseudoplexaura sp. (E) C. signatum on Plexaurella dichotoma (see Reijnen, Hoeksema & Gittenberger, 2010: Fig. 1B) (F) Juvenile C. signatum on Gorgonia ventalina (G) Cyphoma “black morph” on Eunicea tourneforti (H) C. mcgintyi from Florida, USA.

Photos: (A–G) B.T. Reijnen, all from Curaçao; (H) Florida Museum of Natural History.

DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3018

Abstract

The iconic gastropod genus Cyphoma is commonly observed in the Caribbean, where it lives in association with various octocorallian hosts. Each species in the genus Cyphoma has a unique, characteristic mantle pattern and colouration, which separates the valid taxa. Because of its abundance and recognisability Cyphoma gibbosum has been used as a model organism in several studies concerning allelochemicals, reef degradation, and physical defence mechanisms. Molecular analyses based on four molecular markers (COI, 16S, H3 and 28S) for three Cyphoma species (C. gibbosum, C. mcgintyi, C. signatum) and an unidentified black morph, collected from three localities in the Caribbean, show that they represent morphological varieties of a single, genetically homogeneous species. This outcome is in agreement with previous anatomical studies. As a result C. mcgintyi and C. signatum are synonymised with C. gibbosum, which is a key result for future work using C. gibbosum as a model organism. The striking morphological differences in mantle pattern and colouration are hypothesised to be the result of one of three possible scenarios: rapid divergence, supergenes (including balanced polymorphism), or incipient speciation.

Figure 1: In situ photographs of Cyphoma species. Cyphoma species showing different mantle patterns and colouration
(A) Cyphoma gibbosum on Pseudoplexaura sp. (B) C. gibbosum on Pseudoplexaura sp. (C) C. gibbosum with atypical mantle pattern (only dots around mantle edges) on Briareum asbestinum (D) C. cf. allenae on Antillogorgia americana (E) C. signatum on Plexaurella dichotoma (see Reijnen, Hoeksema & Gittenberger, 2010: Fig. 1B) (F) Juvenile C. signatum on Gorgonia ventalina (G) Cyphoma “black morph” on Eunicea tourneforti (H) C. mcgintyi from Florida, USA. Photos: (A–G) B.T. Reijnen, all from Curaçao; (H) Florida Museum of Natural History.

DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3018

Photos: (A–D) B.T. Reijnen, all from Curaçao. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3018

Figure 1: In situ photographs of Cyphoma species. Cyphoma species showing different mantle patterns and colouration. (E) C. signatum on Plexaurella dichotoma (see Reijnen, Hoeksema & Gittenberger, 2010: Fig. 1B) (F) Juvenile C. signatum on Gorgonia ventalina (G) Cyphoma “black morph” on Eunicea tourneforti (H) C. mcgintyi from Florida, USA.

Photos: (E–G) B.T. Reijnen, all from Curaçao; (H) Florida Museum of Natural History. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3018

Bastian T. Reijnen and Sancia E.T. van der Meij. 2017. Coat of Many Colours — DNA Reveals Polymorphism of Mantle Patterns and Colouration in Caribbean Cyphoma Röding, 1798 (Gastropoda, Ovulidae).
PeerJ. 5:e3018. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3018

Diplomystes incognitus Arratia & Quezada-Romegialli, 2017

Figure 18: Diplomystes incognitus sp. nov. in a recreation of its natural environment.
Young individual, ca. 93 mm SL, from Ñuble River at Nahueltoro Bridge, Itata Basin.

DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2991

Abstract

Following study of the external morphology and its unmatched variability throughout ontogeny and a re-examination of selected morphological characters based on many specimens of diplomystids from Central and South Chile, we revised and emended previous specific diagnoses and consider Diplomystes chilensis, D. nahuelbutaensis, D. camposensis, and Olivaichthys viedmensis (Baker River) to be valid species. Another group, previously identified as Diplomystes sp., D. spec., D. aff. chilensis, and D. cf. chilensis inhabiting rivers between Rapel and Itata Basins is given a new specific name (Diplomystes incognitus) and is diagnosed. An identification key to the Chilean species, including the new species, is presented. All specific diagnoses are based on external morphological characters, such as aspects of the skin, neuromast lines, and main lateral line, and position of the anus and urogenital pore, as well as certain osteological characters to facilitate the identification of these species that previously was based on many internal characters. Diplomystids below 150 mm standard length (SL) share a similar external morphology and body proportions that make identification difficult; however, specimens over 150 mm SL can be diagnosed by the position of the urogenital pore and anus, and a combination of external and internal morphological characters. According to current knowledge, diplomystid species have an allopatric distribution with each species apparently endemic to particular basins in continental Chile and one species (O. viedmensis) known only from one river in the Chilean Patagonia, but distributed extensively in southern Argentina.

Figure 18: Diplomystes incognitus sp. nov. in a recreation of its natural environment.
Young individual, ca. 93 mm SL, from Ñuble River at Nahueltoro Bridge, Itata Basin.

DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2991

Diagnosis. Diplomystid that is distinguished from all congeners by the possession of the skin of head, body, and fins densely covered by round, short papillae giving the skin a blackberry-like or verrucose aspect in large individuals; with a short head, slightly squarish and as long as broad (versus slightly longer more triangular-shaped head); high dorsal fin, ca. 20% of SL (range 17–25%) and triangularly-shaped (versus slightly rhomboidal); maxilla with 7–9 teeth (vs. 8–13 in D. chilensis, 11–13 in D. nahuelbutaensis, and 12–19 in D. camposensis); with 10 infraorbital bones, as in D. nahuelbutaensis, but the dorsalmost compound bone is absent; urogenital pore and anus placed between posterior tips of pelvic fins as in D. chilensis (vs. urogenital pore and anus placed between pelvic fins or in between the distal tips of pelvics and anal fin); and absence of pores of axillary gland with occasionally four on one side of body (vs. two or three pores).

Etymology. The specific name incognitus is in reference that recognition of the species was obscured by the assumption that Diplomystes chilensis also extended south of Maipo Basin.

Geographical distribution. In Rapel, Mataquito, Maule, and Itata Basins.

Gloria Arratia and Claudio Quezada-Romegialli. 2017. Understanding Morphological Variability in A Taxonomic Context in Chilean Diplomystids (Teleostei: Siluriformes), Including the Description of A New Species. PeerJ 5:e2991. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2991

Cirrhilabrus hygroxerus

Allen & Hammer. 2016

Monsoon Fairy-wrasse | OceanScienceFoundation.org DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.60551

Abstract

A new species of labrid fish, Cirrhilabrus hygroxerus, is described from 19 type specimens, 38.4–56.1 mm SL, collected from the eastern Timor Sea, Northern Territory, Australia. The new taxon belongs to a species complex containing five other Indo-Pacific species, comprising C. humanni (western Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia and East Timor), C. joanallenae (western Sumatra), C. morrisoni (Hibernia Reef, western Timor Sea), C. naokoae (Nias Island, western Sumatra), and the widespread C. rubriventralis (Red Sea, western Indian Ocean, Maldives, and Sri Lanka). Members of this complex typically have a single row of scales on the cheek and share the unique combination in the terminal-phase (TP) male of an elevated anterior dorsal fin, rounded caudal fin, and large fan or club-shaped pelvic fins without filamentous extensions. The new species is most similar to C. humanni and C. morrisoni, and the three species have apparently allopatric distributions in the Timor Sea-western Sunda Islands region. These three species share a uniquely shaped dorsal fin characterized by the presence of an anterior elevated, spike-like pennant. The best means of separating these species are differences in the color patterns of the TP male, primarily on the head, upper body, and on the dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins. The new species is distinguished by a combination of a yellow-orange upper head, blackish upper body, mainly blackish dorsal fin, and scarlet-red pelvic and anal fins. The female of C. hygroxerus is most similar to that of C. morrisoni, sharing a yellowish head and yellow pectoral-fin base.

Key words: coral-reef fishes, taxonomy, systematics, Indo-Pacific Ocean, biogeography, marine biodiversity

Figure 3. Cirrhilabrus hygroxerus, live holotype, NTM S.17975-001, male, 54.1 mm SL, eastern Timor Sea
Figure 4. Cirrhilabrus hygroxerus, live female paratype, NTM S.17975-004, 49.5 mm SL, eastern Timor Sea

photos: M.P. Hammer

Distribution and habitat. The new species is currently known only from a single reef area in the eastern Timor Sea (Fig. 6), approximately 200 km north of Darwin, Australia. It was collected and observed in depths of about 18–37 m. The habitat appears to be localized to sloping rubble bottoms with scattered, low outcrops of rock or coral and occasional large coral outcrop

Etymology. The species is named hygroxerus (from Greek hygros, meaning wet, and xeros, meaning dry), with reference to the monsoonal cycle of wet and dry seasons of northern tropical Australia. The name is also intended as an acknowledgment of Monsoon Aquatics, the aquarium fish company that supplied all of the type specimens and continues to be an excellent source of specimens for NTM. The species epithet should be considered a noun in apposition.

Gerald R. Allen and Michael P. Hammer. 2016. Cirrhilabrus hygroxerus, A New Species of Fairy Wrasse (Pisces: Labridae) from the Timor Sea, northern Australia. Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation. 22, 41–52. oceansciencefoundation.org/josf22d.html DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.60551 http://www.oceansciencefoundation.org/josf/josf22d.pdf

Thelepus hemeiensis Hsueh & Li, 2017

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4244.3.10

Abstract

Following a recent report on two new species of Thelepus for the Taiwan, we describe two more new species, Thelepus hemeiensis sp. nov. and Thelepus wuchiensis sp. nov., for the genus. In addition, a new species of the Family Trichobranchidae is also described, Terebellides baliensis sp. nov., which was collected from an offshore monitoring survey in northwestern Taiwan. The genus Terebellides as well as the Family Trichobranchidae are reported for the first time from Taiwanese waters.

Keywords: Annelida, Taxonomy, terebelliform polychaetes

Thelepus hemeiensis sp. nov. Holotype (NMNS7743-1): A, life animal

Thelepus hemeiensis

Etymology. The name is derived from the name of the fishing port where the worm was collected.

Type locality. Wuchi fishing port, Taichung, Taiwan.

Distribution. Only known from the type locality

Pan-Wen Hsueh and Kuo-Rong Li. 2017. Additions of New Species to Thelepus (Thelepodidae), with Description of A New Terebellides (Trichobranchidae) from Taiwan. Zootaxa. 4244(3); 429–439. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4244.3.10

Hsueh, P.-W. and Li, K.-R. 2016. New species of Thelepodidae (Terebelliformia, Polychaeta) from Taiwan. Zootaxa. 4170(3); 510–524. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4170.3.5

ResearchGate.net/publication/308626203_New_species_of_Thelepodidae_Terebelliformia_Polychaeta_from_Taiwan

Waltillia hatschbachii

(L. B. Smith & R. W. Read) Leme, Barfuss& Halbritter

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.299.1.1

Abstract

A new monotypic genus of Bromeliaceae, Waltillia, is described to accommodate a single rediscovered species, Waltillia hatschbachii, thought to be extinct and formerly placed in either Vriesea or Alcantarea. This new genus is ecologically and morphologically distinct from the remaining genera of subfamily Tillandsioideae in its unique combination of characters including those of habit, leaf rosette, leaf blades, flowers, petals, anthers, pollen, stigma, and seeds. Phylogenetic DNA sequence analyses indicate that the individuals of W. hatschbachii form a monophyletic, highly supported group in sister position to Alcantarea s.str., with Alcantarea and Waltillia being sister to the clade containing Vriesea s.str. and Stigmatodon.

Keywords: Alcantarea hatschbachii, Brazil, Campos Rupestres, Diamantina Plateau, DNA sequence phylogeny, morphology, new genus, Stigmatodon, Tillandsioideae, Vriesea hatschbachii, Vrieseinae, Monocots

Flowering individuals of Waltillia hatschbachii in the Campos Rupestres at the type locality near Gouveia, Minas Gerais state.

TAXONOMY

Waltillia Leme, Barfuss & Halbritter, gen. nov.

Diagnosis:— This new genus differs from Alcantarea, Stigmatodon, and Vriesea by its unique combination of morphological characters, such as unappendaged petals 4 to 6 times longer than wide, forming a narrow campanulate corolla, pollen with the sulcus margins more or less well defined but not sharply cut, the sulcus covered with a kind of operculum of almost smooth exine elements with some perforations, stigma of the convolute-blade II type, and seeds with a basal appendage equalling to distinctly shorter than the apical appendage.

Type:—Vriesea hatschbachii L. B. Sm. & R. W. Read.

A. Flowering individulas of Waltillia hatschbachii in its Campos Rupestres habitat, along a spring, in Santana do Pirapama county. B. General view of Campos Rupestres vegetation in the habitat of Waltillia hatschbachii at the type locality near Gouveia, Minas Gerais state. C, D. Detail of a simple inflorescences of Waltillia hatschbachii from Gouveia county.

Flowering individuals of Waltillia hatschbachii in the Campos Rupestres at the type locality near Gouveia, Minas Gerais state.

Etymology:— This new genus honors the botanist Walter Till, Curator of the Herbarium of the Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of Vienna, leading authority in Bromeliaceae in general, and in subfamily Tillandsioideae in especial.

Waltillia hatschbachii (L. B. Smith & R. W. Read) Leme, Barfuss & Halbritter, comb. nov.

Basionym:—Vriesea hatschbachii L. B. Smith & R. W. Read, Phytologia 30(5): 292. 1975. Type:—BRAZIL. Minas Gerais: Gouveia, side of a rock slope by BR 259, 21 January 1972, G. Hatschbach 29085, L.B. Smith & E. Ayensu (holotype US!, isotype MBM!). ≡ Alcantarea hatschbachii (L. B. Sm. & R. W. Read) Leme, Bromélia 2(3): 22. 1995, syn. nov.

.....

Elton M. C. Leme, Heidemarie Halbritter and Michael H. J. Barfuss. 2017. Waltillia, A New Monotypic Genus in Tillandsioideae (Bromeliaceae) Arises from A Rediscovered, Allegedly Extinct Species from Brazil. Phytotaxa. 299;(1); 1–35. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.299.1.1

ResearchGate.net/publication/315117036_Waltillia_a_new_monotypic_genus_in_Tillandsioideae_Bromeliaceae_arises_from_a_rediscovered_allegedly_extinct_species_from_Brazil

Troglotayosicus meijdeni

Botero-Trujillo, González-Gómez, Valenzuela-Rojas & García, 2017

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4244.4.7

Abstract

We describe a new scorpion species in the troglomorphic genus Troglotayosicus Lourenço, 1981 from Colombia. Troglotayosicus meijdeni sp. nov. inhabits the forest leaf litter at Rivera municipality, on the western slope of the Eastern Andes. The male of the new species remains unknown; however, this species can be distinguished from other species in the genus by the female (and juvenile) morphology. The type locality of T. meijdeni sp. nov. represents the northernmost known record for a population of Troglotayosicus, further extending the known limits of distribution of this genus, and shedding more light on the distributional range of this group of scorpions in northwestern South America. With this description, the number of known species of Troglotayosicus is raised to four; three of them are endogean species living in forested areas in the Andean region of Colombia, whereas one is a hypogean species from a cave in Ecuadorian Amazonia.

Keywords: Scorpiones, Forest leaf litter, troglomorphism, taxonomy, Rivera, Huila

FIGURE 2. Troglotayosicus meijdeni sp. nov.,
Habitus of live female under laboratory conditions, lateral aspect.

Taxonomy

Family Troglotayosicidae Lourenço, 1998

Troglotayosicus Lourenço, 1981

Troglotayosicus meijdeni sp. nov.

Etymology. The species is named for Dr. Arie van der Meijden, who participated in the expedition that discovered this Troglotayosicus population. JCGG, JCVR and LFG would like to honor Van der Meijden for his collaboration with the BEA Group, to which they belong, in the study of Colombian biodiversity. Van der Meijden conducts research on scorpion biomechanics at CIBIO Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBIO, Universidade do Porto, Portugal.

Ricardo Botero-Trujillo, Julio C. González-Gómez, Juan C. Valenzuela-Rojas and Luis F. García. 2017. A New Species in the Troglomorphic Scorpion Genus Troglotayosicus from Colombia, Representing the Northernmost Known Record for the Genus (Scorpiones, Troglotayosicidae). Zootaxa. 4244(4); 568–582. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4244.4.7

Haberma tingkok

Cannicci & Ng, 2017

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.662.11908

Abstract

The sesarmid genus Haberma Ng & Schubart, 2002, currently contains two species of small mangrove crabs with the first two pairs of the male ambulatory legs possessing characteristic subchelate dactyli and propodi. A new species, Haberma tingkok, is here described from Hong Kong. It can be separated from H. nanum Ng & Schubart, 2002 (from Singapore), and H. kamora Rahayu & Ng, 2005 (from Indonesian Papua) by its carapace shape, proportions of the ambulatory legs, and structures of the male pleon and male first gonopod.

Keywords: Crab, Hong Kong, new species, Sesarmidae, subtropical mangroves, taxonomy

Systematics

Family Sesarmidae Dana, 1851

Genus Haberma Ng & Schubart, 2002

Haberma tingkok sp. n.

Figure 1. Haberma tingkok sp. n., colour in life, holotype ♂ (8.5 × 8.2 mm) (ZRC 2016.620). A dorsal view B ventral view.

Etymology: The species is named after the Ting Kok mangrove area, which has been designated a “Site of Special Scientific Interest” in Hong Kong. The name is used as a noun in apposition.

Ecology: The specimens were found climbing trees of Kandelia obovata Sheue, Liu & Yong, 2003, and Aegiceras corniculatus (L.) Bianco, 1837, in the mid intertidal area of the Ting Kok mangrove stand, in Tolo Harbour. The area is the largest mangrove stand on the eastern coast of Hong Kong and is largely dominated by K. obovata trees, up to 3 m tall. All specimens, including the ovigerous females, were collected at a height of approximately 1.5–1.8 m above the substrate, walking on the bark of the branches at ebbing and low tides.

Stefano Cannicci and Peter L. K. Ng. 2017. A New Species of Micro-mangrove Crab of the Genus Haberma Ng & Schubart, 2002 (Crustacea, Brachyura, Sesarmidae) from Hong Kong.
ZooKeys. 662: 67-78. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.662.11908

Megalestes gyalsey

Gyeltshen, Kalkman & Orr, 2017

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4244.4.9

Abstract

Megalestes gyalsey spec. nov. is described from a single male from Trongsa District in Bhutan. The species was discovered during field work conducted in 2015 for the Bhutan invertebrate biodiversity project. The species is named in honour of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck, the Gyalsey of Bhutan, on the occasion of his first birthday.

Keywords: Odonata, Damselfly, Zygoptera, Bhutan, Himalaya

Differential diagnosis. Megalestes and Sinolestes are the only damselfly genera in mainland Asia with a pterostigma that is at least twice as long as broad, a metallic green colouration and a total length of over 50 mm. The only genus matching the first two characters is Lestes, but the species of that genus are smaller and have R4 and Ir3 originating well proximal of the subnodus (at the subnodus in Megalestes and Sinolestes). Megalestes gyalsey can best separated from all other species of Megalestes and Sinolestes based on its anal appendages: the paraprocts are slightly over half the length of the cerci and have a relatively simple structure with the apical half consisting of a strong apically pointed gently curved finger-like process and lacking small upcurved spines. Figure 4c–f shows the anal appendages of Megalestes major and M. irma, the two other species of the genus known from Bhutan.

....

Etymology. The specific epithet gyalsey, is a noun in apposition. The species is named in honour of His Royal Highness Crown Prince of Bhutan, The Gyalsey, Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck, on the occasion of his first birthday

Discussion:

Megalestes gyalsey is the eighteenth species of Megalestes. It is currently known only from the type locality in Bhutan but is likely to occur in adjacent areas of India and might be found in the eastern parts of Nepal. Further field work might result in the discovery of more species of Megalestes, especially in parts of China, but new species might yet be found in the Himalayan region as well. There is little information on the habitat and life history of Megalestes gyalsey or any other species of the genus Megalestes and it would be interesting to study the behaviour and seasonality of the species. Although only one location is known for the species, there is no reason to assume that it is threatened, as much probably suitable habitat is present in Bhutan. Nonetheless, it would be desirable to further explore the region in order to locate more populations.

Gyeltshen, T., V. J. Kalkman and Albert G. Orr. 2017. Honouring His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Bhutan: Megalestes gyalsey (Odonata: Synlestidae).
Zootaxa. 4244(4); 588–594. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4244.4.9

Fig. 2. A–B. Auxicerus platyceps Waterhouse, 1883. A. Holotype, ♂, BL 13 mm (BMNH). B. Head, ♂, BL 11 mm, Bolivia, Consata (EPCG). — C. Auxicerus aethiops Jakowleff, 1900, holotype, ♂, BL 16 mm, Bolivia (ZIRAS).
D–E. Auxicerus magnipunctatus sp. nov., holotype, ♂, BL 10.7 mm (CBF). D. Dorsal habitus. E. Head. Diagnostic characters indicated by arrows: (1) ocellate punctures on mesosternum, (2) posterior end of ocular canthus, (3) anterior edge of ocular canthus and (4) antennal lamellae.

Perger, Grossi & Guerra, 2017
Scale bars: A, C–D = 5 mm; B, E = 2.5 mm. DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2016.302

Abstract

A new species of the Andean stag beetle genus Auxicerus Waterhouse, 1883 is described from the humid Tucuman-Bolivian forest in the southern Bolivian Andes. Auxicerus magnipunctatus sp. nov. is distinguished from all congeners by the distinctly larger punctures of the mesosternum; antennomeres 2–6 subquadrate, last two joints of club wider than long; lamellae not widely separated; posterior end of ocular canthus rounded and anterior edge of canthus moderately developed into an obtuse triangle. Auxicerus magnipunctatus sp. nov. is possibly endemic to the Tucuman-Bolivian forest. Along with the presence of other endemic beetle species with tropical congeners, the discovery of A. magnipunctatus sp. nov. supports the idea that the persistence of rather tropical taxa in the subtropical realm is fostered by increased humidity at orographic rain barriers and climatic stability in the Tucuman-Bolivian forest.

Keywords. Andes, Bolivia, Neotropical, South America, Tucuman-Bolivian forest.

Taxonomy

Class Hexapoda Blainville, 1816

Order Coleoptera Linnaeus, 1758

Suborder Polyphaga Emery,1886

Superfamily Scarabaeoidea Latreille, 1802

Family Lucanidae Latreille, 1804

Subfamily Lucaninae Latreille, 1804

Genus Auxicerus Waterhouse, 1883

Type species: Auxicerus platyceps Waterhouse, 1883 (by monotypy).

• Auxicerus platyceps Waterhouse, 1883

• Auxicerus multicolor (Boileau, 1897)

• Auxicerus aethiops Jakowleff, 1900

• Auxicerus magnipunctatus sp. nov.

Differential diagnosis Auxicerus magnipunctatus sp. nov. is distinguished from all congeners by the posterior end of the ocular canthus being rounded and the anterior edge of the canthus moderately developed into an obtuse tooth; distance between apex of teeth as wide as distance between outer eye margins (Fig. 2E). Antennomeres 2–6 subquadrate, last two joints of club wider than long; lamellae not widely separated from each other (Fig. 2E). Punctures of mesosternum larger; mesosternum concavity weak.

Etymology: The species epithet is derived from the Latin ‘magna’ (large) and the Latin ‘punctatus’ (punctures), in reference to the large punctures all over the body

Fig. 2. A–B. Auxicerus platyceps Waterhouse, 1883. A. Holotype, ♂, BL 13 mm (BMNH). B. Head, ♂, BL 11 mm, Bolivia, Consata (EPCG). — C. Auxicerus aethiops Jakowleff, 1900, holotype, ♂, BL 16 mm, Bolivia (ZIRAS). — D–E. Auxicerus magnipunctatus sp. nov., holotype, ♂, BL 10.7 mm (CBF). D. Dorsal habitus. E. Head. Diagnostic characters indicated by arrows: (1) ocellate punctures on mesosternum, (2) posterior end of ocular canthus, (3) anterior edge of ocular canthus and (4) antennal lamellae.

Scale bars: A, C–D = 5 mm; B, E = 2.5 mm.

Robert Perger, Paschoal Coelho Grossi and Fernando Guerra. 2017. Description of A New Species of the Stag Beetle Genus Auxicerus Waterhouse, 1883 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Lucanidae). European Journal of Taxonomy. 302: 1–10. DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2016.302

Odorrana lipuensis

Mo, Chen, Wu, Zhang and Zhou, 2015

AmphibiaChina.org DOI: 10.16373/j.cnki.ahr.140054

Abstract

A new species of the genus Odorrana is described from a completely dark karst cave of northeastern Guangxi, southern China. The new species, Odorrana lipuensis sp. nov., can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: medium size (SVL: 40.7–47.7 mm in males, 51.1–55.4 mm in females); tips of all but first finger expanded with circummarginal grooves; smooth, grass-green dorsum with irregular brown mottling; pineal body invisible; throat to upper abdomen with gray mottling; dorsal surfaces of limbs with brown bands; dorsolateral fold absent; tiny spinules on lateral body, temporal region, and anterior and posterior edge of tympanum; white nuptial pad present on finger I; males lacking vocal sacs; females having creamy yellow eggs, without black poles. Uncorrected sequence divergences between O. lipuensis sp. nov. and all homologous 16S rRNA sequences of Odorrana available on GenBank is equal to or greater than 4.9%. Currently, the new species is only known from the type locality. monophyletic group (Chen et al., 2013). All are known to be associated with mountain streams except O. wuchuanensis, which occurs in dark caves. During 2013–2014, eight Odorrana specimens were collected inside a completely dark karst cave in Lipu County, Guangxi Province, China. Morphologically, these specimens most closely resemble O. yizhangensis and O. schmackeri (Fei et al., 2009, 2012), but differ from O. yizhangensis, O. schmackeri and all other Odorrana from China and adjoining countries. They occur in a similar environment to O. wuchuanensis, inhabiting a dark cave, but are morphologically very different from O. wuchuanensis. Herein, we describe this population as a new species of Odorrana. 2. Materials and Methods 2.1 Sampling During 2013 and 2014, fieldwork was carried out in northeastern Guangxi, China (Figure 1A). Specimens were collected by hand, euthanized and fixed in 10% formalin and subsequently transferred to 75% ethanol for storage. Muscle tissues from three individuals were sampled and preserved in 100% ethanol for DNA extraction prior to fixing in formalin. All specimens and

Keywords: Odorrana lipuensis sp. nov., karst cave, Guangxi, southern China

Type locality: a completely dark karst cave of Lipu County, Guangxi, China (182 m a.s.l.)

Etymology: Named after Lipu County, Guangxi

http://www.AmphibiaChina.org/sp/831

Yunming Mo, Weicai Chen; Huaying Wu, Wei Zhang and Shichu Zhou. 2015. A New Species of Odorrana inhabiting complete darkness in A Karst Cave in Guangxi, China. Asian Herpetological Research. 6(1); 11–17. DOI: 10.16373/j.cnki.ahr.140054

researchgate.net/publication/277957301_A_New_Species_of_Odorrana_Inhabiting_Complete_Darkness_in_a_Karst_Cave_in_Guangxi_China

รักตะนิล | Peperomia sirindhorniana Suwanph.& Chantar.

DOI: 10.1007/s12225-016-9662-5

Summary

Four new species of Peperomia (Piperaceae) from Thailand, namely Peperomia heptaphylla, Peperomia masuthoniana, Peperomia multisurcula and Peperomia sirindhorniana are described and illustrated. The reinstatement of Peperomia dindygulensis is also proposed with supporting morphological evidence.

Key words: IUCN vulnerability; morphology; taxonomy

Taxonomic Treatment

• Peperomia heptaphylla Suwanph. & Hodk., sp. nov.

Type: Thailand, Prachuap Kiri Khan

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the number of leaves per node.

Vernacular Name: เบี้ยประจวบ - Bia Pra Chuap.

• Peperomia masuthoniana Suwanph. & Chantar. sp. nov.

Type: Thailand, Chiang Mai, Doi Chiangdao

Etymology: The specific epithet honours Associate Prof. Sumon Masuthon (1952 – present), Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, who encouraged the first author to intensively study the family Piperaceae for the Flora of Thailand project.

Vernacular Name: เบี้ยเชียงดาว - Bia Chiang Dao.

• Peperomia multisurcula Suwanph. & Hodk. sp. nov.

Type: Thailand, Nan

Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the stems that have many clumps, and many main stems and branchlets.

Vernacular Name: เบี้ยสะปัน - Bia Sa Pan (Nan).

• Peperomia sirindhorniana Suwanph. & Chantar., sp. nov.

Type: Thailand, Loei, Nong Hin, Pha Hin Ngam

Conservation Status. This species is uncommon and only a few specimens have been collected from the border area between Loei and Khon Kaen provinces in northeastern Thailand. The populations are narrowly distributed in an area of karst limestone and not in a protected area. The populations are threatened by farming and deforestation. The status of Peperomia sirindhorniana is assessed as Critically Endangered (CR), according to IUCN (2011) criteria and the authors consider a category of B1b to be appropriate.

Etymology: The specific epithet honours to H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Mahidol who initiated the Plant Genetic Conservation Project to develop the personnel and plant genetics resources for the maintenance of plant varieties, and for the development to be advantageous for farmers and the business sector of Thailand.

Vernacular Name: Rak-Ta-Nil.

Notes:

We discovered some unidentified specimens (T. Smitinand & H. Sleumer 1131 in BKF and L that were collected from Pha Nok Khao, Khon Kaen province, northeastern Thailand. They are similar to Peperomia pellucida in gross morphology but differ in some characters. We have subsequently collected living specimens from a nearby locality and they are easily recognised as a species new to science. The distinguishing characteristics of P. sirindhorniana are its red or reddish petioles and stems, and its bright to dark green leaves when fresh (subcoriaceous when dry) as opposed to pale green (membranous when dried) in P. pellucida. Furthermore, its fruits are larger than P. pellucida and are ovoid with a beaked apex formed from the style and it has densely acute papillae on the fruit surface.

Reinstatement

• Peperomia dindygulensis Miq.

Etymology: The specific epithet refers to Dindygul (the city in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu) from which the type specimens were collected.

Vernacular Name: ผักป้องแดง - Phak Pong Daeng (Chanthaburi).

Chalermpol Suwanphakdee, Trevor R. Hodkinson and Pranom Chantaranothai. 2017. New Species and A Reinstatement in Peperomia (Piperaceae) from Thailand.
Kew Bulletin. 72(1); DOI: 10.1007/s12225-016-9662-5

รักตะนิล ซึ่งมีความหมายว่า เขียว-แดงเนื่องจากพืชชนิดนี้มีลำ ต้นและก้านใบสีแดง มีใบสีเขียวเข้มหรือสีมรกต

http://www.sci.ku.ac.th:8000/sckuforlife/images/doc/2559/5-2559/5-2559.pdf

http://www.sci.ku.ac.th:8000/sckuforlife/

http://archive.lib.kmutt.ac.th/index.php?option=com_joomgallery&func=viewcategory&catid=56&startpage=6&Itemid=55

http://www.siamrath.co.th/web/รอบรั้วการศึกษา-นักวิจัย-มขอนแก่น-ค้นพบพืชพันธุ์ใหม่-18-ชนิดของโลก

http://chm-thai.onep.go.th/chm/B-enews/doc/Bio_E-news16.pdf

Yijenplatycnemis huangi

Zheng, Nel, Jarzembowski, Chang, Zhang, Xia, Liu & Wang, 2017

Illustration by D. Zheng. DOI: 10.1038/srep44932

Abstract

Courtship behaviours, frequent among modern insects, have left extremely rare fossil traces. None are known previously for fossil odonatans. Fossil traces of such behaviours are better known among the vertebrates, e.g. the hypertelic antlers of the Pleistocene giant deer Megaloceros giganteus. Here we describe spectacular extremely expanded, pod-like tibiae in males of a platycnemidid damselfly from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber. Such structures in modern damselflies, help to fend off other suitors as well as attract mating females, increasing the chances of successful mating. Modern Platycnemidinae and Chlorocyphidae convergently acquired similar but less developed structures. The new findings provide suggestive evidence of damselfly courtship behaviour as far back as the mid-Cretaceous. These data show an unexpected morphological disparity in dancing damselfly leg structure, and shed new light on mechanisms of sexual selection involving intra- and intersex reproductive competition during the Cretaceous.

Figure 5: Reconstruction showing the courtship behaviour of Yijenplatycnemis huangi gen. et sp. nov. from the mid-Cretaceous tropical forest in Burma (drawn by Daran Zheng).

Figure 1: Yijenplatycnemis huangi gen. et sp. nov.
Holotype (NIGP164757); photograph (A) and line drawing (B) of specimen (drawn by DZ). Paratype (BA16200); dorsal view (C) and anterior view (D) of specimen.

Systematic palaeontology

Order Odonata Fabricius, 1793

Suborder Zygoptera Selys-Longchamps, 1854

Superfamily Coenagrionoidea Kirby, 1890

Family Platycnemididae Yakobson & Bianchi, 1905

Subfamily Palaeodisparoneurinae Poinar et al. 2011

Yijenplatycnemis huangi gen. et sp. nov

Etymology: The generic name is after Mr Huang Yijen, the donator of the type specimen, and the typical genus Platycnemis. The specific name is after Mr. Huang Yijen. Gender masculine.

Diagnosis: Very small damselfly, complete wing length about 11–14 mm; DC closed and quadrangular with MAb perpendicular to MAa; five postnodal and five postsubnodal crossveins present, somewhat aligned; only one postnodal crossvein present distal of Pt; midfork slightly basal of N; RP1 with strong angle below very long pterostigmal brace; area between RA and RP1 greatly widened distal of Pt; IR2 aligned with Sn; IR1 short, originating below Pt; MA long, ending on posterior wing margin below base of RP2; MP short, one or two cells long; CuA reduced to oblique vein; Pt very small, less than half length of surrounding cells; all tibiae spectacularly expanded, covered with two brown bands, in pod-like sclerite except on metatibiae where of semi-circular shape.

.....

Daran Zheng, André Nel, Edmund A. Jarzembowski, Su-Chin Chang, Haichun Zhang, Fangyuan Xia, Haoying Liu & Bo Wang. 2017. Extreme Adaptations for Probable Visual Courtship Behaviour in A Cretaceous Dancing Damselfly. Scientific Reports. 7, 44932. DOI: 10.1038/srep44932

Courtship behavior trapped in 100-million-year-old amber
https://eurekalert.org/e/7kZx via @EurekAlert

Euastacus vesper

McCormack & Ahyong, 2017

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4244.4.6

Abstract

Euastacus vesper sp. nov., is described from the upper Cudgegong River, Coricudgy State Forest, New South Wales, Australia. The new species occurs in the western drainage of the Great Dividing Range, and is most closely related to E. spinifer (Heller, 1865), which occurs on the eastern side of the range. Euastacus vesper differs from E. spinifer by its considerably smaller maximum size (OCL 67.9 mm versus 116.7 mm), greater degree of thoracic spination loosely arrayed in three instead of two rows and absence of the antennular basipodite and coxopodite spines. Observations on burrowing, ecological preferences and biology are presented.

Keywords: Crustacea, Euastacus, Parastacidae, spiny crayfish, freshwater, Australia

Euastacus vesper sp. nov., male paratype (ACP1130), Cudgegong River.

Etymology. Named vesper (Latin), meaning “western”, alluding to the western distribution of the new species relative to its closest relative, E. spinifer.

Suggested common Name: the Cudgegong Giant Spiny Crayfish

Distribution. Presently known only from the Cudgegong River and its tributaries; 743–1123 m a.s.l.

McCormack, Robert B. and Shane T. Ahyong. 2017. Euastacus vesper sp. nov., A New Giant Spiny Crayfish (Crustacea, Decapoda, Parastacidae) from the Great Dividing Range, New South Wales, Australia. Zootaxa. 4244(4); 556–567. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4244.4.6

A New Spiny Crayfish in Western Drainage, NSW.

http://www.aabio.com.au/a-new-spiny-crayfish-in-western-drainage-nsw/

Pristimantisecuadorensis

Guayasamin, Hutter, Tapia, Culebras, Peñafiel, Pyron, Morochz, Funk & Arteaga, 2017

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0172615

Abstract

Geographic barriers and elevational gradients have long been recognized as important in species diversification. Here, we illustrate an example where both mechanisms have shaped the genetic structure of the Neotropical rainfrog, Pristimantis ornatissimus, which has also resulted in speciation. This species was thought to be a single evolutionary lineage distributed throughout the Ecuadorian Chocó and the adjacent foothills of the Andes. Based on recent sampling of P. ornatissimus sensulato, we provide molecular and morphological evidence that support the validity of a new species, which we name Pristimantisecuadorensis sp. nov. The sister species are elevational replacements of each other; the distribution of Pristimantisornatissimussensustricto is limited to the Ecuadorian Chocó ecoregion (< 1100 m), whereas the new species has only been found at Andean localities between 1450–1480 m. Given the results of the Multiple Matrix Regression with Randomization analysis, the genetic difference between P. ecuadorensis and P. ornatissimus is not explained by geographic distance nor environment, although environmental variables at a finer scale need to be tested. Therefore this speciation event might be the byproduct of stochastic historic extinction of connected populations or biogeographic events caused by barriers to dispersal such as rivers. Within P. ornatissimus sensu stricto, morphological patterns and genetic structure seem to be related to geographic isolation (e.g., rivers). Finally, we provide an updated phylogeny for the genus, including the new species, as well as other Ecuadorian Pristimantis.

Pristimantis ecuadorensis sp. nov.Guayasamin, Hutter, Tapia, Culebras, Peñafiel, Pyron, Morochz, Funk, Arteaga.

Eleutherodactylus ornatissimus Lynch & Duellman 1997, in part.

Pristimantis ornatissimus Arteaga, Bustamante & Guayasamin 2013, in part.

Suggested common name in English: Ecuadorian Rainfrog

Suggested common name in Spanish: Cutín de Ecuador

Diagnosis: Pristimantisecuadorensis is characterized by the following combination of characters: (1) skin on dorsum shagreen, that on venter smooth; discoidal fold defined posteriorly, (2) tympanic membrane and tympanic annulus evident, oval, (3) snout long, acuminate in dorsal view, rounded in profile, (4) upper eyelid lacking tubercles, (5) dentigerous process of the vomer present, bearing teeth, (6) males having vocal slits and Type I nuptial pads, (7) first finger shorter than second, (8) fingers with lateral fringes, (9) ulnar tubercles absent, (10) heel and tarsus lacking tubercles or folds, (11) inner metatarsal tubercle oval, 4–5x round outer metatarsal tubercle, (12) toes bearing lateral fringes; webbing absent; discs large; fifth toe much longer than third, (13) in life, greenish yellow dorsum with transversal black stripes that may form a reticulated pattern; iris light blue to grayish green or grayish yellow; in preservative, dorsum cream with black stripes, and (14) SVL in adult males 25.4 mm (n = 1) and 37.1–40.2 in adult females (n = 2).

Distribution:Pristimantis ecuadorensis is known only from three nearby localities on the western slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes, provinces of Cotopaxi and Pichincha, at elevations between 1450–1480 m. The localities are: 3 km NE of San Francisco de Las Pampas, Palo Quemado, and Tandapi. With the information at hand, the distribution of P. ornatissimus sensu stricto is constrained to the Chocoan lowlands and Pacific Andean foothills (< 1100 m) of Ecuador.

Natural History: Information for Pristimantis ecuadorensis is mainly available from the type locality (Fig 8), San Francisco de Las Pampas, a forested valley along the Río Toachi, located at 1480 m in the northwestern slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes. The locality has a mean annual precipitation of 2325 mm. In this area, P. ecuadorensis is found in primary forest and closely associated with the leaf axils of bromeliads, Heliconia plants and palm fronds (genera Ceroxylon and Wettinia) (field notes of Giovanni Onore, César Tapia, and W. E. Duellman). Additionally, the species is associated with banana (Musa paradisiaca) and sugar cane plantations (Saccharumofficinarum) bordering native forest (Fig 9). In these ecosystems, P. ecuadorensis perch on top of leaves or inside leaf axils (~15–150 cm above the ground), creased leaves or moss of epiphytic plants, and have been heard calling from them. Additionally, by inspecting fecal samples, we found the remains of beetles, crickets and spiders. In captivity, females of P.ecuadorensis reach sexual maturity after 14 months, and males start vocalizing after 10 months.

Etymology: The specific name ecuadorensis refers to the Republic of Ecuador, where the species is endemic. The name is intended to highlight the overwhelming beauty, and cultural and biological diversity of Ecuador.

Fig 1. Color variation in sequenced Pristimantis ornatissimus sensu stricto and Pristimantis ecuadorensis sp. nov. in Ecuador.

Juan M. Guayasamin, Carl R. Hutter, Elicio E. Tapia, Jaime Culebras, Nicolás Peñafiel, R. Alexander Pyron, Carlos Morochz, W. Chris Funk and Alejandro Arteaga. 2017. Diversification of the Rainfrog Pristimantisornatissimus in the Lowlands and Andean Foothills of Ecuador. PLoS ONE. 12(3): e0172615. DOI: 1371/journal.pone.0172615

‘Spectacular-looking’ endangered frog species discovered in Ecuador’s cloud forests http://source.colostate.edu/spectacular-looking-endangered-frog-species-discovered-ecuadors-cloud-forests/

Baleen whales, or mysticetes, include the largest vertebrates to have ever evolved. Their gigantism, evolutionary success, and ecological diversity have been linked to filter feeding. Mysticetes filter feed using elaborate keratinous baleen plates, which grow from the palate and allow them to strain large quantities of prey out of the water. While the earliest mysticetes retained the adult, mineralized teeth present in ancestral whales, all species of living baleen whales lack teeth and instead possess baleen. The mechanism by which this evolutionary transformation took place remains unknown. We present four independent, but non-exclusive hypotheses for the origin of baleen. We evaluate the support for these hypotheses based on separate lines of evidence, including paleontological, molecular, and ontogenetic data. We suggest that the origin of baleen is decoupled from the loss of teeth, with a separate morphological and genetic basis. Moreover, we outline how new fossils and phylogenetic analyses may resolve current debates about morphological transformations in tooth loss and baleen origin across the phylogeny of stem and crown Mysticeti. Additional insights will likely arise from more detailed examination of developmental and biomechanical data, with sufficient ontogenetic and phylogenetic sampling.

Key Words: Cetacea, dentition, filter feeding, fossils, Mammalia, Mysticeti, teeth

Figure 1: Four hypothetical transitional filter feeding stages in mysticetes, with oblique lateral views of a generalized stem mysticete. Hypotheses (A-D) are not mutually exclusive, nor explicitly step-wise.

See text for more details. All artwork courtesy Alex Boersma (http://www.alexboersma.com).

Carlos Mauricio Peredo, Nicholas D. Pyenson and Alexandra T. Boersma. 2017. Decoupling Tooth Loss from the Evolution of Baleen in Whales. Front. Mar. Sci. DOI: fmars.2017.00067

Cascolus ravitis

Siveter, Briggs, Siveter, Sutton & Legg, 2017

DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.0279

Abstract

Cascolus ravitis gen. et sp. nov. is a three-dimensionally preserved fossil crustacean with soft parts from the Herefordshire (Silurian) Lagerstätte, UK. It is characterized by a head with a head shield and five limb pairs, and a thorax (pereon) with nine appendage-bearing segments followed by an apodous abdomen (pleon). All the appendages except the first are biramous and have a gnathobase. The post-mandibular appendages are similar one to another, and bear petal-shaped epipods that probably functioned as a part of the respiratory–circulatory system. Cladistic analysis resolves the new taxon as a stem-group leptostracan (Malacostraca). This well-preserved arthropod provides novel insights into the evolution of appendage morphology, tagmosis and the possible respiratory–circulatory physiology of a basal malacostracan.

An international team of scientists led by the University of Leicester has discovered a new 430 million-year-old fossil and has named it in honour of Sir David Attenborough - who grew up on the University campus.

Systematic palaeontology

Phylum Arthropoda
Subphylum Crustacea

Class Malacostraca
Subclass Phyllocarida

Order Leptostraca

Genus Cascolus gen. nov.

Type species: Cascolus ravitis sp. nov.

Etymology: The new crustacean is named in honour of the naturalist and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough, who grew up on University College Leicester campus, in celebration of his 90th birthday. Latin castrum ‘stronghold’ and colus ‘dwelling in’; alluding to the Middle/Old English source for the surname ‘Attenborough, derived from atten‘at the’ and burgh ‘a fortified place’. Latin Ratae, the Roman name for Leicester, vita ‘life’ and commeatis ‘a messenger’.

Diagnosis of genus (monotypic) and species: An elongate body comprising a head with a head shield, pedunculate eyes and five limb pairs; and a trunk consisting of a thorax (pereon) with nine limb-bearing segments and an apodous abdomen (pleon). The first appendage is uniramous and has three slender flagella longer than the body. All other appendages are biramous and have a gnathobase. The post-mandibular appendages are similar to one another, except that the fourth head appendage bears a single petal-shaped epipod, and the fifth head appendage and each trunk appendage bear two petal-shaped epipods.

Material: Only known from the holotype OUMNH C.29698 (figure 1v), a specimen with soft parts reconstructed in three dimensions (figure 1a–u).

Locality and horizon: Herefordshire, England, UK; Wenlock Series, Silurian.

David J. Siveter, Derek E. G. Briggs, Derek J. Siveter, Mark D. Sutton and David Legg. 2017. A New Crustacean from the Herefordshire (Silurian) Lagerstätte, UK, and Its Significance in Malacostracan Evolution. Proceedings of the Royal Society B. DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.0279

430 million-year-old fossil named in honor of Sir David Attenborough
http://phy.so/409322871 @physorg_com

Platymantis (Lupacolus) quezoni

Brown, de Layola, Lorenzo, Diesmos & Diesmos, 2015

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4048.2.3

Abstract

We describe a new species of limestone karst dwelling forest frog of the genus Platymantis from the Quezon Protected Landscape in southeastern Luzon Island, Philippines. We assign Platymantis quezoni, sp. nov., to the diverse assemblage of terrestrial species in the Platymantis dorsalis Group, subgenus Lupacolus on the basis of its body size and proportions, only slightly expanded terminal discs of the fingers and toes, and its terrestrial microhabitat. The new species is distinguished from these and all other Philippine congeners by features of its external morphology, its restriction to a distinctive limestone karst microhabitat, and its advertisement call, which is unique among frogs of the family Ceratobatrachidae. Several distinguishing morphological characters include its moderate body size (22.1–33.9 mm SVL for 16 adult males and 32.4–39.7 mm SVL for five adult females), slightly expanded terminal discs of the fingers and toes, smooth skin with limited dermal tuberculation, and a dorsal color pattern of mottled tan to dark brown with black blotches. The new species is the sixth Philippine Platymantis known to occur exclusively on limestone karst substrates (previously known karst-obligate species include: P. bayani, P. biak, P. insulatus, P. paengi,and P. speleaus). Recently accelerated discovery of limestone karst anurans across the Philippines suggests that numerous additional species may await discovery on the hundreds of scattered karst formations throughout the archipelago. This possibility suggests that a major conservation priority in coming years will be to study, characterize, describe, and preserve the endemic species supported by this patchy, unique and imperiled type of forest ecosystem in the Philippines.

Keywords: Amphibia, Biodiversity; Evolutionary convergence; Limestone ecomorph; Microhabitat preference; Species discovery

FIGURE 3. Photographs of Platymantis (Lupacolus) quezoni, sp. nov.,
(A) the holotype (PNM 9817; SVL = 33.7) and (B) a male paratype (KU 328735; SVL = 31.3).

Photos: R. M. Brown.

FIGURE 5. Limestone karst forest habitat of Platymantis (Lupacolus) quezoni, sp. nov., at the type locality:
(A) limestone bolder where the holotype (PNM 9817) was recorded and collected; (B) appearance of habitat in late afternoon (~16:30). Note darkened caves and crevices beneath limestone over-hangs from where P. quezoni initiate vocalizations in the late afternoons (16:30–17:30 hr) from concealed perches inside crevices and small caves.

Photos: R. M. Brown.

Distribution. Platymantis quezoni is known only from the type locality but may be more wide spread in scattered karst outcrops of northern portions of the Bicol Peninsula (Restificar et al. 2006; MGB 2010), especially on limestone karst formations in the nearby Bondoc Peninsula (Fig. 1).

Etymology. The specific epithet is a patronym in the genitive singular, honoring Manuel Luis Molina Quezon. Quezon served as president of the Commonwealth of the Philippines during the American colonial period from 1935 through the conclusion of the Second World War. An exemplary statesman, he led the struggle for Philippine independence from American rule.
Suggested common name: Quezon Limestone Forest Frog.

Rafe M. Brown, Louise Abigail Asio De Layola, Antonio Ii Nuñez Lorenzo, Mae Leonida Diesmos and Arvin Cantor Diesmos. 2015. A New Species of Limestone Karst inhabiting Forest Frog, Genus Platymantis (Amphibia: Anura: Ceratobatrachidae: subgenus Lupacolus) from southern Luzon Island, Philippines. Zootaxa. 4048(2): 191–210. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4048.2.3

facebook.com/herpwatchpilipinas/photos/136199663393314

facebook.com/PhilippinesHerpetology/photos/1175945055762483

ResearchGate.net/publication/284710558_A_new_species_of_limestone_karst_inhabiting_forest_frog_genus_Platymantis_Amphibia_Anura_Ceratobatrachidae_Subgenus_Lupacolus_from_southern_Luzon_Island_Philippines

S. Manawatthana, P. Laosinchai, N. Onparn, W.Y. Brockelman & P.D. Round. 2017.
Phylogeography of Bulbuls in the Genus Iole (Aves: Pycnonotidae).

Biol. J. Linn. Soc. 120(4); 931-944. DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blw013

Abstract

Southeast Asia is one of the most geologically dynamic regions of the world with great species diversity and high endemism. We studied the bulbuls of the south and southeast Asian genus Iole (Aves: Pycnonotidae) in order to analyse their evolutionary relationships and describe their patterns of diversification and delimit species boundaries. Our phylogeographic reconstruction, based on two mitochondrial and one nuclear markers, sampled from all 13 recognized Iole taxa, presently grouped as four species, revealing three primary lineages: (1) a Palawan lineage (2) a Sundaic group distributed in the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo and (3) an Indochinese group distributed throughout continental Southeast Asia. Divergence time estimation suggested that the Palawan lineage diverged during the Miocene (around 9.7 Mya), a later split between the Sundaic and Indochinese lineages occurring around 7.2 Mya. The present classification of Iole based on morphology does not accurately reflect taxonomic relationships within the genus, in which we recognize five more putative species. An integrative approach that incorporates morphology and bioacoustics should further refine our understanding of species limits among Iole taxa.

Keywords: Iole, phylogeny, phylogeography, pycnonotidae, species tree

Sontaya Manawatthana, Parames Laosinchai, Nuttaphon Onparn,Warren Y. Brockelman and Philip D. Round. 2017. Phylogeography of Bulbuls in the Genus Iole (Aves: Pycnonotidae). Biol. J. Linn. Soc. 120(4); 931-944.. DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blw013

facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1471650692853617

สรุปคร่าวๆเฉพาะส่วนของประเทศไทย

นกปรอดสกุล Iole (อ่านว่า ไอโอลี่) เดิมพบได้ในไทย 3 ชนิดคือ

1.) นกปรอดเล็กตาขาว (Grey-eyed Bulbul; Iole propinqua)

2.) นกปรอดเล็กสีไพลตาแดง (Olive Bulbul; Iole viridescens)

3.) นกปรอดหงอนตาขาว (Buff-vented Bulbul; Iole charlottae)

ทั้งสามชนิดมีลักษณะภายนอกใกล้เคียงกันมาก

ซึ่งผลจากการศึกษานี้ทำให้มีนกชนิดใหม่ของไทยเพิ่มขึ้นมาอีก 1 ชนิด คือ

4.) Baker’s Bulbul (Iole cinnamomeoventris; ยังไม่มีชื่อภาษาไทยอย่างเป็นทางการ)

- นกชนิดใหม่นี้เดิมถูกจัดเป็นเพียงชนิดย่อยของนกปรอดเล็กตาขาว เนื่องจากมีลักษณะภายนอกใกล้เคียงปรอดเล็กตาขาวมากๆ จนหลายๆครั้งในภาคสนามไม่เห็นความแตกต่าง

- แต่จากการวิเคราะห์ DNA พบว่ามันมีความแตกต่างในเชิงวิวัฒนาการมากจนสมควรจะแยกเป็นชนิดใหม่ และยังพบว่ามีสายวิวัฒนาการใกล้ชิดกับ ปรอดเล็กสีไพลตาแดง (แทนที่จะใกล้ชิดกับปรอดเล็กตาขาวอย่างที่ถูกจัดไว้เป็นชนิดย่อยเดิม)

- พบในภาคใต้ของไทย บริเวณด้ามขวานตั้งแต่ราวๆ จ.เพชรบุรีลงไปถึงราวๆ จ.สงขลา

- ลักษณะที่ใช้จำแนกในภาคสนามได้ดีที่สุดคือเสียงร้อง จะต่างกับปรอดหงอนตาขาวที่ลักษณะภายนอกคล้ายคลึงกันและพบในบริเวณภาคใต้เหมือนกัน

ตัวอย่างเสียงของ Iole cinnamomeoventris http://www.xeno-canto.org/336909

ตัวอย่างเสียงของ ปรอดหงอนตาขาว Iole charlottae http://www.xeno-canto.org/336936

- ชื่อ Baker's Bulbul ตั้งเพื่อเป็นเกียรติแก่ E. C. Stuart Baker นักปักษีวิทยาชาวอังกฤษ ซึ่งเป็นคนแรกที่จำแนกชนิดย่อย cinnamomeoventris นี้ไว้เมื่อปี 1917

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ถ้านับรวมทั้งเอเชียตะวันออกเฉียงใต้ เดิมนกปรอดสกุลนี้มีทั้งหมด 4 ชนิด ผล DNA จากการศึกษานี้บ่งชี้ว่าควรจะจำแนกเพิ่มอีก 5 ชนิด รวมเป็น 9 ชนิด ใครสนใจสามารถอ่านรายละเอียดได้ในงานวิจัยฉบับเต็มครับ: academic.oup.com/biolinnean/article-abstract/120/4/931/2970060/Phylogeography-of-bulbuls-in-the-genus-Iole-Aves

ทั้งนี้ เปเปอร์แรกนี้จะเน้นเฉพาะผลจากการวิเคราะห์ DNA อาจจะอ่านยากสำหรับคนทั่วไปซักหน่อย ยังมีเปเปอร์ที่สองที่จะพูดถึงลักษณะภายนอก สีขน และผลการวิเคราะห์เสียงร้อง ที่ตอนนี้กำลังอยู่ระหว่างเตรียมส่งตีพิมพ์ครับ

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Aframomum ngamikkense Eb.Fisch., Kirunda, Ewango, M.E.Leal & Plumptre

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.298.3.7

Abstract

Aframomum ngamikkense, a new species from the Misotshi-Kabogo Massif in the Albertine Rift, Eastern D.R. Congo, is described and illustrated. It differs from the superficially similar A.pseudostipulare in the shorter and obtuse ligules up to 5 mm long (vs. acute and up to 10 mm long), and the indistinctly 3-lobed apex of the stamen (vs. distinctly 3-lobed).

Keywords: Aframomum ngamikkense, Aframomum pseudostipulare, Albertine Rift, Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC, endemics, Monocots

Scientists from WCS have discovered a new species of wild ginger, spicing up a wave of recent wildlife discoveries in the Kabobo Massif -- a rugged, mountainous region in Democratic Republic of Congo.

Aframomum ngamikkenseEb.Fisch., Kirunda, Ewango, M.E.Leal & Plumptre, spec. nov. (Fig. 1, 2)

Differt ab Afromomo pseudostipulare ligulis brevioribus obtusisque usque ad 5 mm longis (ligulae acutae et usque ad 10 mm longae in A. pseudostipulare) et apice staminae indistincte trilobata (apex distincte trilobata in A. pseudostipulare).

The new species differs from Aframomum pseudostipulare in the shorter and obtuse ligules up to 5 mm long (acute and up to 10 mm long in A. pseudostipulare) and the indistinctly 3-lobed apex of the stamen (distinctly 3-lobed in A. pseudostipulare).

Type:— D.R.CONGO. Katanga Province, Kizamba area on the trail to to top of Kankamana Hill, 1570 m, .... (holotype NHN!; isotypes BR!, MHU!, LWI!).

Etymology:— The new species is named after the proposed Ngamikka National Park in the Misotshi-Kabogo Massif. This includes the mountains Nganja, Misotshi, Kabogo and Kabili (Plumptre et al. 2010).

Distribution:— Primary montane forest at elevations of 1500–2000 m, growing in large gregarious patches under closed canopy, mainly on slopes, in riverine vegetation, and on hill tops. ...

Eberhard Fischer,Ben Kirunda,Corneille Ewango,Miguel Leal,Deo Kujirakwinja,Arcel Bamba andAndrew J. Plumptre. 2017. A New Species of Aframomum (Zingiberaceae) from D.R. Congo. Phytotaxa. 298(3); 277–282. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.298.3.7

Discovery of New Ginger Species Spices up Wildlife Surveys https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/9937/Discovery-of-New-Ginger-Species-Spices-up-Wildlife-Surveys.aspx

Discovery of new ginger species spices up African wildlife surveys http://phy.so/409491267 via @physorg_com

Hemidactylus chipkali

Mirza& Raju, 2017

Central Indian Leaf-toed Gecko | amphibian-reptile-conservation.org

Abstract

We here describe a new species of rupicolous gecko from the Satpura Hills of central India. The new species is a member of the Hemidactylus brookii complex, and can be distinguished based on the following suite of characters: moderate sized species (SVL 54.3–74.2 mm); anterior postmental width equal to first infralabial; posterior postmental width equal to second infralabial, posterior postmental not in contact with first infralabial; enlarged, keeled, tubercles, fairly regularly arranged in 15–16 longitudinal rows on dorsum; two angular series of seven precloacal femoral pores separated by diastema of eight non-pored scales; non-pored scales equal to size of pored scales; scales bordering anterior edge of pored scales half the size of pored scales; five lamellae on digit I and seven on digit IV of manus as well as pes; lamellae on digit IV and V of pes absent on basal 25% of the digit; legs long and slender; ventral aspect of tail with broad caudal scales covering ~80% of tail; two subconical post cloacal spurs, anterior spur slightly larger than posterior spur.

Key words: Hemidactylus brookii, complex, taxonomy, bPTP, multivariate analysis, DNA

Hemidactylus chipkali sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet “chipkali” is the Hindi word for gecko.

Suggested common name: Central Indian Leaf-toed Gecko

Fig. 5. Hemidactylus chipkali sp. nov. (A and B) male holotype NCBS AT107 in life, (C) male paratype NCBS AT108 in life.

Zeeshan A. Mirza and David Raju. 2017. A New Rupicolous Species of Gecko of the Genus Hemidactylus Oken, 1817 from the Satpura Hills, Central India. Amphibian & Reptile Conservation. 11(1) [General Section]: 51–71 (e137).

http://amphibian-reptile-conservation.org/pdfs/Volume/Vol_11_no_1/ARC_11_1_[General_Section]_51-71_e137_high_res.pdf

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