Species New to Science

Gastrodia okinawensis Suetsugu

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.302.3.4 || Kobe-U.ac.jp

Abstract

Two new mycoheterotrophic orchids, Gastrodia nipponicoides and G. okinawensis, are described and illustrated from Okinawa Island, Ryukyu Islands, Japan. The outline floral shape of Gastrodia nipponicoides indicates a close affinity to G. nipponica, but it is easily distinguished from G. nipponica by several characteristics such as a shorter perianth tube, lack of rostellum and fewer ridges on its lip. Gastrodia okinawensis is similar to G. takeshimensis but is distinguished by having chasmogamous flowers, paler perianth tube and longer column.

Keywords: Gastrodia, Japanese orchids, mycoheterotrophy, Ryukyu Islands, Monocots

FIGURE 1. Gastrodianipponicoidesfrom the type locality. A. Flowering plant. B. Flower, side view. C. Flower, from front view.

FIGURE 3. Gastrodiaokinawaensisfrom the type locality. A. Flowering plants. B. Flower, side view. C. Flower, front view.

Kenji Suetsugu. 2017. Two New Species of Gastrodia (Gastrodieae, Epidendroideae, Orchidaceae) from Okinawa Island, Ryukyu Islands, Japan. Phytotaxa. 302(3); 251-258. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.302.3.4

ResearchGate.net/publication/316056852_Two_new_species_of_Gastrodia_Gastrodieae_Epidendroideae_Orchidaceae_from_Okinawa_Island_Ryukyu_Islands_Japan

Two new species of orchids discovered in Okinawa https://eurekalert.org/e/7mjg via @KobeU_Global @EurekAlert

http://www.kobe-u.ac.jp/research_at_kobe_en/NEWS/news/2017_04_07_01.html

Figure 2: Specimen AMNH 22555, a partial anhanguerid skeleton.
Some selected elements are figured in detail. (A) pelvic region in dorsal view; (B) torso in dorsal view; (C, D, E) sixth cervical vertebrae in, respectively, anterior, dorsal and right lateral views; (F, G) right mandibular ramus in, respectively, medial and lateral views; (H) left scapula in dorsal view; (I) left coracoid in lateral view; (J) distal carpals in distal view; (K) proximal carpals in distal view.

Scale bars equal to 50 mm. Line drawings of some bones were modified from Witton (2013).DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3285

Abstract

Background

Anhanguerids comprise an important clade of pterosaurs, mostly known from dozens of three-dimensionally preserved specimens recovered from the Lower Cretaceous Romualdo Formation (northeastern Brazil). They are remarkably diverse in this sedimentary unit, with eight named species, six of them belonging to the genus Anhanguera. However, such diversity is likely overestimated, as these species have been historically diagnosed based on subtle differences, mainly based on the shape and position of the cranial crest. In spite of that, recently discovered pterosaur taxa represented by large numbers of individuals, including juveniles and adults, as well as presumed males and females, have crests of sizes and shapes that are either ontogenetically variable or sexually dimorphic.

Methods

We describe in detail the skull of one of the most complete specimens referred to Anhanguera, AMNH 22555, and use it as a case study to review the diversity of anhanguerids from the Romualdo Formation. In order to accomplish that, a geometric morphometric analysis was performed to assess size-dependent characters with respect to the premaxillary crest in the 12 most complete skulls bearing crests that are referred in, or related to, this clade, almost all of them analyzed first hand.

Results

Geometric morphometric regression of shape on centroid size was highly statistically significant (p = 0.0091) and showed that allometry accounts for 25.7% of total shape variation between skulls of different centroid sizes. Premaxillary crests are both taller and anteroposteriorly longer in larger skulls, a feature consistent with ontogenetic growth. A new diagnosis is proposed for Anhanguera, including traits that are nowadays known to be widespread within the genus, as well as ontogenetic changes. AMNH 22555 cannot be referred to “Anhanguera santanae” and, in fact, “Anhanguera santanae”, “Anhanguera araripensis”, and “Anhanguera robustus” are here considered nomina dubia.

Discussion

Historically, minor differences in crest morphology have been used in the definition of new anhanguerid species. Nowadays, this practice resulted in a considerable difficulty in referring well-preserved skulls into known taxa. When several specimens are analyzed, morphologies previously believed to be disparate are, in fact, separated by a continuum, and are thus better explained as individual or temporal variations. Stratigraphically controlled excavations on the Romualdo Formation have showed evidence for faunal turnover regarding fish communities. It is thus possible that some of the pterosaurs from this unit were not coeval, and might even represent anagenetic morphotypes. Unfortunately, amateur collecting of Romualdo Formation fossils, aimed especially at commerce, resulted in the lack of stratigraphic data of virtually all its pterosaurs and precludes testing of these further hypotheses.

Felipe L. Pinheiro and Taissa Rodrigues. 2017. Anhanguera Taxonomy Revisited: Is Our Understanding of Santana Group Pterosaur Diversity Biased by Poor Biological and Stratigraphic Control? PeerJ. 5:e3285. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3285

Tarsius supriatnai

Shekelle, Groves, Maryanto & Mittermeier, 2017

Abstract

We name two new tarsier species from the northern peninsula of Sulawesi. In doing so, we examine the biogeography of Sulawesi and remove the implausibly disjunct distribution of Tarsius tarsier. This brings tarsier taxonomy into better accordance with the known geological history of Sulawesi and with the known regions of biological endemism on Sulawesi and the surrounding island chains that harbor portions of the Sulawesi biota. The union of these two data sets, geological and biological, became a predictive model of biogeography, and was dubbed the Hybrid Biogeographic Hypothesis for Sulawesi. By naming these species, which were already believed to be taxonomically distinct, tarsier taxonomy better concords with that hypothesis and recent genetic studies. Our findings bring greater clarity to the conservation crisis facing the region.

Keywords: Biodiversity, bioacoustics, cryptic species, duet call, Manado form, Gorontalo form, Libuo form, taxonomy

Tarsius spectrumgurskyae sp. nov.

Type locality: Manado, North Sulawesi

Diagnosis: As with many species of Eastern Tarsier, the clearest field diagnosis of living specimens is from a spectrogram of its duet call or through playback tests (Figs. 2 and 3). As there is no known case of sympatry among extant tarsiers, the best diagnosis of museum and other deceased specimens is by provenance, or genetic analysis, although some diagnostic morphological characters are indicated.

Etymology: Gursky’s spectral tarsier. This species is named in honor of Dr. Sharon Gursky, who has dedicated most of her professional life to studying the behavioral ecology of this species. Most of her work on this species was published using a taxonomy that is now superseded, in which her population was classified as Tarsiusspectrum. Ongoing reclassification, therefore, created an unfortunate disconnect between the species name used in her publications, and the most up-to-date taxonomic revision. Thus, by naming this species Tarsius spectrumgurskyae, it forever links the names Tarsius and spectrum with the population of animals that she studied.

Local Name: Tangkasi, Wusing

Jatna’s tarsier Tarsius supriatnai n. sp. (left) and Gursky’s spectral tarsier Tarsius spectrumgurskyae n. sp. (right).

Illustrations by Stephen D. Nash.

Jatna’s tarsier Tarsius supriatnai n. sp.

photo by R. Mittermeier

Tarsius supriatnai sp. nov.

Type locality: Bumbulan, Gorontalo.

Diagnosis: See above for T. spectrumgurskyae, duet call and provenance are absolutely diagnostic. Genetics diagnose a T. spectrumgurskyae – T. supriatnai clade from all others and are hypothesized to be themselves distinct. Driller et al. (2015) estimated a divergence date of 0.3 mya for the separation of the two.

Morphology: Tarsius supriatnai is very similar morphologically to T. spectrumgurskyae n. sp. (see under that species), differing in the generally larger bare spot at the base of the ear, the less shortened hindfoot, the very long tail, and longer middle finger.

Etymology: Jatna’s tarsier. This species is named in honor of Dr. Jatna Supriatna, who has dedicated most of his professional life to the conservation of Indonesian biodiversity, and has sponsored much of the foreign collaborative work done on tarsiers.

Local Name: Mimito

Distribution: On the northern peninsula from the Isthmus of Gorontalo westward at least as far as Sejoli, and probably as far as Ogatemuku (see Driller et al. 2015), but not as far as Tinombo (Fig. 1).

Myron Shekelle, Colin P. Groves, Ibnu Maryanto and Russell A. Mittermeier. 2017. Two New Tarsier Species (Tarsiidae, Primates) and the Biogeography of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Primate Conservation. (31): Published electronically prior to print.

http://static1.1.sqspcdn.com/static/f/1200343/27541166/1493324743810/PC31_Shekelle_et_al_Two_new_tarsiers.pdf

http://www.conservation.org/NewsRoom/pressreleases/Pages/Conservation-International-Scientists-Announce-Discovery-of-Two-New-Species-of-Tarsiers-in-Indonesia-.aspx

Two new species of tarsier, rumored to be inspiration for Yoda, announced on Star Wars Day https://news.mongabay.com/2017/05/two-new-species-of-tarsier-rumored-to-be-inspiration-for-yoda-announced-on-star-wars-day/ @mongabay

Sachs & Kear, 2017. Redescription of Libonectes atlasense DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2017.02.017

Illustration by Hyrotrioskjan hyrotrioskjan.deviantart.com

Highlights

• The Late Cretaceous elasmosaurid species Libonectes atlasense and Libonectes morgani are likely synonymous.

• Fossils assigned to Libonectes morgani collectively constitute one of the best-known Elasmosaurid taxa.

• The palaeogeographical distribution of Libonectes morgani evidences trans-Atlantic dispersal amongst multiple Late Cretaceous plesiosaurian clades.

Abstract

The holotype of Libonectes atlasense is an almost complete skeleton from Upper Cretaceous (mid-Turonian) rocks of the Goulmima area in eastern Morocco. Initial assessment of this specimen in 2005 proposed generic referral based on stratigraphical contemporaneity with Libonectes morgani from the Cenomanian–Turonian of Texas, U.S.A. Nevertheless, relative differences in the profile of the premaxillary-maxillary tooth row, position of the external bony nasal opening, number of teeth and rostral inclination of the mandibular symphysis, proportions of the axial neural arch, and number of cervical and pectoral vertebrae were used to distinguish between these species. As part of an on-going comparative appraisal of elasmosaurid plesiosaurian osteo-anatomy, we re-examined the type and formally referred material of both L. atlasense and L. morgani in order to establish species validity, as well as compile a comparative atlas for use in future works. Our inspections revealed that these reportedly distinct species-level fossils are in fact virtually indistinguishable in gross morphology. Indeed, the only substantial difference occurs in relative prominence of the midline keel along the mandibular symphysis, which might be explained by intraspecific variation. Furthermore, our observations permit an amendment to the published generic diagnosis of Libonectes with the confirmation of important states such as the likely presence of a pectoral bar, distocaudal expansion of the humerus, and an epipodial foramen. In addition, novel features include a prominent ‘prong-like’ ventral midline process on the coracoids, and the development of a median pelvic bar that encloses a central fenestration. The composite remains of L. morgani thus constitute one of the most complete elasmosaurid skeletal hypodigms documented worldwide, and evidence a trans-Atlantic distribution for this apparently dispersive species during the early–Late Cretaceous.

Libonectes

Illustration by Hyrotrioskjan hyrotrioskjan.deviantart.com

Sven Sachs and Benjamin P. Kear. 2017. Redescription of the Elasmosaurid Plesiosaurian Libonectes atlasense from the Upper Cretaceous of Morocco. Cretaceous Research. 74; 205–222. DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2017.02.017

http://hyrotrioskjan.deviantart.com/art/Libonectes-666547944

Abstract

The authors reestablish Dyckia oligantha and D. nana, considered synonymous of D. saxatilis and D. macedoi, respectively, on the basis of newly collected specimens from the type localities. Multivariate analysisof vegetative and reproductive characters on natural populations of the species of the D. macedoi complex were performed, allowing the recognition of D. macedoi, D. nana and D. oligantha as distinct species.

Keywords: “Campos rupestres”, morphometry, taxonomy, rocky fields, species complex, Monocots

Dyckia macedoi complex

1. Dyckia macedoi L.B. Smith (1952: 195). Figs. 4 A–D, 5 A–C

2. Dyckia nana Leme & Ribeiro (Leme et al. 2010: 36), Figs. 4 E–H, 5 D–E

3. Dyckia oligantha L.B. Smith (1957a: 329). Figs. 4 I–L, 6 A–J, 7 A–E

Dyckia oligantha. Rosettes with second leaves, in the species natural environment.

Photo: Elidio Guarçoni

Elidio Armando Exposto Guarçoni, Aristéia Alves Azevedo and Andreia Ferreira da Costa. 2017. The Restablishment of Dyckia oligantha and D. nana (Bromeliaceae, Pitcairnioideae), Belonging to the D. macedoi complex. Phytotaxa. 306(1); 49-65. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.306.1.4

Musa × formobisiana

H.-L. Chiu, C.-T. Shii & T.-Y.A. Yang
DOI: 10.6165/tai.2017.62.147

Abstract

Taiwan is near the northern limit of distribution of Musaceae. To understand the genetics and extent of genetic diversity in wild bananas in Taiwan, artificial hybrids between Musa itinerans var. formosana and M. balbisiana Colla, here named Musa × formobisiana H.-L. Chiu, C.-T. Shii & T.-Y.A. Yang hybrid nov., were produced. Photos and a comparison of the characteristics of Musa × formobisiana with the parent species are provided. Voucher specimens are at the Herbarium, National Museum of Natural Science, Taiwan (TNM).

Keyword: Musaceae, Musa × formobisiana, Hybrid banana, Taiwan

Fig. 1. Musa × formobisiana H.-L. Chiu, C.-T. Shii & T.-Y. A. Yang hybrid nov.
A. Plant habit of Musa × formobisiana. B. Bract of male bud, dark red C. Suckers clump closely to parent plant. D. Seeds irregularly sub-globose, dark brown, warty. E. Base of mature pseudostems, green with varying brownish black pigmentation. F. Holotype of Musa × formobisiana. G. Isotype of Musa × formobisiana. H. Pericarp of fruits, whitish green.

Hui-Lung Chiu, Chou-Tou Shii and T.-Y. Aleck Yang. 2017. Musa × formobisiana (Musaceae), A New Interspecifices Hybrid Banana.
Taiwania. 62(2); 147‒150. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2017.62.147

Amytta mram Hemp, 2017

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4263.2.5

Abstract

New species of Amytta are described from East Africa. Beside tegminal length, they differ mainly in the structure of the complicated male genitalic organs, notably the last abdominal tergite and cerci. Data on habitat and the acoustics of some species and a key to the species are provided. The songs of all seven Amytta species studied are very similar, consisting of long trills with a syllable repetition rate of about 60 Hz (at 20ºC) and a broad frequency peak in the ultrasound at around 40 kHz. The biogeographic pattern and phylogenetic relationships are discussed for the group.

Keywords: Meconematinae, Amytta, new species, Tanzania, Eastern Arc Mountains, biogeography, Orthoptera, East Africa

MaleAmytta mramba n. sp., endemic to the utmost western part of the North Pare Mountains.

Amytta digitata n. sp. Hemp

Amytta hanangensis n. sp. Hemp

Amytta judithae n. sp. Hemp

Amytta kilomeni n. sp. Hemp

Amytta meruensis n. sp. Hemp

Amytta merumontana n. sp. Hemp

Amytta mramba n. sp. Hemp

Amytta savannae n. sp. Hemp

Amytta taitensis n. sp. Hemp

Claudia Hemp and Klaus–Gerhard Heller. 2017. Revision of the Genus Amytta (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae, Meconematinae) and New Species from East Africa. Zootaxa. 4263(2); 295–317. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4263.2.5

Ahaetulla anomala (Annandale, 1906)

Mohapatra, Dutta, Kar, Das, Murthy & Deepak, 2017. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4263.2.6

Abstract

In this paper we resolve the taxonomic confusion related to Ahaetulla nasuta anomala (Annandale, 1906). On the basis of molecular and morphological data, we remove it from the synonymy of Ahaetulla nasuta (Lacépède, 1789) and reinstate it as a valid species—Ahaetulla anomala. This species is sexually dichromatic, males are green and females are brown in colour. Though the brown morph morphologically resembles Ahaetullapulverulenta (Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854) there are significant morphological and genetic differences between these two species. Additional information on taxonomy, natural history and distribution of the species is provided.

Keywords: Ahaetullaanomala, Bangladesh, India, morphology, phylogeny, sexual dichromatism, snake, taxonomy, Reptilia

....

Based on morphological characters and molecular results discussed above, we consider Dryophismycterizans var. anomalus Annandale, 1906 to be a valid taxon which we regard to represent a distinct species in the genus Ahaetulla, as follows:

Ahaetulla anomala (Annandale, 1906) new comb.

Dryophismycterizans var. anomalus Annandale (1906)
DryophismycterizanslepidorostralisWall (1910a) [nomennudum according to Wall, 1910b]
Passerita purpurascens—Anderson (1871) [inpart]
Ahaetulla pulverulenta—Dasgupta & Raha (2004)
Ahaetulla pulverulenta—Denzau & Denzau (2010)

Suggested common name: Variable coloured vine snake (English).

Distribution: This species is currently recorded from the following localities: India. West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha; Bangladesh (Sundarbans East Sanctuary).

FIGURE 5. Ahaetulla anomala; A. brown morph (♀) and green morph (♂), B. pattern less green morph (♂) head close-up C. brown morph (♀) head close-up, D. sub-adult(♂), E. sub-adult(♀), F. adult (♂). Note: A–E Specimens from around North Orissa University Campus, Baripada, Odisha, India; F. Specimen from Kamalgazi, Kolkata. West Bengal, India.

Pratyush P. Mohapatra, Sushil K. Dutta, Niladri B. Kar, A. Das, B. H. C. K. Murthy & V. Deepak. 2017. Ahaetulla nasuta anomala (Annandale, 1906) (Squamata: Colubridae), Resurrected As A Valid Species with Marked Sexual Dichromatism. Zootaxa. 4263(2); 318-332. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4263.2.6

ResearchGate.net/publication/316786557_Ahaetulla_nasuta_anomala_Annandale_1906_Squamata_Colubridae_resurrected_as_a_valid_species_with_marked_sexual_dichromatism

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Rhinophis roshanpererai

Wickramasinghe, Vidanapathirana, Rajeev & Gower, 2017

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DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4263.1.7

Abstract

A new species of uropeltid snake, Rhinophis roshanpererai sp. nov., is described based on three specimens from Badulla District, Sri Lanka. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by the number of dorsal scale rows and ventral scales, a colour pattern that lacks pale stripes, and by having a very small tail shield with four or three prominent spines. Based on lack of records from similar habitats and elevations elsewhere in Sri Lanka, the new species likely has a very small range in the central highlands. The description of the new species brings the total nominal species of Rhinophis to 20, with four of the 16 Sri Lankan species having been described since 2009.

Keywords: Rhinophis roshanpererai sp. nov., shieldtail, taxonomy, uropeltid snakes, Reptilia, Sri Lanka

FIGURE 2. Dorsolateral view in life of the holotype ofRhinophis roshanpererai sp. nov., NMSL 2016.08.01 NH, 214 mm (total length).

Diagnosis. A Rhinophis restricted to the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka with 17 dorsal scale rows at midbody, more than 160 and fewer than 175 ventral scales, a small tail shield with spines, three or four of which prominent, and lacking yellowish markings laterally or dorsally

Etymology. The species epithet roshanpererai is named for the late Roshan Perera, who was an Instructor of the Reptiles group of the Young Zoologist’s Association of Sri Lanka, Department of National Zoological Gardens, in recognition of his dedicated services to wildlife conservation in Sri Lanka. The species name roshanpererai is a noun in the genitive case.

Suggested vernacular names. Roshan Pererage thudulla, Roshan Pereravin nilakael pambu, Roshan Perera’s sheildtail (or Roshan Perera’s Rhinophis) in Sinhala, Tamil, and English, respectively

L. J. Mendis Wickramasinghe, Dulan R. Vidanapathirana, M. D. G. Rajeev and David J. Gower. 2017. A New Species of Rhinophis Hemprich, 1820 (Serpentes: Uropeltidae) from the central hills of Sri Lanka. Zootaxa. 4263(1); 153–164. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4263.1.7

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DOI: 10.1111/jbi.12999

Abstract

Aim: India is dominated by tropical grassy biomes (TGBs), traditionally considered seres or degraded forest, with low diversity relative to the restricted, ancestral wet zone. It is unclear if Indian grasslands and other open habitats are anthropogenically derived or native, old-growth habitats; without a clear timescale of grassland evolution. One way to understand grassland evolution is to study the diversification in taxa restricted to open habitats. We use a dated phylogeny of Ophisops to address questions related to the origin, diversification and inter-relationships of Indian and Saharo-Arabian Ophisops, and ultimately the origin of Indian grasslands and open habitats.

Location: The Indian subcontinent; the Saharo-Arabian Realm.

Methods: We generated up to 2736 base pairs of aligned sequence data (one mitochondrial, two nuclear genes) for Indian lacertids and reconstructed phylogenetic relationships using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference. We use a fossil-calibrated timetree, diversification analyses and ancestral area reconstructions to test the hypotheses of origin and relationships with Saharo-Arabian Ophisops.

Results: Ophisops is strongly supported as monophyletic, with a basal split into a large-bodied (LBC) and small-bodied clade (SBC). The Saharo-Arabian species are nested within the Indian species in the LBC. Species diversity in Indian Ophisops is grossly underestimated, with 26–47 candidate species. Ophisops began diversifying in the late Oligocene with significant rate shifts in the late Miocene-Pliocene and Pleistocene within the SBC.

Main conclusions: Our results are consistent with an ancient origin of grassland taxa and TGBs in India. Ophisops is a dramatic example of overlooked cryptic diversity outside forests, with ~30 species where five were known. Ophisops dispersed into India from the Saharo-Arabian Realm in the Oligocene with a back dispersal in the Middle Miocene, a novel biogeographical pattern. Diversification in the SBC of Ophisops increased 8-fold during the global C4 grassland expansion. Indian TGBs are old-growth ecosystems that need urgent conservation attention.

Habitats of Ophisops leschenaultii species complex, Tumkur District, Karnataka.

Ishan Agarwal and Uma Ramakrishnan. 2017. A Phylogeny of Open-habitat Lizards (Squamata: Lacertidae: Ophisops) Supports the Antiquity of Indian Grassy Biomes. Journal of Biogeography. DOI: 10.1111/jbi.12999

How lizards revealed the millennia-old evolution story of India’s grasslands

scroll.in/magazine/836758/how-lizards-revealed-the-ancient-evolution-story-of-indias-grasslands via @scroll_in

Polyipnus laruei

Vourey, Dupoux & Harold, 2017
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4263.3.8

Abstract

A new species of marine hatchetfish, Polyipnus laruei sp. nov., is described based on one specimen collected off New Caledonia, in the Western South Pacific. This species is distinguished from the thirty-three known species of Polyipnus by the unique presence of only one OVB photophore. The new species is placed in the P. spinosus species group, characterized by the presence of minute spines on the ventral PV photophore scales and an external multispinate posttemporal process.

Keywords: New Caledonia, Sternoptychidae, Polyipnus laruei, hatchetfish, taxonomy, Pisces, Western South Pacific

Elodie Vourey, Cyndie Dupoux and Antony Scott Harold. 2017. A New Species of Polyipnus (Stomiiformes: Sternoptychidae) from the Western South Pacific. Zootaxa. 4263(3); 567–577. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4263.3.8

Gekko nadenensis

Luu, Nguyen, Le, Bonkowski & Ziegler, 2017

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4263.1.10

Abstract

A new species of the Gekko japonicus group is described from Khammouane Province, central Laos, based on morphological characters and molecular data. Morphologically, Gekko nadenensis sp. nov. is differentiated from the remaining congeners by a combination of the following characters: size moderate (SVL 61.0–77.1 mm); nares bordered with rostral; internasals absent; postmentals enlarged; interorbital scales between anterior corners of the eyes 28–30; dorsal tubercles absent; ventral scales between mental and cloacal slit 175–185; midbody scale rows 123–140; ventral scale rows 38–40; subdigital lamellae on first toes 13–15, on fourth toes 14–16; finger and toe webbing present at base; tubercles on dorsal surface of fore and hind limbs absent; precloacal pores six (3+3 or 5+1) in a discontinuous row in males, absent in the female; postcloacal tubercles 1 or 2; tubercles absent on dorsal surface of tail base; subcaudals distinctly enlarged; dorsal surface of body with greyish brown blotches. Molecular analyses demonstrated the new species is closely related to G. bonkowskiiand G. thakhekensis, but separated from them by approximately 7% in genetic divergence as shown by a fragment of the mitochondrial ND2 gene.

Keywords: Gekko nadenensis sp. nov., Khammouane Province, karst forest, morphology, molecular phylogeny, Reptilia, Laos

FIGURE 2. Gekko nadenensis sp. nov. A) Dorsolateral view of the male holotype (VNUF R.2016.1);
B) dorsolateral view of the male paratype (NUOLR.2016.2).

Photos V. Q. Luu.

Gekko nadenensis sp. nov.

Distribution.Gekko nadenensis sp. nov. is currently known only from the type locality in the karst forest of Nang Log cave, Naden Village, Gnommalath District, Khammouane Province, central Laos.

Etymology. We name this species after its type locality, Naden Village, to underscore the importance of the limestone forest in terms of biodiversity and nature conservation. From this site another new gecko species (Cyrtodactylus rufford) was described recently (Luu et al. 2016). We suggest as common names: Naden Gecko (English), Kap Ke Naden (Laotian), and Naden Gecko (German).

FIGURE 2. Gekko nadenensis sp. nov. B) dorsolateral view of the male paratype (NUOLR.2016.2);
C) lateral view of the female paratype VNUF R.2015.16)

Photos V. Q. Luu.

Vinh Q. Luu, Thai Q. Nguyen, Minh D. Le, Michael Bonkowski and T. Ziegler. 2017. A New Karst Dwelling Species of the Gekko japonicus Group (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from central Laos. Zootaxa. 4263(1); 179–193. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4263.1.10

ResearchGate.net/publication/316824300_A_new_karst_dwelling_species_of_the_Gekko_japonicus_group_Squamata_Gekkonidae_from_central_Laos

Beibeilong sinensis

Pu, Zelenitsky, Lü, Currie, Carpenter, Xu, Koppelhus, Jia, Xiao, Chuang, Li, Kundrát & Shen, 2017DOI: 10.1038/NComms14952

Abstract

The abundance of dinosaur eggs in Upper Cretaceous strata of Henan Province, China led to the collection and export of countless such fossils. One of these specimens, recently repatriated to China, is a partial clutch of large dinosaur eggs (Macroelongatoolithus) with a closely associated small theropod skeleton. Here we identify the specimen as an embryo and eggs of a new, large caenagnathid oviraptorosaur, Beibeilong sinensis. This specimen is the first known association between skeletal remains and eggs of caenagnathids. Caenagnathids and oviraptorids share similarities in their eggs and clutches, although the eggs of Beibeilong are significantly larger than those of oviraptorids and indicate an adult body size comparable to a gigantic caenagnathid. An abundance of Macroelongatoolithus eggs reported from Asia and North America contrasts with the dearth of giant caenagnathid skeletal remains. Regardless, the large caenagnathid-Macroelongatoolithus association revealed here suggests these dinosaurs were relatively common during the early Late Cretaceous.

Systematic palaeontology

Theropoda Marsh 1881

Oviraptorosauria Barsbold 1976

Caenagnathidae Sternberg 1940

Beibeilong sinensis gen. et sp. nov.

Figure 1: Photograph of eggs and skeleton of Beibeilong sinensis (HGM 41HIII1219).
Right image shows schematic overlay of approximate locations of individual eggs. Eggs 1 through 4 are in an upper layer just beneath the skeleton, whereas Egg 5 is in a lower layer of the block. Scale bar is in centimetre.

The fossil (left) and a digital overlay (right) shows where the eggs were placed before they broke and fossilized. Notice the skeleton of the embryo next to the ruler.

Holotype. HGM 41HIII1219, a small, semi-articulated skeleton (‘Baby Louie’) associated with a partial nest of 6–8 eggs. The specimen is housed in the Henan Geological Museum (HGM), Zhengzhou, China.

the curled embryo of Beibelong on top of the eggs (eggshell is dark grey in color).

Photograph by Darla Zelenitsky, University of Calgary

An illustration of Beibeilong embryo and egg fossil, with reconstruction of skeleton and fleshed-out models to the right.

Figure 5: Reconstruction of Beibeilong embryo in ovo.
The drawing shows the approximate size of the Beibeilong embryo inside a Macroelongatoolithus egg.

drawn by Vladimir Rimbala

Diagnosis. A large caenagnathid that has the following unique suite of features: antorbital fossa demarcated by sharply defined alveolar and dorsoposterior trending ridges, posterodorsal margin of lacrimal overlapped by frontal, subantorbital portion of the maxilla is inset medially, pronounced retroarticular process with a distinct concave posterior facet (roughly as tall at the base as it is wide), preacetabular process of the ilium longer than postacetabular process, posterior end of the postacetabular process truncated or broadly rounded, and accessory trochanter of the femur weakly developed.

Locality and horizon. The specimen was discovered at a latitude/longitude of 33°15′30″ N, 111°43′41″ E in Heimaogou, 2 km east of Zhaoying Village, Yangcheng Township, Xixia County, Henan Province, People’s Republic of China. The locality is in the Upper Cretaceous Gaogou Formation (Cenomanian—Turonian)

Etymology. The generic name is derived from Chinese Pinyin ‘beibei’ for baby and ‘long’ for dragon. The specific name is derived from Latin referring to its discovery in China.

Beibeilong sinensis lived about 90 million years ago, during the Cretaceous period. The adults of this species were enormous, measuring up to 8 meters long from the snout to the end of the tail, and weighing up to 3,000 kilograms when fully grown at age 11.

Illustration: Zhao Chuang

Hanyong Pu, Darla K. Zelenitsky, Junchang Lü, Philip J. Currie, Kenneth Carpenter, Li Xu, Eva B. Koppelhus, Songhai Jia, Le Xiao, Huali Chuang, Tianran Li, Martin Kundrát and Caizhi Shen. 2017. Perinate and Eggs of A Giant Caenagnathid Dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous of central China. Nature Communications. 8, Article number: 14952. DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14952

First baby of a gigantic Oviraptor-like dinosaur belongs to a new species

eurekalert.org/e/7Xft via @UCalgary @EurekAlert

'Baby Dragon' Dinosaur Found Inside Giant Egg on.NatFeo.com/2pYHLPO via @NatGeo

Embryo of Colossal Dinosaur Was Preserved for 90 Million Years

shar.es/1FDLTy via @LiveScience

Desmognathus valentinei Means, Lamb & Bernardo, 2017

[lower] Range map for Desmognathus valentinei sp. nov. (orange) and D. auriculatus (blue) based on museum specimens and genetic analyses. Triangles represent D. valentinei sp. nov., and squares D. auriculatus. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4263.3.3

Abstract

The Coastal Plain of the southeastern U. S. is one of the planet’s top biodiversity hotspots and yet many taxa have not been adequately studied. The plethodontid salamander, Desmognathus auriculatus, was originally thought to occur from east Texas to Virginia, a range spanning dozens of interfluves and large river systems. Beamer and Lamb (2008) found five independent mitochondrial lineages of what has been called D. auriculatus in the Atlantic Coastal Plain, but did not examine the extensive distribution of D. auriculatus in the Gulf Coastal Plain. We present morphological and molecular genetic data distinguishing two evolutionarily independent and distantly related lineages that are currently subsumed under the taxon D. auriculatus in the eastern Gulf Coastal Plain. We describe one of these as a new species, Desmognathus valentinei sp. nov., and assign the second one to D. auriculatus which we formally redescribe.

Keywords: cryptic species; Gulf Coastal Plain, Desmognathus auriculatus, D. valentinei sp. nov., swamp habitat, Amphibia, U.S.A.

Desmognathus valentinei sp. nov.: holotype above and gravid female (unavailable as a paratype) below. Notice the longer head and snout and larger “jowls” of the male.

Desmognathus valentinei sp. nov.

Suggested common name:Valentine’s Southern Dusky Salamander

Etymology. Named for Barry D. Valentine, who originally recognized the distinctiveness of this new species in Mississippi from shaded, small-order stream populations of other Coastal Plain species of Desmognathus, and color differences with topotypic D. auriculatus (Valentine 1963).

FIGURE 5. Range map for Desmognathus valentinei sp. nov. (orange) and D. auriculatus (blue) based on museum specimens and genetic analyses. Triangles represent D. valentinei sp. nov., and squares D. auriculatus. Color corresponds with data used to assign each locality to either species (gray = museum specimen[s] only; orange and blue = sequence data from up to three genes). Locality numbers correspond with those in Table 1 and Figure 1.

Redescription ofDesmognathus auriculatus (Holbrook, 1838)

Suggested common name: Holbrook’s Southern Dusky Salamander

Etymology. Named for the broad, reddish-brown stripe from the lower eyelid to the top of the posterior part of the upper lip which is a pleisiomorphic character for species of Desmognathus. Holbrook (1838) coined the specific epithet in reference to the "reddish-brown spot near the ear" and "an oblong reddish-brown spot behind the ear" (from the Latin words auricula = little ear and the ending -atus = provided with or having the nature of) in what is otherwise a generally black salamander. Of course, salamanders do not have ears, per se.

adult male Desmognathus auriculatus from Ft. Stewart, Bryan Co., Georgia, near the type locality. Note longer snout in male; both may have regenerating tail tips;

D. B. Means, Jennifer Lamb and Joseph Bernardo. 2017. A New Species of Dusky Salamander (Amphibia: Plethodontidae: Desmognathus) from the Eastern Gulf Coastal Plain of the United States and A Redescription of D. auriculatus.
Zootaxa. 4263(3); 467–506. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4263.3.3

facebook.com/DBruceMeans/posts/1860310347543470

Zuul crurivastator

Arbour & Evans, 2017

DOI: 10.1098/rsos.161086

Abstract

The terrestrial Judith River Formation of northern Montana was deposited over an approximately 4 Myr interval during the Campanian (Late Cretaceous). Despite having been prospected and collected continuously by palaeontologists for over a century, few relatively complete dinosaur skeletons have been recovered from this unit to date. Here we describe a new genus and species of ankylosaurine dinosaur, Zuul crurivastator, from the Coal Ridge Member of the Judith River Formation, based on an exceptionally complete and well-preserved skeleton (ROM 75860). This is the first ankylosaurin skeleton known with a complete skull and tail club, and it is the most complete ankylosaurid ever found in North America. The presence of abundant soft tissue preservation across the skeleton, including in situ osteoderms, skin impressions and dark films that probably represent preserved keratin, make this exceptional skeleton an important reference for understanding the evolution of dermal and epidermal structures in this clade. Phylogenetic analysis recovers Zuul as an ankylosaurin ankylosaurid within a clade of Dyoplosaurus and Scolosaurus, with Euoplocephalus being more distantly related within Ankylosaurini. The occurrence of Z. crurivastator from the upper Judith River Formation fills a gap in the ankylosaurine stratigraphic and geographical record in North America, and further highlights that Campanian ankylosaurines were undergoing rapid evolution and stratigraphic succession of taxa as observed for Laramidian ceratopsids, hadrosaurids, pachycephalosaurids and tyrannosaurids.

KEYWORDS: Ornithischia, Thyreophora, Ankylosauria, Ankylosaurinae, Cretaceous, Campanian

Systematic palaeontology

Dinosauria Owen, 1842

Ornithischia Seeley, 1887

Thyreophora Nopcsa, 1915

Ankylosauria Osborn, 1923

Ankylosauridae Brown, 1908

Ankylosaurinae Brown, 1908

Ankylosaurini Arbour and Currie, 2016

ZUUL gen. nov.

Type and only known species: Zuul crurivastator gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology: The generic name refers to Zuul the Gatekeeper of Gozer, a fictional monster from the 1984 film Ghostbusters, and the species epithet, crurivastator, combines crus (Latin) for shin or shank, and vastator (Latin) for destroyer, in reference to the sledgehammer-like tail club.

Holotype: ROM 75860.

Diagnosis: Differs from all ankylosaurids in the possession of the following autapomorphies: imbricated, peaked frontonasal and frontoparietal caputegulae; prominent longitudinal furrows on the lateral surface of the squamosal horn; lateral caudal osteoderms along the tail club (excluding the knob osteoderms) are strongly concave on the leading edge with posteriorly offset apices; tail club knob dorsoventrally flat, with height to length ratio less than 0.20. Zuul can be further differentiated from other ankylosaurins in the following traits: possesses pyramidal prefrontal, frontoparietal and middle supraorbital caputegulae (unlike the conical caputegulae in Nodocephalosaurus and Talarurus); squamosal horns extend posteriorly well past the nuchal shelf, similar to Scolosaurus but unlike Anodontosaurus, Euoplocephalus, or Ziapelta; postocular caputegulae small and sparsely distributed, similar to Scolosaurus but unlike Anodontosaurus, Euoplocephalus or Ziapelta. Caudal osteoderms lateral to tail club handle are proportionately larger and more sharply pointed than in ankylosaurines from the Nemegt Formation of Mongolia.

Life restoration of Zuul crurivastator.

Illustration: Danielle Dufault

Zuul crurivastator size compared to an African elephant Loxodonta africana.

Illustration: Danielle Dufault

Holotype locality: Approximately 5 km northwest of the John Wodarz Bridge, in badlands exposures of the Judith River Formation outcropping along the north side of the Milk River Drainage near the City of Havre, Montana (Section 35, Township 33N, Range 15E). GPS coordinates for the quarry are reposited at the Royal Ontario Museum. The site was originally designated Theropoda Exp LLC Locality LC02(Q).

Stratigraphic horizon and age: Coal Ridge Member of the Judith River Formation. The Coal Ridge Member was deposited between 76.2 and 75.2 Ma.

Figure 6. Overview of the tail of Zuul crurivastator ROM 75860 in dorsal view, with insets of detailed anatomy.
(a) Field of ossicles in the anterior portion of the tail. (b) Detail of the neural arches of the handle caudal vertebrae, and ossified tendons. (c) Left caudal osteoderm from the seventh pair. (d) Preserved epidermal sheath on the right caudal osteoderm from the second pair. (e) Preserved epidermal sheath on the right caudal osteoderm from the third pair. (f) Epidermal scales lacking bony cores, arranged in a transverse row at the third pair of caudal osteoderms. (g) Close-up of the tail club knob.

The knob of bone forming the sledgehammer-like tip of the tail in Zuul crurivastator.

photo: Brian Boyle/Royal Ontario Museum

Conclusion:

ROM 75860 represents a new ankylosaurine genus and species, Zuul crurivastator from the Judith River Formation. The holotype specimen is one of the most complete dinosaur skeletons from this formation, and is the first ankylosaurid skeleton described from this unit. Remarkably, ROM 75860 is the first ankylosaurin skeleton known with a complete skull and tail club, and it is the most complete ankylosaurid ever found in North America. The presence of abundant soft tissue preservation across the skeleton, including in situ osteoderms, skin impressions and dark films that probably represent preserved keratin, make this exceptional skeleton an important reference for understanding the evolution of dermal and epidermal structures in this clade. The recognition of Z. crurivastator from the Judith River Formation fills a gap in the ankylosaurine stratigraphic and geographical record and further highlights that Laramidian ankylosaurines were undergoing rapid evolutionary rates and stratigraphic turnover as observed for Laramidian ceratopsids, hadrosaurids, pachycephalosaurids and tyrannosaurids. The excellent preservation of ROM 75860 and the abundant diversity represented elsewhere in the same quarry highlight the potential for significant new fossil discoveries in the upper Judith River Formation and emphasize the need for continued work in this historically significant geological unit.

Victoria M. Arbour and David C. Evans. 2017. A New Ankylosaurine Dinosaur from the Judith River Formation of Montana, USA, Based On An Exceptional Skeleton with Soft Tissue Preservation. Royal Society Open Science. DOI: 10.1098/rsos.161086

Meet Zuul, destroyer of shins - the 75m-year-old 'Ghostbuster' dinosaur https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/may/10/meet-zuul-destroyer-of-shins-the-75m-year-old-ghostbuster-dinosaur

An artistic reconstruction of the floating ammonite leaving behind the drag mark.

Illustration: James McKay

MCFO 0492, the drag mark created by the drifting shell of a dead ammonite (Subplanites rueppellianus)

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0175426

Abstract

Trackways and tracemakers preserved together in the fossil record are rare. However, the co-occurrence of a drag mark, together with the dead animal that produced it, is exceptional. Here, we describe an 8.5 m long ammonite drag mark complete with the preserved ammonite shell (Subplanites rueppellianus) at its end. Previously recorded examples preserve ammonites with drag marks of < 1 m. The specimen was recovered from a quarry near Solnhofen, southern Germany. The drag mark consists of continuous parallel ridges and furrows produced by the ribs of the ammonite shell as it drifted just above the sediment surface, and does not reflect behaviour of the living animal.

Fig 2. Various Plattenkalk localities of the Franconian and Swabian Alb.

Fig 1. MCFO 0492, the entire drag mark created by the drifting shell of a dead ammonite (Subplanites rueppellianus), with close-up of several portions. A. The first portion of the drag mark clearly showing two prominent ridges. B. Drag mark showing two prominent ridges with additional faint ridges. C. Drag mark showing four prominent ridges and a gentle curve. D. Drag mark showing numerous prominent ridges, along with the ammonite.

Large scale measures 1 m. Small scales measure 10 cm.DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0175426

Fig 3. The ammonite Subplanites rueppellianus, the producer of the drag mark (MCFO 0492). Note the touch down mark which changes the orientation (and number) of the ridges in the substrate, anteroventral to the ammonite. Scale measures 5 cm.

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0175426

Conclusions:

This exceptionally long fossil was produced by an ammonite shell post-mortem. The shell must have been partially buoyant, firstly because only a small portion of the shell contacts the substrate over the length of the mark, and secondly to be moved by a current that was gentle enough not to disturb the surrounding sediment. It is likely that the ammonite was losing buoyancy over the length of the drag mark, which resulted in eventual loss of all buoyancy and the ammonite falling on its side.

The drag mark of the studied specimen does not represent a mortichnion because it was not created by the animal when alive. Rather, this structure should more correctly be considered a tool mark. As such, behaviour must not be inferred from the drag mark of specimens such as MCFO 0492, and they have to be interpreted as non-biogenic structures produced by physical means. MCFO 0492 represents the hitherto longest fossil drag mark created by a dead animal, complete with the animal preserved at the end.

Dean R. Lomax, Peter L. Falkingham, Günter Schweigert and Alejandro P. Jiménez. 2017. An 8.5 m Long Ammonite Drag Mark from the Upper Jurassic Solnhofen Lithographic Limestones, Germany. PLoS ONE. 12(5): e0175426. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0175426

Zombie ammonite from Jurassic Bavaria | Elsa Panciroli
theguardian.com/science/2017/may/11/zombie-ammonite-discovery-is-snapshot-of-an-unusual-moment-in-deep-time

Cnemaspis leucura

Kurita, Nishikawa, Matsui & Hikida, 2017

Curse Rock Gecko | DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4258.6.2

Abstract

A new species of Asian rock gecko, genus Cnemaspis, is described from Padawan, western Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. The new species forms a clade with C. paripari and C. nigridia of the C. nigridia group in a mitochondrial DNA phylogeny and is similar to them morphologically in some characters such as caudal scalation. It differs from the other Asian Cnemaspis species in its unique combination of snout–vent length (up to 62.7 mm), 4–9 precloacal pores in males, keeled subcaudals with an enlarged, smooth, median row, presence of ventrolateral caudal tubercles, and coloration (head and upper flanks dark-yellow; anterior portion of tail black; posterior portion of tail white with black, paravertebral blob). Phylogenetic relationships within the C. nigridia group and the distributional ranges of species within the group suggest allopatric speciation by geographic isolation.

Keywords: Borneo, Gunung Penrissen, sandstone, Cnemaspis nigridia group, Reptilia, Malaysia

Cnemaspis leucura sp. nov., coloration in life of the holotype (SRC 00022)

Etymology. The specific epithet leucura is from the Greek leukos and oura, meaning white-tailed, referring to white subcaudal color on the posterior part of tail in the male holotype. The generic name is feminine in gender.

Distribution. Cnemaspis leucura is known from the montane area of Gunung Penrissen, Kuching District, Sarawak, East Malaysia.

Takaki Kurita, Kanto Nishikawa, Masafumi Matsui and Tsutomu Hikida. 2017. A New Species of Rock Gecko Genus Cnemaspis (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Western Sarawak, Malaysia. Zootaxa. 4258(6); 525–538. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4258.6.2

Buchnera carajasensis Scatigna & N. Mota

DOI: 10.1007/s12225-017-9698-1
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Summary

Buchnera carajasensis is described and illustrated. Information on its conservation status, taxonomy, habitat, geographic distribution, and phenology, along with a key to the Buchnera species found in Pará, is provided. The new species had previously been confused with B. tenuissima, a Mexican species, and is also similar to B. palustris, but exhibits differences in the inflorescence shape, in the indumentum, and in reproductive traits. The new species is apparently endemic to ironstone outcrops of the Serra dos Carajás, northern Brazil, and is assessed as Endangered in accordance with the IUCN criteria.

Key Words: Amazon, endemism, ironstone outcrops, Scrophulariaceae

Buchnera carajasensis Scatigna & N. Mota sp. nov.

Fig. 2. Buchnera carajasensisin habitat. A overall aspect of the plant; B basal portion of the plant; C – D flower in lateral view; E inflorescence with flower and fruit; F – G flower in front view; H – J fruit in lateral view, with persistent style and stigma.

PHOTOS: A, E, G P. L. VIANA; B – D, F, H – J N. F. O. MOTA. DOI: 10.1007/s12225-017-9698-1

ETYMOLOGY.The specific epithet refers to the name of the Serra dos Carajás, where the species is believed to be endemic.

André Vito Scatigna, Nara Furtado de Oliveira Mota and Pedro Lage Viana. 2017. Buchnera carajasensis (Orobanchaceae), A New Species from the Canga Vegetation of the Serra dos Carajás, Pará, Brazil.
Kew Bulletin. 72; 25. DOI: 10.1007/s12225-017-9698-1

facebook.com/KewBulletin/photos/1968154373417917

Mystacodon selenensis

Lambert, Martínez-Cáceres, Bianucci, Celma, Salas-Gismondi, Steurbaut, Urbina & Muizon, 2017

DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2017.04.026

Highlights

• An ancient whale is described based on a skeleton from the late Eocene of Peru

• It is identified as the earliest known mysticete (baleen whales and relatives)

• Skeletal anatomy provides crucial information on archaeocete-mysticete transition

• This whale is interpreted as specialized for suction and possibly benthic feeding

Summary

Although combined molecular and morphological analyses point to a late middle Eocene (38–39 million years ago) origin for the clade Neoceti (Odontoceti, echolocating toothed whales plus Mysticeti, baleen whales, and relatives), the oldest known mysticete fossil dates from the latest Eocene (about 34 million years ago) of Antarctica. Considering that the latter is not the most stemward mysticete in recent phylogenies and that Oligocene toothed mysticetes display a broad morphological disparity most likely corresponding to contrasted ecological niches, the origin of mysticetes from a basilosaurid ancestor and its drivers are currently poorly understood. Based on an articulated cetacean skeleton from the early late Eocene (Priabonian, around 36.4 million years ago) of the Pisco Basin, Peru, we describe a new archaic tooth-bearing mysticete, Mystacodon selenensis gen. et sp. nov. Being the geologically oldest neocete (crown group cetacean) and the earliest mysticete to branch off described so far, the new taxon is interpreted as morphologically intermediate between basilosaurids and later toothed mysticetes, providing thus crucial information about the anatomy of the skull, forelimb, and innominate at these critical initial stages of mysticete evolution. Major changes in the morphology of the oral apparatus (including tooth wear) and flipper compared to basilosaurids suggest that suction and possibly benthic feeding represented key, early ecological traits accompanying the emergence of modern filter-feeding baleen whales’ ancestors.

Systematics

Cetacea

Pelagiceti

Neoceti

Mysticeti

Mystacodontidae fam. nov.

Mystacodon selenensis gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology: From ancient Greek mystacos (“moustache”) in reference to the suborder Mysticeti and odontos (“tooth”), “mysticete with teeth,” and from Selene, the Greek goddess of the moon, in reference to the Playa Media Luna type locality.

Figure 1: Cranium, Mandible, and Teeth of Mystacodon selenensis gen. et sp. nov. MUSM 1917.

Cranium in dorsal (A), left lateral (B), and ventral (C) views; detail of left posterior lower teeth in lateral view (D); left mandible in lateral (E) and dorsal (F) views; and three detached anterior lower teeth (from left to right: incisor, incisor/canine, and ?p1) in lingual or labial and occlusal views (G).

aof, antorbital foramina; apm, antorbital process of maxilla; bn, bony nares; C, upper canine; c, lower canine; cp, coronoid process; ep, embrasure pit; I1–I3, upper incisors; i1–i3, lower incisors; iop, infraorbital plate; ju, jugal; la, lacrimal; M1 and M2, upper molars; m1–m3, lower molars; maf, mandibular fossa; mf, mental foramina; mg, mesorostral groove; mx, maxilla; na, nasal; nc, nuchal crest; P1–P4, upper premolars; p1–p4, lower premolars; pa, parietal; pmx, premaxilla; prpf, preorbital process of frontal; pspf, postorbital process of frontal; sq, squamosal; sym, mandibular symphysis; zpm, zygomatic process of maxilla; zyg, zygomatic process of squamosal. Scale bars for (A)–(C), (E), and (F), 200 mm; for (D), 20 mm; and for (G), 10 mm.

Two Mystacodon selenensis individuals diving down to catch eagle rays along the seafloor of a shallow cove off the coast of present-day Peru.

Illustration: Alberto Gennari

Holotype: Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (MUSM; Lima, Peru) 1917, partial skeleton including cranium, mandibles, teeth, cervical, thoracic, lumbar and caudal vertebrae, ribs, partial right and left forelimbs, and left innominate.

Locality: Playa Media Luna, southern part of Pisco Basin, southern coast of Peru, ...

Horizon: Middle part of the Yumaque Formation, 77 m above the base; lower part of calcareous nannofossil zone NP19/20 of Martini; dated at 36.4 million years ago based on age estimations used by Agnini et al. [2014]; early late Eocene (early Priabonian; see Figures S1A and S1D, Table S1, and STAR Methods for the biostratigraphic and biochronological interpretations).

Diagnosis: MUSM 1917 is identified as a Neoceti based on the following derived characters, absent in basilosaurid archaeocetes: partly open mesorostral groove; anteroposteriorly elongated rostral portion of maxilla; loss of sagittal crest; supraoccipital shield anterodorsally inclined; apex of zygomatic process of squamosal nearly contacting postorbital process of frontal; and distal epiphysis of the humerus divided in two angled radial and ulnar facets. It can be referred to the Mysticeti due to the following combination of derived characters: dorsoventrally thin lateral edge of maxilla on rostrum; presence of an antorbital process of the maxilla; presence of a maxillary infraorbital plate; and triangular supraoccipital shield. It is further diagnosed by two possibly autapomorphic features: nasal anteroposteriorly longer than frontal plus parietal and strong tuberosity on anterior edge of radius; two additional derived characters: posteriormost upper tooth anterior to level of antorbital process of maxilla and broad-based rostrum (ratio between width of skull at rostrum base and width at postorbital process > 0.8); and a series of plesiomophic features: supraoccipital shield not extending anterior to anterior level of squamosal fossa, only two dorsal infraorbital foramina, a basilosaurid dental formula 3.1.4.2/3.1.4.3, no wide diastemata between posterior cheek teeth, sutured mandibular symphysis, and well-defined acetabulum on innominate. Finally, MUSM 1917 lacks cranial synapomorphies of Odontoceti: facial concavity, presence of premaxillary foramen and premaxillary sac fossa, and posterior expansion of maxilla over the supraorbital region (Figures 1, 2, 3, and S2).

Members of the excavation team digging around the skeleton of Mystacodon selenensis at the Media Luna locality in the Pisco Basin, Peru.

photo: Giovanni Bianucci

Olivier Lambert, Manuel Martínez-Cáceres, Giovanni Bianucci, Claudio Di Celma, Rodolfo Salas-Gismondi, Etienne Steurbaut, Mario Urbina and Christian de Muizon. 2017. Earliest Mysticete from the Late Eocene of Peru Sheds New Light on the Origin of Baleen Whales. Current Biology. In Press. DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2017.04.026

36m-year-old fossil discovery is missing link in whale evolution, say researchers TheGuardian.com/science/2017/may/11/36m-year-old-fossil-discovery-is-missing-link-in-whale-evolution-say-researchers-mystacodon-selenensis

Baleen whales' ancestors were toothy suction feeders http://phy.so/413697728 via @physorg_com

This ancient whale likely sucked prey into its mouth like a giant vacuum cleaner https://www.theverge.com/tldr/2017/5/11/15610764/mysticete-whale-ancestor-suction-feeder-evolution via @Verge

Hyalinobatrachium yaku

Guayasamin, Cisneros-Heredia, Maynard, Lynch, Culebras & Hamilton, 2017
DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.673.12108

Abstract

Hyalinobatrachium is a behaviorally and morphologically conserved genus of Neotropical anurans, with several pending taxonomic problems. Using morphology, vocalizations, and DNA, a new species from the Amazonian lowlands of Ecuador is described and illustrated. The new species, Hyalinobatrachium yaku sp. n., is differentiated from all other congenerics by having small, middorsal, dark green spots on the head and dorsum, a transparent pericardium, and a tonal call that lasts 0.27–0.4 s, with a dominant frequency of 5219.3–5329.6 Hz. Also, a mitochondrial phylogeny for the genus is presented that contains the new species, which is inferred as sister to H. pellucidum. Conservation threats to H. yaku sp. n. include habitat destruction and/or pollution mainly because of oil and mining activities.

Keywords: Amazonia, Amphibia, Centrolenidae, Hyalinobatrachium, Ecuador, new species

Systematics

Hyalinobatrachium yaku sp. n.

Suggested English name: Yaku Glassfrog

Suggested Spanish name: Rana de Cristal Yaku

Figure 1. Hyalinobatrachium yaku sp. n. in life.
Top row: adult male, MZUTI 5001, holotype, in dorsal and ventral view.
Bottom row: adult male, paratype, QCAZ 55628.

Etymology: The specific epithet yaku is the Kichwa word for water. Water, in the form of streams, is fundamental for the reproductive biology of all glassfrogs. Water pollution, mainly through oil and mining activities, represents one of the biggest threats for Amazonian amphibians, as well as for numerous other water-dependent species.

Evolutionary relationships: All inferred phylogenetic trees show that Hyalinobatrachium yaku and H. pellucidum are sister species (Fig. 2). Trees obtained for each mitochondrial gene trees are congruent with the tree shown in Figure 2.

Distribution: Hyalinobatrachium yaku is only known from three localities on the Amazonian lowlands of Ecuador at elevations between 300–360 m. The two most-distant sites, Kallana in province of Pastaza, and San José de Payamino in province of Orellana, are approximately 110 km from one another, while Ahuano, province of Napo, is midway between them (Fig. 6). Given the geographic distance between the localities where the new species has been found, it is likely that H. yaku has a broader distribution, including areas in nearby Peru.

Figure 4. Juvenile of Hyalinobatrachium yaku in life, QCAZ 53354.

Juan M. Guayasamin, Diego F. Cisneros-Heredia, Ross J. Maynard, Ryan L. Lynch, Jaime Culebras and Paul S. Hamilton. 2017. A Marvelous New Glassfrog (Centrolenidae, Hyalinobatrachium) from Amazonian Ecuador.

ZooKeys. 673: 1-20. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.673.12108

Resumen: Hyalinobatrachium es un género de ranas Neotropicales con una morfología y comportamiento sumamente conservados, y con varios problemas taxonómicos no resueltos. Utilizando datos morfológicos, cantos y ADN, en el presente trabajo describimos una nueva especie de las tierras bajas de la Amazonía del Ecuador. La nueva especie, Hyalinobatrachium yaku sp. n., se diferencia de todos sus congenéricos por tener una serie de puntos mediodorsales color verde oscuros en la cabeza y cuerpo, pericardio transparente, y un canto tonal con una duración de 0.27–0.4 s, con una frecuencia dominante 5219.3–5329.6 Hz. También presentamos una filogenia mitocondrial del género, la cual incluye la nueva especie y a su especie hermana, H. pellucidum. Las amenazas de conservación para H. yaku sp. n. incluyen principalmente la destrucción y/o contaminación del hábitat debido a actividades mineras y petroleras.

Palabras claves: Amazonia, Amphibia, Centrolenidae, Hyalinobatrachium, Ecuador, nueva especie

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