Quantcast
Channel: Species New to Science
Viewing all 10274 articles
Browse latest View live
↧

[Herpetology • 2014] Nyctibatrachus kumbara | Kumbara Night Frog • Novel Breeding Behaviour and Parental Care in A Stream Dwelling New Species of Nyctibatrachus (Anura, Nyctibatrachidae) from the Western Ghats of India

May 15, 2014, 10:20 pm
$
0
0

Nyctibatrachus kumbara 
Gururaja, Dinesh, Priti & Ravikanth. 2014
A female (left) and male Kumbara Night Frog during their mating ritual.
Photo: K. V. Gururaja | newswatch.nationalgeographic.com

Abstract
Reproductive modes are diverse and unique in anurans. Selective pressures of evolution, ecology and environment are attributed to such diverse reproductive modes. Globally forty different reproductive modes in anurans have been described to date. The genus Nyctibatrachus has been recently revised and belongs to an ancient lineage of frog families in the Western Ghats of India. Species of this genus are known to exhibit mountain associated clade endemism and novel breeding behaviours. The purpose of this study is to present unique reproductive behaviour, oviposition and parental care in a new species Nyctibatrachus kumbara sp. nov. which is described in the paper. Nyctibatrachus kumbara sp. nov. is a medium sized stream dwelling frog. It is distinct from the congeners based on a suite of morphological characters and substantially divergent in DNA sequences of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene. Males exhibit parental care by mud packing the egg clutch. Such parental care has so far not been described from any other frog species worldwide. Besides this, we emphasize that three co-occurring congeneric species of Nyctibatrachus, namely N. jog, N. kempholeyensis and Nyctibatrachus kumbara sp. nov. from the study site differ in breeding behaviour, which could represent a case of reproductive character displacement. These three species are distinct in their size, call pattern, reproductive behaviour, maximum number of eggs in a clutch, oviposition and parental care, which was evident from the statistical analysis. The study throws light on the reproductive behaviour of Nyctibatrachus kumbara sp. nov. and associated species to understand the evolution and adaptation of reproductive modes of anurans in general, and Nyctibatrachus in particular from the Western Ghats.

Keywords: Axillary amplexus, oviposition, Kathalekan, mud pack, Myristica swamps, reproductive character displacement, Western Ghats


Gururaja, K. V., K. P. Dinesh, H. Priti & G. Ravikanth. 2014. Mud-Packing Frog: A Novel Breeding Behaviour and Parental Care in A Stream Dwelling New Species of Nyctibatrachus (Amphibia, Anura, Nyctibatrachidae). Zootaxa. 3796(1): 33–61. http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.1.2

New Frog Mates Doing Handstands, Does “Pottery” http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2014/05/16/new-species-frogs-animals-india-mating @NatGeo

↧
Search

[Paleontology • 2014] The Cretaceous (Cenomanian) continental record of the Laje do Coringa flagstone (Alcântara Formation), Brazil, northeastern South America

May 16, 2014, 12:37 pm
$
0
0

Fig. 4.On land: sauropod titanosaurids (left) and andesaurids (right); theropod spinosaurid (center) and noasaurid (right); sawfish Atlanticopristis equatorialis. Flying: Anhangueridae.
In the water: left – Mawsonia gigas (close to the surface), Pycnodontiform (middle) Myliobatis sp. (botton); right – Tribodus sp. (sharks), Lepidotes sp. (up), ceratodontid (middle), and the sawfish Onchopristis sp. (background).
illustration: Rodolfo Nogueira 

Highlights
• A summary of the Cretaceous flora and fauna of Alcântara Formation, Brazil.
• Evidence of the existence of a trans-oceanic Gondwanan fauna until the Cenomanian.
• Forested areas surrounded by dry environment in Brazilian northeastern coast.

Abstract
The fossil taxa of the Cenomanian continental flora and fauna of São Luís Basin are observed primarily in the bone bed of the Laje do Coringa, Alcântara Formation. Many of the disarticulated fish and tetrapod skeletal and dental elements are remarkably similar to the chronocorrelate fauna of Northern Africa. In this study, we present a summary of the continental flora and fauna of the Laje do Coringa bone-bed. The record emphasizes the existence of a trans-oceanic typical fauna, at least until the early Cenomanian, which may be interpreted as minor evolutionary changes after a major vicariant event or as a result of a land bridge across the equatorial Atlantic Ocean, thereby allowing interchanges between South America and Africa. The paleoenvironmental conditions in the northern Maranhão State coast during that time were inferred as forested humid areas surrounded by an arid to semi-arid landscape.

Keywords: Alcântara Formation; São Luís Basin; Cretaceous; Cenomanian


Manuel Alfredo Medeiros, Rafael Matos Lindoso, Ighor Dienes Mendes and Ismar de Souza Carvalho. 2014. The Cretaceous (Cenomanian) continental record of the Laje do Coringa flagstone (Alcântara Formation), northeastern South America. Journal of South American Earth Sciences. 53, 50–58. dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsames.2014.04.002

↧
↧

[Herpetology • 2003] A Revision of the Scaphiophryne marmorata Complex of Marbled Toads from Madagascar, including the Description of A New Species; Scaphiophryne boribory

May 16, 2014, 11:44 pm
$
0
0

female Scaphiophryne boribory 
photo: Olaf Pronk | https://flic.kr/p/dM2LPR

Scaphiophryne boribory 
Vences, Raxworthy, Nussbaum & Glaw, 2003

A revision of the available material hitherto assigned to the endemic Malagasy microhylid toad Scaphiophryne marmorata finds this taxon to be a complex of three species. In this study we resurrect Scaphiophryne spinosa Steindachner, 1882 from the synonymy of S. marmorata and describe a new species from central eastern Madagascar. These three Scaphiophryne species are characterized by their distinctly expanded terminal finger discs, a character only shared with S. gottlebei. S. spinosa is characterized by a highly granular back, with large spiny tubercles above the forelimb insertion and in the tympanic region, while S. marmorata is dorsally covered by less prominent and more regular tubercles. The new species is distinguished from both S. marmorata and S. spinosa by its large body size (SVL 47-60 mm), a smoother dorsal skin, and reddish terminal finger discs in life. S. spinosa is distributed in low- and mid-altitude rainforests along the east coast, whereas the new species is only known from mid-altitude rainforest in the
Fierenana region. In contrast, records of S. marmorata include eastern mid-altitude rainforests
and several more arid western sites.

Key words: Amphibia, Anura, Madagascar, Microhylidae, frog taxonomy.


Etymology. The specific name is an unlatinized epithet derived from the Malagasy adjective boribory (=rounded), and refers to the stout and rounded body shape of this species.

Distribution. Only known from two specific sites in the Fierenana region, central eastern Madagascar (Fig.3): (1) Ampahanana, and (2) Sahanomanana.


Venesci, M; Raxworthy, C. J.; Nussbaum, R. A.; Glaw, F. 2003. A Revision of the Scaphiophryne marmorata Complex of Marbled Toads from Madagascar, including the description of a new species. Herpetological Journal 13: 69–79.
Jeanneney Rabearivony, Achille P. Raselimanana, Manajary A. Andriamazava, Russell Thorstrom and Lily-Arison Rene de Roland. 2010. A new locality for the endangered microhylid frog Scaphiophryne boribory from northern Madagascar and a rapid survey of other amphibians of the Bemanevika region. Herpetology Notes. 3: 105-109
http://www.peregrinefund.org/docs/pdf/research-library/2010/2010-Rabearivony-microhylid.pdf

↧

[Herpetology • 2005] Scaphiophryne menabensis • A New Species of Scapiophryne from western Madagascar

May 17, 2014, 12:02 am
$
0
0

Scaphiophryne menabensisGlos , Glaw & Vences 2005

 Abstract
We describe the adult and larval morphology, advertisement call, ecology, and life history of a new species of Marbled Toad from the dry deciduous forests of western Madagascar on the basis of eight specimens from Kirindy Forest C. F. P. F. in the central Menabe area. Scaphiophryne menabensis n. sp. is larger, but morphologically similar to S. marmorata from the eastern rainforests. However, DNA sequence analysis of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene resulted in a clear differentiation from this species. The strongest mitochondrial affinities are with S. madagascariensis, a morphologically highly divergent species occurring in montane savanna and forest areas on the high plateau of Madagascar.

Julian Glos , Frank Glaw and Miguel Vences. 2005 A New Species of Scapiophryne from western Madagascar. Copeia. 2005(2): 252-261
doi: dx.doi.org/10.1643/CH-04-238R2 jstor.org/stable/4098531


↧

[Herpetology • 2006] Paradoxophyla tiarano • A New Narrow-mouthed Frog of the Genus Paradoxophyla (Microhylidae: Scaphiophryninae) from Masoala rainforest, northeastern Madagascar

May 17, 2014, 12:22 am
$
0
0


Paradoxophyla tiarano
Andreone, Aprea, Odierna, & Vences, 2006


Abstract
 A new microhylid frog of the genus Paradoxophyla is described from the rainforests of northeastern Madagascar (Masoala). Paradoxophyla tiarano n. sp. was found in still waters within rainforest. In external morphology it is similar to P. palmata, hitherto the only known species belonging to this genus, but it differs by a much less extended foot webbing. We also provide a description of the probable tadpole of the species, which is a specialized suspension feeder of the typical microhylid type. The new species also differs from P. palmata in karyology and mitochondrial DNA sequences. Paradoxophyla tiarano n. sp. is currently known from Masoala, but we suspect that its distribution might extend over a wider area in northeastern Madagascar.
Key Words. Amphibia, Anura, Microhylidae, Paradoxophyla, New species, Madagascar

Etymology: The specific epithet “tiarano” (pronounced: tee-how-row-noo) is a Malagasy term composed by two words: “tia”, which means “love” and “to love,” “to like,” and “rano,” meaning “water.” The name means “that one loving the water,” and is used as a noun in apposition, underlining the aquatic habits of this frog.


 Andreone, F., Aprea, G., Odierna, G., & Vences, M. 2006. A New Narrow-mouthed Frog of the Genus Paradoxophyla (Microhylidae: Scaphiophryninae) from Masoala rainforest, northeastern Madagascar. Acta Herpetologica. 1: 15-27.

↧
↧

[Herpetology • 2014] Scaphiophryne matsoko • An Enigmatic New Scaphiophryne toadlet (Anura: Microhylidae) from the Rainforests of north-eastern Madagascar

May 17, 2014, 12:40 am
$
0
0


Abstract
A new species of Scaphiophryne is described from north-eastern Madagascar. The new toadlet species is probably at least partly fossorial as can be judged from its large and sharp metatarsal tubercle, and seems to lead a secretive or strictly seasonal life since very few adult specimens were collected despite intensive field surveys in the region. The new species differs from all other Scaphiophryne, among other characters, by the absence of a tarsal tubercle and reminds the genus Paradoxophyla in its strongly marbled ventral pattern on belly and hindlimbs, and by its triangular head shape with pointed snout. 
Key words Anura; Microhylidae; Scaphiophryne; Scaphiophryne matsoko sp. n.; Marotondrano Special Reserve; tarsal tubercle.


Etymology. The species epithet is a noun in apposition to the genus name, derived from the Malagasy adjective "matsoko", used as to indicate something pointed for ward. It is used in this context to indicate to the pointed shape of the head of this species.

Distribution. The new species is known from (1) the type locality, Marotondrano Special Reserve, (2) Ambatovaky Special Reserve, (3) Ankarana River near Antalaha, (4) Tsararano and (5) Besariaka (see Fig. 5). All collecting sites are located at low to mid-altitudes (70 – 850 m asl) in north-eastern Madagascar.


Achille P. Raselimanana, Christopher J. Raxworthy, Franco Andreone, Frank Glaw & Miguel Vences. 2014. An Enigmatic New Scaphiophryne toadlet from the Rainforests of north-eastern Madagascar (Amphibia: Microhylidae). Vertebrate Zoology. 64 (1) 

↧

[Herpetology • 2014] Hylarana‬ centropeninsularis • A ‪‎New Species‬ of ‪‎Frog‬ of the Hylarana signata Complex (Anura: Ranidae) from Peninsular Malaysia‬

May 17, 2014, 6:21 am
$
0
0

Hylarana‬ centropeninsularis
Chan, Brown, Lim, Ahmad & Grismer 2014 ‪

Abstract
We describe a new species of ranid frog from the Hylaranasignata complex in Peninsular Malaysia based on morphological and genetic differentiation. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) adult males reaching 37.4–37.6 mm snout–vent length; (2) nuptial pads absent in males; (3) humeral glands in males large; (4) webbing on toes reduced, one phalanx free of web on postaxial side of Toe II and pre-axial side of Toe V; (5) dorsolateral stripe straight, continuous, red to orange in color; (6) middorsal region black, unmarked; (7) flanks black, coloration unstratified; (8) flanks, dorsal surfaces of limbs, and upper lip with large, round, yellow spots; (9) venter grayish-brown, with light spots on throat and light reticulations on ventrum. The new species is phenotypically most similar to Hylarana siberu but differs by having larger, more-dense, and more-rounded spots on the flanks and dorsal side of limbs, larger spots along the entire upper lip, and having light, distinct spots on the throat and light reticulations on the ventrum. We use mitochondrial data to estimate genealogical relationships and genetic divergences between the new species, H. siberu, a related and undescribed Sumatran population, and other members of the H. signata complex. These data unequivocally support the specific recognition of the new taxon and provide insights into its evolutionary relationships.

Keywords:Hylarana debussyi, H. siberu, Morphology, Sumatra, Systematics, Taxonomy


 Hylarana‬ centropeninsularis Chan, Brown, Lim, Ahmad & Grismer 2014 ‪
[Rana siberuLeong and Lim, 2004:261
Hylarana siberuChan and Norhayati, 2009:295; Chan et al., 2010:203]

Etymology: The specific epithet is derived from the Latin prefix ‘‘centro’’ (root = centrum) and the root ‘‘peninsularis’’ in reference to the type and only known localities of the new species in central Peninsular Malaysia.

Distribution: The new species is currently known from two adjacent localities in Pahang, central Peninsular Malaysia.

Kin Onn Chan, Rafe M. Brown, Kelvin K.P. Lim, Norhayati Ahmad and Lee Grismer. 2014. A ‪‎New Species‬ of ‪‎Frog‬ (Amphibia: Anura: Ranidae) of the Hylarana signata Complex from Peninsular Malaysia‬. Herpetologica. 70(2):228-240. http://dx.doi.org/10.1655/HERPETOLOGICA-D-13-00057

↧

[Botany / Ecology • 2014] True Mangrove Species of Sundarbans Delta, West Bengal, Eastern India

May 18, 2014, 4:57 am
$
0
0

Figure 4. The mangrove forest of Indian Sundarbans, showing the woody nature of the true mangrove plants.
Figure 5. Representative images of adaptive features for true mangroves in Indian Sundarbans:
 (d) Pneumatophores in Avicennia officinalis, (e) Knee roots in Xylocarpusmekongensis, (f) Stilt roots in Rhizophora mucronata

Abstract
 Varied opinions exist as to the species composition and ecological distinction of mangrove habitats of the Indian Sundarbans. Furthermore, distinction of true or major mangroves from mangrove-associate and minor species was left unresolved by past authors. The present study thus aimed to revise a species list of true mangroves in the Indian Sundarbans delta. An indexing of adaptive morpho-physiological characters of mangroves for the tidal-saline environment was conducted. The analysis illustrated 24 species of true mangroves in Indian Sundarbans, belonging to nine families. Of these, Rhizophoraceae showed maximum richness at each of the generic and specific categories assessed. The current study has highlighted the taxonomic richness and status of true mangrove from Indian Sundarbans, resolving the long debated distinction of true from minor and associate mangroves. 

Barik, J.; S. Chowdhury. 2014. True Mangrove Species of Sundarbans Delta, West Bengal, Eastern India. Check List. 10(2):329-334.

↧
Search

[PaleoOrnithology • 2005] Hongshanornis longicresta • Discovery of An ornithurine Bird and its Implication for Early Cretaceous Avian Radiation

May 20, 2014, 4:58 am
$
0
0

 Hongshanornis longicresta (高冠红山鸟)
an ornithurine bird from the late cretaceous found in the lacustrine deposits of the Lower Cretaceous Jehol Group in Inner Mongolia, China.

 Abstract
An ornithurine bird, Hongshanornis longicresta gen. et sp. nov., represented by a nearly complete and articulated skeleton in full plumage, has been recovered from the lacustrine deposits of the Lower Cretaceous Jehol Group in Inner Mongolia, northeast China. The bird had completely reduced teeth and possessed a beak in both the upper and lower jaws, representing the earliest known beaked ornithurine. The preservation of a predentary bone confirms that this structure is not unique to ornithischian dinosaurs but was common in early ornithurine birds. This small bird had a strong flying capability with a low aspect ratio wing. It was probably a wader, feeding in shallow water or marshes. This find confirms that the aquatic environment had played a key role in the origin and early radiation of ornithurines, one branch of which eventually gave rise to extant birds near the Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary. This discovery provides important information not only for studying the origin and early evolution of ornithurines but also for understanding the differentiation in morphology, body size, and diet of the Early Cretaceous birds.

Keywords: evolutionary radiation, fossil bird, Inner Mongolia, beak

Fig. 1. Holotype of ornithurine bird Hongshanornis longicresta gen. et sp. nov. from the Lower Cretaceous of Inner Mongolia, China (IVPP V14533). (Left) Part. (Right) Counterpart.


Zhonghe Zhou and Fucheng Zhang. 2005. Discovery of An ornithurine Bird and its Implication for Early Cretaceous Avian Radiation. PNAS. 102(52); 18998–19002, doi: dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0507106102

Luis M. Chiappe​, Bo Zhao, Jingmai K. O’Connor, Gao Chunling, Xuri Wang, Michael Habib, Jesus Marugan-Lobon, Qingjin Meng, Xiaodong Cheng. 2014. A New Specimen of the Early Cretaceous Bird Hongshanornis longicresta: insights into the Aerodynamics and Diet of a Basal ornithuromorph. PeerJ. 2:e234 DOI: dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.234

↧
↧

[PaleoOrnithology • 2010] Longicrusavis houi • A New ornithuromorph (Aves: Ornithothoraces) Bird from the Jehol Group indicative of Higher-level Diversity

May 20, 2014, 5:04 am
$
0
0

Life reconstruction of Longicrusavis houi in what was probably its favored habitat, shallow lake waters. A reconstruction of the fossil specimen itself is reflected in the water.
illustration: Stephanie Abramowicz,
Dinosaur Institute, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

Longicrusavis houi
O'Connor, Gao & Chiappe 2010


ABSTRACT
Basal Ornithuromorpha, until recently, was one of the most poorly documented segments of early avian evolution. The known species diversity of the ornithuromorph clade has increased rapidly with the addition of new discoveries from the Early Cretaceous deposits of northeastern China. Reported in this paper is the discovery of a new bird from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation, Liaoning Province, China. The specimen represents a new species, Longicrusavis houi, but bears similarities to Hongshanornis longicresta from the same formation of Inner Mongolia. The two birds are comparable in size and share an unusual sigmoid mandible and elongate hindlimbs relative to their forelimbs. Together these taxa represent a clade (Hongshanornithidae, new taxon) of specialized ‘shorebirds’ whose elongate hindlimbs indicate ecological adaptations different from those of other Jehol ornithuromorphs. Phylogenetic relationships of Mesozoic birds are discussed based on the results of a comprehensive cladistic analysis. New morphological information on Ornithuromorpha is provided through the detailed description of the new taxon together with new information on Hongshanornis.

O'Connor, J.K.; Gao, K.-Q.; and Chiappe, L.M. 2010. A New ornithuromorph (Aves: Ornithothoraces) Bird from the Jehol Group indicative of Higher-level Diversity. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 30 (2): 311–321. doi: dx.doi.org/10.1080/02724631003617498

New Bird Fossil Hints at More Undiscovered Chinese Treasures 
-- The study of Mesozoic birds and the dinosaur-bird transition is one of the most exciting and vigorous fields in vertebrate paleontology today. A newly described bird from the Jehol Biota of northeast China suggests that scientists have only tapped a small proportion of the birds and dinosaurs that were living at that time, and that the rocks still have many secrets to reveal. 
http://phy.so/188755666 via @physorg_com

↧

[Paleontology • 2014] Leinkupal laticauda • A Diplodocid Sauropod Survivor from the Early Cretaceous of South America (Bajada Colorada Formation of Neuquén Province, Patagonia, Argentina)

May 20, 2014, 8:56 am
$
0
0

The South American dinosaur Leinkupal laticauda uses its whiplike tail to fend off predators
illustration: Jorge Antonio Gonzalez 

Abstract

Diplodocids are by far the most emblematic sauropod dinosaurs. They are part of Diplodocoidea, a vast clade whose other members are well-known from Jurassic and Cretaceous strata in Africa, Europe, North and South America. However, Diplodocids were never certainly recognized from the Cretaceous or in any other southern land mass besides Africa. Here we report a new sauropod, Leikupal laticauda gen. et sp. nov., from the early Lower Cretaceous (Bajada Colorada Formation) of Neuquén Province, Patagonia, Argentina. This taxon differs from any other sauropod by the presence of anterior caudal transverse process extremely developed with lateroventral expansions reinforced by robust dorsal and ventral bars, very robust centroprezygapophyseal lamina in anterior caudal vertebra and paired pneumatic fossae on the postzygapophyses in anterior-most caudal vertebra. The phylogenetic analyses support its position not only within Diplodocidae but also as a member of Diplodocinae, clustering together with the African form Tornieria, pushing the origin of Diplodocoidea to the Middle Jurassic or even earlier. The new discovery represents the first record of a diplodocid for South America and the stratigraphically youngest record of this clade anywhere.

Systematic Paleontology

Dinosauria Owen, 1842

Saurischia Seeley, 1888
Sauropoda Marsh, 1878

Diplodocoidea Marsh, 1884
Flagellicaudata Harris & Dodson, 2004

Diplodocidae Marsh, 1884
Diplodocinae Marsh, 1884; Janensch, 1929

Leinkupal laticauda gen. et sp. nov.


Etymology: From lein, vanishing, and kupal, family. These are Mapudungun words, the language of the Mapuche Native American nation that inhabits northwestern Patagonia. The terms refer to the record of the last known representative of the family Diplodocidae. Meanwhile, lati, from latus, wide, and cauda, tail, in Latin words, refer to the broad tail evidenced by the lateral extension of the transverse processes in proximal caudal vertebrae.

Holotype: MMCH-Pv 63-1 (Museo Municipal “Ernesto Bachmann,” Villa El Chocón, Neuquén,), includes one anterior caudal vertebra (Caudal 7, see Description and comparisons below).


Pablo A. Gallina, Sebastián Apesteguía, Alejandro Haluza, Juan I. Canale. 2014. A Diplodocid Sauropod Survivor from the Early Cretaceous of South America. PLoS ONE. 2014; 9 (5): e97128 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0097128

Unique long-necked dinosaur unearthed in Argentina
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/05/15/world/unique-long-necked-dinosaur-unearthed-argentina

↧

[Mollusca • 2013] Three New Species of the Carnivorous Snail genus Perrottetia Kobelt, 1905 (Pulmonata, Streptaxidae) from Thailand

May 22, 2014, 8:46 am
$
0
0

Abstract
Three new species of the streptaxid snail genus Perrottetia are described from north and northeastern Thailand, Perrottetia aquilonaria sp. n.,Perrottetia dermapyrrhosa sp. n. and Perrottetia phuphamanensis sp. n. Each species is endemic to a single or a few limestone mountain ranges. The species are characterized by the morphology of their genital organs, as well as by shell characters. Perrottetia aquilonaria sp. n. has a club shaped distal penis and large penial hooks are present and penial papillae cover almost the entire penial hook portion; adjacent areas possess low reticulated folds. Perrottetia dermapyrrhosa sp. n. has a long genital atrium and the penial sheath is about two-thirds of the penis length. Penial hooks are long, scattered and sunken into deep ovate hollows; vaginal hooks are present. Perrottetia phuphamanensis sp. n. has a rounded and protruded shell periphery. The aperture is subcircular, peristome is thick and the second parietal lamella is adjacent to the first parietal lamella; a basal lamella is the smaller than in the other Thai species.

Keywords: Systematics, land snails, taxonomy, genitalia, predator





Thanit Siriboon, Chirasak Sutcharit, Fred Naggs, Somsak Panha. 2013. Three New Species of the Carnivorous Snail genus Perrottetia Kobelt, 1905 from Thailand (Pulmonata, Streptaxidae). ZooKeys. 287 (0): 41 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.287.4572

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/04/130415172415.htm
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/thailand-snail.html

↧

[Mollusca • 2013] Zospeum tholussum • A New eutroglobiont gastropod species (Gastropoda, Ellobioidea, Carychiidae) from 980 m depth in the Lukina Jama–Trojama cave system (Velebit Mts., Croatia)

May 22, 2014, 9:15 am
$
0
0


Abstract
A new species of the eutroglobiont gastropod taxon Zospeum Bourguignat, 1856 is described. Zospeum tholussum sp. n. is characterized based on a population from the Lukina Jama–Trojama cave system (Velebit Mts., Croatia). A single living specimen occurred at 980 m depth. The species is morphologically related to Zospeum amoenum (Frauenfeld, 1856), but can be readily distinguished from the latter by the presence of a weak columellar fold and its dome-like structured 2nd whorl. DNA barcoding is capable to clearly delineate Zospeum tholussum from other Zospeum spp. as well.
Keywords: DNA barcoding, cryptic species, biospeleology, eutroglobiont gastropod, cave-dwelling species, microgastropoda


The Lukina Jama–Trojama cave system. Overview of the geographical position and 3D cave cross-section. In the latter, the region of collected shells (1) and the collection site of the living specimen of Zospeum tholussum (2) are indicated.
The 3D cross-section was provided by D. Bakšić et al. (2010), Croatian Speleological Server, http://www.speleologija.hr/lukinajama. Photos were taken by J. Bedek.

Weigand AM. 2013. New Zospeum species (Gastropoda, Ellobioidea, Carychiidae) from 980 m depth in the Lukina Jama–Trojama cave system (Velebit Mts., Croatia). Subterranean Biology. 11: 45–53. doi: dx.doi.org/10.3897/subtbiol.11.5966


↧
↧

[Crustacea • 2013] Liropus minusculus • A New Species of Liropus (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Caprellidae) from California, USA, with an illustrated Key of the Genus

May 22, 2014, 7:41 pm
$
0
0



Abstract
A new species of the genus Liropus (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Caprellidae) is described based on specimens collected from a small cave of Santa Catalina Island, California. The new species, Liropus minusculus, can be distinguished from all its congeners mainly by the presence of anterolateral projections on pereonites 2, 3, and 4 (males), pereopod 5 one-articulate (although with a second article incompletely tabicated), basis of gnathopod 2 very elongate (males), and abdomen with two pairs of one-articulate appendages (males), one of them rudimentary. Up-to-date morphological comparisons among the world Liropus species are provided, together with an illustrated key to species. This is the first record of Liropus from the north-east Pacific.

Keywords: Crustacea, Amphipoda, Caprellidae, Liropus, new species, North Pacific, California


José M. Guerra-García, Ed A. Hendrycks. 2013. A New Species of Liropus (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Caprellidae) from California, USA, with an illustrated Key of the Genus. Zootaxa. 3718 (5): 467 DOI: http://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.3718.5.3

Macarena Ros, Maite Vázquez-Luis, José Manuel Guerra-García. The tropical caprellid amphipod Paracaprella pusilla: a new alien crustacean in the Mediterranean Sea. Helgoland Marine Research, 2013; DOI: 10.1007/s10152-013-0353-4

New species of crustacean discovered on coast of California -- ScienceDaily http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131119082836.htm

↧

[Herpetology • 2012] Xenophrys jinggangensis • A New Species of the Genus Xenophrys Günther, 1864 (Anura: Megophryidae) from Mount Jinggang, eastern China, based on Molecular and Morphological Data

May 26, 2014, 7:46 am
$
0
0

female Holotype Xenophrys jinggangensis Wang 2012

Abstract
A new species, Xenophrys jinggangensis sp. nov., is described based on a series of specimens collected from Mount Jinggang, Jiangxi Province, Eastern China. The new species can be easily distinguished from other known congeners by morphology, morphometrics and molecular data of the mitochondrial 16SrRNA gene. The new species is characterized by its small size with adult females measuring 38.4–41.6 mm in snout-vent length and males measuring 35.1–36.7 mm; head length approximately equal to head width; tympanum large and distinct, about 0.8 times of eye diameter; vomerine teeth on two weak ridges; tongue not notched behind; relative finger length II < I < IV < III; slight lateral fringes present on digits; toes bases with thick, fleshy web; dorsum with tubercles and swollen dorsolateral folds; large pustules scattered on flanks; and unique color patterns. The new species represents the thirty-first known Xenophrys in China.

Key words: Megophryidae, Xenophrysjinggangensis sp. nov., morphology, mitochondrial DNA, taxonomy

FIGURE 3. 3A: Dorsal view of the adult female holotype SYS a001430 of Xenophrys jinggangensis sp. nov. in life. 3B: Lateral view of the holotype in life. 3C and 3D: Hand and foot of the holotype in life.
Photo Ying-Yong Wang and Jiang-Mo Zhang.

FIGURE 4. 4A: General aspect of the adult female paratype SYS a001413 in life. 4B: X. jinggangensis active at night on a rock in a mountain stream on 10 September 2011. 4C: Dorsal view of X. jinggangensis tadpole at stage 38 of in life on 5 December 2011.
Photo Ying-Yong Wang and Jian Zhao.


Distribution and biological ecology. Currently, X. jinggangensis sp. nov. is known only from the type locality, Mount Jinggang, located in the middle of the Luoxiao Range, running along the border between Jiangxi and Hunan Provinces, China. All individuals were found in small, slow-moving montane streams surrounded by moist subtropical evergreen broadleaved forests between 700–850 m elevations (Figure 1, 5).
Etymology. The specific epithet “jinggangensis” is in reference to the type locality, Mount Jinggang, Jiangxi Province, China.


Wang, Ying-yong, Tian-du Zhang, Jian Zhao, Yik-Hei Sung, Jian-huan Yang, Hong Pang & Zhong Zhang. 2012. Description of A New Species of the Genus Xenophrys Günther, 1864 (Amphibia: Anura: Megophryidae) from Mount Jinggang, China, based on Molecular and Morphological data. Zootaxa. (3546): 53-67.

↧
Search

[Herpetology • 2014] Xenophrys lini & X. cheni • Morphology, Molecular Genetics, and Bioacoustics Support Two New Sympatric Xenophrys Toads (Anura: Megophryidae) in Southeast China

May 26, 2014, 8:09 am
$
0
0

upper Xenophrys lini sp. nov. A. adult male holotype. D. adult female paratype
lower Xenophrys cheni sp. nov. A. adult male holotype. D. adult female paratype
Abstract
Given their recent worldwide declines and extinctions, characterization of species-level diversity is of critical importance for large-scale biodiversity assessments and conservation of amphibians. This task is made difficult by the existence of cryptic species complexes, species groups comprising closely related and morphologically analogous species. The combination of morphology, genetic, and bioacoustic analyses permits robust and accurate species identification. Using these methods, we discovered two undescribed Xenophrys species, namely Xenophrys lini sp. nov. and Xenophryscheni sp. nov. from the middle range of Luoxiao Mountains, southeast China. These two new species can be reliably distinguished from other known congeners by morphological and morphometric differences, distinctness in male advertisement calls, and substantial genetic distances (>3.6%) based on the mitochondrial 16s and 12s rRNA genes. The two new species, together withX. jinggangensis, are sympatric in the middle range of Luoxiao Mountains but may be isolated altitudinally and ecologically. Our study provides a first step to help resolve previously unrecognized cryptic biodiversity and provides insights into the understanding of Xenophrys diversification in the mountain complexes of southeast China.

Figure 2. Bayesian inference and maximum-likelihood phylogenies.
The species Paramegophrys oshanensis and Megophrys nasuta were included as outgroup.

Figure 1. Sampling localities of Xenophrys toads in southern China.
These include: I. Huangshan Mountains, here collected refer to X. huangshanensis from Mt. Dazhang, Wuyuan, Jiangxi; II. X. boettgeri from Mt. Tongbo, Jiangxi; III. X. boettgeri from Mt. Yangjifeng, Jiangxi; IV. X. kuatunensis from Guadun ( = Kuatun), Fujian; V. X. brachykolos from Hong Kong; VI. X. mangshanensis from Mt. Nanling, Guangdong; VII. X. minor from Mt. Emei and Mt. Laojun, Sichuan; VIII. the middle Luoxiao Mountains: X. jinggangensis from the peak of Mt. Jinggang, Jiangxi (a), and Taoyuandong, Hunan (d); Xenophrys lini sp. nov. from Dabali (b) and Niushiping (g) in Hunan; Jingzhushan (c), Bamianshan (e), Nafengmian (i) in Jiangxi; Xenophrys cheni sp. nov. from Jingzhushan (c), Jiangxi, Dayuan (f) and Lishuzhou (h) in Hunan.

Xenophrys lini Wang and Yang sp. nov

Figure 5.Xenophrys linisp. nov.
A. Dorsolateral view of the live adult male Xenophrys lini sp. nov holotype SYS a001420. B: Ventral view of the live holotype. C: A clump of tiny black nuptial spines on the thumb of the preserved holotype. D: Dorsolateral views of the live adult female paratype SYS r0001423. E: Foot with wide lateral fringes and rudimentary webbings on the toes in paratype SYS a002372. F and G: Lateral and dorsal view of X. lini sp. nov. tadpole at stage 32th in preservative.
Photographed by YYW. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0093075.g005

Etymology: The specific epithet “lini” is in honor of late Professor and botanist Ying Lin (1914–2003), vice chancellor (1979–1983) of Nanchang University (Jiangxi Province, China), in recognition of his efforts on biodiversity surveys and research in Mt. Jinggang in the 1970s and 80s.

Distribution and biological ecology: Currently, X. lini sp. nov. is known only from the Bamianshan, Jingzhushan, Nanfengmian Nature Reserve and Dabali, within the range of Mt. Jinggang, Jiangxi Province, and from adjacent Taoyuandong Nature Reserve, Hunan Province which are located in the middle of Luoxiao Mountains, running along the border between the Jiangxi and Hunan Provinces, China. All individuals were found in rushing mountain streams surrounded by moist subtropical evergreen broadleaved forests between elevations of 1100–1610 m 



Xenophrys cheni Wang and Liu sp. nov

Figure 6.Xenophrys chenisp. nov.
A: Dorsolateral view of the live adult male Xenophrys cheni sp. nov. holotype SYS a001873. B: Ventral view of the live holotype. C: Foot with wide lateral fringes and rudimentary webbing on the toes in the live holotype. D and E: Dorsolateral and ventral views of the live adult female paratype SYS r001429. F and G: Hand and foot of the live paratype SYS r001429.
Photographed by YYW and JZ. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0093075.g005

Etymology: The specific epithet “cheni” is in honor of Mr. Chun-Quan Chen, former director of Mt. Jinggang National Nature Reserve, Jiangxi Province, China, in recognition of his dedication to the biodiversity conservation of Mt. Jinggang.

Distribution and biological ecology: Currently, X. cheni sp. nov. is known from the Jingzhushan, Mt. Jinggang, and adjacent Lishuzhou Village, Dayuan Farm, Taoyuandong Nature Reserve; both located in the middle of Luoxiao Mountains, running along the border between the Jiangxi and Hunan Provinces, China. All individuals were found in mountainous swamps surrounded by moist subtropical evergreen broadleaved forests at elevations of about 1200–1530 m 



Yingyong Wang, Jian Zhao, Jianhuan Yang, Zhixin Zhou, Guoling Chen and Yang Liu. 2014. Morphology, Molecular Genetics, and Bioacoustics Support Two New Sympatric Xenophrys Toads (Amphibia: Anura: Megophryidae) in Southeast China. PLoS ONE. 9(4): e93075. doi: dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0093075

↧

[Ichthyology • 2007] ปลาหางไหม้ | Balantiocheilos ambusticauda | Burnt-tailed Barb • A New and Possibly Extinct Species of cyprinid Fish (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from the Mekong and Chao Phraya river drainages in Indochina (mainland Southeast Asia)

May 29, 2014, 7:54 am
$
0
0

ปลาหางไหม้ : Balantiocheilos ambusticauda 
Ng & Kottelat 2007
photo: siamensis.org

Abstract
Balantiocheilos ambusticauda sp. nov. is described from the Mekong and Chao Phraya river drainages in Indochina (mainland Southeast Asia). It can be distinguished from its only congener, B. melanopterus, in having a shorter snout (27.5–33.9% HL vs. 33.2–39.1), posteriorly directed grooves at rictus curved (vs. straight), and narrower black margins on the pelvic and anal fins (on distal third or less vs. on distal half or more). The possibility that B. ambusticauda is extinct is also discussed.

Key words: Mekong, Chao Phraya, Systomini, Osteobramae

ปลาหางไหม้
วาดโดยหลวงมัศยจิตรการ | siamensis.org



นณณ์ ผาณิตวงศ์. 2554. ปลาหางไหม้สายพันธุ์ไทย ก่อนที่จะไม่เหลือแม้แต่ความทรงจํา.  http://siamensis.org/article/4880


Ng, H. H.  and M. Kottelat.  2007. Balantiocheilos ambusticauda, A New and Possibly Extinct Species of cyprinid Fish from Indochina (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae). Zootaxa. 1463: 13-20. 
http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2007f/z01463p020f.pdf  
http://www.cypriniformes.org/Cypriniformes%20from%20Alfred/Ng&Kottelat%202007d%20Balantiocheilos.pdf
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/content.php?sid=1206

นณณ์ ผาณิตวงศ์. 2554. ปลาหางไหม้สายพันธุ์ไทย ก่อนที่จะไม่เหลือแม้แต่ความทรงจํา http://siamensis.org/article/4880
สิริวรรณ สุขศรี. 2554. ปลาหางไหม้ไทย (Balantiocheilos ambusticauda Ng & Kottelat, 2007) ความแตกต่างระหว่างชนิดและการสูญพันธุ์จากประเทศไทย  http://www.fisheries.go.th/if-center/web2/images/diversity/balan.pdf

Mekong
http://www.mrcmekong.org/assets/Publications/Catch-and-Culture/CatchCulturevol15.2.pdf
http://www.unepscs.org/Wetlands_Training/Wetland%20Flora%20Fauna%20and%20Processes/05-Fish-Wetlands-South-China-Sea-Presentation.pdf

↧
↧

[PaleoOrnithology • 1999] Pumiliornis tessellatus • A New Enigmatic Bird from the Middle Eocene of Grube Messel (Hessen, Germany)

May 29, 2014, 2:36 am
$
0
0


Abstract
Pumiliornis tessellatus n. gen. n. sp. is described from the Middle Eocene of Grube Messel (Hessen, Germany). This bird combines gruiform and charadriiform characters with a columbiform foot and therefore resembles Rhynchaeites messelensis WITTICH, a species also found in Messel. Pumiliornis tessellatus can be clearly distinguished from all extant taxa, but it has not been possible to ascertain whether the similarities it shares with Rhynchaeites messelensis are synapomorphic, symplesiomorphic or convergent.
Keywords: Messel, Eocene, birds, Rhynchaeitesmesselensis

Etymology: pumilio (Lat.): dwarf, ornis (Gr.): bird. | tessellatus(Lat.): mosaic  because of the mosaic distribution of characters typical for different higher avian taxa.


Gerald MAYR. 1999. Pumiliornis tessellatus n. gen. n. sp., A New Enigmatic Bird from the Middle Eocene of Grube Messel (Hessen, Germany). Cour. Forsch.-Inst. Senckenberg. 216:75-83.
http://www.senckenberg.de/files/content/forschung/abteilung/terrzool/ornithologie/pumiliornis.pdf

↧

[PaleoOrnithology • 2014] Eocene Fossil is Earliest Evidence of Flower-visiting by Birds, Pumiliornis tessellatus, from Messel, Germany

May 29, 2014, 3:30 am
$
0
0

Figure 1. Skeleton of Pumiliornis tessellatus from the Middle Eocene of Messel (SMF-ME 11414a) with preserved stomach contents. (a) Overview of specimen, framed area indicates position of detail shown in (b), stomach contents are encircled.

Abstract
Birds are important pollinators, but the evolutionary history of ornithophily (bird pollination) is poorly known. Here, we report a skeleton of the avian taxon Pumiliornis from the middle Eocene of Messel in Germany with preserved stomach contents containing numerous pollen grains of an eudicotyledonous angiosperm. The skeletal morphology of Pumiliornis is in agreement with this bird having been a, presumably nectarivorous, flower-visitor. It represents the earliest and first direct fossil evidence of flower-visiting by birds and indicates a minimum age of 47 million years for the origin of bird–flower interactions. As Pumiliornis does not belong to any of the modern groups of flower-visiting birds, the origin of ornithophily in some angiosperm lineages may have predated that of their extant avian pollinators.

Keywords: bird pollination, ornithophily, fossil, birds, Messel, Eocene


Gerald Mayr and Volker Wilde. 2014. Eocene Fossil is Earliest Evidence of Flower-visiting by Birds. Biol. Lett. 10(5); 20140223 doi: dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2014.0223

Pumiliornis tessellatus: Oldest Known Fossil of Nectarivorous Bird Discovered 


↧

[Herpetology • 2012] Evolution of Gliding in Southeast Asian Geckos and Other Vertebrates is Temporally Congruent with Dipterocarp Forest Development

May 30, 2014, 9:21 pm
$
0
0

Figure 1. (a,c,e) Gliding geckos and (b,d,f) non-gliding relatives. Note digital webbing and lateral flaps in gliders. (a) Hemidactylus (Cosymbotus) craspedotus; (b) Hemidactylus garnotii; (c) Luperosaurus cumingii; (d) Lepidodactylusvanuatuensis; (e) Ptychozoon lionotum and (f) Gekko vittatus.

Abstract
Gliding morphologies occur in diverse vertebrate lineages in Southeast Asian rainforests, including three gecko genera, plus frogs, snakes, agamid lizards and squirrels. It has been hypothesized that repeated evolution of gliding is related to the dominance of Asian rainforest tree floras by dipterocarps. For dipterocarps to have influenced the evolution of gliding in Southeast Asian vertebrates, gliding lineages must have Eocene or later origins. However, divergence times are not known for most lineages. To investigate the temporal pattern of Asian gliding vertebrate evolution, we performed phylogenetic and molecular clock analyses. New sequence data for geckos incorporate exemplars of each gliding genus (Cosymbotus, Luperosaurus and Ptychozoon), whereas analyses of other vertebrate lineages use existing sequence data. Stem ages of most gliding vertebrates, including all geckos, cluster in the time period when dipterocarps came to dominate Asian tropical forests. These results demonstrate that a gliding/dipterocarp correlation is temporally viable, and caution against the assumption of early origins for apomorphic taxa.
Keywords: volant, parachuting, Sundaland, phylogeny, Reptilia, Mammalia



Matthew P. Heinicke, Eli Greenbaum, Todd R. Jackman and Aaron M. Bauer. 2012. Evolution of Gliding in Southeast Asian Geckos and Other Vertebrates is Temporally Congruent with Dipterocarp Forest Development. Biol. Lett. 1–4. doi: dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2012.0648
http://royalsocietypublishing.org/content/8/6/994

↧
Viewing all 10274 articles
Browse latest View live
Search
<script src="https://jsc.adskeeper.com/r/s/rssing.com.1596347.js" async> </script>