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[Botany • 2017] Calanthe cootesii • A New Species (Orchidaceae; Epidendroideae; Collabieae) from the Southern Philippines

August 1, 2017, 1:59 am
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Calanthe cootesii  M.A. Naive


Abstract

Calanthe cootesii M.A. Naive from Mt. Maagnaw, Kitanglad Mountain Range, Bukidnon, is described and illustrated. Morphological diagnostic characters of related species of the genus are discussed. Though similar to C. brassii Ormerod, the new species is clearly distinguished by having a marked difference in the shape of the lip and the reflexed and recurved floral segments. It is also allied to C. davaensis Ames, but the new species is clearly distinguished by having smaller and greenish flowers with an indistinct spur.

Keyword: Bukidnon, Calanthe cootesii, Kitanglad Mountain Range, Mt. Maagnaw, New species, Orchidaceae, Philippines


Fig. 2. Calanthe cootesii M.A. Naive. A. Habit B. Inflorescence (Taken from Holotype M.A. Naive 016/2017)
 Photos by: Mark Arcebal K. Naive. 

Calanthe cootesii M.A. Naive, sp. nov. 

Type: PHILIPPINES, Northern Mindanao, Bukidnon, Kitanglad Mountain Range, Mt. Maagnaw, terrestrial in mossy forest with deeply shaded locations and humid environments along the trail, elevation 2645 m, 15 April 2017, M.A. Naive 016/2017 (HOLOTYPE: CMUH00010871 with spirit collection) 

Diagnosis: Calanthe cootesii M.A. Naive is similar to Calanthe brassii Ormerod, however, it can be recognized by having a marked difference in the shape of the lip, and the midlobe which is short, bilobed and triangular. It also differs in having revolute and reflexed floral segments and by having a slightly reclinate pedicel and ovary. By having a revolute and reflexed sepals and petals, C. cootesii is allied to Calanthe davaensis, but differs significantly in smaller and greenish flowers, the shape of the floral segments, and the leaves. Also, C. cootesii is clearly distinguished from C. davaensis by having an indistinct spur (vs. distinct spur).


Etymology: Named in honour of my mentor, Jim Cootes, a distinguished Philippine native orchid expert and taxonomist.

 Ecology: Calanthe cootesii is a terrestrial understory herb, growing in leaf litter, humus-rich soils in mossy forest at an elevation between 2600–2700 metres above sea level.

Distribution: Calanthe cootesii is a local endemic species, only collected at the type locality in Mount Maagnaw, Kitanglad Mountain Range, Bukidnon, Northern Mindanao, Philippines.




Mark Arcebal K. Naive. 2017. Calanthe cootesii sp. nov. (Orchidaceae; Epidendroideae; Collabieae): A New Species from the Southern Philippines.
Taiwania. 62(3);331-334.  DOI: 10.6165/tai.2017.62.331

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[Entomology • 2017] Remarkable Sexual Dimorphism, Rarity and Cryptic Species: A Revision of the ‘aegrota species group’ of the Neotropical Butterfly Genus Caeruleuptychia Forster, 1964 (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Satyrinae) with the Description of Three New Species

August 1, 2017, 2:30 am
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male Sunburst Cerulean-Satyr, Caeruleuptychia helios  (Weymer, 1911)


Abstract

The ‘aegrota species group’ of the Neotropical nymphalid genus Caeruleuptychia Forster, 1964, in addition to three other superficially similar, enigmatic species in the genus, are revised. A lectotype is designated for Euptychia aegrota Butler, 1867, E. aetherialis Butler, 1877 stat. rev., E. helios Weymer, 1911 and E. pilata Butler, 1867, and C. aetherialis is resurrected from its synonymy with C. aegrota. Caeruleuptychia helios caelestissima Brévignon, 2010, syn. nov., and Magneuptychia keltoumae Brévignon & Benmesbah, 2012, syn. nov. are both regarded as junior subjective synonyms of C. helios (Weymer, 1911), as a result of the discovery and first illustration of the female of this taxon. The female of C. aegrota is also described and illustrated for the first time, and three new species, Caeruleuptychia trembathi Willmott, Nakahara, Hall & Neild, sp. nov., C. scripta Nakahara, Zacca & Huertas, sp. nov., and C. maryzenderae Lamas & Nakahara, sp. nov. are described and named. We analyze morphological and molecular data separately, in addition to combining morphological data with molecular data, to provide the first phylogenetic hypothesis for the taxa treated in this revision.

Keywords: eastern Andes; Amazonian forest; DNA barcode; synonym; taxonomy; Euptychiina; lectotype; Magneuptychia

   
The iridescent blue male sunburst cerulean-satyr, Caeruleuptychia helios, top, was not linked with its female counterpart until DNA bar codes showed they were the same species.
 photos by Shinichi Nakahara, Florida Museum of Natural History

This iridescent blue male sunburst cerulean-satyr, Caeruleuptychia helios, was found at Villa Carmen Biological Station in Peru. Researchers attracted the butterfly with fermented fish and human urine.
Photo: Andrew Neild 

Caeruleuptychia trembathi  Willmott, Nakahara, Hall & Neild, 2017

DNA barcoding also revealed a new species: Trembath’s cerulean-satyr, or Caeruleuptychia trembathi. The male, top, is also strikingly different than the female.
 photos of male by Keith Willmott; photos of female by Andrew Neild 
  

Shinichi Nakahara, Thamara Zacca, Blanca Huertas, Andrew F. E. Neild, Jason P. W. Hall, Gerardo Lamas, Lauren A. Holian, Marianne Espeland and Keith R. Willmott. 2017. Remarkable Sexual Dimorphism, Rarity and Cryptic Species: A Revision of the ‘aegrota species group’ of the Neotropical Butterfly Genus Caeruleuptychia Forster, 1964 with the Description of Three New Species (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Satyrinae).  Insect Systematics & Evolution. DOI: 10.1163/1876312x-00002167

A case of mistaken identity: DNA links male, female butterfly thought to be distinct species.
https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/a-case-of-mistaken-identity-dna-links-male-female-butterfly-thought-to-be-distinct-species/

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[Paleontology • 2017] Premaxillary Crest Variation within the Wukongopteridae (Reptilia, Pterosauria) and Comments on Cranial Structures in Pterosaurs

August 1, 2017, 3:12 am
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Figure 1: The variation of cranial crest within the Wukongopteridae.
Kunpengopterus sinensis (IVPP V 16047), (a) complete skull and (b) close-up of the area in the white frame of a, showing the flat crestless skull roof;
holotype of Darwinopterus linglongtaensis (IVPP V 16049), (c) complete skull and (d) close-up of the area in the white frame of c; new specimen (IVPP V 17957), (e) complete skull (inverted), and (f) close-up of the area in the white frame of e; IVPP V 17959 (g) complete skull (inverted), and (h) close-up of the area in the white frame of g, with arrow 1 pointing at the low premaxillary crest and arrow 2 pointing at the crestless middle portion of the premaxilla;
Darwinopterus robustodens (holotype, HGM 41HIII-0309A) (i) complete skull based on Lü et al. 2011b), and (j) close-up of the area in the white frame of i.

Scale bar: 50mm in a, c, e, g, i; 10mm in b, d, f, h, j. 
Cheng, Jiang, Wang & Kellner, 2017.   DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765201720160742 



ABSTRACT

Cranial crests show considerable variation within the Pterosauria, a group of flying reptiles that developed powered flight. This includes the Wukongopteridae, a clade of non-pterodactyloids, where the presence or absence of such head structures, allied with variation in the pelvic canal, have been regarded as evidence for sexual dimorphism. Here we discuss the cranial crest variation within wukongopterids and briefly report on a new specimen (IVPP V 17957). We also show that there is no significant variation in the anatomy of the pelvis of crested and crestless specimens. We further revisit the discussion regarding the function of cranial structures in pterosaurs and argue that they cannot be dismissed a priori as a valuable tool for species recognition.

Key words: Wukongopteridae; Pterosauria; cranial crest; sexual dimorphism; China

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CONCLUSION: 
The function of cranial crests in pterosaurs will be a matter of contempt until more material becomes available. Although the comparisons of the pelvic elements of wukongopterids is interesting, one cannot overemphasize the reduced number of specimens on which this and other studies are based. Variations introduced by taphonomy, allied with morphological differences as a result of ontogeny and other factors cannot be adequately assessed with three or so individuals. Notwithstanding these shortcomings, the explanation of the evolutionary function of cranial crests as sexual dimorphism (including mutual sexual selection, Hone et al. 2012) should not be used as the default option. As has been pointed out before (e.g., Kellner and Campos 2002a, 2002b), it seems quite unlikely that once a pterosaur developed a cranial crest (as perhaps the so called “bizarre structures” in other reptiles), this structure could not have performed a variety of functions. Despite the limitation of the available data, it seems difficult not to acknowledge that these quite distinct anatomical features have played a major role in species recognition, as has been put forward for other reptiles (e.g., Padian and Horner 2011). This has been shown to be true at least for some material of the Pteranodon-complex and seems also to have been the case for the Wukongopteridae. Perhaps more detailed studies of deposits with large amount of specimens that might have been part of the same or closely related populations like the occurrences of Caiuajara dobruskii and Hamipterus tianshanensis (and others that might come to light) have the potential to provide a step further into the discussion of several paleobiological questions concerning flying reptiles, including sexual dimorphism and ontogeny (Kellner 2015). Meanwhile the variation in shapes and sizes of cranial crests that are found in pterosaurs, associated with other morphological features, should not be understated as being a powerful tool for understanding their diversity.


  Xin Cheng, Shunxing Jiang, Xiaolin Wang and Alexander W. A. Kellner. 2017. Premaxillary Crest Variation within the Wukongopteridae (Reptilia, Pterosauria) and Comments on Cranial Structures in Pterosaurs. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências. [An. Acad. Bras. Ciênc.] 89(1); Epub Feb 09, 2017.  DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765201720160742 

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[Herpetology • 2017] Uncovering A Hidden Diversity: Two New Species of Breviceps (Anura: Brevicipitidae) from northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; Breviceps carruthersi & B. passmorei

August 1, 2017, 7:25 pm
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Breviceps carruthersi Minter, Netherlands & Du Preez, 2017


Abstract

Breviceps carruthersi sp. nov. and Breviceps passmorei sp. nov. are described from northern KwaZulu-Natal. Both new species are distinguished from B. adspersus, B. mossambicus, B. poweri and B. cf. sopranus by substantial interspecific genetic divergence (> 6.8 uncorrected p-distance) in the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene, differences in advertisement call structure and limited morphological variation. Breviceps carruthersi sp. nov. has a short, pulsatile call with minimal amplitude modulation and groups its calls. Breviceps passmorei sp. nov. differs significantly from B. adspersus and B. mossambicus in call duration and pulse number, but not in pulse rate or dominant frequency. For both new species morphological characters are of limited diagnostic value, necessitating a re-evaluation of the taxonomic status of populations currently assigned to B. adspersus and B. mossambicus in KwaZulu-Natal.

Keywords: Amphibia, Breviceps carruthersi sp. nov., Breviceps passmorei sp. nov., advertisement calls, bioacoustics, cryptic species, molecular genetics, morphology, Zululand


Breviceps carruthersi sp. nov. from Hluhluwe, KwaZulu-Natal; holotype male (SAIAB 204591). 

Breviceps carruthersi sp. nov. Minter, Netherlands & Du Preez

Etymology. This species is named for Vincent Carruthers who, through his numerous books and articles on the natural history of southern Africa in general, and frogs in particular, has done much to stimulate interest in these much-maligned creatures. 

Distribution and habitat. Currently known only from the area around Hluhluwe and Phinda Game Reserve. .... 

Field observations. Calls were recorded between 18h45 and 01h15, during and after moderate to heavy rain. Two males were calling from shallow depressions at the base of grasstufts, while the remainder called from exposed positions on the surface. When the vocal sac is inflated, the white stripe separating the gular patch from the dark eyestripe is conspicuous and may function as a visual signal. 

Available earlier names. Breviceps adspersus adspersus Pienaar, 1963, B. adspersus pentheri Poynton, 1964, B. mossambicus var. occidentalis Werner, 1903, B. parvus caffer Hewitt, 1932, B. parvus Hewitt, 1925, B. pentheri caffer Parker, 1934, B. pentheri pentheri Parker, 1934, B. pentheri Werner, 1899, B. pretoriensis FitzSimons, 1930 and B. mossambicus adspersus Broadley, 1971, considered to be junior synonyms of B. adspersus (see Poynton 1964); B. mitchelli Hoffman, 1944, Engystoma granosum Cuvier, 1829 and Systoma granosum Parker, 1868 considered to be junior synonyms of B. mossambicus.


Breviceps passmorei sp. nov. from northern KwaZulu-Natal; holotype male (SAIAB204596). เพิ่มคำอธิบายภาพ

Breviceps passmorei sp. nov. Minter, Netherlands & Du Preez

Etymology. This species is named for Neville Passmore in recognition of his contributions to South African herpetology in the field of bioacoustics, and for instilling a lifelong interest in frogs among his students, many of whom have also made significant contributions in this and other fields. 

Distribution and habitat. Currently known only from the area West of Tembe Elephant Reserve, in the vicinity of the Phongolo River. .... All sites were situated in natural but disturbed roadside vegetation on sandy loam to clay loam soils. 

Field observations. Calls were recorded after rain in summer, between 17h40 and 00h15. Calling continued for several days following heavy rain. Four males were calling from shallow depressions, concealed under vegetation, while the majority called from exposed sites on the surface

. Available earlier names. Breviceps adspersus adspersus Pienaar, 1963, B. adspersus pentheri Poynton, 1964, B. mossambicus var. occidentalis Werner, 1903, B. parvus caffer Hewitt, 1932, B. parvus Hewitt, 1925, B. pentheri caffer Parker, 1934, B. pentheri pentheri Parker, 1934, B. pentheri Werner, 1899, B. pretoriensis FitzSimons, 1930 and B. mossambicus adspersus Broadley, 1971, all considered to be junior synonyms of B. adspersus (see Poynton 1964); B. mitchelli Hoffman, 1944, Engystoma granosum Cuvier, 1829 and Systoma granosum Parker, 1868 considered to be junior synonyms of B. mossambicus. 


   Leslie R. Minter, Edward C. Netherlands & Louis H. Du Preez. 2017. Uncovering A Hidden Diversity: Two New Species of Breviceps (Anura: Brevicipitidae) from northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Zootaxa. 4300(2); 195–216.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4300.2.3


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[Invertebrate • 2017] Eupolybothrus liburnicus • A New Cave Centipede (Chilopoda, Lithobiomorpha, Lithobiidae) from Croatia with Notes on the Subgenus Schizopolybothrus Verhoeff, 1934

August 2, 2017, 12:47 am
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 Eupolybothrus liburnicus
Akkari, Komerički, Weigand, Edgecombe & Stoev, 2017 


Abstract
A new species of Eupolybothrus Verhoeff, 1907 discovered in caves of Velebit Mountain in Croatia is described.Eupolybothrus liburnicus sp. n. exhibits a few morphological differences from its most similar congeners, all of which are attributed to the subgenus Schizopolybothrus Verhoeff, 1934, and two approaches to species delimitation using the COI barcode region identify it as distinct from the closely allied E. cavernicolus Stoev & Komerički, 2013.
E. spiniger (Latzel, 1888) is redescribed and a lectotype is designated for it as well as E. caesar (Verhoeff, 1899) to stabilize their respective taxonomic status. The subspecies E. acherontis wardaranus Verhoeff, 1937, previously suspected to be a synonym of E. caesar (Verhoeff, 1899), is redescribed and its taxonomy revised after the study of type material whereas the identity of E. acherontis (Verhoeff, 1900) described from a female from southwest Trebinje (Bosnia and Herzegovina) remains unknown. Type material of E. stygis (Folkmanova, 1940) is confirmed to be lost and future designation of neotypes from topotypic specimens is necessary to stabilize its taxonomy. The importance of setal arrangement on the intermediate and 14th tergites and the sexual modifications on the male 15th prefemur for species identification is discussed in the light of present findings, and a review of the species of E. (Schizopolybothrus) that display these traits is also provided.

Keywords:  Biospeleology, COI barcoding, Eupolybothrus, new species, SEM, Velebit Mountain


Order Lithobiomorpha Pocock, 1895
Family Lithobiidae Newport, 1844
Subfamily Ethopolyinae Chamberlin, 1915

Genus Eupolybothrus Verhoeff, 1907

Eupolybothrus liburnicus sp. n.


Diagnosis: A species morphologically similar to Eupolybothrus cavernicolus, genetically differing from it by 11% interspecific distance based on COI, and morphologically differing by the slightly convex posterior margin of T14, presence of 15CxVp and 15PDp spines, and by the leg 15 to body length ratio of ca. 64% in the adult male.



Figure 1: Eupolybothrus liburnicus sp. n. habitus, cephalic plate+T1 and ocelli.
  A Habitus, holotype B Cephalic plate and T1, holotype, dorsal view COcelli, paratype ZMUC 00040237.

Etymology: Liburnicus denotes „of Liburnia“, a district in the coastal region of the northeastern Adriatic; adjective.

Habitat: Eupolybothrus liburnicus sp. n. is here recorded from five caves of the Velebit Mountain, Croatia. Four of these (Plitka peć, Skorupuša, Rašljekovac and Bundalova pećina) are situated in the area where the southern slopes of the Crnopac Massif meet the Krupa River canyon while one of them, Markova špilja, is a small anchialine cave situated a few hundred meters from the Adriatic coast near the village of Seline.


 Nesrine Akkari, Ana Komerički, Alexander M. Weigand, Gregory D. Edgecombe and Pavel Stoev. 2017. A New Cave Centipede from Croatia, Eupolybothrus liburnicus sp. n., with Notes on the Subgenus Schizopolybothrus Verhoeff, 1934 (Chilopoda, Lithobiomorpha, Lithobiidae). 
ZooKeys. 687; 11-43.  DOI:  10.3897/zookeys.687.13844

  

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[PaleoIchthyology • 2017] Birgeria americana • Marine Early Triassic Actinopterygii from Elko County (Nevada, USA): Implications for the Smithian Equatorial Vertebrate Eclipse

August 2, 2017, 2:24 am
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Birgeria americana
Romano, Jenks, Jattiot, Scheyer, Bylund & Bucher, 2017

uzh.ch  DOI: 10.1017/jpa.2017.36 

Abstract
The Early Triassic vertebrate record from low paleolatitudes is spotty, which led to the notion of an ‘equatorial vertebrate eclipse’ during the Smithian. Here we present articulated ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii), collected from the marine Lower Triassic Thaynes Group at three new localities in Elko County (Nevada, USA), which were deposited within the equatorial zone. From the Smithian of the Winecup Ranch, we describe two partial skulls of the predatory actinopterygian Birgeria (Birgeriidae), attributed to B. americana new species and Birgeria sp.Birgeria americana n. sp. is distinguished from other species by a less reduced operculogular series. With an estimated total length of 1.72–1.85m, it is among the largest birgeriids. We confirm that Birgeria encompasses species with either two or three rows of teeth on the maxilla and dentary, and suggest that species with three well-developed rows are restricted to the Early Triassic. From the latest Smithian of Palomino Ridge, we present a three-dimensional, partial skull of the longirostrine predator Saurichthys (Saurichthyidae). This and other occurrences indicate that saurichthyids were common in the western USA basin. From the early late Spathian of Crittenden Springs, we describe a posterior body portion (Actinopterygii indet.). This find is important given the paucity of Spathian osteichthyan sites. We provide a summary of Early Triassic vertebrate occurrences in the United States, concluding that vertebrate fossils remain largely unstudied. The presence of predatory vertebrates in subequatorial latitudes during the Smithian confirms that Early Triassic trophic chains were not shortened and contradicts the ‘equatorial vertebrate eclipse’.

  Birgeria americana n. sp. (NMMNH P-66225, holotype) from the Smithian of the Winecup Ranch, Elko County, Nevada, USA.  

Possible look of the newly discovered predatory fish species Birgeria americana with the fossil oft he skull shown at bottom right.
 Artwork: Nadine Bösch. 

Class Osteichthyes Huxley, 1880
Subclass Actinopterygii Cope, 1887, emend. Rosen et al., 1981 
Family Birgeriidae Aldinger, 1937, emend. Nielsen, 1949

Genus Birgeria Stensiö, 1919, emend. Romano and Brinkmann, 2009


Occurrence.— Marine Triassic, global: from the Griesbachian (earliest Triassic) of Greenland to the Rhaetian (latest Triassic) of Europe.


Birgeria americana, new species

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Carlo Romano, James F. Jenks, Romain Jattiot, Torsten M. Scheyer, Kevin G. Bylund, and Hugo Bucher. 2017. Marine Early Triassic Actinopterygii from Elko County (Nevada, USA): Implications for the Smithian Equatorial Vertebrate Eclipse. Journal of Paleontology. DOI: 10.1017/jpa.2017.36


Large-Mouthed Fish Was Top Predator After Mass Extinction
The food chains recovered more rapidly than previously assumed after Earth’s most devastating mass extinction event about 252 million years ago as demonstrated by the fossilized skull of a large predatory fish called Birgeria americana discovered by paleontologists from the University of Zurich in the desert of Nevada.

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[Herpetology • 2017] Plectrohyla calvata • A New Species of Hylid Frog of the Genus Plectrohyla (Anura: Hylidae: Hylinae) from southwestern Honduras: Montaña de Celaque Honduran Frogs previously Referred to as Plectrohyla guatemalensis

August 2, 2017, 2:26 am
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Plectrohyla calvata McCranie, 2017


Abstract
 I describe a new species of hylid frog of the genus Plectrohyla from the isolated Montaña de Celaque in southwestern Honduras, which previously was referred to as P. guatemalensis. The new species differs from P. guatemalensis by the presence of yellowish olive-green dorsal surfaces that lack distinct darker dorsal markings in both sexes, mostly smooth dorsal surfaces in adult males and a tendency for less tuberculate dorsal surfaces in adult females, a smaller prepollex in males, a tendency for smooth midventral surfaces in adult males, and both sexes reaching a smaller adult size. This description brings the total number of recognized species of Plectrohyla to 19.

 Key Words: Cloud forest, isolated population, new species, Spike-thumbed Hylid, southwestern Honduras


SYSTEMATICS
 Plectrohyla calvata sp. nov. 
Plectrohyla guatemalensis: Duellman and Campbell (1992: 6 [in part]); Duellman (2001: 1,067 [in part]); 
McCranie and Wilson (2002: 298 [in part]); McCranie and Castañeda (2007: 171 [in part]); McCranie (2015: 359 [in part]).

Fig. 3. An adult female paratype of Plectrohyla calvata sp. nov. (USNM 523192) in life, showing the relatively few dorsal tubercles and the dark dorsal ground color. SVL = 43.6 mm.
  photo: James R. McCranie

Fig. 3. An adult female paratype ofPlectrohyla calvata sp. nov. (USNM 523192) in life, showing the relatively few dorsal tubercles and the dark dorsal ground color. SVL = 43.6 mm.
Fig. 7. A live subadult male of a referred specimen of Plectrohyla calvata sp. nov. (USNM 523193). SVL = 33.2 mm.
 photo: James R. McCranie


Etymology: The name calvata is formed from the Latin calvatus (bald) and suffix -ia (pertaining to) and refers to the relatively smooth dorsal surfaces of this form. The intended use of the name is as a feminine nominative adjective.


James R. McCranie. 2017. Specific Status of the Montaña de Celaque Honduran Frogs previously Referred to as Plectrohyla guatemalensis (Anura: Hylidae: Hylinae).
 Mesoamerican Herpetology. 4(3); 390–401.

Resumen: Describo una nueva especie de rana arborícola del genero Plectrohyla de la aislada Montaña de Celaque en el suroeste de Honduras, que anteriormente se había referido como P. guatemalensis. La nueva especie se difiere de P. guatemalensis por la presencia de una coloración amarillenta verde-oliva en las regiones dorsales que también carecen de marcas más oscuras en ambos sexos, con las superficies dorsales mayormente lisa en machos adultos y una tendencia hacia una reducción de tubérculos en las superficies dorsales en hembras adultas, un prepollex más pequeño en machos, una tendencia hacia tener las superficies midventrales más lisas en machos adultos, y en ambos sexos alcanzando un tamaño adulto más pequeño. Esta descripción lleva el número total de especies reconocidas de Plectrohyla a 19. 
Palabras Claves: Bosque nublado, especie nueva, Hílido de Dos Espinas, población aislada, suroeste de Honduras

     

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[Herpetology • 2017] Pristimantis latro • A New Species of Pristimantis (Anura, Craugastoridae) from eastern Brazilian Amazonia

August 2, 2017, 5:51 am
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Pristimantis latro
Oliveira, Rodrigues, Kaefer, Pinto & Hernández-Ruz, 2017


Abstract
In this study a new species of Pristimantis (Anura: Craugastoridae) of the P. conspicillatus species group is described. Pristimantis latro sp. n. is known only from the municipalities of Altamira, Anapu, Brasil Novo, Medicilândia, Uruará and Aveiro (Flona Tapajós, right bank of Tapajós river), in Pará state, Brazil. Morphologically, the new species distinguishes from known congeners in the group mainly by the presence of dorsal tubercles and absence of discoidal folds, smooth belly skin, as well as the presence of supernumerary tubercles on hands. The call of the new species consists of seven ascending notes, the first of which has a dominant frequency of 2635 Hz and the last 3272 Hz. Molecular analysis of the 16S mtDNA indicates a genetic distance of 8% to P. chiastonotus, its closet relative, and between 9% and 11% to populations of P. fenestratus.

Keywords: mitochondrial DNA, Pristimantis latro sp. n., systematics, Terrarana


Figure 5. Color variation in life of some individuals of Pristimantis latro sp. n.
 A holotype B, C paratypes of Anapu and D Altamira. 


Pristimantis latro sp. n.

Diagnosis: Pristimantis latro sp. n. is distinguished from other species of the group by the following combination of characters (summarized in Table 4): (1) dorsal skin weakly shagreened or smooth, dorsal tubercles present, dorsolateral folds absent, smooth skin on belly; (2) whitish or yellowish ventral coloration with black spots; (3) one subarticular tubercle on fingers I and II and two on Fingers III and IV; (4) supernumerary tubercles present at the base of fingers I, II, and III, and almost the same size of subarticular tubercles; (5) lateral fringes along fingers; (6) supernumerary tubercle present at the base of Toe IV; (7) basal webbing between toes and weak lateral fringes on toes; (8) twenty-one molecular autapomorphies for the gene fragment 16S mtDNA (Table 5); (9) call consisting of seven notes.




Etymology: The specific epithet “latro” (from the Latin latro = mercenary, robber) refers to the common name generally attributed to the species of Pristimantis – “Robber Frogs” – that exhibit a dark band on the snout, creating the illusion of a robber’s mask.

Distribution, ecology, and habitat: Pristimantis latro sp. n. has been recorded in the municipalities of Anapu, Senador Jose Porfirio, Altamira, Medicilândia, Brasil Novo, Uruará and Flona Tapajós regions located in the interfluves Xingu / Tapajós and Xingu / Tocantins - Araguaia in Pará State, Brazil (Figure 7). It can be found in conserved areas of forests (Anapu, Flona do Tapajós) or with some environmental disturbance, e.g., forest fragments surrounded by pastures (Brasil Novo, Altamira and Vitória do Xingu). During the rainy/reproductive period, the males move up the vegetation to vocalize at a height of 1.5 m and in the dry period they can be found in the leaf litter.


 Elciomar Araújo De Oliveira, Luis Reginaldo Rodrigues, Igor Luis Kaefer, Karll Cavalcante Pinto and Emil José Hernández-Ruz. 2017. A New Species of Pristimantis from eastern Brazilian Amazonia (Anura, Craugastoridae). ZooKeys. 687; 101-129.  DOI:  10.3897/zookeys.687.13221

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[Herpetology • 2017] Hidden Conservation Vulnerability within A Cryptic Species Complex: Taxonomic Revision of the Spotted Skink (Oligosoma lineoocellatum; Reptilia: Scincidae) from New Zealand

August 3, 2017, 5:23 am
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Oligosoma elium
Meltzer, Bell & Patterson, 2017


Abstract

The diverse skink fauna of New Zealand comprises 40 described species within the single genus Oligosoma Girard, 1857. Cryptic species are common among New Zealand skinks, leaving numerous species undescribed. We used molecular phylogeny together with morphological analyses to distinguish four species in the spotted skink, Oligosoma lineoocellatum (Duméril & Duméril 1851), species complex. These are O. lineoocellatum sensu stricto, which is confined to the centre of the South Island, Oligosoma prasinum sp. nov. from the Lake Tekapo region, Oligosoma elium sp. nov. from the northern half of the South Island, and Oligosoma kokowai sp. nov. from the northern South Island, Cook Strait, and the North Island. Despite significant genetic differences, the morphological similarity of these species made it challenging to resolve their taxonomic identity. Three of the four species previously recognised as a single, widespread taxon are now recognised as threatened with extinction by a combination of invasive predatory mammals and land use change.

Keywords: Reptilia, Cryptic species, Morphology, taxonomy, elium, prasinum, kokowai


 Sabine Meltzer, Trent Bell and Geoff Patterson. 2017. Hidden Conservation Vulnerability within A Cryptic Species Complex: Taxonomic Revision of the Spotted Skink (Oligosoma lineoocellatum; Reptilia: Scincidae) from New Zealand.
  Zootaxa. 4300(3); 355–379.  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4300.3.2

  

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[Botany • 2017] Phyllagathis phamhoangii • A New Species (Melastomataceae: Sonerileae) from central Vietnam

August 3, 2017, 6:00 am
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Phyllagathis phamhoangii  V.T.Pham, T.C.Vu & Ranil


Abstract

Phyllagathis phamhoangii V.T.Pham, T.C.Vu & Ranil is described and illustrated from Quang Nam province, central Vietnam. Diagnostic features of the new species are the short acaulescent rhizomatous herbs with pink flowers. The described species is distinct from the closely allied P. nanakorniana in the sparse hairs on all its parts except petals and stamens, much longer petioles, dichasial inflorescences, longer hypanthia, stamens unequal in length, longer petals and ovary; and from P. subrotunda by the taller plants, smaller leaves with longer petioles, cordate to reniform blades with a shortly acuminate apex, dichasial inflorescences, longer and cylindrical peduncles, longer and narrower hypanthia. We suggest the IUCN conservation status for P. phamhoangii as Vulnerable.

Keywords: Vietnam, plant diversity, new species, Melastomataceae, Phyllagathis, Eudicots





Phạm Văn Thế, Vũ Tiến Chính, Ranil Rajapaksha, Trịnh Ngọc Bon, Leonid Averyanov and Nguyễn Thị Liên. 2017. Phyllagathis phamhoangii (Sonerileae, Melastomataceae), A New Species from central Vietnam. Phytotaxa. 314(1); 140–144. DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.314.1.15
 http://www.biodivn.com/2017/07/thay-mau-hong-la-tren-vach-cac-nha-khoa.html


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[Herpetology • 2017] A Re-evaluation of the Phylogenetic Relationships of the Cyrtodactylus condorensis group (Squamata; Gekkonidae) and A Suggested Protocol for the Characterization of Rock-dwelling Ecomorphology in Cyrtodactylus

August 3, 2017, 8:37 pm
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Cyrtodactylus grismeri  Ngo, 2008


Abstract
A re-evaluation of the phylogenetic relationships of the four species of the monophyletic Cyrtodactylus conodorensis group using the mitochondrial gene ND2 with Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood analyses provides strong statistical support for the recovery the cave-adapted ecomorphs C. eisenmanae and C. grismeri as the sister lineage to the scansorial forest-adapted ecomorphs C. condorensis and C. leegrismeri. This phylogeny provides the context in which these ecomorphs are morphologically characterized. The majority of newly described species within Cyrtodactylus have come from karst habitats and granite boulder cave-like microhabitats. Although some authors have commented on subtle to notable differences in the morphology and color pattern associated with species from these habitats, none have explicitly presented data necessary to characterize this putative departure from a more generalized, scansorial morphology. To this end, the closely related species of the condorensis group are used to provide a suggested protocol to recover and delimit characters adaptive to a restrictive lifestyle of climbing on flat, rocky substrates in low levels of illumination. Understanding the phylogenetic context in which a morphological shift from a general scansorial species to a rock-adapted species relative to the historical evolution of its environment has conservation and management implications. This is particularly important given that a number of the newly described karst-adapted species from throughout Southeast Asia are threatened with extension because of the ongoing quarrying activities of their habitat.

Keywords: Reptilia, Cyrtodactylus, ecomorphology, cave, karst, islands, conservation, Vietnam




L. Lee Grismer and Jesse L. Grismer. 2017. A Re-evaluation of the Phylogenetic Relationships of the Cyrtodactylus condorensis group (Squamata; Gekkonidae) and A Suggested Protocol for the Characterization of Rock-dwelling Ecomorphology in Cyrtodactylus. 
 Zootaxa. 4300(4); 486–504. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4300.4.2


  

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[Herpetology • 2017] Ptyodactylus ruusaljibalicus • Cryptic Diversity in Ptyodactylus (Reptilia: Gekkota) from the northern Hajar Mountains of Oman and the United Arab Emirates uncovered by An Integrative Taxonomic Approach

August 3, 2017, 10:02 pm
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Ptyodactylus ruusaljibalicus 
 Simó-Riudalbas, Metallinou, de Pous, Els, Jayasinghe, Péntek-Zakar, Wilms, Al-Saadi & Carranza, 2017

 Ruus al Jibal Fan-footed Gecko,  الأقدام مروحية الجبال رؤوس وزغة  DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0180397 

Abstract

The Hajar Mountains of south-eastern Arabia form an isolated massif surrounded by the sea to the east and by a large desert to the west. As a result of their old geological origin, geographical isolation, complex topography and local climate, these mountains provide an important refuge for endemic and relict species of plants and animals. With 19 species restricted to the Hajar Mountains, reptiles are the vertebrate group with the highest level of endemicity, becoming an excellent model for understanding the patterns and processes that generate and shape diversity in this arid mountain range. The geckos of the Ptyodactylus hasselquistii species complex are the largest geckos in Arabia and are found widely distributed across the Arabian Mountains, constituting a very important component of the reptile mountain fauna. Preliminary analyses suggested that their diversity in the Hajar Mountains may be higher than expected and that their systematics should be revised. In order to tackle these questions, we inferred a nearly complete calibrated phylogeny of the genus Ptyodactylus to identify the origin of the Hajar Mountains lineages using information from two mitochondrial and four nuclear genes. Genetic variability within the Hajar Mountains was further investigated using 68 specimens of Ptyodactylus from 46 localities distributed across the entire mountain range and sequenced for the same genes as above. The molecular phylogenies and morphological analyses as well as niche comparisons indicate the presence of two very old sister cryptic species living in allopatry: one restricted to the extreme northern Hajar Mountains and described as a new species herein; the other distributed across the rest of the Hajar Mountains that can be confidently assigned to the species P. orlovi. Similar to recent findings in the geckos of the genus Asaccus, the results of the present study uncover more hidden diversity in the northern Hajar Mountains and stress once again the importance of this unique mountain range as a hot spot of biodiversity and a priority focal point for reptile conservation in Arabia.

Fig 1. Geographical distribution and phylogenetic relationships of the two species from the Hajar Mountains. 



 

Fig 5. View of the common habitat in the mountainous Ruus al Jibal and general appearance in life of Ptyodactylus ruusaljibalicus sp. nov.
  (A) Rocky habitat in the type locality on the 23rd of April 2013. (B) Holotype of P. ruusaljibalicus sp. nov. (voucher code NHMUK2013.347) including a detail of the cloacal tubercles at the tail base.
 All photographs taken by Salvador Carranza. 

Taxonomy

Despite the high level of crypsis between the populations from the Ruus al Jibal and P. orlovi in the characters studied here, the results of the two mitochondrial and four nuclear gene fragments analysed (Figs 1B, 1C and 2) clearly show that these two lineages have been evolving independently for a long time. As a result of that, and based also on a few morphological traits (see diagnosis below, Tables 1 and 2 and S3 Table), we describe this unnamed population from the extreme northern part of the Hajar Mountain range as a new species.

Family Phyllodactylidae

Genus Ptyodactylus Goldfuss, 1820

Ptyodactylus ruusaljibalicus sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific name “ruusaljibalicus” is an adjective that refers to Ruus al Jibal, that means “Heads of the Mountains”, where all the specimens that belong to this species have been found to date and from where the species is probably endemic.

Diagnosis. A large size species of the genus Ptyodactylus characterized by the following combination of characters: (1) large size with a maximum recorded SVL of 90.01 mm for males and 85.94 mm for females (only one female known); (2) head narrow with elongated snout; (3) 12–13 infralabials and 12–14 supralabials; (4) dorsum with 9–11 irregular longitudinal rows of round, enlarged and slightly keeled tubercles; (5) absence of enlarged tubercles on the dorsal side of the extremities; (6) four prominent cloacal tubercles at the tail base (two on each side); (7) 9–11 subdigital scales on the 4th finger and 10–11 under the 4th toe; (8) 18–22 terminal lamellae under the 4th finger and 20–22 under the 4th toe; (9) in life, uniform light grey dorsum, some specimens with dark brown transverse bands that extended onto the tail. Underside of body and tail ivory-white.

Distribution and ecology. Despite intensive sampling across the Hajar Mountain range and other areas in Arabia carried out between 2004 and 2014, Ptyodactylus ruusaljibalicus sp. nov. has only been found in the Ruus al Jibal region, from the Musandam Peninsula to the Dibba region in the UAE. It can be therefore considered endemic to this distinctive geographical area (Fig 1A). The northernmost and southernmost localities lie approximately 26 km northwest and 58 km south-west of the type locality, respectively. The minimum distance between Ptyodactylus ruusaljibalicus sp. nov. and P. orlovi is 23 km by air. Ptyodactylus ruusaljibalicus sp. nov. inhabits cliffs and cave fissures, rocks and boulders at different heights. The species is mainly nocturnal, although some specimens were out in the shade during the day.

Proposal of common names.
English: Ruus al Jibal fan-footed gecko
Arabic: الأقدام مروحية الجبال رؤوس وزغة



Marc Simó-Riudalbas, Margarita Metallinou, Philip de Pous, Johannes Els, Sithum Jayasinghe, Erika Péntek-Zakar, Thomas Wilms, Saleh Al-Saadi, Salvador Carranza. 2017. Cryptic Diversity in Ptyodactylus (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) from the northern Hajar Mountains of Oman and the United Arab Emirates uncovered by An Integrative Taxonomic Approach.
 PLoS ONE. 12(8): e0180397. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0180397

    

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[Paleontology • 2017] Borealopelta markmitchelli • An Exceptionally Preserved Three-Dimensional Armored Dinosaur Reveals Insights into Coloration and Cretaceous Predator-Prey Dynamics

August 4, 2017, 7:46 am
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Borealopelta markmitchelli 
Brown, Henderson, Vinther, Fletcher, Sistiaga, Herrera & Summons, 2017


Highlights
• A new armored dinosaur is described based on an exceptionally preserved specimen
• Abundant in situ osteoderms with keratinous sheaths and scales are preserved
• Reddish-brown coloration and crypsis in the form of countershading are indicated
• Crypsis indicates strong predation pressure on this large, heavily armored dinosaur


Summary
Predator-prey dynamics are an important evolutionary driver of escalating predation mode and efficiency, and commensurate responses of prey. Among these strategies, camouflage is important for visual concealment, with countershading the most universally observed. Extant terrestrial herbivores free of significant predation pressure, due to large size or isolation, do not exhibit countershading. Modern predator-prey dynamics may not be directly applicable to those of the Mesozoic due to the dominance of very large, visually oriented theropod dinosaurs. Despite thyreophoran dinosaurs’ possessing extensive dermal armor, some of the most extreme examples of anti-predator structures, little direct evidence of predation on these and other dinosaur megaherbivores has been documented. Here we describe a new, exquisitely three-dimensionally preserved nodosaurid ankylosaur, Borealopelta markmitchelli gen. et sp. nov., from the Early Cretaceous of Alberta, which preserves integumentary structures as organic layers, including continuous fields of epidermal scales and intact horn sheaths capping the body armor. We identify melanin in the organic residues through mass spectroscopic analyses and observe lighter pigmentation of the large parascapular spines, consistent with display, and a pattern of countershading across the body. With an estimated body mass exceeding 1,300 kg, B. markmitchelli was much larger than modern terrestrial mammals that either are countershaded or experience significant predation pressure as adults. Presence of countershading suggests predation pressure strong enough to select for concealment in this megaherbivore despite possession of massive dorsal and lateral armor, illustrating a significant dichotomy between Mesozoic predator-prey dynamics and those of modern terrestrial systems.

 Systematic Paleontology

Dinosauria Owen, 1842  
Ornithischia Seeley, 1888  

Ankylosauria Osborn, 1923  
Nodosauridae Marsh, 1890  

Borealopelta markmitchelli gen. et sp. nov. 

Etymology: The generic name Borealopelta is derived from “borealis” (Latin, “northern”) and “pelta” (Greek, “shield”), in reference to the northern locality and the preserved epidermal scales and dermal osteoderms. The specific epithet markmitchelli honors Mark Mitchell for his more than 7,000 hours of patient and skilled preparation of the holotype.


An illustration of Borealopelta markmitchelli. The study suggests that it displayed a camouflage effect known as counter-shading.
 Illustration: Julius Csotonyi/Courtesy of the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, Canada. 


 Illustration: Robert Nicholls 


 Illustration: Davide Bonadonna











Figure 1. Photographs of the Holotype of Borealopelta markmitchelli, TMP 2011.033.0001 Top: anterodorsolateral view; bottom: anterodorsal view. Scale bar, 10 cm. 




Holotype: The holotype is Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology (TMP) 2011.033.0001: an articulated specimen preserving the head, neck, most of the trunk and sacrum, a complete right and a partial left forelimb and manus, partial pes (Figure 1). In situ osteoderms and nearly complete soft tissue integument are preserved across dorsal and lateral surfaces of the axial skeleton, posterodorsal surface of forelimbs, and plantar surfaces of a manus and a pes. Specimen is preserved in multiple large blocks, including slabs and counter-slabs in the sacral region.

Locality and Horizon: Suncor Millennium Mine, Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada. Wabiskaw Member, Clearwater Formation, Aptian stage. Detailed locality data are available at Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology.

Diagnosis: A nodosaurid ankylosaur characterized by the following autapomorphies (∗) and suite of characters [character/state]: cranial: dorsal skull ornamentation expressed as a large hexagonal dermal plate in frontoparietal region and multiple (>20) small dermal plates in frontonasal region∗; external nares excluded from view dorsally (shared with Pawpawsaurus) [16:1]; supraorbital ornamentation forming sharp lateral rim dorsal to orbits (shared with Gargoyleosaurus and Kunbarrasaurus) [38:2]; jugal (suborbital) horn triangular with pointed apex (shared with Gastonia, Gargoyleosaurus, and Polocanthus); jugal (suborbital) horn base longer than orbit length∗; osteoderms: cervical and thoracic osteoderms form continuous (abutting) transverse rows completely separated by continuous transverse rows of polygonal basement scales; parascapular spine is the largest osteoderm, recurved, and projects posterolaterally and horizontally (potentially shared with Sauropelta); osteoderm count for transverse rows: cervicals: C1-3, C2-3, C3-3, transition: TR-2, thoracic: T1-6∗; third and sixth transverse thoracic osteoderm rows expressed medially but pinch out laterally∗.

The new taxon can be further differentiated from Pawpawsaurus based on: dermal plate in frontonasal region (central dermal plates) flat; absence of ciliary osteoderm. Can be further differentiated from Sauropelta based on: parietals flat to slightly convex; cervical half ring has 4–6 osteoderms only; medial cervical osteoderms subequal, hexagonal, and bear prominent median ridge with posterior margin projecting beyond the basal footprint.





Figure 2: Schematic Line Drawing of TMP 2011.033.0001, the Holotype of Borealopelta markmitchelli, Illustrating Preservation of the Different Tissue Types (A) Schematic of complete specimen in dorsal view. (B and C) Skull in dorsal (B) and left lateral (C) views. (D) Close-up view of the neck, illustrating alternating cervical osteoderm bands (and preserved keratinous sheaths) and polygonal scales. (E) Close-up view of flank illustrating lateral thoracic osteoderms (with keratinous coverings) and polygonal scales. (F) Close-up view of sacral shield counterpart illustrating osteoderms and scales. (G) Close-up view of antebrachium including osteoderms and keratinous coverings. (D’–G’) Interpretive line drawings of the corresponding panels (D)–(G). Scale bars in (B)–(G), 10 cm.

Figure 3: Time-Calibrated Strict Consensus Tree Showing Position of Borealopelta markmitchelli within Ankylosauria, with Representative Well-Preserved Ankylosaurs Shown Above Bottom: time-calibrated strict consensus tree illustrating position of Borealopelta markmitchelli within Ankylosauria scaled to Jurassic and Cretaceous stages. Top: line drawings of representative well-preserved ankylosaur specimens with in situ armor and/or skin. Scale bars, 1 m.
(A) Kunbarrasaurus, QM F18101. (B) Euoplocephalus, NHMUK 5161. (C) Sauropelta, AMNH 3035 and 3036 composite. (D) Borealopelta, TMP 2011.033.0001 (this study). (E) Edmontonia, AMNH 5665.

Figure 4: Chart Illustrating the Loss of Countershading as Body Mass Increases in Terrestrial Mammal Herbivores Chart includes pooled data for artiodactyls, perissodactyls, and proboscideans divided into body-mass bins, showing relative proportion of species that exhibit countershading. The diagonally hatched area represents the mass above which significant predation of adults does not occur. Animals illustrated above chart are representative taxa within each mass bin; species names in italics at top indicate body masses of the largest carnivores.

The Making of a Most Extraordinary Fossil

The Making of a Most Extraordinary Fossil

Caleb M. Brown, Donald M. Henderson, Jakob Vinther, Ian Fletcher, Ainara Sistiaga, Jorsua Herrera and Roger E. Summons. 2017. An Exceptionally Preserved Three-Dimensional Armored Dinosaur Reveals Insights into Coloration and Cretaceous Predator-Prey Dynamics. Current Biology. DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2017.06.071


Despite heavy armor, new dinosaur used camouflage to hide from predators  eurekalert.org/e/7ZWJ via @CellPressNews @EurekAlert

It's Official: Stunning Fossil Is a New Dinosaur Species  on.natgeo.com/2vx0wxD via @NatGeo
This Is the Best Dinosaur Fossil of Its Kind Ever Found on.natgeo.com/2r02aW7 via @NatGeo
Discover How This Dinosaur Became an Extraordinary Fossil  NationalGeographic.com/magazine/2017/06/making-of-a-dinosaur-fossil-nodosaur-illustrations

Heavily armoured dinosaur had ginger camouflage to deter predators – study  theguardian.com/science/2017/aug/03/heavily-armoured-nodosaur-ginger-camouflage-predators-borealopelta-markmitchelli


ติดอยู่ในกาลเวลา  ngthai.com/animals/1703 via  เนชันแนล จีโอกราฟฟิก (National Geographic) ฉบับภาษาไทย

  

  


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[Paleontology • 2015] Capinatator praetermissus • A Large Cambrian Chaetognath with Supernumerary Grasping Spines

August 4, 2017, 8:23 am
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Capinatator praetermissus Briggs & Caron, 2017


Highlights
• Multiple specimens of a new Cambrian chaetognath preserve evidence of soft tissues
• At ∼10 cm long, it is one of the largest chaetognaths known, living or fossil
• The grasping apparatus is unique in bearing as many as 25 spines in each half
• Chaetognaths may have been benthic before becoming important planktonic predators

Summary
Chaetognaths (arrow worms) are a separate phylum (Chaetognatha) of small carnivorous animals, dominantly pelagic, and a major component of today’s plankton. The position of Chaetognatha among metazoan phyla remains equivocal—neither morphological nor molecular data provide definitive evidence. Originating early in the Cambrian period, if not earlier, chaetognaths quickly became important members of marine metazoan communities. Chaetognath grasping spines, originally reported as conodonts, occur worldwide in many Cambrian marine sediments. Fossilized chaetognath bodies, in contrast, are very rare: only two unequivocal specimens have been reported, both from the early Cambrian of China. Here we describe Capinatator praetermissus, a new genus and species, based on ∼50 specimens from several middle Cambrian Burgess Shale localities in British Columbia, many of which preserve evidence of soft tissues. Capinatator praetermissus reached body lengths of nearly 10 cm exclusive of fins, a much larger size than that of most living forms. Clusters of specimens preserving the body indicate that they were rapidly buried, providing indirect evidence that they swam near the seabed. The feeding apparatus comprises up to ∼25 spines in each half, almost double the maximum number in living chaetognaths. Early chaetognaths apparently occupied ecological niches associated with predatory euarthropods. The large body size and high number of grasping spines in C. praetermissus may indicate that miniaturization and migration to a planktonic lifestyle were secondary.

Keywords: Chaetognath; Cambrian; Burgess Shale; soft parts; paleoecology


Of the specimens studied, many preserve the feeding apparatus attached to the head, with some showing evidence of the rest of the body. Forty-eight specimens are held by the Royal Ontario Museum and one, with an isolated set of grasping appendages, is from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Specimen from the Collins Quarry, Mount Stephen (Yoho National Park, BC). (Photo by J.B. Caron/Royal Ontario Museum)

Figure 4. Life Reconstruction of Capinatator praetermissus, The location, size, and shape of the fins are speculative.
 Drawing by Marianne Collins/Royal Ontario Museum.

The generic name is derived from capio, to grasp and natator, swimmer, reflecting its predatory habit. The species name praetermissus, overlooked, refers to the long gestation between discovery and description: a few specimens were found more than 30 years ago by the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) during early exploration for new Burgess Shale sites in the Canadian Rockies.


Derek E.G. Briggs and Jean-Bernard Caron. 2017. A Large Cambrian Chaetognath with Supernumerary Grasping Spines. Current Biology. in press. DOI:  10.1016/j.cub.2017.07.003

Capinatator praetermissus: a prehistoric sea creature with spines to spare
 news.Yale.edu/2017/08/03/capinatator-praetermissus-prehistoric-sea-creature-spines-spare

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[Ichthyology • 2017] Hyphessobrycon pinnistriatus • A New species of Hyphessobrycon (Ostariophysi, Characiformes) from the Rio Teles Pires, Rio Tapajós basin, Brazil

August 5, 2017, 7:52 am
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Hyphessobrycon pinnistriatus 
Carvalho, Cabeceira & Carvalho, 2017

 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13362  

Abstract

A new species of Hyphessobrycon from the upper Rio Tapajós basin, in the Tapajós–Juruena ecoregion, is described. Hyphessobrycon pinnistriatus n. sp. is distinguished from its congeners by having a black, oblique stripe extending from the origin of the second branched ray to the distal end of the third branched anal-fin ray, lacking a conspicuous black midlateral stripe on the body, inner premaxillary teeth with up to seven cusps, and fins normally hyaline or with scattered chromatophores. The description of a new species that is restricted to the Tapajós–Juruena ecoregion is consistent with this region being an area of high endemism of freshwater fishes.


Figure 4.  Hyphessobrycon pinnistriatus, live specimen (same locality as holotype), not preserved (c. 26·0 mm standard length).

Hyphessobrycon pinnistriatus new species
Hyphessobrycon sp. 1 (Buckup et al., 2011: 243; list of species).
 Hyphessobrycon sp. n. (Battirola et al., 2015: 477 citation); Cabeceira et al. (2015: 199, 204; list of species and photo).

Diagnosis: Hyphessobrycon pinnistriatus differs from all congeners by having a black, oblique stripe that is largely parallels and covers the second and third anal-fin rays (Fig. 1), extending from the origin of the second branched ray to the distal end of the third branched anal-fin ray (v. anal fin hyaline, with uniformly distributed chromatophores, or margin blackish in all other species of Hyphessobrycon). Additionally, the new species can be distinguished from other congeners by lacking a conspicuous black midlateral stripe on the body, inner premaxillary teeth with up to seven cusps and from Hemigrammus unilineatus (Gill 1858), a non-congener but similar species, by having 20–23 branched anal-fin rays (v. 24–25), maxilla with two or three tetra to heptacuspidad maxillary teeth (v. three to seven tricuspidad maxillary teeth) and caudal fin lacking scales (v. caudal-fin lobes scaled).

Etymology: The species name is a combination of the Latin pinna, meaning fin and striatus, meaning stripe and is in reference to the black stripe on its anal fin. An adjective in apposition.

Ecological notes: The type locality of Hyphessobrycon pinnistriatus is a second order stream (sensu Strahler, 1957), known as an igarapé, surrounded by secondary forest in regeneration. The bottom of the stream is mainly composed of silt, with litter on the margins and few branches and trunks of a diameter greater than 10 cm. In the pools, there is flocculant sediment that is easily disturbed from submerged litter and macrophytes were found at sites with a little more water flow (Fig. 6). Most individuals of H. pinnistriatus were only observed in more lentic environments, swimming in small schools of five to 20 individuals. Individuals were also observed swimming alone and together with other species of Characidae, such as Moenkhausia phaeonota Fink 1979 and Hyphessobrycon heliacus Moreira, Landim & Costa 2002 near igarapé margins with depth ranging from 20 to 40 cm. Individuals were sometimes also observed foraging among the submerged litter in the igarapé margins (F. G. Cabeceira, pers. obs.). This species has also been found in habitats with faster water, no vegetation and substrata consisting of sand and mud.

.....


F. R. Carvalho, F. G. Cabeceira and L. N. Carvalho. 2017. New species of Hyphessobrycon from the Rio Teles Pires, Rio Tapajós basin, Brazil (Ostariophysi, Characiformes).  
 Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13362 

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[PaleoBotany • 2017] The Ancestral Flower of Angiosperms and Its Early Diversification

August 5, 2017, 8:07 am
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Abstract
Recent advances in molecular phylogenetics and a series of important palaeobotanical discoveries have revolutionized our understanding of angiosperm diversification. Yet, the origin and early evolution of their most characteristic feature, the flower, remains poorly understood. In particular, the structure of the ancestral flower of all living angiosperms is still uncertain. Here we report model-based reconstructions for ancestral flowers at the deepest nodes in the phylogeny of angiosperms, using the largest data set of floral traits ever assembled. We reconstruct the ancestral angiosperm flower as bisexual and radially symmetric, with more than two whorls of three separate perianth organs each (undifferentiated tepals), more than two whorls of three separate stamens each, and more than five spirally arranged separate carpels. Although uncertainty remains for some of the characters, our reconstruction allows us to propose a new plausible scenario for the early diversification of flowers, leading to new testable hypotheses for future research on angiosperms.





Hervé Sauquet, Maria von Balthazar, Susana Magallón, James A. Doyle, Peter K. Endress, Emily J. Bailes, Erica Barroso de Morais, Kester Bull-Hereñu, Laetitia Carrive, Marion Chartier, Guillaume Chomicki, Mario Coiro, Raphaël Cornette, Juliana H. L. El Ottra, Cyril Epicoco, Charles S. P. Foster, Florian Jabbour, Agathe Haevermans, Thomas Haevermans, Rebeca Hernández, Stefan A. Little, Stefan Löfstrand, Javier A. Luna, Julien Massoni, Sophie Nadot, Susanne Pamperl, Charlotte Prieu, Elisabeth Reyes, Patrícia dos Santos, Kristel M. Schoonderwoerd, Susanne Sontag, Anaëlle Soulebeau, Yannick Staedler, Georg F. Tschan, Amy Wing-Sze Leung and Jürg Schönenberger. 2017. The Ancestral Flower of Angiosperms and Its Early Diversification. Nature Communications. 8, Article number: 16047. DOI:  10.1038/ncomms16047

Revealed: the first ever flower, 140m years ago, looked like a magnolia 
theconversation.com/revealed-the-first-ever-flower-140m-years-ago-looked-like-a-magnolia-81861 via @ConversationUK

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[Crustacea • 2017] Ancylocheles peterngi • A New Species of the Genus Ancylocheles Haig, 1978 (Decapoda: Anomura: Porcellanidae) from Gujarat, northwestern India

August 5, 2017, 8:47 am
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Ancylocheles peterngi  Trivedi, Osawa and Vachhrajani, 2017


Abstract

A new species of porcellanid crab, Ancylocheles peterngi n. sp., is described on the basis of material collected during crustacean faunal surveys along the coasts of the Gujarat State, northwestern India. The new species resembles the sole congeneric species, A. gravelei (Sankolli, 1963), but is distinguished by the morphology of the carapace, third thoracic sternite and antenna.

Keywords: Crustacea, Porcellanidae, Ancylocheles, new species, coral reef, Sauarshtra coast




Jigneshkumar N. Trivedi, Masayuki Osawa and Kauresh D. Vachhrajani. 2017. A New Species of the Genus Ancylocheles Haig, 1978 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura: Porcellanidae) from Gujarat, northwestern India. Zootaxa.  4299(3); 384–390. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4299.3.4


I am feeling super excited to share the news that our lab in collaboration with Dr Masayuki Osawa of shimane university Japan has described a new species of porcelain crab from coastal areas of Gujarat state.
We have named the new species in honor of "Dr Peter K L Ng" of national university of Singapore for his great contributions in Crustacean taxonomy. Dr Ng has provided his immence support and guidance in various studies carried out in our lab about Crustacean fauna of Gujarat. I had a great opportunity to learn taxonomy from the legendary personality like him during Crustacean Congress held at Frankfurt Germany.
Here comes the new species of porcelain crab "Ancylocheles peterngi" Trivedi, Osawa and Vachhrajani, 2017. The paper is published today in Zootaxa, leading journal of animal taxonomy.
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[Herpetology • 2017] Leptolalax maoershanensis • A New Species of the Genus Leptolalax (Anura: Megophryidae) from Guangxi, China

August 7, 2017, 6:40 am
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Leptolalax maoershanensis 
 Yuan, Sun, Chen, Rowley, Wu, Hou & Che, 2017

 DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4300.4.5
AustralianMuseum.net.au

Abstract

We describe a new species of megophryid frog from Maoershan Nature Reserve in southern China. Leptolalax maoershanensis sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following morphological characters: medium size (SVL 25.2–30.4 mm in eight adult males and 29.1 mm in one adult female); head longer than wide; externally distinct tympanum; distinct black supratympanic line present; dorsal skin shagreened with small tubercles and longitudinal folds; distinct dark spots on the flank; creamy-white chest and belly with irregular black spots; grey-pinkish to dark brownish-violet ventral skin of limbs with numerous whitish speckles; distinct ventrolateral glands forming a white line; finger webbing and fringes absent; toe webbing rudimentary and lateral fringes narrow; longitudinal ridges indistinct under toes and not interrupted at the articulations; and a bicolored iris. The new species differs from all known congeners by an uncorrected p-distance of >6.6% at the 16S rRNA gene fragment examined, and phylogenetic analysis clusters the new species with L. laui and L. liui. At present, the new species is known from montane small bamboo forest in Maoershan Nature Reserve at about 1550 m elevation.

Keywords: Amphibia, Leptolalax maoershanensis sp. nov., taxonomy, Maoershan, phylogeny


Maoershan Leaf-litter Frog (Leptolalax maoershanensis), from southern China.
Photograph: Zhiyong Yuan 


 Zhiyong Yuan, Ruida Sun, Jinmin Chen, Jodi J. L. Rowley, Zhengjun Wu, Shaobing Hou and Jing Che. 2017. A New Species of the Genus Leptolalax (Anura: Megophryidae) from Guangxi, China.  Zootaxa. 4300(4); 551–570. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4300.4.5

THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN IN SOUTHERN CHINA REVEALS A NEW FROG SPECIES
AustralianMuseum.net.au/blogpost/amri-news/the-highest-mountain-in-southern-china-new-frog

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[Ichthyology • 2016] Bascanichthys gaira • A New Species of Sand Eel Genus Bascanichthys (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae) from the Caribbean

August 7, 2017, 7:11 am
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Bascanichthys gaira 
Moreno, Acero & Grijalba-Bendeck, 2016


ABSTRACT 
A new species of the sand eel genus Bascanichthys (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae) is described from specimens found inside the stomachs of mature female numbfish Narcine bancroftii. These rays were collected as bycatch in local fisheries, using beach seines in shallow waters (5 to 10 m) in Gaira Bay (Santa Marta, Colombian Caribbean). Bascanichthys gaira n.sp., is described from three specimens and can be distinguished from other species of the genus by its minute pectoral-fin base (12.3- 24.7% of gill-opening length) and its vertebral number (189). 

KEY WORDS: Endemic sand eel, Anguilliformes, Ophichthidae, Colombia, Southern Caribbean.


Figure 1. Bascanichthys gaira n.sp., holotype. INV PEC8147, 477 mm TL, Gaira Bay, Santa Marta, Colombia.
Picture by A. Polanco, MHNM Invemar.

Diagnosis. An elongate, markedly bicolored bascanichthyin, dark brown dorsally and light brown almost cream ventrally, head and snout dark, fins pale without marks, sex unrecognized. Maximum total length 477 mm. Proportions as % of TL: head 4.6-5.3, trunk 47.9-51.7, tail 43.8-47.9; depth (at gill opening) 1.2- 1.5; depth (at anus) 1-1.1; predorsal length 2.1-2.4; snout 12.4-12.7; eye 4.1-5.5; interorbital width 6.9-9.7; pectoral-fin length 6.4-7.0 mm; Pores SO 1 + 3, IO 4 + 2, POM 4 + 2, STC 3. Pectoral fin minute, its base corresponding to 12.3-24.7% of gill-opening length. Uniserial mandibular teeth (Table 1; Figure 2). 

Distribution. All the specimens were collected in Gaira Bay, Santa Marta, Colombia, inside the stomach of mature females of Bancroft’s numbfish Narcine bancroftii, fished as bycatch of the local beach seine fisheries.

 Etymology. This species was named gaira in reference to Bahía de Gaira, where this species was captured. The proposed vernacular name “Colombian Sand Eel” refers to the fact that this species is the first record of the genus Bascanichthys from Colombia and the southern Caribbean.  


Fabián Moreno, Arturo Acero P. and Marcela Grijalba-Bendeck. 2016. A New Species of Sand Eel Genus Bascanichthys (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae) from the Caribbean. Bol. investig. mar. Costeras. 45(1); 7-14. 
http://www.scielo.org.co/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0122-97612016000100001
http://www.scielo.org.co/pdf/mar/v45n1/v45n1a01.pdf
ResearchGate.net/publication/314288097_A_new_species_of_sand_eel_genus_Bascanichthys_Anguilliformes_Ophichthidae_from_the_Caribbean

RESUMEN:Una nueva especie de anguila de arena del género Bascanichthys (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae) del Caribe. Nueva especie de anguila de arena del género Bascanichthys (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae) es descrita a partir de ejemplares encontrados en el contenido estomacal de hembras maduras de la raya eléctrica Narcine bancroftii. Estas rayas fueron colectadas como parte del bycatch en las pesquerías locales, usando chinchorros playeros en aguas superficiales (5 a 10 m) de la bahía de Gaira (Santa Marta, Caribe colombiano).Bascanichthys gaira sp. n. es descrita a partir de tres ejemplares colectados y es fácilmente diferenciable de otras especies del mismo género debido a su diminuta aleta pectoral (su base representa entre 12.3-24.7% de la longitud de la apertura branquial) y su número de vértebras (189).
PALABRAS CLAVES:Anguila de arena endémica, Angulliformes, Ophichtidae, Colombia, Caribe sur.


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[Crustacea • 2017] A Case of Appalachian Endemism: Revision of the Cambarus robustus complex (Decapoda: Cambaridae) in the Kentucky and Licking River Basins of Kentucky, USA, with the Description of Three New Species

August 7, 2017, 7:30 am
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Cambarus (Puncticambarus) guenteri
 Loughman, Henkanaththegedara, Fetzner & Thoma, 2017
  

Abstract

The amazing levels of freshwater biodiversity found in the Appalachian Mountains of the eastern United States are among the highest recorded globally. Localized endemics make up much of this diversity, with numerous fish, freshwater mussels, salamanders and crayfish often being restricted to a single watershed, and in some instances, subwatersheds. Much of this diversity is the product of the processes of vicariance and historical stream drainage patterns. Herein, we describe three new crayfish species, all previously members of the Cambarus robustus complex, which occur in the Appalachian portion of the Kentucky and Licking river basins in Kentucky, USA. All three species differ from each other morphologically, genetically, and zoogeographically, fulfilling the requirements of the integrated species concept. Cambarus guenteri occurs in the southern tributaries of the Kentucky River mainstem as well as throughout the South Fork Kentucky River. Cambarus taylori is a narrow endemic, which only occurs in the Middle Fork Kentucky River. Cambarus hazardi, which has the widest distribution of the three new species, occurs in the North Fork Kentucky River, Red River, and upper reaches of the Licking River basin. Stream piracy events between the Cumberland and South Fork Kentucky River, as well as the Licking, Red and North Fork Kentucky rivers, are theorized to be important in the evolution of this complex. Cambarus guenteri is proposed as currently stable, though both C. taylori and C. hazardi are considered imperiled at this time due to habitat destruction throughout both of their respective ranges.

Keywords: Cambarus, endemicity, Kentucky, new species, systematics, taxonomy, Crustacea


Cambarus (Puncticambarus) guenteri, new species

Etymology. It is with great pleasure that we name this species in honor of Dr. Guenter A. Schuster, Professor Emeritus, Eastern Kentucky University. Dr. Schuster dedicated his professional career to teaching undergraduates, graduate students and professional biologists about the diversity, biology, and conservation of freshwater invertebrates, with a particular influence on biologists from the bluegrass state, and he is a coauthor of the definitive work on the crayfishes of Kentucky. He instilled in those he educated a sense of wonder and appreciation for these organisms, which has undoubtedly led to the conservation of more than one freshwater mussel or crayfish. The common name for C. guenteri is the Redbird Crayfish in reference to the Redbird River drainage where large populations of C. guenteri occur.

Common name. Redbird Crayfish.



Cambarus (Puncticambarus) hazardi, new species

Etymology. Cambarus hazardi is named after Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, noted American Naval Commander, and the name sake of Perry County Kentucky and the County Seat, Hazard Kentucky. The common name Brawny Crayfish is in reference to the powerfully built stature of C. hazardi.

Common name. Brawny Crayfish



Cambarus (Puncticambarus) taylori, new species

Etymology. It is our honor and privilege to name this crayfish after Dr. Christopher A. Taylor from the Illinois Natural History Survey. Dr. Taylor has been one of the most active crayfish researchers in the United States for the past two decades and a leader in crayfish conservation, co-authored the seminal work on Kentucky’s crayfishes, Crayfishes of Kentucky, and has been instrumental in bringing the conservation concerns of North America’s crayfishes to light with his many publications. The common name Cutshin Crayfish is in reference to Cutshin Creek watershed, which harbors the species.

Common name. Cutshin Crayfish


Zachary J. Loughman, Sujan M. Henkanaththegedara, James W. Fetzner, Jr. and Roger F. Thoma. 2017. A Case of Appalachian Endemism: Revision of the Cambarus robustus complex (Decapoda: Cambaridae) in the Kentucky and Licking River Basins of Kentucky, USA, with the Description of Three New Species.  Zootaxa. 4269(4); 460-494.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4269.4.4


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