Species New to Science

Sinopoda scurion

the first record of an eyeless huntsman spider

Abstract

The genus Sinopoda Jäger, 1999 is recorded for the first time in Laos. Nine new species are described: Sinopoda steineri spec. nov. (female; Luang Nam Tha), S.tham spec. nov. (male, female; Oudomxai), S. sitkao spec. nov. (female; Luang Prabang), S. taa spec. nov. (female; Luang Prabang), S. suang spec. nov. (female; Huaphan), S. peet spec. nov. (female; Huaphan), S. guap spec. nov. (female; Khammuan), S. soong spec. nov. (female; Khammuan), S. scurion spec. nov. (female; Khammuan). All species have been collected from caves. Sinopoda scurion spec. nov. represents the first record of an eyeless huntsman spider, S. guap spec. nov. exhibits only small lenses of six eyes (AME lacking), S. soong spec. nov. has only two small eye lenses. Four immature individuals (Sinopoda sp. indet. A–D) exhibited a reduced size or number of eyes, they are listed including their localities although they could not be identified to species level.

Key words: taxonomy, systematics, new species, troglomorphy

JÄGER, P. 2012. Revision of the Genus Sinopoda Jäger 1999 in Laos with discovery of the first eyeless huntsman spider species (Sparassidae: Heteropodinae). Zootaxa. 3415: 37-57 http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2012/f/zt03415p057.pdf

http://www.senckenberg.de/root/index.php?page_id=5210&kid=2&id=2376

Mercuriceratops gemini (center) compared to horned dinosaurs Centrosaurus (left) and Chasmosaurus (right), also from the Dinosaur Park Formation of Alberta, Canada

Abstract

A new taxon of chasmosaurine ceratopsid demonstrates unexpected disparity in parietosquamosal frill shape among ceratopsid dinosaurs early in their evolutionary radiation. The new taxon is described based on two apomorphic squamosals collected from approximately time equivalent (approximately 77 million years old) sections of the upper Judith River Formation, Montana, and the lower Dinosaur Park Formation of Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta. It is referred to Chasmosaurinae based on the inferred elongate morphology. The typical chasmosaurine squamosal forms an obtuse triangle in dorsal view that tapers towards the posterolateral corner of the frill. In the dorsal view of the new taxon, the lateral margin of the squamosal is hatchet-shaped with the posterior portion modified into a constricted narrow bar that would have supported the lateral margin of a robust parietal. The new taxon represents the oldest chasmosaurine from Canada, and the first pre-Maastrichtian ceratopsid to have been collected on both sides of the Canada–US border, with a minimum north–south range of 380 km. This squamosal morphology would have given the frill of the new taxon a unique dorsal profile that represents evolutionary experimentation in frill signalling near the origin of chasmosaurine ceratopsids and reinforces biogeographic differences between northern and southern faunal provinces in the Campanian of North America.

Keywords: Chasmosaurinae, Mercuriceratops gemini, Campanian, Judith River Formation, Dinosaur Park Formation, Laramidia

Ryan, M. J.; Evans, D. C.; Currie, P. J.; Loewen, M. A. 2014. A New chasmosaurine from northern Laramidia expands Frill Disparity in ceratopsid Dinosaurs. Naturwissenschaften. 101(6); 505-512 doi: dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00114-014-1183-1

Mercuriceratops: New Long-Horned Dinosaur Discovered: http://www.sci-news.com/paleontology/science-mercuriceratops-new-long-horned-dinosaur-02000.html

The dinosaur with a ‘wings’ on its HEAD http://dailym.ai/UcycK8 via @MailOnline

Lycodon cavernicolus

Grismer, Quah, Shahrul, Muin, Wood & Azizah 2014

Gua Wang Burma Wolf Snake | photo: Evan S. H. Quah

Abstract

A newly discovered, diminutive, cave-dwelling, lowland species of the colubrid snake genus Lycodon Boie is described from a limestone cave along the Thai-Malaysian border in the state of Perlis, northwestern Peninsular Malaysia.Lycodon cavernicolus sp. nov. is most closely related to L. butleri Boulenger, an endemic, upland, forest-dwelling species from Peninsular Malaysia of the fasciatus group but is separated from L. butleri and all other species of the L. fasciatus group and the closely related L. ruhstrati group by having the combination of 245 (male) and 232 (female) ventral scales; 113 (male) and 92 (female) paired, subcaudal scales; a single precloacal plate; nine or 10 supralabials; 10 or 11 infralabials; a maximum total length of 508 mm (female); a relative tail length of 0.25–0.27; an immaculate venter in juveniles and dark-brown, posterior, ventral scale margins in adults; and dorsal and caudal bands in juveniles white. The discovery of L. cavernicolus sp. nov. adds to a rapidly growing list of newly discovered reptiles from karst regions and limestone forests of Peninsular Malaysia, underscoring the fact that these areas should be studied before they are quarried as they harbor a significant portion of the Peninsular Malaysia’s herpetological diversity.

Keywords: new species, Lycodon, karst, limestone, cave, conservation, endemic biodiversity, Peninsular Malaysia

Etymology. The specific epithet “cavernicolus” is an adjective derived from the Latin caverna meaning “cave” and the Latin cola meaning “dweller of” and refers to this species being a cave-dweller.

Natural history. Both the holotype and paratype were found deep within Gua Wang Burma cave in the state of Perlis, northwestern Peninsular Malaysia. ... Other species of amphibians and reptiles observed in the cave or near the cave entrance were the bufonid Phrynoides aspera, the gekkonids Cnemaspis biocellata, Cyrtodactylus astrum, and C. macrotuberculatus and the colubrid Othriophis taeniurusridleyi.

Grismer, L. L., Evan S. H. Quah, Shahrul A. M.s., MohD. A. Muin, Perry J. L. Wood & Siti A. M. Nor. 2014. A Diminutive New Species of Cave-Dwelling Wolf Snake (Colubridae: Lycodon Boie, 1826) from Peninsular Malaysia. Zootaxa. 3815(1): 51–67. DOI: dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3815.1.3

facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152293900539713

A Kiwi and an Elephant Bird egg.

by: Kyle Davis & Paul Scofield, Canterbury Museum
phenomena.nationalgeographic.com

The evolution of the ratite birds has been widely attributed to vicariant speciation, driven by the Cretaceous breakup of the supercontinent Gondwana. The early isolation of Africa and Madagascar implies that the ostrich and extinct Madagascan elephant birds (Aepyornithidae) should be the oldest ratite lineages. We sequenced the mitochondrial genomes of two elephant birds and performed phylogenetic analyses, which revealed that these birds are the closest relatives of the New Zealand kiwi and are distant from the basal ratite lineage of ostriches. This unexpected result strongly contradicts continental vicariance and instead supports flighted dispersal in all major ratite lineages. We suggest that convergence toward gigantism and flightlessness was facilitated by early Tertiary expansion into the diurnal herbivory niche after the extinction of the dinosaurs.

A) The break-up of Gondwana into separate continents. B) The ratite family tree, as you’d predict from the rafting hypothesis. C) The actual ratite family tree.

DOI: dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1251981

Mitchell, Llamas, Soubrier, Rawlence, Worthy, Wood, Lee & Cooper. 2014. Ancient DNA reveals Elephant Birds and Kiwi are Sister Taxa and Clarifies Ratite Bird Evolution. Science. 344: 898-900. DOI: dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1251981

academia.edu/7128252/Mitchell_Llamas_Soubrier_Rawlence_Worthy_Wood_Lee_and_Cooper._2014._Ancient_DNA_reveals_elephant_birds_and_kiwi_are_sister_taxa_and_clarifies_ratite_bird_evolution._Science_344_898-900

http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2014/05/22/the-surprising-closest-relative-of-the-huge-elephant-birds/

Ansonia vidua Hertwig, Min, Haas & DAS, 2014
Adult female, Murud Black Slender Toad

Abstract

A new species of stream toad of the genus Ansonia is described from Gunung Murud, Pulong Tau National Park, of northern Sarawak, Malaysia, Borneo.Ansonia vidua, sp. nov., is morphologically distinguished from its Bornean congeners by the following combination of characters: medium size (SVL of adult females 33.5–34.4 mm); body uniformly black-brown in life; absence of a visible pattern on dorsum or limbs; presence of two low interorbital ridges; shagreened skin on dorsum, sides and upper surfaces of the limbs with numerous homogeneously small, rounded warts; first finger shorter than second; reduced webbing between the toes and an absence of a sharp tarsal ridge. Uncorrected genetic distances between related taxa of > 4.3% in 16S rRNA gene support its status as a hitherto undescribed species.

Keywords: Amphibia, Ansonia vidua sp. nov., Pulong Tau National Park, systematics

Etymology. The species name vidua means ´widow´ and refers to the uniform brownish-black colouration in life of this species, which is traditionally the colour of choice by widows. We suggest the English vernacular name ‘Murud Black Slender Toad’ for the species.

Ecological notes: The type locality is situated between this unnamed small side stream [the edge of the summit trail to Gunung Murud, Pulong Tau National Park] and the Sugei Murud that runs eastward from near the summit of Gunung Murud down to the plateau of the Kelabit Highlands. The type locality is situated just below the summit ridge of the Gunung Murud massif. In this undisturbed montane mossy forest (Beaman 1999; Beaman & Anderson 1997; Mjöberg 1925), the following species of frogs have been recorded in sympatry: Limnonectes cf. kuhlii, Philautus mjobergi, P. cf. petersi, Pelophrynemurudensis and Leptobrachium montanum. The amphibian fauna of Gunung Murud has been described by Das (2005, 2008). The discovery of a new and possibly endemic species from the Gunung Murud massif underlines the importance of the Pulong Tau National Park in the protection of the highly diverse montane amphibian fauna of Sarawak and that of Borneo.

Hertwig, Stefan T., Pui Y. Min, Alexander Haas & Indraneil DAS. 2014. Dressed in Black. A New Ansonia Stoliczka, 1870 (Lissamphibia: Anura: Bufonidae) from Gunung Murud, Sarawak, East Malaysia (Borneo). Zootaxa. 3814(3): 419–431.

http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3814.3.9

Ansonia_vidua: theherpetofaunalbiologygroup.weebly.com

Male Kalophrynus cryptophonusin bamboo stem

photo: Eduard Galoyan http://flic.kr/p/nPe1tp DOI: dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.3.1

Abstract

We describe two new mountain-dwelling microhylid species of the genus Kalophrynus from the southern part of the Annamite Mountains in Vietnam. The two new species differ from all known congeners in morphological characters and mtDNA; phylogenetically, they form a sister clade to the large-bodied K. interlineatus (1009 bp, 16S rRNA gene, mtDNA). Both species share the following characteristics: snout pointed in dorsal and lateral views, slightly sloping in profile; tympanum distinct, smaller than eye in diameter; toe webbing moderate; outer metatarsal tubercle present; light dorsolateral line absent. Kalophrynus cryptophonus sp. nov. from Loc Bao, Lam Dong Province is a small-sized species distinguishing from its congeners by a combination of: SVL 27.9–30.4 mm in males, 23.4 mm in female; canthus rostralis indistinct; males with large sharp conical spines on the skin covering mandible margins and finely asperous nuptial pads on the dorsal surface of fingers I–III; dark ocelli in the inguinal region usually present, small, without a light border; anterior palatal dermal ridge short, restricted to medial part of palate. Kalophrynus honbaensis sp. nov. from Hon Ba, Khanh Hoa Province is a medium-sized Kalophrynus, distinguishing from its congeners by a combination of: SVL 26.7–36.8 mm in males; canthus rostralis distinct; males without distinguishable spines on the mandible margins nor the nuptial pads; dark ocelli in the inguinal region present, large, without a distinct light border, anterior palatal dermal ridge developed, parallel to posterior one. Kalophrynus cryptophonus sp. nov. reproduces in hollow bamboo stems; we describe larval morphology and bioacoustics of this species in relation to phytotelm breeding. A review of the distribution of the genus Kalophrynus in Indochina is provided.

Key words: Indochina, taxonomy, 16S rRNA, advertisement call, tadpole, phytotelm breeding, Kalophrynus cryptophonussp. nov., Kalophrynus honbaensissp. nov.

Vassilieva, Anna B., Svetlana S. Gogoleva & Nikolay A. J. Poyarkov. 2014. Two New Species of Kalophrynus Tschudi, 1838 (Anura: Microhylidae) from the Annamite Mountains in southern Vietnam. Zootaxa. 3796(3): 401–434.

http://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.3796.3.1

Abstract

We review the taxonomy and distribution of Microhyla Tschudi, 1838 (Anura: Microhylidae) species from Vietnam, with a special regional focus on the southern parts of the Annamite mountain range (Kon Tum and Langbian Plateaus, Tay Nguyen highlands) and its foothills. Recent field work in this area revealed specimens of five yet undescribed species, which are differentiated from all congeners by a combination of morphological traits: Microhyla pineticola sp. nov. from Lam Dong and Dak Lak provinces; Microhyla pulchella sp. nov. from Lam Dong Province; Microhyla minuta sp. nov. from Dong Nai Province; Microhyla darevskii sp. nov. from Kon Tum Province; and Microhyla arboricola sp. nov. from Dak Lak and Khanh Hoa provinces. Microhyla annamensis Smith, 1923 is redescribed based on recently collected material. The intrageneric systematic relationships of the new species are discussed. We provide first larval descriptions for four of the new species as well as for Microhyla annamensis Smith 1923. Notes on the breeding ecology and natural history of all above mentioned species are compiled for the first time. With Microhyla minuta sp. nov. and Microhyla arboricola sp. nov. we describe the probably smallest tetrapods currently known from mainland Southeast Asia. The latter species also represents the second record of a phytotelm breeder within the genus Microhyla. A key to the currently known Vietnamese species of Microhyla is provided.

Keywords: Indochina; systematics; Microhyla pineticola sp. nov.; Microhyla pulchella sp. nov.; Microhyla minuta sp. nov.; Microhyla darevskii sp. nov.; Microhyla arboricola sp. nov.; Microhyla annamensis; miniaturization; tadpole; phytotelm breeding

Nikolay A. Poyarkov, Jr., Anna B. Vassilieva, Nikolai L. Orlov, Eduard A. Galoyan, Tran Thi Anh Dao, Le Duong Thi Thuy, Valentina D. Kretova and Peter Geissler. 2014. Taxonomy and Distribution of Narrow-Mouth Frogs of the Genus Microhyla Tschudi, 1838 (Anura: Microhylidae) from Vietnam with Descriptions of Five New Species. Russian Journal of Herpetology. 21(2):89–148.

http://rjh.folium.ru/index.php/rjh/article/view/878

researchgate.net/publication/263381252_Taxonomy_and_distribution_of_narrow-mouth_frogs_of_the_genus_Microhyla_Tschudi_1838_%28Anura_Microhylidae%29_from_Vietnam_with_descriptions_of_five_new_species

ABSTRACT

Brevibora cheeya is a new species of cyprinid ﬁsh from the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra. It is distinguished from its only congener, B. dorsiocellata, by the complete lateral line, more scales along the lateral row and larger size.

KEY WORDS: Taxonomy, Brevibora cheeya, Brevibora dorsiocellata, Southeast Asia, Biodiversity.

Etymology. –Cheeya and Beiya, are two Chinese deities who hunt ghosts for Yama; “chee” and “bei” mean seven and eight, respectively, and “ya” is an honorable title for a respected person. Cheeya is tall and Beiya is short; in allusion to its relatively larger size as compared to B. dorsiocellata. A noun in apposition.

Distribution and field notes. – Brevibora cheeya is distributed both in the westerly and easterly ﬂ owing river basins of Peninsular Malaysia (western: Selangor; eastern: Terengganu, Pahang, Johor), Central Sumatra (Jambi, Riau) and Banka Island (Fig. 5). Brevibora dorsiocellata appears to be restricted to the Muar river basin in Malaysia, but this could be due to insufﬁ cient sampling (based on ZRC material and second author pers. obs.); but occurs in Central Sumatra, where B. cheeya is also present, but seemingly in different sub-basins. The Brevibora dorsiocellata group is also present in Borneo, and will be covered in more detail in future works.

The type locality in Malaysia is in a coastal heath forest (Fig. 6). This habitat consists mainly of Melaleuca

(Myrtaceae) stands on sandy and peaty substrate. The waters are tannin stained, slow ﬂ owing, and acidic (pH 4.5, as measured in February 2009). Syntopic species recorded from the type locality include: Boraras maculatus, Cyclocheilichthys apogon, Osteochilus spilurus, Parachela maculicauda, P. oxygastroides, Rasbora einthovenii, R. trilineata, Systomus johorensis, Trigonopoma gracile, T. pauciperforatum (Cyprinidae), Lepidocephalichthysfurcatus, Pangio alcoides, P. semicincta (Cobitidae), Kryptopterus macrocephalus, Ompok leiacanthus, Wallago leerii (Siluridae), Hemibagrus nemurus, Pseudomystus leiacanthus (Bagridae), Clarias batrachus, C. meladerma (Clariidae), Parakysis verrucosa (Akysidae), Aplocheilus panchax (Aplocheilidae), Hemirhamphodon pogonognathus (Hemiramphidae), Monopterus albus (Synbranchidae), Nandus nebulosus (Nandidae), Pristolepis grooti (Pristolepididae), Belontia hasseltii, Betta imbellis, B. waseri, Luciocephaluspulcher, Parosphromenus paludicola, Trichopodus leerii, T.trichopterus, Trichopsisvittata (Osphronemidae), Channabankanensis, C. lucius and C. striata (Channidae) (Kottelat et al., 1992; unpublished data).

Liao, T-Y., and H. H. Tan, 2011. Brevibora cheeya, A New Species of cyprinid Fish from Malay Peninsula and Sumatra. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 59(1): 77-82

http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/rbz/biblio/59/59rbz077-082.pdf

Breviboraexilis, new species, is described from the Kahayan and Sebangau basins, Kalimantan Tengah, Borneo, Indonesia. It is distinguished from its congeners, B. cheeya and B. dorsiocellata, by 10 circumpeduncular scales (vs. 12), anterior outline of dorsal-fin blotch ranging from 2nd unbranched ray to first four or five branched rays with transparent inter-radial membrane between 1st and 2nd unbranched rays (vs. blotch extending from 1st unbranched ray and inter-radial membrane between 1st and 2nd unbranched rays not hyaline), and relatively more slender body (body depth 19.3-24.7 % SL, vs. 24.4-26.7). It is further distinguished from B. cheeya by the incomplete lateral line with fewer perforated scales (6-10 vs. 25-30), a shorter head, a smaller caudal peduncular depth, a shorter caudal peduncule, a smaller prepectoral length, and shorter dorsal fin. It is further distinguished from B. dorsiocellata by having more scales along the lateral-line row (28-31 vs. 25-27).

Liao, T.-Y. & Tan, H.H. 2014. Brevibora exilis, A New rasborin Fish from Borneo (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters, 24(3) [2013]: 209-215.

http://www.pfeil-verlag.de/04biol/pdf/ief24_3_02.pdf

facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152348134674672

Etendeka Round-eared Sengi [elephant-shrew]
Macroscelides micus Dumbacher & Rathbun, 2014

FIG. 3.—Captive A)Macroscelides micus (CAS MAM 29699; JPD photo) and B)M. ﬂavicaudatus (CAS MAM 29696; JPD photo), illustrating the diagnostic features of the former: ears that appear pink due to the absence of dark skin pigment; swollen base of tail due to the large subcaudal gland; and rusty pelage of face, dorsum, and tail.

— Typical habitat of M. micus (650 m elevation) on the lower slope of an outcrop at the southern edge of the Awahab Outliers, about 28 km south of the Huab River in northwestern Namibia. The Sherman trap, just beyond the welwitschia plant in the foreground, is where M. micus was captured, and a M. ﬂavicaudatus was captured about 150 m lower on the slope, beyond the trap bag.
doi: 10.1644/13-MAMM-A-159

While studying the systematics and taxonomy of round-eared sengis (genus Macroscelides), we identiﬁed an unusual specimen from remote northwestern Namibia in the collection of the California Academy of Sciences. To determine if this represented a different species, we made 9 collecting trips with 5,616 trap-nights of effort that produced 16 voucher specimens (including the original specimen) of the unusual sengi. These specimens are distinguished from other Macroscelides species by morphological metrics (they are smaller), external features (rusty-tinged pelage, large subcaudal gland, and lack of dark skin pigment), and by divergence at 3 independently segregating DNA loci. These traits are the basis for the description of a new species of Macroscelidesthat seems to be conﬁned to gravel plains associated with the distinctive reddish colored Etendeka geological formation of northwestern Namibia. The new species appears to be reproductively isolated from congeners, because portions of its distribution are sympatric with that of the Namib round-eared sengi (M. ﬂavicaudatus), and we found no evidence of hybrid individuals or gene ﬂow. The new species is allopatric with the Karoo round-eared sengi (M. proboscideus), which is found about 500 km to the south. The new species, along with M. ﬂavicaudatus, is endemic to Namibia. With this 3rd species in the genus, there are now 19 recognized extant species in the order Macroscelidea.

Key words: elephant-shrew, Etendeka, Macroscelides, Namibia, new species, phylogenetics, sengi

Etymology.— The derivation of micus is Greek (mickros) meaning small, which reﬂects the diminutive size of this species; indeed, it is the smallest of any known sengi. This epithet continues the practice of using names that reﬂect distinctive features of each taxon in this genus (see below). We suggest the common name for the new species be Etendeka round-eared sengi (or elephant-shrew), which is based on the widely recognized common name used when the genus was monospeciﬁc (round-eared sengi), and incorporates the name of the region in Namibia where it occurs. Etendeka is from the Himba/Otji-Herero language of the Himba people from northwestern Namibia, and refers to the distinctive ﬂat-topped mountains and rust-colored substrates of the region. The other 2 species in the genus are the Karoo round-eared sengi (M. proboscideus) and the Namib round-eared sengi (M. ﬂavicaudatus)

Dumbacher, J. P.; Rathbun, G. B.; Osborne, T. O.; Griffin, M.; Eiseb, S. J. 2014. A New Species of Round-eared Sengi (genus Macroscelides) from Namibia. Journal of Mammalogy. 95 (3): 443–454. doi: dx.doi.org/10.1644/13-MAMM-A-159

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/06/140626132216.htm

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2671177/Meet-tiny-mouse-like-creature-TRUNK-New-species-closely-related-elephant-shrew.html

http://cryptozoologynews.blogspot.com/search/label/new%20and%20rediscovered

Hemidactylus acanthopholis sp. nov.

photo: V. Deepak
DOI: 10.4038/tapro.v6i1.7056

Abstract

A new species of gecko superficially resembling Hemidactylus maculatus is described from the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu.Hemidactylus acanthopholis sp. nov. is a large sized Hemidactylus, SVL at least 91.7mm. Dorsal scalation on trunk granular, intermixed with enlarged, fairly regularly arranged longitudinal rows of 18–20 trihedral, moderately keeled, striated tubercles of equal size on dorso-lateral aspect, 2–3 rows of tubercles on mid-dorsal smaller in size, approximately two dorsal granular scales wide. Two large rounded and one small internasal between nasals. Two pairs of postmentals, anterior pair is twice as long and wide as the posterior pair. Scales on ventral trunk arranged in 35–40 rows. Lamellae divided, 9, 11, 10, 10, 10 on manus, and 10, 12, 12, 12, 12 on pes respectively on digits I–V. Caudal pholidosis on dorsal aspect, consist of small, striated scales intermixed with large rounded un-keeled tubercles, scales sub-equal throughout and a series of large eight enlarged, moderately keeled and weakly striated and flattened tubercles in a whorl on each caudal segment. Femoral pores, 19–21 on each side separated medially by 13–14 pore-less scales.

Keywords: Biogeography; Hemidactylus maculatus; Species-complex; Taxonomy; Western Ghats; India

Zeeshan A Mirza, Rajesh V Sanap. 2014. A New Cryptic Species of Gecko of the genus Hemidactylus Oken, 1817 (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) from Southern India. TAPROBANICA. 6(1); 12-20. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/tapro.v6i1.7056

Gastrophrynoides immaculatus Chan, Grismer, Norhayati, and Daicus, 2009
Tung's Narrow-mouthed Frog

Abstract

A new species of microhylid frog of the genus Gastrophrynoides is described from Gunung Besar Hantu, in the state of Negeri Sembilan, adding a new generic record to the family Microhylidae of Peninsular Malaysia and an additional species to the previously monotypic genus Gastrophrynoides. This new species can be distinguished from its only congener, G. borneensis by having an immaculate, grayish brown dorsum (instead of a spotted one); a longer snout (2.6–3.0 vs. 2.0–2.5 times diameter of eye); and a single, large, oval outer metacarpal tubercle beneath the hand (instead of smaller, paired, rectangular outer metacarpal tubercles in G. borneensis).

Key words: Gunung Besar Hantu, Gastrophrynoides borneensis, Negeri Sembilan, frog

Comparisons. Gastrophrynoides immaculatus is distinguished from G. borneensis in having an immaculate, grayish brown dorsum as opposed to a spotted dorsum (Figure 2,3); a longer snout (2.6–3.0 vs. 2.0–2.5 times diameter of eye); and a single, large, oval, outer metacarpal tubercle beneath the hand (vs. smaller, paired, rectangular outer metacarpal tubercles in G. borneensis).

Gastrophrynoides immaculatus | Tung's Narrow-mouthed Frog

Etymology. The specific epithet is a latin masculine adjective in reference to the species’ uniformly colored dorsum, which differentiates it from its only congener, G. borneensis. The proposed common name, Tung’s Narrow-mouthed Frog honors Mr. Leong Sung Tung, who discovered this frog and has contributed immensely to the study and knowledge of herpetofauna in Peninsular Malaysia.

Natural History. The type series was found between 800–1400 m elevation in water-filled bamboo cuts not more than 1 m above ground.

Distribution. Only known from the type locality in Gunung Besar Hantu, Negeri Sembilan (Figure 1).

Chan, K.O., Grismer, L.L., Ahmad, N. and Belabut, D. 2009. A New Species of Gastrophrynoides (Anura: Microhylidae): An Addition to a previously Monotypic Genus and A New Genus for Peninsular Malaysia. Zootaxa. 2124: 63–68.

http://lasierra.edu/fileadmin/documents/biology/Grismer_s_Publications__1_/Gastrophrynoides.pdf

Ecnomiohyla sukia sp. nov. | Shaman Fringe-limb Frog | adult male in reddish color phase

Photo: Andrew Gray | frogblogmanchester.com

FIGURE 2. Ecnomiohyla sukia new species;
a = adult male (basis for pl. 74, fig. 3 in Duellman, 2001) courtesy of W.W. Lamar; b = adult male in essentially uniform color phase; c = adult male in patterned color phase; d = adult male in reddish color phase.

All specimens from Costa Rica: Limón: Guayacán: Alto Colorado.

Ecnomiohyla sukia Savage & Kubicki, 2010

Shaman Fringe-limb Frog

Abstract

A new moderate-sized species of fringe-limb treefrog of the genus Ecnomiohyla is described from the Atlantic premontane slope of central Costa Rica. It differs primarily from other members of the genus in having the combination of cephalic and dorsal osteoderms, extensive digital webbing, a pointed prepollical bony projection in adult males, and the fleshy scalloped fringe on the hindlimb continuing across the heel. Additional material of the related but much larger species, Ecnomiohyla miliaria, is documented from localities of virtual sympatry for the two taxa. The presence or absence of sexually dimorphic male features: bony humeral projection, prepollical bony projection, and keratinized black spines on the thumb and prepollex are summarized for the ten members of the genus. Hyla tuberculosa, recently referred to the genus does not belong to this clade and is regarded as incertae sedis.

Key words: Anura, Central America, Costa Rica, Guayacán, Ecnomiohyla miliaria, Ecnomiohyla sukia sp. nov., new species

Ecnomiohyla sukia

Photo: Andrew Gray | frogblogmanchester.com

Etymology. The name sukia is a noun in apposition and is derived from the Costa Rican name for the Amerind shamans of this region. We imagine that the call of the new species speaks, like those of the shamans, to communicate with the mysterious and unknown forces in the forest of the night.

Habitat and ecology. E. sukia is a nocturnal frog that inhabits mature secondary and primary humid broadleaf evergreen forests. It is a habitué of the canopy and individuals have been found in water-filled cavities, on the surface of vegetation and on tree branches. The junior author has seen about 20 individuals captured by Miguel Solano and his associates and heard about 10 individual males calling over the past decade. The species seems to be generally most active at the drier times of the year (February to April) but may be heard calling more or less randomly throughout the year. Five were kept in captivity but only one would feed under conditions in a large terrarium with ample water and hiding places. The single male, whose call was recorded, lived four year in the terrarium and ate crickets. The species uses water-filled cavities in living trees as sites for egg deposition and probably these are the places where amplexus takes place. We wish to point out that no individuals of the larger species, Ecnomiohyla miliaria have been seen nor heard subsequent to 1999 at Guayacán or elsewhere in the larger study area.

Distribution. Definitely known from two localities on the Atlantic slope in Tropical Lowland Wet Forest and Tropical Premontane Rainforest zones (sensu Savage, 2002, modified from Holdridge, 1967), Limón Province, Costa Rica (400–710 m; possibly to 900 m in northeastern Costa Rica). This species was recently found but not collected on the private reserve Las Brisas, at an elevation near 1000 m (Erick Berlin pers. comm.). The private reserve of Las Brisas is located on the Atlantic slopes of the Turrialba Volcano, Limón Province.

Jay M. Savage & Brian Kubicki 2010. A New Species of Fringe-limb Frog, genus Ecnomiohyla (Anura: Hylidae), from the Atlantic slope of Costa Rica, Central America. Zootaxa. 2719: 21–34.

http://crarc5.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/e-sukia-description.pdf

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecnomiohyla

Bawitius bartheli (Schaal 1984)

illutration: hyrotrioskjan.deviantart.com

ABSTRACT

A newly discovered osteichthyan ectopterygoid from the Upper Cretaceous (lower Cenomanian) Bahariya Formation of the Bahariya Oasis, Egypt, is nearly identical to the holotypic specimen of Polypterus? bartheli from the same area and geologic unit. The Bahariya ectopterygoids are referable to Polypteridae based on the presence of a robust, laterally directed process that articulates with the maxilla. Additionally, ganoid scales from the Bahariya Formation have an isopedine layer, a histological character of Polypteriformes; but differ from those of previously described members of this clade in having a discontinuous ganoin layer, rectilinear shape, and proportionally small articular processes. Both the ectopterygoids and the scales are unusually large, and are the only polypteriform remains so far identified from the Bahariya Formation. The ectopterygoids and (tentatively) the scales are herein assigned to a single species of gigantic polypterid, the morphology of which is sufficiently distinctive to warrant its placement in a new genus, Bawitius, gen. nov. Differences in scale anatomy and the enormous disparity in body size between Bawitius and Serenoichthys support the hypothesis (originally proposed on the basis of varied fin spine morphologies) that a diversity of polypterid fishes inhabited North Africa during the early Late Cretaceous.

syn: †Polypterus bartheli (Schaal 1984)
locality: Bahariya Formation, in the Bahariya Oasis of western Egypt

Barbara S. Grandstaff, Joshua B. Smith, Matthew C. Lamanna, Kenneth J. Lacovara, Medhat Said Abdel-Ghani. 2012. Bawitius, gen. nov., A Giant polypterid (Osteichthyes, Actinopterygii) from the Upper Cretaceous Bahariya Formation of Egypt. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 32(1):17-26. DOI: dx.doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2012.626823

researchgate.net/publication/233291244_Bawitius_gen._nov._a_giant_polypterid_%28Osteichthyes_Actinopterygii%29_from_the_Upper_Cretaceous_Bahariya_Formation_of_Egypt

Ecnomiohyla bailarina

photo by M. Vesely [Fig]

Abstract

Forest canopy-dwelling frogs are usually among the rarest anuran species observed in the neotropical forest, mainly because they fall outside of the scope of the standard search methods used by herpetologists. During field explorations undertaken in western and eastern Panama in recent years, we discovered two species belonging to the genus Ecnomiohyla, which showed significant differences in genetic distances (16S mtDNA gene) and morphological characteristics different from any known Ecnomiohyla species. The first specimen originates from the Serranía de Jingurudó, Darién province, southeastern Panamá, and is described herein as E. bailarina sp. nov., and the second specimen was found at Santa Fe National Park, Veraguas province, central-western Panama, and is described as E. veraguensis sp. nov. We provide a detailed description of both new species, including comparisons of morphological and molecular characters of almost all members of the genus in lower Central America, as well as an identification key for the entire genus.

Key words: Fringe-limbed frogs, Ecnomiohyla, rare species, DNA barcoding, lower Central America, Panama

Ecnomiohyla veraguensis

photo by A. Hertz [Fig]

Batista, Abel, Andreas Hertz, Konrad Mebert, Gunther Köhler, Sebastian Lotzkat, Marcos Ponce & Milan Vesely. 2014. Two New Fringe-limbed Frogs of the Genus Ecnomiohyla (Anura: Hylidae) from Panama. Zootaxa. 3826(3): 449–474. DOI: dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3826.3.2

Fig. 14. Reconstruction of two Late Volgian ammonites from Craspeditidae family,
Kachpurites fulgens (A), Garniericeras catenulatum (B).
Ten arms are shown because Nautilus and representatives of Coleoidea exhibit five arm pairs in embryos, it can be a base number of arms in Cephalopoda (Kröger et. al. 2011). Two long tentacles are very speculative. However, such tentacles for external-shelled cephalopods could be very useful for catching pray which is at a distance; since rapid jumping forward could be difficult to these mollusks. The large hyponome were shown because of the presence of a funnel-locking apparatus and hyponomic retractors, and also due to the shape of aperture edges with lateral apertural sinuses and the presence of a large round opening between lappets in some ammonites (Westermann 1990: fig. 2). The eyes were drawn similar to coleoid eyes because Ammonoidea and Coleoidea were sister taxons (Jacobs and Landman 1993). The dark transverse bands on the shells correspond to the most common ammonites’ color pattern (Keupp 2000). The presence of such a color pattern in the Craspeditidae family is confirmed by findings of shells with transverse dark bands (AAM unpublished material). This picture, drawn by Andrey Atuchin, was based on the sketch of the author of this article.

Soft-tissue attachment scars of two genera and four species of Upper Jurassic (Upper Volgian) craspeditid ammonites from the Russian Platform are described. A previously suggested relationship between lateral attachment scars and ammonoid hyponome is confirmed, however, a new interpretation is proposed for dorsal attachment scars: they could have been areas not only for attachment of the dorsal (nuchal) retractors, but also of the cephalic retractors. The new type of the soft-tissue attachment – anterior lateral sinuses, located between the lateral attachment scars and the aperture of the ammonite body chamber is described. Enclosed elliptical or subtriangular areas in apertural parts of the anterior lateral sinuses were found for the first time. Their presence and location suggest that this structure could have been used for attaching the funnel-locking apparatus, similar to those of coleoids. A transformation of shape and position of lateral attachment scars through the evolution of the Late Jurassic craspeditid lineage starting from platycones (Kachpurites fulgens) to keeled oxycones (Garniericeras catenulatum) is recognized.

Keywords: Ammonoidea, Craspeditidae, Kachpurites, Garniericeras, soft-tissue attachment scars, paleobiology, Jurassic, Russia.

Mironenko, A.A. 2014. The Soft-tissue Attachment Scars in Late Jurassic ammonites from Central Russia. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica. XX (X): xxx-xxx. http://dx.doi.org/10.4202/app.00041.2013
http://app.pan.pl/archive/published/app59/app000412013_acc.pdf

A reconstruction of the world's largest-ever flying bird, Pelagornis sandersi

identified by Daniel Ksepka | illustration: Liz Bradford

Abstract

Pelagornithidae is an extinct clade of birds characterized by bizarre tooth-like bony projections of the jaws. Here, the flight capabilities of pelagornithids are explored based on data from a species with the largest reported wingspan among birds. Pelagornis sandersi sp. nov. is represented by a skull and substantial postcranial material. Conservative wingspan estimates (∼6.4 m) exceed theoretical maximums based on extant soaring birds. Modeled flight properties indicate that lift:drag ratios and glide ratios for P. sandersi were near the upper limit observed in extant birds and suggest that pelagornithids were highly efficient gliders, exploiting a long-range soaring ecology.

Keywords: Aves, fossil, Oligocene, paleontology, pseudotooth

A line drawing of the world's largest-ever flying bird, Pelagornis sandersi, showing comparative wingspan. left, a California condor Gymnogyps californianus, right, a Wandering albatross Diomedea exulans.

by Liz Bradford

Systematic Paleontology

Aves Linnaeus, 1758.

Pelagornithidae Fürbringer, 1888.

Pelagornis Lartet, 1857.

Pelagornis sandersi sp. nov.

Etymology. sandersi honors retired Charleston Museum curator Albert Sanders, collector of the holotype.

Locality and Age. The holotype was collected from Bed 2 of the Chandler Bridge Formation near Charleston Airport (Charleston, SC). It is late Oligocene (lower Chattian, ~25–28 Ma) in age based on calcareous nannoplankton biostratigraphy.

Fig. 1. (Upper) Reconstruction of Pelagornis sandersi(elements preserved in the holotype are shown in white) with D. exulans (Wandering Albatross; 3-m average wingspan) for scale.
(Lower)P. sandersiholotype (ChM PV4768) skull in (a) dorsal, (b) ventral, (c ) left lateral (mandible in medial view), and (d) right lateral views (mandible in lateral view). Right humerus in (e ) caudal and (f ) cranial views. Scapula in (g) lateral and (h) medial views. (i) Partial furcula femur in (j ) cranial and (k) caudal views. Tibiotarsus in (l ) cranial and (m ) caudal views. Fibula in (n) lateral view. Tarsometatarsus in (o) dorsal view (distal portion exposed in the medial view because of deformation) and (p) rotated to show the distal portion in dorsal view. (q) Pedal phalanx.

cc, Lateral cnemial crest; fac, fossa aditus canalis neurovascularis; fc, facet; haf, humeral articular facet; ie, intercotylar eminence; j, jugal; lf, lateral furrow; mtII, metatarsal trochlea II; nfh, nasofrontal hinge; pf, pneumatic foramen; pp, paroccipital process; sf, subcondylar fossa; sup, supra-angulare; sw, swelling on crista deltopectoralis; syn, synovial joint; tb, tubercle; trf, transverse furrow.

Daniel T. Ksepka. 2014. Flight Performance of The Largest Volant Bird. PNAS.

doi: dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1320297111

Significance

A fossil species of pelagornithid bird exhibits the largest known avian wingspan. Pelagornithids are an extinct group of birds known for bony tooth-like beak projections, large size, and highly modified wing bones that raise many questions about their ecology. At 6.4 m, the wingspan of this species was approximately two times that of the living Royal Albatross. Modeling of flight parameters in this species indicates that it was capable of highly efficient gliding and suggests that pelagornithids exploited a long-range marine soaring strategy similar, in some ways, to that of extant albatrosses.

World's largest-ever flying bird identified http://phy.so/323962726 via @physorg_com

the typical Eocene paleoenvironment preserved in the Driftwood Canyon fossil beds, British Columbia, Canada.
In the image, a Heptodon has been startled from drinking by a sound off to the right, while a small Silvacola acareson a moss-covered surface stalks the green lacewing (Pseudochrysopa harveyi) in the foreground. A water strider floats at lower left, while a march fly rests on a stalk of Equisetum at upper left. A damselfly flutters above the hedgehog at upper right under red autumn leaves of Alnus. Other plants depicted include water fern (Azolla) and waterlilies (Nuphar) (both floating), and the terrestrial plants Thuja, Metasequoia, Sassafras and saw palmettos.

Julius Csotonyi | Csotonyi.com

ABSTRACT

The early Eocene is an important time in Cenozoic history because it marked the height of global warming, coincident with significant reorganization of the mammalian biota. In North America, our understanding of mammalian diversity during this interval is largely limited to a fossil record south of the 49th Parallel. New discoveries in the early Eocene Driftwood Creek beds (Ootsa Lake Group), northern British Columbia (∼55°N) double the known diversity of Eocene mammals from this Canadian province and provide a window into the mammalian community that lived near the northernmost lake of the Okanagan Highlands, a series of Eocene lake deposits extending north-south from Republic, Washington, to Smithers, northern British Columbia. A diverse insect and fish fauna has been described from Okanagan Highlands Eocene lake shales, together with a diverse flora, interpreted as a cool upland forested landscape. We report the tapiroid cf. Heptodonand an erinaceomorph lipotyphlan Silvacola acares, gen. et sp. nov., from the Driftwood Creek beds. Presence of cf. Heptodon is consistent with the late early Eocene age of the Driftwood Creek beds determined by radiometric dating and palynology. Heptodon is otherwise known from Eocene localities in Wyoming and Colorado as well as Ellesmere Island in the High Arctic, whereas erinaceids are recorded from late Paleocene sites in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the U.S. Western Interior and are relatively uncommon at Eocene sites in the U.S. Western Interior. Occurrence of cf. Heptodon at Driftwood Canyon supports the hypothesis proposed by others that tapiroids are proxies of densely forested habitats.

Jaelyn J. Eberle, Natalia Rybczynski & David R. Greenwood. 2014. Early Eocene mammals from the Driftwood Creek beds, Driftwood Canyon Provincial Park, northern British Columbia. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 34(4); 739-746.

DOI: dx.doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2014.838175

New fossil discoveries: Ancient hedgehog and tapir once inhabited British Columbia

http://phys.org/news/2014-07-fossils-tiny-unknown-hedgehog.html

http://nature.ca/en/about-us/museum-news/news/press-releases/new-fossil-discoveries-ancient-hedgehog-tapir-once-inhabite

http://artsandsciences.colorado.edu/magazine/2014/07/fossil-of-smallest-known-hedgehog-found-in-canada/

Priocharax nanus, new species, is described from the rio Negro, Brazil. It is a miniature fish that retains as an adult the larval rayless pectoral fin, a diagnostic character of the genus. Priocharax nanus possesses fewer reductive features compared to congeners, P. ariel and P. pygmaeus, from which it can be distinguished by the presence of i,6 pelvic-fin rays (vs. i,5), the presence of the claustrum (vs. claustrum absent) and the presence of two postcleithra (vs. postcleithra absent). An updated list of 213 species of miniature Neotropical freshwater fishes is presented. The greatest diversity among them is represented by

the Characiformes with 87 miniature species.

Key words: Heterocharacinae, Miniaturization, Reductive characters.

Etymology. The species name is derived from the Latin, nanus, meaning a dwarf and alludes to the tiny size of adult specimens of the species. A noun in apposition.

Mônica Toledo-Piza, George M. T. Mattox and Ralf Britz. 2014. Priocharax nanus, A New Miniature characid from the rio Negro, Amazon basin (Ostariophysi: Characiformes), with an updated list of miniature Neotropical freshwater fishes. Neotropical Ichthyology. 12(2): 229-246. DOI: dx.doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-20130171 [ufrgs.br/ni]

http://www.ufrgs.br/ni/niv12n02/02%20p229-246.pdf

Nakhonsimon ramromensis Promdam, Nabhitabhata & Ng, 2014

photo: R. Promdam [1] [2]

Abstract

A new genus and species of potamid crab, Nakhonsimonramromensis, is described from Nakhon Si Thammarat, southern Thailand. The new genus resembles Stoliczia and Johora from Peninsular Thailand and Malaysia in general features, but can be distinguished by the form of the male thoracic sternites 3 and 4, and the structure of the gonopods.

Key words. Nakhonsimonramromensis, new genus, new species, Brachyura, Potamidae, freshwater crab, Peninsular Thailand, taxonomy

TAXONOMY

Family Potamidae Ortmann, 1896
Subfamily Potamiscinae Bott, 1970

Nakhonsimon, new genus
Type species. Nakhonsimonramromensis, new species, designated herein.

Etymology. The name is an arbitrary combination of Changwat (= Province) Nakhon Si Thammarat, the type locality of the type species, in combination with the genus name Potamon. Gender of genus neuter.

Habitat. Adults of this species appear to be completely terrestrial, as they were found far away from any permanent water sources; the holotype male was found in a temporary pool on the highest point of the mountain ridge (about 996 m above sea level). Smaller crabs were observed in a phyotelm on a tree trunk that grows near the stream. Most juveniles were found beneath rocks in the main stream.

The gecarcinucid Phricotelphusaaedes (Kemp, 1923) was collected in the same vicinity as Nakhonsimonramromensis.

Distribution. So far only known from the type locality on Khao Ram Rome, Changwat Nakhon Si Thammarat, Peninsular Thailand, but can probably be found in adjacent areas as well.

Rueangrit Promdam, Jaruwat Nabhitabhata & Peter K. L. Ng. 2014. Nakhonsimonramromensis, A New Genus and Species of Freshwater Crab (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Potamidae) from Nakhon Si Thammarat, Peninsular Thailand. Raffles. Bull. Zool. 62: 496–500.
http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/zoology_volume_62/62rbz496-500.pdf

[Arachnology • 2012] Revision of the Genus Sinopoda Jäger 1999 (Sparassidae: Heteropodinae) in Laos; with discovery of the first eyeless huntsman spider species - Sinopoda scurion

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[PaleoOrnithology • 2014] Ancient DNA reveals Elephant Birds and Kiwi are Sister Taxa and Clarifies Ratite Bird Evolution

[Herpetology • 2014] Ansonia vidua | Murud Black Slender Toad • Dressed in Black. A New Ansonia Stoliczka, 1870 (Anura: Bufonidae) from Gunung Murud, Sarawak, East Malaysia (Borneo)

[Herpetology • 2014] Kalophrynus cryptophonus & K. honbaensis • Two New Species of Kalophrynus Tschudi, 1838 (Anura: Microhylidae) from the Annamite Mountains in southern Vietnam

[Herpetology • 2014] Taxonomy and Distribution of Narrow-Mouth Frogs of the Genus Microhyla Tschudi, 1838 (Anura: Microhylidae) from Vietnam with Descriptions of Five New Species; Microhyla pineticola, M. pulchella, M. minuta, M. darevskii & M. arboricola

[Ichthyology • 2011] Brevibora cheeya • A New Species of cyprinid Fish (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from Malay Peninsula and Sumatra

[Ichthyology • 2014] Brevibora exilis • A New rasborin Fish (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from Kahayan and Sebangau basins,Central Kalimantan, Borneo, Indonesia

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[Herpetology • 2009] Gastrophrynoides immaculatus • A New Species of Gastrophrynoides (Anura: Microhylidae): An Addition to A previously Monotypic Genus and A New Genus for Peninsular Malaysia

[Herpetology • 2010] Ecnomiohyla sukia | Shaman Fringe-limbed Treefrog • A New Species of Fringe-limb Frog, genus Ecnomiohyla (Anura: Hylidae), from the Atlantic slope of Costa Rica, Central America

[PaleoIchthyology • 2012] Bawitius gen. nov. • A Giant polypterid (Osteichthyes, Actinopterygii) from the Upper Cretaceous Bahariya Formation of Egypt

[Herpetology • 2014] Ecnomiohyla bailarina & E. veraguensis • Two New Fringe-limbed Frogs of the Genus Ecnomiohyla (Anura: Hylidae) from Panama

[Paleontology • 2014] The Soft-tissue Attachment Scars in Late Jurassic ammonites from Central Russia

[PaleoOrnithology • 2014] Pelagornis sandersi • Flight Performance of The Largest Volant Bird

[PaleoMammalogy • 2014] Early Eocene mammals from the Driftwood Creek beds, Driftwood Canyon Provincial Park, northern British Columbia, Canada

[Ichthyology • 2014] Priocharax nanus • A New Miniature characid (Ostariophysi: Characiformes) from the rio Negro, Amazon basin

[Crustacea • 2014] ปูเขารามโรม | Nakhonsimon ramromensis • A New Genus and Species of Freshwater Crab (Brachyura: Potamidae) from Nakhon Si Thammarat, Peninsular Thailand