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[Mammalogy • 2016] Euroscaptor orlovi & E. kuznetsovi • Secrets of the Underground Vietnam: An Underestimated Species Diversity of Asian Moles (Lipotyphla: Talpidae: Euroscaptor)

December 19, 2017, 8:01 pm
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Euroscaptor orlovi
Zemlemerova, Bannikova, Lebedev, Rozhnov & Abramov, 2016


ABSTRACT
 A study of the Southeast Asian moles of the genus Euroscaptor based on a combined approach, viz. DNA sequence data combined with a multivariate analysis of cranial characters, has revealed a high cryptic diversity of the group. An analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and five nuclear genes has revealed two deeply divergent clades: the western one (E. klossi + E. malayana + E. longirostris from Sichuan + Euroscaptor spp. from northern Vietnam and Yunnan, China), and the eastern one (E. parvidens s.l. + E. subanura). The pattern of genetic variation in the genus Euroscaptor discovered in the present study provides support for the existence of several cryptic lineages that could be treated as distinct species based on their genetic and morphological distinctness and geographical distribution. The moles from southern China and northern Vietnam form three distinct groups. The specimens from Sichuan (including the one collected from the type locality of E. longirostris) were clearly distinct from the northwestern Vietnam and Yunnan samples that were previously attributed to this species. We argue that the real distribution of E. longirostris is restricted to Sichuan, northward of Yangtze River, whereas the populations occurring southward of this isolation barrier evidently represent a new species Euroscaptor orlovi sp. nov. (northwestern Vietnam and Yunnan, southern China). Moreover, Red River that divides the western and eastern parts of northern Vietnam beyond doubt separates the population of E. orlovi from the moles occurring in northeastern Vietnam (Vinh Phuc and Cao Bang provinces); the latter are described here as Euroscaptor kuznetsovi sp. nov. Yet, genetic data are in favour of a close affinity of E. subanura with E. parvidens. A combined analysis of both genetic and morphological data has revealed a strong geographic segregation of E. parvidens samples. The populations from Dalat Plateau (southern Vietnam), including the moles from Loc Bao, Bi Dup and Chu Yang Sin, form a well-supported clade and can be considered true E. parvidens. The specimens from central Vietnam (Kon Tum and Quang Nam provinces) are significantly different from them, yet their monophyly has been supported by the mtDNA only. The moles from central Vietnam have been described here as a new subspecies Euroscaptor parvidens ngoclinhensis ssp. nov. All the studied samples of E. subanura have shown a low genetic and morphological variability despite their wide geographic range. 

Key words: cryptic species, Euroscaptor, multilocus phylogeny, multivariate analyses, taxonomy




SYSTEMATICS 
Genus Euroscaptor Miller, 1940
 Type species: Talpa klossi Thomas, 1929. 

Distribution: widely distributed in South Asia, occurring in China, Nepal, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, and Peninsular Malaysia. 

Composition: Euroscaptor klossi (Thomas, 1929), Euroscaptor longirostris (Milne-Edwards, 1870), Euroscaptor malayana (Chasen, 1940), Euroscaptor parvidens (Miller, 1940), Euroscaptor subanura Kawada et al., 2012, Euroscaptor orlovi sp. nov., and Euroscaptor kuznetsovi sp. nov. (see descriptions below). Probably, also includes Euroscaptor grandis Miller, 1940 and Euroscaptor micrura (Hodgson, 1841). The taxonomic status of “Talpa” cryptura Blyth, 1843 from Darjeeling, India remains obscure. 


Euroscaptor orlovi sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Large-sized mole, comparable to E. longirostris. Pelage blackish brown. Tail long and club-shaped. Rostral part of skull elongated and narrow. Posterolingual border of P4 deeply concave. Anterior parts of auditory bullae flatted and straddling. A new species distinguished by the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b and five nuclear genes (BRCA1, BRCA2, ApoB, RAG1 and A2ab) (see Figs 2–4).

Etymology. The new species is named in honour of Dr. Nikolai L. Orlov (Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg, Russia) in recognition of his remarkable contributions to the study of animals of Vietnam. 

Distribution. Found in northern Vietnam (Lao Cai Province, Sa Pa District) and southern China (Yunnan Province). It may have a wider distribution in the highlands of northern Laos and in northwestern Vietnam, probably westward of Red River.


Euroscaptor kuznetsovi sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Large-sized mole, comparable to E. longirostris and E. orlovi sp. nov. Pelage blackish brown. Tail long and club-shaped. Rostral part of skull elongated and relatively wide. Posterolingual border of P4 deeply concave. Anterior parts of auditory bullae flatted and straddling. A new species distinguished by the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b and five nuclear genes (BRCA1, BRCA2, ApoB, RAG1 and A2ab) (see Figs 2–4).

Etymology. The new species is named in honour of Dr. German V. Kuznetsov (A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow) in recognition of his many contributions to the study of mammals of Vietnam. 

Distribution. Distributed in north-eastern Vietnam. It is recorded from Vinh Phuc Province (Tam Dao) and Cao Bang Province (Nguyen Binh District). Found at the elevations of 750–950 m a.s.l. Probably, the record from Guangxi, south-eastern China (Hoffman and Lunde 2008) belongs to this species as well. 


Euroscaptor parvidens ngoclinhensis subsp. nov.

Diagnosis. Small-sized mole, comparable only to E. subanura, and smaller on average in its external and cranial measurements than the nominotypical E. parvidens. The fourth upper premolar with a well developed parastyle. A new species distinguished by the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b (see Fig. 2).

Etymology. The subspecies is named after the Ngoc Linh Mountain in Kon Tum Province of Vietnam, from where it was collected for the first time. 

Distribution. Known from the Central Highlands of Vietnam (Kon Tum and Quang Nam provinces). Probably, the moles from Gia Lai Province (Abramov et al. 2013a) belong to this subspecies. 



E.D. Zemlemerova, A.A. Bannikova, V.S. Lebedev, V.V. Rozhnov and A.V. Abramov. 2016. Secrets of the Underground Vietnam: An Underestimated Species Diversity of Asian Moles (Lipotyphla: Talpidae: Euroscaptor) [ТАЙНЫ ПОДЗЕМНОГО ВЬЕТНАМА: НЕДООЦЕНЕННОЕ ВИДОВОЕ РАЗНООБРАЗИЕ АЗИАТСКИХ КРОТОВ (LIPOTYPHLA: TALPIDAE: EUROSCAPTOR)]. Proceedings of the Zoological Institute RAS. 320(2); 193–220.   istina.msu.ru/publications/article/22015267 

Stranger Species shar.es/1M90OQ

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[Herpetology • 2017] Cryptic and Non-Cryptic Diversity in New Guinea Ground Snakes of the Genus Stegonotus Duméril, Bibron and Duméril, 1854 (Squamata: Colubridae): A Description of Four New Species

December 20, 2017, 5:30 pm
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[upper]  Stegonotus iridis
[lower] Stegonotus derooijae
(a) Stegonotus cucullatus, (c) Stegonotus modestus, (e) Stegonotus parvus

Ruane, Richards, McVay, et al. 2017.  DOI:  10.1080/00222933.2017.1391959
Photos from Christopher C. Austin (a, c, e).  @Sara_and_Snakes

ABSTRACT
The island of New Guinea has been identified as biologically megadiverse but many taxa are still poorly known. This is especially the case for many of the island’s snakes, which by their very nature can be difficult to collect and study. Here we examine the phylogenetic and phylogeographic structure of a poorly studied snake genus, Stegonotus, focusing on the species of New Guinea; until now, Stegonotus has never been examined using modern phylogenetic methods. Using molecular data from 49 individuals representing eight of the ten described species, and including all New Guinea taxa, we estimate a multilocus phylogeny and examine population structure to help identify undescribed taxa. We use morphological data from the corresponding museum vouchered specimens (where available) and also examine additional specimens for taxa not included in the molecular data set to determine morphological differences among putative taxa. We find molecular evidence for four new species of Stegonotus, both morphologically obvious and cryptic, and describe them herein. The recognition of these four species indicates that Stegonotus diversity has been previously underestimated and also suggests that there are likely additional undescribed taxa within the genus. These four taxa increase the number of described species by 40% and further confirm New Guinea as the centre of diversity for the genus.

KEYWORDS: Australasia, colubrine, Indonesia, integrative taxonomy, phylogenetics


Figure 1. Photographs of six New Guinea Stegonotus species in life including voucher numbers:
 (a) Stegonotus cucullatus LSUMZ 94371, (b) Stegonotus diehli LSUMZ 92345, (c) Stegonotus modestus LSUMZ 92327, (d) Stegonotus heterurus BPBM 22556, (e) Stegonotus parvus LSUMZ 92335, (f) Stegonotus guentheri LSUMZ 94386.
Photos from Christopher C. Austin (a, b, c, e, f) and F. Kraus (d). 

Ruane, Richards, McVay, et al. 2017.  DOI:  10.1080/00222933.2017.1391959
@Sara_and_Snakes

 facebook.com/LSUScience/posts/1475337432514763

  Stegonotus iridis sp. nov. SAMA R70466 
  Photos from Stephen J. Richards.

Photographs of holotype Stegonotus iridis sp. nov. MZB.Ophi.3306; dorsal of body, ventral of body.
 Photos from Stephen J. Richards.

Stegonotus iridis sp. nov.

Etymology: The species epithet is a noun in apposition and taken from the Latin word for rainbow. It refers to the high level of iridescence shown both dorsally and ventrally by this species. 

Natural history and distribution: Currently known only from the Raja Ampat islands of Batanta, Salawati and Waigeo in eastern Indonesia where all of the animals encountered were active on the forest floor in moderately to heavily disturbed lowland (< 100 m asl) rainforest at night. The pale colour of this species made them extremely conspicuous against the dark forest floor. 



Stegonotus derooijae sp. nov. MZB.Ophi.3288
 Photos from Stephen J. Richards.

Stegonotus derooijae sp. nov.

Etymology: The species epithet is a noun in the genitive case and is a patronym in honour of Dr Nelly De Rooij, who described many taxa from New Guinea and Indonesia, including Stegonotus florensis. 

Natural history and distribution: Currently known only from the Raja Ampat islands of Batanta, Salawati and Waigeo in eastern Indonesia. This small, slender species was active on the forest floor in moderately to heavily disturbed lowland (< 100 m above sea level) rainforest at night. At each site it occurred in sympatry with S. iridis sp. nov., described above. 


Stegonotus melanolabiatus sp. nov.

Etymology: The species epithet comes from the Greek melano meaning black or dark and the Latin word labia for lips. The name refers to the dark coloration of the labial scales of this species.

 Natural history and distribution: No information is known about the natural history of S.melanolabiatus. Stegonotus melanolabiatus sp. nov. is found south of the central mountain ranges (Figure 3) in Southern Highlands and Chimbu Provinces of Papua New Guinea. It may also occur in other provinces and regions south of the central cordillera across New Guinea. 


Stegonotus admiraltiensis sp. nov.

Etymology: The species epithet refers to the Admiralty Islands where this species is found, an archipelago of 18 islands to the north of New Guinea, comprising Manus Province, Papua New Guinea. 

Natural history and distribution: As with all New Guinea Stegonotus, S. admiraltiensis sp. nov. is nocturnal. All four specimens were collected at night as they were moving on the forest floor on the leaf litter. Typical for Stegonotus, once picked up S. admiraltiensis sp. nov. rapidly attempted to bite the collector’s hand and writhed violently in a side-to-side motion. Nothing more is known about the natural history or ecology of S. admiraltiensis sp. nov. Stegonotus admiraltiensis sp. nov. is found on the islands of Rambutyo and Los Negros in Manus Province of Papua New Guinea. Based on descriptions of similar specimens from Manus (McDowell 1972) and recent collections there by SJR that will be registered in the near future (Richards and Aplin 2015), we conclude that S. admiraltiensis sp. nov. is also found on Manus Island proper and that all specimens of Stegonotus from the Admiralty Islands are S. admiraltiensis sp. nov. 


Sara Ruane, Stephen J. Richards, John D. McVay, Burhan Tjaturadi, Keliopas Krey and Christopher C. Austin. 2017. Cryptic and Non-Cryptic Diversity in New Guinea Ground Snakes of the Genus Stegonotus Duméril, Bibron and Duméril, 1854: A Description of Four New Species (Squamata: Colubridae).  Journal of Natural History. DOI:  10.1080/00222933.2017.1391959
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[Entomology • 2017] Molpa dulongensis • A Newly Recorded Genus (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Phaneropterinae) from China

December 20, 2017, 6:31 pm
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Molpa dulongensis
Wu, Yang, Liu & Zong, 2017

Abstract

The genus Molpa Walker was previously considered to be disjunctly distributed in broad-leaf rain forests in India and Malaysia. Here we report one new species Molpa dulongensis sp. nov. from subtropic broad-leaf rain forests in southwestern Yunnan Province in China. This is a part of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot area. So we can infer that Molpa is continuously distributed in broad-leaf rain forests found in Oriental Region. Redescription of the genus Molpa and description of the new species Molpa dulongensis sp. nov. are provided. The types are deposited in Insect Collection of Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China (IZCAS).

Keywords: Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae, Phaneropterinae




Chao Wu, Zhen Yang, Chun-Xiang Liu and Cheng Zong. 2017. Molpa: A Newly Recorded Genus (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Phaneropterinae) from China. Zootaxa. 4365(5);  585–589. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4365.5.5

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[Arachnida • 2017] Liphistius maewongensis • A New Liphistius Species (Mesothelae: Liphistiidae: Liphistiinae) from Thailand, with Notes on its Natural History

December 20, 2017, 7:04 pm
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Liphistius maewongensis 
Sivayyapram, Smith, Weingdow & Warrit, 2017

แมงมุมฝาปิดโบราณแม่วงก์ || DOI:  10.1636/JoA-S-17-028.1 

Abstract
 A new species of trapdoor spider of the genus Liphistius Schiödte, 1849 (Mesothelae: Liphistiidae) is described from specimens collected from Mae Wong National Park, Klonglan district, Kamphaeng Phet province, Thailand. This Liphistius species belongs to the bristowei species-group based on the elevated cumulus and the distinct embolic part, and resembles L. yamasakii Ono, 1988. Diagnostic characters of the male and female are discussed, and a map is provided for the type localities of the 32 previously described Liphistius species in Thailand. This is the first record of a Liphistius species in the bristowei species-group that builds a T- or Y-shaped burrow with two trapdoor openings. 

Keywords: Systematics, checklist, conservation, spider




Family Liphistiidae Thorell, 1869
Subfamily Liphistiinae Thorell, 1869

Genus Liphistius Schio¨dte, 1849

Liphistius maewongensis sp. nov

Etymology.— The specific epithet refers to the type locality, Mae Wong National Park, an important tiger sanctuary in Southeast Asia.

Remarks.—  Liphistius maewongensis belongs to the bristowei species-group sensu Schwendinger (1990), based on the elevated cumulus (Figs. 4a–d) and the two longitudinal ridges on the sclerotized part of the embolic parts that reach the tip (Fig. 4e). Thus, the bristowei species-group of Liphistius is currently comprised of L. bristowei, L. lannaianus, L. marginatusSchwendinger, 1990, L. yamasakii, and L. maewongensis. Despite the similarity between L. yamasakii and L. maewongensis, the male pedipalp shapes are grossly different.




Varat Sivayyapram, Deborah Roan Smith, Suthon Weingdow and Natapot Warrit. 2017.  A New Liphistius Species (Mesothelae: Liphistiidae: Liphistiinae) from Thailand, with Notes on its Natural History.   Journal of Arachnology. 45(3); 287-295. DOI:  10.1636/JoA-S-17-028.1
ResearchGate.net/publication/321664590_A_new_Liphistius_species_Mesothelae_Liphistiidae_from_Thailand


พบ ‘แมงมุมฝาปิดโบราณ’ ชนิดใหม่ของโลกที่แม่วงก์  seub.or.th/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2212%3Aseubnews&catid=5%3A2009-10-07-10-58-20 

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[Botany • 2017] Leptomischus flaviflorus • A New Species (Rubiaceae) from Arunachal Pradesh, India

December 20, 2017, 9:05 pm
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Leptomischus flaviflorus
Hareesh, Wu & Sabu, 2017


Abstract

Leptomischus flaviflorus, a new species from Arunachal Pradesh, India, is here described and illustrated. Detailed description, distribution, ecology, colour photographs, and key to identification for Leptomischus species are provided.

Keywords: Eudicots, Arunachal Pradesh, Himalaya, Leptomischus, North-East India, Taxonomy




Vadakkoot Sankaran Hareesh, Lei Wu and Mamiyil Sabu. 2017. Leptomischus flaviflorus (Rubiaceae), A New Species from India. Phytotaxa. 332(1); 88–92. DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.332.1.10

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[Paleontology • 2017] Late Permian (Lopingian) Terrestrial Ecosystems: A Global Comparison with New Data from the Low-Latitude Bletterbach Biota

December 21, 2017, 1:48 am
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 The lush equatorial ecosystem of the late Permian, about 260 milion years ago, as reconstructed in the Dolomites region, Northern Italy. 
 Drawing by Davide Bonadonna.

Bernardi, Petti, Kustatscher, et al. 2017

Abstract
The late Palaeozoic is a pivotal period for the evolution of terrestrial ecosystems. Generalised warming and aridification trends resulted in profound floral and faunal turnover as well as increased levels of endemism. The patchiness of well-preserved, late Permian terrestrial ecosystems, however, complicates attempts to reconstruct a coherent, global scenario. In this paper, we provide a new reconstruction of the Bletterbach Biota (Southern Alps, NE Italy), which constitutes a unique, low-latitude record of Lopingian life on land. We also integrate floral, faunal (from skeletal and footprint studies), and plant–insect interaction data, as well as global climatic interpretations, to compare the composition of the 14 best-known late Permian ecosystems. The results of this ecosystem-scale analysis provide evidence for a strong correlation between the distribution of the principal clades of tetrapod herbivores (dicynodonts, pareiasaurs, captorhinids), phytoprovinces and climatic latitudinal zonation. We show that terrestrial ecosystems were structured and provincialised at high taxonomic levels by climate regions, and that latitudinal distribution is a key predictor of ecosystem compositional affinity. A latitudinal diversity gradient characterised by decreasing richness towards higher latitudes is apparent: mid- to low-latitude ecosystems had the greatest amount of high-level taxonomic diversity, whereas those from high latitudes were dominated by small numbers of higher taxa. The high diversities of tropical ecosystems stem from their inclusion of a mixture of late-occurring holdovers from the early Permian, early members of clades that come to prominence in the Triassic, and contemporary taxa that are also represented in higher latitude assemblages. A variety of evidence suggests that the Permian tropics acted as both a cradle (an area with high origination rates) and museum (an area with low extinction rates) for biodiversity.

 Keywords: Tetrapoda, flora, phytoprovinces, plant-insect interactions, climate, endemism, latitudinal diversity gradient


The lush equatorial ecosystem of the late Permian, about 260 milion years ago, as reconstructed in the Dolomites region, Northern Italy.
 Drawing by Davide Bonadonna.



Massimo Bernardi, Fabio Massimo Petti, Evelyn Kustatscher, Matthias Franz, Christoph Hartkopf-Fröder, Conrad C. Labandeira, Torsten Wappler, Johanna H.A. van Konijnenburg-van Cittert, Brandon R. Peecook and Kenneth D. Angielczyk. 2017. Late Permian (Lopingian) Terrestrial Ecosystems: A Global Comparison with New Data from the Low-Latitude Bletterbach Biota. Earth-Science Reviews. 175; 18-43.  DOI: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2017.10.002 

How much can late Permian ecosystems tell us about modern Earth? A lot.  phy.so/432563163   @physorg_com
facebook.com/DavideBonadonna1/photos/1250586091709859



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[Herpetology • 2017] Ptychohyla zoque • A New Species of Treefrog of the Genus Ptychohyla (Anura: Hylidae) from southern Mexico

December 21, 2017, 2:11 am
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Ptychohyla zoque 
Canseco-Márquez, Aguilar-López, Luría-Manzano, Pineda & Caviedes-Solís, 2017


Abstract

We describe a new species of treefrog of the genus Ptychohyla from southern Mexico occurring to the east of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This new species can be distinguished from Mexican congeners by a combination of a pale pink iris and the presence of nuptial excrescences in breeding males. Including this new taxon, the number of species of Ptychohyla increases to 14, with seven of these occurring in Mexico. The new species is relatively common in pristine tropical forests, but appears to be sensitive to habitat degradation and has not been found in human modified habitats, suggesting that habitat modification is a threat for this hylid frog.

Keywords: Amphibian, Ptychohyla, new species, description, frog, evergreen tropical forest, advertisement call, Veracruz, Oaxaca, Mesoamerica


Specimens in life of Ptychohyla zoque.
[upper] D: Female and male paratypes in amplexus (CARIE 1215 and 1216);
[lower] A: Male holotype (MZFC 24004, 36.4 mm SVL); B: Female paratype (UTA-A 59271, 55.65 SVL) 

Ptychohyla zoque sp. nov.
Zoque Treefrog, Rana arborícola zoque  

Ptychohyla sp. nov. — Aguilar-López, Pineda, Luría-Manzano, and Canseco-Márquez (2016).

Etymology. The species epithet, zoque, is an indeclinable word and refers to the Selva Zoque, a region comprised of tropical forest and covering the areas about Uxpanapa (Veracruz), Chimalapas (Oaxaca) and El Ocote (Chiapas). This region includes part of the historical range of Zoque culture, an ethnic group that has inhabited this region since pre-Columbian times.
....

Ptychohyla zoque is sympatric with other species of amphibians including Agalychnis moreletii, Anotheca spinosa, Incilius macrocristatus, I. valliceps, Hyalinobatrachium fleischmanni, Craugastor alfredi, C. berkenbuschii, C. loki, Eleutherodactylus leprus, Duellmanohyla chamulae, Exerodonta bivocata, Hypopachus ustus, Rhinella horribilis, Smilisca baudinii, S. cyanosticta, Lithobates vaillanti, Bolitoglossa alberchi, B. rufescens and B. veracrucis. The new species is relatively common in the evergreen tropical forests, being more abundant than other members of the family Hylidae such as Duellmanohyla chamulae, Agalychnis moreletii and Anotheca spinosa, but less abundant than Exerodonta bivocata and anurans in other families represented by Craugastor berkenbuschii and Incilius macrocristatus. This species appears to be sensitive to anthropogenic forest degradation, since it has been observed only in undisturbed evergreen tropical forest sites, but not in altered environments such as cattle pastures, rubber plantations and secondary forests (Aguilar-López, 2010).

FIGURE 4. Geographic distribution of the species of Ptychohyla in Mexico.

Luis Canseco-Márquez, J. Luis Aguilar-López, Ricardo Luría-Manzano, Eduardo Pineda and Itzue W. Caviedes-Solís. 2017. A New Species of Treefrog of the Genus Ptychohyla (Anura: Hylidae) from Southern Mexico.  Zootaxa. 4317(2); 279–290. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4317.2.5
ResearchGate.net/publication/319653932_Article_A_new_species_of_treefrog_of_the_genus_Ptychohyla_Anura_Hylidae_from_Southern_Mexico

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[PaleoMammalogy • 2017] Urkudelphis chawpipacha • A New Tropical Oligocene Dolphin from Montañita/Olón, Santa Elena, Ecuador

December 21, 2017, 3:16 am
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Urkudelphis chawpipacha
 Tanaka, Abella, Aguirre-Fernández, Gregori & Fordyce, 2017  


Abstract
A new small probable Oligocene dolphin from Ecuador represents a new genus and species, Urkudelphis chawpipacha. The new taxon is known from a single juvenile skull and earbones; it differs from other archaic dolphins in features including widely exposed frontals at the vertex, a dorsally wide open vomer at the mesorostral groove, and a strongly projected and pointed lateral tuberosity of the periotic. Phylogenetic analysis places it toward the base of the largely-extinct clade Platanistoidea. The fossil is one of a few records of tropical fossil dolphins.


Systematic paleontology
CETACEA Brisson, 1762
NEOCETI Fordyce & de Muizon, 2001

ODONTOCETI Flower, 1867
PLATANISTOIDEA Gray, 1863 sensu Fordyce, 1994

Comment: Urkudelphis chawpipacha shows these synapomorphies of the Platanistoidea (sensu Fordyce, 1994), as recognised previously by Tanaka and Fordyce [2017]: periotic with C-shaped parabullary sulcus; small articular rim, which forms a ridge anterolateral to posterior process of periotic and separated from it by a sulcus. Two phylogenies place Urkudelphis near the base of the Platanistoidea (sensu lato; including Platanistidae, Squalodelphis, Notocetus, Phocageneus, Otekaikea, Waipatiidae, Awamokoa and Squalodontidae [2017]).

Fig 2. Skull, Urkudelphis chawpipacha MO-1 (holotype) in dorsal view. Left, photo, right, line art.

Fig 4. Skull, Urkudelphis chawpipacha MO-1 (holotype) in right lateral view. Upper, photo, lower, line art.

Urkudelphis gen. nov.

Type species: Urkudelphis chawpipacha sp. nov.

Urkudelphis chawpipacha sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Urkudelphis chawpipacha is a small archaic odontocete with the following autapomorphic combination of characters: shallow antorbital notch (character 10); anteromedially oriented anterior edge of the supraorbital process (character 37); weakly dorsally convex nuchal crest in dorsoposterior view (character 119); approximately same sized apertures of the vestibular aqueduct and cochlear aqueduct (character 186); dorsoventrally thin pars cochlearis on the periotic (character 192); inner posterior prominence of the tympanic bulla is anterior to the outer posterior prominence (character 218); very strongly projecting and pointed lateral tuberosity; and an anteroposteriorly long accessory ossicle of the periotic. Urkudelphis chawpipacha differs from early branching odontocetes, including Agorophius, Ashleycetus, Simocetus, Mirocetus and Xenorophus in having the frontals on the vertex at a level behind the postorbital process; anteroposteriorly shorter and transversely wider frontals (approaching a square-shape rather than narrow and elongate); and parallel-sided posterior part of the ascending process of each maxilla forming a narrow elongate face. Urkudelphis differs from Early Miocene Papahu taitapu, Chilcacetus cavirhinus, Arktocara yakataga, Allodelphis pratti and Ninjadelphis ujiharai, having the frontals on the vertex flat and longer than the taxa above, which have more nodular and shorter frontals. Urkudelphis differs from Chilcacetus and Papahu in having a narrow premaxillary sac fossa. Urkudelphis chawpipacha also notably shows: frontals at the vertex invaded posteriorly by the interparietal; and long anteromedial projection of the palatine on the palate. Other diagnostic features of U. chawpipacha are shared with more-crownward Waipatiidae: a shallow suprameatal pit of the squamosal (character 152); an abruptly ventrally deflected anterior process of the periotic (character 172); and a nearly flat dorsal surface of the periotic in lateral view (character 181). In addition, Urkudelphis chawpipacha shares several characters with more-crownward Platanistoidea: a periotic with C-shaped parabullary sulcus (character 175); and a small articular rim, which forms a ridge anterolateral to the posterior process of the periotic and separated from it by a sulcus (character 195).

Holotype: MO-1, an incomplete skull (premaxilla, maxilla, vomer, pterygoid, frontal, parietal, interparietal, alisphenoid, squamosal and supraoccipital), including the right periotic, right tympanic bulla and right malleus.

Etymology: The generic name, Urkudelphis originates from Kichwa “urku” meaning mountain, referring to the type locality of Montañita, and Greek “delphis” for dolphin, which has been used widely as a suffix for dolphin generic names. Chawpipacha results from the combination of chawpi, meaning "half" or “middle” and pacha, meaning "the world" representing the equator, and thus Ecuador in Kichwa.

Type locality: MO-1 was found by one of the authors (JA) and several UPSE students in August 2015 in a boulder that collapsed from a cliff at the coastal locality here named Montañita/Olón (latitude 1°48'50.64" S, longitude 80°45'24.18" W). The Montañita/Olón (MO) locality (Fig 1) lies midway between the towns of Montañita and Olón (Santa Elena Province, Ecuador) and can only be accessed during low tides.
Conclusion: 
A new small dolphin from probable Oligocene (Chattian?) strata in Santa Elena, Ecuador is described as a new species and genus, Urkudelphis chawpipacha. The new taxon is characterized by: an anteromedially oriented anterior edge of the supraorbital process; weakly convex nuchal crest in dorsoposterior view; approximately same sized apertures of vestibular aqueduct and cochlear aqueduct; dorsoventrally thin pars cochlearis on periotic; and inner posterior prominence placed anterior to the outer posterior prominence. Urkudelphis chawpipacha differs from other Oligocene dolphins in the combination of: frontals on the vertex at a level posterior to the postorbital process; shorter and wider frontals; and parallel-sided posterior part of the ascending process of the maxilla. Phylogenetic analysis places it near the base of the largely-extinct clade Platanistoidea. The fossil is one of few fossil Neoceti reported from the equator, and is a reminder that Oligocene cetaceans may have ranged widely in tropical waters.


Yoshihiro Tanaka, Juan Abella, Gabriel Aguirre-Fernández, Maria Gregori and R. Ewan Fordyce. 2017. A New Tropical Oligocene Dolphin from Montañita/Olón, Santa Elena, Ecuador. PLoS ONE. 12(12); e0188380.  DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188380

New ancient dolphin species Urkudelphis chawpipacha discovered in Ecuador http://phy.so/432980137 via @physorg_com


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[Entomology • 2017] Wallacetrigona incisa • A New Genus of Eastern Hemisphere Stingless Bees (Hymenoptera, Apidae), with A Key to the Supraspecific Groups of Indomalayan and Australasian Meliponini

December 21, 2017, 3:28 am
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Wallacetrigona incisa (Sakagami & Inoue, 1989)
ex Trigona incisa 

in Rasmussen, Thomas & Engel, 2017
 digitallibrary.amnh.org 

A new genus of stingless bees (Apinae: Meliponini) is described and figured from Indonesia (Sulawesi), known from a single species previously placed in Geniotrigona Moure. Based on recent phylogenetic studies, Trigona (Geniotrigona) incisa Sakagami and Inoue renders Geniotrigona polyphyletic and is more closely related to Lepidotrigona Moure. The species is transferred to Wallacetrigona Engel and Rasmussen, new genus, and differentiated from Geniotrigona proper as well as all other meliponines occurring in Sundaland, Wallacea, and Sahul (Australinea). The new genus occurs east of the Wallace Line and separate from the distribution of Geniotrigona, which is otherwise restricted to Sundaland, but Wallacetrigona is presently not known beyond the Weber Line. A hierarchical classification of Indomalayan and Australasian stingless bees is tabulated and a revised key to the genera and subgenera provided, as well as an appendix tabulating the species and synonyms. The following new combinations are established: Wallacetrigona incisa (Sakagami and Inoue), Homotrigona (Lophotrigona) canifrons (Smith), Homotrigona (Odontotrigona) haematoptera (Cockerell), Homotrigona (Tetrigona) apicalis (Smith), H. (T.) binghami (Schwarz), H. (T.) melanoleuca (Cockerell), H. (T.) peninsularis (Cockerell), and H. (T.) vidua (Lepeletier de Saint Fargeau).


FIGURE 1. Lateral habitus of workers.
A. Wallacetrigona incisa (Sakagami and Inoue). B. Geniotrigona thoracica (Smith). C. G. lacteifasciata (Cameron).

Lateral habitus of workers of Wallacetrigona incisa (Sakagami and Inoue).

SYSTEMATICS
Tribe Meliponini Lepeletier de Saint Fargeau

Wallacetrigona Engel and Rasmussen, new genus

Wallacetrigona incisa (Sakagami and Inoue), new combination

Trigona (Geniotrigona) incisa Sakagami and Inoue, 1989: 605. 
Geniotrigona incisa (Sakagami and Inoue); Rasmussen, 2008: 11.

Etymology: The generic name honors Alfred Russel Wallace (1823–1913), an intrepid and early explorer of the Indomalayan insect fauna and coauthor with Charles R. Darwin (1809– 1882) of the theory of evolution. The gender of the name is feminine.


Claus Rasmussen, Jennifer C. Thomas and Michael S. Engel. 2017. A New Genus of Eastern Hemisphere Stingless Bees (Hymenoptera, Apidae), with A Key to the Supraspecific Groups of Indomalayan and Australasian Meliponini.  American Museum Novitates. no. 3888. http://digitallibrary.amnh.org/handle/2246/6817 

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[Herpetology • 2017] Rana dabieshanensis • A New Species of Rana (Anura, Ranidae) from the Dabie Mountains in eastern China

December 21, 2017, 8:08 pm
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Rana dabieshanensis
Wang, Qian, Zhang, Guo, Pan, Wu, Wang & Zhang, 2017


Abstract
A new species Rana dabieshanensis sp. n. is described from the Dabie Mountains in Anhui Province, China, based on morphological character differences and molecular analyses. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of diagnostic characters. The results of phylogenetic analyses (based on 12s rRNA, 16s rRNA, ND2, Cyt b, RAG1, BDNF and Tyr) and genetic distances (based on Cyt b) indicate that the new species belongs to the Ranalongicrus group, and is placed as the sister taxon to R. hanluica.

Keywords: Amphibians, morphology, molecular phylogeny, taxonomy


Figure 3. Dorsal and lateral view of the holotype (AHU2016R001, male) of Rana dabieshanensis sp. n. in life. Figure 5. Typical habitat of Rana dabieshanensis sp. n. in Dabie Mountains, Anhui Province, China.

Figure 3(A). Dorsal view of the holotype (AHU2016R001, male) of Rana dabieshanensis sp. n. in life. 

Figure 3(B). Lateral view of the holotype (AHU2016R001, male) of Rana dabieshanensis sp. n. in life. 

Rana dabieshanensis sp. n.

 Holotype: Specimen AHU2016R001, an adult male (Figures 3, 4) from the Yaoluoping National Nature Reserve, Yuexi County, Anhui Province, China (elevation 1150 m a.s.l.) (Fig. 1), leg. Lifu Qian, 8 August, 2016.

Diagnosis: The new species is assigned to the genus Rana based on the morphological characteristics typical for this genus, including the possession of a prominent dorsolateral folds, dark temporal mask, and a body that is counter-shaded in various shades of brown. The species can be distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of morphological characteristics: (1) comparatively large body size (SVL 50.9–62.8 mm in males, N = 8 and females 53.0–68.3 mm, N = 2); (2) snout obtusely pointed in lateral view; (3) temporal fold distinct; (4) canthus rostralis distinct; (5) dark mask covering tympanum; (6) tympanum diameter equal to eye diameter (7) head length almost equal with head width (8) distinct transverse grayish brown bars on dorsal surface of lower arms, tarsus, thighs, and tibia; (9) dorsal skin smooth, small granules on legs, large tubercles absent; (10) tips of fingers not expanded, relative finger lengths III > I > IV > II, fingers webbing absent, toes two third webbed, toes webbing formula I 2–1– II 2+– 1+ III 3–2 IV 2–2+ V; (11) gray-blackish nuptial pad prominent and forming two groups in males, with minute nuptial spines; (12) external vocal sac absent; (13) a straight dorsolateral fold from temporal area to groin. (14) dorsum coloration varies from golden to brown.

Etymology: The epithet of the new species “dabieshanensis” is a Latinized toponymic adjective derived from the Dabie Mountains in central China where the new species was discovered.

Common names: We recommend the “Dabie Mountain Brown Frog” as a common name of the new species in English; “Da Bie Shan Lin Wa” in Chinese.

Figure 5. Typical habitat of Rana dabieshanensis sp. n. in Dabie Mountains, Anhui Province, China. 

Ecological notes: Rana dabieshanensis sp. n. appears closely associated with high altitudes of the southeastern mountains environments. Specimens were found at night between 20:00 and 01:00 h around a water pool in Yaoluoping National Nature Reserve, Yuexi, Anhui province, China (Figure. 1). The surrounding habitat consists of small hardwoods, mixed with shrubs and vines. Most of the specimens were found in grass nearby the water, few frogs were in the water. Air temperature was about 13.6 to 17.1 °C and water temperature about 12.1 °C to 14.7 °C. The relative humidity in this area was from 62 to 81%. Other amphibian species include R. chensinensis, Rhacophorus anhuiensis, Pelophylax nigromaculata, Fejervarya multistriata, and Yerana yei was also recorded during field survey in Yaoluoping National Nature Reserve (Pan et al. 2014).

Distribution: Currently, Rana dabieshanensis sp. n. is only found in the Yaoluoping National Nature Reserve (Anhui Province). This species might be found in other regions of the Dabie Mountains.


Chencheng Wang, Lifu Qian, Chenling Zhang, Weibo Guo, Tao Pan, Jun Wu, Hui Wang and Baowei Zhang. 2017. A New Species of Rana from the Dabie Mountains in eastern China (Anura, Ranidae).  ZooKeys. 724: 135-153.  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.724.19383

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[Botany • 2017] Reappraisal of Campanula rotundifolia var. bulgarica Nejceff — A Neglected Taxon from Central Stara Planina Mountain, Bulgaria

December 21, 2017, 9:43 pm
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Campanula nejceffii 

in Marinov & Stoyanov, 2017

Abstract

Campanula rotundifolia var. bulgarica Nejceff, a neglected taxon in the Bulgarian flora with currently uncertain status, was collected and studied at its locus classicus in the Sokolna (Koru Dere) Reserve of Central Stara Planina Mountain. A detailed morphological analysis of Nejceff’s original material and other related species clearly indicates that this is a distinct taxonomic entity worthy of species rank. Campanula nejceffii, stat. nov. is distinguished by a combination of its pubescent habit, ovoid to elliptic-lanceolate cauline leaves, clearly spreading to reflexed narrowly triangular-lanceolate calyx teeth, erect buds and flowers. Complete species description and comparison with selected species in the C. rotundifolia group are given. The lectotypes of two taxa — C. rotundifolia var. bulgarica Nejceff and C. rotundifolia subsp. neicevii f. pirinica Stoj. & Acht. are designated by the authors.

Keywords: Bulgarian flora, Campanula sect. Heterophylla, Campanulaceae, C. rotundifolia group, nomenclature, typification, Eudicots



 Yulian Marinov and Stoyan Stoyanov. 2017. Reappraisal of Campanularotundifolia var. bulgarica Nejceff — A Neglected Taxon from Central Stara Planina Mountain, Bulgaria.  Phytotaxa.  329(1); 69–79. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.329.1.4

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[Ichthyology • 2017] A Revision of the Grunter Genus Syncomistes (Teleostei, Terapontidae) with Descriptions of Seven New Species from the Kimberley region, northwestern Australia

December 22, 2017, 7:55 am
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Syncomistes versicolor 

Shelley, Delaval & Le Feuvre, 2017


Abstract

The systematics of the genus Syncomistes Vari, 1978 endemic to freshwater habitats of remote northwestern Australia, is reviewed in light of recent collections in the region and a fine scale molecular study of the group that identified new taxa. Based primarily on external morphology, seven taxa are described as new: Syncomistes bonapartensis sp. nov., S. carcharus sp. nov., S. dilliensis sp. nov., S. holsworthi sp. nov., S. moranensis sp. nov., S. wunambal sp. nov. and S. versicolor sp. nov. The species complexes Syncomistes butleri Vari, 1978 and S. trigonicus Vari, 1978 are resolved and redescribed, and S. kimberleyensis Vari, 1978 and S. rastellus Vari & Hutchins, 1978 are redescribed based on juvenile and adult specimens. Finally, a neotype is provided for S. trigonicus sensu stricto in place of the destroyed holotype. Meristic and morphometric data are collected and analysed for the entire genus. Syncomistes have a broad range of meristic and morphometric character differences between species, and juveniles and adults, as well as variations in colour. The head, particularly feeding structures such as the jaw and dentition, were found to be the most important morphological features in discriminating between taxa. Some characters undergo distinct ontogenetic shifts in form, which are discussed. Of note, four of the new species, and seven from the entire genus, are narrow-range endemics, each found in single river systems, and are thus of conservation concern.

Keywords: Pisces, Cryptic species, sympatric, range-restricted, freshwater, biodiversity, taxonomy, systematics, neotype


• Syncomistes butleri Vari, 1978  
• Syncomistes kimberleyensis Vari, 1978  
• Syncomistes rastellus Vari & Hutchins, 1978 
• Syncomistes trigonicus Vari, 1978  

• Syncomistes bonapartensis, new species
English vernacular name: Lake Bonaparte Grunter.

Etymology: The specific name bonapartensis refers to the distribution of the species that is confined to drainages that once flowed into the paleolake, Lake Bonaparte.


• Syncomistes carcharus, new species
English vernacular name: Sharp-toothed Grunter.

Etymology: The specific name carcharus is Latin for sharp teeth, and refers to the robust, pointed teeth of the species, relative to other Syncomistes.


• Syncomistes dilliensis, new species
English vernacular name: Dillie Grunter.

Etymology: The specific name dilliensis refers to the type locality, Dillie Gorge, on the Charnley River, Western Australia.


• Syncomistes holsworthi, new species
 English vernacular name: Holsworth’s Grunter.

Etymology: The specific name holsworthi honors Bill Holsworth whose foundation financed the expedition on which this species was found, as well as providing ongoing support for doctoral research into the ecology, management and natural history of Australian wildlife.


• Syncomistes moranensis, new species
English vernacular name: Moran Grunter.

Etymology: The specific name moranensis refers to the type locality, the Moran River, which is also the only known location of the species.


• Syncomistes versicolor, new species
English vernacular name: The Many-coloured Grunter.

Etymology: The specific name versicolor is Latin for many-coloured and refers to the distinct changes in the colour of the species at different stages in its ontogeny.


• Syncomistes wunambal, new species
 English vernacular name: Wunambal Grunter.

Etymology: Named wunambal, to be treated as a noun in apposition, for the Wunambal tribe and language group from the Mitchell River area, in which the fish is found.


James J. Shelley, Aurélien Delaval and Matthew C. Le Feuvre. 2017. A Revision of the Grunter Genus Syncomistes (Teleostei, Terapontidae) with Descriptions of Seven New Species from the Kimberley region, northwestern Australia. Zootaxa. 4367(1); 1–103.  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4367.1.1

We discovered 20 new fish in northern Australia – now we need to protect them theconversation.com/we-discovered-20-new-fish-in-northern-australia-now-we-need-to-protect-them-52905  @ConversationEDU


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[Mammalogy • 2018] Cassistrellus gen. nov. • A New Genus and Species of Vespertilionid Bat from the Indomalayan Region: Cassistrellus dimissus & C. yokdonensis

December 23, 2017, 12:22 am
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Cassistrellus dimissus (Thomas, 1916)

Ruedi, Eger, Lim & Csorba, 2018

Abstract
Bats belonging to the subfamily Vespertilioninae are diverse and cosmopolitan, but their systematic arrangement remains a challenge. Previous molecular surveys suggested new and unexpected relationships of some members compared to more traditional, morphology-based classifications, and revealed the existence of taxonomically undefined lineages. We describe here a new genus and species corresponding to an enigmatic lineage that was previously identified within the genus Eptesicus in the Indomalayan Region. Phylogenetic reconstructions based on mitochondrial and nuclear genes relate the new taxon to Tylonycteris and Philetor, and show that specimens associated with this new genus represent 2 genetically distinct species. Although little is known about their ecology, locations of capture and wing morphology suggest that members of this new genus are tree-dwelling, open-space aerial insect predators. The new species has only been documented from Yok Don National Park in Vietnam, so its conservation status is uncertain until more surveying methods target the bat fauna of the dipterocarp forest in Southeast Asia.

Key words: eptesicoid bats, phylogeny, systematics, taxonomy, Vespertilionidae 

Fig. 1. Maximum likelihood (ML) phylogeny of selected Vespertilioninae bats based on a combined alignment of 2 mitochondrial and 1 nuclear gene (2,161 bp in total). Numbers near nodes indicate branch support (left, percent ML bootstrap, right, posterior probability), while solid circles represent nodes recovered in >98% of both resampling methods. The gray box highlights the strongly supported clade comprising species of Cassistrellus gen. nov., Tylonycteris, and Philetor. 

Fig. 2. Portrait of a live adult male Cassistrellus dimissus captured near the Royal Chitwan National Park in Nepal in March 1990. This specimen was collected as part of the series of vouchers described by Myers et al. (2000b) and conserved at the UMMZ
(photo: Phil Myers).  DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyx156

 Fig. 3. Dorsal, ventral, and lateral views of the skull and mandible of a male Cassistrellus dimissus from Laos (MHNG 1926.053). Notice the deep basisphenoid pits between tympanic bullae, long, cuspidate upper canines, strong lambdoidal and occipital crests, and prominent preorbital processes that are typical morphological features of Cassistrellus gen. nov.

Cassistrellus gen. nov.

Type species: Eptesicus dimissus Thomas, 1916

Description: Species of Cassistrellus are medium-sized vespertilionids (FA 39–47 mm; body mass 12–17 g) characterized externally by short, chestnut-brown pelage that is paler on the ventral parts, by narrow wings with short and pointed tips, and an especially broad muzzle (Fig. 2). Wing membranes are attached to the middle or distal parts of the metatarsus. The tail is mostly included in the uropatagium and extends by 2–3 mm beyond its posterior margin. The calcar extends less than halfway to the tail and may have a small lobe near the ankle. The skull is robust and angular in profile making an almost straight line between the rostrum and the occipital region. It is characterized by well-developed sagittal and lambdoid crests, which meet near the top of the skull to form an occipital helmet. On its ventral surface, the skull has a pair of deep and well-delimited basisphenoid pits located between the cochleae (Fig. 3). Laterally, the lachrymal region has prominent preorbital processes, but the supraoccipital ridges are weak and barely visible. The dental formula is  2113/3123 = 32  teeth, with the upper canines possessing a distinct secondary cusp along the rear edge (Fig. 3).

Etymology: The name Cassistrellus derives from the Latin noun “cassis”, which means wearer of a helmet, in reference to the shape of the hind parts of the skull. The suggested English vernacular name is helmeted bat.

Geographic distribution: The type specimen of C. dimissus was collected by H. C. Robinson and E. Seimund in Kao Nawng, Bandon (currently within Tai Rom Yen National Park in Surat Thani province of Thailand) at 1,400 feet (= 436 m a.s.l.), in June 1913 (Robinson and Kloss 1915). However, the altitude associated with this specimen was reported by Thomas (1916) as 3,500 feet (= 1,067 m a.s.l.), which would correspond to near the summit of the Khao Nong mountain, where the collectors did not capture bats. As all known localities of Cassistrellus are located in the lowlands at elevation between 190 and 674 m a.s.l., these bats should be indeed regarded as lowland dwellers. The vast area covered by the few scattered records of Cassistrellus suggests that it should be widely distributed from the Isthmus of Kra into mainland Southeast Asia and the foothills of the Himalaya, i.e., across most of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot (Myers et al. 2000a). All capture sites were situated in hilly terrain with mixed deciduous or dipterocarp forests traversed by large rivers.

Fig. 4. Lateral view of skull of A) Cassistrellus yokdonensis sp. nov. (holotype, ROM 107751) and B) C. dimissus (holotype, BM(NH) 16.4.21.1.). The scale bar at the bottom represents 5 mm. 


Fig. 4. Lateral view of skull of C) C. dimissus from Laos (MHNG 1926.053), and D) C. dimissus from Nepal (UMMZ 172218). The scale bar at the bottom represents 5 mm. 


Fig. 4. Lateral view of skull of A) Cassistrellus yokdonensis sp. nov. (holotype, ROM 107751), B) C. dimissus (holotype, BM(NH) 16.4.21.1.), C) C. dimissus from Laos (MHNG 1926.053), and D) C. dimissus from Nepal (UMMZ 172218).
The scale bar at the bottom represents 5 mm. 

Cassistrellus yokdonensis sp. nov.
Yok Don helmeted bat
Eptesicus sp. A JLE-2010: Francis et al., 2010

Holotype: Male ROM 107751 (field number 42734) collected on 6 June 1997 by B. K. Lim and M. Theberge. Preserved as a skin, skull, and partial skeleton. Epiphyses almost completely fused, indicating that this bat was a subadult.

Type locality: Vietnam: Dak Lak province; Yok Don National Park, Dak Ken River (tributary of the Serepok River), base of Yok Mt. ..., at 194 m a.s.l. in dry, open dipterocarp forest.

Diagnosis: Cassistrellus yokdonensis sp. nov. is a medium-sized vespertilionid bat (body mass about 15 g) characterized by pointed, narrow wings similar in shape to those of Nyctalus species, but not as narrow. The fur is sparse with short hairs, clove brown (Ridgway 1912) dorsally, lighter beige ventrally, and cream colored at the throat. There is no glossy tinge to the fur. The color of the wings and other skin parts is blackish brown. The wing membranes attach to the distal end of the metatarsus. The calcar extends less than halfway to the tail and has no visible lobe.

Although the dental formula is identical to that of Eptesicus species, the skull possesses a pair of deep and well-defined basisphenoid pits and prominent preorbital processes that are otherwise absent from the latter genus. C. yokdonensis sp. nov. is morphologically similar to C. dimissus, but—in spite of the fact that the known individuals are not fully grown adults—is substantially larger, both externally (e.g., FA 47 mm versus 39–42 mm; Table 1), and cranially (e.g., maxillary toothrow length over 6.5 mm versus less than 6.4 mm). C. yokdonensis sp. nov. has also a much stronger dentition in general, and subequal small lower premolars, longer more curved upper canines, and procumbent upper incisors compared to its congener. Genetically, C. yokdonensis sp. nov. has unique mitochondrial (Cytb, Co1) and nuclear (Rag2) sequences compared to C. dimissus from Laos.

Etymology: We propose the name C. yokdonensis after the national park where it has been found, in recognition of the importance of protected areas in conserving species and their habitats.

Geographic distribution: Currently known only from Yok Don National Park, Dak Lak Province of Vietnam. The 2 specimens were caught shortly after 2100 h as they flew into large (30 m long by 10 m high) canopy nets deployed in a dry, open dipterocarp forest of lowland regions. Other species of mammals caught in the same nets included Taphozous, Pipistrellus, Murina, Cynopterus, Megaerops, and Rhinolophus bats and several Hylopetes flying squirrels. In addition, a paratype specimen of a new species of parachute gecko (Ptychozoon trinitaterra) was caught in this net (Brown 1999).


Manuel Ruedi, Judith L. Eger, Burton K. Lim and Gábor Csorba. 2017. A New Genus and Species of Vespertilionid Bat from the Indomalayan Region. Journal of Mammalogy. gyx156. DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyx156

   

    

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[Herpetology • 2017] Gloydius rubromaculatus • A New Moth-preying Alpine Pit Viper Species (Viperidae, Crotalinae) from Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

December 23, 2017, 9:41 am
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Gloydius rubromaculatus Shi, Li & Liu, 2017

in Shi, Wang, Chen, Fang, Ding, Huang, Hou, Liu & Li, 2017

Abstract

The Sanjiangyuan region of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot of alpine mammals but a barren area in terms of amphibians and reptiles. Here, we describe a new pit viper species, Gloydius rubromaculatus sp. n. Shi, Li and Liu, 2017 that was discovered in this region, with a brief taxonomic revision of the genus Gloydius. The new species can be distinguished from the other congeneric species by the following characteristics: cardinal crossbands on the back, indistinct canthus rostralis, glossy dorsal scales, colubrid-like oval head shape, irregular small black spots on the head scales, black eyes and high altitude distribution (3300-4770 m above sea level). The mitochondrial phylogenetic reconstruction supported the validity of the new species and furthermore reaffirms that G. intermedius changdaoensis, G. halys cognatus, G. h. caraganus and G. h. stejnegeri should be elevated as full species. Gloydius rubromaculatus sp. n. was found to be insectivorous: preying on moths (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Sideridis sp.) in the wild. This unusual diet may be one of the key factors to the survival of this species in such a harsh alpine environment.

Keywords: new species; Sanjiangyuan region; insectivorous; Gloydius rubromaculatus sp. n.





 


 Jingsong Shi, Gang Wang, Xi’er Chen, Yihao Fang, Li Ding, Song Huang, Mian Hou, Jun Liu and Pipeng Li. 2017. A New Moth-preying Alpine Pit Viper Species from Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (Viperidae, Crotalinae).    Amphibia-Reptilia. 38(4); 517 – 532.  DOI:  10.1163/15685381-00003134

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[Crustacea • 2017] Siamopsis gen. nov. and Five New Species of the Subfamily Cypridopsinae Kaufmann, 1900 (Ostracoda) from Thailand

December 24, 2017, 7:26 pm
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Siamopsis renateae Savatenalinton, 2017


Abstract

Siamopsis gen. nov., described here, belongs to a group of genera with the right valve overlapping the left valve in the subfamily Cypridopsinae Kaufmann, 1900 of the family Cyprididae Baird, 1845. The distinguishing characters of the new genus are in the morphology of its valves and soft parts. The postero-dorsal margin of the internal left valve is plate-like protruded. The morphology of this plate varies in different species, e.g., some species bear a tooth-like tubercle on the plate. The posterior margin of the right valve is recurved inwardly at ca mid-height, resulting in the occurrence of a lobe-like expansion that can clearly be seen in the dorsal and caudal views of the carapace. In addition, the other diagnostic soft part features of the new genus are the cylindrical caudal ramus, the presence of two t-setae on the female A2 penultimate segment, the very elongated terminal segment of the Mx1 palp, the morphology of the two large bristles (tooth bristles) of the Mx1 third endite (one smooth, one serrated) and the absence of d-seta on T1. In the present paper, five new species are described under this new genus: Siamopsis renateae gen. et sp. nov., S. suttajiti gen. et sp. nov., S. conspecta gen. et sp. nov., S. khoratensis gen. et sp. nov. and Siamopsis planitia gen. et sp. nov. A key to the species of Siamopsis gen. nov. is also provided.

Keywords: Cypridopsinae; biodiversity; taxonomy; new species; Thailand

Class Ostracoda Latreille, 1802
Subclass Podocopa G.O. Sars, 1866
Order Podocopida G.O. Sars, 1866
Suborder Cypridocopina Jones, 1901
Superfamily Cypridoidea Baird, 1845

Family Cyprididae Baird, 1845
Subfamily Cypridopsinae Kaufmann, 1900



Siamopsis gen. nov.

Type species: Siamopsis renateae gen. et sp. nov. (here designated)

Diagnosis: RV overlapping LV anteriorly, ventrally and posteriorly. LV in internal view with postero-dorsal plate. Posterior margin of RV recurved inwardly. Wouters organ on A1 present, aesthetasc ya long. Terminal segment of Mx1 palp cylindrical, very elongated (length > 2 × width). A2 with well developed claws, long natatory setae, with two t-setae in females. T1 with a-setae (b, c and d setae absent). T2 with d2 seta (d1 seta absent). CR reduced, fl agellum-like, cylindrical in shape.

Etymology: The genus is named after the country “Siam”, the former name of Thailand, where the new taxa were discovered. The name is combined with the suffix of the existing generic name Cypridopsis.


Differential diagnosis Siamopsis gen. nov. can be distinguished from other genera of the subfamily Cypridopsinae by the presence of a postero-dorsal internal plate of the LV and the morphology of the posterior inner valve margin of the RV, which is recurved inwardly. Additionally, it differs from its closest genus, Plesiocypridopsis Rome, 1965, by the presence of the A1 Wouters organ, the two t-setae of the female A2 (there are four t-setae in Plesiocypridopsis) and the morphology of the two large bristles (teeth bristles) on the Mx1 third endite, of which one bristle is smooth while the other one is serrated (both setae are serrated in Plesiocypridopsis).

Species included Siamopsis renateae gen. et sp. nov., S. suttajiti gen. et sp. nov., S. conspecta gen. et sp. nov., S. khoratensis gen. et sp. nov., S. planitia gen. et sp. nov. 

Distribution: Thailand (present study).


Siamopsis renateae gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology This species is named after Dr. Renate Matzke-Karasz (Munich University, Germany) in appreciation of her outstanding work on ostracods and also for a long friendship.

Type locality: THAILAND: Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Muang District, irrigation ditch ..., 5 Oct. 2010. Accompanying ostracod fauna: Cypris subglobosa Sowerby, 1840, Cyprinotus uenoi Brehm, 1936, Stenocypris cf. orientalis Victor & Fernando, 1981, Siamopsis khoratensis gen. et sp. nov., S. conspecta gen. et sp. nov. and S. planitia gen. et sp. nov.

Ecology The new species has thus far been recorded from eight localities in the Northern and Northeastern provinces: Nakhon Ratchasima, Chaiyaphum, Phayao, Chiang Rai, Phitsanulok and Phetchabun. It occurs at a pH range of 6.5–7.2, a temperature range of 26.1–29.5°C and a dissolved oxygen (DO) range of 3.20–7.80 mg/l. 


Siamopsis suttajiti gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology: This species is named after Prof. Dr. Maitree Suttajit (University of Phayao, Thailand) in appreciation of his encouragement and moral support over the years, especially during my research project on nonmarine ostracods in the southern part of Northeast Thailand.


Siamopsis conspecta gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology: The Latin word ‘conspecta’, meaning conspicuous, refers to the markedly well-developed tooth-like tubercle on the postero-dorsal plate of internal LV. This is the most prominent character of the new species.


Siamopsis khoratensis gen. et sp. nov. 

Etymology: The species is named after Nakhon Ratchasima Province, also called “Khorat”, where the new species was discovered.


Siamopsis planitia gen. et sp. nov. 

Etymology: The specific epithet “planitia” refers to the appearance of a dorsal margin at the middle part of the carapace in lateral view, which is similar to the summit of a plateau. This is the most prominent character of the new species.


Sukonthip Savatenalinton. 2017. Siamopsis gen. nov. and Five New Species of the Subfamily Cypridopsinae Kaufmann, 1900 (Crustacea: Ostracoda) from Thailand. European Journal of Taxonomy. 384; 1–39.  DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2017.384

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[Botany • 2017] Cypripedium × fred-mulleri • First Guatemalan Record of Natural Hybridisation between Neotropical Species of the Lady’s Slipper Orchid (Orchidaceae, Cypripedioideae)

December 26, 2017, 1:35 am
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Cypripedium × fred-mulleri  Szlach., Kolan. & Górniak

in Szlachetko, Kolanowska, Muller, Vannini, Rojek & Górniak​, 2017

Abstract

The first natural hybrid in the section Irapeana of the orchid genus Cypripedium is described and illustrated based on Guatemalan material. A molecular evaluation of the discovery is provided. Specimens with intermediate flowers between C. irapeanum and C. dickinsonianum within ITS and Xdh sequences have the signal sequence of both these species. The analysis of plastid sequences indicated that the maternal line is C. irapeanum. Information about the ecology, embryology and conservation status of the novelty is given, together with a distribution map of its parental species, C. irapeanum and C. dickinsonianum. A discussion of the hybridization between Cypripedium species is presented. The potential hybrid zones between the representatives of Cypripedium section Irapeana which were estimated based on the results of ecological niche modeling analysis are located in the Maya Highlands (C. dickinsonianum and C. irapeanum) and the eastern part of Southern Sierra Madre (C. molle and C. irapeanum). Moreover, all three Cypripedium species could inhabit Cordillera Neovolcánica according to the obtained models; however, it should be noticed that this region is well-distanced from the edges of the known geographical range of C. molle.


 Figure 10: Flowers of Cypripedium. Cypripedium dickinsonianum (A), C. irapeanum (B) and Cypripedium × fred-mulleri   (C). Photos by F Muller. 


Figure 9: Habit of  Cypripedium × fred-mulleri.  Photo by F Muller. 

Figure 9: Comparison of the habit of Cypripedium dickinsonianum (A), C. irapeanum (B)
Photos by F Muller. 



Taxonomic treatment
Due to the detection of gene flow between C. dickinsonianum and C. irapeanum and mixed morphological characters of the population discovered by Mr Muller in Guatemala we decided to describe it as the first, natural hybrid in the section Irapeana under the name Cypripedium × fred-mulleri.

Cypripedium × fred-mulleri Szlach., Kolan. & Górniak, hybr. nov.

Diagnosis: Cypripedium × fred-mulleri is characterized by having flowers 5.2–7 cm across, elliptic, acute dorsal sepal, oblong-elliptic, obtuse petals, deeply saccate, obovoid-globose lip and trullate, acute staminode. It differs from C. irapeanum in its smaller flowers, deeper color (closer to C. dickinsonianum), density of windows on the lip, and form of dorsal sepal and petal apex. From C. dickinsonianum it is distinguished, inter alia, by the shape of the staminode and lip as well as by the petal form.

Type: Guatemala, Alta Verapaz. South of Cobán. 30 May 2013. F. Muller s.n. (BIGU! 309 holotype). UGDA-DLSz! - drawing of type, photos.



 Etymology: Dedicated to the discoverer of this hybrid, Fred Muller.

Distribution: Known so far to be exclusively from the Guatemalan department of Alta Verapaz. Due to the vulnerability of populations of C. irapeanum, C. dickinsonianum and C. × fred-mulleri to illicit harvesting, the exact locality is not given. The known localities of C. irapeanum are distributed from Central Mexico to Guatemala and Honduras while the currently known range of C. dickinsonianum is discontinuous, extending from eastern Chiapas (México), through the Sierra de los Cuchumatanes and the Sierra de Chamá to the central Honduran uplands (although herbarium vouchers are currently lacking Dix & Dix, 2000). Figure 8.

Ecology: The hybrid population was found on a south-oriented limestone hillside at an altitude of about 1,500 m. The plants grow in an open, seasonally dry pine-oak forest with Brahea dulcis (Kunth) Mart. (Arecaceae) and species of Agave L. (Asparagaceae). Other terrestrial orchid species occurring in this area are: Cyrtopodium punctatum (L.) Lindl., Stenorrhynchos pubens (A. Rich. & Galeotti) Schltr. and Dichromanthus cinnabarinus (La Llave & Lex.) Garay. Moreover, two species of Bletia Ruiz & Pav. have been reported from this location. The hybrid plants begin blooming in mid-May, at the beginning of the rainy season. The flowers have been observed as late as at the end of July, which is the beginning of the flowering season for both C. irapeanum and C. dickinsonianum in nearby colonies. Field observations in 2013 suggested that the population might have benefited from a recent wild fire, as a significant increase in the number of flowering specimens had previously been recorded in the season following a fire at the locality.


Dariusz L. Szlachetko, Marta Kolanowska, Fred Muller, Jay Vannini, Joanna Rojek and Marcin Górniak​. 2017.   First Guatemalan Record of Natural Hybridisation between Neotropical Species of the Lady’s Slipper Orchid (Orchidaceae, Cypripedioideae). PeerJ. 5:e4162.  DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4162


     

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[PaleoMammalogy • 2017] The early Miocene Balaenid Morenocetus parvus from Patagonia (Argentina) and the Evolution of Right Whales

December 26, 2017, 1:55 am
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 Morenocetus parvus Cabrera, 1926
 Art by Jorge Gonzalez.

in Buono​, Fernández, Cozzuol, et al. 2017 

Abstract

Balaenidae (right and bowhead whales) are a key group in understanding baleen whale evolution, because they are the oldest surviving lineage of crown Mysticeti, with a fossil record that dates back ∼20 million years. However, this record is mostly Pliocene and younger, with most of the Miocene history of the clade remaining practically unknown. The earliest recognized balaenid is the early Miocene Morenocetus parvus Cabrera, 1926 from Argentina. M. parvus was originally briefly described from two incomplete crania, a mandible and some cervical vertebrae collected from the lower Miocene Gaiman Formation of Patagonia. Since then it has not been revised, thus remaining a frequently cited yet enigmatic fossil cetacean with great potential for shedding light on the early history of crown Mysticeti. Here we provide a detailed morphological description of this taxon and revisit its phylogenetic position. The phylogenetic analysis recovered the middle Miocene Peripolocetus as the earliest diverging balaenid, and Morenocetus as the sister taxon of all other balaenids. The analysis of cranial and periotic morphology of Morenocetus suggest that some of the specialized morphological traits of modern balaenids were acquired by the early Miocene and have remained essentially unchanged up to the present. Throughout balaenid evolution, morphological changes in skull arching and ventral displacement of the orbits appear to be coupled and functionally linked to mitigating a reduction of the field of vision. The body length of Morenocetus and other extinct balaenids was estimated and the evolution of body size in Balaenidae was reconstructed. Optimization of body length on our phylogeny of Balaenidae suggests that the primitive condition was a relatively small body length represented by Morenocetus, and that gigantism has been acquired independently at least twice (in Balaena mysticetus and Eubalaena spp.), with the earliest occurrence of this trait in the late Miocene–early Pliocene as represented by Eubalaena shinshuensis.


Figure 13: Reconstructions of balaenid crania in left lateral view, showing relative position of the orbit and eyeball (in blue) with arching of the rostrum. (A) Morenocetus parvus. (B) Balaenella brachyrhynus. (C) Eubalaena australis. The rostrum in (B) is depicted as preserved in the original specimen.

Figure 15: Artistic restoration of Morenocetus parvus in life. 
Art by Jorge Gonzalez. 

Systematic palaeontology

Cetacea Brisson, 1762
Neoceti Fordyce & Muizon, 2001

Mysticeti Gray, 1864 sensu Cope, 1869

Chaeomysticeti Mitchell, 1989
Balaenidae Gray, 1825

Morenocetus Cabrera, 1926

Type species by monotypy: Morenocetus parvus Cabrera, 1926.

....


Mónica R. Buono​, Marta S. Fernández, Mario A. Cozzuol, José I. Cuitiño and Erich M.G. Fitzgerald. 2017. The early Miocene Balaenid Morenocetus parvus from Patagonia (Argentina) and the Evolution of Right Whales.  PeerJ. 5:e4148.  DOI:  10.7717/peerj.4148

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[Herpetology • 2017] Bryophryne mancoinca • A New Species of Bryophryne (Anura: Strabomantidae) from the Cordillera de Vilcabamba, southeastern Peruvian Andes

December 26, 2017, 7:33 pm
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Bryophryne mancoinca 
Mamani, Catenazzi, Ttito, Mallqui & Chaparro, 2017


Abstract

We describe a new species of Bryophryne from the Cordillera de Vilcabamba in Department Cusco, in the southeastern Peruvian Andes. The new species differs from all other congeneric taxa, except B. flammiventris and B. gymnotis, by possessing a weakly defined tympanic membrane and tympanic annulus, by the presence of vocal sac and vocal slits in males, and by producing advertisement calls. The new species is distinguished from B. flammiventris and B. gymnotis by skin texture, presence of small, oblique dentigerous processes on the vomer, ventral coloration ranging from bluish-gray to whitish-gray with irregular or reticulate dark brown spots, and call composed of two or three notes. The new species is further characterized by having dorsal skin shagreen with tubercles, discontinuous dorsolateral folds, skin smooth on ventral surfaces of the body, and lateral fringes on fingers and toes. This species was found at the transition from montane forest to high Andean puna, where it occurs in moist microhabitats under moss and rocks at elevations from 3519 to 3707 m a.s.l.

Keywords: amphibians, Brachycephaloidea, Choquequirao Archeological Complex, humid grassland, Terrarana


Figure 2. Dorsal and ventral views of adult Bryophryne mancoinca sp. nov.
 A–B, female (MUBI 1152, Holotype); C–D, male (MUBI 11149); E–F, male (MUBI 11150); G–H, male (MUBI 11153); I–J, female (MUBI 16069); and K–L, female (MUBI 16069).
Photos by Luis Mamani.

Bryophryne mancoinca sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the most important Inca of Vilcabamba, Manco Inca, who was the leader of the last Incan resistance in southeastern Peru.


Figure 2. Dorsal and ventral views of adult Bryophryne mancoinca sp. nov.  
A–B, female (MUBI 1152, Holotype); C–D, male (MUBI 11149); E–F, male (MUBI 11150); G–H, male (MUBI 11153); I–J, female (MUBI 16069); and K–L, female (MUBI 16069). Photos by Luis Mamani. 


Luis Mamani, Alessandro Catenazzi, Alex Ttito, Sergio Mallqui and Juan C. Chaparro. 2017. A New Species of Bryophryne (Anura: Strabomantidae) from the Cordillera de Vilcabamba, southeastern Peruvian Andes.  Phyllomedusa. 16(2); 129-141. DOI: 10.11606/issn.2316-9079.v16i2p129-141

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[Botany • 2017] Spathoglottis jetsuniae • A New and Striking Spathoglottis (Orchidaceae: Collabiinae), honoring Her Majesty the Queen of Bhutan

December 26, 2017, 8:30 pm
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Spathoglottis jetsuniae N.Gyeltshen, K.Tobgyel & Dalström


Gyeltshen, Tobgyel & Daltröm, 2017

Abstract

A new, attractive and morphologically unique species of Spathoglottis is described, illustrated and compared with the most similar species. The new species is currently only known from two localities in southeastern Bhutan and differs distinctly from its closest relative, Spathoglottis hardingiana, by the glabrous pedicels, forward-curved acuminate apices of the petals, a yellow hypochile of the lip, two pairs of unequal callus “horns” and swellings, and a spirally coiled epichile of the lip, versus a densely pubescent inflorescence and pedicels, a pale purple hypochile, a single pair of erect and clavate, or“bubble-shaped”, callus swellings, and a projecting and narrowly triangular epichile of the lip for S. hardingiana. 

Keywords: Orchidaceae, Collabiinae, new species, Spathoglottis, Bhutan

Figure 5. The striking flowers of Spathoglottis jetsuniae.

 Photo by Nima Gyeltshen

Spathoglottis jetsuniae N.Gyeltshen, K.Tobgyel & Dalström, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Spathoglottis jetsuniae is similar to S. hardingiana C.S.P.Parish & Rchb.f. (Fig.7), but differs by having sub-glabrous inflorescence, axis and pedicels, petals with abruptly acuminate apices curved forward, a yellow lip with a pair of spreading fleshy callus lobes and an additional, parallel pair of digitate, or “sausage-shaped”, callus structures above, and a narrow and coiled-up, strap-like mid-lobe. In contrast, S. hardingiana has distinctly pubescent inflorescence, axis, ovaries and pedicels, acute petals, a pale mauve lip with a single pair of thick and clavate, or bulbous, erect callus structures, and a porrect and narrowly triangular mid-lobe (Parish & Reichenbach 1875; Curtis’s Botanical Magazine 1904).

Distribution: Spathoglottis jetsuniae is so far only known from two localities in southeastern Bhutan. 

Eponomy: Spathoglottis jetsuniae is named in loving and respectful honor of Her Majesty the Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck of Bhutan, who has a dedicated and sincere interest in the protection of the environment and the wild flora and fauna of Bhutan.

Figure 7: Spathoglottis hardingiana from the Curtis’ Botanical Magazine, plate 7964 (1904).

Nima Gyeltshen, Kezang Tobgyel and Stig Daltröm. 2017. A New and Striking Spathoglottis (Orchidaceae: Collabiinae), honoring Her Majesty the Queen of Bhutan.  LANKESTERIANA. 17(3); 395–393.  
revistas.ucr.ac.cr/index.php/lankesteriana/article/view/31575

  

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[Arachnida • 2017] Desis bobmarleyi • A New Spider (Araneae, Desidae) from Coral Reefs in Australia’s Sunshine State and its Relative from Sāmoa

December 26, 2017, 11:51 pm
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Desis bobmarleyi  
Baehr, Raven & Harms, 2017 


Abstract
Spiders of the genus Desis Walckenaer, 1837 (Araneae: Desidae) are water-adapted spiders and live in the intertidal zone on reefs, marine debris and under rocks. Here, we describe a new intertidal species from tropical Queensland and name it after Bob Marley, whose song “High Tide or Low Tide” inspired us as it lives in a “high tide low tide” habitat. We also re-describe a close morphological relative, Desis vorax L. Koch, 1872 from Sāmoa. This species was described some 150 years ago from the Godeffroy Collection which holds the oldest major collection of Australasian and Pacific spiders, now mainly hosted in the Centre of Natural History in Hamburg (CeNak). A third species, Desis hartmeyeri Simon, 1909, was described from juvenile specimens only and is considered a nomen dubium.

“None but ourselves can free our minds.” Bob Marley, Redemption Song (1980).

Key Words: Taxonomy, systematics, new species, Bob Marley, intertidal, spiders, Australia, Pacific


Figure 1. Life image ofDesis bobmarleyi sp. n. female allotype
 (Photo: R. Raven). 

Desis bobmarleyi male holotype
 (photo: R. Raven)

Systematics
Family DESIDAE Pocock, 1895
Subfamily Desinae Pocock, 1895

Desis Walckenaer, 1837

Desis bobmarleyi sp. n.

Etymology: The specific name is a patronym in honour of Bob Marley, an internationally renowned Jamaican Reggae singer and songwriter.

Common name: We propose Bob Marley’s Intertidal Spider as a common name.

Diagnosis: Males of Desis bobmarleyi sp. n. resemble D. kenyonae, D. marina and D. vorax in having a broad, semicircular conductor with a retrolateral conductor plate, a hood-shaped DTA and a spine-like MTA but can be separated from these by having a broadly triangular conductor plate (CP), a stout conductor tip and an indented hood–shaped tip of the retrodistal apophysis (DTA) (Figs 3E, 7A, B). Females of Desis bobmarleyi sp. n. share the long convoluted copulatory ducts but have them arranged spherical not longitudinal (Fig. 7D).

Distribution: Known from intertidal zones of the Great Barrier Reef at the north-eastern coast of Queensland: Australia’s “Sunshine State”. The exact distribution range along the coastline of Australia is still unknown.

Figure 2. Locality and life images ofDesis bobmarleyi sp. n.:
A, beach near Port Douglas high tide; B, same low tide; C, Desis bobmarleyi sp. n. on coral at low tide (photo: Paul Hoye); D, Desis bobmarleyi male holotype (photo: R. Raven).


 Barbara C. Baehr, Robert Raven and Danilo Harms. 2017. “High Tide or Low Tide”: Desis bobmarleyi sp. n., A New Spider from Coral Reefs in Australia’s Sunshine State and its Relative from Sāmoa (Araneae, Desidae, Desis). Evolutionary Systematics. 1; 111-120.  DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.1.15735
New species of marine spider emerges at low tide to remind scientists of Bob Marley  phy.so/433168954 via @physorg_com

    

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