Species New to Science

Alseodaphnopsis ximengensis H. W. Li & J. Li

in Mo, Li, Li, Rohwer, Li & Li, 2018.

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186545

Abstract

An investigation of a questionable species of the genus Alseodaphne led to the discovery of a new genus Alseodaphnopsis H. W. Li & J. Li, gen. nov., separated from Alseodaphne Nees, and a new species Alseodaphnopsis ximengensis H. W. Li & J. Li, sp. nov., endemic to Yunnan province, China. This new species is characterized by having big, axillary, paniculate inflorescences, as well as large, subglobose fruits. Based on DNA sequence data from two gene regions (nuclear ribosomal ITS and LEAFY intron II), we investigate its phylogenetic position within the Persea group. Phylogenies using maximum parsimony (MP) and Bayesian inference (BI) support the recognition of Alseodaphnopsis as a distinct genus but do not resolve well its relationship within the Persea group. The new genus is circumscribed, eight new combinations for its species are made, and a description and illustration of the new species are provided.

Fig 4. Alseodaphnopsis ximengensis H. W. Li & J. Li sp. nov.
A. Branchlet with inflorescences; B. Branchlet with immature infructescences; C. Branchlet with mature fruits; D-F. Mature fruits; G-H. Flowers. (Photos by J.W. Li).

Alseodaphnopsis H. W. Li & J. Li, gen. nov.

Type: Alseodaphnopsis petiolaris (Meisn.) H. W. Li & J. Li

(Nothaphoebe petiolaris Meisn., here designated)

Diagnosis: The new genus Alseodaphnopsis H. W. Li et J. Li is obviously very close to the genus Alseodaphne Nees (s. str.), but differs from the latter morphologically by 1) twigs thick, 4–11 mm in diam., and not obviously whitish in color; 2) terminal buds usually perulate; 3) perianth lobes ± persistent at least in young fruit; 4) inflorescences relatively large, 8.5–35 cm long, many-flowered, with 3–4 orders of branching; 5) fruits medium to large size (3–5 cm), without ribs.

Etymology: Alseodaphnopsis alludes to the resemblance to traditional Alseodaphne (s. str.)

Distribution and habitat: Alseodaphnopsis includes nine species, mainly distributed in the northern marginal part of the tropical zone in southwestern China, but extending also to NE India, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. As far as it is known, the species grow preferentially in forests on limestone mountains.

New combinations.

Here, we make eight new combinations for the species in this new genus as follows:

1) Alseodaphnopsis andersonii (King ex Hook. f.) H. W. Li & J. Li, comb. nov.

Distributed in China (SE & S Yunnan, SE Xizang); NE India, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

2) Alseodaphnopsis petiolaris (Meisn.) H. W. Li & J. Li, comb. nov.

Distributed in China (S Yunnan); India and Myanmar.

3) Alseodaphnopsis sichourensis (H. W. Li) H. W. Li & J. Li, comb. nov.

Distributed in China (SE Yunnan).

4) Alseodaphnopsis marlipoensis (H. W. Li) H. W. Li & J. Li, comb. nov.

Distributed in China (SE Yunnan).

5) Alseodaphnopsis rugosa (Merr. & Chun) H. W. Li & J. Li, comb. nov.

Distributed in China (Hainan, SE Yunnan).

6) Alseodaphnopsis hainanensis (Merr.) H. W. Li & J. Li, comb. nov.

Distributed in China (Hainan); N Vietnam.

7) Alseodaphnopsis hokouensis (H. W. Li) H. W. Li & J. Li, comb. nov.

Distributed in China (SE Yunnan).

8) Alseodaphnopsis lanuginosa (Kosterm.) H. W. Li & J. Li, comb. nov.

Distributed in N Vietnam.

Alseodaphnopsis ximengensis H. W. Li & J. Li, sp. nov.

Type: China. Yunnan Province: Pu’er City, Ximeng County, ca. 1300 m altitude, in seasonal rain forest, 20 November 2011, J. W. Li 1235 (fl.) (Holotype, Isotypes: HITBC!).

Diagnosis: This new species shows a superficial similarity to Alseodaphnopsis petiolaris (Meisn.) H. W. Li & J. Li in its big leaves and elongated petioles, but differs by its glabrous twigs, leaves and panicles as well as subglobose big fruit.

Yue-qing Mo, Lang Li, Jian-wu Li, Jens G. Rohwer, Hsi-wen Li and Jie Li. 2018. Alseodaphnopsis: A New Genus of Lauraceae based on Molecular and Morphological Evidence. PLoS ONE. 12(10): e0186545. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186545

Dimorphanthera wickendeniana Argent

in Argent & Conlon, 2017.

SIBBALDIA. 15

ABSTRACT

A new species of Dimorphanthera is described and figured. Collected in 1993 from Indonesian New Guinea (Papua) by the late Michael Wickenden, this plant is distinct in the unique combination of characters that it possesses.

Fig. 2 The plant flowering at RBGE.

Photo: Tony Conlon.

@alan_elliott

Dimorphanthera wickendeniana Argent species nova

Diagnosis: Distinct in the combination of characters: densely patently hairy stems; leaves with minutely crenulate margins; 3–5 pli-nerved venation; fasciculate inflorescences lacking a rhachis; laxly hairy corollas and a glabrous disk.

Ecology: Collected in the Lake Habbema region which is a sub-montane area with a mixture of open Papuacedrus forest and ericaceous shrubbery interspersed with open grassy areas at about 3,500m altitude. This plant was described as a tall shrub but would probably have been growing at a shrubbery margin. In cultivation it is a sprawling shrub.

Etymology: Named after the late Michael Wickenden, collector of this plant, horticulturist and naturalist who collected many rare and interesting plants for his plant nursery at Gatehouse of Fleet, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland.

George Argent and Tony Conlon. 2017. Dimorphanthera wickendeniana: A New Species from Papua, Indonesian New Guinea. SIBBALDIA: The Journal of Botanic Garden Horticulture. 15; 147-150.

twitter.com/alan_elliott/status/953634001813757957

twitter.com/RBGE_Science

Dracaena umbraculifera Jacq.

in Edwards, Bassüner, Birkinshaw, et al. 2018.

DOI: 10.1017/S0030605317001570

photograph by A. Lehavana || stlpublicradio.org

Abstract
Extinction is the complete loss of a species, but the accuracy of that status depends on the overall information about the species. Dracaena umbraculifera was described in 1797 from a cultivated plant attributed to Mauritius, but repeated surveys failed to relocate it and it was categorized as Extinct on the IUCN Red List. However, several individuals labelled as D. umbraculifera grow in botanical gardens, suggesting that the species’ IUCN status may be inaccurate. The goal of this study was to understand (1) where D. umbraculifera originated, (2) which species are its close relatives, (3) whether it is extinct, and (4) the identity of the botanical garden accessions and whether they have conservation value. We sequenced a cpDNA region of Dracaena from Mauritius, botanical garden accessions labelled as D. umbraculifera, and individuals confirmed to be D. umbraculifera based on morphology, one of which is a living plant in a private garden. We included GenBank accessions of Dracaena from Madagascar and other locations and reconstructed the phylogeny using Bayesian and parsimony approaches. Phylogenies indicated that D. umbraculifera is more closely related to Dracaena reflexa from Madagascar than to Mauritian Dracaena. As anecdotal information indicated that the living D. umbraculifera originated from Madagascar, we conducted field expeditions there and located five wild populations; the species’ IUCN status should therefore be Critically Endangered because < 50 wild individuals remain. Although the identity of many botanical garden samples remains unresolved, this study highlights the importance of living collections for facilitating new discoveries and the importance of documenting and conserving the flora of Madagascar.

Keywords: Botanical garden, Dracaena reflexa, Dracaena umbraculifera, extinction, living collections, Madagascar, Mauritius, phylogeny reconstruction

The original illustration of Dracaena umbraculifera from Jacquin (1797)

Dracaena umbraculifera in Ile Sainte-Marie in full flower

photograph by A. Lehavana

Christine E. Edwards, Burgund Bassüner, Chris Birkinshaw, Christian Camara, Adolphe Lehavana, Porter P. Lowry, James S. Miller, Andrew Wyatt and Peter Wyse Jackson. 2018. A Botanical Mystery solved by Phylogenetic Analysis of Botanical Garden Collections: the Rediscovery of the Presumed-Extinct Dracaena umbraculifera. Oryx. DOI: 10.1017/S0030605317001570
ResearchGate.net/publication/322314426_rediscovery_of_the_presumed-extinct_Dracaena_umbraculifera

MoBot scientists use DNA testing to bring an African plant out of extinction news.stlpublicradio.org/post/mobot-scientists-use-dna-testing-bring-african-plant-out-extinction

Presumed-extinct 𝘋𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘢𝘦𝘯𝘢 𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘢 rediscovered! Botanical mystery solved by phylogenetic analysis of botanical garden collections bit.ly/2ANB5WN

twitter.com/ORYXtheJournal/status/951099316936028160

Dicterias atrosanguinea Selys, 1853

in Vilela, Guillermo-Ferreira & Cordero-Rivera, 2018.

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4374.3.7

Abstract

The female of Dicterias atrosanguinea Selys, 1853 is described and illustrated based on two specimens collected in Pará and Amazonas States, Brazil. We compare the female with the most closely related species, Heliocharisamazona Selys, 1853, and present SEM images of the genital ligula for both D. atrosanguinea and H. amazona males. Additionally we provide behavioral observations on D. atrosanguinea males.

Keywords: Odonata, damselfly, female description, genital ligula, Brazil, Amazon, Dicteriadidae

Diogo Silva Vilela, Rhainer Guillermo-Ferreira and Adolfo Cordero-Rivera. 2018. Description of the Female of Dicteriasatrosanguinea Selys 1853, with Notes on Male Genital Ligula and Male Behavior (Odonata: Dicteriadidae). Zootaxa. 4374(3); 441–450. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4374.3.7

Oxynoemacheilus ciceki

Sungur, Jalili & Eagderi, 2017

DOI: 10.22034/iji.v4i4.258

Abstract

A new species of nemacheilid fish, Oxynoemacheilus ciceki sp. n. is described from the Sultan Marsh, Kayseri Province, Turkey. The species differs from its congeners in the combination of the following characters: flank yellowish brown or pale gray with irregular spot; cheeks with numerous tiny spots; lacking scale; thinner caudal peduncle; complete lateral line; 4 central and 4 lateral pores in the supra-temporal canal; lower lip thick with a deep median interruption and marked furrows and small median incision in upper lip.

Keywords: Freshwater fish, Taxonomy, Morphology, Loach.

Fig.1. Uncatalogued live specimen of Oxynoemacheilus ciceki sp. n., Turkey: Kayseri prov.: Sultan Marsh.

Oxynoemacheilus ciceki sp. n.

Diagnosis: Oxynoemacheilus ciceki sp. n. is distinguished from the other species of Oxynoemacheilus in the Kızılırmak basin by a combination of characters, none of them unique. Oxynoemacheilus ciceki sp. n. is distinguished from O. angorae by having flank yellowish brown or pale gray with irregular spots (vs. yellowish with a mid-lateral row of horizontally elongated fused blotches), cheeks with numerous tiny spots (vs. without pigmentation), without scale (vs. scaled), shorter pelvic fin (11.3- 13.6 vs. 14.9-17.0 %SL), lower mouth width (16.0- 22.0 vs. 20.6-26.7 %HL).

Etymology: The new species is named after Prof. Dr. Erdoğan Çiçek, for his valuable contribution to the knowledge of freshwater fishes of Turkey.

Distribution: Oxynoemacheilus ciceki sp. n. is knowns only from the Sultan Marsh, Kayseri Province (Fig. 6). This species mostly found slowflowing parts of streams in the Sultan Marsh. Pseudophoxinus elizavetae, Aphanius marassantensis, Seminemacheilus lendlii and Cobitis sp. coexist in the type locality with Oxynoemacheilus ciceki sp. n.

Sevil Sungur, Paria Jalili and Soheil Eagderi. 2017. Oxynoemacheilus ciceki, New Nemacheilid Species (Teleostei, Nemacheilidae) from the Sultan Marsh, Kayseri Province, Turkey. Iranian Journal of Ichthyology. 4(4); 375-383. DOI: 10.22034/iji.v4i4.258

Gigandipus chiappei

Xing, Lockley, Klein, Zeng, Cai, Luo & Li, 2018

DOI: 10.1016/j.gsf.2017.12.012

Highlights

1. First example of a Cretaceous track morphotype attributable to Gigandipus.

2. Second report largest avian theropod tracks Wupus from Lower Cretaceous.

3. The similarity between K1 and J1 theropod ichnotaxa in East Asia.

Abstract

A newly discovered Jiaguan Formation (Lower Cretaceous) tracksite from the Linjiang region of Guizhou Province, China, reveals the first example of a Cretaceous track morphotype attributable to the non-avian theropod ichnogenus Gigandipus, here named Gigandipus chiappei ichnosp nov. The theropod dominated locality also reveals the second report of the avian theropod ichnogenus Wupus, one of the largest avian traces currently known from the Lower Cretaceous. The Linjiang site provides evidence to support previous interpretations of a distinctive Lower Cretaceous theropod-dominated ichnofauna that was widespread in China and East Asia and highlights the similarity between Lower Cretaceous theropod ichnotaxa in East Asia and those found in the Lower Jurassic both in East Asia and elsewhere. These similarities in turn create various ichnotaxonomic challenges familiar to researchers working on theropod tracks, and we recommend caution in the naming of new theropod ichnotaxa at the ichnogenus level.

Keywords: Early Cretaceous; Jiaguan Formation; theropod tracks; Gigandipus; Wupus

Gigandipus tracks

Theropoda Marsh, 1881

Gigandipodidae Lull, 1904

Gigandipus Hitchcock, 1856; Lull, 1904

Type ichnospeciesG. caudatus Lull, 1904

Gigandipus chiappei ichnosp. nov.

Etymology. The specific name is in honor of Dr. Luis M. Chiappe, a distinguished paleontologist who is world-renowned on the origin and early evolution birds.

....

Conclusions

The Linjiang tracksite in the Jiaguan Formation of Guizhou Province reveals the first example of a Cretaceous track morphotype attributable to the non-avian theropod ichnogenus Gigandipus, here named G. chiappei ichnosp nov. The site also reveals only the second report of the avian theropod ichnogenus Wupus, which is one of the largest avian traces currently known from the Lower Cretaceous. The discovery underscores the importance of the Jiaguan Formation as a major source of tetrapod (theropod) data in the Sichuan Basin region from which little or no useful body fossil data have been recovered.

Data from the Linjiang site provide growing support for a distinctive and widespread Lower Cretaceous theropod-dominated ichnofauna in China. This ichnofauna also shows notable similarities to other Lower Cretaceous theropod dominated ichnofaunas from East Asia, notably Korea. There are also taxonomically challenging similarities between these Lower Cretaceous ichnofaunas and those found in the Lower Jurassic both in East Asia and elsewhere. These challenges, which raise perennial “lumper-splitter” debates, suggest ichnologists should exercise caution naming new ichnotaxa, especially at the ichnogenus level.

Lida Xing, Martin G. Lockley, Hendrik Klein, Rong Zeng, Sifu Cai, Xiuchun Luo and Chen Li. 2018. Theropod Assemblages and A New Ichnotaxon Gigandipus chiappei ichnosp. nov. from the Jiaguan Formation, Lower Cretaceous of Guizhou Province, China. Geoscience Frontiers. In Press. DOI: 10.1016/j.gsf.2017.12.012

twitter.com/pantheo27705718/status/950505639708520448

Thismia thaithongiana

Chantanaorr. & Suddee

in Chantanaorrapint & Suddee, 2018.

facebook.com/ForestHerbarium DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.333.2.14

With more than 60 currently accepted species, Thismia Griffith (1844: 221) is the largest genus of the tribe Thismieae of Dioscoreaceae (sensu APG 2016, or Thismiaceae of other authors). The genus is widely distributed mainly in the tropical and subtropical regions with a concentration of species in Southeast Asia (ca. 30 species) including the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Thailand and Vietnam. In last decade, many new taxa have been described from Southeast Asia (e.g. Larsen & Averyanov 2007, Chantanaorrapint 2008 2012, Tsukaya & Okada 2012, Dančák et al. 2013, Nuraliev et al. 2014 2015, Truong et al. 2014, Tsukaya et al. 2014, Chantanaorrapint & Sridith 2015, Hroneš et al. 2015, Chantanaorrapint et al. 2016, Sochor et al. 2017). Members of the genus are small mycoheterotrophic herbs with a highly reduced habit and usually grow among leaf litter in shady wet forests.

Keywords: Doi Hua Mot; Umphang; mycoheterotrophic; taxonomy; Thailand; Thismia; Monocots

พิศวงตานกฮูกหรือพิศวงไทยทองThismia thaithongiana Chantanaorr. & Suddee ตีพิมพ์ในวารสาร Phytotaxa. 333(2): 287–292. 2018. คำระบุชนิดตั้งให้เป็นเกียรติแก่ รศ.ดร.อบฉันท์ ไทยทอง

Sahut Chantanaorrapint and Somran Suddee. 2018. Thismia thaithongiana (Dioscoreaceae: Thismieae), A New Species of Mycoheterotroph from An Unusual Habitat. Phytotaxa. 333(2); 287–292. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.333.2.14

facebook.com/ForestHerbarium/photos/979445472081140

facebook.com/ForestHerbarium/photos/979343375424683

Caligoneus cavernicola

Komai & Fujita, 2018

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4369.4.7

Abstract

Two species of alpheid shrimp collected from a marine cave off Ie Island, Okinawa Islands, Ryukyu Islands, Japan, are reported. Caligoneus cavernicola n. gen., n. sp., is described on the basis of six specimens, including two ovigerous individuals. The new monotypic genus shares a number of features with Salmoneus Holthuis, 1955 and Triacanthoneus Anker, 2010; however, the dorsally elevated rostrum and the symmetrical pereopods 1 (= chelipeds) of “minor form” distinguish Caligoneus n. gen. from the latter two genera. Other potentially diagnostic characters between the new genus and the latter two genera are also discussed. The new taxon is clearly adapted to stygobiotic environments, with its reduced cornea and very slender elongate pereopods. In addition, two complete specimens of Salmoneus antricola Komai, Yamada & Yunokawa, 2015, collected in the same cave, supplement the original description of the species, which was based on a unique holotype with a damaged telson.

Keywords: Crustacea, Caligoneus cavernicola, Ie Island, stygobiotic, Triacanthoneus

Tomoyuki Komai and Yoshihisa Fujita. 2018. A New Genus and New Species of Alpheid Shrimp from A Marine Cave in the Ryukyu Islands, Japan, with Additional Record of Salmoneus antricola Komai, Yamada & Yunokawa, 2015 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Caridea). Zootaxa. 4369(4); 575–586. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4369.4.7

暗闇に潜む新種のテッポウエビ発見　沖縄・伊江島の海底洞窟 | 沖縄タイムス＋プラス　ニュース | 沖縄タイムス＋プラス okinawatimes.co.jp/articles/-/194503 via @theokinawatimes

Massospondylus carinatus Owen, 1854

in Chapelle & Choiniere, 2018

DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4224

Abstract

Massospondylus carinatus is a basal sauropodomorph dinosaur from the early Jurassic Elliot Formation of South Africa. It is one of the best-represented fossil dinosaur taxa, known from hundreds of specimens including at least 13 complete or nearly complete skulls. Surprisingly, the internal cranial anatomy of M. carinatus has never been described using computed tomography (CT) methods. Using CT scans and 3D digital representations, we digitally reconstruct the bones of the facial skeleton, braincase, and palate of a complete, undistorted cranium of M. carinatus (BP/1/5241). We describe the anatomical features of the cranial bones, and compare them to other closely related sauropodomorph taxa such as Plateosaurus erlenbergiensis, Lufengosaurus huenei, Sarahsaurus aurifontanalis and Efraasia minor. We identify a suite of character states of the skull and braincase for M. carinatus that sets it apart from other taxa, but these remain tentative due to the lack of comparative sauropodomorph braincase descriptions in the literature. Furthermore, we hypothesize 27 new cranial characters useful for determining relationships in non-sauropodan Sauropodomorpha, delete five pre-existing characters and revise the scores of several existing cranial characters to make more explicit homology statements. All the characters that we hypothesized or revised are illustrated. Using parsimony as an optimality criterion, we then test the relationships of M. carinatus (using BP/1/5241 as a specimen-level exemplar) in our revised phylogenetic data matrix.

Figure 1: Photographs of the skull of BP/1/5241. (A) Left lateral view. (B) Right lateral view. (C) Dorsal view.

Figure 2: Reconstructed skull of BP/1/5241.
(A) Left lateral view. (B) Right lateral view.

aof, antorbital fenestra; aofs, antorbital fossa; bo, basioccipital; ecpt, ectopterygoid; eo, exoccipital; fr, frontal; itf, infratemporal fenestra; j, jugal; la, lacrimal; mx, maxilla; n, nasal; nf, narial fenestra; obt, orbit; pa, parietal; pf, prefrontal; pmx, premaxilla; po, postorbital; q, quadrate; qj, quadratojugal; sq, squamosal.

SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY

Dinosauria Owen, 1842

Saurischia Seeley, 1887

Sauropodomorpha Huene, 1932

Massospondylidae Huene, 1914 sensu Yates, 2003b

Massospondylus carinatus Owen, 1854

....

Conclusion:

The use of CT scanning and 3D visualization graphics allows for a better understanding of the internal and external morphological structures of the braincase as well as information about the soft tissues such as the vestibular canals. M. carinatus can be tentatively diagnosed cranially by basipterygoid processes that are separated by an angle smaller than 60° and a jugal process of the ectopterygoid that is strongly curved. A revision of cranial characters provides a basis for more comparative work on the braincase of sauropodomorphs in general. Results also show a well-supported Massospondylidae clade. Further phylogenetic analyses using individual specimens of known ontogenetic stages as operational taxonomic units would provide better resolution for the Massospondylidae clade as well as a better understanding of which sets of character states set M. carinatus aside from other taxa.

Kimberley E.J. Chapelle and Jonah N. Choiniere. 2018. A Revised Cranial Description of Massospondylus carinatus Owen (Dinosauria: Sauropodomorpha) based on Computed Tomographic Scans and A Review of Cranial Characters for Basal Sauropodomorpha. PeerJ. 6:e4224. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4224

CT-scan study makes it possible to 3-D print the skull of the dinosaur species Massospondylushttp://phy.so/434970306 via @physorg_com

Gomphotherium tassyi

Wang, Li, Duangkrayom, Yang, He & Chen, 2017

DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2017.1318284

ABSTRACT

Gomphotherium is a stem taxon of Elephantida that was widespread in Africa, Eurasia, and North America during the Miocene. However, the evolution of this genus is greatly debated because of morphological variation among the species of Gomphotherium. In the present work, we describe a cranium and accompanying material of Gomphotherium from the late middle Miocene Hujialiang Formation of Linxia Basin, China. The new material shows dental similarities to G. subtapiroideum from the middle Miocene of Europe; however, it displays some cranial, mandibular, and dental feature combinations that are distinct from the known species of Gomphotherium. Therefore, a new species, Gomphotherium tassyi, is established. We further study the phylogeny of Gomphotherium by cladistic analysis and recognize four groups. The most basal ‘G. annectens group’ is a paraphyletic group that includes G. annectens, G. cooperi, G. sylvaticum, and G. hannibali. The African taxa, G. libycum and G. pygmaeus, constitute a monophyletic group that has not been named. The ‘G. angustidens group’ is a monophyletic group that includes G. inopinatum, G. mongoliense, G. connexum, and G. angustidens. In addition, the ‘derived Gomphotherium group,’ which includes G. subtapiroideum, G. tassyi, G. wimani, G. browni, G. productum, and G. steinheimense, was widely distributed in Eurasia and North America during the middle and late Miocene.

Shi-Qi Wang, Yu Li, Jaroon Duangkrayom, Xiang-Wen Yang, Wen He and Shan-Qin Chen. 2017. A New Species of Gomphotherium (Proboscidea, Mammalia) from China and the Evolution of Gomphotherium in Eurasia. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 37(3); DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2017.1318284

ivpp.cas.cn/xwdt/tpxw/201712/t20171227_4923738.html

Pseudoblothrus roszkovskii (Redikorzev, 1918)

in Kolesnikov & Turbanov, 2018.

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4374.4.4

Abstract

Based on morphological and molecular studies of material from caves in three karst regions of Crimea, the small, apparently relictual, Euro-Mediterranean and Macaronesian false scorpion genus Pseudoblothrus Beier, 1931 is shown to contain only one troglobiont species there, P. roszkovskii (Redikorzev, 1918), of which P. ljovuschkini Krumpál, 1984 and Obisium tauricum Lebedev, 1927 are junior subjective synonyms. A detailed redescription of the adults and tritonymph of P. roszkovskii is provided, together with phylogenetic and zoogeographical analyses.

Keywords: Pseudoscorpiones, variation, taxonomy, phylogeny

Vasiliy Kolesnikov and Ilya Turbanov. 2018. The Cave-dwelling False Scorpion Genus Pseudoblothrus Beier, 1931 (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones: Syarinidae) in the Crimean Peninsula. Zootaxa. 4374(4); 524–544. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4374.4.4

Takedactylus compressus

Naruse & Yoshida, 2018

DOI: 10.1080/03946975.2017.1395163 ocha.ac.jp

Abstract

A new species of Takedactylus Naruse & Maenosono, 2012, and a new genus and species of Aphanodactylidae are described from Japan. Takedactylus compressus n. sp. is collected from Ogasawara Islands. This new species is distinct from the only congener, Takedactylus masatsunei, by the shapes of the carapace, third maxilliped and the ambulatory legs. Another new species, monotypic Lichtylus kaisha n. gen., n. sp., is distinct from all other aphanodactylid species, in generic level, in the shape and position of the palp of third maxilliped, relatively long and slender ambulatory legs, and a combination of other important characters, i.e. the contour of the carapace, the degree of gap between third maxillipeds, condition of the distoflexor corners of second to fifth ambulatory propodi, and relative length of ambulatory dactyli. The present study brings the number of aphanodactylid taxa to 7 genera and 15 species.

Keywords: Taxonomy, new genus, new species, Brachyura, crab, Aphanodactylidae, Japan

Tohru Naruse and Ryuta Yoshida. 2018. Two New Species of Aphanodactylidae (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura) from the Ryukyu and Ogasawara Islands, Japan, with the Establishment of A New Genus. Tropical Zoology. DOI: 10.1080/03946975.2017.1395163

ゴカイと暮らす“ぺったんこ”なカニの新種を発見！ | お茶の水女子大学 ocha.ac.jp/news/20180116_01.html

Aloe belitsakensis

in Rakotoarisoa & Grace, 2017

@TeamKMCC || DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.328.3.6

Madagascar is a major centre of diversity for the leaf-succulent genus Aloe Linnaeus (1753: 319) accounting for roughly a third of Aloe species (Carter et al. 2011). Approximately 128 species and 161 taxa are known from the region and all are restricted to Madagascar (Rakotoarisoa et al. 2014) and/or the nearby Mascarene archipelago. New taxa are described from these islands at a rate that rivals the ongoing discovery of aloes elsewhere in their natural range, on the African continent or Arabian Peninsula (Crouch et al. 2013). Extinction risks are alarmingly high among species of Aloe in this region. Conservatively, 39% of species are known to be threatened, and this figure is likely to be significantly higher (Rakotoarisoa et al. 2014), since several species have not been observed or collected for many decades. The Kew Madagascar Conservation Centre (KMCC) aims to record and collect the rare and threatened flora of Madagascar to ensure its conservation, and the genus Aloe is a priority for the dryland programme.

Keywords: Aloe, new species, Xanthorrhoeaceae, Madagascar, Monocots

Solofo E. Rakotoarisoa and Olwen M. Grace. 2017. Aloe belitsakensis (Asphodelaceae): A New Species from north-western Madagascar. Phytotaxa. 328(3); 276–282. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.328.3.6

twitter.com/TeamKMCC/status/932891056563261440

Saccharicoccus chinensis

Zhang, Wu & Wu, 2018

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4375.1.7

Abstract

The mealybug genus Saccharicoccus Ferris includes three species: S. isfarensis (Borchsenius, 1949), S. sacchari (Cockerell, 1895) and a new species, S. chinensis Zhang, Wu & Wu sp. n. The new species, collected on Miscanthus sp. (Poaceae) and other poaceous weeds in China, is described and illustrated, and molecular analyses based on the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) are provided. Additional data on the distribution and host-plants of each species are given, and a key to the adult females of Saccharicoccus species is provided.

Keywords: Hemiptera, mealybugs, minute pores, COI, distribution, host-plants

Jiang-Tao Zhang, Bo-Wen Wu and San-An Wu. 2018. A Review of the Genus Saccharicoccus Ferris, 1950 (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) in China, with Description of A New Species. Zootaxa. 4375(1); 127–135. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4375.1.7

Ctenitis submarginalis (Langsd. & Fisch.) Ching

in Viveros, Rouhan & Salino, 2018.

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.385.1.1

Abstract

Based on collections of 45 Herbaria in addition to newly collected specimens and some field observations, a taxonomic treatment for South American Ctenitis is provided, a hundred years after Christensen’s monographs. Guided by morphological species concept, 26 taxa are recognized (23 species and three varieties). A key including all taxa is provided, and all species are fully morphologically described, with information on distribution and habitat. Brazil is the richest country with 22 taxa, of which 13 are endemic, restricted mainly to Atlantic Forest. Taxa occurring in the other South American countries are also widely distributed in Mesoamerica and West Indies, except C. megalastriformis, only known from Peru, and C. refulgens var. peruviana, recorded in Peru and Bolivia. We dealt with 163 names that apply to the South American species. In addition, we propose three new combinations, and designate 38 lectotypes and three neotypes.

Keywords: Atlantic Forest, Brazil, ferns, Neotropics, taxonomy, typification, Pteridophytes

Raquel Stauffer Viveros, Germinal Rouhan and Alexandre Salino. 2018. A Taxonomic Monograph of the Fern Genus Ctenitis (Dryopteridaceae) in South America. Phytotaxa. 335(1); 1–83. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.385.1.1

Sitana attenboroughii

Sadasivan, Ramesh, Palot, Ambekar & Mirza, 2018

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4374.4.5

Abstract

We here describe Sitana attenboroughii sp. nov., a new species of fan-throated lizard of the genus Sitana Cuvier, 1829 from coastal Kerala in southern India. The new species morphologically is closer to Sitana visiriDeepak, 2016 (in Deepak et al. 2016a), however, differs in having higher numbers of ventral scales and a comparatively short but richly colored dewlap. Genetically the new species shows affinity to Sitana marudhamneydhal Deepak, Khandekar, Varma & Chaitanya, 2016 from which it differs in an uncorrected pairwise sequence divergence of 2.2% for a fragment of mitochondrial Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase (NADH) subunit 2 gene.

Keywords: Reptilia, taxonomy, India, molecular phylogeny, mitochondrial DNA, Kerala

Sitana attenboroughii sp. nov. in life, holotype male (BNHS 2481)

Kalesh Sadasivan, M. B. Ramesh, Muhamed Jafer Palot, Mayuresh Ambekar and Zeeshan A. Mirza. 2018. A New Species of Fan-throated Lizard of the Genus Sitana Cuvier, 1829 from coastal Kerala, southern India. Zootaxa. 4374(4); 545–564. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4374.4.5

facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10156266934086424

Carex socotrana Rěpka & Maděra

in Řepka, Maděra, Čermák & Forrest, 2017.
@CMEPorg || DOI: 10.3417/D-16-00004

ABSTRACT

We describe Carex socotrana Rěpka & Maděra, a new endemic species found in the Hajhir Mountains on Socotra Island. It differs from the morphologically similar African continental species C. steudneri Boeckeler in having a shorter stem, smaller leaf length and width, completely smooth leaf blades and margins, and pistillate scales without a whitish membranous margin and with distinctive awns at the apex. The spike clusters are smaller and more scattered on the stem, and the perigynium and its beak are smaller than in C. steudneri. So far only one small and one large population have been found near the highest mountain peak, Mount Scand. The new taxon is 1370 km from the closest known site of C. steudneri.

Keywords: Carex, Cyperaceae, IUCN, Socotra

Radomír Řepka, Petr Maděra, Martin Čermák and Alan Forrest. 2017. Carex socotrana, A New Endemic Species from Socotra Island. Novon: A Journal for Botanical Nomenclature. 25(4); 467–472. DOI: 10.3417/D-16-00004

ResearchGate.net/publication/321198484_Carex_socotrana_a_New_Endemic_Species_from_Socotra_Island

twitter.com/CMEPorg/status/934055316542640128

(B) Pachyptera aromatica, (I) P. incarnata
(F) P. erythraea, (N) P. kerere

in Francisco & Lohmann, 2018.

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.92.20987

Abstract

Pachyptera DC. is a small genus of neotropical lianas included in tribe Bignonieae (Bignoniaceae). The genus has a complicated taxonomic history but currently includes species distributed from Belize to Southern Amazon. Pachyptera is characterised by four main synapomorphies, namely, a papery peeling bark, prophylls of the axillary buds organised in a series of three, patelliform glands arranged in lines in the upper portions of the calyx and corolla tube. Furthermore, members of the genus also have stems with four phloem wedges in cross-section and conspicuous extrafloral nectaries between the interpetiolar region and at the petiole apex, although these characters are also shared with other genera of tribe Bignonieae. Here, we present a taxonomic revision of Pachyptera, which includes a complete list of synonyms, detailed morphological descriptions of species and an identification key, as well as information on the habitat, distribution and phenology, nomenclatural notes, taxonomic comments and illustrations of all the species. In addition, we designate three lectotypes, propose one new combination, raise one variety to species status and describe a new species. After these adjustments, a Pachyptera with five well-defined species is recognised.

Keywords: Amazon, Flora, Pachyptera kerere, Neotropics, Taxonomy

Figure 1. Schematic diagram summarising phylogenetic relationships within Pachyptera, with morphological characters mapped on the diagram.
Names of the terminal taxa indicate the taxon in which these species were previously included. The taxonomic updates proposed here are also indicated. Relationships depicted follow Francisco and Lohmann (submitted).

Figure 2. Sample of morphological features of Pachyptera.
A–D Pachyptera aromatica: A Inflorescence B Frontal view of flowers C Detail of inflorescence and flowers, showing calyx partition D Interpetiolar region of stem with extra floral nectaries (EFNs) and prophylls of the axillary buds 3-seriated, triangular and minute
E–F P. erythraea: E Inflorescence F Frontal view of flowers
G–L P. incarnata: G Stem with tendril surrounding a tree H Interpetiolar region of stem with EFNs and prophylls of the axillary buds flattened, ensiform and seriated I Inflorescence J Frontal view of flower K Pink patelliform glands on flower lobes L Detail of calyx
M–Q P. kerere: M Stem cross-section with four phloem wedges N Inflorescence O Frontal view of flower P White patelliform glands on flower lobes Q Detail of calyx.

Jessica Nayara Carvalho Francisco and Lúcia G. Lohmann. 2018. Taxonomic Revision of Pachyptera (Bignonieae, Bignoniaceae). PhytoKeys. 92: 89-131. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.92.20987

Pristimantis marmoratus (Boulenger, 1900)

in Kok, Dezfoulian, Means, Fouquet & Barrio-Amorós, 2018.

DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2018.397

Abstract

The frog Pristimantis marmoratus was originally described as Hylodes marmoratus by George A. Boulenger in 1900 based on a single specimen reported to have been collected at the foot of Mount Roraima in Guyana in 1898. We herein discuss the exact location of the type locality of P. marmoratus and provide a redescription of the species based on new material from Kaieteur National Park and from the slopes of Maringma-tepui in Guyana. We also describe the previously unknown vocalization and breeding ecology of the species, and conducted an exploratory molecular analysis of the phylogenetic relationships within the genus Pristimantis represented by the members of the “unistrigatus species group” in the Guiana Shield. Pristimantis marmoratus is a small-sized species mainly distinguished from its known Guiana Shield congeners by the combination of F I < II, SVL ≤ 20.4 in males, presence of vocal slits in males, granular/pustulate dorsal skin with well-developed scapular ridges, basal webbing between fingers, fringes on fingers and toes, crossed iris, diffuse yellow or pale green wash on groin, and absence of flashy colour on axillary/pre-axillary region. The advertisement call consists of a single note repeated at a rate of ca 11 calls/min with a dominant frequency ranging from 2756 to 3101 Hz. Pristimantis marmoratus is primarily arboreal, exclusively active at dusk, and probably restricted to the pristine rainforests of the Pantepui uplands and highlands, east of the Gran Sabana between ca 600 and 1800 m above sea level. Preliminary molecular analyses recovered Pristimantis marmoratus as sister to an unnamed species from the Eastern Guiana Shield. On grounds of the newly established distributional extent we suggest maintaining the IUCN conservation status as Least Concern.

Keywords: Anura; Guiana Shield; Pantepui; systematics; Terrarana

Superfamily Brachycephaloidea Günther, 1858

Family Craugastoridae Hedges, Duellman & Heinicke, 2008

Genus Pristimantis Jiménez de la Espada, 1870

Pristimantis marmoratus (Boulenger, 1900)

....

Fig. 4. Pristimantis marmoratus (Boulenger, 1900) (four individuals at the top) and P. pulvinatus (Rivero, 1968) (two individuals below). Intraspecific variation in dorsal colour pattern and sexual dimorphism in living specimens. Note: the subtle hint of green visible on the lower body and legs of some specimens of P. marmoratus is due to a reflection of the substrate (green leaf).

Photographs by Philippe J.R. Kok, except the uncollected P. pulvinatus, which is by César L. Barrio-Amorós.

Fig. 6. A. Guzmania cf. sphaeroidea (André) André ex Mez, an arboreal bromeliad species used as egg deposition site by Pristimantis marmoratus (Boulenger, 1900) in the Wokomung Massif. B. Egg clutch of Pristimantis marmoratus deposited on a leaf of the arboreal bromeliad Guzmania cf. sphaeroidea in the Wokomung Massif. C. Egg clutch of Anomaloglossus beebei (Noble, 1923) (white arrow) deposited in the phytotelmata of the same plant as in B. D. Dorsolateral view of IRSNB 17916, 11.3 mm SVL, a juvenile of P. marmoratus collected on the slopes of Maringma-tepui, Guyana.

Photographs A–C by D. Bruce Means, D by Philippe J.R. Kok.

Natural history:

All specimens were found in undisturbed submontane or montane rainforest (Fig. 9), active on small trees 50–300 cm above the ground, exclusively at dusk. Pristimantis marmoratus is not a common species; only a few specimens have been found at each locality of occurrence. Males were found calling (in June and November) upside down from mossy tree trunks of low diameter (< 10 cm) between 120 and 300 cm above the ground, except one male (IRSNB 14473), which was calling from the top of a green leaf 50 cm above the ground. The “upside down” call posture is also found in the closely related P. sp. 1 of Fouquet et al. (2013) (as recovered in our preliminary molecular phylogenetic analysis, see below), and in P. espedeus and P. inguinalis.

In June 2012, which corresponds to the rainy season in the area, a cluster of four Pristimantis marmoratus eggs (Fig. 6B) was found by one of us (DBM) attached to the inside part of a leaf of a bromeliad, Guzmania cf. sphaeroidea (André) André ex Mez (Fig. 6A), 150 cm above the ground, on Mount Kopinang, Wokomung Massif, near the top of Kamana Falls at about 1600 m elevation (04°59′58″ N, 59°52′49″ W). Molecular analyses confirmed conspecificity of these eggs with P. marmoratus (Appendix 3). The large, white eggs did not have visibly developed embryos. After photographing and preserving the eggs, the small plant was investigated for inhabitants of the aquatic portion of the phytotelmata. Immediately a small frog jumped out and disappeared into the deep ground litter, and eggs and tadpoles of Anomaloglossus beebei (Noble, 1923) were found in the water of the phytotelmata of the same small bromeliad and in the water of five other bromeliads nearby (egg/frog identifications confirmed by molecular analyses). Pristimantis marmoratus and Anomaloglossus beebei thus share the same bromeliad as an oviposition site on the Wokomung Massif (Fig. 6C). Other Pristimantis species found in syntopy with P. marmoratus were P. dendrobatoides (above 1600 m elevation), P. jester (above 1300 m elevation), P. saltissimus (above 1000 m elevation), and P. pulvinatus (above 1000 m elevation).

Philippe J.R. Kok, Raheleh Dezfoulian, D. Bruce Means, Antoine Fouquet and César L. Barrio-Amorós. 2018. Amended Diagnosis and Redescription of Pristimantis marmoratus (Boulenger, 1900) (Amphibia: Craugastoridae), with A Description of Its Advertisement Call and Notes on Its Breeding Ecology and Phylogenetic Relationships. European Journal of Taxonomy. 397; 1–30. DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2018.397

Pectodens zhenyuensis

Li, Fraser, Rieppel, Zhao & Wang, 2017

DOI: 10.1017/jpa.2017.12

Abstract

The Middle and early Late Triassic of southern China is well known for a remarkable diversity of marine vertebrates, particularly reptiles, including an abundance of intriguing new forms (e.g., Jiang et al., 2005; Hu et al., 2011; Li et al., 2016). Here we describe a new diapsid from Yunnan Province. It possesses an elongate neck that exhibits a remarkable similarity to that of many Protorosauria, yet in other respects the skull and postcranium are much less derived.

The new taxon is part of the so-called Panxian-Luoping Fauna and the deposits correspond to the Upper Member of the Guanling Formation, comprising thin to medium bedded, gray to dark-gray laminated marly limestone and limestone, with several layers of bentonite intercalated in the fossil level at Panxian (Wan, 2002; Motani et al., 2008; Jiang et al., 2009). Their age is Pelsonian (middle Anisian, Middle Triassic) as is indicated by the conodont Nicoraella kockeli Zone (Sun et al., 2006; Zhang et al., 2009). A recent U-Pb study indicates the absolute age of these middle Anisian beds to be close to 244 Ma (Wang et al., 2014).

Life restoration of Pectodens zhenyuensis

by Yu Wang.

Figure 1: Pectodens zhenyuensis n. gen. n. sp., Photograph of the holotype IVPP V18578.

Systematic paleontology

Reptilia

Archosauromorpha von Huene, 1946

?Protorosauria Huxley, 1871

Family incertae sedis

Genus Pectodens new genus

Type species: Pectodens zhenyuensis n. gen. n. sp. by monotypy.

Etymology: From the Latin pecto meaning to comb and dens meaning teeth; in reference to the comb-like nature of the marginal dentition.

Occurrence: Luoping County of Yunnan Province, China; Member II of the Guanling Formation, Anisian, Middle Triassic.

Pectodens zhenyuensis new species

Holotype: IVPP V18578. Almost complete articulated skeleton.

Etymology: In honor of Zhenyu Li, who contributed greatly to the collection of the specimen from the field.

....

Conclusions:

A new, small terrestrial tetrapod is described from the Middle Triassic of Yunnan, China. Pectodens zhenyuensis n. gen. n. sp. bears very characteristic elongate teeth forming a comb-like marginal dentition. The elongate cervicals of Pectodens zhenyuensis n. gen. n. sp. with low neural spines together with the morphology of the cervical ribs are features consistent with protorosaurs, such as Macrocnemus. However, the imperforate puboischiadic plate, simple rounded proximal tarsals, and a straight 5th metatarsal are primitive characteristics. A key protorosaurian character is the long neck with elongated cervical ribs that typically extend across intervertebral articulations. It was mostly on the basis of these characters that Dinocephalosaurus from the Middle Triassic of China was referred to the protorosaurs (Li, 2003). Another long-necked form, Fuyuansaurus, also exhibits certain affinities with protorosaurs, in particular the tanystropheids (Fraser et al., 2013). Yet both taxa also display characters that are inconsistent with at least the tanystropheids. Unlike tanystropheids, but in common with Protorosaurus (personal observation, N.C. Fraser, 2013), both lack a thyroid fenestra in the pelvis.

The Middle Triassic vertebrate faunas of southern China are largely dominated by marine reptiles and fishes, but occasional terrestrial components (e.g., Macrocnemus fuyuanensis) are recovered from localities in the Zhuganpo Member of the Falang Formation (Li et al., 2007; Jiang et al. 2011). Likewise, Pectodens zhenyuensis n. gen. n. sp. exhibits no adaptations for an aquatic lifestyle; instead the long, slender limbs with pronounced articular ends, and elongate digits together with the claw-like distal phalanges speak to an entirely terrestrial existence. No fully terrestrial vertebrates have been documented previously from the Panxian-Luoping Fauna, although the archosaur Qianosuchus mixtus exhibits a combination of terrestrial and aquatic characteristics (Li et al., 2006). Pectodens is therefore the first fully terrestrial reptile reported from the Guanling Formation. The occurrence of terrestrial reptiles such as Macrocnemus and Pectodens are indicative of the proximity of the ancient coastline at the localities where they occur.

Chun Li, Nicholas C. Fraser, Olivier Rieppel, Li-Jun Zhao and Li-Ting Wang. 2017. A New Diapsid from the Middle Triassic of southern China. Journal of Paleontology. 91(6); 1306-1312. DOI: 10.1017/jpa.2017.12

A new Triassic discovery nms.ac.uk/collections-research/collections-departments/natural-sciences/natural-sciences-news/a-new-triassic-discovery

ivpp.cas.cn/xwdt/tpxw/201801/t20180102_4927332.html

[Botany • 2018] Alseodaphnopsis: A New Genus of Lauraceae based on Molecular and Morphological Evidence

[Botany • 2017] Dimorphanthera wickendeniana • A New Species (Ericaceae) from Papua, Indonesian New Guinea

[Botany • 2018] Rediscovery of the Presumed-Extinct Dracaena umbraculifera || A Botanical Mystery Solved by Phylogenetic Analysis of Botanical Garden Collections

[Entomology • 2018] Description of the Female of Dicterias atrosanguinea Selys 1853 (Odonata: Dicteriadidae), with Notes on Male Genital Ligula and Male Behavior

[Ichthyology • 2017] Oxynoemacheilus ciceki • A New Nemacheilid Species (Teleostei, Nemacheilidae) from the Sultan Marsh, Kayseri Province, Turkey

[Paleontology | Ichnotaxa • 2018] Gigandipus chiappei • Theropod Assemblages and A New Ichnotaxon from the Jiaguan Formation, Lower Cretaceous of Guizhou Province, China

[Botany • 2018] Thismia thaithongiana • A New Species of Mycoheterotroph (Dioscoreaceae: Thismieae) from An Unusual Habitat in Thailand

[Crustacea • 2018] Caligoneus cavernicola • A New Genus and New Species of Alpheid Shrimp (Decapoda: Caridea) from A Marine Cave in the Ryukyu Islands, Japan, with Additional Record of Salmoneus antricola

[Paleontology • 2018] A Revised Cranial Description of Massospondylus carinatus Owen (Dinosauria: Sauropodomorpha) based on Computed Tomographic Scans and A Review of Cranial Characters for Basal Sauropodomorpha

[PaleoMammalogy • 2017] Gomphotherium tassyi • A New Species of Gomphotherium (Proboscidea, Mammalia) from China and the Evolution of Gomphotherium in Eurasia

[Arachnida • 2018] The Cave-dwelling False Scorpion Genus Pseudoblothrus Beier, 1931 (Pseudoscorpiones: Syarinidae) in the Crimean Peninsula

[Crustacea • 2018] Takedactylus compressus & Lichtylus kaisha • Two New Species of Aphanodactylidae (Decapoda: Brachyura) from the Ryukyu and Ogasawara Islands, Japan, with the Establishment of A New Genus

[Botany • 2017] Aloe belitsakensis • A New Species (Asphodelaceae) from north-western Madagascar

[Entomology • 2018] Saccharicoccus chinensis • A Review of the Genus Saccharicoccus Ferris, 1950 (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) in China, with Description of A New Species

[Botany • 2018] A Taxonomic Monograph of the Fern Genus Ctenitis (Dryopteridaceae) in South America

[Herpetology • 2018] Sitana attenboroughii • A New Species of Fan-throated Lizard of the Genus Sitana Cuvier, 1829 from coastal Kerala, southern India

[Botany • 2017] Carex socotrana • A New Endemic Species (Cyperaceae) from Socotra Island

[Botany • 2018] Taxonomic Revision of Pachyptera (Bignonieae, Bignoniaceae)

[Herpetology • 2018] Amended Diagnosis and Redescription of Pristimantis marmoratus (Boulenger, 1900) (Amphibia: Craugastoridae), with A Description of Its Advertisement Call and Notes on Its Breeding Ecology and Phylogenetic Relationships

[Paleontology • 2017] Pectodens zhenyuensis • A New Diapsid from the Middle Triassic of southern China