[Paleontology • 2018] Osteology of the Late Cretaceous Argentinean Sauropod Dinosaur Mendozasaurus neguyelap: Implications for Basal Titanosaur Relationships

January 31, 2018, 6:48 pm

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Mendozasaurus neguyelap Gonzàlez Riga, 2003 in Gonzàlez Riga, Mannion, Poropat, David & Coria. 2018.  DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlx103

Abstract

The titanosaurian sauropod dinosaur Mendozasaurus neguyelap is represented by several partial skeletons from a single locality within the Coniacian (lower Upper Cretaceous) Sierra Barrosa Formation in the south of Mendoza Province, northern Neuquén Basin, Argentina. A detailed revision of Mendozasaurus, including previously undocumented remains from the holotype site, allows us to more firmly establish its position within Titanosauria, as well as enabling an emended diagnosis of this taxon. Autapomorphies include: (1) middle and posterior cervical vertebrae with tall and transversely expanded neural spines that are wider than the centra, formed laterally by spinodiapophyseal laminae that are not connected with the pre- or postzygapophyses; (2) anterior caudal vertebrae (excluding anteriormost) with ventrolateral ridge-like expansion of prezygapophyses; and (3) humerus with divided lateral distal condyle on anterior surface. New remains demonstrate that the presacral vertebrae of Mendozasaurus were not unusually short anteroposteriorly, with this compression instead resulting from taphonomic crushing. Comparative studies of articulated pedes of other taxa allow us to interpret that the pedal formula of Mendozasaurus was 2-2-2-2-0, based on disarticulated bones that form a right hind foot. Mendozasaurus was incorporated into an expanded version of a titanosauriform-focussed phylogenetic data matrix, along with several other contemporaneous South American titanosaurs. The resultant data matrix comprises 84 taxa scored for 423 characters, and our phylogenetic analysis recovers Mendozasaurus as the most basal member of a diverse Lognkosauria, including Futalognkosaurus and the gigantic titanosaurs Argentinosaurus, Notocolossus, Patagotitan and Puertasaurus. Lognkosauria forms a clade with Rinconsauria (Muyelensaurus + Rinconsaurus), with Epachthosaurus and Pitekunsaurus recovered at the base of this grouping. A basal lithostrotian position for this South American clade is well supported, contrasting with some analyses that have placed these taxa outside of Lithostrotia or closer to Saltasauridae. The sister clade to this South American group is composed of an array of near-global taxa and supports the hypothesis that most titanosaurian clades were widespread by the Early–middle Cretaceous.

Figure 3. Life restoration of Mendozasaurus neguyelap based on the largest adult individual (femur length: 1530 mm). Artwork by Bernardo Gonzaléz Riga.

  CONCLUSIONS

A detailed description of all remains pertaining to the early Late Cretaceous Argentinean titanosaurian sauropod dinosaur Mendozasaurus neguyelap enables a revised diagnosis for the genus. An expanded phylogenetic analysis recovers Mendozasaurus and several other taxa as part of a rich Lognkosauria that is placed within a diverse clade of South American lithostrotian titanosaurs. The sister clade to this South American group is composed of a near-global array of titanosaurs, which supports recent work that has argued for a widespread distribution of most titanosaurian clades by the Early–middle Cretaceous.

Bernardo J. Gonzàlez Riga, Philip D. Mannion, Stephen F. Poropat, Leonardo D. Ortiz David and  Juan Pedro Coria. 2018. Osteology of the Late Cretaceous Argentinean Sauropod Dinosaur Mendozasaurus neguyelap: Implications for Basal Titanosaur Relationships. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. zlx103.  DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlx103

 facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10210673274980433

Bernardo J. González Riga. 2003. A new titanosaur (Dinosauria, Sauropoda) from the Upper Cretaceous of Mendoza, Argentina. Amehginiana. 40: 155-172.

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[Herpetology • 2018] Calliophis salitan • A New Species of Long-glanded Coralsnake of the Genus Calliophis (Squamata: Elapidae) from Dinagat Island, Philippines, with Notes on the Biogeography and Species Diversity of Philippine Calliophis and Hemibungarus

January 31, 2018, 7:10 pm

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Calliophis salitan Brown, Smart, Leviton & Smith, 2018  DOI: 10.1655/Herpetologica-D-17-00008

Abstract 

We describe a new species of coralsnake from northern Dinagat Island, southeastern Philippines. The discovery of this new species comes as a surprise because it is phenotypically distinct from all other Philippine coralsnakes and has a close phylogenetic affinity to the blue coralsnakes of the Sunda Shelf. The new species is distinguished from all Philippine and other Southeast Asian taxa by its large body size and ventral scale counts; its black head and neck; an alternating, broadly banded color pattern of black and off-white; and a bright orange tail. We use DNA sequence data to investigate the phylogenetic placement of the new species and that of several other populations of Philippine coralsnakes with respect to other Southeast Asian and Australasian elapids. Our results corroborate the uniqueness of the new species with respect to all other Philippine and Sundaic taxa, including the species most closely related to it: Calliophis bivirgatus, C. bilineatus, C. philippinus, and C. suluensis. We summarize phylogenetic, biogeographic, and phenotypic character data that substantiate the elevation of Philippine species of Calliophis(formerly considered subspecies of C. intestinalis: C. bilineatus, C. philippinus, and C. suluensis) and Hemibungarus(formerly subspecies of H. calligaster: H. calligaster, H. gemianulis, and H. mcclungi) to the level of full species. The allopatric distributions of these taxa emphasize the systematic and biogeographical significance of the newly discovered taxon: a poorly understood and independent colonization of the Philippine Archipelago by elapid snakes.

Keywords: Calliophis salitan, Caraga Region, Mindanao PAIC, new species, false coralsnakes

Calliophis salitan adult male holotype (PNM 9844, formerly KU 310164; 997 mm total length [TL]), illustrated by E.F. Jones.

Calliophis salitan sp. nov.

Etymology.— The specific epithet is a noun in apposition and is derived from the Tagalog (Filipino) term salitan, meaning‘‘alternating,’’in reference to the distinctive, alternating black and off-white banded color pattern characteristic of the new species.
Suggested English common name: Dinagat Island Banded Coralsnakes.

Habitat, distribution, and natural history.— The only known locality for Calliophis salitan is the low foothill of Mt. Cambinlia, Barangay Santiago, Municipality Loreto, Dinagat Island (Fig. 8), Philippines, where it was collected from an elevation of 195 m. This locality, dominated by selectively logged, regenerating second-growth forest, is situated at the northern end of the island, and has a tropical climate, with a mean annual precipitation of 3580 mm (recorded at Loreto town proper,,1 km from the type locality; higher precipitation values are possible at higher elevations on Mount Cambinlia). Precipitation is highest during December (~539 mm) and lowest in August (averaging 143 mm),and the mean annual temperature is 278C. The type specimen was collected between 1900 and 2200 h, and was actively crawling along a stream bed with reduced water flow between intermittent pools. The specimen was obtained at the end of July, toward the end of the dry season.

Rafe M. Brown, Utpal Smart, Alan E. Leviton, and Eric N. Smith. 2018. A New Species of Long-glanded Coralsnake of the Genus Calliophis (Squamata: Elapidae) from Dinagat Island, with Notes on the Biogeography and Species Diversity of Philippine Calliophis and Hemibungarus. Herpetologica. In-Press. DOI: 10.1655/Herpetologica-D-17-00008

ResearchGate.net/publication/322609664_A_New_Species_of_Calliophis_from_Dinagat_Island

[Botany • 2018] Rediscovery and Amended Descriptions of Begonia kingdon-wardii (Begoniaceae) from North Myanmar

January 31, 2018, 8:46 pm

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Begonia kingdon-wardii  Tebbitt in Chen, Jin & Shui, 2018.     DOI:  10.3897/phytokeys.94.21753

Abstract

Begonia kingdon-wardii Tebbitt was rediscovered in 2014 from Myanmar after 67 years based on its last collection in 1937. Its previously unknown female flower and inaccurate morphology of leaf and ovary have been additionally described. This species belongs to Begonia sect. Sphenanthera (Hassk.) Warb. due to its dioecious habit, 3-locular ovary, berry fruits and thick placenta segments. Morphologically, it is similar to Begonia gulinqingensis S. H. Huang & Y. M. Shui in the leaf shape, placentation and fruit shape, but different in its dioecious plants, pliciform leaves, two-petalled female flowers and berry fruits. The rediscovery of this amazing living species will attract significant interest for scientific research and horticultural application.

Keywords: Begonia, Begonia kingdon-wardii, Begonia sect. Sphenanthera, Myanmar, Rediscovery

Begonia kingdon-wardii Tebbitt (Putao Exped. 311 in PE and KUN) A Male plant B Male inflorescences C Face view of male flower D Female plant E Female inflorescences F Face view of female flower G Leaf blade adaxially H Leaf blade abaxially.

Begonia kingdon-wardii Tebbitt 

in Kew Bulletin 62: 143, 2007

Figure 2. The images of Begonia kingdon-wardii Tebbitt (Putao Exped. 311 in PE and KUN)  A Male plant B Male inflorescences C Face view of male flower D Female plant E Female inflorescences F Face view of female flower G Leaf blade adaxially H Leaf blade abaxially I Middle section of ovary in flower showing two placenta segments per locule J Inferior section of ovary in flower K Middle section of mature berry-like fruit showing thick placenta segments. Scale bars: A, D 10 cm B, E 1 cm C, F 1 cm G, H 4 cm I, J, K 1 cm. All photographed by Yu-Min Shui.

Discussion

In Begonia sect. Sphenanthera, Begonia kingdon-wardii is unique in the pliciform leaf and female flower with two tepals (Doorenbos et al. 1999; Shui et al. 2002). It is obviously different from Begonia burkillii Dunn in B. sect. Sphenanthera and B. rockii Irmsch. in B. sect. Platycentrum in the locules of ovary and leaf shape. Morphologically, this species is also similar to B. gulinqingensis S. H. Huang & Y. M. Shui (Begonia sect. Diploclinium) in the leaf shape, placentation and fruit shape, but different in its dioecious plant, pliciform leaf, female flower with two sepals and berry fruit. It is also similar to B. leprosa (Begonia sect. Leprosae) in the leaf shape, especially the texture of the leaf blade and B. zhengyiana Y. M. Shui (Begonia sect. Coelocentrum) in shape of the leaf blade and fruit.

The rediscovery of its living plants provides researchers an opportunity to explore its taxonomic description and horticultural value in North Myanmar. This species with very rare individuals is distributed in a restricted area in Northern Myanmar and grows in the very shady and dark places under the forests. Its flowers are near the ground under the leaves, so that this habit influences the pollination and fruit setting. Another important and interesting habit may be that the fruits need over one year to become mature as some species [B. handelii Irmsch. and B. silletensis (A. DC.) C. B. Clarke] in Begonia sect. Sphenanthera. Besides, the pliciform leaf of the living plant is difficult to be observed on the holotype (Figs 1, 2). Now, the rediscovery not only reveals the need to undertake more surveys in North Myanmar, but also fills the gap about the deficient data of the species indicated by Tebbitt (2007) and so can bring an amazing plant to mankind for research and horticultural use (Fig. 2).

 Wen-Hong Chen, Xiao-Hua Jin and Yu-Min Shui. 2018. Rediscovery and Amended Descriptions of Begonia kingdon-wardii (Begoniaceae) from North Myanmar.  In: Jin X-H, Shui Y-M, Tan Y-H, Kang M (Eds) Plant diversity in Southeast Asia. PhytoKeys. 94; 59-64.  DOI:  10.3897/phytokeys.94.21753

[Mammalogy • 2018] A Revision of Philander (Marsupialia: Didelphidae), Part 1: P. quica, P. canus, and A New Species from Amazonia

February 1, 2018, 1:03 am

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A member of the Philander melanurus complex attacking a large specimen of the venomous elapid snake Micrurus nigrocinctus. The pale supraocular spots and ashy dorsal coloration are diagnostic external traits of the genus Philander. photo: Mario J. Gómez-Martínez in Voss, Díaz-Nieto & Jansa, 2018.  DigitalLibrary.AMNH.org DOI: 10.1206/3891.1

ABSTRACT

This is the first installment of a revision of the didelphid marsupial genus Philander, commonly known as gray four-eyed opossums. Although abundant and widespread in lowland tropical forests from southern Mexico to northern Argentina, species of Philander are not well understood taxonomically, and the current literature includes many examples of conflicting species definitions and nomenclatural usage. Our revision is based on coalescent analyses of mitochondrial gene sequences, phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear genes, morphometric analyses, and firsthand examination of relevant type material. Based on these results, we provisionally recognize eight species, of which three are formally treated in this report: P. quica (Temminck, 1824), an Atlantic Forest endemic formerly known as P. frenatus (Olfers, 1818); P. canus (Osgood, 1913), a widespread species formerly treated as a synonym or subspecies of P. opossum (Linnaeus, 1758); and Philander pebas, a new species endemic to Amazonia. The remaining, possibly valid, species of Philander can be allocated to two clades. The first is a cis-Andean complex that includes P. andersoni (Osgood, 1913); P. mcilhennyi Gardner and Patton, 1972; and P. opossum. The second is a trans-Andean complex that includes P. melanurus (Thomas, 1899) and P. pallidus (Allen, 1901). Among other nomenclatural acts, we designate a neotype for the long-problematic nominal taxon Didelphis superciliaris Olfers, 1818, and (in an appendix coauthored by Renate Angermann), we establish that Olfers' coeval binomen D. frenata is based on an eastern Amazonian type and is a junior synonym of P. opossum.

FIG. 1. A member of the Philander melanurus complex attacking a large specimen of the venomous elapid snake Micrurus nigrocinctus. The pale supraocular spots and ashy dorsal coloration are diagnostic external traits of the genus Philander. (photo: Mario J. Gómez-Martínez)

TAXONOMIC ACCOUNTS

The following accounts include an emended description of the genus Philander, redescriptions of P. quica and P. canus, and a description of our new Amazonian species, P. pebas. Additionally, these accounts serve to summarize geographic distributions, comment on relevant issues of nomenclature and identification, and list the morphological specimens we examined. Our abbreviated synonymies include only original descriptions (subsequent name combinations can be found in Patton and da Silva, 2008). Qualitative morphological comparisons of P. quica, P. canus,and P. pebas are summarized in table 6, and descriptive statistics are summarized in tables 7 and 8. Morphological comparisons with other species are restricted to members of the cis-Andean P. opossum complex.

Philander Brisson, 1762

Type Species:Didelphis opossum Linnaeus, 1758, 

by plenary action of the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN, 1998).

Contents: Based on evidence summarized in this report, we tentatively recognize the following eight species as valid (synonyms in parentheses): 

• andersoni Osgood, 1913; 

• canus Osgood, 1913 (including crucialis Thomas, 1923; mondolfii Lew et al., 2006; and olrogi Flores et al., 2008); 

• mcilhennyi Gardner and Patton, 1972; 

• melanurus Thomas, 1899 (including fuscogriseus Allen, 1900; grisescens Allen, 1901; and melantho Thomas, 1923); 

• opossum Linnaeus, 1758 (including frenatus Olfers, 1818; and superciliaris Olfers, 1818); 

• pallidus Allen, 1901; 

• pebas, new species (described below); and 

• quica Temminck, 1824 (including azaricus Thomas, 1923). 

In the absence of genetic information, we are currently unable to assess the validity of deltae Lew et al., 2006, and nigratus Thomas, 1923, either or both of which might also be good species.

....

Robert S. Voss, Juan F. Díaz-Nieto and Sharon A. Jansa. 2018. A Revision of Philander (Marsupialia: Didelphidae), Part 1: P. quica, P. canus, and A New Species from Amazonia. American Museum Novitates. Number 3891; 1-70.  DOI: 10.1206/3891.1  digitallibrary.amnh.org/handle/2246/6839

[Entomology • 2018] Dendrocerus scutellaris • Unique Extrication Structure in A New Megaspilid (Hymenoptera: Megaspilidae) from Costa Rica

February 1, 2018, 1:57 am

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Dendrocerus scutellaris Trietsch & Mikó, 2018 in Trietsch, Mikó, Notton & Deans, 2018. DOI:  10.3897/BDJ.6.e22676

Abstract

Background

A new species, Dendrocerus scutellarisTrietsch & Mikó (Hymenoptera: Megaspilidae), is described here from male and female specimens captured in Costa Rica. This species is the only known ceraphronoid wasp with a straight mandibular surface and raised dorsal projections on the scutellum, called the mesoscutellar comb. It is hypothesised that the function of the mesoscutellar comb is to aid the emergence of the adult from the host, especially since the mandibles lack a pointed surface to tear open the pupal case. The authors also provide phenotypic data in a semantic form to facilitate data integration and accessibility across taxa and provide an updated phenotype bank of morphological characters for megaspilid taxonomic treatments. In updating this phenotype bank, the authors continue to make taxonomic data accessible to future systematic efforts focusing on Ceraphronoidea.

New information

A new species, Dendrocerus scutellaris (Hymenoptera: Megaspilidae) Trietsch & Mikó, is described from both male and female specimens captured in Costa Rica.

Keywords: Ceraphronoidea, morphology, systematics, taxonomy, eclosion

Figure 1.  Dendrocerus scutellaris habitus, with arrows pointing to the mesoscutellar comb. A. Male holotype (NHMUK010812028). B. Female paratype (NHMUK010812044). C. Dorso-lateral view of the mesoscutellar comb (female paratype NHMUK010812045).

Dendrocerus scutellaris Trietsch & Mikó, sp. n.

Diagnosis: Dendrocerus scutellaris belongs to the Dendrocerus halidayi species group (Dessart 1995, Dessart 1999), based on the branched male flagellomeres, bifid anteromedian projection of the metanoto-propodeo-metapectal complex and the presence of parossiculal projections with 3 parossiculal setae. This species is distinguished from all other ceraphronoid species by the presence of the mesoscutellar comb, an anatomical cluster that is composed of a row of spines medially on the mesoscutellar-axillar complex. This species is also unique amongst Ceraphronoidea in that the distal edge of mandible is flat and not pointed.

Etymology: This species is named for the presence of the mesoscutellar comb, which is unique to this species and is not found in any other known ceraphronoid species.

Distribution: This species is only known from Costa Rica.

 Carolyn Trietsch, István Mikó, David G. Notton and Andrew R. Deans. 2018. Unique Extrication Structure in A New Megaspilid, Dendrocerus scutellaris Trietsch & Mikó (Hymenoptera: Megaspilidae). Biodiversity Data Journal. 6: e22676  DOI:  10.3897/BDJ.6.e22676

New parasitoid wasp likely uses unique saw-like spines to break out of i... http://bit.ly/2rVmEAN via @Pensoft @EurekAlert

[Ornithology • 2018] Nok, gen. nov. • Phylogenetic Affinities of the Enigmatic Bare-faced Bulbul Pycnonotus hualon with Description of A New Genus

February 1, 2018, 2:33 am

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Nok hualon (Woxvold, Duckworth & Timmins, 2009) in Fuchs, Pasquet, Stuart, Woxvold, Duckworth & Bowie, 2018.     DOI: 10.1111/ibi.12580

Abstract

The recently described Bare-faced Bulbul Pycnonotus hualon from Lao PDR has a very distinct morphology and habitat (karsts). Mitochondrial and nuclear data from the type material demonstrated that P. hualon is sister to members of the genus Spizixos. To highlight its unique morphology and phylogenetic distinctiveness, we describe a new monotypic genus for the Bare-faced Bulbul.

The Bare-faced Bulbul Pycnonotus hualon Woxvold, Duckworth & Timmins, 2009, was first collected from the small limestone karst outcrop of Pha Lom, north-east Savannakhet Province, Lao PDR, in late 2008, following a 1995 sighting of strange bald-looking bulbuls about 185 km away, above the Hinboun plain at the northern end of the Khammouan limestone massif. As of 2017, the species remains known only from the karst landforms of Lao PDR between the Pha Lom and above the Hinboun plain. This discovery forms part of a sustained pulse of discoveries of new bird and mammal species in and around the Annamite Mountains of Lao PDR and Vietnam, mostly associated with two distinct habitat types, karst limestone and wet evergreen forest. Several of the newly discovered species are phylogenetically highly distinct. These include a forest bovid (Saola Pseudoryx nghetinhensis Vu, Pham, Nguyen, Do, Arctander & MacKinnon, 1993; Vu et al. 1993); the first representative of Caudata for Lao PDR (Lao Warty Newt Laotriton laoensis(Stuart & Papenfuss, 2002); Stuart & Papenfuss 2002); and a living member of the Diatomyidae (Kha-nyou Laonastes aenigmamusJenkins, Kilpatrick, Robinson & Timmins, 2005; Jenkins et al. 2005), a lineage of rodent formerly presumed to have been extinct for the past 11 million years (Dawson et al. 2006). Here we investigated the phylogenetic relationships of the Bare-faced Bulbul (Fig. 1).

Figure 1. Image of Bare-faced Bulbul “Pycnonotus hualon”. captured on the Pha Lom limestone massif, northeast Savannakhet Province, Lao PDR in December 2008. (Photo: I. Woxvold).

by Risso Romain commons.wikimedia.org

Nok, gen. nov.

Type species: Pycnonotus hualon Woxvold, Duckworth and Timmins, 2009 by original description. 

Included species: Nok hualon(Woxvold, Duckworth & Timmins, 2009), comb. nov. 

Etymology: Nok means bird in Lao (ນົກ) and is used to highlight the range-restricted distribution of the species. Nouns in the Lao language lack gender. Nok is proposed here as a masculine noun.

 ນົກຂວກຫົວ​ລ້ານ​ / ນົກ​ຂວາກ​ຫົວ​ລ້ານ

    

Jérôme Fuchs, Eric Pasquet, Bryan L. Stuart, Iain A. Woxvold, J. W. Duckworth and Rauri C.K. Bowie. 2018.  Phylogenetic Affinities of the Enigmatic Bare-faced Bulbul Pycnonotus hualon with Description of A New Genus. Ibis. The International Journal of Avian Science.  DOI: 10.1111/ibi.12580

ResearchGate.net/publication/322697999_Phylogenetic_affinities_Pycnonotus_hualon

facebook.com/bcst.or.th/photos/1593960444052226

 I.A. Woxvold; J.W. Duckworth and R.J. Timmins. 2009. An Unusual New Bulbul (Passeriformes: Pycnonotidae) from the Limestone Karst of Lao PDR. Forktail. 25: 1–12.  http://lad.nafri.org.la/fulltext/2136-0.pdf

 wwf.se/press/pressrum/pressmeddelanden/1307077-nya-sensationella-arter-upptackta-i-sydostasien

  ​ຈາວ​ລໍ່ ຢົງ​ເຢ້. 2014. ​ການ​ກະ​ຈາຍ ແລະ​ພື້ນ​ທີ່​ອາ​ໄສ​ຂອງ​ນົກ​ຂວາກ​ຫົວ​ລ້ານ​ໃນ​ເຂດ​ພູ​ຫີນ​ປູນ ກໍ​ລະ​ນີ​ສຶກ​ສາ: ບ້ານ​ມ່ວງ​ດ່ອຍ, ເມືອງ​ທ່າ​ແຂກ, ແຂວງ​ຄຳ​ມ່ວນ  (Distribution and Habitat of Pycnonotus hualon in Limestone Karst: A Case Study in Mouagdoy Village Thakhed District, Khammouane Province). ມະ​ຫາ​ວິ​ທະ​ຍາ​ໄລ​ແຫ່ງ​ຊາດ.
http://dspace.nuol.edu.la:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/1091

[Ichthyology • 2018] Charax awa • A New Species of Charax (Characiformes, Characidae) from northeastern Brazil

February 1, 2018, 7:50 pm

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Charax awa Guimarães, De Brito, Ferreira & Ottoni, 2018   DOI: 10.3897/zse.94.22106

Abstract

Charax awa sp. n. is herein described from the Rio Mearim, Rio Munim and Rio Turiaçu basins, three coastal river basins of northeastern Brazil located between the Rios Gurupi and Parnaíba basins. These have a complex and still poorly known biogeographic history. This region is ecologically extremely relevant since it comprises three of the main Brazilian biomes, as well as, transition zones between them: Amazônia, Brazilian Cerrado and Caatinga. Therefore, this area has faunal and floristic representatives of these three biomes, which makes it particularly relevant in terms of ecology, biodiversity and conservation. Charax awa sp. n. possesses a relatively small orbital diameter (22.1–28.5 % HL), what distinguishes it from most of its congeners, except from C. notulatus and C. caudimaculatus. It differs from C. caudimaculatus by a longer snout, and from C. notulatus by the number of scales around the caudal peduncle, as well as by the number of vertebrae. The new species herein described differs from its geographically closely distributed congeners, C. leticiae, C. niger, and C. pauciradiatus mainly by the relative horizontal orbital diameter. It is a “small-eyed” species. In addition, C. awa sp. n. can be distinguished from C. leticiae by having a maxilla extending to the vertical line posterior to the pupil, near the posterior orbital margin and by having a lower humeral spot distance. It can be distinguished from C. pauciradiatus by more scale rows from the pelvic-fin origin to the lateral line and more scale rows from the dorsal-fin origin to the lateral line and it differs from C. niger by having more transverse scale rows in space from the humeral spot to the supracleithrum. In addition, it differs from C. pauciradiatus and C. niger by the absence of bony hooks on anal and pelvic-fins rays of adult males.

Key Words: Characinae, Characini, freshwater, Maranhão state, Neotropical region, Rio Mearim, Rio Munim, Rio Turiaçu, taxonomy

Figure 1. Charax awa: (A) Holotype, CICCAA 00752, 101.33 mm SL; Brazil, Maranhão, Alto Alegre do Pindaré, Pindaré river drainage, Mearim river basin. (Photographed by Beldo Ferreira). (B) Live specimen, paratype, CICCA00898, 62.2 mm SL; Brazil, Maranhão, Miranda do Norte, stream at the Miranda do Norte, Mearim river basin. (Photographed by Erick Guimarães).

Charax awa sp. n.

Charax gibbosus [non Charax gibbosus (Linnaeus, 1758)]: Martins and Oliveira 2011: 196-197.

Charax sp. - Martins and Oliveira 2011:196–197.

Diagnosis: Charax awa sp. n. can be distinguished from C. apurensis Lucena, 1987, C. condei (Géry & Knöppel, 1976), C. delimai Menezes & Lucena, 2014, C. gibbosus (Linnaeus, 1758), C. hemigrammus (Eigenmann, 1912), C. leticiae Lucena, 1987, C. macrolepis (Kner, 1858), C. metae Eigenmann, 1922, C. michaeli Lucena, 1989, C. niger Lucena, 1989, C. pauciradiatus (Günther, 1864), C. stenopterus (Cope, 1894) C. tectifer (Cope, 1870) by the orbital diameter (22.1–28.5% HL vs. 29.6–38.4% HL combined) (Fig. 2). Charax awa sp. n. differs from C. caudimaculatus Lucena, 1987 by the possession of a longer snout (snout length 23.3–32.8% HL vs. 20.3–22.8% HL); from C. notulatus Lucena, 1987 by the number of scales around the caudal peduncle (15–18 vs. 20–22) and by having more vertebrae (35 vs. 32). Furthermore, Charax awa sp. n. can be distinguished from C. condei, C. hemigrammus and C. stenopterus by having the lateral line complete (vs. incomplete); from C. delimai, C. metae and C. tectifer by having a toothless ectopterygoid (vs. presence of teeth on ectopterygoid) and having the anal-fin origin always anterior to the vertical through the dorsal-fin origin (vs. anal-fin origin on, or slightly posterior to the vertical through the dorsal-fin origin); from C. condei, C. delimai, C. hemigrammus, C. metae, C. pauciradiatus and C. stenopterus by the number of scale rows from the pelvic-fin origin to the lateral line (11–12 vs. 6–10 combined); from C. pauciradiatus by having more scale rows from the dorsal-fin origin to the lateral line (15–18 vs. 13–14). It can be distinguished from C. niger by having 8–10 transverse scale rows in space from the humeral spot to the supracleithrum (vs. 5–6); from C. condei, C. delimai, C. metae, C. rupununi Eigenmann, 1912 by the number of scale rows around the caudal peduncle (15–18 in C. awa sp. n. vs. 12–14 combined in C. condei and C. rupununi, 19–21 combined in C. delimai and C. metae). Finally, it differs from C. leticiae by having the maxilla extending to a vertical line posterior to pupil, near the posterior orbital margin (vs. maxilla extending slightly beyond vertical through middle of pupil) and from humeral spot distance (35.8–38.0 % SL vs. 39.0–44.0 % SL).

Distribution: Charax awa is known from the Rio Mearim, Rio Munim and Rio Turiaçu basins, Maranhão state, northeastern Brazil.

Etymology: The specific epithet honors the term Awá, from Tupi-guarani, meaning “man, people, person”, used by the native tribe Guajá, from the Maranhão state, for their self-denomination.

 Erick Cristofore Guimarães, Pâmella Silva De Brito, Beldo Rywllon Abreu Ferreira and Felipe Polivanov Ottoni. 2018. A New Species of Charax (Ostariophysi, Characiformes, Characidae) from northeastern Brazil.  Zoosystematics and Evolution. 94(1): 83-93.  DOI: 10.3897/zse.94.22106

[Ichthyology • 2014] Gymnochanda ploegi • A New Species of Ambassid Glassperch from West Kalimantan, Indonesia

February 1, 2018, 8:35 pm

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Gymnochanda ploegi  Tan& Lim, 2014  RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 62.

Abstract

 A spectacularly coloured sexually dimorphic freshwater glassfish allied to Gymnochanda verae is described herein. It shares with its other congeners a body without scales, but differing from its congeners with males having a maroon-red first dorsal fin, expanded maroon-red anal and second dorsal fins with black distal portions, without any individual fin ray elongations free from the interradial fin membranes; head with reddish opercle cover. A key to the genus Gymnochanda is also provided. 

Key words. Taxonomy, new species, Gymnochanda, sexual dimorphism, Southeast Asia 

 Species of Gymnochanda

Gymnochanda limi Kottelat, 1995

Gymnochanda filamentosa Fraser-Brunner, 1955

Gymnochanda flamea Roberts, 1994

Gymnochanda verae Tan & Lim, 2011

Gymnochanda ploegi, new species

Fig. 1. Gymnochanda ploegi: A, MZB 17220, 25.9 mm SL male holotype (note: anal fin is damaged); B, MZB 17221, 26.0 mm SL female paratype.

Gymnochanda ploegi, new species

Gymnochanda cf. flamea – Kottelat & Widjarnati, 2005: 164.  

Diagnosis. Gymnochanda ploegi can be differentiated from its congeners by the following characters: mature males with pinkish body with the dorsal half suffused with reddish pigments, expanded anal and second dorsal fins, the soft rays of both fins expanded to reach 2 /3 of caudal fin forming a crescentic profile, without any individual fin ray free from the interradial fin membrane; anterior part to whole of both anal and second dorsal fins maroon red in life, with posterior portion of distal rays black forming a crescentic pattern (hyaline when preserved); whole caudal fin lightly suffused with red in life (hyaline when preserved); female with yellowish body suffused with reddish pigments without any fin elongation (hyaline when preserved), both dorsal fins suffused with reddish pigments (hyaline when preserved).

Fig. 2. A, Gymnochanda verae – ZRC 53122, 22.3 mm SL male paratype, freshly dead specimen;   B, Gymnochanda ploegi – MZB 17220, 25.9 mm SL male holotype, freshly dead specimen (note: anal fin is damaged); C, Gymnochanda ploegi – MZB 17221, 26.0 mm SL female paratype, freshly dead specimen.

Distribution. Gymnochanda ploegi is currently known from the Sanggau and Kapuas Lakes regions in West Kalimantan (Fig. 5).

 Habitat notes. As its congeners, this species inhabits still water pools near swamp forest and riverine systems. Apparently, this is the first import for the ornamental fish trade (August 2014) and it took the collectors more than three hours to trek to the site (A Meng pers. comm.). In the Kapuas Lakes region, G. ploegi could be sympatric with G. filamentosa; but they were not collected in the same sample from fish traps in a swampy area with brown water (M. Kottelat pers. comm.).

Etymology. This species is named in memory of Alex Ploeg, a good friend, fellow taxonomist, advisor and fellow conservationist against alien aquatic species; for his services to the ornamental fish trade in this region and abroad in his role as the Secretary General of the Ornamental Fish International; who unfortunately perished in a terrible tragedy over Ukraine on 17 July 2014.

Fig. 5. Map of Sundaland showing distribution of Gymnochanda: round = G. filamentosa; triangle = G. flamea; square = G. limi; inverted triangle = G. verae; and diamond = G. ploegi.

Tan Heok Hui and Kelvin Lim Kok Peng. 2014. Gymnochanda ploegi, A New Species of Ambassid Glassperch from West Kalimantan, Indonesia. RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 62; 688–695. 

https://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/app/uploads/2017/06/62rbz688-695.pdf

ResearchGate.net/publication/266023257_Gymnochanda_ploegi_a_new_species_of_ambassid_glassperch_from_West_Kalimantan_Indonesia 

   

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[Fungi • 2018] High Diversity, High Insular Endemism and Recent Origin in the Lichen Genus Sticta (lichenized Ascomycota, Peltigerales) in Madagascar and the Mascarenes

February 1, 2018, 11:10 pm

≫ Next: [Mammalogy • 2018] Tylonycteris malayana eremtaga • A New Subspecies of the Malayan Bamboo Bat (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from the Andaman Islands, India

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in Simon, Goffinet, Magain & Sérusiaux, 2018.    DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2018.01.012

Highlights

•  A lineage of Sticta restricted to the Indian Ocean underwent a rapid radiation.

•  The adaptive radiation gave rise to 31 species, most with small-range endemism.

•  The dramatic diversification followed a single colonization event (c. 11 Mya).

Abstract

Lichen biodiversity and its generative evolutionary processes are practically unknown in the MIOI (Madagascar and Indian Ocean Islands) biodiversity hotspot. We sought to test the hypothesis that lichenized fungi in this region have undergone a rapid radiation, following a single colonization event, giving rise to narrow endemics, as is characteristic of other lineages of plants. We extensively sampled specimens of the lichen genus Sticta in the Mascarene archipelago (mainly Réunion) and in Madagascar, mainly in the northern range (Amber Mt and Marojejy Mt) and produced the fungal ITS barcode sequence for 148 thalli. We further produced a four-loci data matrix for 68 of them, representing the diversity and geographical distribution of ITS haplotypes. We reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships within this group, established species boundaries with morphological context, and estimated the date of the most recent common ancestor. Our inferences resolve a robust clade comprising 31 endemic species of Sticta that arose from the diversification following a single recent (c. 11 Mya) colonization event. All but three species have a very restricted range, endemic to either the Mascarene archipelago or a single massif in Madagascar. The first genus of lichens to be studied with molecular data in this region underwent a recent radiation, exhibits micro-endemism, and thus exemplifies the biodiversity characteristics found in other taxa in Madagascar and the Mascarenes.

Keywords: Biogeography; Indian Ocean; Lobariaceae; Photomorph; Radiation

Fig. 1. Representatives of MIOI Sticta species.  (B) Sticta sp. 20. (C) Sticta sp. 23. (D) S. macrophylla. (E) Sticta sp. 22. Photographs taken in the field by E. Sérusiaux (A–D) and B. Goffinet (E).

Conclusions

The present study demonstrates the existence of a well-supported monophyletic lineage within the genus Sticta, which is endemic to three islands of the Western Indian Ocean: Madagascar, Mauritius and Réunion (MIOI hotspot). This clade comprises an assemblage of mostly narrow endemic species six times more diverse than previously recognized, highlighting the extent of the undiscovered diversity within lichen-forming fungi in this region, especially in the genus Sticta. Our results strongly support a local species-rich radiation starting in the Late Miocene, that is concomitant with the emergence of the Mascarene archipelago. Thus, the following biogeographic scenario can be tentatively suggested for the MIOI Sticta species: their most recent common ancestor reached either Madagascar or the Mascarenes, via a single long dispersal event, most likely from an area in the Southern Hemisphere; thereafter migrations between the three islands shaped the observed evolutionary patterns and local speciation, including within each Madagascan montane area, giving rise to a rich complex of small-range endemic species.

Antoine Simon, Bernard Goffinet, Nicolas Magain and Emmanuël Sérusiaux. 2018. High Diversity, High Insular Endemism and Recent Origin in the Lichen Genus Sticta (lichenized Ascomycota, Peltigerales) in Madagascar and the Mascarenes. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution.  122; 15–28.  DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2018.01.012

[Mammalogy • 2018] Tylonycteris malayana eremtaga • A New Subspecies of the Malayan Bamboo Bat (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from the Andaman Islands, India

February 1, 2018, 11:22 pm

≫ Next: [Botany • 2018] Sophora huamotensis • A New Species of Sophora (Fabaceae-Papilionoideae-Sophoreae) from Thailand

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Tylonycteris malayana eremtaga Srinivasulu, Srinivasulu, Srinivasulu & Jones, 2018   DOI: 10.11609/jott.3906.10.1.11210-11217

Abstract  

 The bamboo bats belonging to the genus Tylonycteris are unique due to their morphology and ecology, and are known from few locations in South Asia. We collected voucher specimens of Tylonycteris malayana from North Andaman Island, which forms the basis of the first specimen-based record of this species from the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and the second record from India. Our analyses based on morphometrics, craniodental measurements, bacular morphology and molecular phylogeny based on cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene indicate that the insular population of T. malayana may have diversified in isolation to differ from the mainland forms, and could represent putative new subspecies, described herein. In light of the new findings, we discuss the importance of conducting detailed study on the specimens of the Lesser Bamboo Bat earlier reported from the Andaman & Nicobar Islands to ascertain their taxonomic status.

Keywords: Bamboo Bat, cryptic diversity, molecular phylogeny, North Andaman Island, Tylonycteris pachypus.

Tylonycteris malayana eremtaga ssp. nov.

Andaman Bamboo Bat

Holotype: NHMOU.CHI.151.2015, adult male, 06.xi.2015, near Bamboo Tekri, Chipo Village, Diglipur, North Andaman Island, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India; coll. A. Gopi & Tauseef Hamid Dar.

Diagnosis: A small bat with a forearm length up to 23.3–26.25 mm. Dorsal pelage uniformly grey-brown, venter slightly paler; wings and interfemoral membrane dark brown. Although the new subspecies is essentially similar to nominotypic T. m. malayana (see Tu et al. 2017), it varies from the nominate form slightly in having smaller craniodental features (GTL: 11.5 in T. m. eremtaga ssp. nov. vs 11.73–12.90 in T. m. malayana). The rostrum is robust in T. m. eremtaga ssp. nov., shorter and broader than that of the nominate subspecies (CM3: 3.7–4.1 in T. m. eremtaga ssp. nov. vs 3.74–4.31 in T. m. malayana; RW: 5.7–6.1 in T. m. eremtaga ssp. nov. vs 5.3–5.6 in T. robustula sensu lato (see Bates & Harrison 1997). Externally, the fur color of T. m. eremtaga ssp. nov. appears to be uniform grey-brown while that of T. m. malayana is dark brown.

Description: A small bat with a forearm length up to 26.25mm. Head characteristically flat, projecting forwards and downwards (Image 1a). Ears roughly triangular with broadly rounded tips. Tragus short and broad. Base of the thumb and the soles of the feet have broad fleshy pads (Image 1b). Wings short with 3rd, 4th and 5th metacarpals roughly equal in length. Wing and interfemoral membranes dark brown (Image 1a,b), pelage fine and dense, uniformly grey-brown on the dorsum, slightly paler on the ventral surface. ....

Etymology: The subspecific epithet, ‘eremtaga,’ is a Latinized noun derived from the Aka-Kora dialect of the Great Andamanese language, meaning ‘forest-dweller’.

Ecological notes: The presence of multiple males in the area suggests the existence of a colony of these bats in the near vicinity of the village. The specimens collected from Chipo Village, Diglipur, North Andaman Island were found to share their habitat with other species such as the Greater Short-nosed Fruit Bat Cynopterus sphinx, the Lesser Short-nosed Fruit Bat Cynopterus brachyotis, Tickell’s Bat Hesperoptenus tickellii, and the Andaman Intermediate Horseshoe Bat Rhinolophus affinis andamanensis. This subspecies is currently known only from Chipo Village, Diglipur, North Andaman Island, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India.

Chelmala Srinivasulu, Aditya Srinivasulu, Bhargavi Srinivasulu and Gareth Jones. 2018. A New Subspecies of the Malayan Bamboo Bat (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae: Tylonycteris malayana eremtaga) from the Andaman Islands, India.  Journal of Threatened Taxa. 10(1); 11210–11217.   DOI: 10.11609/jott.3906.10.1.11210-11217

[Botany • 2018] Sophora huamotensis • A New Species of Sophora (Fabaceae-Papilionoideae-Sophoreae) from Thailand

February 1, 2018, 11:32 pm

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Sophora huamotensis  Mattapha, Suddee & Rueangr. in Mattapha, Suddee & Rueangruea, 2018 พิษนาศน์ดอยหัวหมด  ||  DOI: 10.20531/tfb.2018.46.1.02

ABSTRACT

Sophora huamotensis Mattapha, Suddee & Rueangr. is illustrated and described here. This new species is recognised by having numerous leaflets, articulated pedicels and the wing petals with lunate sculpturing on the outer surface and without auricles at the base. The morphological characters of the species are compared and discussed with its closest species. Description, illustration, images and a distribution map of the new species are provided.

KEYWORDS:  Doi Hua Mot, endemic, Leguminosae, Tak, Umphang district

Figure 2.  Sophora huamotensis Mattapha, Suddee & Rueangr. A. Inflorescences; B. Habit; C. Pods. Photos by S. Chanhormhual (A) and S. Mattapha (B & C).

Sophora huamotensis Mattapha, Suddee & Rueangr., sp. nov. 

The species is closely similar to S. rubrifloraTsoong from which it differs markedly in the shape of leaflets (oblong-elliptic to ovoid-obovate in S. huamotensis vs oblong-oval in S. rubriflora), more numerous leaflets (23–39 in S. huamotensis vs 19–21 in S. rubriflora) and wing petals not auriculate (with distinctly 2-sided auriculate in S. rubriflora).

....

Ecology.— Dry deciduous dipterocarp forest on degraded limestone mountains, dominated by Shorea obtusa Wall. ex Blume, S. siamensis Miq., Quercus helferiana DC., Buxus sirindhorniana W.K.Soh, von Sternb., Hodk. & J.Parn. and Phoenix loureiroi Kunth; 760–780 m elevation.

Etymology.— The specific epithet refers to the name of the mountain “Doi Hua Mot”. 

Vernacular name.— Phit sanat doi hua mot (พิษนาศน์ดอยหัวหมด), the name is given by the authors.

Sawai Mattapha, Somran Suddee and Sukid Rueangruea. 2018. Sophora huamotensis, A New Species of Sophora (Fabaceae-Papilionoideae-Sophoreae) from Thailand. THAI FOREST BULL., BOT.46(1): 4–9. DOI: 10.20531/tfb.2018.46.1.02

[Mollusca • 2014] Tritonia khaleesi • A New Species of Tritonia (Opisthobranchia: Nudibranchia: Tritoniidae) from the tropical South Atlantic Ocean

February 2, 2018, 12:00 am

≫ Next: [Mammalogy • 2017] On the Taxonomy of Erythrocebus with A Re-evaluation of Erythrocebus poliophaeus (Reichenbach, 1862) from the Blue Nile Region of Sudan and Ethiopia

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Tritonia khaleesi Silva, Azevedo & Matthews-Cascon, 2014   DOI:  10.1017/S0025315413001586

Abstract
A new species of the family Tritoniidae is described from the tropical South Atlantic Ocean. The animal was found off north-east Brazil. Tritonia khaleesi sp. nov. is up to 12 mm long, with a slender white body, of which the notum is covered with one broad white band extending from between the eyes and veil to the tail; veil with 4 velar appendages; retractable white rhinophores; rhinophoral sheath with fleshy extension; seven pairs of branchial plumes; the anus is located between the 3rd and 4th gills on the right side, and the genital opening is under the 2nd gill. Internally, T. khaleesi sp. nov. is distinguished from other tritoniids by jaws with 10–14 rows of denticles on the inner lips, absence of stomach plates and the radular formula 32 × 2–5.1.1.1.2–5 teeth. Tritonia khaleesi sp. nov. is the only Tritonia that possesses a unicuspid rachidian tooth as an adult.

Keywords: Tritonia khaleesi sp. nov., taxonomy, Nudibranchia, Dendronotina, tropical Atlantic

Tritonia khaleesi, sp. nov.

Etymology: The name, proposed as a noun in apposition, refers to the title ‘Khaleesi’, meaning ‘Queen’, of the main character Daenerys, from the book series A Song of Ice and Fire by the American author George R.R. Martin. The character is described as being short and having long white hair, features that resemble the white band on the notum of Tritonia khaleesi. The book series was recently adapted for the television series A Game of Thrones.  

Felipe de Vasconcelos Silva, Victor Manuel De Azevedo and Helena Matthews-Cascon. 2014. A New Species of Tritonia (Opisthobranchia: Nudibranchia: Tritoniidae) from the tropical South Atlantic Ocean. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. 94(3); 579-585.  DOI:  10.1017/S0025315413001586 
 ResearchGate.net/publication/259460309_A_new_species_of_Tritonia_Opisthobranchia_Nudibranchia_Tritoniidae_from_the_tropical_South_Atlantic_Ocean

[Mammalogy • 2017] On the Taxonomy of Erythrocebus with A Re-evaluation of Erythrocebus poliophaeus (Reichenbach, 1862) from the Blue Nile Region of Sudan and Ethiopia

February 2, 2018, 1:09 am

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Erythrocebus poliophaeus  (Reichenbach, 1862)  in Gippoliti, 2017.  Primate Conservation. 31; 53-59.

Abstract

 Erythrocebus taxonomy has been dormant for almost a century now, with the consequent costs in our understanding of the biology of the genus and for the conservation of these remarkable monkeys. New data on the distribution and physical appearance of patas monkeys in Ethiopia, together with a review of the old taxonomic literature, allows to us disentangle some questions concerning the taxonomy of Erythrocebus in northeast Africa. Specifically, I resurrect Erythrocebus poliophaeus (Reichenbach, 1862) as a valid species that is found along the Blue Nile Valley at the extreme northeastern portion of the range of the genus. The still little-known, but certainly limited, extent of the range of the species is a cause for conservation concern, but it may be that Erythrocebus poliophaeus could serve as a flagship species for conservation in the biologically rich Western Ethiopian Escarpment region and adjoining Sudan. The proposed common English names for the new species are Heuglin’s patas monkey (Heuglin was the famous German explorer who discovered it) or the Blue Nile patas monkey.

Keywords: Benshangul Gumuz State, Ethiopia, Sudan, Primates, Cercopithecidae, patas monkey, taxonomy

Erythrocebus poliophaeus (Reichenbach, 1862)  Illustration: Stephen Nash

Figure 3. Adult male Erythrocebus poliophaeus, Beijing Zoo. Courtesy of Jonas Livet.

Erythrocebus poliophaeus (Reichenbach, 1862)

Heuglin’s or Blue Nile patas monkey

 Syn. Cercopithecus poliophaeus Reichenbach, 1862 

Cercopithecus poliolophus Heuglin, 1877, renaming of poliophaeus 

Erythrocebus albigenus Elliot, 1909

....

Conclusions: 

As anticipated by Allen (1925), some of the named forms of Erythrocebus could be valid taxa if more evidence came to light. The main aim of the article was to revive interest in the topic and highlight some conservation priorities in East Africa. A species first described over 150 years ago is re-evaluated; it is known from the Blue Nile basin in western Ethiopia and adjoining Sudan, and separated from another Erythrocebus taxon by the Sudd swampy region in Sudan and the Ethiopian highlands, which stretch up to the Sudanese border north of Gambela. It is an obvious focus for further research and conservation. Monkeys of the genus Erythrocebus are potential flagships for important African ecosystems, and may well be at greater risk than is generally believed. 

The western Ethiopian escarpment flora has received due scientific attention only in this century, and a number of new endemic species have been discovered in Benshangul Gumuz in recent years (Sebsebe Demissew et al. 2005). A revised taxonomy of the genus Erythrocebus is also fundamental to analyze the available data concerning the natural history and biology of the different taxa. With the recognition of the Heuglin or Blue Nile patas monkeys Erythrocebus poliophaeus we have now two taxa with a black face and nose (at least in the adult male)—the other being Erythrocebus baumstarki— at the fringe of the genus’s range in East Africa, and possibly representing ancient surviving lineages that have been supplanted by a white-nosed species elsewhere in East Africa that is provisionally referred as Erythrocebus pyrrhonotus, with E. p. formosus and a number of other subspecies occurring over its range

Spartaco Gippoliti. 2017. On the Taxonomy of Erythrocebus with a Re-evaluation of Erythrocebus poliophaeus(Reichenbach, 1862) from the Blue Nile Region of Sudan and Ethiopia. Primate Conservation. 31; 53-59.

 static1.1.sqspcdn.com/static/f/1200343/27795196/1515432572007/PC31_Gippoliti_Patas_Ethiopia.pdf 

ResearchGate.net/publication/319037401_Taxonomy_of_Erythrocebus_with_a_Re-evaluation_of_Erythrocebus_poliophaeus

BBC News - Moustached monkey is separate species
  bbc.com/news/science-environment-42720556

[Herpetology • 2015] The Advertisement Call and Calling Site of the Early Diverging Glassfrog Ikakogi tayrona (Anura: Centrolenidae)

February 2, 2018, 1:37 am

≫ Next: [Mammalogy • 2018] Cryptotis evaristoi • A New Species of Small-eared Shrew of the Genus Cryptotis (Eulipotyphla, Soricidae) from the northernmost Peruvian Andes

≪ Previous: [Mammalogy • 2017] On the Taxonomy of Erythrocebus with A Re-evaluation of Erythrocebus poliophaeus (Reichenbach, 1862) from the Blue Nile Region of Sudan and Ethiopia

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male  Ikakogi tayrona (Ruíz-Carranza & Lynch, 1991) Salinas, Bravo-Valencia & Amézquita, 2015.  DOI:  10.2994/SAJH-D-14-00034.1

Abstract

 We describe the advertisement call and calling perch of Ikakogi tayrona, a glassfrog species endemic to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (Colombia), based on 85 calls from 16 individuals. The advertisement call consists of 3–4 “beep” notes with amplitude modulation. Mean note duration was 0.024 ± 0.005 s, with notes separated by silent intervals of 0.085 ± 0.017 s, mean call duration was 0.269 ± 0.031 s, and the dominant frequency of the whole call was 2.713 ± 0.102 kHz, being inversely related with body size of the signaler. The advertise-ment call of I. tayrona is clearly distinguished from the call of other glassfrogs and species of Allophrynidae, the sister clade of Centroleni-dae. Males called frequently from the underside of leaves. The height of the calling perch ranged from 51–250 cm above the ground. Since I. tayrona is an early-diverging lineage of glassfrogs, our data offer important baseline information to understand the evolutionary biology of auditory signals and calling behavior in centrolenid frogs.

Keywords. Anura; Bioacoustics; Centrolenidae; Colombia; Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

male of Ikakogi tayrona calling from the underside of a leaf at 60 cm height (3.4 cm snout–vent length, 15.6°C) at the locality of San Lorenzo, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia.  (Photo:  Fernando Vargas Salinas).

Fernando Vargas Salinas, Laura Bravo-Valencia and Adolfo Amézquita. 2015. The Advertisement Call and Calling Site of the Early Diverging Glassfrog Ikakogi tayrona (Anura: Centrolenidae). South American Journal of Herpetology. 10(2), 2015, 65–70. DOI:  10.2994/SAJH-D-14-00034.1

ResearchGate.net/publication/281391612_The_Advertisement_Call_of_Ikakogi_tayrona

[Mammalogy • 2018] Cryptotis evaristoi • A New Species of Small-eared Shrew of the Genus Cryptotis (Eulipotyphla, Soricidae) from the northernmost Peruvian Andes

February 2, 2018, 2:36 am

≫ Next: [Ichthyology • 2017] Opsarius kanaensis • A New Species of Bariliine Fish (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from Manipur, Northeastern India

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Cryptotis evaristoi  Zeballos,Pino,Medina,Pari,Chávez,Tinoco & Ceballos, 2018  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4377.1.4

Abstract

The northernmost Peruvian Andes, a unique biogeographic region characterized by the confluence of multiple distinct ecosystems (i.e. Amazon basin, Pacific rainforest, the Sechura Desert, the northern and central Andes), is the southernmost geographic range limit of the South American shrews representing the genus Cryptotis. In the northernmost Peruvian Andes, two poorly known species have traditionally been reported (C. peruviensis and C. equatoris). Our study, based on molecular and morphologic traits, confirms the presence of C. peruviensis but also the occurrence of C. montivaga, based on specimens erroneously assigned to C. equatoris. Moreover, a new species of Cryptotis from the páramo and montane forests of the Tabaconas Namballe National Sanctuary near the Ecuadorian border is also described. It is a member of the thomasi group and is distinguished from other South American shrews by a unique set of morphological characters, including large body size, comparatively short tail, simple ectoloph of M3, and large PM4 post protocrista.

Keywords: Mammalia, Soricomorpha, new species, Andean páramo, Neotropical shrews, Peruvian mammals

Horacio Zeballos,Kateryn Pino,César E. Medina,Alexander Pari,Daniel Chávez,Nicolás Tinoco and Gerardo Ceballos. 2018. A New Species of Small-eared Shrew of the Genus Cryptotis (Mammalia, Eulipotyphla, Soricidae) from the northernmost Peruvian Andes. Zootaxa. 4377(1); 51–73.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4377.1.4

 facebook.com/dcotrinasanchez/posts/10211391663883017

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[Ichthyology • 2017] Opsarius kanaensis • A New Species of Bariliine Fish (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from Manipur, Northeastern India

February 4, 2018, 7:24 pm

≫ Next: [Invertebrate • 2018] An Inordinate Fondness for Osedax (Siboglinidae: Annelida): Fourteen New Species of Bone Worms from California

≪ Previous: [Mammalogy • 2018] Cryptotis evaristoi • A New Species of Small-eared Shrew of the Genus Cryptotis (Eulipotyphla, Soricidae) from the northernmost Peruvian Andes

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Opsarius kanaensis  Arunkumar & Moyon, 2017    Species. 18(61)

ABSTRACT

 Opsarius kanaensis is a new species from cyprinid fishes, Manipur. The new species is differentiated with other cyprinid fishes through the combination of morphological characters: 1 pair of short maxillary barbel, no mandibular knob, length of the origin of dorsal fin to the upper end of caudal fin lobe is longer than the distance between the origin of dorsal fin to the anterior margin of nares, 8-10 blue black lateral bands, a round blue black spot at the anterior base of caudal fin which is overlap by the last vertical band, a mid-transverse band of black colour in the dorsal fin, distinct red colouration of anal fin, depth of caudal peduncle 9.2-9.9% SL; eye diameter 6.3-8.5% SL; post dorsal length 72.1-78.5% SL; head length 18.7-24.2% SL; head depth at occiput 17.2-21.2% SL; and at eye 64.6-70.0% HL; snout length 30.8-37.2% HL; interorbital width 32.2-35.8% HL and width of head at neck 42.6-48.5% HL. A key to the species Opsarius from the Chindwin basin of Manipur is provided. 

Key words: Opsarius kanaensis, North eastern India, New species. 

Opsarius kanaensis new species

Diagnosis Opsarius kanaensis, a new species of bariliine cyprinid fish is described from the Yu River basin of Manipur, north eastern India. The new species can be differentiated from its congeners occurring in the Chindwin basin of Manipur in having the following combination of characters:1pair of short rudimentary maxillary barbel, no mandibular knob, length of the origin of dorsal fin to the upper end of caudal fin lobe is longer than the distance between the origin of dorsal fin to the anterior margin of nares, 8-10 blue black lateral bands, a round blue black spot at the anterior base of caudal fin which is overlap by the last vertical band, a midtransverse band of black colour in the dorsal fin, distinct red colouration of anal fin, depth of caudal peduncle 9.2-9.9% SL; eye diameter 6.3-8.5% SL; post dorsal length 72.1-78.5% SL; head length 18.7-24.2% SL; head depth at occiput 17.2-21.2% SL; and at eye 64.6-70.0% HL; snout length 30.8-37.2% HL; interorbital width 32.2-35.8% HL and width of head at neck 42.6-48.5% HL.

Habitat Opsarius kanaensis is found in fast-flowing stream and river with clear water, gravel or cobble bottoms (Figure 4). The new species O. kanaensisis accompanied with Schistura manipurensis, Pethia meingangbii; Glyptothorax granulus; Channa marulius; Rasbora ornatus; Devario aequipinnatus; Acanthocobitis zonalternans; Botia histronica etc. 

Distribution Opsarius kanaensisis at present is known only from the Kana River, a tributary headwater of the Yu River basin of Manipur (Figure 5).

 EtymologyThe species Opsarius kanaensis is named after the Kana River of Sajik-Tampak, located at Chakpikarong of Chandel District, Manipur.

Arunkumar L. and Wanglar Alphonsa Moyon. 2017. Opsarius kanaensis A New Species of Bariliine Fish (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from Manipur, Northeastern India. Species. 18(61); 160-169. 

http://www.discoveryjournals.org/Species/current_issue/2017/A14.pdf

[Invertebrate • 2018] An Inordinate Fondness for Osedax (Siboglinidae: Annelida): Fourteen New Species of Bone Worms from California

February 4, 2018, 7:52 pm

≫ Next: [Entomology • 2018] Molecular Systematics of the Subfamily Limenitidinae (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

≪ Previous: [Ichthyology • 2017] Opsarius kanaensis • A New Species of Bariliine Fish (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from Manipur, Northeastern India

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Osedax jabba  Rouse, Goffredi, Johnson & Vrijenhoek, 2018  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4377.4.1

Abstract 

We incorporate DNA sequences from a comprehensive sampling of taxa to provide an updated phylogeny of Osedax and discuss the remarkable diversity of this clade of siboglinids. We formally describe 14 new species of Osedax from Monterey Bay, California, USA, raising the total number of properly named Osedax species to 25. These new species had formerly been recognized by informal names in various publications, and on GenBank. The descriptions document the occurrence of dwarf males in five of the new species. The distribution for the 19 species of Osedax known to occur in Monterey Bay across depths from 385 to 2898 meters and various bone substrates is documented. The exploitation of extant bird and marine turtle bones by Osedax is reported for the first time. 

Key words: Siboglinidae, Annelida

FIGURE 9. Osedax jabba n. sp., previously Osedax ‘spiral’, sp.1 SBJ-2006. C. Two specimens of Osedax jabba n. sp. at 2898 meters in November 2005. Two prominent red blood vessels are visible through the tube of each specimen and these indicate the trunk is occupying whole of tube and is coiled anteriorly. Trunk does not appear to emerge from tube.

Siboglinidae Caullery, 1914 

Osedax Rouse, Goffredi & Vrijenhoek 2004

Remarks. This diagnosis is revised from that in Rouse et al. (2004) to accommodate the diversity of Osedax forms. These include Osedax jabba n. sp. where the females lack palps entirely and Osedax priapus where the males are not paedomorphic dwarfs, but also consume bone and have similar anatomy to females. Many Osedax species have palps that lack obvious pinnules. The dorsal placement of the oviduct reflects the reorientation of Osedax as reported in Huusgaard et al. (2012) and Worsaae et al. (2016).

FIGURE 2. Osedax sigridae n. sp., previously Osedax ‘green palp’. A. View of cut surface of a cow femur deployed at 1820 meters in Monterey Canyon. Uncut surface of the bone has been heavily colonized by Osedax sigridae n. sp. Note greenishyellow color of the palps. B. Osedax sigridae n. sp. specimens in A. penetrated through outer surface of the cow bone and then expanded into the area beneath. This allowed for the whole outer layer of outer bone, and the Osedax, to be peeled away. Posterior ends (ovisacs) of multiple individuals are shown here. No major root structures extend from the ovisacs. C. Paratype of Osedax sigridae n. sp. (SIO-BIC A7810) with some bone surrounding the trunk. Oviduct is visible and pinnules of all four palps are oriented dorsally. D. Dorso-lateral view of holotype of Osedax sigridae n. sp. (SIO-BIC A7809) dissected from bone. Oviduct is not visible as it lies among the palps, which have pinnules oriented dorsally. Note greenish hue of palps. Green tissue surrounding part of the ovisac.

Osedax sigridae n. sp.

Distribution. Known from Monterey Bay, California from 1820 meters depth (Table 2). It has been found in whale and cow bones. 

Etymology. This species is named (noun in the genitive case) for Sigrid Katz, whose Ph.D. project involved detailed study of the anatomy of this species (Katz et al. 2010; Katz et al. 2011).

Osedax talkovici n. sp. 

Distribution. Known from Monterey Bay, California from 633 to 1018 meters depth (Table 2). It has been found in whale, elephant seal, cow, turkey, turtle and teleost bones. 

Etymology. This species is named (noun in the genitive case) for Mark Talkovic, Senior ROV pilot for MBARI, who collected many bones containing Osedax over the years. 

Osedax tiburon n. sp.

Distribution. Known from Monterey Bay, California from 1820 meters depth (Table 2). 

Etymology. This species is named (noun in apposition) for the ROV Tiburon, which was used to collect the first Osedax specimens.

Osedax ventana n. sp. 

Distribution. Known from Monterey Bay, California from 2898 meters depth (Table 2). It has only been found in experimentally deployed cow bones. 

Etymology. This species is named (noun in apposition) for the ROV Ventana, which was used to collect many Osedax specimens.

Osedax docricketts n. sp. 

Distribution. Known from Monterey Bay, California from 1820 meters depth, and Sagami Bay, Japan (Table 2). It has been found living on cow and whale bones.

 Etymology. This species is named (noun in apposition) for the ROV Doc Ricketts, which was used to collect many Osedax specimens.

Osedax westernflyer n. sp. 

Distribution. Known from Monterey Bay, California from 1820 meters depth and Sagami, Bay Japan (Table 2). It has been found in cow and whale bones. 

Etymology. This species is named (noun in apposition) for the Research Vessel Western Flyer, which has been critical to Osedax studies.

Osedax knutei n. sp. 

Distribution. Known from Monterey Bay, California from 1018 to 2898 meters depth (Table 2). It has been found in whale, cow, turkey and teleost bones. 

Etymology. This species is named (noun in the genitive case) for Knute Brekke, Chief ROV pilot for MBARI, who expertly collected many bones and Osedax over the years.

Osedax lonnyi n. sp. 

Distribution. Known from Monterey Bay, California from 2898 meters depth (Table 2). It has only been found in a whale bone fragment, adjacent to the main skeleton. 

Etymology. This species is named (noun in the genitive case) for Lonny Lundsten, Senior Research Technician at MBARI, for his enthusiasm and assistance on many Osedax expeditions.

Osedax ryderi n. sp. 

Distribution. Known from Monterey Bay, California from 2898 meters depth (Table 2). It has been found in whale and turtle bones. 

Etymology. This species is named (noun in the genitive case) for Ryder Williams, for his generosity in sharing his mom for our research efforts. 

FIGURE 9. Osedax jabba n. sp., previously Osedax ‘spiral’, sp.1 SBJ-2006. A. Anterior end of whale fall ‘Ruby’ at 2898 meters in September 2004. Baleen is prominent on surface of sediment in foreground with tubes (white arrows) of large chaetopterid annelid Phyllochaetopterus gigas (see Nishi & Rouse 2014). Little bone obvious on sediment surface. Background has a cluster of more than 10 Osedax jabba n. sp. (black arrow) with their tubes coming directly out of the sediment. B. Cluster of more the 10 (black arrows) Osedax jabba n. sp. at 2898 meters in November 2004. No obvious bone on the sediment surface. C. Two specimens of Osedax jabba n. sp. at 2898 meters in November 2005. Two prominent red blood vessels are visible through the tube of each specimen and these indicate the trunk is occupying whole of tube and is coiled anteriorly. Trunk does not appear to emerge from tube. D. Lateral view of an Osedax jabba n. sp. specimen emerging from sediment surface, though adjacent to a piece of bone, at 2898 meters in January 2006. Blood vessels are visible, indicating trunk is filling tube.

Osedax jabba n. sp. 

Distribution. Known only from Monterey Bay, California from 2898 meters depth (Table 2). Osedax jabba n. sp. was only found in sediment surrounding the natural whale fall at this depth (Figs 9A-D). Most specimens were at the head end of the whale, near a mass of baleen (Fig. 9A). All had bone fragments attached to the root mass buried in the sediment.

Etymology. The trunk of the new species is reminiscent of the tail of the mythical creature Jabba the Hutt from the Star Wars franchise (Sansweet 1998). We name the new species (noun in apposition) in its honor.

Osedax lehmani n. sp. 

Distribution. Known from Monterey Bay, California only from 349 meters depth (Table 2). It has been found in whale and cow bones.

 Etymology. This species is named (noun in the genitive case) in memory of Alan George Lehman, father of Ellen Lehman, in recognition of her long and continued support of the Scripps Oceanographic Collections.

Osedax packardorum n. sp.

Distribution. Known from Monterey Bay, California at 349, 633, and 1018 meters depths (Table 2). Found in whale and cow bones. 

Etymology. This species is named (noun in the genitive case) in honor of the Packard family whose foundation supports MBARI and enabled the discovery of all of the Osedax species in California.

Osedax randyi n. sp. 

Distribution. Known from Monterey Bay, California from 1018 meters depth, and from Sagami Bay, Japan (Table 2). It has been found in whale and cow bones. 

Etymology. This species is named (noun in the genitive case) in honor of Randy Prickett, Senior ROV pilot for MBARI, who collected many bones and Osedax over the years.

Osedax bryani n. sp. 

Distribution. Known from Monterey Bay, California from 1820 meters depth in whale bone. 

Etymology. This species is named (noun in the genitive case) in honor of Bryan Touryan-Schaefer, ROV Pilot/ Technician for MBARI, who collected many bones with Osedax over the years. 

TABLE 5. Colonization (x, axis x1 lower) of fish, turtle, turkey, fur seal, elephant seal, whale, pig, and cow on lower x axis, with known depth ranges on upper x axis (●, axis x2, upper) by Osedax species.

 Greg W. Rouse, Shana K. Goffredi, Shannon B. Johnson and Robert C. Vrijenhoek. 2018. An Inordinate Fondness for Osedax (Siboglinidae: Annelida): Fourteen New Species of Bone Worms from California. Zootaxa. 4377(4); 451–489.   DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4377.4.1

[Entomology • 2018] Molecular Systematics of the Subfamily Limenitidinae (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

February 4, 2018, 11:34 pm

≫ Next: [Botany • 2018] Phylogeny, Historical Biogeography, and Diversification of Angiosperm Order Ericales suggest Ancient Neotropical and East Asian Connections

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Subfamily Limenitidinae  Examples of butterflies;  Parthenos sylvia, Cymothoe caenis, Euriphene tadema, Euphaedra herberti, Pseudacraea poggei, Lebadea martha, Neptis ida, Limenitis reducta and Adelpha californica in Dhungel & Wahlberg,. 2018.  DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4311

Abstract

 We studied the systematics of the subfamily Limenitidinae (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) using molecular methods to reconstruct a robust phylogenetic hypothesis. The molecular data matrix comprised 205 Limenitidinae species, four outgroups, and 11,327 aligned nucleotide sites using up to 18 genes per species of which seven genes (CycY, Exp1, Nex9, PolII, ProSup, PSb and UDPG6DH) have not previously been used in phylogenetic studies. We recovered the monophyly of the subfamily Limenitidinae and seven higher clades corresponding to four traditional tribes Parthenini, Adoliadini, Neptini, Limenitidini as well as three additional independent lineages. [Cymothoini, Pseudoneptini and Pseudacraeini] One contains the genera Harma + Cymothoe and likely a third, Bhagadatta, and the other two independent lineages lead to Pseudoneptis and to Pseudacraea. These independent lineages are circumscribed as new tribes. Parthenini was recovered as sister to rest of Limenitidinae, but the relationships of the remaining six lineages were ambiguous. A number of genera were found to be non-monophyletic, with Pantoporia, Euthalia, Athyma, and Parasarpa being polyphyletic, whereas Limenitis, Neptis, Bebearia, Euryphura, and Adelpha were paraphyletic.

Figure 1: The Maximum Likelihood topology for Limenitidinae with associated bootstrap values. Major lineages that are considered tribes in this paper are coloured. Examples of butterflies (voucher specimens for this work) from top: Parthenos sylvia, Cymothoe caenis, Euriphene tadema, Euphaedra herberti, Pseudacraea poggei, Lebadea martha, Neptis ida, Limenitis reducta and Adelpha californica.

Conclusion: 

This study presents the most comprehensive phylogenetic analysis to date for the “trash-can” subfamily Limenitidinae. Based on fragments of up to 18 genes per species, 205 species and four outgroups, our results recovered Limenitidinae as a monophyletic clade and which comprises seven major lineages that deserve tribal status. Four tribes have been traditionally recognized: Parthenini, Neptini, Adoliadini, and Limenitidini, while three lineages are placed in new tribes here: Cymothoini, Pseudoneptini and Pseudacraeini. The new Cymothoini tribe includes two African genera Cymothoe and Harma, and quite likely an Asian genus Baghadatta. The latter two new tribes are monogeneric. At the genus level, we found several traditionally recognized genera to be either poly- or paraphyletic, i.e., Neptis, Euryphura, Pantoporia, Athyma, Parasarpa, Limenitis, and Adelpha. Further work increasing the taxon sampling is necessary to test the monophyly of these genera and revise their limits.

Bidur Dhungel and Niklas Wahlberg​. 2018. Molecular Systematics of the Subfamily Limenitidinae (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae).    PeerJ. 6:e4311.  DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4311

[Botany • 2018] Phylogeny, Historical Biogeography, and Diversification of Angiosperm Order Ericales suggest Ancient Neotropical and East Asian Connections

February 5, 2018, 2:42 am

≫ Next: [Ichthyology • 2018] Crenicichla ploegi • A New Species of Pike-cichlid of the C. saxatilis Group (Teleostei: Cichlidae) from the Rio Juruena and upper Rio Paraguai Basins in Brazil, with An Updated Diagnosis and Biogeographical Comments on the Group

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Order Ericales Rose, Kleist, Löfstrand, et al. 2018.    DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2018.01.014

  Highlights

• A supermatrix phylogeny of the angiosperm order Ericales is proposed.

• Holoparasitic Mitrastemonaceae is sister to Lecythidaceae.

• Crown Ericales originated during the Albiuan and rapidly radiated thereafter.

• Ericales originated in the Neotropics and Indo-Malaysia.

• Diversification analyses suggest 70 shifts in speciation rate.

Abstract

Inferring interfamilial relationships within the eudicot order Ericales has remained one of the more recalcitrant problems in angiosperm phylogenetics, likely due to a rapid, ancient radiation. As a result, no comprehensive time-calibrated tree or biogeographical analysis of the order has been published. Here, we elucidate phylogenetic relationships within the order and then conduct time-dependent biogeographical and diversification analyses by using a taxon and locus-rich supermatrix approach on one third of the extant species diversity calibrated with 23 macrofossils and two secondary calibration points. Our results corroborate previous studies and also suggest several new but poorly supported relationships. Newly suggested relationships are: (1) holoparasitic Mitrastemonaceae is sister to Lecythidaceae, (2) the clade formed by Mitrastemonaceae + Lecythidaceae is sister to Ericales excluding balsaminoids, (3) Theaceae is sister to the styracoids + sarracenioids + ericoids, and (4) subfamilial relationships with Ericaceae suggest that Arbutoideae is sister to Monotropoideae and Pyroloideae is sister to all subfamilies excluding Arbutoideae, Enkianthoideae, and Monotropoideae. Our results indicate Ericales began to diversify 110 Mya, within Indo-Malaysia and the Neotropics, with exchange between the two areas and expansion out of Indo-Malaysia becoming an important area in shaping the extant diversity of many families. Rapid cladogenesis occurred along the backbone of the order between 104-106 Mya. Jump dispersal is important within the order in the last 30 My, but vicariance is the most important cladogenetic driver of disjunctions at deeper levels of the phylogeny. We detect between 69 and 81 shifts in speciation rate throughout the order, the vast majority of which occurred within the last 30 My. We propose that range shifting may be responsible for older shifts in speciation rate, but more recent shifts may be better explained by morphological innovation.

Keywords: Ericales; Ericaceae; Theaceae; supermatrix; vicariance; long distance dispersal

Jeffrey P. Rose, Thomas J. Kleist, Stefan D. Löfstrand, Bryan T. Drew, Jürg Schönenberger and Kenneth J. Sytsma. 2018. Phylogeny, Historical Biogeography, and Diversification of Angiosperm Order Ericales suggest Ancient Neotropical and East Asian Connections. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. In Press.   DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2018.01.014

[Ichthyology • 2018] Crenicichla ploegi • A New Species of Pike-cichlid of the C. saxatilis Group (Teleostei: Cichlidae) from the Rio Juruena and upper Rio Paraguai Basins in Brazil, with An Updated Diagnosis and Biogeographical Comments on the Group

February 5, 2018, 6:49 pm

≫ Next: [Herpetology • 2018] Hemidactylus malcolmsmithi • On the Status of Cyrtodactylus malcolmsmithi (Constable, 1949)

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Crenicichla ploegi  Varella, Loeb, Lima & Kullander, 2018   DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4377.3.3

Abstract

Crenicichla ploegi, new species, is described based on material from the Rio Juruena (Rio Papagaio, Rio do Sangue, Rio Arinos, and Rio Juruena itself) and from tributaries of the upper Rio Paraguai (upper Rio Jauru, upper Rio Cabaçal and upper Rio Sepotuba) in Mato Grosso, Brazil. Crenicichla ploegi is the twenty-third species of the C. saxatilis group. It is distinguished from all other species of the group by the presence of dark spots and vermiculations on snout, interorbital area and dorsally on head in adults vs. dark markings absent or present only in juveniles but absent in adults, and by the presence of a deep and strongly pigmented lateral band present in both juveniles and adults, occupying a depth of 4–6 horizontal scale rows vs. lateral band narrower, occupying a depth of 2–3 horizontal scale rows, and conspicuous only in juveniles and smaller specimens, faded or absent in larger specimens. Diagnostic characteristics of the C. saxatilis group proposed in previous studies were discussed to update the diagnosis of the group, and morphological comparisons among the species included in the group, with biogeographical comments, are provided. The presence of conspicuous dark markings dorsally on the head and the presence of a prominent midlateral band are hypothesized to be paedomorphic characteristics, retained from juvenile conditions in the context of the species of the C. saxatilis group.

Keywords: Pisces, biogeography, coloration, paedomorphy, species groups

FIGURE 5. Crenicichla ploegi, uncatalogued, 60.0 mm SL, from the Rio Juba above the waterfall of Cachoeira do Juba, tributary of the Rio Sepotuba basin, upper Rio Paraguai, Tangará da Serra, Mato Grosso, Brazil (field number SACIB2016100103).Photographed alive in aquarium just after capture by Fernando Dagosta.

FIGURE 4. Crenicichla ploegi, a male (left) and a female (right) photographed alive in the Rio Verde, tributary of the Rio Papagaio, Mato Grosso, Brazil. Photo by Marcelo Krause.

Distribution: Crenicichla ploegi is known both from the upper Rio Paraguai basin, and from tributaries of the upper Rio Juruena, in Mato Grosso state, Brazil.

Etymology: Crenicichla ploegi is named in honor of the Dutch ichthyologist Alex Ploeg, whose PhD thesis dealt with the taxonomic revision, biogeography and phylogeny of Crenicichla, and who published papers on systematics of the genus from 1986 to 1991, describing a total of 23 species, 18 of which still considered to be valid. Since then, he worked as interlocutor between the ornamental fish industry and other institutions worldwide.

Unfortunately, Dr. Ploeg perished with his wife and son in the Malaysia Airlines 17 (MH17) airplane attack in Ukraine on 17 July 2014.

Habitat and ecological notes: Crenicichla ploegi has been collected in a variety of aquatic habitats, but mostly in streams and mid-sized rivers. The type locality is actually an exception, being a large river pool, more than 100 meters wide. Streams and rivers inhabited by C. ploegi possess clear water, a moderate to fast water flow, and rocky bottoms, usually with well-developed riparian forest, although the species has also been collected in rivers with highly disturbed or suppressed riparian forest.

FIGURE 8. Crenicichla ploegi, lower pharyngeal tooth plate [Posteromedial tooth extracted] in dorsal view, from ZUEC 10053, 146.1 mm SL.

  

Henrique R. Varella, Marina V. Loeb, Flávio C.T. Lima and Sven O. Kullander. 2018. Crenicichla ploegi, A New Species of Pike-cichlid of the C. saxatilis Group from the Rio Juruena and upper Rio Paraguai Basins in Brazil, with An Updated Diagnosis and Biogeographical Comments on the Group (Teleostei: Cichlidae). Zootaxa. 4377(3); 361–386.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4377.3.3

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