Species New to Science

Vantanea maculicarpa Sabatier & Engel

in Engel & Sabatier, 2018. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.338.1.12

Abstract

A new species of Humiriaceae, Vantanea maculicarpa, growing in French Guiana terra-firme forest is described and illustrated. This new species is distinguished from all other species of Vantanea by fruits covered by white lenticels, a character so far unknown in this genus. It also presents a pubescent intrastaminal disk, a feature encountered in two other Vantanea species only: it is further distinguished from V. parviflora, the morphologically most similar species, by more stamens and from V. ovicarpa by a much smaller rough endocarp with five valves. A key to the species of French Guiana and the IUCN status Least Concern (LC) are proposed.

Keywords: Vantanea, Humiriaceae, French Guiana, taxonomy

FIGURE 1. Vantanea maculicarpa A. Flowering branch. B. Flower buds and flowers. C. Medial section of flower (note the pubescent intrastaminal disk).

(A. Sabatier & Prévost 4911. B–C. Sabatier 5574. D–E. Sabatier 4898).

(photographs A–C by Daniel Sabatier and D–E by Julien Engel).

Vantanea maculicarpa Sabatier & Engel, sp. nov.

Diagnosis:— Vantanea maculicarpa is distinguished from all other species of Vantanea by its fruits that are covered by white lenticels, a character so far unknown in this genus as all other species of Vantanea have smooth, slightly pubescent or rarely tuberculous fruit surface (V. tuberculate Ducke (1938: 31, pl.5)). Fruits shape is globose, another distinctive feature of V. maculicarpa, as fruits are mostly ovoid or ellipsoid in this genus. Regarding flowers, V. maculicarpa has a pubescent disk, a feature shared by two other species only, V. parviflora and V. ovicarpa respectively. The new species closely resembles V. parviflora: they share leaves greenish-brown above, with secondary and smaller veins visible on both sides, and petioles thickened at base. V. maculicarpa is distinguished by shorter petiole and obovate blades while V. parviflora has more elliptical blades. Regarding flowers, V. maculicarpa differs from V. parviflora in having more stamens (150–230 against 80–120). Filaments length is also more variable (within a same flower) in V. maculicarpa, while it is more uniform in V. parviflora. The length ratio between the longest and the smallest filament of a same flower is also more variable between flowers in V. maculicarpa. To get an approximate picture, this ratio ranges from about 2 to 5 in V. maculicarpa, while it is ranging around 1.6 and quite homogeneous among flowers in V. parviflora. V. maculicarpa differs from V. ovicarpa in having globose, strongly rugose and smaller endocarp with 5 valves while the latter has large, ovoid, smooth endocarp with 6–7 valves.

Distribution and Ecology:— The new species occurs in French Guiana terra-firme forest.

Etymology:— The epithet refers to the surface of the fruits covered by numerous white lenticels

Julien Engel and Daniel Sabatier. 2018. Vantaneamaculicarpa (Humiriaceae): A New Tree Species from French Guiana. Phytotaxa. 388(1); 130–134. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.338.1.12

colonies of Pocillopora spp. from O‘ahu, Hawai‘i;
(B–D) Pocillopora ligulata, (F–I) P. meandrina and (K–M) P. eydouxi.

Johnston, Forsman & Toonen, 2018.

DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4355

Abstract

Species within the scleractinian genus Pocillopora Lamarck 1816 exhibit extreme phenotypic plasticity, making identification based on morphology difficult. However, the mitochondrial open reading frame (mtORF) marker provides a useful genetic tool for identification of most species in this genus, with a notable exception of P. eydouxi and P. meandrina. Based on recent genomic work, we present a quick and simple, gel-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method for the identification of all six Pocillopora species occurring in Hawai‘i by amplifying either the mtORF region, a newly discovered histone region, or both, and then using the restriction enzymes targeting diagnostic sequences we unambiguously identify each species. Using this approach, we documented frequent misidentification of Pocillopora species based on colony morphology. We found that P. acuta colonies are frequently mistakenly identified as P. damicornis in Kāne‘ohe Bay, O‘ahu. We also found that P. meandrina likely has a northern range limit in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands, above which P. ligulata was regularly mistaken for P. meandrina.

Figure 3: Images of Pocillopora ligulata colonies, (A)–(E); P. meandrina colonies, (F)–(J); and P. eydouxi colonies, (K)–(O) from O‘ahu, Hawai‘i.

Figure 1:Pocillopora species composition across the Hawaiian Islands for samples collected from colonies demonstrating P. meandrina morphology. The size of the pie chart is proportional to the number of individuals sampled per island. Pocillopora species are represented by different colors, specifically: P. meandrina, light yellow; P. eydouxi, dark yellow; P. ligulata, light blue; and P. verrucosa, dark blue.

Conclusions:

Here, we present an assay that allows rapid and unambiguous identification of all six species of Pocillopora present in Hawai‘i, which we hope will work anywhere these species are found. We present two cases where samples identified morphologically were misidentified to highlight the utility of this approach. Taxonomic confusion can impact a wide range of studies and the ability to rapidly and cost-effectively distinguish among species of Pocillopora will benefit future studies of population structure, ecology, biodiversity, evolution and conservation in this challenging genus.

Erika C. Johnston, Zac H. Forsman and Robert J. Toonen. 2018. A Simple Molecular Technique for Distinguishing Species reveals Frequent Misidentification of Hawaiian Corals in the Genus Pocillopora. PeerJ. 6:e4355. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4355

Hydnora arabica Bolin & Musselman

in Bolin, Lupton & Musselman, 2018.

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.338.1.8

Abstract

The plant parasite Hydnora arabica (Aristolochiaceae) is described from the Arabian Peninsula. This species was previously identified as Hydnora africana in Oman. It can be separated from other Hydnora taxa primarily by its terete rhizome, red to orange inner perianth tube color, and tepal lobe margins entirely covered with dense strigose setae. In Oman, Hydnora arabica is known to parasitize two leguminous trees: Acacia tortilis and the introduced Pithocellobium dulce, but may parasitize additional Fabaceae. At least eleven synonyms or subspecific varieties of H. abyssinica are described in the literature, all from east or southern Africa. These synonyms are discussed in light of new observations of morphology including tepal margin ornamentation. A new key for Hydnora is proposed.

Keywords: parasitic plant, Hydnoraceae, Magnoliids

FIGURE 2. A) Hydnora arabica flower emerging from soil. White osmophores apparent on tepal apices; B) Excavated mature H. arabica flower, flower bud, and growth tip of rhizome; C) Cross section of terete rhizomes and growth tip of rhizome covered in numerous tubercle-like lateral appendages

(Fig 1A–C: J. Bolin, S. Al Rahbi, L. Musselman, JFB2014OM3);

Hydnora arabica Bolin & Musselman, sp. nov.
Diagnosis: — Hydnora arabica is similar to Hydnora abyssinica, but can be distinguished by having red to orange inner perianth tube color and tepal lobe margins entirely covered with dense strigose setae.

Distribution:—Known from southern Oman (Dhofar region) and Yemen. Collected from an elevation of 200 to 680 m (Fig. 1).

Habitat and Ecology:—Hydnora arabica is an obligate root parasite of Fabaceae that is visible above the soil surface only when flowering (Fig. 2). Most of our collections in Oman occurred on Acacia tortilis and the same host was reported from Yemen (Al-Fatimi 2015). Interestingly, in a small Dhofar settlement approximately 16 km NE of Mirbat, adjacent to Ayn Ayuoon south of Jebel Samhan, we were directed to a robust H. arabica population associated with and below the non-native Pithocellobium dulce (5 m high) in the settlement courtyard and goat yard. No other potential host trees were within 50 meters, thus P. dulce was likely the host plant. The villagers mentioned that the goats fed in the nearby wadi where H. arabica was abundant and were the likely vector of Hydnora seeds into the settlement. Interestingly, in Madagascar, the same introduced host P. dulce was a common host of H. esculenta (Bolin and Musselman 2013).
....

Etymology:—The specific epithet refers to the distribution of H. arabica on the Arabian Peninsula.

Vernacular Name:— Thesiger reported the vernacular name as dhanuna on herbarium material from the 1940s. Miller and Morris (1998) give the Jibbali name xamleg and the Dhofari Arabic names khamlayyeh and khumla’ah. We can confirm that Jibbali settlers in Dhofar that knew the plant well as a potential food item in fruit used the name xamleg. From Yemen in the districts of Lawdar and Dathina that use the plant the Arabic local names of nabeekh, fateekh, and tarateef (Al-Fatimi et al. 2015) are used.

Conservation Status:— In the Dhofar region of Oman, dried rhizomes of H. arabica were common in most wadi beds with an abundance of its common host Acacia tortilis, though fresh flowering material was difficult to locate due to its infrequent flowering and primarily hypogeous habit. Based on our observations, the conservation status of H. arabica in southern Oman is secure. However, H. abyssinica is reported as rare in Saudi Arabia (Collenette 1999) and we have little basis to comment on H. arabica abundance in Yemen.

FIGURE 2. A) Hydnora arabica flower emerging from soil. White osmophores apparent on tepal apices; B) Excavated mature H. arabica flower, flower bud, and growth tip of rhizome; C) Cross section of terete rhizomes and growth tip of rhizome covered in numerous tubercle-like lateral appendages (Fig 1A–1C: J. Bolin, S. Al Rahbi, L. Musselman, JFB2014OM3); D) Dried berry and flower from previous season, numerous dark spherical seeds inside broken fruit (from J. Bolin, D. Lupton, L. Musselman, S. Al Rahbi, JFB2014OM1). Scale bars A) = 1 cm; B) 4 cm; C) 2 cm; D) 1 cm.

Jay F. Bolin, Darach Lupton and Lytton J. Musselman. 2018. Hydnora arabica (Aristolochiaceae), A New Species from the Arabian Peninsula and A Key to Hydnora. Phytotaxa. 388(1); 99–108. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.338.1.8

Order Zeiformes

Grande, Borden, Wilson & Scarpitta, 2018.

DOI: 10.1643/CG-17-594

twitter.com/ASIHCopeia

The Zeiformes (dories) are mid-water or deep (to 1000 m) marine acanthomorph fishes with a global, circumtropical, and circumtemperate distribution. Some species have a near-worldwide distribution, while others appear to be regional endemics, e.g., near New Zealand. Six families, 16 genera, and 33 species are currently recognized as valid. Relationships among them, however, remain unsettled, especially in light of recent proposals concerning the phylogenetic placement of zeiforms within the Paracanthopterygii rather than allied with beryciforms or percomorphs. The present study uses both morphological and molecular characters to investigate zeiform interrelationships given their revised phylogenetic placement and attendant changes to their close outgroups. Results indicate that revised outgroups affected the phylogenetic conclusions, especially those based on morphology. All analyses recovered monophyletic Zeidae, Cyttidae, and Oreosomatidae. Zeniontidae were recovered as polyphyletic, with the clade Capromimus + Cyttomimus sister to Oreosomatidae. Based on morphological evidence, Grammicolepididae are paraphyletic. Parazenidae are monophyletic in all results except maximum likelihood based on molecular data. Morphometric analysis revealed a star-like radiation in morphospace with three diverging trends, each trend exemplified by convergences in body form. Overall, our results are suggestive of a rapid diversification among the major lineages of Zeiformes during the Late Cretaceous.

Terry C. Grande, W. Calvin Borden, Mark V. H. Wilson and Lindsay Scarpitta. 2018. Phylogenetic Relationships among Fishes in the Order Zeiformes Based on Molecular and Morphological Data. Copeia. 106(1); 20-48. DOI: 10.1643/CG-17-594

twitter.com/ASIHCopeia/status/962031887278473217

Exostoma sectile Ng& Kottelat. 2018

DOI: 10.1643/CI-17-613
twitter.com/ASIHCopeia

A new species of sisorid catfish in the genus Exostoma is described from the upper Irrawaddy River drainage in northern Myanmar. The new species can be distinguished from congeners by the condition of the posterior extremity of the adipose-fin base, the degree of tuberculation in the preorbital area, as well as morphometric data for the nasal barbel length, snout length, interorbital distance, adipose fin-base length, body depth at anus, caudal-peduncle length, and caudal-peduncle depth. The taxonomic status of congeners in the Irrawaddy River drainage is also discussed, andE.chaudhurii is revalidated as a distinct species.

Fig. 1. Exostoma sectile, holotype, MHNG 2767.061, 78.2 mm SL. Dorsal, lateral, and ventral views.

Exostoma sectile, new species

Distribution.— This species is known from a single locality near Putao in the upper Irrawaddy River drainage in northern Myanmar.

Etymology.— The specific epithet comes from the Latin adjective sectilis, -is, -e, meaning cut or cleft. This is used in reference to the presence of a distinct incision or notch at the posterior extremity of the adipose-fin base in this species.

Heok Hee Ng and Maurice Kottelat. 2018. A New Glyptosternine Catfish from Northern Myanmar (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Sisoridae). Copeia. 106(1); 63-69. DOI: 10.1643/CI-17-613

ResearchGate.net/publication/323076647_A_New_Glyptosternine_Catfish_from_northern_Myanmar

twitter.com/ASIHCopeia/status/962039021852549120

Microphilypnus hypolyrasimeion

Caires & Toledo-Piza, 2018

DOI: 10.1643/CI-17-634 twitter.com/ASIHCopeia

A new species of the eleotrid genus Microphilypus from the Upper Rio Negro basin is described herein. It differs from all congeners in the presence of 5–6 arched rows of melanophores on the abdominal region, posterior to the base of the pelvic fins, followed by six large irregularly oval black blotches, with the tips of the three posteriormost blotches visible in lateral view; a dark teardrop-shaped blotch on the caudal peduncle, extending to the base of the ventral caudal rays; five light brown blotches along the dorsal profile of the body, between the origin of the second dorsal fin and the caudal peduncle; and the poorly developed laterosensory system on the head, with horizontal rows of head papillae b and d absent. A key to the species of Microphilypnus is presented.

Rodrigo A. Caires and Mônica Toledo-Piza. 2018. A New Species of Miniature Fish of the Genus MicrophilypnusMyers, 1927 (Gobioidei: Eleotridae) from the Upper Rio Negro Basin, Amazonas, Brazil. Copeia. 106(1); 49-55. DOI: 10.1643/CI-17-634

twitter.com/ASIHCopeia/status/962034114386739200

Letheobia akagerae

Dehling, Hinkel, Ensikat, Babilon & Fischer, 2018

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4378.4.2

Abstract

A new species of blind snake in the genus Letheobia is described from Akagera National Park in eastern Rwanda. The new species is most similar to species of the L. gracilis complex, particularly L. gracilis and L. graueri. It differs from all other species of the genus by a unique combination of morphological characters, including the highest number of middorsal scale rows (834) and the most extreme elongation (total-length/midbody-width ratio 131) of all species in the genus and of any species of snake in the world; 22-22-22 longitudinal scale rows; snout in dorsal profile rounded, in lateral profile bluntly rounded with an angular horizontal edge ventrally; rostral broad, posteriorly rounded; eyes invisible; supralabial imbrication pattern T-0; tail short (1.3 percent of total length) with an apical spine; and a pink life colouration. The holotype of the new species was collected in gallery forest at a lake shore surrounded by savanna at 1300 m elevation. We produced scanning electron microscope images of the heads of the investigated specimens applying a liquid-substitution preparation procedure which does not require coating or drying and thus does not irreversibly damage the investigated samples. The obtained images allow an easy and more accurate examination of the scalation.

Keywords: Reptilia, Taxonomy, morphology, Letheobia gracilis, Letheobia graueri, Akagera National Park, liquid substitution, glycerol, uncoated specimens, SEM of liquids, infiltration

J. Maximilian Dehling, Harald H. Hinkel, Hans-Jürgen Ensikat, Kenny Babilon and Eberhard Fischer. 2018. A New Blind Snake of the Genus Letheobia (Serpentes: Typhlopidae) from Rwanda with Redescriptions of L. gracilis (Sternfeld, 1910) and L. graueri (Sternfeld, 1912) and the Introduction of A Non-invasive Preparation Procedure for Scanning Electron Microscopy in Zoology. Zootaxa. 4378(4); 480–490. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4378.4.2

Paraboea wenshanensis X.Hong & F.Wen

in He, Feng, Pan, Hong & Wen, 2018.

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.95.21586

Abstract

Paraboea wenshanensis is a new species of Gesneriaceae from Yunnan, China and is described and illustrated here. It is morphologically similar to P. angustifolia, P. martinii and P. glutinosa, but the congeners of this new taxon can be distinguished by several salient characters. A description of P. wenshanensis, together with illustrations and photographs, a distribution map and conservation assessment are presented.

Keywords: Limestone flora, karst, new taxon

Figure 2. Paraboea wenshanensisX.Hong & F.Wen.
A Habitat B Adaxial surface view of leaf blade C Abaxial surface view of leaf blade D Cyme with flowers, showing wide campanulate E Frontal view of corolla F Calyx lobes G Opened corolla for showing stamens and pistil H Pistil with calyx lobes and stamens, showing anthers and strongly geniculate filaments I Infructescence with many capsules.

Paraboea wenshanensis X.Hong & F.Wen, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Paraboea wenshanensis is similar to P. martinii (H. Lév. & Vaniot) B.L. Burtt and P. glutinosa (Hand.-Mazz.) K.Y. Pan in having similar corolla shape and colour, but can be distinguished by its oblong-ovate to elliptic leaf blade, crenate margin, lateral veins 4–8 on each side of midrib, petiole subsessile or up to 3 cm long, broadly obovate, glabrous bracts, 6–8 mm long, glabrous membranous calyx and capitate staminodes. It also morphologically resembles P. angustifolia Yan Liu & W.B. Xu, but can be easily distinguished by the oblong-ovate to elliptic leaf blade, broadly obovate, glabrous bracts, oblong to oblanceolate, glabrous membranous calyx, sparsely glandular puberulent filaments; capitate staminodes and twisted capsule. A morphological comparison between P. wenshanensis and congeners: P. angustifolia, P. martinii and P. glutinosa is provided in Table 1.

A: Paraboea wenshanensis X.Hong & F.Wen. A-1 plant in habitat A-2 corolla face view B P. angustifolia Yan Liu & W.B. Xu B-1 habitat B-2 flowering habit, B-3 corolla face view

C P. martinii (Lévl.) Burt C-1 flowering habit C-2 corolla face view D P. glutinosa (Handel-Mazzetti) K. Y. Pan D-1 plant in habitat D-2 inflorescense, showing corolla face view.

.....

Etymology: The specific epithet is derived from the type locality, Wenshan National Nature Reserve, Yunnan Province, China.

Vernacular name: Wén Shān Zhǖ Máo Jǜ Tái (Chinese pronunciation); 文山蛛毛苣苔 (Chinese name).

Distribution and habitat: To date, Paraboea wenshanensis is locally abundant and endemic to south-western China, from type locality: Wenshan Nature Reserve, Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan province. This species grows on moist shady cliffs of limestone hills, at an elevation of 1,500 m a.s.l. The average temperature is 14.5 °C, the average annual precipitation has been calculated as ca. 1,022 mm. The forest is a subtropical monsoon climate evergreen broad-leaved forest, with main community types of Ilex polyneura (Hand.-Mazz.) S.Y. Hu, Triadica rotundifolia (Hemsl.) Esser and Debregeasia orientalis C.J. Chen.

Figure 3. A: Paraboea wenshanensis X.Hong & F.Wen. A-1 plant in habitat A-2 corolla face view
B P. angustifolia Yan Liu & W.B. Xu B-1 habitat B-2 flowering habit, B-3 corolla face view
C P. martinii (Lévl.) Burt C-1 flowering habit C-2 corolla face view
D P. glutinosa (Handel-Mazzetti) K. Y. Pan D-1 plant in habitat D-2 inflorescense, showing corolla face view.

De-Ming He, Yan-Fei Feng, Fu-Zhuan Pan, Xin Hong and Fang Wen. 2018. Paraboea wenshanensis, A New Species of Gesneriaceae from Yunnan, China. PhytoKeys. 95; 83-91. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.95.21586

Martin, Olson, Girard, Smith & Davis, 2018.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2017.12.029

twitter.com/Lampichthys

Highlights

• This is the first phylogenetic study to integrate morphological and molecular data to specifically address the relationships within Myctophiformes.

• This study presents the first hypotheses of evolutionary relationships of lanternfishes that includes a phylogenomic dataset.

• A revised classification of lanternfishes is presented that includes five subfamilies within the family Myctophidae.

• The Diaphinae are recovered as the sister group to the Myctophinae.

Abstract

Massive parallel sequencing allows scientists to gather DNA sequences composed of millions of base pairs that can be combined into large datasets and analyzed to infer organismal relationships at a genome-wide scale in non-model organisms. Although the use of these large datasets is becoming more widespread, little to no work has been done in estimating phylogenetic relationships using UCEs in deep-sea fishes. Among deep-sea animals, the 257 species of lanternfishes (Myctophiformes) are among the most important open-ocean lineages, representing half of all mesopelagic vertebrate biomass. With this relative abundance, they are key members of the midwater food web where they feed on smaller invertebrates and fishes in addition to being a primary prey item for other open-ocean animals. Understanding the evolution and relationships of midwater organisms generally, and this dominant group of fishes in particular, is necessary for understanding and preserving the underexplored deep-sea ecosystem. Despite substantial congruence in the evolutionary relationships among deep-sea lanternfishes at higher classification levels in previous studies, the relationships among tribes, genera, and species within Myctophidae often conflict across phylogenetic studies or lack resolution and support. Herein we provide the first genome-scale phylogenetic analysis of lanternfishes, and we integrate these data from across the nuclear genome with additional protein-coding gene sequences and morphological data to further test evolutionary relationships among lanternfishes. Our phylogenetic hypotheses of relationships among lanternfishes are entirely congruent across a diversity of analyses that vary in methods, taxonomic sampling, and data analyzed. Within the Myctophiformes, the Neoscopelidae is inferred to be monophyletic and sister to a monophyletic Myctophidae. The current classification of lanternfishes is incongruent with our phylogenetic tree, so we recommend revisions that retain much of the traditional tribal structure and recognize five subfamilies instead of the traditional two subfamilies. The revised monophyletic taxonomy of myctophids includes the elevation of three former lampanyctine tribes to subfamilies. A restricted Lampanyctinae was recovered sister to Notolychninae. These two clades together were recovered as the sister group to the Gymnoscopelinae. Combined, these three subfamilies were recovered as the sister group to a clade composed of a monophyletic Diaphinae sister to the traditional Myctophinae. Our results corroborate recent multilocus molecular studies that infer a polyphyletic Myctophum in Myctophinae, and a para- or polyphyletic Lampanyctus and Nannobrachium within Lampanyctinae. We resurrect Dasyscopelus and Ctenoscopelus for the independent clades traditionally classified as species of Myctophum, and we place Nannobrachium into the synonymy of Lampanyctus.

Keywords: Phylogenomic, Evolution, Deep Sea, Taxonomy, Classification

Rene P. Martin, Emily E. Olson, Matthew G. Girard, Wm. Leo Smith and Matthew P. Davis. 2018. Light in the Darkness: New Perspective on Lanternfish Relationships and Classification using Genomic and Morphological Data. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 121; 71-85. DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2017.12.029

twitter.com/Lampichthys/status/959812633309450242

Scinax ruberoculatus

Ferrão, de Fraga, Moravec, Kaefer & Lima, 2018

DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4321

Abstract

The genus Scinax is one of the most specious genera of treefrogs of the family Hylidae. Despite the high number of potential new species of Scinax revealed in recent studies, the rate of species descriptions for Amazonia has been low in the last decade. A potential cause of this low rate may be the existence of morphologically cryptic species. Describing new species may not only impact the taxonomy and systematics of a group of organisms but also benefit other fields of biology. Ecological studies conducted in megadiverse regions, such as Amazonia, often meet challenging questions concerning insufficient knowledge of organismal alpha taxonomy. Due to that, detecting species-habitat associations is dependent on our ability to properly identify species. In this study, we first provide a description of a new species (including its tadpoles) of the genus Scinax distributed along heterogeneous landscapes in southern Amazonia; and secondly assess the influence of environmental heterogeneity on the new species’ abundance and distribution. Scinax ruberoculatus sp. nov. differs from all nominal congeners by its small size (SVL 22.6–25.9 mm in males and 25.4–27.5 mm in females), by having a dark brown spot on the head and scapular region shaped mainly like the moth Copiopteryx semiramis (or a human molar in lateral view, or a triangle), bicolored reddish and grey iris, snout truncate in dorsal view, bilobate vocal sac in males, by its advertisement call consisting of a single pulsed note with duration of 0.134–0.331 s, 10–23 pulses per note, and dominant frequency 1,809–1,895 Hz. Both occurrence and abundance of the new species are significantly influenced by silt content in the soil. This finding brings the first evidence that edaphic factors influence species-habitat association in Amazonian aquatic breeding frogs.

Figure 6: Variation in the colouration of living specimens of the paratypes of Scinax ruberoculatus sp. nov.
(A) INPA-H 34607, female, SVL 25.4 mm. (B) INPA-H 34602, male, SVL 22.6 mm. (C) INPA-H 34603, male, SVL 23.3 mm. (D) INPA-H 34604, male, SVL 25.8 mm. (E) INPA-H 34623, male, SVL 23.9 mm. (F) INPA-H 34602, male, SVL 22.6 mm. Photos: AP Lima (B, F) and R Fraga (A, C, D, E).

Scinax ruberoculatus sp. nov.

Scinax sp. 7 Ferrão et al. (2016), p. 7, 9, Figs. 2–3.

Diagnosis.A small species of the genus Scinax characterized by the following combination of characteristics: SVL 22.6–25.9 mm in males and 25.4–27.5 mm in females; snout truncate in dorsal view and rounded in lateral view; tarsal tubercles indistinct; tubercles on the lower jaw, knee, and heel absent; diameter of disc on fourth finger represents 60% of tympanum diameter; skin on dorsum smooth; dentigerous processes of vomers triangular; bilobate vocal sac and nuptial pads in males; Finger III<V; in life, ground colour of dorsum light grey or light brown; a large brown or grey spot on the head and scapular region shaped like the moth of the species Copiopteryx semiramis (Cramer, 1775), or a human molar in lateral view, or a triangle; dorsal or dorsolateral stripes absent; whitish cream stripe in the lower portion of the flanks; anterior and posterior surfaces of thighs brown; webbing between toes light to dark grey; belly white to greyish-white with light brown to brown blotches laterally; males with vocal sac semi-translucent white; iris bicolored, upper half reddish, lower half grey; advertisement call consisting of a single pulsed note, with note duration of 0.134–0.331 s, 10–23 pulses/note, dominant frequency 1809–1895 Hz; tadpoles with labial teeth formula 2 (2)/3, absence of labial arm, and presence of dark brown blotch on the distal part of the tail.

.....

Etymology. The specific epithet ruberoculatus is composed of two words in Latin, “ruber” (red) and “oculatus” (having eyes). The name is an adjective in concordance with the masculine gender of the genus Scinax and refers to the reddish colour of the upper part of the iris.

Suggested English common name: ‘Red-eyed Snouted Treefrog’.

Notes on the natural history. Individuals of Scinax ruberoculatus sp. nov. were observed mainly in primary and old-growth secondary lowland rainforests (39–68 m a.s.l.) where they occupied edge situations. Its breeding season was correlated with the rainy season in the northern PMRI (November–March). Active males vocalized while sitting on the vegetation in horizontal position 1–2 m above the ground around temporary ponds. The number of calling males was higher on rainy nights. In two large temporary ponds (>25 m2) males of S. ruberoculatus sp. nov. shared calling sites with Dendropsophus minutus (Peters, 1872), D. rhodopeplus (Günther, 1858), D. sarayacuensis (Shreve, 1935), and Scinax sp. 1 (sensu Ferrão et al., 2016). Only males of S. ruberoculatus sp. nov. were found in small temporary ponds (<4 m2). During the day, inactive individuals were observed between leaves of palm trees.

Miquéias Ferrão, Rafael de Fraga, Jiří Moravec, Igor L. Kaefer and Albertina P. Lima. 2018. A New Species of Amazonian Snouted Treefrog (Hylidae: Scinax) with Description of A Novel Species-habitat Association for An Aquatic Breeding Frog. PeerJ. 6:e4321. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4321

ResearchGate.net/publication/323029826_A_new_species_of_Amazonian_snouted_treefrog_Scinax

facebook.com/MiqueiasFerrao/posts/1621966251227425

Rodriguezia adani

Alvarez & Villalobos, 2018

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4378.1.10

Abstract

A new species of freshwater crab of the family Trichodactylidae, genus Rodriguezia Bott, 1969 is described from Grutas de Agua Blanca in southern Tabasco, Mexico. Rodriguezia is a genus endemic to northern Chiapas and southern Tabasco, distributed over a small area of 70 km.Rodriguezia adani n. sp., the third species of the genus, occurs north of its two congeners, being stygobitic with obvious adaptations to cave life. It can be distinguished from R. villalobosi, an epigean species, by the absence of eyes, lack of pigmentation and elongation of the pereiopods; and from R. mensabak by having less elongated pereiopods relative to carapace breadth, an extremely reduced ocular peduncle, and a smaller adult size.

Keywords: Crustacea, Trichodactylinae, stygobitic, Grutas de Agua Blanca, Tabasco, Chiapas

FIGURE 2. Rodriguezia adani n. sp. male holotype: dorsal view.

Rodriguezia adani n. sp.

Distribution. The new species is only known from Grutas de Agua Blanca, Macuspana, Tabasco, Mexico.

Etymology. We name the new species after Adán Gómez-González, explorer, biologist and friend, who found these crabs while exploring caves in Tabasco and Chiapas, Mexico.

Fernando Alvarez and José Luis Villalobos. 2018. A New Species of Stygobitic Freshwater Crab of the Genus Rodriguezia Bott, 1969 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Trichodactylidae) from Tabasco, Mexico. Zootaxa. 4378(1); 137-143. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4378.1.10

ResearchGate.net/publication/322990946_A_new_species_of_stygobitic_freshwater_crab_of_the_genus_Rodriguezia_from_Tabasco_Mexico

facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1804229799621423

Dedican Nueva Especie de Crustáceo al Joven Biólogo Asesinado en Chiapas:"Rodriguezia adani"... - Biosfera 10 biosfera10.org/bios/index.php/noticias/79-nacionales/212-dedican-nueva-especie-de-crustaceo-al-joven-biologo-asesinado-en-chiapas-rodriguezia-adani via @@biosferadiez

Panaqolus claustellifer

Tan, Souza& Armbruster, 2016

DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-20150033

A new species of Panaqolus is described from material from the Takutu River and the mainstem rio Branco. The new species is diagnosed from congeners by its color pattern consisting of dark and light bars on the body, bands on the fins, and with dots and vermiculations absent (vs. no bars in P. albomaculatus, P. nix, P. nocturnus, and P. koko, vs. fins unbanded in P. albomaculatus, P. dentex, P. koko, and P. nix, and vs. dots and vermiculations present in P. albivermis and P. maccus). The new species is diagnosed from barred species of Panaqolus by its specific bar number and orientation and color pattern on its head, with bars oriented in a anteroventral-posterodorsal direction (vs. anterodorsal-posteroventral bars in P. gnomus), having consistently 5 bars (n = 4) on the trunk that do not increase with size (vs. number increasing with size in P. purusiensis and vs. 6-12 in P. changae), and the color pattern on the head of straight lines extending from posterior to the eye to the snout margin, splitting in the middle portion of the line in larger specimens (vs. small, dense reticulate lines in P. changae). Biogeographically, we infer that the new species ancestrally originated in the Amazon river, dispersing to the Takutu River after the Amazon captured part of the Proto-Berbice.

Keywords: Brazil, Guyana, Hypostominae, Takutu River.

Fig. 1. Panaqolus claustellifer, new species, CSBD F1702/AUM 44721, Takutu River, holotype, adult male, 61.6 mm SL, lateral view is of right side and flipped horizontally. Photo by Milton Tan.

Panaqolus claustellifer, new species

Diagnosis. Panaqolus claustellifer is diagnosed from most other described species of Panaqolus by its color pattern of dark and light bars on the body, bands on the fins, and with dots and vermiculations absent (vs. no bars in P. albomaculatus, P. nix, P. nocturnus, and P. koko, vs. fins unbanded in P. albomaculatus, P. dentex, P. koko, and P. nix, and vs. dots and vermiculations present in P. albivermis and P. maccus ). Additionally, Panaqolus claustellifer is diagnosed from P. albivermis, P. albomaculatus, and P. nix by dentaries forming an acute angle ~70º vs. dentaries forming a very acute angle to dentaries parallel), and from P. koko by spoon-shaped teeth with small lateral cusps vs. quadrate teeth with strong lateral cusps. Panaqolus claustellifer is diagnosed from other barred species of Panaqolus by the specific bar number and orientation and color pattern on the head, with bars oriented in a anteroventral-posterodorsal direction (vs. anterodorsal-posteroventral bars in P. gnomus), having consistently 5 bars (n = 4) on the trunk that do not increase with size (vs. number increasing with size in P. purusiensis and fading at body sizes >85 mm SL, and vs. 6-12 in P. changae), and the color pattern on the head of straight lines extending from posterior to the eye to the snout margin, splitting in the middle portion of the line in larger specimens (vs. small, dense reticulate lines in P. changae).

Etymology. From the Latin claustellum , meaning keyhole, and the Latin fero , meaning to bear. Refers to the dark brown lines on the snout surrounding a keyhole-like shape of light-brown base coloration. Treated as a masculine adjective.

Ecological notes. Individuals of Panaqolus claustellifer were found in shallow cataracts along the Takutu river, a whitewater system. The substrate was sandy with lateritic rocks interspersed. Surrounding habitat consisted of a narrow strip of gallery forest, but mostly savanna. Small specimens <20 mm SL (AUM 47717, AUM 65708) likely represent young-of-year that have hatched less than a couple weeks prior to collection.

Distribution. Panaqolus claustellifer occurs in the Takutu river and the mainstem rio Branco of Brazil and Guyana.

Milton Tan, Lesley S. de Souza and Jonathan W. Armbruster. 2016. A New Species of Panaqolus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the rio Branco. Neotropical Ichthyology. 14(2); e150033. DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-20150033

scielo.br/pdf/ni/v14n2/1982-0224-ni-14-02-e150033.pdf

twitter.com/LesleydeSouza/status/752596385288097792

Uma espécie nova de Panaqolus é descrita do rio Branco e seu afluente, rio Tacutu. A nova espécie é diagnosticada de suas congêneres pelo padrão de colorido composto por barras escuras e claras alternadas no corpo e nadadeiras, não formando máculas ou vermiculações nas nadadeiras (vs. sem barras no corpo em P. albomaculatus, P. nix, P. nocturnus, e P. koko, e vs. sem barras nas nadadeiras em P. albomaculatus, P. dentex, P. koko, e P. nix, e vs. máculas e vermiculações presentes em P. albivermis e P. maccus). A nova espécie é diagnosticada das espécies de Panaqolus com barras pelo número e orientação das barras e pelo padrão de colorido cefálico, com as barras orientadas posterodorsalmente (vs. posteroventralmente em P. gnomus), pela presença de cinco barras (n = 4) no tronco que não aumentam com o tamanho (vs. número aumentando com o tamanho em P. purusiensis e vs. 6-12 barras em P. changae), e o padrão de colorido cefálico composto por linhas retas da margem posterior do olho à margem do focinho, dividida medianamente em indivíduos maiores (vs. linhas pequenas e vermiculadas em P. changae). Nos inferimos que a nova espécie originou-se ancestralmente no rio Amazonas, dispersando para o rio Tacutu após o Amazonas capturar parte do Proto-Berbice.

Coptodon guineensis (Günther, 1862)

in Agnèse, Louizi, Gilles, et al., 2018.

DOI: 10.1016/j.crvi.2018.01.002

Abstract

Euryhaline Cichlid fish of the species Coptodon guineensis are present in different water holes situated in a dried depression in the desert in the extreme South of Morocco, the Sebkha of Imlili. A genetic survey of this population, using complete sequences of the ND2 gene (mtDNA) and sixteen microsatellite loci, revealed that the fish in the sebkha did not form a single population, but rather a metapopulation. This metapopulational structure may be regarded as good news from the point of view of the conservation of fish in the sebkha. Although small individual populations may have short, finite life spans, the metapopulation as a whole is more stable, because immigrants from one population are likely to re-colonize the habitat, left open by the extinction of another.

Keywords: Tilapia; Conservation; Endangered species

Fig. 2. Views of the sebkha and the fish present in the water holes.
A. View from the top of the sand dunes. B. Band of plants surrounding the sebkha. C. Sandy soil with salt crystallization. D. Permanent water holes (two are clearly visible, five are indicated with arrows). E. Fish in a permanent hole. F. Close up of two specimens of C. guineensis from the sebkha (male above, female below).

Jean-François Agnèse, Halima Louizi, André Gilles, Ouafae Berrada Rkhami, Abdelaziz Benhoussa, Abdeljebbar Qninba and Antoine Pariselle. 2018. A Euryhaline Fish, Lost in the Desert: The Unexpected Metapopulation Structure of Coptodon guineensis (Günther, 1862) in the Sebkha of Imlili [Un poisson euryhalin perdu dans le désert : structure métapopulationnelle inattendue de Coptodon guineensis (Günther, 1862) dans la Sebkha d’Imili]. Comptes Rendus Biologies. In Press. DOI: 10.1016/j.crvi.2018.01.002

Rhacophorus jarujini Matsui & Panha, 2006

in Thongproh, Youjaroen, Chuaynkern,et al., 2018.

Maejo Int. J. Sci. Technol. 12(1)

Abstract

We investigated the respective identities of Rhacophorus jarujini and R. orlovi in Thailand based on specimens collected from several localities in north-eastern Thailand and specimens from museums, namely American Museum of Natural History, Field Museum of Natural History, North Carolina State Museum of Natural Science, Khon Kaen University Vertebrates Collection and Thailand Natural History Museum. Our results confirm that the specimens from Amnat Charoen and Ubon Ratchathani provinces, Thailand, which were previously identified as R. orlovi, are in fact R. jarujini. We therefore propose removing R. orlovi from the list of amphibian fauna of Thailand and that former records of R. orlovi should be replaced by R. jarujini. Furthermore, we report a new record of R. jarujini based on specimens collected from Phu Phan National Park (Sakon Nakhon province), the northernmost record of the species in Thailand.

Keywords: Rhacophorus jarujini, Rhacophorus orlovi, morphology, species distribution, Thailand

Figure 1. Live adult Rhacophorus jarujini from
(A) Phu Phan NP (Sakon Nakhon province) and (B) Phu Jong-Na Yoi NP (Ubon Ratchathani province)

Figure 1. Live adult Rhacophorus jarujini from Phu Phan NP (Sakon Nakhon province) (A) and Phu Jong-Na Yoi NP (Ubon Ratchathani province) (B)

Figure 4. Habitats of Rhacophorus jarujini in Thailand: (A) Wang Wern Waterfall, Yoddom WS, Ubon Ratchathani province; (C) R. jarujini clinging on cave wall ca. 1 m from the ground; (D) R. jarujini on a tree at Phu Jong-Na Yoi NP, Ubon Ratchathani province

CONCLUSIONS:

Examination of specimens of Rhacophorus jarujini and R. orlovi from Thailand confirms the uniqueness of these two species based on external morphological and morphometrical characters. The results confirm that all specimens from Thailand, which were previously identified as Rhacophorus orlovi, are in fact R. jarujini. The present distribution of R. jarujini is known to be from the provincial areas of Sakon Nakhon, Kalasin, Roi Et, Amnat Charoen and Ubon Ratchathani.

Prapaiporn Thongproh, Montri Youjaroen, Yodchaiy Chuaynkern, Chantip Chuaynkern, Pramote Ratree, Prateep Duengkae, Ekachai Phetcharat, Wassana Maiprom, Wimol Ungprombundith and Teerayut Wongpaiseart. 2018. On The Identities of Rhacophorus jarujini Matsui and Panha, 2006 and Rhacophorus orlovi Ziegler and Köhler, 2001 (Amphibia, Anura, Rhacophoridae) from Thailand. Maejo International Journal of Science and Technology [Maejo Int. J. Sci. Technol.]. 12(1); 36-50.

http://www.mijst.mju.ac.th/vol12/36-50.pdf

Melanosternarchus amaru

Bernt,Crampton,Orfinger & Albert, 2018

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4378.4.1

Abstract
We describe Melanosternarchus amaru as a new genus and species of Apteronotidae from the deep channels of blackwater and clearwater tributaries of the Amazon River in Brazil and Peru. The new species superficially resembles members of the widespread “Apteronotus” bonapartii species group, from which it can be readily distinguished by expanded bones of the infraorbital laterosensory canal. It can further be distinguished from all other apteronotids by a unique combination of characters: reduced premaxillary dentition, a large gape, and an absence of scales from the entire dorsum. A molecular phylogenetic analysis using three mitochondrial loci and one nuclear locus (~3000 bp) places this genus as sister to Compsaraia, and these two genera together as a clade sister to Pariosternarchus; all nodes with strong statistical support. The clade formed by these three genera includes five species, four of which are restricted to the Amazon basin. The apparent habitat preference of the new species for low-conductivity blackwater and clearwater rivers has not been reported in other apteronotid species.

Keywords: Pisces, Neotropics, Peru, Brazil, diversity, Blackwater, taxonomy

FIGURE 2. Lateral view of two living specimens of Melanosternarchus amaru, ANSP 200459.

Melanosternarchus, new genus

Type species. Melanosternarchusamaru, new species,

by monotypy and original designation.

Etymology. Melano from the Greek melas, meaning black in reference to dark pigmentation and presence in blackwater rivers, and sternarchus, a name commonly used in apteronotidtaxonomy, from the Greek sternon (chest) and archos (rectum), referring to the anterior position of the anus.

Melanosternarchus amaru, new species

Etymology. The species name is from the Quechuan amaru, a mythical serpent, referring to the snakelike shape of this fish. A noun in apposition.

Maxwell J. Bernt,William G. R. Crampton,Alexander B. Orfinger and James S. Albert. 2018. Melanosternarchus amaru, A New Genus and Species of Electric Ghost Knifefish (Gymnotiformes: Apteronotidae) from the Amazon Basin. Zootaxa. 4378(4); 451–479. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4378.4.1

ResearchGate.net/publication/323120879_Melanosternarchus_amaru_a_new_genus_and_species_of_electric_ghost_knifefish_from_the_Amazon_Basin

twitter.com/MJBernt/status/962898598013923329
facebook.com/AlexOrfinger/posts/10156093177785419

Diogenes albimanus

Landschoff & Rahayu, 2018

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4379.2.7

Abstract

A new diogenid hermit crab with bright-white chelae, Diogenes albimanus n. sp., is described and illustrated, based on a single ovigerous female collected from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The new species is compared to morphologically similar species, in particular to D. holthuisi and D. dorotheae, from which it is distinguishable by the shape and armature of the telson; and also to the superficially-similar South African D. extricatus, from which it differs by having the unarmed dorsal margins of the propodi and meri of the pereopods, as opposed to being armed with rows of strong spines. The unusually white chelae are similar in colour to those of D. takedai, but the coloration of all other parts is different in these two species. High quality macro photographs, a high-resolution microCT (μCT) scan of the whole animal, and the reference to the repository of the molecular barcode of the new species are provided.

Keywords: Crustacea, Crustacean, Diogenes, rocky reef, southwestern Indian Ocean

Jannes Landschoff and Dwi Listyo Rahayu. 2018. A New Species of the Hermit Crab Genus Diogenes (Crustacea: Decapoda: Diogenidae) from the Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Zootaxa. 4379(2); 268–278. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4379.2.7

Trachemys haugrudi Jasinski, 2018

DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4338

Artwork by Mary P. Williams

Abstract

Trachemys (Testudines: Emydidae) represents one of the most well-known turtle genera today. The evolution of Trachemys, while being heavily documented with fossil representatives, is not well understood. Numerous fossils from the late Hemphillian Gray Fossil Site (GFS) in northeastern Tennessee help to elucidate its evolution. The fossil Trachemys at the GFS represent a new species. The new taxon, Trachemys haugrudi, is described, and currently represents the most thoroughly described fossil emydid species known. A phylogenetic analysis, including 31 species, focusing on the subfamily Deirochelyinae is performed that includes the new fossil species, along with numerous other modern and fossil deirochelyine species, representing the first phylogenetic analysis published that includes several fossil deirochelyines. The phylogenetic analysis, utilizing morphological evidence, provides monophyletic clades of all modern deirochelyines, including Chrysemys, Deirochelys, Pseudemys, Malaclemys, Graptemys, and Trachemys. A strict consensus tree finds the recently described fossil species Graptemys kerneri to be part of a clade of Graptemys + Malaclemys. Three fossil taxa, including one previously referred to Pseudemys (Pseudemys caelata) and two to Deirochelys (Deirochelys carri and Deirochelys floridana) are found to form a clade with modern Deirochelys reticularia reticularia, with D. floridana sister to the other members of the clade. Chrysemys is found to be part of a basal polytomy with Deirochelys in relation to other deirochelyine taxa. Two fossil taxa previously referred to Chrysemys (Chrysemys timida and Chrysemys williamsi) form a paraphyly with the modern Chrysemys picta picta and Deirochelys, and may be referable to distinct genera. Additionally, fossil taxa previously attributed to Trachemys (Trachemys hillii, Trachemys idahoensis, Trachemys inflata, and Trachemys platymarginata) and T. haugrudi are found to form a clade separate from clades of northern and southern Trachemys species, potentially suggesting a distinct lineage of Trachemys with no modern survivors. Hypotheses of phylogenetic relationships mostly agree between the present study and previous ones, although the inclusion of fossil taxa provides further clues to the evolution of parts of the Deirochelyinae. The inclusion of more fossil taxa and characters may help resolve the placement of some taxa, and further elucidate the evolution of these New World turtles.

Figure 7: Trachemys haugrudi, paratype skull (ETMNH–3562) in dorsal view. (A) Dorsal portion in dorsal view; (B) ventral portion in dorsal view; (C) reconstruction of skull in dorsal view. Area shaded gray is not preserved and has been reconstructed. Dotted lines represent sutures that were not clear in the specimen. Skull has been reconstructed in the slightly deformed state the specimen is in in real life.

cs, crista supraoccipitalis; den, dentary; ?ex, ?exoccipital; fr, frontal; ?ju, ?jugal; mx, maxilla; ?op, ?opisthotic; pa, parietal; pf, prefrontal; pm, premaxilla; po, postorbital; ?pr, prootic; ?qj, ?quadratojugal; ?qu, ?quadrate; so, supraoccipital; ?sq, ?squamosal. Scale bars are 1 cm.

Figure 3: Trachemys haugrudi, holotype shell (ETMNH–8549). (A) Dorsal view of carapace; (B) line drawing of carapace in dorsal view, with bones outlined in black and scutes outlined in gray; and (C) with scutes outlined in black and bones outlined in gray. Missing portions are shaded in gray. Scale bar is 10 cm.

Figure 4: Trachemys haugrudi, holotype shell (ETMNH–8549). (A) Ventral view of plastron; (B) line drawing of plastron in dorsal view, with bones outlined in black and scutes outlined in gray; and (C) with scutes outlined in black and bones outlined in gray. Scale bar is 10 cm.

Systematic Paleontology

Class Reptilia Laurenti, 1768

Order Testudines Linnaeus, 1758

Suborder Cryptodira Cope, 1868

Superfamily Testudinoidea sensu Gaffney & Meylan, 1988

Family Emydidae Bell, 1825

Trachemys Agassiz, 1857

Trachemys haugrudi n. sp.

Type horizon and age: Late Miocene–early Pliocene (late Hemphillian LMA, 7.0–4.5 Ma). This range means the fossil locality, and T. haugrudi, lies somewhere within Hh3–Hh4 (see Tedford et al., 2004 for discussion of substages).

Etymology: The specific name honors Shawn Haugrud, preparator at the GFS who spent countless hours working on many of the specimens cited within and who helped piece this ancient turtle back together.

Diagnosis: Trachemys haugrudi is placed in the Emydidae due to the absence of musk ducts, inframarginals reduced to two, normal hexagonal neurals 2–8 (also occurs in a few batagurids (=geoemydids); e.g., Mauremys), and costal-inguinal buttress confined to C5. It is placed in the Deirochelyinae due to distinct lack of pectoral overlap of the entoplastron and lack of a hingable plastral lobe with ligamentous bridge connection (also present in some emydines). Diagnosed as a member of the genus Trachemys by features discussed by Seidel & Jackson (1990), including the combination of: a posteriorly strongly serrated oval carapace; a vertebral keel; low longitudinal ridges (mainly on pleurals (and costals)); alternating seams of the vertebral and pleural scutes that do not align; ......

Figure 13: Life reconstruction of Trachemys haugrudi during the late Hemphillian at the Gray Fossil Site in eastern Tennessee.
Several taxa that would have lived alongside T. haugrudi are also shown, including Caudataindeterminate, Tapirus polkensis, cf. Machairodus sp., and Pristinailurus bristoli (Wallace & Wang, 2004; Boardman & Schubert, 2011b; Schubert, 2011; Jasinski, 2013a). Artwork by Mary P. Williams, with permission.

Steven E. Jasinski. 2018. A New Slider Turtle (Testudines: Emydidae: Deirochelyinae: Trachemys) from the late Hemphillian (late Miocene/early Pliocene) of eastern Tennessee and the Evolution of the Deirochelyines. PeerJ. 6:e4338. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4338

Gymnotus cuia

Craig, Malabarba, Crampton & Albert, 2018

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4379.1.3

Abstract

Banded Knifefishes (Gymnotus, Gymnotidae) comprise the most species-rich, ecologically tolerant (eurytopic), and geographically widespread genus of Neotropical electric fishes (Gymnotiformes), with 40 valid species occupying most habitats and regions throughout the humid Neotropics. Despite substantial alpha-taxonomic work in recent years, parts of the genus remain characterized by taxonomic confusion. Here we describe and delimit species of the G. carapo and G. tigre clades from the southern Neotropics, using body proportions (caliper-based morphometrics), fin-ray, scale and laterosensory-pore counts (meristics), quantitative shape differences (geometric morphometrics), osteology, color patterns and electric organ discharges. We report these data from 174 Gymnotus specimens collected from 100 localities throughout the southern Neotropics, and delimit species boundaries in a multivariate statistical framework. We find six species of the G. carapo clade (G. carapo australis, Gymnotus cuia n. sp., G. chimarrao, G. omarorum, G. pantanal, and G. sylvius), and two species of the G. tigre clade (G. inaequilabiatus and G. paraguensis) in the southern Neotropics. The new species G. cuia is readily distinguished from the morphologically similar and broadly sympatric G. c. australis by a shorter head and deeper head and body, and from the morphologically similar and sympatric G. omarorum by fewer lateral-line ventral rami and fewer pored lateral-line scales anterior to the first ventral ramus. We also review the geographic distributions of all eight species of the G. carapo and G. tigre clades in the southern Neotropics, showing that G. cuia is the most widespread species in the region. These results affirm the importance of understanding the structure of variation within and between species, both geographic and ontogenetic, in delimiting species boundaries.

Keywords: Pisces, Alpha taxonomy, Biodiversity assessment, Neotropical, Species delimitation

FIGURE 7. Variation within the type series of Gymnotus cuia.
A. The holotype, UFRGS 23700 (193 mm). B. Four specimens of the paratype series, UFRGS 9794 (171-217 mm).

Gymnotus cuia n. sp.

G. aff. carapo— (Bertaco et al. 2016; Cognato et al. 2007a; b;
Cognato & Fialho 2006; Malabarba et al. 2013; Serra et al. 2014).

Etymology: The specific epithet is derived from the species’ especially deep body and head, evoking the short, rounded cuia gourd used to drink the traditional mate popular throughout its range. The convention of honoring this practice in gymnotiform taxonomy is shared with G. chimarrao (chimarrão =the mate itself) and Brachyhypopomus bombilla (bombilla = the metal straw used for drinking mate). The common name “ bombilla ” is often used to describe gymnotiform fish throughout the southern Neotropics as well.

Ecology: Gymnotus cuia inhabits lakes and small streams, associated to densely vegetated areas. The species is abundant in the type locality (Figure 9), a shallow lake (less than 1 m deep) with dense emergent vegetation, including Ludwigia peploides (Onagraceae), Utricularia spp. (Lenticulariaceae), Nymphoides indica (Menyanthaceae), Pontederia lanceolata (Pontederiaceae), Azolla sp. (Azollaceae), Eleocharis sp. (Cyperaceae), Cabomba australis (Cabombaceae), Echinodorus sp. (Alismataceae), Lemnavaldiviana (Lemnaceae), Scirpus sp. (Sciperaceae) and abundant grass in the shores (Cognato & Fialho 2006). Throughout its distribution it is usually abundant in the roots of dense beds of floating water hyacinths (Eichornia crassipes). Reproductive cycle extends from November to March (Cognato & Fialho 2006).

FIGURE 9. Habitat and live appearance of Gymnotus cuia.
A. The type locality of G. cuia, Lagoa Verde, Itapuã State Park, Viamão, Rio Grande, do Sul, Brazil. Photo: Diego Cognato. B. Close-up photo of the head of a live G. cuia. Photo: Will Crampton. C. Fullbody photo of of a live G. cuia. Photo: Will Crampton.

Jack M. Craig, Luiz R. Malabarba, William G. R. Crampton and James S. Albert. 2018. Revision of Banded Knifefishes of the Gymnotus carapo and G. tigre clades (Gymnotidae Gymnotiformes) from the Southern Neotropics. Zootaxa. 4379(1); 47–73. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4379.1.3

ResearchGate.net/publication/323151053_Revision_of_Banded_Knifefishes_of_the_Gymnotus_carapo_and_G_tigre_clades_from_the_Southern_Neotropics

facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10212593815294423

Satanoperca curupira

Ota, Kullander, Deprá, da Graça & Pavanelli, 2018

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4379.1.6

Abstract

Satanoperca curupira, new species, is described from the rio Madeira basin in the State of Rondônia, Brazil. It is distinguished from all congeners by the following combination of characters: 3–7 dark-brown oblique stripes on the lachrymal (vs. 2 well-defined dark-brown stripes, or dark-brown stripes absent) and an irregular pattern of dark-brown stripes on cheek and opercular series (vs. cheek without dark-brown markings or with light-beige rounded spots). According to meristic and color pattern characters, the new species is considered a member of the S. jurupari species group, and is syntopic with S. jurupari, which is widespread in the Amazon basin. The restricted geographical range of the new species is congruent to that observed for some other Satanoperca species.

Keywords: Pisces, Geophaginae, Neotropical region, Satanoperca jurupari species-group, taxonomy

FIGURE 4. Satanoperca curupira, living specimen photographed just after capture in the rio Jaru, rio Madeira basin in Brazil (photo by U. Werner).

Satanoperca curupira, new species

Satanoperca sp. “Jaru” —. Weidner 2000: 243 (photograph of living specimen).

Satanoperca jurupari —. Stawikowski & Werner 2004: 404 (photograph of living specimen) —. Graça et al. 2013: 373 (in part; lots UFRO-I 7869 and UFRO-I 11589).

Distribution. Satanoperca curupira is known from the rio Madeira basin in Brazil, occurring in the main channel of the rio Madeira and in several tributaries draining the Brazilian shield (rio Jaciparaná, rio Jamari, rio Jaru and rio Machado), and also at the rio Roosevelt (a tributary of the rio Aripuanã), and at the rio São Luis (a tributary of the rio Guaporé) (Fig. 5).

Etymology. The specific name curupira refers to a mythological creature of Brazilian folklore that protects the forest and its inhabitants, punishing those who hunt for pleasure or who kill breeding females or defenseless juveniles (Pereira 1994). The Curupira legend reveals the relationship between the indigenous people and the forest: it is not about exploration and indiscriminate use, but respect for life. A noun in apposition.

Renata R. Ota, Sven O. Kullander,Gabriel C. Deprá, Weferson J. da Graça and Carla S. Pavanelli. 2018. Satanoperca curupira, A New Cichlid Species from the rio Madeira basin in Brazil (Teleostei: Cichlidae). Zootaxa. 4379(1);103–112. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4379.1.6

ResearchGgate.net/publication/323130025_Satanoperca_curupira_a_new_cichlid_species_from_the_rio_Madeira_basin_in_Brazil

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Socoflata histrionica

Stroiński, Malenovský & Świerczewski, 2018

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4379.3.3

Abstract

A new genus of flatid planthoppers (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Flatidae) is described from the island of Socotra (Yemen): Socoflata gen. nov., for Socoflata aurolineata sp. nov. and Socoflata histrionica sp. nov. (type species). Habitus, male and female external and internal genital structures of the new species are illustrated and diagnosed. Both Socoflata species are abundant and syntopic in the evergreen montane woodland and dwarf shrubland at high elevations in the Hagher mountains in central Socotra and are likely endemics of this area.

Keywords: Hemiptera, Fulgoroidea, systematics, taxonomy, Afrotropical region

Adam Stroiński, Igor Malenovský and Dariusz Świerczewski. 2018. Socoflata gen. nov., described for Two New Planthopper Species from the Mountains in Socotra Island (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Flatidae). Zootaxa. 4379(3); 388–406. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4379.3.3

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